The year is 2911 of the Third Age. It is also known as 1311 in the Shire Reckoning. It is the middle of winter and snows falls heavily outside. The snow has been coming down relentlessly without any end in sight. The roads are covered in drifts almost waist deep. Heavy snow fall like this is a rare occurence in the Shire. None that are alive can remember a winter this cold. The stores of food are running low. Very few people have enough food saved in their larder to last the entire winter. Every vegetable and plant outside is covered in a thin inedible layer of ice. The wind blows chilly air. Most hobbits stay indoors huddled near the fireplace bundled against the freezing temperatures.

A few brave souls, the Bounders, dutifully patrol the Shire borders despite the heavy snowfall. They report to the Mayor that the Brandywine River, the Shire’s barrier to the wild lands to the North, is now frozen solid. Even more troubling were the reports of large wolves howling not too far from the Brandywine. The Bounders estimate that in a matter of hours the packs of ravenous wolves would cross the Brandywine River into the Shire.

The HDS headquarters was alerted to these events and a call went out to all the loyal hobbit members. A threat to the Shire meant hobbits must surrender cozy fires and brave the worst that nature hurled at them. One by one the brave hobbits pushed open the headquarters door. They are armed with equipment from the Hobbit Combat Armoury - bows, spears, swords as well as pitchforks, knives and even a few frying pans. All are ready to fight for the Shire.

The hungry wolves are lead by clan leader Grompy. Grompy is a strong, cunning white wolf. Grompy, Ley, Nauro, Fang, Ray, Kohaku, Ulic, and the main wolf pack slowly make their way to the Shire, entering at North Farthing at Brindbale Woods. They kill hobbits in the area then head back into the woods for the night after their feast.

The HDS assigns Icy Baggins to evacuate hobbits from the homes. Icy, Aradell, Merrywe, and Melania evacuate hobbits to safety. Meanwhile, another group of brave hobbits lead by Marigold Took head north to face the wolves. The group includes, Rosie Cotton, Bill the Pony, Thane, Sucura Falton, Mitzi Baggins, Prisca Gamgee among others.

As we go to press, Marigold’s troops are at the outskirts of Brindbale Woods in North Farthing. They are about to face the hungry wolf packs. Ea and her troops are gathering supplies at the HDS Headquarters. They are preparing to go to North Farthing to provide reinforcement.

The Troops Abroad – part of the Hobbit Defense Squad – has of old been the place where foreigners who love the Shire can come, to help protect it.
Lately the section of foreigners has grown immensely, and we are proud to practice with wizards and Ents and occasionally a Gondorian or Elf.
Due to the leaving of Tinw, Mick of Fangorn has now become First Lieutenant, and Earane of the White Council is Second Lieutenant. The Troops Abroad is very proud to have them!
Unfortunately we are missing quite a few of our Hobbit members.
There is still hope that some adventurous Shire Folk will take the challenge of becoming a spy or scout for the Troops Abroad. Soon the spies and scouts will be leaving on a secret trainingcamp. Surely you don’t want to miss that!!
The Troops have had a lecture by the famous Merry Brandybuck, who shared with them some of the knowledge he has gained in Rohan and Gondor, while fighting in the War of the Ring.
At this moment, however, the Troops Abroad are on a threeday trek through the Shire, lead by Foreigners Marshall Thom Greenleaf. The latest news is that Merry B. has tripped, and bruised her ankle, but she will be alright. The many Ents are valuable not only for war, but also for carrying the wounded!

Hello all you Shire Folk and Visitors,
Today the coneys and there masters are tired and getting some rest from the big race they had. All the Kingdom's player's (and coneys too)had participated and this lucky event was to be held in the Shire. First off we like to congratulate Tigris for putting this together and to all the team leaders that had helped their Kingdom's team in the race.

It was a long run but the Mordor team (total points:80) had come in first and are this season's Derby Kingdom Champions.
The Khazad-Dum Team (total points:74) came in second.
Fangorn (total points62) team in third.
Isengard team (total points:60) came in fourth.
The Shire team (total points:57) was in fifth place.
Lothlorien team (total points:42) in sixth.
Meduseld (total points:39) team in seventh place.
The Rivendell team (total points:35) came in last.

A big congrats goes out to Rohanna from the Mordor team for coming in First place. Now the Shire team is getting their rest and sleep for their practices and upcoming Derby races.