The hobbits from Buckland hadn’t seen Ballanor for many days. The last time Celandine Brandybuck spoke to Ballanor, she told her of the strange goings on and then Ballanor left early the next day and she was last seen at the entrance to the Old Forest.

No one heard any news, and the hobbits were worried and more than a little frightened by the disappearance of the their new friend. They knew that the Old Forest was treacherous, especially at night.

What they didn’t know was that Ballanor had indeed run into some trouble in the Forest. She had twisted her ankle on an old oak root, and she couldn’t walk very well. The pain was unbearable and she tried to bring the swelling down with a poultice that she made.

She hobbled along a path towards another exit but the path was strewn with broken branches and tree roots, and the air was stifling, so it was difficult for Ballanor to get very far. She sang to the trees for she knew they were angry and dangerous. And they let her pass reluctantly.

It didn’t take very long for Ballanor to get very weary. Her ankle throbbed mercilessly and her throat was parched. She had no water left in her water bag and she began to despair. “I must find the river” she thought.

Just then she heard the sound of heavy footsteps and a hearty voice singing a funny song. Ballanor laughed heartily for she knew that all was well. The Eldest had come – Old Tom Bombadil, and he and Goldberry took Ballanor to Tom’s house and nursed her back to health.

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While Tearose was back in the Shire, she received a message that she was expected to travel to Bree as soon as possible to meet a messenger sent from Rivendell at the request of Lord Elrond.

While in Bree, she stopped for refreshments at the Inn of the Prancing Pony. She met her cousins there, the Underhills of Archet, and she got caught up on all the local news. She was almost happy to learn that they felt they needed her help because too many brigands and unsavoury characters were over-running the countrysides of Breeland and even some areas of the Shire.

Tearose was hoping Lord Elrond would grant her request to stay back west of Moria and south away from frozen lands. She was tired and hurt, and she knew they needed help to protect the lands in the West.

So she waited for word of the messenger’s arrival. Barliman Butterbur served food and drink a-plenty and Tearose enjoyed the conversations and stories of friends from afar.

The flickering flames from the fireplace glowed brightly and Tearose’s thoughts drifted to her cozy home in the Shire. She wanted to stay away from the main battles. She wanted to take it easy because she took on far too much on her own and it nearly cost her her life.

“If Lord Elrond commands it, I will do what I can. But surely he won’t make me go back east, in my condition?” Tearose knew her will was more injured than her body. She realized she was in over her head and even though folks called her a hero, she knew she was just a simple hobbit with a dangerous desire to right wrongs.

“Tearose? Tearose Underhill? Does anyone know a Tearose Underhill?” a voice called out amidst the din of the Pony’s main parlour.

“Over here! Tearose is here!”

Well-meaning family members can be rather annoying at times, for Tearose’s day-dreaming was interrupted by the yelling of her cousins.

She looked up and saw the messenger had arrived and Tearose bowed politely at the Elven messenger, who handed her a letter from Lord Elrond. She bade the messenger to join her table while she read the contents of her letter.

It was a long letter, and Lord Elrond praised her deeds. Tearose glowed with pride as Lord Elrond recounted all that she had already accomplished. She was made to feel like her brave deeds were of the utmost importance and finally Lord Elrond issued his orders.

Tearose smiled with relief and happiness. For Lord Elrond commanded that she was to be stationed in the West and after the great battles in the east had be won and Sauron destroyed, she would be one of the great hobbit warriors who would help to raise the Shire.

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Pareth’s holiday in the beautiful countryside of the Shire was over. She received her instructions from the lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn to set out east again to the borders of Lothlorien and yes, though she dreaded it, she would also need to return to Moria.

Moria was still filled with all manner of of enemy: orcs, goblins, warg-riders, and vile dangerous creatures, the likes of which Pareth had never encountered before entering Moria. And these enemy armies started setting camps outside of Lothlorien’s borders. The elves were very busy protecting their beloved Lothlorien and Pareth knew they needed her skills as a hardy hunter, who has seen her share of battle.

“I will leave these dear Halflings once more and help Lady Galadriel. Besides, I will come back soon enough, I’m sure.”

Pareth wasn’t quite sure what would happen next. She just knew she had to survive the many battles she would fight. For she dreamed that one day she would return to the Shire once more before leaving forever for her beloved home in Gondor.

So she patted her horse Arinen and rode out alone. The Shire was quiet and peaceful and she enjoyed the ride. She travelled for days in safety for most of the trouble these days was further east and to the north and the news of terror in Mirkwood spread far and wide. Many of the Free Peoples’ Army had already left for Mirkwood, and Pareth would eventually be sent there too.

Pareth tried not to think too far ahead. She rode on and attempted to silence her racing thoughts. She breathed the fresh air and calmed down.

“If I think too much, I will despair! So let me turn my thoughts to creating lovely and powerful jewelery, and cooking wholesome food for weary travellers. Let me think of the beauty of untouched lush countrysides scattered throughout Middle Earth. Let me breathe the clean air unfouled by the enemies’ stench. Let me not falter now. For I am Pareth, a strong hunter of Gondor. I will survive this war.”

She was determined and her inner strength would save her life many times in the many weeks to come.

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