Okay, so here is the second part of the really long chapter I told you about last chapter.

In case you are wondering, I think Hope and Philip will appear in the next chapter. I'm not sure yet.

Anyway, I do not own anything other than my OC's, though I wish I could have Gandalf's fireworks.

Chapter 9: A Night to Remember

The party was absolutely magnificent. Brightly colored tents were everywhere, and brilliant lanterns hung in the air. Barrels of ale were stacked as high as Chase was tall, and several wooden tables were groaning under the amount of food piled upon them. Gandalf and his fireworks cart were in the middle of it all, launching the rockets into the air and creating colorful explosions for everyone to enjoy. A band was playing near the front, and several hobbit lads and lasses were dancing merrily.

Frodo was quite happy to see Chase. The young hobbit introduced the ellon to many of his friends and relatives, including Sam, Merry, and Pippin.

Chase was having a grand time. The atmosphere was so joyful one just couldn't help but laugh out loud. The ellon now sat beside Sam, who kept glancing at the dancers every so often, particularly a golden haired hobbit lass Chase could only assume was Rosie Cotton.

Frodo had also noticed this, and the young hobbit sat down beside them. "Go on, Sam," he encouraged. "Ask Rosie for a dance."

Sam shifted nervously in his seat. "I think I'll just have another ale."

"Oh, no you don't!" Chase shouted, shoving a startled Sam into a dancing Rosie's arms. Unfortunately, as he did so, the ellon was caught up in the dancing, and he was swung around by another young hobbit lass. After a few moments, however, Chase found that he actually enjoyed it and continued to dance, much to the amusement of Frodo.

Later, Chase plopped himself beside Gandalf, breathless with laughter. "I see you are enjoying yourself," Gandalf chuckled, smirking slightly.

Chase grinned and nodded happily. Suddenly, a huge explosion rattled the air. A great firework launched into the sky, taking the shape of a great dragon. The fiery thing swooped down upon the Party Field, singing the tops of the tents and causing all the hobbits to run and duck for cover. The firework soared over the nearby pond, and, with a great boom, burst into millions of red and gold showers. The hobbits laughed and clapped, enjoying the spectacle. Gandalf, however, did not look as pleased.

"I assume that wasn't part of the plan," Chase stated, gazing at the wizard. Gandalf curtly nodded his head, standing up and surveying the mass of hobbits.

After a few moments, Chase smiled and gently tapped Gandalf's shoulder. "I think I've found your culprits," he whispered, pointing to two soot-covered hobbits admiring the cheering crowd. A small smile formed on Gandalf's face as he went to reprimand to two hobbits, who were none other than Merry and Pippin. Gandalf dragged the two hobbits by their ears over to where Chase was sitting.

"Chase, if you would please gather the dirty dishes," Gandalf instructed. "I believe these two have some cleaning up to do."

Chase chuckled as he watched Merry and Pippin begin washing the seemingly endless towers of plates. Then he noticed Bilbo climbing up onto a pedestal of barrels. "SPEECH BILBO!" the hobbits began to shout. "SPEECH!"

"My dear Bagginses and Boffins," Bilbo began, "Tooks and Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles, and Proudfoots."

Cheers erupted from the crowd at each name. "ProudFEET!" someone in the crowd corrected, much to the amusement of all.

"Today is my One Hundred and Eleventh Birthday!" Bilbo announced.

The hobbits cheered and raised their glasses. "Happy Birthday!"

"Alas, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits," Bilbo continued. "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." Confused silence followed this remark. The hobbits stared around at each other, bewildered. Chase and Gandalf, probably the only two who understood his remark, smirked at each other.

"I, er, I have things to do," Bilbo stuttered, clearly nervous about something. Chase noticed the hobbit reaching for something in his pocket. "I regret to announce this is the end. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell." Bilbo seemed to take a step off the platform, but it was never seen. The elderly hobbit just vanished!

Chase shook his head, knowing that this would be coming. Gandalf had immediately stood up after the disappearance, and the wizard was now trying to make his way inconspicuously out of the party, which would have been rather hard if not for the distraction of the many confused hobbits all asking the same question: "How did he do it?"

Chase quietly made his way to Gandalf's side. The two rushed inside Bag-End and stood in the parlor, awaiting the elderly hobbit. Soon enough, Bilbo strolled in, carrying a walking stick and looking quite pleased with himself. "I suppose you think that was terribly clever?" Gandalf inquired.

Bilbo whirled around surprised, but then relaxed upon seeing who it was. "Oh, come on, Gandalf," he chuckled. "Did you see their faces?"

"There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins," Gandalf reprimanded. "And none of them should be used lightly."

"It was just a bit of fun!" Bilbo reasoned, before sighing. "Oh, you're probably right, as usual. You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?"

"Two eyes," Gandalf replied. "As often as I can spare them."

"I'm leaving everything to him," Bilbo continued, beginning to pack his rucksack.

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

"Yes, yes," Bilbo answered. "It's in an envelope over there on the mantelpiece."

Chase walked over to the shelf to check. The envelope felt surprisingly light, but before he could check for himself, Bilbo spoke up. "No, wait, it's here, in my pocket," the hobbit corrected. "Isn't that odd now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?"

