Chapter 2
The Shadow of the Past
Frodo woke up the next morning, feeling odd with how quiet and empty the house felt. He knew what he had to do today, so he got up early, got dressed, ate breakfast and waited on the front step. Only a few minutes had passed when guests were arriving. He smiled and welcomed his kin, but he was tired and worried. He answered the curious questions of the hobbits.
"Mr. Frodo, what's going on?" Hamson asked, walking up to his old friend. The oldest Gamgee was followed by his younger siblings. "Has…has Mr. Bilbo left?"
"I'm afraid so." Frodo said. "He has gone away, and as far as I know, for good."
Hamson's eyes began to tear up. Though he was the oldest, he was very kind-hearted, much like his mother.
"Mama sent us to make sure you were all right." Daisy explained. "She saw the crowd and got rather worried."
"Well, Bilbo left some things for family behind. I'm to give them out." Frodo said, gesturing to his relatives.
"Maybe we can be of assistance?" Halfred offered.
"Only if you'd like." Frodo said. "Ah! Adelard Took! Please come in!"
In the front hall, there was an assortment of packages with different labels. Sam and May kept the packages neat and organized while Marigold handed the ones Frodo called for. The three eldest Gamgee's stayed outside, making sure no one would come in uninvited.
"For Adalard Took, for his very own, from Bilbo;" Frodo read the label aloud. "An umbrella… He capitalized the 'very own' part."
Dora Baggins was next to come into Bag End.
"Aunt Dora, welcome!" Frodo shook her hand before receiving the package from Marigold. "For Dora Baggins in memory of a long correspondence, with love from Bilbo…a…a large, waste-paper basket. Maybe that's for your writing." Dora seemed amused by the gift.
Milo Burrows was next to receive a gift. "For Milo Burrows, hoping it will be useful, from B.B., a gold pen and ink bottle. Maybe now, you'll answer everyone's letters." Frodo teased.
Angelica Baggins was next to enter.
"For Angelica's use, from Uncle Bilbo, a round, convex mirror." Angelica quickly unwrapped the package and held up the mirror.
"Oh wow! It's beautiful." She cheered.
Hugo Bracegirdle was the next to receive a gift. He had to get some other relatives to help him carry it out of the smial. He had received an empty book-case. He borrowed a lot of books, but rarely returned them.
"Well, Lobelia Sackville-Baggins is next." Frodo announced. The old hobbit always had a scowl on her face, and it seemed to tighten when she spotted the Gamgee's.
"May, please don't say anything." Sam whispered.
"I'll try not to." May whispered back.
"For Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, as a present. A case of silver spoons." Frodo said, handing her the package.
"Spoons?" Lobelia repeated.
"I thought you liked spoons." Frodo smirked. "Bilbo thought you managed to acquire some of his spoons, so he wanted to give you the rest."
Lobelia turned and left the house, but she did not leave Bag End. She stayed outside and watched as many other hobbits made off with their new gifts.
"Mr. Frodo?" The Gaffer and his wife walked into the smial. "You wanted to see us?"
"Ah, you've put my children to good use." Bell commented.
"We're doing our best, Mama!" Marigold declared, saluting to her mother.
"I have no doubts." Bell replied.
"Bilbo left quite a few things for your family, Gaffer." Frodo explained. "I'll make sure to give the rest to your children after everyone has left."
"Gifts?" The Gaffer asked. "Oh, please. He really shouldn't have!"
"Here!" Frodo grabbed a crate full of items. Attached were hand-written notes by Bilbo himself. "Two sacks of potatoes." Sam's eyes lit up. "A new spade." He gestured to a clean shovel, leaning against the wall, wrapped with a bow. "A woolen waistcoat, and a bottle of ointment for creaking joints." The Gaffer's eyes glistened. He was about to tear up. He pressed his fingers to his eyes, trying to stop the tears. "A-hem…Thank you Mr. Frodo."
"And for Mrs. Gamgee." Frodo handed her a set of golden candlesticks.
