~Max~

EIGHT YEARS LATER . . .

When I woke up that day eight years ago after the Warg attack (still bare the scars from it to this day, claw and teeth marks on my left arm and a scar along the top of my hair line) I was surprised to find who was in the room with me. Bilbo Baggins.

He was a lot like I imagined he would be, odd eccentric and adventurous. I loved listening to him tell me stories as I recovered, for he had a gift of keeping his listener entranced in the story.

I decided to play things off as Clare did in Outlander and not tell anyone I was from another world or future, and played it off as partial amnesia from my head.

After I was healed up in Bag End I was taken in by the Gamgee family as a personal favor from Bilbo. The Gamgee's were more than happy to take me in, and set me to work with the Gaffer and Sam in tending the gardens of Bag End.

I wasn't much of a gardener but under the Gamgee's teachings I learned much and came to love growing things as much as any other Hobbit. The Gamgee's themselves treated me as one of there own, and I loved them in turn and (despite technically being an adult among humans, something about being in Hobbit child's body has made me more childish/revert back to a child/teenager, probably because among hobbits I am considered a child and am in the body of one), I see this as a chance at having the childhood I never got to have.

So I may have gone a little crazy. Which I completely blame on Merry and Pippin, as they are both very bad influences. I mean I certainly wasn't the one that taught them the caramel onion apple prank, or to put wood lice in Lobelia's soup pretending it was pepper or dyeing Fatty's hair blue and I'm definitely not responsible for putting two spring rabbits in the mayor's office knowing they were a male and female . . . in heat.

When I wasn't gardening with Sam (My adopted brother's and sisters had mostly moved out or were too little to work so Sam and I did most of it) at Bag End I was with Frodo. He would often invite me in for tea or something when I had finished, Sam almost always declined but I accepted. Because of these meeting, Frodo and I became very good friends. After that when I wasn't with Sam working in the gardens, I was hanging out with Frodo, exploring the woods around the shire or pulling pranks and we became best of friends.

Everything had been prefect . . . Until I started to change.

It was small things at first. I could hear better than other hobbits and wounds that normally would take days to heal took me hours, like I cut my hand pretty bad helping Sam mend a fence, the wound was completely healed by the time I went to bed. Then while collecting egg with Marigold (the youngest Gamgee child) I noticed I could understand what the chickens were saying to each other and they in turn could understand me. I found I liked talking with cats, some species of birds, and cows. Lastly I discovered my way with plants. While most hobbits have an affinity to plants none can "talk" to them like I can or control them. I found that with a wave of my hand I can control the limbs of a tree or vines on a tomato plant. I can even make them grow on a whim or change there make up to suit my needs, like make a plant more resistant to bugs, or glow in the dark.

I haven't told anyone . . . except Gandalf. He thankfully believed me but told me to keep my abilities to myself and tell him if anymore developed.

So as much as it pained me to keep secrets from Sam and Frodo, especially something huge like this, I did as Gandalf said. Several times over the years I've been nearly found out, like the time I had to speak with some animals to find a missing fauntling or control the limbs of a tree to catch a Marigold when she fell out of the tree. I was easily able to explain the incidents but I live in fear of anyone finding out and how they would react.

Today was Frodo and Bilbo's birthday.

I was woken up the usual way by Marigold who really hasn't deviated much from it in the last eight years. I lay face down in my pillow in the room the two of us share, dead to the world and I'm abruptly woken by someone jumping on my bed. I wake up abruptly to Marigold's giggling and the bouncing on my bed. I jerk my head up to look at her and groan.

"No, no, five more minutes."

I pull the pillow over my head trying to go back to sleep. She laughs jumping off the bed to quickly retrieve her pillow and come back to begin hitting me with it. I try to ignore her but her laughter is contagious and I can't help getting up to join her in the pillow fight, tell were both laughing and it attracts Sam's attention.

He burst into the room and see's us jumping on my bed swinging our pillows at each other. He takes one look at us and wears an expression like he doesn't know whether to be annoyed or amused by our childish antics.

"Come on you two we all have work to do before the party tonight."

I laughed. "Come on, Sam! Lighten up."

Marigold turns to look at her older brother. "Yeah Sam, come have fun with us! Instead of being a bore as always!"

Sam shoots her an offended look. "I'm not boring."

Marigold rolls her eyes. "Of your the boringest."

Sam shoot me a look asking if this is true, I give him an apologetic look and a put up a hand holding two fingers together in a "Little bit" gesture.

Sam narrows his eyes and I sense the mischievous side to Sam only a few get to see before he jumps up on my bed wrestles my pillow away and teams up with his sister in beating me with it.

