Authors note: The fan fiction you are about to read was comprised of parts of the book, The Fellowship of the Ring, and the movie. Please do not complain to me about the parts mixing and the parts that I may have left out. They were all intentional, and I did not hold true to the book some of the time. Please note that Olivia's presence altered what the characters may have said or done due to the fact that she was not in the books or the movie. Sorry if I've misspelled everthing!
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. But I do own Olivia, and everything she says.
They say home is where the heart is. I agree whole-heartedly. I live in London, England and I love where I live. Or at least where used to. I used to go to movies with my friends, and play video games with my older brother who came home from college every once and a while to see us. I used to read books by the fire in cozy pajamas on rainy days. Life was normal. It was a Wednesday evening, if I recall correctly, and I was sitting in my room doing my homework. A five-paragraph essay for Mr. Cunningham, and it was due the next day, I expect (I remember feeling rushed and stressed out.) Finally overcome by weariness, I set my homework aside, and got into my pajamas. I brushed my teeth and took my contacts out. I climbed into bed throwing the cool bedclothes over myself. I was beginning to fall asleep when a warm wind blew in my room. My eyes snapped open and I looked around for the source of it. Still, pretty creeped out, I started to drift off to sleep when it happened again. I sat up in bed. There was a voice upon the wind that comforted me slightly. I did not understand it at first, but the words became clearer. Olivia...my chosen one... My vision blurred and then went totally black and I remembered no more.
When I came to, my head was spinning and I felt an unrelenting urge to cry. I brushed myself off and looked around me. It was beautiful, I won't deny it, but just the fact that it was so much different than what I was used to made my stomach churn in panic. There were hills with small round doors and windows. The dwellings had astonishing gardens of flowers and trees. I walked along the dirt road wondering where I should go, for I knew no one and I had no place to stay. As I pondered this ominous thought, I ran into an elderly man (I had no hope of determining his age.) I fell down scraping my knee beneath my pajama bottoms (which were flowered with hearts, and very out of place.)
"I am so sorry." I said massaging my knee.
"Don't be. It happens to everyone one once in a while." he said offering a hand to help me up. I took it and got to my feet. "What is your name?"
"Olivia." I told him.
"You look startled.," he said.
"I am, but it's an extremely long story, and I'd rather not tell it now. Do you know where I could stay for a while?" I asked.
"There is an inn up the rode." he said. "And you might try to blend in a bit." he said with a slow grin and a wink. I turned to ask him how I was expected to do that when everyone seemed to be nearly half my size, but he was gone. I frowned and headed down the road until the burrows and buildings took their place. I passed a man with dark gray hair. He was pushing a cart of potatoes, and he had the hairiest feet I had ever seen. My jaw dropped slightly. I shook my head and spoke up.
"Excuse me, sir?" I said timidly.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Would you mind directing me to the inn?" I questioned.
"You're a little tall for a hobbit, ain't yeh?" he said looking me up and down.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Never mind that. It's down this main street a ways. Tell 'em the Gaffer sent you." he said.
"Alright, thank you." I said.
"Kids're getting more queer everyday." mumbled the Gaffer. I chewed on my already unnaturally short nails as I entered the inn. Everything seemed to get taller by the second. The people in the pub all stopped and looked at me.
"Uh..." I said instantly beginning to sweat. "T-the Gaffer sent me. Said you had rooms here?" I stammered. My pants were getting looser and looser until they dropped around my ankles. I quickly pulled them back up and blushed red. The Landlord barked a laugh at me along with everyone else in the inn.
"Old Ham, eh?" said the Landlord. "Right. Come upstairs with me."
"Yessir." I said. He led me to a room at the top of some stairs. I gripped the waist of my paints. My shirt was becoming tent-like and I was starting to panic.
"Who should I say is here if they ask for you?" he asked.
"Olivia." I said trying to roll up my sleeve and hold onto my pants at the same time.
"Olivia what?" He asked. "A last name would be helpful."
"It's Thorn." I said." Olivia Thorn."
"Alright, lass. How long are you intending to say?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. I'm sorry to say that I have no money with me." I said blushing a bit.
