Hello everyone and welcome to the first chapter of the rewrite to Aria Einar! If you are an old friend, welcome back, and if you are new, cheers to you for clicking that little blue highlighted title! I hope you all enjoy reading this first rewritten chapter as I enjoyed writing it! It felt really nice to get back into this story again, like meeting an old friend, and I hope that this anyone who has read the previous AE will enjoy this version as much as the old one! Now I know there is not much different from this chapter as the one from the previous story, if any of you remember, but there a few small changes here and there and I feel as if the quality of writing has at least improved somewhat. I haven't decided yet how huge of changes I want to make to the new version and I have kind of decided to make these decisions as I go along. Please, please, please, let me know what you all think! I would love to know what anyone who read the previous story likes/dislikes about the new version compared to the old and, as always, I love the constructive criticism and any of ideas you all may have for the story! Also (enter gleeful expression here) I have started a set of Jurassic Park stories as well if anyone is interested! I have almost completed the first story to it (Jurassic World Zach/OC) and it will probably end up being a short one, seeing as it mainly deals with the events of the movie, but I have also decided to write a prequel to the story as well. This one I have decided will be an Owen/OC romance/tragedy/adventure story that Eleanor will play huge part in, but will not be the main character! I love you all and thank you for taking the time to reads this note, really it's a doozey, and happy reading!
Laurel
P.S. And if anyone wished to know I sort of see Elwing as an adorable mix of the horse from Mulan and the horse from Tangle with the appetite of Ronald Weasley, yeah, she's that awesome…
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from this chapter except Aria, Elwing, and any part of the plot that may appear unrecognizable to you.
Chapter 1
I sat quietly with Gandalf in the cart as I bounced my knee with excitement, my white horse, Elwing, following slowly behind us.
"Come along Elwing!" I called out to the horse, glancing behind me as she neighed stubbornly. Her long, soft nose was buried in the bright green blades of grass. "That horse, I swear." I muttered to myself and Gandalf chuckled.
"Patience is virtue, my dear." Hey said with a smile and I huffed, crossing my arms impatiently. Elwing had her moments where she was the perfect horse, most times, though, she was stubborn and did what she wanted, but I loved her with my entire being. Suddenly Gandalf stopped the cart, the pony neighing in annoyance and I looked up, past my hood at him, confused.
"You're late." I heard a voice say in amusement and I smiled widely, I pulled down my hood, and moved to stand up in the cart.
"Frodo Baggins!" I cried out happily and Frodo turned his grin toward me. "It appears the blame should be placed upon me," I said with a cheeky smile and glanced behind us at Elwing once more. "Certain horses like to take their time!" I said the last part quite a bit louder, Elwing only snorted distractedly as she continued to chew on the grass. I swore that horse would grow fat someday, she never stopped eating.
"Well it is wonderful to see you, both of you!" Frodo said happily as I helped him into the cart, placing him to sit in between Gandalf and myself.
"You didn't think we'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?" Gandalf asked Frodo with a smile on his face. I had been with friends with Bilbo, Gandalf, and Frodo for quite some time. Many years ago I met Gandalf on one of my many adventures I spent traveling alone. After knowing him for some time, he thought it a wonderful idea to bring me to the shire to meet the hobbits and to this day I agreed with him wholeheartedly. I sighed as we had to slow down once again to wait for Elwing to catch up.
"Elwing, go in the forest to eat and waste your own time, you good for nothing silly horse." I said with a shake of my head and I saw Frodo grin at the horse. Elwing snorted indignantly before raising her head high and trotting off into the forest, probably to look for some apples. As soon as her flicking tail disappeared into the many trees Gandalf started moving the cart again and Frodo chuckled, amused by Elwing's antics.
"That horse seems like a person more and more every day." Frodo said and I nodded with huff, crossing my arms. We passed Field Lupin as Frodo started grinning once again. "What news of the outside world? Tell me everything!" He said and I looked down at him, smiling softly as I saw the adventurous look in his eyes.
"What, eager? Far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural…" Gandalf teased Frodo and I chuckled. I smiled widely as I saw the busy marketplace up ahead. "Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on much as if it has past age. Full of its own comings and goings, scarcely even aware of the existence of Hobbits, for which I am thankful for." Gandalf said with a thoughtful look, Frodo smiled at him before turning to me and frowning.
