Despite the obvious path, the hobbits found the track unpleasant to go through and the angry presence of the trees nearly made it unbearable. The sun had nearly disappeared and the sickle moon rose above them. Sam itched to tell Rose where he was, as she would be worrying by now. He wouldn't mind, perhaps, to have a palantir of sorts between them and maybe one each to his children and his friends. Something that could fit into the palm of his hand, and he could talk to anyone, wherever they may be. Communication could be so much improved. As he was thinking this, the wood stopped and they found themselves looking at a familiar white chalk path leading to a house on the hill. When they were far enough from the malevolent trees, the hobbits extinguished their torches and walked to the front door. Inside they heard the singing of a cheerful man. They knocked on the door after a few seconds a woman opened the door and smiled on the hobbits.

"Come in, come in; please sit." She offered chairs around the table, now bare of food. She called Tom out of the kitchen and he came, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, drying a dish. He placed the dish down and smiled at the hobbits.

No matter how nice Mr Bombadil was, Sam thought, he wanted to wipe that silly little grin off his face.

"Begging your pardon, Mr Bombadil," Sam began, "But we are wondering where our children could have gone."

"Your children came earlier today." He said cheerfully. A gleam of hope appeared in their eyes.

"Are they still here? Did you send them back to our homes?" Pippin asked, nearly pleading. Tom shook his head.

"They have accepted to go on a mission."

"Mission? Misson!" Sam yelped, "They are children! Where are they? I hope you haven't sent them on anything dangerous, Mr Tom…"

"None of the sort, they're in the safest of places-"

"Where? With whom?"

"With the Entwives; calm yourself!" Tom demanded, looking at the anger growing in Sam's eyes.

"Entwives? You sent them to go with the Entwives?" Sam said

("I thought that they had gone." Pip said.)

("Same here." Said Merry)

"I did not send them, my dear friend. The Entwives chose them to lead them back to Fangorn. They did not go willingly." Tom explained.

"Then why did you let them go?" Sam asked venomously.

"They had no choice; you cannot, without great difficulty, sway an Ent's decision. They were adamant about them knowing the way home; they mistook them for you."

"Well, I don't see how the Master of the Woods, could not show the Ents that they have the wrong hobbits. You didn't even try" He added.

"I couldn't control free will…"

"You didn't really care, and because of that, you didn't try. You didn't even stop to think of what could happen to young hobbits alone out there. You don't understand what its like to care for someone who depends totally on you; children are precious to us. Not that you would understand…you don't have any." It was one of the worst things Sam had ever said, and he knew it. He was angry and the look of great sadness in Tom's eyes satisfied him, but inside he knew it was wrong, and once again he pulled out of his anger and apologised.

Tom sighed, "I understand, you're right Sam, I didn't try. I'm sorry, but your children are in the safest hands on Middle-Earth. Nothing will harm them. They left south a few hours ago, but it would be difficult to catch up, and a few of the lads seem to know where they were going. My only advice is now to go back to comfort your wives and set out as soon as possible." Tom said, sadly. The hobbits nodded and Tom showed them the door.

"Don't heed the trees; they will not harm you and will open a path for you to follow." He called as the golden light from his house spilled over the white chalk path. The hobbit ponies were waiting for them, grazing calmly in the dark. When the door shut, darkness enveloped them. With heavy hearts and weary legs, they set off back home.

TBC