Wanetta the Wedge

Bestowal dialogue

'I am surprised at how earnest Eldo seems to be! Perhaps I shall give him a chance. A courtship could be just the thing to brighten my days.

'Tell him that I'll consider his courting me, but he'll need to sell his dog, Wanetta. I always come down with the sneezes whenever I am around dogs of her breed, and it is really unbearable.

'Hurry back with his answer! Oh, I'm all a-flutter like a little hobbit-girl!'

Background

Eldo Swatmidge is a successful farmer, but he is lonely. He has sought your help to woo his neighbour, the Widow Froghorn.

Objective 1

• Talk to Eldo Swatmidge at his farm

Eldo Swatmidge's farm is up the road to the north and east of the Widow Froghorn's farm.

Asphodel Froghorn stated she would allow Eldo to court her, if he was willing to sell his dog. You should return to Eldo Swatmidge with the Widow's terms.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Oh, I'm so excited! Please hurry and tell Mr. Swatmidge so he can make arrangements to sell that dog of his. I can't wait!'

Eldo Swatmidge: 'Sell Wanetta? I...I can't. I've had Wanetta here since she was a pup. She's given me litter after litter of good, strong pups. She's my prized dog! I can't sell her! If she was a hobbit and I was a dog, she wouldn't sell me, I know it!

'If that's what Asphodel wants...tell her I can't. I can't do it. Looks like I won't ever be courting the Widow Froghorn. Please don't think me ungrateful for what you've done, but I just can't lose my Wanetta.'

Objective 2

• Talk to Asphodel Froghorn at her farm

The Widow Froghorn's farm is on the road west and south of Eldo Swatmidge's farm.

Eldo Swatmidge cannot sell Wanetta even though he cares so much for Asphodel Froghorn. He has asked you to deliver his message to the Widow.

Eldo Swatmidge: 'I hope she underestands, but I just can't sell Wanetta. I just can't!'

Asphodel Froghorn: 'What? He won't sell that dog? Now...now I want him courting me even more! What loyalty, and not even to a person!

'You were right all along, <name>. Eldo Swatmidge might not be the most well-dressed hobbit in Staddle, or even the most well-spoken, but he's a good, hard-working, loyal fellow.

'Maybe someday there will be a cure for the sneezes I get around that breed of dog, and then not even Wanetta will keep me from my Eldo! Please go tell him at once, <name>.'

Objective 3

• Talk to Eldo Swatmidge at his farm

Eldo Swatmidge's farm is up the road north and east of the Widow Froghorn's farm.

Asphodel Froghorn found Eldo's loyalty so endearing that she is willing to put up with sniffles and sneezing. You should return to Eldo Swatmidge with the good news.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Eldo's loyalty, generosity, kindness, and caring make him a fine suitor, I think!'

Eldo Swatmidge: 'Really!'

Eldo looks to Wanetta, 'Did you hear that, Wanetta? Asphodel said yes!'

'<name>, I don't know if this is thanks enough for what you've done for me! Take this and know that I'll be everything I promised Asphodel and more!'

Farmer's Market

Bestowal dialogue

'Asphodel keeps her farm going by selling her goods at the Farmer's Market. I made a deal with Himloc Grouse to pay double what others pay for her fresh vegetables.

'Could you go to her farm, collect the produce she means to sell, and deliver it to Himloc? Be sure to return the money to her when you are done.'

Background

• Collect produce from Asphodel Froghorn

Eldo Swatmidge is a successful farmer, but he is lonely. He has sought your help to woo his neighbour, the Widow Froghorn.

Objective 1

The Widow Froghorn's farm is on the road west and south of Eldo Swatmidge's farm.

Eldo Swatmidge asked you to collect the produce that Asphodel Froghorn means to sell.

Eldo Swatmidge: 'You go take Asphodel's produce to Himloc Grouse in town…and don't forget to mention my kind treatment of my dogs!'

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Eldo didn't send a layabout, did he?

'And he's kind to his dogs? How about that?

'Since you've already proven yourself so useful, why not take this into Staddle and sell it to Himloc Grouse? He'll be in the town square, most likely. Maybe then we can continue our discussion of Eldo Swatmidge's good qualities, of which I am sure you will tell me there are many.'

Collected produce from Asphodel Froghorn

Objective 2

• Bring the basket of vegetables to Himloc Grouse

Himloc Grouse can usually be found in the town square of Staddle, west of the Widow Froghorn's farm.

Asphodel seems to think highly of you and has asked you to sell some of her produce to Himloc Grouse, the trader.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'If you are going to volunteer your labour, you might as well take my produce to Himloc Grouse.'

Himloc Grouse: 'So you've got some produce for sale from the Widow Froghorn, do you? Well, I'll be taking it...and here's the payment.

'And before you start thinking I've gone soft in the head, that's double what I usually pay. Eldo Swatmidge and I have a standing agreement, on account of he asked me to pay double for any of the Widow's produce, then he gives me the difference. It's true what they say: a hobbit in love don't have no hobbit-sense at all!

'You bring that payment back to the Widow Froghorn and don't mention the agreement I've got with Swatmidge. That's part of the whole arrangement.'

Objective 3

• Bring Himloc's payment to Asphodel Froghorn

Widow Froghorn 's farm is east of Staddle.

Asphodel Froghorn is waiting for the payment you received from Himloc Grouse for the sale of her vegetables.

Himloc Grouse: 'You go take that paymet back to the Widow Froghorn…but don't you tell here why I paid so much!'

Asphodel Froghorn: 'This seems like a bit much. Are you sure Himloc gave you the right amount? No, don't tell me. I have a feeling Eldo Swatmidge might have something to do with Himloc's generosity.'

