A/N: Ashley-muse (a.k.a Crazy-muse) came to visit. I got forced into starting this earlier than I wanted to. Firs chapter basically introduces the characters that you'll be seeing lots of. Lemme know what you think of it since I pawned two days away on this. I think it's okay. Please review!
Chapter One
Two friends, Ashley and Tori, were sitting on the sofa; watching Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Rings. They had just begun the movie as it was storming outside pretty bad and the cable went out. "Look, it's Gandalf the grey!" Tori said. "I wants to have epic skills like him," she pouted.
Ashley put the bowl of popcorn she was holding on the spot between them. "Why would you wanna be an old guy? Elves or hobbits for the win," she said, shaking her head slightly.
"At least you're the height of a hobbit."
"I'm taller than a hobbit, thanks very much!" Ashley threw a piece of popcorn at Tori as they continued to watch the movies.
A loud boom of thunder startled them both, causing them to jump. Tori shrieked and Ashley knocked the popcorn bowl over. "Holy crap."
"Wait a second. Lightening comes after-"
A flash of lighting could be seen throughout the living room and a loud crack that sounded close by scared them once more. Both hid their faces in their hands at the sound, not wanting to see the damage that the bolt of lightening left. "Oh my god…"
"What?" Ashley asked as she pulled her hands from her face cautiously. She saw they were sitting in a grassy field. "Whoa…"
Tori stood up and glanced down at Ashley. She gave her a puzzled look. "What's wrong with your hair?" Tori asked before shrieking again. Ashley looked at her and noticed she looked different. Tori was wearing a long, white, elegant dress. She moved her arms around and the sleeves flowed around her. Tori twirled around slowly and said, "Yeah… I think it's safe to say something happened."
"Your hair's longer too," Ashley said awestruck.
"Well look at yours! It's all wavy."
"Wavy? What are you talking about?" she said while rolling her eyes. Ashley ran a hand through her hair. It was a teensy bit shorter and very wavy. "Why's my hair wavy!" she shouted as she stood up. Tori began to snicker once she stood. "What's so funny?"
Through her snicker, she said, "You're… You're shorter than usual."
"…You do look taller," she told her in a low tone. "But… Holy smokes! Look at your ears!" Ashley felt her own ears. "Ack! Look at mine! Our ears are pointy!"
Tori seemed calm and pinched the bridge of her nose. "At least I've still got my glasses," she said.
Ashley rolled her eyes and looked at the ground. "I don't have any shoes…" She pouted, realizing she was wearing a green skirt that stopped above her ankles along with an orange and yellow short sleeved bodice-like top. "This is just nuts. Quick! Slap me to see if we're dreaming."
She looked at her with hesitation, then shrugged and slapped her short friend. Ashley stumbled back and shook her head. "Doesn't look it like it," Tori said.
"Curses! Maybe it has something to do with the lightening?"
"Maybe, but for now we should figure out where we are."
Ashley gave a swift nod and pointed to a path she noticed. Tori shot her a knowing smile and they departed down the dirt road.
---
(Ashley POV)
The two continued down the long path. "Where does this lead?" Ashley groaned. Tori just snickered as they noticed a sign. It read: 'Hobbiton ahead.' Her eyes grew wide and she shot a pleading look to Tori. "Can we go? We could ask Bilbo Baggins for help."
Tori shrugged with a small nod, which made Ashley hoot and holler while jumping around. "Act a little normal…"
"Oh hush. You're acting all calm and tranquil. Just cause you're an elf-"
"If we wanna fit in, it's the only way. Who knows how long we'll be here."
'I hadn't thought of that…' "True. Okay. Sorry…" She let her head drop a little before perking up again and saying, "Off to the Baggins' place!"
They began off again and found themselves immersed in the Shire within minutes. Hobbits were all over, doing daily chores or sitting at little vendors. There were a few curious stares and whispers over Tori. "Yeah… This blending is hard," she whispered to Ashley.
Trying to distract the townsfolk, Ashley would wave to some of the onlookers and smile at them. "C'mon. We can't dillydally." She caught eye of a dark curly haired hobbit with blue eyes. She recognized him from a mile away. "Frodo!" Ashley called.
"What are you doing?" Tori snapped quietly.
"Getting us to Bilbo's quicker," Ashley hissed back.
Frodo turned and looked over at them. He nodded to the woman he was talking to and approached them. "Hello." Frodo glanced up at Tori. "Strange to see and elf in the Shire. Are you lost?"
Tori nodded her head from side to side. "Kind of."
"And you," Frodo said, looking at Ashley. "I haven't seen you around before."
"Are you sure?" she pressed. "Because I'm your cousin on your grandmother's side."
He looked at her curiously. "Really?"
She just nodded. 'I hope he believes it…' Ashley glanced up at Tori, then back to Frodo, who was smiling.
"Well come on then. Can't let a Baggins' wander in a strange place. I'll take you to Bilbo's."
Ashley shot Tori a winning look. 'Jackpot.'
