"Let's get going."
Gandalf came up to me as I watched the whole party go up in an uproar. I nodded, risking another look at Frodo who was staring at the stools that his uncle stood on few minutes earlier. I had to run to catch up with Gandalf's long legs. "We will have to get to Bilbo's house before he does or else he will leave with very thing I need."
"What is this thing you are going on about? Why is it so important?" I asked as we ran out from the party, cutting across fields.
"When I have it, I will explain it better." Gandalf cried out, his breathing labored. "This object is way too important to air it out with a crowd. We will speak when we confront Bilbo." Instead of pressing him even more, I kept quiet, deciding to see as it as it happens. We entered Bag's End in no time, credit going to our long legs, and we entered Bilbo's establishment. Gandalf stood by their fireplace as I looked around to situate myself. Seeing that the study chair was the only thing not covered in papers, I slumped down on it.
Whatever this object is, Gandalf didn't like it. He was simply staring at the blacked out logs in the fireplace, chewing at the end of his pipe, deep in thought. The squeak of the gate opening brought Gandalf back to the present time. I became rigid on the chair. Oh boy, I hope Gandalf rips Bilbo a new hole for tricking Frodo like that. I became startled when the door opened by itself an few seconds later, shut itself close.
I watched with wide eyes as Bilbo materialized from thin air, a mischievous smirk marring his face. He was staring at something in his palm. With a huge grin and a laugh, he tossed something golden and circular in the air and catches it when drops back. It looked like a ring. I got more confused. A ring is causing Gandalf to go into an almost coronary embolism? Bilbo walked deeper into his house when he almost collided with Gandalf's looming figure. He gave out a shout of surprise.
"I suppose you think that was terribly clever?" Gandalf asked, his voice severe and low toned. I snorted which caused Bilbo to glance at me with surprise then look back at his friend.
Bilbo laughed, exasperatedly. "Come on, Gandalf! Did you see their faces?" he asked, sidestepping Gandalf and walked deeper into the living room, eyeing me nervously. I raised my eyebrow at him and he looked away hurriedly. Gandalf followed behind him closely and I could see the sweat brimming on Bilbo's hairline.
"There are many magic rings in the world, Bilbo Baggins," Gandalf said, grabbing the bull by its horns, "and none of them should be used lightly."
Bilbo scoffed, disbelievingly. "It was just a bit of fun." Bilbo said, then deflated. "You are probably right as usual."
Gandalf didn't look convinced. I wasn't convinced and I am not even part of this world. "You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?" By the look in Bilbo's eyes, I already knew the answer. It seems that Gandalf also knew, too.
"I'm leaving everything to him." Bilbo finally said, walking away from the fireplace, placing his things down at the ground beside me. He glanced up at me and I looked down at him, blankly. I am sure that he could see the judgment in my eyes by the way he looked away fast. Gandalf cleared his throat, bringing back our attention.
"What about this ring of yours? Is that staying too?" Gandalf said, his voice soft but strong, low tone and yet clear as freshwater. A strange look passed over Bilbo's face, slightly darkening his face, then let his shoulder slump in defeat.
"Yes, yes, it's in an envelope...over there on the mantelpiece," Bilbo said, nodding over the mantelpiece above the fireplace. Gandalf and I looked over to an empty mantelpiece. Irritation began to course through my spine as we glanced back at the lying Hobbit. He began to pat his waistcoat pockets and let out a gasp of surprise, guilt marring his face.
He fingered something in his pocket. "No, wait. It's here in my pocket. Isn't that...isn't' that odd now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?" Bilbo said and something in his voice made the hair on the back of my neck rise up. It was low, petulant, and threatening. I slowly stood up straighter, beginning to feel my fight or flight response startup, beginning to feel my muscles tighten in response.
"I think you should leave the Ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?" Gandalf's voice was still soft, still curious. Was it only me who was getting this bad feeling? Why couldn't Bilbo part with this ring? What was the ring? Did it have powers to ensnare the holder? Obviously yes, going by the wildness in Bilbo's eyes. That sweet Hobbit earlier was nowhere to be found; the only person that was left in its wake was an addict.
"Well, no...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!" Bilbo's voice went slightly high pitched as he clutched the ring in his waistcoat tightly. Bilbo looked like he was a cornered animal and was about to strike back. Gandalf noticed this and gave the hobbit a concerned look.
"There's no need to get angry." Gandalf soothed, bringing his hand up in a calming gesture. Which did not work.
Bilbo was seething, almost foaming at the mouth. "Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault! It's mine. My own, my precious." He hissed at the end, glancing down at his pocket with a reverent and obsessed look in his eyes. I felt a shudder run up my spine at the creepy way he said it.
"Precious?" Gandalf parroted, taken back, "It's been called that before, but not by you."
Bilbo's face darkened even further, a flash of madness flitted through his eyes. "So? What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?" Without bringing attention to Bilbo, I slowly placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, willing to stop anything at any time. (I don't know how but my body is tuned to fighting).
