The Return of Kendrah

My Dearest Corwynne, I'm sure you know, that I have been gone for a very long time. As I struggled to return to my home in the Settlement, I will admit that I was disappointed to find no missing posters in the public spaces of the towns I passed through, pleading for my return. It has been eight years, so I could easily understand that the massive push to find me had likely died down, but alas, when I spoke with local Stewards and Sheriffs, I found they had no memory of there being a push of any kind. At the end of my journey, I found a rundown and almost deserted settlement. It seems that when I secretly thought the entire endeavor would be lost without me, I was right. I found my home to be in a sorry state. The layer of dirt on everything managed to keep me from noticing Legolas in his place of woe on the hearth for almost an hour. It has taken several days to assure Leggs that I am real...or as real as I can be...that I had not simply decided not to return after Pennsic, lo those many years ago, and that I had no intention of staying away again. I have yet to tell him the truth of what happened as he has had a difficult couple of days, and to be completely honest, I'm a bit tired myself, but I will sum it up for you. The trip home from Pennsic was going as it normally does, hot, tired and in need of a shower, I was driving home when suddenly a band of Warg Riders was upon us. I have struggled to put it all together since, but it is mostly a blur. Suffice of to say, I was taken to the edge of Mordor with the last of the servants of the Sauron. Warg Riders, it turns out, aren't the brightest beacon fires on the mountain..they assumed the power and gold they wanted in exchange for my safe return would just be given to them. They had never heard of a ransom note. Over time, they slowly gave up waiting and eventually they each wandered away. Anticlimactic, I know. Once I freed myself from my cell, I began the long trip home. I am pleased to see that many of our settlements have turned into thriving towns, some on the verge of becoming cities. I am also selfishly glad that everyone assumed I left on my own and hadn't left me to rot. So, what's new with you? Your affectionate friend, Kendrah