"Bless my soul!" She gasped. "These will look good in the sitting room!" Before she and her husband left, she turned to Frodo and took his hand. "If you ever find yourself feeling lonely, you're always invited to have any meals with us. Our door is always open to you."
After the couple returned home, Meriadoc Brandybuck walked in with his grandfather.
"Hello, Old Rory!" Frodo said, taking another crate from Marigold. "For much of your hospitality, a dozen bottles of Old Wineyards! Strong red wine!"
Rory seemed quite pleased with the gift. "A capital fellow!" He cheered.
"And Merry, Bilbo wanted me to leave his favorite pipe to you." Frodo said.
"Me?" Merry gasped. "I'll always treasure it!"
"That's what he thought you'd say." Frodo smiled. Merry decided to stay and help the Gamgee's.
Fredegar and his sister were next.
"Hello Fatty," Frodo greeted.
"Hello, Mr. Bolger!" Merry joined.
"Good afternoon." Fredegar replied. "You look tired, Frodo. I hope you'll take a break soon!"
"I will." Frodo replied. "I understand your mother tried to buy a chair from Bag End."
"Ah yes, she thought Bilbo was…well, you know…dead."
"Well, the chair is officially yours now!" Frodo said as Merry helped Marigold carry the chair to him.
"Well, I'll be…" The Bolger laughed.
"And for Estella…" Frodo looked through the list Bilbo had left. "Ah, you collect teacups, right?" Marigold handed Estella a beautifully painted teacup and saucer.
"Yes!" Estella gasped. "It's beautiful!"
Next was multiple Tooks, including Pippin and Diamond.
"For Pippin, a bow." Frodo said, holding out a beautifully, carved, dwarven bow.
"Wow!" Pippin breathed before placing the bow over his shoulder. "How do I look?"
"Like a real Took!" Merry complimented.
"And a special gift for Diamond- a new violin." Frodo announced. Diamond's eyes brightened.
"I can't wait to use it!" She said. "I shall write a song for Bilbo!"
After the small group had left, the afternoon started to get chaotic. A false rumor had been spread that the whole household was being distributed free. More hobbits had shown up, who had no business being there. Some hobbits had mixed labels and had a few quarrels, others tried to trade in the hallway, others tried to make off with minor items. The chaos made Marigold feel uneasy.
"My stomach hurts… There's too many hobbits!" She said with tears in her eyes. Sam led her to a guest bedroom so she could lie down. Merry tried his best to help sort out mixed labels. May however, grabbed a wooden spoon from the kitchen and smacked many hands. Any hobbit who tried to steal from Bag End was scared off by May Gamgee.
The chaos died down a little, and Merry and May insisted Frodo took a nap. Sam and Marigold had returned, as she was beginning to feel better. After Frodo retired, the Sackville-Bagginses had returned, for they had also heard the false rumor. Otho demanded loudly to see Frodo, but Merry bowed politely.
"I'm sorry, but he is indisposed." Merry explained. "He is resting."
"Hiding, you mean." Said Lobelia. "Anyway, we want to see him, and we mean to see him. Just go and tell him so!"
May clenched her fists.
"May, please!" Sam pleaded, taking her hand.
"Deep breaths, May!" Marigold added, taking her other hand. "Deep breaths, just like you taught me!"
Merry accused himself and brought back Frodo from his room. The tired hobbit looked displeased to see them.
Lobelia took a deep breath. "Frodo, dear." She started, a failed attempt at sounding friendly. "We wanted to do some bargaining-to help declutter! We are willing to offer money for some antiques in Bag End. There are many valuables and unlabeled things, we'll pay to take them off your hands- as between friends."
"I'm sorry Lobelia," Frodo said, holding up a hand to stop her. "Only the things Bilbo requested will be given away."
"You've given gold candlesticks to your neighbors, but no mention of money or jewelry for your kin?" Lobelia asked. "Not a penny-piece or a glass bead! It seems…fishy."
"Only one thing is clear to me!" Said Otho. "And that is that you are doing exceedingly well out of it. I insist on seeing the will!"
May's stomach dropped. The Gaffer had mentioned that Otho was originally Bilbo's heir, and he was not too happy when Bilbo adopted Frodo.
