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This world is not mine, and neither are the friends who inhabit it… Just the flights of imagination they have inspired.
A series of drabbles, hope you enjoy them.



1. Blame


“Where is my son?!!” Paladin’s voice thundered through Brandy Hall.

Saradoc looked up and sighed.

“Where has that wastrel son of yours dragged him off to now?”

The Master of Buckland ignored the undeserved insult to Merry’s character and stood to face the Thain.

“I’ve heard rumors of the Old Forest, of riders in black. It cannot be true.”

“It is true,” Saradoc replied, voice low.

“You have cost me my son,” Paladin hissed, face hard. “My only son.”


Silence followed the slam of the door.

“Come back safe, lads, though he’ll never forgive me,” Saradoc whispered. “Just come back safe.”

*** *** ***


2. Pride


Dearest Eglantine,

What our proud husbands will not do, wives and mothers must. While we fear for our sons, they are not alone in their journey and we must trust to hope and good hobbit sense to bring them home. These are dark times for the Shire and the more so when Master and Thain stand at odds, separated by grief and blame. Saradoc looks East to hope and my brother inward with sorrow, but we must wake them to the dangers now near for our boys to have homes to return to.

Esmerelda Brandybuck
Mistress of Buckland


*** *** ***



3. Isolation


Dear Esmerelda,

I fear there is little I can do or say to affect matters here. Paladin has given Pippin up for dead and sends all blame your way. Guilt, jealousy and grief bar anyone and anything else from his heart. While he could overlook the seeming theft of Peregrin’s affections, he feels robbed of the chance to win him back, and that he cannot forgive. He has closed Tookland to Lotho and his gang, but I think you will need to look to your own borders soon. Only our sons can save us from their fathers’ pride.

Love,
Eglantine