Big thanks, and tons of cookies to Niteshade, Lu and Anon. for the reviews, you guys are why we writers stay in business. J Anywho, as always I don't own nothing of Tolkien, only what I make myself. Keep up the reading and reviewing (and read my other stories if you feel up to it; I know, shameless self-promotion)

Summary: A young woman from the modern world, Violet, finds herself one day in Middle-earth.  (not really a Mary sue, though; I'm trying) Enjoy!

Journey to the Past

Chapter 4

Violet spent the next few days adjusting to her house and new surroundings and learning all she could about her "heritage."  The Cottons were mostly to thank for her [moderately painless] acclimation. Mrs. Cotton had brought food, and showed Violet how to cook some basic meals, Rosie, who had forgiven and forgotten the strange outburst days before, had brought some extra clothes and trinkets for the house, Mr. Cotton showed Violet how to farm her land, and Nibs and Jolly filled her in on who was who, and the bits of "news" they knew.

About a week had passed, Violet was reading by the fire, having supper and reading a book on hobbit lore when there was a knock on her door. She was a bit nervous; she wasn't expecting anyone, she certainly didn't know anybody besides the Cottons. With a shrug, she opened the door to find none other than four gentlemen hobbits standing on her doorstep.

"Can I help you sirs?" she asked politely. Merry and Pippin laughed heartily at the show of formality, Sam cleared his throat; it was up to Frodo to do the talking.

"You're Violet Hobson, right? New to the Shire?" he asked timidly.

"Yes, that I am. Just got here about a week ago. What can I do for you?"

"We came to introduce ourselves properly. Our first meeting was a bit—"

"Odd?" Violet finished for Frodo.

"Yes. The Cottons, and Mayor Whitefoot, and Gandalf said you were very nice, but needed help settling in." There was a pause as Violet looked at each of the men in front of her –sincere, warm-hearted, full of life. Pippin, of course, broke the moment.

"That's us, no doubt about it, we know all there is about the Shire and the folks in it. We can show you around and all. Peregrin Took is my name, but people call me Pippin."

Violet laughed and shook his hand with a little curtsey, and introduced herself "properly"

"I am Meriadoc Brandybuck, but no one ever remembers that. Just call me Merry," Pippin's blond friend next to him spoke up, greeting Violet warmly; the greeting was equally shared on her part. Merry nudged the one Violet knew as Sam forward.

"I'm Sam Gamgee. You need any help with these crops and all, just let me know."

"Sam and his family are the best gardners in all the Shire," Frodo complimented happily, causing Sam to blush. "My name is Frodo Baggins." Violet couldn't help but stare into his warm eyes and kind smile. Frodo reminded her of Freddie, but also, from what she had read, her favorite hobbit was Frodo. She considered herself the luckiest girl to be able to meet him face to face.

"Nice to meet you all, you are very sweet to offer your services. Why don't we start by you coming in and having some tea and cakes by the fire?" Violet offered. Only Sam declined, blushing and muttering about promising Mr. Cotton he'd eat at the tavern that night. The other three went and sat themselves around the fire while Violet got the food and dishes. When she came back into the sitting room, Merry and Pippin were looking at the album of hobbit lore Violet had been reading earlier, and Frodo was looking at the pictures on the wall above the mantle.

"Is this you with your mom and dad?" he asked, pointing to the large picture in the center of the wall.

"I guess so. I never really knew my parents. They left when I was young, and then I was raised by foster families the rest of my life. I fell like they're my parents, anyway." She replied.

"I'm sorry, it must have been very hard. At least you're home now.," was all Frodo said.

Laughter from Merry and Pippin shook the gloomy moment away. "Hey Frodo, come look at this!" merry called. Both Frodo and Violet walked over and looked at the picture Merry was referring to. It had been placed inside the album, but Violet had no idea who the people in the portrait were. Frodo began laughing, and looked at the picture closer.

"Where did you find this? I barely remember when this was taken!" he exclaimed to Merry.

"It was in this album here," he replied.

"Yeah, I found it when I began looking through the book, but I have no idea who those people are," Violet said to the three men. They all looked at the picture, then her, then back at the picture, then back at her. Finally Frod took the picture, looked at the large portrait on the wall, and walked over to Violet.

"You honestly don't know anyone in this picture?" he asked seriously.

"No, sorry."

"Take a real close look," he said, handing the paper to her. Violet inspected the thing closely. Surely, this is some kind of trick, or sick joke! She cried to herself. The more she admired the paper, some very old memories and feelings rushed over her, as well as recognition.

"Is this you, Frodo?" she asked, pointing to a little black-haired hobbit child. He nodded with a embarrassed smile. "And would this be you, Pippin and Merry? She asked them, pointing to two other children. They nodded with proud smiles. "But, who are these others?"

"That young boy is none other than Sam, the girl he's next to is our dear Rosie. You honestly don't know the little girl in the middle of all of us?" Frodo asked after explaining the unknown faces. Violet shook her head. "That little girl is you."

Violet's heart felt like it stopped beating for a moment. Her? Friends, playmates with these people? These people who were legendary and heroic in her world. She couldn't believe it, but the memories and feeling told her Frodo was right.

"So, I used to live here, and play with you all? She muttered more to herself than anyone else.

"That's right," Pippin piped up. "You skunked Merry's hide more times than I could count! And poor Frodo here, you'd wrestle with him all the time." Violet smiled at the thoughts. It felt good to have friends again; albeit, weird that they remembered her but not the other way around, and that these friends were famous and brave warriors of all Middle-earth. Suddenly, a thought struck her. In all the time she'd been in the Shire so far, she had never found out the date. The guys must have seen the sudden change in her face.

"What is it?" Frodo asked.

"Oh, I just realized I didn't know what day it was," she replied. They looked at her funny, but laughed.

"It's May the 5th, and the year is 1404, in Shire Reckoning," Pippin answered. Violet sighed and relaxed, she still had fifteen years before Frodo would go off on the Ringbearer's quest. She had some time to get to know everyone before the dark times fell. She knew she couldn't tell them what she knew of the future, but at least she could rest safe knowing the outcome of the terrible wars. She managed to change the subject, and got Merry and Pippin talking about what people did for fun in Hobbiton. Their talking lasted long into the night, and when her guests had finally left, and the quiet of night was again upon her, Violet reflected on everything that had happened so far. She was beginning to accept that she really was living in Middle-earth, in the Shire, in Hobbiton, that she was a hobbit, that she was friends and knew all these other famous hobbits. She didn't know if that made her crazy, or better adjusted.

"A house, friends, a very interesting past it would seem – maybe this Middle-earth thing won't be so bad after all. At least I can tell I won't ever be bored." She smiled, locked up Hobson Hole, as she called it, and went to bed, dreaming of wrestling in the sun and her new hobbit friends.

What do you think? Read and Review!

I promise, plot points are coming soon, I just had to build up to them. J Enjoy and see you next time –same Bat time, same Bat channel!