Chapter 9: Unexpected Party Guests
(Aura's POV)
It took us eighteen days to reach Hobbiton. The journey was mostly filled with Gandalf (as he had asked Legolas and I to call him when we set out) and my laughter. Legolas just watched us, a silly smirk on his face, letting out the occasional chuckle.
"Will you tell me more of Hobbits?" I asked him. We had reverted to the Common Tongue soon after leaving Rivendell. Gandalf puffed on his pipe briefly before turning to me and chuckling.
"Where to begin?" He pondered for a moment, "Well, Hobbits have been living and farming in the four Farthings of the Shire for many hundreds of years. They are quite content to ignore, and be ignored, by the world of the Big Folk- Middle-Earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count. And to the outside world, Hobbits must seem of little importance, being neither renowned as great warriors, nor counted among the very wise." He paused for a moment and chuckled, "In fact, it has been remarked by some that the Hobbits' only real passion is for food." I giggled at this, and Gandalf turned to me, a twinkle in his eye. "Though, most Hobbits would argue, as they have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales, and the smoking of pipe-weed. But where their hearts truly lie is in the peace and quiet, and good tilled earth; for all Hobbits share a love of things that grow."
"You know quite a bit about them, Gandalf." Legolas remarked.
"Indeed." He responded briefly.
We traveled for a mile more in silence, before Gandalf began to sing.
"The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began." He sang gently, and I breathed in deeply the smell of the Shire.
"Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet," I heard the sound of little feet approaching in the distance, and I turned to see what was coming.
"Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet." Gandalf finished and a small boy came out from the trees bordering the road.
"You're late!" The boy called, obviously speaking to Gandalf.
Gandalf didn't answer for a moment, "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." I bit my tongue to keep from laughing as Frodo leapt at Gandalf.
"It's wonderful to see you Gandalf!" Frodo declared as he hugged the old man. Gandalf chuckled.
"You didn't think I'd miss your uncle Bilbo's birthday?" The wizard asked, rhetorically. I released a giggle, and drew Frodo's attention to me.
"Gandalf, who did you bring with you?" He couldn't see Legolas or my faces since we both had cloaks on- with the hoods up, per Gandalf's request. He had said something about surprises and memories.
"These two are just some of my friends, they came to see the Shire for themselves." Gandalf said.
"He goes on and on about this place," I added, "We simply had to see it." Frodo nodded, accepting our explanation.
"So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence." Gandalf questioned.
"You know Bilbo- he's got the whole place in an uproar." Frodo said, rolling his eyes.
"Well, that should please him!" Gandalf chuckled.
"Half the Shire's been invited. And the rest of them are turning up anyway." Frodo continued, a hint of wonder in his voice. We had entered Hobbiton now, and our group was attracting quite a few stares. We soon started up a hill, and I was able to see quite a bit of the town. It was small- as could only be expected- but it seemed to be a peaceful, and beautiful place.
"To tell you the truth," Frodo began, "Bilbo's been acting a bit odd lately. I mean, more than usual. He's taken to locking himself in his study. He spends hours and hours pouring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking… He's up to something." Frodo turned to Gandalf; his face searching for a reaction, but all Gandalf did was shrug in a non-committed way.
"All right then, keep your secrets." Frodo prodded, and Gandalf harrumphed, "But I know you had something to do with it."
"Good gracious, me!" Gandalf exclaimed in return, seemingly surprised.
"Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of." Frodo stated.
"Indeed?" Gandalf asked, somewhat half-heartedly.
"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." Frodo went on.
"If you're referring to the incident with the dragon," Gandalf suggested, a little defensive, "I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door."
"Whatever you did," Frodo said, "you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace."
Gandalf raised an eyebrow, "Oh really?" He questioned, and Frodo gave him a slight smile. I rolled my eyes- everyone considered him a 'disturber.'
We passed a yard with several children playing, and when the children caught sight of the cart, they gave chase.
"Gandalf!" "Gandalf!" "Fireworks?" "Gandalf?" The children called. I watched as Gandalf pretended to ignore the children. Eventually the children stopped running and all began to pout. My heart went out to the dears.
Suddenly, a firework lit-up and exploded in the air behind the cart, startling both Thinelroch and Tálagor- Legolas and I struggled to calm them while Gandalf tossed me an apologetic look over his shoulder. I could hear the children cheering from behind me, which made me immediately forgive the wizard.
