Chapter Three: Learning

A/N: So this chapter sort of describes more in what direction I'm trying to take this story. You'll get it at Bilbo's party. ^_^ Again, feel free to review. I'm open to constructive critisism. Sorry Kassi's parts are so short... there just isn't anything going on with the elves at this point. Also, pay attention to details, I'm sorry it's so confusing, but they way I'm writing it is a little hard to figure out, so I'm doing my best to make it easy to understand!

'Make the best of this test and don't ask why, it's not a question, but a lesson learned in time.'' -Green Day

Part One: Jaessa's Point of View

''I wonder if she's looking for me.'' I whispered to Pippin.

''If your bond is anything like mine and Merry's, she's been up and down Middle-Earth searching.''

''I miss her so much.''

''I can tell. Come on, let's get you out of those wet clothes.'' He smiled.

It had been a few hours since I had played in the river, and I was starting to shiver. Luckily, Pippin had soup and tea that made me warm up a little.

''I don't have anything to wear.'' I admitted.

''Right... uh... MERRY!'' Pippin shouted. I covered my ears.

''What is it, Pip?''

''Can you go ask Rosie for a dress? She doesn't have anything to wear.''

''Okay. It might take a while. Rosie's at the Green Dragon now, I don't suppose she would have anything there. Unless you want to let her borrow some of your clothes until I get her a dress.'' Merry suggested.

''Alright, then.'' Pippin nodded, going into his room for a minute.

''Just uhh... wear these. If you want. You don't have to. I mean, it's perfectly fine if you don't, I understand. If you want to get out of your wet clothes, here you go, if not, you don't have to.''

''Pippin, you talk a lot.'' I grinned, accepting the clothes and kissing him on the cheek. He stared after me as I went to the guest room to change. I came out looking (and feeling) ver, very stupid.

''I look awful!'' I groaned.

''You do not! I think you look fine.'' Pippin blushed.

''Really?''

''Yes. It's only for a little bit anyway.'' He shrugged.

''So, are you and Merry going to show me more of Shire tonight?''

''Well, not really tonight, maybe once we get a new dress for you we can show you around a bit more. Tonight is Bilbo's one-hundred and eleventh birthday.''

''Wow! Do all hobbits live that long?''

''Around there, yes.''

''So it's settled then. We'll take you out again and show you more when you get a new dress. Although, when you get your new dress, try not to get it dirty.''

''You mean wet?''

''Dirty, or wet. You're wearing that dress to the party, my lady.'' He grinned.

''Oh, 'my lady'? Ha. I bet that's what you call all the lady hobbits.''

''You know me so well.'' He joked.

There was an awkward silence between us where we just looked at each other- really looked at each other for the first time.

''For a hobbit, you're pretty cute.'' I whispered. I almost slapped a hand to my mouth.

That was supposed to stay in my head! I thought, panicking. My eyes fluttered closed instantly.

''For a human, you're pretty cute, too.'' He admitted his thoughts to me.

''Sorry, I shouldn't have said that.''

''And why not? Is there something wrong with it?''

''Just that I have to go back. Gandalf will be leaving tomorrow to get help from that Saruman guy and I- I might not be here for more then two days.''

''You don't have to go back. There's always a choice or a decision.''

''I don't have a choice, Pip. It's where I belong.''

''Maybe... just maybe... it's not where you belong. Maybe this was fate... you coming here. Maybe you were meant to be here, with Merry and I. Maybe Kassi is meant to be wherever she is.''

''Maybe. I don't know, Pippin. I don't have a family to go back to, I don't really have a job to go back to, I don't have a world to go back to. I just feel it's wrong to stay here and irritate you guys. You have been nothing but sweet to me since I came here. I don't think I would've made it without you.'' I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, and Pippin rushed to me without a word, he took me into his arms. I felt his chin atop of my head as I cried into his chest.

''You haven't bothered us one bit. You're lost, is all. Jae, look at me.'' He placed a tender hand on my chin and pulled me up to look at him.

''I really want to kiss you.'' I breathed.

''Then do so.''

