The Opening
After
the Midsummer Smoke Ring Festival, Bilbo approached Halford:
“You know while it might upset the more
conservative folk of the Shire, I think it’d be grand to arrange a tour of our
home to your erstwhile companions, don’t you? Moreover, it’d give you a chance
to come home and see your kin. Asides, I’m sure every Hobbit, too traditional
or not, would love to see if they could outsmoke the one who gave old Adelard
such a run! Not to mention, I can have the group present as merchants with the
Stoor Smoke!” He snaps his fingers as if he just figured out a grand
plan…then clears his throat and continues, “And,
your name’s already on much of the Shirefolk’s tongues…word from Staddle
travels on furred feet West they say…
“And,
I’m supposing I might have a small, nearly inconsequential errand or two for
you to run, lads, before you go off onto bigger adventures than even Bilbo
Baggins has the taste for…”
“If
this is amenable, keep your eye on the post. I’ll have something delivered once
I get everything together…”
True to his word; a month or so later, the a package arrived via post beckoning the company to Bag End. (See Fellowship Activities at the end of the last Journal)
The Journey
Autumn 2965 of the Third Age
Left from Bree the 31st of August / Arrived in Bag End September 7th
Travel lasted roughly 8 days
Scout - Halford w/ Jesup (pony) accrued 0 fatigue
Look-Out: Fingon w/ Magic (decent horse) accrued 0 fatigue
Hunter: Elador w/ Nick (old horse) accrued 0 fatigue
Guide: Ida w/Boy (sturdy pony) accrued 0 fatigue
1. Antler Oak
Target: Fingon Finrod (Look-Out)
Event: Short Cut! (Failure)
Details: Fingon's excitement grew when he noticed a large, withered oak tree with a great number of sizable antlers nailed to it. Antler Oak, he had heard was a sign post by the men of Bree as a the westernmost edge of where they get good hunting. He relayed this to the group and told them that meant there should be a small hunting trail nearby that would cut the corner of the East Road, perhaps gaining them a bit of speed on their journey's. Unfortunately, Fingod couldn't quite suss out which path made the most sense, and the group ultimately, and to the elf's disappointment, decided to stay the East Road
The Adventure
An Arrival
After quite a long walk under stars
that have come out blazing and bright after an afternoon of heavy rain, the company (still unnamed!) finally come to the round green door of Bag End, the home of the strange and
famous Bilbo Baggins.
Just as Halford is about to ring
the bell, the door is pulled open and they see standing in the front hall none
other than Master Baggins himself. He offers each an energetic greeting
and quickly ushers them in, minding the tall folk to watch their heads, with a
plethora of welcomes, thank yous, and lovely to see yous.
Before the company can gather their wits, they've been swept into the warm embrace of Bag End, and led into the
parlour where a lovely fire, fresh mugs of ale, plates of dainties, and several
cushioned chairs (of admittedly smaller size) offer a much needed spot of rest
and relaxation. Bilbo, a twinkle in his eye reminiscent of when he begged them to first investigate the fallen House of Hadirion, ushers each into a seat
but takes none for himself. A few moments after they've finished the first plate
of food, the obviously excited Master Baggins can no longer contain himself. He
places one hand behind his back and another in his vest pocket, standing tall,
relatively, to ensure he has their attention.
“You are all, undoubtedly, curious as
to why I’ve called such company to the Shire, to Bag End. Well,” he leans in,
the firelight causing the twinkle in his eye to dance merrily. His hand sweeps
from behind his back towards the parlour window. “I am hoping you might partake
on one last adventure under my patronage. Nothing so grand or daring or
dangerous as your own these past few months. Nor so grand as my own, I am
afraid: but in return for your aid, I will provide each of you with a place in
my memoirs, and a fair share of my eternal gratitude. As well as passing word
of your good deeds onto those who might be better suited to make use of your
companies’ talents…think of this as, perhaps, a good-bye adventure!”
He grabs a glass of wine off the
table and takes a sip, pausing for effect. “Now, I know what you are thinking,
I’m to send you off on some far-flung, mud-covered journey far and wide. Well,
I can assure you, it is nothing of the sort! Just a short trip to Michel
Delving and back to recover what one might call a family heirloom from the
Mathom-House: a map of the Shire supposedly made by the Old Took himself, with
all sorts of precious annotations. Rest assured, I’ve sent many letters to the
custodian, Malva Slowfoot, asking if I could have it back, even offering fairly
generous donations: but for some reason, she has provided no replies.
“So, I thought we needn’t tell her or
her husband—after all, we’re talking about something that belonged to my
grandfather, and that would not be out of place here, in Bag End. Most of all,
we needn’t alert that pesky dog, nor harm it, that the Slowfoots have set to
guard the place.
And, you might say Bilbo…have you gone mad? How
are 3 non-Hobbits suppose to surreptitiously shamble through the Shire without unwanted
attention? To that I say two things: I have laid out a path for you, and more
importantly, I have written to Mayor Pots in Michel Delving that you have
information about Muar Tulhau, the Stoor Smoke, and carry amongst your number
one of the champion smokers of Bree-Land. I assured him he owed me nothing for
this little visit, and I imagine, when the curiosity subsumes, you’ll find
great hospitality in Michel Delving…as well as the time to sneak into the
Mather-House and collect my beloved map.
