Chapter 17: Who Doth In-hobbit the Hills?
Gandalf, Ariel, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin traveled from Rivendell to the Shire after a couple of weeks. During their travels, Gandalf received a message from Elrond, informing him of the letters and his wish for their immediate return. Gandalf, however, felt it was not necessary for all of them to return (and that Ariel deserved to meet her birth parents just as much as the others), so he told the others that he was the only one who was asked to go back.
"I feel that you will be able to make it to the Shire by yourselves," Gandalf told them.
"Of course we can! Why wouldn't we be able to?" Merry asked.
"Things are not what they seem anymore, Meriadoc. I'm afraid you may only stay for one night. Elrond requested that the rest of you should return when you feel that you can. I, on the other hand, am needed right away," he said while preparing to leave.
"Why do they need you right away, Gandalf?" Frodo asked him.
"Trouble has seemed to find three of the four chosen– "
"What?! Has anything happened to them? Maybe we should go–" Ariel interrupted.
"No, no, nothing along those lines. The faceless evil seemed to have… shown a glimpse of himself to them," Gandalf finished. He mounted Shadowfax.
"So, he spoke to them?" Pippin asked.
"Let's speak no more of the matter. I do not wait you to visit your homes in low spirits. I must go now. I will see you all in Rivendell. Everything will be explained there… but first I must explain my self to Lord Elrond… Safe journeys to you all," Gandalf said. Then he quickly rode away.
"What do you think that meant?" Pippin asked the others.
"It means… Gandalf did not tell us everything he knew on the matter," Frodo replied.
"He seems to always leave us behind when it comes to news like this," Merry commented.
"He probably means well, though. Or maybe… he just doesn't want to tell us things he himself does not fully understand," Ariel suggested.
They began their journey shortly after Gandalf's abrupt leave. Traveling there wasn't what bothered Ariel; it was the actual meeting of her parents was the problem. She constantly wondered what they would be like. Would they be exceedingly smart, or perhaps they would be a riot and a pleasure to be around? Or maybe, they would be old stiffs and would only bring disturbance in their lives by her visiting them.
They finally made it to the Shire one morning, after much weary travel.
"Ah! Home! I think this place is much more comforting than Rivendell!" Pippin cheerfully exclaimed. "Though, I miss the large meals we ate there but… I should very much like to see my family."
"It's the greatest feeling in the world to see your wife greet you with arms wide open after a long adventure…" Merry said. "Wouldn't you agree, Pip?"
He nodded in reply.
Ariel cleared her throat. "Ahem," she said while silently motioning towards Frodo.
"I don't mind them speaking of such things…" Frodo said after noticing.
Merry soon departed for Buckland. Frodo warned him to be careful and heed Gandalf's words as he traveled home. Then the others reached Hobbiton. As they walked into town, Ariel marveled at all the other hobbits scurrying about in their daily lives. For so long, she was among elves and felt out of place. Now, she was among kindred.
"We can stop at Bag End… first… if you want to that is… and visit Sam… I don't mind, really… maybe that would be best… or maybe not… I don't know…" Ariel rambled on. Nervousness was settling in.
Frodo saw this, and nodded with a small smile. Pippin went on to his home after getting a bit to eat with them. Frodo also warned Pippin to take care and to watch out for things that were out of place. Ariel and Frodo began their walk towards Bag End. Ariel began to notice other hobbits staring intently at them. Some looked a bit frighten, while others gave them terrible scowls.
Frodo saw the bewilderment on her face and explained, "It seems, like Gandalf, that I have a reputation for causing trouble." He gave a slight laugh. "Sorry if their stares bother you."
"No, it's alright, I'm probably not wearing the best attire anyways… Ah, well, I will manage… so tell me, my parents are supposed living around here somewhere?"
"Yes, though, I must admit, I don't think I've every really gotten acquainted to them, but I believe I have met them. But Gandalf has told me where they exactly live."
"I don't know a thing about them," Ariel sighed. She began to feel somewhat panicky. "Maybe it's best that I don't meet them… they could be a real big disappointment…"
"But, we are already here. They are only a short distance away."