''I wish I could.''

''Just one little kiss couldn't possibly hurt. Just... one...kiss...'' He tilted my chin up so our lips could meet. It was soft and sweet, and Pippin pulled away all too soon.

''That wasn't so bad, was it?'' He questioned me.

''No...'' I stood there, letting him hold me for the longest time. My head rested against his chest once more and I relaxed at last.

Smiling softly, I wished I could stay here. With Pippin and Merry. Maybe this was where I belonged.

Before I could ponder it any further, Merry walked into the room, carrying a very fancy dress. It was black and white. The bodice was white and lacy, while the long flowing skirt was black. The sleeves were long and black, and they ended with a final ruffle around the bottom of my wrist.

''Do you realize how many people made fun of me carrying this over here?'' Merry asked, ignoring how close his cousin and I were.

''What? Did they think you were going to wear it?''

''Apparently.'' Merry rolled his eyes bitterly.

''Thank you, Merry. You really didn't have to do that for me.''

''Eh, what are friends for?'' He shrugged his shoulders sheepishly.

I took the dress and padded to the other room to try it on. I stepped out shyly, noticing this particular dress was a little more... sexy then the other one. This dress was very low cut, and the corset that came with the dress was simple enough to put on, but it made my breasts look even bigger then they actually were!

''I'd say you're ready for a party.'' Merry grinned.

Pippin was speechless.

''What do you think, Pip?''

''Ummm... it's nice...'' His mouth hung open.

''You promised that I could see more of the Shire! Come on, let's go!'' I tugged at their hands.

''Alright, alright!'' Merry smiled. We left Crickhollow quickly and they took me to the Brandywine River, where we sat and talked for a while, then we raced each other to the Brandy Hall. I went as fast as my little hobbit legs could go and I collapsed right in front of it, having won the race.

''I... win..'' I gasped for breath. Pippin and Merry trailed behind, trying desperatly to outrace each other. Pippin dropped beside me.

''I demand a rematch! You didn't even know where you were going! You cheated!''

''How could I possibly cheat if I don't know where I'm going, Pip?''

''I- I don't know.'' He said, flustered and out of breath.

''You lost. Accept it.'' I laughed, playfully ruffling his hair. He caught my hand in his and within seconds, we were on the ground, wrestling. I was pulling at his hair and he was fighting against me, rolling over again and again. Merry just sat and watched, smirking the whole time. Finally, Pippin made the mistake of rolling over so I was on top and I slammed his wrists to the ground.

''I win again.'' I grinned, ignoring the fact that there were now leaves in my hair. He didn't even fight against my hold... not one bit. We just sat there, me on top of him, looking into each other's eyes. Grinning, I got off him, stood up and turned around. I had to pull the leaves out of my hair and straighten my dress out. Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around my waist and I was being tugged to the ground.

''Ah!'' I shrieked, falling on my ass in the dirt. Pippin was holding me from the back as I struggled madly. His hands flying everywhere he could reach that he thought I might be ticklish. I couldn't supress the giggles that welled up inside me and I burst out laughing and jerking, attempting to break away from him.

''Merry! Help!'' He begged, his arms settling around my waist once more.

''No, Pip. You got yourself into this mess. Can't have her mad at me, too.'' Merry shook his head.

I attempted to get off the ground and out of his hold, but it wasn't working.

''Alright! You win!'' I yelled.

''Yay!'' He cheered, letting me go finally. I adjusted my dress and finished picking leaves out of my hair.

After Merry and Pippin finished showing me around the marshes, Brandy Hall and some other places in the East Farthing, Merry looked at the evening sun.

''We should get heading to Hobbiton if we're going to make it for Bilbo's party.'' He said.

We got on the dirt path and started making way for Hobbiton. The guys would let me know whenever we passed a town, or something important. The sun had almost disappeared from the sky when we passed Bywater and were looking upon hobbiton.

''See the big hill way up there? That's Bag End, where Frodo and Bilbo live.'' Pippin pointed.

''Wow, it's huge!''

