"Why if it isn’t Frodo!" The man said putting down his mug. He came around the desk and stood before Frodo taking his small hands in his.

"What brings you here dear friend? So many years have passed since I last seen you here with your father."

"That they have Aldamar." Frodo replied softly. "Too many years. I never meant to stay away so long dear friend."

"So where is the old rascal?" Aldamar replied looking around. "Did he come with?"

"Nay." Frodo whispered. "He sailed over the sea a few years ago never meaning to return."

"I am sorry to hear such news." Aldamar said as he let go of Frodo’s hands. "Such sad news indeed…but who is this here, this shy young lad hiding behind you."

Frodo laughed to himself and looked over his shoulder at Sam who had his hood pulled down over his face.

"That is Sam, Samuel Boffin to be more exact. He has not been away from the Shire nor had the pleasure of being around the big folk. He’ll open up once you get an ale in him." Frodo replied.

"Ale!" Sam shouted taking down his hood. "You never told me they served drink at this inn!"

"It must have slipped my mind." Frodo said turning to Aldamar with a wink. "But anyway, it is nice to see you again after all this time. Ten years must have slipped by since I last came here with my father."

"I do believe it has been that long." Aldamar said looking into the common room. "Come now, sit before the fire so you can warm yourselves. I’ll get you both an ale and then we can sit and talk among ourselves until you find the need for rest. It has been some time since I’ve been able to have a good chat with old friends!" Aldamar then led Frodo and Sam to the common room where he sat them in two wooden chairs near the fire. He soon returned with two mugs of ale handing the larger of the two to Sam.

"Since Frodo let it slip his mind that we served ale, I thought this would make it up to you." Aldamar chuckled as Samuel took the mug in his hands. The creamy froth rolled over the top of the mug and down Sam’s hands as he put the pint to his lips taking in a deep drink. Frodo laughed as Sam’s face disappeared into the mug until it was finally drained dry. Frodo then looked back to Aldamar who was sitting on a stool in front of the fire. Aldamar took a pipe from his pocket and lit it taking in small puffs as he looked out into the crowd that had gathered in the Pony.

"So what brings you to Bree at this time of year Frodo?" Aldamar asked as he drew his pipe away from his lips.

"We’re on our way to pay a visit to some old friends of my father. I believe he had told you of them on one of his many visits. Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took."

"That he had!" Aldamar replied. "They have been here on a few occasions with your father. If I remember correctly Mr. Took is quite fond of his pints. But it has been some time since I seen them here. Is everything well?"

"I wish it was." Frodo replied. "King Elessar sent word last night that they are nearing their time. They called for my father but they do not know he has left. That is why Sam and I are riding to Gondor."

Sam looked up from his empty mug hearing his name. He turned to Aldamar and seen that the smile was slowly fading from his face as he looked around the room cautiously.

"There have been foul happenings south of here." Aldamar said quietly leaning close to Frodo and Sam. "Three men alone were found dead and five others wounded by arrows in just the last few months. All I shall say to you is keep to the south road and never steer away from it at any cost. The road is well guarded but if you fall away from it you will be on your own."

Sam looked to Frodo his face full of fear.

"I know the road well." Frodo replied softly looking back to Aldamar. "Many years have gone by since I last traveled that way with my father but I will do all I must to save myself and Samuel from harm."

"Your father taught you well dear Frodo." Aldamar replied. "If it was not my place to stay here at the inn I would go with you but since my father Rowin has passed my grandfather’s inn is now under my care."

"I understand." Frodo replied. "We will take care to stay to the road and I shall send word to you and my dear Hanna once we reach Gondor."

"Then take care and travel well!" Aldamar replied standing up from his stool. "I should take my business back to the front desk for the night. I will be awaiting your arrival here at the inn along your journey back home!" Aldamar said raising his mug to Frodo as he walked away. Frodo then looked back to Sam. His face was full of worry.

"Fine mess we seem to have landed ourselves in." Sam said with a sigh. "Just our luck to be heading that way.

Right out of the frying pan and into the fire I say. I sure hope you know what you’re getting us into." Sam replied looking inside his empty mug.

