(A/N - I'm happy to be getting more responses and constructive criticism to this story. I know it needs a lot of work and attention to details, plot, Angie's character, and I'm so glad to be getting more input from you guys! It's really cool, and now I have the challenge of trying to meet the expectations you have to make the story even better. So thank you for all the comments and suggestions, and I really do love it! I'm hurrying to update today, though; I have another long day of county fair duties at the marching band booth starting at one! Eek!)
. Reviewers .
x) Psalm 136 - A lot of people have said this story is not what they expected at all (in a good way), and I am so happy that you stumbled upon this and gave it a chance! The outside summary isn't nearly as good as the one inside which is why I had to put the 'Full Summary Inside' tag at the beginning. Having her fit in is still a little difficult, but I'm think of anything to make it flow. And yes, the beloved flashbacks! It's like a whole other story, and I do love writing it to get away from the War of the Ring plot. Again, I am so excited to have you as a new reviewer, and I hope to hear from you more! Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
x) Meeker Beeker - I take the criticism you gave me to heart, and thank you so much for saying what you did. I went back, reread that little part in the first chapter, and you do have a point. I promise you that is the only real fight you'll see with Angie and her mother, but I completely understand about it being the nightmarish past of the Mary-Sue. Don't worry, though; you won't see Angie's mom again for a while! You'll see if you choose to come back and read some more! I really do appreciate what you have said, and being the perfectionist I am, I really was excited to get criticism. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope to hear from you again!
x) Frodo's girl - Who could forget you, Ellie? LoL.. You're a faster reader than me obviously! We've exchanged lots of emails since I've updated last, but I'm glad you liked the rest of it, too! Don't let the secret out, though. ;) Well, now that I've finally updated, I'm proud of myself, LoL.. And you've already given me so much advice, it's awesome. Thanks for all the tedious time you spend on me and reading my crap, LoL (j/k). I think we're partners in crime now! Woot! Haha... Thanks for the review, write back soon, and enjoy this chapter! Again!
x) ArwenEvenstar83 - I do not mind at all that you use my xxx's, LoL. They aren't copyrighted anyways! And yes, I found it odd that hobbits can't swim, either, but hey, it's one of those quirky little things that belongs to a species, isn't it? Men can't lick their elbows, hobbits can't swim, you understand. Just a natural thing. I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter! Thank you for reviewing, and have fun with the new chapter! Huzzah:)
x) SouthernCharm83 - LoL.. Since when is Angie compliant? Rebel hobbit! Haha.. I'm glad you appriciate the good grammar because I always appreciate the advice and compliments, so thank you. And yes, the journey is now starting to pick up, so have fun! It's a slow start, I know, but things do get so much better. Trust me. And OMG! Another PotC fan! I LOVED the sequel, LoL. I hope to see it again before school starts because I'm obsessive... Anyways... Thank you, and enjoy the chapter!
x) Dragon-Slayer-of-the-4th-Realm - I am a cooperative person, so long as the other party's requests and stuff are reasonable. I still put song lyrics in my fics (I don't know if you're a Back To The Future fan, but my little one-shot 'Light Up The Sound' has lyrics to a song), and I even had me and my friends meet our favorite band in my first Just An Odd Pirate Story (Linkin Park! Woot! LoL). I only had one story taken off the site because it had too many celebrities and was written in chat room form, but it got a heck of a lot of reviews (I rewrite fairy tales with Pirates of the Caribbean characters and celebrities, lol). I'm still trying to figure out how to file a complaint on this site though.I can't find an email or anything. And don't worry - they can't chase me off THAT easily. I haven't gotten one bad review yet! Thanks for the review, and enjoy! PS - Twilight Zone! Woot!
x) Elwing-Evenstar - Ooo, you think about every little thing that could happen, don't you? Haha..I love that! Openmindedness rules (that word looks REALLY long, lol)! Elrond? Hmm.. I'm writing the Council chapter now, so I'm working on it! I hope you can be patient, LoL.. I've got a few other stories to update after this real quick, but I will have chapter nine here in no time! Thanks for reviewing! Have fun with chapter eight in the mean time!
