With cold winds and unwelcome late frosts, it was the middle of Thrimidge 1344 before all the hobbits could meet up again in Kings Worthy. The newlyweds had been given their own space within family smials but these were as yet sparsely furnished, as was usual with new couples starting out. Fortunately the Shire had a solution for this: mathoms. Mathom is the hobbit term for anything they’ve no use for but are unwilling to discard. Smial holes and houses were crowded with these. Hobbits were very fond of giving mathoms to one another on birthdays or at other celebrations; it is tradition that the hobbit celebrating will give gifts to their party attendees. In this way, small and decorative mathoms would travel from hand to hand often around the whole Shire, sometimes finding their way back to the original owner.
For larger or more awkward mathoms, such as tools or furniture, there is the Mathom House in Michel Delving. Wherever a mathom cannot be used by the immediate family, but might be needed by a more distant relative or a future generation, it can be carted off for storage or display at the Mathom House. Careful record is kept of its donor family, their accumulated contributions and their obvious familial links. (Obscure links can be checked against genealogical records, of course.) A mathom can be generally be withdrawn if it can be put to use and in this way poor families and young families starting out always have a way to make a home and a living. It is generally understood that any mathom should be returned if the donor asks for it, or if a more immediate relative needs it, or when its current user makes or earns a better replacement. (There are sometimes exceptions to this arrangement if an item is especially rare, valuable or historic.) In this way the Mathom House acts as part warehouse, part bank, part charity and part museum for the whole Shire.
The hobbits decided that an extended trip to the Mathom House in Michel Delving was justified and began to draw up plans on the advice of Falco, who had made that trip the previous year. Gorboduc was disconcerted when Primula dropped out pleading morning sickness, but that just made his trip more urgent. Mistress Fleur Noakes of Dumblebee was especially encouraging as she had a beehive that needed to be delivered and Marroc appeared to be becoming a more responsible son. The only difficulty was Tobold who had an important commission to complete, but he encouraged them to set off and promised to catch up later. Halfred was delighted to hear this and even more delighted when a coded letter from Lily arrived causing Mungo to successfully lobby for a change in route. A minor intervention ensured that Marigold’s letter updating Tobold of this new plan failed to arrive. The hobbits persuaded Bella, Poppy and Marigold to accompany them on their journey, reasoning that this would greatly help in rescuing Lily. Begonia, alas, was too busy at the tavern and Rowan had to stay to look after baby Ruby.
First stop on route was Wooperton where an evening meal and beers at The Tinkers Inn were as fine as they remembered. They showed no further interest in the village’s abandoned well. Choosing a leisurely pace through the following day they eventually trundled the wagons down into the deep, heavily forested valley of Long Cleeve where the Nortooks resided in a large hunting lodge. Wagons were drawn up in a riverside meadow so that the ponies could graze and the bees be let out to forage and cool down. The ladies decided to pay their respects at the lodge immediately and most of the lads accompanied them leaving Marroc, Isenbold and Gorboduc behind to mind the livestock. Fortunately they had written ahead so it was not a complete surprise to the butler when he opened the door and an eager Mungo performed all the introductions most courteously.
Dobson escorted them to the parlour where they were shortly joined by Master Brandolf NorTook, with sons Ferdi, Hunold and Marcoul. Great Uncle Isengard was present as was cousin Ferumbas ‘Rumby’ Took plus Miss Lily of course, and her hopeful Papa Lotho. Lily was immediately surrounded by the other lasses for noisy gossip while their bemused host attempted to remember all the names of his uninvited visitors. In the hubbub, they somehow neglected to mention Halfred’s family name. The ladies loudly clamoured for Lily to come along to add her expert opinion to their shopping expedition. Lily cheerfully agreed but, eyeing the twilight outside, charmed accommodations for everyone for the night. A resigned Master Brandolf sat them all down to a splendid dinner featuring lively naval anecdotes from ol’ Isengard and some subtle moping from young Rumby. Bella detected that Rumby was trying to ingratiate himself with Miss Lily and ran interference. Mungo waxed eloquently about recent weddings which seemed to please everyone.
