Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars of Lord of the Rings. :)

Chapter Four

Obi-Wan sighed and rolled over, frustrated. He normally had no problems falling asleep, especially when he was this tired. What made things worse was he didn't know exactly what was keeping him awake.

Certainly it wasn't the danger. He'd faced danger before, countless times. It had never bothered him for this long; it had been an hour since he had parted company with Strider and gone to bed, and he was still wide awake.

Nor was it loneliness that was troubling him. He missed Anakin, of course, and the others -- Master Yoda and Mace Windu and everyone else at the temple. But he'd accepted that, for the moment, he had no way to return, and that there was no use in dwelling on the subject.

There was a faint knock on the door of his room. "Come in," Obi-Wan called, sitting up, trying to appear as if he hadn't been attempting to sleep. He was glad for the company, whoever it was.

The door opened slowly. Obi-Wan could tell from the height that his visitor was a Hobbit, but in the darkness, he couldn't quite be sure which. "Hello?"

"Hello, Obi-Wan." It was Bilbo, the older Hobbit he'd seen at the Council. They'd passed each other in the hallways a few times since, but never spoken. What brought him here now?

"I hope I'm not disturbing you," Bilbo hesitated.

"No, not at all," Obi-Wan assured him honestly. "Please, come in. Here." He lit one of the lamps. "I was having trouble sleeping, anyway."

"I hear you're leaving tomorrow."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Word travels fast."

Bilbo smiled. "Frodo told me."

"I guessed. I've seen you two together often."

"Well, we won't see each other for a while, so I'm trying to see as much of him as I can."

"I understand. It's good for him to have someone to say good-bye to."

"You didn't have the chance to say good-bye, did you?"

"No, I didn't."

"I am sorry, terribly sorry, you were, well, thrust into this, my friend. I know how it feels to find yourself in an adventure you didn't plan on being a part of."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I have the advantage of having faced danger before."

"Yes, Glorfindel told me what happened to you. Terrible."

"He probably exaggerated," Obi-Wan shrugged. He didn't like people feeling sorry for him, especially when they had enough to worry about themselves.

"I don't think so; I saw how badly you were hurt when you first arrived. But that's not why I came here."

"What is?"

"I'm . . . curious, about you, about what happened at the council."

"Right before we leave, you decide to be curious," Obi-Wan laughed. "What about the Council?"

"There's something . . . some kind of power, about you. When you had the Ring on, I could almost tell that you were fighting It, resisting It's power. Having worn it myself, I could feel that kind of thing from it. And then after you took It off, you were completely convinced of Its evil; no one had to say anything to you about not being able to use its power for good. And what happened with Gimli, that was amazing!"

Obi-Wan smiled. Finally, a question he could answer.

He spent the next hour talking with Bilbo about the Force and about the Jedi Order. The old Hobbit was very receptive, taking in everything he said. At last, Bilbo grew tired. But before he left, he had one more question.

"Obi-Wan?" he asked. "Will you . . . will you keep an eye on the others? Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin? They have . . . . they have no idea of what kind of danger they're going to face. I have a feeling they'll see even more than what I saw on my travels. Just . . . try to take care of them, please?"

"Of course," Obi-Wan nodded.

Bilbo smiled and left, but turned in time to see Obi-Wan wave his hand and the light in the lamp go out.

The sky was full of stars, and the sun was only just beginning to show on the horizon, when Frodo woke with a start, shaking, breathing hard. He sat up, terrified, and looked around. No one was there. He heard no sounds, no sign that anyone was awake in all of Rivendell.

Frodo slowly got out of bed and crossed the room. He wanted to talk to Gandalf, or Bilbo, but he didn't want to wake either of them. At last, he took a deep breath of night air and headed out into the gardens.

The stars were bright, as they always seemed to be in Imladris, and the breeze was peaceful. Frodo suddenly realized how much he was leaving -- not only Bilbo and Elrond, but the peace and contentment he had found here. He was venturing out into the unknown, leaving behind everything.

Not everything, he reminded himself. He still had Sam, and Merry and Pippin. Gandalf, as well. The Wizard's presence was always comforting. Strider he had become used to, as well. Sam still didn't trust him completely, but that would change, Frodo guessed, now that Gandalf was with them once again.

Frodo smiled, glad to be surrounded by the trees and the flowers. Suddenly, he noticed a figure in the distance, facing away from him, standing still, just looking out at the first hints of the sunrise. As he came closer, he realized it was Obi-Wan. "Hello, Frodo," the Jedi said without turning.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just . . . I don't know why . . ."

"It's all right, Frodo." Obi-Wan turned and looked down at the Hobbit. "I'm glad for the company."

Frodo looked up. "Something's troubling you."

"A dream. There was fire everywhere, and . . . and smoke. I couldn't breathe. There was a voice, from the fire, calling. I tried not to listen, but . . . I don't know what it was. It was nothing like I've ever felt before. It was complete helplessness, and it was worse than before I came here, when I thought I was going to die. This was different, but I can't explain it." He sighed. "That's why I came out here. I wanted to know what it meant, but I don't think I'm going to get any answers."

Frodo shook his head. "I don't know what it means, either, Obi-Wan. Perhaps if you spoke with Gandalf, or Elrond . . ."

"No. I don't want to trouble them with this. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been having dreams that were, well, less than pleasant."

