I am extremely sorry this took so long everyone. I don't really like to write during the school year, and I was insanely busy this last one. I was also concentrating on my latest fanfic, Narnia: The Musical. (Feel free to check it out)
emmablk1-You aren't the only one who takes a long time to update. Thanks for reading my fanfic and I can't wait for your next chapter!
Reepicheepfan-Thank you! That is the best compliment I have gotten ever on one of my fanfics! (It was the first, and the best)
So, without anymore further adou, here it is...
Chapter 2! (it rhymes haha)
Chapter 2: The Hidden City
"Frodo! Mr. Frodo! Wake up!" Frodo woke up with a start. As the world came into focus, he felt something heavy on him. He looked at Sam, who was pointing, wide-eyed, at Frodo's chest. Frodo looked down and stared. There, sleeping soundly, was someone, or something. It was dressed in armor, which explained the heavy feeling Frodo felt, because it's head and arm were on his chest. Frodo got up quickly, and as he did, the stranger's head dell to the ground with a thud.
The figure started to moan.
"What or who do you think it is? And why was it sleeping like that?" asked Sam.
"I don't know," replied Frodo, "It looks like the size of us, so it may be a hobbit. But why would a hobbit be dressed like that? I've never seen armor like that before. It's not a maiden, for hobbit maidens would never wear armor."
"Well, whoever and whatever that is, you should have Sting ready. We don't know if it is friend or foe," said Sam.
They looked at the figure, which was still waking up. They saw it open it's eyes. All of a sudden, realizing where is it was, sat straight up and said something in a language unrecognizable to the hobbits. They continued to watch it as it got up and looked around. That's when it noticed the hobbits, standing with their swords ready.
"I mean you no harm," said the figure.
"Who are you, what are you, why are you here, and what were you doing sleeping on Mr. Frodo, sir?" asked Sam.
The figure laughed.
"First, let's get one thing straight," it said as it pulled off it's helmet. The hobbits gasped. "I am not a 'sir'."
It was true, for when the helmet was taken off, the figure revealed the face of a young maiden, around the hobbit's age. She had fair skin, aquamarine eyes, pointed ears, and dark blonde hair pulled back in a bun.
The hobbit stammered his apology.
"Please, there is no need to apologize," the maiden said, "you had no way of knowing. Now I can answer your questions. I am Her Majesty Adromeda Nathariel Sapphire, the High Princess of Orceania, and Heir to the Throne. I am a sea nymph. Nymphs are just like elves, but smaller, like you hobbits. I was here because I felt the presence of something evil, so I came up here to investigate. After seeing the Ring, I realized who you were, for even thought my city is under the water, we still know much of what goes on land. I then heard a noise and saw the creature Gollum. He attacked me, but I fended him off. I was tired after, and accidentally fell asleep by the Ring bearer. I apologize if I disturbed your sleep."
"That is alright. You know of my companion and I, but not our names. I am Frodo Baggins, and this is my friend Samwise Gamgee. We thank you, Your Majesty, for making sure Gollum does not get the Ring. Would you mind telling us where we are and pointing us in the direction of Mount Doom so that we may be on our way?" asked Frodo.
"Certainly," replied the princess, "You are at the edge of the Bay of Belfalas." She pointed upstream, "Mount Doom is that way, but before you continue on your journey, I ask that you come with me to Orceania." She blushed, "I went through your things and noticed you have very little food left. You can rest and get new materials there."
"We would greatly appreciate that, Your Majesty, but as you said, you live under the water," said Sam. "How are Frodo and I to breathe? We don't even know how to swim."
"I will teach you to swim. You will be able to breathe underwater by receiving my blessing," the princess said. "Gather your things, so we may get back. My parents will be wondering where I am."
The three picked up everything, which wasn't much, and the hobbits followed Princess Adromeda into the water until it was up to their waists. She turned around, placed her slightly webbed-hands over Sam and Frodo's nose and mouth and gave them a blessing in her language. Then she faced the sea and spoke again.
About an hour later, both hobbits were able to swim. Not very well, but good enough that the Princess led them to her city.
They swam for a few minutes, and Sam and Frodo were getting tired. Finally they swam over a hill and looked into a large valley. In that valley, under what looked like a giant bubble, was the glittering city of Orceania.
"What is that over the city?" asked Sam.
The Princess replied, "It is an enchantment around the city. It is impenetrable except for Orceanians and those blessed. It is easier for us to live when we don't have to swim everywhere. It also makes the breathing transition easier if we ever go to the surface. Come on!" And the nymph swam up to the bubble, the hobbits right behind her. They swam to the bottom of the sea, and through the bubble. Princess Adromeda did it perfectly, since she was obviously used to going through a vertical wall between air and water. The hobbits….were a different story. They ended up flat on their faces.
The princess laughed. Her laughter sounded like chimes blown by the ocean breeze. The hobbits laughed too as they rose, then they realized something unusual-they were dry. The princess explained that another part of the enchantment is that once you enter Orceania from the sea, you are immediately dry. She then led them through the city made of sandstone, to the castle, which was in the heart of the city, made of pearl, coral, and sandstone. She led them into a hallway in a high tower and excused herself to change from her mithril armor. She came back out of her bedroom wearing dark blue pants and a dark red shirt. Then she led her guests to the grand doors of the throne room. She took a deep breath, held her head high, and confidently walked in, the hobbits behind her a few paces. She walked to two adult nymphs and curtsied. They talked for a bit in their native tongue; she was obviously in trouble for leaving last night. Finally the language turned to the common tongue as the princess turned around and motioned to the hobbits to come forward.
"Father, Mother, allow me to present to you Frodo Baggins, the Ringbearer, and his companion, Samwise Gamgee. Sam, Frodo, these are my parents- King Octavian and Queen Katrina of Orceania," announced the princess and the hobbits bowed.
"We are so happy to be blessed with the presence of the ones who will rid the world of a great evil," said the King, "I hope you enjoy your stay in our wonderful city. Has our daughter told you about her party tomorrow?" Seeing all three shake their heads, he continued. "It is her birthday tomorrow, and we are holding a great ball in her honor. We would be honored if you would attend, and I am sure Adromeda would be honored as well."
The hobbits thanked the King for the invitation and accepted. Then they all went to the dining hall and had a grand lunch. The Princess suggested that she give Frodo and Sam a tour of the city. Her five little sisters wanted to come too, but their parents would not let them, to Adromeda's relief.
The three spent a lovely afternoon together seeing everything in Orceania. They ate supper at an elaborate restaurant. After an adventure-filled day, they returned to the castle and Frodo and Sam were shown the two rooms where they would be sleeping. They said goodnight to the Princess and thanked her for the tour. She went up to her room, and everyone fell asleep.
Well, everyone except one restless hobbit.