"Aria, you have a new scar." He said softly and I lightly touched my face.
"It is nothing, dear one, I'm sure I'll have plenty more to add to the collection soon enough." I said with a smile and softly patted his head. We continued through the marketplace. I smiled and waved at the Hobbits smiling at me. We passed a giant field where I saw everyone getting ready for the party.
"Ah, the long expected party. So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence." I smiled, thinking of Bilbo; I was very excited to see him, it had been quite some time.
"You know Bilbo; he's got the whole place in an uproar." Frodo said with a smirk and I smiled.
"Aye, good ol' Bilbo, always causing trouble." I said, both Frodo and Gandalf laughed.
"Well, that should please him." Gandalf said and I nodded quickly.
"Half the shire has been invited." Frodo grinned mischievously and I returned his grin.
"And the other half will come anyways." I smirked and Frodo nodded with a wide smile. I sighed in content, missing the cheerful nature of the Hobbits; it had always been a good break from the cruelness of the world.
"Good gracious me." Gandalf mumbled, listening to our conversation with a shake of his head, but there was a soft smile on his kind, aged face.
"He's up to something." Frodo said with a raised eyebrow, he tried to hide his concern but I could see the frown tugging at his lips and the worry glinting in his eyes. He looked at both of us and I bit my lip slightly. I shrugged towards Frodo, trying not glance at Gandalf, I knew Bilbo planned to depart from the Shire tonight to go on his very last adventure.
"Oh really?" Gandalf asked, feigning innocence as he continued to steer the cart; he puffed on his pipe and refused to look at Frodo.
"Alright then, keep your secrets, the both of you. Before you came along we Bagginses were very well thought of." Frodo said and I looked at him, my jaw dropping slightly.
"Well, by the, how could you even, I could understand him!" I exclaimed and pointed my long, light skinned finger at Gandalf accusingly. Gandalf glowered at me and I couldn't help the giggle that flew out of my mouth at his expression.
"Indeed?" Gandalf asked with one last glare towards me before turning towards Bilbo.
"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." I laughed, knowing Frodo spoke of Bilbo's adventures with the dwarves, chasing after dragons and running from elves.
"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." Gandalf stated, nose in the air and I snickered.
"That's not what I remember." I said with a sing song voice and Gandalf glared at me once more. I was only a child at the time and I could not remember very much, but my brother did tell me the story many times, it being one of my favorites as a child.
"Hold your tongue little girl!" He chided me and I couldn't hold in the laugh that came out. I threw my head back and I could see the smile twitching against Gandalf's lips, begging to come out.
"Well, whatever you did, you have been officially labeled as a disturber of the peace." Frodo said with a smirk and I grinned, I placed a mocking hand Gandalf's shoulder as if I was consoling him and he flicked it away with his own.
"Oh really?" Gandalf grumbled, agitation clear from my antics that I knew Frodo loved so much. Gandalf only put up with them because he knew this as well and I reveled in this, knowing these were the only times I could get away with such things. I heard children cry out behind us, seeing Gandalf and myself, calling out for fireworks. Their cries died out as the children pouted when they saw nothing shooting off into the sky with loud crackling. Suddenly fireworks popped out of the cart and I jumped with a laugh, placing my hand over my heart. I could hear the children cry out in joy once again and I gave Gandalf a warm smile. Suddenly Frodo stood and I turned my smile to him.
"Gandalf, Aria, I'm glad you're back." He said softly and my smile grew wider. I stood up and gave him one more quick hug before he was off again, leaping out of the cart and taking off towards only the heavens knew. We continued on our way to Bilbo's house and I glanced at Gandalf.
"He gets more adventurous every time I see him. Before we know it that boy will be going on an adventure of his own." I said and Gandalf only hummed out a reply. "I'm worried about Bilbo leaving him, clearly he hasn't told him yet. I fear he will not understand and will think Bilbo abandoned him."
"He may not understand at first, dear Aria, but with time and experience he will come to see. I don't think Frodo could ever believe that Bilbo would abandon him." Gandalf said and I sighed but nodded. Frodo was still so young and hadn't yet gotten the chance to experience the world, what it was like outside of the Shire.
