Chapter 4

A/N: I'm on the fence on if I should split the LOTR trilogy into six books.

Fellowship of the Ring: Legend of Arda - Ends Right before they go to Moira, Legend of Arda Pt 2 - Actual Ending

The Two Towers: Warrior of Arda - Ends ?, Warrior of Arda Pt 2 - Actual Ending

The Return of the King: Goddess of Arda - Ends ?, Goddess of Arda Pt - Actual Ending

Perci gasped, Gandalf chomped down on his pipe before he pulled it out of his mouth. One glance between them and they were hurrying after Bilbo as the hobbits all gossiped between themselves.

"What kind of thing could have done something like that, Gandalf?!"

"We are about to find out as I do not know."

They arrived and sat in front of Bilbo's fireplace waiting for him to come. They looked up at the sound of the door opening and they both heard the pitter-patter of feet on the wood floor but didn't see anything until Bilbo somehow reappeared.

Perci and Gandalf knew that Bilbo hadn't yet noticed them as he slipped something back into his pocket and then began to pack, presumably, for the trip that he wished to go on.

All throughout his packing, they could hear him giggling at the 'prank' he had pulled at his birthday party. Finally Gandalf couldn't take it any longer.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever." Gandalf snapped, causing the old hobbit to startle and turn, his small smile not leaving his face at all.

"Come now, Gandalf. Did you see their faces?" Perci just watched on as they conversed, not wanting to get in the way.

"There are many magic rings in this world, and none of them should be used lightly."

"It was just a bit of fun." Bilbo paused. "Oh, you're probably right, as usual." He picked up his walking stick, placing it next to his pack before he seemed to think of something and turning back around to Gandalf. "You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?"

"Two eyes. As often as I can spare."

"And will you, Perci?"

"What are you talking about? I'm going with you, old friend. We've gotta squeeze out a couple more adventures before you turn back into the respectable Bilbo Baggins." Perci teased, her mind distracted at the moment.

Bilbo gasped in mock outrage. "I would never! And thank you for coming with me. You know I always get confused."

"Where are you wanting to go, Bilbo?"

"Oh, I want to go to Atlantis first, and then to Rivenedell." Perci raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, knowing that this would most likely be Bilbo's 'big' adventure.

"Sounds like a plan. And what about Frodo?" Gandalf and Perci exchanged a glance, both in agreement with the plan that seemed to be shaping up. Gandalf would stay behind with rodo while Perci went with Bilbo, eventually meeting up in Rivendell.

"I'm leaving everything to him."

"What about this ring of yours?" Gandalf asked. "Is that staying too?"

"Yes, yes. It's in an envelope over there on the mantelpiece." Gandalf moved to look but didn't see anything. "No. Wait, it's… here in my pocket."

"I think you should leave the ring behind. Is that so hard?" Perci began to worry, this wasn't like Bilbo at all. He seemed more attached to a ring then he should be.

"Well, no. And yes. Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. I found it It came to me!" Perci felt a little bit of fear trickle down her spine. That wasn't Bilbo.

"There's no need to get angry." Gandalf said calmly but even he was unsettled. Something about that ring was causing this to happen to their friend.

"Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault! It's mine. My own. My precious." Perci watched Gandalf become even more alarmed, like that word was the stuff of nightmares. But it was just a word, right?

"Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you."

"What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?"

"I think you've had that ring quite long enough."

"You want it for yourself!" And it seemed that Bilbo's face turned slightly demonic and Perci backed up slightly in alarm even as Gandalf moved forward, trying to snap their friend out of this.

"Bilbo Baggins! Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks. I am not trying to rob you. I'm trying to help you." Bilbo seemed to snap out of it and whimpered, seeming to have realized that something had come over him and controlled him and he moved forward to hug Gandalf. "All your long years, we've been friends. Trust me as you once did. Let it go."

"You're right, Gandalf. The ring must go to Frodo."

"Yes, it is time."

"Bilbo." Bilbo whom had headed towards Perci and the door with his pack and walking stick stopped at Gandalf's call. "The ring is still in your pocket."

Bilbo cradled the ring in his hand before seeming to use all of his will power to turn his hand over and to let the ring drop. "I've thought up an ending for my book: 'And he lived happiy ever after to the end of his days.'"

"And I'm sure you will, my dear friend."

"Goodbye, Gandalf."

"Goodbye, dear Bilbo. Perci, keep an eye on him."

"And you do the same with Frodo. The road goes on and on until our next meeting."

Perci and Bilbo walked out the door leaving Bag End, Gandalf, and the ring behind.

"How long do you think it will take us to get there, Perci?"

"Well, I brought some different friends that you've never met before that might get us there in a few days."

"Oh, really?! It always took Frodo and I close to two weeks to reach Atlantis."

"Ah, but you're traveling with me and some of my special friends this time."

"I'm going on an adventure!" Bilbo said excitedly, causing Perci to laugh.

"I guess you are, Bilbo." And if Bilbo's excitement caused her to not think about the void in her heart like she always did, then she was all for the hobbit's excitement. But she couldn't help but feel that like Lord Ulmo had said, the time of peace they had had since the Battle of the Five Armies, was coming to an end.