A Hobbit Diary

As recorded by the [Lady of Lore] of the journey of Thistlewood Took


Day One of record

Of all the bothersome meddlesome things, this I do declare is the greatest I will ever have cause to endure! My second uncle, Mayor Samwise Gamgee of Hobbiton, has decided that several of us are to accompany him to what is called Rivendell as part of an "outreach" program. Uncle says it will "broaden our horizons"...he chose hobbits of young ages and of various skills but confounded, he chose me as well.
Mother warned us about the "adventures" that the Baggins' have been on and how they bring trouble. Everyone always says that there are queer folk in Buckland let alone on the expanse of road between here and this Rivendell. I've no desire to leave the Shire, elves or no elves. Uncle's daughter Elanor no doubt will be accompanying us so that I can take comfort in. She's such a dear thing...
Well, I suppose I ought to start packing....


Day Two or more the morning of day three as I was so blasted tired last night.

We set off today, Uncle, Elanore, and several others down the road to towards Buckland. Most of the journey was much like traveling through home only more fields. We paid our respects to the cottage that used to belong to farmer Maggot and then on towards Bree. We camped here in this grove with nothing but roots and leaves for our mattresses. I do believe that I slept on a rock for my back aches so. There was a song that Uncle sang while we walked that I thought was rather lovely...I can only remember snatches of it...I'll write as much as I remember.
Upon the hearth the fire is red,
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still ... we may meet
...
That none have seen but we alone.
Tree and flower,... grass,
Let them pass! Let them pass!
Hill and water under sky,
Pass them by! Pass them by!

I wish I could remember more...
Well the company begins to stir so I must stop and get ready to be off again.


Day Four

I asked Uncle about the song, he said it was a song that Frodo, Merry, Uncle Pippin and he had sung when they traveled years ago. He even wrote the words for me so that I might learn it later. 
Upon the hearth the fire is red,
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still round the corner we may meet
A sudden tree or standing stone
That none have seen but we alone.
Tree and flower, leaf and grass,
Let them pass! Let them pass!
Hill and water under sky,
Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.
Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
Let them go! Let them go!
Sand and stone and pool and dell,
Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We'll wander back to home and bed.
Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
Fire and lamp and meat and bread,
And then to bed! And then to bed!

A lovely song indeed...a pity it's not common anymore. I think I shall learn it and teach it to the others when I return.


Day Five

Well we have made our way to Bree where we are now staying at the Prancing Pony Inn. I'll tell you I did not care for the look of it, three stories and all, but kindly there were several rooms on the ground floor with round windows and doors. The innkeeper, an old man by the name of Butterbur greeted uncle at the door. He was an obliging fellow but now too old to do much running about his inn. His two workers Nob and Bob did most of the running to and fro. We ate in uncle's room most content with our soft feather beds...I do believe I hate sleeping on the ground!


Day Six

We skirted the midge water marshes; Uncle had no fond memories of that place and kept to the road. We met many travelers along the way and I saw my first elf today! It was an elfin lady with her daughter and they were traveling back to the Grey Havens from their visit to Rivendell...I do declare elves are some of the loveliest creatures I've ever set eyes on. Pity there isn’t more of them around. Uncle is so fond of them and their stories. When he saw the lady he spoke with her in a language I didn't quite catch but that sounded lovely. She smiled at Uncle and he had a far away look in his eyes that Elanor had as well...I think I may enjoy this trip after all if we are going to a city with more of these lovely people.


Day Seven of Record

We traveled to the summit of Amon Sul today and passed around it. Uncle told us that it was here that Mister Frodo received a terrible wound. Uncle looked very sad at the mention of Frodo…poor Uncle. We passed the summit and settled to camp in an area next to the Great East Road. Many peoples passed by, more folk than I’ve ever seen. Humans, Elves, and even Dwarves passed by on some errand. It seems that something is brewing in the West. I heard a great deal of chatter but little made sense. I hope to catch Elanor tonight before we go off to bed and ask her what all the bustle is about. She and Uncle were busy as bumblebees greeting and chatting with the folk passing by. I suppose asthe Mayor of Hobbition Uncle felt responsible to find out what is going on in the world. Yet they have said little to the company. I know not how much farther we must travel but I am getting anxious. It’s all very unusual for me to see so many people of non-hobbitness. At least I wasn’t the only one. The other hobbits that are a part of this party seem to share my feelings…we shall see what Elanor says…


Day Eight of Record

    I managed to get along side Elanor today as we ventured farther into Middle Earth. She seemed quite excited about something but didn't want to tell me much more about it other than it shall be a sight to behold and that we shell see people of great importence. Hmph, am I to be left in the dark of the happenngs going on? Elanor did apologise afterwards and told me that what we were going to witness was to great for her to find words to explain that were not in the Elvish tongue. She tried her best but it was a whole tale of the Valar and elves and the union of the people of Elves and men or Dunedian...some parts of the tale were familier to me, what hobbit child doesn't love a good story but never have I heard such a thing so rich. I shall try to write it tomorrow, or at least reorganise it in a way I may better understand what is going on. For now I will dream dreams and hope to see my litte garden that Mother will tend to for me while I am away.


Day Twelve of Record

I am sorry for the days that have passed without me writing an entry. So much I have been told that it is hard to find a way to summarise it. But I shall try.
It seems that the goings on of Uncle, Frodo, Father, and Uncle Merry were caught up in a great quest and many battles...to think, Uncle Merry and Father are knights in royal courts! But aside from that I have learned the greatness of Uncle and his doings with Frodo Baggins. A pity I never got to know him. I would have liked to meet him and ask him of all his travels. This world is slowly being opened up to my hobbit eyes and with each unfolding I feel very small and ignorant. We hobbits had no idea of the great goings on in the world.
Well that's about all I care to summarise here, maybe I shall write more concerning this tale later. As for now i must sleep. We will reach Rivnedell tomorrow, I have heard and I would like to be presented to the King and Queen in at least a pleasant looking state rather than tired and worn. These rocks and brambles do poke so...hopefully the folk in Rivendell will have decent beds for us to sleep in as well as a roof over our heads. I declare I am quite finished with the wild outdoors for my bed. Well I'd better make the best of it.


Day Thirteen
Where to begin? We reached Rivendell today, and I am happy to report that the elves do have enough sense to have decent beds. Everything here is a work of art, from the railings to the floors....it all seems to glow with an inner light. This is probably from some elvin magic but I have not asked Elanor about them yet.
I have met the King and Queen and I am still all a tremble for their countanences are so radiant and fair that I could scarcely speak. They were both extroadinarily kind. I truly do not regret this journey in the least. I am so very glad that Uncla Samwise decided to take me along on this journey. I only wish that the folks back in Hobbiton could see how wonedful this is. It all puts to shame the descriptions in the old tales for they fall far short of the true lovliness of this fair elven city.