The Light in the Darkness

Chapter 5: Disappearing Act

YAY! WE GOT SOME REVIEWS AND SOME MORE PEOPLE FAVORITED! Some even added me to their favorite authors list! I'm so touched! Thank you so much! That makes me so happy! Please keep them coming!

Disclaimer: I sadly do not own The Lord of the Rings franchise. I only own the story, Lin and Neera who tells the story.

I could tell that this was going to be a night to remember. As I walked up to Frodo's home, I felt the surge of happiness that I had felt all afternoon just continue to completely fill me as Frodo and I watched the sunset. He actually grabbed my hand again as we leaned up against a nearby tree and watched the blaze of the sunset together. He seemed worried about how his uncle's current mood swings, but he also seemed at this very moment, at complete and utter peace, the same as me. The knowledge that I knew about Frodo's feelings was beginning to truly confuse me. We even walked back part of the way hand in hand because we hadn't really realized that we had done that for half of the way to his home. When we did realize it, we pulled away rather embarrassed. He and I both apologized at the same time and I bet I looked really embarrassed because of the furious heat of my entire face at my apology. I didn't know what was more embarrassing, the fact that we held hands without even realizing it, or the fact that I didn't want to let go of his hand. I didn't understand it, but I was disappointed that we didn't hold hands again for the night. We eventually got back to Bilbo's home and I was introduced to the guest of honor, Bilbo Baggins. Grandfather had originally left with Bilbo to go smoke their pipes but they had come back so that they could all go to the party together. Frodo and I had met up with my Grandfather, Lin, and was introduced to Frodo's uncle Bilbo. Grandfather was right: he did not look 111 years old. It honestly looked as though the man hadn't aged at all for the entire time that he had possession of the ring. Grandfather had explicitly told me to not let Frodo know about the ring or let Bilbo know that I knew about it. It became harder to do so with Frodo constantly worrying about his uncle and even though he didn't say it in words, I knew what he was thinking, something that confused me as each hour went by.

I pulled out my attire for the evening. A simple long sleeved, dark blue dress and for some strange reason, I couldn't wait to see what Frodo thought of me when he saw me. It was rather mild out as compared to earlier, so I decided to leave my cloak in the back of the carriage. Most of the fireworks had already been removed ahead of tonight's festivities. I was beyond thrilled to see Grandfather's fireworks. It had been so long since Lin and I had seen them. Perhaps I was acting like a child with my enthusiasm but I couldn't contain myself. Also, I was really thrilled to see how these Hobbits throw a party and how they celebrate things. That's why I had originally begged Grandfather to let me come: to see how different the world outside Mirkwood Forest. Now, I was finally here and I didn't regret a thing.

I began walking behind the house to go change into my clothes, as Lin had set up a tent of sorts for us to change in private. We didn't feel comfortable using Bilbo's home as we had just met him and because we felt as though it wouldn't be proper to ask that of the guest of honor. I was just about to step inside the makeshift tent when a very familiar and beautiful voice stopped me.

"Are you sure you don't want to use the house? With all due respect, I feel as though it would be easier for both of you..."

And in that moment, my sister, being the completely rude and stubborn person that she is, stepped outside the tent angrily to confront Frodo.

"We don't need your charity, thank you. Now, please leave. We don't want to be late for the party due to indecisiveness."

And with that, she dove back into the tent. I could feel the anger and outrage boiling up inside of me and I immediately remembered why I didn't want my overprotective twin sister coming with Grandfather and I to this event. I hadn't planned on meeting Frodo or having the amazing day that I had with him, but honestly I feel this day would have been so much better if my sister was not here to completely insult him and taint the time we spent together today. I tried my best to shove it off.

"I'm sorry..." I began.

He laughed. "Don't worry about it. She has a point. I'll get out of your way." He began to walk away and then turned around immediately again, as if he had forgotten something incredibly important.

"So I'll see you down there, then, my lady?" he said sweetly.

I smiled. "I'll be the one in dark blue."

