Hey guys! Me again, God I thought I was going to upload this a lot sooner but here I am giving this to you late! So apologies for that...my only excuse? University is really fucking hard! I have to write one piece of creative writing a week - as well as write a review of something I had seen earlier in the week - and the English Literature essays are fucking me in the arse so I'm struggling to find time to complete this! I promise you I will try to update faster just keep reminding me send me a pm every now and then or hit me up with a review and I promise you that will motivate me so much more. Anyway here's a chapter in Alice's pov, I think she's the most interesting of my girls to write in the mind of, so I hope you like her as much as I do. Enjoy.
Alice – A Day in the Shire
Gandalf had spoken to Mr Baggins in a cheerful way that one would associate with a close friend, whilst Mr Baggins, Alice had noticed, was regarding the wizard as a stranger. It made Alice wonder, had they actually met? Were they really friends?
Alice didn't trust this Gandalf person. Scratch that, Alice didn't trust anyone but at this certain moment she particularly didn't have any trust in this Gandalf person. It could possibly have not been his name. His name could be Jerry…or Fred. Yes, Alice didn't trust 'Gandalf' AKA Freddie the dwarf murderer.
She and Mia stood slightly to the side, just far enough away from the men that they could not hear their conversation. Alice could tell it was an awkward conversation though, by the looks on their faces. Gandalf seemed kind of…frustrated, whilst poor Mr Baggins seemed flustered and a tiny bit angry.
Mia looked at Alice in disbelief, "are you seeing this too?"
"Yup," Alice said simply, popping the 'p' and swinging back on her heels. "It's like Freddie doesn't even know him or something." Wait. Shit. Did she just say Freddie?
"Freddie?"
"Uh, yeah, I was musing things over in my head, and decided that I don't trust Gandalf and that that may not even be his name and he could be some kind of dwarf murderer named Freddie." Alice vented out quickly, deliberately not meeting Mia's eyes out of embarrassment.
Mia barked out a laugh, "You are so fucking paranoid, Alice, Jesus Christ."
"I'm not paranoid!" Alice complained, "It's just…do we really know anything about him? He's trying to get us to stay with a complete stranger! It doesn't make sense!"
"Just roll with it," Mia replied with a roll of her black eyes, "He may be a bit weird, but he's also our only chance at staying alive…"
Alice huffed, "Fine, but I still don't trust him."
"That's fine, Alice," Mia said exasperatedly.
The two friends were silent for a moment longer, once again carefully watching the exchange between Mr Baggins and Gandalf Mr Baggins was now standing by his door, looking appropriately baffled and Gandalf was just staring back at him blankly.
"I think he's asked Mr Baggins something else," Mia said, "Other than asking if we can stay here, I mean. He's up to something…"
Alice snorted, "He's crafty, I'll give him that, but the bugger looks as though he's high or something." Mia laughed at that because Gandalf's expression looked so blank, it was like he was tripping out.
At that moment, Gandalf swang around to face them with a shit-eating grin on his face. Alice had to wonder why he was so cheerful, it seemed to her that Mr Baggins had not accepted Gandalf's request, so he would have no reason to grin that wide, surely.
"Miss Alice, Miss Mia, come and meet your host."
Oh, so Mr Baggins had let them stay. Alice wondered just why the little hobbit had seemed angry when he was speaking to Gandalf.
Alice and Mia wandered over to where Gandalf stood in front of Mr Baggins' elaborate front gate, still smiling at the small man. Mr Baggins just stared blankly at the two friends as they appeared at the Wizard's side.
Alice pushed herself slightly behind Mia, as usual, curling her hands around a strand of her waist length, curly, dark brown hair and twisting it nervously between her long, pale fingers. She bit her lip slightly as she listened to Gandalf.
"Bilbo Baggins, these are the young ladies you are to…look after until I return."
Bilbo smiled brightly at the two girls in front of him, "Nice to meet you…" He trailed off looking for names to give the girls. Mia and Alice blinked at him, Alice didn't want to talk, she didn't like it, but Mia seemed to be…infatuated. Alice just couldn't figure out what was going on in the other girl's mind. Ever so lightly, Alice pushed her elbow into Mia's ribs.
"Mia!" Mia said quickly, snapping out of her strange behaviour, "Mia Mosely…and this is Alice Bennet, she, uh, isn't much of a talker."