Next morning after breakfast Edgar enquired about the best routes to Michel Delving. A large local map was unfurled and and the two road routes discussed. Mungo took copious notes. They decided to take the high road via Gamwich. Isenbold looked over the map and commented on the area as a bounder, and had an insightful conversation with Master Brandolf who also took his boundary duties seriously. It transpired that their valley was a highly guarded entrance to the Shire, concealed if not exactly secret. Halfred steered the conversation around to treasure which triggered an unexpectedly irate outburst from Uncle Isengard. The NorTooks tried to suppress him while the Mungo kicked Halfred before he could mention the Hackenbottom name. The visitors departed before any further incident arose.
The dirt road over the hills was fine and clear. The bees were happy and at their overnight stop in Gamwich Marroc took care to sprinkle a little water and add shade to cool the hive down. The Lazy Oak Inn had unusual musky golden ale. There was much speculation over the Otto vs Isengard feud. Next day they set off south along the dwarven stone road and Edgar curiously experimented with different songs to see if the hive responded, but results were inconclusive. By midday they rolled into Tighfield and took luncheon at the Hags Bottom Inn. Their beer was very disappointing but excellent haut cuisine meals more than made up for this. The afternoon was slow going but they managed to reach Little Delving for an adequate light supper. They let the bees out again for the evening in a far paddock.
The next morning was spent figuring out where to turn off for the beehive delivery. Mistress Fleur’s description proved sufficient for Gorbaduc to identify the correct track to Abinstead Farm. The party drove over a small hill and pulled to a halt at the edge of extensive cherry orchards in full bloom. Marroc decided that the hive would be happy here. He collected Farmer Hornwood from the house and formally introduced him to the hive queen. They settled the new hive in the far corner of the nearest orchard. Over a picnic lunch discussion turned to the old hives and why they weren’t thriving this springtime. Marroc asked to have a look. After a thorough listen Marroc detected a quiet spot within one of the hives; he opened it up and carefully nudged out an enormous moth the size of his hand. It chirped in protest. Marroc deduced that was happily eating the bees’ honey rather than gathering its own nectar and had somehow fooled the hive into tolerating it. He admired the skull shape on its back. Farmer Hornwood was most impressed and intended to find the source. He promised to write to Mistress Fleur with the results.
Moving onwards the party was overtaken by sunset on the road but the smooth dwarven street proved easy to follow by lantern light. They rolled into Michel Delving early evening to find a large, prosperous town with a wide choice of accommodation. They negotiated rooms at the The Swan, but with the intention of trying out beer at all the hostelries on the morrow. For the time being they sampled The Swan’s superb damson beer, and Lily had wisely learned not to match Bella drink for drink. Their first day in Michel Delving was spent exploring; the town was so busy it felt like a fair was being held but it was an ordinary market day. There was an abundance of normal shops selling food, clothing, hardware -- plus all sorts of intriguing specialist places with signs advertising pipeweed, haberdashery, florists, fine china, coal merchant, opticians, stationers and even a cobbler. The most impressive feature of the marketplace was a clocktower and pair of wide doors set into the side of Westhill — the Town Hole. Set into the side of the South Hill nearby was the Mathom House with all its many storage tunnels and their reason for the trip. While the ladies shopped, Marroc set out a market stall offering various honey products, including free samples, and was soon swarmed by enthusiastic hobbit children. Isenbold and Poppy investigated the dwarven gemsmiths and Poppy was inspired by their designs. That evening, when Marroc asked for suggestions for a suitable present for Begonia, an engagement ring engraved with begonia flowers was the prompt answer. Marroc commissioned one immediately.
