Thursday, October 13, 2005
"Soon I will be embarking on the journey of my life. I know it will not be an easy one, but it is one that I must make.Although I am excited, I am also scared. I will be going where no one in my family has gone before. Leave home? Leave Hobbiton? I can scarcely imagine. It was one thing when the eccentric Bilbo Baggins left everyone for a time of Adventure, but he was always a little 'touched' to begin with. I used to get teased by my cousins that I would grow up and be 'touched' as well, because they were only Brandybucks and did not share the Took lineage with Bilbo as I did. I would always get so furious with them, for although Bilbo and I are related I can't tell you exactly how; of course, the truth of the matter is that everyone in the Shire is related to each other in some way, so if I'm to be touched then my cousins will share the same fate.
It is Autumn in the Shire, my favorite season. Despite the falling leaves and splashes of red and gold decorating the landscape, everything is still so green. That's one of the things I love about this country; regardless of the differing seasons, you can always take comfort from the evergreen that blooms all around. It's a wondrous thing to behold, and I don't think I can bear the thought of parting.
Where am I going, you ask? I'm going to some mysterious place known to me only as Rivendell. It is said that it is in a farway land, and houses those aloof, ethereal beings known as Elves. Like most hobbits, I have never seen an elf, and I hope I never do. In the past Grigory had told me they are tall with sharp, pointed ears and pointed teeth, but Dale says he is just kidding. Dale says they are indeed tall, but that they are wonderful and glow with an unearthly beauty. I don't know how he knows this, for he has never been out of the Shire either, but he insists there is nothing to be afraid of. All I know is that I hope I never meet one; then I won't have to worry about sharp ears, sharp teeth, or glowing beauty.
I still can't believe I'm actually leaving the Shire. I won't be alone, and for that I am thankful because I know there is no way I could make this journey on my own. Gandalf has made it very clear that I am never to be left alone, not even for a second; it would be too dangerous. I won't be travelling with Frodo and Sam, for the whole point is to keep us seperated; exactly why, I'm not sure, but it has something to do with causing diversions. I really don't understand what is going on, all I know is that I overheard Sam and Frodo and Gandalf discussing something about rings and dark lords and far-away lands. Frodo had forgotten his pipe at the Green Dragon, and I was merely bringing it to Bag End (I have to pass Bag End to get to my home, so it was no trouble at all). Now I'm almost wishing I had left it at the pub, for Gandalf feels to leave me in Hobbiton would pose more of a risk than he is willing to take. He feels I would be safer away from the Shire, someplace far beyond our borders. His words scare me; as much as I enjoy his visits to Hobbiton, he always brings with him an air of foreboding. This time I wish he had never come.
My companion will be Thom Foxbury, the tanner. He is quiet and a bit serious, but he is pleasant to be around. While the rest of us grew up together, we didn't meet Thom until he moved to Hobbiton from Bywater. While we had seen him at Shire fairs, we had never met. He is taller than many hobbits, but not so tall that he makes me feel uncomfortable. He is darker than many hobbits as well, with raven hair and coal black eyes. His skin is not rosy, but tans to a deep bronze in the summer. I think he's rather handsome, in a strange sort of way.
To be honest, I'm not really sure why Gandalf chose Thom to escort me to Rivendell; I'm still not even sure why I am going. I don't tattle and I don't gossip, so I wouldn't tell anyone what I overhear. After all, I don't want people to think I'm crazy with talk of an evil, all-powerful ring. And who would believe me anyhow? And how could that possibly hurt Frodo and Sam's travels? It's not like anyone is going to come looking for them; no one even knows who they are!
I guess I need to start packing. Gandalf will be here soon with the others, and I need to be ready."
