"Do you remember last time we set off?" asked Pippin," Like when I wasn't watching where I was going and walked straight into a tree branch, flipped over, knocked over Merry and landed in a thorn bush. We laughed so hard after that."

"I do remember that. That was when we were completely carefree. I wish sometimes that all of this had never happened to me, but then I remembered how much good it has done for me and the rest of Middle-Earth," Frodo reminisced. They had made good time over the course of several weeks and had had no trouble and were almost to Rivendel. "Do you suppose Legolas will be there?" he asked. He loved the elf almost like a brother and was sorry he could not visit more often.

After a while they decided to camp for the night. The four hobbits set up camp and left Sam to cook their dinner of three conies and vegetables that they had picked up along the way. Merry and Frodo went to gather pine needles and dry leaves to make beds and Pippin was left to watch the camp with Sam. The feeling of being watched was one Merry just could not shake. He was on guard the entire time he was setting up camp. He gave his portion of food to Pippin and made his way to his pallet, maybe sleep would erase the feeling. Eventually everyone went to bed and the fire flickered out but Merry still tossed fitfully. Then a feeling of peace enveloped him and he sank into a deep and unnatural sleep.

A mellow calming voice that had a quality that told him it was female. "Do not fear, Master Hobbit. You are doing the right thing. Do not let anyone get separated from your party. Do not give up or turn back. Frodo needs you all. But above all follow your heart wherever it leads you and be prepared for the departing of a friend.

And then the ghostly voice was gone.


Hushed voices filled the air as a soft hand touched a pale hobbit's face. "He is perfectly healthy, as far as I can tell," a voice that was strangely familiar said," He is just sleeping. I will try and wake him again." Merry tried to respond but again the voices faded and he plunged into darkness.

Slowly his heavy eye lids parted and a wonderful sight lay before him. He was in Rivendell on a soft feathery bed but that is not the first thing that he noticed. "Gandalf! You're here! How did you get- No where did you- No why am I here? More importantly how did I get here?"

Chuckling softly he answered," One question at a time, Master Hobbit, but I will answer at least one of that barrage of questions. I have been staying here for a while waiting for you, Frodo, Sam and Pippin to come and you are here because, well I thought you were unconscious but then Lord Elrond discovered that you were sleeping…." his voice trailed off lost in thought. Suddenly he got up," I will not trouble you anymore. All I want is for you to stay in bed for just a while longer and then you can explore to your troublesome hearts content. Just one word of advice do not, I repeat do not tell anyone about your true purpose for traveling south just say that you wish to visit King Elessar, which is true enough." Although puzzled, the hobbit silently agreed and watched tiredly as the wizard practically floated out of the room.

"So Galadriel's powers are diminishing," the White Wizard mused to Elrond. "Yes it is quite disturbing that she was not able to break the connection with him. But, perhaps she has a reason for all of this. Do not meddle in her affairs. I do think that the hobbits will need some help getting to Mordor again though," the Lord of Rivendell said," I will send Legolas with them. He is here and I think he is getting a bored."

"Me bored?" Legolas retorted, a wry smile on his face, "So what are the odds this time? Impending doom trying to take over the entire Middle Earth? Orc forces rallying together and forming an army capable of attacking Gondor?"

"No, No. It is easier this time. Frodo wants to go to Mordor. We think that…. Well that is all I can tell you for now. If you learned the entire story Frodo might accidentally learn the true purpose for him going back and it might damage him even more." Gandalf leaned heavily on his staff, feeling old and tired." As a friend I ask that you go to protect him and lend an ear. As a wizard I ask you to go again to protect the Shire and the hobbit that has sacrificed so much."


Frodo stood cautiously outside Merry's door. Knock knock knock knock knock (pause) knock knock. "Frodo come in! So glad to see you once again!" Merry exclaimed. He was laying in his bed amongst the twisted bedding and seemed to be trying, unsuccessfully to get out. Frodo inwardly chuckled. No matter where Merry went he always managed to do several things, one of which was getting into something he needed help getting out of. This was the perfect analogy. "Here, let me help you," Frodo helped the other hobbit out of his bed sheets and over to the balcony. He was amazed by the sight that lay before his eyes. Red, orange, gold and brown leaves drifted lazily down to the ground on the crisp autumn breeze. Elves going about daily business walked around the grounds chatting and laughing filled the air. Gasping he looked over to his right and there below them ran a beautiful stream, cool, clear and crisp. Its gurgling laughter could be heard even from the balcony. The crystal clear stream wound its way through the estate and dropped off into a breath taking waterfall, where a rainbow graced the cloud of vapor rising off the water's surface. "I wish we never had to leave." Frodo said with a sigh.