The next day the hobbits tackled the mathom house. They presented themselves to Custodian Ada Slowfoot who checked their credentials against the kinship records. She passed them inside and handed out lanterns before giving a brief explanation of how the tunnels were laid out and how to make acquisitions. Gorboduc set off methodically with Primula’s list in hand and began to pick out some quality items. Isenbold and Poppy were less methodical but took careful note of the branches and turns in the tunnels so they didn’t get lost. Edgar and Bella dived straight in and were soon distracted by all sorts of things. Marroc and Mungo traded North Farthing gossip with Ada and persuaded Halfred to share the winged symbol from the maps. Ada didn’t recognise it but did mention that there was a chest of nautical odds and ends left in the Hackenbottom archive, if they wanted to withdraw it. Halfred and Marigold readily agreed. Everyone emerged for lunch and to examine this chest.
The battered old sea chest was unlocked and a careful examination established that it had no hidden compartments and no markings. It contained various charts (mostly of the Northbourn and Brandywine rivers), a reel from Bertram, an eyepatch and a tricorn hat from Carloman, plus an opened letter (on very fine parchment):
Landlocked, but still you’re all at sea.
These tiffs and squabbles it’s time you outgrew
Not a single castar you’ll get from me
Until you form a working crew.
⊠
Mungo recalled that castars were a coin type used in Gondor which, as Halfred pointed out, was “at least a day or two further south.” The tricorn was the most battered, shapeless piece of leather with salt stains, and the eyepatch was nearly worn through. The handreel though, looked almost unused: a wooden reel with a knotted line and a heavy brass hook on the end: Lily noted that it was a depth measuring tool, but that few places in the Shire would allow it to be played out to its full two fathoms. Much speculation ensued.
While Gorboduc and Isenbold signed out their chosen furniture and loaded up waggons, Edgar and Bella had become hopelessly lost deep, deep within the more remote tunnels. They were delighted to stumble into an area thick with undisturbed dust. It was full of stuff with no kin labels, foreign junk, and museum pieces from centuries back. An eclectic selection of impractical items were selected and hauled out, apparently at random. During this wait Marroc chatted with Ada some more and successfully negotiated loan of a special mathom: a tome on beekeeping and pest control, complete with illustrations and notes in both common and elven script. Mungo broached with Lily the concept of merging book collections, an idea which was met with distinct coolness. That evening the hobbits reviewed their progress and decided that they would have to stay one more day to assist Edgar and Bella in sorting out their household. This would also allow Marroc time to collect his precious ring in person. The matter decided, the North Farthing group set out to enjoy their evening with more beer, more stories, more gossip and more riddle contests.
After second breakfast most of the group headed back to the mathom house to keep Edgar and Bella focussed on their task. Marigold and Lily also wanted to consult Custodian Ada about book loans. Marroc, Isenbold and Halfred went instead to the dwarven shops. Marroc collected his begonia ring, Isenbold bought a set of gemsmith tools as a wedding present, and Halfred loitered in the background when out of the blue he spotted Tobold’s late arrival on the other side of the marketplace. In a sudden panic he tried to purchase a ring but discovered he was too broke to buy any. Isenbold helped him out. Halfred took the ring and dashed across to the mathom house, sprinting down the tunnels until he found Marigold. Sliding to halt on one knee he made an impulsive, eager proposal of marriage which she accepted. He collapsed onto an ottoman in relief. Mungo arrived, laden with extra books and accompanied by Tobold who was just starting to discover why he hadn’t caught up with them on the road. The wagons were loaded up and balanced and, after a brief stop to add a dwarven manuscript on load bearing properties of stone, they set out for home. They decided to go back via Bywater in order to see the Three Farthing Stone.
Their first stop was at Waymeet, another busy town on the causeway. They took rooms at the Treacle Well Inn and enjoyed a very dark ale with an intense yeasty tartiness. Marroc failed to win a riddle contest against Old Andy, the resident drunk. Mungo failed to win a chess game against Edgar. And Marigold failed to get a sensible discussion out of Halfred, who was just happy to agree to anything. The next day’s travel brought them to Bywater and the famous Green Dragon Inn by late afternoon. The Hackenbottom cousins decided that they should call on their Aunt Rowan and Uncle Reginald Burrows, the local notary. They cleaned up at the inn and went visiting, taking their friends along. Halfred made a superb introduction of both their fiancees and the rest of the party. Aunt Rowan was delighted to meet the young ladies and invited everyone in for tea in the parlour. They were introduced to their Burrows cousins: Estella, Norbert, Theodore and Peony. In amongst all the respectable and affluent furnishings, there was only one ornament remotely nautical: a ship in a bottle on an upper shelf of the bookcase.
