Five Heads are Better than One
The meeting had now been officially started. All the conspirators had arrived, including one who had not been there yesterday at Bag End, Annabell. Olo Proudfoot had already begun writing down some of the items they would need.
"Keep making suggestions, everyone," Primrose had said, "I think that's a good way to start our meeting. Then we can discuss these ideas. How do you think we should travel? Should we split up or travel together? And what do you think we'll need for the trip? And where do you think we'll need to go?"
There were many questions still unanswered it seemed. This should have given Biffo food for thought, but to be honest all he could think about were fruit tarts and seedcake.
Thanks, Uncle Olo! he thought to himself, since it was Olo that had driven all other thoughts out of his head. Fortunately, the Proudfeet had already put on an excellent lunch.
"Candied fruit, and tarts," Biffo said after a short while, "we could get from the market at Waymoot, if we don't have time to make 'em."
After a little more thinking, he continued.
"Problem is, if there really are bandits about, things will start to get expensive. I've worked for Rory Bellows down in the Southfarthing a few times, and I know that he'd put his price up if things looked dangerous. Charges like a wounded bull if he gets the chance, he does!"
It seemed then, that Waymoot ought to be the hobbits' first stop, to find out what they could buy there, and what they might have to collect directly from the farmers. It was, after all, possible that deliveries would be interrupted by the threat of bandits. Or at least until the Shirriffs and the Mayor could put an end to the rumours.
Olo fetched a finely drawn
Map of the Shire and spread it out for all to see. Primrose had another map, and did likewise.
Primrose's map, though not as clear, showed more of the far corners of The Shire. Biffo did not own a map himself, but had often looked at them. They held a strange fascination for him, although his own map of The Shire was tucked away firmly inside his head.
"I think we should need to ride rather than walk," Biffo added as a last comment, "and also that we should stick together."
While Biffo had been to many parties in his time (he was a hobbit, after all!), he had never organised one before. He hoped to help out in whatever way he could, but knew that when it came to making a list of supplies, the others would be more willing and able. Having said his bit for now, he turned his attention to Primrose's beautiful map.