Journal 377th entry, Green Dragon Friday, Meetings

Dear Mother and Father, I was travelling back from the North Downs and I was planning to stay the night at the Green Dragon Inn in Bywater last night. Well I did, in a sense. I had just arranged for a room with Mr. Rootknot and ordered a pint when a hobbitlad introduced himself to me. I'm afraid due to the excitement of later in the evening I don't remember his name. I sat down by the fire with my pint and we chatted a bit, though he seemed to be watched by another hobbit sitting at one of the tables. I got the impression they knew each other. During the evening, several more hobbits joined us at the fireside. To my surprise and joy, Lina came. She played her lute again marvellously. She really is talented. I hope we can become friends. Also Simbo came and a hobbitlass named Talera. They were very kind and Simbo recited a few poems. A pretty hobbit lass with black pigtails called Patula seemed to be quite taken with Simbo. Then I got introduced to Bootsy. She is a member of the band that played at the Combe Market and is a talented musician. Another hobbit arrived but I didn't catch his name. He had very red hair. Also an older hobbit came and sat down. He told us a few riddles and I guessed some! There was quite a bit of coming and going of hobbits. Even a dwarf showed up. Then that strange ladyhobbit that was also at the Combe and Wattle arrived. I found out her name this time, it is Lotti. She had a few bits of news. Apparently there are wolves and brigands closing in on the Shire and she is missing a chicken. I forget the name of her chicken, but she was rather upset. It seems she is very fond of this chicken and it is the best of her flock. I do sympathise but I haven't seen any chickens since Stock. Later in the evening, I managed to get up enough courage to ask Lina if she had ever heard of any baby hobbits being lost by anyone. Sadly she hadn't and seemed quite shocked at the thought. Well I had expected as much. I gave her my address in case she ever hears something. Even later, I managed to ask Simbo the same question. Several hobbits overheard me ask and someone said I might want to talk to Saphyre from Bindbole Farm I think it was. Either her or Rowana might know something. I plan to write them a letter. I do hope they can help me! I was so excited I couldn't sleep. Which was just as well, for we stayed up all night dancing and playing music. I didn't use my room at all! In the morning, when everyone left, I just saddled up Marshmallow and headed for Waymeet. Your loving Zara