Chapter 1
The Shire
OC POV
On a morning just after lunch, I found myself accompanying an old friend to Hobbiton. It would be a lie to say that I didn't look forward to go to the peaceful town; after all, it has been a while since I've last seen my good friend Frodo and his uncle Bilbo. It was a nice change of pace from my chaotic life.
Ever since I was old enough to leave my homeland, I always found myself wondering along paths unknown; from my home in Dol Amroth, the dwellings of those who are direct descendants of the Dúnedain, to the vast lands of west of middle earth. Though the paths I've walked scarred me, it was a necessity I took to shape myself from a lady to what I am today considering how life outside of this unconcerned walls is trudging its way to inflict evil and pain among all. Needless to say, I have met friends in these seemingly hopeless times. Gandalf is one; he and I have been constantly paired off to journeys countless of times and it was a joy to work with him.
Being an orphan at a young age, I always saw Gandalf as a father to my eyes. Out of all the people I've known this past 76 years, only a few knew of my past, he was one of them. I was grateful of his pledge of secrecy when he discovered my lineage to the Masters of Fire, a line destroyed when my people was burnt to the ground. The unusual black flames that scorched my kin still remained on my mind- the screams, the terror, the feeling of uselessness- it remains. For all the years I've lived, I blamed myself for their deaths; I blamed my power for its weakness.
Nevertheless, I continued with my life, trying to forget the past as if it never occurred.
At this moment, Gandalf and I are ridding our way to Bag End on a cart pulled by an agonizingly slow horse. Though I take to mind that this horse is old, it doesn't ease the thought of how slow it takes to go to a place simply a mile away. Taking a deep breath, I try to relax my mind from the growing impatience building within me with the tune of Gandalf's quiet song, its melody, the mix of the slight sound the breeze made, but to no avail.
Snatching the reigns from Gandalf's hands, I pushed the old mammal to a fast gallop; Gandalf, who was surprised from the sudden change of pace, tried to hold on to his hat and to the edge of his seat for balance. I laughed at the slightly bemused yet jovial expression on his face and eventually slowed down to a walk once I've spotted a certain hobbit running towards our direction.
The young hobbit stood atop on a small hill, glowering at us. "You two are late."
I stared at him, amused by his failed attempt to keep a scowl while Gandalf, after straightening himself from the short joy ride, simply said, "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
Frodo then turns to me, trying hard to hide the growing smile tugging on his lips, "And you my lady? What's your excuse?"
Seeing the delight on his eye on seeing us both, I played along with a straight face, "I am appalled to your lack of knowledge of me, Frodo. You should know by now that a Lady like me must always be fashionably late."
There was silence for a time. The stare and lack of reaction between two parties stayed within our space 'till we couldn't hold on to the façade. We all laughed at the silly antics we all shared as Frodo's face breaks into a smile. He leaped on to the front seat of the cart and throws his whole body on Gandalf's for a hug.
I smiled at Frodo's actions, realizing how much I've missed him over the years. Soon after his hug to Gandalf, he immediately hugged me with just as much enthusiasm as his first hug. I laughed as he held me, almost toppling off the cart with his force, but steadied myself enough to return the hug. Gandalf smiled at us, looking kindly towards Frodo as he released me from his embrace. "You didn't think we would miss today's event now, did you?" said Gandalf widening his eyes as if to imply his shock to the Hobbit, but slowly laughed as he saw both of us still gleaming.
The hobbits around Hobbiton all seems to be very busy arranging what looks like a party. Curiously, I looked at the party field, trying to find who would be this important to be fused about by almost every hobbit I've seen so far. Gandalf's and Frodo's talk soon changed once they feast their eyes on the colourful field filled with streamers and banners.
"Ah, the long expected party. So, how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a Party of Special Magnificence." said Gandalf as he eyed the scenery upon him.
I snatched my eyes from the field and on to Gandalf, "Gandalf, you know of the party? Whose is it?"
Frodo looked up to me, still with a smile on his face, "Its Uncle Bilbo's of course! You know Bilbo... he's got the whole place in an uproar."
"Oh, well... that should please him." I said as I saw an amused smile both on my companions' faces.
The travel to Bag End was slow not surprisingly, but for now, much appreciated. I let the two talk for much was needed between them. I, however, let myself be drifted out of their world and into the scenery present. The calmness of this place brought all the aches of bad memories away which I was ever grateful both to the landscape and Gandalf for suggesting a much needed peace.
We passed a slight bump on the road, shaking me out of my daydream and soon heard voices of little children. I looked behind our cart to find more than a dozen children chasing after our cart, yelling at Gandalf for fireworks. I looked at Gandalf with anticipation as if to expect him to take his staff and blow off fireworks, but to my dismay he seemed to be ignoring the cries of the children. I sulked on my sit, wanting to see fireworks just as much as the children then, BOOM! I turned around to find colourful miniature fireworks blasting off from the back of the cart. I beamed, amazed with the small show, but immediately turned to the chuckles of both Frodo and Gandalf.
"You always do seize to amaze me Alena. You've travelled far and wide beyond these walls- battled creatures, walked in the realms of elves, and have seen far more as far as Gandalf would tell. Yet, you let yourself be easily amazed by fireworks." said Frodo with a smirk, painstakingly obvious of his entertainment with my amusement of fireworks.
"I'll have you know, Frodo Baggins, that it has been years since I've seen the old man's fireworks. That old coot always gives me his same excuse saying that he's too tired and yet when children ask for it, he gives!" I exclaimed more to Gandalf than Frodo. Frodo grinned at my answer.
Gandalf looked at me with a twinkle in his eyes, "That, my child, is because this is a special occasion while you always ask for it even on the dire of days."
"I ask of it to lighten the mood! And lighten it has." I grinned at their light laughs, silently agreeing with my words. And soon, we found ourselves nearing the Bag End.