Frodo nodded and went into the study. He walked out with Bilbo's will. Otho snatched it and read it thoroughly and snorted. He handed the will back to Frodo, wrinkling it.
"Foiled again!" He said to his wife. "And after waiting sixty years! Spoons? Fiddlesticks!" He snapped a finger under Frodo's nose and stumped off. May felt her face feel warm with rage. She shook her head and took a deep breath.
Lobelia wasn't so easy to get rid of. She began to look around the house, and while Merry and Marigold continued handing out gifts, she was able to walk around, looking in nooks and corners, and occasionally tapping the walls. Once Frodo caught her, he firmly, but politely, escorted her off the premises.
"Lobelia, please leave. You don't want to cause a scene!" He reasoned.
Merry stopped her out the front door and made her empty some valuables out of her umbrella.
"They fell in there." She insisted.
"These things happen." Merry jested.
"You rotten children!" Lobelia snapped. "I hope you never get married, Frodo! You'll turn out mad, just like Bilbo!"
"Don't say it…" May whispered to herself. "Just keep it in your head."
"That's enough, please leave." Frodo repeated. May wasn't sure how Frodo could be so patient with these hobbits.
Lobelia stepped outside, but as she was going down the steps, she turned and yelled, grabbing the attention of the other hobbits waiting outside.
"You'll live to regret it young fellow! Why don't you go too? You don't belong here; you're no Baggins- you- you're a Brandybuck!"
May's temper boiled over. She was certain her face had turned red. She stepped outside, stomping her foot and yelling back. "YOUR HAT LOOKS LIKE A PASTRY!"
Most of the hobbits snickered, fighting back their laughter. Lobelia looked perplexed, reaching for her hat as though contemplating whether or not her hat really was shaped like a pastry.
May stood frozen, surprised at her own outburst. She began to tear up. She felt someone place a hand on her shoulder and she looked down at her feet.
"Give us a moment." Frodo said, gently guiding May into the house and shutting the door.
"Merry, why do you, Sam, and Goldie grab some snacks?" Frodo asked before leading May to another spare bedroom. "May, I think it's your turn to take a break." He said, insisting she rest. She wiped her eyes and laid on the bed, while Frodo closed the door to give her privacy. He walked back to the kitchen to join the younger hobbits for snacks.
"Did you hear what Lobelia said, Merry?" Frodo asked his cousin. "That was an insult, if you like."
"It was a compliment." Merry replied. "And so, of course, not true. Besides, May's insult was better."
"Try not to bring it up to her when she wakes." Frodo instructed. "She seemed really upset."
"It was Lobelia's fault!" Sam argued.
"I know." Frodo said. "But I know May doesn't like to snap at people-though she's really good at it." After their snack, they walked around the home, making sure no one else was sneaking around. They had caught three young hobbits: two Boffins and a Bolger. They were attempting to knock holes in the walls of the cellar, looking for gold.
"Out! Out!" Sam said sternly. "You're lucky my sister is asleep; she would hit you with a spoon!"
Frodo had a tussle with young Sancho Proudfoot- Odo Proudfoot's grandson. He was in the pantry, tapping a wall and insisting he heard an echo.
"Sancho." Frodo scolded him. "Your grandfather would be disappointed in you." That was enough to make the young boy apologize and leave.
The three eldest Gamgee's came into the smial, seeing if there was anything else they could do.
Frodo planted himself into a chair, heaving a sigh of relief. "Time to close shop, Merry, lock the door, and don't open for anyone today, not even if they bring a battering ram… now for you lot." He stood, addressing the Gamgee's. "Sam, wake your sister, Bilbo left presents for each of you."
"Presents?" Marigold gasped. "For us?"
"Oh, please, Mr. Frodo." Daisy said. "You just sat down! We can come back tomorrow!"
"I insist," Frodo said, smiling at his friends.
"Is May all right?" Hamson asked, as he had witnessed her outburst earlier.
"I hope so." Frodo replied. "I think she thinks she's in trouble."
"We'll explain everything to Mama." Halfred said. "It was that Sack-Vile's fault."
