Chapter Eight: Concerning a Green Dragon

Written by Carithawen

Writer's notes: A mixture of movie scenarios along with my own. Will I ever write a chapter just by my own?? ; )

Gandalf walked back into the hobbit hole. He leaned over the ring, and reached out to touch it. Suddenly, an image of a demonic red eye flashed through his mind, making him recoil his hand.

A few moments later, he was seated by the fire, smoking his pipe, and dwelling on the previous event.

"It's mine… My own… My precious…" the voice of Bilbo echoed in his mind.

"Riddles in the dark..." Gandalf responded to himself.

Suddenly, a voice called in the distance, outside Bag End. "Bilbo!" Frodo called. He opened the front door, slowly looking in. "Bilbo…!" His head lowered, and his eyes automatically locked on the shining piece of gold on the floor. He bent over, and picked up the small ring.

Gandalf kept muttering to himself. "Precious... Precious..."

Frodo finally noticed the old wizard, and with the ring in his grasp, he slowly approached him from behind. "He's gone… hasn't he?"

The Istari did nothing but let out a puff of smoke.

"He talked so long about leaving…" Frodo continued. "I didn't think he'd really do it... Gandalf?"

At that, Gandalf finally turned around to face the young hobbit. Frodo extended his hand, showing him the ring.

Gandalf smiled slightly. "Bilbo's ring…" He stood up, answering Frodo's original question. "He's gone to stay with the Elves." He turned to him, and his eyes scanned the area around him, not seeing his comrade. "…Where is Elfindel?"

"She is at the Green Dragon, along with the remaining party guests…" he answered.

Coming to the conclusion that she was with the other hobbits as a means of tying to calm them down after the party's finale, Gandalf only nodded.

Frodo observed Gandalf, still a bit edgy on the subject of Bilbo. "…What about Bilbo, Gandalf?"

Gandalf sighed. "He's left you Bag End-" He held out an open envelope to Frodo, who placed the ring into it. Gandalf sealed the envelope with a red stamp. "-Along with all his possessions. The ring is yours now." He held out the sealed envelope to Frodo. After a moment's hesitation, the hobbit reached for it, taking it. "Put it somewhere out of sight!" the wizard whispered, while making his way towards the front door.

Frodo followed him, growing more confused by the moment. "W-Where are you going?"

Without turning to him, Gandalf responded, "There are some things that I must see to."

Frodo followed him down the corridor. "What things?"

"Questions." He took hold of his staff and hat.. "Questions that need answering."

"You've only just arrived!" he responded eagerly. "I don't understand."
Looking troubled, Gandalf turned around to face Frodo. "Neither do I." He bent over so that he was at eye-level with Frodo. "Keep it secret…" He placed his hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Keep it safe…" He stood straight, turned, and exited through the front door, shutting it behind him.
Frodo only gazed at the small envelope in his hand.

* * *

The atmosphere inside the Green Dragon… well, how could one explain the immeasurable joy and cheer felt inside? This was exactly what Elfindel thought, as she sat, still in her party gown, at one of the tables in the pub, towering over every sitting hobbit, and at eye-level with those standing. Hobbits were drinking ale, hobbits were chit-chatting amongst themselves, and some hobbits… especially two very recognizable hobbits (who were standing, with mugs in hand, on one of the tables) leading the whole scenario… were singing:

"Ho! Ho! Ho! To the bottle I go, to heal my heart and drown my woe!" Merry and Pippin, along with many other of the drinking hobbits, belted out. "Rain and fall and wind may blow, but there'll still be many miles to go!"

Merry and Pippin took their solo: "Sweet is the sound of the pourin' rain-"

And all: "The stream that falls from hill to plain! But better than rain or rippling brook-"

"Is a mug of beer inside this Took!" Pippin closed loudly, which got rave applause and joyous laughter from all the other singers.

Elfindel smiled warmly at all of the happenings, reflecting the laughter she had inside. She watched her two hobbit comrades as Merry patted Pippin on the back, and they both hopped off the table. Pippin caught sight of the Elf maiden sitting in the corner, watching him with that smile she wore, and automatically bore a lopsided grin, waving at her, almost embarrassingly. Merry saw this, smirked evilly, and shoved Pippin forward, sending the poor Took careening in her direction, much like how he did during the party…only this time he was moving forward.

