"I have lost my dwarves and my wizard in the tunnels. I do not have a clue where I am and I do not want to know quite frankly. All I want is to be told the way out" he told the creature.

Gollum's eyes flashed in the light of the sword.

"What has it got in his hands?" Gollum asked, his eyes set on the glimmering blade.

Bilbo looked down at it.

"It's a sword, a blade that came out of Gondolin" Bilbo answered, swinging it about.

Gollum hissed, but had a much better reaction to it then the goblins did.

"Perhaps it would sit here for a bit and talk to us" Gollum asked, clambering onto an outcrop of rock near by.

Bilbo had no choice as Gollum climbed silently onto the rock.

"Does it like riddles?" he asked.

Bilbo was taken aback by this.

"Riddles?" he asked, thinking about it for a few seconds.

"Yes, very well then" he answered.

"You go first" Bilbo said.

He had not had time to think up a riddle. Gollum hissed. A few seconds later, he started to talk in his raspy voice.

"What has roots that nobody see, is taller then trees, goes up and up, yet never grows" Gollum told him.

He was confident that Bilbo would struggle. But he was wrong.

"Easy" the hobbit said, smiling.

"It's a mountain"

Gollum gave an angry grunt.

"Its guesses are easy?" Gollum asked, hitting his fist on the rock.

"Maybe it wants a competition with us?" he asked.

"If you don't answer us, we will eats you. If you does, we will do what it wants"

There was a small pause.

"We will show it the way out, yes"

Bilbo liked this idea very much and agreed to the term. Bilbo took a deep breath.

"Ah yes, I have one" said Bilbo.

He cleared his throat.

"Thirty white horses on a red hill, first they champ, they the stamp, then they stand still"

This was the best he could come up with, his mind very much distracted by the fact that he did not want to get eaten.

Gollum knew the answer almost as quickly as Bilbo had told the riddle.

"Chestnuts!" he answered.

Bilbo knew that Gollum's next riddle would be harder.

"Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters"

Bilbo's predication was right.

"Half a moment" Bilbo said, running the riddle back in his mind.

A few seconds later, he gave a smile.

"Wind" he answered.

"Wind of course"

Bilbo's next riddle really was hard. A normal hobbit would struggle to find the answer. But Gollum had no trouble at all, apart from the memories it brought back.

"Son on the daisies it means, does it?" Gollum asked.

Gloria and Elanor were playing in Gloria's room. Both had their own favourite wooden horse figure to play with. To the girls, they were not made of wood. The two horses were very much alive.

"Shush" Elanor said, looking around the corner of the bed.

The bedroom had changed into the gates of Mordor. Hundreds of orcs were guarding the large metal gate. The gate was guarded by two towers. These towers had orcs looking out for any in coming attack.

"How are we going to get past that?" Gloria whispered.

Elanor pulled her back. She did not want Gloria to give away their position.

"I don't know, but we cant stay here for long" Elanor told her friend.

Just then, a strange noise echoed around them. Elanor looked around the corner. A horn echoed around the grey area that they were in. She could see the large, once impenetrable gate was opening.

But it was not opening without a reason.

"Elanor!" Gloria said, her hand gripped Elanor's arm.

Elanor's mouth fell open. Large beasts were trampling their way towards the gate. They were Oliphaunts. Elanor had heard stories from her father before bed.

"Was big as the Green Dragon" Samwise told her.

Elanor gave a smile.

"Did you ride one?" she asked, her head resting on her pillow.

The rest of her had been tucked under a large duvet.

"Oh, no I didn't" Samwise told her.

"Their too big for any old hobbit to ride" Samwise told her.

"And were they going to Mordor too?" Elanor asked.

Samwise gave a nod.

"Yes, they were"

Samwise finished up the chapter in his big read book and closed it.

"What happened next?" she asked.

But it was well past her bed time.

"I'll tell you tomorrow" he said, getting up off of his chair.

"Now, get some sleep" he said, he gave Elanor a small kiss and her forehead.

"Good night, daddy" she said, smiling.

Samwise looked back and smiled as he slowly and quietly shut the door. Elanor smiled, still thinking about the stories that her father had told her.

Now, those stories would be used for entertainment again.

"Hurry" Elanor whispered as she ran along a large cliff face.

The Oliphaunt's large legs, more like tree trunks, echoed around. Gloria and Elanor had, some how, made it to nearer to the cliff then they thought.

Their smallness helped them not be seen. Elanor, who lead the way, stopped.

"How are we going to get through there?" Gloria asked.

