Chapter 3. From the journal of Fortinbras Took, S.R. 1158

12 July

A Quick Post message came from the North country yestre day that Uncle Dobby is taken ill – sun-struck whilst labouring under an angry Sun. I remember when Uncle Dobby visited with Aunt Ruby and my north-Took cousins, he told us that the Sun shines longer and stronger in the North country in the summer time than it does in our high Green Hills where the Sun's light is cooler for some reason (I wonder why? The adults only shook their heads at me when I asked, for children are to be seen but not heard. Yet again, I find myself wondering why?), and the grass is always green and fresh, even when it lies under a blanket of snow.

13 July

Bandobras Bandobras Bandobras Bandobras Bandobras

I would have protested to my dear but departed Da, Grandfa, had he not left for the North country early this morning. It seems hard to me, that I did not misspell "Dobby" – which is how most hobbits of my acquai most of the hobbits I know refer to my north-Took Uncle.

But you say it is disrespectful to call the Leader of the north-Tooks by his love-name in a written record. (And why does 'writing' have but one 't' whilst 'written' has two of them? The practise makes little sense or none at all.)

I am not ungrateful that you told me I must write out my Uncle's name but five times instead of ten since I did not misspell his love-name in yestre-day's entry.

14 July

practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice

Grandfa, I must confess that I still do not understand when I must use practice in the stead of practise! I think I am still too young for grammar lessons. Do not most young Tooks learn their letters at the age of ten and only begin formal grammar a few years after? I believe I am full young to be tasked with understanding the intricasies ideosincrasies workings of grammar.

And in truth my Da had departed for the North country, as I wrote yestre day, yet I must not say he is departed for that means something entirely different!

Words can be so tricksy some times. I am almost fit to be tied. Which does not mean I am ready to be bound with ropes even though it sounds as if it does.

If I must use words correctly and effectively to be Thain, then perhaps I do not wish to be Thain, not ever! 

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