Lunch came and went before Frodo knew it. Then, one at a time, a group of Dwarves would begin packing their bags. Some, like Fili and Kili, tried to do it in their room or in a corner so that Frodo would not see. But the eyes and ears of a Hobbit, even those of a young Hobbit, are keen. So Frodo heard them all packing and repacking their bags.

Frodo tried to play it off like he didn't notice, talking to the other Dwarves or with his uncle, but he knew what was coming. He knew it would be very hard, but if he could help it, he would not cry. It started with Oin, Gloin, Balin, and Dwalin. They were first to make their way to the Iron Hills. They had their things on their backs and were about to be off.

"Well, my dear friends," Bilbo began, hugging each of them, even Dwalin, goodbye. "you are welcome here at any time. So do stop again."

"I have no doubt we will." Balin replied. Then he looked down to see a young Hobbit looking back at him. Balin bent down to his level, "I wish you would be able to come to the halls of the Iron Hill's some day. I do believe you would have a wonderful time."

Frodo smiled a sad smile, "I hope so too…goodbye Balin." Balin wrapped his arms around the little boy, saying goodbye without words. Balin stood with wet eyes, and quickly turned and walked out of the door.

Frodo turned to Dwalin and saluted him. Dwalin did the same in return, both saying goodbye without words. Dwalin stood there for a little longer before following his brother with teary eyes.

Oin and Gloin were not forgotten. As Frodo turned to them, they bent down and each gave him a hug. Oin stood and said, "Now you be a good lad for your Uncle."

"Yes sir!" Frodo replied. Then he turned to Gloin, "Thanks for the help with the chicken…or turkey…or whatever it was."

Gloin, laughing, said, "You must be a pretty strong lad for getting it as far as you did so quickly. Maybe you could use those muscles in the mines some day."

"Thanks, but I like the outdoors better." Frodo smiled. Then they said their last farewells and were off. It was very hard for Frodo to not show how sad he was, and he knew it would only get harder with each Dwarf. And sure enough, it did.

A short time later, Ori, Nori, and Dori were saying goodbye to Bilbo and Frodo. "But you just came from the Iron Hills Nori?" Bilbo questioned.

"I know," he replied, "but Ori sent me a letter saying that the rest of the Company was stopping at Bag-End on the way to the Iron Hills. I couldn't let them have all the fun without me, right?" They laughed, "Besides, we aren't staying long at the festival before heading back to Erebor I think."

"Well I'm glad you did come. It would not have been the same without you. Although, I'm still not overly enthused at the things you taught my nephew." Bilbo said, putting a hand on Frodo's shoulder.

"Oh don't sweat it too much Bilbo. Most of the stuff we did, he already knew." Said Nori. Bilbo glanced back between the two in disbelief, not knowing if this was a joke. But before he could say anything, Frodo ran and gave Nori a hug goodbye. Nori pulled back and stood up, but when he did, he held out his hand towards Frodo. Frodo, to Bilbo's disbelief, gave Nori a coin pouch back. "Your good kid, but not good enough to pick-pocket a pro." Nori laughed.

"Oh really?" Frodo asked, cockily. Just then he held up a single coin from the coin pouch.

Nori laughed, "Ahh, I guess you are good." Frodo went to give it back, but Nori held up his hands. "Its yours. You found it, you keep it."

Frodo smiled and turned towards Dori. "Now listen here," Dori began, "for your Uncle's sake, don't go stealing anything. Ya hear?" Frodo nodded in reply. "Good, because you have the best Uncle any Hobbit, Dwarf, or anyone in all of Middle Earth could ask for-"

"Oi!" Kili said from down the hall, "…Never mind. He is probably right." Bilbo laughed as Kili walked away again.

Frodo turned back to Dori, "Treat your Uncle right, eh?" Frodo nodded again and gave Dori a hug.

Then, Frodo turned to Ori. "Thanks for the stories." He said.

"Well you are quite welcome. Perhaps next time we see each other, we'll get into some of the longer stories in it. How about that?" Ori asked. His replied was a very excited nod which was followed by a hug.

Then they left. That was hard again. To say goodbye to the people that you always wanted to meet was hard on Frodo, but he managed to hold it together for now. But he knew his strength wouldn't hold for much longer, for now Bofur, Bifur and Bombur were getting ready to follow.

"Are you sure ya don't want ta come, Bilbo? You and Frodo would be greatly welcomed among the Halls. Your counted as a hero there!" Bofur tried to bargain.

