The Shire

Naima was busy sweeping the doorstep when she spotted a very young Hobbit clamber over the garden wall from the lane and come running up the garden path. 

“Good Evening Miss” said Naima

The young Hobbit did not say anything

“Can I help you?” asked Naima

Again the Hobbit said nothing but smiled and held out an envelope.

Naima looked down and took the envelope.

“Thank….” Naima started to say but the Hobbit was already down the garden path and jumping over the wall into the lane.

Popski was just shutting the Brightdown Gate for the night when a young Hobbit lass came running up, and without saying a word, shoved a small envelope into his hands. Popski looked down at the letter but by the time he had looked up to thank the lass she had already disappeared from view.

Popski lit a few candles when he got back to his burrow and opened the letter.

Dear Master Mudbottom

Dema had traveled from Breeland to the Shire as fast as her little pony could take her. She had been given a letter to deliver to the Gatekeeper at Brightdown village and a second letter that was to be taken to an address in Songburrow. The distance did not bother Dema she enjoyed her travels and it was good to have something to keep her occupied.

- This poem is dedicated to the beauty of the Shire -

Popski looked at the note again and read for a third time. There it was in black and white, The Sheriff had been going through his records and found that Popski had not taken a single day off since he was appointed Gatekeeper to the Village of Brightdown.