I went into Frodo's room, and began to pack clothes for our journey. I knew we would have to travel light, so I only packed the absolute essentials. "I suppose I shall have to go and tell Sam." Frodo said in a heavy voice.

"Alright. I think you should also talk to the Old Gaffer, and tell him you are moving to Brandybuck. He would probably look after and sell Bag End for you."

"Yes. Good idea. I shall go now." He left, and I knew he would want to go for a walk, as he always did when something was troubling him. I tried to think of what we would need on a long walk, and made my way to the kitchen to tidy up and to find things to take with us. When Frodo came back, he brought Sam, who was busy rummaging in cupboards for anything that might prove the slightest bit useful. Bag End had been entrusted to the care of Old Gaffer until it's sale.

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Everything was ready. This was our last day, and Frodo had been visiting all his favourite spots over the last week, and I knew that he was saying goodbye to them. I often accompanied him, and we spent long hours among the trees, but sometimes I knew he wanted to be alone. Pippin was also coming with us, and Merry planned to meet us in Brandybuck.

As evening drew near, Frodo and I went on one last walk through the Shire. I knew Frodo was upset, and I would miss the Shire, with its quaint people and beautiful countryside. We had a pony we were taking with us to carry our packs, and he did so very mournfully.

On our last night, the four of us had a small meal, and then we headed to bed because we had an early start. It was a chilly evening, and the stars shone down from above. I leaned out the window, and thought wistfully of the fate that would befall the Frodo. We crawled into bed, and lay cuddling each other, knowing we couldn't find the words to express our feelings, but our rock in the uncertain world was that we had each other, and nothing could tear us apart.

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The morning was cold, wet and grey. We were the only ones about, and this just made us even sadder. We walked through the forest; the pony (called Fred by Sam) seemed almost as depressed as us. The water dripped down our necks, and the horizon was a long, blurred smudge. We followed a small twisting path for hours and hours, and there was silence except for the dripping, and the steady thump of Fred's hooves.

After what seemed like years, we finally stopped for a light lunch. We ate in silence, and Fred munched a nearby patch of grass. We were just packing up, when something very odd happened. The leaves began to rustle, even though there was no wind, and it seemed like the trees were whispering to each other, and a strange sound filled the air. "Hide!" I yelled. We threw ourselves into the bushes, and flattened ourselves against the ground. We heard a thunder of hooves, and a rider dressed all in black appeared. His horse pawed the ground, and he began to sniff the air. I glanced over at Frodo, but he seemed to have slipped into some kind of trance, and his hand fumbled for the ring. I ran over as quietly as I could, and grabbed his hand. He was cold and clammy, but I held on tightly, and hugged him with my other arm.

Suddenly, the black rider looked up, spun his horse on its haunches and galloped off. I felt Frodo relax again, and I hugged him tightly. He squeezed me back, but I could tell that he was very shaken.

"What was that?" asked Pippin, fear in his voice.

"I don't know," I replied, "But I think the enemy is watching the road. We shall have to make our way across country." I motioned to Sam and Pippin to start walking.

"Are you alright?" I asked him gently.

"I am now, thank you." He tried to smile, but failed. He held me close for a long moment, and stroked my hair gently. "You know I would never let anything happen to you." I whispered in his ear. He nodded and grinned slightly, and we started walking behind Sam and Pippin. For a few moments we were oblivious to the pouring rain, we were so happy just to be together. We were rather preoccupied, (no prizes for guessing what we were up to) so I didn't notice Sam had stopped until I walked into him.

"SHH!" Sam hissed at us. He pointed to the bushes, and we heard voices and laughter.

Who do the voices belong to????? Will the ring overcome Frodo????