Once Frodo had gathered the six siblings, he led them into the study.
"For Hamson," Frodo said, reading the label of the first package. "A kit for making rope." Hamson had moved in with his uncle. He worked with him in his rope-making business.
"For Halfred." Frodo grabbed the next package. "Bilbo spared his last Wineyard for you. It was laid down by his father. Quite old and mature."
"For Daisy, a new coat." Frodo handed her the gift.
"N-no!" Daisy gasped. "This is…this is the one I was looking at in the market!"
"Bilbo hoped you'd like it." Frodo said.
"I love it!"
"For May," Frodo pulled a necklace out of the study drawer. "A shamrock necklace." He held out a chained necklace with a beautiful green gem. He unhooked it and gently placed it around May's neck while she held up her hair. Her heart was beating so loudly she thought Frodo could hear it. Once he pulled his hands away, she let her hands fall and reached to touch the necklace.
"For Sam, a new set of gardening tools." Frodo continued, handing Sam his gift, who took it excitedly.
"For little Marigold, a music box." Frodo said, handing her a beautiful snow globe after he wound it up. It played her favorite lullaby.
As the evening was beginning to arrive, the Gamgee's began to leave. May leaned closer to Frodo and whispered. "I'm sorry for yelling."
"Hm?" Frodo whispered back. "No harm done. I appreciate you standing up for me-as always. Besides, she got what was coming to her."
May's cheeks turned pink. "Thanks for the gift." She said. She followed her siblings, back to Number 3.
Frodo said farewell to Merry, before closing the door to his home. He pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked Belladonna Took's glory box. The envelope containing the ring was still there. He heaved a sigh of relief and closed the box again, locking it with the key.
~jb~
Some time had passed since Bilbo's birthday. Many hobbits would still ask where Bilbo had gone and been asking if he was grieving. Frodo was certain he was not dead. When asked if he knew where Bilbo went, Frodo only shrugged his shoulders.
Merry and Pippin would visit often, as well as Fredegar Bolger and Folco Boffin. Estella would often be with her older brother, but she preferred to spend time with May. Sometimes he would even see Diamond around the two, and even Rosie Cotton would be seen spending time with them.
Frodo would often wonder what it would be like if he had gone with Bilbo. He would wander the paths of the Shire, imagining what the outside world was like. Gandalf had once told him he was far too curious and eager for a hobbit. But he had grown up, listening to Bilbo's stories. He even started taking notes and corrected Bilbo whenever he mixed the colors of the dwarves' coats.
But some things made him stay in the Shire. He loved wandering the woods, smoking his pipe or reading a book.
And true to his word, he would often visit the Gamgee's to have dinner. Hamson went back to rejoin his uncle, the roper. Halfred went back to North-Farthing. Both of them had married. Daisy was still running the Ivy Bush, but she also visited her parents often. She and Vigo Brockhouse began courting. May had finished her training with Odo Proudfooot and was given a small hut to grow her herbs and make her teas. Sam and Marigold continued tending to the garden.
Frodo enjoyed their company, especially May's. She was also curious about the outside world and would often meet with Frodo so he could teach her Elvish. She picked up on it fairly quickly.
One evening, they had gathered to meet at the Green Dragon. Merry and Pippin became more and more drunk and sang a song on one of the tables.
"Ho! Ho! To the bottle I go! To heal my hurt and drown my woe!" They sang a hobbit drinking song, loudly as Frodo joined in and danced around the table. "The rain may fall, the wind may blow, but there still be many miles to go! Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain! And the stream that falls from hill to plain! Better than rain or rippling brook-"
"Is a mug of beer inside this Took!" Pippin finished proudly. The surrounding hobbits cheered and laughed.
The Gaffer was sitting by the Old Noakes, joined by Ted Sandyman and Sam. Rosie was at the bar, serving drinks. May, Estella, and Diamond sat at the bar, keeping their friend company and scaring off any entitled customers, and lads trying to flirt with Rosie. Her hair was gold and exceptionally curly. Not many hobbits had light hair, but it was a very desirable gene for hobbits. May had light-brown hair, and Estella and Diamond both had dark-brown hair. May wasn't afraid to scare off any boys, Estella quickly joining in. All three were protective of Diamond, who was the youngest of their group.
