2
"Frodo", a deep voice made him look up from his musings. A man hooded and cloaked stood towering over him. He instinctively shrunk back but upon recognizing the figure sprang forward and embraced him.
"Gandalf!" his young voice rang out. "Why have you come?"
"I think it best we go inside."
Confused but joyous at seeing his friend return he walked with him to Bilbo's house, now empty. Frodo's eyes widened as Gandalf related to him his adventures since they last met.
"Do you still have Bilbo's ring?"
"Yes."
"Give it to me"
Frodo handed it over without questioning. Gandalf tossed it into the fire. Gandalf sought to leave immediately. After all had been explained Frodo could scarcely believe his ears. But without a word to anyone he was ushered out into the dark. His eyes lingered on the shire as they left, on Allison's house. He felt as though he was betraying her by leaving her again so soon, without goodbye. There was no time and he could not risk her following into the peril he now shared with Gandalf and Sam.
Allison saw Frodo stealing into the woods with his gardener and a tall sweeping figure. "Not again", she vowed to herself, "she would not lose him again." She noticed their heavy packs and quickly grabbed one herself, filling it with clothes, food, and camping supplies. Allison looked at the form of her sleeping cousin regretfully. Bending she kissed her forehead softly, "Goodbye friend". Climbing out of the window she stole into the night.
"What the hell are you doing out here?" Pippin, Merry, Frodo, and Sam chorused at once. They had run into each other and now Pippin and Merry had joined them as they fled from the main roads. Reaching Bree after their mad flight through the forest they nearly collapsed in relief. However dodging the "biguns" proved to be more difficult than they had expected. Finally they reached the hotel and met up with Strider. They followed their leader in black many miles before he allowed them to gratefully collapse on the hard ground. Hidden from sight they slept on.
Allison reached the campsite mere minutes later. Their guide had been hurriedly quieting Merry and Pippin who had started a loud discussion on the virtues of berry tarts compared to baked mushrooms. Their very attractive guide. She looked in vain for Frodo until she spotted a pale figure curled up by a bush. Creeping up behind him she leaned over his shoulder. His eyes closed he whispered something. Careful not to wake him or disturb the others she moved closer. "Allison" he whispered. Her eyes traveled down his figure, trembling she thought at first with cold. Her eyes went wide as they traveled to his waist. She sat in front of him leaning over, unseen by the rest of the party who was trying to separate the now shouting hobbits. Her eyes level with his she was mere inches from his face when his bright blue eyes opened. His face rose to hers as his mouth captured hers in a searing kiss. His arms circled her and she wished he would never let go. Suddenly she felt strong hands grasp her neck. She saw rather than felt herself being thrown across the clearing into a tree. Everything went black, and the last thing she saw was Frodo's shocked face.