He grinned. "I doubt I'll have to look hard to find the prettiest girl there."

I giggled. "I highly doubt that, but I will see you there later, sir."

He smiled and laughed again and turned and waved away and didn't stop looking back until he hit the gate. I again felt this amazing rush of happiness and bliss that I had been experiencing all day. I couldn't wait for the rest of the evening and what surprises he had in store for the night as he had for me today. I then rushed back to reality when I realized that the party was happening and that I needed to get ready for it. I dove back inside the tent and very quickly changed into my dark blue dress. My only fear was that I was going to be too overdressed for this event. I guess Frodo's opinion of how I looked mattered more than any of the people in this beautiful place.

When I entered the makeshift tent, I found my sister there waiting for me with a look of heavy disapproval on her face. I chose to ignore it. I'm not going to let her ruin this for me. I absolutely refuse. I was so happy today and I absolutely refuse to let her ruin it. Completely.

"So did you have a good time with your new friend today?" my sister asked very sarcastically as we changed into our evening clothes.

I rolled my eyes. See, this is exactly what I was trying to get away from when I practically begged Grandfather to take with him to the Shire in the first place.

"I can't have one friend without a complaint from you, can I?" I said, truly annoyed. I had had one of the best afternoons in my entire life today and now, my sister is going to completely ruin it, as she always does. I had no doubt that she was going to try to ruin this evening that I had ahead of me with Frodo once she found out that she would be helping Grandfather with the fireworks while I was going to dancing the night away with Frodo.

"Just don't get too friendly with him, alright? You know what could happen..."

At that, I officially snapped. I don't know why I was getting so angry over something as little as spending time with Frodo. I hadn't hit it off with another person like that in a very long time. I honestly considered the cause of my loneliness at home to be related back to Lin. I was afraid of the curse affecting me just as much as she was, but I also had a life to live and it was difficult to do it with everyone being scared away from me by my sister. Having my father as my only comfort at home was not something I was ashamed of, but it isn't something to be proud of either. I had really no one to speak to or anyone to really be happy with other than my sister and

"I have had enough of this, Lin! You're not in control of my life and what I choose to do! I had a lovely time today and that's going to continue that way without your interfering! Am I making myself clear?"

She turned to me.

"I'm simply trying to keep you safe. You're my sister and I don't want to lose you. Remember that I have had to protect you, my precious little sister, since the day Father told us of our horrible fate. Since then, we have lived completely in peace and believe it or not, life as a result of not interacting and associating with people like your friend there. If you think I'm just going to stand by and not protect you..."

I completely lost it and I practically screamed in frustration.

"I DON'T NEED YOUR PROTECTION! I'M A GROWN WOMAN AND I DON'T NEED YOUR OPINION OF WHO I CHOSE TO ASSOCIATE WITH! THIS IS PRECISELY WHY I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO COME!"

And with the last of my words, I managed to finish changing and stormed out of the tent.

I had never fought with my sister like that in my whole life. It was thrilling to be that courageous against her, but it was also very terrifying.

I sat under a nearby tree and kicked it as hard as I could. I usually wasn't this violent with trees as I come from the forest, but I was truly angry beyond all belief. I had finally gotten some freedom from my overbearing and overprotective sister, had one of the happiest days I had had in a while, and she just HAS to go and ruin it for me. Lin was absolutely impossible. I didn't understand my extreme anger over Lin getting in the way of my night with Frodo. I think I was more angry at Lin trying to control my life and my actions more than her trying to keep me away from Frodo, but that's not the point.

"What troubles you, Neera? Kicking trees? Now that's not like you at all," a familiar voice said, very calming to my rage.

I looked up to see Grandfather's warm and simple smile. While usually I could bring myself to smile back at him, I just couldn't bring myself to do it now.

"Now, what seems to be the matter? This wild child in front of me is not the well mannered and patient Granddaughter that I know and love," he said sweetly.

I sighed. No. I'm not going to get more angry and take it out on my beloved Grandfather. "It's not important."

