Chapter 3:

Bilbo's birthday party was bigger than anything they tried to demonstrate in the movie, or even the book for that matter. There were at least 1500 hobbits wandering around from all over The Shire, and more kept pouring in. And boy, could they drink. One hobbit, I noted, went back to the barrel no less then ten times, and he was fine! I've known people who were completely wasted after only three beers. Where all the alcohol went in their systems, God only knew.

Anyway, after the meeting with Bilbo, he cordially invited me to his birthday celebration that night. It was very nice of him, although I had to bite my tongue before I told him that I was going to show up anyway. No need to throw away a nice invitation.

So there I was, manning Gandalf's cart while he set of the nice explosives for the little children. I think he could tell I was a wee bit of a pyro because he kept me, the fireworks, and the ability to light the fireworks far away from each other.

I was sitting there, enjoying watching the hobbits enjoy themselves when I heard a rustling behind me. Frowning, I jumped down from the seat of the cart and hid behind the front of it. Sure enough, Merry and Pippin snuck out of the tent that was next to us and hopped into the back where all the fireworks were stationed. I could hear Merry whispering urgently to Pippin, "No, no, the big one!"

I knew what was going to transpire. Far be it of me to stop the boys from having their fun, so I just allowed (yes, allowed. They were going to get what was coming to them anyway) them to take the awesome dragon firework; the one I really wanted to set off. I took cover under the wagon as the boys scurried away, anticipating the shouts and screams that were going to happen. They didn't let me down. No more than thirty seconds later, up went the tent, flattening a very sooty Merry and Pippin, and down came the red dragon of fire.

I must say, given the need, hobbits are pretty fast little buggers. Everyone scattered. Some fell over tables, some were running in circles screaming (I think they were the ones who had more than their share of ale), and some just took cover, like I had done.

As soon as I saw the dragon pass, I crawled out of my hiding space, dirtying my jeans in the process, and watched the spectacular fireworks display. I must hand it to Gandalf; he can definitely create amazing fireworks.

I turned around after the last flare died, anticipating some more entertainment in the form of a Merry/Pippin smack down, when I saw a very irate Gandalf heading towards me.

Now let me warn you now, a pissed off wizard is not someone you really want to mess with. Before he could even reach me I hastily pointed to Merry and Pippin, who had smug little smiles on their faces as they stared up at the sky, and practically shouted, "It was them! I had nothing to do with it!" I emphasized 'nothing,' just so he could get the hint. He didn't.

"Really?" Uh-oh, never good. "And were you not suppose to be watching the fireworks? Making sure no one had access to them?"

"I . . . um . . . maybe?" I laughed nervously.

Gandalf just glared at me then subsequently walked over to where Merry and Pippin were standing, grabbing them both by the ears. He proceeded to drag them over to where I was and in a voice that left no room for argument said, "Come with me. Now."

Sadly for my pride, I followed Gandalf, with two protesting hobbit at his side, like a dog with its tail between its legs. He led us over to the washing tent and sent us to work washing every single cup, plate, and spoon that was used. It wouldn't have been so bad if he wasn't sitting there, smoking his pipe, acting very pleased with himself. Stupid wizard.

"This is all your fault, you know?" I scolded Merry and Pippin when I turned my attention back to them.

"Our fault?" Pippin proclaimed.

"Yes, your fault," I repeated as I handed Merry a now clean up to dry off. "If you two hadn't of stolen and set off that firework, we wouldn't be here."

"Yes, but did Gandalf not say that you were the one who was suppose to be watching them?" Merry piped up.

"So, in a way, this is your fault. You never stopped us," Pippin practically beamed to me. I just sent a death glared at him.

"Admit it. You wanted to set that dragon off too. I can see it in your eyes." Merry smirked with Pippin nodding behind him.

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "Alright, maybe a little." I consented. "But guys got to it before I could."

They both laughed and we started talking, planning various pranks we could pull when we got out. Thus my friendship with Merry and Pippin began.

As the night progressed, Gandalf finally let us leave, feeling we had learned our lesson, just as everyone started shouting at Bilbo for a speech. I groaned inwardly and turned away, heading back for the cart. I remembered that this was the part where Bilbo would put on the ring and disappear. Since I was not a fan of speeches, as casually as I could, I snuck away from the party and headed up the hill to Bag End. Why miss an important scene?

