Frodo had been out exploring for a few hours, when the uneasiness in his stomach returned. He didn't know why he might be nervous, though. Maybe he was worried about getting lost? But that was very unlikely to happen, he hadn't gone far. Oh well, he just won't think about it, maybe it will go away again.

When he came to a small river, he decided it was far enough, so after a short rest, he'd start to head back. He sat down, and leaned against a tree. While he was sitting, just listening to the water trickle by, his mind drifted. "Exploring would be much easier, and fun, if I didn't have a certain time limit," he said to himself. "If only I could come out here for a couple of days… But Bilbo wouldn't let me, would he? Maybe Bilbo would come with me? Or maybe Sam could come with me? Yeah, that would be fun – I can ask Sam tomorrow. We could come here, and cross the river, then go on and…" He smiled and chuckled, he was making plans already, and he didn't even know if he could do it. "It's a silly idea anyway. Why would me and Sam be allowed to come out here, by ourselves? But, then again, why not?" He sighed, "I'm sure Bilbo and Mr. Gamgee can think of a few reasons why not…" He closed his eyes, and listened to the calming sound of the water… After a few minutes, he sighed, and stood up. It was time to head back.

~~~~~

By the time Frodo reached Bag End, it was late afternoon. He was out of breath, for he had been running for a while. He went in and found Bilbo in the drawing room. When Bilbo heard the creak of the door opening, he turned to see Frodo. "Ah, Frodo, did you enjoy…" it was then that Bilbo noticed Frodo's heavy breathing. "Are you alright?"

Frodo nodded, "Yeah…I ran back."

"Really?" Bilbo asked curiously.

"No…no, not…all the way," Frodo told him. "Just a little bit."

"Oh… Well, do you think you're hungry now, I was just about to start fixing dinner," Bilbo said.

"Oh yeah, I'm really hungry now! Can I help?" Frodo asked.

Bilbo laughed, "Sure, but don't go sneakin' somethin' when I'm not looking." He teased.

Frodo laughed, and pretended to pout, "You don't trust me?"

Bilbo got up from his chair, "Come on."

"Actually, Bilbo, there's something I wanted to ask you," Frodo told him as they entered the kitchen.

"Oh? What's that?" asked Bilbo. But before Frodo could answer, he said, "Oh, wait. There's something I'm going to need…"

"What?" Frodo asked.

"Wait here, I'll be right back," Bilbo said as he left the room, leaving Frodo to wonder what it was. It wasn't long before Bilbo returned, carrying a bag. Frodo watched curiously as Bilbo took out a small box. He set it on the table and took off the top, "I got these in town today."

Frodo walked over to see what was inside. He chuckled, "Mushrooms!"

"Yes," Bilbo laughed as he turned away, preparing something to cook. "Oh, uh, what was that you wanted to ask me?"

Frodo didn't answer, he was thinking about the mushrooms. He could already taste them.

"Frodo?" Bilbo asked, turning around.

"Hmm?" Frodo looked at Bilbo.

Bilbo shook his head and chuckled. "What did you want to ask me?"

"Well…" Frodo said slowly. "While I was out today… I was thinking, maybe… Well, maybe I could go out for a few days. I-Instead of only a couple hours."

Bilbo thought about it. He didn't like leaving Frodo for too long. Often, Bilbo thought of Frodo as his own, and worried about him. But, then again, he was in his tweens. He opened his mouth to object, but saw the hope in Frodo's eyes. "I suppose, maybe for two or three days," Bilbo agreed, against his better judgment.

"Really?" Frodo asked, surprised. He smiled, "I can?"

Bilbo nodded.

"Thank you," Frodo said happily. But then his face grew serious again, "Do you think, if I ask Mr. Gamgee, he'd let Sam come with me?" Bilbo sighed and shook his head, but before he could say anything Frodo continued, "I mean, he did say to ask the next time I go out."

"Yes, Frodo," Bilbo agreed. "He did say that." He was about to say something, but then changed his mind, "Why don't you go and ask him…"

Frodo nodded, and started to leave, but then remembered he offered to help Bilbo. He turned around, but before he could say anything, Bilbo told him, "It's alright, I can take care of this. You go on now."

Frodo smiled, "Okay, thanks Bilbo!"

Bilbo smiled until Frodo left the room. He really didn't think Hamfast would allow Sam to go with Frodo, and he hoped Frodo didn't get too upset.

~~~~~

Frodo knocked on the door of the Gamgee home. The door opened to reveal a lovely young hobbit lass. "Hi Frodo," she said, recognizing him.

He smiled, "Hi Daisy. Can I talk to your father?"

"Sure," she agreed. "Come in."

He waited inside, by the door, while she went to get her father.

"Daisy, who was at the--" asked Mrs. Gamgee as she came to see. "Oh, hello… Frodo, isn't it?"

He smiled and nodded, "That's right."

She smiled, "Sam's eating right now, but you're welcome to join us for dinner."

Frodo shook his head, "No, thank you. Actually, I just came to talk with Mr. Gamgee."

"Oh!" She shrugged, "Well, alright then."

"Oh, no, no," he said. "I came to ask him something, but you should probably stay, cause the decision is probably up to you, too."

"Me? Well, what is it?"

"Here he is," Daisy pointed her father in the direction of Frodo.

"Daisy, go and finish your lunch now," Mrs. Gamgee told her.

"Okay," Daisy nodded, and went back into the kitchen.

"What was it you wanted?" asked Hamfast

"Well," Frodo sighed. "Bilbo has agreed to let me go on a little…trip…exploring…for a couple days. And I was wondering if Sam… if you would allow Sam to come with me?"

Hamfast looked surprised, "You want to take Sam with you?" He sighed, "Well, you know I'd like Sam to start helping me with the gardening… when were you planning this?"

"Well, I was thinking maybe we could leave tomorrow morning, stay one day, and come back the next…" Frodo said hopefully.

"Hmm…" Hamfast said. "So, three days?"

Mrs. Gamgee nodded slightly at her husband, "I think that would be fun for Sam."

"Yeah, but…" he sighed heavily. "You're right," he said to his wife. He turned to Frodo, "Okay, he can go."

Mrs. Gamgee smiled, and Frodo sighed with relief. He had been nervous about asking, since Bilbo hadn't seemed too positive about it. "Thank you, sir," he said, and turned to leave.

"Wait," Hamfast said. "Wouldn't you like to tell Sam?"

Frodo paused, thinking. "No, you go ahead, I'm going to tell Bilbo, I'll see Sam tomorrow. Thank you again, goodbye."

After he left Mrs. Gamgee laughed. "It's probably a good thing. If Frodo told him, Sam would be so excited, he probably wouldn't let Frodo go yet…"

~~~~~

As Frodo was walking back to Bag End, he tripped and sneezed. Why was he sneezing so much today? He also had a strange feeling in his stomach. And this morning he hadn't had much of an appetite. He hoped he wasn't catching a cold. He couldn't now! But, his appetite had come back, after all, he was going to eat dinner. He had been so nervous about asking for permission for Sam to go with him, he had forgotten how hungry he was. But now, his stomach was starting to growl at him, reminding him. No, of course he wasn't sick…was he?

~~~~~

To Be Continued…