A path had been cut through the wheat field, not wide, just enough to show a person had entered. Rosie followed the path of broken stems to what at first glance was a bundle of clothes. She took her walking cane and gave it a gentle poke. In a flash...
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Velasa sat with Frodo in the long, overgrown grass; they were both absorbed in the book that sat on the Hobbit's lap, resting beneath the dappled sunlight of an old tree; white flowers were scattered among the well-seeded grass; an idyllic setting at the end of a long hot summer. In the distance, growing louder over the gentle clip-clop of an approaching cart and horse could be heard the humming of a deep voice. Suddenly Frodo sat up, an excited look on his face. He tossed away the long stem of grass in his mouth and set off running; Velasa sighed picking up the book he left behind before starting after the Hobbit.
The cart rattled along the leafy lane, driven by a stooped figure in grey. Fordo ran, careering down a hill, jumping over logs and dodging tree branches; Velasa followed behind with a slower paced step, watching the extendable Hobbit. The shambling old pony snorted and reared as Frodo and Velasa appeared on the bank above the cart. "You're late," Frodo said smugly, his arms crossed. Gandalf glowered at the young Hobbit. "A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." The two look at each other for a moment, before breaking out into laughter as Frodo's face broke into a smile; he leapt on to the front seat of the cart; Velasa smiled jumping up next to Frodo, making the Hobbit look extremely small in between the human and wizard. "It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf." Frodo greeted.
"You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?" Gandalf asked, turning to smile at Velasa before continuing to talk to the brown-haired Hobbit. The cart rattled past a field being tended to by a group of cheerful Hobbits. "What news of the outside world?" Frodo asked. "Tell me everything!"
Gandalf looks down at Frodo, a twinkle in his eye. "What, everything?" Gandalf replied. "Far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural..." The cart rattled over a stone bridge towards the busy marketplace. "Well, what can I tell you?" Gandalf asked rhetorically. "Life in the wide world goes on much as if it has past age. Full of its own comings and goings, scarcely even aware of the existence of Hobbits..." Gandalf surveyed the peaceful scene around him before continuing. "...for which I am very thankful."
Hobbits look up exclaiming in wonder and excitement as the cart bearing Gandalf, Frodo and Velasa roll past the Green Dragon Inn towards the party field; where groups of Hobbits were busy preparing for the big night. "Ah, the long expected party," Gandalf commented. "So, how is the old rascal?" He asks. "I hear it's going to be a Party of special magnificence."
"You know Bilbo...he's got the whole place in an uproar," Velasa said.
"Oh, well...that should please him," Gandalf muttered.
"Half the Shire's been invited." Frodo committed. "He's up to something."
"Oh, really?" Frodo shot the wizard a knowing look, as Gandalf averted his eyes.
"Alright then, keep your secrets." Frodo huffed. "Before you came along we Bagginses were very well thought of."
"Indeed?" Gandalf questioned, Velasa watched his old eyes twinkle.
"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." Frodo continued.
"If you're referring to the incident with the Dragon, I was barely involved..." Gandalf defended. "...all I did was give your Uncle a little nudge out the door."
"Well, whatever you did...you've been officially labelled as a Disturber of the Peace," Velasa commented. Gandalf's eyes sparkled. "Oh, really?"
Odo Proudfoot watched the Cart pass by, deeply suspicious. As the cart rattled into the small village of Hobbiton, a quaint rustic settlement, nestled amongst rolling green hills and large trees, full of Hobbit Holes; neat burrows dug into the grassy hillside, with round doors and cute front gardens, excited children chased after the cart, calling for the wizard to create fireworks; Gandalf ignored the children's cries. The children stood deflated, watching Gandalf disappear up the lane. At that moment; spinning balls of bright colour suddenly leap out of the cart, fizzing over the heads of the delighted children; Gandalf smiled to himself, pleased with his joke. Odo Proudfoot tried and failed to suppress a chuckle under the sharp gaze of his wife. Frodo stood up in the cart as Gandalf reigns in the horse. "Gandalf, I'm glad you're back." Frodo leapt expertly from the cart; Gandalf smiled. "So am I, dear boy. So am I." Velasa jumped off the wagon a little while before Gandalf reached Bag End. She waved to Gandalf as she ducked down into Rosie's Hobbit Hole.
