Chapter 4

Mood: Silly
Events: You really expect something amazing to happen on a TUESDAY?!
Weather: Dull as usual
What's Playing? : The Automatic : Monster (At least it would be if this computer had sound!! Grrrrrrr!)


and before i begin i would like to take a bow...

Chapter 4

A letter fell onto the doormat with a slap. Frodo plodded out of his bedroom dressed in a crème nightgown. He picked up the letter and eyed it suspiciously. He recognised the writing but did not know where from. He carefully turned it over and looked at the red seal at the back , some kind of rune was imprinted. It was like none he had seen before. He opened it and the parchment felt smooth and new , the ink flowed across it like water and the words were carefully laid across the page. He began to read the letter to himself.

Dear Frodo and Bilbo,

I have decided to pay Bree a visit and I will be arriving in the Shire shortly after ten o’clock on September 22nd. I look forward to your party which promises to be a big success. I, of course , will be bringing some presents and gifts of my own. I think you know of what I speak dear Bilbo. Until then,

Gandalf

It was a long time since anyone had seen Gandalf , he was seldom seen in the Shire. Frodo had already guessed what his gifts were , fireworks. One of Gandalf’s specialities and nobody had seen a firework display as magnificent as Gandalf’s. Only the very old had seen one and even they were too young at the time to remember. He was very excited but felt he had to keep it a secret or else the whole of the Shire would know , especially if Pippin found out about it!
A rat-a-tat-tat was heard by the door and Frodo turned round to see who was there , and there stood Bilbo with a smile on his face. He was a happy looking hobbit , his eyes perky and his cheeks red but he did have an aged look , grey hair and carved lines on his forehead. It was quite strange that a hobbit coming up to the age of 111 might be so young looking and many people had been nattering about it. People had said that it wasn’t right and it was unnatural but he just took it that they were jealous of his ‘good fortune’ and made no more of it.
“Frodo my lad!” He walked up to him and hugged him. “Put on the kettle will you? I am dying for a cup of tea. He pout his hat onto the seat and sat down.
“Where have you been?” Frodo asked. He wandered into the kitchen, filled up the kettle and put it onto the stove.
“Oh yes , well , that’s quite a story. You see I went out on one of my long walks and I came across some elves on my way and , well , I couldn’t help but follow them. So they led me back to their camp where we had a tremendous feast with all kinds of food like you never could have imagined. I stayed with them for a while and they told tales of far away land sand I fell asleep. As soon as I woke up I felt I should come home at once and , well , here I am!” He noticed the opened letter on the table. “I see we got some post this morning , anything important?”
“Oh yes , a letter from Gandalf. “He replied passing him the letter. Whilst Bilbo read it Frodo went into the parlour and brought out a cake for them to eat.
“Well! What good timing! I haven’t seen Gandalf since , well , I can’t remember when! What a surprise that will be to everybody! Although many people seem to think he made a bit of a mess of things last time he came here. Oh well. They are to see what a magical wizard he is this shall be a party to remember. How have you been getting on since I have been away?” He asked, taking a slice of cake.
“Oh , quite well, I have had quite a few replies to the invitations , it seems as though everyone is able to come. I don’t see why they wouldn’t this is the most important party of the year I feel!” They sat down together and ate. Frodo savoured every mouthful. Once they had finished eating , Bilbo brought out his big red book and went through the invitations with Frodo one by one.
It was the morning of the party and the Shire was buzzing with gossip. Carts of boxes had been going through the Shire and the field by the party tree was starting to look spectacular with tents and decorative , colourful banners. Bilbo and Frodo had been up to their eyeballs in invitations , food and drink and were worn out. Sam , Merry and Pippin had been helping too for they felt that they could not allow their friend to do all the work by himself. They had worked it out to be 144 people coming , a number made by adding the age of Frodo (It was his birthday too , he was coming of age) which was 33 , and Bilbo’s age , 111. This was well known as being One Gross. A term not usually applied to hobbits. Whilst the whole of the Shire were decorating , nattering and getting ready for a massive party , two brothers were in a bit of a predicament.

Denethor had been ranting for about an hour now and Faramir had to nudge Boromir to keep him awake. For some reason he was talking about a council in Rivendell that Boromir was sure that he was making up.
“And Elrond requested that I send one of you to Rivendell for a council, now I want you to find out what this Elrond is up to. Okay? Boromir , are you listening?” He woke with a start and glared at Faramir.
“Yes , I’m listening father.”
“Okay, well I would like someone, I don’t care who, to come back and tell me what Isildur’s Bane is doing in the UNCAPABLE HANDS OF A HALFLING!”
What?! Isildur’s Bane? Halflings?! I thought Isildur’s Bane was destroyed or lost and I didn’t think Halflings even existed!”
“Well clearly you haven’t been listening then have you?! I just explained that. Isildur’s Bane has been found and that is what I have been told. The Halfling brought it to Rivendell with a Ranger called … Strider.” Boromir tried not to laugh at the name. “What is funny? Are you laughing at me boy?!”
“Where is the Shire?” Faramir asked.
“That I do not know.” Denethor replied.
“Well thanks for being so specific.” Boromir added.
“Don’t you DARE mouth back to me. Who do you think you are?”
“I am Lord Boromir, Captain of Gondor and it is my duty to train soldiers but instead of training them I have to listen to you. Believe it or not father , that is a lot more important than your moaning.” By this time his father seemed to be breathing flames scorching Boromir’s backside with his flaming hot breath.
“Right! Okay then! I’ve decided that seeing as you have “better things to do” then you can go to Rivendell then at least you won’t have to listen to me and my “stupid ideas”.
Faramir looked to his brother with a pleading look. He couldn’t keep Osgiliath safe all on his own , nor could he look after his demented father come to think of it.
“But father , I didn’t mean-“ Boromir started.
“No. That’s my final decision. Go and prepare. You shall ride out as soon as possible. Faramir you can help him. The brothers bowed and left. Their faces were full of dismay and devastation at the thought of leaving each other for such a long time.
“Don’t worry brother.” Said Boromir reassuringly. “Everything will be alright. I won’t be there long and you will be just fine here.” He patted Faramir on the shoulder. They made their way to Boromir’s room so that he could pack his things for the long journey.
“Are you crazy? I’m not going to be fine , father hates me and there is no way I could secure Osgiliath on my own. It took you long enough didn’t it.”
“Of course you’ll be okay. You’ve got your ranger friends and I have never seen a more skilled archer. Come on mate , pull yourself together! I can’t leave my baby brother all depressed and gloomy. Besides , who secured Ithilien? See , now you just run along and get my horse ready and I’ll be down in a second.”
“No , I’m not going to be okay because I am coming with you. You’re always the hero , why can’t I be for once?” As Boromir looked at him there was an understanding between them. “Alright. But you’ll have to go quietly, I don’t want to think about what dad will say but you and I are old enough to make our own decisions now. Go and pack and I’ll meet you by the stables."

To be continued...