After tea, cakes and much polite conversation Mungo steered the conversation around to tales of goblins near the Three Farthing Stone. None of the Burrows had seen anything untoward and blamed storytelling at The Ivy Bush for those rumours. Portly Uncle Reginald returned home and invited them to dinner which pleased Mungo as he wanted to know a lot more about the work of a notary. While Uncle Reg was distracted Halfred and Isenbold learned that the ship in a bottle was a favourite of their aunt’s; she had fond memories of finding it with her brother Carl when they were both tweens. They had combined his kiddie rutter book with her shanty about hapless Cap’n Took and the hike led them down the Norbourn river. They found the bottle buried at the end of it. Uncle Reg was not keen on this conversation. Marroc regaled Estella and Bert with tales of blizzard rescues and inept wizards at the spring fair. Everyone adjourned to the parlour for cheese and port. While Mungo distracted Reg, Isenbold and Halfred politely asked Rowan for a closer look at the bottle. It was securely sealed and made of a pale blue glass called ‘Elfware’ when the Bracegirdles bring it to market. They could clearly see all the details of the square-rigged slender ship inside, even down to the carved horsehead on the prow and the name written in tiny letters on the side: ‘Gwaeroch’. Unusually, the model was set atop a layer of fluffy white wool giving it the appearance of a ship flying through clouds. Rowan set it back carefully on the bookcase. Tobold asked if there were any other momentos and after some thought Rowan sent Estella off to fetch a heavy brass keyfob which they used as a paperweight. They were welcome to keep it. Gorboduc noticed that some of the party were starting to sound worse for wear so he courteously took leave and ushered everyone back to their rooms at The Green Dragon.
Over breakfast next day Lily asked if they wanted to meet Bilbo Baggins. On getting eager agreement she sent a letter off to Bag End across the water. Next the group pondered their various objects associated with Grandad Otto. The big brass fob was shaped like a leaping fish and it wasn’t long before both Edgar and Marroc remembered that the best beer in East Farthing was reputed to be at The Golden Perch in Stock. Halfred examined his maps and pointed out that Stock was on the Brandywine river, a few days’ travel to the east. Tobold spotted the watermill on the opposite bank and trotted off over the bridge to have a word with the miller. Gorboduc and Isenbold unravelled the reel and examined the 12 evenly spaced knots. It occurred to them that the nearby millpond was one of the deepest bodies of water in the Shire. Mungo bounded off to borrow a boat from the fisherman nearby. The morning was spent learning to row and lining up staves and sightlines to plumb the deepest part of the pond. It registered 9½ ft: not deep enough to use the whole line. An exploratory trawl brought up nothing.
After a cleanup and lunch, Lily spotted Bilbo Baggins hiking into Bywater to greet everyone. He was very polite and affable and easily fended off Mungo’s riddle challenge about Lily, much to her amusement. He extended an invitation to afternoon tea at Bag End at three of the clock, and excused himself to arrange extra cakes and supplies. He also whisked Lily away for advice on the fittings of a new waistcoat. Gorboduc noticed that Miss Lily was very happy in Bilbo’s company, unlike her visit with the Tooks, and strongly advised Mungo to do something romantic. Mungo panicked. His friends unsubtly pushed him towards the pink roses for sale at the florists. Tobold visited the ironmongers to stock up on dwarven widgets as the miller had confirmed that the dwarfs were all heading east and had not accepted future commissions. Edgar returned to The Green Dragon inn and reserved a romantic table to two at the waterside for an evening meal.
