*Hello everyone! I wish you all a warm welcome to my story! Please, please, please review! I want to know if you think I should continue with this story or if you think it's a complete dud. Also if you would like to help let me know! I may ask once again please review, there may be cookies involved –looks around, grinning evilly-. I apologize now for the slow start, I'm trying to pick it up now I as I continue to write, I've been trying to put more detail in this story, lemme know if you think it's too much! This is indeed an Aragorn/OC story and I decided to put all Elvish in Italics, it will be duly noted if otherwise. Thanks again for stopping by!(:*

Copyright: I do not own any part of the movie or book of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, anything recognized is probably not mine, though I wish Legolas was –giggles to herself-, anything unrecognized is probably mine, anyways on with the story!

P.S.- I will try to find away to put a picture of Aria on my homepage, key word try, any who, until then if you would like to know what she looks like send me a message or review asking so and I will find a way to show you!(:

I sat quietly with Gandalf in the cart as I bounced my knee in excitement, my horse, Elwing, following slowly behind us.

"Come along Elwing!" I called to her and she neighed stubbornly, distracted by the long, bright green, blades of grass. "That horse, I swear." I mumble and Gandalf laughs.

"Patience is an important virtue, my dear." He says with a smile and I huff, crossing my arms impatiently. Suddenly Gandalf stops the cart, the pony neighing in annoyance and I look up, past my hood at him, confused.

"You're late." I heard a voice say in amusement and I smile widely, I pull down my hood.

"Frodo!" I cry out happily and Frodo grins towards me. "It appears that is to be my blame, certain horses like to take their time!" I shout the last part loudly and Elwing neighs distractedly as she continues to chew on grass.

"Well it is wonderful to see you, both of you!" Frodo says happily as he sits in the middle of us, his miniature form fitting between us perfectly.

"You didn't think we'd miss your Uncle's Bilbo's birthday?" Gandalf asks Frodo with a smile on his face. I had been friends with both Bilbo, Gandalf, and Frodo for a few years. Meeting Gandalf in my travels, he then decided to bring me to the Shire, to meet all of the wonderful hobbits.

"Elwing, go waste time in the forest and eat, good for nothing horse." I mumble the last part and I hear Elwing snort angrily, I look back to see her glaring daggers at me before lifting her head up high and walking into the forest. Gandalf starts moving the cart again as Frodo chuckles, amused by my antics with my horse.

"That horse seems like a person more and more every day." Frodo says and I nod in agreement. We pass Field Lupin as Frodo grins once again. "What news of the outside world? Tell me everything!" He says and I look down at him, I smile as I see the adventurous look in his eyes.

"What, eager? Far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural…" Gandalf teased Frodo and I chuckle. I smile widely as I see the busy hobbit marketplace up ahead. "Well, what can I tell you? 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, for which I am thankful." Gandalf continued to tease and Frodo frowned at me.

"Aria, you have a new scar." He said softly and I lightly touch my face.

"It is nothing, dear one." I say with a smile and softly pat his head. We continue through the marketplace, I smile and wave at the Hobbits smiling at me. We pass a giant field where I see everyone getting ready for the party.

"Ah, the long expected party. So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence." I smile thinking of Bilbo, how excited I was to see him.

"You know Bilbo, he's got the whole place in an uproar." Frodo said with a smirk and I smile.

"Aye, good ol' Bilbo, always causing trouble." I say, both Frodo and Gandalf laugh.

"Well, that should please him." Gandalf says and I nodded quickly.

"Half the shire has been invited." Frodo says and I smiled.

"And the other half will come anyways." I smirked and Frodo nods with a wide smile. I sigh in content, missing the cheerful nature of the Hobbits, it has always been a good break from the cruelness of the world.

"Good gracious me." Gandalf mumbled, listening to our conversation.

"He's up to something." Frodo said with an eyebrow raised, looking at both of us. I bit my lip slightly and shrugged, I knew Bilbo planned to depart from the Shire tonight and travel once more.

"Oh really?" Gandalf asked, feigning innocence as he continued to steer the cart.

"Alright then, keep your secrets, the both of you. Before you came along we Bagginses were very well thought of." Frodo said and I looked at him.

"Well I could understand him!" I pointed at Gandalf accusingly and Gandalf glowered at me.

"Indeed?" Gandalf asked as he turned away from me.

"Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." I laughed, knowing what Frodo spoke of.

"If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out the door." Gandalf stated, nose in the air and I snickered.

"Well, whatever you did, you have been officially labeled as a disturber of the peace." Frodo said with a smirk and I grinned.