"Gandalf, I'm glad you're back." Frodo stated, before jumping off the cart.
"So am I, dear boy!" Gandalf called to him, "… so am I." We soon arrived at a gate, which fenced in a lush garden and a path leading to the circular front door.
Gandalf clambered off his cart and walked over to the gate, beckoning us to follow. We dismounted and followed him through the gate. As I passed through, I noticed a sign upon the entry that read, "No admittance except on party business."
Legolas and I trailed after Gandalf as he walked up to the door and knocked loudly with the top of his staff.
"No thank you!" I heard shouted by an annoyed voice inside, "We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers or distant relations!"
"And what about very old friends?" Gandalf called back. I heard a shuffling noise inside before the door opened. As it opened, I caught sight of a male Hobbit somewhere in his mid to late fifties.
"Gandalf?" The Hobbit asked, sounding completely amazed.
"Bilbo Baggins!" Gandalf exclaimed in return.
"My dear Gandalf!" Bilbo yelled, jumping up to hug the wizard.
"Good to see you!" Gandalf said, pulling back and putting his hand on Bilbo's shoulder, "One hundred and eleven years old, who would believe it? You haven't aged a day." Gandalf let the Hobbit go, and Bilbo finally saw Legolas and I.
"Gandalf, have you brought friends?" Bilbo inquired. Gandalf nodded in reply. Bilbo just smiled a little wider.
"Come on, come on!" He called happily, stepping back to allow us to enter the hole, "Welcome, welcome!" He closed the door behind Legolas.
"Cloaks? Hats?" He asked, holding his hands out to receive said items. I glanced over to Gandalf to see if I had permission, and he indicated his agreement. I slowly pulled back my hood and unhooked my cloak. Bilbo's eyes bulged and his jaw dropped.
"Thank you." I said, handing my cloak to the Hobbit, shortly followed by Legolas'.
"Bilbo," Gandalf said, drawing Bilbo's attention to the wizard, "May I introduce Lady Aura Lothuialeth, daughter of Lord Elrond," I curtsied swiftly, and gave him a large smile, "And this is Prince Legolas Greenleaf, son of King Thranduil." Legolas gave a small bow.
Bilbo recovered from his shock quickly, and hung-up our cloaks, as well as Gandalf's hat.
"Oh, there we are. Tea?" Bilbo asked, heading through the rounded doorway, into the kitchen, "Or maybe something a little stronger? I've got a few bottles of the Old Winyard left. 1296- very good year. Almost as old as I am!" He laughed and passed into a hallway, obviously in the pursuit of refreshments.
"It was laid down by my father. What say we open one, eh?" Bilbo's voice drifted from a distant room. "Just tea, thank you." Gandalf requested. I smiled in agreement and Legolas gave a brief nod.
Gandalf took a step back, and backed into the elaborate chandelier hanging. Legolas quickly stepped forward to steady it, and then turned his head into a beam.
"Curses!" He exclaimed, holding a hand to his forehead. I giggled a little bit before going to Legolas and pulling his hand from his face.
"Let me see it." I requested, and scoffed when I saw the tiny red mark, "You'll be fine. You won't even get the slightest bruise." I glanced around saw Gandalf standing in a near room, looking at an old map.
"I was expecting you sometime last week!" Bilbo's voice echoed from the kitchen, "Not that it matters, you come and go as you please. Always have done and always will. You caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid! We've only got cold chicken and a bit of pickle… Oh, there's some cheese here- oh no, that won't do. Err, we got raspberry jam and an apple tart… Not much for afters, I'm afraid. Oh, no- we're all right! I've found some sponge-cake."
Legolas and I followed Gandalf into the kitchen, where we saw Bilbo's back, in the study.
"I could make you some eggs if you like- oh. Gandalf?" He questioned.
"Just tea, thank you." Gandalf replied, making Bilbo jump a foot in the air- a difficult feat when one's only a little over three feet tall.
"Oh, right!" He replied through a mouthful of sponge cake, "You don't mind if I eat, do you?" We all shook our heads in reply.
"Go right ahead." I said. We all took seats around the kitchen, and we had just settled when there started an incessant knocking in the door.
"Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins!" A rather nasally, annoying voice called.
"I'm not at home!" Bilbo whispered, looking like a deer in the headlights. He tiptoed over to the window and peered through the curtains, "It's the Sackville-Bagginses!" He practically screeched.