''The party's a little closer to hobbiton- see, they're already putting decorations up.'' I looked underneath Bag End to see a little field where several hobbits were hanging banners, putting out tables, and a few were carrying a cake.

''Merry, Pippin! Glad you could make it!'' The blue eyed hobbit said, standing in the dirt path, a little ahead of us. It appeared as though he had been surveying the party planning. He had another hobbit with him. He was a little bigger, with blonde curls and light blue eyes.

''Hello, Frodo, Sam. You remember Jaessa, right?''

''Yeah. I'm Frodo Baggins. We weren't formally introduced.'' The blue eyed one smiled, shaking my hand.

''I'm Jaessa.'' I announced to the other hobbit.

''Samwise Gamgee, at your service.'' He shook my hand firmly.

''Are you and Frodo good friends?''

''Oh yeah. I do a bit of gardening for him, too.'' He nodded.

''That's good. Looks like it will be a fun party.''

''Uncle Bilbo loves parties.'' Frodo grinned.

''I can tell. '' After meeting Frodo and Sam, the guys and I decided to check out the party decorations.

''Look, it's Gandalf's wagon!'' Pippin exclaimed, pointing at a wagon off to the side, loaded with plenty of multi-colored fireworks.

''You have fireworks in this world?'' I asked.

''Oh yeah. Gandalf is actually famous for his fireworks.'' Merry informed me.

''Let's set one off. The big one, that looks kinda like a dragon.'' I pointed at one laying on the left side with orange-pink wings.

''I'm really starting to like you, you know?'' Merry patted me on the back.

''We might want until Gandalf is starting his fireworks. They'll never know it was us!'' I grinned.

The party started off with a bang as plenty of hobbits started filing into their seats placed around the little round tables. They started playing dance music on drums and some rather primitive instruments. Sam was whisked into the lovely arms of Rosie, the girl whose dress I was wearing.

Frodo was dancing with a pretty little black haired hobbit, who was blushing madly. I believe it was the first (and the last) party I went to that Pippin wasn't drunk. He was still out there, dancing like a mad hobbit, with a partner, I might add. I couldn't hide the fact that I was a little jealous of her. He didn't ask me to dance, after all!

''You like Pip, don't you?'' I heard Merry ask as he sat at the table with me.

''Is it that obvious?''

''To me, yes. To him, maybe not.''

''Today, he kissed me.''

''Oh he did, did he? I wondered why you two were so close this morning.''

''I don't know what to do, Merry. I know I have to find Kassi and go home soon, but I feel pulled in all directions when I look at him.''

''Jae, I like you as much as the next hobbit, but no one should feel torn. You have to make a decision; stay here with us, and you will live like you have these last few days. Go home, and live like you were before you ended up in The Shire. I can't tell you which is the best to choose. My only question for you is, suppose you two did fall in love and you decided you would go home the minute you find Kassi. Can you go home and live with yourself after leaving him?'' Merry put his hand overtop mine and his grey eyes seemed to look right through me. He was right. How could I go home and not miss Pippin and the people I left behind here?

Before I could reply to Merry, a warm hand touched my shoulder and I turned my head to see Pippin standing beside me.

''Dance with me.'' He held out his hand. I leaned over and gently kissed Merry on the cheek.

''Thank you.'' I whispered before taking Pippin's hand. He led me into the rushing crowd of people and we started dancing to the beat of drums. We would switch partners every now and then, so I would be dancing with Frodo or Sam, then I would be right back with Pippin. This seemed to go on forever, until we were sitting beside Merry, laughing really loudly.

Gandalf started setting off fireworks, and we headed for his wagon. Merry and I were lookouts while Pippin jumped into the wagon and whipped out the dragon firework. We walked into one of the tents that had been set up for the party and we lit it on fire.

''Uh, boys, I don't think this is such a good idea!'' I shouted while they were fighting over whether they did it right or not. It was too late, because the firework exploded, taking the top of the tent with it and soaring into the sky. I had to choke back a laugh as I looked at Merry and Pippin. They were covered with soot from the tail end of the firework and their hair was spiking up.

