Disclaimer: All the characters (except Julia) belong to the one and only JRR Tolkien. That pretty much covers it, right?
Notes: Sorry this chapter's pretty short, the next one's longer. Thanks to my reviewers!
Chapter 2
Out of the Shire and Into the Forest
As it turned out, the conspirators were glad Julia was coming. After hearing of how she had made the whole trip to Buckland on her own, they were convinced she would make a fine travelling companion. The addition gladdened them, and Frodo's fears were put to rest for a time. Merry soon reminded him that neither he nor Pippin had been properly introduced to her.
"Merry Brandybuck," he said politely, and kissed her hand. "Delighted to meet you."
"Julia Marifield, likewise," she returned, blushing slightly.
"And I'm Pippin Took," Peregrin said, and bowed low to the ground, imitating the dwarves in Bilbo's adventure. " 'At your service and your family's!'"
"Thank you, Pippin, I'll remember that," Julia laughed.
Fatty sighed. "You all make me wish I was coming," he said wistfully.
"I fear we may wish ourselves in your place soon," said Frodo as he looked into the fire thoughtfully.
Sam nodded his head in agreement as he, too, stared at the dying flames on the hearth. When at last they had all retired to their rooms, Julia sat up in bed thinking over what was to come tomorrow. She counted herself lucky indeed to have been allowed to come, and ignored almost completely the danger she would surely encounter. Across the hall Frodo stayed up, mostly worrying about the journey to come. He hoped he had made the right decision, but without Gandalf, he couldn't be sure. After a time both he and Julia fell asleep.
She and Samwise were the first ones up, and soon afterward came Merry, and Pippin. The four had breakfast, and afterward Merry went to go waken Fredegar and Frodo for their breakfasts.
"Good morning!" chanted Pippin, who was checking over their baggage. "Sleep well?"
"It's far too early for this!" yawned Fatty.
"And you, Mr. Frodo?" asked Sam.
"I almost slept well," Frodo replied sourly. His manner made Julia worry.
"Is anything the matter, Frodo?" she asked.
"Apart from this trek, only a dream I'd rather not speak of. But that's over now," he replied.
"My, aren't we the cheerful one?" Pippin taunted.
"A bit of optimism might do you good, Frodo," Merry said. "But we're fresh out, so some seed cakes and strawberry jam will have to do."
Finally they set out on their ponies to the entrance of the Old Forest. Julia didn't know how they would leave the Shire unnoticed. The closest way the was Northern Gate, as far as she could guess, but that would be no good if they wanted secrecy. The plan had already been made even before she had arrived, and although she knew nothing of it, she trusted the others completely.
They rode on in unbroken silence for nearly an hour. At length they came to The Hedge. It stood nearly twenty feet and was covered with shinning cobwebs. Julia thought it a magnificent sight, as did Sam, and both of them stared at it's heights long and hard while the others talked.
"Have neither of you been to the borders?" asked Pippin at last. "I've never seen anybody stare so intently at a row of bushes as you two."
"No. I've never been this far from home," she said taking her eyes off of The Hedge.
"Nor have I," said Sam.
"Well," Merry said, "here we go." He dismounted his pony and walked to a gate nearly hidden by branches and leaves. He opened it.
"This is where I turn back," said Fatty. " Goodbye and good luck, Frodo, and all of you! Watch your backs in there!"
"Let's hope this forest is our biggest worry," Frodo said. "That will make the trip much easier. Be brave Fredegar, and we may yet meet again when all is over."
"You can count on it! No riders are going to scare me off!" Fatty joked.
They bid farewell to their friend, and then went through the gate one by one on their ponies. The forest ahead muffled the clang of the closing gate almost at once, and Julia shivered. She didn't like the looks of it in the least, though she said nothing to the others who seemed sure of themselves, especially Merry. Anyway, whatever happened next, she was out of the Shire and going to see more still of the world outside.
