Having not much else to do for once, between storms and repair work, Marnewyn sat down with her daughter's writing desk and implements to write back to her, and hoped she'd catch a courier heading south – which might even be the same one as had brought her letter north. Failing that, she'd have something written for when more people would travel in the spring.
Dear Adri,
Thank you for your notes from Fréasburg. It was very good to hear from you. It set my mind, and that of some of your friends, at ease. In particular, that charming lad Leoffrith and Miss Cesistya were glad to see your letter. I'm enclosing two letters from Leoffrith, one that was to me but has more information you might want to see, and one that he wrote for you in particular. Cesistya, of course, sends her regards, as does your aunt. If I weren't so hopeful of catching someone heading south, I'd wait for her to write as well, but… well, if finding a courier takes long enough, there may be another enclosure.
Sadly, Audea seems to have moved on from the Bree-lands, at least so far as anyone I've found knows. Your land-lady hasn't found suitable tenants for the rest of this house yet, which of course suits me just fine. Work on my own cabin is nearly complete, though some of it I won't bother to finish until spring – unless you show up early, in which case you can help me clear the snow enough. As you can see from your other letters, your place in Hookworth should be fully habitable as well. I'll even make sure the wood-box is stocked by the time this could possibly get delivered.
I've run into signs of some other hunters out in the woods, and I'm not sure all of them are the sorts I'd want to meet. Times are getting troubling up here, it seems. There are too many whispered stories of travellers being attacked on the roads. I've not seen supporting evidence, and you know as well as I how rumours can be, but the frequency of the tales is increasing, and that worries me. There may be some substance there. You're better for investigating such things than I am by far, though. I'm barely even a hunter, and no warrior.
Otherwise, there's not much else to report that's not in Leoffrith's letters, so I'll just enclose them and hope to find a courier before the snows melt.
Love,
Marnewyn
With that done, she added in the other letters, as promised, and went looking for a courier headed to Rohan. She found one, which surprised her, but Barliman confirmed it was (probably) the same one who'd been through earlier and delivered the letter to which she'd replied.
(( The enclosures follow. ))
To Marnewyn
I looked over Miss Adree's house and it's fair untouched from the storm just like mine was on account it sits against the same cliff. There were some branches down on the yard and lots of leaves but I got most of them cleaned up. There's some mess of leaves and stones in the fountain but I think that were like that afore with no one cleaning it. And there were a post got snapped in half and knocked over. I tucked it behind the house but I reckon it's not worth much but scrapwood now. I'll do more cleaning when Miss Lumina says as my arm's healed enough for lifting the bigger branches.
I know it's not like as you can get a letter to Miss Adree now, but in case you do, I wrote one and I'm inclosing it in case you can tuck it inside one your own letters. If it can't get sent until spring, then it'll still be the same letter. I'm also inclosing a few pennies for the cost of the messenger to carry it along with yours. Thank you for letting me know as she's all right.
Leoffrith
To Adree
I am giving this letter to Miss Marnewyn for to send to you with one of hers on account I wanted for to tell you I been thinking of you and hope you are doing well. Miss Marnewyn says you’re like to be near Harwick or Fréasburg, and might be in a year or two come spring I will be visiting the Mark again, so if you’re still there I hope I can see you. And introduce you to my love Lumina what I’d be bringing for to show her the Mark and to my family.
After most a year with Éogar I went to Tressel Bridge to work a year for Master Fincham. Now I’m back in Bree working the west gate stable for Master Rosewood and he says in a year or two I’ll be a master. He might even sell me his stable. I’m living in Hookworth again too, with Lumina. She’s a real pretty Haradrim girl and cooks good and she’s a healer and reads a lot.
Hookworth had a bad storm but our houses back by the cliff didn’t get hit bad. Just a few posts and such knocked down. I cleaned up your yard best I could and will do the rest when my arm mends. Other houses got tore up entire or lost roof or suchlike. The old stable got knocked over but it weren’t being used anyhow.
We’re hoping things is going good for you and you’re doing well, and that your quest turns out a success. If it does do you figure to come back up north? I reckon you might like to stay down there. But I’d sure like to say hello again some time.
Leoffrith
(( This post is way overdue, and the letter was really posted in early December. ))
