SANGOCHAN: Hey everybody!
Lloyd: Here's chapter two!
SANGOCHAN: We hope you're enjoying the fan fiction! AND JUST BECAUSE IT'S DONE IN FIRST-PERSON DOES NOT AUTOMATICLLY MAKE THIS A GARY STU FANFICTION!
Lloyd: Err…SANGOCHAN..? Err…just a reminder, this is based on the movies but some dialogue from the book-including poetry-will be added.
SANGOCHAN: R&R please!
Chapter Two: A Party in the Shire
The next thing I knew, I felt grass on my cheek. Maybe I was still in the bamboo clearing. I pushed my self up, gave my head a little shake, blinked my eyes open and looked around. There was no bamboo anywhere. One thing was for sure, I wasn't in Tokyo anymore.
"Where am I?" I asked myself. Maybe a drink of water would do me some good. But, my backpack and the box that had my kimono in it was nowhere to be found. I checked everywhere like a nut-job through the maple tree roots. Maple trees? Something was not right. Maple trees aren't that common where I come from…
I know! I'm in a province of Japan that I've never been to before! Yeah…that had to be it. I checked my pockets for my cell phone…this would take a lot of explaining to Mom and Grandpa…But my pocket was empty, except for some paper balls…
"Now what...?" I groaned…"Everything I had on me disappeared except my clothes, thank goodness…I guess that tingly feeling made them fall out…"
I sat down on a tree root and began trying to remember what had happened.
Ok, first I woke up and went to school, then had lunch with Yoko and Takeshi, then we got our kimonos for the festival, then passed a temple, heard a voice, went in, followed a panda, a bright flash of light, and…that's it…
I must have passed out. Which explained why the time between the flash and waking up was a total blank; it was very quiet while I sat there racking my brains, until I heard wheels and someone singing, but who?
"The road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it begun,
As I tread along the long road I see an inn to rest my weary soul…"
There was something VERY familiar about that song…Wasn't that out of Lord of the Rings? Next I heard someone crashing through the undergrowth.
"You're late." Said a second voice.
"A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins; nor is he early, he always arrives precisely when he means to!"
Laughter.
"It's wonderful to see you Gandalf!"
I could have screamed; I was in Lord of the Rings. But I just stood there.
"You didn't think I'd miss you Uncle Bilbo's birthday did you?"
I half choked, half shouted, "OH MY GOSH!" and fainted again.
Gandalf bent over the unconscious boy.
"Is he going to be all right?" Frodo asked nervously.
"Oh, he'll be all right. This young lad will just need a good meal and drink when he comes round." Gandalf said chuckling.
"Do you think he's foreign?"
"If he is, I don't know which country." Gandalf said, taking in the boy's strange clothes. Surprisingly for his age Gandalf carefully lifted the boy into his wagon.
"I hope he wakes up soon, Bilbo will be skipping to have an impromptu guest to the party." Frodo said, then as though suddenly remembering, "What news of the outside world? Tell me everything."
"Everything? Well, news in the wide world always changes, and not many Humans are aware of the existence of Hobbits-for which I am grateful…"
The brown horse pulled the wagon into town, filled with more Hobbits. They all seemed very happy to see him and the fireworks in the wagon.
"Oh, it's Gandalf!" A Hobbit woman said cheerily. Meanwhile a Hobbit man was examining plowing tools and another was trying to lead a very reluctant pig along the path.
The wagon soon came across several houses built into hills. Passing several more Hobbits getting ready for a party and putting up a sign that said: "Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins".
"A long expected party. So," Gandalf said, "How is the old rascal?"
"Oh, you know Bilbo; he's got the whole place in an uproar." Frodo said, "Half the Shire's been invited."
"Oh, that should please him…"
Frodo chuckled, "Before you came along we Bagginses were very well respected. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected, and you have been officially labeled, a disturber of the peace."
"Have I?" Gandalf asked slightly worried.
"IT'S GANDALF! GANDALF!" A girl's voice shouted.
(A/N in the movie one of the kids sounded like they said: "It's Gandalf-san!")
Several Hobbit children raced to the path all shouting, "Fireworks!", The wagon rolled on, and the children were behind the wagon still chanting," Fireworks Gandalf fireworks…" Gandalf gladly obliged.
