Entry 37, Summer

The past few weeks has been hard on my family. Our hunts have been little productive and we are short on both food and money. However, when I was delivering a couple of rabbits to a local trader, I was asked to do a task for him. Deliver an important letter to a Hobbit in the Shire. For this, I would be given ten silver coins. I knew I would have to take this task, but I had heard the rumours of late. The roads to the Shire had grown darker and more dangerous. I would never make the journey by myself. I went home and told my family about the news, and while my parents did not like the fact that I were going on this long and dangerous journey, they also knew that they would not be able to force me to stay. Minutes later, I left for Bree-Town. I arrived in Bree as the stars appeared on the sky. I made my way to the Prancing Pony in hope of finding a person to accompany me on the road, and to rest and gain my energy before the journey. While I had a nice meal, I could not find any heroes among the drunkards. I decided instead to go to bed and try my luck in the morning. The next morning I sat by the fire with my backpack ready. I should have left hours ago, but I was simply too afraid. Suddenly, a great man appeared in front of me. He asked for a seat and what it was that worried me. I explained and the man introduced himself. Belgrandir, his name was. He said that he was going to the Shire to meet some friends as he was invited there and that I could join him on the road. I was so relieved and happy. The two of them left Bree-Town only a few minutes afterwards. The journey went swiftly. Belgrandir told me about old ruins and old forests that laid close to the road, and explained lots of rumours I had heard, and some that I had never heard before. When we finally reached the Shire, night had fallen and the two of us were lucky to pass the Bounders at the Brandywine bridge. Not long after, we found ourselves feasting and resting at a Hobbit Inn. I believe it's name was The Golden Peach. The morning after, the two of us made our way to the Green Dragon, which was where I was supposed to meet my contact and deliver this letter too. The journey there was quick as Belgrandir continued to explain the glorius things we saw on our way to Bywater. We arrived at the Green Dragon sooner than we expected, well sooner than I expected. Belgrandir offered to buy me an ale, I gladly accepted of course. A few sips later and one of Belgrandir's friends arrived...Rowanda I think it was. A Lady of the Hobbits. Oddly enough, this Lady was also my contact. After a short introduction I handed her the letter I was carrying and effectively completed my task. As I took a victory sip, afterall this is the grandest of deeds I have ever done, another one of Belgrandir's friends arrived. I sat quietly and listened to them speak on and on about dangers and secrets I understood very little of. You must understand I was quite surprised when they asked me to join them on their next journey. They were going to the Elven-land, with haste. I suppose the beer handled my reply, as I gladly accepted after failing to give them a valid reason for not joining them. We travelled out of the Shire at night, so that we avoided startling the Shirelings, or run into any of the most nosey ones. Swiftly across the Shire we travelled, as Belgrandir knew routes unfamiliar to the common man..or orc. While we never encountered any dangers on our journey to the elves and back again to Bree, this journey was the most exciting thing I have done since my first hunt with father. I hope that Belgrandir will come visit me in Combe some time and tell more of his stories. Yet, I have a feeling he will not be able to take the time with evil lurking around every corner. I am back in Combe now, my family welcomed me as the hero of Combe. While it did make me feel rather silly, it also gave me a sort of proudness. The coins I earned was needed, and without them I do not see how we would survive the winter. So perhaps my little adventure was more heroic than what I thought afterall. At least my family is safe and well.