Looks may be decieving... my father always told me this, but I did not realise until now, how right he is.
I came north at his bidding, to deliver his message to the hidden vale of the elves, I came north because my father as steward of Helm's deep, has no trust in the actions of Théoden king.
Too long have we been without support from Edoras.
The journey was long, and danger looking close, especially when crossing the gap, I dare not make my way back until it is open again,
something wicked is taking place at Isengard, that foul wizard has something stirring under the fumes that permeat the place.
So I have made a temporary home in the surroundings of a town named Bree, it is an odd place, full of odd people, halfmen, dwarves, even elves come there, and of course the assorted rabble.
The inhabitants are friendly though, for the most part, and the ale is...well... somewhat alright.
An aptly named Inn it is, The Prancing Pony.
It was there I met the lass, or, I should perhaps name her Lady, for she has an air about her that is noble.
A bit scrawny to look at, hair tied back, a scar on her cheek, and a patch over one eye, Frewynn of Aldburg she is named, and I still wonder at her presence in Bree, then again, my own presence is odd, especially given the task I have awaiting me in the keep. I hope I make it back before my father fades away, he has grown frail.
I did not think much of it when Frewynn shoved me into the lake, I did not even think much of it when she kissed me there, she was a wild one, far away from home, grown up in Aldburg on the mark, and me but a cave-dweller from Helm's Deep.
She seemed reckless, strange too, as if she had taken a hit to the head, she certainly has odd ways to her, and you never know what next she may do.
But then last night... she revelaed her true self, the one hidden beneath the veil of wildness.
I was stunned when I saw her, hair all brushed out, the patch gone, to reveal a sound eye, the grime and the filthy rags off her, she was now clad in an elegant dress, red as the setting sun upon the cliff wall behind the keep. And as blinding in her radiance as the sun.
Looks may be decieving, she even told me, never trust what your eyes see... and I stand corrected, for this was no wild lass from the mark, this was a lady.
We walked, and talked, and she told me she would like to ride home to Rohan, to find a man, and settle as is proper, I offered her the keep.
I know I cannot offer her marriage as I should, honor be damned I say, why did my father ever accept the task from Thengel king?.
I never wanted the responsibility that my father will leave me, I want it not still, I know I should not count myself amongst the guardsmen, but I do, and I always will, why shold I be their liege lord?.
Yet, without the kings consent, no coming liege of his may wed. How I detest the old ways sometime.
Let me be a guardsman, let me carry home a bride, that my father may see my happiness, that my fellow guards may see that even under the cloak of shadow, light may be found.
