He most certainly does!!
And if you know who has the ring, don't spoil it for everyone else!

Sweet!
I wouldn't dare! I will guard my thoughts as if my life depended on it, lock it up in a drawer and throw away the key... at least until you say who has the ring....
-Rach

Of course. keep it a great secret. But you won't have to keep silent for long. next chapter coming out soon!

Yay!!

Great chapter! Yeah, I can guess who has the ring

Good chapter! I like where this story is headed!
PAMS

Eviee.

Okay, new chapter! Hope you enjoy!



Chapter 14


I woke up the next morning groggy and yawning. What a dream! I thought. Then, I got up and out of bed, and looked in the mirror on the wall.

As I examined my bed-head, I noticed a red mark in the shape of a hand on my neck. I gasped. It wasn’t a dream. We had met an elf in the woods, and he had tried to kill me and my friends. And now I was going to spend my entire Saturday before Christmas holidays talking about our little adventure.

After I got dressed, and raced down the stairs, hoping that Tonks was out in the earthy common room. But she wasn’t.

I was very impatient that morning, so I did the only thing I could do; barge into the girls dorms and drag out of her bed if necessary. I shook myself, and began to run up the stairs.

As I was about half-way up, the stairs seemed to have magically formed into a slide. As I attempted to stay upright, my Hobbit feet failed me. I raced back downstairs, and I heard a girl screaming behind me. With a thud I hit the floor of the common room, and the girl who screamed crushed me further. “Well, now I had both a terrible night and morning.”

I turned around to find Tonks’ foot above my head. “Tonks!” I cried. “I came up to look for you! How come I couldn’t come up the stairs?”

“Because you’re a boy,” she answered simply. Her hair was brown today, and she looked sour.

I would’ve asked her about it, if I hadn’t already known the reason. She was still obviously traumatized by last night. I didn’t blame her.

We walked down to Hagrid’s hut together, and soon met up with Jen and Charlie. They weren’t looking at each other, standing very awkward side by side. They still weren’t talking. When would they understand?

When we finally reached Hagrid’s hut, Tonks knocked on the door. When she knocked, I saw a glint on her finger, but she quickly hid it under her sleeve.

Immediately we heard barking, and Hagrid opened the door while trying to hold Fang back. Now, after how Hagrid had saved our butts in the forest last night, I felt I could officially trust him not to step on me. No more Hagrid-phobia for me.

He poured us each a giant cup of tea, and sat down himself with a grunt.

“So,” he said. “What the heck went on last night?”

I stared at him nervously. I didn’t know what to say to Hagrid. How could I explain the entire history of Middle-Earth in a day?

Well, I thought I would start with my race. I then began to pour out the story of Hobbits and the rest of the lost races. I talked about the Ring of Power, and how there were other Rings as well. “And the one Ring that the Lalanos wants is the one who belonged to the Queen of Lorien; a beautiful elf-maid named Galadriel.” I finished.

They all sat in silence. Fang had somehow jumped on my lap while I was talking. Was my lap his favorite place to stay?

Charlie was the first to talk. “Well, that explains a lot.” He was looking at me up and down, and I think he was talking about my height. I smiled at this. Charlie was the best to break tension.

Jen scowled at him. “We have to be serious about this, or is that impossible for a Gryffindor?”

“Can’t you take a joke? Or si that equally as hard for a Slytherin?”

“Alright, that’s enough you two,” barked Hagrid.

Jen gulped. “I can’t believe it. An entire world we didn’t even know about. Now I know how Muggle-borns feel when they first find out about us. So, the Ring of Galadriel is the last remaining Ring in the world?”

“That’s what I don’t get. It went across the sea to the Undying Lands centuries ago. I think he must have brought it with him through the portals.”

“But then he said something about the old tales,” said Charlie. “What did he mean by that?”

I shrugged. “I think he was referring to one of the old poems or songs in some of the history books.”

“Okay, let’s go to the library. They have thousands of old books,” answered Charlie, getting up from his seat.

“I don’t think so,” explained Hagrid. “If we never learned of this… Middle Earth is it called? We wouldn’t have history books on it.”

