01-21-2002
Meet Jaell Brandybuck: Chapter Thirteen
As I was preparing for my trip to figure out who I really was, I felt the need to pack as much as possible. The feeling nagged and nagged, stating that I may never come back, that I may never see my loved ones again for the rest of my life. Sighing heavily, I tucked the last of my vests and belts into the travel sack. Being the end of summer, I made sure to take extra care in packing my winter clothes, for she was a harsh season, far harsher than I prefer.
I slung the sack over my shoulder and I decided to look around. Taking a last glimpse and my eye caught a small wisp of memory and recognition as I saw the small silver neck band Frodo had given me a little bit ago. I remembered that he had asked me to wait until his birthday… I strongly felt that September 23rd, the day after his birthday, was too far off for me to wait, althought only a couple days ahead. I decided my own fate; Frodo had no choice in it.
I said that into my mind, feeling pains in my heart and unbelief that I had actually thought of something as cruel as it was. I clutched Elénia in the same hand as my rope that tied the travel sack and a small stack of letters I had spent the whole night before writing out, in careful script and extremely painful revelations to be bestowed on those I cared for.
I softly tiptoed to Merry's room and left the folded paper addressed to him on his night table. Doing the same in my parents' room, I quietly slipped out the front door. Breathing in the fresh dark air and the bright moonlight, I took off down to Bag End. Leaving the last note wedged into Frodo's door and the wall. Walking off in the direction of Rivendell in a fashion much like Bilbo's – or so the tale went – singing happily and freely.
By the rising of the moon
By the rising of the moon
A pipe on me shoulder
By the rising of the moon
By the rising of the moon
A many heart was a-beating for the morning light
By the rising of the moon
By the rising of the moon
All along that singing river
That black mass was left to be seen
'Tis the rising of the moon
'Tis the rising of the moon
The song only covered up my departing sadness for a bit of the journey. Clutching Elénia a bit tighter, I peered into the darkness before me, not knowing what to expect. Once I had traveled a good six miles, I sat beneath a dark oak whose highest branches wavered in the still night.
I must have fallen into slumber for the next time I opened my eyes was to behold a magnificent sunrise. Quickening to my feet, I took up my sack and only companion and went to get a better view of such an elegant event.
After capturing the event and burning it into my memory, I was on my way again. I remember the day I left was September the 20th. I wonder Frodo would feel by my absence at his birthday celebration. Feeling an emptiness swelling in me, I turned my thoughts back to my determination to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. It will take me a while… but I must get my head focused on my task. My task of uncovering myself… Glancing around myself in this dank old forest, I could not help but feel so lonely and cold.
More to come…