Rating: G
Chapter 4: Winter Approaches
November 7th S.R. 1419
The day started out with frost on the pumpkins. The Cotton family were busy with harvest. Mrs. Cotton and Rosie cleaned out the root cellar in preparation for winter vegetable storage. By first light Tom Cotton and his four sons were in the fields. As expected, Sam went with them. They were glad for his strong back and unfailing strength. Sam had wanted to work with Frodo on plans for rebuilding Hobbiton, but being a gardener himself, Sam knew his first priority lay with harvest. If there was no harvest, all the plans in the world wouldn't put food on the table over the coming winter.
Farmer Cotton's acreage was mostly planted with vegetables. Pumpkins, squashes, dried beans and potatoes were the main crops being brought in today. The work wagon and baskets were constantly filled, emptied onto the farmstead's outdoor work tables for cleaning and sorting, and then sent back out to the fields again. The lads stayed busy with the heavy labor and the lasses remained close to the homestead working on the cleaning, sorting and storage. It was hard labor for all, but joyful. Often someone would break into song while pulling up potatoes or putting beans into harvest sacks. The Cottons had good voices, and once one of them started a song, the rest would join in harmony. Sam fit right in with the group, singing and occasionally telling bad jokes and silly little poems. It made work fun, and goodness knows they needed a break from all the frustration and sadness recently experienced. They were also grateful to be working so hard. Whilst the harvest was not bounteous, it would be adequate for the year.
Frodo was not feeling very well this morning, and Sam sensed it. The Ringbearer had faint circles under his eyes and was slow in all his movements. Frodo didn't complain, but Sam could tell he was in pain and had not slept much. With a sudden shock, Sam noticed Frodo's thick raven hair had strands of grey intermixed. As Frodo came into the kitchen for breakfast, he volunteered to help work the harvest in any way he could. But Sam would have none of that.
"Mister Frodo, sir," Sam said, "You're in no condition to be running about in the fields and getting all hot and dirty. Besides, you've no experience in farming. Honestly, sir, you'd just be in the way and might even get hurt out there. I'll not allow you to work harvest today. Please, Mister Frodo, why don't you stay here and rest a bit? That way I won't worry none about you."
"Sam," Frodo smiled, "You worry over me like a mother hen. I'll be all right after I get a spot of tea in me. But you're right about me not knowing anything about farming. I bow to your vast expertise in this matter and will stay away from the harvest today. Does that satisfy you?"
"No," Sam frowned, "it does not. You didn't say nothing about resting up. I know you better than you think. Now promise me you'll rest today."
"I'll take it easy today Sam, I promise," Frodo demurred. He knew anything less would cause Sam to stay behind as well just to make sure Frodo didn't exert himself too much. Sam could be quite zealous in protecting his master during Frodo's increasingly common bad days. Frodo had problems sleeping during the night and awoke with a dull ache in all his muscles. It was as if he had been fighting for hours. Frodo drank another cup of tea, then carefully stood up and stretched out his knotted muscles. The pain subsided to a dull annoyance which he could ignore for the rest of the day.
After Sam and the Cottons had gone out to the fields, Frodo gathered up the plans and maps he, Sam and Rosie had worked on the previous day. There still wasn't any information about the housing or food situation. A lot of the Hobbiton, Bywater and Bag Shot Row holes and homes had been destroyed or damaged by Sharkey's Men. Frodo wanted to get a better idea of what the Hobbiton families needed before he drafted a proposal for rebuilding the district.
"I promised Sam I wouldn't participate in the harvest," Frodo said to himself. "And I promised to rest. Well, I've had my rest. Now I think I'll take a look around Hobbiton and Bywater and interview some families. That's the only way I know of getting the information I need."
Rosie and her mother were outside at the washing and sorting tables. They were well-engrossed in what they knew would be an all-day chore. The two hobbitess were busy preparing buckets of water, scrub brushes, baskets of clean sand, drying racks, bundles of twine and straw mats for use in cleaning and storage. Frodo knew the two would not miss his presence until far into the afternoon. He put together a light lunch, loaded up his backpack with maps and writing accessories, grabbed his coat and walking stick, and snuck out the front door.