Frodo nodded. "Yes, that's true. Thank you, Obi-Wan."

The Jedi looked confused. "For what?"

"I was beginning to think I was the only one having doubts, asking questions and not receiving answers. No one else has told me what they're feeling about this."

Obi-Wan nodded. "They're probably all afraid they're the only one who feels as you do."

There was a long silence. At last, Frodo spoke.

"Obi-Wan?"

"Yes?"

"I'd like to thank you, for volunteering to come with us. I realize this . . . this isn't your problem. This isn't your world."

"No, it isn't. But my being here was no mistake. Nothing happens by accident."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing. Especially not concerning something as important as this. Did you notice how when everyone came forward at the Council, no one said, 'Oh, I don't know,' or, 'I don't think they're the right choice'? Even Merry and Pippin."

"Lord Elrond seemed as if he wanted to say something about them."

"But he didn't. Because it was right, and he could feel it. They were meant to be a part of this. And Legolas and Gimli, too. Any other Elf, any other Dwarf, could have volunteered. But they didn't. What happened was what was meant to happen. I was meant to be here. I was meant to help you, Frodo."

"You're about to say I was meant to be the Ringbearer."

Obi-Wan smiled kindly. "Yes, Frodo, I believe you were. You may not see a reason now, but there is one. There's always a reason . . ." He trailed off, thinking. There had been a reason no one had received his message, a reason his fight had been three-to-one, a reason he had been brought here, of all places.

He just wished he knew what it was.

"The Ringbearer is setting out on a Quest for Mount Doom," Elrond said ceremoniously, as if there was someone present who didn't already know that. "On you who go with him no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will."

Obi-Wan smiled. That was at least partially comforting, in a strange way, as it was meant to be. But where else did he have to go, except for with Frodo? What else could he do?

Suddenly, Obi-Wan felt Elrond's eyes directly on him. The Elf looked very serious, almost sad. What was he trying to say, Obi-Wan wondered. Was he worried that the fate of all of Middle-Earth now lay with ten seemingly randomly chosen people? Was he worried about Frodo, and the burden he carried? Was he worried about Strider, still troubled by his destiny? Or was there something else? Obi-Wan shivered.

But when Elrond spoke, his voice was even, controlled, his eyes on the whole group once more. "Farewell. Hold to your purpose, and may the blessings of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you."

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. This was it. Somehow, he knew, if he took one step following these people out of Imladris, there was no turning back. He felt his sword, secure at his side. He knew his dagger lay hidden under a cloak Elrond had provided. He was as ready, as prepared, as he could be. But would it be enough?

"The Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer," Gandalf said. Obi-Wan smiled, and even as Frodo led them out, it was more than obvious who was the leader of the Fellowship. He took one step, then another.

"Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?" he heard Frodo whisper frantically.

"Left," Gandalf instructed reassuringly.

Obi-Wan noticed Strider lingering at the back. He turned around, waiting. With one last look at Arwen, Elrond, and Imladris, Strider turned to join the rest of the Fellowship.

Obi-Wan smiled, and walked in back with the Ranger. "Do you think we'll ever see it again?" Strider asked.

Obi-Wan smiled. Strider truly understood the danger they were about to face, and he was asking him? The Jedi searched his feelings, his deepest thoughts. Would they make it back alive? Would they see Bilbo, Elrond, and Imladris again?

At last, he found himself unable to lie to his friend. "I don't know, Strider," he answered honestly, and he could tell by the look on the Ranger's face that he had been thinking the exact same thing. "I really don't know."

Booklover Fanatic -- Well, the reason I'm not doing anything about the other Star Wars people is I get frustrated when I have to work with two storylines at once, even more so when they have nothing to do with each other. So, yes, provided Obi-Wan even makes it back, I'll make sure he's completely filled in on what happened while he was gone.

SNAITF -- Hmmm, yes, I've thought about the Balrog, and I have no idea yet how that's going to work out; it took me four chapters to even get the Fellowship together and out of Rivendell, so I have plenty of time. :)

Master Kaym -- Yes, a lightsaber would be handy, but it would also tip the scales a little in their favor and I don't like writing about people who have scales tipped in their favor because it's not as interesting as writing about the underdogs. :)

The Dancing Cavalier -- Hmmmm, everyone seems to be hoping Obi-Wan gets back. :) But since I'm nowhere near the end of the story, I don't have to worry about that right now.

Nyoko -- :) I try to write interesting stuff. :) Doesn't always work, but I try. :)

MicroChips -- Glad you like it. :)

Night of the Land -- Will he get back? I don't even know how he got there, much less how or if he is going to get back. :) Right now, I'm just working on getting the Fellowship moving and out of Rivendell.

CrazyCanadianLlama -- I like your new name. :) Do llamas live in Canada? Besides in zoos, that is. :)

Satra -- Hmmm, I don't know what the elves would have thought. Which is probably why I didn't do it. :)

sabertwins29 -- :) Well, you see, I have this problem with updating regularly because I'm trying to write half a million stories at once, but I'm kind of getting better now that some of my other ones have ended. This one, on the other hand, is going to be pretty long unless I get frustrated and teleport Obi-Wan out of there as soon as they reach Khazad-Dum, which isn't going to happen because I try not to get that frustrated. :)