Walking away from Gandalf together Frodo cannot help but think how glad Serilda must be to see Gandalf. After all he is her only relative. It is hard to imagine them being related but it is so. You can see it in the eyes. He can still vividly remember the day she entered their lives, even then, as a mere infant, there was that knowing mischievous twinkle in her eye that is so often found in Gandalf's own.

He entrusted her care and upbringing to his dear friend uncle Bilbo. From then on, having already been a grown boy myself, we forged a bond of friendship yet stronger. Something akin to siblings. Looking up at Serilda, a young woman of seventeen, so much time has gone by. Frodo is aware that Serilda loves the shire and the hobbits that reside there but he can sense loneliness in her. This is not the place for her, she is meant for great things within the world of man. Time will tell.

"Seri, I suppose being as it is Bilbo's birthday that you will at least attempt to dress like a lady" Frodo breaks the comfortable silence that hung between them as they strolled through the streets occasionally greeting someone. To anyone else it would seem like a rude comment but Seri and Frodo often joked about her peculiar sense of dress.

"Well my dear Frodo, I suppose I shall although it will take quite an effort seeing as I'm not really a lady"

She squares her shoulder and rubs her chin as if it was coated by scruff then winking at him playfully.

They laugh easily as they always do with each other. It is not that she did not like wearing dresses. In all honesty Serilda enjoyed dresses as much as she enjoyed wearing men's clothing or hunting clothing. She just did not enjoy frills or what would be seen as common even in the quaint town where she has lived all of her years under the instruction of her grandfather.

Often Serilda wondered what it would be like to travel and meet others like her, would she be viewed as strange like she always has. Would she be able to hunt and fight? Serilda is very aware that such things are not acceptable of a lady no matter where you go or what type of creature you are but still she hoped and dreamt of it. More than anything Serilda wanted to make a difference, to help people and make her life worth something.

After all Bilbo always said 'it is better to die for something you believe in than to live your life in vain' for now whatever is to become of her life can wait. She has Frodo, Gandalf, Bilbo and their friends Sam, merry and pippin. That is more than she could have asked for.

"Well whatever it is I am sure you will look lovely as always"

"Thank you Frodo"

Frodo takes a sideways glance at Seri "what do you think Bilbo is planning?"

After a moment's hesitation Serilda replies "I think we both know it is no secret that Bilbo yearns to travel again, perhaps it's as simple as that. I know it's a sad thought but we'll always have each other"

He seems to contemplate this for a second "either way, I do wish he would tell me, tell us, I'm aware that it's a possibility but I'd hate for him to leave without having a chance to say goodbye"

Not able to bare the look of sadness upon his boyish face she reaches over and hugs him briefly.

"Whatever it is he is planning there is no need to dwell on it now, after all we have a celebration to get ready for."

Giving him het most heartfelt smile, combining it with her words seems to bring Frodo out of his melancholy mood and once again giddy they set off to aid in the preparations before heading off to get appropriately dresses.

Always the unconventional one, Serilda decides to wear a dress that is black and corseted until under the bust, the top portion a cream color with cap sleeves. Adding black fingerless gloves and brown leather jacket that cinches at the waist with a leather strip and conforms to her body perfectly, lastly leaving her hair down naturally straight. All done and buzzing with anticipation she leaves unnoticed to the nights festivities.