Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

Now we're at the point where I stopped writing the drafted play version. Hopefully, there aren't too many similarities between this chapter and "The Deathly Hallows". I'm doing my best to get back into original dialogue and descriptions, but right now it's hard.

Fatty landed the motorbike in front of the closed gate. It was a short walk to reach Bag End. The smial's light glowed from the windows. Out the door came a female hobbit wearing a blue-grey dress. She ran towards them, hugging Frodo and him fondly.

"Frodo, your luggage came here not too long ago." The female hobbit said. "Bilbo's worried you might not have made it this far."

"My luggage is here?!" Frodo felt sure he left most of it at Brandy Hall. "Thank you, Marietta."

"You're welcome." Marietta nodded. She turned to Fatty, telling him, "With all the buzz, I hope your parents make it here safely, too. Otherwise…"

There was a snap. Hilibert was on Frodo, his wand pointed at him. "What photograph did Everhart Boffin give to Frodo Baggins in his fifth year?"

Frodo started. "What? What are you—"

"What photograph?!"

"The Firebird!" Frodo said, jogging his memory. "The original members of the Firebird's Call."

Hilibert released him. "There's been a betrayal. Sauron knew you were being moved. This way," he checked his wand, "we could find out who the real culprit was. And you, are the real Frodo Baggins."

Frodo nodded.

"Pippin, let's check that ear." Hilibert said, following Marietta up the stairs.

"I'm telling you, I'm fine. Light curse smacked my ear." Pippin said, half woozy.

"We really ought to check that." Marietta said, leading the way. Pippin had morphed back into himself, much to Frodo's surprise.

There was another snap. Hilibert clambered down, right in front of Fatty's father. Aria, now morphed into herself, stood back, as Fatty's father coerced with Hilibert, checking to make sure he wasn't an imposter, too. It was only upon realization that Hilibert was Hilibert did the questions form.

"What gave you away?" Fatty's father asked.

"Prim." Frodo answered. "She was trying to save me, and she took her life by one of Sauron's followers."

"Frodo." Aria ran up to him, hugging him. He caressed her fondly. "I'm sorry about Prim."

"Yeah." Frodo released her. "I'm glad to see you're safe."

Wings soared through the air. The thestral landed with Fatty's mother and Sam astride it. Sam was looking like himself again, as was Merry, who was accompanied by Saradoc. Frodo, relieved to see them, hugged Sam and Merry, even as Aria did the same.

"Where's Pippin?" Merry asked. He charged into the house, to find Pippin lying in a chair. Frodo followed him in, to see the damage. Pippin's ear had some blood forming around the edges. It was a horrid sight. "How are you, Pippin?"

"Never been better." Pippin moaned. "I feel like I can take down Sauron's armies!"

Merry smiled. "Well, at least you've got your spirits."

"Snorri's dead." Fatty's father told the group. Frodo remembered the auburn-haired dwarf and his need to protect him. But no. How could he have died?! "The dwarf that was with him, Shanks, he vanished. We have no idea where he is."

Frodo couldn't take this anymore. More lives lost because of him, because Sauron was looking for him. He needed to do something. He strapped on his pack and headed towards the door. He just didn't count on the group staring at him.

"Where are you going?" Sam asked, concerned.

Frodo faced him. "I'm leaving. I'm going to stop Sauron on my own."

"NO!" The group gasped.

"Frodo, you can't leave! You still have the Trace on you." Aria cried out, exasperated.

"I'm not letting anyone else die, if I'm responsible." Frodo told her. "Besides, what would you do?"

"You're not letting Snorri's death be in vain, due to rash actions." Fatty's father said. "You're needed, Frodo, whether you want to believe it or not."

"This has never been about you, Frodo. This war is on all of us." Fatty's mother replied.

"Sam, come with me." Frodo asked his best friend.

"We're not abandoning Aria." Sam said, patting Aria's shoulder.

"Sam! Come on." Frodo gestured towards the door.

"Frodo, please stay." Aria said, concerned. "You'll get yourself killed if you go on alone. Sauron wants that. He'll do just that."

"Look, Frodo. Sleep on it." Merry told his friend. "You're doing Sauron a favor if you leave. He'd beat you, if you go at it alone. Together, we can beat him. Come on. You're not doing yourself any favors."

They were right. Frodo knew they were right. What was he doing, getting himself killed? Sauron would be hunting for him now, but he wouldn't find him here. Not yet. Four more days to go before the Trace got off him, then he could start looking for horcruxes. He set his pack down on the floor, letting Sam grab it before he did anything else. He returned to Pippin, hoping his younger cousin was looking well.

Well, maybe not so young. He and his friends were relatively the same age nowadays. One thing that came out of this: Pippin was in good spirits, even after he was brutally attacked by Sauron's followers. And that made Frodo happy all the same.

Thanks for reading. :)