Pareth and her kin were sent home for some respite from the many battles they had fought. Pareth herself was badly injured from some serious falls she suffered in Moria. So she was grateful for rest and a little diversion.

She was dared by her friends to drink from the treacherous keg and she somehow ended up in the Lonelands, quite drunk and missing her leggings!

Pareth laughed and she happily took part in a race back home since everyone who drank from the keg ended up in different areas.

The race was on!

Pareth, as a hunter, was unable to use her special skillls, so like everyone else, had to find her way back to the kinship homestead the fastest using the stable horses. Pareth came a modest 5th, while poor Torbi, who ended up in the most remote corner of Middle Earth, came in last, but he was treated with honor for his determination to get back and join in the festivities. And we waited for him together and welcomed him with pride for he was a most noble warrior.

Each of Pareth’s kin enjoyed the holiday but each of them knew they were desperately needed in battle and the rest would be too brief. Soon, many of them would be sent to Mirkwood to help the Elves of Lothlorien battle the evil within that dark and treacherous forest.

Pareth had much to do yet in Moria, the Dimrill Dale, and Lothlorien, so it would be many days before she would venture to Mirkwood.

There was so much to do. Pareth sighed. “How can one survive all this evil?” she thought in despair. She gritted her teeth and found the strength within to say out loud: “Because we must!”

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The hobbits of Michel Delving are used to lots of activity in their township. But lately, it has been quite a bit busier than usual.
Second Shirriff Bodo Bunce went home from work and said to his wife, “Something big is happening, I tell you. There are many elves and big folk from as far away as Rohan and even Gondor showing up in town. They are buying up all manner of armour and weapons, and of course food. What do you think is going on, dear?”

Mrs. Bunce was busy making supper and she stopped what she was doing and looked at her husband strangely and said, “I’m afraid it’s nothing good, dear. Eustoma Muddybanks told me the other day, that men and elves, and even hobbits are getting ready for a big war. Surely there won’t be a war here, dear?”

“War? Good heavens, no, my dear! The war won’t come here. Why would it?” Bodo was certain but when he looked at his wife, he began to have doubts.

That night Bodo walked over to the The Bird and Baby to have a few pints and talk with friends. Everyone was talking about the strange goings on. Yes, the residents of Michel Delving were getting suspicious but not a single hobbit at the inn really believed that they were in any sort of immediate danger. So they indulged themselves in food and drink until very late, as hobbits often do.

Meanwhile the Rangers of the North kept the northern border of the Shire as safe as possible, not knowing that another unknown enemy had other plans for the Shire.

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Once again Pareth accompanied Tule Sloughfoot, a hardy hobbit minstrel whom Pareth grew to trust with her life, on a few missions to defeat the White Hand Ambassadors near the Orc Watch of Moria. They met three other warriors and together they battled many orcs.

They were gone for days. In and out of the Redhorn Lodes, the orcs were everywhere. But the five warriors were relentless, and the orcs were dismayed by their fierce resistance.

Pareth knew their battles were far from over. Moria was crawling with all manner of evil creatures. Moria was a nighmare.

Pareth longed for the outdoors. “Oh Ithilien, how I miss your fragrant herbs and bushes, and your flowing streams!”, thought Pareth wistfully.

Little did she know that Sauron had all but captured most of Gondor and except for the hidden outpost of Henneth Annûn, Pareth’s beloved homeland was abandoned.

It would be many more months before Pareth would be able to return to her homeland. She hoped she wouldn’t lose any more people she cared for. Losing her brothers in the battle at Osgiliath had been devastating enough.

Pareth, like many who lived during these wars, longed for peace. Pareth sighed. Peace! Not yet, she knew. Not yet.

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