Disclaimers: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien does.
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Welcome to the second part in the Second Child Trilogy! :) I did some brainstorming for this story and I have some ideas of where it's going. Let's get started. :)
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A campfire crackled, its flames sizzling with life. The moonlight shone brightly on the open, hilly grassland. It was surreal, the kind that made twenty-year-old Frodo Baggins, a hobbit from Rivendell, tremble with fear. He had grown up, secluded from the rest of the world. Now that he was in the world, it was only a matter of time before the darkness got to him.
He shrugged off the thought. He would not give up. His bright blue eyes stared at the flickering flames for another second, before gazing off into space. He was tired. He managed to reach the edge of the Lone-lands on pony. He could certainly continue his journey to the Blue Mountains.
A twig snapped, causing Frodo to look in one direction. It was so still. A gentle breeze blew through his thick, curly brown hair. His body shivered from the cold. He didn't want to be out here, but he had to be brave. He could last through this night and for nights to come. Sleep eventually overcame him, allowing him to enter dreams of darkness and light. He woke up, ready to travel.
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Frodo followed the road for the next couple of days. Bree-land was nothing compared to Rivendell. Even though they had similar landscapes, Frodo missed home. Oh, how he longed to see the elven valley! Next to the birds singing, the deer grazing, and the rodents foraging for food, things were pretty quiet. That made him uneasy. He gently nudged his pony forward, in hopes of not being spotted by a ruffian.
At last, he made it to Bree-town. People huddled together as he rode through town. They didn't bother him, just looked at him suspiciously. Alright. Now, he needed to find an inn, somewhere to sleep at for the evening. So far, it had been a clear day. He followed the road for a good length until he found The Prancing Pony inn. He moved his pony into the stables, before heading inside.
All around him were men and hobbits. Some with grim expressions on their faces. Others kept to themselves. He approached the innkeeper, Barliman Butterbur. He would have to make this quick.
"I need a room for the night." Frodo asked the innkeeper.
"That you do." Barliman Butterbur told him, kindly. "A room has opened up. It's the right size for a hobbit. Ned will get it all set up for you."
"Thank you." Frodo said, paying the innkeeper and heading off into the dining room. So far, all was good. Wait. Who was that strange hooded man in the corner? He was staring right at him. The hairs on the back of Frodo's neck stood up. He sighed. This was not the place to be this afternoon. He needed a drink.
"Blue Mountains… remember, you're going to the Blue Mountains…." He said quietly to himself. His gaze met the waitress, who wrote down his order before walking away. Frodo then chanced a glimpse at one of the men. They looked ready to attack. His hand pressed against the hilt of his sword. He would fight anything that came his way…. No! What was that? A wizard in grey robes approaching him. He moved his hand off the hilt as the elderly man sat down at his table.
"That's strange attire for a hobbit to wear." The wizard said. Frodo glimpsed at his green elvish robes in shock. He thought they were fine. Wait. What did this man want? "I am Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey. You must be from Rivendell! I was there weeks ago when I learned of your twin. You need not fear me, Frodo Baggins. I am a friend, a traveler seeking lodging here as well. Do not mind the Ranger sitting in the corner. He won't hurt you."
"Thank you." Frodo said to the waitress, when she returned with his food and drink. He waited until after the waitress was gone, before digging into his food.
"Might I ask what a hobbit is doing out here, all by himself?" Gandalf asked, curious.
"What's it to you?" Frodo asked, taking a sip from his mug. "How do you know my brother?"
"News travels fast among the animals." Gandalf answered, serious.
"I see." Frodo said, unamused.
"Well, if you're stopping by Hobbiton, drop by Bag End. Bilbo Baggins comes there regularly to check up on things. The Shire-folk don't know what he's doing half the time." Gandalf explained. "I'm sure they will be happy to see a new face in their quaint, little town."
"How interesting." Frodo said in between bites. He asked, quizzical, "Gandalf, why did you come over and speak with me? Surely, there must be a reason."
"Not at all. I'm just a wizard passing through." Gandalf answered, happily. "Should our paths cross again, I'll know where to find you."
"Right." Frodo grinned. He hadn't expected to come across a wizard. Not that it made much of a difference. Gandalf trotted off to speak to the hooded man. Frodo sighed. He didn't wait for the wizard or the Ranger to come and talk to him further. Instead, he paid the waitress her tip, stood up, and headed for his room.
After a good wash, Frodo changed and climbed into bed. His back welcomed the soft mattress, while his head rested cozily on the feather pillow. He was asleep in seconds, dreaming of his twin brother and the connection they shared.
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Thanks for reading. :)