"I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo," Gandalf stated. "Is that so hard?"

"Well, no…" Bilbo replied, turning to face Gandalf and Chase, "…and yes. Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine! I found it! It came to ME!"

"There's no need to get angry," Gandalf chided.

"Well, if I'm angry it's your fault!" Bilbo retorted, beginning to stroke the ring lovingly. "It's mine. My only…My Precious!"

"Precious?" Chase remarked, worried. "It's been called that before, and not by you!"

Bilbo whirled on the ellon. "What business is it of yours what I do with my own things? And just because you may know what happens in the future does not give you the right to stop me!"

Chase backed up against the wall, startled by the suddenly murderous looking hobbit. Thankfully, Gandalf intervened. "I think you've had that ring quite long enough!"

"You want it for yourself!" Bilbo accused, raising his fists.

"BILBO BAGGINS!" Gandalf thundered, raising himself to full height. The room began to darken as Gandalf's fury filled the room. "Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks! I am not trying to rob you!" The air began to lighten, and the terrifying aura around the gray wizard dissipated. "I am trying to help you," Gandalf continued in a much softer tone.

Bilbo, who had been scared out of his wits, ran over and embraced Gandalf. The wizard kneeled down and put a comforting hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "All these long years we've been friends," Gandalf stated. "Trust me as you once did. Let it go."

Bilbo sighed. "You're right, Gandalf, the ring must go to Frodo." The hobbit swung his rucksack onto his shoulders. "It's late. The road is long. Yes, it is time." The hobbit pushed open the round front door and began to walk out.

"Bilbo," Chase called. "The ring's still in your pocket."

Bilbo smiled sheepishly and took out the ring. Slowly, he let the golden band slide out of his palm and onto the doormat, where it landed with an uncharacteristically solid thump. Bilbo then proceeded to walk outside, looking as though a great weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.

"I've thought up an ending for my book," he remarked, turning to face Gandalf and Chase standing on the doorstep. "'And he lived happily ever after to the end of his days'."

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

Bilbo smiled faintly. "Goodbye, Chase."

"Bye," Chase called, waving. The ellon then walked back into Bag-End to leave Gandalf and Bilbo alone for their farewells. Chase took a seat by the fireplace, unsure of what to do next. Gandalf soon joined him, beginning to puff on his pipe. The two of them stared into the flames, lost in thought. Chase knew what power the ring held and the rings true identity, unlike Gandalf, but that did not keep it off of his mind.

"Bilbo!" a voice called from outside. Frodo burst into Bag-End, searching for his uncle. "Bilbo!" Frodo then saw the wizard and the ellon sitting by the hearth. "He's gone, hasn't he?" the young hobbit asked, walking over to them.

Chase looked up and gave the hobbit a slight nod. "Yeah, he left a while ago."

Frodo sighed. "He talked for so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it." He then turned to face Gandalf, who was still in a world of his own. "Gandalf?"

The wizard looked around, noticing Frodo for the first time. He gazed at what Frodo held out to him. "Ah, Bilbo's ring!" he remarked, smiling. "He's gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag-End, along with all his possessions."

Chase held out the envelope Bilbo had left on the mantelpiece, and Frodo slipped the ring inside. Gandalf sealed the envelope with a red wax stamp. "The ring is yours now," the wizard informed Frodo, handing him the envelope. "Put it somewhere out of sight." He then turned to Chase. "Come, Chase," he instructed. "We must be off."

"Where are you going?" Frodo asked, following Gandalf as the wizard grabbed his things from the hat stand.

"There are some things I must see to," Gandalf answered hurriedly.

"But you've only just arrived!" Frodo exclaimed. "I don't understand."

Chase clasped Frodo's shoulder. "You will one day," he stated. He then walked out to the cart, hopping into the seat. Gandalf soon followed. The wizard rushed into the cart, quickly setting it into motion. The cart jostled violently as Gandalf hurried to Rivendell. Sooner than Chase had expected, the Elven city came into sight.

"I am sorry, Chase," Gandalf apologized as Chase leapt off the cart. "I must be going. I need to talk with Aragorn and Hope, and then I must travel with all speed to Minas Tirith. My questions need answering, and if my suspicions are correct, Frodo will have to leave immediately."

"Immediately?" Chase exclaimed. "Why immediately?" He remembered that in the books, Frodo waited seventeen years before departing.

"Sauron's power has increased rapidly," Gandalf answered. "If Frodo's ring is indeed the One Ring, then we must destroy it as soon as possible."

"But why had Sauron's power increased?" Chase asked, unable to help himself. Things were not at all going according to the book.

Gandalf sighed, seizing the sleeve of Chase's tunic. "Sauron has heard of the Elenmîr's coming. He will extend his shadow until he has captured the information that you hold or destroyed the bearers so they will no longer be able to assist the forces against him." He then turned and mounted his horse, galloping away.

Chase stood frozen in the courtyard, staring at the wizard's retreating backside. Galadriel had been right: the very presence of the Elenmîr was affecting the future. And now Frodo was in more danger than he should be.

Please Review! And again, thanks to all that have already reviewed! Your comments are really helpful and enjoyable!