Chapter 3: At Bag End

I know in the book Gandalf is gone for 17-18 years, but that's way too long; I am going with the movie and making it like a couple weeks to fit with later events in the story with dates in the book. Gandalf can get to Minas Tirith and back, after reading all those ancient document readings in that time, with, uh, magic. XD

Chapter Three: At Bag End

Later that evening the group met Frodo for the first time. He was much younger than his uncle and did not seem to be as outgoing as the other; indeed, it seemed as if his mind was somewhere else throughout most of the introduction. What he did not tell the group is that, alongside his worries about Bilbo, Gandalf had met him before he had made his way to Bag End. The wizard had told him briefly about the ring that lay in his front hall, and his last words, "Keep it secret; keep it safe," did not help calm his mind in any way whatsoever.

The hobbit, however, accepted the five strangers with few questions and easily found room for all of them. While he found some of their bearings rather odd, he knew from his uncle's many relations that every culture had their own sets of manners and customs and so said little about it.

As Gandalf suggested, the group from the Caribbean stayed inside Bag End most of the time, and when they went outside they did not go beyond its sight. Jack was the one most frequently outdoors, keeping an eye on the Dauntless and making sure that their only means of transportation did not suddenly disappear. It remained where it was, and what the hobbits of Hobbiton and Bywater thought about the massive ship in their pond never came to Bag End.

The three pirates often found themselves rather restless within the hobbit home. While it was well furnished for comfort, the three of them were people of action and the simple home life suited them little. In the end, after Jack had subtly searched the place and found little of interest, and Gibbs finally found even sleeping tiresome, the two men often entertained themselves with a chess set and odd games of their devising. They would speak with the hobbits here and there, but the hobbits usually left the two men to themselves, likely unable to understand Jack's odd demeanor and Gibbs' complete apathy towards said demeanor.

Anamaria was becoming quick friends with Merry, Pippin, and a hobbit by the name of Sam Gamgee. When the three learned that she had poor cooking skills, they immediately went out of their way to teach her all they knew. Sam especially was proud of his skills and was glad to show off many of his cooking tricks. Anamaria was ready to set the three on Elizabeth, who, being a noblewoman, likely knew less than her, but found herself enjoying their company and selfishly wanted to keep them for herself. While cooking with the hobbits turned out to be entertaining, one of her favorite activities in Bag End was helping Frodo keep out very curious hobbits, all who wanted to know where Bilbo went and whom these strange people were. One couple, named Sackville-Bagginses, took the persuasion of a sword from her to leave Bag End. Frodo was torn between gladness and anger by the action, but soon let go of his anger, seeing as he could hardly stand them himself.

Will and Elizabeth often spent their time talking with one another in peace- peace they had not known for a long time. When they were not spending quality time with one another they frequently looked through maps and books. It was through this activity that they discovered what Gandalf was hinting at: they were not on Earth anymore.

"These maps," said Elizabeth one evening to Frodo, "they are completely accurate?"

"Oh yes," Frodo said. "Bilbo used the most accurate information. Of course every map will have its error, but these are the best in the Shire if you want to know about the world Outside."

"Impossible..." muttered Will as he glanced through several different maps. "There is no sign of Europe, Africa, Asia- and these certainly cannot be of the New World, for we would see the Caribbean, or at least some sort of water in the east. We truly are not on Earth anymore."

Elizabeth held up one map that looked to be a map of the whole continent. "What does it say?" she asked, pointing to the strange characters on it.

"Map of Middle-earth," Frodo translated, "along with a couple other details."

"Middle-earth," Will muttered, remembering the words the strange man on the ship had uttered. "Well, at least that question is answered." Frodo looked up at him curiously, but when neither of them clarified, he held his peace.

When Will and Elizabeth told their findings to the rest of the group, their reactions were mixed.

"I've heard crazier things," Jack said nonchalantly as he moved a pawn forward. "'bout as crazy as a cursed treasure, really."

"That man must've been some sort of wizard," Gibbs muttered, studying the chessboard. "Think he knows Gandalf?"

"Doubt it, Gibbs; Gandalf is kind, if not a bit gruff," Elizabeth answered exasperatedly. "He didn't look like a wizard, anyways. He had a robe covered in jewels, after all."

"What does a rich man want with us?" Anamaria asked, crossing her arms. "I'd rather be back home in familiar waters, nice as these hobbits are." Gibbs nodded in agreement as he moved his knight.

"I miss the sea," Jack said simply as he moved his own knight in retaliation. "Bunch of heathens, living so far from the wonderful ocean."

"I know many a man who'd call you that, Jack," Elizabeth said with a raised brow. "And when did you take to chess?"

"Not much else to do 'round here, and I have no plans on leaving my ship out of my reach."

"That ship belongs to the Royal Navy."

"If we're in a different world, love, the Royal Navy doesn't exist, thus making it mine." Jack knocked over a pawn with his knight, and frowned when Gibbs took out said knight with his bishop. "You're disturbing my concentration. Get out, all of you, before I lose my winning streak."