"It must be if you're angry enough to kick an innocent tree," he joked. "You know and I both know that you would never do something like that. You have a very deep connection and bond to trees. Now, what's troubling you?"

I sighed again. It was absolutely impossible to hide anything from my Grandfather. He could practically read me like a book.

"It's just Lin. Same story, just different day."

To my surprise, he chuckled. "I was hoping to avoid this kind of confrontation between the two of you. You know how I feel about the two of you fighting..."

I turned around to him in anger. "But Grandfather, how can you expect me to react? She has been nothing but bitter and angry that we're here and that I've been with Frodo all day, saying that it's wrong and that I shouldn't get close to him. What's wrong with us being together today? I was so happy and she comes in and just ruins it."

I sighed after my rant. I felt bad about saying these harsh things about my sister, but I meant every word. I was done with doing what she told me to do and while I wasn't sure what happened in this moment that gave me the courage to talk back to her after over a century of dealing with this kind of behavior, I knew that I was not going to tolerate it any longer. I wondered what Father would think if he saw the two of us fighting. Then again, it's probably better if he didn't know. Father would become a lot stricter than Grandfather when it came time to put Lin and I in line. I was glad Grandfather was here and not Father. Grandfather has a better technique when it comes to calming us both down whenever we get to this point.

"Neera, I'm sure you know by now that being angry at your sister is not going to solve anything, nor is giving her the silent treatment. But you do have to understand where she's coming from and that she does mean well..."

I snapped again, just less angrily than at my sister.

"I know all of that!" I shouted, but stopped, realizing that taking it out on Grandfather wasn't fair. I sighed. "I just want to be with him now that we're friends. I don't have any back home due to her and the fact that she's insulted by that is beyond..."

I stopped. Was I the only one who though this way about Frodo and I together? What if Grandfather took Lin's side? Well, that would make the ride home very awkward. Nevertheless, I still asked:

"You approve of Frodo and I spending time together, don't you?" I asked him.

He placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me. "In more ways than you know."

I was confused by that statement, but I was thrilled that at least someone was on my side and was not going to be like the overbearing and overprotective woman I have the misfortune of calling my twin sister.

"I'm still not going to speak to her tonight."

"And that is your decision that I know is futile to talk you out of, my dear. But at least remember that she does mean well and that she loves you very much, more than you realize. But to be frank, I honestly don't remember a person you met who didn't love you unconditionally."

I scoffed. "You mean, other than Lin, Father and you?"

"Yes, I do, but I think you need to figure who it is on your own."

I had no idea what he was talking about, so I dismissed it and smiled out into the last of the sunlight completely disappear into the blackness of night. I decided to let my hair out of its braid for the occasion, as a symbol of my newfound freedom and the grand night I had in store for me with Frodo.

"My dear grandfather," I said, in complete content and wonder at the hobbits setting up the last remains of the party. "I think this will be a night to remember."

And it was, but sadly, not for the right reasons.

Lin and I didn't speak the entire way down to the party. While Grandfather tried to get the two of us to speak to each other, we absolutely refused. We glared at each other many times and Grandfather only sighed, giving up for now. Usually, I would be the one to admit my wrong and say that Lin was right, but right now, I absolutely refuse to say that I am wrong when I'm not. I was through with her trying to control her me. She can pull the stubborn big sister act for the rest of the night if she so chooses, that is her decision. As for myself, I'm going to dance the night away with Frodo Baggins and actually do what one does at a birthday party according to Grandfather: have fun and enjoy yourself.

I met up with my wonderful companion and ignored the glares of the hobbit girls and that of my sister. He greeted me with his trademark smile, he was now dressed in a simple white shirt, brown vest, and black pants. I thought he looked very handsome. He said that I looked simply stunning and I felt my heart racing in my chest at this and at him extending his hand out as an offer to me. I looked back at Grandfather for his approval and he simply smiled and gestured for me to go with him. It was almost as if he was saying, "What the devil are you waiting for, my dear girl?" I didn't think twice and grabbed his hand and ran off with him into the grand spectacle.