Walking felt good. It helped relax his tight muscles and soon his headache was gone. Stopping in each house along the way, Frodo interview various heads of families to assess their needs. He was careful to write down what services and businesses were needed, as well as housing requirements. His plan was evolving into a blueprint for the entire Hobbiton area, including rebuilding the Green Dragon Inn, the business area, Bag Row and a new Row for new housing construction. The most distressing thing though was the extensive damage to the trees in Hobbiton and along the Water.
The afternoon was wearing on as Frodo headed back to the Cotton's farm. He could see all the farmers busy in their fields with the harvest and hay-making. It had been a perfect day for harvest; dry and fair with a gentle cool breeze blowing in from the West. As the setting sun cast her rays across the sky to tickle the few remaining clouds, the Cottons brothers and Sam were taking turns bathing in a large tub set up near the sorting tables. They were splashing each other and laughing at rude jokes. Frodo slipped into the farmhouse and went into his room. He hoped Sam had not noticed his absence all day.
Dinner was called. Everyone sat down at the large kitchen table and shared talk of the harvest with Frodo. It seemed like he wasn't even missed! But every now and again Sam would glance at him with a slight disapproving frown. "Ah well," Frodo thought, "that's not too high a price to pay for a productive day's work."
After the dinner dishes were cleaned and put away, the Cotton family retired to bed. It had been a long day of heavy work and tomorrow would be the same. They were farmers and knew the benefits of a good night's sleep. Frodo spread out his maps and papers across the now-empty kitchen table. Sam walked in, pipe in hand, and took a look at the notes.
"Didn't stay put and rest, did ya?" Sam quietly admonished.
"I rested by taking a walk," Frodo countered. "Did me some good too. And I got to interview a lot of families along the way and do some surveying of the Hobbiton area. Sam, take a look at what I found out today. I'm afraid I've got more disturbing news."
Frodo's survey of the Hobbiton area revealed the following:
There was not enough food for the Hobbiton township population to survive winter, unless there was food hidden away in the outlying farms and pastures around Hobbiton.
Sharkey's men killed Harry Taller, the Hobbiton physician. Hobbiton had no physician. The only medical person in Hobbiton was Mistress Marigold Hornblower, the midwife. Tandy Bolger the Apothecary could also take care of some minor medical emergencies.
Communications within the Shire had become random at best, due to hobbits fearing roving bands of Sharkey's men, plus the fact that Sharkey had instituted a curfew.
Many people had lost their homes and possessions. There was enough existing housing for the current emergency, but new homes and replacements needed to be constructed.
Most of the Hobbiton animals were slaughtered. However, outlying farms were mostly unaffected by Sharkey's destruction.
The trees were destroyed. Someone was going to have to take a detailed look at what had been destroyed in the entire Shire, and come up with a plan for re-forestation. If it wasn't done soon, the winter and spring storms would cause more damage through uncontrolled flooding.
"Well, it's not all bad news, is it Mister Frodo?" Sam sighed as he sat down heavily beside Frodo. "Merry and Pippin are taking care of the ruffian problem. We can set up the postal service again soon as Merry and Pip send word that the roads are secure. And I think we're going to have enough food to last the winter. If all the other farms do as well as Master Cotton's farm, we'll have enough to get by if we do a bit of rationing. But there must be more hidden away in barns and such in the countryside. All we have to do is locate it. As for building, why we can start on that as soon as the harvest is in. Fatty, I mean, Fredigar can work on that. I'm sure folk will be willing to pitch in and help those what need helping the most.
As for the trees…ah, that's a sad blow. Why did that old stinker have to cut down the trees for?"
"Saruman probably wanted to get back at the Ents, don't you think?" Frodo said. "They were the ones who defeated him at Orthanc. He probably thought he was getting retribution on them by killing every tree he could find. Ah, Sam, revenge is a terrible waste. Nothing is accomplished by it. And it takes so long to overcome its evil."
"Aye," Sam replied. "It will take a very long time to re-establish those trees. Are all the beautiful chestnuts along the walk down Bywater way gone too?"
"All cut down and left to rot lying in the Water," Frodo said quietly, placing his hand on Sam's shoulder. He knew this would break Sam's heart, but there was no easy way to tell him. "Sam, I'm afraid every tree in Hobbiton was cut down. I hope it's not true for the entire Shire, but we won't know until a full survey is made."
A tear escaped and rolled down Sam's face. The pipe was forgotten in his hand. Sam sighed from deep down in his soul as he gazed at the table.
"I'll do it. I'll go see what needs gettin done."
