Book 1: Kutir, Hobbits, and Kings
Chapter 1
The sun beat down on the Shire, boiling ponds and chasing the little people inside. At least, until the moon provided the much needed relief from the scorching heat. Sam Gamgee looked out of the window, watching the heat radiate from the ground and make the air shimmer. The hobbit sighed, the wavering atmosphere reminding him of the fires of Mount Doom. His memory ran from him, and he had to chase it down into the thoughts he didn't like to recall. They dealt with Frodo Baggins, the best friend Sam had ever had. Frodo, suspicious of Sam after Gollum had planted the seeds of mistrust in his mind. Frodo, crying out after Gollum had bitten his finger off. Frodo, reminiscing of the Shire. Then Frodo, boarding the last ship to the Undying Lands with Gandalf, the wizard. This last memory was particularly painful because his friend had left Middle-Earth forever. The little man was lost in thought, and so he missed the shadow that passed over the sun, chilling the town beneath it. The wise ones of the town felt this was a sign of foreboding. The Ra'zac looked down on Hobbiton, thinking that it was just ripe for the picking.
