Earth! After a good breath, I decided to leave the waters and these pirates, to launch me without losing time towards Evendim. It was raining. And I still had to leave Ered Luin on my steed, cross the Shire obliquely, then cross the northern border to arrive in Evendim. This part of the trip would probably be more pleasant, with a tavern where human warmth and a good meal would wait for me almost every night.
In the first place, I met some Elves who seemed rather taken aback to see a single man come from a distant country, then I had to cross the river Lhûn. A bridge connected the two banks, which was of purely Elven architecture, and which gave a feeling of security and lightness. Only detail to note, my horse hesitated to move onto the bridge, I almost listened to him and find another route, but after a few reassuring whispers, we reached the other side, then we passed Needlehole and the paths of Shire opened in front of me.
This people seemed to be holed up in underground huts covered with grass. I did not see any of these little men, who had probably sheltered by the fire from the rain that the storm had amplified. It was in Michel Delving that I finally saw these Hobbits for the first time of my life. They were leaning against the window of a hole that seemed to be a tavern. I decided to tie my horse and enter. I received an unexpected welcome, for although suspicious at first sight, the Hobbits, who soon realized that I was just a weary and innocent traveler, offered to restore me. There was a lot of local specialties that I had to swallow, as much food as drinks, and it is true that it was a treat, which changed me from many small roasted animals on the spit and broths that we eat when we are in the wilds.
I took advantage of that night and went to bed late, hoping that the bad weather would pass quickly. I had to hurry up so as not to be late. In any case, what I had heard about Hobbits was definitely true, for my greatest pleasure.
