October 30th 3041
Dear diary,
Today I spent almost all day in the city for lessons. I talked to a lot of the people in the market. I am getting to know a lot of them well. There is the washerwoman, she's a little gossipy though; and there's the tailor, and the farmers, and every kind of worker. They are nice and friendly, almost every one of them. But there are those Eorlingas that aren't nice. Now that I'm grown, and a woman almost, my dresses are different. They seem to show off this new body I have. I don't like them much, but the seamstresses don't care about what I like. The "bad" Eorlingas are those dark men that lurk in the alleyways. They are always staring at me, a greedy look in their eyes. They scare me, and I am glad I have guards nearby. I get away from those alleyways as fast as I can.
A week ago I made the minstrel very proud. I sang the song of Eorl perfectly. I have been learning it with help from Reodwyn all autumn. Papa and Elfwine were there to hear me too. Elfwine smiled at me, I could tell he was proud of me too. But papa seemed to be thinking of other things. I don't think he's talked to me in years. I wish he would.
April 29th, 3042
Dear diary,
I realize that I have not written for a while. I have learned so much in the time between entries. I can now gallop bareback, and ride on a Meara. Elfwine turned 18 last month and let me try to ride Aldor, his Meara, for lessons. I fell off many, many times that night. I never did mount him successfully. But sometime later in lessons I did. Elfwine is teaching me all about caring for Mearas. They are the lords of all horses, no man can saddle them, and they will only let those descended from Eorl himself ride them.
I can fight Elfwine with the sword now. I've almost beaten him a few times. Well, actually, it was only once, and he was tired that night. But I still almost beat him. I can also do most of the shooting I mentioned last time. Elfwine taught me the difference between using the bow as a weapon and using it as a hunting tool. I think I prefer the sword to the bow and arrow. Sometimes it just seems cowardly to stand far off and shoot enemies in the back. I would rather face them bravely, beat them down with all my strength. Elfwine agrees with this.
Speaking of Elfwine, he seems to be fulfilling his promise to me. I love learning how to fight. If only I could get out of the city and travel, then I could test these new-found skills. I learned in my earlier lessons about every place in Middle Earth. There are wonderful places, and unexplored land, and the Sea. Mama grew up by the Sea. She used to tell me stories about it when I was a child. Her father, my grandfather, is the Prince of a city there. I've never met him, or any of the uncles she used to tell me about. I want to go there someday. Mama used to talk about how the waves would roll in, how each one would be different but they were all still the same. She would describe how the icy water sucked the sand from beneath her bare feet when she stood on the beach. How she would squeal at the coldness, and run back to her papa's waiting arms.
I miss mama constantly. I am grown now, I know it. I need her to talk to. I always talk to Reodwyn and Morwyn when I can, but both of them seem so distant. We've grown apart, even though we used to be the closest of friends. Oh well, I suppose it is for the best, and everything will make sense in the end. Whenever the end is.
June 24th, 3042
Dear diary,
My 15th birthday is tomorrow. I just finished lessons today. All my lessons, over. There is nothing more to learn. Elfwine says there is going to be a celebration tomorrow. I haven't had a birthday party since mama was alive. Elfwine says he has a surprise for me, but it will have to wait till late tomorrow night. He hinted that it has to do with what he has been teaching me. I hope it is a weapon, or a test of my skills, or something. I also get Baldor tomorrow too. He's grown up, but he's still the regular-looking Meara. But he will be mine! I can't wait!
In one of my entries I mentioned Aunt Eowyn. I spelled her name wrong, but I was young. What I just found out is that the day she was here, she gave my parents something for me to wear on my 15th birthday. It is a beautiful dress. It isn't showy, like the new seamstresses would make it. It is white, and gold, and she wore it in the War times. She wore it on her birthday too, when she finished lessons. She lived here all her life, just like I have. I suppose I will just do what she did after she finished lessons. I just realized there is nothing else for me to do here. Aunt Eowyn just lived here for 8 years after she finished lessons, and helped care for my great uncle Theoden when he was sick. There is no one sick here, but I guess I will live here just the same.
Well, I must get sleep for tomorrow. Papa actually talked to me today. I was standing near his throne before bedtime, and he chuckled as he looked at me. I glanced back. He smiled at me for the first time I recall since long before mama's death. He told me I have a big day tomorrow, and I need my rest. I will take his advice now. Goodnight…