Elanor took a deep breath. She could see that the gate was not as guarded as she thought.

"We have to try" Elanor told her.

A few minutes later, swords drawn, the two girls ran. They ran as fast as they could. The orcs that patrolled the top of the metal gate saw the two girls running along.

Archers were called. A minute later, they took aim and fired. A battalion of arrows headed their way.

"Watch out!" Gloria said, pushing her friend to the side.

It was lucky that Gloria did this. For a second later, the arrows impacted on the ground. Both of their heart rates had shot up in the unexpected attack.

"They knew we're here" Elanor said, peering around.

Just then, a knock at the door disrupted this very important moment of their adventure. Gloria and Elanor, who were holding their sticks from outside, looked at the door.

Gloria's mother came in holding a tray. On it were homemade cookies and two mugs of warm milk.

"I bright you these, thought you might get hungry" she said.

Elanor smiled, she loved cookies, no matter who made them. Gloria rolled her eyes.

"Thank you, mummy" she said.

Gloria's train of thought had been disrupted and her imagination had vanished. Elanor smiled as she looked down at the trey. She smiled as she helped herself to some warm cookies which had just come out of the oven.

"I hardly get cookies at home any more, my mummy doesn't have time" Elanor said, looking a bit sad.

She loved cookies, she had asked her mother time and time again to make some, but Rosie had never got around to it.

The two girls ate and drank to their fill. There were more cookies then they could eat. Gloria's mother then came back into the room again.

"Lunch will be ready in an hour, I think you should say good bye to your friend" she told her daughter.

Elanor smiled as she grabbed a few cookies for the journey home. A few minutes later, after putting on her coat, Elanor walked out.

"I'll see you later" Gloria told her.

Elanor looked around and the smiled. A few seconds later, the door behind her closed with a click. The little girl walked to the gate. She already had a one her cookies in her mouth as she closed the gate behind her.

Meanwhile, back in the Gamgee household, Frodo had gone back to sleep. The door to his room slowly opened. Samwise gave a smile as he saw his son sleeping in his bed.

"Poor tyke" he said to himself as he closed the door again.

Samwise was just about to walk back to the kitchen when three knocks came from the large front door.

"Must be Elanor" he said, giving a sniff.

Sure enough, Elanor had arrived on time. She smiled and walked inside.

"Looks like you've already had your lunch" Samwise said.

Elanor looked up at him. She instantly wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

"Gloria's mother gave me some cookies and milk" Elanor told her father.

"Just made sure you eat all of your lunch"

This was a promise that Elanor could keep. In fact, she was felling a little bit hungry again. As the little hobbit girl walked to her room, she could smell the cooking chicken seeping out from kitchen.

Elanor smiled as she opened the door to her room. She could see, out of the window, a sea of whiteness. She smiled, knowing that, in a few short hours, snow would cover every inch of Hobbiton.

Meanwhile, Frodo started to stir. He was curled up under his duvet. His stomach was not as unsettled as before. In fact, the little boy was now very hungry.

Frodo drew back his duvet. The faint hairs on his feet tingled as he stood on the cold tiled floor. Frodo rubbed his eyes as he walked towards the door.

As he opened it, a wave of smell hit him. This made him even more hungry. His mother was busy cutting up the vegetables.

She looked around as she hear little foot steps behind her.

"Hello, Frodo" she said.

Frodo gave a tired smile.

"How are you feeling?" his mother asked, stopping what she was doing.

Frodo breathed heavily.

"Still feel a bit sick" he answered.

Frodo resembled his father in nearly every little detail. His hair was the same colour, his face had the same podginess as well. Even the way he said things was the same.

"Well, lunch will be ready soon, maybe that'll sort you out" Rosie told him.

Lunch couldn't come soon enough for the little boy. He, like always, was first to the table. His breakfast, which had been put in the oven, had been thrown away.

Frodo smiled as he slowly ate. His stomach slowly filled with delicious food. Like the many meals before, Frodo was the first to finish.

He was feeling much better as he sat there. His mug of clear, cool water had been finished. Rosie smiled as she placed her knife and fork down.

"Do you want more?" she asked, looking at her oldest child.

Frodo smiled and nodded.

"Yes, please" he said.

Rosie loved the way he was so polite. She and Samwise had raised each and every child to the best of their abilities and it was paying off.

Elanor, who become jealous, looked at how much food was being placed on her brother's plate. A fresh, warm batch of parsnips, a pile of tender chicken, and a few roasted potatoes were all placed on his plate.

