Frodo and Sam shot worried glances at each other before following Farmer Maggot, his dogs, and the Bolger siblings to his farmhouse. Unlike everyone in Hobbiton, most Hobbits in Buckland lived in what would be termed as regular houses by the Big Folk, something that just might possibly have given rise to the mistrust between them and most Hobbits on the western side of the Shire. It was not their fault, to be sure, there just were not as many hills to build cozy Hobbit holes into in comparison to the western half of the Shire and even in Tookland. But to the other Hobbits, it was still an odd sight, and more so, reminiscent of the houses of the Big Folk. Even now they were almost expecting one of the Big Folk to emerge from the house, but only Mrs. Maggot appeared at the door.

"You went out to find Wolf and instead find four Hobbits!" Her eyes narrowed when they got closer. "Why, Estella and Fatty! Should you even be considering heading back to your grandfather's? Things seem to have gotten worse!" She made a wave into her house. "I'm considering packing some things and taking the kids out of here!"

Frodo stepped forward. "Mrs. Maggot, if you think it is unsafe for your children, then you should leave, now."

Both Mr. and Mrs. Maggot looked at Frodo in shock. "Do you think it can get that bad, Mr. Frodo?"

"One of your dogs is already missing, I do not want to risk losing your children either. Please get them as far away as possible until Sam, Merry, Pippin and I get to the bottom of this."

Mr. Maggot nodded. "You are right, but where should they go?"

"Head to BagEnd, it's just Rosie there, there should be room for everyone."

Mrs. Maggot let out a sigh of relief. "A great many thanks, Mr. Frodo, that does take a load off my mind. Oh! Where are my manners? Come in, come in! Dinner is ready. If you help us with dinner, we'll get packed and leave first thing in the morning."

"Yes, the sooner, the better." Frodo glanced at the sun as it was beginning its descent behind the horizon. "However, I would rather we get to the Bolgers by nightfall. Merry and Pippin are waiting for us there."

"Oh, I can get my cart out and drive you that way, at least to the Ferry."

"Are you sure about that?"

Farmer Maggot shrugged. "Was going that way anyways, meeting up with a friend and bringing him to my place for the night."

Frodo smiled. "Glad to hear it. And we shall be glad to accept." With four extra pairs of hands, and four extra mouths, dinner was handled quickly. Perhaps it was the good farmhouse food, being in a friendly home, even surrounded by friendly faces, or all of them, but the mood lightened a bit. Of course, a good supply of mushrooms and beer certainly helped. Mr. Maggot only spoke of his crop over dinner, wisely avoiding the ominous topic around his children. Sam and Fatty obligingly added to the conversation with talk of their gardens while Estella spoke with Mrs. Maggot of their families. Frodo mostly listened while he ate slowly. But when dinner was over, he moved as quickly as everyone else, and in a matter of minutes, the house was clean and their bags were packed. Mrs. Maggot thought it wisest if she and the children went to bed early so they could get an early start. The group helped her herd the children to bed, but before she went to bed, she ducked into the kitchen.

Farmer Maggot pulled out several pipes and handed them to each of the lads. Estella excused herself and went into the lads all stuffed their pipes with tobacco and lit them.

Farmer Maggot let out the first puff of smoke. "Ah, better. Now, even though I avoided the topic as much as possible at dinner so as to not worry the younger ones, they know something is up and will still be worried until Wolf comes home." His mouth became a straight line. "If he comes home at all …"

"I hope that is not the case," began Frodo.

Farmer Maggot shot him a pained look. "I hope so too, sir, but I must be prepared for the worst."

Fatty gulped. "I should say so, Mr. Maggot, especially if the thing that, that … oh whatever it did to that deer did the same thing to your dog. I very highly doubt Wolf could have survived that."

Farmer Maggot's jaw clenched. "That bad, eh, Fatty?"

Fatty glanced down. "Yes sir, that bad. That's why I asked the four of them to find out what's going on. It, whatever it is, seems to attack just about anything."

"But a deer is bigger than a dog," muttered the farmer.

Frodo let out a sigh. "Yes, it is, which means it could attack something else, if this is how it eats." Something nagged at the back of Frodo's mind. This was starting to sound familiar, but why?

"But then, what else did it get to?" muttered Fatty.

"I hope no Hobbit," muttered Sam.

"I hope not either," said Frodo. He turned to Farmer Maggot. "Have you seen anything or heard anything?"

There was a moment's silence before the farmer let out a breath. "I, I did hear something. At least, I think I did, last night. It might have been when it took Wolf."

"You mean you didn't notice him missing until recently?" asked Sam.

Farmer Maggot gave a little chuckle. "Oh, I noticed him missing this morning. There's a reason why he's named Wolf. He never misses a meal."

Fatty chuckled softly. "Like a typical Hobbit, huh?"

"What do you think you heard?" Frodo asked softly. Another moment of silence, this time it was interrupted by a welcome distraction.

Mrs. Maggot emerged from the kitchen and handed Frodo a basket. "For you, Mr. Frodo, as thanks for everything."

A feeling of gratitude filled his chest. Someone was appreciating him! He gave her a smile as he rose and took the basket. "Oh thank you, Mrs. Maggot. Your safety and that of your children is the most important."

"But still, thank you. I'm sure you'll find out what's going on soon and then every Hobbit will be able to rest easily."

"That is the plan." He glanced at Farmer Maggot. "And we will need every bit of information anyone and everyone can give us."

Farmer Maggot sighed. "Yes, yes." He patted his wife's hand. "Please go to bed, my dear, the children need you well rested for tomorrow's journey."

