There was only one person in the store, the manager, and she was just finishing stacking books in preparation for shutting up for the night. Her displeasure at being interrupted was quickly superseded by amazement at the peculiar personages assembled before her. She clapped her hand over her mouth and shrieked. Then she tried to laugh it off.
"Oh my gosh, you guys gave me the thrill of the century. For a second I thought you were for reals. My name is Chrysies, I was just closing up but if there is anything I can do for you..." Aragorn had vainly tried to interrupt her breathless reel.
"Lady," he said when she finally paused. "Could you tell us the meaning of the titles in the window?" Chrysies looked at him with an uncomfortable laugh.
"Aw, c'mon, you know what it's all about perfectly well." Boromir protested feebly.
"Listen, joke's over okay?" she snapped, then relaxed." Did my brother send you here? He knows I'm a L-O-T-R fanatic. I'll have to send him Sir Lancelot next April Fools. Where'd you get the midgets?" referring to Fordo, Sam, Merry and Pippin who had gotten lost amongst racks and shelves. "Terrific hobbits they make, that's for sure. Say, maybe you could give me the name of your costume designer. I've been dying for an outfit like your Legolas' since I was 11. Woops, that's the 5 o'clock chime, time to really close. Really, you guys are absolutely perfect." Bewildered by the steady flow of talk, which reminded Aragorn irrepressibly of Barliman Butterbur, the Fellowship reluctantly allowed themselves to be herded out the door. Chrysies pulled down the steel door and locked it.
"That didn't help much," said Legolas.
"No, it didn't," agreed Aragorn grimly.
"We aren't any closer to getting back to Lorien," said Legolas.
"No, we aren't," agreed Aragorn.
"How are we going to fulfill our Quest? We are in a pickle, as Sam says," said Legolas
"Yes, we are." agreed Aragorn.
"Would you two stop!" cried Boromir, feeling very offended, but not knowing just why.
"Sure." assented Aragorn languidly. An alarm went off. Seven of them jumped.
"Where's Gimli?" asked Boromir suspiciously, glancing around.
"I'm right here!" cried the Dwarf irately. It's Merry who's missing!"
"Oh, what is he doing now?" grumbled Aragorn. "Touching things without call."
Indeed, Merry, fascinated by all the cars, had found a red one parked nearby. Not quite conscious of doing it, he peered in the window, and accidentally touched it. He was just as astonished as the others at the sudden noise, and retreated. Aragorn grabbed him by the collar grimly.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck, if you don't behave I shall leave you behind in Lorien when we get back." Mr. Brandybuck thought it a very unjust punishment for a first offense, but said nothing. Frodo distracted them.
"Look, isn't that Miss Chrysies? No, up there going towards the bench." A bus stopped, emitting a cloud of black exhaust right into their faces. Legolas sneezed repeatedly. Holding his breath, Aragon strode up to Chrysies.
"Oh, you're still here? Taking the bus?" she asked cheerfully.
"What is a 'bus'?" asked Aragorn, confused at the moment. Chrysies pointed at the Greyhound. "No, I want to know what those books are about." Chrysies sighed.
"Don't you know? The Lord of the Rings is Sauron," Chrysies played along. Aragorn nodded cautiously. "The Fellowship is Gandalf, Frodo, Aragorn, Boromir, Merry, Pippin, Legolas and Gimli. Speaking of which where is Gandalf? The Two Towers I still haven't figured out-Orthanc and Barad-dur or Minas Morgul and Minas Tirith, etc, etc. The Return of the King is, well, Aragorn's the King. Who are you?"
"The King without a kingdom," said Aragorn.
"And I'm a hungry hobbit!" said a little voice at his side." That's Frodo, and that's my cousin-"
"Pippin!" cried Aragorn in dismay. The bus drove away, but Chrysies didn't seem to care.
"The Ringbearer, eh? I've always wondered if I'd be able to resist the power of the Ring. Do you have it here?" There was no sign of her previous skepticism.
"Yes," said Aragorn slowly, not sure exactly what drove him to say it. Frodo, unaware of the exchange, strolled up to join him and Pippin.
"Frodo," said Chrysies. "Would you bring out the Ring, please?" Startled, Frodo backed away. Aragorn stopped him mysteriously.
"Show her, Frodo." he whispered. Reluctantly, Frodo removed the Ring from his neck. Chrysies watched it silently, clenched her fists, then murmured,
"It's real!" Then out loud she said, "Put it away, but stay right there!" Frodo instantly replaced the Ring, while Chrysies rummaged her purse furiously, and dialed.
"Hello, Alex? Listen, I-"she turned away a few steps.
"What's going on?" asked Boromir, arriving on the scene with the others.
"Shh!" hushed Aragorn. Chrysies hung up and came back.
"Alright, guys! You're coming home with me!" The Fellowship looked at each other.
"Can we trust her?" whispered Frodo, but Chrysies knew very well what they were saying.
"Yes you can. Wait'll you see my house." she chuckled." And there'll be lot's of food."
"Food?" cried the hobbits simultaneously.
"Is there any other option?" asked Aragorn of his companions.
"We're taking the bus." Said Chrysies. She looked toward the curb. "Hey, where'd it go? Dang!"