"Take someone with you, Sam" Frodo pleaded. "Take Nibs or Carl. I cannot go with you on this. I am not the right person for this task. But this is too large a task for you to do on your own. Take plenty of time and think long and hard about things. Your heart will guide your hands. You'll have to visit the entire Shire. It may take awhile, but knowing you, eventually the Shire will bloom again."
Sam sighed and wiped the tears from his eyes. "What about the doc?"
"That is the one thing which worries me the most, Sam," Frodo said. "A lot of our people were ill-treated by Sharkey's Men this past year. They've been on poor rations for quite a few months now. I fear we may see some bad illnesses this winter. Mistress Hornblower and Tandy can't take care of infirmities like that. We need to get a proper physician to move to Hobbiton, and we need to get one soon."
"Ay, that we do. Where do we go for one?" Sam innocently asked.
It was Frodo's turn to sigh. "I don't know. I'll have to find one somewhere though. But not tonight. I know you're tired with all the hard work you and the Cottons did today. It's to bed for us. We'll work on this some more in the morning."
November 8th
The next morning brought rain, so Sam was excused from the harvest. He, Rosie and Frodo trudged over to Bag End. Frodo located some detailed maps of the Shire compiled by Bilbo that were in one of the back rooms. Sam asked for a copy of the map. He was going to use it on his walking tour of the Shire. He was planning to asses the physical damage done to crops, trees, wind breaks, hedgerows, gardens, pastures, and farms. Rosie copied the map out for him while he and Frodo inventoried work necessary to restore Bag End to at least livable condition.
That night Sam told Farmer Cotton of his plans to replant the Shire's trees. Frodo sat quietly smoking a pipe in a corner chair, letting Sam do all the talking. The farmer gallantly offered to accompany Sam on his journey, but Sam could see he really wanted to stay and complete his harvest. Instead, Sam asked if Nibs could be spared farm work to accompany him on the tour. The young hobbit was called into the study and told of the situation. Nibs could hardly contain his joy at being asked to take on such an important job. He would get to go on an adventure with the great Samwise Gamgee! Frodo said he would ask Fredigar Bolger to take over Sam's job of overseeing the removal of Sharkey's machinery. Thus it was decided that Sam and Nibs would start off on a 2-week agricultural needs tour the very next day.
Frodo continued to clean out Bag End by himself when time allowed and when he could bring himself to face such dreadful carnage. Damage to Bag Shot Row included cutting down of the great tree on top of the hill. This had caused insects to get into the wood and undermine the root structure inside all the hobbit holes on Bag Row. Sam had told Frodo that the old root system would have to be dug out by hand, and new supports put in their place. All interior rooms needed their floors replaced. There was filth and garbage throughout the residence. Most rooms were uninhabitable, but the front study and kitchen were usable.
November 9th
Fredigar was up to the task. There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, but plenty of willing hobbit hands to do it. They started by having all Sharkey's machinery removed from the Mill. Old grinding equipment was located and cleaned. The ruins of Hobbiton's business buildings were burned according to Sam's original directions, and the ground made level. Foundations for the new Hobbiton buildings were laid using bricks collected from Sharkey's buildings. Digging of the New Row and new hobbit holes was also begun while Sam and Nibs were off on their agricultural tour. Bag Shot Row hobbit holes were reopened for work, but all were found to be contaminated with tailings from Sharkey's machineries. Fredigar decided to level the old holes, with the exception of Bag End, and relocate the hobbit holes to the South side of the Hill. But before laying in of the new road could commence, the Water had to be dredged.
Frodo, Fredigar, Merry, Pippin, Rosie and Farmer Maggot formed teams to inventory the foodstuffs in the Shire. Fredigar and Merry were assigned the Brandywine and Scary areas. Pippin and Rosie took Hobbiton, Tuckborough and West to Micheldelving. Farmer Maggot took care of surveying the outlying farms and south to Longbottom. Frodo coordinated all the reports on food stores from his office at Bag End. He also advised Fredigar on activities for rebuilding the Hobbiton and outlying areas. The groups located hidden catches of food, goods, and beer which had been hidden away by the thrifty hobbit folk in tunnels, barns and out buildings. After reviewing the list of goods, and talking to the local farmers about their harvest, Frodo announced that with careful management, there was enough to last through the winter and spring. As winter approached, the Shire buckled down to hard, but imminently satisfying work.
