Expedition: Swanfleet, Day Four
36 Tuilë in the Reckoning of Imladris
(12th of May in the Shire-Calendar)
The Crossway House, Herne
We broke camp before sunup at my mother’s order and rode out just as the sun arose. Aunt Hartagil and Naneth had a tense argument about the march; Hartagil held out for a wider patrol, with Iyenue and herself farther out from the group, while Naneth wanted us to stay together and not spread out. They compromised with the two on wider patrol, and Naneth and I riding each with a hobbit at our side, keeping together.
Naneth, as is usual for her, began a lecture on the history of the lands we rode through. “These lands were once part of the Dúnedain realms; we are riding through what was once the petty-kingdom of Cardolan, a land rich in game and resources. This could be a rich and bountiful land once more, if folk care for it enough. But that is up for Men to decide, not the rest of us.”
“Maybe Men with the right guidance?” I asked her.
“If they listen...” she replied darkly.
“These lands are beautiful,” Gammer Goldflower said, “and so many animals of different kinds. I know of a few hunters back home who could spend a fortnight in a happy hunting trip!”
Iyenue had ridden up at that moment and joined the talk. “Hmm, the Shire-folk might have a claim here as well. Royzenberry once told me, your kin dwelt near these lands, if I recall? And what about you, Gammer? Surely you recall tales of old?”
“Oh, I don’t know of these lands, but I’m sure there are tales to be told,” the elder hobbit said. “But ye know, I canna help but wonder, might we find hobbits living in this place we’re headed to, kind of like Bree-land I’ve heard Berry-lass speak of?”
“We shall know by tonight, “Naneth said. “One of the Dúnedain I spoke with at the ford mentioned an inn, the Crossway House, in Herne. That will surely be a halfling watering hole, if what I remember of your folk is true,” she said with a smile. I thought to myself, what if we find Ada and Ardanion there?
“While you’re all looking forward,” Hartagil said as she rode up closer, “you might also look behind – where we’re being overtaken.” All followed Hartagil’s gaze as first the Elves, then the hobbits, could make out a party approaching them, three animals and two riders. Royzenberry let out a squeal and rode to meet the two, riding back with them.
“Look who found us! Kortheod and Plusheila, with a pack animal!” Royzenberry called out gladly. I can tell you, Book, I was happy to see Uncle Kor and Auntie Sheila riding up with a pack animal in tow. Kortheod told us about how they had set out a day after we did, filling out provisions as they went. The pony got mired at the ford, and the scouts there lent a hand, and they rode through the night to catch up to us.
And so, the rest of the day wore away until we reached the town of Herne; and I don’t mind telling you, Book, I was glad to see it, as was the whole party. I was kind of surprised to see that Herne looks a lot like Bree, in a way. The Crossway House isn’t as large as the Prancing Pony, I thought at first, but it looks and smells and sounds a lot like. As Auntie Sheila and Gammer saw to the stabling and the packs, the rest of us went inside – quite a lot bigger inside, as there’s a second floor along the entire building, making it look larger. And there at the top of the stairs was Ardanion, waving and smiling as he came down to meet us.
There aren’t a lot of people in the inn tonight, and the innkeeper looked pleased to see a large party roll up, especially when Naneth began shelling out coin for food and drink, stabling and beds. Talk spun around the room, with Uncle Kor telling us all about the road from the north to follow us, but much more interesting was Ardanion’s report of what he and Ada were doing in the week and longer they were gone…