.. SO HAPPY with all the reviews I got! Thanks guys! ..
- Dis/Claimer -
. Chapter Eight .
.. The Road ..
The next day, Frodo, Sam, Angie, and Pippin met at the Fortress ready to decide on their activity of interest for the day. But Merry was missing, and they couldn't pretend to be on Bilbo's magnificent adventure with their Goblin King absent. After an impatient wait on their behalf, the group made their way over to the Brandybuck's stay-home when Merry appeared coming out of the door.
"Merry, come on," Pippin said. "We've been waiting for you to show up, but we got so tired of waiting, we came to storm the fort!"
"I can't really come out today, sorry," Merry said with a disappointed look on his face. "Mum said we're leaving for Buckland later tonight, and I've got quite a bit of packing to do."
"Packing for Buckland?" Angie asked. "So soon? It's only the beginning of summer! I thought you all decided to stay in Hobbiton anyways since you haven't stayed in Buckland longer than a month lately. Why, you only went there for a week last year and-"
"We still live there," Merry said, sitting on the porch with his freinds. "Mum just thinks it might be time to go back for a while. Maybe as long as a year."
"A year!" Pippin shouted. "Well, gosh, Merry. I'm due to back to Tuckborough soon, too, but not that long!"
"Please don't go," Angie begged.
"But I have to," Merry said grumpily. "My grandmum's better now, so I guess we'll be seeing a lot less of each other."
Angie remembered that as a sullen look fell upon her suddenly; when she had first met Merry and Pippin, Merry had told her that they were from Buckland and that they had only come until his grandmother was better. That was six years ago when she was about seven years old. How time flies. She was happy his grandmother was well again, but parting with one of her best friends would be so difficult. How could she do it?
Frodo and Pippin looked rather upset at the news as well, but Sam humphed and folded his arms, feeling somewhat better now that they were leaving. But then again, it would be less fun for them all. Even the prey of Merry and Pippin's insanity was willing to agree to that.
"Wait," Pippin said, jumping up suddenly. "I've got an idea!"
"What?" Frodo asked, perplexed with the rest of them.
"Give me a half hour and I'll have everything straightened out."
At this, Pippin ran inside, slamming the door in their faces. Each of them exchanged rather confused looks as Merry opened the door to a crack, and the four of them peered inside curiously. Pippin was being led into the kitchen by Esmerelda, Merry's mother, confusing them even more.
"What is he up to?" Merry asked. Heopened the door fully so that they could all creep inside on light toes.
Merry led the way in followed by Angie, Sam, then Frodo. They heard Esmerelda's voice coming back through the hall, and Merry whispered 'Duck!' as he pushed them all into the nearest room on their right.
"Get back inside!" he whispered, pushing them against the wall next to the door. Angie recognized this as his father's sitting room where he would regulary smoke his long birch pipe passed on from his great-grandfather. And someday Merry would get it. How comforting.
"Can I get you anything to drink, Peregrin?" they all heard Merry's mother say from up the hall in the kitchen. Pippin accepted the offer for a cup of tea, and Esmerelda poured it and returned to the dining room.
"Since when is he winning over your Mum so easily?" Angie asked.
"Mum's always liked him as her long lost son!" Merry said. "You all should know that. She just always saw him as a bad influence on me. He's herfavorite nephew..."
"I agree," Frodo muttered.
"Don't seem that way now," Sam huffed. "Welcomes him with open arms, hot tea, and a big comfy chair for being your partner in crime!"
"Nice way of putting it, but again, favorite nephew," Merry said as he leaned out the doorway to peer up the hall. "Come on. Let's go."
Again they went up the hall trying as quietly as they could not to make a sound. Merry was getting more anxious and more jumpy by the second with each footfall he heard from his friends as they got closer to the dining room. What if they were caught?
