Alright, chapter 3 is finally here. Sorry about the wait folks. Seems both me and Crazzymonkey both had a bout of writer's block. In this chapter Vana starts to have her suspicions about the young hobbit. And Aya begins to question herself.

Disclaimer: Neither I nor Crazzymonkey owns LOTR or it's characters. We only own our Characters we made up.

Return of the Ring

Chapter 3

Aya sat on her bed long after Vana and Nori had left. They had mentioned exploring the Shire a bit. Vana had looked at her oddly after coming to her room to say good bye and they'd be staying in the local tavern. Aya's mother was home now and getting her guests settled in.

Aya sighed relaxing with her arms behind her head. 'What had that look Vana gave her been about' Aya thought to herself. She shook her head while thinking, 'No, she can't know, I'm just imagining things.'

Aya slowly reached into her pocket feeling relieved by the golden ring she felt there. She knew from what she had read in the red book that the ring was dangerous. It was odd though, at the moment it didn't feel dangerous, it felt....well comforting and warm. That was then that Aya realized that no matter what neither Vana or Nori could know about the ring. After all it had come to her, it was hers.

"My precious," Aya mumbled as sleep slowly crept up on her.

The next day dawned bright and clear. Aya sat up and stretched, she had slept wonderfully last night. No nightmares for once and for that Aya was thankful. She slowly got up and made her way to the pantry to see what she could find to eat. What she didn't expect to see however was Nori and Vana sitting at the table in the dining area.

"Nori! Vana! What are you two doing here so early? If my mother catches you I'll be in a heap of trouble," Aya protested while listening for any sounds of her mother coming to investigate.

"Not to worry Aya," Nori replied handing her a note. Vana didn't reply she only looked at Aya in a distracted sort of way. Aya nodded as she took the note from Nori. She felt a bit uncomfortable under Vana's gaze.

Aya,

I have gone into town to pick up a few supplies and get a nice spot set up for the party. Our relatives have also come with me to look around the Shire a bit. Behave yourself, and don't go sneaking off with that Faramir boy, either. Farmer Maggot came over to the house quite upset. Seems someone, or should I say a certain troublemaker, tied yarn all through his house. That same person also made a mess with flour. I'll be keeping a close eye on you, young missy. I had better not find out you were responsible for any of that. Behave yourself and I'll be back later this evening.

Mom

Aya gulped and slapped a hand on her forehead. How could she forget? The party! It had been the talk of the town for weeks now. Every hobbit of importance was to be there.

Aya was stopped in her thoughts by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

"Aya, we need to talk," Vana said giving her that odd look again. The elf pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit. Aya looked at Vana questioningly but took a seat anyway. Vana then leaned toward her and grasped the hobbit's hands.

"Aya, so much has happened. Evil is at work and if we don't move fast, it'll end up being too late. I need to ask you something of great importance, my friend, and please tell me the whole and honest truth," the elf paused to take a deep breath. "Do you have the Ring?"

A strange and evil gleam appeared in the hobbit's bright blue eyes (so much like her father's), and it was something Vana had feared to see. Aya abruptly pulled her hands out of Vana's grasp.

"What would you care even if I did?" Aya questioned giving the elf a look, one that Vana had never seen her friend use on her - distrust.

"We need to know, Aya. We need to leave immediately if you do, for your safety. The Nazgul are back, and they mean business. They know where to go, since they had to come here to get to your father," Vana explained as gently as she could. The dirty looks her friend was giving her were getting quite bothersome.

"My father almost died for nothing, and even though he did survive he carried wounds so bad he had to leave for a land of healing before he had a chance to even know that I existed. Gandalf told him the same thing when he first started his journey: 'You have to leave for your own safety.' " she mimicked.

"I don't think you understand, Lassie," Nori cut in. "He volunteered to go out and destroy the Ring. That's when eight other people volunteered to help him. None of them were forced into that situation, they took it by choice. Yes, even your father."

"And his choice destroyed him!" Aya yelled, then stood up from her chair. She could feel the anger bubbling up inside of her. No one was going to force her to do anything or go anywhere. No one. How dare they even to try? "Why are you even asking me about the Ring, anyway? I don't know anything about it!" She sent a glare in their direction and rushed out of her house, leaving a very stressed elf and dwarf in her kitchen.

After the front door of the hobbit hole was heard being slammed shut, Nori could only stare at where Aya had been standing only a minute before, pondering what they were to do next. Vana held her head in her hands and periodically ran a hand through her chocolate colored hair in nervous habit.

"Hum, that went well," Nori commented, breaking the silence.

"Oi, Elbereth..." Vana shut her eyes tightly in frustration and covered her face in her hands. "She has the Ring, I know she does..."

"Well, that's kind of obvious, don't you think?" Nori said. "The little lass was acting extremely defensive when you asked about it."

"Well, what do you think we should do, Nori? We have to get her to Lorien."

The dwarf looked puzzled for a moment.

"I might have an idea...." he replied at last.

Aya ran until she could run no more. She eventually came to a small clearing on the edge of Hobbiton. She often came here when she wanted to get away or simply be alone.

Aya sat herself on a log in the center of the clearing. 'They don't understand, they can't understand.' she thought to herself. Her father was never coming back, and nothing she could do would change that.

'Perhaps I should give Vana the ring?' Aya thought for a second. 'The red book did say it was very dangerous. But it had to have come to me for a reason.'

Aya was jolted out of her thoughts by Faramir who seemed a bit out of breath. "Where have you been for the past two days? Liz and I thought something might have happened." he leaned in closer to whisper, "You know, there's a Dwarf and an Elf hanging around the Shire. They look like trouble."

Aya made a face then laughed. "You could say that. The Elf is actually a good friend of mine. The Dwarf is a friend of hers. It would do me well to remember that."

Faramir looked confused but shrugged it off. "Anyway, we need to meet up with Liz at my place."

"Huh, why?" Aya asked almost feeling a moment of anger, before she mentally stopped herself. She had thought for a second he was after the ring.

"The party, remember? It's supposed to be tonight. So we, my friend, must make this a night to remember." Faramir said laughing, he didn't notice the dark look Aya had given him for a few seconds.

Aya rolled her eyes before grinning. "Sounds like fun. I'm in." As they began the walk to his home Aya was having too many thoughts running through her head at once. It was then she decided she'd take the ring and leave right after the party. She wouldn't involve anyone else like her father did. It would just be her and the ring, and she'd make sure it never came back.

lavaangel: Ta da! That's all for Chapter 3 ppl. If your kind and review I'll give you some pipe weed. The next chapter should contain the big party. And a new Hobbit makes an appearance oooo....who could it be?

crazzymonkey: I can't wait for this party. It's gonna be a party of special magnificence, complete with ale and the almighty Old Toby (finest weed in the South Farthing), lol. (snickers) We loves the hobbitses! Yaya for more hobbitses! Review if you loves the hobbitses too!!! (starts laughing uncontrollably)