Bilbo's abrupt disappearance remained the talk of Hobbiton for days afterwards. I felt sorry for Frodo. He had looked up to Bilbo like he was his father. I wondered how he felt with Bilbo now gone, and Bag End empty. He must have taken it pretty hard. The other hobbits continued to murmur about Bilbo out of Frodo's earshot, and he was given many furtive glances.

That night, after he and Sam left the Green Dragon's Inn where I worked, I walked up to Rosie bidding the last patrons goodnight at the door. "Rosie, is it all right if I go see how Frodo's doing? It must be hard for him right now..."

She nodded. "Yes, poor Frodo. He really did love Bilbo. You go ahead. We're almost finished here anyway."

"Thanks," I replied gratefully.

She gave me a playful slap with the hand towel she was using to dry the plates. "Don't stay up too late!"

Rolling my eyes at her suggestion, I smiled and made my way up the path to Bag End. It was a clear, balmy night. I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of roses and jasmine lining the path. Opening the gate, I was halfway towards the round front door when I noticed someone crouched in the bushes just beneath the kitchen window. I blinked. It was Sam.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, walking up to him.

"Shh!" He put a finger to his lips and pulled me down beside him.

"What are you doing spying-"

"Gandalf and Frodo are talking about something important," he whispered. "Listen..."

Frowning, I turned my attention to the voices inside the hobbit hole.

"You must leave, and leave quickly. Get out of the Shire."

"Where? Where shall I go?"

"Make for the village of Bree."

"Bree? What about you?"

"I will be waiting for you at the Inn of the Prancing Pony."

"And the ring will be safe there?"

"I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Frodo. He'll know what to do."

I heard sounds like clothes and objects being thrown hastily into a knapsack. "It sounds like he's packing up," I whispered to Sam.

Sam nodded back to me, eyes wide.

"You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you..." Gandalf was saying in somber tones, "for that name is not safe outside the Shire. Travel by day and stay off the road."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Frodo, leaving?

"I can cut across country easily enough," I heard Frodo muse quietly to himself. He and Gandalf had to be standing just in front of the open window.

"My dear Frodo, Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet, after a hundred years, they can still surprise you." Gandalf sounded moved by Frodo's courage.

I wanted to take a peek inside, to see what they were doing now. Gingerly, I placed a foot and the narrow step just beneath the window. The movement caused the bushes to rustle slightly. Sam shook his head.

"Get down!" I heard Gandalf warn Frodo.

Next thing I knew, a big staff was slammed down on Sam's shoulder. Sam yelped in pain. Gandalf grabbed both me and Sam and hauled us through the window and onto the table. We stared up in terror as one very angry wizard loomed over us.

"Confound it all! Samwise Gamgee and Iris Bracegirdle, have you two been eavesdropping?"

"We ain't been dropping no eaves, sir!" Sam stuttered hurriedly. "Honest. We were just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me..."

"It's a little late for trimming the hedges, don't you think?"

"I heard raised voices..."Sam tried to explain.

"What did you hear?" Gandalf snapped. "Speak!"

Sam panicked. "Nothing important...that is, I heard a good deal about a ring and a Dark Lord. And something about the end of the world, but..."

"Please, Mr Gandalf, sir, don't hurt us!" I pleaded, heart hammering in fear. "Don't turn us into anything unnatural!"

"No?" Gandalf raised a grey brow.

Off to the side, Frodo smiled.

"Perhaps not," Gandalf leaned forward. "I've thought of a better use for you two..."