From a distance, Barad Tharsir in Barandalf seems peaceful enough and a weary traveller might be tempted to visit the pristine beach it inhabits. It seemed safe and quiet, but it wasn’t. Far from it.

Tearose travelled to Evendim often and when she recently spoke to the Wardens of Annúminas in Tinnudir, they asked if she would journey to Barandalf’s west shore so that she could scout Barad Tharsir and report back.

Tearose was happy to help the Wardens who were usually grim and silent, but always joked with her. They seemed to genuinely enjoy her company and so Tearose was honoured to be asked to help.

She rode leisurely to the beaches of Barandalf and she carefully avoided the salamanders and pests that inhabited the area. She found a spot where she had a perfect view of Barad Tharsir and at first it seemed deserted. “I wonder why the Wardens were concerned” she thought to herself.

She decided to sit for a while on the beach and she dug her toes into the warm sand and had a snack. She was beginning to enjoy the peace and quiet, when suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something or someone move in Barad Tharsir. She looked again, and that’s when she saw several tomb robbers, with weapons drawn, patrolling the beach. She knew they were tomb robbers for the Wardens had described them to her in detail.

Tearose watched the tomb robbers for quite some time before she rode back to Tinnudir. She got the feeling they were preparing for an attack. She would warn the Wardens so that they would send more than one lone warrior to defeat them.

Perhaps she would ask to go along and help. It was quite some time since Tearose took part in a battle but she was well-rested and she felt ready, the past horrors in Angmar and Moria were forgotten. Tearose smiled to herself. Yes, her confidence was returning and just like most hobbits do so easily, she had bounced back from her injuries.

And so it was that Tearose Underhill led a small group of Free Peoples of Middle Earth and together they rid Barad Tharsir of all the tomb raiders. And later on, the weary band of warriors toasted their victory with fine wine from the Shire, and set up camp on the beach, which was truly peaceful and beautiful once more.

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Pareth’s vacation was over. She travelled east to meet up with the Grey Company, when she received an urgent message from Portebras, a hobbit burglar who was a master at stealth and tricking the enemy.

Portebras’ message was brief and to the point: “Pareth, please come back to Moria, as fast as you can, for your services are needed to help defeat Nardur – a nasty creature who inhabits the Grand Stair. I’ve enlisted the help of some other warriors you may know: Jenuilas, Endri, Whenwith, and Deawyn.They will be waiting for you at the 21st Hall near the stables.”

Pareth’s bravery was to be tested once more for she dreaded returning to the Grand Stair. The last time she battled there, she almost died, and she wanted to live to return to her home in Ithilien accompanied by the Dúnedain Rangers. Pareth gathered her courage and whispered to her grey horse Arinen: “Faster, Arinen, for I must help my friends once more against my better judgement.”

At last, Pareth met up up with her companions in the 21st Hall, but not before having to battle many evil creatures along the way, for both Saruman and Sauron had unleashed untold armies westward. Everywhere signs of war were apparent.

The faces of Pareth’s companions were grim. Only Portebras was cheerful – as most hobbits are. And for that Pareth was grateful. For it was hobbits who could always be counted on for extra food, drink, and a laugh or two. And their very presence seemed to always uplift even the most serious warrior.

So it was Portebras who led them that evening up the Grand Stair and they fought valiantly, and eventually defeated the evil Nardur. But Portebras had been seriously injuried and had it not been for Whenwith’s superior healing skills, Portebras may have succumbed to the injuries. However, hobbits are truly resilient creatures and Portebras was soon able to get up and walk about to the amazement of everyone. And everyone rejoiced for they were victorious and their little leader was very much alive.

“Thank goodness for hobbits” Pareth exclaimed. “Hear, hear!” Endri shouted. And they all toasted to Portebras’ good health.

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After spending many weeks battling orcs, wargs, and other foul creatures in Mirkwood, it was a welcome relief to return to the Shire, where one could indulge in simple pleasures like sampling fine wine at the some of the Shire’s best inns. Pareth deserved to get a little tipsy and to have fun with the local hobbits, for her bravery was well known among the Free People’s of Middle Earth.

So Pareth travelled the Shire countryside and visited many inns during her holiday. She feasted on delicious fresh food and fine wine and enjoyed every minute spent away from battle. For she knew she would soon be joining the Grey Company for the long journey homeward to Gondor, and towards even more peril.

Indeed, news had spread that the Dark Lord Sauron had unleashed untold armies of orcs and evil men so that nowhere was safe, least of all Gondor and Pareth’s beloved paradise, Ithilien. Pareth was very concerned since she already knew how many enemy forces had already been dispatched to Dol Guldur, where she had met one of Sauron’s evil Nazgûl.

The mere thought of that vile creature made Pareth’s flesh crawl. It had taunted her and laughed after foretelling the fall of Gondor, and the destruction of her home. She had almost faltered at that news and let her guard down in the Sword Halls of Dol Guldur that day, but she was smart enough to know that she would play into the hands of Sauron himself if she listened to that foul beast.

And that was why she ended up back in the Shire. To gather strength and to forget all the horrors of that place, if only very briefly. Yes, the Shire and the simple life of hobbits healed Pareth and in no time at all she was refreshed and ready for anything. For her skills would be desperately needed in the months ahead.

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