She rode along behind the cart, listening to Gandalf sing. They had
been riding all morning and the sun hung high in the sky. Elrohiel could
feel its weight. But she new they were getting close. She looked forward
to seeing Hobbiton again, it was such a lovely place, and everyone who
lived there seemed so happy, it always seemed to rub off on you.
Gandalf turned around and asked her now to keep out of sight.
"But why? The last I knew, the hobbits were gentle folk who welcomed visitors," Elrohiel replied, with a slight frown.
"You are right of course, but I fear my own reputation here may not be as simply a visitor," Gandalf turned back to the road, "You go stay in the woods for a while, I will take Buttercup. I don't want the hobbits to know you are here just yet, and I certainly don't want them to think you came with me. Some will suspect something."
With that Gandalf urged Croknie to go a bit faster and Elrohiel tied Buttercup off on the corner of the cart. She stood in the road and watched her friend continue on. After thinking a moment, she took off running through the woods to come up beside Gandalf.
"Do you want me to keep to the outskirts? Just out of sight? And when shall I come out?"
Without looking at her, he replied, "For now you should follow me, but once you no longer can, yes, keep to the outskirts so you can still see what is going on but no one can see you. If I do not come and get you earlier, come out tomorrow around mid afternoon and act as if you are there for Bilbo's birthday. I will see you there if not sooner."
Elrohiel nodded and retreated back a bit further into the wood.
***
Frodo shut his eyes and breathed in the fresh air. What a lovely day it was, birds in the trees, the sun glinting off their leaves as they shone with a healthy glow. The world was rich on this afternoon, with hues of green and yellow in every direction. He opened his eyes again and was about to look back to his book when he heard a familiar song floating along on the breeze being sung by an even more familiar voice.
Getting to his feet and grinning all the while, Frodo hurried towards the voice. In his haste, he did not see the girl as she dove behind a tree just ahead of his coming.
While Frodo reached the edge of the wood, by the road, Elrohiel watched, perched on a branch above. Silently scolding herself, she vowed to be more careful; the hobbit had almost seen her. She could not quite hear them, but supposed it wasn't entirely important. They exchanged some words, laughed, then the hobbit jumped in the cart and they set out again. Elrohiel followed along through the trees, going over what she and Gandalf had spoken of during their journey. So the ring of power could be in the shire. This was definitely new. Gandalf had said he wasn't sure, that he had some things to check, "Questions that need answering" to be precise. She finally realized how big this really was. She was actually a little frightened.
Elrohiel laid low for the rest of the day and spent that night at the base of a tree. Well at home in the forest, she had no trouble sleeping late into the morning, especially in such peaceful woods.
*** Over at Bag-end Gandalf and Bilbo were catching up, speaking of the many years that had passed since their last meeting. Meanwhile, the entire town turned out to help set up for the grand party later on that day. The party grounds looked absolutely fabulous, with a giant sign, a stage and even a bar set out. The cake had been baked and the band selected. It was about this time that Gandalf and Bilbo had begun to discuss Bilbo's leaving. Gandalf expressed his concern for Frodo but it was quickly shot down by Bilbo. Frodo would be okay. Down at the party grounds, a stranger walked by. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look up at her. "Hello everyone, I am a friend of Bilbo's, here for this party I've heard about," she smiled as she spoke. "Then you are well met my friend!" came a chorus of little voices, "Come, tell us your name!" This she had to think about for a moment. Which name should she give them? It probably wouldn't make a difference. "You may call me Elrohiel." "And how do you know the old boy?" said a voice near the back of the crowd laughingly. Opps, she hadn't thought of that. How did she know him? Barely. "I met him a very long time ago, in a town of men he had ventured to. Laketown to be exact." The little round faces look apprehensively in her direction, but not with blatant distrust. She seemed friendly enough and they accepted her. She was sent off to Bilbo's house to say hello before she came to help get ready. Promising to see them in a few hours, she set off towards Bag-end. Bilbo, according to Gandalf, was and odd little fellow, but odd in a good way. He would always surprise you, whether it was by getting a wonderful idea or doing something incredibly stupid. Now, apparently on his adventure with Gandalf, Bilbo had had mostly the good sort, but Elrohiel only got the chance to see the stupid sort. After meeting him that day, Elrohiel had decided Gandalf had described him perfectly, odd, yes, but also very nice, a pleasant person to be around. She was welcomed in his house as a friend of Gandalf and couldn't help but feel immensely comfortable. Frodo, Bilbo's much younger cousin, had shown up halfway through the visit, to let Bilbo know that the party grounds were almost set up. Frodo was what one could imagine a younger Bilbo being like. With sparkling eyes, eager to see things and learn, Frodo gave away his every emotion. There was just something so happy, delightful about him. Elrohiel was put in mind of a tree on a beautiful sunny day, with its leaves turned up towards the sun and standing almost the taller because of it. She could tell Frodo was completely in his element, he was the Shire. They spoke of many things, Frodo mostly asking to know about men and elves and even dwarves. Bilbo had a few questions on dwarves as well, interested in his old friend Balin and all of the others. It wasn't long however, before they drew their conversation to a close and set off for the party grounds.
