"I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again."

carrying the world around his neck

"I see no hope of it now. But I've got to do the best I can."

singularitate:

ninefingered:

^{“Ah, so you have a collection of your own, Miss One? I find it hard to part with any of mine, so it’s a commendable feat! What sorts of books do you enjoy?”}

“So it seems! It’s still fairly small at the moment, however,” she begins, offering a soft smile to the hobbit. “And I don’t seem to mind, since there will always be another person that will enjoy the book as well. And I’m fond of non-fiction books; literature that educates you on various things such as the environment, animals… Things like that. For fiction though, I do rather like mystery novels… And yourself?”

^{“Yes, being here will place most belongings in disarray,” The hobbit answered, glad to find someone so agreeable. She was polite and intelligent, and seemingly benevolent. But so terribly young, he felt, no matter how mature an air she put off.} 

^{“I’m quite fond of tales. Adventures, so to speak. Lore of any kind, on all peoples. In that we’re of the same mind in a way. The greatest offense can simply be knowing where you are, what things mean and can do, and how to deal with them. At least, it’s easier for me than settling things through more aggressive means. Though I can’t say I have ever read a ‘mystery novel’. It sounds like something that would grab one’s attention for a long time. I’m now resolved to read one for however long I stay.”}

^{A fond little smile.}

^{“I admit I’m fondest of my Uncle’s story, There and Back Again. He went on many an adventure in his youth, and they imparted a sense of wanderlust for myself, when I was younger.”}