I try to block their hits laughing and end up on my back curled up into a ball until the Gaffer comes in to break us up. We all then get dress and head into the kitchen to grab first breakfast and head out.

"Hello Da," I said, it had taken me a few years before I felt comfortable enough to call the Gaffer that and I was thankful that he completely understood. "Were off now!" I call.

He raised an eyebrow at Sam and I. "Without giving your old gaffer a hug and a kiss."

Grinning I skipped over to hug him and plant a kiss on his cheek. He in turn kissed my forehead and I pulled back to let Sam have his turn. From there we headed out eating our muffins Sam had made. Sam and I walk in companionable silence tell we reach Bag End.

Once there we find Frodo already at work in the garden. Sam, being Sam. Panics at the sight of his future master doing hard work of any kind, and rushes over to stop Frodo.

"Mr. Frodo," he cries. "You should of left that for Max and I."

Frodo looks up from the flower bush he was dead heading and grins at the sight of us. :Nonsense Sam, I'm perfectly cable of taking care of a rose bush."

"But sir—" Sam starts.

Frodo shakes his head. "Its fine Sam, we have a lot to do before the party tonight."

"But—"

"Come on, Sam," I said grabbing his hand. 'If Frodo wants to help in his garden we should let him."

"Sam doesn't look convinced but lets the matter slide and sets to work. Frodo and I share an amused look behind Sam's back before going to work ourselves.

"When I'm done gardening with Sam and Frodo, I hear Bilbo call my name from his study.

Curious I walk into the one room Bilbo politely asked me not to go in as it's his personal sanctuary, which I respected and never went into . . . until now. I find Bilbo sitting at his desk with a red book resting on the surface which I wonder if is the book he's writing about his adventures to the lonely mountain in.

"Please sit down, my dear," he said kindly gesturing to a free chair.

I sit down and he starts out asking me how I'm liking my stay and I answer honestly, that its great and I love the hospitality he and Frodo have shown me. Afterwards he goes quiet and I wait patiently for him to speak. Finally he does.

"I have something of a favor to ask you, Max."

I nod and answer without hesitation. "Name it."

He smiles at my un-hesitation to answer. "I don't know if you know or not, but I plan to leave after the party tonight."

I nod, not bothering to deny it. "I do."

He nods in turn not expecting anything less. "Frodo's a smart adventurous lad with wisdom far beyond his years . . . just like his mother," a sad look comes in Bilbo's eyes at the mention of his late wife and my heart goes out to him. "but . . . he's still rather naive of the dangers that lay in wait from the world outside the Shire . . ." he looks down. "I know I should have told him whats really out there but . . ."

"You didn't want to take away or dim that innocence and wonder in his eyes by showing him the troubles and horrors of the world," I finished, he smiles at me with a hint of surprise. "I did the same thing with my siblings for as long as I could."

He nods, staring off into nothing for a moment. "He needs someone to protect him from it . . ." he looks to me expectantly and I note with a tad bit of desperation. "I ask that you look after Frodo in my absence. Keep him safe and happy to the best of your abilities."

I instantly see what Bilbo is giving me and asking me to protect. His greatest treasure. Not his vast riches or the ancient artifacts he's gathered from his travels over the years, but his son that he loves more than anything.

I reach out to gently take his hands in mine. "I promise, Bilbo. I will safe guard and look after Frodo like he is my own family. And if you want to know what that looks like, it means I will kill or die for him without hesitation. No harm will come to him while I am with him."

Bilbo lets out a huge breath of relief and pats our clasped hands. Thank you my dear, this makes leaving so much easier, knowing I'm leaving Frodo in your care."

I nod, honored by his trust. "Safe journeys Bilbo and may we meet again one day."

He smiles. "I look forward to that day."

After my talk with Bilbo, I headed out with Frodo, (who asked if I would join him) to wait for Gandalf to arrive in the east Farthing woods.

I simply lay back on the grass hands behind my head, quite content looking up at the sky through the canopy of the trees while Frodo reads.

I sneak glances at Frodo, marveling at the sweet look he gets while he reads and the sun shining in his hair making streaks of red and gold appear at the tips. I'd froze for a moment watching his hair shine in the light, thinking about how I had noticed by now, that in certain lightings his hair seems to change colors.

While it always remains very dark, in the light of the sun I see red and gold shining in the dark curls, in the light of room its dark brown like chocolate and in no light it was black. Once again I had to resist the urge to reach out and see if his curls were as soft and silky as they appear.

