[Theoric Windcaller]

"Aye, dark times indeed, the third age," commented a hobbit, taking another gulp of his ale.

Theoric had apparently decided to stay for a bit longer. He told himself that the ale was such an addiction that he couldn't handle it--but he knew the real reason. He didn't want to leave.

"Did you take part in the War?" asked Theoric, interested in the elder hobbit's tales.

"Nay, but I did partake in the great uprallying at the end of the Third age." His voice quieted to a whisper.

"See, not many hobbit-folk like to speak of this, but back many years ago, when the War of the Ring had finally come to an end, a great man, very wizard-like, came upon our peaceful Shire and stirred up trouble.

"He went by the name of Sharky, and he had a small little fella' with him too, nasty creature. Very pale, seemed to glare at you all of the time."

Theoric nodded. "I think I had heard of that before. I believe that men from Laketown used to call it the Scourging of the Shire.
I always thought it was just a tale, to keep us occupied instead of going and stirring up trouble in the village."

The hobbit set down his ale. "It did not much have a name, but it was when the four came back," he replied.

Theoric was now deeply interested in the tale. "The four?"

"Well yes, lad. Haven't you heard of the Company of the Ring?" asked the hobbit.

Theoric nodded his head slightly. "Aye, it was the fellowship that set out for Mordor so many years ago," he replied.

"Aye, well, four members of that company were hobbits, Shire-folk like me. In, two of them, Frodo of Nine Fingers and Samwise Gamgee were of the four, the others I cannot remember."

"So Frodo of Nine Fingers was a Shire-hobbit?" asked Theoric.

"Of course," laughed the hobbit. "In fact, Samwise Gamgee is mayor of the Shire. He used to be Frodo Baggin's gardener, down at Bag End in Hobbiton."

Theoric was silent. The elder hobbit looked at him with a warming and encouraging smile. "You seem interested in what I have to say. I tell you, if you want details about what has happened in the Shire's uprising and the War of the Ring, I am sure Samwise Gamgee, mayor of the Shire could very much help you."

"Do you know where he lives now?" asked Theoric.

The elder hobbit turned away from the dwarf to finish his ale. "Aye, he lives in Bag End, on Bagshot Row in Hobbiton, which is a little ways from here.

"Aye, he started living in Bag End ever since Frodo disappeared once again, and he never returned since. Yes, a strange lot, those Bagginses were, very spontaneous and extremely unexpecting."

The hobbit turned to the dwarf, who was already grabbing his axe from the weapons depot and walking out of the inn.

The hobbit laughed to himself. As Aman approached he smiled at her. "It is strange, the kind of people the Shire has in its inns and taverns in these days."

Aman just smiled and began to tend to another when the hobbit spoke again.

"Queer days these are, but that was the same thing I said back during the War of the Ring, and those were less queerer. It makes me wonder how much more queerer the days will be that are to come," smiled the elder hobbit.

"I'd rather not wonder," squeaked a hobbit sitting beside the elder hobbit. "I'd rather not."

[ October 14, 2003: Message edited by: Theoric Windcaller ]