The boat of warm gravy was then poured all over his food.

"Thank you, mummy" Frodo said as he started eating again.

Elanor could not take it any more.

"Could I have some more, please?" she asked.

But she received a totally different reaction.

"I think you've had enough for now" Samwise told her.

Elanor looked around.

"But, Frodo is allowed some more, why cant I?" she asked.

Rosie took a deep breath, knowing that if she gave Elanor some more, then she would have give Merry and little Rose some more too.

"Frodo is not feeling very well, he needs all of the strength he can get"

Elanor huffed. She placed her knife and fork down. She refused to eat any more.

"Now, don't be like that" Samwise told her.

Little Elanor did not like that fact that she was not getting more food.

"I'm not well either" she said, giving a little cough.

But her plan back fired on her.

"You'll have to stay inside then, until tomorrow"

Elanor's mouth fell open.

"No!" she said, her plans that she made with Gloria were unbreakable.

"But if you ill, then its best if you don't go out" Samwise said, knowing full well that her daughter was just making it up to get more food.

Elanor took a deep breath and looked down.

"Sorry" she said.

Samwise gave a small smile as he continued eating the rest of his food. Elanor sat there waiting for her mother and father to finish their food.

"Would anyone like any more?" Rosie asked, seeing that there were a few parsnips and potatoes left.

Samwise smiled as he picked up some of the cold slices of toasted bread. Rosie stood up and dished out the last bits of lunch. Elanor got what she wanted and started to eat the last scraps.

None of the children left their seat. Rosie, while preparing lunch, had prepared two chocolate cakes. She smiled as she as she started to cup into the first.

The portions were massive. The two cakes were cut into quarters. Each of them would get a big piece. Even though Frodo was starting to feel ill again, he could not pass up this chance.

"Now Frodo, you don't have to eat all of it if you don't want to" Rosie told him as she gave him his piece.

But she knew that Frodo would eat every last crumb, sick or not. The family again came to silence as they ate.

The chocolate was rich and smooth. Rosie looked around. Even Frodo, who was not at all well, continued to eat.

Frodo would later regret this as he finished his cake. His stomach was talking again.

Samwise saw Frodo swaying in his seat. Frodo gave a small whimper as he held his tummy.

"I don't feel well" he whimpered.

Elanor looked over at him.

Samwise quickly stood up and herded his son out of the kitchen. Elanor watched as her father and brother disappears.

"What's the matter with Frodo?" Elanor asked.

Rosie gave a small smile.

"He's not very well at the moment dear" Rosie answered.

Origo little tail wagged as Diamond stood at the stove. He could smell his turkey cooking.

"Move back, puppy" his Diamond told him.

Origo gave a small whimper as a wave of heat tickled his fur. Diamond smiled as she got out a large turkey. She smiled as she took it out and placed it the work top.

Origo gave a little whimper.

"It's too hot at the moment" Diamond told him.

Origo hug his head, he was a very hungry puppy. Today was the time to eat and cuddle up with his Diamond. But Diamond had other ideas. She needed to clean the hallway again. Dirt and leaves had accumulated at the edges.

Diamond was a very tidy and clean hobbit. She hated having a dirty home. She loved having guests around. The more the merrier. But her home had to be clean before any came around.

The large cooked bird was left for a long time. Origo waited in the kitchen. He sat there, watching the bird slowly cool. Diamond filled her bucket with water and lifted it out of the sink.

She smiled as she saw Origo waiting near his turkey. She did not stop, but walked out into the corridor. She placed the heavy bucket down on the floor and started to clean.

The floor took on a shine as Diamond cleaned it. Origo heard the bucket scraping along the floor and went to investigate.

Diamond almost tripped over her precious little puppy as she vigorously cleaned.

"Oh, puppy I'm sorry" she said, feeling her large feet hit him.

Ori gave an adorable little whimper. His little brown eyes had a different glimmer in them. Diamond could not resist this little glimmer. So, she stood the mop against the wall and picked up her puppy.

"Oh, I'm sorry" she said, holding him on her shoulder.

Origo rested his head on his Diamond. He loved her very much. Diamond smiled as her puppy pawed at her hair.

"Come on then, lets get some food" she answered.

She could feel Origo's small tail wagging. The two of them entered the kitchen. Origo was placed back on the cold floor. He gave a small whimper as Diamond walked to the draws. She got out a large cutting knife and a long silver fork.

Origo looked up and watched her cut off slices after slice. After what seemed forever, Diamond placed some of the turkey into Origo's clean bowl.