Quality and Character

Bestowal dialogue

'Asphodel mentioned in her letter that there are bears wandering closer and closer to her farm. Maybe this is a clue that she needs some help with them.

'Would you make your way into the woods south of her farm and drive the bears away? This might show her that I am willing to see to her safety and show how caring I can be.

'When you're done, tell her!'

Background

Eldo Swatmidge is a successful farmer, but he is lonely. He has sought your help to woo his neighbour, the Widow Froghorn.

Objective 1

• Defeat bears near Widow Froghorn's farm (0/6)

There are bears south of the Widow Froghorn's farm.

Eldo wants to show Asphodel that he is willing to see to her protection. He has asked you to drive the bears away from her farm.

Eldo Swatmidge: 'You haven't gotten worn out already, have you?'

Objective 2

• Talk to Asphodel Froghorn at her farm

Asphodel Froghorn is at her farm.

You have killed the bears as requested, so you should now speak to the Widow Froghorn.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Sent you again, did he? That Eldo Swatmidge is certainly persistent. I'll give him that, at least.

'He's honest, too? I'm glad you shared that information, <name>, because it's certainly important. Or perhaps it isn't.

'Tell him that I appreciate the help around here, but my answer is still no.'

Objective 3

• Talk to Eldo Swatmidge at his farm

Eldo Swatmidge's farm is up the road north and east of the Widow Froghorn's farm.

Asphodel Froghorn was pleased to learn that Eldo is both thoughtful and caring, but she still asked you to tell Eldo Swatmidge that her answer was still no.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Eldo is surely persistent, and he seems to have a very good heart.'

Eldo Swatmidge: 'Still no...? She is fickle, to be sure, but she's the finest lady in Staddle.

'Well, regardless, I think you made another fine impression. You're doing wonderfully, <name>.'

Widow Froghorn's Pipeweed

Bestowal dialogue

'I must beg your pardon, but it's been a bit of a trial since I lost my Bodo. If you're here to lend a hand, I won't stop you.

'The pipe-weed is ready for harvest, so if you're still intent on helping out, you can bring it in. It's right there, on the other side of my wheat field.

'But you should know that I'll not change my mind about old Eldo Swatmidge.'

Background

Eldo Swatmidge is a successful farmer, but he is lonely. He has sought your help to woo his neighbour, the Widow Froghorn.

Objective 1

• Collect pipe-weed (0/1)

Asphodel's pipe-weed field is located by her home, directly to the west of her wheat-field.

The Widow Froghorn has asked you to harvest some of the ripe pipe-weed from her field.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'My pipe-weed is planted on the other side of my wheat field there. You should find some ripe pipe-weed ready to harvest.'

Objective 2

• Deliver the Pipeweed to Widow Froghorn

Asphodel's pipe-weed field is located by her home, directly to the west of her wheat-field.

The Widow Froghorn has asked you to harvest some of the ripe pipe-weed from her field.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'I see you've harvested quite a bundle of pipe-weed. You have my thanks -- a helping hand is appreciated, no matter where it comes from.

'You say Eldo is a good, solid hobbit? You would say that, I suppose, being in his employ.'

Asphodel takes the pipe-weed and hands you a folded, sealed note. 'Take this back to your good, solid friend. And don't read it!'

Objective 3

• Deliver Widow Froghorn's letter to Eldo Swatmidge

Eldo Swatmidge's farm is up the road to the north and east of the Widow Froghorn's farm.

After collecting pipeweed for Asphodel, she handed you a note and told you to deliver it to Eldo without reading the contents.

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Now, mind you, my mind has not been changed about old Eldo…and you cna let him know that!'

Eldo Swatmidge: 'You're back! How did it go?

'What's this? Refused again! Well...I'm not going to give up! If you go back and tell her some more of my good qualities, I'm sure she will reconsider. I'm sure of it!

'Did you mention how hard-working I am? I'm an honest fellow, and good to my dogs. They say you can judge the worth of a hobbit by how he treats his dogs, and I treat mine like royalty! You go help her out around the farm some more, and be sure to mention that. Like royalty!'

Widow's Farmhand

Bestowal dialogue

'This is a fine farm, wouldn't you say? Yes, life has been kind to me. My only regret is that I haven't anyone to share it with!

'I think you might be able to help me, if you're of a mind. The Widow Froghorn lives up the hill to the west, and she's a fine lady, but she won't hear of me courting her. I've been sending letters to her for a while now, asking her to tea, to the dance, to watch o'er my dog...but she refuses every time!

'Now, Widow Froghorn -- Asphodel is her right name -- is always needing help around her farm. Maybe if you lend her a hand, saying a kind word about me now and then, she'll change her mind! Go west up the hill, then turn south by the fence at the top. Her farm is at the crossroads.'

Background

Eldo Swatmidge is a successful farmer, but he is lonely. He has sought your help to woo his neighbour, the Widow Froghorn.

Objective 1

• Talk to Asphodel Froghorn

The Widow Froghorn's farm is west and south of Eldo Swatmidge's farm.

Eldo has asked you to help out around Asphodel Froghorn's farm, taking the opportunity to put in a few good words for him.

Eldo Swatmidge: 'Asphodel's farm is west of here, closer to Staddle. Go up the hill to the west and turn south at the fence on the top. Don't forget to put in a good word for me every chance you get!'

Asphodel Froghorn: 'Who might you be? Another farmhand Eldo sent to help me? I don't need his help, thank you very much and good day to you!

'No matter how many times I tell him "no," he just won't give up. I swear, there's only one thing he loves, and it's those dogs he raises! If it doesn't bark or have a tail to wag, he doesn't know the first thing about it!