Charlie sat back down in his chair, looking slightly disappointed. “But the real question is,” Hagrid continued. “who has the Ring?”

We all looked around. I hadn’t even thought of that. Which one of us did have the Ring?

Then I turned to Tonks. She hadn’t spoken at all since the common room. She looked up at us all like a cornered animal. “Tonks?” I said, half unsure.

“Fine, I have it. Please, just leave me alone!” She folded her arms and put her head down. I could see a glisten of a tear fall down her cheek.

Hagrid patted his huge hand on her back. “Now, Tonks we don’t want to get you upset. We’re sorry if we’ve made you uncomfortable, but this is a dangerous object you have. Please, just show us it, and tell us how you’d gotten it.”

Tonks raised her head to look in to Hagrid’s eyes. She smiled and put the Ring on the table. I could feel that she was reluctant to let it go, but I suppose the Ring hadn’t taken her too far.

It was a beautiful silver color with a diamonds studded around it. My eyes widened. “Mithril,” I muttered.

“What?” asked Jen as she too stared at the Ring.

“Mithril,” I repeated. “It’s the rarest metal in the world. That Ring could buy Hogwarts.”

Tonks gulped. “Do you remember that day that Professor Ports held me back after class?”

I nodded solemnly, and shivered at the thought of my secret grandfather.

“Well, he said to me, ‘you have to take this for me. It’s a gift from me to you. Keep it well hidden, and most importantly, don’t let anyone touch it!’ I then took the box he was holding out to me, quite confused, and opened it. And I saw it, and I immediately put it on. I felt some sort of surge of power come through me like a lightning bolt. It was… exhilarating, but terrifying at the same time. I don’t really want to talk about it.” She fell silent once again, and my head was spinning.

“Ports! That no good…” I couldn’t find the words to explain him. I jumped to get up, but was stopped during full speed by Fangs massive frame on top of me. Not only was he now my grandfather, but now he had put my friend in danger!

Tonks then put a soothing hand on my arm. “It’s okay Bandy. I don’t blame him trying to give it away.”

I soon calmed down. “So, what should we do?” asked Jen quietly.

I sighed. “I suppose over vacation, I’ll spend my time in the library at home.”

Charlie smiled. “Yeah, and maybe I could look into the Muggle library at home too. I’m sure my dad would take me. He loves Muggle stuff.”

“I don’t think they would have books on Bandy’s world in a Muggle library.”

“Actually,” I spoke very slowly. “There was a historian of Middle Earth who was a man. His name was Tolkein. He passed it off as fantasy, but it’s all true. It’s called Lord of the Rings. Maybe you can read it over break?”

“I could try,” muttered Charlie. “But, how long is it exactly?”

“Oh for pity’s sake, I’ll read it Bandy,” said Jen, after realizing that Charlie probably didn’t have a very good reading span.

“Well, that’s that you guys,” concluded Hagrid. “We’ll meet again after break?”

We all nodded, and he then got up, finally got Fang off of me, and began to usher us out each with our own rock cake (which really didn’t taste good).

But as Hagrid was closing the door to his hut, Tonks quickly put her foot in the door.

“What?” asked Hagrid curiously, staring at her small foot.

“Can I have it back now?” Tonks questioned, pointing at the table. And by that, we all knew what she meant; the Ring.

Hagrid smiled. “Oh yes, of course. Sorry about that.” He then picked up the Ring off the table. He was rubbing it in his hands lovingly. He began to stare at it as if it was a baby dragon.

But as soon as the look came across his face, it was gone. He then handed it to Tonks, and closed the door.

Tonks instinctively moved to put the Ring on her hand, put I stopped her by lifting my hand in between hers. “You don’t want to do that. We don’t want you getting further in. If you must keep it close to you, put it in your pocket.”

She sighed and put the Ring in her pocket that was over her heart.

As my three friends walked ahead of me, laughing and joking, I was pondering things. Professor Ports, Hagrid’s behavior with the Ring, Tonks and her troubles, and Jen and Charlie. I sighed.

I felt as if the world was looming over my head by just a string, and it was breaking.

