A pleasant autumn morning was the beginning of the day in the town of Brockenborings in the Northfarthing of the Shire - a day that would be, for some, most unnatural and disturbing...
Senior Bounder Roliman Primstone was enjoying a morning bowl of Longbottom Leaf as he sat outside the Office of the Watch. The days had been quiet and uneventful of late, especially after the return of his right-hand hobbit, Deputy-Shirriff Lancogard North-took. Lance (as many called him) had been acting on behalf of the Bounders outside the borders of the Shire; a veiled threat had to be investigated and, with the aid of an outside company, the whole affair had been concluded successfully.
Indeed, Roliman had only just finished reading the lengthy report submitted by both Lance and his companion, Applecider Bolingbroke. He needed the fresh air and a stiffener of pipeweed to digest all the news, and a bundle of that was still awaiting his attention at his desk. Shrugging as to his willingness to continue, he had just turned to go back inside when another hobbit came flying down the lane from the hill, Gardenia Grubb calling out in a panic.
"Roliman! Roliman, you must come quick!" Gardenia cried. "There's a commotion and a to-do up at the Plough!"
"Oh stars, are Odo and Ivo at it again?" Primstone moaned.
"Not hardly that, there's something much much bigger," Gardenia said, "come quick, it's - well, you'll see!" And with that, Primstone followed Gardenia up the hill to the Plough and Stars public house, where a small crowd of hobbits had gathered, all talking at once, and pointing over to a fence-post near the outdoor ovens. As Primstone pushed his way through the crowd, he could not have been more flustered by the sight that met his eyes - there on the post near the ovens perched a large eagle!
"Well, isn't this a surprise," Primstone said, "though I'm not hardly unexpecting. Folks, don't you see? This here's the self-same eagle that delivered our Lancogard's messages a few months back - and him being friends to Elves and eagles alike, I can't say as this is cause for a commotion?"
"Oh come on, Rolo," one angry hobbit fairly growled, "you mean this is that same eagle what flies for that harum-scarum Red Elf and her gang of thieves and robbers!?"
"Bolimac Chubb, you best hold yer tongue," Primstone growled in reply. "Accusin' folk of thievery and robbery is a serious matter - especially when one of the parties is connected to the Watch! And I meself have availed the services of this same bird, in the course of official Shire duties, an' I shant be saying the better of you!"
"Bounder Primstone, sir," a young hobbit-lass spoke up, "you mean this is the Red Elf's eagle? I saw her just recently in Hobbiton, when my gran took me to the faire - she spoke to me herself about her eagle! This is really him?"
"None other, Briarose," Primstone said a little more kindly. "But who he's bringing a letter or news from, I can't say - at least, not until I can get past you busybodies and let me through!" And Primstone stepped closer to the eagle, who had watched the hobbits with what appeared to be a gleam of amusement in his eye.
Primstone thought a moment to recall the words he used before, when Lance was on assignment over the Bounds in Dwaling. "Good morning, O Windwalker," he said grandly and with a short bow, "and welcome back to the Shire. What news from the Wide World have you?" And to the gasps and shock of almost everyone there, the eagle spoke!
"Well met once more, RoloHobbit of the Shire! I bear unto thee a message from Her Ladyship of the Elves. With her letter, she doth send these words: Do her the courtesy of a reply in haste." And Windwalker stretched his talon out, revealing a message pouch which Primstone untied to reveal a letter of fine parchment and flowing script.
"Well, Rolo? What does it say?" Bolimac asked, curious instead of angry. Primstone read a few lines, muttering to himself, then said, "Everyone, you best listen up to this!" And he began to read the letter aloud:
Seregrían Lady of Bar-en-Acharn to the Honorable Roliman Primstone of the Shire-watch, greeting: may your duties bring you honor among your folk.
My dear friend, Lancogard, has spoken of you with words of the highest esteem and respect, as befits one of your prominence among your folk -
"There, you see, you lot? Even the Elves know how to properly respect the Watch!" Primstone said.
"But that's not all it says, is it?" Gardenia said, "Keep reading, Rolo!" And after a chorus of voices agreed, Primstone read on:
- and in your prominence and your position, I would inform you of a disturbing situation which concerns us all: Lancogard is missing.
That brought gasps and further sounds of shock from the assembled hobbits, and it took a few moments for Primstone to quiet everyone down enough to keep reading.
After you graciously allowed him the leave of his duties to officiate at my wedding, Lance was my guest at my manor in Falathlorn for several days before departing for the Shire. When we parted company, he mentioned he was returning to Brockenborings by the speediest way. That was now nigh on three weeks and more; and I have had no word of, from, or regarding him in all that time.
I would humbly request of you to share any tidings of Lancogard and his travels or assignments at your discretion. If he is pursuing his duties to the Shire on your behalf, then that word shall suffice. My eagle shall await your convenience to bear your reply, but do so with all haste, I beg.
May the Shire know safety and peace from your vigilance.
Primstone stared at the letter, chewing his lip as he thought of what reply he might make. He looked up from the letter and gazed at Windwalker, who looked up from preening a feather to meet his eye.
"Friend eagle," he finally said, "bear this reply back to your mistress: Lancogard is indeed overdue by at least a week. His last message spoke of an investigation of a case north of the Bindbole Wood on the borders of the Shire again. I shall be sending Bounders to search the district, and I shall send along any news as I get it, you have my word - but how can I get word to Her Ladyship?"
"The LadyRedElf is abroad," Windwalker replied, "but means to return to her own lands and pass through the Shire in less than a fortnight's time. I deem she will essay to make contact with thee personally; watch for her coming as that time draws nigh. For now, I shall take thy words to her as the winds allow. I do take my leave now, RoloHobbit, and may thy search bring good tidings of the LanceHobbit! Farewell!" And the great eagle sprang into the air, winging his way higher and faster as he sped eastward, swiftly fading from sight.
And all at once, dozens of voices rose in clamor as the events of the morning were discussed, rehashed, and inevitably embellished upon - but as for Roliman Primstone, he set out at once back to the Watch Office to organize a search; for a Deputy-Shirriff was missing.
