~Introduction~
On the forty-sixth day of Hrívë in the year TA 3019, eight strangers crossed the western border of Lothlórien. They were discovered by the marchwarden Haldir when one of the party members attempted to climb a mallorn. As per the custom of the Galadhrim, the strangers were blindfolded and brought to Caras Galadhon to stand before Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.
The leader of the party was not a stranger, but one well known to the Lord and Lady. He was Elessar, Chieftain of the Dúnedain of the North and the betrothed of Arwen, granddaughter of the Lord and Lady. Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm was also among the party, as were Boromir, heir to Steward Denethor of Gondor, Gimli the Dwarf, and four Periain ("Halflings"). The party remained in the Golden Wood as guests for one cycle of the moon before departing with gifts to aid them on their journey.
Having never seen let alone speak with one of the Periannath ("Halfling-folk"), I availed myself of the opportunity to learn of their people and the land they inhabit. The one known as Meriadoc Brandybuck, his comrades called him Merry, seemed very knowledgeable and was the most willing to share information with me.
~The Three Tribes of Halflings~
The ancestors of the Halflings living in Bree-land, The Shire, and Buckland were members of one of three tribes: Fallowhides, Harfoots, or Stoors. The Brandybucks and other prominent families such as the Tooks and Baggins, Peregrin Took and Frodo Baggins were among Meriadoc's companions, are Fallowhides. Harfoots, like Frodo's companion Samwise Gamgee, are the most numerous among the Halflings.
The Stoors were the last to leave their homes east of Hithaeglir. Some settled in northern Dunland and in the Angle between the rivers Bruinen and Mitheithel. The Stoors of The Shire principally settled in an area along the Baranduin the Halflings call the Marish. Some Stoors subsequently returned to the Vales of Anduin.
~A Brief History of Halflings in and near The Shire~
Meriadoc told me that Halflings, they call themselves Hobbits, have lived in The Shire since TA 1601. They regard that as year 1 in the Shire-reckoning (SR). The Shire is divided into North, South, East, and West Farthings.
I learned from Meriadoc that Halflings also inhabit the Bree-land, principally in the village of Staddle but some in Bree-town as well. The founders of The Shire, Marcho and Blanco, made their homes in Bree before departing to found The Shire.
In the year 740 SR (TA 2340) one prominent family among the Halflings, the Oldbucks, deciding they wanted more room for themselves, moved to the eastern side of the Baranduin to a place they named Buckland. The Oldbucks changed their surname to Brandybuck following their relocation. (The prefix to their new name appears to have been inspired by their proximity to the Brandywine River, the Mannish name for the Baranduin.) Buckland is not regarded as part of the Shire. It is ruled by the Master of Buckland, who is currently Saradoc Brandybuck, Merry's father. The Brandybuck family lives in Brandy Hall.
Merry's companion, Peregrin Took, is the son of Paladin Took II, Thain of the Shire. Relations among the Halflings are very important, as they are for many peoples including the Eldar. Merry and Pippin, as Peregrin is usually called, are cousins. The Tooks live in the Great Smials in Tuckborough located in the Westfarthing of the Shire.
~Halflings of the Vales of Anduin~
Mithrandir informed me that Halflings once lived east of the Hithaeglir. They began migrating west to escape the evil that began stirring in the Greenwood around the year TA 1100. Evidently some Stoors returned to the Vale of Anduin after living for some time along the Bruinen.
These Stoors dwelt in holes built along the Anduin and its tributaries, including Sîr Ninglor, which is called the River Gladden by Men. Neldordil, who serves Lady Galadriel as a tracker and scout, confirmed this information when he discovered Curunír's efforts to extract something from the Stoors' former dwellings. Doubtless these excavations had some nefarious purpose. I was happy to learn that these holes had been long deserted before Curunír's evil work began.
Neldordil discovered a community of Halflings living in the vales of Hithaeglir in a secluded place shrouded in mist. They call their village Lyndelby, and the region surrounding it Misthallow. It is my sincere hope that these Halflings remain hidden from those who might wish them harm.
~The End~