May had been talking of herbs that help with creaking joints. She had smelled the ointment Bilbo had left for the Gaffer, and she immediately recognized the ingredients. She had tried multiple times to replicate the ointment, but it wasn't quite the same. Though, once the Gaffer had run out of the first bottle, he was sure glad May had many others lined up.
As May was speaking, she noticed Rosie was looking over her shoulder, smiling sweetly. May turned and saw her little brother staring back, before blushing and turning his head towards Sandyman. May smiled, turning back to Rosie.
"Rosie…" Estella said, also taking notice of the exchange. "Does someone have a crush?"
"Huh?" Rosie gasped, snapping her attention to Estella. "N-no… I…"
"Give her a break," May cut in. "Our families have been friends for as long as I can remember. We all get excited to see each other."
"If you say so, May." Estella jeered. May winked at Rosie.
Estella, Diamond, and Rosie continued talking, while May turned her attention toward the conversation her father was having.
"Queer things you do hear these days, to be sure." The Gaffer stated.
"Ah," said Ted. "You do if you listen. But I can hear fireside-tales and children's stories at home if I want. You're beginning to sound like that old Bilbo Baggins. Cracked he was."
"Young Mister Frodo, here." The Old Noakes commented, as the Baggins approached to sit with them. "He's cracking!"
"And proud of it!" Frodo declared before handing the Gaffer a mug. "Cheers, Gaffer."
"Cheers." The Gaffer replied.
"I daresay there's more truth to those stories than you reckon. Who invented those stories? Take dragons now." Sam said, continuing the conversation.
"No thank 'ee!" Ted replied. "I won't. I heard tell of them when I was a youngster, but there's no call to believe in them now. There's only one dragon in Bywater, and that's Green." This earned him a laugh from surrounding hobbits, listening in on the conversation.
"All right," Sam laughed as well. "What about these tree-men? Or giants you could call them. Some say they've seen a tall tree moving in the North Moors."
"Who's they?" Old Noakes asked.
"My cousin, Hal, for one. He works for Mr. Boffin at Overhill and goes up to North Farthing for the hunting. He saw one!" Sam replied.
"My son, Halfred is also settled down in the North Farthing." The Gaffer added. "He's sworn he's seen trees movin', as well as dwarves. Some more or less than savory nature. War's brewing."
"They says they did." Ted replied. "Your Hal's always saying he'd seen things; and maybe he sees things that aren't there."
"But this one was as big as an elm tree, and walking!" Sam insisted.
"Or it was just an elm tree. And he thought he saw it walking."
"Hal always had a big imagination." The Gaffer agreed. "But if Halfred is saying trees are moving, I may have to take it seriously. He's always been more practical. Told me he had to blink a few times to take in what his was seeing."
"And there ain't no elm tree in the North Moors." Sam added.
"Then Hal or Halfred can't have seen one!" Ted replied, laughing at himself.
"All the same," Sam continued. "You can't deny that others besides our Halfred have seen queer folk crossing the Shire- crossing it, mind you: there are more that are turned back at the borders. The Bounders have never been so busy before. And I've heard that elves are moving west. They do say they are going to the harbors, out away beyond the White Towers. They are sailing to the west…never to return…" Sam shook his head sadly. But Ted laughed.
"Well, that isn't anything new, if you believe old tales. And I don't see what it matters to me or you. Let them sail! But I warrant you haven't seen them doing so; nor anyone else in the Shire."
"Well, I don't know." Sam said thoughtfully. "Mr. Baggins knows more than I do about it."
"Then you're both cracked." Ted replied, before Frodo could say anything on the matter. "If that's where you get your news from, you'll never want for moonshine. Well, friends, I'm off home. Your good health!" He drained his mug and noisily left the table. He went to tip Rosie with an extra penny.
"Hello ladies," He said, glancing at the four hobbits. "Well, what do you think of those rumors?"
