Thank you Amatista and Iorhael for reviewing Amatista, I'm glad you were glad to see an update. This time there's two chapters for an update. There are only three more chapters after this update. Also, I'd like to thank Iorhael for betaing for me!

Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Lord of the Rings…The characters are property of JRR Tolkien's descendents and certain events to the makers of the epic film. I'm just a fan borrowing the characters, making no profit out of this.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

An Unexpected Feast

I awake feeling refreshed. The sun is shining high in the sky through the balcony. The sky is full of billowy clouds. I stand and walk over to the mirror. My thick locks of curly hair are smashed down on my head. Everything is amiss. Quickly, I go and clean myself in the pond and get dressed.

The sound of someone knocking reaches my ears. I fasten the last button on my vest, while yelling, "I'm coming." I open the door. Uncle Bilbo is standing before me. "Uncle Bilbo, come in!"

"Hello, Frodo." he says as he enters the room. "I just wanted to see if you were doing better."

"I am indeed, Uncle. Please, sit down," I gesture him to a seat.

"Thank you, my boy."

I sit in a chair across from him. "Are you ready to go back to the Shire yet?"

"Yes. We will be leaving today, won't we?"

I am silent for a while. "But, I think I would like to stay another night so I can visit with Aragorn today," I say, shifting in my chair.

"I see." he replies, obviously unhappy. "But, don't you want to see your Sam sooner, rather than later?"

"That can wait another day. He'll still be there with Rosie tomorrow. Besides, he's not expecting us."

"Very well. We shall be leaving tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Uncle," I whisper. Uncle Bilbo stands up and hugs me reassuringly before leaving.

I sigh, rising, and aimlessly try to push the chair so I can make the large bed. Right when I am about to give up, someone appears in the doorway. "Frodo, what are you doing?" the person asks, seeing me attempting to move the chair to no avail.

I jump, causing the man to laugh. I look towards the door. "Strider! You scared me!"

"I can see that," Strider smiles widely. "What were you doing?"

"I was trying to move this chair so I could tidy the bed," I say, motioning to the chair, "but, as you can see, it has not moved an inch."

"No need for that, Frodo. I have servants to do so." My stomach grumbles loudly, and much to my embarrassment, Strider asks, "Would you like some breakfast?"

"Yes please," I reply happily.

"Then, follow me." I trail behind him. "Where has Gandalf gone off to, I wonder?" Strider asks.

I reply after a while, "His business was more urgent than he first thought it to be."

"What is his business?"

"I cannot say. He asked me not to."

Strider muses before speaking again. "It must be very important, then, since he came back here. Although, it did give you and Elrond opportunity to visit friends and loved ones."

"That is true," I reply. We continue to the dining hall in silence. No one else is in there except Legolas, who is waiting for the king and me.

"Good morning, Frodo," Legolas greets as I take a seat across from him with many a book on and about it to help me up and boost me high enough to eat off the table. One would think the king would have expected some Shire folk, namely Meriadoc, Peregrin, and Samwise, to come and visit, and therefore, make some hobbit-sized things.

"Good morning, Legolas," I greet back.

"Where is Arwen?" Aragorn queries while looking around.

"She already ate – she said she wanted to visit with her father." Legolas replies immediately. Then, he turns to me. "When do you plan to go back to the Shire, Frodo?"

"Do you want me to go that badly?" I ask, slightly hurt.

"No," Legolas chuckles. "I just wanted to know how much longer I have to catch up with the old Ring-Bearer."

"I see," I reply, calming down. "Tomorrow morning is when I am planning, and even that is pushing it with Uncle Bilbo."

"Bilbo Baggins does seem a bit set in his ways," Aragorn states in a kingly fashion.

Legolas looks amused. "I think I should like to visit the Shire one day. Meeting you, Merry, Pippin, and Sam has sparked my interest in hobbit-folk."

I am somewhat dumbfounded at the comment, and apparently, it shows, for Legolas and Aragorn are laughing. "What? What is it?" I ask insistently.

