Chapter Two

Mimosa POV

Bilbo, Gandalf and I were outside. The two were smoking some pipeweed. Never grew to like that stuff.

"Old Toby." Bilbo said. "The Finest weed in the Southfarthing." He made a smoke ring. Gandalf made a smoke ship, and made it fly through the ring. "Gandalf my old friend, this will be a night to remember."

Party. Rowan POV

Fireworks exploded in the air. Music played and people cheered and clapped. Frodo was dancing like a half frog/half chicken. Bilbo was greeting people at the door. I don't even know where mom went. We sat next to Sam, who just sat there, looking depressed.

"Go on, Sam." Frodo said. "Ask Rosie for a dance."

"I think I'll just have another ale." Sam said, getting up. Frodo and I looked at him.

"Oh, no, you don't. Go on!" Frodo and I pushed him into Rosie, and they began dancing. We started laughing.

Mimosa POV

I walked by to see Bilbo telling our adventure story to some of the young children.

"So there we were, at the mercy of three monstrous trolls. And they were all arguing amongst themselves about how they were going to cook us. Whether it be turned on a spit, or whether if they should sit on us one by one, squash us into jelly."

A little girl gasped.

"They spent so much time arguing the whithertos and the whyfors that the sun's first light crept over the top of the trees-poof!"

The kids gasped.

"And turned them all to stone!" Bilbo finished.

Merry POV

I watched as Gandalf laughed, and walked away. I was hiding behind his wagon. He had an armful of fireworks. I popped out from behind the wagon, and smacked my hand on the tent. Pippin came out.

"Quickly." I told him. He placed his foot in my hands, and I threw him onto the back of the wagon. I kept a lookout. Gandalf set one off that turned into butterflies. The kids surrounding him scattered to catch them.

"Up they go!" Gandalf said, laughing. Pippin grabbed a green one.

"No, no, the big one. Big one." I told him. He picked one up that looked like a dragon. We both smiled, and he hopped out of the wagon and then ran into the tent. I looked around again, took a bite of my apple, and then followed him.

Rowan POV

Bilbo turned, and faced me and Frodo. He pointed behind him, his ears twitching.

"Sackville-Bagginses!" he whispered to us. "Quickly, hide."

Frodo and I looked at each other, and hid behind a tent with Bilbo. Bilbo hid his ears. The Sackville-Bagginses looked around, and then took off.

"Thank you." Bilbo said. "You're good children. I'm very selfish, you know."

I opened my mouth the disagree.

"Yes, I am." Bilbo said. "Very selfish." He looked at Frodo. "I don't know why I took you in after your mother and father died, but it wasn't out of charity. I think it was because, of all my numerous relations, you were the one Baggins that showed real spirit."

"Bilbo, have you been at the Gaffer's old brew?" Frodo asked.

"No... Well, yes, but that's not the point. The point is, Frodo...you'll be alright." He took a sip of his drink.

Merry POV

Pippin lit the twine. We were still in the tent.

"Done!" he said a grin on his face. I looked down, and then looked at him.

"You're supposed to stick it in the ground." I pushed it towards him.

"It is in the ground." Pippin said, pushing it back towards me.

"Outside!" I hissed, pushing it back to him.

"This was your idea!" Pippin said, pushing it back towards me. Then it flew up into the air, Pippin screaming as well fell back. The tent went up with it. People ran towards it, but then began running as it formed into a dragon, and flew back towards them. As the dragon swooped over everyone and over the lake, it exploded, turning into a bunch of fireworks. Everyone gasped, got up, and clapped. Pippin and I got up.

"That was good." I said.

"Let's get another one." Pippin suggested. Suddenly, we were grabbed by the ears. We winced.

"Meriadoc Brandybuck. And Peregrin Took." Said a voice. It was Gandalf. "I might've known."

And now, because of our little stunt, Gandalf dragged us over to do the dishes.

Rowan POV

"Speech, Bilbo!" someone yelled. We all began clapping, and began calling for a speech. Bilbo stood on a small stand.

"My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles, and Proudfoots!"

"Proudfeet!" one yelled. Bilbo waved him off, and people laughed.

"Today is my 111th birthday!" Bilbo announced. People cheered. "But alas, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits." Some people cheered, and everyone clapped. "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

Everyone looked around, confused.

"I, uh—" Bilbo continued. "I have things to do." He reached his hand into his pocket. "I've put this off for far too long. I regret to announce this is the end! I am going now. I wish you all a very fond farewell. Goodbye."

And then he disappeared. Everyone gasped, and looked around, confused. Mom got up, and left.

"Mom, where are you going?" I asked, but she didn't answer. "Mom!"

Mimosa POV

I couldn't face my daughter. That's why I ignored her call. Bilbo walked into the house, and I stopped him from closing the door. I closed it, and he took off the ring, laughing. He flicked it up in the air, and walked over to grab his walking stick. He walked into the living room.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever." I heard Gandalf say. We both jumped. We faced him, and Bilbo rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Gandalf." He said. "Did you see their faces?" he set his stuff down.

"There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly."

"It was just a bit of fun. Oh, you're probably right, as usual. You will keep an eye on Frodo and Rowan, won't you?"

"Two eyes. As often as I can spare them."

"We're leaving everything to them."

"What about this ring of yours? Is that staying too?"

"Yes, yes. It's in an envelope over there on the mantelpiece."

I watched as Gandalf looked for the envelope, but didn't see it. Bilbo spoke, his hand in his pocket.

"No. Wait, it's...here in my pocket." He took the ring out of his pocket. He looked at it. "Isn't that—? Isn't that odd, now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?"

"I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo." Gandalf said.

"Me too." I agreed.

"Is that so hard?"

Bilbo looked at us. "Well, no." he said. His face seemed to change. "And yes." His voice went raspy. He turned back to the ring. "Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine. I found it. It came to me!"

"There's no need to get angry."

"Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault! It's mine. My own. My precious."

I gasped.

"Precious?" Gandalf asked. "It's been called that before, but not by you."

Bilbo snapped around, furious. "What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?" he snapped.

"I think you've had that ring quite long enough."

"You want it for yourself!"

"Bilbo Baggins!" the place grew dark. Gandalf stood up straight. His voice deepened. Bilbo jumped back into the wall. "Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks. I am not trying to rob you!" the place went back to normal, and Gandalf was himself again. "I'm trying to help you."

Bilbo whimpered, and hugged him. Gandalf looked at him right in the eyes.

"All your long years, we've been friends." He said. "Trust me as you once did. Let it go."

"You're right, Gandalf. The ring must go to Frodo." Bilbo said. "Come, Mimosa. It's late. The road is long." We picked up our things, and headed for the door. "Yes, it is time." Bilbo opened the door, and was about to leave, but—

"Bilbo." Gandalf said. "The ring is still in your pocket."

I looked at Bilbo sternly. Bilbo had a small smile on his face that left quickly. He took the ring out of his pocket, looked at it, and then slowly let it fall to the floor. It landed with a thunk. We walked out, and Bilbo stopped. I stopped beside him.

"I've thought up an ending for my book: "And they lived happily ever after to the end of their days.""

"And I'm sure you will my dear friends." Gandalf said, bending down in front of us. I hugged him, and then pulled away.

"Goodbye." I said.

"Goodbye, Mimosa."

"Goodbye, Gandalf." Bilbo said. He held out his hand.

"Goodbye, dear Bilbo." Gandalf said, taking his hand. He winked at us. Bilbo and I smiled, and then left. He closed the gate, and began singing. I joined in.

"The road goes ever on and on..."