"Betrayal is like a black hole, compressing in an empty space of the universe. Two stars join each other in impact, one weak, one stable. Both share a beautiful company, but it shall soon collapse, as one falls into an empty pit, succumbing to it's own powers… and soon drags the other… into a miserable dark space… falling into deep depression and angst."

- Cliffhanger

A/N: Cool! I made that myself! Too much astronomy lessons, I guess.  Wait, just wait you people, sooner or later, Clefe herself is going to say these words. Huh? Ash or Clefe? I'm pretty confused… tell me your opinions either at tonkatzu@yahoo.com, or simply in the reviews.

Chapter 3: The Cliffhanger

"Excuse me," Clefe tried to reason out, as Gandalf and Bilbo began to argue. "I know what?" But no one took heed of her, since she was caught in the middle of a crucial conversation.

"And that ring," Gandalf said softly, puffing on his pipe. "Is that staying too Bilbo?"

"I can't! I – just…" he paused for a while then glared at Gandalf. "You want it for yourself!"

Clef backed away, "I don't think I am wanted here…" Gandalf gave her a nod of approval, as she took the heavy book and her still protruding headache with her to the living room, escaping Bilbo's temper and accusing stare. Outside, the party was in a chaos, and Clef can hear it through the door, as she sat on a comfy chair, listening to the two elders's argument, as she tried to keep herself straight, as she held her head aching terribly.

The book that was once empty, filled itself up, with the usual events that was happening right in Clef's eyes, as she caught up with the hobbit and the wizard's conversation.

"Yes," said Bilbo. "And… no." The child listened intently outside, pretending to read the book Gandalf handed her.

"Why is it so hard to leave… Bilbo… you know it's not yours…"

Bilbo's eyes greedily darted to Gandalf, with a pure look of anger and loathing. Something Gandalf hasn't seen before… "No… I can't leave my one… my only…" and then he made a small hiss too familiar…

"My precioussss…"

Clef gasped. The headache banged against her head even harder. Maybe this is the side effect of that damn pill… she thought. Elrond's going to pay once I get to Rivendale… she looked around and slammed the book closed. Gandalf was already leading the LQ (Lover's Quarrel. Ew. Slashers: THE HORROR. Period.), and was roaring and she could hear Bilbo's soft whimpers inside. He isn't going to kill the little guy is he…? Clefe held her head for a moment, the read the book again, words appearing, letter by letter.

"I am only trying to help you." Gandalf finally said, as Bilbo hovered beneath him, shaking with fright. Gandalf gave the little guy, a small embrace of comfort, and thank god the innocent child isn't getting any ideas. ("I am not GETTING ANY IDEAS!!!" Clef screamed at the book, from the other room) "Trust me Bilbo, we've been friends for long time, you know it, you have to let it go. Trust me as you once did."

Suddenly, drowsiness came over Clef as she realized, that it was already very late in the evening. Her head was about to drop of the book, when the door from the other room slammed open, and out came Bilbo, wearing a satisfied smile. Gandalf followed behind, bearing a contented smile. Clef quickly hurled herself up, showing no signs of drowsiness.

"My dear child," Bilbo said fretfully, hurrying up, with a walking stick in hand. "You have done well. I believe that Gandalf would take care of you know. I am afraid I may be leaving you so soon." Clef shrugged shyly, glancing up at Gandalf whow as brooding nearby, the ceiling too low for him. "I believe I will be seeing you soon, Bilbo," Clef said softly. "Goodluck." Bilbo gave a small smile, and opened the door.

"Bilbo-" Gandalf started. Clef reached out and held Bilbo by the shoulder. "Wait. The ring is still in your pocket." She said. Bilbo gave a sheepish smile and took the ring out of his pocket, still giving a pure difficulty of leaving it. But with the warmth and firmness of Clef's hold, he let it go. And THUD it went on the floor. He said his final goodbyes and was gone. He left Gandalf and Clef staring at the door.