Not in the mood to argue with Jack about property, Elizabeth left in a hurry, Will following. Anamaria glanced at the board one last, whispered something to Gibbs, and quickly left.

"What did she say?" Jack asked when she was gone.

"Nothing of importance," Gibbs said with a shrug, moving his pawn forward. After a couple more turns, Jack lost his queen.

"Nothing of importance?" he said with a raised brow. "Damn that woman." Gibbs only chuckled in reply.

O0O0O0O

It was mid-afternoon and inside Bag End nine people were gathered around a large map of Middle-earth. The group from the Caribbean asked about various places on the map while Frodo answered all of their questions and his three friends listened nearby.

"So let me get this straight," Jack started with a frown as he looked to the southeast corner of the map. "This 'Mordor' was ruled by some bastard who tried to take over the world some thousand years ago?"

Frodo was too polite to comment upon his unique choice of words. "Yes, and is ruled still by him, though he has not done much since. He was much weakened in the battle with the Last Alliance, but he did not perish. I do not know all of the details though."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Still ruling?"

"Yes; he is immortal, though how or why I could not say. Gandalf would be better suited for that type of question."

"Wonderful world," he muttered with an odd look on his face. "Immortality is here, too." With that, he suddenly left the room, deep in thought.

"What was that about?" Sam asked with a frown.

"Don't mind him; he is always like that," Elizabeth said with a wave of her hand. "I, personally, am really interested in this Rivendell. What in the world do you mean by 'elves'? Do they look like you?"

"Oh, no! I haven't seen elves before, myself, but Bilbo has a few times. They are tall and very fair to look upon. Bilbo always told me it was difficult to describe their ethereal beauty; he always told me it was something I would have to see for myself." Frodo sighed as he gazed at Rivendell. "I do miss him. He has been my family for so long."

"I'm sure he misses you, too, wherever the old hobbit went off to," Merry said, patting Frodo on the back.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. They were surprised, for the curious visitors had stopped pestering them a while ago, and the only visitors that ever came were already at Bag End. Frodo broke out of his somber mood and quickly went to open the door. Inside came in a very weary Gandalf.

"Gandalf! Where have you been?" Frodo asked as he took the wizard's hat and cloak.

"Many places," he replied as he entered the living room, "though on this journey only to one, and one can only hope quickly enough." He glanced around at the large group. "Ah, so you are all still here? Good. But for now I need all of you to step outside. I must speak with Frodo privately. Though where is the other one- Captain Jack Sparrow, as he named himself?"

Gibbs stood up. "I'll go get him. He was thinking on something, though he may not like being bothered."

Gandalf shook his head. "Leave him where he is. I'd rather not bother that man, not now. I have no time for it. Now out, if you all please, out!"

Pippin shrugged. "We were just about to leave anyways. We have an appointment with Farmer Maggot and his carrots tonight." Merry and Pippin grinned at one other and left. Sam sighed and shook his head at the two young hobbits as he followed them. With one last glance at Frodo, the other four left and shut the door behind them.

Gandalf sighed as he sat down. "I hope they haven't been too much trouble, Frodo."

Frodo shook his head. "Their mannerisms are odd, but it may be because they are Big Folk. Then again, it may be because they are from another world. I still can scarcely believe it, even though I have seen their ship for myself. But tell me, Gandalf, where have you been?"

Gandalf smiled. "Good; I did not see evil in them and I am glad they caused you none. It seems my senses are not yet completely gone. Old age does terrible things to a man, you know."

"You know that I know you are more than merely some old man, Gandalf," Frodo said with a smile. "But come now! Where have you been?"

"This journey took me to Gondor, to the great city of Minas Tirith. There I found documents written long ago- it was one written by Isildur that interested me most."

"Isildur!" said Frodo. "He was the son of King Elendil, was he not?"

"And more besides." Gandalf took a deep breath. "In these documents penned by him, Isildur wrote about a small trinket that was created by the Dark Lord Sauron. The trinket itself was a simple golden ring, but this ring was much more than it appeared to be. The Dark Lord poured a great amount of his power and being into this ring, and through it he would control all other Great Rings and their rulers, and so take over Middle-earth. However, during the Last Alliance in the Second Age, Isildur cut this ring off his finger and so severed Sauron from his main source of power, thus ending the many-year war and his darkness- for a time.

"Isildur should have destroyed this ring and ended Sauron's existence there, but the hearts of Men are easily corrupted. The evil that was supposed to be annihilated over three thousand years ago is still alive and gaining power very quickly. While the Dark Lord is still vulnerable, he has a great many resources and is building his strength. This ring of his- known as the One Ring- was lost long ago, when Isildur was ambushed while riding up North. I fear it has been found- and is now in your possession." He paused. "If Sauron regains this ring, the world will fall into ruin."