"It's on me, lass." he said unlocking the door. I went inside and thanked him. I let go of my pants and they fell to the floor. I looked in the bathroom mirror, and my reflection looked back. Dark gray eyes, dark brown hair. But then I noticed something different. My ears were pointed, I had a rather large gap between my teeth, and my hair had become curly. I picked at the gap between my front teeth, a knot forming in my stomach. I looked down at my feet. They were furry and far larger than they had been. Just like everyone else's. I was of course very panicked. How would you feel if you'd shrunk two feet and had hair covering your feet? If I should ever get home, they'd see me this way, and what then? I'd be laughed out of town, that's what. I wanted to get to sleep, but it wasn't quite dark yet, and worry weighed heavily on my heart.
When I woke up, sun was shining through the open window, and the smell of late summer wafted through it. I felt better than the night before, and that was certain. I searched around in the bedside table drawers and found some clothes. They were all men's, but I didn't mind at all. I put on some dark brown breeches, and a baggy white shirt that's sleeves went past my hands a little. I slipped on a dark green knitted vest. My clothes were all too big to wear, so I left them in a dark corner of the closet. I went downstairs and again everyone stopped to look at me.
"I see you're awake." observed the Gaffer who was sitting down for some breakfast and a good chat with his friends. I nodded.
"Peculiar one you brought in, this time, eh, Ham?" said one of them.
"She's polite enough." he said. "Come over here and have a seat." he said. I sat down in a chair timidly.
"She, eh?" laughed one of them elbowing his friend. "Hey, lass, why you dressed like one of us men, eh?" he asked with a chuckle.
"There wasn't any other clothes in there." I said.
"Where are your own clothes?" asked another.
"I don't want to talk about it." I muttered.
"Let off, lads." said the Gaffer. "Let's talk about something else."
"Like old Bilbo's party? It's coming up this afternoon. Always was one to throw a good party, Bilbo. Not the best hobbit in the Shire, but he's always good with the kids." said the Landlord. There was that word again. Hobbit. I thought to myself. All the towns inhabitants so far were these furry-footed creatures, so maybe that's what I was. A hobbit.
"You got an invitation, lass?" asked Ham. "You should drop by and see it."
"I'll think about it..." I mumbled. I had no idea where to find this Bilbo or his party. There was another younger looking hobbit in the group and he was looking at me. I raised my eyebrows at him as if to say, 'what?' and he looked away.
"Oh, have you not met my son, Samwise?" asked the Gaffer giving Samwise a hearty slap on the back. The hobbit that was looking at me smiled weakly. I stuck out my hand for him to shake it.
"I'm Olivia." I said.
"Sam." he said. I nodded and got up.
"I think I best be off." I said.
"Where are you off to, I wonder?" asked the Landlord.
"Don't know yet." I said. "Thanks for the room." I said as I left.
"Any time, lass." he said. As I walked down the lane I stared at my enormous furry feet and didn't take the time to notice the cart coming straight at me. I looked up and gasped. The horse was huge and so was the tall man sitting atop the cart. He seized the reins and the horse came to a stop.
"Does this happen to you often?" he asked.
"Not usually." I said, quite ashamed of myself. It was the same old man from the day before. "I didn't catch your name last time."
"That is because I never gave it to you. It is Gandalf the Grey. I am a wizard of the good sort, and I see that you have been able to fit in a little better." he said.
"Yes...and no. I'm the same as everyone now, but they all made fun of me because I dressed like a man." I said. "Did you do this to me? Being a wizard, and all."
"I did." he said. I smiled.
"It's not so bad, I guess." I said squinting in the sunlight.
"Hop on." said Gandalf. "I'll take you to Bag End. I'm sure you've heard about Bilbo's party this evening?"
"I have, yes. But I'm afraid I wasn't given an invitation, so I won't be attending." I said as I climbed up to the seat next to Gandalf. I sighed. I was so at ease, like I had lived there all my life. The cart bumped along in the warm sunshine. A breeze ruffled my hair a bit. "It's strange, this place. I can't really find the word for it...welcoming, perhaps. It's like coming home from a journey. Like I haven't seen it in years, but I'm glad that I'm home, so to speak. I hope that I'm making sense." I added hastily.
"Quite a lot of sense, yes. And I suppose that's natural in your situation." he said.
