Twenty Two - Disappearing Act

Gandalf set off fireworks and music played as others danced, drank, and talked. He picked up different explosives and walked off and I followed him as he chuckled.

I took one from him and staked it in the ground and lit the end of the fuse, lighting into butterflies that danced around the children.

Gandalf and I continued with fireworks until one went up that neither of us lit with a tent burning off the end. The firework soon turned into a dragon as it went up and changed its course back this way and everyone began running and getting down until it passed and exploded into hundreds of fireworks.

I looked at Gandalf, who looked at me. "Wasn't me," I said. "I know who did," we walked over to where two smoky and soot-faced Hobbits stood and Gandalf pinched their ears. "Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took,"

~~~

Gandalf and I sat under a tent as the two scrubbed dishes and Bilbo got up to do a speech. "My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks. Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles, and Proudfoots," He shouted as they cheered. "Proudfeet," one correct him, to which he waved the Hobbit off.

"Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday!" He announced and they cheered 'Happy Birthday' in response. "But alas, eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits," He continued.

"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," The cheers died down and Bilbo stuttered over his words, digging something out of his pocket.

"I have things to do," He stammered anxiously. "I've put this off far too long," he whispered to himself, which I barely picked up. "I regret to announce this is the end!" he announced.

"I'm going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell. Goodbye," With that, he disappeared.

"That wasn't supposed to be how it happened, was it?" I asked as I followed Gandalf back up to Bilbo's house. "No, no it was not," he said, frustrated. "This is it, isn't it? He has the Ring?" I asked. "It is as we feared," he affirmed.

We stood in the study and Gandalf leaned against the fireplace as Bilbo walked into the room, chuckling. "I suppose you think that was clever," I said. "Come on, Ver. Did you see their faces?" he snickered. "There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none should be used lightly," I chastised.

"It was just a bit of fun," he reasoned but I stared at him with no amusement. "Oh, you're probably right," He walked around gathering things for his journey.

"You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?" He asked Gandalf. "Two eyes, as often as I can spare them," he nodded. "I'm leaving everything to him," Bilbo said. "And the ring? Will it be going to Frodo as well?" I asked. "Yes, of course," he nodded and packed a few things into the bag.

"It's in an envelope over there on the mantelpiece," He said and Gandalf went over to it. "No. Wait, it's... here in my pocket," He said, as though he were in a trance, pulling it out of his waistcoat.

"Isn't that- isn't that odd, now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?" He whispered. "I think you should leave the ring behind, is that so hard?" Gandalf asked and he looked at him. "Well, no. And yes," he looked back down at the ring. "Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine. I found it! It came to me!" Bilbo got angrier.

He is not the same Hobbit I journeyed to Erebor with.

"There's no need to get angry," Gandalf cooed, confused. "Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault!" Bilbo snapped. "It's mine. My own. My precious," He smiled evilly down at the ring. "Precious?" I said, questioningly. "It has been called that before, but not by you," I continued.

"What business of it is yours what I do with my own things?" Bilbo growled. "I think you've had the ring quite long enough," Gandalf said. "You want it for yourself-" "Bilbo Baggins! Do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks,"

The room went dark, the candles dimming and Bilbo backed against the wall. "I am not trying to rob you," He calmed the room, and the light returned. "I'm trying to help you," He sighed with a smile. Bilbo ran over to Gandalf and hugged him like a scared child after a storm.

"All your long years, we've been friends. Trust me as you once did," He said, knelt down to his height. "Let it go,"

"You're right," Bilbo said. "The ring must go to Frodo,"

"It's late. The road is long," Bilbo said as he grabbed his bag and headed for the door and I got up and followed him. "Bilbo," He stopped and looked at me. "You still have the ring in your pocket," I continued. He chuckled and reluctantly took the ring out of his pocket, showing us as Gandalf stood next to me in the entryway.

After some time of staring at it, Bilbo dropped the ring on the floor and walked out of the house. Gandalf followed him out as I continued to stare at the ring on the floor. I slowly walked over to and knelt by it, refusing to touch it.

"The Age of the Orcs" A voice called from it in the Black Speech.

Gandalf walked back in, closing the door behind him. He reached his hand over it and slowly withdrew.

"What are we going to do, Gandalf?" I asked. "I will ride to Minas Tirith for answers, you will stay and watch over Frodo and the ring until I return with answers," He explained and I nodded.

I sat next to the fire for a long time, thinking about the ring, glancing over at it every so often. I never thought this would happen. Then again, I suppose it had to happen at some point in my eternal life.

"Bilbo!" Frodo shouted as he walked in. I looked over as he stopped in the doorway to pick the ring up.

Just as he touched it, I saw Alek's face, more specifically, after he died.

I looked away from the Hobbit and stared at the flames as he walked over. "He's gone, hasn't he?" Frodo asked. "I'm afraid so, dear Frodo," I answered, not looking at him. "He talked for so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it," He continued as he sat next to me.

"Ver," He said. "Yes?" I asked, finally looking at him again. "Where have they gone?" He asked. "Your uncle has gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag End," I answered, holding out an envelope. "Along with all his possessions," He dropped the ring into the envelope and I sealed it.

"And Gandalf?" He asked. "He left to find answers," I said. "Answers for what? I don't understand," he said. "He's trying to understand as well. He asked me to stay with you until he returns, is that alright?" I asked.

"Of course," he nodded with a smile.

"Keep it safe," I whispered, handing him the envelope.