A Most Clever Girl… (or, “Birds of a Letter Flock Together…”)
(Being a letter from Lancogard North-took, sent as a reply via newly-trained hawk)
THE BURROW, OVERHILL, Northfarthing in the Shire, on this the 15th day of Wedmath:
My Dear Applecider:
Well, you can imagine my surprised not-so surprised look at this situation: me, what has become quite used to having his post arrive via Her Ladyship’s splendid eagle, and now treated to the sight of yet another useful bird flying in service to friends!
Mind you, there was a very close mishap, due to your choosing a hawk to do such labor for you. I was first made aware by Sancho Shadestool, him what traffics in mushrooms in the district, that a “bloody bothersome bird” was buzzing about the tress above the village, frightening the livestock (and him) and he demanded what the Shire-authority was going to do about it (meaning yours truly, obviously).
So I looked to the trees, bow in hand, and sure enough saw a red hawk darting about the lower limbs, very excited and animated. When I raised my bow – and truth to tell, this sounds like it’s happened before – the bird perched near enough for me to see the letter pouch! So another messenger is trying to contact me!
I reassured Sancho that all was in order, and he wandered off while I looked to the bird’s errand. Bless me, it’s from you! More direct raptor-post for me! So, I finished the letter right then and there, and looked to the hawk, as she sat on her perch just puffed and pleased with herself as could be.
“And you are Maddie – ah, Maedwen, am I right?” I said to the little thing. And bless me, she spread her wings and clicked her beak once, sharply and plainly heard. I thought a moment, and asked, “Did Her Ladyship send you to find me?” And she actually clicked her beak twice. “Did Applecider send you?” One click. Clever girl, indeed! She was doing “one-for-yes-two-for-no”! How in good names did you ever manage that??
Now, true to tell, when I heard Windwalker actually speak for the first time, I thought to myself how mad I must be – but then, when Elves are involved, anything can be possible. But this bird is getting Hobbit-sensible bringing up, thanks to you, and outlandish things like talking hawks might not go over well with the local gentry. Unnatural, folk might call it – but the unnatural is most natural where you and I have become acquainted.
So, I went over post-haste to Brockenborings there on the spot and procured a nice fat trout for Maddie to feed up on. While she was restoring herself (I note she is most fastidious about cleaning her feathers), I dashed this letter off to you, telling you Received and Replied. I am so glad to have helped a little in your bird-wrangling!
Now, let me get this sent back to you, so that Maddie can complete her assignment. Just so’s you know, upon my return to Brockenborings, I found another case awaited me, and I want to get this one out of the way before the Faire gets into full swing. Once I am quit of this business around Bindbole, look me up in Bywater!
Yours with all the esteem this little bird can carry,
I Remain
LANCOGARD