Though I long waited to see once again my dear friend Bilbo, I knew that he and Gandalf are in need of a much needed talk just between two friends. Instead of riding with Gandalf to a halt, I followed Frodo out of the cart and proceeded to the Green Dragon Inn.
On the way, we began to talk of everything that occurred between our years apart from each other, or in my part, from him and my other friends.
Once in the inn, there I saw Peregrin 'Pippin' Took and Meriadoc 'Merry' Brandybuck laughing out as they drink off a mug full of what I presume as ale.
"Pippin! Merry! I see you two are working hard as usual." said Frodo as he set his eyes on his two friends goofing off, this early no less.
At the shout of their names, they both turn around and, comically, widened their eyes at the sight of what I'm guessing was me.
"Alena! It has been too long my lady!"
"We've missed you much! Life in the shire has been dire without our partner in crime"
I laughed at the exaggerated exclamations of both as they ran towards me and hugged my waist tightly. Easing down, I smiled at their child like antics and so did Frodo.
"It has been long my friends, but I'm afraid I cannot linger too long. I do still have to greet others." I tried to pry their arms off of me but neither budged, if anything else their hold grew tighter which made me laugh once more. I did miss them more than they miss me, but this was just silly! Having no other choice, I freed my hands as hard as I could from their affectionate deathly embrace and tickled their waists.
Frodo grew red from laughing at the defeat of the duo and soon, I did too. Luckily for us, they shrugged my 'inexcusable actions of tickling' as a strike they will not hold with grudge since I was to stay only at a limit of time.
And so we enjoyed our stay in the inn, which made me even happier when I saw Samwise 'Sam' Gamgee. Our time in the inn was jolly, especially with Pippin, Merry and Frodo's silly dances, and Sam's amusingly unusual quiet demeanour. I suspect it was influenced by a certain Rosie Cotton. I was glad for my dear friend's realization of what I knew as love, but couldn't stop the feeling of jealousy to rise.
I, for one, am in no way a hopeless romantic- at least that's what I tell myself. After all, all beings are meant to find their other half sooner or later; mine was apparently, if the one was even alive, much later. I've lived my whole 76 years in middle earth with focus on just living. I never did try to find the one, but knowing that my younger friends may settle before me, was a bit of a panic. True, I never was one for graceful nor did I ever made an effort on my appearance. I always wore what I deem to be comfortable on my journey- A long off shoulder blue tunic with a belt to show of what I have as a woman, a pair of black pants and black boots.
Maybe I scare men off with my weapons or my tattoo. I can't really do anything about my tattoo since I had it since I was a child. From my left shoulder trailing down to my hand; it was pretty big not to be seen even if my tunic wasn't off shoulder. Come to think of it, I've never noticed my people having this strange ink on their arms or anywhere... what does this mark mean?
I tried to find an answer for my question, but was diverted with roars of joy outside. We looked through the window only to see that most of the hobbits were already on their way to the party. I glanced at my companions seeing the excitement for the night, and so we went.
Upon arriving to the field, we went our separate ways. I looked for Gandalf, wanting to help with the fireworks, and once I caught sight, I saw Bilbo.
Bilbo stared at what Gandalf was staring at, noticing his friend ignoring his claims for his party, and saw me. I saw a smile light up his old face. His not so old face... why is that?
Soon enough I felt Bilbo hug me and I hugged back. I giggled at the old man's action and said, "My dear friend, Bilbo. It has been too long. I've hoped to see you again one day and here we are."
Bilbo released me from his hug, but kept his smile on his lips, "I dare say Alena, you've grown beautifully over the years... and tall too! Has it been that long? Last I remember I stood at least a couple of inches taller."
I furrowed my brow in amusement and jokingly taunt, "Yes. Because last time you saw me was when I was six, or was it seven?" He chuckled at my response, and held my hand to drag me towards Gandalf who, by looking at the sky, was enjoying too much of blowing up fireworks.
The night continued merrily. I saw Frodo laughing with joy at the hobbits who were dancing, and Sam was apparently one of them, dancing with Rosie. I smiled at his bashful expression, but it was about time he took some action on his woman! Though I've enjoyed watching the drunk, sober, or simply clumsy hobbits around me, I can't keep myself from looking for Merry or Pippin; knowing them, they would be up to no good.
Just as I've looked near the barrels of ale for the two troublemakers, I heard a sudden explosion on the far left. There I saw Merry and Pippin lying on the ground powdered with ashes all over. I took less notice of their shocked faces and took notice more on the firework at play. I know that design. That was the Dragon firework supposedly for the big finale. It was supposed to be ignited at the tallest hill so as to keep damage from the party.
My eyes grew, seeing the dragon-shaped fire fly towards us. Gandalf saw it too and soon started to lead the hobbits out of the way.
It would be too late. They would be scorched no matter how far they scramble away.
On the middle of a herd of hobbits running away, I stood my ground. I knew what I had to do, though I did not want to do it. I saw the large dragon-shaped fire come closer and closer, almost sweeping the ground. I held out my right hand, feeling the red come over my blue eyes as my power took over. As my palm faced the dragon, I raised my arm and led the dragon upward towards the sky. I tried to contain the dragon within my power to stop its explosion. I felt fatigue slowly creeping over me, but I held on my task. I drifted it higher and farther from the field, and eventually released.
The explosion was epic. The colours of the fire glittered down the pitch black sky, like it was magic. I tiredly smiled at the beautiful display, but soon found myself kneeling on the green patches of grass. I felt fatigue rush over me, but I shook my head as if to say no. I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw Gandalf looking at me worriedly with what I saw as pride towards me.
"Well done, Alena. Well done." I heard him say right before I felt myself drifting off consciousness.
R&R :))
