Frodo slowly walked toward the door, tears threatening to roll down his cheeks. Why had Hamfast yelled at him? It wasn't his fault!

A sudden crash startled him, making him jump. Surprised screams came from the other room. What had happened? Should he go see? Or should he leave, as Hamfast told him to? It could be nothing. . . He stood, with his hand on the doornob, trying to decide. If it was nothing, he could get into even more trouble. But what if something really was wrong? Making his choice, and knowing the possible consequences, he turned and ran back to the kitchen.

"What hap--" his eyes grew wide, and he gasped upon seeing the fire. How had that happened? It didn't matter! What could he do? Was there any water nearby? He looked around desperately. . .no! What then? He thought back to the rack by the door, with plenty of cloaks hanging on it. Well, all he could do was try. . . he ran out quickly, and when he came back he had one of the larger cloaks. Running towards the fire, he threw the cloak down on top of it, trying to smother the flames. Quickly rubbing his hands across it, he made sure there were no places for the fire to remain. He didn't stop until he was absolutely sure the fire was out.

He sat back and breathed a sigh of relief. He could feel his heart racing and his hands shaking! It was over now; it was through. Taking deep breaths, he tried calming himself down.

"Master Frodo. . ." Bell whispered, feeling very grateful and respectful towards him. Daisy and May peeked out from behind her arms, sniffling, their eyes still filled with horror.

"Thank you very much," Hamfast let go of Sam, and kneeled next to Frodo, putting his hand on his shoulder. He shook his head, "I should have never doubted you. . . I was wrong. I was angry, and I judged you quickly and unfairly. I should not have done that! I am very sorry for all that I have said about you."

Frodo smiled, still breathing heavily. "It's alright," he said shakily.

"Are you alright?" asked Sam, worried.

"Yes," Frodo nodded. "I'm alright. . ."

Hamfast smiled, ". . .and you. . ." he looked for Simon, who had been sheltering Marigold. Marigold was crying into Bell's dress, but Simon was gone! "Where did he go off to?"

"He said he had been away from his own children much too long," Bell told him. "And that he had to go." Though he had done a good thing, Simon still felt bad about what he had done before and he left quietly, avoiding any 'thank you's' or apologies.

"I wish I could have thanked him for protecting Marigold," Hamfast said regretfully.

"I'm sure he knows," Bell said comfortingly.

"I think I should go home," Frodo said, slowly standing up.

Hamfast nodded in agreement, "Sam and I will be by tomorrow to tend the garden. . ."

Frodo smiled and started to leave. He stopped at the doorway. . . should he ask? "Sir," he began. "Do you think-- I mean, would you mind-- if I asked-- well, my cousins would like to go on a trip also; if we went, would you allow Sam to come with us?" He stared at Hamfast, expecting to get a firm 'no!' But instead Hamfast chuckled. . .

"I'll have to think about it," he said.

"Oh. . ." Frodo said, stunned. "A-alright. . .thank you. . .goodbye!" He ran out the door and hurried back to Bag End.

~ ~ One week later ~ ~

Frodo knocked on the Gamgee's front door; Merry and Pippin were standing behind him. All three were all very anxious! Hamfast opened the door and smiled.

"Sam will be ready soon, he's just packing some things," he told them. He opened the door further, "Come on, you can wait inside." The three happily stepped in and waited for Sam.

"Do you even know a little bit as to where we're going?" Pippin asked Frodo.

Frodo shook his head and shrugged, "No."

"Maybe he knows," Merry suggested. "But he doesn't want to tell us. . ."

"Why wouldn't he tell us, then?" Pippin asked. He looked at Frodo closely, then asked, "If you do know where we're going, why won't you tell us?"

Frodo chuckled and shook his head, "I won't tell you, Pip, because I don't know!"

"Alright. . ." Pippin pouted.

"What's wrong?" asked Sam as he came out, carrying a pack.

"We don't know where we're going yet!" Pippin said, sounding upset.

"Aren't you going to figure that out before we go?" Sam asked, confused. "Even if you do have a map, we could still get lost. . ."

"I don't have a map, and we won't get lost," Frodo said confidently.

Sam looked away. Suddenly, he wasn't so sure he wanted to go. Looking back to Frodo, he asked, "How do you know?"

"Come on, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin," a voice called from outside. "We should get going!"

"Because," Frodo smiled, "We have a guide this time!"

Sam peeked outside and saw Bilbo waiting at the end of the path. "Alright, I'm ready," he said, smiling.

The four lads rushed out to Bilbo. "Ready?" he asked, and they all nodded eagerly. "Alright then, let's go!"

* * * The End * * *

A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time, but it's finally finished!! I hope you liked it!