Inspiration for Chapter 9: Patrick Swayze's movie "Ghost", the movie "George and the Dragon".

Inspiration Music for Chapter 9: "Unchained Melody" by Righteous Brothers.

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Sorry for the delay. I was slow on this chapter, figuring it out. Anyway, it's posted now. :)

And the characters are aware they're fictional characters. While I don't agree with Bilbo's opinion on fictional characters, for this chapter, his opinion's there because that's what I was working on in the draft form for this chapter.

That being said, enjoy! :)

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When Seraphina came to check up on Frodo, she felt sure she could discuss things with him, let him see things her way. Sure, she kissed him, but she felt sure he wasn't the first hobbit to kiss their relative. It brought her to think about Frodo and Pearl Took's relationship. But this was in another life, a life Frodo didn't really have and so, what could he know about hobbits marrying their relatives, huh?

Seraphina hoped Frodo could forgive her after their kiss. It was really something, wasn't it? The kiss. At least, for her, it was! Frodo went mad at her for it! Silly hobbit!

Seraphina chuckled to herself. Well, she would try and hope for the best. If only she could find Frodo Baggins. In fact, where was he? Where was he? Oh no!

Seraphina rushed off to Eliza for help. "Frodo's gone! I don't see him in his room anymore!"

"What?" Eliza asked, concerned.

"I don't know what's happened! He just disappeared!" Seraphina complained, pointing to Frodo's room.

Eliza held her clipboard, heading directly into Frodo's room to find out what was going on. "Surely, he can't have gone away… no way! Where is he?" She observed the room, concern in her eyes.

"See? I told you he was missing," Seraphina said, serious.

"Where is he?" Eliza said, as Cooper snuck into the room, right as Seraphina watched him. What was he doing?

"I think I know where he is," Cooper said, observing the television screen.

"Really?" Eliza asked, making her way over to Parker's sleeping form.

"He's right there," Cooper said, pointing to Frodo's image on the screen.

Seraphina shook her head, yelling at the TV screen, "Frodo, get back here! Frodo? Frodo!" Frodo didn't hear her! He followed Bilbo Baggins, or what looked like Bilbo Baggins, away from the den. Perfect! Where were they going? "Frodo!"

Cooper grabbed Seraphina's shoulder, holding her back. "Don't Sera! Just leave him be."

"But he can't survive on his own. Don't you realize what kind of TV this is?"

Cooper nodded. "It's a television portal. Only special TVs have those kinds of portals. This portal must have been in this room. Who was the last person that gave Frodo this room?"

"Uh… I think it was me," Eliza admitted, plainly.

"You? Why?" Seraphina asked, suspicious.

"Oh, because I thought Bethany might be there for him. I didn't think he'd actually do it," Eliza said, admitting freely.

"Oh! Ohhhh." Seraphina said, getting mischievous thoughts. This had power to it! She twiddled her thumbs in anticipation. "You know what this means? Power!"

"Sera, you can't be serious?" Cooper asked, chuckling.

"No, no, no! It's brilliant! It'll speed up the Great Battle! Don't you see? It's perfect!" Seraphina said in wonder. "Power! Ultimate power! We could bring Bethany back and then the war would be over! Don't you see it? Power!"

"Yes, you said that a lot," Parker said, waking up.

"Are you all right?" Eliza asked, sitting next to him.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm awake, and I remember everything now. Frodo's doing anyway," Parker said.

Seraphina cackled. "You know? This has power written all over it!"

"You know, you act like a grey character with a lot of power on your mind," Parker said, snickering.

"Ooh hoo hoo! Just wait. Frodo will come back, and I'll help him," Seraphina said, finding her way over to the television screen. She grabbed the remote control, searching for that stations where she kept an eye on Frodo and Bethany. "Just wait. It's only a matter of time before those two come back. And when they do, we'll be ready. I can see it now." She chuckled, hoping Frodo and Bethany would come back and the plan would be set in motion.

.

The Next Morning…

Frodo woke up, his arms wrapped around Bethany's waist. He smiled, pleasantly surprised to find Bethany's hands were clinging to his arm. He kissed her head, smelling her hair as he did this. She needed a bath or even a shower. Hopefully, he could find a way to give her one. Since this was Bethany's house, it seemed obvious that Frodo could provide for her.

He didn't count upon hearing footsteps or to see Bethany awaken. Uh oh! That wasn't good. What was he to do? It was obviously Bethany's father that was coming to the room. Frodo had no choice. He would have to flee. He looked at Bethany, before moving his arm away from her.

In haste, he leapt off the twin bed, darting off into the closet. As soon as he closed the door, he huffed and he puffed. He listened as the footsteps reach Bethany's room.

"Bethany, it's time to get up!" Bethany's father said, waking his daughter up.

"Okay," Bethany said, moving off the bed.

Frodo sighed, glad that he didn't been caught. He gulped, as the closet door opened. There was Bilbo, standing in the guest room at his house. Frodo didn't believe it. How did he go from Bethany's house to Bilbo's house in a flash?

It happened! That was Frodo's only conclusion.

"Uncle," Frodo said, teary-eyed.

"Frodo, what are you doing here, in the closet no doubt?" Bilbo asked, confused.

"Uncle, I saw her," Frodo embracing his uncle, "I saw Bethany. She was beautiful."

"Yes, this house is connected to Bethany's house," Bilbo said, plainly.

"Uncle, how did I get to Bethany—did you say the houses are connected to each other?" Frodo asked, startled.

"Why, yes, I did," Bilbo said, startled. "Frodo, no need to be distraught. This house is connected to a lot of places."

"Really? Are they all connected to Bethany's house?" Frodo asked, curious.