It was simply wonderful. You could feel the warmth, happiness, and brightness from the party itself, as well as the spectacular fireworks that Grandfather bought. He truly outdid himself this time and I'm honestly not surprised as it is a special occasion. One just went off over our heads, a fairly large one, of green and bluish complexion and after it erupted, its remains fell down upon us as if it was stardust. It reminded me so much of when Lin and I were children where Grandfather would bring his fireworks to entertain us. Lin, of course, still not speaking to me, was helping Grandfather out with the fireworks, which gave her the opportunity not to interact with anyone (and more specifically me) as well as a chance to practice her magic under Grandfather's supervision. As much as I hated to admit it given my current feelings about my sister, she was doing a fine job with them. They were just as beautiful as Grandfather's, if not just as much. There was food, ale, hobbits playing musical instruments, talking, laughing, smoking their filthy pipes and Frodo and I even went by a few carrying the cake for the occasion, with 111 candles. There was just so much color everywhere that you looked and it filled me with a lot of happiness. I was never exposed to this much color back home, so this was a much welcomed change.

Frodo introduced me to a few people that he was very close to, a couple of old hobbits, a couple of girls who did not seem very happy to see that Frodo and I were companions for the evening. The person he told me he was most anxious for me to meet was his best friend and gardener, a Mr. Samwise Gamgee. He spent a grand amount of time looking for him, all the while, holding onto my hand. I was too embarrassed to mention it to him again and not to mention, that I loved his warmth and didn't want it to leave so soon. I left him blissfully unaware of his grip on my hand as he searched long and hard for his friend.

Until he eventually found him. Frodo dragged me over to where he was sittting all alone. The young man was around the same height as Frodo, but was noticeably heavier and had dirty blonde hair. He seemed to have distanced himself from the crowd and was sitting by himself with a cup of ale, seeming to be in fear of something.

"Sam!"

The young man looked up and seemed very uncomfortable at first but then forced a smile small.

"Oh, hello, Mr. Frodo. Enjoying the party?" he asked.

Frodo beamed. "More than I can say. Sam, there's someone I terribly want you to meet, a very dear person that I met today. Samwise Gamgee, allow me to present the Lady Neera of Mirkwood. Neera, this is Samwise Gamgee, my dear friend and true companion."

Sam bowed. "It's... lovely to meet you, my lady."

I smiled. "Please, call me Neera and the pleasure is all mine."

Sam smiled awkwardly again, seeming unsure of what to do with himself. But he seemed to find the courage to speak.

"Um, so Mr. Frodo, Lady Neera, pardon my asking, but what is an elf doing in a place like this?" Sam asked.

Frodo and I both laughed at the same time.

"Well, Sam, you're not going to believe this, but Neera is Gandalf's granddaughter!"

Sam's eyes widened at this statement and then flew over to where I saw my grandfather entertaining some children with his fireworks. He reacted the exact same as Frodo did when Grandfather told him our relationship.

"Is it that hard to believe, Sam?" Frodo said, teasingly.

It took Sam a couple of moments before speaking again. "My apologies, Mr. Frodo and Lady Neera, it's just I didn't know that Gandalf had any family."

I laughed at this. I couldn't blame him. I had to constantly explain to everyone Frodo introduced me to that while we weren't related by blood, we were family. Grandfather means the world to me.

"Come on, Sam. We're heading back to the dance floor now, come and join us. Maybe even ask Rosie for a dance."

Sam immediately shut him down.

"Oh no, Mr. Frodo. I'm very comfortable where I am."