"Oh really?" Gandalf mumbled once more and I chuckled. I hear children cry out behind us, seeing Gandalf and I, I notice Gandalf smile. The cries die out as the children pout, suddenly fireworks pop out of the cart and you could hear the children cry out in joy once again. Frodo stands up and I look up at him with a smile.

"Gandalf, Aria, I'm glad you're back." Frodo gives a sincere smile and leaps of the cart, I wave him goodbye as he runs off. We slow to a stop in front of Bilbo and Frodo's home, I quickly jump off the cart as I follow Gandalf's wide strides to the door which he raps loudly on with his staff.

"No thank you!" I beam as I hear Bilbo's voice. "We don't want any more visitors, well wishers, or distant relations!" He calls through the door and I snicker.

"How about some old friends?" Gandalf questions with a small smile towards me. The door swings open and Bilbo stood there with a smile.

"Gandalf, Aria?"

"Bilbo Baggins!"Gandalf says happily and I smile widely.

"My dear Gandalf! And Aria, oh how you have grown!" I bend down, giving Bilbo a hug as Gandalf gets on his knee, giving Bilbo a hug as well.

"It's good to see you! One hundred and eleven years old who would believe it!" My eyebrows rose, not believing it myself as Gandalf said this. "Yet, you haven't aged a day!" Gandalf and Bilbo laugh as we all walk back into his home.

"Come in, welcome!" Bilbo says, waving his hand and quickly walking off to the kitchen. "Tea? Or maybe something stronger?" He calls from the kitchen and I chuckle as Gandalf hits his head on both the light and a wood beam, he looks at me, glowering.

"Would you like some cheese?" Bilbo calls out again as Gandalf rubs his head.

"Just tea, thank you." Gandalf says as we walk into the kitchen.

"I would like some cheese, if it's not too much trouble." I say with a light smile and Bilbo smiles in return.

"Of course not dear, it is never too much trouble for you." My smile grows wider and then I wince as a loud bang comes from the door.

"Bilbo Baggins, open this door, I know you're in there!" I hear a lady yell through the door and I wince again.

"I'm not at home!" Bilbo whispers loudly as he tries to hide and I giggle at his antics. "I've got to get away from these confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's peace. I want to see mountains again...mountains, Gandalf... and then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book...Oh, tea!" Bilbo cries out as we hear the teapot shriek, alarming it's finish.

"So you mean to go through with your plan then?" Gandalf asks as we all sit down, I began to slowly eat the cheese, listening to the conversation.

"Yes, yes, it's all in hand, all the arrangements are made." Bilbo mutters as he takes a drink of his tea.

"Frodo suspects something." Gandalf notes and I nod slowly.

"He's always been very observant." I pip up and Gandalf nods in return.

"'Course he does, he's a Baggins!" Bilbo says as if it would explain everything. "Not some blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle!"

"You will tell him, won't you?" Gandalf asks softly, worried for Frodo's well being.

"Yes, yes!" Bilbo muttered impatiently, distracted.

"He's very fond of you." Gandalf tried again, I placed a hand on his arm and Bilbo sighed.

"I know, he'd probably come with me, if I asked him. I think, in his heart, Frodo still loves the shire, the woods and the fields, the little rivers." Bilbo chuckled lightly and gazed out the window, like it was his last time he would ever see the Shire. "I am old, Gandalf. I know I don't look it, but I feel it in my heart." I felt tears well up in my eyes as Bilbo looked at us sadly. I could not imagine life without Bilbo living, it seemed he had been around for so long. I glance down I see Bilbo grip something in his pocket, I then felt uneasiness surrounding me, I began to shift uncomfortably.

"I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread." Bilbo began to speak again and I felt the uneasiness lift away. "I need a holiday, a very long one at that. I don't think I will be returning to the Shire, in fact, I mean not to." I glanced at Gandalf who kept his face emotionless. "Well, come now! Many things to do!" Bilbo said cheerfully and walked out the door, Gandalf and I stood as well but I caught Gandalf's arm.

"Gandalf," I began and he turned to look at me. "I am not feeling well, I think it's best that I lay down for a bit. I might make it to the party but I do not know."

"Yes, I noticed your uneasiness a few moments ago." I nodded slowly and he turned to leave.

"Oh, and Gandalf," I called once again and Gandalf turned to me, an eyebrow raised. "Do not worry for Frodo. Though Frodo will not be happy regarding Bilbo's departure, he will not feel anger towards him. He will understand and come to terms with it and I shall stay with him, if need be." Gandalf only gave me a light smile before patting my shoulder.