"I know you're in there!" The annoying voice called through the door.
"They're after the house." Bilbo told us, still- for all the world- looking like a startled cockatoo; "They've never forgiven me for living this long! I've got to get away from these confounded relatives hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace!"
Bilbo put down the sponge-cake he was holding and walked over to the window, "I want to see mountains again, mountains Gandalf! And then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book." He paused for a moment before his eyes widened, "Oh, tea!" He remembered.
"So, you mean to go through with your plan, then." Gandalf commented.
"Yes, yes. It's all in hand. All the arrangements are made." Bilbo said, walking back over to the table, with a pot of hot water in his hand. I quickly saw the problem and reached forward to pull the lid off the teapot.
"Oh, thank you!" He exclaimed.
"You're welcome." I said gently in reply, "You know, Frodo suspects something." Bilbo jerked his head up in surprise at my words.
"Of course he does. He's a Baggins! Not some block-headed Bracegirdle from Hardbottle." He continued, slightly defensive.
"You will tell him won't you?" Gandalf inquired. Bilbo nodded in a dismissive way, "He's very fond of you." Gandalf continued.
Bilbo stopped his tea making and turned toward the window, "I know," He sighed, "He'd probably come with me if I asked him." He chuckled a little, "I think, in his heart, Frodo's still in love with the Shire; the woods, the fields… little rivers. I'm old Gandalf." He finally turned away from the window.
"And yet you're still the youngest person in the room." Legolas remarked, smirking. Bilbo glanced toward him, not even giving the slightest indication of amusement.
"I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart." Bilbo reached down and began to finger something in his waistcoat's pocket. I raised my eyebrows and turned to Legolas, who shrugged.
"I feel thin- sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread." Bilbo said, almost to himself, while sitting at the table, "I need a holiday- a very long holiday- and I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to!"
Later, Bilbo showed Legolas and myself to our rooms. They were quaint- small, and brightly colored. Then Gandalf and Bilbo left to go discuss something or another, leaving me alone with the Prince. I quickly retreated into my room and began to unpack the few supplies I had brought with me, as well as the gifts for Bilbo and Frodo, as Gandalf had told me that it was Frodo's thirty-third birthday as well. Thirty-three was apparently the age of adulthood for Hobbits.
I was just deciding what to wear to the party when there was a rather rude knock on the door.
"Come in!" I called, and Legolas swiftly entered the room.
"Which do you think?" I inquired of him, waving my hand towards the dresses. He gave me a blank look. "Men and fashion!" I exclaimed, frustrated. Legolas' eyes grew wide, and he backed out of the room quickly.
As soon as he was gone, I decided upon a blue and rose dress that was much closer in resemblance to Hobbit clothing than anything else I had. I slipped into the dress quickly and left to help set-up for the party tonight, dragging Legolas behind me.
The set-up took several hours, during which, Legolas and I used our height and strength to our advantage many times. At first, the Hobbits were wary of us, most never having seen Elves before, but after we had helped them raise several tents, they soon warmed up to us.
Soon enough, the party was in full swing. From my vantage point of almost three feet taller than anyone else, I was able to see Bilbo standing at the entrance; greeting guests. I was also able to see the central opening, where there was a band, and several groups dancing, including Frodo.
"So Aura," Sam, Frodo's friend and gardener began, "what is there between you and that Legolas fellow?" I raised an eyebrow, and Sam blushed. Sam had been one of the most enthusiastic to our arrival- he absolutely adored elves apparently.
"Legolas is to be my fiancée." I told the young Hobbit. Just then, Frodo plopped down at the table, rosy-cheeked, and laughing slightly.
"Go on Sam! Ask Rosie for a dance!" Frodo urged his friend. Sam looked interested for a moment before turning away.
"I think I'll just have another ale." Sam declared, but I wasn't having any of that. I stood and grabbed Sam, pushing him out into the dance. Fortunately, the Hobbit lass called 'Rosie' immediately grabbed him. Unfortunately, Sam had managed to drag me onto the dance floor- where I ran face-first into a certain elf going the opposite way. My face collided with his chest, and he grabbed my shoulders to steady me.
"Whoa!" He exclaimed, holding me while I gathered my bearings. "Are you well?" He inquired. I looked up to glare at him, but I forgot my anger at the sight of the concern in his eyes. I vaguely heard Gandalf setting-off fireworks in the distance, as well as Bilbo still greeting guests at the entrance, but then my world disappeared except for the gorgeous silvery-blue eyes staring back at me. Our moment was soon lost however, to the sound of the Hobbits' screams.