"That's quite alright," Bilbo said, still grinning. It was actually starting to unnerve Alice. "I'm not one to talk a great deal either."
"Well then!" Gandalf spoke up quickly, "I suppose since you are well acquainted now, I may take my leave."
"Ah, very well," Bilbo muttered, opening his front door, "Misses Alice and Mia, if you would like to make yourselves at home…inside," The two girls hurried into the circular house quickly and Alice had to say she was happy to be in the warm, comforting home.
Bilbo bid farewell to a still grinning Gandalf as he himself entered the house behind them. "What a strange man…" He said, mostly to himself, as he wandered down the hall, Mia trailing behind him. "Your hair is lovely, Miss Mia," He said suddenly, making Mia blush profusely.
"Oh, uh, really?"
"Yes," Bilbo nodded, eyeing the short, black hair, "I have never seen hair of such a dark shade, for a hobbit, and it is straight, yet so short." He was right, it barely reached her shoulders, "I like it."
Alice lingered in the dimly lit hallway, taking in her perfectly circular surroundings. Bilbo seemed to be a very…organised person. Everything had a space and Bilbo apparently made sure that everything in his house was always in that place. Alice noticed, as she looked around the entrance hall that there was not even a spec of dirt or dust to be found anywhere.
Bilbo was very clean.
From behind her, Alice could hear a sizzling sound coming from the other side of the door. Scared, Alice peered discretely out of the small circular window beside the door to see a Grey blur against the door. Alice squinted slightly to see that it was, in fact, Gandalf against the door.
Alice pursed her lips. That man was up to something, Alice was sure. She didn't trust him at all, then again, Alice had never trusted anyone. She'd always found it hard to trust people, it was something that came with being, well, being Alice. In fact, her trust issues had just gotten worse since…the incident.
It was Sienna's fault, really it was. The girl was far too adventurous for her own good. She and Alice had been playing out by the park one day with a tennis ball. Just playing, you know, throwing the ball backwards and forwards, chasing each other around, they just didn't expect it at the time.
The ball got a bit too near the road and Sienna had ran off after it without a care in the world. As she reached the edge of the walkway, a huge man jumped out of the van and pulled an unsuspecting Sienna inside.
Not able to figure out what else to do, Alice surged forwards, a pained battle cry escaping her lips. They were only six. Alice could still remember the iron grip of the man as he wrapped a brick-like arm around her waist and dragged her, kicking and screaming into the back of his van, his hand clamped firmly against her mouth muffling the cries so that no public figure could hear her.
They were in the…facility for three weeks. Alice had managed to take most of the pain for Sienna, stop them from hurting her as much. Regardless, both girls still felt the terror and heartache of those three painstaking weeks that had changed them so.
Alice never trusted another stranger again until she was absolutely sure she could do so. Even now, she was not quite sure she could even trust Bilbo, who was probably one of the kindest souls she had meet in a long time and Mia obviously liked him.
Alice entered the kitchen as she snapped away from her thoughts. Bilbo was preparing some kind of cakes while Mia watched from the nearby dinner table and he was explaining some kind of….thing to her. "Honey cakes and tea is the best thing for elevenses!" He was saying as he placed a cake on a plate in front of Mia. As Alice entered he gave a comforting smile, "would you like a honey cake, Miss Alice?"
"No thank you," Alice said quietly, looking down at her feet, "and please, it's just Alice, not Miss Alice."
"My apologies, Mi - I mean – Alice."
Alice looked up with a shy smile, "That's okay, Bilbo."
"Come sit down, Alice!" Mia encouraged her friend patting a seat next to her, "Bilbo doesn't bite, just stop being so awkward!"
"I am not awkward!" Alice moaned, stomping over to the indicated seat. "I'm just not very talkative!"
Mia laughed, "that's an understatement!" She turned to Bilbo, mischief gleaming in her eyes, "let me tell you, this one never talks to anyone! She's always so grumpy!"
Alice grimaced, "I take pride in that, thank you very much."
"Course you do." Mia said, "Now shut up and accept one of Bilbo's amazing honey cakes."
"A honey cake would be…" Alice pouted slightly, "lovely."