"You have grown well, dear one, your family, both by blood and adoptive, would be very proud of you." With that he left the small home. I sighed thinking of my family, both of them, and how I missed them dearly. I slowly shuffled to the room I had slept in the several times I had come and visited, I landed on the bed rather ungracefully, asleep before my head hit the pillow.

I hear the door shut and I instantly shoot up. My eyes are wide open now and my hand strays to my sword by habit. It wasn't until I heard Bilbo's merry laugh did I relax. I slowly stood up and walked out towards the doorway where I hear humming.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever?" I hear Gandalf ask and the humming stopped.

"Oh come now Gandalf! Did you see their faces?" Bilbo asks in delight and I slowly walk in, rubbing my eyes a bit.

"Bilbo, Gandalf?" I ask sleepily, my fatigue returning.

"Aria." Bilbo mutters slowly as Gandalf sighs loudly.

"There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly!" Gandalf said, continuing his scolding with Bilbo.

"It was just a bit of fun!" Bilbo tried to save himself but then sighed. "Oh you're probably right, as usual."

"You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?" Gandalf asked and Bilbo nodded quickly.

"I'm leaving everything to him." He said and I smiled lightly.

"And that ring of yours, is that staying too?" Gandalf asked and I began to feel confused, what ring? Bilbo grimaces but then sighs.

"Yes, yes, it's in a envelope, over there, on the mantelpiece." I look over to the mantelpiece and feel even more confused when I see no envelope. A guilty look passes over Bilbo's face as he feels his pocket.

"No, wait. It's here, in my pocket." Bilbo slowly pulls out the ring resting in his pocket. I suddenly feel an evil surround us all and gasp lightly, bringing a hand to my heart when it harshly skips a beat, no, that can't be…

"Isn't that, isn't that odd now?" I look to Bilbo as he glances at the ring nervously. "Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?" I see a battle in Bilbo's eyes and I frowned at him, concerned for his well being.

"I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?" Gandalf asks and Bilbo looks at him.

"Well, no, and yes. Now that it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. " Suddenly Bilbo gets an angry look in his eyes. "It's mine, I found it. It came to me!" He yells and I clutch the clothes over my heart tighter. A pain in my heart began growing, as the air around us got more intense, so did the pain.

"There's no need to get angry." Gandalf tries softly but it only made Bilbo more angry.

"Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault!" He yells, now enraged, and I gasp a little, a small sting in my heart. "It's mine. My own, my precious." He whispers and I shut my eyes tightly, trying to ignore the pain.

"Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you?" It suddenly dawned on me that I could no longer deny my thoughts any longer when Gollum flashed in my mind. This was the one ring, the ring of all that was evil, the ring of Sauron.

"So?" Bilbo asked, suddenly protective of the ring, as he haunches over it, hiding the small ring. "What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?" Bilbo asks accusingly.

"I think you've had that ring quite long enough." Gandalf says in a demanding tone, he had made his decision.

"You want it for yourself!" Bilbo yells, point a finger at Gandalf. I clutch my clothes again and grind my teeth, the pain almost too unbearable. Suddenly Gandalf became almost taller than imaginable, it seemed, and the room darkened around us.

"Bilbo Baggins," His voice boomed around the whole house. "Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks!" Suddenly the pain spiked and I gasped lightly, falling to the floor, my back landing harshly against the wall as I clutch my clothes tightly.

"Oh, Aria!" Bilbo cries out with a shaky voice, frightened by Gandalf. He starts to rush towards me as Gandalf quickly turns.

"Aria!" Gandalf says worriedly as he gets on one knee before me. "What is wrong?" He asks hurriedly, looking me over.

"A pain, in my heart." I gasp out and Gandalf sighs before turning to Bilbo, as the intensity in the room begins to leave so does the pain.

"Bilbo, you must give up the ring. This is only one example of what the ring does to a pure heart, I fear your heart cannot take much more." Gandalf says quietly and Bilbo looks at me slowly, before sighing and nodding slowly.

"You're right Gandalf, the ring must go to Frodo." Bilbo whispers, then picks up his sack and walking stick.

"It's late, the road is long, yes, it is time." Bilbo decides as he begins to walk out.

"Bilbo," Gandalf says.

"Hmm?" He asks, turning around.

"The ring is still in your hand." Gandalf says and I slowly stand up.

"Oh, yes." He says quietly and looks at the ring for a moment before dropping it to floor, the ring making a loud clatter. It was then that he gave us one last smile before walking into the night air, humming happily.