Ooooh! Great job!
Don't have much time, so that's about all I can say, sorry.
-Rachel

ps. I'll leave more later if I find time

Great drama from the past couple chapters. Poor Professor Ports Oh. But I have the ring!!! Heehee.

Ooooh nice chapter I like
PAMS

Eviee.

Great chapter!
"“Oh for pity’s sake, I’ll read it Bandy,” said Jen, after realizing that Charlie probably didn’t have a very good reading span."

Ahahah remind you of someone?

And my favourite paragraph would have to be this: Immediately we heard barking, and Hagrid opened the door while trying to hold Fang back. Now, after how Hagrid had saved our butts in the forest last night, I felt I could officially trust him not to step on me. No more Hagrid-phobia for me."

Awesome job, Sar Pams!

Thanks Diana! Now I have a new name to add to my list! To my friends, I'm: Sahara, Secret Sarah Man, Sar-Sar, Severus (I don't look like him tho thank goodness!), and now Sar!
I'm glad you're enjoying it evryone! I'll post more soon I promise!

Oh my... I really am a horrid reader aren't I?

I confess I have to read the whole thing, but tomorrow it shall be read and commented upon.

~Abby

Great chapter! Please update soon!!!

Oh! Don't say that! You're a wonderful reader just for coming back!!!! Can't wiat to read your comment.

Oh, btw, Happy belated Groundhog's Day! Does anyone know if he saw his shadow?????

Well, I hope you enjoy! The format is a little awkward, but it won't let me fix it! I hope you enjoy, and if you have any questions about Aunt Firiel's accent, just ask. So here it is!

Chapter 15


When I had first heard the words “Merry Christmas!” I thought they were talking something about Merry Brandybuck and Chris Mass (whoever that is).

Hobbits don’t celebrate Christmas. We celebrate Yule, which is our New Year. We all gather in the clan hall, and tell stories and play games. Everyone different clan must wear a different color. And when you’re a mix of more than one clan, you have a sweater of the background color of the clan you were born into and then a stripe with the other clan of your ancestry.

My base was green, along with many others. Mine had a stripe of purple for my Took grandmother from Norway, and orange stripe for my great grandfather who was from Ireland as a Proudfoot. Many were much more colorful, since many had parents that were both Hobbits. However, I did have one more stripe; black for my mother. I was the only one with a black stripe.

My sweater was waiting for me on the couch as soon as I walked out of our Franklin stove after using Floo powder for the first time (not fun).

My dad was beaming on the other side, squashing me in a hug. “You’ve grown,” he whispered in my ear. I had grown, I suppose. I guess I just hadn’t noticed it being surrounded by Men two feet taller than me.

I looked down at my father. There was a tear going down his cheek, and I could feel the tears in my eyes too. I had missed four months of being with my father. We talked in letters, but it most certainly was not the same.

After hugging Dad, he made me put on my sweater, which I would have to wear outside until Afteryule 2, or January 2 in the calendar of Men. Together, we walked out of the cave, questioning each other about our lives, until we reached Rosie’s cave.

There they all were, in their Yule sweaters. Uncle Tolman, Aunt Firiel, and Rosie. Uncle Tolman had a green sweater, identical to my dad’s. Aunt Firiel’s base color was blue, which stood for the Fairbairn clan in France, and Rosie’s was a combination of both of their sweaters, many colors all knitted together.

Rosie embraced me as soon as I walked through the door. “We missed you Bandy! Thanks for writing!” I smiled at her.

“Wouldn’t dream of not writing.”


Well, throughout the holidays, and in between the festivities of course, I would go our hall of records. I went immediately to the second age, which was when the Ring of Galadriel was created. I knew all of the old stories and I had already read each of the books in the records at least once. I looked over again the most likely places, but nothing.

I would spend hours at a time in the hall of records, and Dad was becoming suspicious. He would occasionally walk in and bring me my meals, and Rosie would come in and keep on asking me to play soccer, even though we were surrounded by nearly three feet of snow.

And besides, I preferred staying in the hall of records, because the rest of the clan would always look at me funny. My black stripe seemed to be a big sign saying “hate me.” I knew of course they didn’t hate me, but when I was wearing my sweater, it was more obvious that I was different.

