If I could call on one character at the Shire, I would visit Bilbo Baggins at Bag End at Bagshot Row. He is rather like me in that he is eccentric but also fun. Would that I could read the real Red Book: translations, lays, and so much more! I would also love to see Bilbo’s precious Ring, even though it has a sinister nature to it. Recall how

. . . it appeared plain and smooth, without mark or device that he could see. The gold looked very fair and pure, and Frodo thought how rich and beautiful was its colour, how perfect was its roundness. It was an admirable thing and altogether precious. When he took it out he had intended to fling it from him into the very hottest part of the fire. But he found now that he could not do so, not without a great struggle. He weighed the Ring in his hand, hesitating, and forcing himself to remember all that Gandalf had told him; and then with an effort of will he made a movement, as if to cast it away—but he found that he had put it back in his pocket.

How could I not admire something like that, even though silver is my favourite precious metal?

On the other hand I would also love to call on Farmer Maggot. Not only do I love mushrooms, but he is a rather shrewd fellow. He has a lot of wisdom and information—more than the other Hobbits seem to appreciate or believe.

Of course, seeing Samwise or even Merry or Pippin would also be interesting!

What then is the answer to this riddle?

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

But still I need an answer so where is it? I think I have it!

‘You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to. Do you realize that this is the very path that goes through Mirkwood, and that if you let it, it might take you to the Lonely Mountain or even further and to worse places?’

Thus I should just step into the Road, not worry about my feet, and wait until I am swept off to one of the hobbits, whomever it might be and however that might happen. This, then, would be an Adventure, and that’s what it should be. Visiting a people who have all but ‘disappeared’ would be an Adventure, indeed!