Chapter 4: Winter Approaches
November 7th S.R. 1419
The day started out with frost on the pumpkins. The Cotton family were busy with harvest. Mrs. Cotton and Rosie cleaned out the root cellar in preparation for winter vegetable storage. By first light Tom Cotton and his four sons were in the fields. As expected, Sam went with them. They were glad for his strong back and unfailing strength. Sam had wanted to work with Frodo on plans for rebuilding Hobbiton, but being a gardener himself, Sam knew his first priority lay with harvest. If there was no harvest, all the plans in the world wouldn't put food on the table over the coming winter.
Farmer Cotton's acreage was mostly planted with vegetables. Pumpkins, squashes, dried beans and potatoes were the main crops being brought in today. The work wagon and baskets were constantly filled, emptied onto the farmstead's outdoor work tables for cleaning and sorting, and then sent back out to the fields again. The lads stayed busy with the heavy labor and the lasses remained close to the homestead working on the cleaning, sorting and storage. It was hard labor for all, but joyful. Often someone would break into song while pulling up potatoes or putting beans into harvest sacks. The Cottons had good voices, and once one of them started a song, the rest would join in harmony. Sam fit right in with the group, singing and occasionally telling bad jokes and silly little poems. It made work fun, and goodness knows they needed a break from all the frustration and sadness recently experienced. They were also grateful to be working so hard. Whilst the harvest was not bounteous, it would be adequate for the year.
Frodo was not feeling very well this morning, and Sam sensed it. The Ringbearer had faint circles under his eyes and was slow in all his movements. Frodo didn't complain, but Sam could tell he was in pain and had not slept much. With a sudden shock, Sam noticed Frodo's thick raven hair had strands of grey intermixed. As Frodo came into the kitchen for breakfast, he volunteered to help work the harvest in any way he could. But Sam would have none of that.
"Mister Frodo, sir," Sam said, "You're in no condition to be running about in the fields and getting all hot and dirty. Besides, you've no experience in farming. Honestly, sir, you'd just be in the way and might even get hurt out there. I'll not allow you to work harvest today. Please, Mister Frodo, why don't you stay here and rest a bit? That way I won't worry none about you."
"Sam," Frodo smiled, "You worry over me like a mother hen. I'll be all right after I get a spot of tea in me. But you're right about me not knowing anything about farming. I bow to your vast expertise in this matter and will stay away from the harvest today. Does that satisfy you?"
"No," Sam frowned, "it does not. You didn't say nothing about resting up. I know you better than you think. Now promise me you'll rest today."
"I'll take it easy today Sam, I promise," Frodo demurred. He knew anything less would cause Sam to stay behind as well just to make sure Frodo didn't exert himself too much. Sam could be quite zealous in protecting his master during Frodo's increasingly common bad days. Frodo had problems sleeping during the night and awoke with a dull ache in all his muscles. It was as if he had been fighting for hours. Frodo drank another cup of tea, then carefully stood up and stretched out his knotted muscles. The pain subsided to a dull annoyance which he could ignore for the rest of the day.
After Sam and the Cottons had gone out to the fields, Frodo gathered up the plans and maps he, Sam and Rosie had worked on the previous day. There still wasn't any information about the housing or food situation. A lot of the Hobbiton, Bywater and Bag Shot Row holes and homes had been destroyed or damaged by Sharkey's Men. Frodo wanted to get a better idea of what the Hobbiton families needed before he drafted a proposal for rebuilding the district.
"I promised Sam I wouldn't participate in the harvest," Frodo said to himself. "And I promised to rest. Well, I've had my rest. Now I think I'll take a look around Hobbiton and Bywater and interview some families. That's the only way I know of getting the information I need."
Rosie and her mother were outside at the washing and sorting tables. They were well-engrossed in what they knew would be an all-day chore. The two hobbitess were busy preparing buckets of water, scrub brushes, baskets of clean sand, drying racks, bundles of twine and straw mats for use in cleaning and storage. Frodo knew the two would not miss his presence until far into the afternoon. He put together a light lunch, loaded up his backpack with maps and writing accessories, grabbed his coat and walking stick, and snuck out the front door.
Walking felt good. It helped relax his tight muscles and soon his headache was gone. Stopping in each house along the way, Frodo interview various heads of families to assess their needs. He was careful to write down what services and businesses were needed, as well as housing requirements. His plan was evolving into a blueprint for the entire Hobbiton area, including rebuilding the Green Dragon Inn, the business area, Bag Row and a new Row for new housing construction. The most distressing thing though was the extensive damage to the trees in Hobbiton and along the Water.
