Through the sheer genius of Gimlachie, in particular his ability to speak in tongues, the band were able to fake their way across Orkland to the plains of Rohtorua. Rohtorua happens to be the spiritual home of the wisest of the three unwise men Elrohnd. Here the band of merry hobbits would have their first real test.

There would be no warm homecoming awaiting Elrohnd with the local Rohtoruans seemingly trotting out their A Grade men's side for the match. The young hobbits, let’s call them Phins from this point, entered the field of play with eyes like saucers and uncharacteristically quiet. However such situations are where heroes are born, and led bravely by former bodybuilders and long-haul truckers Chuckapippin and Merry Marlow the young Phins used cunning and guile, and their saucer-shaped eyes, to see around the challenge confronting them.

The determined pod pulled back from an early deficit, and what could have been an early end to the quest for ‘Dev’, to earn the praise and respect of their opponents and a pass to continue their quest in the Great Southland.

Boarding a flight in Rohtorua the band farewelled their hosts as well as two pairs of footy boots, a pair of tracksuit pants, three team shirts, four pairs of jocks and at least seven unmatched socks. About two hours later the merry band disembarked in the Great Southland. 

This part of the adventure began with an intelligence driven reconnaissance of the area. The young, but knowledge hungry Phins attempted to connect to the local language by interpreting local signs and advertisements. 

As could be expected, the more cerebral of the group, front-rowers Joe Mytoe and Adrian son of Albert, bonded immediately with the language. Cleverly sounding out syllables, they found that they were able to decipher meanings to words, such as Tak-e-a-way, which turns out to be a form of nourishment or food source. These gifts would be invaluable later in the quest.

Settling into their new digs the weary, and slightly restless and annoying pod of young Phins began to explore. It was during this part of the journey that the bands accidental leader Gusagorn made the first confirmed sighting of ‘DEV’. Many believed at the time, and still do, that the sighting was made in his own unit, possibly under his own bed, possibly amongst his expertly, if not uniquely, folded clothing and footwear. However due to a lack of credible witnesses, namely Rory the Innocent, forgetter of all things except the right to remain silent, this could not be proved, and the ‘DEV’ remained at large, and the quest continued.

Next week, do our travellers conquer the Great Southland?

Mick (Roxy) Phelan

PART III NEXT WEEK - THE QUEST CONTINUES

Article added: Wednesday 19 July 2023