No rest for the weary.  After some hard times fighting in the Lone Lands and North Downs,  I decided it would be best for morale (mine especially) if things were a bit less stressful for a while. At least while there was a break in the action on the front lines.

At any rate, there were some pressing personal matters for me to take care of.  Another list! Most notably my goal to fit in here in the Shire, my new home away from Dale. 

1. Mathom House ≈

After doing some minor errands for various Hobbits of the Mathom House I decided to put on my best clothes and take some of my recommendations up the hill to “put in a good word for myself” as it were.

Not good enough to be on the A list, but I’ll get there one of these days. That will be one foot in the door to being at home amongst these Hobbits, and of course, my dear Watchar.

2. A Hobbit name.  √

I thought it may help my cause.  I was growing weary of new Hobbit friends calling me Sarutaru Ovdale.  I wonder if some of them actually knew I was saying Sarutaru “Of Dale”.  You know, Dale. Island city…Smaug…Bard…oh never mind.  The easiest way to check this off my list was to go to my dear Watchar for some advice.

“Watchar, I think I need a Hobbit name so I can fit in here.”

“Just use my name,” he replied.

“Your name? Are you sure its. . .descriptive?”

“It would honor me if you shared my name,” Watchar told me firmly.

“Well since you put it that way.”

Now I am known as Sarutaru Shortshanks.  I realized I was proud of my Hobbit name, if only because it is an honor to share the name of my dear Watchar!

3. Learn about the Shire √

Time to learn about this picturesque region of Middle Earth.  Watchar took me on a tour of some of the more impressive, but lesser known points of interest in the Shire.  First stop: The Great Smials, the historical Took homestead. I had to say it was really grand, for a Hobbit Hole.

Another point of interest, the Stocktower.  Near Stock, of course. 

“That seems very tall for a Hobbit Structure. I wonder how long it took them to build it?”

Three Farthings Tower.  This one looked more “placed” than built.  A nice quite place in the Shire to contemplate life, and what one is going to eat next.

Watchar showed me many more exciting places all over the Shire.  It began to feel like home already!

4. The Inn League Challenge √

There was one more way to get my Hobbit-legs - to make a name for myself with the Inn League.  To be sure there are fine Inn League spirits all across Middle Earth. However, since a large percentage of the member brewers are here in the Shire it seemed like a good idea. 

Having had success tasting the spirits of the Shire as Watchar took me around on our scenic tour, and also having already partaken in the brews of the Dwarfs during the Summer Festival, we had only to travel to the cities of Man and the Elven to finish our Ale Quest. 

Our first stop in Celondim was uneventful. I had visited that same small town during the Summer Festival. Then we stopped in Bree, where I soon realized I had not tasted all of the fine wines and ales that The Prancing Pony had to offer.  A short jaunt to the Combe and Wattle in (I sure was wadding by then) and we were off to the Forsaken Inn for some final supplies before our most daunting journey.

Determined to complete our Cheers to Middle Earth tour, Watchar and I packed up our horses and set off into the unknown.  Into the Trollshaws where neither of us had dared venture before. 

I must admit it was dark and ominous.  Fierce and feral creatures watched us from the shadows.  Watchar Jackie, and I stayed on the road.  We were destined for Rivendell if it killed us.  And it may well have killed us but with all the ales we’d already had our sense of safety was…compromised a bit.

After a long and treacherous journey we finally arrived at the Ford of Bruinen and knew we were almost to our destination. However, the hardest parts lay ahead.

Luckily, there were a number of other travellers on the road that day so we did not get too lost.  We just followed the crowd.  This also helped a bit with the feral creatures that were now coming out of the shadows. 

In the end I was chased by a small group of Lynx to the cusp of Rivendell valley.  Jackie used her outstanding herald training to create a diversion and allow all of us to escape certain death.  Jackie ended up in triage and I am granting her three weeks more leave in Rivendell.

At last we made it to our destination. Beautiful Rivendell and the Last Homely House.  Cheers to the Inn League and their Fine Spirits!  Cheers to Rivendell - a refuge in the wilderness! Cheers to Watchar and I for making it here in one piece!!!   Three Cheers for Middle Earth!!!

As beautiful as all of Middle Earth is, I think if I cannot live in Dale, I am glad to live in the peaceful, quite Shire.

PS: For Watchar’s side of the story, click here: Watchar’s Log

Well, our unit took a long furlough recently.  I sent both my heralds, Jack and Jackie, to training.  It was a much needed rest for all of us. I hope they were able to visit their family during their leave. 

As for me, I was not able to return to Dale, but I spent a bit of time refining my cooking skills, relaxing at my Hobbit Hole, and talking to Watchar.   I went into town and found some improved armor - decided to upgrade to the really heavy duty type. 

Before leaving I did splurge once more for a horse.  I thought it would be a practical purchase.  Watchar also aquired a horse and we have enjoyed the ease with which it allows us to travel.