"Yeah, I guess that would be pretty silly… since we've traveled some ways…" she gave a false laugh. "Still, home is where your heart is… and…"
"And where is your heart?" he asked her.
"I- I don't know. I suppose it should be here, in Middle-Earth, but… there are so many other people I knew on Earth… I feel like my body was emptied then filled again with someone else. I'm not who I thought I was… I am someone, but I don't know her too well… I have to start all over again on that journey…"
Frodo pondered her words for a moment. Then, he suddenly stopped right in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" Ariel asked him.
"Come on," he simply said.
"Where–?" she began, but was cut off.
He grabbed her hand and led her onto a different path.
"Where are we going?" she finally got to ask him.
"A place that will help you make up your mind about a few things…" he answered.
"What?" She understood what he meant. "Now? But…"
"Trust me, alright?"
Ariel didn't respond, she didn't know how to respond. So, she let him lead her to her parent's house. When they arrived, Ariel noticed that they lived in a well-sized hobbit-hole (or, at least, she assumed they did). It had a blue, round door, and like all the other holes, there was a doorknob right in the middle of it.
"Well, here we are," he said.
"Ah…" She stared at the door.
"Are you going to knock?"
"Oh…right. Um…"
She reached over and knocked on the door. The wood was hard against her knuckles, for doorbells made them lazy. She slightly held her breath as the door opened. There was a little boy standing behind the door. He had blonde, curly hair and freckles that stopped his face. The expression he held was somewhere between confusion and annoyance.
"We don't want any," he said plainly.
Ariel had expected him to at least ask who she was, or what business she had doing here, but not a comment like this. He had struck a cord with her.
She responded with, "Is that anyway to speak to your sister?" She then hoped that he was not a visitor in this house.
"I don't have a sister," he said, scrunching his face in a baffled way.
"So then… Mama never said anything about me? I've come back to a life that has moved on without me…" she said, almost to herself. "Well, why don't you go ask her and see what she says?"
The boy raised an eyebrow, slightly nodded, and then ran further into the house.
"Surely your mother will remember you," Frodo said trying to reassure her.
"My name's not Shirley…" she said, trying to lighten the situation, mainly for herself. Then laughed when she saw that Frodo did not get the joke. "Never mind… just a… play on words…" she shrugged.
Then, a woman in a red dress came to the door. She stood there, Ariel noticed, with tears streaming down her face.
"Mama?" Ariel blinked, not sure of what else to say.
At that word, the woman had lost all composure and ran forward to hug her.
"My little Azalea has come home!" she said through her sobs.
"Mama… I'm fine. You don't need to cry anymore!" She patted her on the back.
"Let me get a good look at you…" Her mother placed both of her hands on her shoulders. She glanced up and down. Then she frowned. "Azalea, honey, you're so thin! Did they starve you at that place you grew up in? And you're filthy too! Have you been playing sport with the boys?" She began to rub dirt spots off of Ariel's face.
"No, Mama, please… don't…" Her face flushed. "I've been traveling, that's all."
Then her mother turned to Frodo. "Thank you for returning my daughter, dear hobbit. What is your name sweetheart?"
"Frodo Baggins, of Bag End," he answered.
"Oh! Yes, I've heard of you. Your cousin sure has brought strange tidings to Hobbiton; bless him. And I've heard that you've been into your own bit of trouble…" she said while examining him. "But you are an adorable little thing, though you are a bit lean. I bet you could use a nice home-cooked meal… you have very pretty eyes…"
"Mama…" Ariel said.
"Oh, right. Well, come now. Come inside and get settled. You both look weary. Where did you say you traveled from?" she asked as she guided them inside. Frodo followed behind Azalea… err… Ariel.
"From Rivendell," Ariel replied.
"Ah! Now that is a long ways away! Alright, now watch this!"
She placed two fingers up to her mouth and gave a long whistle. There was a moment of complete silence. Then, five hobbits seemed to appear out of nowhere. Ariel and Frodo watched on as each one of them was introduced.
"This," her mother began, motioning towards the tallest of the bunch, "Is your father, Shane May."
