Cheering Frodo
1: Bilbo
Shocked and upset, Frodo watched his uncle disappear before his very eyes. He left the party as soon as he could escape from all the astonished guests, who seemed to think that as Bilbo's cousin and heir he was the source of all knowledge – that Frodo would know where Bilbo was.
Frodo slipped quickly out of the field and up the path to Bag End. He entered the dark and silent smial.
Bilbo wasn't there.
Suddenly he caught sight of Gandalf sitting in the shadow cast by the fire.
'He's really gone, isn't he?' Frodo asked.
'Yes,' Gandalf replied. 'But he left you something.' Frodo took the proffered envelope. He felt Bilbo's ring inside, heavy in his palm. A ring, in return for his guardian and most favoured cousin. No; it was not really a fair deal. He'd rather have Bilbo than his ring, even if it did render you invisible (which was, Frodo had to admit, quite a neat little trick). This thought was further confirmed when Gandalf advised him not to make use of it. What use was the ring to him?
Frodo felt the weight of loneliness start to press down upon his shoulders. Gandalf wouldn't stay here forever, and now Bilbo was gone. He would be stuck in the smial by himself, with no one for company. Already he fancied he could feel the walls of the smial begin to close in around him... He shook himself irritably. This wouldn't do; one thing Bilbo had always instilled into him was common sense, and allowing these fanciful thoughts in would not have made his uncle proud.
Frodo sat down heavily in his chair.
'I'll miss him,' he said thickly. 'I never really got to say goodbye.'
He felt Gandalf's hand on his shoulder and a few comforting taps. Then silence. After sitting like that for a while Frodo went to bed; he would have a long day tomorrow.
The next day Frodo spent answering questions from neighbours and relatives alike, and all of them asked the same thing: where was Bilbo? Frodo could only reply that he had gone away, for good, most likely; and would probably not be coming back.
That satisfied most of them, as they could now openly say what most of them thought – old mad Baggins had finally cracked – and most of them received something from the very hobbit they had no qualms about insulting. For them, Bilbo's leaving was quite profitable, thank you very much; not only did they get three free meals the day before, but also a little trinket or two.
Frodo saw the mercenary attitude most of the hobbits were showing, and despaired. What was he going to do without Bilbo? His friend, mentor, guide… Bilbo had been his father for the past twelve years. Frodo left Merry, who'd come to help, to deal with all the people while he went to rest for a while.
Curled up in bed, listening to the bustle outside, Frodo let himself cry for the uncle and friend he was going to miss sorely.
A/N: More will be coming soon! I hope you liked this so far; please let me know what you think! :) I really appreciate reviews, and they really do help keep me writing!
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