"I think you've had that ring quite long enough." Gandalf said, his voice stern, like a parent to a child who held an expensive object in their hand.
"You want it for yourself!" Bilbo cried out, desperately. Gandalf snapped, rising to his full height, his eyes flashing with unadulterated anger, the candles in the room flickered dimly. I was even scared.
"Bilbo Baggins! Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks!" Gandalf bellowed, causing Bilbo's madness to vanished right under the power of the wizard and leaving behind a cowering Hobbit in its wake. Seeing that Bilbo lost the trance that was being held over him by the ring, Gandalf relaxed, his eyes softening up. "I am not trying to rob you. I am trying to help you."
With a sob, Bilbo went and hugged the wizard as the wizard continued to say, "All the long years we've been friends...trust me as you once did. Let it go!" Gandalf's voice was imploring as he rubbed Bilbo's back. Sensing the threat was gone, my hand fell away from the hilt of the sword and my muscles relaxing. Now, all it needs to happen is Bilbo needs to pull his head out of his ass and give up that troublesome ring.
After a while, Bilbo detached himself from Gandalf and stepped towards his knapsack. "You are right, Gandalf...the ring must go to Frodo." He grabbed his knapsack as he wiped his forgotten tears and headed for the front door. "It's late, the road is long...yes it is time."
I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat. "Mr. Baggins? It seems you are forgetting the very thing you should be letting go." I called out, my voice sharp with the warning. Bilbo paused in his next step, hesitating. "A reminder if you have forgotten already: the ring is still in your pocket. Let. It. Go."
"...Ah, yes." Bilbo hissed, as he slipped his fingers into his waist pocket (again) and removed the golden ring. Bilbo stared at the gleaming ring and with all willpower, he snatched his eyes away, tilting his hand to the point that the ring slipped from his hand and fell. Instead of bouncing around like a normal ring would, it fell with a heavy thump as if the ring is heavy. My eyes widened at that piece of jewelry. My eyes went back to see Bilbo staggering out of the door as if he was used to the weight of the ring on him and now that the ring was gone, he walked as if he was about to fly away. Gandalf followed him out of the house, stepping over the ring as if it was nothing to him.
What was so special about that ring? I went up to it and glanced down at the ring. I picked it up, expecting it to be heavy but it wasn't. What was it about this ring that was making Bilbo so crazy? Is it cursed? If so, why am I not feeling crazy about it? I went back to spot that I stood before raising the ring up to my eye level to analyze it. Gandalf came in, looking at the ground for the ring.
"What is it about this ring that made Bilbo crazy? Why did it sound so heavy when it dropped but feel so light when I carry it?" I asked, bringing the attention of the wizard to myself as I scrutinized the ring. "Why are you so afraid of this ring?"
"Are you not feeling the pull?" Gandalf asked and I shook my head, confused. "Interesting. This ring appeals to the weak souls who are looking for power. It might not affect you now but if you were to hold on to it as long as Bilbo has, you will also be feeling the effect." Gandalf went to sit on a bench in front of the fire, staring at the flames.
"Sauron created 20 rings in total. He made three for the Elves, Seven for the Dwarves, and Nine for the Men. Sauron created the final ring which was forged in Mordor for himself. He hoped to create a ring that will give him power over everyone. However, his plan to control everyone failed because the Elves hid the rings and the Dwarves were not compelled to wear theirs. The only race that wore them were the Humans and when they wore the ring, they became slaves to Sauron." Gandalf explained and I snorted to myself. Of course, the Humans would be ensnared. "Slowly and slowly, those nine men turned into Nazgûl."
"What's that?" I asked, horrified. Can a ring change the wearer's form?
"Ringwraiths. Their souls are so subjugated by Sauron that they don't need their vessel anymore. They become corporeal when they need to. Their souls are so dependent on Sauron that Sauron doesn't even need the Ring to control them."
"Poor souls." I whispered, my heart going out for them. Something popped into my head. "But we have the ring? How do we have the ring?"
"There was a Hobbit long time ago. He and his friend were fishing in the lake, and by fishing, I mean one of them would jump into the lake and grab the fish. The Hobbit's name was Smeagol and his friend was the one who found the Ring in the riverbed of the lake. Like I said, the Ring makes peaceful creatures into monsters. Smeagol killed his friend to get the Ring. After a few years and being transformed by the ring to a pitiful creature, his name changed into Gollum. I don't know how Bilbo found it, unprotected, but Bilbo took it for himself."
"Oh. I am surprised that Sauron's minions are not after the ring." I mused, flicking the ring up in the air and then catching it.
"No, they are after it." Gandalf opposed, smoking his pipe. My eyes widen in shock as I choked on my saliva.
"That's why you are here. To get the ring far away from Bilbo and Frodo!" I cried, looking at the offending item in the ring. "I am sure that someone as complicated as Sauron won't create a jewelry that is easily destroyable?" Gandalf turned around and raised his eyebrows as if he is asking: what do you think?
