Chapter 11

Ringing Truth

Sam looked out the window at the darkness below; wondering if the outside grounds of the castle was as odd as the interior or its inhabitants. He shivered as he imagined what Rolanda might do to him if they never found the Minerva woman. Of course Pomona had explained that she was the Headmistress of the school... but that really did not mean much to the frazzled hobbit.

He wondered if perhaps his old gaffer was looking for him; asking around and scratching his old head, worried but not saying so. It brought strong feelings of guilt and fear to his heart. The world he had been pulled into was not like the Shire. The people were odd, mistrusting and queer. Even the moon, high above, half-hidden by clouds appeared to be different.

"...no, perhaps if we started back with the tub." Filius' voice drifted back to his hearing and he sighed. Despite his oddness, Sam liked Filius and Pomona as well. They were friendly and more than a good deal cordial. And he had always wanted an adventure; just not one with a hawk eyed witch who appeared to detest the earth he walked on.

"The tub?! Oh don't tell me that's the portal." Even Pomona was starting too sound slightly annoyed. But then again they had been bantering about portals, dimensions, magical portkeys, and the like for nearly an hour.

"Why not? So far we've got a missing Headmistress and replacement "hobbit" and only suds as clues." Rolanda rose from the couch, irritated beyond continuation. She ignored the fact that for the past hour she had done nothing but interfere and anger the other two... and punished them by stalking away.

Sam looked up at her, wondering what sort of life she must have lived to be the way she was. He already suspected they were all suffering the after effects of some terrible event. Even in Filius' smiles, there was a hint of sadness.

"Peaceful..." Rolanda muttered, resting her elbow against the glass. "Very nice." Sam nodded. It was at the very least quiet; if you didn't count the mutterings behind them.

"It like this where you're from?" He blinked, amazed that she had actually said something "nice" to him without an acidic edge or catch.

"Always." he sighed, missing the beautiful gardens, the neat little fields and the bubbling streams. He'd even missed Bilbo Baggins' birthday party; one that the entire Shire had been counting the days down to. Rosie Cotton was dancing with another willing hobbit and he wasn't even thought of... probably not even missed.

Tears filled his eyes and he sniffed softly. A hand gently touched his shoulder.

"We'll get you back." Rolanda softly assured him, finding the sight of the shorter lad near to tears somehow touching. Filius had been right... Sam was a person and worthy of tact.

----

Gandalf had gasped silently at the finale act of Bilbo's speech, but only to appear for the others about him, that he had had nothing to do with it. Hobbits after all had labelled him an "official disturber of the peace" along with the fact that he was already blamed for a certain dragon incident several decades earlier. He had merely given Bilbo Baggins a "nudge" out the door... but that was difficult to prove to the gossip-hungry villagers.

"Where did he go?" Minerva asked, although he noted she did not appear in the least bit surprised, more so curious. But then again, he brought back to his memory that she was familiar with magic. Vanishing was probably not something she was at all surprised to see.

They silently rose in the commotion and he hurried them around the party tents and such.

"My dear Bilbo has planned a trip as he has grown tired of life here in the Shire." Gandalf explained as he had them enter Bag End a good deal of time before Bilbo.

"But how did he vanish? Are the hobbits a magical people?" She doubted it, from the gasps and general shock of the party guests.

"No, although they have a way of surprising one." he murmured, chuckling. "Bilbo possessed one magical ring, that he claims he found in a cave during our-" he was cut off sharply as the door opened and Bilbo appeared out of mid air.

Minerva said nothing as Gandalf lifted his finger to his lips. They watched as Bilbo flipped the ring back into his pocket and then went to gather together a few items.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever." Gandalf stated, his stern voice thundering in the gathered silence.

Bilbo jumped, but quickly overcame his shock.

"Come on, Gandalf, Didn't you see their faces?" Of course he had, and that was the only reason Gandalf was stern at the moment.

"There are many magic rings in the world; and none of them should be used lightly." He admonished.

"It was just a bit of harmless fun..." Minerva took a seat, as the low ceiling made her feel slightly queasy. She noted that if Bilbo did indeed possess a magical ring; that perhaps there were other magics that could send her back to her own world. Gandalf was a strong wizard, and she was quite certain at that moment that he would no doubt be able to find a way to send her back.

Ironically even as she thought of it; the idea soured in her mind. She didn't like the idea in the least... she wanted to stay there. Perhaps there had been another side to Gandalf's saving her from suicide by water. She was being rescued from her life and being given a new chance.