October 8, 1422

Chapter 3

Just woke up from a feather bed at Elrond's paradise. Time to hobble my old hobbit bones downstairs. I still can't believe I'm 54. Years do pass by quickly. Though Uncle Bilbo is 132, so I can't talk. Besides, it's the Undying Lands. Every hobbit child in the Shire could tell what that means. Even the most uneducated ones. Oh, my, can't stop to chat. I need to get to the meeting. "WAIT FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"As you all know why I have gathered you here today, I will tell you ere that no time will be wasted on petty comments." Elrond's opening speech awoke all the sleepyheads in the crowd. "I will not hesitate with the worry of offending the visitors. As you know, Messrs. Frodo and Bilbo Baggins have been causing a bit of a stir within the used to be all Elven Undying Lands. There has been some question whether the Bagginses really should have taken the place of-"

"Really, Father. You know the whole idea was mine." Arwen Evenstar stood up. "There is no problem with Frodo and Bilbo here. I don't see what the big fuss is about. There hasn't been any trouble."

"Indeed, Father. You worry about us too much," Soft-spoken Elladan added.

"So far, but Elrond, you must admit, the children have a point," Galadriel murmured in her gravelly tones. "I think you may be over worrying again."

"So far, you say, mother," Elrond replied, "yet does that mean you have foreseen something?"

"Nay, my lord. I merely was stating that it is possible that the return of the Elves have cost the land a bit of trouble."

"What my lady says does make sense, Elrond." Celeborn jumped in. "Though the real problem is with the sorcerer, Morgoth. Although he already had his share of attempting Armageddon, he blew it, the Eldar and the Valar got rid of him, and good riddance to bad rubbish, I say. We head back to Middle Earth and attempt to stop him from rebuilding Mordor. And I do believe he is starting to rebreed Orcs."

Elrohir strangled a cry; "At all costs we must avoid endangering the race of Elves. Father, you do remember what happened to mother in the chambers of Sauron." He looked at Elladan who nodded, never forgetting their mother's torment in the dungeons of Sauron.

"I remember all too well, my son. But now, in the Fourth Age all men have already forgotten about the Eldar. Gildor, my most trusted councilor, of where do you place your opinion?"

"My lord, I do believe that at all costs we must prevent that folly. Yet I understand that the races of the Fourth Age are endangered. They need all their kin." Gildor replied, gravely.

"Alas, my father. King Elessar (Elfstone, Aragorn, and Estel more names for the king) and I have come to beg for thy aid. The Land of Shadows is being rebuilt by unseemly hands. Our forces in Gondor and of Minas Tirith, Minas Arnor and Minas Ithilien aren't that strong." Arwen came forth and spoke, "Prince Faramir Ithilien and Eowyn and Eomer of Rohan have given us the power of the Rohirrim and that of Minas Ithilien, but we need another stronghold."

"Nay, daughter. Did I not say that the Fourth Age is no longer of the Elves? The fate of men is no longer upon us." Elrond replied somberly. "Though I believe some of the Eldar beg to differ," he said, casting an obvious glance at Galadriel and Celeborn.

"Alas, son. You know me too well. Though we elves are not supposed to meddle in other's affairs, are we not of the same distant kindred?"

"The Lady speaks the truth." Gandalf added, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "I do believe Frodo and Bilbo ought to have some say in this matter, however."

"Thank you, Gandalf. As I am the Ringbearer I have gone over the possibilities of the ring being remade. Unless Morgoth was the original maker of the Ring, that is, if he is the one who gave Sauron power, then he can indeed make another One Ring of Power. It shall seem as it is not possible to resurrect the original ring, save if the myths and legends were false."

"The myths are certainly not false," Elrond boomed, "I myself was their at the Last Alliance. If Isildur had heeded my word, the Ring would have immediately have been destroyed, never to be seen again. The meeting shall concede now. You are all dismissed except Estel. Son, I have to discuss something with you. You all go have a good night's sleep. The meeting shall continue tomorrow."