After much discussion with locals I decided, strategically, that we should travel from the Lone-Lands to the North Downs.  They were in need of our help, especially after Jack and Jackie returned from their training.  So off we were to the Trestlespan.

Despite our training, we were a little rusty.  Nothing like defeat to really get you back in the game.

Needless to say, it was not the most glorious attempt at command of my unit.  But Watchar is a good sport and for that I am grateful!  I think we’ll just head back to Bree and relax with a bit of the Prancing Pony’s ale.

Perhaps more than I really needed to relax.  Fear not! Tomorrow is a new day!

Being a Captain is great. I love my vocation! However, my secret desire is to be a top notch cook. Mmmm the smell of a pie warming in the oven. This is really the reason I agreed to live in the Shire next door to my dear Watchar.  I cannot say I am a great cook yet, but I hope I am heading in the right direction.

Today I am trying to make a name for myself with the Cooks Guild.  I hear you do this by bringing them some examples of their favorite recipies. I am so nervous about today that I even made a list!  But even the best made lists seem to need updating as time goes on.

1. Before leaving home pack the veggies I acquired previously. √

2. Run to the provisioner to buy other items. √

3. Attempt baking at Michael Delving ovens.

2a. Run back to get more Lard. (Ah, nothing says ‘taste’ like Lard)  √

Back again my friend!

I am covered in flour!

I am so nervous...

9. Await taste test response. √  He liked it!  Cheers!

I really had myself worked up for a while. After today, I know that someday I will be a great cook. Covered in flour perhaps, but a great cook nonetheless.

One day my food will be on this table!

Today was a good day.  All things considered. I had to wait for a while for my dear Watchar to muster.  I must say the lack of punctuality when you are not dealing with the military type. . .

Where is that Watchar?

Finally, we adventured today to the east of Ost Guruth and saw the Circle of Blood for the first time. Impressive. If you’re into the blood-and-guts morbid style of things. 

I must admit with some shame one of my biggest phobias - SPIDERS! Creepy, furry, gross. It is a joy and a menace to kill them. And I thought that nothing would ever come close to my dislike of those eight legged vile creatures in this strange old world.  Until I encountered the Neeker-Breekers in the Midgewater Marshes. I was glad to be done with them.  But it seems I spoke too soon on that account, as this Circle of Blood had it’s own native variety of these spider like giant bugs. 

Die Vile Bug-creature!!

 Not to mention some bog creature that has two legs and a nondescript head. 

“Am I fighting it’s head or it’s rear?” I screamed at Watchar.

“Does it really matter?” Watchar growled between gambits.

“Good point” I conceded as I whacked the creature with my halberd.

Watchar always laughs at me when I cringe, but I’m sure he has some sort of phobia. I just haven’t found it out yet.  But when I do…revenge will be sweet!

And that was not the end of our strange-creature discoveries.  As we explored south in search of boars and wargs, we were in the region of Talath Gaun and Harloeg when we crested a hill and almost needed a change of undergarments.

What frightening giant creatures were these? Watchar and I had not expected to find them in these parts!

“They look dangerous,” I commented, trying to play down my nervousness.

“They are HUGE!” Watchar agreed. “Stay here and I’ll go check one out”

“Is that wise?” I started to ask as Watchar (in  his impulsive style) darted off up the hill.  At least he is a Warden and can be a bit sneaky when the need arises. 

“I need to work on that whole ‘leadership’ and ‘chain of command’ thing with dear Watchar” I mused as I waited for news from the self-proclaimed scout.

After a few mintues I hear a voice calling from over the crest.

“They’re friendly,” said the voice, that seemed to be Watchar. 

“Is it a trick?” I wondered aloud to Jackie. “Oh well, if he’s up there in trouble I must save him.”

“As you say, sir” was Jackie’s reply. 

So I ordered Jackie to press on up the hill behind me and be on guard.  Luckily I found Watchar in the midst of some Giant-kin who were living on the top of the hill.  They were friendly enough, but mostly wallowing in their own worries and not bothered by a Hobbit and a Woman wandering through.  We met their leader, Kokkonen, and I think we have an ally in the region if not a friend.

New Friends

That was a long day of adventuring, so we made our way back to our Hobbit-holes, and I sent Jackie off on some well deserved leave. I wonder what new, interesting, and possibly grotesque creatures await us tomorrow!

Thoughts of a Wandering Captain:

You may have seen my dear Watchar’s telling of the story of our meeting and my first demise. If you have not perhaps you would find his version amusing. I believe Watchar files his log here.

Watchar was not there actually, the lucky Hobbit. He first heard the tale over a couple of pints of ale that night at the Forsaken Inn when my previous companion had left me.  He must have bought me more than one pint, as I believe he heard my whole life’s story that night. *blush*

I was gallivanting around with a chap, Jonathryn, that I met in Archet when I first arrived from Dale.

