August 3002 SR - Part Two - Eaves of the Shire "Frodo? Frodo!" Ted Sandyman said as Frodo walked towards the Green Dragon two weeks later. "Yes Mr Sandyman?" Ted ran up to Frodo and patted him amicably on the back. "I hear you're planning a big party next month, did I hear that right Frodo?" Frodo smiled. "You heard rightly Ted I am. It's my 34th birthday and old Bilbo's 112th birthday. I'm going to have a grand party in his honour!" Ted cocked his head to one side dubiously, not sure if what Frodo was saying was true. "You're obviously not in mourning for the old fellow then, are you?" "What for? I don't think he's dead." Ted creased his brow and leaned in closer to Frodo. "Where is he then?" Frodo shrugged his shoulders but didn't say anything. "Alright then, well if you need any of my help then don't hesitate to give us a holler. Alright then Frodo?" "Alright then Ted. And thankyou!" And then Ted was off in the opposite direction of the Green Dragon. Frodo shook his head in disbelief. They were still talking about him. He sensed that if he had publicly announced that he was going to have a rather large birthday party, then the whole of the Shire would be in a fluster of gossip. Instead he let it out in secret and it was slowly making it's way around town, and soon he would have to send out the invitations. Yet it was strange that all the citizens of the Shire felt that Frodo should be in mourning for old Bilbo. Why, Bilbo wasn't dead, and that's what he had told everyone who asked him. The truth be known he didn't actually know where the old hobbit was, and there were days when he wished he did know where Bilbo had gone so that he could follow him. And then, as he walked back to Bag End, he looked back on his beloved Hobbiton and sighed with content. He was exactly where he wanted to be.

A week later, at the end of July, Frodo was in the Green Dragon again having a half-pint with Sam, Fredegar Bolger, Ted Sandyman and Merry. "Right Frodo, it's your turn to get the next lot of drinks," Merry said, glancing quickly up at the bar. Frodo nodded, got up from his stool and walked towards the bar. He wavered mid-step a moment for there was May Gamgee chattering excitedly with Rosie Cotton at the bar. Frodo stepped up beside May and ordered 5 half-pints of beer. Rosie beamed at May, then turned to pour the beer from the urn. Frodo turned to May. "Good evening May. How are you?" "I'm well thankyou Mr. Frodo." Frodo cleared his throat. "Please, just call me Frodo." He soon realised what a blunder that was for the entire Gamgee family had always addressed Frodo as Mr. Frodo. It was a custom for the Gamgee's to address the Bagginses in such a way since they were of a higher stature than them. "Oh!" May said, quite startled by Frodo's words. Just then Rosie turned to Frodo and set the beer's infront of him. Frodo began to carefully intertwine his fingers in the handles of all the mugs, then looked up to see May and Rosie smiling at him. Rosie moved away from Frodo and May to serve another patron and they were left alone. "Ah, Mr. Frodo? May I ask you a question?" Frodo was surprised at May's sudden question, but unlaced his fingers from the mugs and looked at her soft, sweet face. "Why, of course you may." Frodo had just been thinking why it was that they hardly ever saw each other, even though they lived in the same village. And how he would ever be able to arrange that they were to meet again more often that they had in recent times. "I was wondering, if you'll pardon my curiosity, what all these rumours are about the Bounders reports. Some say the stories are quite fantastic and sound quite unbelievable, but I'm not so sure." Frodo's eyes twinkled with the spark of recognition, this girl was not stupid. "And why is that?" "Well, please don't tell anyone, but I myself like to venture out beyond the borders of Hobbiton at times. See, I collect precious things. Not jewellery and the likes, but things that the trees and flowers and earth have left us. I have quite a collection at home of interesting objects." She blushed, realising that she was quite off the question she was trying to ask. "What I'm trying to say is, Mr. Frodo. I have seen some things on my adventures, strange things. Are we in any danger in the Shire?" Frodo took a deep breath, trying to buy him some time to think of something to say without alarming the girl. "I do believe there have been some strange things going on, as you have obviously witnessed dear May. But do not be alarmed for the bounders have been strengthened and they work hard every day to protect us. I assure you that we are safe." May smiled with relief. "Thankyou Mr. Frodo." Merry stood up and shouted across the bar at Frodo for the beers. Frodo went to pick up the mugs again, but turned to her one last time. "Oh and May. Do be careful when you are outside Hobbiton. The flowers and trees and earth may leave us special things, but they can also reveal to us things we wouldn't like to see. Please be careful." "I will, Mr. Frodo. Your words are so kind. Thankyou."