In the Fires of Mordor

An Expected Visit

An Expected Visit - Chapter One

A large white draft horse walked leisurely down a well worn hobbit-path. Upon its back sat a fair elven rider with golden eyes and dark brown hair. She wears a cream tunic with a light brown corset, leggings, and soft elven boots. A brown hooded cape hangs loosely from its ribbon cord at her neck. The moon glows softly above them.

She stops at a beautiful hobbit hole. 'Welcome to Bag End!' reads the sign in front. Leading her horse through the gate, she ties it at a hitching post, throwing back her hood, bending down, the elf knocks at the round front door. A joyful chatter can be heard in the field behind the hobbit hole. Bright lights occasionally flash from there, and the door opens to this elf, along with the cheering and shouting from within the house as well.

Samwise Gamgee himself has answered the door, and his face broke into a wide grin, "Why, Anarien! Come in! You're just in time!" This elf called Anarien smiles at him, "Thank you Sam, can you direct me to Rose?" she asks. He nods excitedly, and gestures for her to follow him down the hall and out the back. Idalia bends down in the hall, careful not to bump her head.

"Here she is!" Sam says as the two walk out the back, looking down on a long flat pasture. A hobbit girl with curly auburn hair was laughing and drinking in the middle of a crowd. Anarien smiled and thanked him once again, before running down the hill to greet the girl. At the sight of her, the hobbit's petite features showed a bright smile, "Anarien! You're here!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around the elf. "I wouldn't miss this," Anarien said, "Rose, your coming of age! Did you expect me to miss it?" Rose giggled, "Well, I honestly wasn't sure. I was hoping you hadn't changed your mind." Anarien smirked at her, "Never," and went off to the bar.

The party, as most hobbit parties are, was lively and jovial. There was plenty of food, and of course, beer, along with dancing and shouting. This time Pippin and Merry made a firework show, as Gandalf wasn't present for some odd reason. Soon enough, all the guests started chanting 'Speech! Speech!' Rose proceeded to jump onto a table, and call everyone's attention, "I am sincerely grateful for all of your attendance to my thirty third birthday! I came of age today, and am proud to say I am a fully grown hobbit now. To celebrate, there is so obviously this wonderful feast, which I am sure you all enjoyed greatly(especially the beer.) I also have an announcement! I have received(and slightly plotted) an invitation to the elven country of Imladris!" A gasp could be heard throughout the crowd, but Rose continued, "I will be starting my travel there tomorrow, along with my good friend, Idalia. I thank you all again for seeing your faces at my birthday party, and I wish you all the best!" With that, she hopped down from the table as the voices became loud again. Barely audible over the roar of the party, Sam muttered, "She takes too many ideas from Bilbo, whether they may be good or bad."

Late in the night, the party finally died down, and Rose took to the gate of Bag End, saying goodbye to all the guests and handing out their presents. Toys and firecrackers for the children, pretty china for the women, and various tools for the men. At the hour of midnight, Rose, Anarien, Sam, and Rosie(Rose's mother) were all sitting by a cozy fire in Bag End. After so long of peaceful silence from the loud party, Rosie finally spoke, "Rose, are you absolutely sure? It could be dangerous." Rose nodded resolutely, "Yes, Mom, I'm sure. And I'll be safe. Idalia knows how to fight, even if I don't." After another few moments of quiet, Sam spoke up, "Rose, sing us a song, the last one before you leave." She nodded, and began to sing:

Deep in shadows,

you may find,

what you are seeking,

tells all lies.

For lies the truth,