Frodo didn't seem convinced, but let the matter go to my surprise. I am so blind about love on purpose, but I know for a fact that he was looking at her with a very fond affection and it was clear that she wanted him as much as he clearly wanted her. He just seemed too scared to act upon his feelings. I was envious of them: they could actually experience love without any fear of losing each other to an extreme tragedy that would most likely destroy one of them due to their grief. I am still amazed that my father was actually able to live through his extreme grief of losing my mother. He hides it well from others, but Lin, Grandfather, and I all know that even over a century after my mother left this world, my father still mourns over the loss of our mother. The curse of our line has caused so much pain and grief and some weren't even able to take it like my father has. But I knew that that would never happen to me. I know despite my annoyance at my sister's actions, she has taught me to be careful with my feelings. I had to be careful to not fall in love because I don't want that pain, grief, and sadness. Causing the death of my mother still causes me pain and I don't want more of it.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. It was Frodo, asking me to dance with him, and I said yes without a second thought in my mind. Although, I was embarrassed because I had never danced before and I didn't want him to know that.

He left me briefly to go perform a couple of dance steps with some of his friends and after a while of doing this, he noticed that I wasn't with him. He then told me to come with him and dance, to which I replied that he would be better off without me and to go have fun on his own. But he didn't listen and brought me anyway, and I couldn't say no to him. When Frodo brought me to the dance floor, I honestly felt incredibly embarrassed yet again. I had never danced like this before and I was hoping that he wouldn't find out, but he was no fool.

"My lady, would you please allow my direction?" he said, his eyes looking as though they were twinkling as the aftermath of the latest firework was around us.

"Lead me away, Mr. Baggins," I said with a large smile, which he returned.

He took both of my hands and began showing me the way to dance. Eventually, I didn't feel as embarrassed as I did when we started. Frodo was incredibly patient with me, as dancing was not something I practiced often back home. I said it before: I was raised on sword fighting, double knives, and of course, archery. But I gave into the fun and fast paced music and Frodo sensed that and when I looked at him, he laughed and smiled and I couldn't help but return it. I had never felt so happy to share another person's company in all my years. It just felt so wonderful to be so happy.

But Frodo ended the dance briefly when he looked out of the corner of his eye to see his best friend sitting all alone with a mug of ale in his hand, and even someone like me could see that he was pining for a lovely hobbit girl dressed in purple and blue. I had had a feeling that Sam had been eyeing her since the moment we left him to go dancing. Frodo went over to try again at getting Sam out on the dance floor.

"Go on, Sam! Ask Rosie for a dance!" Frodo said, full of joy and life as ever.

But Sam was clearly not feeling so brave and looked very uncomfortable at this suggestion. It was clear to me that he was considering it, but then immediately decided against it and closed himself off.

"I think I'll just have another ale," he said and got up to leave.

But the look in my dear friend's eyes made it clear to me that he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Oh no, you don't!" he said, playfully, grabbing his friend and practically dragging him from his lonely seat into Rosie's awaiting arms. "Go on!"

Against his wishes, Sam and Rosie ended up dancing, and you could immediately sense the discomfort coming from Samwise Gamgee. Something that caused Frodo to laugh wholeheartedly at. At his laughter, another one of Grandfather's fireworks went off.

Frodo's smile is honestly unlike anything that I ever seen in my life. It was rich of warmth, happiness and laugh and while he smiled quite often while we were together this afternoon, he didn't often show this smile. Don't get me wrong, I saw it a couple of times when we were talking or when he was showing me something beautiful, but I think this was the first time I saw the smile at its full completion. I wasn't surprised either: Sam was his best friend and he was more familiar with him than he was with me. His laugh along with that beautiful and boyish smile was contagious and it never failed to make me laugh hysterically and smile as well. But like his smile, his laughter was infectious and rich and it would force you to comply with him. I laughed more today than I had done in a very long time, and I was incredibly grateful to Frodo for that. I also haven't smiled as much as I have today and I don't know why, but just being with him made me happier than I had been in a very long time. There were no words to how strange and wonderful it was to be at his side.

He then turned back to me once he got a hold of himself.

"Can I ask you for a dance, my lady?" he asked.

He was clearly trying to show he had more courage than his friend. It made me laugh. But also I noticed all the other girls staring at us, particularly me, very angrily. What is their issue with me? I've done nothing to them.

