Chapter 5 Brandybucks and Tooks

No sooner had I closed my eyes that Sam was shaking me awake. Moaning I opened my eyes and only to find Sam leaning over me. I gently reached up and pushed Sam out of my way so I could stand up. Sam took a few more steps back to allow me to stand and stretch.

" Well Lady Avalle are you ready to head off?" I stared at him blankly, still not believing that this was happening. I was hoping that when I woke up I would find myself in the attic lying in my sofa, but unfortunately that did not happen. " There is no point trying to figure it out now," I thought, " something happened, but what I don't know but I want it answered."

It's probably best that I don't show that I know each of their names and what they are about to do. " What is your name?" I asked. He quickly blushed and muttered "Sam". As if on cue, a rush of pattering feet was heard from the hallway and in came Frodo.

" Sam," he said, " Gandalf says we must leave now!" he turned towards me and said " Gandalf has told me to ask you if you would like to join us Lady Avalle." I merely nodded while muttering, "yes" at the same time. Frodo clapped his hands together and rushed off into the hallway. Sam then motioned for me to follow him so I did.

As we walked into the hallway I took in everything that was there. The hallway was lined with wooden planks, and occasionally dipped giving it a flying buttress look, and it also had hand-painted pictures hanging on the walls, the floor had green rugs every five feet or so, and the ceiling was rounded to give it appearance that I was walking in a tunnel. The hall more or less stayed the same except for a few doors that showed up.

Sam disappeared around a corner, and when I followed him around the corner, we came to a small but cozy living room. A cheery fire was going and next to it sat Gandalf deep in thought. Frodo was only a short distance away from Gandalf, but he took little heed that Sam and I had entered the room. Sam quickly walked over to Frodo and whispered something in his ear; Frodo then looked up and stared straight at me.

Frodo stood up walked over to Gandalf and said, " She's awake Gandalf." The wizard nodded, he said something to Frodo that I couldn't comprehend. I looked at Sam and both him and me exchanged glances of confusion. Once again I began to think to myself; "Exactly what is going on? I wonder what Frodo and the wizard are saying to one another. I know that most of their conversation is about me, why else would they be talking in secret?"

From out of nowhere a huge clap ringed through the air, causing all of us to jump in surprise. Sam went running into the hall, Frodo stayed where but with a look of terror on his face. Gandalf on the other hand was completely alert, with his staff in hand he went to into the hallway opened what had to be the front door and went outside.

What seemed like an eternity Gandalf came back, but he did not back empty handed. Along with Gandalf were two hobbits that he had by their shirt collars. It was clear that the wizard was certainly ticked off by the two hobbits, for he threw them to the floor.

" Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took I should have known" said the wizard " now pray tell are you doing with this contraption?" As he said that last bit he held up…OH GOD… my father's gun! How in the world did it end up here with me!?!?

" Uh Meriadoc, Peregrin," I asked, " Was there anything else other than that?" both of the hobbits nodded their heads. " There was a pack," replied Pippin while standing up and brushing himself off, " and there was a small clear bag that made crinkling sounds when you touched it. Oh yes, and there are many more of those metal things as well." That was all I wanted to know and I went rushing outside.

When I opened the front door I saw that Merry and Pippin were right. Right at the edge of the gate were a pile of guns, my backpack and a bag of tootsie rolls. The others were soon at the doorway looking at me with puzzled looks on their faces.

" Lady Navalle do you know what these things are?" asked Sam. I merely nodded my head barely paying attention to what Sam had just said, " Those metal things are weapons of immense power called guns," I replied, " that pack is mine and so is the clear bag. You two messed with the guns didn't you?" I turned to look at them; both were blushing and nodding. I quickly got angry at them and started shouting at them " Do you realize that if you pointed at either one of your heads, that the head it was pointed at would no longer be on that someone's neck!?"

Someone from behind me gently grabbed my shoulder; I whirled around to see who it was. It was Frodo. " Please do not be angry at them," he said, " how would they have known that those guns were dangerous?" Frodo was right; I was making a fool of myself. I smiled at him and said, " Your right it was pointless at getting mad at them, for they did not know what a gun is except for what I have said about them."

" Now," said Gandalf, " you must be off you three, the Nazgul are headed this way. Remember Frodo the name Baggins is not to be used outside the Shire, go by the name Underhill. Make for Bree, meet me at the Prancing Pony." "Where are you going?" asked Sam. " I am seeking council from one far wiser than I" replied Gandalf. With that Gandalf walked to the road, turned left and from out of nowhere a horse appeared. Gandalf got on the horse and with one nick in the horses side he was off.

As the hobbits and I stood there watching Gandalf ride away, I wondered why he wanted me to go along with Sam and Frodo. "Well now that we're involved we might as well go with you," exclaimed Pippin, " besides one as intelligent as myself will be needed." Merry just rolled his eyes at that comment and gave Pippin a good nudge in the ribs. " We best be off," said Frodo, " all of you heard what Gandalf said." I nodded at this, and went to the gate of Bag End to get my supplies.