DISCLAIMER: If I didn't say so before I own no character that appears in book or movie

Chapter 2 Disappearance

Frodo laughed as he watched Sam attempting to dance with Rosie Cotton. His friend was not exactly graceful. He glanced over where

Mariell was sitting by herself. His sister did not appear to be enjoying herself. He felt bad for her. Mariell usually tried to stay out of public

eye, but she would not miss Bilbo's birthday party. Not that the festivities kept certain gossips from sending their daggers her way. He

got up from the table and went to join her. "Are you all right Mariell?" he asked her. Mariell gave him a sad smile.

"I'm fine Frodo. You looked like you were having fun out there on the dance floor"
"Why aren't you dancing?" he asked her. Mariell shook her head.

"And give those uppity Proudfeet something else to shake their heads at, I don't think so." Frodo squeezed her shoulder. He knew it was

hard for Mariell in the shire. Though he was certain she loved it as much as he did, the fact that she was different did make her life harder.

It was more than twenty years since Gandalf had first brought her here. He remembered it well. He was barely in his tweens when he'd

woken up one night at Bag End to the sound of voices and a crying infant…

"Bilbo my old friend"
"Gandalf, what brings you to the shire and at this late hour? Who is this child"
"Her name is Mariell. I cannot tell you anything about her except that she is in danger. I brought her here because it is the only place I can be sure she won't be found. Please Bilbo, you must take her and keep her safe"
"Of Course, Gandalf. She can stay here as long as need be" …

When Frodo awoke that morning Bilbo had been sitting in his chair giving the baby a bottle. All he had told Frodo was that the baby was

going to be his little sister. And that was how it was. He had helped Bilbo take care of her as an infant and when she was a child she

followed him everywhere. Everyone in the shire believed that she was in fact his little sister. Of course there was much explaining to be

done when his "little" sister grew to be taller than he. Though he never had a problem with her being different, in fact he thought it rather

exciting, the other hobbits were greatly disturbed. Bilbo had explained that Mariell had been found by Gandalf outside the shire,

abandoned, and brought her here to be taken care of. That was when the gossip and the vicious glares had started. It was also when

Mariell stopped going out in public unless it was absolutely necessary. "I'm fine Frodo, " Mariell said. "Go enjoy the party. Ask one of

those pretty lasses to dance." Frodo smiled.

"I think I'll ask the prettiest lass in all the Shire." He dramatically stood and offered her his hand.

"Mariell Baggins, may I have this dance?" Mariell laughed and took his hand. Frodo led her out to the dance floor where a lively jig was

playing. The difference in their height made dancing a little awkward so Mariell picked him up so he could look into her eyes. She laughed
and twirled him around in circles until he was dizzy. The song ended and she set him back on his feet. "Thank you, Frodo. Thank you for

reminding me that it is important to have a little fun every now and again. And for reminding me that I'm a Baggins, raised if not born"

"Begging your pardon, Frodo," a gruff voice said beside them. "May I steal this lovely lass from you for the next dance?" They both

grinned at the wizard Gandalf.

"I would be honored, Gandalf," Mariell said. "For I do not feel so much like a giant when you are in the Shire." Gandalf chuckled at the

lass: who was a good four heads shorter than him. Frodo left Mariell to Gandalf and went to find Bilbo. His uncle was greeting Elsa

Bracegirdle and her many children. Suddenly Bilbo turned and seized his shoulders.

"Sackville-Bagginses," he said. "Quickly, hide." Frodo pulled Bilbo behind a tent flap as Otho and Isabelle Sackville-Baggins passed by.

The two of them had been after Bag End for years and Bilbo did not need trouble from them on his birthday. Not seeing him or Bilbo,

Isabelle marched straight over to where Mariell stood helping Gandalf unload his fireworks.

"Thank you my boy," Bilbo said. "It looks like Mariell will take the brunt of the attack, poor lass"

Frodo winced as Isabelle yanked on Mariell's skirt to get her attention. Mariell was clearly annoyed. She glanced up and met his eyes.

Frodo shook his head, pleading. He sighed with relief when he saw Mariell point in the opposite direction of where he and Bilbo were

hiding.

"You're a good lad, Frodo," Bilbo said. Frodo looked at his uncle in surprise. There was a faraway look in his eyes. He looked like he

did whenever he poured over his maps when he thought Frodo and Mariell weren't looking.

"I'm very selfish you know." Frodo started to shake his head. How could Bilbo think himself selfish?

"Yes I am," Bilbo said, "very selfish. I don't know why I took you in after your mother and father died but it wasn't out of charity. I think
it was because of all my numerous relations you were the one that showed real spirit. Mariell, though she is actually no relation, she has

that same spirit." Frodo was beginning to feel concern. Bilbo was acting very strange.

