Raising The Shire

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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Posted By a Hobbit on February 6, 2011

Tearose Underhill escaped the scrutiny of her nosy neighbours and snuck back into the Shire. She had been away on an important mission and returned during the night. She spoke to no one and went home to get her fishing gear. She found her little fishing hole covered in leaves, but many fish hid in the foliage and so she had fun for a few hours catching all the fish she could ever eat in a week.

No one could blame Tearose for wanting this time of solitude, for she was beginning to get very weary of fighting. She missed the Shire and never wanted to leave again, if the truth be told. She felt selfish for thinking that way, though, because she had made many friends in her travels, all with a common goal – to rid Middle Earth of evil. These friends fought valiantly and rarely complained. For as hard as they fought, they also feasted hard, and Tearose shared many good times with her warrior friends.

But the further east she travelled, the tougher it was for Tearose. She felt she would be of better use helping out in skirmishes west of Moria, for Tearose would avoid Moria at all costs. She was never the same hobbit after she left Moria the last time. She came close to dying and she didn’t want to tempt fate. She wasn’t as reckless as when she first set out to conquer evil in Middle Earth.

Tearose had learned soon enough that she had to use every skill she had to stay alive, for lone hobbits who dared to fight Sauron’s minions were sought out and hunted. If she was found by any of Sauron’s captains or lieutenants, she would be murdered, unless she could get away quickly. Her quickness saved her before though injuries have now slowed her down some.

And it was these past injuries that seemed to give Tearose trouble in cold damp weather. So she decided it was time to take a holiday, though she knew that she would be bothered by family, friends, and neighbours here in the Shire. Normally she didn’t mind the companionship, but she was so tired that she just wanted some alone time.

Tearose decided she would take some time off alone to enjoy the simple pleasure of fishing. Most often she would go north to Evendim but it was cold there this time of year, so she travelled southwest to the milder port of Celondim, where the Elves were so gracious. They supplied her with very good food and wine from Limael’s Vineyard while she fished off their docks.

Ah yes, a simple holiday was exactly what Tearose Underhill needed. And a vacation to a spot where Elves loved to spoil hobbits was perfect. They respected her privacy and yet she was protected at the same time. She was grateful for simple pleasures: lots of privacy, delicious food and wine, and a beautiful place to fish. Tearose knew that she was a very lucky hobbit, indeed.

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