[Mithadan]

Olo Bracegirdle had been walking towards The Green Dragon when he saw a tall Man assault a young Hobbit. He watched in horror as several lads and lasses fell upon the Man, trying to drag him from the Hobbit. But when he saw the Elf approach with knives drawn, he had seen enough.

Olo raced down the lane and took the fork over towards Bywater. It was a while later when arrived at the Shirriff's, red in the face and puffing hard. He burst into the office, out of breath and wild eyed. Halfred Whitfoot stood up from his chair behind the desk and approached Olo. "Here now," said Halfred. "What's the problem?"

"Murder!" panted Olo. "Mayhem! There's this Man over at the Green Dragon and he and that bloody Elf have gone and attacked a Hobbit and some children!"

"I knew no good would come of this," growled Halfred. "Milo, Hugo! Get the others! Grab your bows, staves and knives!"

Moments later, a band of six deputies on ponies accompanied Halfred and rode towards the Green Dragon...