"There you are, pup" she said, bending down and placing it on the floor.

Origo did not need a second invitation to start eating. Diamond went back to cleaning as Origo ate. Diamond had already had her lunch. She had washed, dried and put the dish away before Origo had his.

For the little puppy had been snoozing since he had his large morning bowl of turkey. Diamond smiled as she walked out of the kitchen, leaving Origo to eat.

In reality, Origo was not in Hobbiton. His bowl had been cleaned away, the smell of turkey had not been smelt in Diamond's household for a long time.

Faramir, her only child, was sleeping after a large lunch. This was a peaceful time for Diamond. Even if Origo had been with her, what she would have been doing would not have changed much.

As she cleaned the floor, a memory came back into her mind. Diamond stopped for a few seconds.

"Of course" she said.

Excitement started to rise in her. She had never had a better idea then she had right now. Her original plan was to open an orphanage. But that plan changed the more she thought about it.

"But there are no hobbit orphans I know of"

She then thought about helping an old friend who had helped her through the toughest times.

"Maybe she'll need my help" Diamond told herself.

Diamond smiled as she rushed through the last of her cleaning. The water was poured away and put the mop back in the cupboard.

Luckily, Faramir decided that now was the best time to wake up. Diamond smiled as she went into her room. Faramir had wriggled out of his blanket.

"Hello my little angel" she said, picking him up.

Faramir whimpered as he was tucked back into his blanket.

"What about we go and visit Dolly?" Diamond asked.

Faramir screwed up his face again, not liking the fact that he was now awake. Diamond, who had nothing else to do, fed her little son.

Faramir finished his meal and became a lot happier. Fifteen minutes past before Diamond was ready to go outside. Faramir had been wrapped in many layers of cloths and blankets.

Diamond had thought on and put her coat on before hand.

"Come on, baby, lets go and see Dolly"

She walked down the corridor to the large front door. What she saw when she opened her door shocked her.

"Oh my!" she said.

Whiteness stretched on for as far as she could see. Flakes, now the size of feathers, were falling to the ground. Diamond found this very magical. But Faramir had different ideas.

Snow flakes hit his skin.

"Oh dear" Diamond said as she moved the blanket so that the snow did not hit Faramir.

A few minutes later, after winding her way down the hill, Diamond reached the house where Dolly lived. Her garden was smaller then Diamonds. But it wasn't as less pretty.

Dolly was sitting quietly in her lounge. She heard the knocks echo down from her large front door.

"Now, I wonder who this could be" she said.

She wasn't expecting anyone.

Or was she?

Dolly's mind was not as good as it had once been. Her feet slapped on the cold tilted floor as she walked towards the door. It took her longer to reach the door.

She opened it slowly and looked outside. Diamond gave a large smile.

"My dear Diamond!" Dolly said, her voice sounded old and worn.

"Do come in, you must be cold!"

A few snow flakes entered the house as Diamond walked in.

"How are you?" Diamond asked as the door closed.

Dolly smiled.

"I am well, isn't it cold out there my dear?" she asked.

Diamond nodded. She and dolly stood there in a moment of awkward silence.

"Could you take Faramir for me, I need to take my coat off" Diamond told her.

Dolly had not even noticed that Diamond was holding her son. Dolly gasped.

"Isn't he big now, baby Pippin!" she said, taking him.

Diamond gave a small smile, knowing that she had to ask for all her advise quickly. The baby was handed back to his mother and the two walked down to the kitchen.

"Are you hungry?" Dolly asked, her walking speed had decreased over the years.

"Oh, a little seed cake wouldn't go a miss" Diamond said.

Dolly smiled and made her way to the cellar. Her mind slipped her again. She completely forgot why she had gone into the cellar in the first place.

Diamond could hear whistling coming from inside the cellar. A minute later and Dolly emerged. But she was not holding seed cakes. In fact she was holding eggs, a bar of the richest chocolate, sugar and a vase of milk.

"Oh, Diamond, how are you?" she asked.

Diamond's eyes darted away from a split second.

"What are you doing?" Diamond asked her.

Dolly gave a strange look and looked down at the ingredients.

"Oh my" she said, taking a deep breath.

"I forgot the rum"

The ingredients were placed down and Dolly headed back into cellar. Diamond took a deep breath. The same thing happened to the elders that she knew. It was a sign that Dolly was getting too old.

Dolly came back into the kitchen. She smiled and came over to Diamond.

"Oh, isn't little Diamond cute" Dolly said, looking at Faramir.

