Back in Middle Earth
After a full day of sailing, we reach the dock in the rustic city of Rivendell due to Gandalf’s magic. We all walk around the vacant city. As I come to the room in which I awoke both when stabbed by the wraith and ending my quest to destroy the Ring, memories of Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli flood into my mind. The beginning of the fellowship. The first attack after Borimir had tried to get me to give him the Ring. Our journey through the cave. They were and are my true friends, sticking by me even when the Ring brought so many evil things our way – death, orcs, Uruk-hai, wraiths, even the dark lord himself.
I see some giant eagles flying our way as I near the balcony. Gandalf must have called them. Gandalf appears in the doorway. "Memories, eh?" I look at him and nod my head. "Well, where to? The Shire?"
"No, Gondor first, and then the Shire."
"Oh, you want to visit with Aragorn and Legolas and Arwen?"
"Mainly Aragorn, but yes."
"Well, to Gondor it is, then. Bilbo knows, right?"
"Yes." I say silently, feeling happier inside than I have in a long time. Two years, five weeks, and three days ago, I would have been in the Shire, celebrating yet another of Bilbo’s birthdays that I celebrated even though he was no longer in our midst. It’s our birthday…I had nearly forgotten in all the excitement. What a nice birthday present! I am brought back from my thoughts by Gandalf speaking.
"We’re all heading over to Gondor. Then, I’ll accompany you to the Shire, stay for a day. I’ll leave to go find Sauruman, head back to the Shire, meet up with Elrond, and Bilbo, Elrond, and I – and maybe you – will leave."
"Must you go so soon?"
"Yes, I must, but you don’t know how long Elrond will stay. Perhaps my task won’t last so long and I’ll be able to visit the Shire." I put my hands in my pockets and look down. We walk out to the eagles and all of us get on. The rapid sound of air passing by my ears nearly deafens me, but I don’t care. I’m just excited to be going back to the Shire soon that I could be wounded and wouldn’t care. Perhaps not even a magical reappearance of the Ring could dampen my spirits.
A/N: The next few chapters are longer than this and the prior have been. Sorry for the shortness, but this was my first story...maybe I'll come back after the new bunnies stop attacking and I don't have tons of hw keeping me up til 1:30 a.m. (even though this was the first week). Thank you all who have reviewed. I really appreciate it.
Please, review. I would like to know what others think of this story.