Episode VII:

A New Story

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Once upon a time.

Storybrooke was living in a time of peace. Everyone got their happily endings. And yet, it wasn't enough for one hobbit, looking to start a new adventure.

This is how it happened….

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Outside Frodo Baggins' House – Storybrooke, Maine, Years Ago

Frodo walked outside his house, breathing in the fresh air. He was getting older and hadn't gotten any grey hairs yet, but he could feel time wasting away. He looked at his best friend Samwise Gamgee, who waved to him out on the sidewalk. Frodo grinned, admiring his friend for sticking up for him after all these years.

At last, Frodo climbed down the stone steps, greeting his friend and companion with a warm hug and a friendly smile. "Sam, it's so good to see you."

"And you, Mr. Frodo," Sam said, curtly. He asked as they walked down the sidewalk, "Are you sure you won't stay? What about Miss Mindy? I'm sure she must be very worried about you."

"To be honest, Sam, Mindy and I are just friends now." Frodo hated to say that, but he knew it needed to be said. "After our adventures in Storybrooke, Mindy wanted her own adventures, be it in any realm she chose. I begged to come with her, pleaded even, but she knew it was time to do her own wanderings, meeting new and familiar faces." He nodded. "It was for the best. I'm going to miss her."

"But?" Sam asked, curious. "It isn't enough?"

"No, Sam. It isn't." Frodo said with a sigh. "Sauron may be wandering off to distant realms, too. I don't know. The last Manwë's heard from him, Sauron broke out of his prison. He's still out there. I may be cured, but I need to go and find him. I need a new adventure. My journey has only just begun."

"Then let me go with you!" Sam said, encouraging him.

"Sam, Henry checked the Sorcerer's Mansion, before he left Storybrooke. I went with him and uncovered many different versions of our stories, of other stories. We have every chance of begin a new quest if we want. I'm taking my quest now. Wish me luck. Come and find me, if you want." Frodo approached a motorbike and mounted it. He put on a blue helmet, strapping it on, before pulling out an iridescent bean and tossing it in the air. The bean landed on the street, forming a spinning portal. He looked at Sam one last time, as Sam wished him luck, before starting the engine and driving through the portal.

~o~

Another Realm, Years Later

Frodo sped through the forest on his motorbike. He was donned in a brown tunic with a white dress shirt underneath, as well as brown knee-breeches. Grey hairs started sprouting on his curly brown hair. They weren't that many. Only one or two appeared, but it showed he was aging a little in this new realm. So far, there hadn't been anyone to stand in his way. Hopefully, he wouldn't run into anyone familiar.

How could he? He was in a new realm, searching for that next great adventure. He hadn't found it yet, but maybe someday, that adventure would belong to him! He just didn't count on skidding to a halt, seeing a damsel, wearing a pink, flowing dress, lying on the grassy ground, unconscious and with hair as chestnut as the acorns surrounding her.

Frodo had an inkling who she was from the signpost, which read: "Here Lies Princess Eilonwy" with a message scrawled underneath it: Shh! The Princess Must Not Be Disturbed – By Order of the King.

"Eilonwy?" Frodo asked, stunned.

*.*.*

References:

Princess Eilonwy is from Disney's animated film "The Black Cauldron". For the purposes of this story, Eilonwy's appearance is different from her Disney counterpart.