How to Solve Nora’s Riddles in Tales of the Shire

Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game offers a laid-back, cozy experience, focused on community and friendship in the Hobbit village of Bywater. Among the many small quests is a charming one involving little Daisy Took and her tutor Nora Burrows. Nora wants to help Daisy learn to read, and she gives her three riddles to solve as part of the lessons. These riddles test reading and logic, but the game gives almost no hints, making the first one especially tricky.

The riddles take you to specific spots around Bywater. Finding these locations will trigger cutscenes that advance the story and bring more warmth to the world. Also, read the Tales Of The Shire review in a separate text, while this guide breaks down how to solve each riddle and where to go.

Riddle 1: “In The Eye Of The Lake, There Stands A Tree…”

Nora’s first riddle says: “In the eye of the lake, there stands a tree. And in its roots, you’ll find what you seek.”

Unlike other quests, clicking on this task in the journal won’t activate any bluebird guidance, and neither Nora nor Daisy will provide extra clues. The trick is understanding what the riddle means and finding the right spot on the map.

Bywater has many lakes with trees nearby, but the correct location is a small lake in the central part of the southernmost section of the map. This lake has a tiny island in the middle with a single tree stump—not a full tree—so it doesn’t stand out on the map. Once you arrive at this spot, glowing lights will appear. Approaching these lights triggers a cutscene with Daisy, confirming the riddle is solved.

Riddle 2: “In The Heart Of The Forest, It Calls…”

Once the first riddle is complete, Daisy shares the second one: “In the heart of the forest, it calls. Where the river doesn’t run, it falls. Where the water doesn’t babble, it roars.”

This points to a location not far from the first. Head east from the lake to where the road crosses a river. There’s a small, pretty waterfall here nestled in the woods.

Again, glowing lights mark the exact spot. Approaching them will trigger another cutscene showing Daisy’s progress.

Riddle 3: “A Traveller Without Foot Or Wheel…”

The final riddle says: “A traveller without foot or wheel, its journey done, now resting its keel.”

The word “keel” is a nautical term, so this points to a boat. Near Old Noakes’s fishing jetty on the Bywater map, move slightly west to find an overturned rowboat resting on land.

Interacting here will trigger the last cutscene connected to the riddles.

It’s unclear how much these riddles truly help Daisy learn to read since players do most of the solving, but the quest adds a nice touch of charm and helps deepen the cozy, friendly vibe of Tales of the Shire. It also encourages exploring the village and its surroundings more thoroughly.

If you’re stuck on the riddles, focus on the literal meanings, explore the nearby areas, and look for glowing lights. These are the clues the game does give to show you’ve found the right spots.

Helping Daisy with these riddles is a simple but rewarding side quest that brings a bit of magic to the peaceful world of Tales of the Shire.