Frodo and (Y/n) made their way through Imladris. While Sam had cooked breakfast, she had sat with Frodo, Merry and Pippin; the cousin's taking great delight in telling her of the wonders of the Shire and their journey so far. Both of them vying for her attention by making each story bigger and grander than the last, to the point where they had begun to act out their tales. The witch chuckling as she watched the pair. Frodo just shaking his head, as he moved to her side and pushed his hand underneath hers. It as if he felt safe with her, as if somehow, she comforted him, and she had to admit that she found him strangely comforting, too. Her hand softly squeezing his, as Merry and Pippin began to speak of what had happened at Weathertop; of how the Nazgul had come for them. Of how the heir of Isildur had appeared, as if from nowhere, with a sword in one hand, and a fiery brand in the other, sending the dark riders back, screeching into the night from whence they had come; but not before one had managed to stab Frodo with a Morgul blade. And that the only reason that he was still alive, was because the daughter of Lord Elrond, had managed to get him to Imladris in time. The black witch feeling the hobbit move closer to her side, as he relived the awful events of that night. The cousins apologising, as Sam shouted at them to stop, as he told them that they were upsetting Frodo. (Y/n) unable to stop herself from smiling at how loyal Sam was to Frodo; how he was never far away from his friend's side, even when he wasn't supposed to be. The dark-haired hobbit, giving her a soft smile and reluctantly letting her hand go, as Sam, despite her assuring him that she was not hungry, handed her a plate filled with food.

As they ate, (Y/n) doing her best to discreetly push the majority of the food onto Merry and Pippins plates, hoping that Sam would not see; she had managed to ask Frodo about the Ring. About how a hobbit from the Shire that had never previously been beyond its borders, had come into the possession of such a thing. Frodo wrapping his hand around the golden object that hung from a chain around his neck, before telling her that it was because of cousin, Bilbo. That it had been he that had gone on an adventure many years before and had found it then. The witch surprised to find out, that this Bilbo was with them in Rivendell right now; and that was where Frodo was taking her. (Y/n) about to meet the hobbit that had found the Ring that should have been destroyed, three thousand years ago.

"Bilbo." Frodo said quietly. I obvious that he did not want to shock the white-haired hobbit, that was sat looking out over the great waterfall. (Y/n) feeling a smile pull at her lips, as the elderly hobbit turned to look at his visitors.

"Frodo, my boy." Bilbo smiled cheerily. His smile seeming to get a little broader, as he turned his attention to the female by his cousin's side.

"And whom might this be? Please my dear, why don't you come and join me........" Bilbo continued, moving a little further along the white marble bench and patting a spot next to him. (Y/n) smiling down at Frodo and nodding to him in thanks, before making her way over to the elder hobbit and taking a seat.

"Beautiful, isn't it.............?"

"It is. I have seen much of Middle-Earth over my long life; but Imladris has to be one of the most perfect places that I have ever been.........." The witch replied, Bilbo humming in agreement, before turning his attention to her.

"If you don't mind me saying, you are not an elf of Rivendell, nor one of Mirkwood; you are not cold or aloof enough for a wood elf. Nor are you dwarf or hobbit, and although you appear more like a daughter of men, I don't think you are............"

"You are quite right, Master Baggins. I am none of those things. I am the same as Gandalf; his kin as it were........."

"So, you are a wizard........?"

"Well, I am more a witch.......and I was hoping that I could ask you about something........?"

"A witch you say, hmmmmmm. Gandalf never mentioned a witch when I asked if there were any other wizards, all those years ago; but I suppose as you are not a wizard, he wouldn't have mentioned you. And of course, you can ask me anything that you wish. Who am I to say no to one as beautiful as you.........." Bilbo mused, patting her hand. (Y/n) quite able to see that Frodo had inherited some of his sweetness from his cousin. Or perhaps it was just true what they said, and that most hobbits simply tended to have the sweetest of natures; (Y/n) having to admit that Sam, Merry and Pippin were just as lovable as Frodo was.

"Frodo told me about the Ring. That it was you that found it.........."

"The Ring.......my Ring. Yes, yes........." Bilbo said, as he reached into his waistcoat pocket.

"I had it.......I am sure.........." He continued, now taking to patting his other pockets.

"Frodo has it, Bilbo. He is looking after it. I was just hoping that you could tell me more about it. How you came upon it." (Y/n) explained. Bilbo nodding, as if he had recalled that he was no longer in possession of the accursed object. His wrinkled fingers pushing through his pale hair.

"It was a long time ago, and I am afraid that my memory for certain things is not as it once was........."

"Well, perhaps, I can help you with that; if you will allow it." The black witch interrupted. Bilbo looking at her for a moment, before nodding. (Y/n) taking his hand and holding it gently. The hobbit watching in disbelief, as the skin on his arm began to become smooth. Bilbo feeling a blush of youth fill him, as he looked up at the woman by his side. His fingertips touching his face, and a gasp leaving his lips as he felt no line or wrinkle from age.

"How...........?" Bilbo began. His voice sounding as youthful as he felt.

"I told you, Bilbo. I am a witch; though I am afraid that this will only last for as long as I am holding your hand. Now, why don't you tell me about the Ring..........."

                                                     >>---------------------------------<<

(Y/n) sat and listened as Bilbo explained about his quest with Thorin Oakenshield and his Company; amongst which, Gimli's father, Gloin, had been. He told her about the rock giants, and how they had taken shelter in a cave in the Misty Mountains; and about how the floor of that shelter had given way and they had plummeted down into the unknown. But whereas the dwarves that he had been with, had found themselves surrounded by goblins; he had come across a creature that he called Gollum, and it had been in this odious creature's lair, that he had first come upon the Ring.

"I wish you had been with us." Bilbo suddenly said, as he looked back at her. His hand squeezing hers slightly.

"I am sure that if we had had a witch, as well as a wizard on our quest, then Thorin.............then perhaps things might had ended differently." A single tear being quickly brushed from his cheek, as he recalled the deaths of not only Thorin, but also of Fili and Kili.

"I think that you would have liked them.......the dwarves. And I am sure that they would have liked you. Though I doubt that Thorin and Dwalin, in particular, would have admitted to it." Bilbo continued, trying to sound cheerier. (Y/n) smiling, as she imagined the Company bathing in the fountain, and the look that had been on Lindir's face, at the sight of thirteen naked dwarves, frolicking in the water.

"I am sure I would have.........."

"You will look after him, won't you.........? Frodo, I mean.........." The hobbit interrupted.

"I will, Bilbo. You have my word. I will do all I can to keep him safe. You are a very brave hobbit, and so is Frodo. And though I could not be with you and the Company, I can be with Frodo." She replied. Bilbo feeling his fingers slip from her palm. His hand once more going up to his face, to find that his aged visage had returned.

"I hope to see you again, once this is all over." (Y/n) added, as she slowly got to her feet.

"And thank you.........." Bilbo's eyes closing, as the witch leant over and placed a kiss to his head. The pale haired hobbit smiling and nodding, before turning his attention, back to the waterfall.