To go to the Shire was like walking into a dream, or some kind of fantasy one would create in their minds during the day. It was place one would go to with their eyes shut as they laid in a grassy field with the vibrant blue sky up above, fluffy white clouds, the sun shining happily, a small breeze in the air. In those small, short moments of peace, wishing that the world was far better than it truly was. I remembered just then how Frodo told us that Gandalf had been labeled a disturber of the peace and I then realized just how innocent the Hobbits truly were. I closed my eyes and felt the wind softly tickle my face and blow through my hair, whispering in my ears. If only Gandalf was the worst of our problems everywhere else in this world, I thought to myself and the thought quickly brought a grin to my face.
"What on earth are smiling about now girl?" Gandalf asked in bewilderment and I chuckled before my smile slowly turned to a frown.
"I was thinking of what Frodo said, about you being a disturber of the peace here. For a moment, I wished that that was the worst of our problems in the rest of the world." Gandalf frowned a bit and furrowed his eyebrows, but then the grin quickly came back and I gave him a quick pat on the shoulder. "And then I pictured such a fantasy and could not help but find such amusement in it." Gandalf huffed but I saw the amused twinkle in his eyes and my grin only widened.
"Yes," he mused, "if only that was the worst of our problems." Moments later Gandalf slowed the cart and we were sitting in front of Bilbo's home. I quickly jumped out and fixed my cloak, adjusting my belt, which held my sword, back to its original position where it would sit low on my hips. I followed Gandalf up the small walkway to the large round door and mused to myself how amusing it was how large the doors were for the small little Hobbits. Gandalf rapped on the door quickly three times and my ears twitched slightly as I heard someone stumbling around inside.
"No thank you!" I heard Bilbo shout and I beamed as I took a small step closer to the door. Bilbo was a most amusing hobbit, his brashness and his peculiar kind of demeanor, almost always full of sarcasm, always had me filled with bouts of laughter, holding my side. "We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations!" He cried out through the other side of the door and I quickly rose my eyebrow, looking at Gandalf who chuckled with a small smile.
"How about some old friends?" Gandalf asked softly, knowing the little Hobbit would hear him. It was quiet for a moment as Bilbo tried to remember who the voice belonged to. I grinned as the door swung open and Bilbo's beaming face appeared.
"Gandalf!" He said loudly, arms wide open and surprise passed over his face as he saw me standing there as well. "And Aria!" I quickly grabbed Bilbo and picked him up in a tight hug as he laughed merrily.
"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf said with a laugh as I slowly put him back down.
"Oh Bilbo, how I have missed you so." I said fondly and he quickly began to usher us in.
"My dear Gandalf! And Aria, oh how you have grown!" Gandalf got down on one knee and gave the Hobbit a quick hug.
"It's good to see you! One hundred and eleven years old who would believe it! And yet, you haven't aged a day!" I still couldn't quite believe it myself. Even though Bilbo clearly showed he was getting older by the day, he didn't look near his actual age. But then again I didn't exactly look my age entirely either, most still believed me to be a child; my enemies thought me an easy target, that was until they felt the sting of my blade and saw the ferocity in my eyes.
"Come in, come in, welcome!" Bilbo said and we followed him into the peaceful little hole in the ground as he walked off into the kitchen. I smile came to face as I glanced around to see everything still remained the same. To the right was his warm and cozy living room, I remembered many nights I had spent in there, looking through all the books Bilbo had collected over the years. To the left was the kitchen where I heard Bilbo clanking pots and pans. In front of me were two portraits, one holding a lovely image of Bilbo's mother, the other his father. I silently thanked them for the wonderful Hobbit they had blessed the Shire, and the world, with. "Tea?" I heard Bilbo call from the kitchen and I turned to that direction. "Or maybe something stronger?" Gandalf went to open his mouth to answer, but grunted when he hit his head on the light in the foyer. Then, while trying to get away from the light, he ended up hitting his against the wood that represented the round entrance to the living room. I couldn't help it as I began giggling as softly as I could at the poor wizard's misfortune, I could only thank the Valar for never making me so tall. He glowered at me, which only made my giggle harder, and turned to the doorway of the kitchen with a huff.