"I am also thinking that you are here because of the Ring. Anyway, the Ring belongs to Frodo and he will be the one who needs to decide to destroy it or to keep it." Gandalf noted, turning back to the fire.
"What makes you think he won't be just like Bilbo?" I asked, slowly standing next to him. Gandalf turned to look at me, his face blank.
"I don't."
"Such big responsibility on a guy who barely turned into an adult. This was supposed to be a happy day but turned out to that his uncle was actually quite demented over a ring and guess what? Now he inherited the very thing that made his uncle crazy." I sarcastically said, slapping my thighs. "Wonderful. Spiffing!"
"You must not forget that the ring attacks souls that easily seduced by power or just weak souls; I am quite sure we will not have the same trouble with Frodo like we did with Bilbo. Frodo is cut out from a different cloth than his uncle." Gandalf said, a fond smile appearing on his face. I decided to leave my faith in Gandalf's belief in Frodo's character. I obviously don't know Frodo as well as Gandalf did and if Gandalf believes that Frodo won't succumb to the power of the Ring, then so be it.
"How do we explain to Frodo about all of this?" I asked, going back to my original place, the ring still in my partially closed fist. Before Gandalf could explain, I heard the faint shouting outside. I recognized the voice immediately as Frodo.
A 'Bilbo! Bilbo!' started out faintly at the beginning but became louder and clearer as Frodo came closer to the front door of Bilbo's house. He barged in, yelling out his uncle's name. He immediately scanned the living room to see Gandalf muttering to himself, staring at the fire then looked at me, seeing that I was giving off a sympathetic smile towards him. I could see the gears in his head turn before realization hit him.
"He has gone, hasn't he?" Frodo asks, softly, walking into the living room. He stared at Gandalf's back then looked at me. I nodded in answer. He hung his head low. "He talked for so long about leaving...I didn't think he'd really do it." Then he looked back at Gandalf. "Gandalf?"
The wizard turned around to look at Frodo, at me, then at my partially closed fist. I slowly uncurled my hand to show the ring resting in the middle of my palm. Frodo's eyes immediately zeroed in on it but he looked confused. "Whose ring is that?" he asked, pulling his eyes away.
"Bilbo's ring." Gandalf answered, getting up suddenly. He began to rifle through papers on top of the fireplace then over to the table. "He is gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag End…" He finds an empty envelope and proceeded to walk toward me, opening up the letter, indicating that I drop the ring in it. I quickly let it fall inside the envelope and Gandalf quickly closed it up. "...along with all his possessions."
He seals the envelope with wax then hands it to Frodo. "The ring is yours, now. Put it somewhere out of sight." Gandalf said in urgency, grabbing at his staff.
"Where are you going?" I asked, panicking. Alright, half the time I could bullshit with Frodo because Gandalf was there. Now? I don't know how I can put up with this facade. Gandalf looked up at both Frodo and me.
"I have some things I must see." Gandalf answered. If that isn't a vague answer, then I don't know what is…
It seems Frodo wasn't convinced as well. "What things?" he cried out, taking a step closer to the wizard who in return gave him regretful smile.
"Questions." he answered, walking towards the round door. "Questions that need answering."
"You have only just arrived! I don't understand…" Frodo trailed off, his voice weak and thick at the same time. I wanted to grab him and give him the fullest hugs of all time. Gandalf caught my eye and he patted his right hips then nodded towards mine. I patted the same area, which happened to be a pocket in my pants, a sound of coins clinking against each other. My eyes widened in shock. I had money all this time…? Did I steal from that bread man? Before I could thank him, Gandalf's eyes became serious and he was staring at Frodo.
"Neither do I. Keep it secret, keep it safe." Without further ado, Gandalf left through the round door, leaving the other two occupants in the house silent and alone. After a few more minutes of silence, Frodo turns towards me, giving me a puzzling look.
"How come you are with Gandalf? I have never seen you with Gandalf." Frodo asked fast and through his clenched teeth. I glared at Frodo, rising to my full height.
"So, you are with Gandalf every day of every hour on his every journey around the world?" I asked, crossing my arms across my chest. Frodo flushed at being called out. "Or are you Gandalf's wife or something that have to ask him every. single. thing about who he met and befriended?"
"No, but-"
"Do you think so low of Gandalf that he will bring whomever to your house and let them know about Bilbo or talk about the ring?"
"No!" Frodo cried out as I began to walk towards the door to the house.
"Then, trust Gandalf for his wisdom. I do. I will go and get myself an Inn to stay in but I will come tomorrow to keep you company. Do what Gandalf told you to do: keep it safe, keep it secret. Don't even tell Samwise about that ring. It is a big trouble, that ring. Do you understand me, Frodo?" I asked, sternly.
Frodo bit his lip, looking down at the ground.
"Frodo, look at me." I ordered, causing the Hobbit to glance up. "Do we have an understanding?"
"Yes, Hyra,"