"All we have to do is stay to the path. In no time at all we will be riding into Gondor safe from all harm."

"I hope so." Sam muttered into his mug.

"Come now Sam." Frodo replied putting his hand on Sam’s back. "You shall see. Let us go to our rooms and rest. We will head out first thing in the morning after breakfast."

Frodo then stood up and made his way through the common room with Sam following slowly behind. Deep within Sam was beginning to wonder if following Frodo was such a good idea after all.

In the morning a soft knock came upon Sam and Frodo’s door of their room at the inn. Sam opened his eyes and looked to the bed next to him. He sat up quickly looking all around seeing that Frodo was no where in the room. He then heard a faint mumble come from the floor and he leaned over the side of his bed. There lying on the floor between the two beds was Frodo. He had a pillow pulled over his head and his blanket wrapped tightly around him. Sam laughed to himself and came down from the bed going to the door. He opened it and found Aldamar standing there smiling brightly.

"Good morning to you Samuel." Aldamar replied. "I hope that I have not woken you."

"You did." Sam said quietly. "But it was for the better. If you had not come along I may have slept the day away in the comfort of that bed." Samuel laughed.

Aldamar smiled and looked into the room.

"Is Frodo awake yet. I wished to see him before you set out."

"Not yet." Samuel said looking back to the beds. "It seems he had quite a rough night. I found him lying on the floor between the beds when you came knocking. He was talking to himself a moment ago but I should wake him. He hates missing breakfast as much as I do." Sam laughed.

"Does he now." Aldamar replied coming into the room. He then walked towards the beds stopping at the foot of them. He smiled seeing Frodo lying on the floor still mumbling in his sleep. Aldamar bent down and took hold of Frodo’s foot giving him a quick tug. Frodo sat up quickly looking all around his eyes open wide. Sam burst into laughter seeing the look on his dear friend’s face as Aldamar jolted him from his sleep.

"Come now Frodo you have slept the whole day away!" Aldamar replied amid the tears of his laughter. "Why you have missed breakfast!"

"And second breakfast too!" Sam added with a hearty laugh.

Frodo looked up at Aldamar and then to Sam who was smiling brightly. The look of surprise soon came away from his face and a faint smile crossed his lips.

"Why you two, I should skin you both!" Frodo replied shaking his fist at Sam and Aldamar. He then stood up throwing his pillow and blanket back up onto the bed. "Miss breakfast bah!" Frodo mumbled looking out the window. "The sun isn’t that high in the sky."

"That look!" Sam laughed as he came to Frodo. "It surely put a smile on my face at the start of the day!"

"That it did!" Aldamar replied putting his hand on Frodo’s shoulder. "It was just a bit of fun. You have not missed breakfast nor second breakfast at all. I just wanted to come by to bid you farewell before you set off."

"That was kind of you." Frodo replied. He then looked to Sam shaking his finger at him. "But next time he means to wake me like that I should expect a fair warning from you!" Frodo laughed.

"Aye." Sam said as he blushed. "But it was a lovely start to bring to our long journey ahead."

"It was." Frodo replied. "Some time has passed since I seen you laugh as you just did. I can only imagine the look on my face when I jumped from my sleep."

Aldamar smiled and put his hands on Frodo and Sam’s shoulders.

"Well I must bid you farewell now dear friends." Aldamar replied. "Take care and may you ride safely to Gondor."

"Your words will comfort us on the way." Frodo replied. He then reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a piece of folded paper. He held it in his hands for a moment and then handed it to Aldamar.

"Can you see that this gets to Hanna. Tell her that I will send word once we arrive in Gondor."

"I shall send it this afternoon." Aldamar replied.

"Thank you dear friend." Frodo said taking Aldamar’s hand in his. "We will return to the Pony while on our journey home."

"I shall see you then." Aldamar replied placing his other hand over Frodo’s. He then let his hand go and made his way to the door. "Until we meet again." Aldamar said looking back to Frodo and Sam. Aldamar then left the room. Sam looked to Frodo and a deep sigh passed his lips.

"So this is it." Sam replied. "The first day of our journey."

"That it is." Frodo said looking to Sam. "That it is."