"Hello," he nodded, and peered through his glasses. He, like his younger sons, had sandy blonde hair. He wore a white shirt with a yellow vest, and dark green pants.
"And these are your older brothers, Shawn and Thomas," she continued.
They both nodded as their names were called out. Shawn and Thomas had dark hair, like their mother. Shawn didn't seemed all to pleased with her arrival, but Thomas had a wide smile on his face.
"And the younger ones, Danny and Thane," she added.
Ariel looked down and saw the little ones. Danny, she saw, was the same young hobbit from earlier. He looked up in wonderment and Thane, the youngest, shyly hid behind his mother.
"And I'm your mother, Lily May. And, we are your family!"
"Wonderful," Ariel said half laughing. "Even in this world, I'm cursed with brothers…"
"We're not all that bad," Thomas smirked.
"And who might you be?" Shane asked.
"Dear! This is our daughter, Azalea! Don't you remember?"
"We have a daughter?" he scratched his head.
"Father, she was but an infant when she was sent away," Shawn spoke up.
Shane peered through his glasses again. Then he said, "Ah yes! I remember now… little Azalea, welcome home!"
"Uh… thanks…" she responded.
"Now! We must have a feast!" exclaimed Lily. "Frodo, dear, will you be staying for dinner? I hope that you will."
He looked over to Ariel, who was quickly nodding yes. He slightly laughed, and said, "Only if I am permitted."
"Of course, of course! No, if you'll excuse me, I have meals to prepare!" Lily said, and walked out of the room.
"Now that we have some silence, may I ask you something, dear?" Shane addressed Ariel.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Why are you wearing male clothing?"
Ariel looked down at her clothing. Not wanting to make a mess of things, she did not tell him who the clothes belonged to and answered, "Well, Papa, I think this clothing is… more comfortable."
"Right," he nodded. "If that's what makes you happy dear, then go for it!" Then he went further into the house.
So, Frodo, Ariel, and her brothers stood there for a moment. Then Thomas spoke first.
"Better get the little ones washed up for dinner."
He went over to them, picked Thane up into his arms and grabbed Danny by the hand lead them into a back room.
"I remember when," Shawn began.
Ariel her eyes off of the hallway and looked attentively at him.
"I was so young though… and Thomas was even younger, but the one thing I remember clearly in my mind… I knew of you, but you did not stay for long. Messenger from Rivendell… they came and then you were gone. I asked mother, but she didn't say much. I did, and still, do not fully understand why they took you. I would very much like to know where you have been for the last eighteen years. And, of all families, why did they take you from us?"
Ariel replied, "I… do not know why I was chosen, or what will happen now… but, the one thing I am sure of is where I have been. I grew up in a world very, very different from this one… and I've sorta grown attached to it… But I'm adjusting…"
"Will you be staying long, or…" he faltered.
"We are needed back in Rivendell," Frodo said, "to decide on what to do next."
"That stupid prophecy," he hissed. "Sauron is gone! Destroyed! You of all people should know that! Why else is she needed?!"
"Big brother," she said sweetly, trying to calm him down, "that is why we are going back… I'll be home shortly afterwards."
He looked at her and shook his head. Them he stormed off.
"That's all that he needs to know is that I'm going off to war," Ariel said after knowing that he was completely out of the room.
Frodo, who did not like this idea himself, stated, "Perhaps it will not turn into war. Maybe there will be a great compromise and…"
"Why can't we all just get along?" she sighed.
"Speaking of which, I hope there is a Rivendell to return to."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about the tensions between everyone could bring it to the ground…"
She still didn't realize what he had meant and gave him a questioning look.
"I mean the argument between your friends and Edro! Please don't give me that look, I know what I mean," he laughed.
"Oh!" she laughed in embarrassment, "Right, of course. That Edro dude… fellow," she corrected herself. "That will be an awful mess indeed. I say if we ignore their fighting when we get back, maybe they'll just work everything out… if they don't kill each other first…"
"It seems they could handle it…"
Ariel held back a laugh and sarcastic remark. Instead, she suggested, "Let's go see if my mother needs help with anything."
"Alright," he replied.
