Chapter 2

((A/N: Anyone know how long in days or weeks it takes for a round trip on horse from Shire to the Minas Tirith? The three week thing is just a guess.))

"Bilbo?" Frodo called, hoping that the disappearing act was just an act. He pushed open the door of Bag End and walked in, carrying a sleeping Elizabeth.

Gandalf was sitting in one of Bilbo's chairs when Frodo opened the door. Frodo laid Elizabeth on a nearby armchair and picked up the ring that lay on the floor.

"He's gone hasn't he?" Frodo asked. "He talked for so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it."

When Gandalf didn't answer, Frodo became a bit worried. "Gandalf?"

Gandalf looked at Frodo and smiled.

"Bilbo's ring. He's gone to stay with the elves. He's left you Bag End." Gandalf announced, offering Frodo an envelope. "Along with all his possessions. The ring is yours now. Put it somewhere out of sight."

"Where are you going?" Frodo asked as Gandalf stood to leave.

"I have some things that I must see to." The wizard answered.

"You've only just arrived." Frodo protested. "I don't understand."

"Neither do I. Keep it secret. Keep it safe and take care of Elizabeth." And that said, Gandalf left, shutting the door behind him.

Frodo turnedand gasped as he noticed a small figure behind him. He hadn't heard Elizabeth enter the room.

"Where did Gandalf go?" Elizabeth asked.

"Gandalf went on an errand." Frodo answered, taking Elizabeth's hand and walking her towards a guest bedroom. "And you should be in bed."

"But I'm not tired." Elizabeth said, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Frodo smiled and helped the child onto the bed.

"I think you might change your mind in a bit." He said, tucking Elizabeth in.

Three weeks later:

Elizabeth sat behind the bar with Rosie at the Green Dragon, who was keeping an eye on her while Frodo had fun with other hobbits.

"How do you like Hobbiton?" Rosie asked her.

"Oh, it's very pretty. But I miss Gandalf. Do you know when he's coming back?" Elizabeth asked.

"Sorry, 'fraid I don't." Rosie answered; handing her some filleted chicken. "Here, eat up."

Elizabeth took the chicken gratefully and ate. When the Green Dragon finally closed up, Frodo collected Elizabeth and walked out the door with Sam.

"So, you're the Miss Elizabeth I've been hearin' about." Sam stated.

"Yes, sir." Elizabeth answered.

"Goodnight, Sam" Frodo said as he came to the gate of Bag End.

"Good night Frodo, good night Elizabeth." Sam said, waving.

"Goodnight Sam" Elizabeth called, as she followed Frodo up the pathway to Bag End.

They entered the dark house to find that someone had opened the window and papers were flying about because of the night wind. The house had an eerie feeling and Frodo was beginning to wonder if someone had broken into his home.

Frodo and Elizabeth wandered through one of the corridors in Bag End and looked around. Elizabeth turned around to face Frodo and she gave a small squeak as she saw a hand shoot out of the darkness. Frodo turned around to see Gandalf's worried face behind him. The brunette hobbit let out a sigh of relief. It was only Gandalf. FOr a moment, Frodo had been sure that there had been an intruder in his home.

"Is it secret? Is it safe?" he asked.

Elizabeth wondered what Gandalf was talking about and watched Frodo as he opened a chest, cocking her head to one side.

Frodo retrieved an envelope and Gandalf immediately tossed it into the fire.

"Take the child to bed." Gandalf ordered as he kept his eyes locked on the firey flames before him.

Frodo nodded and guided Elizabeth towards her temporary bedroom, where he tucked her into bed and shut the door.

By the time Frodo had come back, Gandalf had set the ring on the table and was studying it.

"It bears the markings of Mordor on it." Gandalf said. "They appeared while you were with Elizabeth."

"Mordor?" Frodo asked. "Why would something so evil from Mordor be here, in the Shire?"

"This is the One Ring. The ring that Sauron forged long ago that was above all other rings. He is coming for it." Gandalf explained. "A creature named Gollum was the only other one that knew of the ring. But they had already gotten them. He only said two words while he was being tortured. Shire and Baggins."

"Shire. Baggins. But that would lead them here!" Frodo realized. "Take it, Gandalf!"

Frodo thrust the ring in Gandalf's face.

"Do not tempt me Frodo!" Gandalf shouted. "I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand Frodo, I would use this ring from a desire to do well. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine."

"But I cannot stay in the Shire. And neither can Elizabeth." Frodo protested.

"No. No you can't." Gandalf agreed. "Elizabeth and yourself would be in grave danger if the Ring stayed here with you."

"What must I do?" Frodo asked.

"You and Elizabeth must leave and leave quickly." Gandalf replied.

"Where do we go?" Frodo asked, running to wake Elizabeth. He carried her out and sat her on a chair.

Frodo stuffed some blankets, supplies and clothes for the both of them in a backpack. He had no idea what he was getting into, but he knew whatever it was would be dangerous. Leaving his beloved Shire and friends would be heart breaking but if it was for the good of his home, Frodo would take it to the ends of Middle Earth to destroy it.

"You must get out of the Shire." Gandalf said. "Make for the village of Bree."

"Bree. What about you?" Frodo asked, pinning a cloak around Elizabeth's slumpedshoulders.

"I'll be waiting for you. At the inn of the Prancing Pony." Gandalf answered.

"And the ring will be safe there?" Frodo asked, stuffing the backpack with some fruit.

"I don't know. I don't have any answers." Gandalf replied. "I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Frodo; he'll know what to do."

Frodo pinned a cloak around his own shoulders. There was a dreadful feeling in his gut that whatever he was about to get himself into would mean trouble for everyone who joined him--even Elizabeth.

"Do not use the name of Baggins anymore. Use something else; it is not safe outside of the Shire." Gandalf ordered. "Travel only by day and stay off the road."

"We can cut across country easy enough." Frodo said, retrieving two walking sticks. Gandalf smiled down at Frodo in true respect.

"My dear Frodo, Hobbits really are amazing creatures." Gandalf sighed.

"What about—YAWN--me?" Elizabeth asked.

"You are dear to me also." Gandalf said, but suddenly turned his attention to the window, where he'd heard rustling.

"Get down, you two." He commanded, grabbing his wizard's staff. He poked something, or rather, someone in the back and pulled him or her through the window. Gandalf pulled that someone through the window and pinned him down on the desk. Frodo and Elizabeth stood up.

"Sam!!" Elizabeth exclaimed happily. "Did you come to say g'bye to me an' Frodo?"

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

"I ain't been droppin' no eaves, sir," Sam answered. "Honest. I was just cuttin' the grass under the window."

"A little late for trimming the grass, don't you think?" Gandalf said, "What did you hear?"

"Nothing important. That is, I heard about a ring, a Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world. Please, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me." Sam answered.

"No. Perhaps not. I've thought of a better use for you." Gandalf said, smiling and looking at Frodo.

((A/N: sorry this chapter was so short. I couldn't find a better cut off point unless I made the chapter really long. Don't worry, the next chapter will be longer.))