Found:
My efforts to sneak from the bedroom were in vain. Despite not being a morning person, Rowan is a light sleeper and he awoke before I could get dressed, concerned that some unmentioned stress had disturbed my sleep. I explained that it was simply a part of my normal routine and left him there to get some more rest whilst I saw to breakfast and Steel.
I must admit that I became distracted on my way back. I've little love for hobbits, true. They're nice enough people, but their short stature makes me uneasy. I always worry that I'll accidentally stand on them. Be that as it may, children are children regardless of the race and I have always had a soft spot for the young. A game of tag ensued, although I could do none of the running, and after that some stories.
It was midmorning by the time we eventually left Michel Delving, which is far later than I would usually start travel, but I can't really complain. The time amongst the kids was wonderfully refreshing, light-hearted and innocent fun.
We laughed and joked along the road. He admitted that he's only fond of such wordplay in short bursts, but had been putting effort into banter for my sake, seeing how much I enjoy it. I'm not entirely sure what to think of that. I appreciate it, of course. It's a sweet thing to do and leaves me feeling oddly valued that someone would care enough to amuse me so. However, I dislike the notion that he may be making himself uncomfortable or unhappy for my sake. He has no need to do so. His past actions, though not forgotten, have long since been forgiven and a deeper understanding has been reached as to why he acted as he did. There are no reparations for him to make, not with me.
Indeed, he went into greater detail over what happened back then and I, I think, helped him understand a small part of it myself. As much as I want to help him bring that to a satisfying conclusion, he asked that I stay out of it. He wants me safe, he said. It grates, I'll admit. I have contacts, I have the means and the perfect excuse to look into the matter, but I won't. He needs less worry, not more.
On that vein, I offered him a way out of his current confliction. It might seem callous or uncaring, but it is quite the opposite. Who am I to fight for something that, at this time, isn't? How can I knowingly put him through that stress? That would be the real cruelty; pressing my wants upon him when his need lies elsewhere. I think my offer upset him. He quickly left for a walk to think and didn't return for several hours.
One good thing came of it all, though. Now he plans to treat me to a roast duck dinner when we arrive in Bree. I'm very much looking forward to that!
