Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue.

On the Balcony

I stood on the balcony with Gandalf at my side. I was looking out at the darkness, in these days it was difficult to look anywhere else. The sun was setting as soon as it had risen and the grey never seemed to lift. I could see the fire flickering on the horizon I didn't want to know what was burning, it could have been the volcano but it could have been so many other things.

We had quenched the flames of Isengard but Middle Earth was still burning. I knew that this war and the fires it brought with it would spread across all of Middle Earth. The northmen, the people of Eriador, those from the lands south of Gondor and those to the East of Mordor would all be dragged into the fight and their lands would be taken by the fire.

What is the point in fight, even in fighting for your life, when you have no home to go back to? I am here because I do not believe my home has fallen to the fire and the darkness. I fight so that my friends and family will not have to. If anything I can do will stop it then the Shire will not burn. Gandalf seemed to know what I was thinking but he didn't say anything. I'm not the hobbit I once was; I've seen too much all ready. I know I will soon see far more, and more before this battle is done. I don't want to see such things and I fear them too.

I have no choice now, the darkness is all ready in motion and we are right in its path. The war will begin. It's now just a matter of waiting. I hate waiting generally but waiting for something you don't want to come but know you can't stop is far far worse.