The Lost Company

[Valandil]

Gandalf drew near and addressed him by name, sort of, "Brungo Burrows."

"Mister Gandalf," with a bow, "it's 'Bwaharung... never mind. How may I be of service?"

"Well," chuckled Gandalf. "I never expected to need the service of a mere halfling - no offense, mind you. But everyone else is too 'busy' they say. The Elves want to return to Rivendell or Lorien... or to Lindon. The Gondorians want to set sail immediately for Gondor - before the winter sets in. The Men of Arthedain wish to gather themselves for council - and decide what to do next. All that's LEFT is you! And when the great are unwilling, perhaps the small will have to do."

"Beggin' yore pardon, Mister Gandalf. Could you say what it was you had in mind?" The other Hobbits around us had been paying attention and gathered near to hear what Gandalf had to say.

To cut to the chase, Queen Firiel wanted to have her husband - King Arvedui - found and returned to her. She was exasperated that all the Men of Gondor and Arthedain, and the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell - would not all ride off to the north and find him. But they wouldn't do it, so she asked Gandalf. Gandalf wanted some other things looked into up north too. And really, he said, maybe a small band of us Hobbits could go un-noticed better than a troop of Dunedain soldiers. He'd like Carn Dum checked about and all - maybe Mount Gundabad for signs of Dwarves surviving Angmar. He seemed quite certain that Angmar would be no more, or so he said. Even wanted to find other folks to live up there. We didn't think no Hobbits would be interested, but we sorta got interested in what he was askin' us to do - somehow. Leastwise, he said that Hobbits wouldn't be accounted too unusual up thataway, as they had come to Rhudaur (whatever that was) 800 years ago, and maybe some had gone up north Angmar-way already. So he thought it best if he'd go straightaways north hisself, and us Hobbits go northeast. Later he'd come and meet us over our way.

So, whatever this here Mister Gandalf had in mind, we started having thoughts of our own. Maybe we'd go and find us some long-lost Hobbits, as we could bring back to the Shire with us. Like distant cousins of sorts.

Though I sure was gonna miss poor old Miss Thistle Hayberry. Her and Miss Goldenrod Hayberry too!

And yeah... you can call me Brungo. It's easier, I know.