To the best of my ability

by Rowling Tolkin and Riordan

This story takes place just before Kingdom. Sam is a humble pig-herder, his best friend Buddy is a messenger for King Roland, and Lyndsay is a spunky adventurer. But what happens when a diamond necklace belonging to the princess goes missing? And what happens when it's found... In Sam's room?

Brown hair and green eyes, fair skin tanned in the sun, once-neat clothes turned brown by the dust, this was me.

"Sam! Where's Piggley?"
That was Elmira, my employer.

I looked up, "I've been looking all morning, honest!"

Elmira glared at me over the rims of her glasses, "Now why don't I believe you? Hmm... Maybe because... She's not here!"

"Hey pal, what's going on?"

I silently thanked Buddy's uncanny ability to appear just when, and where, I needed him.

"What are YOU doing here?" The owner of the pig farm demanded.

The messenger rummaged around in his bag a moment, "This is from King Roland, It says you are invited to the royal ball tomorrow night."

Elmira snatched the scroll and her eyes widened, "Well, so it does! Sam, I'm going inside, you look for my precious Piggley."

I turned to my friend, "Is there anything for me?"

"Sorry pal, not today."