Author's disclaimer. I do not own the rights to any of JRR Tolkien's works or characters. They are all trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises. All Characters, Places, and Events in Middle-earth are © by the Tolkien Estates, and renewed by Christopher Tolkien.

Also, please note; Though some of the main characters from Professor Tolkien's works will make appearances in this story, the main body of the story is about other characters. The story does deviate from canon in some ways. The body of this story is based loosely on the adventures of player characters in a RPG. Also, the story puts together elements of both the books and the Peter Jackson films. Enjoy.

Chapter Two. First And Second Breakfasts.

Sandy sat beside Gandalf, and wondered. Why would Mister Gandalf want me to accompany him to Cousin Bilbo's birthday party? And, what's this about secret meetings, and with Strider, Smiley, and that Elf. Did Gandalf call him Legolas? What is this really about?

After a long time on the road, Sandy began to nod off. Finally, he fell asleep. During his sleep, he began to dream. His dream began pleasantly enough. He was in an open meadow, with beauty all about him. The sun was shining, and the birds were singing. He was just standing, drinking it all in.

But soon, his dream began to grow dark. He was no longer in a meadow, but in a dry, barren land, with miles of sand all about him. He was on a horse, of all things, and seated behind him was a dark-skinned woman of unusual beauty. She was holding him tightly, so as not to let him fall.

"Courage, Sandy," she was whispering "We must have courage, for our friends." The next thing he knew, there were horrible sounds about him. There were blood curdling screams, loud trumpeting sounds, and a general tumult everywhere. Dust and sand filled the air, and he could scarce breathe.

Then, he saw it. Fire and shadow. A thing terrible to behold. It was HUGE! And it held in its right hand a terrible, fiery sword, and in its left, a fiery whip. It snarled and roared at Sandy… He woke with a start, his heart in his throat.

"Saradoc?" asked Gandalf. "Are you all right, my boy?"

"Huh?" enquired Sandy, confused. "Oh… Just a dream… It was just a dream…"

"Dream?" replied Gandalf. "Hmph. Sounded more like you were having a nightmare to me."

"Yes," Sandy said. "It was quite frightening."

"Why don't you tell me about your dream?" asked Gandalf, who seemed most attentive.

So Sandy related his dream to Gandalf. The Grey Wizard listened intently to Sandy's tale, mentally noting every detail. He grew alarmed at the mention of the creature of fire and shadow, though, not wanting to alarm his Hobbit friend, he did not show it on his face.

A balrog! Of all things for one so innocent to dream about! Manwë, what could such a portent mean?

A voice in Gandalf's mind replied, 'Tis not for thee to contemplate, Olórin.

But, Master. Why one so young? And a Hobbit, none-the-less. Is he to face so fierce a foe? Surely this must have a different meaning.

Olórin, my dear servant. Thou shouldst question neither me, or He who made us both with His Thought. We serve the Secret Fire; the Flame Imperishable. We do NOT question His Holy Will.

"Gandalf?" asked Sandy, tugging at the Wizard's sleeve.

"Huh? Oh, sorry Sandy," answered Gandalf. "I was… lost in thought."

"Well, we're nearly at the Brandywine Bridge," said Sandy.

"Hmph," mused Gandalf. "So we are. We shall soon be in Buckland, and that's where I shall drop you off."

"Good," said Sandy. "We should be in time for first breakfast. Will you be staying, Gandalf? My Gammer is the best cook in the world."

The Wizard looked at Sandy, and smiled. "Perhaps, Sandy," he said. "After all, who am I to pass up a meal prepared by the Matriarch of the Brandybuck clan?"

They approached Buck Hall, and were greeted by dozens of Hobbit children, each screaming "Gandalf's here! Gandalf's here!"

"I can smell the bacon and eggs from here!" Sandy exclaimed, jumping off of the cart. "Come on, Gandalf. Gammer's breakfast awaits."

There were certainly lots of Brandybucks gathered in the dining hall. The breakfast consisted not only of bacon and eggs, but bangers and mash, tomatoes, ham, fresh bread, rolls and butter, muffins, and fruits of all sorts. And, of course, no breakfast was complete without either tea or coffee, and pipeweed and conversation.

Those old enough to know Sandy had to catch up with him on all of the doings in Bree. They had to enquire about his mum and dad, and how the pipeweed farm was faring, and all of that. And, of course, they had to catch Sandy up on all of the Shire happenings. So, first breakfast at Buck Hall was a general hubbub of controlled chaos.

The highlight of the morning was Sandy's singing of the latest tunes he'd heard. He sang so many songs, in fact, that they took them all the way to second breakfast, and then some. Gandalf sat in amazement at the young Hobbit's talent. He was beginning to wonder if the boy was touched by Vala Virtue, with the way he seemed to entrance his audience. Even Gandalf himself was affected.

After a while, Gandalf excused himself. He had an appointment to make, and so, had to leave before elevenses. Sandy, however, kept his family entertained throughout the morning. Midway through second breakfast, he finally finished his songs.

"My, Sandy," said his Gammer, "you certainly know lots of songs. Where did you learn them all?"

"Oh, from here and there, Gammer," said Sandy. "Many of them Smiley taught me."

"Smiley?" asked Gammer, with a bemused expression. "The man what travels about, singing and telling tales?"

"Yesum," said Sandy. "The very same."

"I do declare," said Gammer. "That man is a good story teller. But he eats like a dozen hungry Hobbits."

"Yesum, he does," chuckled Sandy.

"Well, at least he isn't here," said Gammer, with a wink and a nod. "He'd eat me out of house and home."

Sandy laughed, and hugged his Gammer. She gave him a peck on the cheek, and left the table.

"Time to get ready for elevenses," she said, as she trundled