Daughter of the Shapeshifter (A Lord of The Rings Fanfiction)

Chapter 5

It took us almost 2 months to reach the Shire.  When we were resting, Mother taught me everything she thought I'd need to know about shapeshifting, from storing energy to focusing on any shape I chose to take.  Along the way, we met with a gray wizard, who called himself Gandalf.  He was going to do fireworks at the party, which made me smile.  Apparently, the little folk like shows.  Shifting into my dwarf form, which I had discarded when we first moved to Lothloria, I rode on horseback while Mother sat with Gandalf.  Soon enough, we finally reached the Shire.

"You're late..."  I jumped and looked up, seeing a small creature with dark, curly hair.  Mother sat there, watching him as Gandalf turned and answered.

"I am never late, Frodo Baggins, nor am I early.  I arrive precisely when I want to."  They both stared off as I shifted in my saddle, trying to figure out what was going on.  However, before I knew it, they both were laughing and the young hobbit leaped onto the cart and hugged Mother and Gandalf.

"It's good to see you, Gandalf.  How've you been, Skyrena?"  Standing, he turned to face me and frowned.  "Who might you be?"  I smiled politely and waved.

"I'm Era..."  Mother tapped the boy on the shoulder.

"She's my daughter."  He nodded and smiled again.

"Does Uncle Bilbo know?"  Mother nodded as he turned to face me.  "Fair enough!"  Sitting down between Gandalf and Mother, he smiled and chatted casually with them as we rode along, ignoring me entirely.  Not even that I minded, though...  I was too interested in the land around me.  Seeing all these people who were less than 4 feet tall made me remember Erabor, which made me feel homesick.  I turned my pony to face Mother.

"Do you mind if I go ride around for a few before the party?"  She looked up from her conversation.

"Not at all, Era."  I smiled and rode off, feeling much better with the fresh air filling my lungs.

"So, you are Era?"  I smiled politely at the elder hobbit Mother introduced me to and nodded.  He looked me up and down, smiling.  "The last time I saw you was almost 60 years ago...  And you were such a tiny thing."  He glanced between Mother and I.  "You look so much like your father..."  I hung my head as I looked over at Mother, who looked away.

"Thank you, sir...  It's nice to meet you."  Excusing myself, I walked around the fair grounds, looking for something to do.  Standing by Gandalf's cart, I heard whispering, but I didn't really pay attention until I saw a firework go off from behind me.  Fearing an attack, I leaped and turned to see two hobbits, their faces black with soot, smiling up at the sky.  Walking over, I crossed my arms.

"Care to explain what that was about?"  They both turned and looked at me, their eyes wide as Gandalf came over to see what was going on.  Calling them by name, he set them to work, cleaning, as Mother approached me.

"Come along...  Come with me."  I followed her to Master Baggins' house, and, as soon as we were in, she shut the door.  "I need you to do me a big favor."  I frowned as she continued.  "Bilbo wishes to journey to Rivendell tonight, and he asked me to accompany him.  Will you stay here with Frodo and wait for me?"  I stepped back a bit.

"Frodo doesn't know, does he?"  She shook her head, worrying me.  There was no telling how he would handle the news.  Before I could speak up, Gandalf arrived, and Bilbo followed.  Bilbo packed quickly as Gandalf and Mother spoke.  Finally, I spoke up over all of them.  "So, this is the real reason why I was asked to come?  To help a poor fellow get over the disappearence of his uncle?"  I shook my head.  "I won't do it.  It wouldn't be right."  I walked off towards the door and stood there, watching for Frodo.

"Era...?  Please come here..."  Recognizing Gandalf's voice, I followed it to the dining room.  I lowered my head as I entered.

"Yes?"  He smiled over at me and spoke in a low voice.

"I suggested that we ask that you stay behind because we believe Frodo may be in danger.  However, Bilbo doesn't know that."  I frowned as I looked at him.

"What do you mean?"  He glanced around nervously.

"I can't explain it right now, but I need you to watch over Frodo.  Will you?"  Frodo, that gentle boy, was in danger?  I really couldn't bear the thought, so I nodded and agreed.  As he walked out, I began to pace the room.

"Era, I have something for you."  Mother smiled as she entered the room.  Holding out her hand, she dangled the wooden threshing on a silver chain.  "It was a gift from your father...  Before he died."  I swallowed hard.

"Momma, I can't take this from you."  I remembered how, when I saw younger, she would show me what was left of Father and how his energy made it seem as though he was still alive.  Mother shook her head.

"I want you to take it with you.  You'll be in much more need of your father's guidance than I am.  Besides, I placed some of my energy in, as well, that way..."  She paused.  "That way, should something happen, I'll always be there for you, just as your father has been for me."  I nodded and allowed her to place the necklace around my neck.