Similar to what I did with The Second Wardrobe, this fanfic also ties in with the book and movie "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". I'll look back at the book for reference. :)
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Fredegar Bolger, Fatty as he was called, had a knack for being on time. In spite of his friends wanting adventures, he preferred to stay at home and do things closer to the Shire and to Buckland. That was his lot in life.
He had an appetite for food and it showed. Food was his passion, like many hobbits enjoyed.
What made this day extra special was heading to Brandy Hall. His best friend, Merry Brandybuck, was there. He was desperate than to find Frodo Baggins. Rumor had it that, thanks to Samwise Gamgee, Bag End's gardener, Frodo traveled to Narnia. But where on Middle-earth was Narnia? That was the question he most likely wanted answered.
It was on this particular day that Merry made a find. In his bedroom, with rounded beige walls, hung a painting of a ship. The painting was so colorful and so cool that it made Merry's heart soar. He loved boating and this painting was right for him. That was why he decided to show Fatty the painting, get him to enjoy an adventure. His Brandybuck instincts told him adventure awaited inside the painting.
"I hope this isn't about another adventure in the water!" Fatty complained, as they neared the bedroom. "Last time you took me swimming, I couldn't get the sand out of my ears."
"No. This is better." Merry said, gleefully. He pointed to the painting. "Look! Look at it! This painting is gorgeous."
Fatty shut the door. "Well, another painting to look at. Merry, you know there aren't any adventures inside paintings."
"You don't know that!" Merry cried, astonished.
"I do know that you don't pass up the opportunity for adventures. Do you, Meriadoc?" Fatty shook his head. "I'll have you know this is ridiculous! What if Frodo's not in Narnia? What if he's waiting for us at Bag End?"
"Bilbo and Sam both said he's in Narnia. Just relax and help me look for something." Merry said, searching the room.
"Well, I'll be." Fatty grunted.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
"What's that?" Fatty asked. Water sprayed him and Merry. It was coming from the painting. "Merry, what is that?"
"Here! Grab it!" Merry wasted no time. He grabbed the painting. Fatty dived in and held onto it. The effort didn't work. They were splashed with scores of water. They had no choice but to drop the painting.
Water gushed out, drowning the room in a sea of blue. Merry was plunged under the surface, same as Fatty. Merry had to do something. Swim! Swimming was the only way to go. The water rose up even higher. Okay. Think about his lessons. Dog paddle. Find the surface. He swam, searching for it. There was no ceiling, only water.
He climbed higher and higher, reaching the surface and gasping for air. Fatty followed, as did three others. They were human. The girl had golden-blonde hair and one of the boys had dark brown hair. Who were they? And that ship – they needed to swim! Swim, swim! As hard as they could without stopping. Someone grabbed him. He looked familiar. His hair was brown and his eyes were blue.
"Frodo?" Merry asked, confused. "Frodo, is that you?"
"Merry?" Frodo addressed him, pleased. "It's you! You're here." He turned to Fatty, excited. "Fatty, so good to see you."
"You mean we're in Narnia." Fatty said, astonished.
"Yes!" Frodo answered, curious. "What are you two doing here?"
"Is this your ship?" Merry asked, looking up.
"Yes." Frodo said, pleased. "Well, it's Caspian's ship."
"Who?" Merry asked, confused.
"Let's get them aboard." A man said. He had dark brown hair and a scruffy beard.
Merry followed Frodo and the others towards a planked rope that cast them aboard the vessel. He never seen Frodo so happy. There was twinkle in his eyes. Frodo was happy here. That much was clear. But would he be happy returning home, when they had the chance? Merry didn't know. He was just glad to see his cousin again.
As for the man who helped saved them from the water. He was Caspian and he gladly helped bring Fatty aboard, along with the two boys and the girl. Merry wanted to learn about them all, hopefully sooner than late.
"Who are all of you?" Merry asked, curious.
"I'm Caspian the Tenth, the King of Narnia." Caspian introduced himself.
"And you three?" Merry asked, turning to the children.
"Edmund Pevensie." The brown-haired boy said, smiling.
"Lucy Pevensie." The golden-blonde haired girl said. She turned to the other boy, who was busy fighting off a large mouse. "That's Reepicheep, the mouse, and Eustace can be a nuisance."
"I'd like to throw him overboard." Edmund said, annoyed.
"Edmund." Lucy told him, serious.
"We know Frodo." Edmund said, addressing Frodo. "He was with us on our last adventure. It turns out you stayed in Narnia."
"Until the time comes when I return home." Frodo said, looking down. "A shame I don't know when that'll be." He added, "I love it here. I love Narnia. It has its ups and downs, but it's all good."
"Clearly, you've had more downs than ups, cousin." Merry said, concerned.
"It's been a long day." Frodo admitted, not telling the whole story.
"Who are you two?" Caspian asked the two newcomer hobbits.
"Merry Brandybuck." Merry said, tapping Fatty's shoulder. "And this is Fatty Bolger. He didn't expect an adventure, but now he's got one."
"Yes, and the sooner we leave this quest, the better." Fatty said, heading down to the crew quarters.
Merry also learned that Edmund and Lucy were the High King and Queen of Narnia. How they gained that title was beyond his reckoning. All he knew was this was going to be a long sea voyage with no chance of ending. Not that he expected the journey to end so soon. He just wanted to enjoy the sea, while it lasted.
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Thanks for reading. :)
