Refugees Flood the Shire

A Stream of Humans and Elves

Andwise stood with open mouth as the stream of humans and elves came over the bridge. He asked a merchant he knew what was happening. The merchant just said “The lands are burning, Shadowlands just blew up and the Riverlands is no place to be now.” Andwise was dumbfounded. He stood for a moment staring at the crowds and then turned to one of his scouts and said “Hurry and let the archdruid know about this. Tell her it looks like most of the people from the Riverlands are coming over the bridge ter the Shire cause of some great fire.” The scout nodded, and turned to run to Fiesty’s house.

Earlier

Fiesty had already had word of the burning from her blackbirds. The blackbirds had been telling her for days something was burning. She didn’t know what to make of their sharp twittering’s and had thought them just very excitable until, just this morning; she received a letter by elven messenger from Druid Fit…..

My dear druid sister,

There has been a massive explosion in the Shadowlands and now it is burning everywhere you look. I have counseled the loyal elves to evacuate the villagers and farmers from the Riverlands and take them to the Shire. The folk from the Citadel have taken ship and may also be heading your way. I am sorry to inflict so many on you with no warning but there seemed no other way to save them. A number of the elves have fled towards the refuge of Mirkwood and a few others have obtained permission to sail to the West. I would take some refugees to Taibreamh but few have been able to pass its protections so far. Perhaps we can persuade the land to welcome some of the homeless in time. Let me know what I can do to help you; Can and I stand ready to aid in any way we can. Safe paths to you, my sister; I will see you at Mabon if not before. Namaarie.

The letter spelt out the enormity of the situation and since then she had headed out to find her nephew and let him know the news. She found scout Andwise, second in command coming to see her. He reported that Copper was in the mountains of Brandyfields overseeing some trouble with the roads. Fiesty asked him if he would gather some scouts and monitor the Bridge coming from River City, because she had had some word that there would be some company coming. Andwise readily agreed and strode off.

Myrtle Chases Down the Archdruid

 She then   rounded up the hobbit women to start on temporary lodging and gathering food for the humans. The bustle grew as tents were brought in from the scout outposts and many were being thrown together in the mill and assembly hall.

When the Scout, at last found Fiesty she was working in the infirmary to help the healers gather what they needed for the footsore travelers. “We will be needin them salts fer the fainters and that salve fer blisters. And bring yer herb kits and all.”  The scout came up the road panting and gave her the news. Fiesty said “Thanks fer the news. Well then, we should be goin.”  Fiesty told the healers to meet her at the bridge. She then told the scout “Now hurry and tell the girls making food at the Millhouse what yer told me.”

Fiesty set off at a brisk pace and was halfway to the bridge when Myrtle caught with her.

Myrtle: Archdruid Lotus. What is going on?

Fiesty Lotus stops to look at Myrtle " We is gonna have company Myrtle, lots of company.”

Myrtle: appears alarmed. "What you mean company? Who be comin?"

Fiesty Lotus: "River City humans and Riverland humans, also some elven folks and mebby others"

Fiesty Lotus almost cracks a grin at the dismay on Myrtles face

Fiesty Lotus: "The Shadowland is burnin and it’s apparently consuming the lands around it. We got ter help the humans and all."

Myrtles eyes bulge and she just catches herself from saying "why".  She says instead "That be terrible, they gonna stay here then?

Fiesty Lotus: "They will fer a bit; I suppose they will be on their way to Brandyfields. There be humans there that kin get them set up

Myrtle: nods and thinks furiously.” So, we gonna have all these folks here? How do we keep em then?”

Fiesty Lotus: “We are makin tents and gettin food ready. We will be puttin up some in households.”

They arrived at the Bridge and surveyed the people tramping footsore across the Shire Bridge. Many carried their goods in bundles. Some had carts and those were filled with elderly and sick people. The Elven people were with the crowd, helping some along.

Fiesty Lotus waved to a few of the people she knew and said "Welcome to the Shire, My healers are on their way and we got hot food fer yer all."

Many people said hello and how grateful they were to the Shire for helping them out.

Myrtle: watched with pursed mouth the flow of humanity. She was on her best behavior but watching all those humans was getting to her.

Fiesty Lotus greeted shopkeepers she knew and turned to greet her assistant Maisie as she brought water to the thirsty crowd.

Fiesty Lotus told Myrtle of some of the refugees. "That be Sylvester Bog, he ran the Mill in Riverlands. And that is Glenda Hopkins, she and her husband Harold did sell herbs at market.

Fiesty Lotus: And there is Henry, I never knew his last name. He tended the horses at the stables in River City.

Fiesty and Myrtle see John the Shepherd

Myrtle watched the flow of people coming over the bridge and presently saw a boy driving a flock of sheep across the bridge. He seemed a little bedraggled but hearty.

Myrtle: " Archdruid Fiesty, who be that one driven the sheep?"

Fiesty Lotus: “Oh, that be John, Dawson I think. Oh yes, his parents did get kilt in a fire last year so he has been on his own fer a bit.”

Myrtle: “How old is that boy? He looks young.”

Fiesty Lotus:” MM, I think around 10 or 11. I dunno what we will do with him. Perhaps he can drive his sheep up in the hills and we will find him a tent.”

Myrtle found herself staring at the boy. She muttered "lighter hair but that be.."

With a twist of her body Myrtle Sackville changed, her manner turning from sour resentment into blustering determination. "Oh no, Folco and I will take him in.”

Fiesty Lotus turned around at that and looked very confused. "But what about the Sheep?"

But Myrtle was already striding away, “Oh that be easy, I will just get Dudo Gamgee to put them in his paddock.

With that Myrtle went out to the bridge and said to the boy.' "You be comin with me boy."

Fiesty Lotus leaped to Myrtle’s side and said "Greetins John, this be Myrtle Sackville and she is gonna be puttin yer up"

Myrtle Shepherds the Shepherd

The boy nodded and mumbled something to Archdruid Fiesty and looked with terror at the black haired Hobbit lady.

Myrtle, to her credit, toned down her ferocity.

Myrtle: " Yes I be taken you to get yer flock set up and then we are gonna see about some vittles..."

Fiesty Lotus: Fiesty watched in wonder as Myrtle showed John the way to her house, she could be heard down the hill still giving directions.

She also noticed the way Myrtle touched his back with a tenderness that was not evident in her commands.

Fiesty Lotus turned to Maisie who was also watching the miracle. "Well my friend, this may be a difficult time fer the Shire but I do see a bit of silver linen."