Halflings would enter the orbit of the Blackburns fairly early in the story: against his better judgement, Mortimer would end up following in the footsteps of his brother when, during the great famine that afflicted Ireland, he would be entreated to provide relief to an entire tribe of little people.

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Always a sucker for hurting folks of any size or background, but also willing to have them contribute, he would end up setting them up in the vicinity of each of his different mercantile establishments.

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This would last until he would establish new digs up in the north countries. It would be here that the little people would set about to rebuild an even more exquisite little community in line with the stories they have been told for generations; a new Shire would be built, complete with gardens, flowers, fields, water, and holes galore.