Bilbo laughed at the thought of being 'counted as a hero'. "Oh, that would be lovely. But not this time."

"Well then some time then."

"Yes, Bofur," Bilbo replied, "some time." Bilbo looked down expecting to see Frodo, but he wasn't to be seen. "Frodo?" he called.

Just then Frodo came flying around the corner with a good sized bag in hand. He came over and handed it to Bombur. "They are the fresh biscuits. They were just the ones done first, so I thought you might want some." Bombur opened the bag to see perfectly golden biscuits. Without words he bent down and gave Frodo a big hug of thanks for the gift.

Then Frodo turned to Bifur and said, "Mahzirikhi zu gang ghukil." Oh he really hoped he said that right.

Bifur, with the faintest of what could have been a smile, replied, "Gaubdukhima gagin yakulib Mahal." Frodo smiled, but he would have to translate that later.

Then, last but not least, came Bofur who was already tearing up. "Thank you for the fox, again."

Bofur bent down and said, "You are very welcome Frodo. It really has been a true delight visiting. And I will come back at anytime I get a chance. Although, I have a feeling I'll be bringing some of the others with me seeing as we all will miss you and your Uncle terrible!" Bofur couldn't help it then as a single tear fell down his cheek. Frodo tried to hold his own in as he hugged Bofur. He couldn't help the tears flood his eye, but he did his best to keep them from falling.

They left quickly, seeing as Bofur was losing control of his tears, and Bombur was not far behind. Bilbo somehow managed to at least appear emotionless as Frodo had to hide his face in his Uncle's pant leg. No tears fell, but he knew that wouldn't last long as Thorin, Fili, and Kili were now preparing their things to go.

All five of them stood by the door. "I'm surprised you didn't break my dishes again." Bilbo laughed.

"Would we ever?" Kili asked, pretending to be offended.

"Yes."

"Yeah, probably ." They laughed.

"But hey," Fili cut in, "this kid has expert aim, so it was pretty easy." He said as he ruffled Frodo's hair.

"Expert aim with dishes and pillows alike." Kili laughed, hoisting Frodo up, giving him a long hug. Even though Frodo was smiling, the tears were beginning to push through. Kili put Frodo back down saying, "Hey, maybe he would be good with a bow!"

"Oh no! You two have already made your examples to my nephew, no weapon will be held by him! At least not in my life time!" Bilbo said.

"Right." Fili bent down to Frodo's level, seeing as it was easier than picking him up. "Well good luck keeping them away from him. Cause the idea is there now." Fili said no more, but gave Frodo a hug. Now Frodo's tears came out of their hold and fell down his cheeks. When Fili saw this he wiped them away, "Don't cry Frodo. We'll be back. Back to stir up even more trouble than before."

Frodo smiled and nodded, but still the tears came. "Promise?"

"Promise." Fili answered, standing again.

"Its been an fun, young Mister Boggins." Kili smiled.

"Likewise, Son's of Durin." Frodo replied. Then they walked out the door, with tears threatening their eyes too.

Then Thorin came up behind him. Before Thorin could say anything, Frodo burst into tears and said, "Please come back! Please say you'll come back too! Please!"

Thorin couldn't help but laugh as he gathered Frodo into a hug, "Yes Frodo. I spoke with Bilbo and agreed to let us stay when we return."

Frodo pulled back and looked at his Uncle, "Really?"

"Frodo Baggins, did you really think I would say no?" Bilbo smiled.

Frodo hugged Thorin again. Then Thorin rose and went for the door, turning to his old friend saying. "Goodbye Bilbo." Then he turned to look down at the little wet faced boy with the widest smile and said, "Goodbye Frodo." And he left.

…

Howdy!

So before you yell at me for such a terrible ending, I do intend to put one more chapter on there. Just something to sweeten the pot.

And more good news, I am done with school and am officially on Summer Vacation! So hopefully that means less writers block, less time in between chapters, and more stories over all. I have lots planned already, but if you would like to add to the load with a suggestion, they are greatly welcomed. So feel free to PM me about it.

But yeah. All thirteen of em…gone….wow. And if your wondering about the whole 'see you on the return journey' thing, that might (emphasis on might) become a short sequel of its own. But like I said, I already have a lot of other things that need writing and finishing, not just on this page. So if it is gonna become something, it won't for a while.

Well please be a dear and tell me what ya thought with a lovely little review. Thanks. BIYE!

~Mouse.