*** The party was fabulous, decorated beautifully and illuminated by candles, happy faces and fireworks. And oh what fireworks they were. On the way there, staring at the back of Gandalf's cart all day Elrohiel had attempted figuring out which firework would look like what, for that was what Gandalf's old cart had been weighed down by. She was horribly mistaken in their beauty, but had guessed many colours correctly. The music was fabulous. Elrohiel found herself watching Frodo most of the night, him and his friend, or rather his gardener as she'd been introduced to him, Sam. What a pair they made, Frodo's face alight while he danced and spoke to his friends, genuine happiness in the way he carried himself, and Sam hunched over a bar nursing a mug of ale. She laughed to herself when Frodo sent Sam off to dance with a very pretty hobbit girl. Later on Elrohiel found herself listening to a very good story, told by Bilbo to a few little hobbit children. But not long after that she found herself babysitting. Not the hobbit children, but a couple of older, probably adolescent by men's standards, troublemakers. They had set off a rather dangerous firework, it had taken form of a dragon, which swooped down on the hobbits and took off for the horizon where it exploded into a thousand glimmering, falling stars. Although it had been beautiful in the end, it had still caused a frenzy at the beginning, and for that, young Merry and Pippin had been set in Elrohiel's care. Deciding that washing dishes would be the best punishment, Gandalf left them to it with Elrohiel to watch them. "That was a good idea Merry, but next time perhaps we should think it through a little better," said the smaller and presumably younger one called Pippin. Before Merry could respond Elrohiel cut him off "I think perhaps next time, you should talk yourselves out of it, whatever you plan to do." "Who are you? I've never seen you before, where did you come from? What are you doing here? How do you know Gandalf and Bilbo?" It was indistinguishable which hobbit said what. So instead of responding to each one, Elrohiel sufficed to respond to the ground between them both. "Call me Elrohiel, I don't come by here often, I'm from far away near Mirkwood, a place called Laketown. Laketown is where I met Bilbo, and since I heard he was having a very important birthday party I though I'd come. I do not know Gandalf but for through Bilbo, I met Gandalf today." Elrohiel smiled at each in turn. This seemed convincing enough and they went back to washing dishes. It was at this point the crowd of Hobbits began to call for a speech. At that point, Bilbo did the stupid thing that was mentioned earlier. After a very lovely speech addressing each of the many families of hobbits attending, Bilbo got an odd look on his face and put his hand in his pocket. He withdrew something and spoke of the end and leaving and farewell. Bilbo then disappeared. The entire crowd gasped and no one knew what was happening. No one, save for Gandalf and Elrohiel. Deciding that Gandalf could handle it on his own, Elrohiel stayed at the party to help Frodo. Poor Frodo, he had to try his best to get everyone out when he had no idea what had happened. Enlisting the aid of Merry and Pippin, both of whom were good friends with Frodo, cousins even, she and Frodo managed to get the party grounds cleared in about twenty minutes. Elrohiel stayed behind as Frodo ran up to Bag End. There he would be met by Gandalf, who would explain, not well, or very much, but enough to satisfy the hobbit. Her heart bled for him as he ran off up the hill. She did, after all, know full well that Bilbo intended to leave; she'd spoken with Gandalf, however briefly, at the party. Gandalf suspected he'd have to go find some things out concerning the ring, he told Elrohiel that she would be welcome to stay with Frodo while he was gone, the company would probably do him good. Though having said nothing more, Gandalf promised to explain in full detail upon his return.