Luckily, I had been far enough from the firework that I only got a little on my dress.

We watched the firework light up the sky and take the form of a dragon. It soared over the heads of all the other party-going hobbits and it just barely missed Bilbo. The dragon exploded in the distance, showering The Shire in golden sparkles.

''Let's get another!'' Merry bit back a yelp as he realized Gandalf had a hold of his pointy ear.

''Meriodac Brandybuck... and Peregrin Took. I might have known.'' He had a wicked smile on his face.

''They had help. It was my idea.'' I frowned, looking down.

''Jaessa? Well, you three will have the pleasure of doing the dishes. Come with me.'' I had the feeling the only reason he didn't grab my ear too was because he didn't have an extra arm at the moment. I followed silently, my head bowed still. We were stuck doing dishes from the dinner and desert. Pippin scrubbed, Merry rinsed and I dried. As I walked by Pippin to stack the dishes on the table by Gandalf, I laughed.

''What in God's name is so funny?'' He scowled, his spiky hair now starting to fall flat.

''Peregrin?''

''It's my name!'' He frowned.

''Well it's a strange one!'' I snorted, walking away, leaving him mumble irritatedly to himself.

Bilbo was making his speech as we had just finished, and we were allowed to watch.

''I regret to inform you that this is the end. Goodbye.'' Were his final words as he disapeared into the night.

Everyone panicked, and people were running, and freaking out. some of the hobbits were scuttling this way and that, and I was lost in the crowd.

''Merry? Pippin?'' I shuddered as I looked around.

They were no where in sght- and neither was Gandalf. There was evidence there had been a party, but no one was there.

''Jae? What are you still doing here?''

''I-Frodo- where are Pippin and Merry?''

''I assumed they went home, like the others did.''

''I can't walk to Crickhollow by myself- not at this time of night.''

''You can stay with me the night, if you want. Bilbo has a few guest rooms.''

''Thank you, Frodo.'' I told him. I followed Frodo up the hill to Bag End and was suprised to see a little golden ring in front of the door as we stepped inside. I saw Gandalf sitting in a chair, mumbling to himself.

''Go to bed, Jae. The guest bedroom is the third door on the left.'' He said.

I went straight there without asking any questions, but I didn't sleep. I lay awake in the bed, hearing Frodo talking to Gandalf. They talked a great deal about Bilbo, then Gandalf told Frodo something about, ''Keep it secret, keep it safe.'' I had no idea what he was talking about, but I listened anyhow. Then, I heard the door close. After that, it was silent. I pretended to be sleeping as Frodo rushed around from room to room, looking for something. Amidst all this rustling, I fell into a deep sleep.

Part Two: Kassi's Point of View

I spent so much time with Raylian that it seemed like I wasn't lonely. I missed Jae so much, but he helped make things easier on me. We shared tales of past adventures, and our different worlds, Arwen, Elrond and even different weapons of our worlds.

''A gun sounds extremly deadly.''

''It is. It's a horrible weapon. Most humans use it without thinking. They take the lives of others or their own lives.''

''Thier own?''

''Yes. Plenty of humans kill themselves in my world.''

''That is awful! I don't think I would ever want to go to your world! It sounds dreadful.''

''It is... sometimes. Then, at times, it's wonderful and beautiful. Babies are born, flowers bloom, first snow, hot chocolate... I miss chocolate. It's sad that they don't have it in your world.''

''It sounds delicious.'' Raylian laughed.

''It is! Especially when melted and strawberries are dipped into it! That's the best!''

''I would love to try it.''

''Yeah, but I didn't know I was going to be taken to another world, so I didn't think about bringing any with me. So, what do the women do for fun around here?''

''Cook. Take care of the men.''

''Take care of the men?''

''Yes. Before they are off to war with the orcs of Mordor.''

''War? Orcs? Why don't the women fight?''

He thought I was joking, because he laughed incredibly hard.

''I am serious! Are the women not allowed to fight?''

''No, they aren't. Women are delicate, they do not wish to fight.''

''What if I want to fight?''

