[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman popped her head into the kitchen where Buttercup had instructed her to come, not wanting to stay for very long. They had got in touch with Rosie Brandybuck's mother, and she was meanwhile staying at Ruby's house, where her mother was all to willing to fuss over the fragile, pretty little hobbit girl. But as for her friend, the boy...he still remained elusively vanished. However, her thoughts of a quick meeting about potatoes, or wines, or some other such triviality were soon dispelled as Cook motioned her in in a no nonsense way. Aman held back a sigh.

"What's the matter?" She inquired, noticing the serious expressions on the faces of all present. She also noted the rather stormy glares Cook and Cami were sending each other over the piles of scrolls and books which sat in front of Cami, but decided that leaving well alone was a good idea.

Cami turned towards her, a frown of worry creasing her forehead. "Eodwine's vanished." She stated frankly.

"The messenger?" Aman remembered well the kind, Rohirrim rider, and was shocked by the news. "How...why...what?" She finished. Derufin quickly explained the situation and Aman's eyebrows remained up.

"So his horse arrived, but not he?" Aman said thoughtfully. "Did he say anything about where he was headed before he left?"

Derufin suddenly became incredibly interested in his shoes, and Cook's glare transfered to the stable master. Aman would have smiled if the situation hadn't been so serious. "Ri-ight. I see. And we have nothing else...?"

"A note...he left a note. I don't have it with me, but he said something about going to Buckland, visiting someone or something...anyway, Derufin said the horse came galloping from the West though, and that doesn't fit with Buckland."

"Has anyone told Halfred?"

"We were just discussing that," Cami said. "He is the shirriff."

"He's also an addle-brained busy body who sometimes has trouble telling the good folk from the bad!" Cook put in. Cami didn't seem to disagree, and Aman, much as she liked Halfred, had to admit it was often the case. Cook lowered her voice and continued, "Lets try to do this on our own It may be we'll need to draw others in later, but I'd rather keep this matter private for now."

"I'll keep an ear out," Cami agreed, before turning towards the door. If you do send out a search party, I would like to be part of it. Eodwine has done me a good turn on more than one occasion. I have a debt to pay."

Aman wondered at these words- Cami did seem to have more than a few secrets. Still, there were indeed more pressing things to be thought on. "'Tis a terrible thing that this could happen. Eodwine is a gentleman, a good man- I will keep an ear out for news as well."

Aman turned to go, them stopped, remembering something she had needed to bring up with Cook, but which she was loath to bring up now. "Cook, about Pio's party- we have just over a week now."

Cook clasped a hand to her heart. "Oh, deary me, there is, isn't there! Have you got the drinks sorted for it?"

"I am going to send another messenger to Butterbur now- he forgot the last meeting."

"Forget his own head if it wasn't screwed on." Cook grumbled. "Well, go on then."

Aman was relieved to be shooed out of the kitchen, and went to find the young woman who had said she was departing for Bree, but thoughts of what could have happened to Eodwine hung darkly on her mind.