October 2nd 2013

Disclaimer: I do not even own a copy of The Hobbit. The own I had came from the library.

Gandalf's promise

He said. "It is no use arguing. I have, as I told you, some pressing business away south; and I am already late through bothering with you people."

-excerpt from The Hobbit, Chapter Seven: Queer Lodgings, page 159

As much as he had tried to divert their attention from his departure, the next day was still rather glum. The dwarves and Bilbo did not seem very keen on letting him leave, although it was clear that nothing would sway him from his decision. The old wizard mounted his horse and started trotting away.

"Good-bye! Be good, take care of yourselves- and DON'T LEAVE THE PATH!" he called back to them.

He knew of the Wood-Elves in Mirkwood and hoped none of the fourteen companions would get caught by their allure. If they strayed from the path, it would be quite a while before they could reach Smaug. He took one last look behind him before heading south, to the place The Necromancer was said to reside.

Many days later, he was finally nearing the south end of the forest. He stopped a few hundred furlongs from Dol Guldur and waited for them to appear. It was an agreement, a promise, he had made several month ago when he came by this area.

Flashback

He was in a hurry to get to Dol Guldur. He needed to investigate the area for any signs of Sauron. Suddenly, two voices rang out.

"Gandalf the Grey..." they whispered, echoing a little. "As you seem to be passing this place, we have a favour to ask you..."

The wizard halted his horse in alarm and noticed the two ghostly men who were riding alongside himself. On closer inspection, he realized they were Finrod, the Elven-King, and his friend Barahir.

"Good evening! What kind of favour are you asking from me?" he inquired curiously.

"We want to make sure our ring is in the right hands, that my kin has indeed passed it down the generations that followed my own..."

"Although the oath does not exist anymore, we wish the ring would continue being a sign of trust between my kin and Barahir's."

Gandalf understood the two would pass on in peace if he helped them, but The Necromancer was a more urgent matter. He sighed and promised to help them after he was done with the investigation. Finrod and Barahir reluctantly accepted that promise and rode away.

End of flashback

There he was, back at the same place, on his way once again to Dol Guldur. He had looked into the matter of Finrod's ring and discovered it was still in the hands of one of Barahir's kin. Thus he waited for the apparitions to come back and they did. Gandalf told them about his findings and the pair seemed satisfied with it (although Finrod did not like the hostilities still somewhat present between the two races). They smiled at him before they disappeared. Rest in peace, my friends, Gandalf thought, gazing up at the sky.

"Gandalf! Are you alright? Will you be coming with us now?" Bilbo asked.

Gandalf nodded. "Yes, the pressing business has been taken care off and I shall follow you, Thorin, and Company to the cave of Smaug the Dragon. No need to worry, Mr. Baggins. This will be a great adventure!"


Fin

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