The group of children departed, some of them grabbing sticks, pretending to fight Dragons. Silver cracked a smile and stood up, weariness sank into her bones.

As she headed down the path in silence, a twig snapped. She turned quickly, holding her dagger up, Frodo was standing in front of her. "Hey! Look out, you almost poked my eye out with that thing." He chuckled.

Silver sighed and lowered her weapon. "Frodo, you know it's dangerous to sneak up on me when I have a weapon." Silver scolded. "Silver, I know it's dangerous to sneak up on you, period." He replied, frowning after a moment. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

Silver avoided his gaze, it was filled with an emptiness that she could not fill.

"Frodo, there is more battle and death that has passed by these eyes than any King may ever see... When I leave here, each time I meet new people, gain new enemies, leave good friends, and earn more scars. I have helped people out there, and some have helped me. I owe debts, and I have debts owed to me,"

Silver looked up, Frodo's eyes were welling with knowledge, he thought he knew what she was going to say.

"Of course I'm not leaving!" She finished.

"Oi! Everyone! Silver says she's staying!" Pippin cheered, causing Silver and Frodo to jump with surprise.

Only a few Hobbits acknowledged Pippin's announcement, the children of course were the majority of the ones who did. Bilbo nodded, laughing, he could see a hand disappear under the huge mass.

"Okay, run off. I'm sure Bilbo has a story or two." Frodo shooed the kids away.

"You're really staying?" He reached out his hand to help Silver up. She nodded. "Yeah, why would I want to leave this?" Silver motioned to the Shire.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" Merry asked, watching Silver carry large boxes into her house. "Merry, if you want to help, grab a box! They aren't that heavy." She grunted, setting the crate down, her shoulder had begun to act up again.

A loud cry came from outside her door. "Are you kidding!? These weigh a ton! Do you have an entire couch in here?" Merry gasped, straining to lift a box. "No, just trinkets." She smiled.

"You know, I can get the boxes. What I really need is an apple." Silver set another box in her living room. Merry hopped into the air at the sound of an excuse to leave heavy lifting for food. "I can get some! Com'on, Pip." Merry motion to Pippin, who was unpacking dinnerware.

He nodded and followed Merry to The Green Dragon.

Silver set out her large arrangements of souvenirs she had acquired from previous journeys. "Where are these supposed to go, Miss Silver?" Sam asked, admiring a small box filled with flower seed packets.

"Oh, shoot! I forgot about those." Silver closed the box and began scribbling on a piece of paper. "Here ya go, sam." She handed the box back to him. "Merry Christmas'? That was over a month ago." He chuckled, looking up from the note.

"Exactly! I meant to give it to you then!" Silver's muffled voice echoed out of the hall closet.

"Well, Thank you." Sam sorted through the array of colorful packets. "Go on, then." Silver said, wiping her hands with a rag. "I'm sorry?" Sam asked in confusion.

"I know you want to get started, go plant some in your garden." Silver replied. Sam's eyes lit up with joy. He started out the door, saying thanks and what not.

Silver sighed, the silence was bliss. All of the boxes were unpacked and put away, now. All she needed to do was sweep.

She swept the broom across the floor, singing softly.

"Still round the corner there may wait

A new road or a secret gate,

And though I oft have passed them by,

A day will come at last when I

Shall take the hidden paths that run

West of the Moon, East of the Sun."

"The boys seemed to have left quickly." Frodo inspected the empty house. Silver's face turned red. She hoped Frodo hadn't heard her singing.

"Yeah, I dismissed them." Silver closed the door of the broom closet.

"Well, you sure got stuff done with short staff." Frodo praised.