"But what is my situation, Gandalf? I don't remember my family or friends, but I know I had some. I must have. But it seems like a memory, or a dream. Maybe it is." I said thoughtfully. "Maybe I just dreamed I didn't live here and it was so lifelike I began to think it was true."
"You are not from here, child, and that is a fact. But I hope you feel comfortable here." he said. "Because you will be staying for a long while."
"Why is that? Can't you just send me back?" I asked.
"I'm afraid it is not that simple, Olivia. You see, I did not bring you here. I knew that you were coming and that I must aid you, but that is all that I know. I do not know how to send you back, but I know you will have to choose one day." said Gandalf.
"It will be a hard decision, won't it?" I asked.
"Yes, it will be. For already you have grown fond of the Shire. I see it in your eyes when you look around here. You're eyes say clearly 'I am home' but your mind is not sure." said Gandalf.
"You're right in saying so." I said. "I have only been here a day and a half, after all." I paused. "There is another problem as well. I don't know anybody, so how will I ever get comfortable if I have no friends?"
"You will make friends, Olivia. Tonight you shall come to the party as my guest." said Gandalf.
"I really shouldn't, you know. They're not expecting me." I said.
"They will not be expecting half the people that arrive, I expect, so one extra will do no harm." said Gandalf.
"You remind me of my grand-dad, only now I think I shall always think of him as you. I cannot remember his face, or his voice, nor those of my family or friends, as I have said." Gandalf laughed.
"Well, you just have fun at the party tonight. People are already putting things up I see." he said as we neared a hobbit hole that was more cheerful looking than the others. Hobbits were milling about setting up decorations and erecting tents. "Well go on! Make some friends!"
"It's hardly that easy, Gandalf, and I think you know it." I chuckled.
"Your late." I heard a voice say. I turned around to see the boyish face of another hobbit.
"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." said Gandalf. They looked at each other seriously for a second and then started laughing. Frodo leaped onto the cart and hugged Gandalf.
"I missed you!" cried Frodo.
"How is your dear old uncle, hmm?" asked Gandalf.
"He's a little on edge, you know." said Frodo sitting down between Gandalf and me. "All the relatives trying to get something out of Bilbo's leaving."
"Ah yes. Quite rude, those Sacksville-Bagginses." said Gandalf. "Oh, Frodo, this is Olivia." he said introducing me.
"Hello." said Frodo cheerfully.
"Hi." I said shaking his hand. He seemed to be studying me for a second. Then he acted as if he was going to say something but thought better of it.
"You know, Gandalf," said Frodo. "Until you came along, we Bagginses were very well respected. Then you sent Bilbo off to fight a dragon." Gandalf chuckled.
"I had hardly any part of Bilbo's adventure." He said with a smile.
"But ever since then you've been labeled as a disturber of the peace." said Frodo very matter-of-factly. Little hobbit children ran behind the cart trying to catch up crying out Gandalf's name in excitement. They seemed disappointed when Gandalf didn't acknowledge them in the least. A firework exploded from the back of the cart and the children cheered. I smiled, happy to be there.
"Run along you two. There is a lot to be done." said Gandalf. We hopped off the cart into the grass by the side of the narrow dirt road.
"I like him a lot." I said to Frodo. "He's really nice."
"He is." said Frodo nodding with a smile. "So what are you? Boffin? Grubb? Proudfoot?" he asked me.
"I don't follow you..." I said slowly.
"Is that your last name?" he asked.
"Oh, no. It's Thorn." I said nodding.
"I don't believe I know any Thorns..." said Frodo thinking.
"You wouldn't. I'm not from around here." I said. Someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around to see a girl rolling a keg.
"Excuse me sir," she said a little breathlessly as if she was flirting.
"Ma'am," I corrected uncomfortably.
"Oh, yes..." the girl said. "Will you please give me a hand with these?" she asked sounding rather disappointed. She rolled a keg of ale over to me and we rolled them under a tent after saying goodbye to Frodo.
"Listen," I said. "I need a dress. Now I hate to say it, because I'm really not a dress person, but I'm getting tired of being mocked."
"Well, sure, I've got lots of dresses. Why didn't you ask in the first place?" she asked. "I live right down the lane, not five minutes from here. I'm Rosie Cotton." she said.
