The Shire
"The Shire was divided into four quarters..."
Of the Ordering of the Shire
Welcome to the Shire.
The Shire is located in the North-Western corner of Middle-earth, in a part of the Shire known as the West Farthing. There the small village of Hobbiton can be found. Hobbiton is inhabited by small folk calling themselves Hobbits (they are also known to outsiders as 'hole-dwellers'). They have lived in the Shire for hundreds of years and they existence is little known of in the wide world outside of their peaceful countryside.
Hobbits themselves are little over four feet tall and reside in rounded houses built into the grassy hills of the Shire. A Hobbit's favourite past time is probably eating, this they do frequently and in great amounts. Their regular meals include; Breakfast, Second Breakfast, Elevenses, Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Dinner and Supper as well as many snacks in between. Hobbits are cheerful, peace loving creatures who would much rather settle down with some good pipe weed and a pint at the Green Dragon than go off on some absurd adventure, like a certain Bilbo Baggins.
Hobbiton is as safe and secure as it has ever been and the innocent hobbits dwelling there have no idea of the danger growing in Mordor in the East, and although strangers such as Dwarves and Elves can occasionally be seen travelling on the Shire's outskirts the Hobbits know little of the outside world. Little do the Hobbits living in the Shire know that the great wizard Gandalf (better known for his fireworks, among other things) is fiercely trying to protect their home along with the Rangers of the North who also believe it is worth trying to save such a unique area.
Ahead you can see a round, green door set into the side of a hill. In front of it are five small men.