Hobbits and the Valar (or The Forgotten People)

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Brooke

So they had been heard of in Gondor at least, and not only by the learned. Though, they seem to have been thought of as legends - much like fairies would be thought of today...

Probbly via Rohirric tales...

Puddleglum has a good point - the Ents seem to be rather insular. They don't know much about anything outside their lands, that isn't ancient history it seems like.

Seconded.

To address the fact that the Haradrim and such had never heard of Hobbits. To me, this adds a sense of realism to the books. In our recent history, prior to the invention of the airplane and such, many cultures were unknown due to lack of ways to reach the outskirts and such to see them, except by those who lived near them...

True. And you said it yourself: you don't know about a race unless you live near them or come in contact with them during travels. Most people of ME who know about hobbits know them from rumors and stories, often exaggerated - like the hopeful "Ernil-i-pheriannath" myth.