About to loose his footing, Pippin gave out a high-pitched shriek, toppling forward- wait a minute…? No impact…? It was supposed to hurt… immensely… but-? His slowly opened his tightly-shut eyes, and beheld Elfindel's face at arm's length from his (well, she did have both of her hands gripping his shoulders gently, therefore preventing his could-have-been fall).

The Elf looked at him, with a hint of concern in her gentle eyes. "Are you all right, Pippin…?"

Pippin only nodded, and stood up straight from the very slight angle he was held at. "I am, Elfindel… I… I-" Come on, Took! Think of something! "-Just had a wee bit too much to drink."

Elfindel laughed lightly, and she spoke with a grin. "Indeed, Pippin, but your singing voice does not seem to falter because of it!"

Pippin caught himself staring again. That laugh, even though soft, could have belonged to one who sang tales… And therefore, he just had to ask…

"Elves are… known to be singers… right?" Pippin began slowly. "You told me this in your tales…"

Elfindel nodded. "You are correct…"

"Then… eh…" Pippin looked up at her slightly. "Do you sing, Elfindel…?"

She must admit, she was taken aback by his question. "I… have sung sometimes, yes…"

"Then sing us something, Elfindel!" a voice shouted. It was not Pippin's, even though he raised his eyebrow at the thought that he indeed said that. He turned around quickly, noticing Merry standing behind him. Oh, Merry, why did you have to go about asking 'that'?

Merry nodded eagerly at Elfindel.

She only smirked slightly, lowering her gaze. "I have not sung in a long while, Master Merry… I am afraid that I will denounce the lovely singing of the hobbits with my own if it does not pitch correctly…"

"I bet Pippin'll love to hear it!" Merry added, making Pippin turn to him, with a hint of anger and a pleading desperation in his look.

Elfindel observed them both, and what she said next made Pippin sigh inwardly in relief. "…Maybe at a later time, my good hobbits. As for now… Let us enjoy the serene conclusion of Bilbo's party."

* * *

The reception came to a close, and the Green Dragon was slowing emptying out. Samwise Gamgee eyed Rosie Cotton once before he made his way outside alongside Frodo and Elfindel, who was accompanying Frodo back to Bag End. "Good night…"

Rosie smiled. "Good night," she replied, holding his gaze.

Frodo, Elfindel, and Sam left the Green Dragon, and walked back to Bag End.

Right before Elfindel and Frodo made their way up Bag End's front pathway, they turned to Sam, saying their 'good nights.' Sam continued on his way home as they made their way up to the front door. Upon entering Bag End, they both noticed that the windows were open, and Bilbo's old papers flying about the house. Suddenly, felt a large hand grasp his shoulder. The two of them turned around quickly when Frodo gasped, and they were relieved when they saw Gandalf.

"Is it secret?" Gandalf whispered quickly. "Is it safe?"

Frodo, in a panic, searched in a chest on the floor next to him, where he found the envelope he put the ring into. He held it up to Gandalf as Elfindel observed the proceedings, Gandalf grabbing the envelope from him. The wizard made his way over to the fireplace, and threw the envelope into the fire.

Frodo gasped. "What are you doing?"

The envelope burned away, leaving behind nothing but the gold ring. Elfindel took a small step back, already having preconceptions about the jewelry.

With tongs, Gandalf removed the ring from the fire, and held it out to Frodo. "Hold out your hand, Frodo. It's quite cool."

Frodo looked up at the wizard skeptically, slowly extending his hand, as though expecting it to be hot. Gandalf dropped the ring onto his palm, which buckled under the unexpected weight of the ring.

Gandalf moved towards Elfindel, keeping his eyes forward. "What can you see…? Can you see anything?"

Frodo examined the ring. "Nothing.... There's nothing."

Gandalf sighed in relief, looking at Elfindel, who was beginning to come to terms with what was going on.

But all relief vanished when Frodo interrupted, "-Wait... There are markings…" Fiery letters started to appear around the ring's band. "…It's some form of Elvish. I can't read it."

Gandalf and Elfindel stood looking at each other for a long moment before he spoke. "There are few who can… The language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here."

"Mordor?!" Frodo exclaimed.

Gandalf turned to the hobbit. "In the common tongue, it says, One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."