Suddenly Frodo's and I's heads pop up at the same time when we hear a wagon coming up the road. We share a grin before getting up and racing towards the road. From there we saw Gandalf coming up the road singing.

"The road goes ever on and on.,

down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the road has gone.

And I must follow if I can."

He sang until Frodo stepped forward and interrupted him.

"You're late!" He accused with his arms crossed over his chest. I stood behind him trying not to laugh at his serious pose.

Gandalf replies turning slowly to face Frodo and I with a stern expression. "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."

They stare at each other both struggling to keep there stern serious expressions, on there face, tell finally they crack and there both laughing.

"It's wonderful to see you Gandalf!" Frodo called launching himself onto Gandalf's cart to give him a hug

"Aye," I said jumping forward to get a hug as well. "It truly is Gandalf!"

The great old wizard chuckled as he hugged two of his favorite hobbits in the world.

"Ooh! You didn't think I'd miss your father Bilbo's birthday?" He asked and the two of us.

We grinned and settled down next to him on the front seat of his cart and Gandalf sets off down the road

"So how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence."

Frodo gives a mock face of exasperation. "You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an uproar."

Gandalf chuckles. "Well, that should please him!"

"Half the Shire's been invited," I said, recalling all the Hobbits that have poured into Hobbiton the last few days, "and the rest of them are turning up anyway."

Frodo and Gandalf laugh at that and I grin softly in return.

Frodo then adapts a thoughtful and concerned look. "To tell you the truth, Bilbo's been a bit odd lately," He glances at Gandalf to elaborate at his raised eyebrow, "I mean, more than usual. He's taken to locking himself in his study. He spends hours and hours poring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking. He's up to something." He looks at Gandalf frowning critically and Gandalf plays for innocents, Frodo grins. "All right then keep your secrets."

"Hmmph," Gandalf looks at Frodo as he has no idea what he's talking about but we all know he does.

"But I know you have something to do with it," Frodo said with a stern raised eyebrow.

"Good gracious me!" Gandalf protested lightly.

"Before you came along we Bagginses were very well thought of." He continued sounding quite proud of the fact.

"Indeed?" Gandalf asked in a mock incredulous/curious tone.

"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected," Frodo claimed in a matter of fact tone.

The wizard tires to defend his innocence on the matter. "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door."

I shake my head amused. "Whatever you did, you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace," I told him grimly.

"Oh really?" He asked turning to look at a hobbit man whose house we were passing by. He was glaring at the three of us as if we were all great troublemakers, Gandalf for obvious reasons, Frodo and I by association.

He didn't have long to dwell on this before a group full of young hobbit children came rushing out into the street after the cart calling, "Gandalf! Gandalf! Fireworks? Gandalf!†Before sighing in disappointment as he seemed to pass by without even acknowledging their requests. Just then a bunch of small fireworks lit off the back of the cart and into the air as if by magic, and they all began to squeal with utter delight.

"Gandalf, I'm glad you're back." Frodo said as both he and I leapt from the cart and began to walk off down the hill side by side.

"So am I, dear boy! So am I," we heard Gandalf muse smoking his pipe.

Frodo and I headed down hill to the party tree to see if we could help at all with setting up the tents and what not for the party tonight. We work on that tell everything is ready then head back to our homes to get ready.

After taking a bath and getting dressed along with helping Marigold with her hair, we head out to the party.

With dark setting in the party tree is and surrounding areas is filled with lights strung up in cords on poles giving the scene a almost magical feel.

Marigold and I separate as she goes to talk with her friends and I go to where I see Sam siting on a bench drinking an ale and sneaking glances at Rosie Cotton.

We all knew Sam fancied Rosie, and her smile turned him into a babbling fool. Many other fellows flirted with Rosie but I assured him she didn't smile at the others the way she smiled at Sam.

I moved to sit down next to him, and idly chatted with him. At one point while Frodo danced quite humorously with some of his distant relatives, (while some hobbit lasses watch him, with dreamy love sick expression, making me wonder just how many admire's Frodo has), and Sam and I watched in amusement, I see him grin dreamily at Rosie. I grin at him as he sneaks another a glance at her when he thinks I'm not looking.

"Why not ask her for a dance?"

Sam blushes at my words. "Oh no, I couldn't do that."

Before I can say more Frodo skips over, face a bit flushed from dancing and a wide smile on his face as he sits down next to Sam.

"Go on Sam. Ask Rosie for a dance."

Sam makes a small sound of distress. “Uh, no, she looks fine on her own.â€
"Come on Sam," Frodo said, pressuring.