---
(Tori POV)
It only took about five minutes or so for Bilbo to lead the two to Bilbo's house. Once they arrived, Frodo knocked on the door. "This is exciting," Ashley whispered to her.
Tori just pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose and shook her head with a small laugh. The door opened and Frodo said, "Uncle!" The two hobbits hugged and Bilbo looked at Tori and Ashley curiously.
"Well what do we have here? An elf and a hobbit?" Bilbo looked at Ashley and said, "I haven't seen you around the shire before."
"She said she is a Baggins', uncle," Frodo added.
His face lit up. "A Baggins'? Well come in then. Tell me, how are you a Baggins'?"
"Um…"
'Oh no… She forgot what she said.' Ashley looked at Tori with a questioning look. "She's a cousin on her grandmother's side." Ashley let out a breath and sent a grateful look to Tori.
Bilbo looked at Tori and said, "And you are?"
She paused, trying to think of a name. 'Something that fits… Something that fits…' "My name is Torelian Serinde."
"Ah." Bilbo crossed his arms as he sat down in a chair by a fire. "And where are you from?"
"R-Rivendell," she stammered. The house was small and Tori had to bend down so she didn't hit her head. She sat against a wall on her knees. Ashley sat beside her comfortably. She was the right size for the house, being a hobbit and all.
Frodo stood by Bilbo and said, "What is your name?" He looked at Ashley.
She smiled proudly and said, "My name's Ashlyn Baggins."
Tori watched as Bilbo and Frodo exchanged looks. "As a matter of fact…I think there is a Baggins' by the name of Ashlyn," Frodo said. "She's telling the truth."
"Well why wouldn't I tell the truth?" she asked.
Holding back a laugh, Tori gave her a nudge. Bilbo smiled at the two and said, "I'm sure I can find you two some accommodations by nightfall. Why don't you show them around Frodo?"
Frodo smiled and said, "Alright." He walked over to the round door and Ashley got up to follow him. Tori had to be careful as she stood, but she hurried out the door to catch up with the two hobbits.
---
(Ashley POV)
They walked through Bag End and into Hobbiton with Frodo telling them what was what and who lived where. When they reached an arched stone bridge, Ashley shouted, "Let go in the fields!" She took off, looking over her shoulder to find Tori behind her and Frodo trailing close behind her. Ashley laughed and dash into the tall grass. 'Wow. It's up to my waist!'
"Ashlyn, look out!" she heard Tori shout.
She just rolled her eyes and continued to run. 'Now we have to go by the names all the time?' "Wahh!" Ashley shrieked as she ran into someone. When she looked, she noticed it was two someones. Ashley sat up and winced. "Jeeze, watch where you're going," she said smoothing her green skirt down.
"Maybe you should watch where yer goin'."
"Yeah. You were the one runnin'."
Ashley looked up slowly. 'Could that be?...' She set eyes on two hobbits. One was in a white long-sleeved shirt and yellow vest with brown pants; the other also dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt, but with a checkered scarf and green jacket. The only other difference was their hair. The one in yellow had slightly more curl to his hair. "But you ran directly into me," she retorted with narrow eyes.
"Ashlyn, what happened," Frodo trailed off. "Hello Merry, Pippin."
Ashley looked over her shoulder at Tori and Frodo, then back to Merry and Pippin. "You're Merry and Pippin?"
"You can bet your lunch on it," the one in the scarf said.
"Which one's which?" Tori asked.
"Well I'm Merry," the one in yellow said.
"An' I'm Pippin," said the other.
"Who are they?" Merry asked as he stood, glancing at Frodo. Pippin was also standing up.
Both held out a hand to help Ashley up. She took their hands and they pulled her up. "I'm Ashlyn Baggins," she told them with a smile. 'Oh my god. I get to talk to my favorite characters in the whole trilogy!'
"Oh, a Baggins?" Pippin asked. "We might be related then. I'm Frodo's cousin twice removed on his mother's side," he said in his Irish sounding accent.
Ashley looked over her shoulder at Frodo and said, "Uh…maybe?" She grinned at the two hobbits. "So why were you running?"
Merry and Pippin exchanged looks. "Uh…"
"Well you see…"
"We sort of played a joke on –"
"Samwise Gamgeee," Pippin finished.
Merry elbowed him in the side. "I wanted to tell 'em, Pip." Pippin just shrugged with an innocent look. "So what's with the uh…elf?" he asked Ashley in a low tone.
"Excuse me," Tori said, "I have a name."
Pippin crossed his arms. "Oh yeah? What's it?"
Ashley looked over her shoulder at Tori as she said, "Torelian Serinde of Rivendell."
'She's getting better at the elvish-ness. Even after what? An hour or so?'
"MERIDOCK BRANDYBUCK! PEREGRIN TOOK!" someone shouted from atop of the hill behind Merry and Pippin.
Their eyes went wide and both of the hobbits said, "Uh oh." They dashed off and Merry shouted, "G'bye!"
"See you around," Pippin called over his shoulder.