"I'll tell you what I think." May said quickly. "I think you should leave my brother be, or I'll clobber you."
Ted chuckled. "Always have to have the last word, eh?"
"Always." May retorted.
Once Ted had left, Sam approached and left a tip of his own.
"I told you not to talk to him." May said. "Sandyman just likes to wind people up for no reason."
"I know." Sam said. "But cousin Hal and Halfred aren't liars. I wanted him to be sure of it!"
"All that matter is that we know they're not lying." May reassured.
As Hobbits began to leave the Green Dragon, Rosie stayed outside, saying farewell to the guests.
"Diamond, where are you staying tonight?" May asked.
"I'm staying at Ella's." Diamond replied.
"My brother doesn't want her to walk home alone at this time of night. He thinks Longcleave is too far." Estella replied.
"My parents know I'm here though!" Diamond added.
"Good." May smiled. "I'll walk you home, Rosie."
"You don't have to." Rosie insisted.
"I know, I want to." May replied.
Rosie's attention was quickly taken from May as she turned to Frodo and Sam.
"Good night, lads!" She said, smiling brightly at Sam.
"Good night." Both lads replied.
"Good night!" Another lad, announced. It was Everard Took. He got down on one knee and drunkenly declared; "Sweet maiden, of the golden ale!" Rosie smiled politely at him. May had her hands on her hips, as though daring the hobbit to say something else.
"Mind who you're sweet-talkin'…" Sam grumbled.
"Come on, Sam." Frodo reassured. "Rosie knows an idiot when she sees one."
"Does she…?" Sam asked uneasily.
They continued their way home, Frodo saying good night to Sam and walking into Bag End.
His house was dark, and though empty, he immediately felt a presence. He looked around at the smial, the autumn wind blowing through one of the windows, knocking some of his paperwork off the dining room table. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned swiftly, gasping at the sudden appearance. He saw Gandalf's face, looking careworn and fearful.
"Is it secret? Is it safe?" He asked frantically.
Frodo immediately knew what the wizard was talking about. He rushed to the study to grab the key. He ran for Belladonna Took's glory box and unlocked it. He dug around for a moment before finding the envelope. He reached up to hand it to Gandalf, who snatched it from Frodo's hand and threw it into the fireplace he had started.
"What are you doing?" Frodo asked as the envelope burned away, revealing Bilbo's ring. Gandalf grabbed the ring, using the tongs.
"Hold out your hand, Frodo." Gandalf said. Frodo looked at him in confusion. "It's quite cool, he reassured. Frodo held out his hand and Gandalf dropped the ring onto his palm.
Frodo was surprised how heavy the ring felt, and how cold it was, despite being in the fireplace.
Gandalf stood and paced around the sitting room. "What do you see? Can you see anything?"
"Nothing," Frodo replied, carefully examining the ring. "There's nothing…wait… there are markings." Frodo watched as bright markings appeared on the ring. He studied the language carefully but didn't recognize it. "It's some form of Elvish, I can't read it."
"There are few who can." Gandalf replied darkly. "For the language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here."
"Mordor?" Frodo repeated.
"In the common tongue it says, 'One Ring to rule them all, one Ring to find them. On Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them." Gandalf replied. "This is the one Ring." Gandalf continued as Frodo sat down with him in the kitchen and made tea. The Ring was placed onto the table. "Forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself."
"Bilbo found it." Frodo confirmed. "In Gollum's cave…"
"Yes," Gandalf said. "For sixty years, the Ring laid quiet in Bilbo's keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age. But no longer, Frodo. Evil is stirring in Mordor. The Ring had awoken. It's heard it's master's call."
"But he was destroyed." Frodo said. "Sauron was destroyed!" There was a cold chill in the kitchen, making Frodo pause and glance down at the Ring.
"No, Frodo." Gandalf replied. "The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His orcs have multiplied. His fortress at Barad-Dur is rebuilt in the Land of Mordor. Sauron only need this Ring, to cover all the lands with a second darkness. He is seeking it…seeking it…all his thought is bent on it. The Ring earns above all else to return to the hands of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo…he must never find it."