CLUNK
Merry stopped dead in his tracks, his whole body becoming still as a statue. He shifted his eye over his shoulder while turning his head slightly to see that Angie had knocked over the endstand, but luckily nothing was on it. Still, that was enough to draw the attention of his mother and Pippin out of the kitchen withbewildered faces.
"Err... Angie, Frodo, and Sam here were thirsty," Merry said, trying to cover for them as he stood.
"Well you won't find anything creeping along the wall, Merry," Pippin said. "No spouts there!"
Merry glared at him as Esmerelda helped her son to her feet.
"Well, I'm sure I can manage to bring out the big tea kettle," she said with a pleasant smile to them all. "And while we have that cup of tea, there's something we need to disgust that concerns you all."
Each of them looked wildly over at Pippin who stood next to Merry's mother rocking on his toes proudly. Esmerelda patted Pippin on the head as she swept back into the kitchen, and he raised his hand in thanks.
"Pippin, what have you said to her?" Merry asked, a bit of anger hinted in his voice.
"I merely requested that she kindly give me a ride back toTuckborough tonight since it's not that far out of the way to Buckland," Pippin said, rubbing his dirty nails on his vest and blowing on them. "Not to mention that she caught onto my little scheme and invited me to come to Buckland with you, Merry,and also agreed to take any other willing riders with the names of Baggins, Gamgee, and Ridell..."
All of their eyes got big as they circled around Pippin.
"You mean you talked my mum into having Frodo, Angie, Sam, and yourselfstay with us in Buckland?" Merry asked incrediously. "Well, that's a fine gesture, Pip, but you've overlooked the part where I'm staying for a year!"
"No I haven't," he said. "I'm sure Bilbo's not going to give a care if Frodo visits his old home again, the Gaffer lets Sam take a holiday, myparents surely won't mind,and I highly doubt that Angie's mum is gonna even miss her at all. She'll be glad to get rid of ye!"
"But not if it's you I'm running off with," Angie said. "My mum hates all of you!"
"All the more reason to rub in her pudgy little face that she has no control over your life," Pippin said, swinging an arm around her. "You'll show her!"
"No I won't!" Angie said. "I can't just up and run away."
"You do it all the time," Merry said.
"Yes, well... not clear to Buckland."
"You see that, Pip? Her mum's got boundries forced into her innocent head!"
"Innocent?" Frodo asked. "Hardly. She's always running around with hobbits like you and you call her innocent?"
"Oh, come off it," she said. "You're just as bad, Frodo. You may not corrupt me as much as Merry and Pippin do, but you are just as guilty."
Frodo's eyes grew big in surprise of that accusation, but before he could put up a continuing and convincing arguement, Merry's mother had motioned them all into the kitchen for their tea. Frodo held his tongue reluctantly; she had won again.
x x x
"Well, it seems that Peregrin has brought a very interesting thought to my attention," Esmerelda said now sitting down after serving them all tea.
They glared in Pippin's direction who glared back with that don't-you-glare-at-me-and-spoil-my-fun-because-you-can't look. And that's what Merry, Frodo, Angie, and Sam were afraid of: that Pippin was up to something of ill fortune to them all.
"And what would that be, Mum?" Merry asked, not letting Pippin go with his angered eyes.
"He has come in to ask for aride back toTuckborough which I found completely fine," Esmerelda continued. "And then, sweet little innocent Pippin put on his miseable face and sighed, wishing that there was some way he could be with his beloved friends without the long, lonelywait. If only there were some way you could see them, eh, Peregrin?" she asked, throwing him a look.
"Um... Pippin, if you would, ma'am," he replied with a nervous laugh.
"Yes, well... I thought it over in the five seconds he allowed me after all of his hints and prods, so I agreed. I will take him, Frodo, Sam, and Angela with us to Buckland until our next return if you so wish."
Faces lit up around the table, but faded almost as fast as they had lightened.
