Reader's Retribution

By: Aria Breuer

Disclaimers: All canon material from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and Turbine. All other canon material belongs to me, the authoress of this fanfiction parody.

*.*.*

Welcome to the first main story in the Item Insertion Parody Anthology. :) Conceptual ideas for this series came from Looney Tunes' "Duck Amuck" and Walt Disney's "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" – the animated short from the movie "Fantasia". The idea for this story was sparked by a random conversation between friends. Along the way, this series will weave events from the Prequel stories, for this same series, into the main trilogy.

This preface and Preface to Book Two, will be in third person. Afterwards, the prologue and interludes will be in first person, duet to the reader/OCs. The chapters themselves, with the canon characters and animal/OCs, will be in the third person. Okay. Let's get started. :)

*.*.*

Preface to Book One

Frodo looked out the wide window in Bag End's parlor. In all the time he'd been at Bag End, his mind drifted to his parents, who died in a boating accident when he was twelve. Would they be glad to see him and his progress? How could he cope with their loss?

And yet, his and Bilbo's birthday party drew near, unaware that this was the day that would change his life. Even in the most unexpected ways, his coming of age was important. Indeed, it was, for it also marked Bilbo's one-hundred and eleventh birthday. Frodo was happy for his cousin, even if it meant looking his best… wait. That was a good thing.

"Are you ready, Frodo?" Bilbo asked from down the hall.

"I'll be right there!" Frodo said, rushing over to help his cousin.

"This is a brilliant day, my lad. Here," Bilbo pulled out a velvet vest. "I believe these belong to to you." He revealed more velvet clothes. "Maybe they'll bring you luck."

"Thank you, Bilbo," Frodo said, smiling.

"Now. Let's head to that party," Bilbo said, rushing out the door. Frodo smiled, grateful for the gift as well. Yes. They would have a fun time. He was sure of it.

o-o-o

You can't win, brother, Mortar thought. He and his black cat brother Ester had chased each other throughout the Lost Realm of Arnor. It wasn't going to stop, not even when he narrowly careened a bolder at Ester.

Why not give up, Mortar, thought Ester. Not even a boulder can stop me. I know why you're here. What you want. You seek the One Ring. I know it calls to you, but let me help you.

Help? Help! Mortar thought, enraged. Even Sméagol has the One Ring, or is chasing after it. I need to find it.

But why? Ester thought this time. Is the One Ring so important to you? Your scratch toy? He shook his head. Don't do this. Come back home with me to our masters. It's what we both want.

Mortar turned to him. And what do you know about it? You left for the same reason as when we first left. You wanted to find me. You, my brother, of all people, of all wildlife. I'm seeking the One Ring and you cannot stop me. I'll see to that. Just you wait and see!

Mortar, don't – Mortar! Ester squeaked. He followed his brother, all right. Straight to the Shire's fair countryside. Oh, he had to stop his brother, before he did something? But how was to accomplish this goal? Well, he would find out soon enough what happened next.

o-o-o

Erita Rashkin stared out her bedroom window. She was nearly finished packing up for college. Her room packed with the Western and The Lord of the Rings theme supplies. Her favorite Lord of the Rings characters was Legolas Greenleaf, the very same elf who traveled with the Fellowship of the Ring. Oh, how she longed to see him.

At the same time, the one picture she had of Legolas, there was an additional back cat in the background. For some reason, this black cat looked familiar to her. Oh, how she longed to see her black cat again. Mr. Cuddle-Muffin was his name.

There. She was all packed and ready to go. Good timing, especially when there was a knock on her bedroom door.

"It's open!" Erita called. And so the door opened to reveal her mother, a woman with auburn hair and wearing a white wool jacket, green T-shirt and blue jeans. Erita was glad to see her, but for how long. "I'll miss you."

"You be good, Erita," said Mrs. Rashkin. "Now, have you got everything you need?"

"Yes Mom," Erita said, delighted.

"Then, let's get your boxes and we'll be on our way," Mrs. Rashkin said.

"Yes Mom," she answered. Even as she put her boxes and suitcases inside her car, she looked back one last time at her parents. She would see them again. Wouldn't she? If only she knew what happened to her black cat. Oh, where was he now? Would she see him again? Well, when looking back, she would find the answer out soon enough.

*.*.*

Thanks for reading. :)