So Ariel led the way, not exactly knowing where she was going, she was led herself by her new-found sense of hearing, though not a accurate as elven-hearing, it was different from her normal perceptivity. She listened for the faint sounds of pots and pan.
After a couple of wrong turns, she and Frodo found their way into the kitchen.
"Azalea, dear, did those boys leave you two alone like that? Some hosts they are. That will have to change," she said hurriedly as they entered. She finished sliding something into the oven and stood up straight. "Now that the roast is in the oven, I suppose I have some free time. Perhaps now we can spend a little time together! Oh, but I doubt Frodo wants to listen to us gossip and such. I bet you would get along famously with Shawn or Shane, come dear, and I'll show you where they are," and she led him away before either of them could reply.
Ariel examined her surroundings a bit while she was gone. The kitchen was a simple looking room, which seemed to be two ones turned into one, but the focal point of the room was obviously he table. It was large enough for at least ten people, though it seemed that they needed the space. There was a sink, of course, on one wall. And on the wall farthest to the right was the oven. It was an old-fashion looking model, like something you'd see out of our 1800's. This didn't surprise her, because she also knew that the most complex thing in Hobbiton was the mill.
Her mother returned. She could tell this because she heard her mother going on about something. "I've got it!" she exclaimed as she came into the kitchen.
"Got what?" Ariel asked.
She giggled. "All the mothers of daughters speak of this! Why don't I fix you up a bit! Do your hair, perhaps a new dress on you… that sort o' thing!"
"You mean… like a make-over?" she gulped.
"Yes! It'll be loads of fun!"
"But I–"
"Come on, let's go!" she said, giggling once more.
While being shoved into another room, which looked like it could have been her parent's room, she began to feel uneasy.
"First, a bath. Then we'll do your hair and clothes. I'll go draw you a bath," Lily said. She went into the bathroom that was located inside the room also.
So this must be the master bedroom, Ariel thought to her self.
She sat down on the bed, which was covered in a magenta colored comforter. It was rather large, and soft, and comforting…
"Alright, you're bath is made!" Lily said.
Ariel jerked back awake and said, "Okay, I'm going."
"Hurry dear, or the water will get cold."
"Mama, I can bathe on my own…"
"Now, now, I see nothing wrong with me helping you."
Ariel grumbled as she undressed and got in the tub. The water was warm and relaxing, which put Ariel in a better mood. She continued to muter, just not as much, as her mother scrubbed her hair. Her mother was in a tranquil blissfulness. Afterwards, Lily gave Ariel one of her old dresses.
"This is a dress I used to wear when I was much, much younger. I thin it might be a bit big, but after a few good meals, it should fit perfectly."
"What's this?" Ariel asked as she picked up what looked like a lighter, silky dress.
"That's a slip dear," she replied. "You put that one first."
"Looks like another dress… how many layers does this thing have?"
"Just put it on and then I'll trim your hair up a bit," Lily smiled.
"My hair?! What's wrong with my hair? I like how it looks…" she said, keeping her tone in line.
She reluctantly put the dress on and her mother then trimmed her hair, but not changing too much. Lily kept wondering why her hair was as curly as a regular hobbit-lass' hair. Though it was a slight wavy, the norm for regular hobbit-lasses was mounds of curly hair, and young hobbit-lasses Ariel's age usually had darker hair. Ariel had a light shade of auburn with a few streaks of blonde ("All natural, no dyes or anything of the sorts," she claimed), which was mostly a result of being outdoors so much. Ariel replied it didn't matter much, and began to complain of hunger.
Lily added the finishing touches, and then placed a bow to hold back some of Ariel's hair. Ariel made gagging gestures in the mirror of her mother vanity when her back was turned.
"Look at you, sweetheart," Lily said, proud of how her daughter looked.
"Look at me… I'm so… cute," Ariel said, disgusted. "I look like a doll…"
"You are so adorable, I just want to pinch your cute little cheeks!"
"I hope you mean my face…" Ariel said quietly to herself.
"Now, everyone must see you. I'll get the others gathered in the dinning room."
"Everyone?" Ariel said as her eyes widen.
