The men that react with amazement are the ones of Rohan and Gondor on the opposite side of the Misty Mountains to the Shire. It was many years before the Lord of the Rings took place when it was safe to travel long distances outside the realms of Gondor and Rohan. The realm of Arnor in the West had fallen and to follow the Great East Road would, I think, take you through Dunland, not to mention the raiding parties of orcs from the Misty Mountains. Combine with this the fact that even when Arnor did exist correspondence with Gondor wasn't exactly common. The hobbits maintain that they sent archers to the Battle of Fornost, at which Earnur and the army of Gondor were present. If the hobbits reached Fornost which is doubtful considering their peace-loving nature, it is debatable if they would reach the battle in time, instead starving to death in the wilderness. So, you see, even if long ago the peoples of the East knew of their existence the stories of hobbits have faded to fire-side tales of a child-like people in far off lands.
[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: Fenrir ]
[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: Fenrir ]
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Fearlessness is better than a faint-heart for any man who puts his nose out of doors. The length of my life and the day of my death were fated long ago.
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