Clef stepped up, getting a clear look at the ring. It was beautiful, pure gold and smooth, looks like in a span of sixty years, the hobbit didn't let any cat scratch it. She suddenly felt a strong urge to pick it up, and twirl it around her fingers, when she heard loud footstepa out the door. She quickly looked up, to open the door to see who it is, maybe it was either Otho or Lobelia, or one of those nasty Sackville-Baggins she heard from the book –

"BILBO!" The door slammed open, and hit Clef straight from the face, slamming her back to the wall. Frodo Baggins went in, surprised to see Gandalf in a state of shock. "Gandalf! Where's-"

Miraculously, the door bounced back. So hard, indeed it hit Frodo right on the nose that sent him flying out of Bag End. Clef emerged from the door to face an aghast Gandalf, her nose turning red. "Bastard!…"

Next thing you know, Clef and Frodo were sitting in front of the fireplace, glaring at each other, botht heir noses bleeding. "Smooth move, Baggins." Clef mustered as Frodo just merely glared at her, an envelope (with the Ring tucked inside it) clutched in his hand. Gandalf was pacing endlessly behind them, when he suddenly grabbed his staff and hat, about to barge out of the door.

"Where are you going?!" Frodo said, jumping up. "You just arrived!" Gandalf looked at him solemnly, and bent down. "That ring," he pointed out. "I need to find out about some… things. That ring, keep it secret." He was about to barge out of the door, when Clef stood in front of him, barricading the door, holding the enchanted but hopeless, heavy book.

"What else could this be for, Gandalf?! Read it! You'll find everything in it! I know what that ring is! Isildur once owned, it so did Gollum, the once-called-Smeagol, and it contains the power of the most dangerous Dark Lords ever!" Clef mustered, saying them all at once. Gandalf took the book and sat down, opening the book. And, alas! So did the diary of Isildur appeared. Frodo sat in front of the wizard, his face still full of cofusion, as Clef crossed her arms, seeming merely satisfied, pieces of cloth still hanging from her nose.

"Good! Now that saves a waste of 17 years time!" she muttered as she sat crossed-leg next to Frodo. Gandalf brooded over the book for thirty minutes, eyes widening and gasping every minute. Tells a secret only fires can tell… he suddenly spotted the envelope with Bilbo's ring inside it, lying beside Frodo, grabbed it and flung it in the fire place.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!" Frodo screamed. Clef held him back, in case the poor little hobbit had plans of jumping into the fire. Gandalf grabbed a pair of tongs, and took the ring out of the ashes carefully, as Frodo made little sniffles. "Hold out your hand Frodo," Gandalf muttered under his breath, as he flung the still-burning ring into Frodo's palm.

"DAMN **** RING!!!" Frodo swore. Clef had to stick her fingers into her ears, as Frodo yelped and screamed around, throwing the now-cool ring into a barrel of water. They had ten minutes to scoop it out, Gandalf getting very plussed.

"After howling, and dumping it into a barrel of water," Gandalf muttered angrily. "Can you see anything?"

"Nothing," Frodo whimpered, Clef rolling her eyes beside him, her shirt totally wet. "Wait," he whimpered back, as he nursed his blistering fingers with oil. Fiery letters appeared on the surface of the ring. "Elvish," Clef muttered, turning to Gandalf. "No idea what it means, I hope you do."

"Yes, my dear child," Gandalf said, fury gleaming in his eyes. "It is the one ring. It's language is from Mordor," Frodo looked up. "Mordor?" he whimpered with a small voice. Clef swore that she had an ice pack with her (which she brought everywhere with Ash, coz the kid always bangs her head on the wall if she forgets something), so that Frodo would stop whimpering.

Three Rings for Elven-kings under the sky

Seven for Dwarf-lords int heir halls of stone

Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die

One for the Dark Lord on his Dark Throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie

"It is the one line from the Elven Folk lore," Gandalf recited. "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." He turned to Cleff and Frodo, who has falled asleep on the floor, puddles of drool surrounding them. Clef woke up and nudged Frodo.

"That was an hour. Are you done?"