The Shire had always been peaceful, beautiful, and almost carefree. Earein could feel the tranquility filling her up as her horse trotted just behind her father's cart of fireworks. Though every Hobbit town looked similar, the smell of fresh air and green grass made her smile. The scenery of rolling hills and happy creatures made up for the fact that each Hobbit home was a hole in a hill. Her bitterness toward her father's insistence faded as she thought of reaching Bag End and seeing dear Bilbo Baggins and his adopted heir, Frodo. The last time she had seen them, or the Shire, was many years ago. Almost eight years to be exact. Back when she was only twenty-two. Now, at thirty, she accepted the request to join her father for Bilbo's one hundred and eleventh birthday. The only thing she missed at the moment was being with her dear best friend, whom she had been pulled away from for this trip. Five years seemed like such a short time to have been with him again, after the time it took to find him. But she would go back soon enough. She hoped.

As the cart bumped along the dirt path, she glanced to her right. A familiar Hobbit had come into view, standing on the ridge just beside the road. She smiled as he crossed his arms with as serious a look as he could make at her father.

"You're late."

Her father looked up and glowered at the young Hobbit.

"A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."

Earein's face broke into a smile just as Frodo and her father's did the same. The young Hobbit launched onto the cart to hug her father. She leaned over to hug him as well.

"It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf! Earein!"

"You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?"

"I'm more surprised to see that both of you are here."

Earein patted the neck of her horse, Meia, and grinned to herself.

"I am intrigued by Hobbits just as much as my father, Frodo. And you all deserved a visit. I am quite excited to see what a Hobbit birthday party is like."

Frodo laughed and shook his head as he seated himself beside Gandalf. They continued down the road at a slightly slower pace.

"Well, you won't find a normal one, if that is what you are waiting for."

Earein remembered Bilbo rather well. The Hobbit loved adventures, people, and having fun. When she had visited him he would not stop telling her stories upon stories about his adventures and his times with her father. Of course she had loved it. She was always eager to learn more about others and especially enjoyed piecing together her father's past before she had come along. Her mother, a human woman by the name of Delinia, had died when Earein was four from sickness. After all the years that Gandalf had lived for, she could not believe that he had once found time out of his busy life to be with her mother and have her. Earein had been raised in the Elven city of Rivendell, a wish of her father's so that Elrond could look after her once her mother had passed away. Shaking her head, she came back to the thought of the party. Yes, it would be like Bilbo to throw such a large and extravagant celebration. After all, it was Frodo's birthday as well, but he was not turning one hundred and eleven.

"What new of the outside world?" Frodo pressed Gandalf, shifting topics," Tell me everything!"

Frodo was rather inquisitive himself. This was one reason that Earein had gotten along with him so well. He was three years older than her, something that had always amused her, so the two of them would spend time exploring the Shire. They never went too far, for Frodo loved the Shire far too much to leave its borders yet. He believed someday though, he'd be ready to go out on an adventure of his own. Gandalf smiled down at the Hobbit.

"What, everything? Far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural…"

Frodo smiled at the teasing. Gandalf went ahead and indulged him a bit.

"Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on much as if it has past ages. Full of its own comings and goings, scarcely even aware of the existence of Hobbits...for which I am very thankful."

As they went on, they passed an open field full of Hobbits setting up a good number of tents and tables and chairs. The three surveyed the goings-on with interested.

"Ah, the long expected party. So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a Party of Special Magnificence."

Frodo sighed.

"You know Bilbo…he's got the whole place in an uproar."

"Oh, well…that should please him."

"Half the Shire is invited."

"Good gracious, me!"

Earein chuckled," Only half?"

Frodo glanced up at Gandalf. His expression was almost suspicious.

"He's up to something."

"Oh, really?"

Earein glanced at her father to catch his lips twitch slightly before he looked away from either Frodo or his daughter. He knew something. Of course he would. Frodo shook his head.

"Alright then, keep your secrets. Before you came along we Bagginses were very well thought of."

"Indeed."

"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected."

"If you're referring to the incident with the Dragon...I was barely involved...all I did was give your Uncle a little nudge out the door."

Both Frodo and Earein knew there was much more to it than that. Bilbo had told them both about his journey, including how Gandalf had gotten Bilbo out the door. It was more than just "a little nudge".

"Whatever you did…you've been officially labeled a Disturber of the Peace."

"Oh, really?

Earein could not help but let out a loud laugh at that.

"Oh, that suits him well. There is never peace and quiet when Gandalf the Grey is around."

Her father pursed his lips but looked over at her affectionately. She was a replica of her mother. Her soft brown hair fell just below her shoulder blades. There was not a single curl to be found in her hair and her green eyes were vibrant and alert. They were as close to the color of grass surrounding them as they could be. From her father she had received a good bit of her personality, her magic, and a decently demanding presence. They continued on in silence for a bit until shouts of children could be heard behind them. Checking over her shoulder, Earein smiled as a group of about six children trailed after the cart. Her father was known well for his beautiful fireworks and there was no doubt that the children were hoping for a small show. Looking over, she saw him with a poker face, ignoring the children. When the children stopped, their hopes having died down, the back of the cart erupted and curls of gold and flashes of color appeared. The children cheered as Earein and Frodo shared a look before looking at Gandalf. He laughed gleefully, pleased with himself. Shaking his head, Frodo stood up.

"I'm glad you both are back."

"We are, too, Frodo," Earein responded, smiling at her father," We are, too."

With a wave he ran off somewhere that neither knew of as they came around a corner and reached Bilbo's home. A sign was on the gate saying "NO ADMITTANCE EXCEPT ON PARTY BUSINESS". Gandalf got off the cart and looked at his daughter who waited on her horse.

"Feel free to wander. I'm going to catch up with Bilbo. You will get to see him at the party tonight."

Meia snorted as Earein looked hard at her father.

"Why did you ask me to come with you?"

His eyes hardened at a thought that passed through his mind, but he just shook his head. He was not going to explain yet. With a growl of irritation, Earein turned the horse back toward the direction that Frodo had run off in.

"Fine, then. I'll catch up with Frodo and his friends, then."

She sped off on Meia, leaving her father feeling somewhat guilty for keeping his fears to himself. He grumbled before making his way to the Hobbit hole.

"I hope my fears are just the paranoia of an old man."

Author's Note: Pronunciation: Earein is A-Uh-Rain. Meia is May-Uh. For the story to be easier for people to visualize (or have not read the books) I am basing this story mostly off the movie and making the ages smaller (because Aragorn was 88 at the time of the Fellowship and Frodo was 53, so I cut it down significantly and made Frodo older than the character). Please read this story! I have so many ideas for it. Very involved history for the character and so many plans. Thank you!