Frodo and Gandalf sit down in the kitchen with tea. The Ring lies on the table between them. "This is the One Ring. Forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself." Gandalf explained as Frodo poured tea for him, "Bilbo found it. In Gollum's cave." Frodo said knowing the same stories but realizing things were left out and he'd put it together when Gandalf explained it.
"Yes. For sixty years the Ring lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age. But no longer Frodo. Evil is stirring in Mordor. The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call." Gandalf said his eyes conveying his worries, "But he was destroyed! Sauron was destroyed." The Ring whispers softly in the Black Speech. Alarmed, both Frodo and Gandalf stare at it. "No, Frodo. The spirit of Sauron endured." Gandalf started.
"His life force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His Orcs have multiplied. His fortress at Barad-Dûr is rebuilt in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this Ring to cover all the lands in a second darkness. He is seeking it, seeking it — all his thought is bent on it. The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it." Gandalf says,
Frodo stands up and grabs the Ring. He walks down the corridor. "All right, we put it away. We keep it hidden. We never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they? Do they Gandalf?" he asks as Gandalf follows him, "There is one other who knew that Bilbo had the Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum. I even asked for a few favors with an acquaintance, she almost had him. But the enemy found him first." Gandalf said, Frodo was curious,
But assumed he'd be informed of this 'acquaintance' later. In the chambers of Barad-Dûr, Gollum's tortured body writhes. "I don't know how long they tortured him. But amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words..." Gandalf said looking down at the young hobbit. "Shire. Baggins. But that would lead them here!" Frodo says panicked.
***
Two Black Riders thunder down a moonlit road. A Hobbit holds up his lantern at the sound of the approaching horses. "Who goes there?" a watchman hobbit questions. One of the Riders brings down his sword and scythes it directly at the Hobbit.
***
Frodo holds out the Ring to Gandalf. "Take it Gandalf! Take it!" Frodo snaps he is terrified and doesn't want anything to do with this ring. "No, Frodo." Gandalf says backing up, "You must take it!" Frodo insists, "You cannot offer me this Ring!" Gandalf says getting more worried. "I'm giving it to you!" Frodo says holding out the ring. "Don't tempt me Frodo! I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe." he snaps wanting to get his point across.
"Understand Frodo, I would use this Ring from a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine." he says calming down and bending to Frodo's height. "But it cannot stay in the Shire!" Frodo says his heart pounding with worry and fear. "No! No, it can't." Gandalf agrees, Frodo closes the Ring inside his palm and looks up at Gandalf. "What must I do?" he asks knowing he's going to need to leave.
***
Frodo flings items into his backpack to prepare for his journey. "You must leave, and leave quickly." Gandalf says as he's watching Frodo pack, "Where? Where do I go?" he asks, "Get out of the Shire. Make for the village Bree." Gandalf instructs. He throws a neatly-rolled up shirt to Frodo. Frodo grabs it, unrolling the bundle in the process, and stuffs it into his bag, along with some food. "Bree. What about you?" Frodo asks confused.
"I'll be waiting for you, at the Inn of the Prancing Pony." he said giving him a bit of his plans, while writing two letters, "And the Ring will be safe there?" he asked as Gandalf pats his shoulder, "I don't know Frodo. I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me Frodo, he'll know what to do. You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside the Shire."
He helps Frodo into his cloak. "Travel only by day. And stay off the road." Frodo is ready. He smiles at Gandalf. "I can cut across country easily enough." "My dear Frodo. Hobbits really are amazing creatures! You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years, they can still surprise you." Gandalf hears rustling of the leaves, "Get down!"
Frodo drops to the floor. Gandalf goes to the window, peers out cautiously then gives the bushes a whack with his staff. An "oofff!" is heard from the object of the whack. Gandalf drags the offender up by his hair and plops him onto the table. "Confound it all Samwise Gamgee! Have you been eavesdropping?!" Gandalf shouts down onto the scared Hobbit. "I haven't dropped no eaves sir, honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me."
"A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?" Gandalf says propping his fists onto his hips and looming over the little gardener, "I heard raised voices." he says meekly, "What did you hear? Speak!" Gandalf snips out when he didn't answer fast enough, "N-n-n-nothing important. That is I heard a good deal about a Ring and a Dark Lord and something about the end of the world but... Please, Mister Gandalf sir, don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anythin' — unnatural."
"Noooo?" Gandalf mused as he turns a conspiratorial gaze upon Frodo who's smiling softly, "Perhaps not. I have thought of a better use for you..."
YOU ARE READING
Return to our Destiny.
FanfictionThilia the heir of Durin is going on a mission to destroy the one ring, she's going with 2 men, one elf, one dwarf, a wizard and four little hobbits. *** There's much that needs to be done and as next in line for the throne of Erebor, Thilia is str...