***
Elrohiel did stay with Frodo, trying her best to keep his spirits high. She learned he was an exceptional hobbit, he enjoyed humour and he was happy with himself. But now he had something in those striking eyes of his, they still sparkled, but they were somehow older, there was a sadness behind them now. Frodo had always seemed a bit more responsible that the other hobbits, more mature than even the adults, his eyes had been the youngest, most childlike part of him, but now they were the least. It seemed this was the first sadness Frodo had really experienced. Elrohiel envied him, even the way he was now. Oh to be a hobbit. The days passed quickly, Elrohiel felt connected to Frodo by some sort of bond; she grew to love him very dearly. Wishing there was something to be done for the emptiness in him all the while, Elrohiel became a sort of big sister to him. She met Sam a good many times in the home of Bag-end as well, a fine hobbit he seemed, and very loyal to Frodo. Sam had an inquisitive naivety about him that was simply endearing.
***
Gandalf had spent a good many hours searching before he finally found what he'd been looking for. Reading the parchment, he found what he must do. Gathering his things immediately, Gandalf left and went back to Hobbiton at a swift pace.
***
The day Gandalf returned, three days after his departure, he found that a very close friendship had developed. Probably for the better, he thought to himself, it would make things easier. He explained to Elrohiel what he had found, why he had left, and what it all meant. She was not surprised, but simply told him that it was as she had feared. That night, Frodo returned from the Green Dragon inn in much higher spirits than when he left for it. "Elrohiel?" he called on coming home to find his beautifully painted round green door ajar. The fact that Bilbo had left Bag-end to him was simply absurd, but true. There were so many other worthy candidates, closer relatives and such. But Bilbo truly did love Frodo almost as he would a son. After receiving no response, Frodo became a little unnerved walking through his home in the darkness alone. It was actually the first time he'd really been alone in a few days, he'd gotten used to someone being there to smile at him when he got back from wherever he'd been. Suddenly from the shadows behind him a hand came and grabbed him by the shoulder. Jumping, Frodo turned to see Gandalf.
***
Elrohiel wondered how Frodo would take the news. Her feet turned her back towards Bag-end as she strolled along in the moonlight. Figuring Gandalf would be about finished explaining, Elrohiel decided it was time to go back. Opening the door as quietly as possible, Elrohiel crept in. What she saw was a very odd scene, Frodo was face down on the floor and Gandalf was standing over a large lump on the table. Upon getting closer she realized the lump had furry feet and a cloak. Sam. By now Frodo had gotten up and was smiling. Gandalf had an add look on his face. It wasn't long before Elrohiel, Frodo and Sam were standing on a slight, grassy path. Left with strict instructions, they watched Gandalf ride away.
Gandalf turned around and asked her now to keep out of sight.
"But why? The last I knew, the hobbits were gentle folk who welcomed visitors," Elrohiel replied, with a slight frown.
"You are right of course, but I fear my own reputation here may not be as simply a visitor," Gandalf turned back to the road, "You go stay in the woods for a while, I will take Buttercup. I don't want the hobbits to know you are here just yet, and I certainly don't want them to think you came with me. Some will suspect something."
With that Gandalf urged Croknie to go a bit faster and Elrohiel tied Buttercup off on the corner of the cart. She stood in the road and watched her friend continue on. After thinking a moment, she took off running through the woods to come up beside Gandalf.
"Do you want me to keep to the outskirts? Just out of sight? And when shall I come out?"
Without looking at her, he replied, "For now you should follow me, but once you no longer can, yes, keep to the outskirts so you can still see what is going on but no one can see you. If I do not come and get you earlier, come out tomorrow around mid afternoon and act as if you are there for Bilbo's birthday. I will see you there if not sooner."
Elrohiel nodded and retreated back a bit further into the wood.
***
Frodo shut his eyes and breathed in the fresh air. What a lovely day it was, birds in the trees, the sun glinting off their leaves as they shone with a healthy glow. The world was rich on this afternoon, with hues of green and yellow in every direction. He opened his eyes again and was about to look back to his book when he heard a familiar song floating along on the breeze being sung by an even more familiar voice.
Getting to his feet and grinning all the while, Frodo hurried towards the voice. In his haste, he did not see the girl as she dove behind a tree just ahead of his coming.
While Frodo reached the edge of the wood, by the road, Elrohiel watched, perched on a branch above. Silently scolding herself, she vowed to be more careful; the hobbit had almost seen her. She could not quite hear them, but supposed it wasn't entirely important. They exchanged some words, laughed, then the hobbit jumped in the cart and they set out again. Elrohiel followed along through the trees, going over what she and Gandalf had spoken of during their journey. So the ring of power could be in the shire. This was definitely new. Gandalf had said he wasn't sure, that he had some things to check, "Questions that need answering" to be precise. She finally realized how big this really was. She was actually a little frightened.
