I've had this idea for years that the hobbit Frodo Baggins would be Santa Clause, in some way, or as Santa Baggins, as LadyLindariel put it. :) I couldn't resist! :) The idea sparked from watching the 1996 movie "The Santa Clause".

o-o-o

22.) Magic

Word Count: 963

Frodo hardly remembered what had happened and how he got here. No. He corrected that. He did remember what had happened. Magic had taken over his life, but it was a different kind of magic that proved where he stood now.

Frodo hadn't been too drunk that night. He left the Green Dragon with the nagging sensation to go up on the roof of Bag End. But the weather was so chilled, his hands trembled from the frozen air. There was much snow on the ground. Surely any decent hobbit would want to stay indoors. He jumped back at the sight of a sleigh, resting on the road near his house.

A man with a white beard and a red suit was in the sleigh. He beckoned him forward, offering him a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Just what was hot chocolate? Tea would have sufficed.

"Ah. I understand. You're not familiar with hot chocolate," the man in the suit said. He laughed merrily. "Come and sit down. There's a blanket to keep yourself warm. Red one. Nice and soft."

Frodo sat down in the driver's seat without complaint. The blanket was soft and warm. The hot chocolate tasted so good. Like something smooth and creamy, but also enough to fill his stomach and warm him up in this cold.

"Who are you?" Frodo asked the man. "You haven't given me a name."

"Father Christmas, as some would say of me," the man said in introduction. "And you're Frodo Baggins. But that name will change in time."

"What do you mean? My name is still me," Frodo said, alarmed.

Father Christmas laughed again. "No, no, no, Frodo. Your name is you. What I meant is after tonight you will have a title. Not a name change. Just a title to show your value. You'll be the one to take over my job. And this sleigh and reindeer, they have magic, but magic of a different sort. I cannot do this job for too many years. So I must have an heir. That is why you have come."

"I'm cold." Frodo shivered. "Couldn't we go inside. I need to warm up Bag End." What was he saying? Or rather… no, he was too cold for this. His nose was turning red and chilled to the bone.

"Yes, you will. But for now, I need to show you my world," Father Christmas said, slapping the reigns. Frodo didn't know what was happening. His mind drifted, his vision hazy. The wisps of the chilled air caused him to fall asleep… and he woke up, resting on a cozy mattress. The feather pillow was so soft to his touch. He felt like he could fall asleep again… but he couldn't. There was Father Christmas, resting in a chair and coughing badly.

Frodo approached the man, concerned and confused. "What can I do?"

"Take my place." Father Christmas said. "Wear the suit. It's your size. Be the next Father Christmas."

"What… what am I supposed to do?" Frodo asked, confused even more. He looked back, but Father Christmas had turned to dust. Frodo stood in front of the empty chair where Father Christmas was. What could he do now? Not after that… what had happened… how could he go on?

That was three days ago. Frodo hadn't dared try on the suit, not after what had happened. Well… no. He would be disrespecting Father Christmas' wish. What could he do? The worlds needed a Father Christmas. Was that him? Could it be him? He didn't know what he could do.

"Father Christmas, are you ready?" it was a Christmas elf, donned a green and red suit. "Father Christmas."

"I need a new name. New title," Frodo said. Great. Was he really about to say that? Title sounded far more accurate. He might as well prove himself now. Putting on the red suit and the large boots, a thought occurred to him, as he looked at the elf. "I'm Santa Baggins." He laughed, but it was a good laugh. Maybe he could do this after all…

-.-.-

"Where is Mr. Frodo?" Samwise Gamgee asked, confused.

"Maybe he'll return," Mrs. Gamgee said. "Don't worry, Sam. He'll come."

"I know Mama, but…" Sam's voice was cut off. Ash fell to the fireplace floor. Could it? Could Father Christmas have come? No. It was… it couldn't be… "Mr. Frodo. Look at you. What became of you?"

"Sam," Frodo said, clasping his friend's shoulder, "you have no idea what just happened to me." He related the story to Sam, his parents and his siblings. When the story was finished, he stood up. "Well, now I must leave. There's many worlds, many realms, I need to travel to tonight. I'll be back."

"Mr. Frodo," Sam said, "now that you're Father Christmas…"

Frodo laughed joyously. "That is one name. But you'll know me as Santa Baggins. I'll see you later, Samwise." With a twinkle in his eye, Frodo left Bagshot Row with merriment in his eyes. And so he would continue to lighten hearts for as long as he could. And when the Father Christmas in Narnia relieved him on his position, Frodo came back to Bag End, his heart filled with joy.

Even as time passed, Frodo wouldn't forget how much joy he gave to the hearts of many, scattered across realms and time. For a brief moment, Frodo heard laughter in the wind. Eru Ilúvatar was glad for him and the work that he did. But the journey ahead would change the course of his life once more. He would be changed, but then he had his friends to count on, even in the darkest of times.

And that is the tale of Santa Baggins, or How Frodo Became Father Christmas.

The End.