The afternoon was wearing on as Frodo headed back to the Cotton's farm. He could see all the farmers busy in their fields with the harvest and hay-making. It had been a perfect day for harvest; dry and fair with a gentle cool breeze blowing in from the West. As the setting sun cast her rays across the sky to tickle the few remaining clouds, the Cottons brothers and Sam were taking turns bathing in a large tub set up near the sorting tables. They were splashing each other and laughing at rude jokes. Frodo slipped into the farmhouse and went into his room. He hoped Sam had not noticed his absence all day.
Dinner was called. Everyone sat down at the large kitchen table and shared talk of the harvest with Frodo. It seemed like he wasn't even missed! But every now and again Sam would glance at him with a slight disapproving frown. "Ah well," Frodo thought, "that's not too high a price to pay for a productive day's work."
After the dinner dishes were cleaned and put away, the Cotton family retired to bed. It had been a long day of heavy work and tomorrow would be the same. They were farmers and knew the benefits of a good night's sleep. Frodo spread out his maps and papers across the now-empty kitchen table. Sam walked in, pipe in hand, and took a look at the notes.
"Didn't stay put and rest, did ya?" Sam quietly admonished.
"I rested by taking a walk," Frodo countered. "Did me some good too. And I got to interview a lot of families along the way and do some surveying of the Hobbiton area. Sam, take a look at what I found out today. I'm afraid I've got more disturbing news."
Frodo's survey of the Hobbiton area revealed the following:
There was not enough food for the Hobbiton township population to survive winter, unless there was food hidden away in the outlying farms and pastures around Hobbiton.
Sharkey's men killed Harry Taller, the Hobbiton physician. Hobbiton had no physician. The only medical person in Hobbiton was Mistress Marigold Hornblower, the midwife. Tandy Bolger the Apothecary could also take care of some minor medical emergencies.
Communications within the Shire had become random at best, due to hobbits fearing roving bands of Sharkey's men, plus the fact that Sharkey had instituted a curfew.
Many people had lost their homes and possessions. There was enough existing housing for the current emergency, but new homes and replacements needed to be constructed.
Most of the Hobbiton animals were slaughtered. However, outlying farms were mostly unaffected by Sharkey's destruction.
The trees were destroyed. Someone was going to have to take a detailed look at what had been destroyed in the entire Shire, and come up with a plan for re-forestation. If it wasn't done soon, the winter and spring storms would cause more damage through uncontrolled flooding.
"Well, it's not all bad news, is it Mister Frodo?" Sam sighed as he sat down heavily beside Frodo. "Merry and Pippin are taking care of the ruffian problem. We can set up the postal service again soon as Merry and Pip send word that the roads are secure. And I think we're going to have enough food to last the winter. If all the other farms do as well as Master Cotton's farm, we'll have enough to get by if we do a bit of rationing. But there must be more hidden away in barns and such in the countryside. All we have to do is locate it. As for building, why we can start on that as soon as the harvest is in. Fatty, I mean, Fredigar can work on that. I'm sure folk will be willing to pitch in and help those what need helping the most.
As for the trees…ah, that's a sad blow. Why did that old stinker have to cut down the trees for?"
"Saruman probably wanted to get back at the Ents, don't you think?" Frodo said. "They were the ones who defeated him at Orthanc. He probably thought he was getting retribution on them by killing every tree he could find. Ah, Sam, revenge is a terrible waste. Nothing is accomplished by it. And it takes so long to overcome its evil."
"Aye," Sam replied. "It will take a very long time to re-establish those trees. Are all the beautiful chestnuts along the walk down Bywater way gone too?"
"All cut down and left to rot lying in the Water," Frodo said quietly, placing his hand on Sam's shoulder. He knew this would break Sam's heart, but there was no easy way to tell him. "Sam, I'm afraid every tree in Hobbiton was cut down. I hope it's not true for the entire Shire, but we won't know until a full survey is made."
A tear escaped and rolled down Sam's face. The pipe was forgotten in his hand. Sam sighed from deep down in his soul as he gazed at the table.
"I'll do it. I'll go see what needs gettin done."