"Olivia Thorn." I replied.
"Well now, isn't that an interesting name? I'm not trying to insult you. It's rather unusual, but it's pretty." said Rosie.
"Thank you." I said.
"You look an awful lot like Mr. Frodo." she said. "I thought you might've been related to him. From the back, I mean."
"You think so? I didn't notice." I said.
"He's the nicest hobbit you'll ever meet. His friend Sam is a real cute one." she said. I had to keep myself from laughing. Sam was nice from what I'd seen of him, but I didn't find him attractive. Maybe a little in his own way, but it never really occurred to me. We got to her hobbit hole and she led me to her room. She went through a trunk at the foot of her bed. "How about this one?" she asked holding up a red dress.
"Red isn't my color." I said trying to sound polite.
"This how about this? It's nice and plain, easy to blend in." she said, holding up a blouse, a dark brown skirt and a lighter brown vest that was laced in the front.
"Perfect." I said. I went into the restroom and put in on. The blouse sleeves were driving me absolutely mad, so I rolled them up to my elbows. "Thank you so much." I said.
"Not a problem, really." she said. "If you want to, you can keep that one. I don't wear it very often because I like to stand out, but that's just me."
"I couldn't keep it..." I started to say.
"Oh, you must! Can't get enough dresses I always say." she said.
"Thank you again!" I said feeling better about myself. I walked back the party without Rosie. (She said she had to powder herself.) Now wearing a dress is one thing, but when it comes to things like 'powdering' I'm lost. I continued my search, my bundle of old clothes in my arms. I wasn't exactly sure of where to put them. I found a tree with branches low to the ground and climbed up. I sat on a particularly large branch that had a nice view of the yard where many hobbits erected pavilions.
"Oi, miss!" cried someone from below. The voice was boyish and slightly high pitched. I looked down to see two boys looking up at me.
"What?" I called down.
"What're you doing in that tree?" asked the other one.
"Enjoying the nice weather. What are you doing on the ground?" I asked grinning.
"Trying to find something to do." they said.
"May I join you?" I asked. They looked at each other surprised.
"If you want to!" called up the first. I climbed down and brushed myself off.
"So what's your name?" asked the second.
"Olivia Thorn." I said.
"I'm Merry and he's Pippin," said the second one.
"Merry?" I asked.
"It's only a nick name." he said. "My real name's Meriadoc Brandybuck."
"Oh! Merry and in happy, right?" I asked.
"That's right." he said.
"Yes, and I'm Peregrin Took." said Pippin.
"I think I'll just call you Merry and Pippin." I said nodding.
"Everyone does." said Pippin. "Let's go find something to eat."
"Right." said Merry. Gandalf caught us on the way into Bag End.
"Trying to steal some food?" asked Gandalf.
"Well, erm..." started Pippin.
"We're really hungry!" said Merry.
"There will be plenty of food at the party." said Gandalf. He turned to me. "I see you've met our own Merry and Pippin."
"Yes." I said as they walked away grumbling. "They seem nice."
"I told you that you would make friends. By the look of it you have four; Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and who ever loaned you that dress." said Gandalf.
"That was Rosie Cotton, and she gave me the dress." I said. "It's rather comfortable, too." I added. The afternoon went by and there was still no sign of Merry or Pippin. Frodo supposed they went to raid farmer Maggot's crop. We met up with Sam, who I already knew. The party started and Gandalf's fireworks were a major success. There was dancing in which I was quite reluctant to do. Frodo and Pippin pushed Merry towards me. I caught his hand, my cheeks reddening.
"We meet again." I said loudly over the music and the uproar.
"Yep." he cried back. "Do you want a drink?" he asked.
"Sure." I said. We escaped the crowd of dancing hobbits with a great effort. Pippin follow us and decided that he and Merry were going to do a drinking game. Merry accepted. I watched as they sang a song with hand motions and the winner got to have a drink. After five of these games, I requested they teach me. They laughed and said I could.
"You're the first girl that has ever tried." said Pippin. They taught me the song and the hand motions and I promptly started to beat Merry. My head started to pound.
