The White Council

Re: Hobbit Future

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

: : : : : : : Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Wittsit Goodbody. I am what you men-folk call a hobbit. It is a sad tale that I now tell.

: : : : : : : Long ago in the before time, two of my kind returned to our beloved Shire following their journeys. These two, who's name I cannot speak, had grown much larger than the rest of us. Yes, it must be said that they saved the Shire, but it was they who unknowingly brought an end to my people and our way of life.

: : : : : : : Both were looked upon as heros, rightly so. Though they were bigger,they were accepted back among us. After all, there were but two of them. Sad to say, this did not remain so. They married and their children also grew taller, and their children's children grew taller still.

: : : : : : : Many of my people grew alarmed, and forbade any contact with those who were taller,saying the Tall Ones were no longer our people. It was in vain, the Tall Ones continued to grow in both number and height. Soon those of normal height were outnumbered, and were forced to leave our beloved Shire.

: : : : : : : We sought lands far from the Tall Ones, far from men-folk, but their numbers continued to increase. Finally,we sought refuge in deep woods and for a time we were at peace.

: : : : : : : Our numbers have diminished over the years, but we still live on in out of the way places throughout the world. Yes, the entire world. From time to time, we visit the dwellings of men-folk. : : : : : : : Perhaps one day, you will feel a tug at your sleave, and I will introduce myself to you in person.

: : : : : : : Gotta run, I hear the man-steps, : : : : : : : Wittset

: : : : : : Not bad! (Better than mine at any rate)

: : : : : : So you're saying Hobbits eventually came to be thought of as brownies/hobgoblins a la English folklore? Did I get that right?

: : : : : Brownies! Hobgoblins! My dear Mr.Wibstap, we are who we are and shall remain who we are, and nothing else. Brownies and hobgoblins indeed!

: : : : I meant reminiscent of such, being named so by uninformed humans (like myself obviously).

: : : Besides, I meant no insult. Puck (a hobgoblin) was always my favorite character in Shakespeare, so I meant it as a compliment.

: : : By the way, why didn't you just stay with the Tall Ones, like in Bree? Were they hostile?

: : No insult was taken, Mr. Wibstap. : : I am not familiar with this place called Bree. Do some of my people live there with the Tall Ones?

: : Were the Tall Ones hostile to my people in the olden times? I don't remember being told anything about them being that way. From what I understand, my people moved away because some of our elders said the Tall Ones were too different from us, and that we were no longer one people. I think there was something about the Tall Ones becoming too much like men-folk, no offense.

: : Sometimes I think that I would like to see a Tall One, not that I would likely recognize one if I saw one. They look so much like you men-folk, or so I have been told. If you know where this Bree place is, maybe you could tell me. I might like to visit there one day. : : Wittsit

: Unfortunately, Bree is no longer in existance. It was a trading town, important equally to men, hobbits, elves, and dwarves. It was the chief settlement of Eriador during the time when the Tall Ones returned from the South. There were three other towns in the vincinity. Staddle was inhabited mostly by hobbits, and Archet and Coombe had more men. But after some five hundred years had passed the Bree-land disappeared from history, about five and a half thousand years ago.

Dear Mr. Wibstap I must apologize for the lateness of my reply. It is becoming more and more difficult to sneak into the man-house, and use his computer thingy. Not only that, but my Grandfather Puddy has been keeping me busy with chores. I think he suspects that I have been visiting the man-house.

It is a shame that Bree was in the before time, and is no more. Perhaps one day such a place will exist again. On reflection, perhaps it does exist at this wonderfull place named The White Council, for it is a place when Man, Dwarf, Elf and Hobbit can talk about things past and things new.

I must say my goodbyes now, Mr. Wibstap. I have enjoyed our correspondence greatly, and have learned much from reading the letters others have left in this place. Take care, Mr. Wibstap, may the hair on your toes never fall out.

Your Friend, Wittsit Goodbody