Sam shakes his head. "I think I'll just have another ale."

He moves to get up to do just that. Frodo grins at me, a silent conversation seems to pass between us. We both get up and grab one of Sam's arms to steer him in the direction of Rosie.

"Oh no, you don't," Frodo said.

We push him towards Rosie.

"Go on," I said.

He's launched forward into Rosie's arms as she dances by and off they go. Frodo and I sit back laughing joyously at the sight, until Frodo grabs my arm and pulls me onto the dance floor.

As the dancing continued, Gandalf even joined in the dancing even though he towered over the hobbits.

As I was swung around a male hobbits arm I don't know and out to link arms back with Frodo, I find I'm bumped out of the way by an over enthusiastic lass (who I noticed watching Frodo earlier dancing).

Frodo gives me an apologetic look but I merely smile telling him its okay and link arms again with the hobbit I was just dancing with who seems happy to do so. As I spin back around I catch sight of the female hobbit Frodo is dancing with that shoots me a glare over Frodo's shoulder, that he doesn't see, at me.

Her warning clear, stay away from Frodo.

I roll my eyes in amusement. Uh this is one of the reasons why I hated high school . . . but two can play at that game.

Grinning mischievously I maneuver myself out from the hobbit I'm dancing with as Frodo swings out the lass and I cut between nudging the lass aside and Frodo swings me in instead.

He grins. "Nice to see you again, Miss Sol."

I smile. "Same to you, Mr Baggins."

Frodo pulls me away to dance just him and I, a fast paced dance I pick up quickly. Other hobbits stop to watch us dance, cheering us on.

I laugh with joy as does Frodo as he spins me around and my grin widens when I catch sight of the angry look on the female hobbits face.

Sorry lassie but you picked a fight with the wrong girl.

After a while a group of children come up to Gandalf, begging Gandalf to light off some of his fireworks. He laughs and lets himself be pulled off much to the delight of the children.

Both winded, Frodo and I take a break from dancing. I sit on a bench as Frodo goes to get us drinks.

~Frodo~

I was on my way to get Max and I drinks when Bilbo ran from Lobelia and nearly ran over me.

"Sackville-Bagginses!" Bilbo gasped. "Quickly hide!"

I led Bilbo to a tent. We hid beside a tent wall. I turned my head and Bilbo hid his face inside his coat. The Sackville-Bagginses stood right next to us and didn't see us. I dared not to breathe. Lobelia and her Otho walked away continuing their search.

Bilbo sighed in relief. "Thank you, my boy," He said. "You're a good lad Frodo."

He turned and looked at me. "I'm very selfish, you know. Yes it's true, I am very selfish. After your mother died . . . you were my one reason to live. I think it was because, you were all I had of her, your so much like her Frodo, you remind me of her ever day, you have her spirit and you have her eyes you know too!â€

I frown curiously as I knew my father well and this didn't seem like him.

"Da," I asked. "Have you been at the Gaffer's old brew?"

"No," Said Bilbo. "Well, yes, but that's not the point! The point is Frodo . . ." Bilbo hesitated. "You'll be all right." He turned and went back to drinking. I was silent and wondered if I was ever going to get a straight answer from the old hobbit.

~Max~

A little while after Frodo left I heard an explosion followed by a girly scream from Pippin. I turned just in time to see a tent shoot up into the air.

Oh no, here it comes.

I watched as the Hobbits pointed and cheered as the firework exploded a bit . . . and started to transform into a dragon. The cheers quickly turn to screams of terror as the dragon circles back around.

"Everyone get down!" I holler, at the crowd of hobbits.

Instead they all run away screaming in a panic, running each other over and one Hobbit even flipped over a table spilling it and the food on it onto the grass.

"I said get down! Not run!" I said as I get down myself.

I spot Frodo several meters away pulls Bilbo to the ground as the dragon passes right over there heads. A lot of the Hobbits now at this point have ended up on the ground at this point and they all look up as the dragon flies off into the distance . . . and explodes into a collage of colors filling half the sky.

The Hobbits then cheer and I join along, for while Merry and Pippin may be a lot of things, at least nothing with them around is ever boring.

Soon after we all gathered around for Bilbo's speech. I sat next to Frodo, with a cup of ale in hand.

"Speech! Speech! Speech!" The crowd cheered and clapped as Bilbo waves as he walks up on stage.

"My dear Bagginses and Boffins," he says, and after he mentions the names, the hobbits cheer with their fists high up in the air. "Tooks and Brandybucks," more cheering from the families. "Grubbs and Chubbs," some more cheering. "Hornblowers and Bolgers . . . Bracegirdles and Proudfoots!"