"Your face," Legolas says flatly before another laughing fit engulfs him.

"Enough laughing! Whoever even heard of an elf laughing as much as you are, Legolas?!" I tease.

"To each his own. To everything there is a season – a time to laugh, a time to work, a time to –"

"Yes, yes, I understand you point, my dear elf friend."

Aragorn collects himself. "As do I. Although, Frodo does have a point. He could also justify asking, 'Whoever heard of a king laughing this much,' though, he does know me well enough. I think Frodo was just a bit offended."

"That I was," I reply, sighing a sigh in relief.

"I'm sorry, Frodo." Legolas replies sincerely.

"I was just joking. No harm done. Where is breakfast?" I laugh to clear the situation

The two nod their heads. Aragorn speaks, "Now, it is time for our feast in your honor. All of the townspeople will be there. They have all worked hard overnight to prepare a feast in the honor of the Ring-bearer, the savior of Middle Earth, Frodo son of Drogo."

I feel my blood rush to my cheeks. Earnestly, I reply, "I did not save Middle Earth. It was Sam and Sméagol. I do not deserve this great honor. I failed. I failed all of Middle Earth's inhabitants." But Aragorn will not heed it.

"Nonsense, Frodo. Come along." He pushes me out the doors where a crowd of men and women surround and tower over me like trolls.

I hear a mixture of, "The Ring-Bearer!," "Frodo Baggins!," "Look! It's him!," and many gasps. I start to turn and rush back inside, but much to my dismay, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Bilbo, Elrond, and Arwen are blocking my path. "Speech! Speech!" the crowd cries.

The Ring. I find myself thinking. If only I could find Saruman and take it from his clutches. The crowd becomes more eager for a speech, and I wax more afraid. The crowd is roaring. Finally, I give in and shout, "Good morning, citizens of Gondor! Thank you for preparing me this feast. However, it should be in honor of the many men of Gondor and countless other kingdoms who gave their lives for our freedom to remain in our recent war – and to my companions, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, Merriadoc Brandybuck, Legolas Greenleaf, Gimli son of Gloin, Gandalf the white, and your king, Aragorn son of Arathorn. I would have failed, and these valiant men died for nothing. They deserve honor, not me…" I am quiet as is the crowd. I hear ringing in my ears, and I begin again. "I do thank you all for this, but let's hold this in the honor of the courageous and valiant men who fought, some even to death, instead. Thank you." I step back.

"Very well spoken," Gimli says gruffly.

"Indeed, my boy," my uncle agrees.

Legolas pats my back. "Good job."

"Give it a moment to sink in," Aragorn advises. Almost immediately after, the people applauded. Unsure what to do, I bow and hastily walk over to my uncle.

My limbs are trembling, causing me to stumble as I walk. "Uncle Bilbo, how ever did you give that speech on our last birthday together in the Shire?"

"It did help that I knew most of the people and that your face was in the crowd and not behind me." Noticing my pallid appearance and trembling limbs, he adds, "Have a seat, my boy. And some water."

I need some assistance to even do that much. It is a wonder that I did not need help delivering my extempore speech as well. At least Sam is not here. He would be babying me, treating me as an ill hobbit in need of medical assistance. I love Sam dearly, just like a brother, but he can be a bit smothering at times. I guess that is partially because of our close-knit friendship and partly because of our master-servant relationship as well.

Aragorn stands smoothly. He takes his wife by the hand, and they form the beginning of the food line. With very little assistance, I make it behind them with wobbly knees. The citizens of Gondor watch eagerly as we get our food and sit down to eat. A band begins to play for our entertainment. Apparently, the townspeople have already had their share of the meal.

Uncle Bilbo taps his foot in time with the music. He leans over to me and whispers, "Perhaps it was not so bad an idea to stay today, my boy."

I nod my head and smile to acknowledge him. The band stops playing and I applaud joyously.