The assumed Samwise Gamgee came dashing down the hill, panting. "Where'd they go?" he asked Frodo. He looked at Tori, then Ashley. "Who-"
Ashley sighed. She pointed to herself and said, "Ashlyn Baggins." She pointed over at Tori and said, "Torelian Serinde."
He smiled and held out his hand. "Samwise Gamgee." Ashley shook his hand and laughed.
"What did they do this time Sam?" Frodo asked as he approached the other hobbit.
"They put flowers and dirt in my bed. Jus' caus' I'm a gardener don't mean they gotta make fun."
Ashley patted Sam on the shoulder. "It'll be okay Samwise. A gardener's a great job. Plus, I'll get 'em back for ya."
"You will?"
"Sure," Ashley smiled.
"T-Thanks I think," Sam said. He gave a nod and said, "Bye Mr. Frodo," before turning and walking back up the hill.
Ashley turned around and put her hands on her hips. "Well we've been having such an eventful welcoming I believe."
"You have," Frodo chuckled. He looked up at the sky, which Ashley noticed was turning a lovely shade of orange when she looked up; and said, "Bilbo should have a place for you now."
"Let's go check," Tori spoke. The three turned and walked back to the arched stone bridge. They crossed and noticed Merry and Pippin waving from behind a shed. They all waved back before hurrying through Hobbiton back to Bilbo's little home.
Frodo knocked on the circular door and opened the door. "Uncle?" He pushed open the door once there was no response. "He must not be home…"
"But I am home, Frodo my boy," they heard Bilbo say. He was standing outside, a couple steps behind Tori. "I have found a place for you two to stay. There's a small inn owned by the Took's just down the road. They have a room for both of you."
Tori smiled and said, "Thank you so much Mr. Baggins."
"We truly appreciate it," Ashley added.
Bilbo raised his hands in protest. "Please, please. Call me Bilbo."
"We don't have any money so are we going to-"
"Don't worry Torelian. They said no need for payment. They're happy to have company. Frodo, they must be weary. Why don't you take them over quick?"
"Okay," Frodo said as he put his hands into his trouser pockets. "This way," he said as he walked past Ashley and Tori down the cobblestone steps of Bilbo's home.
---
(Tori POV)
The walk to the Took's inn didn't take long. Frodo parted with them once they got into the little building. Tori had to crouch down once more as they walked in. "Excuse me," Ashley said as she walked up to what looked to be a front desk. "Bilbo said we should come here?"
The woman behind the counter said, "Oh, you must be Ashlyn and Torelian! Welcome." She stepped out from behind the counter. "Follow me. I'll show you girls to your room."
Tori followed them, crouching carefully under the archways. The room was the first one they encountered in a short hallway. Ashley poked her head in the room and said, "Thanks so much Mrs. Took."
She nodded and said, "And if you'd like some food, just come into the dinin' room."
"Thank you," Tori said quietly as Mrs. Took left them.
Ashley walked into the room and Tori carefully made her way in the room. "Cozy," Tori said with a smirk. She pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose and sat on the edge of one of the hobbit-sized beds.
Ashley bounced down on the one across from hers with a grin. "Isn't this the coolest thing ever?"
"Are you talking about the room or our situation?"
"Hmm… Both!" She frowned and said, "I'm kinda hungry."
"Did we have popcorn before we got here?"
Ashley just gave a small smile. "I'm a hobbit Tori. You do remember they have big appetites, right?"
Tori just laughed and nodded. "Go. I'm going to turn in." She looked at the bed and added, "Or at least try to." Ashley was already up and out the door by the time she finished her sentence. With a shake of her head, she took her glasses off and curled up into a ball on the small bed.
---
(Ashley POV)
She walked out of the room and frowned. 'Why don't the hobbits wear shoes…' Ashley walked out into the main room and asked Mrs. Took where the dining room was. Mrs. Took pointed to a door by the front desk. She thanked her and went through the door only to find Merry and Pippin sitting at a fairly big dining table. "Hello you two," she said flatly. Both turned and looked at her with a mouthful of food. Pippin tried to talk with his mouth full and Merry sent him a glare. She just laughed at the two. "It's fine. You don't have to talk."
Ashley sat down across from them at the table on the bench. Merry swallowed and said, "So how long you stayin'?"
She plucked a piece of meat from Pippin's plate, earning a glare from the hobbit. "I'm not sure."
Pippin managed to say, "Bilbo's birthday is in 2 weeks."
"Tha's right. Won't wanna miss out on that," Merry added.
'The birthday. So this is before the fellowship. Frodo doesn't have the ring yet. Maybe we could sneak our way into the canon…' "Really?" she asked, pretending not to know. "How old's he gunna be?"
"One hundred and eleven," Pippin said after taking a drink from his cup.
She nodded, understanding what will have to be done. Ashley glanced around the room. When she returned her look back to the two, Merry tossed a roll at her. "Thanks," she said while taking a bite of it. 'Best start the planning…'