Frodo was silent for a long while as he absorbed this information. "How do you know that Bilbo's ring- my ring- is the Dark Lord's?"

"I can prove it to you. Bring it out."

Frodo nodded and went to a locked drawer. He drew out the key, took out the ring, and held it uncertainly. "Now what?"

"Throw it in the fire."

Frodo looked at him in surprise. "Are you mad? Why burn such a precious, beautiful thing!"

Gandalf frowned. "Already it grows precious to you. Do not worry, it will not melt."

Frodo, with some difficulty, threw it into the crackling fire. A minute later Gandalf took it out and dropped it in Frodo's hand. Frodo was surprised that it did not burn him; in fact, it was not heated at all. He looked at it and then looked to Gandalf. Gandalf smiled grimly.

"It was smooth but a minute ago; look again."

Frodo did so, and he saw that on the once smooth surface of the ring there was an Elvish script; he, however, could not read it. "What does it say?" he asked.

"One Ring to Rule them all, One Ring to Find them, One Ring to Bring them all and in the Darkness Bind them." Gandalf sighed. "Now it is proven: this is truly the One Ring. And Sauron needs only this ring to cover all the lands in a second darkness, and he is seeking it. He must never find it."

Frodo nodded. "Alright then; I will hide it, put it away, and we will never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they?" Gandalf did not respond. The hobbit turned to look at him. "No one knows it's here… do they, Gandalf?"

"There is another who knew Bilbo had the Ring; he once owned the Ring himself."

Frodo's eyes widened. "You do not mean Gollum?"

Gandalf nodded. "And even though my allies and I have searched for him, the Enemy found him first. I don't know how long they tortured him, but finally he gave them what information they needed. They know that the Ring is here, in the Shire, and that a Baggins is carrying it. They will come for it."

Frodo looked at the Ring. How could so fair a thing be so dangerous? "What must I do now?"

O0O0O0O

Frodo started packing up his things rapidly. He had to leave the Shire and everything in it behind: his dear friends, his beautiful home, and go all the way to Bree. He did not wish to leave, but it was his fate. As he packed, the hobbit suddenly realized something. "Gandalf, what about the others? Do you think they should be left here alone?"

Gandalf glanced at him; he had not thought about them, so deep was his concern for Frodo and the Ring. As he was about to respond to Frodo's inquiry, there was a sudden noise in the bushes below the large window in the room. Both Gandalf and Frodo turned to the window and after a moment heard a whisper.

"Get down!" Gandalf told Frodo urgently. He took his staff and slowly approached the window as the bushes stirred some more. The wizard hit the thing in the bushes with the end of his staff and it grunted. He threw his staff to floor, leaned out of the window, and pulled the thing hiding in the bushes through the large window and onto the table. It was Elizabeth.

"Confound it all, Sam-" Gandalf started, but then saw it was not the hobbit. She had a couple of twigs in her hair and was looking up at him with wide eyes, clearly frightened. He let go of her arms and she slowly sat up, still watching him nervously.

"I would swear to the Valar that I heard Samwise!" Gandalf said, giving her a bushy stare. She just sat there, still speechless, when Will suddenly swung the door open, sword brandished.

"Let her go," he said.

"There is no need for such a show, boy," the wizard said gruffly, clearly unimpressed with the act. Elizabeth got off the table and went over to her husband; only then did he lower his weapon.

"I did not know what you would do with her," Will said in his defense.

"As I would with any eavesdropper," he said, watching as Gibbs, Anamaria, and Sam ran into the house in a similar state as Will and Elizabeth. "Many eavesdroppers!" The group said nothing, but Sam slightly backed himself behind Anamaria as the wizard's temper grew.

"We want to help Frodo," Elizabeth said suddenly.

"We do?" Gibbs muttered to Anamaria. Anamaria shrugged, not much caring either way.

"It does not matter if you do or not; you will accompany him," Gandalf said unexpectedly. He raised an eyebrow at their surprise. "Why the surprise? Since you know of his situation, you must go with him. We cannot risk the Enemy coming to any of you and gaining information, and they will be here at Bag End any day now once they find out a Baggins lives here."

"Oh, good," said a voice. In the second-to-left room of the hallway came out Jack, holding a book. "I've been reading this fascinating book, and while I was interrupted by their tale coming through the hall, I did manage to concentrate rather well on the story."

"Which story?" Will asked with a smirk.

"Theirs, of course," Jack answered as if it were the most obvious question in the world. "I'm glad that we're getting out of here; I may figure out a way to move that ship on the journey, or even find a new one. Still, fascinating book."

Gandalf ignored Jack's ramblings and turned to Frodo. "That settles it. You'll take Sam and all of them with you to Bree. I will meet you there at inn of The Prancing Pony."

"And where will you be going?"

"I must see the head of my order; he will know what to do, now that the Ring has been found." Gandalf glanced at the seven of them. "Get as much rest as you can. We will leave early on the morrow."