Lily giggled and said, "Yes, of course, everyone here."
She led her daughter to the hallway and stopped when they were in the dinning room, or kitchen, since they were both basically the same room.
She whistled for everyone.
Meanwhile, Frodo spoke with Shane in his study. There were many gardening books aligned on the many bookshelves, and, Frodo noted, it was a lot more organized then his study at Bag End. Shane, he thought, was a peculiar hobbit, a bit forgetful, but very kind. At one point in their conversation, he had completely forgotten what they were talking about and had to be reminded of what they were speaking of. Frodo told him that he had noticed all the gardening books around.
"Yes," Shane laughed. "Gardening has become a bit of a hobby of mine. It gives me a sense of pleasure, helping little seedling into the ground and watching them grow. But I must say, watching my little ones grow was a bit more of a challenge. It'll be hard when they all become of age and move out. Things will get so quite here. It's already started too, actually. Lily's brother and his wife had been staying here for quite awhile and we had gotten so used to them here. I hope Azalea doesn't mind being the only girl here, even all her cousin's are hobbit-lads."
"All of them?" Frodo asked.
"Every single one. Except for those distant, distant cousins who have so much other bloodlines mixed in you just rather call them cousins then their actual relationship to you. Ah, I remember when I was just a wee little lad. Got into a bit of trouble…" he laughed. "How about you, Frodo? Tell me, did you get into any trouble as a young one?"
"Well, ah, I did, sir. When I lived in Buckland, I used to–"
"Buckland! I hear there are strange folk in Buckland. You wouldn't happen to be one of them?" he said jokingly.
Catching this, he said, "Define your definition of strange…"
"Ah," he nodded, chuckling. "Good point. I hear they have good land in Buckland, do you know if it'd true? Never actually been there myself."
They heard a long, high-pitched noise in the distance.
"What was that?" Frodo asked.
"We have been summoned," Shane replied standing up. "Let's go, lad." They headed into the kitchen.
Ariel watched as her family gathered and began to flush terribly as Lily bragged on about how adorable her little Azalea looked.
"And a faint smell of cooking meat could be detected in the distance," Shane said to his wife.
"Dear, what are you going on about?"
"Dinner. I'm a little hungry, and the smell of your wonderful cooking isn't helping any."
"You can be a bit weird at times, dear," she replied.
"So I'm told," he answered.
"Mum says father is a genius, he just doesn't know how to go about and exercise his intelligence," Thomas whisper to Ariel and Frodo. They laughed silently.
"Now dears you must be tired," Lily said, talking to Ariel and Frodo. "Why don't you sit and everyone else and I will set the table. Just leave everything to us!"
They sat down at the table next to each other. Everyone else scurried about, setting down plates, and glasses, and whatever else they needed.
"I feel like a cake in this thing… so many layers…" Ariel complained quietly to Frodo.
"I must admit, though," he said with a smirk, "You do seem to be more lady-like now…"
"Very funny…" she rolled her eyes. "Laugh now, but I bet you'd never willingly wear one of these either. Unless you plan to continue making comments like that," she said, returning the cunning smile.
"Hm, I guess your point is made…"
Dinner with the May family was quite enjoyable. They talked mostly of the family's history, their mishaps, and anything else Ariel asked about. One of the stories they told was of Ariel's great, great, great grandfather. He had been a storyteller of, what we would consider, fantasy tales. One day, he had convinced too many of the towns-hobbits that a dragon was currently staying nearby. When they had found out it was a lie, they each took turns to push him in a nearby river.
After the meal, Frodo thought that it was best he'd go home for the evening.
"I will come for you early in the morning, if that is alright. We should try to get an early start as possible to get back to Rivendell," he said as they stood out in front of the door. Frodo had set down his things next to him, for it was quite heavy and did not want to carry it any longer than he had to.
"Okay," she nodded. "Then, I will see you tomorrow morning…" she laughed slightly. "This may be the first time we are such a distance from each other. I wonder if there is such a thing as being with someone too much. I hope that I am not starting to bother you."