"Would you like some cheese?" Bilbo tried again, none the wiser to what was happening in the foyer of his home.
"Just tea, thank you." Gandalf said as he glowered at me one last time before, carefully, walking into the kitchen. I could feel that my cheeks were warm from my suppressed giggles and I quickly followed him, only having to lower my head slightly to avoid hitting the top of the doorway.
"I would like some cheese, if it's not too much trouble of course." I said and Bilbo beamed once again at me.
"Of course not! Nothing is ever too much trouble for you dearie." He said, and I smiled with a soft blush rising to my cheeks. Suddenly there was a loud bang on his front door and I winced in surprise at the sound. I quickly stood and my hand gripped the hilt of my sword. Gandalf raised his hand towards me in a calming manner and I took in a deep breath as I remembered just exactly where I was. I considered that I may have been spending too much time in the woods with just Elwing at my side as of late.
"Bilbo Baggins, open this door, I know you're in there!" I heard a woman practically scream from the other side of the door and I winced as her shrill tone flowed harshly into my ears.
"I'm not at home!" Bilbo whispered frantically as he tried to hide and I began to chuckle at his antics.
"Would you like me to take care of it?" I asked with a cheeky smirk, my hand returning to my sword hilt in jest. Gandalf gave me a stern glare and my smirk turned into a grin as Bilbo suddenly stopped, as if he were actually contemplating my offer for a moment. He then quickly shook his head to himself before running around the kitchen once more to find a place to hide, avoiding the windows like they were a plague.
"I've got to get away from these confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace. I want to see mountains again…mountains, Gandalf…and then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book…oh, tea!" Bilbo cried out at the shrill noise now coming from the teapot sitting on the stove. He quickly poured us each a cup of tea and placed a plate of cheese with some slices of bread on the table we all sat at.
"So you mean to go through with your plan then?" Gandalf asked we all began sipping at our tea, myself eating the cheese quietly from the plate. Bilbo sighed before taking another sip of his tea, I couldn't help but feel a small amount of pity for the small Hobbit. I could see the newly added lines to his aging face, from the stress of these supposed relatives, and the sparkle in his eyes, that sparkle that called, begged even, for adventure. I silently thanked the Valar for my freedom and my skill to be able to go off on my own adventures when it pleased me.
"Yes, yes, it's all in hand, all the arrangements are made." Bilbo muttered with a wave of his hand before placing it on the mug again. I could tell something was bothering him, something that was not his relatives, and I could only guess it was his worry for leaving Frodo, though he refused to admit it.
"Frodo suspects something." Gandalf noted quietly and I could hear the slight reprimand in the tone of his voice, but I wasn't sure if Bilbo heard it as well. I knew that Gandalf did not approve of Bilbo's not telling Frodo of his leaving, and I couldn't help but agree. I feared the poor boy wouldn't understand Bilbo's choices and reasons, I felt that Bilbo was the only one who could properly explain it all to him, to reassure Frodo that he was not abandoning him and that he still cared very deeply for the young Hobbit.
"Yes, he mentioned it to the both of us. He has always been very observant that one." I said and looked to Bilbo who sighed loudly once more, rubbing his forehead.
"Course he does, he's a Baggins, not some blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle!" Bilbo exclaimed, once again sighing loudly. I knew with certainty now that this was what kept him from leaving any sooner. While Bilbo was quite good and ready to get away from the Shire again, I could tell he was just as much not ready to leave young Frodo behind.
"You will tell him, won't you?" Gandalf asked slowly and Bilbo quickly nodded, I could see the annoyance growing on his face. He wanted to ignore his guilt, but we weren't allowing him to just push it to the back of his mind.
"Yes, yes!" Bilbo grunted, distracted with his thoughts. I began to have a sneaking suspicion that his way of telling him will be to disappear in the middle of the night. I placed my hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. I only knew too well the feeling of leaving the one's you care about behind when they only want you to stay, to keep you away from harm. But Bilbo was much like me, he needed the exploration, the adventures, despite the dangers. Neither of us could survive locked up in our home, watching our lives slowly, tauntingly, pass by us.
