Smoking Weed in i Drann {41 Firith 3018}

Chronicled in Michel Delving of i Drann in Eriador,
On this the 41^st day of Firith in the Year 3018 of the Third Age.

While at the Scholar's Enclave in Duillond I studied what little is written there regarding i Drann, the land between the White Downs and Baranduin, and the Periannath that abide therein, but this scant prepared me for my first encounter with those of their kindred.

None did I meet in Needlehole, for I departed with the rising of the Sun to walk down into the thinning mists of Rushock Bog, and follow the sodden rush-lined path to Michel Delving, the capital settlement of the Shire. But when I came to Waymeet (which on my aged map is named 'Waymoot') ere dusk so as to converge with the Great East Road to Bree, great was my astonishment.

Foremost, I must remark that in my short life never have I met a Perian, or 'Hobbit' as they name themselves (and this name I shall use henceforth out of respect for the dignity of these Eruhín), for none have ever ventured westwards into Lindon.

At fifty idhrinn of age, I am not yet an ellon full grown, but still I stand almost twice the height of a Hobbit; for they are a little people, smaller even than Dwarves. They are much like men in frame, but stout in belly and short of leg; with broad good-natured faces, long nimble fingers, and slightly edhellen ears. But their most uncommon feature is their feet: unshod and clad from ankle to toe with thick curling hair. (And great was their amusement that I too walk barefoot!)

The Hobbits of Waymeet were not unfriendly towards me, but nor were they overly welcoming of an outsider to their lands (for wandering companies of Elves making for Lindon are wont to skirt their settlements, keeping instead to the the hills and woodlands); yet when they beheld that I was a scholar, they cheerfully directed me to the 'Mathom-house', a museum in Michel Delving.

Here I was warmly received by Mistress Rue Goodbody, a merry scholar of Hobbit-lore, and she generously invited me to prolong my visit to the township, and offered me lodging and a "small" supper; a repast the like of which I have not eaten since I was a hên in Mithlond. Simple fare, but plentiful and delicious. She says that on the morrow much has she and her husband, Maneser, to share concerning her kindred and their history.

Now Hobbits are much interested in genealogy, or family history, and long was the discourse of Mistress Goodbody this eventide in this regard; I briefly record some of it here out of respect for her hospitality:

The Goodbody Family is one of the many prominent families that abide in the Shire. They are kin to the Baggins Family through Mr Bilbo Baggins's great aunt Lily, who married one Togo Goodbody over a century ago. Now this Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit of great renown in the Shire, for he it was that accompanied Thorin Oakenshield, son of Thráin and King-in-Exile of Durin's Folk, on his quest to regain his kingdom under Erebor in the realm of Rhovanion, in the year 2941 of this Age.

Thus proud is any Hobbit family that can claim kinship with the Bagginses of Hobbiton (albeit that adventurous endeavour is considered indiscreet in Hobbit society), particularly those of whom were invited guests at Bilbo Baggins's 'Grand Eleventy-first Birthday Party' seventeen years ago, during which he mysteriously and famously disappeared forever.

Diverse are the descendants of Togo and Lily Goodbody, and many are there that abide here today in the Shire:

Before withdrawing to their bedchamber, Mistress Goodbody (or Rue, as she insists I call her) and her husband invited me to partake in some 'pipe-weed' with them; alas I was bewildered by their offer. Thus they proceeded to demonstrate, filling the bowl of a long wooden pipe with dried leaves that Maneser produced from a small leather pouch. Then to my utter amazement, he set an ember from the fire to it and proceeded to suck upon it until smoke billowed from between his lips! Then long he drew upon it and puffed out a large ring of smoke, then leaned back in complete contentment. So too did Rue produce a pipe and echo her husband's actions with a large grin upon her broad face. I was intrigued, and eagerly did I accept her pipe when she offered it to me.

I admit that when my coughing and tears at last abated, I did feel much mellowed from inhaling herb-smoke! Upon examination of Maneser's pouch, I found the leaf to be that of galenas, called alanessë in the Quenya tongue, which is usually appreciated only for its sweetly fragrant flowers. Rue told me that the smoking thereof is considered an art among Hobbits, and is much enjoyed by Dwarves and Men also. So great was her delight when I said that I too deemed it enjoyable, that she gifted me with a pipe for my very own! Elo!

Ant gîn vîr vin faer nîn.