mathom

Mathoms ….Anything that we hobbits had no immediate use for,

It was late evening when Druda passed through the large gates of Caras Galadhon several days later than she had planed due to her stay with the Elven hunters in the Forest. The many lanterns and lamps were already lit and Elves were approaching the same gates from every direction. Many of them bowed as Druda passed and Druda replied with a polite nod of her head.

The road that led ran out of Moria and into the Realm of Lothlorien wound through a narrow valley following the route of the river. Amongst the many craggy nooks Orcs had made their crude camps and fortified them with large palisades of roughly hewn wood.

Whilst she waited for the preparations for her journey Druda went in search of Bilbo Baggins, who had been living at Rivendell since his departure from the Shire. Druda had been privileged enough to meet him on several occasions in the past and he always seemed pleased to see another Hobbit and was keen for any news from The Shire. Druda found Bilbo in his usual seat overlooking the gardens.

Druda had enjoyed many days in the Valley of Imladris, listening to the music, song and stories, riding her pony through the glades and relaxing in its beauty. Her thoughts had once again returned to the necklace in her room.

It had taken Druda many days to journey from Bree to the Valley of Imladris but the weariness soon evaporated as she turned the corner to gaze down into the valley below. Beyond the lofty pines that covered both sides of the valley lay the exquisite gardens of Rivendell. Druda made her way down the meandering path to the valley floor.

Druda awoke early and quickly packed her belongings, making sure the small wooden box containing the recovered necklace was buried safely at the bottom of her pack. Entry and exit from Bree was controlled by the four large gates in the towns’ wall.

Mathom Hunting in Bree.

Things had been very quiet of late for Gormbard, he had not found any real work as such but he got by. He had earned a little bit of money here and there for food and by selling any interesting items that he could find. He had managed to find an abandoned burrow in which to live, it was by no means a comfortable burrow but at least it kept out the wind and rain.