"Can we leave today?" Pippin asked his Aunt Esmeralda.

She smiled at him knowingly. He was anxious to visit Frodo. "Yes, your Uncle Saradoc will take you and Merry over there today."

"I wish we could've left yesterday," Merry told her.

"Well," she said. "I suppose you could've, if you wanted to get caught in the storms." She smiled, "Anyway, I don't think one day will make that much difference."

"When are we gonna go?" asked Pippin excitedly.

Esmeralda chuckled, "I think, after breakfast."

"Oh, okay…" Pippin said, and headed off toward the kitchen.

Esmeralda shook her head, "Frodo's only been gone for a couple of weeks, but the way you two are acting, you'd think it's been years!"

"Well," Merry shrugged, "We miss him…"

~~~~~

"Are ya' sure ya' wanna go?" Simon asked Frodo.

Frodo nodded, "Yes, I told you."

Simon sighed and nodded, "Alright, but I still don't think ya' should."

"Well, I am going," he said, determined.

"Okay, okay," Simon said. "So, where are ya' going."

"Hobbiton," Frodo answered him. He started down the hall to the bedroom, "I'm gonna tell Sam…" He entered the room slowly, almost reluctantly. How would Sam react? "Hi Sam," he said, sitting down on the bed. "Feeling any better?"

Sam shrugged and slightly shook his head, "Not really…"

Frodo nodded, he had guessed that would be the answer. He smiled, "Well, it'll be okay. Soon, you'll be home."

"Really?" Sam asked, hopeful.

"Yes," Frodo told him. "I'm going to go get your parents."

"You're leaving?" Sam asked curiously.

"Yes," Frodo said nodding.

"O-Okay," Sam said doubtfully.

"Oh," Frodo said shaking his head, seeing Sam was worried. "I won't be gone long."

But Sam still wasn't sure. "I can go with you…" he suggested.

Frodo smiled, "I wish you could, but I don't think you should."

"But what about you?" Sam asked. He shook his head, "Maybe you shouldn't either."

Frodo didn't know how to answer that. "I won't be gone long," he repeated. He smiled, "Don't worry."

"But Mr. Frodo--" Sam started.

Frodo shook his head and smiled, "Don't worry, it'll be okay."

Sam thought for a while, then, "Okay." He was still a bit doubtful about the idea, but he trusted Frodo…

"Good," Frodo nodded and smiled. He stood up, "So, I'll be leaving now…"

Sam nodded slowly, "Bye…"

Frodo left the room, wishing their trip hadn't gone bad.

"I know it's late," Simon offered. "But would ya' like some lunch before ya' go?"

"No, thanks," Frodo shook his head. "I'm not really hungry."

"Hmm…" Simon said thoughtfully. He shrugged, "Okay."

"Are you sure Sam will be alright?" Frodo asked as he prepared to leave.

Simon smiled at Frodo reassurringly, "Don't worry about him. I raised three children, so I'm familiar with taking care o' young hobbits."

Frodo smiled, "Okay, good." He turned and headed for the door, but just before he left, he turned around, "Thank you…"

Simon gave a small smile and nodded.

~~~~~

"Hello, Hamfast," Bilbo greeted as he answered the door. "Come in."

"Hello, Mr. Bilbo," greeted Hamfast as he entered Bag End. "I was just about to head into town, and I was wondering if you need anything."

Bilbo thought about it, "No, I don't think so…"

"Also," Hamfast said. "Do you know what time the lads will be back?"

Bilbo shook his head, "No, I'm sorry, I don't." Then he added, "Oh yeah, that reminds me. I've planned a surprise for Frodo – I've invited two of his cousins for a visit. Would you like to come to dinner sometime this week and meet them?"

Hamfast nodded, "Yes, that'd be fine…"

Bilbo smiled, "Good, good."

~~~~~

Frodo went as fast as he could. He wanted to get home as quickly as possible. He was frustrated with their trip - it had been terrible! If he could just get home, and have Sam go home, then it would, hopefully, just be over!

It felt cold – the previous storms had left quite a chill in the air.

He had been walking for a few hours when it started to grow dark. Great! Just what he needed… The way this trip was going, he'd probably get lost in the dark…

But wait! Was that a river up ahead? Or just wishful thinking? He ran towards it… Was it?… Yes! He smiled as he realized it was what he thought – it was 'The Water'. If he could just cross it, it wouldn't take long to get to the path leading to Hobbiton!

But as he got closer, his smile faded. The rain had raised the water level, and the wind was making it really rough. He shook his head in surprise, there was no way he could cross it now. Unless he followed it until he came to a bridge. But did he need to? He smiled again as he realized Bag End was on this side of the river.

He was about to start on his way, when he thought he heard something - he looked up quickly. Suddenly, he felt dizzy. Everything was spinning, but there was nothing to hold on to. He lost his footing, and fell down a small hill. A feeling of dread grew in him as he thought he might fall in the water – it had looked so cold, and rough, and deep. But then he hit his head on something hard, and everything went black…

~~~~~

To Be Continued…