A Rose that Blooms Again (Part 1)

Garrocar leaned back against a big tree, enjoying the warmth still given by the afternoon sun. Winter was nearing now and soon it would not be possible to sit here like this. As he watched one of the last of the leaves whirling it’s way down to the earth, he thought back of the recent events in his young life.

Learning that he was a foundling had come as a shock to him. He had always considered Postman Spinner and his wife to be his parents, called them Mom and Dad all his life. And now they were not! Who were his parent then? Who are T. and P.? Would they be still alive even? The good people of Woodhall could not shed light on this. He talked to a lass , a bit older then he, called Luna, who had been fostered in Woodhall too, but she was different, she said, she was an orphan and had no parents anymore. But she felt sorry for Garry, as he was called in Woodhall, and gave him some Sweet-rolls she baked herself.

Garrocar had left Woodhall to find out more about it. He needed to know who his parents were, as he now did not even know who he himself was anymore! Somehow his searches had caught the attention of a group of hobbits calling themselves Shire Rose, a secretive, close-knit kinship with a special mission that he did not know much details of. But they had approached him, taken him in their ranks. Shire Rose works with a system they call “Companionships” and he was introduced to a lass called Tahi and she was to be his Companion. He liked the young lass with the spectacles that always slid down her nose and her friend, the little owl Cornelius. And she was always helpful to everyone that needed any kind of assistance. One evening they had a long talk and Garrocar told him about his quest to find his parents. She agreed to help him find them. Being a scholar she had access to special libraries and studies, that ordinary folk are not allowed in. “Garry” she liked to call him, in stead of the more formal Garrocar. He decided to let himself be known as Garry from now on.
But soon after that hope giving talk the kinship of Shire Rose was disbanded. Garry lost touch with Tahi and all the others that seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. Once more he was deeply sad, forgot to take care of his outer appearance and once more let his hair grow wild.

Until one day a young hobbit of his own age approached him. “You Garrocar? I remember you!”, he asked and Garry confirmed. “They need us again! Come to the Bird and Baby this afternoon!” And there he went again, pointy hat with blue feather dancing in the distance. Garry immediately knew who “they” referred to and he had jumped up and went to the barber’s immediately. He felt good and hopeful as he went to the Inn that afternoon.

Yes, it was Shire Rose that had summoned him to the Bird and Baby. Miss yule stood there and smiled at him and a bit in the back her assistant Byco nodded contently. First thing he did was inquire about Tahi. She was fine, they said and was to be recruited again too. Recruited? Yes, Shire Rose would bloom once more! And he was politely and very friendly asked to consider joining up again. Well, Garry did not need to think long and cheered at the two hobbits. He had new hope again and was delighted by the thought of meeting his companion Tahi again. He thanked the two and wanted to leave, as Byco stopped him. “I need a word with you, dear lad. Can we meet soon?” Surprised and curious he nodded but did not dare to inquire what it was going to be about. Maybe something to do with his real parents? They made an appointment and it was to be today.

Garry waited patiently , leaned back against the big tree in the warm afternoon wintersun.

(to be continued)