I feel this drama is unwarranted. The Halflings can quite easily join under another nation and then nothing changes. They've done it before and it shouldn't be hard to do it again.
Dalek the halflings were part of Oren in Anthos friendo.
And yes, if you join a nation that doesn't really require anything of you nothing will change. You'll still have the land and the village but officially be a part of another nation.
