"So... do all hobbits live in holes?" Calen asked over breakfast.

"Yeah. At least, in Hobbiton we do. We're not too fond of heights, either, so there aren't too many stairs," Frodo explained.

Calen nodded and bit into an apple, then made a face. Frodo laughed and Gandalf smiled.

"Sour?" the wizard asked.

"Oh no! Just really sweet," she explained, then reached for the orange juice.

"So where did you two come from?" Frodo asked. "You came in so late last night I didn't get to ask."

"Rivendell," answered Gandalf. "We were lucky enough to stay for over two months."

"Rivendell!" exclaimed Frodo. "Did you see Bilbo at all?"

"Yes, I saw him," Gandalf nodded.

"How is he?"

"Oh he's just fine. Looks very much at home there, if you ask me. He misses you, though," the wizard added.

"I miss him too. I should go visit him," said Frodo thoughtfully.

"Who's Bilbo? Is he an elf?" asked Calen.

"No, he's my cousin, really. But he's more like an uncle to me. This was his hole before he moved out," Frodo explained.

"Then why is he in Rivendell?"

"He's always been fascinated by the elves," Frodo said, but Calen could tell he was avoiding the whole reason. "I take it you didn't meet him?"

She shook her head.

"I would have liked to, if I'd known about him and known that he wouldn't bite my head off," she stared meaningfully at Gandalf.

Frodo laughed.

"Well, he would have loved to meet you. There aren't many known half-elves."

Calen glanced sharply at him.

"How did you know that about me?"

Gandalf reached over and patted her shoulder.

"I told him. Don't worry, Calen, I trust him. If we are going to be staying here for a while we need to know certain things about each other."

"You're right," she sighed. "I was just wondering... So why did Bilbo leave the Shire?"

She wasn't trying to be rude, but she was naturally curious and only meant to keep the conversation running.

Frodo looked uneasy.

"He just... got tired of it, I guess. He told me he was feeling old... that he needed a holiday. I suppose he went to Rivendell for several reasons. The elves, first of all. They take good care of him. But I think the main reason for him was that he wouldn't feel so old among the elves."

"Interesting," Calen commented.

A head of light brown, curly hair passed by the window. Calen jumped.

"It's only Sam," Frodo said. "He's a really good friend of mine. And my gardener," he added. "Come on, I'll introduce you to him."

He motioned for her to follow him. Calen nearly jumped out of her chair-if all hobbits were as interesting as Frodo, she wanted to meet as many as she could.

Outside, Frodo was talking with the hobbit Calen had seen. He was a bit larger than she expected, and had a cherubic expression.

"Calen, this is Samwise Gamgee. Sam, this is Calen. She came all the way from Rohan with Gandalf."

Sam gave her a friendly smile, so she smiled back. She liked these creatures. Frodo had unknowingly gained major points by introducing her as nothing but "Calen", rather than "Calen Alatariel, Green Lady of Rohan".

"Nice to meet you, Samwise," she said politely.

"Sam, please," the hobbit replied lightly. "Just Sam for me."

Frodo squinted at the sun.

"I was going to show you around a bit, if you wanted to. Do you have any preferences?"

"Oh no!" said Calen excitedly. "I want to see all of it!"

"Alright then!" Frodo laughed. "We'll start here."