Found:
Today has been a largely good day. Once again, that little trick worked like a charm, and apart from a brief period, my nightmares were cut short. I slept wonderfully well.
Sometime after lunch, Thadirin happened across me at the fountain once again. It's been far too long since last I saw that man! He seemed in a fine mood, though I think he may be starting to feel his age, poor thing. He did express some regret concerning his treatment of Kelynn, and asked if I'd seen her but, truth be told, I've not set eyes on that scrumptious little entrepreneur in many many moons.
When Ryheric, Clothilde and Lavendara passed by, I made sure to call them over for introductions. They invited us for drinks, an opportunity Thad would never pass up! I went along for the company, naturally.
I saw Loakee in passing. I'm reasonably certain that Ryheric invited him to join us too, although given that he kept his distance I must suppose that the juggler declined. The wager continues!
For a while, Thad stayed by me. I got the impression that he was feeling a little exposed amongst strangers, especially after we left the tavern and instead went to the rather more cozy library. Still, it didn't take too long for him to become more comfortable amongst the trio.
For the most part, I sat back to watch and listen. It was a joy to see him making friends and even Clothilde was lacking in bristles, although that may have been the sheer amount of drinks she packed away. For such a little thing, she's got quite the capacity!
They all got along wonderfully well. It was a lovely, relaxing and highly entertaining afternoon!
A pity, then, that Atharann found me as I was on my way back to my tent.
He'd been looking for me apparently. In part, at least, to offer an apology for his initial hosility toward me all those years ago. He gave to me a book and a tale concerning a water spirit in Evendim who might be able to heal my back.
I am hesitant to dismiss this claim, seeing as I'm fully aware that malignant spirits exist. Friendly ones, however... Well, if one then why not the other? And yet... as tempting as it is to think I could be rid of this yearly agony, and the indignity of a cane, I see little point in getting my hopes up.
The other thing he brought to me was a theory. A theory that I find rather... uncomfortable.
My appearance is an oddity, yes. It always has been. Red hair, from the Horselords, the dark skin of Khand - though a touch lighter, given my sire was pale as a sheet. But it's the eyes... the eyes that no one can place, not even me.
Atharann believes that these pale orbs of mine could belong to only one people; his own. Well, not specifically the Faithful, given that my mother was most definitely from Khand, but instead the Fallen. The Black Numenoreans.
Could it be true? Could she have been, as he suspects, a full-blood Fallen? And if so, what does that mean for, or to, me? Why should it mean anything? I'm still just me, yes? With or without this possibility, with or without this information, I'm still just me.
Possibly with a longer life span. Oh joy.
Perhaps it is better that Rowan is gone. This suggestion would not have sat well with him. It doesn't particularly sit well with me, although for vastly different reasons.
I've often poured scorn upon the descendants of Numenor for the hubris that led to its fall, and the way in which both sets of survivors apparently believed that it was their right to own everywhere else settled by Men. To count myself as one of them...?
Well.... fuck!
After that little existential crisis there, it was almost amusing to find a drunken Ryheric passed out in my tent. How he found it, I don't know, especially given his unsteadiness when he left the library. It was good to have a distraction though. Unconscious and snoring or not, I wasn't about to complain. Two nights of minimal nightmares in a row?
My, but I am spoiled.
