A/N: Hey everyone who doesn't read my stuff! Now I have to add staran, Huntress of the Night, spiritofthenorth, Kat Heiman, and Black-as-Knight14 to my list of thank yous for reviewing. People, if you read my story, please take the 1 or 2 minutes to review it. It's not that hard, and I really appreciate being able to tell that people are reading it and see what they think. Is that really too much to ask?
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Disclaimer: I don't own anything I didn't own last chapter. But I own everything I did then, and more...
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Once again, this is dedicated to Kristy.
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Trying to sort out everything that he had just heard, Gandalf clucked to the mare and continued through the grass. He hardly noticed when he reached the main road, mindlessly turning right toward Bag End. He continued on the well-marked road all the way to the residence of Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit responsible for the introduction of horses to the Hobbits. Not trusting himself to stay calm around the hobbit, the wizard took more time than usual in securing his mare, making sure that she was comfortable.
But when he could delay it no longer, Gandalf turned and walked up the path to the round door, hardly noticing the sign on the gate.
Four hard raps on the door with his staff brought Bilbo to the door, hiding behind it and calling out that he didn't care for any more visitors today. Slightly annoyed at this, Gandalf spoke loudly, "And what about very old friends?"
This prompted the old hobbit to open the door immediately. When he laid eyes on the old wizard, his face lit up and a smile broke out upon it. "Gandalf!"
Gandalf couldn't help but smile at Bilbo's pure delight at seeing him. "Bilbo Baggins," he said warmly. "Why so surprised? You didn't think I'd miss your birthday, did you?'
"Of course not, Gandalf," Bilbo responded quickly, not wanting to seem as surprised now.
"Besides, the children would be quite upset if they didn't have my fireworks. I've gathered some of great magnificence," the wizard mentioned a little stiffly as he and Bilbo moved into the sitting area.
"Oh really?" Bilbo commented, only half-listening. The hobbit had made his way across the large room and was rummaging through a trunk, gathering things and transferring them from the trunk into a small knapsack. "You always did have the children's best interests in mind. Yes, I suppose it always is for the children"
"When the children of Men come of age, they receive their own horse," Gandalf suddenly brought up. Even though Bilbo's back was to him, he saw the hobbit stiffen visibly. After pausing for a moment, the wizard added, "What do the children of Hobbits receive?"
Bilbo sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He turned toward the wizard, but would not look at him. "So I suppose Frodo told you, then? About the Tibboh Seinop?"
"Yes, Frodo seems to be quite interested in the ponies. He couldn't wait to show them to me." Gandalf reached out and put a light hand on Bilbo's shoulder. "Do not take my words as ridicule, old friend. I am simply trying to understand what it was that drove you to bring horses into the Shire."
"Did Frodo not tell you?" Bilbo looked at the old wizard, his eyes filled with the same pain that had filled his nephew's. "They couldn't get away, Gandalf. No matter how far they ran, the horseman always caught up with them. I saw that and thought, 'That's just like us Hobbits.' If we were attacked by men with horses, there would be not escape for us, just as there was no escape for that family. I know that we would like to think that our presence in Middle Earth will go unnoticed forever, but we can no longer hope to survive on that wish. We must have some way to save ourselves."
Gandalf smiled briefly, wishing that the world and those in it did not have to change. "You know much for a Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. I cannot argue with reasoning such as that. I only wish to warn you that the existence of the Tibboh Seinop can not stay a secret forever. Frodo has already agreed to announce them tonight to the guests of your party. I assume you are bringing Smaug with you?"
When the wizard mentioned that the Tibboh Seinop were to be revealed to the Hobbits, Bilbo's expression grew tight and worried. "Do you really think that is such a good idea? It will surely cause more trouble than good among the members of the Shire."
"It is better than keeping them a secret until the time comes when they are needed." Gandalf assured him. "Do not worry, Frodo will know what to say."
"I suppose you're right," Bilbo admitted. "I'm just thankful that I won't be around to witness the aftermath of the announcement."
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A few hours later, Gandalf left to find a place for his cart and fireworks. Alone once more, Bilbo sat by the fire, deep in thought. He didn't notice that Frodo had entered Bag End until the young hobbit put his hand on his shoulder. "Bilbo?"
"Huh?!" Bilbo cried, jerked out of thought. Startled, Frodo took a step back from the chair, suddenly very sorry to have interrupted his uncle. Bilbo turned in the chair and saw Frodo standing behind him. "Oh, so it was only you. Did you need something?"
The hobbit's ice blue eyes were worried, questioning. "Only to tell you that guests have begun to arrive. What shall I tell them?"
"They're arriving already?" Bilbo asked in disbelief. "Oh, just tell them that the party will start when they were told it would start, and not a moment earlier. They shall just have to entertain themselves until then."
Frodo nodded, and turned to leave. But Bilbo stopped him. "Frodo!" His nephew turned. "The guests can wait. Here, have a seat. There is something that we need to discuss." Frodo looked questioningly at his uncle, but took a seat in the second wooden chair that sat in front of the fire.
"Frodo," Bilbo began slowly. "Gandalf told me that you told him about the Tibboh Seinop." Frodo looked uncomfortable at this accusation. "I understand that you wanted to tell him, but you must understand that it is extremely important to keep them secret to non-Hobbit folk."
"But I only told Gandalf!" Frodo protested. "We can trust him!"
"That is true, my boy," his uncle went on. "But Gandalf also told me that you are going to annouce their prescence at my party this evening. I agree with the decision to tell them to the hobbits at the party, but no one else must know about them."
"I know, Bilbo!" Frodo protested again. "I understand more than anyone how important it is to keep the Tibboh Seinop secret!"
Bilbo sighed. "Alright, Frodo. I am sorry for thinking that you didn't. I eagerly await your announcement of them to the Hobbits tonight. Do not forget!"
Frodo rose from the chair and turned to leave. "I won't Bilbo. I will go find Gandalf and see how the preparations are coming along."
The Hobbit had opened the door and was about to walk out into the warm evening when he stopped and turned back. Bilbo was still sitting in front of the fire, silhouetted in the dancing flames. Suddenly, a great mass of ash flew out of the fireplace and swirled around Bilbo's head, making his hair seem thin and grey. Frodo gasped to himself; Bilbo looked so old! Something must be amiss. Frodo thought as he stared at his uncle. Why else would he care so much about the Tibboh Seinop? Gandalf will know. Tearing his eyes away from the old Hobbit, Frodo turned and walked out of Bag End and into the quickly darkening Shire.
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Okay, there's another chapter. It might be short, it might be long, I'm not exactly sure. But that's it. Um, I got a comment that the Hobbit ponies should have another name. If anyone has any suggestions, leave them in your review, email them to me, or IM me sometime. I do love reviews though.... Oh, one more thing before I go. Black-as-Knight14 has a new story called The Value of Friendship. It's another LOTR fic with horses, only she adds a totally awesome Elf character and hers starts in Rivendell. Check it out!