"Bilbo, have you been at the Gaffer's home brew?" "No," Bilbo declared, "well, yes, but that's not the point. Frodo…" Bilbo looked as

though he wanted to say something but all he said was "You'll be all right. You and Mariell, you'll be all right. " Bilbo walked away and

Frodo followed him. Before he could say anything to his uncle, a loud roar was heard. Frodo turned and saw a huge mass of light in the

shape of a dragon heading right for him.

"Bilbo," he called rushing up to him, "watch out for the dragon"

"Dragon," Bilbo scoffed as frightened hobbits rushed by them. "Nonsense there hasn't been a dragon in these parts in over a thousand

years." Everyone dove to the ground as the dragon soared over their heads. Everyone watched in awe as the dragon soared straight up

into the sky and then cheered as it exploded into a brilliant light. It was only Gandalf's fireworks. Frodo glanced up and saw Gandalf

seizing his cousins Merry and Pippin by the ears. Both of them were covered in soot. No doubt his mischievous cousins were responsible
for the spectacle. He chuckled as Gandalf dragged them to the dish tent. "Speech, speech Bilbo," someone shouted. Frodo joined in as

everyone called for Bilbo to make a speech. Bilbo smiled and stepped up onto the platform.

"My dear Bagginses and Boffins," cheers were heard as he named off his relatives. "Tooks and Brandybucks. Grubbs, Chubbs,

Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles and Proudfoots"

"Proudfeet," Everard Proudfoot grunted. Several chuckles were heard. Frodo glanced over to where Mariell sat and they exchanged a smile.
"Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday." Clapping and cheers of "Happy Birthday," were called out.

"Alas, eleventy-one years is much too short a time to live amongst such hobbits as yourselves. I know less than half of you half as well as

I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." Frodo chuckled as most of the hobbits tried to figure out if Bilbo

had just given them a compliment or an insult. A strange shadow was in Bilbo's eyes now as he fumbled in his pocket.

"I have things to do," he said more to himself than anyone, "very important." Frodo stared at Bilbo starting to wonder. Bilbo was acting

very strange and mumbling to himself. He clasped his hand behind his back and spoke loudly.

"I regret to inform you that this is the end. I'm going now. I bid you all a fond farewell, goodbye." And with that Bilbo disappeared. Cries
of astonishment broke out through the party. Frodo blinked several times to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him. He

looked over at Mariell. She looked as stunned as he felt. Everyone began to search for Bilbo, under tables, and in boxes, but he was

nowhere to be found. Mariell hurried up to him and took his arm.

"We should go home and see if he's there," she whispered. He nodded and together the two of them raced home.

"Bilbo!" Frodo called bursting through the door, Mariell stumbling in after him. There was no answer. Something on the floor suddenly

caught Frodo's eye. He bent down and picked up the gold ring that was on the floor. Bilbo's ring. He never went anywhere without it.

Frodo lifted his eyes and met Mariell's. They were both thinking the same thing. Frodo noticed that Gandalf was sitting by the fire.

"He's gone hasn't he?" Frodo said. Gandalf did not answer. Frodo went over to where Gandalf sat.

"He talked for so long about leaving," Mariell said thoughtfully, "but I didn't think he'd actually do it." Frodo nodded. Gandalf still hadn't

spoken. He was staring into the fire and mumbling to himself. Frodo could barely hear him but he thought he heard the word "precious.

"Gandalf?" The wizard turned as though just noticing Frodo and Mariell were in the room. He looked at the ring in Frodo's palm.

"Bilbo's ring," he said. "Bilbo's gone to stay with the elves. He's left you Bag End. Along with all his possessions." Gandalf took the ring

from him and sealed it in an envelope. "I'd put this away," he told Frodo. Frodo warily took the envelope. Gandalf stood up.

"I must go." Frodo was frightened now. First Bilbo, and now Gandalf was acting strange.

"Where are you going?" he called after the wizard.

"I must find answers"

"You've only just arrived. I don't understand." Gandalf stopped and turned.

"Neither do I." He placed his hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Keep it secret, keep it safe." He turned his attention to Mariell. His sister was

watching the wizard suspiciously. Gandalf took Mariell's pendant in his hand studying it carefully. "I'd leave this on at all times, Mariell."

Mariell nodded. Gandalf picked up his staff and with that he was gone. Frodo turned to Mariell.

"What do we do now?" he asked her. Even though she was a good many years younger than him, she always seemed older and so he

turned to her for answers.

"We find a safe place for Bilbo's ring," she said. "and tomorrow we go on with our lives. Bag End is yours now, Frodo. That should

make you happy." Frodo shook his head.

"I'd rather have Bilbo here." Mariell smiled sadly and went to her knees. She folded him into a loving hug.

"I know."