Chance Meetings
Chapter One
"The day is getting late," Bilbo sighed, glancing at the slowly setting sun. "I should be heading back." He eyed the tall, lanky ranger seated beside him on the grass. "I don't suppose you'd like to make a small appearance, Estel?" Aragorn smiled down at the hobbit. "I wish I could, Bilbo. But my job is to protect the borders of this land. My presence would do no more than frighten many, and ruin a perfectly good birthday party. Although, I wouldn't mind a piece of that enormous cake…" Bilbo chuckled, and stretched lazily. "Anything for you, dear friend." He groaned good-naturedly. "Ah, these old bones of mine. Eleventy-one years spent wondering this earth, and what have I to show for it? Besides this of course." Bilbo reached in his pocket, and flipped a small gold ring up in the air. Aragorn's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. One hundred and eleven years indeed… who would believe it? "You still intend to go through with your plans?" Bilbo nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on the piece of jewelry in his hand. The ranger leaned forward, and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Bilbo?" The hobbit blinked and turned towards him.
"Aragorn, I must ask you for a small favour…" Aragorn sat up straighter. "I don't know if you have seen him, or if Gandalf has ever mentioned him before, but I have this nephew…" Aragorn nodded. "Frodo. Yes, Gandalf has spoken of him. Fondly, as I recall." Bilbo smiled, his eyes taking a faraway look. "Yes. He's a good lad. Mother and father died when he was no more than twelve years old." Aragorn felt suddenly overwhelmed with sympathy. He thought of his own mother, who also died when he was very young. Bilbo paused briefly, sensing the feelings of his companion. "Well, I adopted him. Now that I'm leaving, I'm a little afraid for him. He's already suffered so much…" Aragorn interrupted lightly. "I won't let anything happen to him. I swear it." Bilbo smiled warmly. "Thank you, Estel. You're a good friend… a better one than I deserve."
Aragorn stood, pulling Bilbo to his feet as well. They began to walk together, Bilbo almost trotting to keep up with the ranger's long strides. At the wood's border, they both halted. "I hope this will not be our last conversation." Bilbo surveyed the scene below them with amusement. Long banners were erected proclaiming the anniversary of the hobbit's birth. Tables were set up under the large party tree, and food 'fit for a king' was laid out; before hungry, admiring eyes. Aragorn breathed in the air, closing his grey eyes for a brief moment. "I know this will not be our last meeting. But farewell for now, old friend."
Bilbo slowly sauntered down the hillside, the gaiety of the evening ahead evident in the warm summer air. Without a second glance, Aragorn quietly slipped back into the trees, leaving no trace that he had ever been there.