Chapter 2: Inside the Castle
Ariel and Kaysie looked at one another before Ariel spoke.
"I'm Ariel," she said.
"And I'm Kaysie."
Frodo smiled warmly, beginning to feel more comfortable.
"I'm Frodo," he replied.
"We know," said Kaysie and Ariel as one rousing a confused look on Frodo's handsome features.
"It's a long story," said Kaysie answering his look. "And I promise we'll explain later. But right now we're trying to get into that castle."
"Why's that?" asked Frodo.
"Well, looks like we're going to have to tell him our story now," said Ariel to Kaysie and then to Frodo she said, "The thing is… we came here through a portal that we found in our school library. We have no idea of where we'll go or how we'll get back home."
"And, we thought," added Kaysie, "that maybe we would be able to get some help from someone in that castle."
Kaysie pointed at the castle. Frodo followed her finger to the castle. Noticing this, Kaysie lowered her arm to her side and blushed. Frodo smiled shyly at this while Ariel rolled her eyes and muttered,
"Oh, brother," then aloud she asked, "Who owns the castle anyway?"
"Well, Aragorn and Arwen own it, as you say; but many live there. Come, I'll take you to the castle and you can meet everyone and then maybe Gandalf can help you with your problem," replied Frodo knowingly.
"Gandalf! You mean The Gandalf? The wizard that fought with the Balrog in the depths of Moria?" asked Ariel astounded.
"Um…yes," said Frodo once again confused.
"Wow," was all Kaysie said.
"How do you know of Gandalf… and me?" asked Frodo.
"It's a complicated story," said Ariel.
"Yes. Very," agreed Kaysie. "We'll tell you all about it. But first, can we go to the castle? I feel sort of weird."
"Of course," said Frodo. "Please, follow me."
Ariel and Kaysie followed Frodo to where the drawbridge was. At his command, a guard began to lower it. While they were waiting, Kaysie looked to Ariel. Her eyes widened when she had to look down to see her friend.
"Um, Ariel," she managed to say.
Ariel turned around expecting to look into her friend's face, but instead found herself looking at Kaysie's waist. Ariel looked up with disbelief displayed clearly on her face.
"You're…you're an Elf," she stuttered.
"And, you're a Hobbit," replied Kaysie.
The two friends looked on at each other in shock, all the while making Frodo even more confused.
"How in the world?" asked Ariel.
"I have no idea," answered Kaysie.
No one said another word as they walked over the drawbridge and into the castle.
When they were inside the castle, Kaysie and Ariel's worries subsided somewhat as the beautiful scenery enveloped their attention. The walls were lit warmly with torchlight and the stone floor was covered in some places with fine rugs. The windows were high, almost touching the ceiling, letting light spill onto the very large hall where on two thrones sat King Aragorn and the Lady Arwen. When Aragorn saw Frodo advancing toward him, he smiled broadly.
"Frodo! I wondered when you'd return from your walk. I was hoping that you would help me with the words for a new song…" Aragorn paused when he noticed Kaysie and Ariel. "Please forgive me, Frodo. I did not see your guests. Won't you introduce us?"
"Of course," answered Frodo. "This is Kaysie," he pointed her out and then pointed at Ariel, "and this is Ariel."
Then Frodo moved closer to Aragorn and Arwen and told them what he knew about the two strange girls. He also explained that they intended to seek help from Gandalf. When Frodo was finished, Aragorn seemed deeply troubled. Arwen feeling concerned herself rose from her seat and addressed Ariel and Kaysie.
"I am Arwen," she said. "And this is my husband Aragorn. We are both deeply troubled with your tale and will help in any way that we can. Please tell me though, it is rare to find an Elf and a Hobbit traveling together. How did you come to meet?"
"Well," said Ariel, "the truth is…is that we're not usually like this."
"In the world we come from," added Kaysie, "We're humans. We don't know how I became an Elf and how Ariel became a Hobbit, but we're friends nonetheless."