Diamond knew that Dolly had helped her mother give birth to her.

"Dolly, are you feeling well?" she asked.

Dolly gave a strange look.

"Of course I am, Emerald"

This was the name of Diamond's mother. She had not seen her since her own wedding.

"I'm Diamond, you know that"

Dolly seemed not to listen as she prepared her cake.

"Dolly, I've been meaning to ask you something"

This seemed to get her attention as she took out a bowl.

"Anything, dear" Dolly answered.

"I was wondering, could you teach me to become a midwife?" Diamond asked.

Dolly looked around. This was the first time, that she could recall, that anyone had asked her to become a midwife.

"Well, it's very difficult" she told her.

She was not sure if Diamond was up to the job.

"But the rewards are plenty" Dolly told her.

Bilbo Baggins emerged into brilliant sunlight. His eyes, after the darkness of the caves, were not used to it.

"Good heavens!" he said as he looked back.

"I seemed to have arrived on the other side of the Misty Mountains!"

But his elation was quickly replaced with despair and a hint of guilt.

"But, where is Gandalf and the dwarves, I hope their still not inside that retched place"

Bilbo had nothing more to do then to descend down the mountain side. His mind was still torn on whether or not he should venture back into the tunnels and find his friends.

He was just about to head back, his hand stroking the ring in his pocket, when he heard some voices. The hobbit stopped suddenly and listened.

Bilbo crept slowly and quietly forward. A minute or two later, he came across a hooded figure through the trees.

"Balin" he whispered, smiling to himself.

Little Bilbo could have given himself away in an instant with all of the excitement he had. But he did not.

"Maybe I can give them all a little surprise" he said, taking out the ring.

Gandalf was in the middle of the rabble of dwarves. He seemed very annoyed at all of the accusations that he as getting.

"After all, he is my friend" Gandalf told them, leaning on his staff.

"And he's hot a bad little cap. I feel responsible for him. I wish to goodness you had not lost him"

But the dwarves wanted to know more about his goings on. They questioned his doings and why he had not been chosen and why he could not have chosen someone that required less work.

"He has been more trouble then use, so far" they told him.

"If we have to go back into those abominable tunnels and look for him then I say drat him"

Anger rose in Gandalf.

"I brought him and I do not bring things of no use if I do. Either you help me look for him or leave you to get out of the mess you are in by yourselves. You will all thank me when its over"

Gandalf quickly changed the subject matter.

"And what was the reason you dropped him, Dori?" he asked.

Dori gave a huff.

"You would have dropped him too!" Dori said, becoming red under his short white beard.

He could feel eyes on him.

"You wouldn't have held onto him f a goblin had suddenly grabbed you legs, tripped you up and kicked you in the square of your back" he answered.

Gandalf took a deep breath.

"Then why did you not simply pick him up?" Gandalf asked.

Dori was becoming more and more agitated. He felt like Gandalf was blaming him for losing. Dori explained what had happened. From Thorin swinging his sword without a care, to the flash of light that Gandalf had produced, scaring away the goblins.

Bilbo had made his way into the centre of the dwarves. Gandalf looked very worried.

"And here's your burglar!" he said, slipping off the ring.

Each and every one of them jumped, including the wizard. Each and every one of the dwarves started to greet and ask where he had been.

Gandalf called Balin back and had some strong words with him. Bilbo smiled, he was finally accepted into the group once and for all. But the dwarves still had their doubts that Bilbo was still up to the job.

Balin was more puzzled then anything.

"May I ask how you came across us unnoticed?" Thorin asked.

Bilbo had to lie.

"Oh, just crept along, carefully and quietly like" he answered.

Balin was impressed.

"Well, that's the first time that even a mouse has crept under my nose and not been seen" he said.

"I take my hood off to you good sir"

At that, he drew his deep red hood from his head. White hair, as white as his beard and snow capped peaks was reviled.

Bilbo relived his adventure out of the tunnels.

"And I lost a lot of buttons" he told them, looking glumly down at his jacket.

"But, I managed to squeeze through alright and here I am" he said with a smile.

Gandalf gave a smile under his greying beard.

"What did I tell you?" he asked.

"Mr Baggins has more about him then you guess"

Bilbo smiled and looked over at him. There was a strange vibe coming off of the wizard. Bilbo knew that Gandalf had speculations that a part of his tale had been left out.

Hours past as Diamond and Dolly talked.

"I have some books" said old Dolly, slowly getting out of her chair.

