A/N: All right, this will be my last chapter for this week, okay? After this it'll be every Friday or every other Friday. I promise:D

Eruwaedhiel of Lorien: Wow, how'd you come up with that name? That's an awesome name:D Thanks for reading, and yes, I always seem to have problems with detail. (sigh) I guess detail's just not my thing.

Celtic Cross: All right, I'm updating. I can't believe you like this story so much, LOL!

Disclaimer: Most of this chapter is from the book or movie, and I therefore don't own those parts. The parts I do own are about Valia.

Chapter 5: A Shadow of the Past

"Where are you going?" Frodo and Valia followed Gandalf to the front door.

"There are some things that I must see to," Gandalf replied.

"What things?" Valia asked.

"Questions." Gandalf took his staff and hat. "Questions that need answering."

"But you've only just arrived! I don't understand," Frodo said.

Gandalf turned around. "Neither do I." He bent down to Frodo's height. "Keep it secret." He set his hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Keep it safe." Then he left.

A few weeks later, Frodo and Valia were in the Green Dragon. Valia worked there with Rosie while Frodo was speaking with a group of hobbits, Sam included. Rosie and Sam kept exchanging shy glances. After having far too many drinks, Merry and Pippin got up on a table and started singing.

Hey, ho, to the bottle I go

To heal my heart and drown my woes!

Rain may fall and wind may blow,

But there still be many miles to go.

The hobbits quickly caught onto the tune and started singing and dancing.

Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,

And the stream that leaps from hill to plain.

Better than rain or rippling brook

Then Pippin shouted out in a loud voice, "Is a mug of beer inside this Took!"

Everyone laughed then more drinks were called for as Merry and Pippin climbed off the table.

"Now, what's that ring on the pretty hobbit lass's finger, Frodo?" the Gaffer asked.

Valia was nearby cleaning the table Merry and Pippin had stood on.

"What?" Frodo looked over at her and realized she'd forgotten to put her engagement ring on the chain about her neck. Valia, your ring!

She looked up then quickly walked away before any more could be said.

"Well, what was that all about?" Merry asked as she nearly pushed him down in her haste to get away.

"I thought she was—" Frodo clapped his hand down on Pippin's mouth, interrupting him.

"I'll tell you later," Frodo muttered, giving both his cousins a look.

Quitting time came, and Rosie and Valia stood at the door saying goodnight to the customers. Rosie had given Valia a little something to calm her down, but it also brought a boldness out in her no one had ever seen. Just as Frodo passed, she pulled him back and kissed him passionately. Neither knew how long the kiss lasted, but when they finally pulled away the entire inn was cheering. Frodo stared at her with his mouth hanging open, unable to speak.

She giggled. "Goodnight." Then she walked away.

"G-goodnight." He walked away, his hand on his lips.

"I never should've given you that drink," Rosie said later.

Valia headed back to Bag End alone that night and opened the door.

"This is the One Ring forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom, taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself," Gandalf said.

Valia gasped, her hand covering her mouth. She looked toward the door as if to escape when Frodo stood.

"Valia." She looked over at him; he held his hand out to her as if begging her to stay.

He will need you help most of all, Gandalf said silently. Do not break the heart of the one you love only to break your own.

"Valia," Frodo said again, his blue eyes filled with pain.

She stepped forward and took his hand. His eyes flooded with relief, and he brought her into the kitchen where Gandalf sat waiting. She sat beside Frodo almost hesitantly, but he reassuringly squeezed her hand as Gandalf continued.

"For 60 years the Ring lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping: prolonging his life, delaying old age. But no longer, Frodo. Evil is stirring in Morodor. The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call."

Valia winced and Frodo looked over at her. "Did you know of this?" he asked.

She hesitated. "I felt it…in my heart," she whispered, "that he would return soon." It was why I feared to marry you. She looked at the band upon her finger.

"No," Frodo said aloud then glanced at Gandalf who was watching them. "I will not let this tear us apart," he whispered, grasping her hands in his. "We will get through this."

They looked back at Gandalf who smiled kindly before continuing on. "There is one other that knew Bilbo had the Ring. I looked every where for the creature Gollum, but the enemy found him first." Gandalf sighed. "I don't know how long they tortured him, but amidst the endless screams and inane babble they discerned two words: Shire and Baggins."

"But that would lead them here!" Frodo and Valia exchanged a fearful glance. He looked back at Gandalf. "What must I do?"

"You must leave, both of you, and leave quickly," Gandalf said.

Valia went into their rooms and packed their clothes as Frodo readied the food.

"Make for the village of Bree," Gandalf said as Valia handed Frodo his pack.

"Bree…" Frodo stuffed some food in his pack. "What about you?"

"I'll be waiting for you at the inn of the Prancing Pony."

"And the Ring will be safe there?" Frodo asked.

"I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Frodo, he will know what to do." Gandalf handed the both a walking staff and their cloaks. "You will have to leave the name of Baggins behind you for that name is not safe outside the Shire. Travel only by day, and stay off the road."

"I can cut across country easily enough," Frodo said. He and Valia shared another glance.

Gandalf smiled. "My dear friends, hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you."

A sudden noise was heard, and Gandalf motioned for Valia and Frodo to get down. They were quick to do so as Gandalf moved to the window. Quick as a flash he reached out and snatched the eavesdropper who let out a shout as Gandalf threw him onto the table. Frodo and Valia stood as they recognized the rather large figure of their friend Sam.

"Confound it all, Samwise Gamgee! Have you been eavesdropping?" Gandalf shouted.

"I haven't been dropping no eaves, sir, honest! I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me," Sam cried sheepishly.

"A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?"

"I heard raised voices…"

"What did you hear? SPEAK!"

"N-n-nothing important," Sam stuttered, but Gandalf eyed him suspiciously. "That is I heard a good deal about a ring, Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world, but please, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anything…unnatural."

"No?" Gandalf looked over at Frodo and Valia who were trying not to laugh. He looked back at Sam. "Perhaps not." He leaned forward." I've thought of a better use for you."

A/N: Okay, I'll write more on Friday and every Friday after this, okay? Thanks for reading!