CRACK! POP! BOOM! POPOPOPOPOPOPOPOPOP!
I woke with a start. Who was setting off fire-crackers? Then I realized I wasn't in the forest anymore.
"Now, where am I?" I asked.
"Oh, you're awake. Good." An old man in front of me said.
"Um…who are you mister?" I asked blankly, I could tell he was a wizard. The pointy hat pretty much gave it away.
"I am Gandalf the Grey, and this here, is Frodo Baggins," Gandalf said.
Frodo and I shook hands.
"So," Frodo said, "Where did you come from?"
"Err…Tokyo, Japan…" I said awkwardly, "It's a big city…" I was clueless on what to say, so I decided to be honest instead of the amnesia act.
Frodo looked slightly confused, "To-key-oh? I don't remember Gandalf mentioning that city…maybe it's an Elf City that has yet to be found."
"N-n-no…"I stammered, "I'm not an Elf…I'm a Human…"
"One of the Big Folk?"
What? He was the same size as me, and probably the same age, why was he calling me that?
"Oh, how silly of me…I forgot, you're in the Shire young Torishio. The country of the Hobbits,"
Oh…that explains the whole 'Big Folk' thing…
"Bilbo's up to something…I know it…" Frodo said.
"Who's Bilbo?" I asked (ok I'm pretending! But Gandalf probably knows, he's a Wizard.).
"You'll meet him…" Gandalf said then turned to Frodo, "If that had anything to do with the Dragon, I was hardly involved; I only gave him a push out the door; without a hat or pocket handkerchief."
"All right keep your secrets," Frodo got ready to hop off, "I'm really glad you came today Gandalf, I really am." He hopped off.
"So am I," Gandalf said, "So very glad indeed…"
"Um…Sensei..?" I asked, "Where exactly is the Shire?"
"Oh, you don't have to be so polite, but I will answer your question. The Shire is in the Western part of Middle Earth." He said chuckling.
I wasn't even in my own world…how was I going to get back? And, more importantly…how much time had gone by on Earth?
"You seem very quiet."
"Ummm…Gandalf…do you believe there are other worlds?" I asked.
He roared with laughter, "Of course I do."
"You might find this hard to believe, but…I don't think I'm on my world anymore…"
"What is your world called?"
"Earth."
The wagon stopped in front of a hill that had a door in it. There had to be a house built into it. Gandalf passed the gate that had a sign that said: "No admittance except on party business". But Gandalf just walked up to the door with me at his heels and he knocked the door with hi staff.
Rap! Rap! Rap!
There was a frustrated outburst from inside.
"NO THANK-YOU! I don't want anymore visitors, well-wishers, or distant relations!"
"And what about very old friends?"
The door opened, an older Hobbit was inside.
"Gandalf?" he asked.
Gandalf nodded. Then the old Hobbit's attention turned to me.
"I didn't know you had a grandson, come in come in."
"Um…mister…he's not my Grandpa." I said, hoping my face wasn't red from embarrassment.
"Oh, my mistake, come in."
We went in. His house was pretty small. Gandalf had to bend over to avoid banging his head on the chandelier. When Gandalf handed his hat and staff to his friend, I suddenly remembered my manners and began to take my shoes off.
"Uh…where does he keep the slippers?" I asked aloud.
"You won't need to worry, Bilbo won't mind." Gandalf said.
"Ok," I said.
"Tea?" asked Mr. Bilbo, "Or maybe something stronger. I still have a few bottles from the old vine yard left. 1296, very good year; almost as old as I am."
"Uh…not to be rude, but how old are you?" I asked.
"111 years old today,"
No way…that's almost ten times my age…I thought disbelievingly.
"Just tea thank-you." Gandalf said straitening himself and he bumped into the chandelier. Flustered, he straitened it, turned around and banged his head on the rafters.
"Ouch…" he moaned.
I only did a sympathy wince. Thankfully, for me I could walk through the hall with only my hair brushing the ceiling. Bilbo was in the kitchen constantly talking about food. Ok, now my stomach's growling. I wasn't paying attention and for that, I bumped my head while going into the kitchen.
