Bilbo's sword, known as the Pity Sword, is known to almost everyone in the Shire. Even if there is someone who does not know, then be sure that sooner or later he will be told about it. And you can even see him at Bag End Manor since Frodo Baggins handed over all his property to Samuys Gamgee and left for Grey Havana.
I first saw him when I was a kid when I was in Bag End on my Uncle Pippin Gamgee's birthday. I remember the other kids listening to Bilbo's adventures on his trip to Erebor and looking at the sword, expecting it to shine blue suddenly and me. Of course, that didn't happen - although there are rumors that on the anniversary of the Battle of the Five Battles of the Voices, the blade of the sword shimmers almost imperceptibly.
Of course, it's just a rumor - it's a pity, like some blades forged in Gondolin a long time ago, shining only when the orcs are near - and there aren't many of them nowadays, like goblins. At least these creatures have not been seen in the Mediterranean for a long time.
Years passed and I gradually got used to the Jaloux hanging over the fireplace in Beg End's living room. For me, the sword was one of the many methos that filled almost every corner of the estate. It wasn't until I started to study the history of Gondor and Shire that I was amazed. Jalal was only mentioned in the Scarlet Book. Neither in the Tucon Chronicles nor in the other books in the Great Smears Library, I found no information.
I asked my father about it, and he was very surprised.
- Why do you need it, Farr? - He asked. - We know almost everything we need to know about Pity. It's a Gondolin blade found by Gandalf in a troll cave. We don't know how he got there, but we can't figure it out anymore. Thousands of years have elapsed since the First Era, and I don't think you'll find any records even in Gondor until Noumenor's arrival.
- Dad, I think it's in Gondor that I can find the First Era records. And if you'll excuse me, I'd like to deal with that," I asked. - You know, I know how to find what's between the lines.
- Oh, yes," Dad smiled. - You helped me a lot when I was looking for records of the Istari, and with other works, too. Well, then try it, and you can do it. I suggest you start with the Orcrist and Glamdring records - I think the Gondor Library should have records of these swords. It was a pity, I suppose, that it was a close relative of theirs.
I went to Gondor and started looking for footprints. As you might expect, there were very few of them. In a month and a half, I learned nothing but what I already knew about the elven swords - just what Bilbo had written at the beginning of the Red Book.
I was sitting in the Library once, thinking gloomyly that I would come out of this hopeless case when a tall man in a long hooded cloak sat next to me.
- Hello, Faramir," he said. I almost lost my voice - it was King Elessar himself.
- D-D-D-Day, Your Majesty, was the only thing I could say. The king smiled and put his hand on my shoulder.
- I was told that my heart friend's grandson was in the Library looking for records of the swords of the ancient nodor," he said. - I would have come earlier, but you know, it's a matter of state. I think I have what you need.
He put a scroll of elven papers in my hand, written in a handwriting I know. Elessar noticed my surprise and nodded.
- Yes, you came up with the right idea. These are Bilbo's notes he wrote back in Rivendell and gave them to me. He told me then: "Dear Dunadan, I'm not sure if it's worth writing about in the Red Book. I'm not sure it's going to be interesting for my countrymen. This applies to cases that they think are just fairy tales. That's why I trust you with these records - asking you to give them to the hobbit who will one day come to you and ask about the history of my sword - as well as the history of the two swords we found in the troll cave long ago.
I stood up and bowed. The king also stood up and nodded back at me.
- When you finish your work, I invite you to come and visit me," he said. - Miss Arwen and I will be very pleased to see Peregrine's grandson. You look just like him.
- Yes, many people tell me that," I smiled shyly. - Although I am not as tall as he is.
- It's not about growth, my young friend," said the king. - Okay, I'm not keeping you any longer. Good luck to you, Faramir, son of Faramir.
And he left. And I sat down back at the table, unfolded the scroll, and started reading.