"It's a fine offer Ms. Brandybuck," Sam said. "I will see what my Gaffer has to say about the matter."
"Yes, I shall have to see as well," Angie said with a devious smile, a plan formulating in her head already on how she would get out. The look on her mother's face would be priceless. Too bad she'd be on her way to Buckland and would miss it.
"There is a push on you to hurry in your decision I'm afraid," Ms. Brandybuck explained. "The carriage leaves tonight at dusk. You have about six hours. Meet us here if you are willing and able to go."
"Will do, Ms. B!" Pippin shouted excitedly, standing up from his chair. "See you in six hours!"
.. x x x ..
As Frodo stood with his stick firmly in the ground thinking, he watched as Angie marched on ahead through the wood, cutting her own path. He shook his head, realizing that this was wrong. He ran on ahead to walk next to her, giving all the effort he had to talk her out of it.
"Angie, please, go back," he said. "This isn't something you should be doing."
"Well I'm doing it," she said. "I won't change my mind. No matter what you say."
"No matter what, huh?" Frodo asked.
"No matter what."
Frodo was determined not to let her go now, knowing that Gandalf had been right. Just being out here made Frodo feel very exposed and vulnerable, and no doubt that Sam was feeling the same way. But Sam could handle himself. Sure he was a bit naive, but he-
Frodo smiled.
"Even if I told you you couldn't because you're a girl and I didn't feel you could handle it?" he asked hopefully.
"Nope," Angie said. "So it stings a bit, no big deal. That's what Gandalf said. My being a girl has nothing to do with this. It's about being smart and clever, tricky and cunning, swift and quiet..."
"If you had half the brain I think you had, you'd realize that this is dangerous and it's pointless for you to come and endanger yourself," Frodo said. He didn't mean to sound harsh, but then again he did. How else was he going to get her to turn around and go back?
"That won't work either," she said. "I'm very aware of the dangers, thank you. I'm here to make sure you're safe, just like Sam. You're stuck with me, Frodo."
"What if I told you I'd never speak to you again if you didn't?"
"I'd still come."
"Why?"
"Because in my conscience's reckoning, seeing you in the streets and not being able to talk to you is better than never seeing you in the streets at all. And besides, you'd talk to me again anyways."
Frodo cursed himself mentally. Then he opened his mouth again, but she beat him.
"And yelling at me and making me mad isn't going to work," she said as if reading his mind. "I can't stay mad at you, and you can't stay mad at me, so just accept my presence."
Frodo stopped in his tracks, and Sam passed him before he started walking again.
"Give up, Frodo!" Angie called back with a humor-filled voice. "You can't get rid of me!"
"I can try my darndest," he muttered before saying to her over Sam's head, "And what if I'd push you off a cliff?"
"Well, there's a few things," she said. "Either you wouldn't and still be stuck with me; I'd pull you with me; or if you did it as a surprise and I did fall to my death, I'd come back to haunt you."
Frodo shrugged his shoulders as they continued on. They really was no getting rid of her, was there? No getting through to her at all, huh? He remained silent for the remainder of the morning and afternoon, still trying to think of something he could say to make her go back, but all the while they only got further from Hobbiton, as did the likeliness of getting Angie to turn back.
x x x
Camp was made at sunset after Sam had reminded them that Gandalf only wanted them to travel by day. At the base of a large tree in the wood they settled quietly for the night, Sam already sitting down on a root making them dinner and puffing on his pipe. Angie had jumped into the big tree reading a book she had brought along in a big crook where the branches split from the base. Eventually Frodo decided to take up his pipe as Sam had, and he thought he might try to talk to Angie again, but perhaps not about her going back. Maybe about accepting his apology.
"Mind if I sit up here?" he asked Angie who was nestled in the tree and lost in her book. She shook her head and scooched back into the tree more, giving him room to come and prop his feet up as well. She stayed sitting in a hunch still reading however.