Soon after, we finish eating. The band continues playing and the dancing couples break off into small groups to mingle. I excuse myself from my uncle's presence and take a seat between Legolas and Gimli.

"Hello," I greet.

"Hello," reply Gimli and Legolas in unison.

"How do you do?" asks Gimli in a deep, yet unsure voice.

"I am doing well, thank you. And you?"

"Just fine myself," He returns to watching the band and the few couples who remain dancing.

I turn to Legolas. "If you should like to visit the Shire as you said you would, Uncle Bilbo and I could use a guide," I say open-endedly.

"Surely with this widespread peace, there isn't any danger between here and the Shire, but I would like to go if you would have me" Legolas replies sincerely.

"You may come. However, I warn you that you will have to do a lot of stooping unless you are outside, and you'll need your own mat to sleep on. I am afraid the beds are too small for you. Of course," I think a moment, "you could stay in Bree and go back and forth if you want to take several days between visits to get to the Shire."

"I think I should like to stay in Bag End. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Aragorn walks over with Arwen. "What is going on over here?" he asks kindly.

"Good day, Aragorn. Queen Arwen," I bow.

"Good day, Frodo," Arwen replies in Elvish.

"…visiting the Shire." I catch the end of Legolas's sentence.

"The Shire is a nice place, though some might consider it a bit queer," Aragorn comments. "Its land is bright and fertile. Its inhabitants aren't much to speak of – not including the four we know. They all are afraid of and a bit hostile toward 'big folk,' as they call many that are taller than them. Merry, Pippin, Sam, Bilbo, and Frodo here may be the only ones who will welcome you openly."

"I see," Legolas replies inquisitively. "Why should they be like that, I wonder?"

"We like to keep to ourselves," I state, factually. "Many fear that if the big folk learn our ways, they'll eventually want to take over. Others are merely afraid of being crushed as you all are nearly twice our height or taller. Some just don't like anything different from themselves. Any hobbits who desire to have dealings with the outside world are very queer. Take the hobbits of Bree, for example"

I stop to take a breath before furthering my explanation. "Thank you, Frodo. I think I get the gist of why," Legolas interrupts quickly.

The afternoon sun shines in the air. Birds fly overhead. Not too long ago that sight would have been alarming and triggered fear. Sadly, I find myself thinking, Perhaps we should worry again. After all, Saruman is almost done reforging the Ring. Suddenly, I am hit with a strong desire to go home. The Shire seems like the safest place even though the enemy learned of it when searching for the original Ring. Sam, Merry, Pippin! What if Saruman finishes and unleashes his power on the Shire for revenge?

I jump up from my chair, nearly spraining my ankle by doing so. "I need to go home! We need to leave now!"

The others look at me in alarm.

"Calm down, Frodo. Why the sudden hurry, lad?" Gimli asks.

I look around, feeling worry change my facial expression. "We need to go now! That's all you need to know!"

Aragorn looks extremely worried. "Is Gondor in danger?"

"Yes! No! I don't know!" I stammer, holding my head in despair.

Elrond hears my shouts and rushes over. "You heard the halfling! He needs to go to his home. Why should that mean your kingdom is in trouble, Aragorn?"

"The urgency and worry that filled his face. That alone would worry any sensible king, Elrond!"

"Your kingdom is not in danger, Aragorn," Elrond replies calmly. "Now, everyone going to the Shire should pack his things seeing the great desire of Frodo to go home. Bilbo Baggins!"

"Yes?" Uncle Bilbo replies upon reaching my side.

"Pack your things. You and Frodo are going home as soon as you do."

"As am I, Master Bilbo," Legolas says humbly.

Gimli looks up. "You are leaving?" Legolas nods. "Then, I am coming with you. I am at the service of you and your family, Bilbo Baggins," he says, bowing low.

"And I am in yours," Uncle Bilbo replies.

We go to our rooms and begin to pack, leaving the feast behind. The crowd behind us starts murmuring in confusion behind us as we do.