With a nod Terwin passed into the thick throng of trees and disappeared without a sound. Once Nalmalu was sure that he was gone she looked at the neatly folded letter in her hand. She peared around and then, with an eager face, opened the letter, making sure not to rip the envelope too much. She unfolded the thin piece of paper.
She read the letter quickly, her eyes moving to and fro as the skimmed across the paper. She stopped at the words: 'They are coming.' She frowned and thought for a second or two, and then with a grim smile she folded the letter back up and put it in her pocket.
She climbed upon her horse, but just as she did so a crow cried from above and her eyes turned to the sky, she saw the dark bird lift from the trees and fly off south.
"Just a bird..." she muttered to herself as she galloped off, to Bree.
She took a room at the inn and once more opened the letter again, unsure which way her heart guided her. She placed it in a drawer and ignored it. What was it to her anyway?
A few months later, Nalmalu grew restless and felt ready to move again. She rummaged around and collected her things - then came across the letter. She looked at it and an idea came to her.
She packed all her things and found her horse and set off quickly.
It took a week to get to The Shire. Then Nalmalu stopped and looked around. A couple of hobbits walking by glanced at her curiously, and walked on. Nalmalu followed at a safe distance. They entered a small building with a sign saying 'The Green Dragon'. Nalmalu followed them in.
The locals chattered quietly as Nalmalu strode to the bar. The hobbit, looked up into the pale face of the woman ranger and gulped, she laid her hands on the bar and leaned forward and whispered into his ear.
'I am looking for a hobbit - goes by the name of Florrin Moss.'
A quick burble of chatter broke out, then a voice echoed over the babble.
'What would you be wanting with Flo?'
Nalmalu looked at the speaker. 'Who are you?' she asked.
'What I want to know is who your are and what you want with Flo.'
Nalmalu controlled her anger as the halfling before her stood his ground. 'I have a message for her - that's all.'
The hobbit looked suspiciously at Nalmalu.
'What would a human, like yourself, want with a young hobbit like Flo?'
'Do you know her?' asked Nalmalu.
'I do - I kept me eyes on her since her brother left her. Terwin. Bumbleroot's, my name - Lotho Bumbleroot.'
'He's her brother? Terwin?'
'Yes - but what business do you have with Flo?'
'Her brother may be in trouble - I must take this letter to her - I am - I am a friend of his.'
Lotho looked Nalmalu up and down uncertainly. Then sighed.
'You'll find her up in Bramble Rock - along that path there - can't miss it.' he said. 'What trouble has befallen young Master Terwin?'
'I cannot say, for I myself am not certain.'
Nalmalu strode out of The Green Dragon and the locals looked at each other with worried faces 'Why did this Big Person want Flo? And what was the letter about?'
The next morning...
Flo woke with a start at the sound of a sharp knocking on the front door. "I'm coming!" she half shouted.
The knocking ceased.
Flo scrambled about for some and clothes and stumbled to the door, half awake, with bed hair and bags under her eyes. There was a knock again.
Flo opened the door slowly and saw, much to her surprise, a tall stern woman standing there.
"You are Florrin Moss?" asked the woman slowly.
"Yes...why? And who are you?"
"I am Nalmalu Stonethrush. I have a letter for you...from Terwin."
"Terwin?! My brother!"
Nalmalu pulled out a worn and ripped letter from her cloak pocket and gave it to Flo.
Before opening the letter, Flo looked up suspiciously at Nalmalu "You are a friend of Terwin?"
"Yes...I suppose you could say that..." said Nalmalu with a small smirk.
Flo read the letter.
Dear Flo, Burn this as soon as you have read it! You must leave The Shire. Go quickly and quietly and keep to the shadows - but not in the dark places where orcs may dwell.
They are coming Flo and it is you they seek. Head towards Bree - they have passed that road and will not likely use it again for a while. But take care, Flo. The journey will not be safe wherever you head. You cannot be safe in open roads. They watch. People watch for them - trust nobody unless you are sure.
Let your heart lead your way.
Take Care
All my Love Terwin
