Aleana and Aragorn

Chapter 2

***Aleana POV***

Bilbo leads us into his home, cozy and cluttered with souvenirs from our travels. Father and I have to stoop to avoid hitting our heads on the low ceiling, though I don't have to worry as much considering I was at least a foot shorter than father. Bilbo hangs up my cloak and father's hat on a peg and trots off down the hall.

"Tea," he asks from down the hall, "or maybe something stronger. I've a few bottles of the Old Winyard left, 1296, a very good year, almost as old as I am. It was laid down by my father. What say we open one, eh?"

Bilbo disappears into the kitchen as I look around, enjoying the familiarity and remembering our adventure with Thorin. I hear a thud behind me and look to see father had knocked his head on the chandelier. He turns to me and walks into a wooden beam. I laugh as he groans.

"I was expecting you some time last week," Bilbo continues, "not that it matters, you come and go as you please, always have done, always will. You've caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid we've only got cold chicken, bit of pickle, some cheese here...oooh no, that might be a little risky..."

I smile to myself as Bilbo rambles on. Something catches my eye and I step up to the desk, moving aside papers to see a framed map, charred in one corner. I pick it up, many things coming back to mind as I realize it is Thorin's map of the Lonely Mountain.

"Er, we've got raspberry jam and apple tart, got some custard somewhere. Not much for Afters, I'm afraid. Oh no, we're alright, I've just found some sponge cake. Nice little snack. Hope its enough," he comes into view, "I could do you some eggs if you like."

I am about to answer when father mysteriously appears behind him, causing Bilbo to jump.

"Just tea, thank you," father answers. Bilbo looks to me and I nod, wanting the same.

"Oh..right. You don't mind if," he looks down at the food.

"No, not at all. Go ahead," I answer with a smile. There's a sudden loud knock on the front door and we turn our heads towards the noise.

"Bilbo Baggins, you open this door...I know you're in there," a female voice comes from outside.

"I'm not home,"Bilbo whispers as he tries to hide. Father and I watch, amused, "I've got to get away from these confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace. I want to see mountains again...mountains, Gandalf...and then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book...Oh, tea!"

He turns to pour tea into cups before handing us the cups. I thank him and he turns to father.

"So, you mean to go through with your plan, then," father asks.

I look to father in confusion. What plan were they speaking of? So father was keeping secrets, even from me. I want to ask, but knowing it was rude to interrupt them, I keep quiet,sipping at my tea.

"Yes, yes...it's all in hand. All the arrangements are made," Bilbo answers.

"Frodo suspects something."

"'Course he does, he's a Baggins...not some block headed Bracegirdle from Hardbottle," I have to laugh at Bilbo's answer, truly finding it amusing.

"You will tell him, won't you?"

"Yes, yes."

"He's very fond of you."

"I know. He'd probably come with me if I asked him," I look to Bilbo curiously, was he leaving?

"I think, in his heart, Frodo's still in love with the Shire, the woods and the fields...little rivers," Bilbo stands gazing out of the kitchen window.

"What are you saying Bilbo," I ask and he turns to look at me. Father and him exchange a glance.

"Are you leaving," I ask and he nods before turning to father.

"I am old Gandalf," Bilbo looks at father sadly, "I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart."

His fingers close around his waistcoat pocket, gripping a small, unseen object. I narrow my eyes at him, but he is looking at father.

"I feel thin," he continues, "sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday...a very long holiday and I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to."

I look to Bilbo in surprise. If he leaves, what happens to Frodo? Bilbo was all he had left. And what had happened to Bilbo, he was definitely not the same hobbit that had left the Shire so many years ago. Father had been right, Bilbo had changed.

I finish my tea and get up, excusing myself and heading out, leaving father and Bilbo on the porch to smoke their pipes. I head down the lane, enjoying the cool breeze and looking around, admiring the lush hills, the friendly chatter, and the gentle laughs of the children. The Shire was truly a home to be envious of, so much light in such a small corner of the world.

Suddenly my path is blocked by none other than Frodo and his best friend Samwise Gamgee.

"Hello my lady, it is very nice to see you again."

"Likewise Master Gamgee."

"Oh, please, just call me Sam."

"Then you just call me Aleana," I smile at him and he nods, smiling back. A hand encloses mine and look down to see Frodo had grabbed it.

"Come on Aleana, there is something I want to show you!"

He starts dragging me along, causing me to walk faster as I laugh at their eagerness. They lead me down the path and then into the trees surrounding the Shire. After a few minutes of venturing within them, they pull me out into a clearing. A small lake shone in the middle, the trees a circle around it. Sunlight shone through the branches, causing a most breathtaking scene.

"Wow Frodo, this is beautiful."

"It is isn't it," he asks before grabbing my hand again and pulling me to the ground, sitting beside the lake, "come sit."

A breeze passes between the trees, rustling the leaves and allowing my hair to dance around my head. I look to see Frodo and Sam looking out at something and I follow their gazes, looking through the trees. A gasp escapes my lips at the mesmerizing sight of the Shire before me. 

"Isn't it most amazing Aleana," Frodo asks and I nod, "I love it here, it is so peaceful, so happy. I truly love the Shire Aleana, I hope nothing ever changes."

I look to Frodo as he gazes out at the Shire, obviously happy. My heart beats faster as a fear sets in. There had been a darkness lingering in the air, I had felt it as sure as I know father had, though he chose to not speak of it. Something was changing in the world, and all I hoped was that it not befall on these hobbits for they were too kind, too good for the evils of this world. 

"As do I Frodo...as do I."

A/n: Woohoo! Chapter 2! So I absolutely love the friendship between Frodo and Sam and I will not destroy that, but I also mean to establish a really good friendship between Aleana and Frodo! Hopefully you like it!

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