Raising The Shire

Posted By a Hobbit on March 20, 2011

Maryanna was a very sneaky hobbit. She loved to play hide-and-seek with her hobbit friends and when she wasn’t playing, she would sneak into nearby farms and sample the produce. Oh yes, she was a little, sneaky thief who never got caught, so it wasn’t long before her special skills were sought out by the Rangers of the North. The folks in the Shire would hire her to do all kinds of things too, just so she was kept busy, because the busier she got, the less time she had for stealing farmers’ crops.

One day, Maryanna decided to pay a visit to Sandson’s Farm outside of Michel Delving. She really like Farmer Sandson, because he was friendly and kind. He didn’t seem to mind that Maryanna had a reputation for raiding nearby farms, because he knew her since she was very young, and he was rather fond of her. Farmer Sandson knew Maryanna was easily bored and not really a bad sort, so he often asked her to help him and his son around the farm.

Lately, the hens at Sandson’s farm seemed a little agitated, and one of them, Billina, stop laying eggs. Wald Sandson was worried that his father would keep his word about having Billina for supper if she didn’t start laying eggs again, so he asked Maryanna for some help in finding out what was wrong with their prized hen. Maryanna loved a mystery and she was really bored, so she agreed.

She visited other farms around the Shire and found out what was bothering many of the hens: wolves. Wolves had become very aggressive of late and there were frequent reports of attacks on farm animals throughout the Shire. No one liked to kill any animals, but when the farmers’ animals were attacked, not once, but several times, the Bounders of the Shire all were given the same orders: kill the wolves, as fast as possible. Maryanna volunteered to help the Bounders complete the mission. And the farmers of the Shire were vindicated – for the time being.

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Posted By a Hobbit on March 7, 2011

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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Posted By a Hobbit on February 21, 2011

Laerchel of Lórien had met the Rangers at different campsites and checkpoints throughout her journeys and they had enlisted her help. Laerchel was an archer of some skill but she still had a lot to learn. The Rangers in the Lonelands were happy to teach her new skills for they were battle-weary in these barren lands.

And Weathertop – the once majestic Amon Sûl – was infested with all manner of foul creatures, minions of the traitor, Saruman. There were foul crebain, rabid boars, savage wolves, wargs, goblins, and half-orcs bred by the evil wizard in Orthanc.

Obstacles, there were sure to be. Saruman’s minions were powerful and devious, but Laerchel possessed an intelligence as quick as a hawk and the physical agility of a mountain goat. This time she could not afford to tarry with free poker games or beakers of mead – her quest called her on inexorably.

Laerchel was not one for despair even when others of her kin were. She was determined to not let anything get her down. For surely all evil would be defeated? Surely her people would help the Men of the West save Middle Earth?

For it was beautiful. Even with all of it’s imperfections, Middle Earth was beautiful. And gazing up at Weathertop from below, Laerchel recalled the days of old – before Amon Sûl was defaced by Orcs, and much worse.

Alas! News of the Nine was known to all of the Elven folk. And they were vigilant and ready for anything, even death. For the Nine must never be allowed to stay anywhere long, and all Elves would fight off their evil presence – no matter the cost.

Laerchel was ready to climb up to Weathertop. She didn’t know what awaited her. But she was prepared and she was unafraid. For she had the favour of the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien and did not want to let her kin down. Yet, she dared not get too proud lest she forget her real purpose – to rid Middle Earth of evil for the good of all the Free Peoples who inhabited her.

As it turned out, many of the Free Peoples in Middle Earth were forming alliances – strong bonds with a single purpose, the same as Laerchel’s. Laerchel was not alone that day in Amon Sûl, as she soon found out. Help was but a few moments away.

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