"Yes, if that's what you choose it to be. This house is connected to Diagon Alley, Hogwarts. Hogsmeade Village goes with Hogwarts. So, it's not a long walk," Bilbo stated. He gave it some thought, "That reminds me: you met three friends in England? What were their names? Harry Potter? He was one of your new friends, right?"

Frodo beamed, nodding pleasantly. "Yes. He and his friends were in the Forest of Dean. I wonder what became of them."

"Well, if you want, we can go to Diagon Alley and find something to keep you hidden. You're not the only creature here, in this world," Bilbo said.

"What does that mean?" Frodo asked, shocked. "I'm not a creature, uncle, and neither are you!"

"You know what I mean. We're hobbits. If we were human, that would be different," Bilbo said, sharply. "We need to keep invisible. It's the laws of this world. No one knows you're here, because no one believes fictional characters exist. That's what we are: fictional characters! Why does it have to be this way?" He rubbed his forehead in agony.

"That's why I was pulled back here? To keep me hidden from my wife?" Frodo asked, astonished. "Shouldn't my wife see me?"

"Frodo, remember, we're characters. Do you think your wife is going to believe you? We have to keep you hidden. Oh, and we'll find a way for her to be the only one who hears you," Bilbo said, coming up with a plan.

Frodo whimpered. "Why must I be kept hidden, even from my wife?"

"Because people will think we're not real," Bilbo said, furious. "If they knew, I don't know what would happen."

Frodo stared at his uncle, hardly believing what he was hearing. His uncle wanted to keep him hidden. Even from Bethany. Frodo looked out the window. He had to see Bethany, explain things to her. Did she know him? Did she remember? There had to be a way he could talk to her. He sighed, looking at his uncle with pride.

"Well, I'm going to speak to Bethany, get her to see me," Frodo said, smiling gleefully.

"Do you know where she is?" Bilbo asked.

Frodo paused. He hadn't thought of that. Was she still here, in her room? Where was he? He looked again, noticing Bethany was in the kitchen. Bilbo was there, but he was fading in and out. Frodo looked at his uncle, who only shrugged. Was that how this worked? Frodo huffed, walking around with Bethany. He stayed close to her, sniffing her hair. She smelled clean. So fragrant.

He stopped when she did. She could tell he was there, but she couldn't see him. What was she waiting for? He leaned in, kissing her on the side of her neck. He wanted to be there for her, to smell her hair, to hold her hands in his. Somehow, he realized, this was how he was able to be with Bethany. He sighed, realizing he could visit her anytime he wanted.

He nodded, knowing he would take advantage of this. He smirked, murmuring in her ear, "Bethany." He moved back as she looked for him. No way! She couldn't see him! And if she did, she must have caught a glimpse of him. Frodo smirked, loving this notion.

It made things interesting. He could certainly scare his wife, but then he didn't want to frighten her too badly. That would be awful.

No, instead he would make sure to come and see her whenever she needed him. If she called out to him, then that would be bliss. He moved his hand to her shoulder, touching her shoulder.

Something happened! In that moment, his heart jumped, but then so hers. She looked around, but could only see a glimpse of him. No way! She was scared of him. This much he knew. Oh, what could he do? He was frightened of her! This was going to be harder than he thought.

He looked at his uncle, who shook his head in disdain.

"Frodo, what are you doing?" Bilbo asked, sternly.

"I—" Frodo looked around again. No. He was inside Bilbo's kitchen. Bethany was gone! And Frodo was alone with only Bilbo for company. Frodo sighed, lowering his head in shame, putting his hands in his jacket pockets. He couldn't stand it. Why did it have to be this way?

"Uncle, I want to see her!" Frodo cried out, longing for her. "I miss her. I need her. You know this. I just told you this!"

"Frodo, you need to eat," Bilbo said, making Frodo and himself some sandwiches. "And to drink. You look famished."

"Uncle, I want to see her. I need to see her. Can't I do this?" Frodo sighed, longingly.

"Son, you were hovering," Bilbo told him. "If you could restrain yourself, then maybe she wouldn't be so frightened."

"She scared me, too," Frodo said, correcting him.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't have hovered. You're scaring me. Is she really worth it?" Bilbo told him, fixing them sandwiches while speaking to him.

"I'm sorry," Frodo said, coyly. He longed for his wife. He looked at his uncle, asking him, "Uncle, when can I see her? Please. I need to know."

"You need to eat, Frodo," Bilbo said, not liking Frodo's antics towards his wife. "I'll tell you how it's done, but you've got to restrain yourself. Frodo, your antics would alarm anyone. Relax. Give it time."

Frodo didn't know how he'd cope, but he agreed. Perhaps he was too desperate, but then his heart was aching for her. He was aching for his Bethany. Hm. He wondered how long it would take before he could marry her again. He wondered when Bethany's coming of age was.

"Uncle, I thought… I could marry Bethany. She's sixteen, right?" Frodo asked. Bilbo nodded. "And I'm sixteen. So, when do humans come of age?"

"Eighteen. Yes, Frodo, you need to learn patience," Bilbo said. "If she still loves you in two years' time, then I'll suggest, if you want, to marry her. If your feelings and her feelings have changed, then by all means, stay single. It's what we both want."

Frodo sighed. He feared the worst. "Then I'll wait then. But I want to see her."

"You can see her anytime you want. I told you this house is connected to her house. You'll be fine," Bilbo said, patting his shoulder.

Frodo nodded. "So, when do we eat?"

Bilbo smiled. "There's the Frodo I know! Here. Eat." He passed to him an egg salad sandwich. Frodo smiled, eating the morsel down. It was nice to be home. Frodo hoped his wife loved him. What more could he ask for?