"Oh," was all Arwen said as she turned toward Aragorn, who along with Frodo had become very interested in the conversation at hand.
Aragorn stood up next to his wife.
"This is very strange," he said. "Try not to worry though. I will speak with Gandalf and we shall get to the bottom of this. Until then, Kaysie and Ariel, you are both welcome to make yourselves at home."
"Thank you," said Kaysie.
"Yes, thank you," added Ariel. "It was nice meeting you both."
With a slight nod from Aragorn, Frodo led Ariel and Kaysie out of the room and back into the corridor.
In the corridor, Frodo, Ariel, and Kaysie met up with someone else. They could only see his back, but it seemed to be an Elf. The Elf had obviously felt their presence for he turned around to face them. Kaysie's eyes locked onto him. It was Legolas Greenleaf, prince of Mirkwood, son of King Thranduil.
"Hello, Legolas," Frodo greeted him warmly.
"Hello, Frodo," Legolas replied with a small smile. His eyes averted to Ariel and Kaysie. "And…"
"Oh," spoke up Frodo. "The Hobbit is Ariel and the Elf is Kaysie."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Legolas, said, his eyes fixed on Kaysie questioningly, who noticed him doing so and looked down at the floor.
"Legolas, I can't explain now. But I have to find rooms for Kaysie and Ariel. There's an empty Hobbit-sized room across from mine that Ariel can stay in, but I don't know where Kaysie can stay that will suit an Elf. Do you know where she might stay?" asked Frodo.
Legolas's brows furrowed slightly in thought. After a moment he said, "Actually, I know of such a room. The quarters down the hall from mine are not yet inhabited."
"That's wonderful," sighed a relieved Frodo.
"I can escort her there, if you like," continued Legolas to Frodo, and then to Kaysie, "If you don't mind."
"Not at all," replied Kaysie.
"Well, then that's settled," Frodo beamed. "Come on, Ariel. I shall get you settled."
"Okay," said Ariel smiling. "Bye, Kaysie. Bye, Legolas."
"Bye," said Kaysie and Legolas as one.
Frodo and Ariel walked passed Legolas and Kaysie and then disappeared around the corner at the end of the corridor. Kaysie continued to stare down the corridor until Legolas broke the odd silence between them.
"Perhaps you would like to see your room, my lady?" he asked.
"Yes, of course," answered Kaysie. "And please, call me Kaysie."
"I will call you Kaysie then if you wish it. And, please call me only Legolas. I do not like it when people call me anything but that," said Legolas with a small smile.
"It's a deal then," stated Kaysie, who felt as if she could faint.
Legolas' smile widened as he offered his arm to her. She took it gratefully and the two companions headed in the opposite direction of their friends.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle Ariel was getting settled into her quarters. Frodo had left only moments ago after promising he would return later. He had said that he needed to speak with Aragorn. Ariel didn't mind though; after all, he had promised to return. Ariel inspected the room that she was in. It was certainly comfortable enough with dark green walls, cozy fireplace, beautiful wood furniture, feather bed, and a wonderful view. Everything seemed perfect... well until Ariel looked into the mirror that is. To her dismay, she was wearing a dress.
Kaysie, however, was admiring her own reflection in her mirror. Her hair had grown out so that it fell half way down her back and strangely enough, the color had turned from dirty blonde to golden blonde. Her ears were also pointed and even though she hated dresses, Kaysie didn't mind the one that she was wearing.
After getting over the shock of her new appearance, Kaysie inspected the set of rooms that temporarily belonged to her. The walls were creamed color and arranged throughout the rooms were wooden pieces of furniture. There was also a bedroom with a feather bed and balcony that overlooked the gardens. It was all very beautiful.
Neither of the girls left their rooms and the only people they saw were Frodo and Legolas, who brought Ariel and Kaysie their dinner. Frodo and Legolas also found themselves knowing more about the two mysterious girls by the end of the day. Kaysie and Ariel also acquired some information too and by bedtime, they could only imagine what the days to come would bring.