Gandalf moaned, as he packed his things in preparation for the journey.
"There is no need for you to come, Frodo" said Gandalf
"I desperately wish to come" pleaded Frodo
"I insist, you remain here and look after the Shire"
"But surely the Shire is safer without me and the ring?" asked Frodo.
"I have grave concerns about Bilbo going on this mission, he has lost much of his edge. Especially around orcs…"
"And why is that, of all people?" asked Frodo.
"…Following the awakening of Gollum, Bilbo has been slipping with everything. It has been going on longer than I originally thought, I just did not want to worry you. But it seems I need to pass on the news. Bilbo has been infected with the ring disease."
"Ring disease?"
"Yes, it has taken a strong hold on him, it seems the ring has changed the Hobbit almost into something else. It has affected his mind, his memory and his senses" explained Gandalf.
"What is the cure" Frodo asked.
Gandalf looked into the distance, his mind far away – lost in times long past. He had been gone for some time now, having gone back to his home of Rivendell. Gandalf had never taken his place as the leader of the Fellowship.
"I am afraid, I will be unable to return, I can no longer track the ring, without my powers I have as much a chance of thieving as you have of holding on to it" said Gandalf.
"Gandalf, what would happen if… when the ring was destroyed, I do not mean by us but by the orcs?" Frodo asked.
"It could be undone, the one ring could be undone…"
"But, can you give me a guarantee that it can't be reforged?" Frodo asked, already knowing the answer.
"No Frodo, I cannot, but I can give you a wish"
"My wish?" Frodo asked.
"Yes, your wish to go with Bilbo on this quest, it is a wish that I can't oppose."
Frodo smiled and then stood up, stretching out his muscles before moving his things. He walked towards his pack and stopped, Gandalf was busy packing Bilbo's – but there was a single item that had caught his eye.
"What is that?" Frodo asked
Gandalf's eyes moved from the pack, back to Frodo, "Oh, that's the key to Elrond's library, I found it amongst Bilbo's things, but there was nothing to be found in the library about the One Ring or about the ring disease"
"Well, maybe I can find something and return before you do. Or do you intend that I should remain in Rivendell with Elrond?"
"No Frodo, you shall travel on with Bilbo, you will be very useful in his coming battle. My spell will protect you until you reach the orc encampments of the Misty Mountains. Whatever happens, I must go and try to find my dear Gildor, who I fear has been lost forever over the pass……
Gandalf looked out of the window, seeing rivers of lava flowing, shaping the lands into their final form. Eventually peace would be restored, but at a heavy cost.
Chapter 2 - A dark shadow
"April 2014, a day to remember"
A couple stood in an airfield hangar, each holding a box.
"Are you ready Bilbo?" asked Gandalf
"Oh yes" said Bilbo who was as excited as a Hobbit could be.
"Where to Mr Baggins" asked Gandalf
Bilbo grinned, "Ooh I have been wondering that myself"
Gandalf pulled into action, taking off down the runway. The plane barely could carry the weight of the hobbit and the items tied down to the plane. In seconds the plane sped down the runway, the engines of the plane the loudest noise.
"Frodo are you ready?" asked Bilbo.
Frodo stepped up, "Now I am."
Bilbo opened the door, "Mr Baggins, welcome to Rivendell. I am Gandalf and that is Sam. Today is going to be your best day. The elves have been searching for you for over a year, now you are here. Take the stairs and head through the archway, to the left. I will arrange a guard for you. The rest of the journey is up to you" said Gandalf.
"Yes" said Bilbo, reaching down and picking up the heavy box.
"Here Gandalf you can look after it while I go to check on the plane" Bilbo said handing the box to his friend.
Gandalf nodded, accepting the box and sliding it under his arm. As he walked up the stairs he looked at the box, he was curious as to what the contents were.
"Come on Bilbo, you need to go, Gandalf'll be along soon" said Frodo.
The guard hastily opened the door, ready to check their bags. Frodo walked out, the hall was much older, the leaves of the plants were much thicker, the shapes were different, everything was different.
"Frodo please stop that, it's different everyday, you can't get it straight away" said Gandalf.
"I want to get everything straight" said Frodo.
"Stop Frodo, you can't just get everything in your head. Gimli, stop rolling your eyes, come on they are after us at last" said Gandalf.
Bilbo stood proudly, the heavy box in his right hand. He was smiling to himself, he couldn't believe that he was there. The elves had been searching for him for years.
