[Susan Delgado]

Forgot to mention, Amaranth has a dog, a Hobbit-sized mutt named Olla. Nothing special about her; she's just around for Amaranth's company.

Amaranth peered around in frustration. Where had the path gone? One thing she was sure of, this was the last time that idiot dog was going to run off after some squirrel. She couldn't even call effectively because she had to keep her voice down; she knew there was a Man's road somewhere nearby, but she didn't know precisely where and didn't know when some Man might be around, just waiting to hear some Hobbit lass calling her dog. She whistled softly, but Olla didn't come. Ah, well, I'll just search for the path. Olla'll come back in her own time. She thought. This had happened before, and she wasn't overly concerned about Olla's saftey. She was a feisty little dog and could take care of herself. As the hours passed, however, she became more and more worried when Olla didn't return. She'd never stayed away this long before.

Eventually, Amaranth found her way back to the path and followed the subtle signs she found - random-seeming patterns in the rocks and branches broken in unlikely places - to a well hidden cluster of burrows which had been designated as a way station. There she met another hobbit, a young lad named Boffo. He was the first Hobbit she'd seen in over a month and she was glad to exchange news with him. Her village had been far from any other Hobbits and she was very interested to hear about the formation of the Shire. Boffo was less impressed; it seemed he was heading north to avoid the messengers who'd been sent out to round up the wild Hobbits. He went on about this at some length and Amaranth hid a smile as she rose and said goodnight.

When she awoke in the morning, Boffo was already gone. She wished him well and continued on her way.
Her biggest concern was Olla; she hadn't come back during the night and Amaranth was seriously worried by now. She still whistled periodically, but as the morning and then the afternoon passed she began to lose hope. Olla had been gone for nearly two days and Amaranth knew that a little thing like Amaranth not staying in one spot wouldn't have prevented the dog from finding her. Olla could follow her scent.

Amaranth spent the second night under a tree, using her pack as a pillow, but she didn't sleep well. Olla had been her only steady companion for more than two years and the dog's disappearance was a terrible weight on her heart.

She spent the third morning stumbling blindly along the path. She saw nothing but her own feet and heard nothing but her own beating heart. She never knew she was being followed.