Her hands were cold to the touch and wrinkled. Diamond smiled as she continued to eat the last bit of cake she had. Faramir was snoozing peacefully in her arms.

Dolly had not once got his name right since they arrived. Dolly had called the baby Diamond and even Pippin. A minute or two later, she came back with a large pile of books.

Diamond's eyes brows raised. She could not carry both the books and her son.

"My, that is a lot of books" Diamond told her.

But Dolly was not finished yet.

"There you go" Dolly said, putting the last few books on the table.

Diamond now had a problem. She could not ask Dolly to help her carry them home, for it was too cold outside. Then again, she could not just leave them here.

"Maybe I'll take just one for now" Diamond told her.

Dolly looked a little disappointed.

"That's fine, dear" she answered.

Thirty minutes past.

"Well, I best get home, Faramir needs his sleep"

Dolly smiled as she handed Diamond a book.

"This is the first one I read" Dolly told her.

"You can keep it" she said.

Diamond gave her a large smile.

"Thank you" Diamond said.

She had put her coat on and wrapped sleepy Faramir up.

"Well, good night, keep little Diamond safe on your long trip" Dolly said.

Diamond smiled, trying not laugh.

"Bye" Diamond said, heading into the coldness.

It was more difficult going home then it was earlier. The darkness did not help her as she walked back up the winding path. Her home couldn't have felt more further away.

Diamond smiled as she opened the door to her home. The coldness had numbed every muscle and joint in her body.

She was grateful to have a warm home. She could feel little Faramir shivering in his blankets.

"I think we should get to bed, what do you think?" she asked.

Faramir slowly warmed up as she was washed and dressed in his night cloths. Diamond smiled as she gently placed him in his cot.

"Love you, Fara-moo" Diamond said, kissing him.

Baby Faramir gave a small yawn. After a few minutes, he drifted off to sleep. A mug of tea was in order.

"Maybe I should start reading this book" Diamond said.

She picked it up from the small table near the large front door. She walked back down to the kitchen and placed it on the table. The house was quiet now, the best time to start reading.

Diamond placed the book on the table and prepared herself some tea. The kettle was filled with just enough water for her. A few bits of wood were chucked into the dying fire. A few minutes past before the fire grew. Diamond placed the kettle on the little hook. She smiled as she got out a mug, some milk, some tea leaves and a small box, filled with white sugar.

A few minutes later, she made her mug of tea. A wooden clock ticked as Diamond stirred the sugar in. A pile of soggy tea leaves had been placed on a small saucer. Diamond smiled as she took a sip.

"Just right" she told herself.

Now was the real time to relax. A table mat had been placed out so that her table would not get nasty rings that couldn't be cleaned out.

Diamond took a deep breath and picked up the book. Its cover was worn, it had happened over the many years of being read and re-read.

Diamond smiled as she read the title on the first place.

How To Be A Midwife By Dolly Rumble

Diamond smiled as she flicked through the pages.

"Chapter one" she said.

She then started to read the book. Diamond flicked through the pages as she read. Every so often, she could stop and take a sip of her sugary tea. It became warmer with every passing minute.

Soon, she had read an entire chapter.

"My goodness, I did not know that was so" she told herself.

The clock chimed eleven times. She looked over at it.

"Maybe just one more chapter" she told herself.

The clocked ticked on. But for Diamond, she had broken her own promise. As the chapter ended, she instinctively started a new one. When that was finished, she started on the third.

The clocked chimed yet again. This time, with twelve instead of the previous eleven. Diamond was shocked. She had not read just one chapter, but five.

"Time for bed, I think" she said, closing the book.

She downed her tea, stood up, put the mug by the sink. Diamond then got out another mug. This out was to be filled with water so that she would have something to drink during the night.

Diamond filled the mug to the top and walked out. She smiled as she walked down the corridor to her room. All that she needed to do now was to brush her tea and get into bed, which she did.

Even though she, like most hobbits, liked their sugar, they liked having clean teeth as well. Diamond smiled as she wiped her mouth on the flannel.

"Perfect" she told herself.

A minute later, she arrived back in her room and silently closed the door. She drew back her duvet, but did not get into her bed right away.

Instead, she stood over Faramir's cot. She could see that little Faramir's eyes were closed, his little chest rising and falling.

"Good night, my sweet child" she said.

Diamond silently walked to each candle and blew them out. The heath was left to die during the night. Diamond could not help feeling a sense loneliness as she lay there.

Pippin was meant to be here. But he was not. In fact, she could safely say that they had grown too far apart to ever get back together.

But that was what she thought.