Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.

Finally, I emerged from the hobbits who ran around and shouted. Several of the wisest gave up, complaining that it was probably some foolish prank. As much as I wanted to believe them, there was a slight urge in my mind that thought otherwise. Sprinting, I made my way to Bilbo's hole. Which proved very difficult, in the dark of the evening. Eventually, I found it; the peak of light from the slightly open door gave it away as I saw the silhouette of my Father closing the door behind him. I ran up closer as I saw him get in the cart, holding the reigns.

"Father?" I shouted running to his side. I looked up at him, giving him my best questioning look, I just stared hoping I'd get the answer out of him. Soon, I felt tears rise within my eyes, ignoring them I let them slither down my cheeks. He held my hands tight.

"I have to go, but I promise you that I will come back for you. You shall live with Frodo." All this information sunk into my mind but the only response I could think of was why.

"Why?" I whispered, my eyes became misted with the continuing tears. He half-heartedly smiled, letting go of my hands. I felt a fold of parchment within them as I looked down. "Let me come with you!" I said quietly looking up. He sighed and shook his head.

"An ngell nîn lellig, Novaer." He spoke sadly before jolting the ponies forward. I watched in sheer despair as the tears carried on falling, never had he left me, nor did I know how long he would be. Unaware, of what to do at the moment, I made my way to the door and opened it to see Frodo carrying a small envelope. He nodded as he saw my tear stained cheeks and proceeded to a trunk of Bilbo's, leaving the enveloped object at the bottom of it. We remained silent for the rest of the evening, both completely shocked as to why both of our carers had disappeared so suddenly. Full from the party, I bid Frodo goodnight as he tucked into some tea, it had been too much for one night. The only thought that swam through my head was when I was to see Father again.

Seventeen years passed, seventeen years had I lived within the Shire. Seventeen years without my Father. I opened my eyes as the morning sun began to rise; its warm glow entered my room. I had actually been quite accustomed to sleeping at night. To start off it was a nightmare; Frodo would wake up himself thinking I was just not a heavy sleeper. It took several years before I had plucked up the courage to tell Sam, Merry, Pippin and himself what I was. Typically, Frodo and Sam did believe me, quizzing me with many questions mostly of my travels. On the other hand, Merry and Pippin rolled about laughing not believing me until I sat and stared at them confused. I told them all of my past, being found as I'd been told my Father, growing up within many places, tales until they all were entertained. I explained why I would glow at night and sparkle lightly within the day, I told them I had not aged in years and that I was over a thousand years old. Overall, they believed me, and yet the four of them had become very good friends of mine, sharing stories of their own.

I stared at the ceiling, not that it interested me, but I found myself doing nothing else. Finally, I managed to get up, still half asleep I wondered towards the bathroom I used and looked into the mirror. I had only aged by about two years; I looked the same as I did all those years ago. Many of the hobbits, especially the women, had become suspicious of me, saying that I should be married with children now, even if I did look younger. I still had waist-length hair that grew nearly down to my ankles before I decided to cut it. It remained it original white colour. Knowing, that hobbits didn't age very much, Frodo remained similar too, to him today was just another day, as though he didn't even give Bilbo and Father a second thought. Nowadays, I spent the days alone, if not with the four hobbits. I didn't like being seen, I would always be questioned, and sometimes insulted by the mothers as they saw me walk. I spent my day practicing bow and arrow in a far off clearing, using trees as targets. Now and again I practiced my sword skill. It was my least favourite weapon, though handy, I thought them too heavy for my hands. From my little boat ride with Frodo, I learned to enjoy the water and would take myself off for little rides. I remained in the Shire, though my heart yearned for me to go distant.

When I was fully awake, I quietly dressed not bothering to wear anything special. Over the past years, I had experimented to make my own dresses which in the end resulted terribly. So instead, I just wore the dresses I brought but washed them now and again. The one advantage of living here was that unlike some men I had met, Frodo didn't treat me as a typical woman of the house. We helped each other out whatever it was. That day I plaited my hair, something I hadn't done since travelling with Father, before emerging to the kitchen to start on breakfast. Frodo didn't rise until around 10 o'clock. We made small talk over our plans in the day; Frodo was planning on visiting Sam as he'd not seen him due to a small break Sam decided to have. I responded, I wouldn't be doing barely anything, maybe cleaning the house. I told him this as he smirked at my lack of enthusiasm.

"Come to the Green Dragon tonight, you never come out as much as you used to!" He complained standing up. I never felt like it, the furthest I got to adventure was studying one of Bilbo's old maps or sticking an arrow into a tree. I felt like a bird, trapped within a small cage. I smiled.

"Maybe I will." He nodded and opened the door. To my surprise, he waited before turning back around. He looked thoughtful for a while until he spoke.

