CHAPTER 2

The shopping trip plan was surprisingly simple. In fact, there was no need for the Fellowship to come along. Annalise took their measurements and headed out the door for the mall on Fifth Avenue.

Annalise slammed the car door shut and turned around to lock it behind her- then stopped and goggled at the back seat.

"What in-" She stopped herself, remembering that they wouldn't understand her. 'What the blazes are you doing in there?' She asked.

Pippin rolled down the window. 'Oh, Ann,' he said plaintively. 'We wanted to see the rest of town. And then, naturally, Gandalf insisted that someone come with us and keep us out of trouble.' He beamed angelically at her, as if he could never cause trouble.

Ann glanced accusingly at Aragorn, sitting nonchalantly in the corner. 'You let them get away with this?' She gestured to the four hobbits spread along the back seat. Something occurred to her. 'Oh god, you brought your sword, didn't you?'

Aragorn drew out his sword. It rang slightly as it came out of the sheath. 'Of course I did! I have sworn to protect Frodo. If he is coming here, then so shall I.'

Annalise buried her face in her hands, muttering, "Dear God, why me?"

***************************************************************************

It was lucky for everyone that the Renaissance Faire was going on at the time. Aragorn didn't get nearly as many odd looks as one would expect- most people simply assumed he was a performer. The hobbits were another matter.

"Omigod, you look kinda like Elijah Wood, didja know that?" Asked one particularly ditzy girl.

Frodo blinked and looked at Ann for translation. He could understand the language a little, but not enough to respond.

Ann sighed inaudibly and told the girl, "My nephews don't speak English very well. They're from- pssh, where was it again? Oh yes, Germany."

"Oh," said the girl, twirling a blonde curl. "They don't look German."

"Yeah, well, y'know..... yeah." ::Real articulate, Ann, reeeal articulate::

***************************************************************************

'Aha! Here we are! The Gap.'

'The Gap? Such as, the Gap of Rohan?' Asked Aragorn, puzzled

'Well, not exactly,' replied Ann. 'It's a clothing store- er, like a tailors- oh, you'll see.'

They entered the store with many odd looks from the clientele- the rest of the mall may have been forgiving, but the Gap customers were more suspicious. Annalise wisely drew out her Visa, and everyone decided that she wasn't a threat.

She threaded her way through the store, picking out khakis and several plain, button up shirts, along with a few plain polo shirts. She paid and hustled them out.

'Now then, off to Gap Kids!' She said. She was in her element.

'Kids?' Complained Sam. 'None of us are kids!'

Ann sighed. 'I know, Sam, but think about it. Did you see anything in that store that would fit you?'

'Er....'

'That's what I thought. Now come on, Gap Kids.'

Four pairs of khakis were easy to find, but the shirts were harder. Frodo picked up a t-shirt curiously.

'What does this say?'

'Er- Big Dog.'

'What?'

'Don't ask- long story.'

Finally, Ann took her purchases to the counter and payed. Her five companions breathed a sigh of relief.

'Wait! One more store.'

They groaned. Annalise, however, would not be moved from her own quest, and shepherded them over to the escalators. After ten minutes of confusion as Ann explained to the hobbits how to use the moving staircases, they were finally at the correct floor. She lead the way to the Body Shop.

She bustled about picking out hair-care products when she noticed the absence of Merry and Pippin wreaking havoc. She turned around to see the five men milling about outside the store.

"Could you hold these for me, please?" Ann asked the sales clerk. She marched outside.

'What do you think you're doing, hanging around out here?'

'Well.....' Said Aragorn, searching for the right words.

'It's a girl's shop!' Exclaimed Merry indignantly. 'We can't go in there! Someone might see us!'

It was all Annalise could do not to crack up. Her voice trembled with stifled laughter as she said, 'Who is there here who knows you?'

'Umm....'

'Look, just go sit on the benches and I'll be right out. Then we can go get some Dippin' Dots, 'kay?' She strode back into the shop.

The five out-of-place characters stared at each other. Finally, Aragorn broke the silence. 'Dippin' Dots? I do not like the sound of these words.....'

'Well, I do!' Said Pippin. 'Sounds like food to me, eh, Merry?'

'Okay, you guys, let's go!' Said Samantha, coming out of the store.

***************************************************************************

'Now, you can each have a small, any flavor you like,' She explained at the Dippin' Dots counter. 'Only one small! There's chocolate, mint, mint chocolate, vanilla, banana split, and strawberry.'

"Dude," remarked the guy behind the counter. "What language is that? It, like, sounds totally weird."

"Um, it's German." She turned back to the hobbits- Aragorn seemed singularly uninterested in the ice cream. 'So, guys, what flavor?'

They glanced at each other, then ordered, hesitantly. Sam decided to play it safe and get a flavor he was familiar with- strawberry. Frodo decided that Sam had the right idea and ordered mint.

'Merry? Pippin? What do you want?'

'Chocolate!' said Pippin perkily.

'Um... Vanilla!' Said Merry.

Ann turned to the counter. "A small chocolate, a small vanilla, and a small mint chocolate. That's all on the same bill."

The serving guy took his time dishing up the ice cream, then (equally slowly) rang up the purchase. "That'll be fifteen dollars."

Annalise paid and handed the hobbits their treat. 'Cheers!'

They dug in together. Frodo was hesitant about putting the food in his mouth, but Sam, Merry and Pippin dove into it with gusto.

Pippin gasped as the ice cream melted on his tongue. 'This... this is....'

Annalise laughed at the amazed and happy expressions on the hobbits' faces.

'I know,' She grinned. She noticed that Aragorn had drifted closer.

'Strider, would you like some?'

'Er-' Said the Ranger.

'Come on! It's very tasty.'

'We-ell. . . .'

He had opened his mouth just far enough that Ann was able to sneak her spoon in. He swallowed involuntarily. The hobbits laughed at his consternation. Slowly it changed into wonder.

'What is this flavor?'

'Chocolate mint. Like it?'

Aragorn couldn't respond- he was busy stealing the remaining ice cream in her cup. Ann laughed. 'Take it, then. I can get it anytime.'

As Aragorn finished eating and began apologizing, they walked back towards the parking lot.

***************************************************************************