Just before 3 o’clock they reconvened at Bywater bridge and discovered that Miss Lily had already gone ahead to set up the tea party. They hiked up the hill to Bag End and were greeted at the door by Mr Baggins who welcomed them all in. Marroc presented him with a guest gift of Longbottom leaf blended with coltsfoot, chamomile and mullein (a favourite of the hives). Bilbo was very pleased and curious. They admired his large hiking map in the hallway even though it was, like most Shire maps, shockingly lacking in detail about North Farthing. They invited him to visit sometime to discover their magificent landscape in person. Lily appeared from the kitchen carrying a tray of tea things and they followed her out into Bilbo’s splendid garden. While Edgar enthused to Bilbo about the epic ‘Lay of Erebor’ which he’d heard from the dwarves, Mungo presented Lily with a bouquet of roses and invited her to dinner. She was happy to accept.
Over a delightful tea with plentiful cakes, Bilbo told them a little more about where the dwarves were going and what he’d seen on his little trip to Dale. He made it all sound rather less dramatic than the dwarves’ version! Tobold discussed with him what this might mean for the Shire and local repairs to mechanisms. Bilbo offered to write to his friends and ask a favour. Gorboduc complimented Bilbo on his map and enquired about the history of the Farthing Stone and whether it had been moved. Bilbo fetched some of his grandparents’ journals and confirmed an old political dispute that moved the East Farthing boundary to include the quarries, but could not find any map or details. He speculated that originally the river might have formed a natural boundary and suggested looking there. Lily, acting as Bilbo’s hostess, kept the conversations merry and lively. Eventually she bid Bilbo a very fond farewell and led the party back to their inn. That evening the hobbits went across to The Ivy Bush in Hobbiton for dinner, leaving Mungo and Lily to enjoy their romantic meal in peace.
Between breakfasts the hobbits had a lengthy discussion and decided to hike onwards to Stock, despite being expected back home any day now. They made arrangements to leave their overloaded wagons and most of the ponies in the care of the Green Dragon while they hiked eastwards. A short way along the road they stopped to inspect the Three Farthing Stone off to one side. It was a tall pillar of granite carved with swirls, neatly set upright inside a low iron ring to stop waggons bashing into it. It seemed somehow older and more primitive than the usual ruins scattered about the Shire. Poppy made some sketches while Isenbold strolled about inspecting tracks. He noticed that some ‘rabbit holes’ nearby did not have any scat around. Tolbold tried, and failed, to catch the attention of a passing dwarven waggon. As they continued on their way their pack ponies spooked at some scent on the wind and bolted south, which delayed them awhile. They collected a handful of unusual purple and gold feathers while they searched for their ponies.
They stayed that night at the Goblin Rattle in Frogmorton and admired some unusual wind chimes in its riverside beer garden. The Hopsingers served a fine dark ale with a fruity nose and interesting smokey finish. They had a wander along the town’s river banks in search of more menhirs but found nothing before nightfall. That night Marroc, who had been having trouble sleeping since meeting Estella, was gazing out the window across the water and became aware of movement to the north, way up in the hills. A line of pale lights could just be seen moving westwards through the trees in the distance. He wondered if maybe the local bounders were looking for something.
Next morning they hiked onwards through the bustling town of Whitfurrows, barely stopping for elevenses. At the substantial Brandywine river they turned off the great causeway just before it crossed Stonebow Bridge and followed a cart road south. They reached the village of Stock just before evening and observed that the inn sign of The Golden Perch matched their brass key fob from the Burrows. They rented rooms for a few nights and noted that the Brandywine river at this point had wide, swirling waters where the Stock stream joined it. Stock’s village market was mainly devoted to fish and the tavern was full of fishing memorabilia and talk. Mungo, noticing Lily’s resigned expression, went to considerable effort to source a steak supper for her. After enjoying very fine golden ale and a lovely sunset all the hobbits set about writing to various relatives to explain their delayed return.