Elrohiel laid low for the rest of the day and spent that night at the base of a tree. Well at home in the forest, she had no trouble sleeping late into the morning, especially in such peaceful woods.
*** Over at Bag-end Gandalf and Bilbo were catching up, speaking of the many years that had passed since their last meeting. Meanwhile, the entire town turned out to help set up for the grand party later on that day. The party grounds looked absolutely fabulous, with a giant sign, a stage and even a bar set out. The cake had been baked and the band selected. It was about this time that Gandalf and Bilbo had begun to discuss Bilbo's leaving. Gandalf expressed his concern for Frodo but it was quickly shot down by Bilbo. Frodo would be okay. Down at the party grounds, a stranger walked by. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look up at her. "Hello everyone, I am a friend of Bilbo's, here for this party I've heard about," she smiled as she spoke. "Then you are well met my friend!" came a chorus of little voices, "Come, tell us your name!" This she had to think about for a moment. Which name should she give them? It probably wouldn't make a difference. "You may call me Elrohiel." "And how do you know the old boy?" said a voice near the back of the crowd laughingly. Opps, she hadn't thought of that. How did she know him? Barely. "I met him a very long time ago, in a town of men he had ventured to. Laketown to be exact." The little round faces look apprehensively in her direction, but not with blatant distrust. She seemed friendly enough and they accepted her. She was sent off to Bilbo's house to say hello before she came to help get ready. Promising to see them in a few hours, she set off towards Bag-end. Bilbo, according to Gandalf, was and odd little fellow, but odd in a good way. He would always surprise you, whether it was by getting a wonderful idea or doing something incredibly stupid. Now, apparently on his adventure with Gandalf, Bilbo had had mostly the good sort, but Elrohiel only got the chance to see the stupid sort. After meeting him that day, Elrohiel had decided Gandalf had described him perfectly, odd, yes, but also very nice, a pleasant person to be around. She was welcomed in his house as a friend of Gandalf and couldn't help but feel immensely comfortable. Frodo, Bilbo's much younger cousin, had shown up halfway through the visit, to let Bilbo know that the party grounds were almost set up. Frodo was what one could imagine a younger Bilbo being like. With sparkling eyes, eager to see things and learn, Frodo gave away his every emotion. There was just something so happy, delightful about him. Elrohiel was put in mind of a tree on a beautiful sunny day, with its leaves turned up towards the sun and standing almost the taller because of it. She could tell Frodo was completely in his element, he was the Shire. They spoke of many things, Frodo mostly asking to know about men and elves and even dwarves. Bilbo had a few questions on dwarves as well, interested in his old friend Balin and all of the others. It wasn't long however, before they drew their conversation to a close and set off for the party grounds.
*** The party was fabulous, decorated beautifully and illuminated by candles, happy faces and fireworks. And oh what fireworks they were. On the way there, staring at the back of Gandalf's cart all day Elrohiel had attempted figuring out which firework would look like what, for that was what Gandalf's old cart had been weighed down by. She was horribly mistaken in their beauty, but had guessed many colours correctly. The music was fabulous. Elrohiel found herself watching Frodo most of the night, him and his friend, or rather his gardener as she'd been introduced to him, Sam. What a pair they made, Frodo's face alight while he danced and spoke to his friends, genuine happiness in the way he carried himself, and Sam hunched over a bar nursing a mug of ale. She laughed to herself when Frodo sent Sam off to dance with a very pretty hobbit girl. Later on Elrohiel found herself listening to a very good story, told by Bilbo to a few little hobbit children. But not long after that she found herself babysitting. Not the hobbit children, but a couple of older, probably adolescent by men's standards, troublemakers. They had set off a rather dangerous firework, it had taken form of a dragon, which swooped down on the hobbits and took off for the horizon where it exploded into a thousand glimmering, falling stars. Although it had been beautiful in the end, it had still caused a frenzy at the beginning, and for that, young Merry and Pippin had been set in Elrohiel's care. Deciding that washing dishes would be the best punishment, Gandalf left them to it with Elrohiel to watch them. "That was a good idea Merry, but next time perhaps we should think it through a little better," said the smaller and presumably younger one called Pippin. Before Merry could respond Elrohiel cut him off "I think perhaps next time, you should talk yourselves out of it, whatever you plan to do." "Who are you? I've never seen you before, where did you come from? What are you doing here? How do you know