a/n: Yeah, I got reviews!!!! Thanks to Little Took (don't you think a Took and a Baggins are sweet together *g*?) And thanks again to angelface04!!! To The Witch Queen: Yes, I've even read the books before I saw the movies. And I think you have to get your facts right, because FotR starts even a bit more than 3000 years after the Last Alliance. For your information, the Last Alliance was at the end of the second Age and FotR starts at the end of the third age (about 3010 T.A.). And for that Gandalf has no child, I know that, that's one of the reasons I labeled this story an AU!

Chapter Five

A few hours later the big party had already started and Bilbo and Frodo were busy greeting guests - and getting presents. Amongst the first guests was the family Brandybuck and Frodo grinned at his younger cousin for a moment before turning to his aunt and uncle. While his uncle Bilbo was talking to Saradoc Brandybuck, Frodo was forced to let himself be kissed once all over. And as much as he loved his aunt, he would have liked to ran away on the spot. "Frodo, dear lad, it's so good to see you", his aunt said in between kisses. "And look at you, 33 already, a real adult. And I still remember when you were that small", she continued holding her hand barely above the ground. "But were are my manners? Happy birthday, Frodo!" Frodo took a deep breath, being happy that she had stopped kissing him. "Thank you, dear aunt Esmeralda. And it's also good to see you again." Then the older Hobbit gave her son a nudge in the side. "Happy birthday, Frodo", Meriadoc Brandybuck started, "and here is your present." Frodo had a hard time surpressing a laugh but answered politely: "Thanks, Merry." When his mother had also turned to Bilbo, Merry rolled his eyes. "I hate that party dreesing!" he exclaimed. "I perfectly understand you, Merry. But just think about all the young Hobbit lasses round here!"

Some minutes later, the family Frodo had mostly waited for, arrives: the Tooks. He took in a sharp breath at seeing Pearl. She was wearing a long light blue dress which was leaving her forearms free and wasn't hiding too much of her slender - at least for a Hobbit - figure. Her light brown hair was put up in some circles and she was wearing a sparling silver chain around her neck. Her green eyes also lit up when she saw Frodo who himself was dressed in a reddish-browns suit which made him look even more handsome for Pearl. After the whole family had greeted Bilbo and Frodo, they went to the other party guests.

At least, some time into the party, the two Bagginses had welcomed every guest. To Frodo it really seemed that the whole Shire was there. He had never seen that many Hobbits in one place. But that was typically his uncle Bilbo. He grinned at that thought when he suddenly saw Samwise Gamgee, gardener and his best friend, sitting at one of the tables, drinking an ale. "Hey, Sam!" he cheered after reaching him. Sam was just looking up at him with a sort of longing look. When Frodo looked at teh dancers, he immediatly knew who that look was for. "Come on, Sam, aks Rosie for a dance", he tried to get Sam up. Sam shook his head, and standing up, said: "I'm just gonna have another ale." Frodo shook his head at that and grabbing Sam at his shoulders, answered: "Oh no, you don't." Then he turned him around and gave him a nudge into the arms of Rose Cotton.

While he continued walking round the party - greeting some relative there, talking to some friends here - Gandalf started the fireworks. Frodo cheered at it like everybody else and suddenly Pearl appreared next to him. "Frodo!" she said happily. "Pearl", Frodo answered with a smile. "Don't you think the fireworks are fabulous?" Pearl nodded but jumped a bit at the thunder of the next fireworks. Frodo moved nearer towards her and put his arm around her waist. "The fireworks aren't gonna hurt you", he said quietly with a loving gaze in his eyes. "Not when you are here", Pearl said as quietly. At that moment Pearl remembered where they were; surounded by all their relatives and friends. She took on step to the side and breathing deeply, exclaimed: "Oh, look, it's May Gamgee over there!" Then she was away towards her friend in a second.

Sighing Frodo went back towards the center of the party when he suddenly saw a dragon above his head. Running towards his uncle, he yelled: "Bilbo! Bilbo, a dragon! Get down!" Reaching his elderly uncle, he got him down with him and the dragon flew over their heads, transforming into a light ball of fire.