As I searched a black book with gold lettering on the front, it was the day before Yule. I heard a knock on the hall of records door. I told them to enter, and in came Aunt Firiel. Her curly golden hair was up in a bun. Uncle Tolman always told me that she was a prize back in her home clan of France, and that he was lucky to have her. I smiled. At the age of 35, every hobbit-lad goes out to each clan in the surrounding nations, searching for a bride. Uncle Tolman was somehow able to win Aunt Firiel’s heart, and so she came to Scotland.

“Hey Aunt Firiel,” I said, smiling.

“’Ello Bandy,” she replied. “I brought you your lunch. She held out a tray to me. On it was a chicken sandwich and an orange. We only get oranges occasionally, and because of Yule there were always treats like that.

“Thanks,” I said as I got back to my reading.

“Bandy, you need to get outside,” Aunt Firiel tells me. She was always a motherly figure. “You ‘av been reading too much, even more zan normal. Is there anything I can ‘elp wiz?”

I sigh. “No thank you Aunt Firiel, I—“I then pause for a moment. Of course! The Fairbairns had the Red Book! The Red Book!

Now, for a little back-up history on the Red Book. The Red Book was written by Frodo Baggins, a lot of it taken from the notes of Bilbo Baggins. Frodo then passed it down to my ancestor, as well as Aunt Firiel’s ancestor, Samwise Gamgee. But before Samwise left for the Undying Lands, he gave it to his eldest daughter, Elanor. IT has been in the hands of the Fairbairns for years.
Finally, I said, “Actually, I was curious; did you ever read the Red Book?”

I hold my breath as she ponders this. After what seemed like forever, she answered, “my father waz one of the ‘obbits who was allowed to study the original. ‘e would come ‘ome from work, and tell amazing stories ‘e ‘ad learned.”

“Did he ever mention anything about getting from Middle Earth to the Undying Lands?”

She stared at me suspiciously. “And why on earth would you want to know zat?”

“Just curious,” I said very quickly.

She sighed. “Zee only zing I ‘ave ‘eard of is by ship.”

“No other way?” I inquire.

“No ozzer way,” she repeats.

Heartbroken, I head back to the cave after I finished my lunch.

I would be going back to school in three days, and I couldn’t imagine telling my friends that I found absolutely nothing.
When I walked through the door, Dad was already cooking supper. We would be having a potluck in the Clan Hall, with the Yule log burning in the center.

My dad was baking chicken, his signature dish.

At 10:30, with chicken in tow, we met up with Rosie, Uncle Tolman, and Aunt Firiel, who kept on looking at me with a motherly-worry in her eyes. Rosie kept on reaching to hold my hand.

When we got there, everybody else had already arrived. All thirty of them. My great grandfather, Robin, was sitting in a large chair by the Yule log. We all surrounded him, dancing. Rosie constantly made me dance with her. I was the closest cousin to her age. The next closest one was 5 and still wearing diapers.

At 11:58, the folk music stopped, along with the patter of Hobbit feet. We all stood there, still as stone, waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

As soon as the clock struck 12, we all turned to Robin, who raised his glass and slowly said, “To the Seventh Age, 39!”

At that, the music started again, and we continued to dance, and I had a funny feeling this year would most certainly be different.

Awesome job Sarah!
Yeah, I don't think the year will be quite as he imagines it to be.
-Rachel

YAY!
Such a great chapter. I think this story is so great because the Hobbit story has given you such a strong storyline. It isn't really superficial, it does sound well planned. Not like you're just coming up with it as you write it sort of thing. It's great!!

Thank you very much Jess!!!!!!!!! I think the beautiful thing is is that I have about like 10 chapters locked up in Word right now, so I was able to edit prior chapters since I might change stuff over time.
Thank you readers!

New chapter!!!!!

10 chapters in Word? *stares greedily* Quick, get me a hacker so I can get into your files I like that you write ahead - unlike me. I do have the main plot ready but then I'm a badly slow writer and don't always find time to write ><

But anyway. I loved this chap! I think it's one of my faves, actually. All the Christmas-y feeling and stuff Pams!

