[Mattius]

Mattius, Radagast and Faye followed the young hobbit messenger. It seemed that news of their comming had gone before them and a great number of hobbits had come out on to the streets to see them. The atmosphere was strange though, there was no cheering at their comming but silence and staring. By now most of the Shire had learned of an attack away westward. The messenger led them into a large hobbit hole, large enough for Mattius and Radagast to stand without banging their heads on the ceiling or the beams, Faye stood behind them. The messenger told them to wait and he went off to find someone. After a couple of moments a hobbit, extremly tall for his age, appeard dressed in fine robes of warriors. His face was proud and at his side was a beautiful and dangerous blade.
"So, it seems the young hobbit has drunk from the Ent draughts!" laughed Radagast. Peregrin, was taken abake, surely this is another wizard, thought he to himself.
"Excuse me but would you happen to be a wizard, akin to Gandalf?" At the name 'Gandalf' Peregrin's face showed sorrow, he missed the wizard dearly.
"I am of the Istari yes," spoke Radagast, "but I am not ashamed to say he became the most powerful of our order. I am Radagast." Peregrin took a step towards the old bent man.
"And I am Peregrin Took, Thain of the Shire!" he bowed low and stood up again. "But please, call me Pippin." Suddenly Faye jumped out from behind the two tall figures,
"And I will call you Pip!" The two of them embraced before Pippin led them to a private room, deep in his hobbit hole. Pippin held back the door whilst Radagast and Faye walked in. Mattius follwed and Peregrin saw his face fully, proud and noble like a man of Gondor, he thought, yet as beautiful as any elf he had ever seen. Mattius stopped before he walked in.
"I apologise for my rudeness, my name is Mattius and I above all have great need to talk with you."
"Then let us begin my good Mattius!"

It was dark and no windows let in any sun, only the candles gave light. The four of them sat around a small wooden table with Pippin at the head.
"I am sorry I had to bring you all down here, but things are pretty hectic up there." Pippin motioned with his head towards the surface. "People are in hesterics, we havent seen a bloodshed in the Shire since Sauraman was here." The Thain looked to Radagast. "I guess that is why they eyed you with such suspicion." Radagast nodded. "Now, Mattius, you said you had need to talk to me!" Mattius sat up in his chair.
"Yes, we wish to know what happened here and also I need to know of the survivors."
"The survivors?" asked Pippin thinking suddenly.
"Yes," Mattius replied, "would that be a... problem?" Pippin scratched his head and sighed.
"I am afriad the survivors refuse to talk to anybody. When they returned they took themselves to the House of Healing and were silent although a few people say they saw them before muttering something about dragons, balrogs or something. A smoke?" Pippin took out his long pipe and lit the weed before puffing smoke rings. Radagast refused polietly but Mattius remained silent with his fingers on his temples and staring intensly at nothing, just thinking.
"Something wrong?" asked Pippin noticing his state. For the time being Mattius ignored the hobbit and turned to Radagast.
"Dragons? Balrogs? This is very bad Radagast, very bad indeed." Mattius looked back at Pippin. "How many survivors were they?"
"Fourteen."
"Fourteen? It seems my suspicions were dangerously incorrect Radagast. The Beast's power does not decrease with how many people it faces. In fact..."
"It seems to increase." Radagast said finishing Mattius' sentence. Faye sprang out of her seat making Pippin jump.
"Then we must get back to the others!" Pippin was beginning to get very confused.
"Beast? Others? I am afriad you have succeeded in confusing me." Radagast rose from his chair, walked across to Pippin and put his elderly hand on his shoulder.
"Do not worry anymore Master Took, for the danger has passed and it seems the Shire has got off lightly. But beware! Keep a tight watch on your borders from this day!" Radagast followed Faye up the stairs back to the surface leaving Mattius and Pippin alone.
"Thank you for your time good Thain," said Mattius, "for bad news is at least important news." Pippin rose and led him up the stairs.
"I am sorry to break it to you, though I do not understand it, but before you leave I will supply you with provisions."
"So be it, I thank you again Peregrin, but we must make haste!"

After quickly picking up supplies the three companions began the walk out of the Shire. The streets were empty now as dusk began to fall on the world. The snow had frozen and cracked loudly under foot. Pippin waved off the three of them and bade them good luck.