That smell, faint but sweet. This smell, I know it well-- I know it very well. Few have such a rich scent of food, warmth, joy, and luxury. Then there are their feet, always the feet. I can smell them from far, far away. Hobbits, I know their smell- that odd, odd stench of their feet that no one else has. It's terrible.
This one is lost. The salt, it's the salt of the tears. A stench of fear can lead me to them, the sound of their cries, the taste of their sweat through the mist. This heavy mist that never leaves, the breath of the forest-- the ancient who think they can trick me.
-Ha! I've outwitted them once, I shall do it again. This one they will not get, for I will find them first.
Slowly I walk, ever so slowly. I follow their scent, I listen to their cry. Why, oh why? They cry, not hearing the warnings, not listening, not caring. Idiots, all of them. -I am their herder.
Starve! Yes! Starve this day, you cursed lords. I have found this Hobbit, I hear them. Her-.
She runs. I will follow, I tell her to stop- she does not listen. She's getting lost, she doesn't understand. I hear the roots shifting, I hear the bark move. You cannot fool me! I know your tricks!
Running, turning, jumping. Faster-- run faster, I will still catch you. The roots will trip you, the ground shall eat you. You cannot run little Hobbit- they see you. I hear you!
She screams like a hungry magpie and I have her under my arm. Shut up, you damn Hobbit. Be silent and quiet. She will not listen- Tries to bite my hand when I make her shut up. -Trapped now. Will not get away from my grip.
I will take her back before they find her again. I know where I am, I know where they come from. The same place they all come from- Everyone always wandering in, a game to them!
I smell the village. A new season, I know it well. A celebration just a few weeks away- the good one will bring me the basket. The basket they bring every year. I will have my own feast and I will taste ale again.
Run home, little Hobbit, there is the tunnel. Quick now. They still see you, they are annoyed. Hurry before I throw you over the hedge!
You didn't get this one today. No, no. I made sure you didn't. I will make sure you will not get them again. You see them, I hear them. You cannot fool me. Benjamin and I know your tricks and I've bested you all yet again!