"Take someone with you, Sam" Frodo pleaded. "Take Nibs or Carl. I cannot go with you on this. I am not the right person for this task. But this is too large a task for you to do on your own. Take plenty of time and think long and hard about things. Your heart will guide your hands. You'll have to visit the entire Shire. It may take awhile, but knowing you, eventually the Shire will bloom again."
Sam sighed and wiped the tears from his eyes. "What about the doc?"
"That is the one thing which worries me the most, Sam," Frodo said. "A lot of our people were ill-treated by Sharkey's Men this past year. They've been on poor rations for quite a few months now. I fear we may see some bad illnesses this winter. Mistress Hornblower and Tandy can't take care of infirmities like that. We need to get a proper physician to move to Hobbiton, and we need to get one soon."
"Ay, that we do. Where do we go for one?" Sam innocently asked.
It was Frodo's turn to sigh. "I don't know. I'll have to find one somewhere though. But not tonight. I know you're tired with all the hard work you and the Cottons did today. It's to bed for us. We'll work on this some more in the morning."
November 8th
The next morning brought rain, so Sam was excused from the harvest. He, Rosie and Frodo trudged over to Bag End. Frodo located some detailed maps of the Shire compiled by Bilbo that were in one of the back rooms. Sam asked for a copy of the map. He was going to use it on his walking tour of the Shire. He was planning to asses the physical damage done to crops, trees, wind breaks, hedgerows, gardens, pastures, and farms. Rosie copied the map out for him while he and Frodo inventoried work necessary to restore Bag End to at least livable condition.
That night Sam told Farmer Cotton of his plans to replant the Shire's trees. Frodo sat quietly smoking a pipe in a corner chair, letting Sam do all the talking. The farmer gallantly offered to accompany Sam on his journey, but Sam could see he really wanted to stay and complete his harvest. Instead, Sam asked if Nibs could be spared farm work to accompany him on the tour. The young hobbit was called into the study and told of the situation. Nibs could hardly contain his joy at being asked to take on such an important job. He would get to go on an adventure with the great Samwise Gamgee! Frodo said he would ask Fredigar Bolger to take over Sam's job of overseeing the removal of Sharkey's machinery. Thus it was decided that Sam and Nibs would start off on a 2-week agricultural needs tour the very next day.
Frodo continued to clean out Bag End by himself when time allowed and when he could bring himself to face such dreadful carnage. Damage to Bag Shot Row included cutting down of the great tree on top of the hill. This had caused insects to get into the wood and undermine the root structure inside all the hobbit holes on Bag Row. Sam had told Frodo that the old root system would have to be dug out by hand, and new supports put in their place. All interior rooms needed their floors replaced. There was filth and garbage throughout the residence. Most rooms were uninhabitable, but the front study and kitchen were usable.
November 9th
Fredigar was up to the task. There was a tremendous amount of work to be done, but plenty of willing hobbit hands to do it. They started by having all Sharkey's machinery removed from the Mill. Old grinding equipment was located and cleaned. The ruins of Hobbiton's business buildings were burned according to Sam's original directions, and the ground made level. Foundations for the new Hobbiton buildings were laid using bricks collected from Sharkey's buildings. Digging of the New Row and new hobbit holes was also begun while Sam and Nibs were off on their agricultural tour. Bag Shot Row hobbit holes were reopened for work, but all were found to be contaminated with tailings from Sharkey's machineries. Fredigar decided to level the old holes, with the exception of Bag End, and relocate the hobbit holes to the South side of the Hill. But before laying in of the new road could commence, the Water had to be dredged.
Frodo, Fredigar, Merry, Pippin, Rosie and Farmer Maggot formed teams to inventory the foodstuffs in the Shire. Fredigar and Merry were assigned the Brandywine and Scary areas. Pippin and Rosie took Hobbiton, Tuckborough and West to Micheldelving. Farmer Maggot took care of surveying the outlying farms and south to Longbottom. Frodo coordinated all the reports on food stores from his office at Bag End. He also advised Fredigar on activities for rebuilding the Hobbiton and outlying areas. The groups located hidden catches of food, goods, and beer which had been hidden away by the thrifty hobbit folk in tunnels, barns and out buildings. After reviewing the list of goods, and talking to the local farmers about their harvest, Frodo announced that with careful management, there was enough to last through the winter and spring. As winter approached, the Shire buckled down to hard, but imminently satisfying work.