"Owww…" I groaned rubbing my forehead. I picked my self up and sat down at the table. I could hear Gandalf shuffling papers while Mr. Bilbo put the kettle on.
"Is there anything you'd like lad?" He asked.
"Um…maybe some tea and…corn muffins if you have any..." I said, "Oh, by the way, my name's Torishio Higrushi."
Bilbo went into the other room, "I can put on some eggs if you like-."
Gandalf suddenly appeared in front of me, "Just tea thank-you." He said.
Mr. Bilbo must have been just as startled as I was.
"How'd you do that?" I asked still very startled.
Mr. Bilbo just rushed over to the kettle, which was going off now, and poured the hot water into the tea pot.
"Thanks," I said spreading butter on the corn muffins and eating.
In about four seconds someone knocked at the door, Mr. Bilbo gagged on the toast he was eating and tip-toed to the window. He said something which I did not quite make out. As though changing his mind he started talking to me, "Not to sound rude, but I am curious on where you came from Torishio."
"Err…" I said, "This might sound a little fishy to you but I'm from another world…" His reaction was not what I expected.
"Well, maybe at the party you can tell some of the children the songs and tales from your world."
I chocked on my corn muffin, "Wait, you actually believe me Mr. Bilbo?" I asked.
"Of course I do." He said, "It sounds way too unbelievable that Middle Earth is the only world in existence."
"It looks like you're done," Gandalf said to me.
"I'm sure you don't want to sit up and be polite to two old duffers." Bilbo said, "How about you get know the Shire and some of the residents. I have a map you can barrow."
"Don't worry; I can figure out how to get back. Maybe I can help with the set up." I said. I left the kitchen, but not before bumping my head on the rafters on the way out the living-room, "I'm all right!"
Bilbo leaned against the wall, "I'm old Gandalf, very old. I know I don't look it but I'm beginning to feel it. I feel thin, stretched, like butter spread over too much bread. I'm going to need a very long holiday. I don't mean to return."
"So, you mean to go through with your plan?" Gandalf asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Frodo suspects something."
"Of course he does," Bilbo said, "he's a Baggins, not a dim-wit."
(Sorry I forgot what Bilbo said after 'dim-witted', and I'm not Hobbit expression savvy)
Hobbiton was the perfect place for anyone who wanted to live a quiet life, although I would have preferred to live with other Humans and my family. I definitely attracted a lot of attention. And when I said that I wasn't from around here, they all asked me to tell them songs and tales from my country.
"Umm…but people in my country can't sing now very well…" I said sheepishly.
"Perhaps a story then,"
Just to be polite, I told them "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" and I got several questions like: "What's bamboo?"
When I got to the party grounds I found the Hobbit who was directing the set up.
"Excuse me mister, but can I help?" I asked.
"Sure, maybe you can help with the tables," he said.
I grabbed one of the tables and hauled it over to the rest of the tables that were already set out. While working, I caught a few words.
"Living to 111, that's impressive."
"But it's not natural, and it will have to be paid for eventually,"
Looks like they're not ones for anything out of the ordinary that's for sure; but, I started to have a feeling that Mr. Bilbo living that long wasn't just from being very healthy. I had just realized this, but there had been a funny buzzing sound in my head back in his kitchen…why?
I was helping a Hobbit man carry this very heavy ale barrel, "That's strange, this thing seems to be getting lighter," I said. Also, I heard a sloshing sound. I turned around and there he was, drinking the ale. Mug after mug after mug…
"Wait until you try this." He said.
"Uh…first I'm too young to be drinking beer, and save it for the party before you get yourself drunk." I said.
The barrel had to be converted to a seat in about ten minutes.
A little later I ran into Frodo again, he was also helping with set up.
"Wish I had brought Mr. Bilbo a present…" I said a little flustered.
"Don't worry about that," Frodo said, "Bilbo's giving the presents out."
Oops…I had completely forgotten about that in the book…
"Anyway, you should meet me friend, Sam Gamgee and my cousins Pippin Took and Merry Brandybuck."
"Ok," I said.
I followed Frodo to where there were three more Hobbits. I guessed that the youngest looking one was Pippin, and he was drinking heavily and almost drunk.
"Sam, Merry, Pippin, this is Torishio Higrushi."
"Hello." I said.
