Chapter 7

Merry, Ciel and their friends were having dinner at the Green Dragon one night. It had been some time since Gandalf had left suddenly.

Merry and Pippin climbed up on the table and started a rousing song.

Hey, ho, to the bottle I go
To heal my heart and drown my woe
Rain may fall and wind may blow
But there still be, many miles to go
Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain
And the stream that falls from hill to plain
Better than rain or rippling brook-

"It's a mug o' beer inside this Took. Hey!" Pippin finished as Ciel and Frodo cheered along, and danced around the table with mugs of ale.

"There's been some strange folk crossing the Shire." Sam's father said, at a table across from the one where Merry and Pippin had sang. The young Took had now taken Ciel up and were doing a curious sort of dance, full of ale. "Dwarves and others of a less than savory nature."

"War is brewing." Said another old hobbit. "The mountains are fair teeming with goblins."

Sam sat quietly smoking his pipe. He turned his head and stared happily at Rosie Cotton, who was smiling at him while cleaning a mug. Sam quickly looked away shyly.

"Far-off tales and children's stories, that's all that is." Snorted Ted Sandyman. "You're beginning to sound like that old Bilbo Baggins. Cracked, he was."

"Ha, and young Mr. Frodo here," the old hobbit said. "He's cracking."

"And proud of it!" replied Frodo as he set mugs down at the table and sat down himself. "Cheers."

"Well, it's none of our concern what goes on beyond our borders." Insisted Ted Sandyman. "Keep your nose out of trouble and not trouble'll come to you." He advised Frodo.

Frodo raised his glass with an amused expression and drank deeply. Just at that moment, Ciel hopped off the table lightly and Pippin fell off, landing on top of Merry, and setting the Green Dragon into fits of laughter again.

"Now that's a fine lass." Ted Sandyman said satisfied. "I wouldn't mind her!"

"Who?" Frodo said uncomfortably.

"Why that Celandine Brandybuck of course! Good looks and money, lots of money! No one could say no to that!" boasted Ted.

"But she could say no to you." Frodo said, trying to keep the anger out of his voice, and keep his fake amused expression on his face.

Ted just glared and drank another mug.

Frodo followed Sam out of the Green Dragon, still teeming with annoyance at Ted. As Sam passed Rosie by the door, he nearly fell on his face if Frodo hadn't grabbed his shoulder. She was drying a mug and smiling at Sam.

"Good night, lads." She said.

"Good night." Sam stuttered.

Ted Sandyman as close on their heels.

"Good night, sweet maiden of the golden ale!" he dropped to one knee in front of Rosie.

Sam turned briskly around but was kept walking by Frodo.

"Mind who you're sweet-talking." Sam practically growled, under his breath.

"Don't worry Sam," Frodo reassured his friend. "Rosie knows an idiot when she sees one."

Just then Ted pushed past them and caught up to Ciel, who was walking beside Merry. Frodo glowered, but was relieved when he saw Merry shove Sandyman in to a ditch in annoyance Pippin was on the ground in hysterics. Merry draped his arm around his sister and they continued down the road towards home.

"And he sure is an idiot." Frodo said.

Frodo and Sam said their good byes at Bag End's gate. Sam walked drunkenly down to Bag Shot Row. Frodo could see in the distance Merry, Ciel and Pip, walking and laughing. Pippin swayed off into his hobbit hole and the twins walked home together. Frodo sighed. Those two were so close. Merry would probably kill anyone who broke his sister's heart. She would probably never have him, Frodo.

Frodo opened the door to his lonely, dark hobbit hole. The open window sent papers flying across the floor, presenting an eerie feeling.

Suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder and roughly forced Frodo to turn around.

"Is it secret?! Is it safe?!" Gandalf asked frantically. He looked very worn and tired after his journey.

Frodo opened a chest and pulled out rolls of parchment with neatly drawn maps and pictures on their yellow pages. At the very bottom was the envelope containing the ring and Frodo uncertainly held it out to Gandalf. The wizard snatched it and threw it into the hearth fire.
"God, Ted Sandyman is such a prat." Ciel complained loudly to her brother that night. She was lying in bed, trying to get to sleep.

"Don't worry sister," Merry muttered. "with me here, you have nothing to fear."

"Oh that's very funny." Ciel whispered. "But thanks."

"Don't mention it. No guy is coming close to you."

"Then you'll have your work cut out for you!" Ciel mocked.

"Aren't we full of ourselves! Night"

"Right."
Black horses, with tall riders on their backs, with billowing black cloaks burst out of the mist. Galloping hard, they swiftly came to the outskirts of a town.

"Who goes there?" shouted a man.

A Black Rider swiftly drew his sword and without missing a stride, sliced off the man's head. Their horses were laboring, but were driven on by their masters. The Black Riders didn't stop.

Their mission was clear.