[Mattius]

The Shire was much closer now and the group hastened their pace. Faye was naturally extremly anxcious to return and make sure her friends and family were okay. After a few hours walking they came to a spot where there was much spilt blood on the ground and a few broken arrows. Some of the blood was red, some black. Mattius turned to Endereth.
"What do you suppose happened here ranger?" She kneeled down.
"A battle for sure. Seems the beast came upon a group of well armed hobbits at unawares. Took a few bits of blood from it too." She stood up again and looked at Faye who seemed quite distraught. "Radagast?"
"I agree my dear. My guess is they scared the beast off. However, I am afriad there may have ben a few serious casualties for the hobbits." THe ranger and Mattius studied the ground for a while more before Endereth spoke to the group.
"It seems the beast has fled, but not to the Shire. It seems to have gone south towards the Brandywine River. The hobbits, around seven of them, we suspect have gone back to the Shire."
"So, are we going to follow it then Radagast?" asked Calentoliel.
"Why do you ask me my dear?" the wizard repiled. "I am not the leader here." Without anyone discussing or talking they seemed to looked towards Mattius. He had already shown leadership qualities and they looked for his view.
"Mattius," asked Ebdereth, "what do you think?" The blond haired Elf of Gondor looked east then south before smelling the air.
"Perhaps both." he said. Faye frowned.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Perhaps we should split up, for the time being at least. Faye needs to be returned to the Shire and I feel a great need to talk to the Thain, Peregrin Took."
"So who is going with us?" asked the hobbit.
"Radagast, will you also travel with us, I have many questions for you and I know the hobbits would delight in a wizard visiting the Shire again."
"Of course my lad!" The wizard turned to Rothalle. "You will travel with Calentoliel," he whispered, "and if the time is right, tell her." He turned to Endereth. "Rothalle and Calentoliel will have need for a Ranger of your talents my dear, will you join them?" Endereth nodded without question.
"Then it is done," Mattius started, "I will haste to the Shire and find out what I need to know. It is perhaps less than a days travel there and we will stay no more than twenty four hours." Mattius hoisted his pack readying to split from the group. "I will return with Radagast as soon as I can, for now this is goodbye but not farewell." Faye began walking behind him but infront of Radagast. She was quite dissapointed. At first she was extremly happy about returning to her home but now that she was wrapped up in the adventure she wanted to stay in it more than ever. She sighed silently. Maybe she would mention it to one of them later.