00B.) Food Court - written by Corli

"We should've eaten at Ruby Tuesday's," Legolas said, scanning the Food Court with his elf eyes. "We'll never find nine seats together."

"We'll be fine," Aragorn said. "Listen up everybody - we're leaving at one sharp, so don't dally. We'll meet back here."

"Pip, let's go," Merry said, and he and his cousin scurried off.

The others slowly dispersed, talking amongst themselves and heading off in different directions. Without a word, Legolas suddenly took off, and a moment later Aragorn saw him score an empty table for four across the room.

As Sam and Frodo started through the crowded room towards the elf, Sam said, "I'll get your food, Mr. Frodo. What would you like?"

Frodo scanned the rows of neon and finally said, "How about beef with broccoli? And I'd like a couple eggrolls, too."

"Right away, Mr. Frodo. You just sit down, and I'll bring it to you." And Sam headed off, apologizing to the seated patrons as he kept knocking them in the head with his pack.

Frodo sat down at the table that Legolas had saved. "You can go get your food," he said to the elf, "and I can watch the table." But then he realized that Legolas was laying in wait for another table near-by. As soon as the diners began to clear their trays, the elf placed his bow down on their table, effectively claiming it for the rest of the fellowship.

"Good going," Gimli said, walking up to his elf friend and setting his tray down on the newly claimed table. "Now we can all sit together."

Legolas nodded. Now that both tables had someone sitting at them, he wandered off to get his own food.

Aragorn banged his tray down, sat down heavily, and pulled out one of the souvlaki meat skewers he'd purchased. He was halfway through it before asking with his mouth full, "Did anyone get any napkins?"

Boromir was just walking up to the tables and he casually handed several napkins to his fellow man. Then, as he took his seat next to Aragorn, Frodo noticed what was on Boromir's tray and his heart sank - the Steward of Gondor was eating burritos again.

Aragorn must've noticed, too, because he mumbled, "I guess we'll be riding with the windows down again this afternoon."

"Guess what, Frodo?" Merry said excitedly to his cousin as he and Pippin joined him at the table. "They've got Last Alliance action figures in their Happy Meals!"

"Happy Meals?" Gimli said, unwrapping his second Whopper. "I wouldn't think there'd be enough food for you lads in one of those."

"Oh, there's not," Merry said.

Pippin placed his cardboard meals on the table and sat down. "That's why we each got three."

As the two young hobbits each started into their meals, Sam came hurrying up with a tray. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Frodo, but the line was really long. And I wasn't sure if you'd want plum sauce or soy sauce so I got you both."

"Thank you, Sam." Frodo started to eat and then noticed Sam walking away. "Aren't you eating, Sam?"

Sam nodded. "I'm going to Boardwalk Fries - there's nothing like a giant cup of freshly-fried potatoes." And Sam hurried off once more, again knocking people with his pack.

"Dammit!" Merry said, opening up his third Meal. "I got THREE Gil-galads!"

"I'll trade you for an Anarion," Pippin said cheerfully, switching toys with his cousin.

"This place is a zoo," Gandalf said, trying to gather his robes up around him as he sat down so they wouldn't get stepped on. "I remember when people used to wait on your table instead of having to queue up just to get your food."

Boromir smiled. "The good old days, huh?"

Gandalf nodded, taking a sip of his decaf cafe latte.

Legolas wandered up, nibbling on a Mrs. Fields' cookie. "It's ten till one," he announced to no one in particular. And no one in particular paid him any mind.

"Psst, Merry," Pippin whispered, grinning as he elbowed his cousin. "Look at Gandalf."

The two hobbits watched as Gandalf took a huge bite out of his Hot Dog on a Stick, and they both collapsed into a giggling fit.

Sam came running up, out of breath. "I'm not late, am I, Mr. Frodo? The cashier didn't have change and it took forever to get through the line."

"It's okay," Boromir said, gesturing to Sam's cup of fries, "you can always take them with you, Master Samwise."

"That's what he'll have to do," Aragorn said, standing up and slugging down the last of his Dr. Pepper. "It's one o'clock and we need to go."

"But we need our refills," Merry said, and he and Pippin ran off through the crowd again before Aragorn could stop them.

Gandalf yawned and scratched his beard as he stood up. "And I was thinking that a Cinnabon would taste good about now. A few more minutes shouldn't hurt."

"It's no wonder we don't make better time," Gimli grumbled as he and Boromir cleared everyone's trays.

As Sam took his master's tray, Frodo broke open his fortune cookie.

"What's it say, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked eagerly.

Frodo shot a worried glance towards Boromir. "Nothing, Sam. It's says nothing," Frodo said as he crumpled up the fortune and tossed it in the trash.

THE END