"Proudfeet!" Calls an elder hobbit smoking a pipe with his large feet on the table earning some laughter from the crowd.

Bilbo waves it off good-naturedly before addressing the crowd with a smile. "Today is my 111th birthday!" Some cheers. "And the day my son and heir Frodo Baggins come's of age!" A great big cheer from the crowd at this, which makes Frodo blush scarlet and smile.

"But alas, eleventy-one years is far to short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits," everyone cheers at that. "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!"

Theres some quiet at this last bit as the hobbits glance around trying to figure out if that was a compliment or an insult. I cover up my smile by taking a drink of my ale and see Gandalf sitting off to the side, smile as he smokes his pipe. Bilbo began to grow somber and I remembered what was going to happen next.

"I have things to do. I've put this off for far to long," I hear him whisper loud enough for only me to hear, than in a louder voice. "I regret to announce this is the end! I'm going now, I wish you all a very fond farewell." He looks to where Frodo is sitting next to me on a bench. "Goodbye."

Even expecting it, it came as a shock when Bilbo completely disappeared before my eyes, making me look at the drink in my hand, wondering if it was affecting me more than I thought.

Frodo had immediately reached out and started gripping my hand, as if I were some kind of lifeline. I turned to face him and seeing the absolute fear and confusion in his eyes, I returned the pressure drawing his eyes toward mine and offered a small smile. He returned it, albeit weakly, and as I gazed into those gorgeous blue eyes I felt something pass between us. Something I couldn't quite describe, but had been experiencing for a while now almost every time I and Frodo met; and I liked it.

Frodo and I stuck around long enough to calm everyone down, I used my empathic abilities (an annoying gift I've had since I was a kid. It's an ability that helps me to understand and get inside peoples heads, which has on more than one occasion people thinking I can read minds. When in reality I'm just reading their body language, facial expressions and sensing their emotions and even influence them, in other words people are open books to me,) to ease everyones minds sending them soothing vibes. Once thats done Frodo races off to catch Bilbo before he leaves.

I took off after him, keeping pace, my mind vaguely thinking about how my cousin once told me I was so fast I aerodynamic. I finally did just that as he reached Bag-End and burst inside crying, "Bilbo! Bilbo!"

I stayed behind him not wanting to interfere with anything in this scene. I took a step forward in an effort to get a better look I stepped on something cool and round on the threshold. I froze as an an image flashes through my head of Sauron passes through my head.

I quickly remove my foot and look down to see a small round gold object.

The one Ring.

Instantly I hear whispering coming from the ring, as it tries to tempt me to take, telling me we belong together but I ignore it and cautiously bend down to pick it up. It sent strange unwelcome shivers through me at a single touch like I just picked up something truly fowl . . . which I did.

Turning I spot Gandalf by sitting in a chair by the fireplace smoking his pipe whispering to himself, I catch the words, 'Riddles in the dark' and 'Precious.'

"He's gone hasn't he?" Frodo asked, even though I could sense he already knew the answer to this question, he moves forward to stand by Gandalf. I follow after Frodo. "He talked for so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it."

Gandalf appears so lost in his thoughts he doesn't notice were there standing next to him."Gandalf?" I prodded, reaching out to gently tap him on the shoulder.

"Hm . . ." he said coming out of his thoughts and looks slightly started to see us standing there next to him, tell he notices what I have laying in the palm of my hand. "Bilbo's Ring. He's gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag End." He pulls out an envelope for me, so I could ever so carefully slip the Ring inside it. The relief was almost instantaneous. Gandalf seals it in before giving it to Frodo "Along with all of his possessions. The Ring is yours now. Put it somewhere out of sight."

With that Gandalf gets up to gather his hat and staff. Halfway there he looks to me and moves forward to place a hand on my shoulder. "Keep him safe, Max."

I nod. "I promise."

He nods in turn and continues on his way to the door.

"Where are you going?" Frodo asked, now understanding that Gandalf means to leave as well.

"There are things that I must see to," Gandalf said without stopping.

"What things?" Frodo asked going after him

"Questions," Gandalf said picking up his hat and staff. "Questions that need answering!" Frodo stops at the front door behind Gandalf. "But you've only just arrived! I don't understand."

Gandalf looks back at Frodo. "Neither do I," He bends down to grab Frodo's shoulder. "Keep it secret. Keep it safe."

Without another word Gandalf disappears into the night.

I feel Frodo's eyes on me but I don't meet them, my mind to busy on the promise I just made and what exactly I've just gotten into.