Bilbo grinned at the two girls, although Alice could tell he was rather flustered by the light banter between the two, "Of course, Alice." He emphasized her name, as though showing her he had remembered not to say 'Miss' and Alice did admit she thought it was rather adorable of him.
Mia smiled widely, reminding Alice of the Joker from Batman for a second, "Bilbo, this cake is so good! My God, it, like, melts in your mouth!"
"Yes, that is generally a-" Alice tuned out the pairs conversation after that, nibbling softly on the, admittedly delicious, honey cake she had been given. She just couldn't concentrate on conversation right now. Her mind was on a completely different pair, who were…somewhere, maybe not even in this, well, Alice supposed it was an alternate universe she was in.
Alice sighed and sunk back in her chair. Bilbo and Mia didn't even seem to notice her sudden exhale of breath, and continued on with their yawn-inducing conversation about how to get honey cakes to the right 'moistness'. Seriously. Alice had to supress the urge to roll her eyes, talk about a lame conversation. She was pretty sure Mia could do better than that.
Instead of listening, Alice let her mind wander back to her younger sister. What was she doing? Was she okay? Was she alive? The last thought scared Alice. Sienna could be dead, Alice couldn't possibly tell if she were otherwise.
Alice shook her head, as if shaking her thoughts away. Of course Sienna was okay. She was probably with Reese. Reese wouldn't let her get hurt. Hopefully. Alice didn't know why she was so…protective. She'd always been the shy one, she'd always been the one to lean on Sienna. Sienna had never really needed her. Except when they were in the facility, that's probably why Alice was worried.
Yes, of course, Sienna had a habit of breaking easily, she had too many emotions. Alice had learned to control her emotions too well, she could handle herself in severe situation but Sienna couldn't. Sienna was the passionate one. The sister that lost herself in the moment, which could often lead to her being unable to look to the future. Alice was smart and calculating and never let her feelings take over.
Alice wore a mask and never let her feelings show to anyone except Mia and Sienna. She still had yet to come to trust Reese. She had issues with things like that; she was unable to trust until they proved themselves worthy of it.
Alice glanced at Bilbo and Mia once more, they were talking about doilies now. Doilies. She shook her head at the two of them and cut in. "Bilbo?"
"Yes, Alice?"
"Can we do something?" Alice gulped, "It's not that I don't like sitting here it's just…" Her hand started to fiddle with a strand of hair, "I don't."
Bilbo blushed, "Ah, yes, well, I need to get some food from the market, would that suffice? We could get some fresh air after all."
Alice smiled, "That would be lovely, Bilbo!" She agreed and watched as Bilbo stood to retrieve his jacket.
Mia shook her head and walked over to Alice, "That was a bit rude," she whispered into her friend's ear so that Bilbo would not overhear.
"I'm sorry if I don't like sitting here talking about the texture of honey cakes!" Alice hissed back harshly, "and sorry if I'm too socially awkward to think of just changing the conversation."
Mia sighed, "Right, right, sorry."
"Let's just go?" Alice suggested, pulling Mia back to the hallway where Bilbo stood waiting. Surveying him carefully, Alice noticed something, "Bilbo...aren't you going to wear any shoes?"
Bilbo laughed, "Oh, you dwarves do have an excellent sense of humour!" He chortled and Mia and Alice shared a look. What was he talking about? Instead of actually putting on shoes, Bilbo opened his front door and strolled outside.
Mia shrugged and followed him, pulling Alice along behind her half-heartedly as she fought to keep up with the surprisingly speedy hobbit ahead of the pair.
The market was packed when they finally arrived, full of small people wandering around, buying armfuls of food and alcohol. Alice suppressed a giggle when she thought of how true Gandalf's earlier statement on hobbits was. It was strange to Alice, being in the market, she'd always been a short girl, not shorter than Reese, who was tiny in comparison, but at least a head shorter than most people.
Now, however, here she stood amidst a whole range of people who were shorter than her. It was like she had entered a land of opposites. After all, Mia was usually the tallest of the group and now she was of the shortest race in the whole of…wherever they were.
Alice didn't think she could handle much more of this place.
Bilbo led them through the great mounds of people, picking up what he considered to be 'the best quality food and not any less', Alice considered this to be true, based on what was available in the market but, it was no Dorito's and salsa, or baby back ribs smothered with Jack Daniel's barbeque sauce.