I hung around a little ways off until I saw the fence and door opened and closed on their own accord. Show time. I walked over the gate and waited there until I saw Gandalf come tearing up the road.

He was a bit surprised when he saw me, but all I did was pointed towards the house. He nodded and proceeded to enter the house with me hot on his heels.

Gandalf was hanging there, leaning against the wall, when Bilbo appeared from the back of the house.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever," he admonished. Bilbo jumped, having not seen Gandalf, or I, since I was standing a little behind Gandalf.

"Come on Gandalf. Did you see their faces?" Bilbo joked. "Hello Anie." I just smiled and nodded my head in acknowledgement.

"There are many magic rings in this world, and none of them should be used lightly," Gandalf continued. It was surprising how much Gandalf was like my grandfather. Both are very patronizing.

Bilbo turned around. "It was just a bit of fun. Oh your probably right, as usual." He added scornfully as he went to the mantle, grabbing his pipe. "You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?"

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

"Good, I'm leaving everything to him."

"What about this ring of yours?" I piped up before Gandalf. Why not add my contribution?

Bilbo made a surprised glance at me, while Gandalf just glared over his shoulder.

"Yes, yes. It's in an envelope over there on the mantle piece." Liar, it's in your pocket. "No, wait, it's here in my pocket." Ah! See. I like being right.

Bilbo pulled the ring out of his pocket and everything seemed to get heavier and darker. He, Bilbo, then started to go into what I call his 'crazy Gollum phase.'

He started mumbling to himself. Something about keeping it. His back was to us so it was hard to tell.

"I think you should leave the ring behind," Gandalf said as he approached Bilbo. "Is that so hard?"

"Well no and yesss." Man did he sound like a snake. "Now that it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine. I found it! It came to me!" Ok . . . a bit possessive are we?

"There's no need to get angry," Gandalf replied calmly.

"Well, if I'm angry it's your fault!" And your how old? "It's mine. My own. My precious." See, he is Gollum.

"Precious?" Something seemed to have clicked in Gandalf's head. "It's been called that before, but not by you."

Well now, Mr. Bilbo decided that it was a good time to throw a tantrum. "What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?!" He shouted as he turned around.

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

"You want it for yourself!" Yep. Maturity dropped to that of a five year old.

"BILBO BAGGINS!"

Oh crap. Scary wizard mode. Ducking out I hid in the entry way, listening to Gandalf's rage.

"Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks. I am not trying to rob you!"

I peeked in as Gandalf deflated.

"I'm trying to help you."

Awwww and now their hugging. Sweet.

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

Wow, you'd think Bilbo was on drugs or something.

"You're right Gandalf. The Ring must go to Frodo." Finally! Was that so hard?

"It's late and the road is long," Bilbo said as he picked up his pack. "yes, it is time."

He went and opened the door, then, just as he went to step out, was stopped by Gandalf. The Ring was still in his pocket. Bilbo pulled gold band out and stared at it for a few seconds, probably debating if he could run. Deciding that it was not worth it, he dropped the Ring onto the ground, and set out with Gandalf following behind him. I walked forward and stared down at the Ring, letting the guys say their good-byes.

How could such a little trinket cause so much destruction? I reached down, to pick it up, but some sort of spark erupted from the end of my fingers. I recoiled my hand quickly, checking it to see if there was any damage. There was none, much to my relief. OK, don't touch the ring. Got it.

I walked in to the parlor and sat down near the fire. Although it was only early fall, I was still in a tank top, meaning my arms were a little chilly. I waited for Gandalf, who, right on schedule, entered the house and looked down at the Ring. He, too, tried to pick it up and recoiled just the same.

"Apparently it wants neither you nor I to touch it," I said. Gandalf walked over to where I was sitting, pulling a chair along behind him. I will admit I've not seen Gandalf this weary in the beginning of the story.

"You tried to pick it up?" He asked me.

"Yea, 'tried' being the operative word. I barely got near it before it sent up warning signals."