''It will not be allowed. Not unless you ride from Rivendell on a very good horse without telling Elrond or Arwen.''

''That's awful! I should be allowed to fight if I want!''

''You don't even know how to use a sword!''

''Then teach me! Please! What if Jae is being held prisoner by orcs and I must know how to fight to save her?''

''Kassi, what you ask will not only take many days-''

''I have time. Please.''

''Alright.'' He gave in, at last.

Rayalin gave me a fine crafted elven sword and together, he taught me how to fight. Every day I would wake up, dress and meet him by the waterfall to practice. I got so good at it, I almost knocked his sword out of his hand.

''You've done well, Kassi. It's getting late, I think it best you make your way to the house of Elrond now, that way they do not suspect anything. I have nothing left to teach you. I pray it protects you on the search for your friend.''

''Thank you, Rayalin.'' I smiled, handing him his sword.

''Keep it.'' He shook his head.

I belted the sword around my leg and hid it underneath my gown. I walked into the house of Elrond and quickly went to the guest room to hide my sword. I came out and almost ran straight into Arwen.

''My father wished you to know that he has a horse aranged for you and is having someone pack it with food and provisions for your journey.''

''When should I leave?''

''Tomorrow, he said.''

''Already?''

''I am afraid so. I will miss you. It has been very comforting to have a friend here in this lonely place.''

''I understand completly!'' I grinned before hugging Arwen warmly.

We sat to dinner for what I thought would be the last time that night. Then, there was a knock on the door. An elf went to see who was visiting and returned with a very elderly man, wearing a grey cloak and matching grey hat.

''Gandalf! This is a suprise! I thought you were gone to The Shire?''

''Indeed, I was. I must ride to Isengard. The one ring has been found.''

Elrond stopped eating and a look of horror came to his face.

''Where?'' Was all he managed to ask.

''The Shire. Right under my nose! Frodo Baggins has it and is on his way here. I would imagine he is close to Bree by now. Him and Samwise Gamgee should be here within two days.''

''Are you positive it is the one?''

''Yes. I saw the writing on the band with my own eyes. I must ride to Isengard- who is this?'' He asked, gazing at me.

''Her name is Kassi. She is searchng for a friend.''

''So... is Jaessa. A hobbit from The Shire. My dear, are you from another world?''

''Yes, I am! You have seen Jae?''

''Indeed I have! I would imagine she is still in The Shire at this moment! I suggest you wait until I visit here again, my dear. I will take you with me and Shadowfax once I am back from Isengard.'' With that, Gandalf left.

''What is the one ring?''

''The ring of Sauron, the dark lord. He forged it in the fires of Mount Doom, and it has the power to destroy all Middle-Earth. Sauron was defeated by Isildur, King of Gondor, but he kept the ring for himself instead of destroying it. He was killed and the ring lost. If sauron finds this ring... he will have immeasurable strength once more and we will all be crushed under his hand.'' Elrond explained.

''I must go to Frodo.'' Arwen said, leaving the table.

''Tell her this is folly!'' Elrond shouted at me. I raced off frantically to find her. I spotted Arwen in the stables with a beautiful white horse.

''Be careful, Arwen.'' I told her, ignoring Elrond's wishes.

''Thank you, Kassi. If I hear word of your friend, I will try to find her. If not, I will bring you the news when I arrive back in Rivendell. If I do not come back within five days, go after me.'' She told me.

''Good luck.'' I wished her.

''You too. By the way, you're quite good with a sword.'' She smiled, mounting her horse and shooting off across the waterfall and into the valley below. They were out of my view within minutes.

''I tried to stop her, Lord Elrond, but she went before I could knock sense into her.''

''I see. Arwen is... headstrong. She rushes into things often. I hope she will be alright.'' He sighed deeply.

I headed into the guest room in silence, missing Arwen. She was the only person here that made me think of home... Michigan. Jaessa. At home, life was quiet and boring. Same thing day after day. Now, I felt as though I was getting ready to go to war? Was I ready for this? Then, for about the fifth time that day, I hoped Jaessa was alright... wherever she was at that moment.