"He's very fond of you." Gandalf tried again and I could see the slight pleading in his eyes. Frodo deserved to know, to hear it from Bilbo himself, I knew this. But this was only Bilbo's decision to make and both of us had to respect that, no matter how either of us felt about the topic. Bilbo sighed and placed a hand on top of mine on his shoulder, giving it a small squeeze.
"I know, he'd probably come with me, if I asked him. I think, in his heart, Frodo still loves the Shire, the woods and the fields, the little rivers." Bilbo now had a reminiscent smile on his face. He turned his face to the window and concentrated very hard on the outside world. It looked like he was savoring every detail and doing the best he could to store them away in his mind for another time, like he would never see the Shire again. He knew as well as us the cruel world that lay outside the little peaceful bubble called the Shire. He knew as well as us there were very few places left in the world surrounded with peace like the Shire. Only a fool would not try his best to memorize every detail to remember on a rainy day. "I am old, Gandalf. I know I don't look it, but I feel it in my heart." I frowned at Bilbo as he looked at us sadly and I bit my lip, willing myself to look away and hide my tears. I did not want to be reminded of Bilbo's age any longer. I could not imagine a life without Bilbo in it, a life without his home for me to run to when I could no longer handle the bloodshed and the violence that came with roaming so far from home. "I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread."
My eyes shot down as Bilbo suddenly stuffed his hand in his pocket and gripped something hidden inside of it. I glanced around the room as the feel of it suddenly grew tense and dark. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, not understanding where the feeling was coming from, and saw Gandalf glance at me. From the look in his eyes I knew he felt it too, but I also saw something else. He knew more about this feeling than I did and I did not know why.
Bilbo shot out of his seat and I jumped as the tense feeling of the room left as quickly as it came. "I need a holiday, a very long one at that. I don't think I will be returning to the Shire, in fact, I mean not to." His face grew more serious and I looked to Gandalf, who still had said nothing. "Well, come now! Many things to do!" Bilbo said, suddenly all cheer and merriness again. He quickly walked out the door of his home, his tea and the cheese forgotten, Gandalf stood as well but I caught his arm from my seated position. He turned to me with raised eyebrows and I smiled weakly.
"Gandalf," I said softly and he only hummed in response. "I do not think I feel as well as I did before, I think its best that I lay down for a bit of time. I would like to go to the party but I do not know if I will make it now. I feel that it has pleased me enough to see Bilbo one last time before he takes off into the night on his travels." I said and he sighed, but nodded, giving me a half concerned look.
"Yes, I noticed your uneasiness a few moments ago." He said and I bit my lip.
"I know you felt that too Gandalf, by the Valar, what was that horrible feeling?" I asked and Gandalf merely put his hand upon mine, gave it a comforting squeeze before he gently pulled it off of him.
"Do not worry for such things dear, all will be explained in due time." He said and I furrowed my eyebrows but slowly nodded.
"I will stay," I said softly and Gandalf gave me a confused look. "I will stay with Frodo if he needs me, after Bilbo leaves. I think all my travels I have spent alone have been affecting me more than I originally thought and perhaps some time in a place of peace will ease my jumpiness once more." Gandalf gave me a soft smile and nod.
"You're family, both of them, would be proud of you my dear for your decision. They always have been." That was all he said before turning and departing out the front door like Bilbo had. I sighed before standing from the tiny chair and stretching my hands above head. I immediately thought of home and I acutely felt the spike of pain in my chest from missing them dearly. I smiled softly to myself as I thought of my brother's unnecessary concern for me and my father's constant stoic, but comforting expression on his face, the small smile that would light up his eyes that was reserved only for me. I slowly but surely made my way to the bedroom that Bilbo always kept set up for me, it had bigger furniture so I could rest more comfortably in it. I did not realize until at that moment just how tired I actually was from traveling and from my mysterious, and rather confusing, conversation with Bilbo and Gandalf. I fell onto the bed and closed my eyes as I sighed, I could only hope that soon everything would make sense and that I would never feel that awful feeling ever again.
