Chapter 2
The Home of a Hobbit
When I opened my eyes I was in the woods. I sat up and found my sisters next to me. I remembered Rachel's seizure and shook Ann awake.
"Ann! ANN!"
"What?!"
"Wake your ass up! Rachel!"
Her eyes flew open and we both went over to Rachel. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully. We knew when she was sleeping and when she was passed out.
"Rachel?" I asked.
Her eyes fluttered open and I sighed in relief.
"Praise the goddess." Ann said.
I smiled and hugged my sisters.
"Ella, Ann…where are we?"
"I don't know. Probably somewhere outside Seattle." Ann said.
"No. We would know Ann. We hunt right outside Seattle all the time. We are nowhere near Seattle." I said.
Ann looked around and then nodded.
"All we can do now is try and find someone to help us." Rachel said.
We all agreed and then started to look for a road or a trail. When we found one we followed it west for about 15 minutes before an old man with a walking staff and a large pointed hat. Something told me that this was only the beginning. He walked over to us and nodded.
"At last you are here. I sent for you three some time ago." he said.
I was utterly confused, as were my sisters. Ann was the first to speak.
"I'm sorry sir, but I think you have us confused with someone else."
"No, no my dear Ann. I know exactly who you are."
My eyes widened and I slowly looked at Ann. She looked shocked. I immediately became very protective and pushed my sisters behind me. Despite Rachel's warning looks.
"Who are you and how do you know my sister?" I asked.
The old man smiled and began to chuckle.
"I asked you a question!" I said my anger growing.
"Yes you did Ella. I knew I would have to earn your trust. Rest assured I mean no harm to you or your sisters. Your sister Rachel should know I speak the truth."
"Leave my sisters be!" I snapped.
"Wait Ella." I looked at Rachel. "He won't hurt us."
"Rachel we do not know him!" I said.
"No but you shall my dear. Now if you do not mind we have some very pressing business in the Shire."
You said what?!
I slowly turned and looked at the old man.
"What did you just say?" I asked in a low voice.
"You are not deaf." he said tiredly. "Now come we must away."
Rachel followed him so Ann and I had no choice but to go with her. We followed the man down the road and soon came to what looked like a village. What caught my attention was the small people walking around. I dared not believe what I knew they were. I kept my eyes straight ahead. We walked along the path and then up a hill. There sitting on a bench was another small person. He sat smoking a pipe. He looked at us and seemed a bit confused.
"Good morning." he said.
"What do you mean?" asked the old man. "Do you mean to wish me a good morning or to you mean it is a good morning whether I want it or not? Or to you mean to say that you feel good on this particular morning or that it is a morning to be good on?"
I felt bad for the little man.
"All of them at once I suppose." he said.
"Yes well, I am looking for someone to share in an adventure."
The little man looked very nervous.
"Good morning! We do not want any adventures here! Perhaps you should try over the Hill or across the Water." He said.
"What an awful lot of things you use good morning for. Now you mean you wish be rid of me and my companions!" said the old man.
"Not at all, not at all my dear sir. Now let me see, I do not believe I know your name."
"Yes, yes my dear sir! And I do know your name and you know mine. Though perhaps you do not remember I belong to it. I am Gandalf, and Gandalf means me! To think I should have lived to be good-morninged by Belladonna Took's son! As if I were selling buttons at his door."
Gandalf!? Gandalf the Grey!?
"Gandalf, Gandalf! Good gracious me! Not that wandering wizard who gave Old Took a pair of magic diamond studs that fastened themselves and never came undone till ordered? Not the fellow who used to tell such wonderful tales at parties, about dragons, and goblins and giants and the rescue of princesses and the unexpected luck of widows' sons? Not that man who used to make such particularly excellent fireworks! I remember those! Old Took used to have them on Midsummer's Eve. Splendid! They used to go up like great lilies and snapdragons! Dear me not the Gandalf who was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses running off in the Blue for mad adventures! I had no idea you were still in business." Said the little man.
"And where else should I be? I am glad to see you remember something about me. You seem to remember my fireworks kindly." Gandalf said.
This was not happening!
"Excuse me!" I said.
Gandalf turned and looked at me.
"Right now you cannot mean you are Gandalf the Grey! One of the Istari, Order of Wizards. I hate to tell you this, but they are what we call fiction! You know make believe!" I said.
"Ella now is not the time to be a nerd." Ann said.
I scowled at her. She shrugged. I sighed and shook my head.
"Well my dear Ella I can assure you I am quite real! As is Mr. Baggins here."
"Wait!" I held up my hands. "Bilbo Baggins son of Bungo?" I asked.
Bilbo nodded and seemed to see Rachel. There was a long moment of silence and I slapped my hand to my face.
"Spare me." I groaned.
"Spare you from what? I'm surprised you of all of us is finding this hard to believe Ella." Ann said.
She was right. I was a huge Tolkien nerd, and I was immensely proud of it. I sighed and rubbed my temples.
"Alright fine! I shall play along…..for now." I said.
I noticed that Rachel had been abnormally quiet. I looked at her and found her and Bilbo still staring at one another. I smirked a bit and rolled my eyes.
"Yes well my dear Bilbo, would you be so kind as to take care of them for now?"
Before Bilbo could refuse Gandalf smiled.
"There is a good fellow. Now I shall go as far as to send you on this adventure."
"Wait what?! But I have not asked for…."
"Oh yes you have. Now I believe these three are quite tired after the journey they have had. Be a good lad and give them some food and a place to rest."
Before anyone could speak Gandalf was off. Bilbo took one look at Rachel and then seemed to remember what was going on.
"Yes well do come in."
His little hobbit hole was indeed comfortable. It was beautiful.
"You have a lovely home." Rachel said.
I swore I saw the hobbit blush. Ann was hungry and Bilbo showed her the kitchen. I was more so confused and needed to sit. Bilbo led me to a small room where a decent sized bed was. I looked at him and bowed. If we truly were in Middle Earth then it was time to nerd up.
"I thank you for your hospitality Master Baggins." I said.
"Oh well yes of course. You are most welcome."
I smiled a little and then lay down on the bed. I had only meant to relax, but I found myself falling asleep.