"Of course not, Mr. Baggins." I could tell he was confused. "You have your partners lined up for you over there who would..."

I was immediately interrupted as he grabbed my hand and brought me back out on the dance floor. I was shocked. No one had ever been so forward with me or had the courage to be, at least.

"What about my charming companion? Is she in that line of people desiring to be my partner, as well?" he asked again, obviously wanting to tease.

I rolled my eyes, but I ended up laughing. "I think she would be honored to dance with you, Mr. Baggins."

He beamed at me and for a while, dancing together became our only conversation. It just occurred to me that even though we said to each other we could each other by our first names, neither of us did it to each other today. I guess it was just force of habit for me, I was trained to always be respectful to people. I decided I would try it out the next time we chose to speak to each other. I then witnessed Grandfather trying to dance with everyone as well, but failing horribly. He looked over at us and he smiled warmly. He looked at me as if he wanted to say, "I've never seen you this happy before," which again, confused me.

Eventually, I saw my sister off in the corner lighting up another one of Grandfather's fireworks and I feel a great load of guilt. I had yelled at her and I hated when she and I fought. It made us both sad as we care about each other very much, more than I can possibly describe to you, reader. I didn't want to keep fighting with her, I hated it when we fought and even though I refuse to admit that she's right, I don't want to keep fighting with her. This is ridiculous, we're not children anymore. We were very young in comparison to most elves, but we were not children. Grandfather had been right: fighting with Lin and staying angry at her was not going to solve anything. He was always right about these things, as much as I hated to admit it. I wasn't going to fully enjoy the night if Lin and I were fighting.

Frodo immediately sensed my discomfort and stopped dancing. "Is something wrong?" he asked, thinking he was the cause of it, which was completely far from the case.

I smiled. "No, of course not. I just need to go resolve something, would you excuse me for a moment?"

He looked over at where my sister was and he immediately understood. "Alright then. I'll save a seat for you when it's time for cake."

He then began to walk away. I smiled as he went. He and I just got a long so well, considering we had only met this afternoon. Not only did we get along well, I felt as though we understood each other even more. It was like he could read my every thought and feeling, like I felt as though I could do with him. But my thoughts were immediately interrupted when I remembered my sister that was still not speaking to me. I walked over to her, her brows knitted in concentration as she set off the next firework.

"Hello," I said, smiling awkwardly.

She looked over at me and then went back to what she was doing, completely ignoring my presence.

"Is this really how you're going to treat me?" I asked, sighing.

At this comment, she slammed down her hands on the cart. "I'm not the sister who shouted at me and told me that she would've been so much happier had I decided not to come along on this trip, almost as if she didn't want me here with her at all, even though we've always been together, and knows that I want to protect her. Clearly I'm just the hypocrite who doesn't know anything."

I sighed again. She was right. I did say some horrible things to her and I felt terrible about saying them to her. But I was trying to make things right with her. Of course, I hated the way she disapproved of my friendship with Frodo as well as did what she did best and got in the way, but at the same time, I had behaved horribly to her and she didn't deserve that. I knew she meant well, even if what she did didn't come across that way.

"I know I overreacted and I'm sorry that I did. But at the same time, you can't just scare off everyone that I start to become close to. Yes, I love you and I love spending time with you, but at the same time, it can be tiring to be with someone all the time without end. And believe me, you have nothing to worry about."

She scoffed and hit the cart with her fist again. "I've seen the way you look at him and you're not fooling anyone, Neera."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

But she never got to answer my question as something shot off into the air with the sound of a heavy firework. We both looked up into the sky and saw a firework being shielded by a tent. It was crimson red and bright yellow, like the sun at its rising in the morning. But I didn't see either Grandfather or Lin set it off, unless Lin had done it without my knowledge.

"Lin?" I said, looking at the sky. "Did you set that firework off?"

She immediately spun around and looked at the sky in horror and confusion.

"Oh, no!" she said. "That was supposed to be set off after Bilbo blew out the candles!"

