We arrived at the party just as the sun had set over the Shire. I messed with my hands nervously, looking around for Frodo with every chance that I got, hoping to spot a curly, dark-haired, blue-eyed Hobbit somewhere in the growing crowd.  

  "Elysia," said Darren Moonstone, my father. I snapped out of it, realizing that we'd reached the front where Mr. Bilbo stood. 

  "What has gotten into you, Elysia?" my mother, Eruraviel, demanded.  

  I blushed. "Sorry," I quickly apologized before greeting Mr. Bilbo. He was shaking hands with everyone who came by, and he quickly brightened up when he saw me. 

  "Miss Elysia!" he said, his voice full of enthusiasm as he shook my hand. "Lovely to see you! Lovely! I assume that you're looking for my nephew?" he added in a quiet voice. "I could see you looking around for him while you were in line." I blushed, unsure of what to say. But that seemed to have confirmed Mr. Bilbo's answer, as he chuckled knowingly. "Alright, Miss Elysia. I won't keep you long," he said with a small smile. "You might find him hanging around in the pavilion with his friends."

  "Okay," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Mr. Bilbo!"

I was quite thrilled that the elderly hobbit didn't make fun of my crush on Frodo the way Merry and Pippin did.  And with that, I hurried into the party, weaving past the people who were milling around, chatting, laughing, and eating. I finally ran into Frodo. Well, running is a bit of an understatement. I bumped into him, and nearly tripped, if he hadn't grabbed my hand to make sure that I wouldn't slip. I noticed that an arm went around my waist, and I immediately blushed. 

  "Whoa. Careful there," he said with a grin. 

  "Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going," I admitted, grinning shyly. 

  "It's alright. It was an accident. You didn't mean it." He paused, setting me upright. "I suppose that you were looking for me?"

  I blushed, looking down. 

  "Yeah. . . . I guess." 

  "Well, Elyse," said Frodo as he held his arm out to me. "Would you like to dance with me?"

  Just as he asked that question, a lively tune came on. As he held his arm out to me, I blushed. While Frodo may be strange (in the best way), he's also quite the gentleman. 

  "I would be delighted," I answered, my voice a little too breathy. 

  He grabbed both of my hands and led me to the dance floor. Hobbits around us began to gather around and dance. Frodo twirled me around and I felt as though I was on cloud nine. We chatted and laughed throughout the night. Our conversation ended whenever a large firework creation, in the form of a dragon, swooped down upon the party. 

  "Elyse! Watch out for the dragon!" said Frodo in a frantic voice. 

  "What dragon?" I insisted, confused. 

  But he didn't answer. Instead, he pulled me to the ground for protection. Once the firework had exploded, everyone applauded, except for me. I shook my head in disapproval. I had an idea of who was behind that bloody prank. 

  "Are you okay?" Frodo asked in an anxious voice as he helped me up. 

  "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," I answered as I brushed myself down. "Are you?"

  "Yeah," Frodo breathed as he eyed me up and down.

Through the corner of my eye, I could see Merry and Pippin being hauled by the ears towards the kitchen by none other than Gandalf the Grey. Their faces were ashen, and I had a feeling of who was behind the dragon fireworks display that terrified everybody.

  "Excuse me," I apologized before excusing myself.

  I walked away from him and went to find Merry and Pippin, who were already handwashing the dirty dishes that were used for the party. Pippin was the first to see me and he gave me a triumphant grin. 

  "Hello, Elyse,"  he said cheerfully. "Did you enjoy our show?"

  "What the hell were you two thinking?!" I burst out in an angry voice. "You know better than that!"

  "What?" said Merry in an easy voice. "We couldn't resist! And, besides! Don't tell us you didn't enjoy it, because I know that you did."

  "Oh, shut up!" I scoffed. I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at the duo in front of me. "You should learn to control yourselves! And that's it! I'm done with your pranks!"

  And with that, I stormed away from them. I was so angry at my friends that I did not notice the chaos that was currently going on around me, until I heard Frodo's frantic voice. 

  "Elyse! Elyse!"

  His voice caused my anger to subside. I turned to look at him. And, as usual, my heart skipped a beat or two. But I immediately became worried when I saw how scared he looked. 

  "Frodo?" I asked in an anxious voice once he approached me. He held onto my arms, his eyes seemingly searching for someone. "What is it?"

  "It's Uncle Bilbo," he answered in an anxious voice, and I noticed the tears in his eyes. "He's gone."

  "Gone?" I echoed. 

  "I don't know how to put it," he sighed, looking devastated. He ran his fingers through his hair. "One minute, he was giving a speech. A second later, he was gone! I'm afraid he's left me already, Elyse."

  Tears began to collect in his eyes. 

  "Hey," I whispered in a soft voice. I brought my hands up to his face, cupping his cheeks. I got him to look at me. "I'm sure that your uncle wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Would he?"

  "It just depends on if he's in a hurry or not," he admitted. 

  "Why don't you go check and see if your uncle has left. Do you want me to come with you?"

  Frodo looked very relieved, and his shoulders relaxed. 

  "Yes, Elyse. Please."

  And with that, he took my hand, and led me to Bag End. Frodo began to call out Bilbo's name in an anxious voice. He finally swung open the door leading to Bag End, stopping when his foot touched something. He bent down and picked it up. 

  "He's gone, hasn't he?" Frodo murmured sadly, as he walked over towards Gandalf. "He talked so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd actually do it. Gandalf?"

  Gandalf came out of his reverie, and stared at the ring in Frodo's hand before looking up at him with a tight smile. 

  "Bilbo's ring," he finally said. "He's gone to stay with the elves. He's left you Bag End." He held open an envelope for Frodo to put the ring in. He hesitantly did so before dropping it into the parchment. Gandalf immediately sealed it. "Along with all of his possessions." He handed it to Frodo. "Keep it out of sight."

  Gandalf got up and began to collect his things, as though he was about to leave. 

  "Where are you going?" Frodo demanded. 

  "There are things that I must see to," Gandalf answered.

  "What things?" Frodo insisted. 

  "Questions. Questions that need answering."

  "But you've only just arrived! I don't understand."

  Gandalf paused at the door before turning to face the two of us. 

  "Neither do I," he answered, startling the both of us. He put a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Keep it secret. Keep it safe. And Elysia?" He added to me. I gave him my full attention as he, too, put a hand on my shoulder. "Do not let Frodo out of your sight. Keep him safe. Protect him." 

  I nodded. 

  "You have my word, Gandalf," I answered in a sincere voice.

  And with that, he left. Frodo stared at the envelope in his hands, with a look of distraught and confusion on his face. I walked over towards him and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned to face me. I saw that he had the slightest smile on his face. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging the troubled Hobbit reassuringly. 

  "Don't worry, Frodo. Gandalf knows what he's doing," I reassured him. "I'm not going to leave you, okay? I promise." 

"I know," Frodo mumbled into my neck, sending a strong wave of shivers throughout my entire body. "I trust you, Elysia."