The Journal of Master Hairylobes

[SNarfel]

Reached Bree today. Am a little short and feeling out of place, although the kindly owner of the Prancing Pony inn was extremely welcoming; even forwarding me a small loan when I told him I had lost my money pouch on the way. Tall folk seem very rowdy.

[SNarfel]

Had a good rest. Met a bearded tall folk by the name of Gregoire Althane, shared a hearty breakfast with him. Didn’t half keep going on about having to show someone something called Widowmaker on his way to Bree late last night. Not sure I want to know what he means, but otherwise seems a very nice fellow; could pass for Dwarf if not so tall, could pass for giant if a little taller.

Need to find work to pay back Mr Barliman the inn keeper.

[SNarfel]

Found some folk who needed errands run in Bree, delivered medicine and smithed items to locals. More work available but requires going outside the village wall. Rumours of goblins abroad. Not going outside walls. Met the nice Mr Althane in the late evening having his supper, invited me to join him.

After expenses not enough left to repay Mr Barliman.

[SNarfel]

Third day in Bree.

Dreamt of Grandpa, told me off for being in debt. Went downstairs and saw Mr Althane having breakfast, invited me to join him. Discussed my predicament. Mr Althane offered his and Widowmaker’s company on errands outside walls. Still don’t know who Widomaker is.

Mr Althane suggested I call him Greg. Have decided to accept his offer for errands outside wall.

[SNarfel]

With Mr Althane’s assistance, completed errands in the Chetwood and Midgewater Marsh. Stumbled across a den of thieves. Met Widowmaker on Mr Althane’s deliberations with the thieves. Waving of huge axe in front of their faces made thieves very agreeable to Mr Althane’s suggestions. Returned to Bree, have repaid Mr Barliman. Very relieved to be out of debt.

Took supper in Mr Althanes company. Mr Althane has insisted I call him Greg.

[SNarfel]

Awoke early, feel wonderful. Came down to find Greg having breakfast. Invited me to join him. Bree Watch most pleased with return of stolen goods, asked Mr Althane if he would look in to recent grave robberies. Very proud on being asked by Mr Althane if I would join him. Have agreed.

Queer goings on in Bree graveyard. Folk walking that Oughtn’t. Deaders he called them. Found grave robbers.Thought of Mr Althane being of dwarven kind crossed mind again, uses dwarven negotiating methods. Widowmaker brought proceedings to swift resolution. Deaders returned to rest.

Mr Althane made point of reminding me to call him Greg. Must remember to do so.

[SNarfel]

Had lie in, missed Greg, had lovely breakfast went for walk. Returned to find Greg having lunch, invited me to join him. Talk turned to rumours about goblins, decided to investigate.

Met lady called Krystell, very pretty and agreeable. Has peculiar notions regarding elves, is of foreign parts.

[SNarfel]

Day 16 in Bree

Greg and I returned from South Downs late last night. Very unpleasant business with goblins but Chief Harry of the Bree Watch was pleased with outcome. Learnt that the Greenway is a very old road, running for miles and miles. Plan to explore its length with Greg.

Have begun purchasing supplies, will need pony.

[SNarfel]

3rd day of our journey along the Greenway. The road is overgrown with grass from lack of use but the journey so far has been pleasant. Have on a few occasions gone off the road along what looked like very faint paths but these have come to nothing. Have yet to come across any other travellers.

Supplies are holding up well, especially as there is plenty of opportunity to restock from the wilds away from the road in this very sparsely populated land.

Toby is proving to be a delight and is thoroughly enjoying the journey, money well spent.

[SNarfel]

5th Day from Bree.

Heavy rain yesterday, turned even more miserable when rain got through to undergarments. Left the road to look for shelter in the evening and came across some queer folk. They knew far too much about Greg and I for our liking. In the end turned out to be quite nice in a reserved fashion. Not at liberty to divulge more about them, nor the nature of our intended means of repayment of their generosity and good will.

Sky still very threatening with dark clouds but clothes all dry and enjoyed a lovely hot rabbit stew before settling for the night.

[SNarfel]

Day 20 from Bree

Returned to the strangers camp.

So much has happened since we left Bree, what in the first few days seemed like a quiet road in a quiet land turned out to be not quite so. We are in little doubt that we have barely scratched the surface of whatever conspiratorial activities are afoot but such matters we have no wish to know about in any detail. As Grandpa would say, the less you know the less your burden.

Our own journey along the Greenway we are told will soon take us to a city called Tharbad. We have been advised to seek lodging in The Greyflood.

As we departed the camp I was given the most strangest of advice. That I speak not too freely of The Shire and avoid discussion of it completely if possible. There seemed to be an air of apprehension in the camp as we departed. Queerest folk I have ever come across.

[SNarfel]

Arrived in Tharbad today, I was knocked for six at its size. I imagine a small mountain had been quarried for the stone to build it, and I was told there was just as much of it across the river. We got lost a few times but eventually found the Greyflood Inn, having to pass through the market square. Some of the folk in the market were very rude indeed, grabbing hold of our cloaks in an effort to direct us to their stalls. They were not at all deterred by us telling them that we were not interested, even when Greg bellowed that they keep their paws of him.

The Greyflood Inn befits the city it serves; huge and well kept. Greg and I managed to find a nice corner by a fire place to have our food, which was well prepared and pleasantly served. It is an agreeable enough inn; clean, warm and very busy with many comings and goings.

After third helpings, loosening of belts and relaxing with a pipe, Greg and I retired with the intent to rise early the next day and explore the city.

I was disappointed to find that there was no provision in the way of rooms for small folk and had to make do. As pleasant as the Greyflood is, it is not a patch on Mr Butterbur’s fine establishment.