Chapter 1: Concerning the Life of a Hobbit

She was sure of it. Ari was surrounded. Everywhere she looked, there they were. Tiny people. Tiny houses. Tiny gardens. Yes, she was sure of it. She was crazy.

Frodo led her through the windy road, passing round houses, fences, dirt roads, and well, all the tiny people. This was definitely a dream.

All the little people were generic, to make matters worse. They all had curly hair, big hairy feet, and bright bug eyes. Where exactly was Ari? In some sort of demented place her mind conjured up to cryptically tell her the secrets within her mind or heart? The secrets that even she herself did not know? Even that was hard to believe.

Ari lost herself thinking of what this strange land with it's strange people could possibly mean, and, after hopelessly searching and not finding answers, began devising a way to return home.

Wake up? Travel until she finds a familiar place? Leave this psychotic ward, this asylum? But the people were nice enough. Frodo was friendly and the villagers were hesitantly smiling at her, inwardly judging her. This wasn't so bad. It was a nice asylum.

While she contemplated all this, an unseen tiny women appeared beside Ari. The woman observed the strange human, seeing her unfocused eyes, oblivious to all, unconsciously following Frodo in front of her. The humans clothes were absurd! And covered in dirt and dripping with water. Had she been laying in the river? The stranger might as well have jumped into a puddle of mud, that's certainly how she looked. Her long auburn hair was thrown about her head, as though she had just been through a terrible wind storm. Her expression was weary and almost hopeless.

"You're different."

Ari snapped violently out of her thoughts, startled at the sudden comment. Frodo had left her in peace, quietly leading the way. This little woman, however, seemed to have no intention of allowing such a thing. She wanted answers, for the statement she made was opening up an opportunity for a plethora of questions. Before Ari could open her mouth, the woman spoke again.

"I'm Ferna Fanchu, od the… well, Fanchu's! I live right near Frodo, right near hi. And Bilbo of course." Hidden within her statement was a massive amount of questions. What's your name? Where are you from? Why are you here?

"I'm Arisa Kavanaugh. Call me Ari. I am… not from around here." Ari had decided to keep her origins to herself and ride out the journey her mind had set up for her. That very well may be the only way to wake up.

"What are you doing here?" Ferna's question was blunt but not rude or mean in anyway. She was simply curious. Frodo, however, started at her suddenness.

"Ferna, please, she has lost her was and is probably very hungry and tired. Do not barrage our guest with questions." His tone was kind but still reprimanding, as though he was scolding a child. Ferna merely looked at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I don't know."

The two turned to me, Frodo slowing to walk next to Ferna, confusion in both their expressions.

"Why I'm here. I don't know. Thank you kindly for taking me in to your… Shire. I will only remain until I know what to do or where to go from here."

Frodo's face lit up, and Ferna laughed heartily. And suddenly the atmosphere dropped into a peaceful silence. Not long after, Frodo stopped before a fence, and behind it was a large round house with a large round door. The place overall looked cheery and bright, along with the rest of the Shire.

"This is Bag End," Ferna informed her. And then, still looking at Ari with curious eyes, "Frodo, can I come in too?"

Frodo nodded and Ferna walked to the door without looking his way.

They must be close, Ari thought. Words need not be spoken between them. Frodo held out his hand in a gesture of saying "Lady's first," and followed behind them as Ferna swung the door to Bag End open.


She wasn't running away. That sounded cowardly and immature. She was just setting out to travel Middle Earth and go on epic adventures, that was all. And it just so happened that she was mad at her guardian at the time, and never wanted to see him again. But she wasn't running away.

Vena was a dwarf on a mission. Not a dwarf on the run.


Bilbo Baggins was just the cutest old man Ari had ever seen. His size may have been a factor, but all the same he was adorable. He welcomed Ari with open arms, exclaiming his gratitude for new company.

"Just in time for second breakfast," he smiled, as Ari crouched down, trying to avoid hitting her head on the low ceiling.

"Second?"

"Yes, second breakfast. And then elevensees and lunch, and afternoon tea. And dinner and then supper. Six meals a day, it's the way we live. Oh, you're human, that's right!" Ferna giggled to herself. "I forgot, so you probably don't eat six meals a day."

"No," Ari said slowly, as Bilbo stretched his arms out toward Ferna, silently asking for a hug as if they were old friends or close family. Ferna yielded to him with delight.

And suddenly, Ari realized she never asked the single most prominent question – besides where am I and what am I doing here – the one question that has nipped at her mind since she saw Frodo.

"What are you?"

The three tiny people stared up at her, Frodo's expression held surprise, while Bilbo's held amusement.

"My dear, you are in the Shire," Bilbo kindly explained. "You are currently within Hobbiton, in a hobbit hole. You are surrounded by none other than…" Yes, Ari got the point. Hobbit's, as if she knew what those were. "Hobbits!" Bilbo gave a chuckle with a twinkle in his eyes. "Hobbits are what we are, hobbit-sized, hobbit-like. We eat sic meals a day, we drink plenty, and party almost everyday, for everyday is a birthday!" Bilbo was now speaking to Frodo. "Soon, it will be our birthday, Frodo, my boy. We must plan, and plan well." His gaze was elsewhere, he no longer was with Ari and company.

"Soon, but not yet!" Ferna exclaimed, sitting down at the set table. "Not while we have a guest! Allow us," she smiled whimsically at Ari and indicated she should sit next to her. Ari did so, awkwardly sitting in the small chair.

"Allow us," Ferna repeated as Bilbo and Frodo joined the ladies at the table, "to introduce you to hobbit life."