We were adventuring for the first time into the Lone-lands after taking care of some business near Bree and Combe. Admittedly, I was young and cavalier.  I had the irrational feeling of invulnerability that seems to plague the young!  And who was to blame me? Thus far I had been quite the adventurer - nothing could stop me.

I remember the day clearly.  There it was on the horizon.  Weathertop.  I had no need to scale that peak, but I wanted to do it because it was there. So Jonathryn, my trusty herald, Jack, and I found our way up, after much trial and exploring.  I must say it was worth it just for the view. I could see Bree from here!

The dramatic, enchanting, fatal view. I was, to say the least, enchanted by it.  So much so that I walked right up to the edge to take it all in.

Jonathryn! Look over here!

and, as I called to get Jonathryn’s attention, walked right over the edge and found myself at the mercy only of gravity. I recall the last thing I heard was Jonathryn yelling, as he nobly, though not wisely, tried to catch me but fell alongside, “I think we’ll be OK - it’s not that far…”

Uh, oh. No Mountain Beneath Me...

It is further than we thought!

The funny thing about being defeated the first time is the spectrum of emotions that play out in one’s mind.  And how very slowly time seems to pass.  The first thing to cross my mind was shame.  Shame that it was not some Epic Creature that was the cause of my demise.  That would at least be a tale worth telling.  No, it was my own clumsiness that got me in the spot I was in. Death by Splat. Classic.  And poor Jonathryn broke my fall…

Jonathryn Took One for the Team

After I had pulled my feet out of his shoulder blades (literally), I was admittedly melancholy.  I was feeling sorry for myself and behaving qutie un-Captain-like.  “Poor Sarutaru, defeated at last. And not even in battle! What a loser! Killed her partner to boot! I should run back to Dale hanging my head in shame.”

I returned to the Forsaken Inn for a nights lodging.  Jonathryn was dead.  Hopefully in a better place since I was not there to knock him off ledges…  As I tried to forget my day with ale, I met my dear Watchar, who had just arrived in the region. As I mentioned, he bought me some pints…

The next day I awoke, and found that my attitude had changed considerably.  I had a new-found wisdom (and a killer headache).  Watchar invited me to be in a fellowship with him and we set out adventuring again. I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of freedom.  I no longer had the burden of staying alive for some egotistical reason.  Nope, I had been defeated once, so I was up for anything.  Bring on ten baddies!  I will fight to the death! No running away in fear - unless of course it is tactically prudent.

All I’m saying is that once you get past the first time, each time after that is easier and easier.  Come on, everybody’s doing it.  Just jump in - or off, as the case may be!

One would think I am better than this.

Watchar and I are often in the Shire now that we have Hobbit-holes next to each other.  So I seem to routinely find myself at the Party Tree betting on the races.  It is like an addiction.  It’s not like I win that often. Usually I pick the poor Hobbit that is not hungry at all.  But still I bet.   And then I hang out and wait to bet again.

Watchar and I Waiting to Bet Again

I am sure my time could be more productively spent, but there is just something so amusing about watching four Hobbits stuff their faces.  I hear tell you can go to Thorin’s gate and watch some dwarves drink themselves silly.  It is quite tempting to try my luck at those races as well.  But I hate to feed my addiction like this…

Oh, gotta run, the race is starting!

Ah, summer is here! So my adventuring companion and I decided to travel to the Shire to partake in the Festival. Well, we went there specifically because he is a hobbit. 

I am not, so there are times I feel out of place…it is not really anything like Dale here. But this was my choice so I try to look at the sunny side of things.  For one I am taller than everyone here most days.  Adventuring with a Hobbit means never worrying about not seeing past him while I try to yell across the battlefield directing my herald.

But I digress…the festival! I must admit. I thought we military folk could be big drinkers, but those Inn League folk! By the time I completed their challenge (on the 3rd try) I did not know my name and almost fell into next week. Phew!

So far Watchar and I have had a pleasant time here in the Shire. To be sure it suits my interest in cooking, what with the excellent supplies here and the Cooking Guild. Oh how I hope to one day count myself among its esteemed members!

Somehow - perhaps after too much Shire Spice Ale - my dear Watchar convinced me to by a house right here in the Shire. 

“It’s close to the ovens,” he says.

“Yes, you are right Watchar”

“And the fields where I farm,” Watchar appeals longingly.

“Umm”

“And there are two right next door to each other!” Watchar smiles warmly.

This is how I became the proud owner of a Hobbit-hole.

My Very Own Hobbit Hole

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great house. I’ve already painted the walls green. It’s just the nagging ache in my shoulders that reminds me I am a woman living in a Hobbit’s world.  Nothing like door jambs and knee-knockers to really make you watch where you’re walking.

Until next time friends…

Sarutaru