a/n: Third chapter in just one day!!! Thanks for the review!!!
angelface04: Thanks so much!!! Then I'm gonna continue this story just for you *g* Write me the title of your story, as soon as you upload it! *returns salute*
Chapter Two - The Shire
After Gandalf had tended to his business in Bree, he had taken a carriage and made his way to the Shire. Soon after he had passed its eastern borders, he started humming an old wandering song. Some time before he reached Hobbiton, he sang the song fisrt softly to himself, than getting louder with each line: "Down from the door where it began, now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow it if I can ... The Road goes ever on and one, down from the road where it began, now far ahead, ..."
Some way before him, a young Hobbit lad was leaning on a tree, reading a book. As soon as he heard the singing, a smile crept to his face and he ran towards the near-by street. As he reached reached it, he halted and crossed his arms, his face stern set. Soon, the carriage with Gandalf on the reins had reached him and stopped on the street below him.
"You're late", Frodo greeted the Istari. Gandalf looked up at the Hobbit - a rare thing happening - and said: "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." A short silence followed this words where the two desperatly tried not to laugh. Both were unsuccesful and when Gandalf started laughing, Frodo jumped down and into the open arms of the wizard. After the hug, Frodo grinned broadly at him and said: "It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf!" Gandalf winked at him and answered: "You didn't think I'd miss your uncle Bilbo's birthday?"
While the two made their way towards Bag End - Frodo's and Bilbo's home - the Hobbit shooted questions at Gandalf: "What news of the outside world? You have to tell me everything!" Gandalf smiled down at the heir of his old friend Bilbo and asked: "Everything? You're far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural ... Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past Age. Full of its own comes and goings. Scarcely aware of the existence of Hobbits. For which I am very thankful."
While Gandalf and Frod were talking, all the Hobbits on the way looked up at the wizard. Many had a slightly angry look in their eyes while others seemed rather curious. When the carriage passed by a grass field where everything was made ready for a party, Gandalf exclaimed: "Ooh, the long expected party! So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificience?" Frod laughed. "You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an uproar." Gandalf nodded at this words: "Now, well, that should please him." Frod agreed: "Half the Shire's been invited!" Gandalf surpressed a laugh at this: "Good gracious me!" Frodo became serious again: "He's up to something." When Gandalf didn't answer, Frodo continued: "All right then, keep ypur secrets." As Gandalf still didn't talk, Frodo said: "Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of." Gandalf backed this up: "Indeed." Frodo continued: "Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected," Gandalf shook his head a bit and exclaimed: "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." Frodo looked doubtful at Gandalf and said: "Whatever you did, you've been officially labelled a disturber of the peace." Gandalf threw a playfully hurt look at Frodo and asked: "Oh, really?"
Suddenly about a dozen children who had made their way towards the back of the car, started screaming: "Gandalf! Gandalf's here! Gandalf!!! Fireworks, Gandalf! Gandalf!!! Fireworks, Gandalf!!!" After a moments' waiting, Gandalf magically let some fireworks loose, to which the children cheered and stared in amazment. Gandalf appreciated the children's laughter very much, thinking about when his daughter was still younger. He was torn from his thoughts when Frodo said: "I am glad you are back, Gandalf." Then the Hobbit lad jumped down the carriage while Gandalf murmured: "So am I, dear boy. So am I."
a/n: Did anybody else notice that Merry and Pippin look too old at Bilbo's party? According to Tolkien there were 17 years between the party and the beginning of the Ring Quest. And Frodo is 33 at Bilbo's party - Pip is like 21 years younger. So he would have to be a child ...
angelface04: Thanks so much!!! Then I'm gonna continue this story just for you *g* Write me the title of your story, as soon as you upload it! *returns salute*
Chapter Two - The Shire
After Gandalf had tended to his business in Bree, he had taken a carriage and made his way to the Shire. Soon after he had passed its eastern borders, he started humming an old wandering song. Some time before he reached Hobbiton, he sang the song fisrt softly to himself, than getting louder with each line: "Down from the door where it began, now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow it if I can ... The Road goes ever on and one, down from the road where it began, now far ahead, ..."
Some way before him, a young Hobbit lad was leaning on a tree, reading a book. As soon as he heard the singing, a smile crept to his face and he ran towards the near-by street. As he reached reached it, he halted and crossed his arms, his face stern set. Soon, the carriage with Gandalf on the reins had reached him and stopped on the street below him.
"You're late", Frodo greeted the Istari. Gandalf looked up at the Hobbit - a rare thing happening - and said: "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." A short silence followed this words where the two desperatly tried not to laugh. Both were unsuccesful and when Gandalf started laughing, Frodo jumped down and into the open arms of the wizard. After the hug, Frodo grinned broadly at him and said: "It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf!" Gandalf winked at him and answered: "You didn't think I'd miss your uncle Bilbo's birthday?"
While the two made their way towards Bag End - Frodo's and Bilbo's home - the Hobbit shooted questions at Gandalf: "What news of the outside world? You have to tell me everything!" Gandalf smiled down at the heir of his old friend Bilbo and asked: "Everything? You're far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural ... Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past Age. Full of its own comes and goings. Scarcely aware of the existence of Hobbits. For which I am very thankful."
While Gandalf and Frod were talking, all the Hobbits on the way looked up at the wizard. Many had a slightly angry look in their eyes while others seemed rather curious. When the carriage passed by a grass field where everything was made ready for a party, Gandalf exclaimed: "Ooh, the long expected party! So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificience?" Frod laughed. "You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an uproar." Gandalf nodded at this words: "Now, well, that should please him." Frod agreed: "Half the Shire's been invited!" Gandalf surpressed a laugh at this: "Good gracious me!" Frodo became serious again: "He's up to something." When Gandalf didn't answer, Frodo continued: "All right then, keep ypur secrets." As Gandalf still didn't talk, Frodo said: "Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of." Gandalf backed this up: "Indeed." Frodo continued: "Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected," Gandalf shook his head a bit and exclaimed: "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." Frodo looked doubtful at Gandalf and said: "Whatever you did, you've been officially labelled a disturber of the peace." Gandalf threw a playfully hurt look at Frodo and asked: "Oh, really?"
Suddenly about a dozen children who had made their way towards the back of the car, started screaming: "Gandalf! Gandalf's here! Gandalf!!! Fireworks, Gandalf! Gandalf!!! Fireworks, Gandalf!!!" After a moments' waiting, Gandalf magically let some fireworks loose, to which the children cheered and stared in amazment. Gandalf appreciated the children's laughter very much, thinking about when his daughter was still younger. He was torn from his thoughts when Frodo said: "I am glad you are back, Gandalf." Then the Hobbit lad jumped down the carriage while Gandalf murmured: "So am I, dear boy. So am I."
a/n: Did anybody else notice that Merry and Pippin look too old at Bilbo's party? According to Tolkien there were 17 years between the party and the beginning of the Ring Quest. And Frodo is 33 at Bilbo's party - Pip is like 21 years younger. So he would have to be a child ...
