Chapter 3: Tsuyoshi's goodbye to Hikoma
At Tsuyoshi's frightened party, the crowd, still shaken after seeing Tsuyoshi vanish, are unaware that Tsuyoshi is invisible. So he runs back to Bag End to make sure nobody followed him. He went through the front gate, to the door. Once, inside his house…
…He laughed mischievously as he reappeared, admiring the object that made him invisible. It was a gold ring. He flipped it up, caught it and put it back in his vest pocket. Tsuyoshi started, in a hurry to gather his things and leave before anybody could find him there.
He started to grab a walking stick and go into his lobby, only to find someone was already waiting for him…
"…I suppose you think that was terribly clever!"
Tsuyoshi started to look around his lobby and saw that someone was behind him, near the fireplace. It was Hikoma, irritated as he was for the stunt that Tsuyoshi just pulled.
Tsuyosho tries to reason to his old friend, "oh, come on Hikoma, did you see their faces!" Tsuyoshi laughed even more mischievously than before.
But Hikoma countered Tsuyoshi, "there are many magic rings in this world Tsuyoshi Kaijo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly."
"It was just a bit of fun," Tsuyoshi said to defend himself then immediately put on a face of defeat, "oh, you're probably right, as usual. You will keep an eye on Takeru, won't you?"
"Two eyes," answered Hikoma.
"Thanks," Tsuyosho said
"…As often as I can spare them," Hikoma finished.
Then Tsuyoshi picked up a pipe and went over to his book and brought it to his bag on the table. "I'm leaving everything to him," he said.
"What about that ring of yours? Is that staying too?"
"Yes, yes," Tsuyoshi said. Then he pointed behind him with his thumb to show Hikoma.
"Its in an envelope over there on the mantelpiece," said Tsuyoshi as Hikoma went for the mantel in which he was told. But then…
"No, wait its…" said Tsuyoshi as he went for the pocket where the ring is really kept, "…here in my pocket," muttered Tsuyoshi. He held the ring in his hand and smiled sheepishly.
"Heh, isn't that odd now?" Tsuyoshi asked himself as he grinned. He then put on a dark face, "…yet after all, why not… why shouldn't I keep it?"
Hikoma interjected, "I think you should leave the ring behind, Tsuyoshi. Is that so hard?"
"Well, no," Tsuyoshi said hurriedly and then mutters to the wizard, "…and yes."
Tsuyoshi's insistence to keep the ring became even stronger, "…now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it! Its mine, I found it, IT CAME TO ME!"
"There's no need to get angry," said Hikoma with concern.
"WELL, IF I'M ANGRY, ITS YOUR FAULT!" Tsuyoshi's anger rose. Hikoma became frightened with Tsuyoshi's anger…
"Its mine… my own… my precioussss," Tsuyoshi hissed maliciously.
Hikoma was even more frightened and startled, "precious? Its been called that before, but not by you."
Insulted, Tsuyoshi turned around fiercely and growled at his old friend, "what business is it of yours, what I do with my own things!"
"I think you've had that ring quite long enough!" countered Hikoma.
"You, you want it for yourself!" it was clear, Tsuyoshi was starting a fight.
"TSUYOSHI KAIJO BAGGINS!" Hikoma couldn't take it anymore…!
Tsuyoshi gasped at the wizard's anger for it reveals a power that Hikoma has had kept hidden. He was surrounded by a shadow. It forced Tsuyoshi to stand up against the wall…
Hikoma fumed, "DO NOT TAKE ME FOR SOME CONJURER OF CHEAP TRICKS! I'M NOT TRYING TO ROB YOU… "
Suddenly, Hikoma's anger slowly subsided along with his power and he was the kind wizard once again. "…I'm trying to help you," finished Hikoma softly.
Tsuyoshi slowly came to his old friend and hugged each other, compassionately. Frightened as Tsuyoshi was, Hikoma spoke to him once more, "all your long years, we've been friends. Trust me as you once did, eh. Let it go."
"You're right Hikoma," Tsuyoshi realized, "…the ring must go to Takeru." Tsuyoshi then grabbed his bag and headed out the door, without realizing he still has the ring…
"It's late, the road is long. Yes… it is time."
Tsuyoshi opened the door to go out but…
"Tsuyoshi," said Hikoma, "the ring is still in your pocket."
Tsuyoshi realized this also and laughed nervously as he took the ring from his pocket. It was in his hand. Tsuyoshi was still reluctant to let the ring go, but he knew Hikoma was right. He let his hand turn slowly… and slowly… and slowly… until he let the ring slip from his hand… and let it drop onto the floor.
Tsuyoshi went out the door, frustrated and took a deep breath. He was a few feet outside his door, and suddenly, recovered his wits and thought of something good.
"I've thought up and ending for my book!" said Tsuyoshi and turned to face the wizard to tell him aloud, "'and he lived happily ever after… to the end of his days.'"
It was a very passionate ending. "And I'm sure you will, my dear friend," Hikoma agreed. Tsuyoshi and Hikoma shook hands together, one last time… still as friends.
"Goodbye, Hikoma."
"Goodbye, dear Tsuyoshi." Tsuyoahi then turned around to leave. As he went out the front gate, he started singing:
The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began...
Hikoma mutters to himself, "…until our next meeting."