The journey home ~ the skinchanger book 2 (ON HOLD)

Part 1

A perfect autumn day, the sun were shining as Aspect and Gandalf drove on the bumpy road to the Shire.

Gandalf were on his way to celebrate Bilbos 111th birthday, when Aspect had jumped up in his cart, dragged by a horse. She had smiled to him, saying he had perfect timing as normal, because this weren't the first time she jumped aboard as he drove any places at all. Every year, on Bilbos birthday, she had jumped aboard, and they had a great trip to the Shire together.

Now they sat together and hummed to the melody they used to sing at their trips.

"Hmm, down from the door where it began," Gandalf hummed and sang quietly as he smoked his pipe.

Before Gandalf got to the second line, Aspect were on it, but she sang much louder and had a great mood. "And I must follow if I can."

Gandalf chuckled before he continued. "The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began, now far ahead the road has gone-,"

Aspect broke him off again, and finished. "And I must follow if I can!"

Gandalf stopped the horse, as they both noticed Frodo had came and looked at them. "You are late," he said.

"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins," Gandalf said seriously.

"Nor is the wolf!," Aspect said.

"Nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to," Gandalf said serious. First Gandalf, Aspect and Frodo didn't laugh at all, they just stared seriously at each other, then they started smiling, before they all burst into laughter.

"It's wonderful to see you Gandalf, and you too Aspect!," Frodo jumped up into the cart, as Aspect moved to the top of the bench where they sat on. Frodo gave Gandalf a hug, before he took Aspects old place.

"You didn't think we would miss Uncle Bilbos birthday?," Gandalf asked and laughed.

"We would never, not a single one!," Aspect said as she jumped down to the back of the cart, where Gandalf had all the fireworks.

"So how's the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special significance?," Gandalf asked as they entered the Shire. Aspect sat behind them with her back against them, and looked at the road behind them.

"You know Bilbo. He got the whole place in an uproar," Frodo said and laughed.

"Well that should please him," Gandalf said and laughed as well.

"Is it food? What am I talking about, it's always food," Aspect asked and laughed, and Frodo joined her laughing.

"Half the Shire has been invited. And the rest of them are turning up anyway," Frodo continued, and all of them laughed together. Aspect looked at the hobbits, working in the fields around them. "To tell you the truth, Bilbo has been acting a bit odd lately," Frodo said as he looked at Gandalf, and stopped laughing. "I mean, more than usual. He is taken locking himself in his study. He spends hours and hours poring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking." Gandalf looked thoughtful at Frodo. "He is up to something," Frodo continued. Gandalf just looked mysterious at him. "All right then, keep your secrets!"

"What?," Gandalf said as he tried to look like he didn't know what Frodo talked about, but failed.

"But I know you have something to do with it," Frodo said. Aspect moved on her head so she saw Gandalf in the corner of her eye.