I shot up with a gasp as I heard the front door to Bilbo's home shut quite loudly. I jumped out of the bed and immediately drew the Sai out of my right boot, the other one in the left if I should need it. I took in a quick breath, holding the dagger out in front of me, as my senses tried to make sense of my dark surroundings. I glanced to my left to see my bow and arrows were still where I left them and my ears suddenly twitched as they finally registered the light humming coming from outside the room. I released a sigh, remembering I was in Bag End and not in some random area of woods, and carefully put the Sai back into my boot. I quietly walked to the door and opened it a bit, slipping through the small opening. My eyes squinted as they had to try to adjust to sudden change of light. I groaned slightly and made my way to the foyer.
"I suppose you think that was terribly clever?" I heard Gandalf's chastising tone, one that I personally knew all too well. I slowly walked into the foyer, rubbing the sleep from my eyes with a small yawn.
"Oh come now Gandalf! Did you see their faces?!" Bilbo was absolutely beaming and I could only feel confusion at the two completely opposing expressions on the faces of my friends.
"Bilbo, Gandalf?" I asked with confusion tinging my voice. Both their heads shot towards me, Bilbo clearly had forgotten that I was still here, in his home, as shock flitted across his face.
"Aria," Bilbo said slowly as Gandalf threw his hands up in exasperation, agitated that the subject had been changed.
"There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly!" Gandalf scolded with a very serious look on his face, my eyebrows immediately shot up. Gandalf very rarely used this serious of an expression on his face, much less when it came to the hobbits. But when the words 'magic rings' finally registered in my mind I knew why and I could only furrow my eyebrows, even more confused as I looked at Bilbo. What, by the Valar, is going on here? I asked to myself as Bilbo equally returned Gandalf's exasperated expression.
"It was just a bit of fun!" Bilbo cried out, throwing his hands out in front of him before groaning loudly. "Oh you're probably right, as usual." He mumbled and I smiled softly at him, understanding his frustration with the old wizard, no one could easily avoid the feeling.
"You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?" Gandalf asked finally with a sigh and Bilbo nodded quickly.
"Bilbo," I said and he turned to me, smiling. "I will tell you the same as I told Gandalf. I will stay with Frodo for a time after you have gone, if he feels my presence is needed that is." His smile grew as he stepped toward me and squeezed my hand tightly.
"Thank you Aria," he said sincerely and I hugged him tightly.
"And that ring of yours, is that staying too?" Gandalf asked and Bilbo rolled his eyes, turning back to the wizard.
"Yes, yes it's in an envelope, over there, on the mantelpiece." I looked to the mantelpiece and felt confusion well up inside of me again as I saw there was no envelope there. I raised an eyebrow at Bilbo as a guilty look passed over his face and he patted his pocket. "No, wait, it's here, in my pocket." Bilbo said slowly, and quietly, as he pulled the ring out of his pocket and held it in front of his face. My eyes widened as it felt like I was suddenly slammed with a dark and dangerous feeling. I gasped as I studied the ring and felt my heart skip a beat, no, that cannot be possible…
"Isn't that-isn't that odd now?" Bilbo stuttered out nervously and I gulped, trying to push the feeling away as I looked past the ring to Bilbo. "Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?" Bilbo's face darkened and I frowned at him.
"Bilbo," I said quietly and reached a hand towards him. He quickly closed the ring in a fist and took a step away from me. He curled in on himself and I thought I heard a growl slip from his mouth, but the noise was too soft to be sure. I held back another gasp as I looked at Gandalf with pain in my eyes. Gandalf looked nonplussed at his behavior towards me and turned to him.
"I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?" Gandalf asked and Bilbo glared at him.
"Well, no, and yes. Now that it comes to it, I don't quite feel like parting with it." He glanced suspiciously between the two of us, like we planned to suddenly pounce on him and take the ring from him, which I had half a mind to do at this point.
"It's mine, I found it. It came to me!" He suddenly shouted and my face quickly hardened. I gripped my sword in my hand as I studied the Hobbit, I did not who this was, but it certainly was not Bilbo. The air in the room began to grow more and more intense as Bilbo's glare only grew as he continued to eye us.
"There's no need to get angry." Gandalf tried softly, glancing at me, raising a hand towards both Bilbo and myself.
"Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault!" Bilbo shouted, his face now enraged, and I gasped. I took another step forward, my stern eyes focused solely on Bilbo.