"No! In fact, it has been the exact opposite. You've been on my mind ever since you arrived in Gondor, and I hope that we never have to part from each other. I will count every minute that I am away from you," he said, resting his forehead against hers. "I hope that you do not grow tired of my company…"
She looked up into his beautiful blue eyes. She could feel blood rising up in her cheeks and hoped she was not blushing too much to make Frodo notice. "And why would I grow tired of you? You've been nothing but a joy to be around. You are very different from any other guy I've met."
"And exactly how many other 'guys' have you been with?" he said with a grin.
"I will tell you that only if you will share with me how many other 'lasses' you've been with," she said sweetly.
"That's not important now, is it?" he laughed and bent down to pick up his things. He wanted to change the subject.
"My point exactly. It's the here and now that counts. Goodnight, Frodo Baggins," she said playfully.
"Good night, Azalea May," he said, and put his backpack on.
"I really don't like that name," she frowned. "You won't tell Ley, Sarah, or Kaysie my real name, will ya? They'll never let that go if they knew…"
"Do not worry, I promise, I won't say anything about it." He leaned over and kissed her. "Sweet dreams, dear. I will see you in the morning."
Ariel, quickly finding her voice, replied, "Goodnight." She watched on as he headed on home to Bag End.
***
As always, the sun rose as Ariel slept peacefully in the extra guest room. Ariel woke early, got dressed, and joined her family in the dinning room. They were already up and eating breakfast, or maybe second breakfast, she didn't know what the time was.
Her mother noticed her walking in and rushed from her chair and guided Ariel to a seat. The table was loaded with all sorts of food. Lily placed a plate full of eggs, bacon, toast, sausage, hash browns, a muffin, ham, tomatoes, and mushrooms.
So much food… yum, Ariel thought as she looked down at her plate.
"I've already gotten your things together, sweetheart. And by the way, Thomas says he wants to go with you! Won't you, dear?"
"What?!" Ariel asked.
"Come on, Sis. I'm curious to know what Rivendell is like, with the elves and all… it'll be fun! After all, we are twins, I'm still older, mind you, but someone has to look after my little sister. What do you say?"
"Far too curious for a hobbit…" she muttered. "Well… if you can put up with my other friends and me, then I don't see why not. But after you stay at Rivendell to your heart's content, I want you to come back home. It'll be safer here."
"I wish you would listen to your own words…" Shawn said quietly.
"But I have to go, you know that," she replied.
"Why do you have to go, Sissy Azalea?" asked Thane in confusion.
"Because, there are some things happening that I am to be apart of. But I promise I will come back. Nothing will stop me from returning to my family."
"Then we all wish everyone good luck on their journey," said Shane.
"And bring back presents!" said Danny.
"I'll try to…" Ariel laughed.
With that meal in their bellies, Ariel and Thomas gathered their things and began their journey to Bag End. They planned to meet up with Frodo along the way. They did, but Sam and a young hobbit girl was with them. She was tall for her age, fair, and looked more elven then hobbit.
"That must be Elanor the Fair, Samwise's first born," Ariel told Thomas as they approached the other hobbits.
"Good guess. How did you know that was the mayor's daughter?" he asked.
"Let's just say… I sorta, glanced into the future…"
When they met up, Sam introduced his daughter to them and explained that they would be meeting Aragorn and Arwen in Rivendell.
"Then, you are to be maid-of-honor to the Lady Arwen?" Ariel asked her.
She simply nodded and smiled.
"We should go and get the others," suggested Frodo.
Shortly afterwards, they found Pippin, and then Merry joined them. They were on their way to Rivendell. As they traveled on, Ariel tried to converse with Elanor, but she said little in response.
"It's sort of like talking to a tree, isn't it?" Thomas whispered to his sister.
"That's not very nice… she's just a bit shy, that's all. Give her some time, she'll start talking."
To fill in the silence on their trip, Ariel and Frodo did their best to explain to Sam, Merry, Pippin, Thomas, and Elanor what exactly was happening and why they were returning to Rivendell.
One evening, as Ariel began to fall asleep, began to wonder about her friends.
I wonder how everyone else is doing? What kind of mees am I returning to?
After setting these thoughts in the back of her mind, she slowly fell asleep.