"I'm sure Grandfather set..."

"NO!" she shouted. "Grandfather would never set a firework off as unprofessionally as that, Neera! Look at it!"

She was right, as usual. She then started searching through the cart aimlessly for something. My sister never seemed this confused or panicked about anything but when she was, you knew immediately that something was very wrong. I became worried, which seemed foolish as this was just a missing firework that we were talking about here.

"I just set it here!" she said, continuing to search through the cart's many fireworks. "I know I did! It wasn't supposed to go off until later!"

And then she stopped as she realized something. "One of these idiots must've taken it while I wasn't looking."

The firework went up into the sky and as the tent faded away from it, I realized that the firework was in the shape of a dragon. I smiled as I remembered how Grandfather told us that Bilbo and I met on an adventure that had to do with facing an evil dragon. It was how they met and how they became lifelong friends. It looked perfectly harmless. I didn't understand what my sister was worked up about.

"Lin, it's just a firework. What could possibly happen?"

But I failed to realize that unlike the other fireworks from before, this one didn't set off the moment it reached the air. Instead it turned around completely and started charging at all of the guests from the party at fast speed as if it was a real dragon. Everyone began screaming and running away, not caring if they knocked over anything or anyone, as long as they were safe from harm's way. Lin knocked me to the ground as the dragon flew directly over us and she protected me as she was my shield. I was inwardly cursing at the fools who set this firework off without truly knowing how to use it safely. They were going to blow up the whole party at this rate and everyone in it! Grandfather certainly outdid himself on this one, too bad it was going to blow up the entire party. It then flew off into the distance and thankfully was far enough away from the guests who were on the ground, still cowering in fear from the near death experience.

As it flew off, we all looked out at it and when it looked as if it was completely out of view, it exploded into a unique and long display of red and yellow fireworks and brought so much joy to the faces of the guests as well as the guest of honor, who I could hear laughing in joy with my lovely companion. Lin let out a huge sigh of relief because it went well and no one got hurt. I then patted her back in comfort.

We looked over at our Grandfather holding the ears of two hobbits that were completely covered in soot and ashes and Lin and I immediately knew who set off the dragon fireworks and that they were in a world of troubles.

"And I thought we had problems," I said, looking at her. She was trying so hard not to laugh, but then she burst into a fit of giggles and I joined her. I knew immediately that the quarrel between us was over and we could enjoy the night together as sisters and not like animals battling for territory.

I eventually found Frodo again and we sat together despite the protests and insistence of my sister that I sit over with Grandfather and her. I simply ignored her. Frodo saw me, smiled his dashing smile, and offered me a seat right next to him. I gratefully took it and began to speak to him.

"Enjoy the dragon show?" I teased.

He sighed. "Well, it almost blew up the whole party, but everyone seemed to be entertained by it and no one got hurt, thank goodness."

I smiled. "Well, that's what happens when you let two nonprofessionals near Grandfather's firework supply. It's not going to end well for them or anyone who gets in the way of their tomfoolery. They're fortunate that no one got hurt!"

Frodo laughed but sighed afterwards. "You have to forgive Merry and Pippin. All they seem to do is just get into trouble and not think things through. It's sadly a trait of most hobbits in these parts."

"Not you."

He seemed surprised at my sudden comment and as was I, to be quite plain with you. I felt embarrassment serge across my cheeks, but Frodo's warm and calm smile without teeth soon calmed my embarrassment and I was so lost in him, that I could do nothing else but smile back at him. My heart started to pound in my chest and even though Lin's words from earlier about how I looked at him repeated in my head, I ignored it. I just enjoyed the wonderful feeling that flooded through my entire being, causing me to smile fully again. I figured I must look like such an idiot to anyone who passed by, but I didn't care.

We were both brought back to reality when the guest of honor made his way onto the stage and everyone started cheering for him and asking him to make a speech. No one was more insistent upon it then the young man sitting next to me. It made me smile how much he loved his uncle. Frodo had such great capacity for love, it astounded me how he could feel that much for someone.