"You know Willow, I never believed in Stars, Dwarves or anything like that. But do you think some might come to the Shire? 13 dwarves came when Bilbo lived here!" I narrowed an eyebrow at such a statement.

"What has you thinking of that?" I replied curious.

"I was just wondering, wouldn't it be exciting? See you later!" He called before running out of the house leaving the door wide open. Chuckling, I left my seat and walked over to shut it. Rosie Cotton, who just happened to be walking past, smiled and waved. I waved back at her, glad to know there was one female hobbit that didn't think of me as insane.

"Hello Rosie!" I called as she closer towards the hole.

"Willow, gosh it's been long, where have you been?" Slightly confused by this question, I settled for a simple answer.

"Around, the rivers are calming." I nodded as she smiled probably agreeing. "Anyway, would you like to come in for some tea?" I asked politely, missing my little friend.

"I am dreadfully sorry, I cannot at the moment, and I have to run a few errands!" She sighed holding up a shopping list; of course it was market day today. I sighed and nodded.

"Oh yes, well don't let me disturb you!" I smiled walking slightly back into the hole.

"Goodbye, oh Willow! Come to the Green Dragon tonight! I am serving and it would be lovely to catch up!" She finished. I nodded and smiled, confirming that I would. True, I hadn't been around for a while; I wouldn't be surprised if some thought I was dead. Swiftly, I grabbed a basket and some coins and made my way down to the market.

The shire hadn't changed in the slightest. There were still some that were ploughing the fields, some still smoking there pipes while they played chess, children still ran around playing tag within the trees. Everything was still lovely. I ignored some of the confused faces that looked at me; nothing obscure had happened to me, I was still here.

"Willow? You still here?" I heard the cackling voice of Mrs Proudfoot. She was a very sincere woman with large wrinkles decorating her pale face. I turned to look at her; she looked me up and down in disgust as though I was a raw fish in a dress.

"Yes." I replied bluntly. I never hated a soul, but Mrs Proudfoot was one I very much disliked. She nodded and looked down at my basket. I swiftly hid it from her sight, knowing that she was preparing for another comment. Instead, she walked off her head held high in the air as her husband watched from her.

"Don't mind her love; it's just that no one had seen you in a while." He said raising his pipe to his lips. I nodded, understanding. I wished him a quick goodbye before resuming to my shopping. The day proceeded slowly; I had managed to buy several items for myself including Frodo who I know was planning on shopping himself. Soon, it was early evening and I found myself putting my boots on before we walked to the Green Dragon. It was a merry place for a merry gathering. Full of songs and drinking yet you would always find the friendliest there. Funnily enough, not many of them seem surprised to see me there, I later found out some had taken bets.

"Here she is lads! Knew she hadn't gone!" Someone shouted as I sat down at a table with Sam, Merry, Pippin and Frodo. I laughed slightly embarrassed before taking a large gulp of ale from someone who'd given it to me. I looked up at Rosie who smiled and patted my shoulder as she walked away. Yes, I was taller than the hobbits but the Green Dragon was quite a large pub, as long as I didn't jump up and down, I assumed I would be alright. A small band was assembled in the corner, preparing for a hearty song. As it so happened, Merry and Pippin were prepared too as they ran and jumped onto a centre table, chanting the words of a popular drinking song I had heard many times before.

"Hey! Ho! To the bottle I go.

To heal my heart and drown my woe.

Rain may fall and wind may blow,

But there still be many miles to go.

Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,

And the stream that falls from hill to plain.

Better than rain or rippling brook...

Is a mug of beer inside this Took!"

The whole pub exploded in applause as they bowed. I sighed knowing that they were very drunk; as it so happened they both had fallen off the table with a large THUMP! But on the table we sat at, the elders were not as amused as they blew their smoke with sincere looks on their faces.

"There's been some strange folk crossing the Shire. Dwarves and others of a less than savoury nature." He finished looking up at me. I frowned back at him.

"I understand Master Hobbit that I am not a usual mortal nor am I an elf on that matter, but what I am seems to be no business of yours." I hissed at him, ignoring the reassuring hand of Sam on my shoulder. I was completely ignored before another hobbit on the table piped up.

"War is brewing. The mountains are fair teeming with goblins." I decided to ignore the whole conversation all together. Goblins were vile creatures, a bad omen. Even if war was upon us, I didn't know how the sweet Shire could be involved. The worst one of them could do was being late for second breakfast. Eventually, we decided to leave as large groups began bustling out. We left a worried looking Merry care for Pippin as Frodo, Sam and I walked passed Rosie wishing her a goodnight. A drunkard behind us started mildly flirting with her as she looked at him strangely.

