Michel Delving 1490 SR

On a hot summer afternoon the interior of the Council Hole in Michel Delving was a delightful place to be. With its whitewashed walls, gleaming dark wooden floors and window ledges, and brass jugs and bowls full of bright summer flowers it was soothing and shady. There was a comforting smell of old documents and polish.

       The most powerful hobbits in the Shire sat around the large oval table. Seated at the back, in the centre, was the Mayor, Frodo Gamgee-Gardner, looking so much like old Mayor Samwise that it seemed as though time had stood still. To his right was Thain Faramir Took, fidgety as only a Took could be, alive with nervous energy and ideas. On the Thain's right was Fastred Fairbairn, Warden of the Westmarch and the senior hobbit present. He was a remarkably handsome hobbit with light brown eyes and a ready smile. To the left of the Mayor was the Master of Buckland, Theoden Brandybuck, vigorous, impatient yet always considerate of his friends, and staunchly loyal. To his left was his younger brother Frodoric, a scholar, artist and draughtsman who was also a genius at managing the affairs of Buckland and the Brandy Hall estate. Theo was well-aware that, although he himself was charismatic, debonair and charming, with good leadership qualities, wonderful in a crisis, he was not as industrious or clever as Frodi. Paperwork bored him and he had no patience for dealing with the small affairs of estate management and farming.

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       Watching in the Great Palantir from far away Minas Anor - and wishing he could be there, enjoying an ale and a pipe - was King Elessar. He was feeling in particular need of hobbit company following the recent loss of Merry and Pippin, and had sought some visions of the Shire to restore his spirit. He could understand why so many Elves refused to befriend the Second-born; it was hard to endure so many losses. He had therefore sought the comfort of a visit to the Shire, to immerse himself in the lives of his beloved hobbits for a while.

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       Facing the senior hobbits of the Shire were those of the next generation. To Fastred's right his son Elfstan, astonishingly handsome with his mother's fair hair and aquamarine eyes, his gentle smile which hid a fierce sense of justice.. He was the oldest of the younger hobbits, thirty-six years old, keen on books, history and the law. He possessed a formidable mind and a dry sense of humour. To his right sat Frodo Took, his hair a vivid red-gold. Next to him sat Holfast Gardener, the most solid and down-to-earth of the eager lads. He had his Gaffer Sam's wheaten curls and soft hazel eyes but he also had his gaffer's stubborn chin. He exchanged a grin with the youngest hobbit present, Halimac Brandybuck, heir to the Mastership of Buckland. Master Theo and his wife had five bonny and beautiful daughters but the birth of the youngest had almost killed her mother, and both doctor and midwife said there should be no more children. Theo adored his wife and was thankful that she had survived. His brother would be his heir; Frodi had had the good sense to marry Daisy Gamgee and they had six children - Halimac, Fern, Bramble and Buttercup, and the twins Iorhael and Panthael.

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       Aragorn chuckled to himself. All the youngsters looked like Sam, some more than others. Hardly surprising since they were all grandsons of Samwise the Brave. The one-time gardener and Mayor had been as shocked as anyone to discover that his daughters were marrying into the 'gentry' although Frodo had never been in doubt that his friend's descendants would one day hold the Shire's highest offices.

       He smiled tearily as he realised the young heir to the Thainship had his grandfather's questioning expression and way of tilting his head slightly - a bitter-sweet reminder of Pippin. Aragorn was delighted that a Frodo would one day be the Thain and Took His dear friend and brother of the heart would be remembered in a way he might not have been had he taken the gift of the Valar and left Middle-earth. By his decision to remain, and his recovery, he had changed the course of history and much had been healed by his continued presence.

       The hobbits were gathered to examine the plans, drawn up by Frodoric Brandybuck, for another Shire school, this time in the Westmarch. The young hobbits looked carefully at the beautiful drawings, asking questions and discussing them with a great deal of animation. It was clear that their questions were thoughtful and intelligent, judging by the approving looks from their fathers. They were clearly all going to be responsible and worthy leaders in their turn.

       The King nodded to himself as he watched them finally break for tea. As he returned to the royal apartments he realised that he was humming under his breath. The restorative power of hobbits had struck again, he mused. It was clear that the future of the Shire was in safe hands. Very safe hands indeed.