Four new horses have been taken in by a Llangadog rescue centre - and given fantastical names.
The horses, Frodo, Baggins, Gandalf, and Samwise, were found running loose along the busy A48 between Pyle and Margam, presenting a danger to themselves and road users.
The local authority seized the free-roaming stallions, who have now found sanctuary at Lluest Horse and Pony Trust.
The Trust took the adventurous foursome in after exhaustive efforts to locate their owner yielded no results.
The planned microchip scan also proved fruitless, as none of the stallions were implanted with this legally required identifier.
Now under the care of the Lluest Trust, they will gradually be integrated with the existing herds whilst homes are sought for them under the Trust's Guardianship scheme.
The horses - given their names based on Lord of the Rings where the characters also go on an epic adventure - have different demeanours; among them, Frodo the pony is friendly and doesn't resist being led or groomed.
In contrast, Gandalf and Samwise are more wary and follow Frodo's lead.
Shetland pony Baggins, a little less apprehensive, is swiftly gaining confidence, making him the easier to manage.
Lluest's operations manager Dionne Schuurman shed light on their ongoing treatment.
She said: "Baggins and Frodo have just completed their first dentals, microchips, tetanus vaccines and strangles blood tests in preparation for coming out of quarantine...
"These two boys took it all in their stride and were perfectly behaved.
"Our vet Lisa loved them."
The uncertain backgrounds of the horses and their lack of microchips lead the trust to believe they may have been dumped.
As such, their recovery is a journey that requires medical and therapeutic interventions, including parasite treatment, dental checks, and vaccination.
The four also need assistance with their hoof care.
Ms Schuurman also commented on the reserved behaviour of Gandalf.
She explained: "We are allowing nervous Gandalf to settle in without asking too much of him, so he skipped this vet visit as was only caught for the first time yesterday.
"He is a very sweet young man and it’s so easy to fall in love with him."
However, she also acknowledged that Samwise, the most scared of the bunch, will take longer to warm up to human interaction.
Whilst the Trust is diligently working to rehabilitate their newest residents, funds are dwindling.
It is predicted that their initial veterinary bill alone hovers around £8,000.
As such, the Lluest Horse and Pony Trust has launched a fundraiser, inviting members of the public to contribute to the horses' upkeep.
Donations can be made via their GoFundMe page.
For those interested in the ongoing journey of Frodo, Baggins, Gandalf, and Samwise, updates can be found on the Lluest Facebook page.
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