Expedition: Swanfleet, Day One
33 Tuilë in the Reckoning of Imladris
(9th of May in the Shire-Calendar)
The Shire, near Tighfield
Well, Book, we finally started out this morning! I have to admit, beginning an adventure like this doesn’t start with any fanfare or exciting rides, thundering across the land on a mighty steed. The Household party mounted up beneath the trees after everyone checked their horses and gear one last time. Naneth sprang upon Gairion, waved her hand and off we rode – at a walk.
Just at the turn of the road where the overlook sits, Naneth called a halt, and looked out towards Duillond, took off her hat and waved it to someone across the river. When I asked her who it was, she only replied, “an old friend…”
We passed out of Falathlorn and took the Road through the Shire. Iyenue rode in front, as she always takes the vanguard for Naneth. Naneth and Aunt Hartagil rode together, sometimes chatting about things, sometimes silent. I rode behind them, and behind me rode little Royzenberry and her mother, Mistress Lemonberry Goldflower. I was surprised that gammer Goldflower was with us, but as Royzenberry explained, she was headed back to her home in the Shire, and riding along with us was “just plain hobbit-sense”, as she said.
Oh, before I forget, Book, Royzenberry had ridden out a day before Ada and Ardanion left and arrived back at The Lair only last night. She reported that she had escorted them through the Shire – Naneth said she didn’t want any repeats of the last time they passed through – but when she arrived at Michel Delving, she learned that neither Lancogard nor Applecider could join them. Lancogard, it seemed was now working a case in the Northfarthing, and Applecider tending to business around Brockenborings.
Well, we rode through very pleasant country, with hills and forests seemingly spaced out evenly; I remembered just how the hobbits love an orderly countryside, and it showed all around us. I thought to myself, what kind of adventure could be found here? This is the Shire, after all, even if it is the wilder parts up in the Northfarthing.
We rode through the day, just passing the little town of Tighfield and entering an area the locals call Foxden Heath (that’s what Ada called it), when Naneth called out to Iyenue to search around for a campsite – one that was already here. It didn’t take Iyenue long to find it; a circle of stones with traces of a not-recent fire. As the company all rode up to the spot, Naneth leaped out of the saddle and used a dagger to poke around in the ash until she held up something: a silver coin, coated in purple dye.
“A token from our scouts,” she said, “to show that they were here, and all was well. We shall camp here tonight, everyone.”
“And that’s not all,” Royzenberry called out. She had scouted round the campsite, and found a nearby supply of kindling and wood, neatly stacked. “Looks like Cutch and Ardanion knew we’d stop here – did you arrange this, Your Ladyship?”
“This was Ardanion’s idea,” Naneth replied, “and I’ll explain their plan as we eat.” I helped with the fire as the hobbits began laying out their cooking gear while the older Elves laid out a walk line for the horses. Supper was quickly laid on, with bread toasted over the fire and laden with honey, warm beer and rashers of bacon (Iyenue helped herself), and Naneth addressed us with the plan.
“We shall ride through the Shire to Sarn Ford,” she explained. “I anticipate a three-day ride; tomorrow we ride to Waymeet, then onto the ford on the third day. I suspect there will be little or no trouble; assuming, of course, the local Shire-gentry are not up in arms over our passage,” she grinned with a touch of mischief.
“If we be a-riding through the Shire,” Lemonberry said, “then we better be careful o’ nosey hobbits - they will stop ye for days wonderin’ what your business is.”
“Which is precisely why I asked Royzenberry to ride to meet Cutch,” Naneth said.
“And once at Sarn Ford, what then?” Royzenberry asked.
“We shall camp overnight there, awaiting word from the scouts,” she said. “Cutch and Ardanion have been in the field for well-nigh a week - they should have ample tidings of the lands we travel.”
Later that night, when the hobbits were asleep and the others were talking softly round the fire, I saw Naneth standing at the edge of the firelight, gazing up at the stars. I walked over to stand with her.
“Naneth? Me pedithan?” I asked.
“Be iest lin,” she replied.
“Naneth… hannon le, nana.”
“Amman, iell nin?”
“I've been hoping and hoping to come with you on an Expedition, and now I get to ride with you – this has been a wonderful day for me!”
“It is long past time you attended me, Bainiel. You have proven yourself to Berry, and to Lance, and to many others and now, you shall prove it to the world. Go and get some rest, now, for the ride tomorrow shall be longer than today.”
“Ai, naneth… a hannad.”
“Losto maer, Bainiel.”
