Found:
Having received a letter from the lovely Balnirar, I went in search of him in Bree. Alas, he could not be found there, but instead, I came across Jackilyn. She is suffering. Fear and worry for Elias cloud her mind and steal her joy.
Alas, this has also led to paranoia.
In an effort to find a solution for everyone's sake, I have - with the agreement of Aeurthuil - sent out word to a healer I used to know. Perhaps she might help. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but if nothing else she might relieve him of his duties for a while, let him take some rest. That would be far better than him working himself to death or accidentally killing someone else with the wrong remedy.
I can only hope I find her or that she responds before I leave for Erebor.
The Bree-land Ball was today. Rowan had agreed to accompany me, much to my surprise and delight, and indeed he did! He looked perfectly wonderful in his new clothes and it was a fight not to take them off him before we had a chance to attend!
I'm glad that I managed to behave, though. This time.
Balrinar was there. We discussed the cane and payment for it. It is only the second time we have spoken, but I find myself truly enjoying the chatter and energy of that dwarf.
Aeruthuil was also there, to my surprise. I had not expected the man to have dragged himself away from his charge for more time than it takes to use the outhouse! Of course, he spent most of it lurking in the shadow of a tree looking less than pleased about being spoken to by a woman with a limp, so whether or not there was much purpose in his presence is unknown.
I met an elf called Rovenon, who gave me a new nickname. Telempy? Telempay? I shall have to look into that at some point. I can neither pronounce it properly nor do I know the correct spelling. He seemed a nice enough fellow. I must recall to send out some letters to my old contacts on his behalf. He seeks a specific lost trinket that, perhaps, one of them might have seen.
Better yet, I saw Neyaa for the first time in over a year! How I missed that smiling face! It seems that Seaver is gone - good riddance - and she is alone with her son once again. She is thinner than I recall. Less boisterous. But perhaps time and good company may change this.
Kestrea was also in attendance, though I didn't see much of her. She seemed a little uncomfortable, though whether that was for the crowd or seeing Rowan and I together for the first time, it is hard to tell. She appeared a lot more animated when she spoke with the men of the woods than she had been speaking with we two.
I didn't get to speak to the hostess of the eve, busy as she was and distracted as I was, but it would seem that she and Rowan are acquainted. I'll have to ask him to pass on my thanks for such a wonderful evening! Truly, I enjoyed it immensely. Watching Rowan have fun and talk to people was a rare delight!
It tired him, of course, as I knew it would. He is not used to such things, so later, when he sought solitude, I departed with him but went straight home and left him to his walk. Even had I wished to go with him, I don't think I could have. I was aching abominably by then! I needed to sit down and rest.
It's not been long since I got back. Steel has been put to bed, the fires raised, balms applied and now I wait. I wait with a song on my lips, joy in my heart and anticipation elsewhere.
I wait for my "husband" to come back home.