Over Water and Through the Dales
A night in cozy Bag End and some discussion about how trivial if pleasant this "adventure" might be after a long year on the road was exactly what the group needed. They woke up early, took Bilbo's directions, and set off northwest across the shire before they were to turn south back to the Road and Michel Delving beyond.
Troubled Waters
The morning dawns bright and
clear, perfect for a nice walk about the Shire. The first true obstacle of the company's journey doesn’t reveal itself until after they leave Overhill—the Water has
become much swifter with recent rain, and the shallow ford where Bilbo suggested
they cross looks more than a little bit treacherous.
Unable to find anything particularly easy to avail themselves too; the group, spearheaded by Ida and Fingod swam across. Fortunately, despite the turbulent waters, the group was strong enough of body to make it across with little actual concern and were able to additionally shepherd the much more hesitant Halford with no problem.
Well-Met in Waymeet
The group, as Bilbo told them was the plan, arrived in the Hobbit village of Waymeet at nightfall. Appropriately
named, it is not only a crossroads, but also where Hobbits from across the
Westfarthing come together to trade goods and gossip in equal measure. In fact,
many of the homes have adjacent sheds to act as both storage and storefront for
trinkets and wares readily available to any passerby along the East Road.
Tonight was busy. The many tables that sit along the road in the middle of Waymeet,
before the doors of the Walking Party Tavern, are open. Hobbits and a handful
of dwarves go to and from the open-air taphouse. These folk seem polite, but
more than a bit curious about what brings such a mixed crowd this far west.
Not suprisingly, the mixed company of man, elf, and dwarf caught more than a few eyes of the tavern's patrons. And, while initially this caused a hush and some suspicion, it wasn't long until, perhaps with bravery fueled by the fine amber ale that poured freely, the patrons not only came around, but actively began to inquire and question the company. More accustomed to batting away the blades of bandits than the persistent questions of nosy hobbits, the group tried and tried to stick to the story Bilbo had told them...they were tradesmen establishing a market for smoke from the Shire's cousins in Dunland, the Stoor Hobbits.
However, this only increased the line of questions, and Halford sensing his friends inability to keep the game alive, bust out his pan flute and attempted to lead the tavern in a rousing rendition of some old Shire Folk songs...while his success was questionable, it did distract everyone enough to grant the group reprieve. To aid in this, the company allowed some of the Stoor smoke to be sampled by the locals, and suddenly thoughts of suspicious men and ethereal elves gave way to raucous enjoyment and merry-making. During the night, Halford even picks up interesting rumours of a Queen in Lond Daer seeking knights for her Golden Hall?!
A Night in the Barn
As the night wound down, the company realized they needed to secure a place to rest in the overbooked tavern. They were guided to a friendly farmer by the name of Baldo Bunce, who without much persuasion needed, granted them stay in his dry barn ... IF they could thwart the giant owl that'd been terrifying his poor mule, Gertrude. Sure enough, it wasn't but a minute after Baldo left that an Owl perched high atop the barn and began hooting in a way that surely spooked the beast of burden.
After a couple of options that might have skewed towards violence, Elador took the initiative and with his hunting skills was able to lure the owl to a field full of mice, unlike the kept barn. The problem was solved, and the group slept soundly.
Mathoms & Mayors in Michel Delving
After a stiff sleep in Bunce’s
bar and a long westward walk, the company pass the spot where a southward path leads
off from the main course of the venerable East Road, just as the sun sets and
the first stars begin to reveal themselves. Ahead, they get a good look at
Michel Delving upon the White Downs. Quite a bit larger than Hobbiton, it is a
tightly packed collection of homes built of wood, brick, and stone, and the
occasional Hobbit-hole. But as the last of its people go about their evening
business, their eyes cannot help but be drawn to the massive smial to one side of
the great cobblestone thoroughfare running through the centre of town: the Town
Hole, seat of the Mayor of the Shire…and presumably the place where they are
eventually to present both the Stoor information and smoke.
So too is an inn, The Mule’s
Keg, a place you could maybe do the same.
And, more important to their patron's interest is what lies south of town on an adjacent hillock: a large wooden
building with a great red round door that is connected to the main road by way
of a small stone path. This is the Mathom-House.
As candles flicker to life
behind windows, and Hobbitsfolk settle in for the evening, the company notice a handful
of Hobbits carrying stout cudgels and tiny lanterns strolling about. Bounders,
undoubtedly making their usual rounds. Best to avoid them, though, if the group mean mischievous work tonight…
And they do; after a brief bit a planning, the group sends Halford to sneak into the Mathom-House whilst the remaining three seek to create a diversion. Halford slinks off into the shadows, easily breaches the unlocked door and carefully begins picking through the many wonders and trinkets of the old museum in search of the map that rightly belongs to his current employer, Master Baggins.
Meanwhile, the remaining three stride up to a bounder, one Ada Burrows, and before they can begin to say anything the overzealous and enthusiastic Hobbit begins questioning them...even more vigorously than they met with at Waymeet. As they stumble through her barrage of inquiries, her suspicions seem to grow. So much so that she blows a small whistle and tells the group to sit tight... (TO BE CONTINUED)
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