[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami had slipped in unnoticed through the back kitchens, and sprinted towards the common room, tripping over a snoring dog that lay contentedly curled up in the middle of the hallway. She hastily rose, dusted off her skirts, and grabbed hold of Halfred's sleeve, just as he was about to duck out of the Inn and head for his home.

Halfred's face broke into a broad, ragged grin, "Miz Cami! Well, I'll be. The last time I saw you, you had a mailbag flung over your shoulder and wore the emblem of the Shire post. It's been a goodly number of years. Where have you been?"

"Never mind now," Cami objected, with a quick wave of her hand. "That's a long tale, and there's no time to explain. You have to check your mailbags again. There should be something for me."

She deftly scooped up the pouch and turned it upside down, giving it a vigorous shake and hoping that something new would come tumbling out. Much to her disappointment, the bag seemed quite empty, other than a few lonely crumbs of mushroom pie left over from Halfred's lunch.

Cami frowned and confronted the postman, "That can't be. I'm expecting a letter from Bird. Are you sure there's nothing else?"

Halfred scratched his head, then scrounged through his pockets and finally held up his hand triumphantly, waving a small, dirty envelope. "Is this it? This one's got postage due. Some crazy black and white bird dive bombed it on my head. I had half a mind to toss it out, but decided not to."

Halfred peered intently at the address on the envelope, then squinted back at Cami, "But this can't be for you. It's addressed to Camelia Brandybuck."

Cami nodded impatiently, "That's my married surname. I'm a Goodchild by birth, but a Brandybuck through my husband's kin." She hastily snatched the envelope away, dropping a few copper coins into Halfred's outstretched hand, and thanking him for his efforts. Then she walked over to one of the empty tables to sit down and slit open the envelope. She read the message once, then twice, to make sure she understood everything.

Cami,

In my journeys across Middle-earth to search for clues to the shapechanger past, I recently ran across a fellow who says he once knew you. I believe it has something to do with your husband's friendship with Meriadoc and the parcel of your descendents now living in Buckland.

His name is Eodwine, and he is in the employ of the King of Rohan. He expects to be visiting the Shire and spending considerable time at the Inn.

He was a real gentleman, most helpful to me in an unfortunate matter concerning a crooked game of cards, and I hope that you will keep an eye out for him, and help him rent some rooms in the Inn.

My own journey seems to have no end. I find tiny hints and clues here and there, but haven't deciphered enough to make real sense of anything. Perhaps things will fall in place and I'll be able to pay a visit to the Shire.

Your friend,

Bird

Eodwine? Cami's thoughts drifted back slowly through time. Then she smiled as a familiar face came to mind from an earlier journey she had made to Rohan. She quickly ran off to tell Aman about the letter, wishing that Piosenniel was still here to share in the news.

[ May 30, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]