"Pleased to meet you," Pippin said-he had an Irish sounding accent, "Pint?" he held up a mug filled to the brim with beer.
"Oh come on Pip, you know that he's too young." Merry said rolling his eyes exasperatedly, "You're going to have a lot of fun tonight."
"Pleased to meet you too," Sam said.
"We're all going to have fun at the party tonight…"
X Several hours later X
Fireworks filled the night sky and there was also the smell of gunpowder lingering in the air too. Everyone was talking, dancing, eating, drinking, or for the kids, trying out their new toys.
As for Sam, he kept looking at the dancing crowd but kept drinking from his mug. He'd better stop before he got himself drunk and wake up the next day with a hangover.
"I haven't danced like this for weeks," I said catching my breath.
"I know, but it's a lot of fun."
"Yeah, hey, maybe you should go ask Sam if he wants to dance with someone."
Frodo rushed over to Sam, "Go on Sam, ask Rosie for a dance."
"I think I'll just have some more ale…" Sam muttered walking toward the barrels.
"Oh, no you don't." Frodo chuckled grabbing Sam and turning him around.
Sam's face went from green to red faster than I could blink. Frodo pushed him towards Miss Rosie and they started dancing.
"Whoa!" Gandalf shouted. He had just set off a firecracker that shot up into the air, separated, went down, and shot in every direction.
"Wow that was so cool!" I shouted, "This is the best fireworks display I've ever seen!"
Gandalf set off another one, this time butterflies.
"Off they go!" Gandalf said happily as the kids started chasing them. It looked like he needed to get more; I guess that's why he went to his wagon. Meanwhile, Bilbo was telling some of the other kids a story about being trapped by Trolls, imagine if the Trolls were Oni.
BOOOOOOOM! Another firecracker went off. It soared into the air and turned around. Well that's Wizard's fireworks for you. It changed into a Dragon, turned around in mid-air and dived-right at us. Uh-oh…
Everyone began running away and tumbled over tables. But the Dragon passed over. Flew into the distance and exploded into one big firework.
"That is the sign for dinner!" Mr. Bilbo said cheerily. The atmosphere changed immediately at the sound of the word: 'dinner'. And I was rather keen on trying the food here.
It was all delicious, but there was one hinter. I don't know how to use a fork and knife; I grew up using chopsticks. More than once did I drop the fork on accident and nearly embarrassed myself…
"Gah…these are hard to use…" I mumbled, "Not like using chopsticks."
A few minutes later, as I struggled with the fork and knife the birthday cake came. It was big and it had to; to be able to have 111 candles. I wonder if it was chocolate…
"Speech!" everyone shouted, "Speech Bilbo speech!"
"My dear people," He started, there were several cries of 'Hear! Hear!' and he continued, "My dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbdies, Brockhouses, and Proudfoots."
"PROUDFEET!" someone shouted from the back. The crowd roared with laughter and Mr. Bilbo plowed on with his speech.
"Proudfoots," he repeated, "Also my good Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my 111th birthday,"
"Happy Birthday!" the crowd shouted back.
"I hope you are enjoying yourselves as much as I am, I shall not keep you long, I have called you all together for a purpose. Indeed, for three purposes! First off all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits. I don't know half of you as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."
"What did he say?" I asked Frodo.
"Secondly to celebrate my birthday. Cheers again. I should say OUR birthday. For it is, of course, also the birthday of my heir and nephew, Frodo. He comes of age and into his inheritance today. Together we score 144. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One gross, if I may use that expression."
But no one seemed to like that, That was a total random… I thought smacking myself on the forehead.
"Thirdly and finally, I would like to make an ANNOUCEMENT. I um…have a lot of things to do…"
His hand moved to behind his back I caught a glint of gold.
"I'm afraid to say that the end is coming, I'm going now…good-bye."
He took one step forward and…he disappeared! And that buzzing sound was back again.
"Where'd he go?"
"People don't vanish into thin air!"
But Bilbo had.
SANGOCHAN: Very mysterious…how mysterious…so mysterious…
Lloyd: SANGOCHAN, they get it.
SANGOCHAN: keep on the look out for Chapter three: The Ring has Awakened and uh..sorry I had to bore you with Bilbo's speech…(sweatdrops)
