Chapter 3

Three is Company

"Hurry up, Samwise! Keep up!" May snapped, noticing her brother was falling behind. Gandalf led them to a forest.

"Be careful, all of you." Gandalf advised. "The enemy has many spies in his service; birds, beasts…" He paused and turned to Frodo. "Is it safe?"

Frodo reached for the pocket of his vest before nodding. Gandalf knelt down to Frodo's eyelevel.

"Never put it on." Gandalf said. "For the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Frodo; The Ring is trying to get back to its master…it wants to be found."

Gandalf mounted his horse and took off. A flock of birds, flying through the trees made the four hobbits jump. Each of them seemed frightened and uncertain. Frodo took a deep breath, and with determination, he took the first step of their journey.

They had continued to walk, occasionally talking, but the group was mostly silent. They enjoyed the scenery as they traveled through the Shire. As the afternoon was starting to fade, May recognized the farm they were walking by. She stopped, her heart nearly beating out of her chest.

"This is it." She said, making the group pause.

"This is what?" Frodo asked.

"If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." She said. Sam looked towards the farm, as he also recognized it. As a family, they had visited this farm for a harvest festival. They ran through the pumpkin patch and played in the haystacks. They had never traveled beyond this farm.

Frodo walked toward May, standing beside her as though to offer some support. "Come on, May." He said gently. May took a deep breath and took another step forward. When she found she was still walking, Frodo placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Remember what Bilbo used to say?" Frodo asked. "It's a dangerous business Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."

That evening, they set up a campfire and Sam immediately started cooking dinner. Frodo sat on a large tree branch, smoking his pipe. May and Rosie were setting up places to sleep.

Frodo lifted his head and whispered to the group. The other three paused, and they could hear a beautiful, yet sad song.

"Wood elves," Frodo explained before leading them to the road. They stayed hidden in the bushes and watched as the elves walked gracefully through the forest.

"They're going to the harbor beyond the white tower." Frodo explained to the group further. "To the Grey Havens."

"They're leaving Middle-Earth?" May asked.

"Never to return." Frodo answered.

"I don't know why, but it makes me sad." Sam admitted.

They went back to their camp and decided to settle down for the night.

"Everywhere I lie, there's a great, dirty root sticking into my back." Sam mumbled, adjusting in his spot.

"Just shut your eyes." Rosie said softly. "And imagine you're back in your own bed, with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow."

Sam took a minute, trying to follow Rosie's advice. But he quickly gave up. "It's not working Rosie…I'm never going to be able to sleep out here."

Rosie smiled. "Me neither Sam."

~jb~

Part of May knew she was dreaming, yet it felt so real. She was no stranger to nightmares and odd dreams, but she wasn't too found of them.

She was watching the Gaffer, tending to the garden of Bag End just like always. A figure she couldn't quite see or hear approached him. All she could hear was her old Gaffer's side of the conversation.

"No, Mr. Baggins has gone away." He said. "Went this morning, and my May and Sam went with him. Anyway, all his stuff went. Yes, sold out and gone, I tell'ee. Why? Why's none of my business, or yours. Where to? That ain't no secret. He's moved to Bucklebury or some such place, away down yonder. Yes, it is- a tidy way. I've never been so far myself; they're queer folks in Buckland. No, I can't give no message. Good night to you! An inquisitive lot yeh all are!"

May did not realize she was there in the scene. She thought she had been just watching, so she was surprised when the Gaffer turned to her and began to speak to her.

"Hallo, May!" He greeted. "I thought you were away with Mr. Frodo this morning. There's been a strange customer asking for Mr. Baggins of Bag End, and he's only just gone. I've sent him on to Bucklebury. Not that I liked the sound of him. He seemed mighty put out, when I told him Mr. Baggins had left his old home for good. Hissed at me, he did. It gave me quite a shudder. What sort of fellow was he? I don't know, but he wasn't a hobbit. He was tall, and black-like, and he stooped over me. I reckon it was one of the Big Folk from foreign parts. He spoke funny."

May felt uneasy. Anxiety picked at her stomach, thinking that she had left her parents and her little sister behind, alone to sort out Bag End, dealing with enemies.

May wanted to speak and warn the Gaffer of the potential dangers. She wanted to plead with him to look after Marigold and Mama, but her voice felt lost.

Suddenly, she saw the figure again, though it was covered in a black smoke. The smoke surrounded her, as though it were suffocating her. She coughed and wheezed, looking around for an escape. For air.

May woke up, gasping for breath. She realized she was still in the forest, resting by Frodo, Sam, and Rosie.

"May?" Sam's voice stirred. The campfire had died down, but the moonlight helped her see enough. Hearing Sam's voice alone was enough to calm her. "Are you all right?"

"I…I think so." May replied. "It was a nightmare…"

"Really?" Sam asked. "Have they come back?"

"Hopefully not." May admitted, though she wasn't too sure of the answer.

"Please tell me if you keep having them." Sam pleaded.

"I will." May replied.

"Did you bring your journal?"

"Yes." May replied. "There's no point in taking it out at this hour."

"We should've brought you a sketchbook." Sam mused.

"Again, there would be no point in using it now." May said.

"Yes, but you could use it during meals and breaks." Sam suggested.

"I suppose…"

"Well, it makes two of us." Sam continued. "Nightmares are bothering you, and I'm getting stabbed by roots. At least Mr. Frodo and Rosie are getting some sleep."

"Not with you two talking." Rosie interrupted, playfulness in her voice. Frodo chuckled.

"Sorry," May whispered. "We'll try to go back to sleep."

Short chapter, but things are about to get interesting. I have this headcannon that May has chronic nightmares.