On the morrow most of the party set about surveying the river and drawing up plans. Miss Lily found a comfortable spot well away from sight nor sound of their nonsense and settled down to read a book. Mungo kept her company for a time until sheer curiosity took him back to the riverside. The group had by then ascertained that the deepest part of the river lay between the tavern quay and above the Buckleberry ferry, just visible downriver. Most locals fished near the bank, but the group managed to hire a couple of rowboats. Tobold and Marroc were the first to get in. Contemplating the fact that hobbits are dense and sink, they added safety ropes to themselves and attached a makeshift anchor. Isenbold joined them to row and they headed out to the swiftest, swirliest section of the Brandywine, only to find themselves spinning downriver. They did establish that the Brandywine was deep enough to use the whole length of the nautical reel, but they were lucky that no-one fell in.
After a few chaotic trips which drew quite an audience but no results, Halfred suggested tying a rope between both banks (much as the ferry was set up) to pull their rowboat slowly across and trawl more systematically. They tried this approach, working together with a team on either bank. A methodical few hours later their hook caught on something and they hauled up an old wire crab pot with a leaden ball stuck inside it. The locals were very curious but Mungo successfully persuaded them that was a normal piece of work clearing old fishing debris, and that the ball was merely an ordinary net weight. They returned to their private rooms to peel the lead open. Inside was an elaborate gimballed brass compass inlaid with crystal and pearl. The lodestone was a strong one. Discussions went on long into the night.
To the ladies’ relief they finally set off back homewards the following day. By late afternoon they reached Whitfurrows market and had a good look around. There were no signs of extra dolmens and Halfred felt that they were too far east for these. Poppy was able to introduce them to a few mason families that had dealings with her family. They greeted yet another dwarven family camping nearby who were amenable to chatting about the need for tinkers in the Shire, but not willing to divert up to Kings Worthy to take a look at the mill there. It occurred to the hobbits that they not only need local repairs, but also someone who could stop long enough to teach them the necessary metalworking for new construction in the future. Tobold wrote to Mr Baggins to change their request, and Marroc suggested requesting a younger dwarf. They pushed on to Frogmorton before evening.
Another day of hiking brought them back to Bywater where they had left their wagons. After a rest and clean they came up with a cunning plan. Mungo invited Reginald Burrows to dine at the inn and discuss possible job opportunities for Mungo to become an ‘apprentice lawyer’. While Mr Burrows was elsewhere, the Hackenbottoms (and Marroc) would call in on their aunt and find out more about their Granddad Otto. Aunt Rowan was indeed pleased to see them and to hear about their escapade over supper. Marroc was pleased that Estella (and Bert) were still up to keep them company. They learned that life for the older generation of Hackenbottoms was… difficult because of Otto’s poor reputation, and that four siblings had found different ways to deal with it which had led to their estrangement over time. Rowan still had no clear idea where her brother Carl lived in Longbottom. They did learn that her ship in a bottle was found near Hardbottle, and she marked the location on Halfred’s map. Marroc offered to send Estella many honey samples. Meanwhile, back at the inn, Mungo had made an adequate impression of competence with Mr Burrows.
After a leisurely breakfast or two at the Green Dragon, the hobbits harnessed up their waggons and set off once more down the road, they passed the Three Farthing Stone and turned north at the next junction up the road towards the dales. After an hour or so the Northway passed over the River Ninny and they observed that this was a flat, clapper bridge rather than the usual arched construction. They deduced that this was very likely the original site of a division of the Shire between the four farthings, but there was no sign of any standing stones nearby. Halfred thought that the underside of the bridge deserved a closer look. Isenbold volunteered to wade in and underneath the nearest span. He discovered that each span was a single massive slab set atop fieldstone piers. The slabs were not easily visible from above where they were obscured by mortar and gravel. Underneath, the slabs and piers were heavily overgrown with weed and moss but Isenbold thought that he could make out some ridges and furrows in the dim light. Chilled by the rushing water, he decided to climb out and the party trundled onward.
That evening they reached Slap Holt and overnighted at the Shepherds’ Rest, enjoying a sweet ale with a hoppy nose. The following day brought them back to High Hay Hall where they dispersed to recover from their long expedition.