Legolas and I both snapped our heads to the source of the noise, and saw a beautiful firework dragon. The beast would have been a magnificent sight, had it not been headed directly for the crowd. I quickly began to run the opposite direction, pulling Legolas behind me. I dove to the ground as the 'dragon' passed over us, and looked up just in time to see the creature explode in all shades of the rainbow. The crowd burst into applause, and I glanced around to figure-out why Gandalf had made such a scene. I soon caught sight of him leading two young Hobbits away by their ears…. I immediately began to pity the two troublemakers.
Soon enough, the fiasco was forgotten, and the partygoers returned to their merry-making.
"Speech, Bilbo! Speech!" I heard several Hobbits calling, as we all sat around the 'Party Tree'. Bilbo quickly made his way up to the podium and raised his hands, quieting the group.
"My dear friends from distant lands," He began, as the crowd gave a slight cheer, "Bagginses and Boffins," the group then gave a hearty cheer, "Tooks and Brandybucks," again the audience cheered, "Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles, and Proudfoots." He continued, the crowd cheering after each name.
"Proudfeet!" An older Hobbit exclaimed from the audience, obviously apart of said family. Bilbo waved him off.
"Today is my eleventy-first birthday!" Bilbo announced.
"Happy birthday!" Everyone chanted in response, raising his or her glasses to the old Hobbit.
"Alas, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits." The group raised their glasses and cheered once more. "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." There was dead silence at this statement, as everyone tried to figure out what he meant. I soon got the meaning, and snorted in amusement.
"I, uh, I h-have things to do." Bilbo continued, fidgeting greatly, "I've put this off for far too long. I regret to announce- this is The End. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell. Goodbye." The last word was a delicate whisper, before he vanished. A bright light lit the clearing, and Gandalf ran over to Legolas and I.
"Calm the crowd!" He demanded under his breath, before disappearing in the direction of Bilbo's home.
I looked to Legolas, who shrugged, and I rolled my eyes, muttering obscenities so that only I could hear them.
I walked swiftly over to the podium and mounted the small stage, "May I have your attention everyone?" I called over the chatter, and soon I had every person's eyes directed at me.
"Thank you." I said, "Now, obviously this is just a practical joke cooked-up by Bilbo and Gandalf as a final farewell. There's no reason to be afraid. Now if everyone would gather up their things, I do believe it is time for this party to end." I dismounted and made my way over to Frodo.
"Thank you!" He exclaimed when he saw me, and I nodded in amusement.
It required to the early hours of the morning to get everyone sorted out and on his or her way. I looked up at Legolas, with a weary expression, a saw the same tiredness in his eyes.
"Come along, Frodo." I said to the Hobbit, walking towards Bag End, determined to get my answers. We soon arrived at the hole, and Frodo let us into the house. I saw a small golden ring on the threshold as we passed through which Frodo picked-up, and my mind immediately went into over-drive. We followed Frodo into the sunroom, where we found Gandalf smoking his pipe, and staring into the fire.
"He's gone, hasn't he?" Frodo asked, "He talked so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it… Gandalf?" He said, drawing the wizard's attention to him.
"Hmm?" Gandalf smiled at the boy, glancing at the ring in his hands, "Bilbo's Ring. He's gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag End…" Gandalf continued, handing Frodo an envelope, which Frodo slipped the ring into, "Along with all his possessions. The Ring is yours now. Put it somewhere out of sight." Gandalf quickly got up and grabbed his staff and hat.
"Where are you going?" Frodo questioned hastily.
"There are some things I that I must see to." Gandalf declared before turning to Legolas and I, "Your things are in my cart, and your horses are saddled. We must leave… now." I quickly nodded and made my way outside, hearing Frodo question Gandalf from behind me. I mounted Thinelroch and turned to Gandalf.
"Neither do I." The wizard was saying to Frodo. "Keep it secret. Keep it safe." Gandalf jumped onto his cart and pushed the horse into a swift trot.
"Gandalf," I began, "that ring couldn't be-"
"The One Ring?" He interrupted, "That's exactly what I intend to find out." He didn't say another word as we rode into the darkness.
AN: I have Aura's dress link on my profile.