Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.
*.*.*
The first sensation Frodo saw was a semi-darkness mixed with flickering flames. Even with his eyes open, he could still see the darkness and the flames. Why did he see this? In a flash, everything turned to a brilliant gold. The most beautiful golden hued light he'd ever saw. It was so beautiful… so… so…
My precious!
The words hissed at him in several different areas. Frodo looked about him every which way, but could not find the way out. More flickering light entered the scene, followed by flaming elvish script jutting right towards him. He shielded his face and his eyes, but the flickering words kept crawling towards him.
One Ring to Rule Them All.
It was a single phrase, but it gave Frodo a hint at where he was. Wait… he wasn't floating on a volcanic ledge. He could see himself taking the Ring for his own. The Ring was his, but why then was it so powerful? The Ring was here, wrapping around him, squeezing the life out of him. It was too powerful. He couldn't do it…
"Frodo." It was a feminine voice calling out to him.
"Frodo!" Yes, it was Pippin and Merry, too. Frodo knew only one thing: he needed to escape this place and leave the book. Only the Ring was so strong.
"Frodo, it's Missy," said the familiar voice. "You have to beat the Ring! That's how you're getting out of there." She added in haste, "We'll find a way to get you out. Hold on!"
But he couldn't hold on. The Ring was too strong. It was beating him down. He needed to find a way. He stretched out his hand towards the lighter spot above. It was so pleasant, and yet far away. He couldn't do it. The Ring broke him every which way. It was suffocating him…
Wait. He could beat this. He was braver than he realized. He could do this. The Ring held no power over him. He could do this. One more push…
"NNNOOOOOO!" screeched the Ring. "CCOOOMMMEEE BBBBAAAACCCKKKK!"
Boom. Boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom.
Frodo heard the drums. The Ring's grip was released. He looked back once to see the Ring drop into the lava, as his distant self was released from the Ring's grasp and into a gangly creature's hands. Frodo no longer had the Ring, but from the looks of things, it wasn't over. And yet, he at last reached the window, pulling himself out.
The white light blasted him back into the white couch. The book was in Gandalf's hands. With one return: the Ring was back around his neck. How was there any hope of destroying it now? And yet, the quest still needed to take form.
"Well Frodo, you defeated the Ring in the book," Gandalf said, patting his shoulder.
"But the Ring is still here." Frodo sighed. "How am I to defeat it?"
"We make our way south and destroy the Ring, Frodo." Aragorn told him. "You have friends. Companions who are willing to help you on your quest."
"Thank you," Frodo said, giving a small smile.
"Now, Missy," Gandalf's attention turned to the girl. "You're still in the Dream World, are you not?"
"Yes. It would seem that way." Missy added, "But then, nothing's as it seems in this dream world."
"You're telling me," Frodo said, grinning.
"But I can help you find the way to get out of here." Missy said, pulling out another book. Only this book looked exactly like a copy of the Book of Mazarbul. "While Frodo was caught inside the book, it dawned on me. My parents said it would have to be the same book you traveled into. All you need to do is open the latch and you'll be on your way back."
"Thank you, Missy," Gandalf said, taking the book from her. Indeed, it was latched. Frodo stared at the book, wondering if it was the best idea.
"So we're really in a dream world, but still awake." Frodo huffed. "How did we ever come here by that book? What was the point of being here?"
"For you to know what you're about to face," Missy answered. "I probably won't remember this conversation when I wake up again. I'm just happy to help."
"Well, it was much needed," Gandalf said.
"Do you think we can stay here, until we figure out how to use this book?" Aragorn asked.
"Sure. The house is open to you," Missy said last, leaving the drawing room.
"So, now what do we do?" Frodo asked, the moment he and his companions were alone.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I am ready to continue this quest," Gimli stated.
"As am I, friend dwarf," Legolas told him.
"Well then, let's begin," Gandalf said. The second he opened the latch, the white light engulfed him and his companions. For a moment, they were traveling through space in a bright light. The light lasted for a moment, and then stopped with the wizard in the grey robes reading a few pages.
The white light stopped at last. The Fellowship of the Ring was back in Moria, surrounding Balin's tomb.