"Oh, that's nice. So, where are we now?" Bilbo awoke with a start.

October 9, 1422

Chapter 4

Ah, must get up. I should hope the meeting might end today, as I am tired of all this debating. And why are the elves shooting sad glances in my direction? What have I done?

"Good morning. I hope you all slept well?" Elrond inquired. "Now to continue with our discussion, I do believe it was you, Frodo who left off?"

"Yes, indeed it was. As I was saying, I do not believe that the ring could be resurrected. Morgoth is perfectly excused to create another one, however. I do assume that our real problems lie in Middle Earth and I think we should send a delegation to aid the men-"

"AHEM-" Arwen cleared her throat.

"-and women of Gondor," Frodo continued.

"Pippin?" Aragorn asked, "will you return back to Gondor? You know I have not released you from service quite yet."
"Yes, we could use you and also Meriadoc, as Lady Eowyn especially asked for," Arwen chimed in, "you do know you're still the King's esquire."

"Very well, I shall depart with you." Pippin and Merry both agreed.

"Here, now, my lads. I demand a right to speak." Bilbo cleared his throat. "As you all know it was I who came across the Ring more than half a century ago. Alas, I am losing my vigor. But I know what you all are thinking. What's an old hobbit like Mr. Bilbo being involved with the whole business. Well I'll tell you. My bones have grown old, and I am weary. But I should like to be able to see Middle Earth before I get tired of the Undying Lands." Bilbo rambled, his head drooping.

"Thank you, Bilbo, now as I was saying-"

"Oh, no offence intended, Elrond old chap. It's just that- zzzzz " Bilbo added hastily, and drifted back to slumber.

"Ah, he is old. Anyway, most of us do agree that a delegation to Middle Earth is necessary. And once again, I need volunteers."

"Alas, Elrond. I must return to the seas, as Galadriel proved right. Laurelindornan and Mirkwood may be fine to other elves, but the cry of the gull has changed my heart. I must return to the seas." Legolas sighed.

"And I too must return to Durin, and he is still King Under the Mountain. I promised to see if Moria could be re-inhabited."

"Gandalf?" I turned my head to see his response.

"I'm sorry, Frodo, my dear lad. The Istari are no longer part of the world of Men."

"Aragorn?" I looked at him pleadingly.

"Well, I would, but is Queen Evenstar not pledged to watch over her people."

"Nonsense. I am of course joining the delegation. You are too, my liege."

"Hey, we'll go too, or at least when the war starts." The two youngest members, yours truly, Merry and Pippin didn't hesitate to chime in.

"Do not forget Celeborn, Haldir and I. And quite possibly Gildor, if you can spare him." Galadriel looked up.

"Yes, my lord. I have prevented the Fellowship's folly in Lorien, and mayhap I may do it again." Haldir added solemnly.

(Ok, if you saw the movie The Two Towers, you will note that Haldir was slain by that huge orc thingy. Also, in The Fellowship of the Ring (the movie,) he went to Aragorn's aid. And they don't even mention that Galadriel sent the news. Humph. In the book, however, Haldir never went to Aragorn's aid, the Dunedain, (the last of the Numoreans) Aragorn's real kin, did. However, Glorfindel (he's not mentioned here, I think) came to Frodo's aid, not Arwen. The movie messed it up. Sorry, I'm getting carried away. Anyway, in my story, Haldir is alive and well. Also, this is not part of Frodo's journal.)

"Then it is settled. We shall send a delegation to Gondor. Meriadoc, Peregrin, you are strictly forbidden to join any expeditions. You will remain in Gondor until your liege calls for you." Elrond spoke sternly.

"Oi! You are having another council without your Sam again, Mr. Frodo." Sam came rushing in. "Elrond, you must permit me to join my master."

"But of course. And once again, you miss out the secret council but still manage to over hear." Elrond looked quite amused "Dismissed." He nodded curtly.

A/N- How was that? I combined a few so you don't have to wait that much.