Disclaimers: See Prologue for more info.
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This is the last chapter for this story in the Next Generation trilogy.
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Epilogue:
First Assembly
Frodo pulled back a red curtain. There was an assembly of heroes present, mixed with a mass amount of fans. Nervousness seeped into Frodo's chest. He wasn't ready to speak before an assembly. What was the point? Moving back the curtain, he walked across backstage towards Aslan. Surely the Lion knew better than to let him speak to the crowd onstage.
"Aslan, are you sure about this?" Frodo asked him.
"Frodo, it's okay," Ebony said, optimistic.
"I'm glad you're optimistic," he answered.
"Frodo, you can do this," Aslan said, pushing him forward. "You can do this."
Frodo looked back at the stage. Heaving a sigh, he looked back at Ebony once. She still had that encouraging smile. The floorboards creaked as he walked across them to the podium. The curtain was drawn, revealing the gentlehobbit before the assembly of heroes and authors. What was he to tell them? He might as well admit the truth.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Frodo started his speech. The microphone hummed loudly, distracting the hobbit. When the microphone calmed down, he spoke again, "Hullo. I'm Frodo Baggins and uh… welcome to the Heroes' University. It's a nice place for all heroes, our children and fanfiction authors can get involved in improving ourselves and engaging in activities that we can only hope will make us stronger and better than when we first came in. From the looks of things, I will also be learning here, as well as teaching."
"I love you, Frodo Baggins! Eeeeeeek!" One fangirl screeched aloud to him. Frodo blushed in embarrassment. Remembering his place, he continued his speech:
"Now, every building is set to fit our needs. Aslan made sure that all have buildings and housing that are meant for us to share and have for a while." Frodo paused to clear his throat. "There's cafeterias as well, so when we're hungry… when we're hungry…" he thought for a short moment, before telling the audience present, "well, they're for our liking." He grunted. "But breakfast starts at eight, lunch is at noon – unless you're a hobbit and like six or seven meals a day – and dinner is at five. Snacks are in-between meals."
"We love you, Frodo!" another fangirl shouted. Frodo coughed a little.
"If you have any questions, come and see me, Aslan and any of the staff. Thank you and enjoy the day," Frodo moved away from the podium. He wanted to say more, but then the fangirls were a little too rowdy. The curtain closed behind him, leaving him backstage once again. He was pleased to see Ebony, who passed to him a cup of water. "Thank you, Ebony." He patted her back as he took a drink of water.
"Frodo, what you said during that speech," Ebony asked, a little brave, "you don't think there wasn't more you could say. Do you?"
"I could have, but… I should have." Frodo drank some more water. "But I didn't." He grinned at her. "Maybe next time, when we know more about this university."
"You'll both figure it out. This university is yours now, but I will be watching over you and your family," Aslan said. Frodo understood.
"So, it's ours now. We can make the rules here," Frodo asked, curious.
"Just remember who's in charge," Ebony said.
"Ebony," Frodo replied, sad and concerned again.
"Yes, I will keep an eye on you and your family," Aslan repeated, calmly "For now, make the rules as you go. If you need help, come and see me first. And Ebony, Frodo's a decent hobbit. Treat him with respect and he will do the same for you."
"Yes Ebony," Frodo said, smiling at Ebony.
"Well, this should be an interesting year then. Shouldn't it?" Ebony asked. At this, Frodo had to laugh, in a merry manner. He knew Ebony meant well. He would make sure to take care of her. That he would indeed do, if only to help win her back.
Frodo and Ebony had a long way to go in their relationship, if only time were so kind to them. For all Frodo knew, from this point forward, he and Ebony would face obstacles, same as before. But they could get through the obstacles: together. As for Rosemary, Frodo would keep tabs on her, but even he knew that Rose was growing up, if she wasn't already an adult. Either way, the Baggins family had a lot more to learn from each other, as well as continue the mending process.
But for now, at least, the university Aslan built and created had only just begun its terms and semesters. What happened next was unclear, but even fate had a hand in what went on at the Heroes' University.
And so continued the adventures of Frodo Baggins, his wife Ebony and their daughter, Rosemary Blain. As for this first part in the story, it is done. The next story will continue in Book II – The Heroes' University.
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Thanks for reading. :) And thank you also to Eldhoron and Sev Baggins for reading, reviewing and following this story. And also thank you everyone for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following this story. :) It's much appreciated. :) I'll see you all in The Next Generation: Book II – The Heroes' University.