Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.

Chapter Fourteen:

A Walk in Sunset

Aaylie's POV

I feasted and sang merry songs with the hobbits. Even danced a lot, most of the time with Frodo. But there were plenty of spring flowers that were brought out and shown to the hobbits. I was feeling at home here, like I belonged with Frodo and his friends. But then, all I've seen of the Shire was Tuckborough and Tookland. The only time I did get to see Bag End was in during the dreamlike timeline.

But Frodo was due to return to Bag End at some point. I didn't know when or how, but I figured I would spend as much time as I could with Frodo. Eventually, the afternoon drew later. Sunset was approaching.

The second Frodo led me down the road, it was then I recognized the woods and remembered where I had been: I was on the edge of the forest, as I said earlier, in a nice shady area. Yes, now it became clearer. And as we walked, there was the wolf pack. They were to send me home. Only now did I feel the need to stay.

"Frodo, couldn't we spend more time together, while it's still daylight," I said.

"Aaylie, this is what you wanted." Frodo said, calmly. "Unless you wish to stay, but…" he pointed to the wolf pack, "they want you to follow them home. I don't know why or how, but somehow, you're meant to travel with them."

"You can't come with me. Truly?" I asked, almost desperate for him to come with me.

"Aaylie," he said, shakily. Somehow he didn't want this moment to end. "We can't…" I touched his shoulder, but it was this touch that made me feel like butterflies were flying out of my stomach. I wanted to hold onto him, stay this way. In seconds, he dragged me closer to the woods. In a way, I let him walk me there. I couldn't afford to see people think of Frodo differently. I knew, somehow this was when we would part ways.

"Frodo, it's okay," I said, softly.

"No, it's not." Frodo wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "It's just…" his nostrils flared. He didn't want to let me go. And soon enough, we were on the edge of the woods, where the wolf pack waited for me. Frodo didn't let me go just yet. "This is where I found you." He released me in a gentle manner, but not before kissing my forehead in a tender way. The second he stopped kissing me, he gestured forward. I followed his gaze, right towards a gold tear in the air. It was the barrier I came across the last time.

I moved away from Frodo, closer to the barrier. I looked back, only to see him gesture with his hand towards the portal. I couldn't help it. In this moment, I truly knew I didn't want to leave, which was what made this so hard. I asked him, "We'll see each other again, won't we?"

Frodo nodded. "One day, we will meet again." He said, his voice shaky, "You go." He added, "And Aaylie, live the life you want. You helped Glorfindel and me out in ways I can't imagine they would turn out. When you're ready to come back, let us know. Whether me, Glorfindel or someone else from Middle-earth." He added, one last message, "All you need to do is ask."

"I will," I said, nodding to him. He nodded back. As the wolf pack howled, I turned my gaze towards the barrier. In one leap, I was through the barrier. I was back at my parents' house. It was still nighttime. The wolves watched me, as if they were hunting me. After a brief search, I found my phone.

It still had Jen's message: r u okay?

I replied in text form: I'm better, Jen. Thank you for asking. I closed my phone before I said something else. If it was still the same day… I unlocked the front door and stepped inside the house. Along one wall in the dining room were rows of ceramic plates with floral designs. Moving past the oak table and chairs, I came across a digital clock, with said four o' clock in the morning. It surprised me that the date still said April 23rd. I hadn't missed anything.

Wait. Was it still April? Did time not move when I had left on my adventures with Frodo and the hobbits? Why did I have this feeling I entered Narnia's timeline? I guess because that's exactly what had happened. Taking no chances, I rushed upstairs and into my bedroom, where I changed out of the clothes I wore on the same night I left. I guess it was like Narnia, in a manner of speaking. My clothes must've changed after I crossed the barrier, or… no. It was too complicated as it was.

I fell asleep, unaware that Frodo was still over by the barrier, waiting for me to come back into his arms.

Frodo's POV

Frodo stared at the threaded barrier for a moment longer. He could see a house under a pale moonlight. The wolves were present on the other side of the barrier. Just as he looked away, realization dawned on him. Why did he let Aaylie go? Was it too painful for him to see her leave? She spoke about true love's kiss in the last stage of their journey through the dreamlike world. Was it possible?

Of course. He couldn't leave her alone, not in a world he wasn't familiar with. Just as he looked at the rippled thread, it sank and vanished before his eyes. Why couldn't he follow Aaylie through the portal? As he reached out, he was stopped by a wolf barring its teeth at him. It was the alpha wolf that had crossed the barrier. He wasn't too happy with him.

"Okay, you win. I'll head back," Frodo said. As he took several steps back, the wolves, including the alpha, whimpered. They knew as well as he that Aaylie might return. But would she? Even for him? Frodo did not know. Upon returning to the Great Smials, a thought dawned on him: what if hadn't the chance to meet Aaylie again? How would… no. He needed to stop thinking negatively.

Aaylie would return. He just knew she would. But how? He had yet to answer that question. Besides, he and Aaylie shared a kiss. One of the best kisses he had with her. He sighed. He would miss her. That much was certain. But would she miss him? He wondered that, too.

No matter where they'd go or who they meet, Frodo knew he would see Aaylie again. And she him. That's what mattered most to him at this moment in time. And that was all there was to it. Nothing else to be said or done. It was just him and Aaylie, and he would remember her because of that fact. Because of how they knew they would meet again, in one time or another.

He sighed. Even in that moment, he would not give up hope or rest until Aaylie returned in his arms. Yes, that would be so.

Thanks for reading. :) We're heading into the last couple of chapters in this story.