Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[mark12_30]

"I am sure you have given me all the heaviest stuff," said Frodo. "I pity snails, and all that carry their homes on their backs."

"I could take a lot more yet, sir. My packet is quite light, " said Sam stoutly and untruthfully.

"No, you don't, Sam!" said Pippin. "It is good for him. ... He's been slack lately, and he'll feel the weight less when he's walked off some of his own."

"Be kind to a poor old hobbit!" laughed Frodo. "I shall be as thin as a willow-wand, I'm sure, before I get to Buckland..."

I don't imagine very many hobbits would be inclined towards much tramping through snow and cold.

When winter first begins to bite
and stones crack in the frosty night
When pools are black and trees are bare
'Tis evil in the wild to fare.

...and not much better when the nipping, biting, and bareness of trees isn't quite over yet! But soon the trees will leaf out, and walking will have more appeal. Courage!

Alatariel, I love the passages of Bilbo (and Frodo) leaving Bag-End; so sad, and so mysterious, and so alike. I've always loved how Frodo followed (if only he had known it) Bilbo down that garden path aand over that hedge! I wonder how many times Bilbo and Frodo had gone that way together, on their way to Woody End looking for Wood-elves.

Earendil sent me a note; she is walking (40 km, attahobbit!) Also heard from Lyra Greenleaf, Eruwen, & Esty.

Looking in a mirror he was startled to see a much thinner reflection of himself than he remembered: it looked remarkably like the young nephew of Bilbo who used to go tramping with his uncle in the Shire; but the eyes looked out at him thoughtfully.

"Yes, you have seen a thing or two since you last peeped out of a looking-glass," he said to his reflection. "But now for a merry meeting!" He stretched out his arms and whistled a tune.

[ April 22, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]