Found this scruffy old book in the Pony. Decided to write in it. I'm not sure why, I guess I'm just bored stiff. That, and I'm a bit on edge at the moment. I've 'eard rumours of a "Man dressed all in red". Now, I know theres plenty o' Men in Bree-Land who dress in red, I've seen 'em meself, but this news was more ominous. I overheard this Hobbit sayin' he saw a Man in red sittin' by a campfire out in the Chetwood. The Chetwood ain't no place for any decent sort of folk. Which is why I'm a little paranoid... Could he really be back, after all this time? If so, what's 'e waitin' for? Why not just kill me and be done with it?
I was troubled. I needed some air. Besides, Bristlebrush needed some excercise. And I'll admit it, so do I. I rode me' faithful goat all the way into the Northern Bree-Fields, until I came upon a pleasant little lake. Darkness had already fallen, and the stars were mighty... Well, I wouldn't say beautiful as such, but they were certainly out. I let Bristlebrush 'ave a drink, while I left all me' armour and clothes in the shade of a tree, and decided to go fer a dunk in the water. I'd done it a couple of times before, but never at night. And I'll tell you, it was as cold as... as... Argh, why am I at such a loss for words? It was very cold.
Now, as I did me' lengths up and down the pool, tryin' desperately to warm up, I noticed a shape by the side of the lake. A sort of, mound of clothing. Perhaps someone else is here swimmin', I thought to meself. Then I heard the mound chuckle. I quickly got out of the lake and ran round the edge of the pool, tryin' to be as stealthy as possible. A'course, they didn't see me, as I was like a whisper on the wind! Or... Somethin' like that. I hid behind a tree nearby and poked me' head out for a better look.
And what did I see? Well, only Vaenthal and Ilaru! Aye! The very folk who i'd previously thought 'ad nothin' between them! Ilaru 'erself 'ad told me so! Which was why I was a little shocked to see 'em touchin' each other like that... Well, not in a... suggestive way, but they were certainly gettin' very... close. I'll admit, I sat and eavesdropped for a little while, from the safety of my tree. I needed to dry off, didn't I? It's not like I cared about them two anywho.....
After fittin' me armour back on, Ilaru walked off, away from Vaenthal. It took me by surprise, I fell over backwards and 'ad to scrabble to the other side of the tree so she wouldn't see me! I think I managed it though. Sure enough, along went Vaenthal, followin' 'er like a lost puppy. They went out to somewhere open, with no trees nearby. I watched for a minute or two, but I was out of earshot. Eavesdroppin' ain't much fun when ye' can't hear what's bein' said, so I mounted Bristlebrush and rode back to Bree-town. I'd seen enough.
When I got back to the Pony... I don't know. I felt strange. Not about the Elf and the Woman, no. I just felt so trapped inside the walls, like they were closin' in on me. Now, I was born underground, so I ain't one to get claustrophobic, but I imagine thats what it feels like. I was incredibly paranoid. I thought Cirdu was goin' to jump out at any second. That Man I've seen around, Baradar I think is his name, he asked what was wrong. I asked 'im if 'ed seen a man dressed in red, and 'e hadn't. 'E went and 'ad a look around Bree-Town, and couldn't find even news of a man dressed in red. That made me feel a little better, I think.
But 'e was always good at hidin'....
I 'ad a bit of fun to distract me', calm me' nerves. Told a Man and a Woman that I was goin' to kill 'em and take all their money. Should've seen the looks on their faces! HAH! Priceless! Of course, the fun was ruined by Baradar.... Stupid Men... Interferin'....
That's when I spotted Ilaru and Vaenthal sittin' together by a fire. I tried to get passed without 'em seein' me, but of course the eagled eyed bloody Elf saw me, didn't 'e? I was never a good liar, and so in the end I 'ad to tell 'em I saw them by the lake. And y'know what shocked me? They didn't even seem the least bit perplexed! Sure, they denied the touchin', but I know what I saw...
And then y'know what 'appened?! That ruddy Woman poured ale all over me' pipe, and unbraided me' beard! MY BEARD TAKES HOURS TO BRAID IN THE MORNIN'S!!!! And that pipeweed was good pipeweed! And she spoiled a sizeable chunk of it! Well, I needed revenge, so I took 'er stupid feather thing from 'er hair. Serves 'er right. Of course, Baradar helped her get it back. They were threatenin' to shave me' beard! In the end I gave it to them. I'm too soft...
The old me would 'ave crushed it. Thrown it in the fire. The old me would 'ave crushed her skull fer messin' with me. I've gone too soft... Back in Erebor I knocked folk out just fer lookin' at me funny. What's... What's 'appened to me?
Too much time spent around these people, I imagine. It's that Elf. Vaenthal. Theres... Somethin' about 'im. 'E reminds me of a good friend.But he can never be 'im. Because 'es long gone. And 'es never comin' back.
