You smile briefly as you write about your journey...

[Some Time Later]

{Third Person}

Thunk! Thalia smiled, watching her arrow smack right on target, a tree. She was on the slopes of Erebor, practicing her archery. If Mom caught me here I'd be roast beef! I cannot understand why she doesn't want me to become an archer. During her pondering, she walked toward the tree to retrieve her arrow. As her hand reached forward to pick the arrow she heard a sudden 'caw!' behind you. Thalia swung around and exclaimed "A message raven!"

Thalia watched the raven land on a branch to your left. Noticing a note secured around its neck Thalia gently removed it and started to read...

~~~To Lord Thorin of Erebor, King Under the Mountain, of the Seventh Dwarven Kingdom of Middle-earth~~~

We send the best of wishes to you, King under the Mountain. However, Middle-earth is in great peril;

The Dark Lord Sauron has taken up residence in Mordor. There he is gathering many armies, for the time will soon be ripe for this new conquest of Middle-earth. We have, as the free peoples of middle earth but one choice, to fight. I, Lord Elrond, have called a council, in Imladris. New-found information, of the most pressing nature, may lead us to a way of defeating the Dark Lord. I propose you send one of your most trusted courtiers to join us at in Imladris for the council.

~~~High King Elrond, Lord of Imladris, King of the High Elves~~~

"Oh! I must get this to father immediately," Thalia decided as she dashed down the slopes of Erebor to the gates.

As she was about to open the door to the Throne room Thalia got a thought; What if I don't give the message to Father, but keep it. I could go and pretend to be the courtier... Moments later she bursted into the castle's kitchen and started stuffing food into her bag. Suddenly, she heard person laughing behind you, "Thalia? Thalia, is that you? What are you doing?"

"Who uh, me? Uhh nothing!" Thalia smiled guiltily as she hid the bag behind her back. "Nothing at all Mr Frár."

"Really, Thalia? I thought we were good enough friends that you would tell me all your new schemes!" Frár laughed. "Are you playing a prank on someone or just stealing food?"

"No, this is much more serious." Thalia grinned mischievously.

"Oh?" Frár questioned.

"Yes, if you want me to give you the scoop, you have to promise not to tell Father for at least ten days." Thalia said.

"Huh... okay, fine," Frár promised.

"I'm going to a council held by Elrond as our representative! That is why I am here, I'm getting food for the journey!" Thalia said seriously.

"Hmmm, I'm guessing I can't talk you out of it?" Frár asked.

"Nope." Thalia replied.

"Okay. Well, I had better get cooking then." Frár grumbled.

"What? Why?" Thalia demanded.

"Well, I'm not letting you go unless you have enough food for the journey!" Frár insisted.

[Two Hours Later]

As Thalia turned her back upon Erebor and started to ride she thought; I hope Mom and Dad forgive me for leaving. Thalia mentally shrugged, "Whatever, focus on what's ahead not behind!"

[Meanwhile in Bag-End]

{THIRD PERSON}

As Gandalf scanned the inside of the house, the front door creaked open, Gandalf swung around to see Frodo,"Is it secret! Is it safe!" Gandalf whispered hoarsely,

"Gandalf!" Frodo said completely ignoring what Gandalf said. "What're you doing here?"

"Frodo, where is the Ring?" Gandalf asked gravely.

"Oh, it is right over here!" Frodo said as he walked toward a crate under his window.

When Frodo lifts it up for Gandalf to see it relief flows over him.

[Time skip brought to you by Gandalf explaining things to Frodo]

"...This is the one Ring, Frodo, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron." Gandalf said.

"But it cannot stay in the Shire!" Frodo cried.

"No, no. It cannot." Gandalf grinned.

"...What must I do?" Frodo asked.

"You must travel light, go cross country, don't go on the road. And Frodo?" You demanded.

"Yes, Gandalf?" Frodo asked.

"You must never put it on." Gandalf said and then he smiled. "My dear Frodo, Hobbits are truly amazing creatures, you can learn all there about their ways in a month and yet after hundred years you still surprise me!"

Suddenly, there was a noise outside the window and Gandalf whispered, "Get down!"

Frodo dropped to the floor and Gandalf slowly moved toward the window, staff ready. As Gandalf got to the window he struck with the speed of a panther, the reply was a rather loud yelp. Gandalf sighed and reached out the window and only to lift Samwise Gamgee up through the window, "CONFOUND IT ALL SAMWISE GAMGEE! HAVE YOU BEEN EAVESDROPPING?" Gandalf roared.

"I haven't dropped no eaves, sir, honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there if you follow!" Sam cried.

"A little late for trimming the verge don't you think?" Gandalf raised his eyebrows.

"I heard raised voices," Sam said timidly.

"What did you hear? SPEAK!" Gandalf snarled.

"N-n-n-nothing important, that is I heard a good deal about a Ring and a Dark Lord and something about the end of the world. but, please Mister Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anything... unnatural." Sam stuttered.

"No?" Gandalf chuckled. "Perhaps not, I've thought of a better use for you!"