Author's Note: * begs and pleads for forgiveness * I'm back…can I come back? Sorry, I spent a ton of time getting ready for finals. Geometry… * shudders and tries to hold back bad memory * Think happy Elijah thoughts, happy thoughts….

By afternoon, they were each sporting a few bruises, but were otherwise happy; Sam's brothers even came out to help teach them a few moves (including a few they had practiced on Sam when he was younger). Over lunch, the three boys had gotten into a discussion of how they would win a fight with Lotho and his friends.

After excusing himself from the conversation, Frodo sat down next to the old hobbit. "Uncle Bilbo, can I ask you a question?"

"Go on ahead."

"Why- Why do people," Frodo began, watching the smoke rings his uncle was making. "Why do people like other people who are mean and arrogant?"

Bilbo looked out thoughtfully for a moment. "Sometimes, the fools of this world mistake that arrogance and cruelty for strength and courage and they run to it." He glanced over to see if Frodo understood before he continued, "But they aren't as happy as one would think, either. In the end, the fools will all desert them. You are much better off than Lotho. You have the friends who will stand by you. Take care of them, Frodo."

Frodo nodded slightly to show he understood. How was it Bilbo could know so much?