Any good Hobbit banquet is long. The music, dancing but mainly the eating carried on throughout the night, the Hobbits eating continuously except for pauses to refill their plates or glasses. The Elvish guests could find nothing to complain about - the Hobbit food was delicious and varied. There were pies of all sorts (though the Hobbits were eager to offer biscuits to the Elves, perhaps guessing that the rich food was not always to their palate), delicious fresh spring vegetables and even the last of the fruit stored over the winter.
But finally Nimlith had to bring herself to remember the message she had agreed to relay to her allies. Walking over to the Mayor and the Elf-lord, she offered a light smile. "Mayor Bovso? Lord Taramthir? A word in private, if you please."
Taramthir nodded. "Of course, Lady. Is something wrong?"
Keeping her voice down to avoid accidental listeners, and taking care not to sound too alarming, Nimlith outlined the discovery of the relics in Eriador and the worries about the one found not far from the border to the Shire. "Have you heard of this before, Mayor Bovso?"
The Hobbit shook his head. "No, I have not. But what is the problem?"
Nimlith sighed. "At the moment, we do not know much. But we need to be watchful. Let noone touch the relic, and post a guard. Send a bird or a hobbit messenger to Imladris or to one of us if you notice enemy action."
Slowly, a look of horror spread on the Hobbit's face as he realized the Elves were serious about wanting him to deal with the situation.
"Why are you telling me this?" He swallowed. "Can't you just..."
The Elves shook their heads sadly. "We cannot remove the relic, and we cannot be here all the time. We are going to help you, but in return you must help us. That is why we proposed this alliance."
The Hobbit looked angry. "But... is there nothing you can do? Surely if you remove the relic..." He faltered, seeing the faces of the Elves.
"Is there something wrong, Bovso?" Another Hobbit approached with a worried look on her face.
"No. Nothing wrong." Bovso rammed his hands into his pockets and turned away from the Elves. "Nothing to worry about."
The other Hobbit remained for a moment, frowning furiously at the Elves. "We do not like bad news in the Shire, Mylady, not even when brought in friendship."
Nimlith bowed her head. "I am truly, truly sorry," she whispered.
"I am sure you are. I just thought you should know." She wrinkled her nose, turning her back on the Elves as well.
Nimlith watched them go worriedly. "I wish I had not said anything," she whispered in Sindarin to the leader of the Laiquendi. "But they needed to be warned."
He nodded, frowning as well.
Taking one last look at the party, Nimlith turned away. It would be a long, lonely ride to the North...