"You just don't want to worry me anymore, I know it." She sighed. "But I shall go." She turned to Frodo. "And thank you for accepting his offer to travel with him to meet his friend. Now I shall not worry about him reaching his friend unharmed."

Frodo smiled. "Of course, Mars. Maggot."

"Good night." She gave him a little curtsy before heading off to her room. Estella came in with another basket that she set by the door before joining the others in the living room. Farmer Maggot eyed her.

"It's alright, Mr. Maggot, she heard the same things I have," remarked Fatty.

"Besides, I shall be by myself in the house," she began.

"What?" Farmer Maggot nearly roared. He turned fiery eyes on Fatty.

Fatty squirmed under the intense gaze. "She, she was going to keep up the cleaning while we searched the Old Forest!"

"We are going to do everything to make sure she, and the Shire, are protected," Frodo stated firmly.

"Besides, if the creature has its focus on us, it won't be paying any mind to Miss Estella," quipped Sam.

"That may be so, but … Mr. Frodo, what I heard sounded like many footsteps, giant footsteps. They had an … odd rhythm to them, it did not sound like one pair of legs. Maybe there was more."

Fatty gulped. "More?" he squeaked. "More than one creature?"

Farmer Maggot shrugged. "I could not tell you. I only heard them for a moment before they seemed to vanish into thin air. I went out to check as the dogs only began barking right as it left. I had assumed that they had scared them away, but now I realize they had been calling to me for help as Wolf was taken. As for what purpose, well, you might find out."

"I hope we shan't," whispered Fatty.

"But I think you are right, we may very well find out," said Frodo softly. Fatty let out an audible gulp as Frodo glanced at each of them. Sam clenched his pipe tightly while Estella was trying to put on a brave face, but her hands clenched her skirt with the same fear that showed in her eyes. He turned back to the farmer as he stood up. "And I think we should get heading that way. I'm sure Merry and Pippin must be getting worried about us."

Farmer Maggot nodded and rose with a grunt. "You are right, we should get going. I don't want to leave my friend out there for long either. If you will help me get the cart and the horse ready."

Sam jumped up. "Of course!"

"If you don't mind my asking, Mr. Maggot, but, who's your friend?" asked Fatty as he stood up and joined them.

"Eh, he likes his privacy, so if you don't mind, I will not name him. He will make himself known to you if he pleases." The others glanced at each other in surprise, but he would say no more than that when they pushed him for more information. They gave up once the ponies were hitched to the cart and everyone was seated.

Fatty thought of another question once they were one their way. "Mr. Maggot, where are all your farmhands?"

"Eh? Oh, they all went home to move their families. Can't say that I blame them. They heard the noises last night and know of Wolf's disappearance. I have no doubt the whole of the Shire will know by supper tomorrow."

Frodo sighed. "I had hoped to keep it quiet. But should anyone come to you asking questions, just tell them to stay as far away from these parts as possible and that we shall get to the bottom of this."

"That I shall do quite readily. In fact, I shall make sure my family spreads the word as well should they hear any talk."

Frodo nodded. "Good idea." They fell quiet after that, but it was a fairly short ride to the Ferry and reached it pretty quickly. They were surprised to see someone there already, tying the Ferry to the dock.

"Why there you are!" came Pippin's cheery voice. "Merry sent me to find out if you needed any help, and here you are, hitching a ride with Farmer Maggot!"

"Yes, and it is my fault, Master Pippin, I had a need to speak with them. I'm adding on to your load, so to speak."

"What do you mean?" asked Pippin.

"One of my dogs is missing, Wolf, in fact. I think you know which one."

"Ah yes, good ole Wolf … but missing? Since when?"

"Since last night, I think, as that's when we heard the strange noises."

Pippin glanced between Farmer Maggot and Frodo in shock. "Wait, what? Has it come this far inland already?"

"It could be looking for food," began Sam.

"Well if Wolf was its next meal … then I don't see how we can help."

"At least find out if he was indeed the next meal, that way I know what happened to him."

Pippin nodded. "Yes, we can at least do that." A splash startled them. Pippin glanced around. "What was that?"

"Ah, that must be my friend! Well, I had best let you get going on your way. I shall help him to shore and we shall be on our way. The best of luck to you all!" With that, Farmer Maggot turned his ponies towards the area where the splash had come.

Pippin took a step forward but Frodo stopped him. "He said his friend is a rather private fellow and will reveal himself when he is ready. Come, I think we've left Merry waiting long enough."

"Oh, alright, but it is rather odd," Pippin's voice trailed off as he took to untying the Ferry. The others piled on and Pippin pushed them away from the shore.

"What's so odd about coming down the Brandywine?" asked Fatty. "Loads of Bucklanders do it."

"See, that's the thing. We got back early enough that Merry thought it best to empty all of Buckland until we'd figured this thing out. Everyone is gone!"

"Must have been one of the last ones, then. Since he had already been planning on staying the night at Farmer Maggot's, he waited until their arranged time," suggested Frodo.

"Hmm, maybe," muttered Pippin. Frodo glanced back at the shore. He could just barely make out the ponies and cart heading back with Farmer Maggot. He blinked when he thought he saw something white fluttering in the lantern light. More than that, it almost looked like the fellow sitting next to Farmer Maggot was taller than he was. Was that the reason for the secrecy? Farmer Maggot's friend was taller than most Hobbits? He didn't give more thought to it as the Ferry landed at the shore. They alighted and walked the rest of the way to the house. Sam and Fatty filled in Pippin on their conversation with Farmer Maggot and as such, fell behind Frodo and Estella. They reached the house first and knocked on the door. But the Hobbit who opened it was not Meriadoc Brandybuck.