At The Green Dragon
The hobbits in Bywater were very curious about the recent visitor to the Green Dragon. Who was this woman, dressed so elegantly but armed with not one, but three weapons?
We know her as Pareth of Gondor, who decided to travel westward once more to visit her favorite places in The Shire. And let’s face it, travelling for miles and miles on horseback is thirsty business, is it not? So naturally, Pareth knew about the fabulous hospitality at the Green Dragon for she had befriended a few brave hobbits in her travels who spoke of it fondly and she had also been there before.
Pareth wondered how many hobbits actually realized what was happening all around them. She didn’t want to frightened the little folk, but they already had some problems in their own backyard. There were goblins in the north around the Greenway, bands of Southern ruffians and thieves in various areas in and around Tookland and Green Hill Country, and there were savage wolves and diseased boars and bears who attacked unsuspecting travellers.
The Shire was not immune to the dangers that plagued the rest of Middle Earth. For Saruman was already plotting and the Southern ruffians were his doing. And the Dark Lord Sauron had sent his Black Riders to look for Frodo Baggins, who thankfully escaped being captured by them, with the help of Aragorn, and Frodo’s three hobbit friends.
Pareth often wondered about Frodo and his fellowship after seeing some of them briefly in Lothlorien. Where were they now? Were they safe from harm? Pareth knew their mission was secret and of the utmost importance. She knew this because she had been requested to scout various areas in Eregion and elsewhere for signs of the company before eventually catching up with them in Lothlorien.
She heard about Gandalf’s fall in Moria, and she was grief-stricken like everyone else. She even saw with her very own eyes the sundered bridge of Khazad-dûm, where Gandalf battled with the Balrog and fell.
Pareth shivered. That place was evil. She hated Moria, having almost fallen herself travelling through it’s many dangerous parts.
Pareth shook her head. “Enough of these sad recollections!” she chided herself. She ordered another drink. And then another. The hobbits at the Green Dragon watched as she drank her wine alone. She smiled at them and beckoned them to join her. They were happy to oblige, if only to satisfy their curiousity.
There were a lot of nosy hobbits in the Green Dragon that day and soon the place was full. Pareth was careful about what she said to the well-meaning hobbits, despite the fact that she was becoming a bit tipsy. So she ordered some food, and it turned into a big feast. Hobbits didn’t need an excuse for a party, it seemed. And that was fine with Pareth. For it felt really good to be away from battles, if only for a little while.
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