"All right." Frodo said, picking up the Ring and walking through the smial, making his way back to the glory box. "We put it away. We keep it hidden. We never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they?" He paused and then turned back to the wizard. "Do they, Gandalf?" He asked uneasily, afraid of the answer.
"There is one other who knew that Bilbo had the Ring." Gandalf said slowly. "I looked everywhere for the creature, Gollum. But the enemy found him first… I don't know how long they tortured him. But amidst the endless screams and insane babbles, they discerned two words: Shire. Baggins."
"Shire…Baggins…" Frodo repeated. "That would lead them here!" He gasped as he imagined orcs invading the Shire, killing everyone getting in the way of Ring. "Take it Gandalf!" He held the Ring out to the wizard who stepped back. "Take it!"
"No Frodo."
"You must take it!"
"You cannot offer me this Ring."
"I'm giving it to you!"
"Don't tempt me Frodo!" Gandalf snapped before taking a deep breath. Frodo lowered his hand. "I dare not take it…not even to keep it safe…understand Frodo…I would use this Ring from a desire to do good…But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine."
"But it cannot stay in the Shire!" Frodo said, his voice filled with dismay.
"No," Gandalf agreed. "No, it can't."
Frodo thought for a moment. He knew he couldn't keep the Ring in the Shire, and he couldn't give it to Gandalf. He clenched his fist, realizing he had only one last option.
"What must I do?" He asked.
"You must leave and leave quickly!" Gandalf instructed.
"Where? Where do I go?" Frodo asked, beginning to pack his bag.
"Get out of the Shire," Gandalf replied, helping him pack his things. "Head for the village of Bree."
"Bree." Frodo repeated. "What about you?"
"I will be waiting for you." The wizard replied. "At the Inn of the Prancing Pony."
"And the Ring will be safe there?" Frodo asked.
"I don't know, Frodo." Gandalf admitted. "I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order; he is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Frodo. He'll know what to do. You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside the Shire. Travel only by day and stay off the road." Gandalf continued to instruct him as he helped put on his cloak and his pack.
"I can cut across country easily enough." Frodo said, slipping the Ring into the pocket of his vest.
Gandalf smiled admirably at the hobbit. "Hobbits truly are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their way in a month, and yet even after a hundred years, they can still surprise you!"
A rustling in the bushes made the pair turn their heads sharply to the opened window.
"Get down!" He commanded Frodo, stalking toward the window. Frodo obeyed and watched the wizard carefully poke his staff out the window.
"Ow!" Someone cried out and Gandalf reached out and pulled Samwise Gamgee into the house.
"Samwise Gamgee!" Gandalf yelled. "Have you been eaves-dropping?!"
"I haven't been dropping not eaves, sir!" Sam answered quickly. "I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me."
"A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?" Gandalf question.
"I heard raised voices," Sam admitted. "I was worried."
"What did you hear?" Gandalf asked. "Speak!" He shouted, making Sam jump.
"N-nothing important!" Sam replied. "Course I did hear a great deal about a ring, a dark lord, and something about the end of the world but…"
"Wait, Mr. Gandalf!" Rosie shouted, running into the smial. "Please don't hurt him! He was just worried, and so were we!"
"We?" Gandalf asked. May finally walked into the smial after Rosie.
"I was walking Rosie home, but then we heard raised voices too. And we saw Sam by the window." May explained. "Please don't hurt us, Mr. Gandalf. Don't turn us into anything…unnatural…"
"No?" Gandalf mused. "Perhaps not…I thought of a better use for you lot!"
~jb~
"May…are we really doing this?" Sam asked, as she was packing her bag. She had told her mother they were all staying in Bag End that night. She figured it would be easier to sneak off in the morning.
"Yes, Sam." May whispered. "We can't tell anyone!"
"I know," Sam replied. "I'm just excited! An adventure, May!"
"I know!" May replied. "Now finish packing, Frodo is waiting for us!"
The three had returned to Bag End. Frodo let them each stay in their own room, and Gandalf would make sure they were all ready to leave first thing in the morning.