By the light of Eru The Creator and the protection of Ulmo Lord of Waters, his servant Ar-Iskandir writes these words:
Many a month had passed since your friend came to this northern land. Since, he has been able to get a knowledge of the country around the town called Bree and the people who inhabits it.
This is a land indeed blessed by our Lord with abundant waters, good soil, forest wide and plenty of game. Tall and heavy trees, oak and yew as good as could be desired for ship making. The weather, though bitter cold in winter, is bearable the rest of the year, the people living here takes no major notice about it so Our people should not be hindered by the cold, at least not very much.
There is no ruling king on this land, all about people dwells and abide by their own, villages and towns fend for themselves and take no council or hold allegiance to one another. Bree is the chief among the settlements, the biggest, richest and more populated, and as great as it seems to its people, it is no more than a hamlet to our standards. Though it is superbly located, it lies in the crossroad of the main trading routes, the first goes North-South from and old fortress called Fornost all the way down to the ruins of Tharbad and beyond, this is called the Greenway and we have yet to explore its southern end. The other way runs West-East from the far Ered Luin (where it is said lies a kingdom of dwarves and elves) to the misty mountains and Rivendell where the nimîr dwells, there is nothing there for us as the land is wild and the weather harsh. And more important, the river Baranduin runs at a couple days from the town, it is practicable up to a place called Sarn Ford, where a shallow stone ford blocks the way to ships, but it is a short distance and light galleys could be rolled up the stream to the deep waters beyond. Following the river lies the most extraordinary country of all, just until then your friend was certain of the convenience of his project.
For this country is called The Shire, and is fair and fertile, and is populated by this most extraordinary creatures called "hobbits". Barely half a man high they are, resembling children for they love fun, dance and food. Better, they are very laborious and crafty, famed farmers and a peaceful people above all. It is a promising sign for our enterprise that such a folk could exist and even thrive in these lands, for they are the most natural, productive and submissive race to be enslaved. Though we think better that they be left untroubled and taxed in their country and if possible settle them through most of the land for there not exist better subjects than this "hobbits".
From the men of Bree we can expect no organized opposition, they should be easily conquered but to hold the country shall prove not so easy to achieve as the people is stubborn and unruly, at least they are not many. This one advices to fill our galleys with them and take their lands for us or give it to "hobbits".
In respect to a possible harbouring place, the most strategically placed location is the Sarn Ford, there we could establish a strong place and garrison and control both the waterlines and landlines, and have easy access to The Shire and the Bree-Lands.
It is not known to your friend when he could dispatch another report as the communications with the southlands are exceedingly difficult now with all the stirring in Rohan. It is strongly adviced to send a light ship as soon as possible to the mouths of the Baranduin and if possible with one of the High Captains on board to personally asses the situation and discuss the future strategies.
(The preceding text is written in a language related to the "common speech" yet unintelligible for most westron speakers, its commonly called "Southron" and is the native tongue of peoples from Harad and beyond. This letter could be found on the body of a slain messenger near the Gap of Rohan)
