A/N

Hello!

The next chapter's done and edited (Obviously), so go ahead and have a read if you feel like it. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Thanks,

Sphinxy

Chapter 3

Rash Decisions

I wait until supper to talk about what happened earlier, although, I don't reveal everything to my parents, even though I should. My mum places a plateful of food in front of me and my father before sitting down with her own plate, and picking up her fork. I look down and see my plate is laden with lashings of pork, carrots, potatoes and a small array of mushrooms.

"Same type of mushrooms we found when Mr Frodo and I set out on our great adventure," my dad tells me and I look up to see he had already tucked into his supper. He takes a lengthy swig of his beer and grins at me. I smile back, although my smile doesn't reach my eyes, a pitiful resemblance of a smirk. I try to stay calm as possible as I sit and pick at my meal, but I can't keep the feeling of unknown terror from haunting my head, bringing nothing but fear and regret. I imagine what might have been hidden under the dark hood, a disfigured face, warped by age and timeless evil. Perhaps a troll, or demon, would appear from under the cloak, a pair of unforgiving red eyes, complete with lizard-like slits. Or maybe a young hobbit, morphed by a sorrow deeper than bone, or corrupted by a dark force. Either way, my mind is reeling with thoughts, thoughts any Hobbit would shy away from.

Suddenly, I see a dark shape out of the corner of my eye and whip round to see what it is. Luckily, it's only my dad's travelling cloak, hung up by the door, the delicate folds of fabric suspended from the floor, which just reminds my thoughts about the dark places they were in before. I shiver and shake the idea away, before tuning to my parents.

"Dad," I start, "I saw a figure in a dark cloak today, outside school." That was true enough. I had seen a figure in a dark cloak today; I just didn't mention my brief encounter with it. Oh, and the fact I missed my history lecture…

Yeah.

"I hope you haven't been approaching strange figures, Elanor," My mother scolds me, so I blush and look away. The air becomes awkwardly still and I try to concentrate on eating my dinner, so as to avoid any unwanted conversations. My fork scrapes against the china with a screeching sound and I practically wince at the noise. My parents, however, continue munching their food. Well, until my dad speaks up.

"That'd probably be the wanderer," My dad says, a dramatic edge to his voice, "They say he roams the Shire, looking for a companion. Someone to accompany him on is travels."

My mum shakes her head with an air of impatience, her hair flying wildly about her face in a tangle of curls. She finishes her mouthful and tutts before speaking.

"Now Sam-Wise Gamgee, you stop that right now, I don't want you filling her head full of stories," Mother says scolding him, "No more adventures, okay?"

My dad smiles sheepishly and a small blush dies along his throat.

"Of course," He tells her, but I can see the glint in his eye, telling me otherwise. As always, my mother doesn't notice, so my dad continues eating and silence once again falls upon the dining room. From out of the open window, only sounds of the birds and the odd farmer's shout can be heard across the picturesque fields and view. I feel myself finally relax, now the nagging feeling of fear of the unknown has been dampened, at least I now know it wasn't some evil thing trying to claim my soul I saw earlier.

There is a sudden knock at the door and my mother gets up to see who it is. I hear her footsteps slowly recede down the corridor. The moment she's gone, my father lays down his fork and looks me straight in the eye.

"You really saw him?" He asks, eager to know more.

"Yes," I tell him honestly, I know I can trust my dad to know, "I stood in front of him. I almost touched him, dad. But he disappeared when I tried to reach out to him. Who is he dad?"

"Well, I heard down at the green dragon he's searching for a hobbit to join him on an adventure, an adventure into the old world, the land of ancient time."

My eyes literally light up at his words, I'm sure of it. My heart pounds in my chest as my adventurous nature flares up once more. It's like an unquenchable fire in my chest and mind, the flames slowly licking around my body, resonating through my entire being.

The sounds of my mother greeting someone drift into the kitchen, and my whole body tenses. The thought of being trapped here, unable to leave and dampen the fire, makes me want to scream. I long to run, to feel the wind rush past my face and whip my hair into a tangled mess of ribbons. I wish to feel the air swarm around me as I stand and let the quest run through my veins. I look to my dad for guidance, in hope he can save me from the burning fear of being grounded, held down against my will, away from the thrill of a wondrous voyage.

"Go out the back door," My father tells me, waving towards the door, "Go have your own adventure."

I turn to see him smile once more, before racing out of the door, without looking back.

A/N

It's me again.

What did you think of this chapter then? I know it's a little short, but I don't think I could lengthen it anymore even if I tried (And trust me, I have!). Please leave me a review with your thoughts and follow and favorite this story if you want to! It helps loads!

Thanks,

Sphinxy