Getting to the Shire was the easiest part of their journey. After the incident with the goblins, Bethrelfin stayed on high alert. They spoke long about the nature of their relationship as they rested in Bree, and came to terms that they will enjoy the time they have together, however short. Upon arriving in the Shire, they made their way to Hobbiton.
On their travels they were met with long looks and glares, and Malethion explained that they would need to earn the hobbits’ trust to be able to stay there. They decided to head north and make their camp near Brindbole Wood and Bywater Brook, as far away as they could from the hobbits to make sure they don’t feel threatened by their presence.
They spent their time going round different villages, introducing themselves and help in any way possible. Bethrelfin found that she and Dumpling were perfect to ensure that their fields were free of any moles and shrews that happened to try and make their home there. Malethion turned to farming, helping the farmhands till and sow their fields.
Slowly but surely, some hobbits started to look at them with more friendly faces. Bethrelfin ensured that they were safe, patrolling the area for wolves and hunting down any packs that were too close to any hobbit settlement. Weeks turned to months, and both had become accustomed to sleeping in their tent. Sometimes on clear nights they slept outside, admiring the beautiful night sky. Bethrelfin managed to befriend a lot of the children, who loved to spend hours braiding her hair and fitting all sorts of different leaves and flowers, even acorns sometimes into her braids. The hobbits also seemed to realise that Malethion was a perfect pack mule, able to carry much more than they could. They even managed to put their horse and elk to good use, carrying carts that were sometimes too heavy for their ponies to carry.
After almost two years, the mayor had told them that it was extremely rude of them to keep asking for their help while they lived outside with no roof over their heads. Bethrelfin assured them that they didn’t mind, in fact they were growing to love living outdoors.
The mayor hurriedly took them away from prying ears and murmured that there was a house they could go live in which was uninhabited just south of Michel Delving, and since they kept refusing to accept payment for all the help they were giving, they could have it for free. No one lived there anyway, and the house was slowly rotting away. It may need some fixing up, but it was perfect for them. Malethion instantly turned it down, but it seemed there was no fighting with the mayor as he had completely made up his mind, and soon they were packing the little belongings they had and made their way over. The mayor wasn’t joking, the house was an absolute mess of dust. They didn’t care, it was perfect for them.
Although they did not manage to win over all of the hobbits’ trust, many of them grew accustomed to their presence and appreciated all the help they offered. Some even visited their home to give them freshly cooked food and any vegetables that Malethion had helped them with. They still heard many different things gossiped about them, but they didn’t really care. Both of them finally felt like they had a home.
