THE GAP BETWEEN
REALITY AND IMAGINATION
PART ONE
CHAPTER ONE
GANDALF ARRIVES
He motioned for them to follow, and took off back through the woods. He ran through the trees left and right. The other eight had trouble keeping up.
Becca was at the back with a worried expression, shaking her head. It had begun, and now they would suffer. Frodo suddenly stopped, and whispered, "Wait here." He stepped out onto a grassy ledge about three feet over the path.
Slowly a cart rode by with a man driving it. The man was old with a wise face. He had an immensely long, gray beard, and bushy eyebrows. He was dressed in gray robes from head to foot with a crooked, pointed hat sitting on his head. It was none other than Gandalf.
"You're late," said Frodo. "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to," said Gandalf. They both glared at each other, and then fought to keep a straight face. Failing, they both burst into laughter. Frodo jumped off the ledge and onto Gandalf in a huge hug.
"It's wonderful to see you again, Gandalf," said Frodo. "You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday," said Gandalf. "I need you to meet some friends that I've just recently made a little while ago," said Frodo, waving at the group in the bushes.
All eight of them stepped out onto the ledge, a little nervous that Gandalf wouldn't accept them. Gandalf stared at them for a moment and then said, "Where in the world did you lot come from?"
"Gandalf, sir, we've come from a place called Godley, Texas in a tornado. We're from the future," said Taylor. "Future? Godley? Tornado? All of these seem very familiar to me, but yet so far away. No matter. I'll find out later. There's no use rushing off just yet when I've just arrived here," said Gandalf.
The eight kids all introduced themselves to Gandalf. "Right. Well, let's take you lot to the Shire. Everyone hop on," said Gandalf. The eight hopped in the back of the cart. Clint could already tell that he was going to like Gandalf.
Gandalf, Frodo, and the eight kids all chatted about little things here and there. Frodo was immersed in a conversation with Christian and Clint was busy speaking with Gandalf. Everyone else was happily chatting with each other. Everyone, that is, except for Becca.
Becca was sitting at the very back of the cart, looking around at her surroundings. She didn't feel safe, as she knew what was going to happen. Bilbo had the ring right now, and Frodo would soon get it.
"What's new in the world? Tell me everything," said Frodo to Gandalf suddenly. "Haven't we grown curious? Most unnatural for a hobbit. What can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past age, full of its own comings and goings, scarcely aware of the existence of hobbits. For which I am very grateful," said Gandalf.
As Gandalf spoke, they passed a field where tents and a banner were being set up. "Ah, the long-expected party. How is the old rascal? I understand this is to be a party of special magnificence," said Gandalf.
Becca wasn't listening. She was deep in thought about whether to tell Gandalf that they knew what was going to happen or not. Frowning at the path, she decided not to. It would be too suspicious.
Then, someone tapped Becca on the shoulder. She looked around. It was Taylor. "You do know that we're getting off of the cart, right?" said Taylor. "Oh. Yeah!" said Becca, standing up and jumping off the cart with the rest of her friends and Frodo.
That's it for Chapter 2. Tell me what you thought, please.
