Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.

Chapter Fifteen:

Home Again

Aaylie's POV

Summer was drawing near.

I returned to Wexford University the day after I got back from my venture in Middle-earth. It was good to see my roommate again. Honestly, I was happy to be back. But Middle-earth felt like a dream. Had everything I did… did that change things.

Of course, it seemed like nothing new changed. And yet, I had a different outlook on my friends and family, as well as people. I cared more about what happened to my family and friends. Was this thanks to Frodo and my journey? It sure seemed like it. But coming back to my dorm room… everything just felt different.

I was not the same woman as I had been before… which brings me to the point in whether or not I returned a human or a hobbit. Well, what really happened was the change was faster and thought it hurt, the pain felt good. Like the heavens opened up and made things less painful. But then, I couldn't help being drawn back to The Lord of the Rings and Frodo Baggins. And yet, when I read the books I borrowed from the library, I couldn't help but read all about Frodo's experiences and journeys his faced.

It seemed like the events that I went through with Frodo weren't revealed in the chapters, but there was this feeling I had that Frodo missed me. Not the casual "see you in the next couple of days, friend" greeting, but more like… Frodo missed me. Really missed me. It was as if I could feel his pain in the first book. But how…

"Still reading The Lord of the Rings, Aaylie," Jen asked. Although to her, this wasn't a question.

"I'm just… interested is all," I said, putting the book on the shelf.

"Well, come on. We're going to be late for the party," Jen said, looking down at her cell phone and texting. Yes, that was the trend. Although, these days, I didn't feel like doing much texting or messaging or… well, anything that I used to do. She tapped my shoulder, saying, "Hey. You awake?"

"Yes," I said, standing up.

"Aaylie, you look different," Jen said, staring at me as though she'd seen a ghost.

"I don't know what you mean," I said, unsure.

"No." Jen told me, flat out, "Before, you used to text me all the time. Now, you only text sparingly. And you have Lord of the Rings wallpapers all over your screens. Are you obsessed with Frodo Baggins?"

I sighed behind my teeth. Believe me, I wanted to tell her. But I refrained. Some things were better left unsaid. I did say, in a calm manner, "Maybe we should head out. We wouldn't want to miss your cousin's wedding tomorrow."

"And I'm driving, Aaylie," she said, laughing behind me.

My roommate had the dorm room for the night, which was fine with me. As long as Jen could keep up. However, Jen still wouldn't let go of The Lord of the Rings. Of course, she was a Legolas fan. Oh, I could tease the elf prince and Glorfindel all day if I wanted… it was a shame I didn't see Legolas in the Shire.

"Elves are awesome, Aaylie," Jen told me. Uh oh. Were we getting into a fangirl argument over which elf or hobbit was cool? I almost laughed in merry delight over this statement. "If you haven't seen an elf, you…"

"Yes, I know, Jen." I decided to poke fun as we checked out of the dormitory. "Which elf is cooler? Legolas or Glorfindel? I think they're pretty awesome."

"Thank you," Jen said, taking her driver's license and heading out the door. I followed her of course, as she rambled on. "Glorfindel is awesome. He's fought a Balrog and survived."

"Um… you may want to check your facts first," I said.

"Since when are you a Lord of the Rings fan? I don't remember you being this into the movies and books," Jen answered. She had a point.

"I suppose I'm different," I said, stepping into her car.

And so we were off. The longer we sat in Jen's car, the more she spoke about her favorite elves. I nearly became bored with all the heavy details. But then, nowadays, I was a hobbit fan. Well, I fell in love with one. Somehow I couldn't get Frodo out of my head. In the first week, I was silent and only spoke when spoken to. Two weeks later, I was coming back into how life was here on campus. And yet, somehow, Frodo stayed on my mind, even when Jen drove down the cement road.

…

The wedding ended in minutes. I was happy that Jen got to see her cousin and her fiancée wed. It made me think of Frodo, and that made the smile on my face go away. I was still thinking about him. Why couldn't I get him out of my head? If he had shown up…

"All you need to do is ask."

That's just what Frodo told me. To ask for him to show up and he would appear. Or ask Glorfindel for help. But did it matter. And yet I prayed, prayed and hoped that Glorfindel, Frodo and anyone else from Middle-earth to let me return with them to Middle-earth. I wondered if I would get my wish, but then I didn't know what would happen. A moment later, I felt strange and yet my feet were moving for the car and taking the passenger's seat. Jen drove, but I felt these strange rippled waves coursing through my forehead. It took seconds, but when those seconds passed, I was wide awake.

What had just happened? Did Jen notice – no, she didn't. Or if she did, she wasn't saying anything.

"You okay, Aaylie?" Jen asked me.

"Yes," I didn't want to say anything further. The last thing I needed was to be called crazy again.

And at long last, we made it to the reception. As it happened, I wore the same green flowery dress that I had back in the Shire. But it worked for this occasion and I could still be me. I just hope no one noticed how different it was. Sure, there were strange looks heading my way, but I didn't notice.

I just wanted to see Frodo or Glorfindel again. But I wondered if I would get my wish.

…

The reception started with a bang. The food was good and after the wedding cake was cut – which was spectacular and delicious, much like hobbit food – the dancing began. I stayed at the same table, unsure if I should join in on the fun. That's when a man wearing a green tuxedo asked me to dance with him. I wondered if I should, but he pressed on. I knew it was Jen's relations, but I also knew he was her brother.

Naturally, I joined in, since I knew her brother. However, as I spun around during a slow dance, the music changed to something a bit more ethereal. What? By the time I stopped spinning, I was caught and twirled around by none other than Glorfindel, wearing a bright white tuxedo, with a strawberry tie that had gold lettering, which said "Glorfindel Rules!" I gasped in shock, nearly giggling too. What was Glorfindel doing here?

"Glorfindel," I said, my face glowing, "what are you doing here?"

"Dancing with you," Glorfindel said. He spoke in embarrassment when the music changed to a slower, more romantic song, "Oh. Not my cue. Over to you, Frodo."

"Wait. What –" Just as Glorfindel spun me around, I fell into the arms of Frodo Baggins, who was in his dress clothes. I was amazed and stunned to see him. I hadn't expected this.

Frodo smiled at me. "You called for me."

I squealed in delight, but only so soft. This was good timing.

Surprise entrance made by Frodo and Glorfindel! Thanks for reading. :) The last few chapters are coming up next.