Journal, Fourth Entry: Buckland to Bree

Dear Mother and Father, We have been travelling for nine days now. In Buckland I saw my first longshanks. That's what Rua calls the Bigfolk. He was mending a fence. Rua sold him some better tools because the ones he had were old and rusty. We stayed the night at Aunty Rose's. She was nice and showed me how to make a cake. We ate some of the cake and packed the rest to take with us. She hugged and kissed me and called me a poor wee thing and I liked her a lot. I liked the bed I slept in too, it was soft and warm. We got up early again the next morning and Aunty Rose made us porridge. Then we packed up the ponies and said goodbye. We went to Adso's Camp. Adso is building a inn halfway between Buckland and Bree. He expects to get a lot of visitors. I said I would stay there when it's finished. Now we had to sleep on the ground again. I like seeing the stars. Tonight we are staying in Bree. It is a funny place. The houses are very big and square. I miss our hobbithole. I wonder if it misses us. There is still some snow on the ground here. In Hobbiton and Stock there were only hobbits. Here there are some hobbits, but there are more Bigfolk everywhere. I'm afraid of them, but Rua keeps me safe. He says 'Ye canna troost a longshanks lass, but ye can sell 'em innything'. We are staying at the Prancing Pony for a few nights. Rua has been here before and knows the Innkeeper. He says Mr. Butterbur is a good sort and bought tools before. Rua is downstairs now, I think he went for an ale. So I have some time to write before bedtime. It has been a long trip but Rua says we are nearly there. I miss home. Good night, Your loving Zara