It had been almost fourteen years since Aragorn had left. You would think that time would pass quickly for me, but this time it did not. I looked out the window across the room. Then, I ada came and sat down beside me.
You are not yourself, he said to me.
I didn't know what to say to that. I suppose you could say that.
he asked, sternly. Then his face softened. he said more gently.
I sighed, resting my head on my palm. Then I looked up at ada, and asked, Where is Aragorn?
He opened his mouth, about to answer, when we heard the galloping of a horse.
whispered ada. Then he bolted over to my balcony, and peered over the edge. It is Mithrandir.
He walked swiftly out of my room, and down to where Gandalf stood with Shadowfax. I followed him, hoping maybe he had some news about Aragorn.
When i finally caught up with ada, he was in deep conversation with Gandalf. I walked closer, but not so close that they would spot me.
So the one ring is in the hands of a hobbit? I overheard ada say.
Frodo, Son of Drogo, to be precise. He is Bilbo's nephew.
I see. Does he know that he carries the ultimate weapon of evil?
Gandalf replied. I found out just a couple of days ago. I am coming back to tell him now, but I thought you needed to know as well. I am having Frodo take the ring to Rivendell. I will go seek council from Saruman, and meet him again at Bree. Aragorn will also be with me in Bree to help protect them from the ringwraiths. They will be searching for him, no doubt.
How do they know it's with Frodo? ada inquired.
There was another who knew that a Baggins had the ring. That was the creature Gollum. Once Aragorn and I handed him over to the woodland realm, he escaped when a band of Orcs raided the elves. Then the enemy captured him before either Aragorn or I could get to him. The enemy could only decipher two words through the endless cried of pain. Shire' and Baggins'. That will lead them right to Frodo unless we get him out of the Shire.
And the ring will be safe here?
I do not know. I might. But then again, it might not. Maybe the only place it will be safe is in the fires of Mount Doom. I must depart now. The sooner Frodo knows what he is against, the better.
I will be anticipating your arrival. Gandalf mounted his horse and got ready to ride away in to the distance, when I ran out to him.
I called. I stopped and looked up at Gandalf. Please, will you tell me what has Aragorn been doing for these long fourteen years! Has he been hurt. I was listening and I know all that you said to ada about him, but what else to you know?
Gandalf smiled down at me, as he dismounted his horse. Then ada interrupted. You really had best be going to meet Frodo.
I can stop for a second, he said. Besides, I do not know that much anyway. All I know, that I haven't already said, is that as well as tracing Gollum, he helped many great lords fight against Sauron's forces. He undertook the name Thorongil.
Then, Gandalf mounted his horse once more, and rode off down the path.