Gandalf and Bilbo?" It was indistinguishable which hobbit said what. So instead of responding to each one, Elrohiel sufficed to respond to the ground between them both. "Call me Elrohiel, I don't come by here often, I'm from far away near Mirkwood, a place called Laketown. Laketown is where I met Bilbo, and since I heard he was having a very important birthday party I though I'd come. I do not know Gandalf but for through Bilbo, I met Gandalf today." Elrohiel smiled at each in turn. This seemed convincing enough and they went back to washing dishes. It was at this point the crowd of Hobbits began to call for a speech. At that point, Bilbo did the stupid thing that was mentioned earlier. After a very lovely speech addressing each of the many families of hobbits attending, Bilbo got an odd look on his face and put his hand in his pocket. He withdrew something and spoke of the end and leaving and farewell. Bilbo then disappeared. The entire crowd gasped and no one knew what was happening. No one, save for Gandalf and Elrohiel. Deciding that Gandalf could handle it on his own, Elrohiel stayed at the party to help Frodo. Poor Frodo, he had to try his best to get everyone out when he had no idea what had happened. Enlisting the aid of Merry and Pippin, both of whom were good friends with Frodo, cousins even, she and Frodo managed to get the party grounds cleared in about twenty minutes. Elrohiel stayed behind as Frodo ran up to Bag End. There he would be met by Gandalf, who would explain, not well, or very much, but enough to satisfy the hobbit. Her heart bled for him as he ran off up the hill. She did, after all, know full well that Bilbo intended to leave; she'd spoken with Gandalf, however briefly, at the party. Gandalf suspected he'd have to go find some things out concerning the ring, he told Elrohiel that she would be welcome to stay with Frodo while he was gone, the company would probably do him good. Though having said nothing more, Gandalf promised to explain in full detail upon his return.
***
Elrohiel did stay with Frodo, trying her best to keep his spirits high. She learned he was an exceptional hobbit, he enjoyed humour and he was happy with himself. But now he had something in those striking eyes of his, they still sparkled, but they were somehow older, there was a sadness behind them now. Frodo had always seemed a bit more responsible that the other hobbits, more mature than even the adults, his eyes had been the youngest, most childlike part of him, but now they were the least. It seemed this was the first sadness Frodo had really experienced. Elrohiel envied him, even the way he was now. Oh to be a hobbit. The days passed quickly, Elrohiel felt connected to Frodo by some sort of bond; she grew to love him very dearly. Wishing there was something to be done for the emptiness in him all the while, Elrohiel became a sort of big sister to him. She met Sam a good many times in the home of Bag-end as well, a fine hobbit he seemed, and very loyal to Frodo. Sam had an inquisitive naivety about him that was simply endearing.
***
Gandalf had spent a good many hours searching before he finally found what he'd been looking for. Reading the parchment, he found what he must do. Gathering his things immediately, Gandalf left and went back to Hobbiton at a swift pace.
***
The day Gandalf returned, three days after his departure, he found that a very close friendship had developed. Probably for the better, he thought to himself, it would make things easier. He explained to Elrohiel what he had found, why he had left, and what it all meant. She was not surprised, but simply told him that it was as she had feared. That night, Frodo returned from the Green Dragon inn in much higher spirits than when he left for it. "Elrohiel?" he called on coming home to find his beautifully painted round green door ajar. The fact that Bilbo had left Bag-end to him was simply absurd, but true. There were so many other worthy candidates, closer relatives and such. But Bilbo truly did love Frodo almost as he would a son. After receiving no response, Frodo became a little unnerved walking through his home in the darkness alone. It was actually the first time he'd really been alone in a few days, he'd gotten used to someone being there to smile at him when he got back from wherever he'd been. Suddenly from the shadows behind him a hand came and grabbed him by the shoulder. Jumping, Frodo turned to see Gandalf.
***
Elrohiel wondered how Frodo would take the news. Her feet turned her back towards Bag-end as she strolled along in the moonlight. Figuring Gandalf would be about finished explaining, Elrohiel decided it was time to go back. Opening the door as quietly as possible, Elrohiel crept in. What she saw was a very odd scene, Frodo was face down on the floor and Gandalf was standing over a large lump on the table. Upon getting closer she realized the lump had furry feet and a cloak. Sam. By now Frodo had gotten up and was smiling. Gandalf had an add look on his face. It wasn't long before Elrohiel, Frodo and Sam were standing on a slight, grassy path. Left with strict instructions, they watched Gandalf ride away.