The Mayor’s loyalty to Hobbiton was the driving force in his decision to visit Bag End and share the hobbits’ grievances with the Chief, which led to his imprisonment. He has been in prison for months before Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin return to the Shire. Upon his release, he makes Frodo his deputy in order to take some time off to recover. Diplomacy and battle strategy aren’t familiar tasks for the Mayor, whose main activities in times of peace are to officiate ceremonies and appear at feasts.