He nodded his head and sat down, pulling out his pipe and his . . . um . . . weed.

"You ok Gandalf?" I looked at him questionably, but nothing was forth coming. "Gandalf?"

"Yes, child, I am fine. Merely a weary old man after a very long day." He mumbled as he stretched.

I shook my head, not believing him for an instant. "Yea right, and I'm the pope." I just got a blank look. "Never mind. You're worried about Bilbo's ring, aren't you?"

"That is not something you need to concern yourself with, Anie." He told me firmly.

"Kinda can't help it," I shrugged.

"Do not worry yourself," he explained with what I can only assume was a reassuring smile. "It is probably nothing." He waited a few minutes then asked, "Stephanie. It that your full name?"

Um. . . . wtf? "No, it's not."

"What is?" He turned his attention to me.

"Stephanie Bowker," I confessed.

"Strange names. I've not heard the like anywhere in this realm. Where are you from again?"

"I told you, around."

"Surely you can now be a bit more specific then that?" Ha! Yea right. You probably wouldn't believe me if I tried. I kept silent, hoping he would get the hint. He did. Good wizard.

"Fine then, how old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"You're awfully young to be out adventuring on your own."

"What is this, twenty questions?" I barked. "Yes, I am out on my own, but it was not by choice." At that I stopped, since I had said to much, and turned away. Gandalf asked to me to continue, but I merely shook my head.

Lucky for me, Frodo showed up, running into the hobbit hole, yelling for Bilbo. As he entered, Frodo glanced down and saw the Ring. Following both Gandalf and I, he reached down, but he was able to pick it up. He then looked to where we were sitting.

"He's gone, hasn't he?" Frodo inquired sadly. "He talked for so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it."

Frodo walked over, ignoring me, he turned to Gandalf, who had been unresponsive to his little speech.

"Gandalf?" At this, Gandalf glanced to Frodo's hand, which held the Ring, then up to Frodo himself.

"Bilbo's Ring," he smiled. Creepy. "He's gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag End." Gandalf held out the envelope, to which Frodo placed the Ring then went about sealing it with wax while a confused Frodo looked on. I was just kind of hanging back, watching everything unfold. I did not want to disrupt things too much.

"Along with all of his possessions. The Ring is yours now. Put it somewhere out of sight." Gandalf warned. After he jumped up and started rushing about with Frodo and me on his heels.

"Where are you going?" Frodo exclaimed.

"There are some things I need to see to."

"What things?" Frodo asked again.

"Questions, Questions that need answered."

"But we just got here, Gandalf," Can't let Frodo have all the fun.

"I don't understand," Frodo voiced as Gandalf rushed, or tired to rush out the door. At those words from him, Gandalf stopped and turned back to us.

"Neither do I." He then proceeded to walked back over to us saying, "Keep it secret, keep it safe."

"But Gandalf, what about me?!" I asked hurriedly, before he could leave. Seemingly to realize I was still there, Gandalf glanced back at us.

"Anie, stay with Frodo. He'll take care of you till I return." Then he was gone before I could utter one word about dumping responsibilities on other people.

Frodo help up the envelope and gaped at it, confused, I might add.

"Listen, Frodo," I began as he peered up to me. I felt tall, it was weird. "I'm sorry about Gandalf forcing me on you. If it's a problem, I can gladly take a room at the inn. . ."

"Oh no, it's quite alright. There's a spare bedroom that Gandalf usually uses that you may stay in." Wow, his eyes are really blue.

"Are you sure?" I muttered awkwardly. "I don't want to be a nuisance."

"Honestly, it's fine if you stay. With Bilbo gone, this house is going to be awfully quiet. It'll be good to have another body here." Awww, sweet.

"Here, follow me," he directed, gesturing me to the back of the house. "I'll take you to your room."

It was a quant enough room, sparsely furnished. There was quilted bed, a desk and chair made of a dark wood, bookshelf, and a small chest. The room was a bit short by my standards, but I could stand up straight in it. I bid Frodo a good night, and as he left, shutting the door behind him, I saw my backpack was sitting on the chair by the desk. I smiled despite being so far from home and alone. Good ol' Gandalf.