Frodo stared in amazement at the beautiful elf Elseth, followed by Sylas and Elroth.
He had heard stories of Sylas from Uncle Bilbo and had always been deeply impressed, but he had never seen him in person. Now, looking at Sylas's youthful and handsome face, together with the elegant, mysterious, and dignified presence surrounding him, Frodo instantly associated him with the wizard lord who had once subdued a dragon.
The two elves, Elseth and Elroth Sylas, carried an elegant and noble air, their features bearing a clear resemblance to Sylas.
Sensing Frodo's gaze, Sylas, who had been speaking with Bilbo, turned his head, met Frodo's eyes, and gave him a warm smile.
"You must be Frodo, right? I even held you when you were little. I can hardly believe you've grown into such a fine young hobbit."
Sylas looked at Frodo with the fondness of an elder. Then he pulled out a small gift box.
"This is a little something for you. I hope you like it."
"Thank you, Uncle Sylas," Frodo said, taking the box after Bilbo gave him an encouraging nod.
In truth, Frodo had received birthday gifts from Sylas every year, but the two had never managed to meet in person, so they weren't complete strangers.
Frodo's parents had died when he was fifteen, drowned while boating on the River Brandy. For several years afterward, he was raised by his mother's family, the Brandybucks, until Bilbo adopted him as his heir when he turned twenty-one, bringing him to live at Bag End.
Frodo opened the gift box. Inside was a brooch shaped like a white leaf.
Sylas explained with a gentle smile, "This brooch is enchanted. It will protect you if you're ever in danger."
His gaze lingered on Frodo, filled with complex emotion.
The shy hobbit before him hardly resembled the protagonist of the epic history, destined to shoulder the burden of destroying the One Ring and ending Sauron forever.
Although Sylas had never met Frodo until now, he had been watching over him from afar.
According to the original timeline, Frodo's parents should have died when he was twelve. Sylas, knowing this fate, could not stand by and watch the child become an orphan, not only out of compassion but also because Drogo Baggins was his friend.
Unable to recall the exact date of the accident, Sylas gave the Baggins couple a protective magical artifact. It saved them from drowning the first time, allowing them to live until Frodo was fifteen.
But perhaps fate had already cast its judgment. The couple eventually drowned in the Brandywine River again despite the protection.
Frodo's mother, Primula Brandybuck, was the daughter of the Brandybuck family's patriarch. After her death, Frodo lived with her family, growing up alongside his cousins Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took.
Since Bilbo Baggins never married and had no children of his own, he eventually chose Frodo as his heir. Although Bilbo possessed the Elixir of Immortality gifted by Sylas, allowing him to live indefinitely, he was content with a simple life and had no intention of living forever. He intended to enjoy life until he felt ready, then cease drinking the elixir and let himself age naturally until his final rest.
To prevent greedy relatives from claiming Bag End after his eventual passing, he decided to name an heir of his own choosing.
The orphaned Frodo soon became the perfect choice. Bilbo spent years proving his sincerity to the Brandybuck family and eventually gained their trust, as well as Frodo's.
For decades, Middle-earth had remained relatively peaceful, with Mordor's power dormant and hidden. Sylas spent most of this time at Hogwarts, immersed in study and meditation.
But in recent years, he felt the turning of fate once again.
Seeing Gandalf visit the Shire and Bag End more frequently, Sylas guessed that the wizard had made his decision.
Though Mordor was quiet and seemingly concealed, the One Ring, kept by Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest, was growing increasingly active, even trying to call to its master.
The One Ring's influence could not affect Tom Bombadil or Goldenberry, but in Tom's eyes, an object constantly releasing dark and evil power was no different from having a dangerous contaminant sitting inside his home.
After all, no one wants something foul and tainted sitting in their home.
If it weren't for the promise he had made long ago, to safeguard the One Ring, and Goldenberry's constant gentle persuasion, Tom Bombadil would have already tossed the Ring far away, simply to keep his forest clean.
Even so, every time he saw Sylas or Gandalf, Tom Bombadil would complain, asking when they were finally going to take the Ring away.
With the Ring's growing activity, its connection to Sauron had become stronger as well, to the point that even Bombadil's strange immunity could no longer suppress its influence completely.
At the same time, the Ring's resurgence was a clear sign that Sauron's power had grown significantly.
If Sauron ever sensed the Ring's true location, he might attempt to reclaim it at any cost.
But Tom Bombadil did not belong to any faction, nor did he take part in the struggles of Middle-earth. Sylas, Gandalf, Elrond, and the others could not drag him into a war he had no interest in fighting.
Therefore, they had already discussed various ways to deal with the One Ring, including securing it properly or even destroying it entirely before Sauron reconnected with it.
The problem was that even Galadriel and Gandalf did not dare touch the One Ring. They did not even dare stand too close to it.
Only Hobbits possessed the unique nature and mental resilience needed to resist the Ring's corruption.
This made Hobbits the most suitable candidates to wield the Ring.
However, most Hobbits lacked the courage and adventurous spirit required for such a burden.
The Tooks and Brandybucks were exceptions, possessing boldness and curiosity, but they were often too impulsive and lacked the calm reasoning needed to resist the Ring's influence.
Bilbo Baggins was the perfect balance. His mother was a Took, giving him courage and curiosity; his father was a Baggins, giving him stability, resilience, and common sense.
This dual heritage made him courageous without being reckless, adventurous without losing rationality.
He was the ideal Ring-bearer.
For many years, Bilbo was the only suitable candidate.
But after he finally let go of the One Ring, after resisting its temptation through sheer will, he refused to touch it again. He wasn't sure he could resist it a second time.
Gandalf and Sylas refused to force him. They would not place such an unbearable burden on an old friend.
It wasn't until Frodo's appearance that Gandalf saw new hope.
...
Read chapters ahead at keepsmiling818 P@reon