As Bilbo picked through the crowd, painstakingly too slow for Alice's liking, Mia pulled her as close to the small man as possible. Every now and then, Bilbo would stop to talk to random groups of people cheerily and Alice would have to smile and wave as Mia introduced them both.
One particularly awful woman must have talked to the three of them for what felt like days. "Lobelia Sackville-Baggins!" She introduced haughtily, "I'm the wife of this one's cousin," she swatted at Bilbo playfully, "and who are you? Has Bilbo finally settled down for a wife?" She looked Mia up and down distastefully before glancing at Alice in disgust. "A dwarven wife perhaps?"
Bilbo shook his head rapidly, "No, no, Lobelia, these two are just visitors of mine, Gandalf the Grey asked me to accommodate them for the day!"
"Mia and Alice," Mia introduced holding out her hand for her to shake.
Lobelia ignored Mia's outstretched hand, "That's a relief!" She laughed, "Wouldn't want to be even further away from getting that wonderful house of yours!"
Bilbo laughed distractedly. Alice supposed he was still shaken at it being implied that he and Mia were engaged. He wishes, Alice thought. "Yes, yes, of course, Lobelia. Uh, we must - must be going now, farewell, dear." Bilbo made a hasty exit, leaving Mia and Alice behind.
Alice opened her mouth to say something to the rude woman, but Mia yanked her away with a rushed goodbye to Lobelia. "Well she was lovely," Alice commented when they caught up with their host.
"She's a little…difficult at times," Bilbo admitted, "but she has her heart in the right place?" He said lamely and the three of them all knew he was lying. Alice did not say anything as they followed him to the fish stand, but Mia smiled lightly at the man, giving her opinions on the fish he surveyed so carefully.
Soon they had everything they needed from the market and were heading back down the lane towards Bilbo's hobbit hole.
"What would you like for dinner then, misses Alice and Mia?"
Alice watched on as Mia thought about it for a second from where she walked beside the small man, Alice had decided to lag behind the pair, feeling very much like a third wheel and even more like the 'bad guy' in the situation.
"The fish we bought looked rather appetizing," Mia suggested, and Alice fought very hard not to roll her eyes at her friend's sudden 'posh' voice.
Bilbo seemed oblivious to the smaller girls change, "It does, doesn't it?" Mia nodded, biting her lip softly. "We shall have that then, miss!" He declared, looked rather pleased with himself.
Alice sighed, "Great!" She said, startling the other two with her sudden interjection, "Fish it is!"
"Of course," Bilbo agreed, as the three reached his rounded, pea green front door, "let's go in, then, shall we?" He opened the door and ushered the two girls in, quite gentlemanly, Alice noted.
Alice wandered through the door, but did not follow her friends through to the kitchen. No, she instead made her way to a small study. It was only tiny, in her point of view, but she supposed that, to Bilbo, it would be much more spacious than she believed it to be herself.
It was filled with books. Ah, books, books were Alice's friends. She loved books, an escape from harsh reality. Sienna always scoffed at her, "Who could like books?" She would say, unaware of their complete importance in Alice's measly existence. She never understood, neither did Mia. Reese did, Reese loved books just as much a she.
Alice trailed her hand along the spines of the books, reading the titles as she passed them. 'The Lost Road, and Other Writings', 'The War of the Jewels', 'Middle-Earth: A History'. The last title struck her, Bilbo had mentioned earlier that the strange world that she had found herself in was called 'Middle-Earth'.
Perhaps, she concluded, it would be good to read up on the history of the place that she would occupy for an unknown amount of time. Alice moved forwards, to Bilbo's small, untidy desk. She opened up the book, which had to be over one-thousand pages long, and began to read the tale of the creation of Middle-Earth.
She sat for an hour, becoming engrossed in stories of supernatural beings of the Valar and Maiar and later, tales of dwarves and elves and hobbits and even men, yes, there were men in Middle-Earth.
Alice read on, oblivious to Mia and Bilbo cooking in the kitchen, even more so when they called her to dinner because by that point, she had become tired, sleepy. Her eyes dropped shut, as she tried to focus on the words of the pages, but she could not concentrate at all. Soon, her eyes breezed closed and she fell asleep as the sound of a deep knock hit her already unaware ears.
