I raised my eyebrows at the elf's impetuous hug. But I'd gone 500 miles without a hug, and welcomed it.

Marigold, she said her name was. It sounded more like a hobbit name than an elven name, but I didn't question it.

"Shall we go meet the hosts?" I asked. I was glad to have a companion. Hobbits didn't seem so scary with another elf beside me.

Ella has traveled 22 miles since 1/6/10 and is out of Hobbiton, on a rolling road.