[Mithadan]

Mithadan nodded grimly in response to Piosenniel's words. Yet, what could he do? He was viewed with distrust by the Hobbits and the Shirriff had strongly "recommended" that he stay at the Inn and not wander about the Shire.

Even as they sat, a number of locals began filtering into the Green Dragon seeking news, gossip and a late night pint. Some told of an army of Big People that was approaching the borders of the Shire. Others wondered if Saruman had returned to avenge himself against the Halflings that had rebelled against his rule. Still others told wild tales of Orcs and Trolls. But the words of one particular Hobbit were of the greatest interest to Mithadan.

Rory Burrows claimed that he had seen a Man skulking about the Shire more than once. The last time had been the evening of the meeting to discuss the earlier kidnappings. This Man was tall, like all the Big People, "though not as tall as Mister Mithadan, here." He had dark hair like Mithadan but appeared a bit older and thinner as well. He was not well dressed. His breeches and shirt appeared grey though they could have started out as any color given the amount of dirt on them. His face was brown from the sun, at least as much of it as could be seen above the Man's whiskers.

Rory claimed to have approached the Man to ask him his business. The Man had responded rudely with an odd accent. "And he was well in need of a bath," added the Hobbit. "Whew! You could smell him from a mile away as they say. His breath was foul too; too much smoking and not enough washing."

Some laughed at Rory's description. More than one joked that he had described nothing remarkable for one of the Big Folk. But Mithadan ignored the comment. He was lost in thought. A memory came to him as a result of Rory's words. A memory of a morning more than a month earlier from when he was on the road from Sarn Ford to the Shire. The Man he had met who had been in hiding...what was his name? Stoat. From Bree. Rory's description could very well fit this Stoat. Then Mithadan recalled Stoat's warning about the unfriendly Hobbits and his invitation to join him in Bree if he did not enjoy the Shire's hospitality.

He turned to Piosenniel and said, "I think that I know what I must do..."