Disclaimers: I do not own The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
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Welcome to the second part in the Hobbits in Narnia trilogy! :)
This is more like a midquel, due to the focus being on Frodo's time in Narnia. This chapter, especially the first scene, was inspired by the opening scene at Bree-town from the movie "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug".
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Nine Months Ago, Middle-earth Time….
Bree-town, at this early hour, was not one for small talk. Most of the talk in Bree involved travelers and their need for adventure. Hobbits and Men were present in town, but even they could not recall a meeting such as this. One such brown robed wizard entered the inn, searching for a grey robed wizard named Gandalf. He was directed up the stairs and into a room belonging to the wizard. Quietly, he closed the door behind him.
Gandalf sat in a chair, next to the dim fireplace.
"You've come." Gandalf said, soft and spoken. "What news do you bring from the south?"
"The wardrobe is moving, Gandalf!" The brown robed wizard said, annoyed. "We've searched everywhere for it, but none could find it." He asked, "What news do you bring me, Gandalf the Grey?"
"Easy Radagast the Brown," Gandalf inquired, "I know enough about the wardrobe. It landed in the Shire thirty years ago, and now has returned. Bilbo will see to it, but so will Frodo Baggins, who lives with him. They will come." He added, "But that is not the only matter that troubles me. There is a painting, one that will appear any day now."
"What is this painting? Do you know of its purpose?" Radagast asked, joining his friend by the fireplace.
"Only that it is very powerful and Narnian made." Gandalf said, calmly. He explained fully, "When a hobbit arrives in Narnia, there is a certain time to which the portal will be open. Aslan will make the decision on whether or not this hobbit is truly ready to stay or leave Narnia. When that day comes, we must be ready." He added, "I have this feeling he will call upon the nearest hobbit. Those in the Shire will come to his aide. In the end, some will believe Narnia to be nothing more than a fairy tale, as is the nature of that world."
"So I've heard," Radagast said, clearly impressed, "but Gandalf, even if we could find the gateway into Narnia, we still need a hobbit to do the job."
"That is why Aslan will choose the bravest hobbits to delve into the world of Narnia. They will be the ones with the most belief."
"Belief in what?"
"In the fantastic, to see other worlds and to meet new peoples." Gandalf smirked. "There will come a time, very soon, when that moment will occur. Until then, we must hope that hobbit is ready for what awaits them in Narnia." He took a swig of his drink, before settling down in his chair. He smiled at his friend. "And now, what did you have to tell me?"
Gandalf and Radagast talked for hours. In the end, it was a good meeting.
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Now, Narnian Time….
Frodo Baggins, the hobbit with blue eyes, fair features, and thick, curly brown hair on his head and the tops of his feet, looked at the crowd gathered on the large pavilion. They were here for one purpose and one purpose only: to witness Aslan sending people back to the land where they came from. Did this mean his time was up? Would he ever witness Narnia again? He wasn't ready to leave.
The Pevensies, with the exception of Lucy and Edmund Pevensie, were ready to leave. Edmund and Lucy would return to Narnia. Frodo stood, waiting as the blond-haired girl approached him. Oh, how he would miss her.
"We'll see each other again. Won't we?" Lucy asked, curious.
Frodo nodded. "One day, we will. One day."
"Good." She embraced him, fondly.
In all honesty, Frodo didn't want to let her go. Nonetheless, here they were, saying goodbye. He wondered if he would live to see her again or anyone for that matter. What more could be done now, except to say goodbye? He released her, watching her as she hugged Trumpkin and left with her family.
He removed a tear off of his eyelid. He wasn't going to cry. He mustn't. It wasn't a goodbye.
The door in the air closed, leaving the tree, near the edge of the pavilion, to return its first position. Frodo was now alone with Aslan, the Narnians and the Telmarines. What could he do?
"What am I supposed to do?" Frodo asked Aslan.
The Great Lion sighed. "I will come again. Don't you worry."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Frodo asked, cautious with his words.
"In time, you will see." Aslan addressed him. "Whether you fight on the battlefield or stay in this castle, your time is greatly needed. Take care of who you must and don't hold back. I will return in three years' time to check on your progress. Good luck, Frodo Baggins. I wish you well all the days of your life."
"Wait. What?" Frodo looked back at the Lion, only to see him walk away. In the next second, Aslan vanished, leaving a gaping hole in the hobbit's heart.
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Thanks for reading. :)