Harmindon's Finest

Chapter 21 - One of Those Soldiers

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By the time some weeks had passed and I was properly beginning to settle into my new life, I decided to write a letter home.

This task was one of some difficulty and was cause for much thought and preparation. I could make out the shapes of letters and words, and scrawl out some sentences without too much difficulty - but that was about it as far as my literary prowess was concerned. I'd never had much cause to write anything before, and besides, Miarka would have to get someone to read the letter for her because - although she was clever and bright, and well able to read - she'd never truly bothered or indeed needed to practise much.

Therefore, I enlisted Aman and Aro, Amira's sons, whose parents were very conscientious about their children getting a thorough grounding in reading and writing, to help me edit my pitiful scrap of a letter.

It was now nearly midwinter, and though we were used to harsh weather it was of an entirely different kind. The ground was hardened and cold, but even so we sat on the cobbles in front of my stall so that I would be on hand if there were any customers. Their baby sister, Safina, was squirming in my lap which made writing quite difficult. I cleared my throat and read aloud as the boys peeked over my shoulder.

"My dearest sister and grandmother, I have come to the White City safe and well. I think of you every day but even so I enjoy myself here -"

"I am enjoying myself," Aman corrected, giggling. I rolled my eyes, which made him giggle even more, and crossed out my badly written sentence with a vigour that made the page look dreadfully untidy.

"- I am enjoying myself here. Grandmother, you would have a fit if you tried the food I have to eat here, but I got used to that quickly, which was a surprise. My Westron improves almost on a daily basis, and I speak especially well to any customers I have -"

"You spelled especially wrong," Aro pointed out gravely.

"What will I do without you two," I sighed gratefully, correcting my mistake. Safina wriggled about even more, beginning to whine loudly. I loosened my grip and let her escape my grasp, knowing she'd make no end of a fuss if I held onto her.

"I have a stall here that is twice as big as Mother's old one. It took some time for people to buy anything, but once one came, the rest followed. I am more popular than most other Haradrim tradespeople, luckily enough, because I sell clothes of Gondorian fashion too, which many young ladies admire. Even though I still cannot fathom why they wear their clothes so tightly, I was quick to learn their way of sewing.

It is also nearly winter. This means it is so cold that you would not believe it. It rains so much, and sometimes the rain turns into snow and gathers into brown slush at the roadside. Snow happens when it is so cold rain hardens into little flakes, but it does not stay and turn houses white because it melts and just turns into cold rain. Would they even be interested in that?" I wondered out loud, nearly spilling ink all over my hands, which nearly send the boys into hysterics.

"Oh well. I think that's enough for now, don't you think, boys? Let's get baby Safina home and warm ourselves up. Safina?"

I looked up from my letter.

"Safina?" Aro and Aman called simultaneously.

Damn.

I struggled to my feet, nearly falling back down again from the tingling in my legs. I grabbed onto the sturdy tabletop of my stall for support as I stared, agonised, all around us. By the Golden Serpent, she was a baby and could not have crawled too far.... could she?