Oh no you don't!!!
Actually, I think its more like 12 chapters, but I'm almost done! I'm soooooo excted!

great chapter!!! cant wait for more!!!

Thanks you guys!
Happy Valentine's Day to all my amzing readers!!!!! <3

Hey! Hope you all enjoy the new chapter!



Chapter 16


On what Men call January 2, I had to head back to school. My dad seemed to be taking it better this time. He was smiling. “Now be good, okay? Do well in your classes, and remember, you are only half wizard. You also have Hobbit within you my dear boy.” He hugged me again.

For one measly second, I wanted to tell him about Professor Ports. I think he deserved to know who his father-in-law was, but then I decided against it. It would break his heart if I had found another relative, no matter how cruel he was. Even if that relative didn’t even know it yet.

I had already said good-bye to Aunt Firiel, Uncle Tolman, and Rosie the night before, so I needn’t worry about them discovering anything of my magic. So I stepped into our Franklin stove, and found myself in Professor Sprout’s office.

“Aww… Gardner; glad to see you back. I hope you had a merry Christmas,” Professor Sprout greeted me. “Tonks is waiting right outside for you.”

“Thank you Professor,” I answered. With luggage in tow, I walked out of Greenhouse 4, and found Tonks just as promised, waiting for me.

She smiled grimly at me, and after what seemed like ages, she said, “Hey Bandy. Good to see you again. Did you have a good Yule?”

She knew that I didn’t celebrate Christmas, and I fully appreciated her not mentioning it.

“It was all right. How was your Christmas?”

“Not bad,” she answered.

I then looked at her right hand, “And um… is everything all right with…” I began pointing at her right hand as well, knowing what horror was upon it.
She quickly pushed her sleeve down her hand. “Nothing happened. Nothing.”
I was relieved. I felt nervous that she would be surrounded by people that didn’t know of her secret.

We made our way to the Hufflepuff common room, and we were soon unpacking. My other four roommates; Tong-u, Peter, Adam, and Rufus were already in our room. They stared at me. They had all become such close friends with each other, and I was the outsider. Not that we didn’t get along, it’s just that I had other friends outside our house that I would prefer to spend more time with.

After I had finished unpacking, I waited for Tonks to finish, like I usually do. When she came down, we once again went back to Hagrid’s, where we would be speaking of what we learned over the vacation.

Jen and Charlie again were waiting for us, and they actually having polite conversation.

Tonks and I hugged each of them, and we made the rest of the way together in the snow.

There was one problem, however, trying to actually walk through the snow; or at least for me anyway. You see, we had at least one foot of snow, and to you it most likely would go up to the middle of your lower leg, while for me, it would probably come up to the middle of my upper leg. Emphasis on the upper. At the end, Charlie had to carry me. “How many Christmas cookies did you have?” exclaimed Charlie as I rode him piggyback. Jen eventually took me, by the legs, to help Charlie’s load. I felt rather bad, but I just couldn’t walk in so much snow.

When we finally made it after the difficulty, Jen knocked on the door. Hagrid opened it, and offered us each a cup of tea. As soon as I sat in my chair, Fang got on top of me. What the heck was wrong with this dog?
As soon as Hagrid settled himself in his chair with a grunt, he looked at us and said, “Hope you all had a nice holiday.”

We all nodded and sipped our tea. We got down to business quick. Jen had finished the Lord of Rings trilogy, and Charlie had discovered the Tales of Tom Bombadil (which is a collection of poems) in the Muggle library. Tonks had read the Hobbit, and I had to tell them all that I sadly couldn’t find a thing.

They all understood, but they still seemed to be disappointed. I had the largest chance of finding the answer, and I failed. As the sun seemed to be setting, Hagrid said, “Good talk kids, but time to go. I wouldn’t want you to miss your dinner. Good night.”

He hugged each of us, and we headed out. I, being much crushed from the hug, was still rather dizzy when Charlie pulled me away from the girls. “Hey, tomorrow, after school, meet me at the Quidditch field. I want to teach you how to play.”

I looked at him, half amused and then half bemused. “Sure Charlie, why not?”

“Great, meet you there.”

Together, we walked back towards the girls, excited for the next day.