Chapter 8
Sealeaf woke up later that afternoon and was surprised to see a plant on the table. It was a very pretty rose, but it didn't seem right. Sealeaf's nose was as keen as a wolf's, and he could tell that something on that rose was wrong, but he didn't know what. He got up and walked over to the table. Frodo and Sam were talking in another room. Legolas and Terrico had gone out to the woods to see if they could find any other dragons. Legolas had told Frodo that Sealeaf was asleep, and that he should keep an eye on him for when he wakes up. Frodo noticed Sealeaf climbing onto the table. "No Sealeaf! Off my table, now!" Frodo ran over and picked up Sealeaf. The dragon squirmed a bit, but then calmed down. He did not want the hobbit to start yelling again. He looked at the window and was surprised; a huge bird came in and sat on the windowsill! Sealeaf hissed at it, but the falcon paid no attention to the baby dragon. It knew Sealeaf was too young to use any magic, and was too slow to catch him. The falcon had been sent by Aragorn, and was trained to seek out Frodo. It was a messenger-bird. Frodo gave Sealeaf to Sam and went over to the bird. It had a small roll of paper on its leg, sealed with Aragorn's stamp. Frodo took the paper and read it. "My dear friend, Frodo, I hope that you are well. I am traveling by and I am going to stop by. I thought that it would be good to give you a warning. Have you heard anything from the rest of the Fellowship? I recently received news that Legolas is on the run from his father. It is very much like him to do something like that. I saw Gandalf the other day. He's searching for his apprentice, well, former apprentice. She is an elf, but has black hair. Gandalf is worried about her. I do not know why. She is known as a dragon-friend and needs not fear them, though they are becoming more common. There are few near here, and they do not attack anyone, except goblins and orcs, who are becoming a threat once again. That is why I am going by. The South Mountains near you are now the outpost of the last of Sauron's forces. I am leading a small army, and Thranduil and Elrond are sending Elven forces. We are all meeting near the Shire, but do not worry. We will have our own supplies and we do not plan on asking you or any other hobbit for anything. How is Sam? Ask him to describe for you and the other hobbits the 'viney rose.' It is very common in the South Mountains, but grows no where else. It is a sign that there has been travel from the Mountains. It grows quickly and is quite lovely, from what I hear. I hope to see you and Sam soon. Please send my falcon back with a reply." The bottom was signed simply "Strider." Frodo would have laughed, but the mention of the rose startled him. He wished that the elves were back. He watched his cat come in, and quickly wrote a reply. He tied it to the falcon's leg and shooed it off. The bird took off and headed north. Frodo sighed and reread the letter. "This is not good." He went as showed it to Sam, who lost all color in his face when he heard the news. "We've got two fugitives, a dragon, AND a sign that goblins are nearby. Just what we need! I was hoping that I could get back to my garden since that ring was destroyed." Frodo simply shook his head. "We'll have to tell the Elves as soon as they return." They sat by the fire and pondered what was going to happen. Frodo's cat sat down on his lap and purred, obviously trying to calm him. Sealeaf hissed, but then stopped. It looked out the window and gave a very sad cry. It had understood what Frodo had said, and he knew that something very bad was going to happen.