"My dear Bagginses and Boffins!" The crowd clap and cheered as each family name was released into the crowd by the guest of honor."Tooks and Brandybucks! Grubbs! Chubbs! Hornblowers! Bulgers! Bracegirdles! Proudfoots!"

"PROUDFEET!" a man yelled from the crowd, which caused the entire crowd to start laughing very loudly. Bilbo seemed a bit embarrassed at that last comment, but even so, he shook it off and then continued with his speech.

"Today is my 111th birthday!" he said proudly, to which every hobbit cheered and raised their glasses in congratulations and pride for Bilbo. No one more than Frodo, who looked up at his uncle with love, respect, and admiration. He clapped and smiled proudly.

"Alas, 111 years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits," he said in respect and pride again. All the hobbits seemed happy to hear this from Bilbo and agreed with him wholeheartedly. Something that I grew to love about this place in the short time that I've been here: everyone just seemed like a big and happy family with love and respect for each other.

But that thought was completely destroyed by Bilbo's next comment.

"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."

That comment completely set the crowd off from their happiness and excitement to plain confusion and a bit of annoyance at being insulted like that. Even if Bilbo was correct in saying that, that was a comment he probably should've kept to himself. That was a short of comment that someone would reserve for the last time they would ever see someone and wanted to say it before it was too late.

Wait a minute.

I then started to pay a lot more to his body language and motions than I had had originally done before. As he spoke his next words, very hesitantly and shakily, he reached into his right pocket of his coat and he seemed to pull something out of it.

"I...uh...have things to do..." he said.

He stared off into the distance and his next words I could tell were more for himself and no longer about the people or his nephew sitting in front of him. His nephew seemed confused, but still tried his hardest to maintain his beautiful smile.

"I've put this off for far too long."

I looked over at Frodo to see his smile slowly disappearing.

"I regret to announce that this is the end!" Bilbo announced very somberly. "I'm going now."

I was confused, everyone around us was confused, but unlike the majority of the people here, only three of us knew what was going on and what kind of game Bilbo was playing. I looked over at my grandfather, him paying a lot of attention at Bilbo as well. We all knew what he was doing: he was planning a disappearing act, in front of all of these people and his beloved nephew, who I knew loved him more than anything.

"I bid you all a very fond farewell."

He stopped and took one last view in Frodo's direction, and I could be wrong, but I think his last word was specifically directed to him.

"Goodbye."

Then something happened that no one of suspected: Bilbo disappeared into thin air.

There was a huge gasp amongst everyone in the crowd and no one was more stunned and confused than the young man sitting next to me. He didn't understand what was going on or how it was possible, but I knew I had to keep Frodo out of whatever Grandfather had planned for the man who caused the big commotion. Grandfather and I looked at each other and we were both thinking the same thing. I knew I had to keep Frodo busy while he and Lin dealt with the magician of the evening. Bilbo probably thought that would be funny and clever, but I never thought he would do something as foolish as use the greatest evil as a magic trick to fool all of his neighbors and practically frighten them. If this was how he planned to say goodbye to Frodo, he couldn't have picked a worse way to do it in my opinion. Grandfather stood up very quickly from his seat and gestured for Lin to follow him and gestured to me to stay with Frodo.

I comforted Frodo, knowing deep in the back of my mind that it would be a long time before he and Bilbo would see each other again, despite the words of comfort that I chose to give him. He grabbed onto my hand, obviously looking for comfort in his great confusion, which I was happy to oblige, for reasons I still didn't understand.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed it! Please review and favorite! I love feedback and knowing that I have supporters, which in turn give me motivation to write more chapters! Please I am begging for reviews! I appreciate all the favorites and such, but I really would love to know how I am doing with the story and the writing and all that jazz. Constructive criticism only and no flames! If you leave a flame, you will be ignored and not taken into consideration! Thank you so much for your support!

Until next time!

Kagomehater4ever