[narfforc]

I wonder if Tolkien knew or conceived of the idea, that he had surrounded The Shire with powerful peoples. Hobbiton is on an almost straight line East to West between Rivendell (Elrond) and The Grey Havens (Cirdan). To the South is Bombadil and to the North, The Dunedain wander their ancient realm (also doing border patrol around The Shire). Not forgetting that The Elves wandered The Woody end during Spring and Autumn from The Tower Hills to the West. So all in all The Shire had many powers/peoples protecting it.