"Bilbo!" I chastised the Hobbit's behavior towards Gandalf, such behavior would not be tolerated on my account, friend or not. But it looked as if Bilbo did not even hear me as he now opened his little hand and studied the ring that lay upon it. A small, sick smile appeared on his face and his eyes were stained with craze as he looked back up at us.
"It's mine. My own, my precious." His whispered and my mouth opened slightly in shock. I knew of only one creature who called only one ring such a name from the tales Gandalf told me. I shut my eyes and looked away from Bilbo's face, unable to look at his crazed expression any longer, the warmth and merriment that was usually there was completely melted away by now.
"Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you?" Gandalf questioned and I quickly opened my eyes again as Gollum's form quickly flashed before them. My face paled as I looked at the ring in Bilbo's hand again. Such a small thing, but so horrendous, causing the death of so many lives, including the lives of my own, mostly extinct, kin. This was the One Ring, the Ring of Sauron.
"So?" Bilbo asked suddenly, harshly, his voice a low hiss as he took another small step away from us, like he was planning to run out the front door at a moment's notice. I quickly took another step forward, ready to chase after him and knock some sense into him if that was the case, but Gandalf held his hand up again toward me. "What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?"
"I think this may be our business Bilbo." I tried to say softly, but there was still a harshness to my tone I could not hide. He glared accusingly at me before turning his eyes back to Gandalf.
"I think you've had that ring quite long enough." Gandalf reprimanded, like he was talking to a small child. I clenched my jaw as fury only grew on Bilbo's face as he suddenly jumped towards Gandalf, his finger pointed at him accusingly.
"You want it for yourself!" Bilbo shouted and I glared at him as I took a few more steps towards him, ready to grab him, to keep him from jumping on Gandalf, if that were to happen. Then the room grew darker, the lights and candles going out, and I gasped as Gandalf grew much taller in size.
"Bilbo Baggins!" His voice boomed and I took a startled step back, not prepared for the sudden change in Gandalf's demeanor. "Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks!" I took another step away from the now almost frightening wizard, my sense overwhelmed with all the changes happening to my friends that I knew for so long. This was all becoming so wrong and I did not quite know what to do with myself any longer.
Suddenly I yelped as the back of my foot caught some unseen object and I fell to the ground. I groaned as my head slammed against the ground harshly and slowly rolled onto my back before sitting up. I placed a hand to my head. Abruptly everything turned back to warm and cozy in the home, both of my friend's expression changing to concern rather than the anger and accusation they were before.
"Aria!" Bilbo cried out in a shaky voice and ran over to me, falling to his knees. I could see the fear in his eyes, caught off guard from Gandalf and then my falling. I smiled softly and placed my hand on his wrinkled face, glad to see my old friend in his eyes once again.
"I am okay Bilbo, just startled." I said softly as Gandalf slowly kneeled next to us. He looked to Bilbo with a pleading look in his eyes.
"I am not trying to rob you my dear friend, I am trying to help you." He said softly and Bilbo gulped, nodding slowly. Tears came to my eyes as I hugged Bilbo tightly, fearing for my friend's wellbeing. Bilbo lightly hugged me back and I pulled away, getting up on my own and then helping Bilbo and Gandalf up. "Bilbo, you must give up the ring, I fear your heart cannot take much more."
"You're right Gandalf, the ring must go to Frodo." Bilbo whispered, he then picked up his small sack and walking stick. "It's late, the road is long, yes, it is time." Bilbo said softly, almost like he was in a trance and began for the door.
"Bilbo," Gandalf called out and Bilbo froze, turning towards him once more.
"Hmm?" He asked softly and I bit my lip, praying to Valar that I would see my friend at least once more time before his time came to an end.
"The ring is still in your hand." Gandalf said softly and I looked to his hand to see it was still clenched in a tight fist.
"Oh, yes," he said quietly, he studied the ring for a moment, as if saying his final goodbye to it before dropping it to the floor in front of the door. It clattered loudly and I gulped, glancing at Gandalf before looking back to Bilbo. He gave us one last smile before walking into the crisp night air, humming happily, finally sounding free.
Preview for next chapter: 'We all sat at the kitchen table quietly as we stared at the ring. No one said anything, no one moved; it even seemed liked no one breathed.