"I gotta stop, or I'm going to throw up." I said finally. My stomach made a sickening lurch and I threw up on the grass. Merry and Pippin laughed and patted me on the back.
"You're different from the other girls around here. They don't drink." said Pippin. "Or climb trees, or any of the fun stuff."
"I'll do just about anything to get a laugh out of someone." I admitted.
"Really?" asked Merry.
"Really." I said. Soon they had me staggering to the back of Gandalf's cart. People's voices steadily became louder as the alcohol set in.
"Which one?" asked Pippin.
"The big one!" hissed Merry.
"Would you guys be quiet, or we'll get caught!" I said a little too loud. Their voices were echoing inside my head.
"Now look what you've done, Pippin!" he said steadying me.
"Me? It was you who invited her for a drink!" said Pippin defensively. He grabbed a firework. "This one?"
"That's the one." Merry said nodding with excitement in his eyes. They took it into a nearby tent while I waited outside leaned against a tree.
"I am never...drinking anything again..." I said stupidly. I felt slow and dumb. Suddenly I heard a defining blast from the tent and a great dragon of flames erupted out of it. I fell to my knees clutching my pointed ears. I heard people screaming as it went up, but then it exploded, making my ears ring even more. Gandalf sent them to wash dishes, and he sent me inside to get a cold shower and some rest. I let the cold water beat down on my throbbing head. It hurt to think about anything at all. I heard to door open and I didn't look up.
"I'm very drunk and I need this shower, so if you wouldn't mind giving me a little privacy..." I started.
"I'm not looking, I just wanted to give you a towel." said Frodo's voice.
"Not so loud!" I cried, his voice echoing painfully in my ears. I got out and dried off and put my blouse on, getting the buttons mixed up. I flopped down on the bed in a guest bedroom just off the main hallway. I left my skirt and my vest in the bathroom on the floor, but I wasn't even thinking of that. I think I must have slept for about two hours or so, because when I woke up, I heard only Gandalf and Bilbo's voices. The party was defiantly not over, because people were still outside making noise. Things didn't seem so loud anymore, but my head still ached.
"Isn't that a funny thing?" I heard Bilbo's voice murmur distantly. "It's here in my pocket."
"You must leave it to Frodo, Bilbo." said Gandalf.
"I know, but I've grown so fond of it, you see, and it's rather hard to part with it..." Bilbo stammered. "And besides it's mine. I don't see why I should give it away at all."
"Bilbo, you will put that in this envelope right now, or I shall get angry." Gandalf said in an irritated way.
"You're only trying to steal it, that's what!" cried Bilbo. "But I won't let you steal it! Not my precious..." said Bilbo with surprising malice.
"What in the world are they talking about?" I muttered, listening with my ear pressed to the door, as their voices got louder.
"Drop it into the envelope." growled Gandalf. "Or I shall get truly angry." There was a pause.
"I am sorry, Gandalf...." he sighed. "I don't know what's come over me."
"The ring has come over you, Bilbo my friend. But it is time to leave it behind." said Gandalf. I heard a clink of metal on wood and the round door of the hole shut. I crept to the bathroom and fixed my blouse and put on my skirt and lace-up vest.
"What's going on, Gandalf?" I asked. "Where is Mr. Bilbo?"
"He has left and our discussion concerns you not." he said.
"Alright." I said. "You don't supposed there would be any coffee around here, would you?"
"I suppose there would be. Would you like some?" he asked.
"Very much so." I replied and sat down in an am chair. I put my hand to my forhead and sighed. "What happened at the rest of the party?" I asked.
"Not much else. I take it you and those two trouble-makers played a drinking game." he said.
"Ugh." I groaned. "Don't mention drinking, or I think I shall be sick again."
"All right, alright." he said with a chuckle. "You did beat Merry, though. Drank him under the table, you might say."
"Where did he and Pippin go anyway?" I asked.
"They should be washing dishes, but I doubt if they're still there." he said handing me some coffee. I breathed in the sweet scent and drank deeply from the mug. Frodo came in the door.
"Where is Bilbo? Has he gone?" asked Frodo.
"Yes, and he left this with you." said Gandalf handing Frodo an envelope. "Keep it safe."
"I will." said Frodo taking it and stuffing it into his pocket.