"Mind who you're sweet-talking." Sam hissed as we turned around to watch the hobbit stagger off into the dark. I placed a friendly hand on Sam's shoulder as Frodo comforted him. Rosie would have to be blind if she didn't choose Sam over that hobbit. As we made it to Bilbo's hole, we bid Sam a goodnight before we opened the large green door. I frowned, something didn't seem right. I placed a finger to my lips and shushed Frodo as he turned to look at me. Slowly, we crept into the home, holding our breaths before a hand reached out and grabbed my shoulder. I spun sharply, letting out a small squeak of a scream as I looked at the deranged face of my Father. I exhaled slightly.

"Is it secret? Is it safe?" He whispered panicking to Frodo. Before I could question what he was talking about, Frodo had opened a chest in the hall. He emerged into the lounge where we were sitting, giving my Father a small envelope. The same envelope he had hidden seventeen years ago. Almost immediately, he threw it into the fire. I narrowed my eyebrows, standing up as I watched Frodo approach.

"What are you doing?" He said, his voice covered with curiosity and fear. The parchment of the envelope soon started to wither within the flame, showing a small golden ring. My body tingled as I felt the blue glow rise within me. Even though the room was dimly lit, I couldn't help but shine, watching my skin as I did. A pain shot through my head, just as it had at the party. Stumbling, I sat down rubbing my temples. Looking up briefly, I saw Frodo scan the ring.

"Wait, there are markings, some form of elvish?" Curious, I stood up and looked at the ring from behind Frodo's shoulder, there were indeed markings. Circling the whole ring. "I can't read it." Frodo admitted as he continued to twist the ring around with his small fingers. I watched as my Father stood to his back to us.

"There are few who can. The language is that of Mordor." Mordor? The land of darkness? The home of worse evil spirits than goblins and orcs.

"Mordor?" Frodo and I said at the same time, turning to look at him. Father froze then nodded, his face plastered with concern.

"In the common tongue it says; one ring to rule them all, one ring to find them. One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."He spoke as though he regretted those words as soon as he spoke them. After that, we agreed to sit down together. While I made a cup of tea for us all, Frodo and Father sat down in silence before I had finished pouring them.

"Well?" I spoke, the curiosity building up inside of me. Frodo nodded looking at Gandalf as he sucked on his wooden pipe.

"This is the One ring. Forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself." He said the smoke billowing past his face as he looked at the ring that sat in the middle of the table.

"Bilbo found it-" I said taking a sip of my tea. Father nodded before turning to Frodo.

"In Gollum's cave." The young hobbit said in surprise.

"Yes, for sixty years the ring lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age. But no longer Frodo, Willow. Evil is stirring in Mordor. The ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call." He finished before placing the pipe back within his mouth. Sauron, he was killed was he not? Frodo had obviously been thinking the same thing as he cried out.

"But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed." Then we heard whispering. A language coming from the ring. I turned to look at it but turned away as the whispering blasted within my ears, emerging out of the other.

"No Frodo, The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His Orcs have multiplied. His fortress at Barad-Dûr is rebuilt in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this Ring to cover all the lands of a second darkness. He is seeking it, seeking it - all his thought is bent on it. The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it." Father finished dramatically as we all stared at the ring. How can a small piece of jewellery cause such distress within the world?

"Alright." Frodo said grabbing it and standing up. Eagerly, we followed him through the halls of the hole. Curious as to what he was planning. "We put it away, we keep it hidden, and we never speak of it again." I followed not sure that hiding it would stop the world coming to an end.

"No one knows it's hear do they?" I asked turning to look at Father. Frodo considered this and turned around as we saw the wizard stumble.

"Do they Gandalf?" The Hobbit asked concerned. I looked into my Father's blue eyes beckoning for him to tell us. He swallowed and nodded straightening up.

"There is one other who knew that Bilbo had the ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum but the enemy found him first. I don't know how long they tortured him. But amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words…" I looked up at worried, this could not be true.

"Shire! Baggins!" Frodo cried as he gripped the golden circle within his palm. "But that will lead them here!" There was silence for a moment for us to mull over everything. Soon after, Frodo jerked his head up forcing his hand towards my Father who like myself, took a step back.

"Take it Gandalf!" He cried desperately. Ignoring the rejections of the grey pilgrim he carried on. "You must take it!"

"You cannot offer him this ring!" I cried looking at Frodo softly, he couldn't. Frodo looked at me for a second before pushing his hand closer to us.

"I'm giving it to you!" He cried, small sweat beads appearing on his little forehead.

"Don't tempt me Frodo!" Father shouted, watching as Frodo retreated his hand away. "I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe. Understand Frodo, I would use this Ring from a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine." He spoke, his voice softer now. Still, Frodo seemed thrown with the entire idea.

"But it cannot stay in the Shire!" Frodo carried on. Father agreed as I took a small step towards Frodo. I smiled and rubbed his shoulder comfortingly before he looked up from where he'd been focussing on the floor.

"What must I do?" He whispered.

AN: Wow, long chapter. Whoops. Thank you for reading good sir or madam, whichever you may be.

Elivish: Please my daughter, Farewell.