Frodo looked over at her, so desperate to get her to go back but then again not. It would interfere with her happiness, and he couldn't do that to her. He decided not to pest her anymore on the subject. Frodo knew that if it was the other way around, he would not want her telling him to go back when all he wanted was to help her and see knew places. No, he would not say another word about it. Just try to say he was sorry for earlier that day.
Angie had the sensation that someone was watching her, and she peered over her book to find it only to be Frodo, and she lowered her book.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
"No," he said, coming out of his revelry. "Nothing at all."
After a few moments passed, Angie was distracted from her reading again by what sounded like distant singing.
"What is that?" she asked as Sam and Frodo listened.
"Wood-elves," Frodo said with a smile. They leapt from their spots and ran to hide behind a long fallen log after spotting a band of Elves traveling slowly westward. They glowed dimly and sang beautifully. Frodo understood the song for the most part.
"They're going to the harbor beyond the White Towers," Frodo whispered to Angie and Sam. "To the Grey Havens."
"They're leaving Middle-Earth," Sam said.
"Never to return."
"I don't know why. It makes me sad," Sam said.
After listening a few more moments, Angie left Sam's side and headed back to the camp. She climbed back into the tree where her things were and covered up with her cloak, still angry with Frodo and Sam. It wasn't long after that when they came back to find her shouting for her in whisper, and Frodo found her.
"Angie! Why did you leave? What's wrong?" he asked, standing there in front of the crook of the tree.
She turned over on her other side to face them as Sam came up next to Frodo.
"Well, I would appreciate it if from now on you'd stop trying to get rid of me," she said coldly. "I'm here by my choice. If I want to help, I will. But you don't make it any easier."
Frodo and Sam's faces went guilty. They looked at her sheepishly.
"Beggin' your pardon, Miss Angie," Sam began, "but we're only lookin' out for you. We care for you, too."
"This isn't about me," she said, sitting up. "This is about Frodo and getting him and that Ring to Bree."
"Fine," Frodo said quietly and rather apologetically. "Not another word from us. I am sorry for this morning, by the way. I wanted to tell you."
"Thank you," she said. "I just want to help. War's coming, we've all heard it. Aren't I just one more tally for the good side? Or don't girls count?"
"We never meant that," Sam said. "It's just... Well, I don't think Middle-Earth's ever had a hobbit lass inhabit it with such a strong will to go against... against the ways of... well, the way things have always been."
"In other words, I'm abnormal?" she asked.
"No, not abnormal, just... different."
"Well my mother made that very apparent Sam, thank you," she said. "And if you're going to blame anyone, blame Merry and Pippin. I think I would've turned out fine hadn't it been for those two."
Frodo laughed, hopping up into the tree next to her.
"We're not going to blame anyone," he said with a smile. "Not when you're the perfect person to have around. You are bright, you are funny, and you are pretty. How can that be bad?"
Angie felt so much like letting a tear slip out of her eye. But she didn't. She only smiled at him and Sam, her throat tightening on her.
"Being different isn't always bad, Miss Angie," Sam said. "If you were the same as all the hobbit lasses, we would've never had the colorful childhood we did."
"And that's saying something," Frodo said. "We're happy you're here, just... concerned. Understand that."
"I do, but don't worry," Angie said finally. "Worry less about me and more about you. You hold the fate of this world, Frodo. It's no matter of jokes."
"Did I say it was?" he asked.
"Um, can we get off that subject and on with dinner?" Sam asked with a hesitant look at the two of them. "Talking about evil before you eat sort of ruins the meal, if you ask me."
Angie laughed and agreed to dinner so long as no mention of her going back was brought up anymore on their road to Bree. Frodo smiled at her as she jumped out of the tree, feeling much better now. Angie smiled, too.
But she was hungrier for dinner than she could've guessed. After a second helping, she bid Frodo and Sam goodnight, hopping back into the tree. She sighed lightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable not sleeping in a bed. But soon enough, her tired self could care less after their day's long and endless walk, and she fell into a dreamless sleep.
. Please Review .