A much more longer chapter, finally!

I hope you enjoy reading this.

I do not own Lord of the Ring or Final Fantasy X. They go to their respective owners. I do, however, own the original characters (Valina, Felix, Ian and Kiku) and the twisted plot.

Chapter Two - Meeting the Hobbits

Valina had no idea what to think when she arrived at The Shire a few months later. There were rows of trees surrounding the dirt road but her eyes could see the lush green hills and she suddenly felt a pang of homesickness.

She loved Spira. She loved it so much that she journeyed throughout it as it was her duty. Yet she was frightened of what was to come if she suddenly awoke in Spira again. Her time here with Gandalf was like a breather, although it was a pretty long relaxing time, considering she was found a year ago. She felt so secure here, yet so insecure. She didn't even realise how young she was compared to the others living in Middle Earth. Elves lived for thousands of years and Gandalf had told her that some men lived for longer ages than she had ever known possible. He had even told her that the Hobbit they were visiting was turning a hundred and eleven!

"Do you miss home, little one?" Gandalf's clear, soothing voice swayed her thoughts.

She smiled sadly. Yes, she did indeed. But she also feared it. It was the little things that pained her heart. When she was in Rivendell and met Gandalf's elf friend, she greeted him politely as she could. But little did she know, polite in her terms seemed far too casual in their's.

She had no idea that in Middle Earth, they would address the men and women as Lords or Ladies. So, she called Gandalf's friend by his name, Elrond. The other elves looked surprised and she knew instantly that she had embarrassed herself. However, Lord Elrond smiled and told her to just keep calling him by his name if she was used to it. That didn't help making herself more self concious about the way she talked. The closest thing to a Lord in Spira was a Maester whom were famous leaders of the religion, Yevon. But higher than that, equivalent to a 'King' was a Grand Maester or a High Summoner. The lower titles were just Summoners, Sirs and Ladies. She, herself, was usually titled as Lady Summoner Valina. They never had Masters, Lords (well, they did, but hardly), Princesses, Princes and the like. No one in Spira ever owned land specifically... or maybe it was because the land was not their's to claim. They only inhabitated the places, like the Guado and Ronso.

"I enjoy travelling with you." She said softly.

"And I, you. But if the choice arises that you can go back to your home... I am certain you would take it. If not for yourself, then for your family." He replied with the same soft, comforting tone before looking forward once again.

Her heart constricted at the mention of her family. She had her little sister, Yuna. Her short hair framed her face and she had the same bi-coloured eyes as Valina. Sweet little Yuna was selfless and had a heart of gold that shone amongst the darkness. Yuna was so innocent, yet strangely wise in her own way. Oh, how she missed her little sister.

"You are part of my family now, Gandalf."

His low rumble of a laugh was heard clearly and Valina couldn't help but think she had said the right thing. She tightened the cloak around herself as if it were her life line. Apparently, her clothes were very foreign and Gandalf had insisted that she should pick another attire. But Valina was stubborn, because it was traditional clothing in her world. She pledged to never take it off until her duty was done and as far as Valina was concerned, her duty was definitely not done yet.

"You're late." A boyish voice called out from her left.

Her eyes met with a rather short male, his dark brown hair was shaggy and gave him a rather young look while his eyes were big and blue. He had a smile ready to transform into a cheeky laugh and his brightness made Valina smile.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." Gandalf replied wisely, though she noticed that his eyes held amusement and happiness.

The hobbit jumped aboard the cart and looked at her with a pleasant smile. "Are you Gandalf's friend?"

She nodded and returned the smile, "Yes. My name is Valina. Are you the hobbit turning a hundred and eleven?"

His eyes widened comically at her question and began laughing while Gandalf merely chuckled. She blushed hotly and stuttered. "I-I'm sorry, I know you don't look a day over thirty, but I... I'm sorry!"

"No, it's alright. It is my birthday today, but it's my uncle that's turning a hundred and eleven. I'm turning thirty three." The hobbit replied easily.

She relaxed. "Happy birthday...?" Her voice trailed off to let him complete her sentence.

"Frodo Baggins."

"Happy birthday, Frodo Baggins of The Shire." She still couldn't believe that the young Hobbit was actually older than her by many years.

"You will be attending the party, won't you?" Gandalf nodded, but she wasn't so sure about herself. "...Won't you?" She felt Frodo poke her arm and she ended up nodding. "That's good. I'm sure Bilbo would love to meet you, Valina."

The small hills were actually domes of which Hobbits built into the sides to live within. The homes were so small compared to her and Gandalf it was almost funny. But she restrained from laughing because she guessed it would be offending. Another thing she felt was awe from the beauty of the sea of green. The grass was so beautiful and lush, which was a big contrast to the white of the homes. Hobbits must have loved farming because there were small men raising animals and clear streams spreading out throughout like the viens of the land. The closest thing she could think of that looked like The Shire was the Calm Lands...

Another pang of home sickness was felt but luckily, she was distracted by Frodo and Gandalf's conversations. She was worried when Gandalf passed a bunch of eager children and did nothing to quench their love for magic. But suddenly, a burst of fireworks shaped as butterflies surprised the young children and she could see Gandalf's smug expression which relieved her heart.

Frodo's uncle, Bilbo, really did like her. Bilbo was an aged Hobit with gray hair and wrinkled face. Yet his smile was still young and with happiness. He clasped her hand and gave it a good shake, talking to her at what seemed like the speed of a rushing horse. "My dear, why don't you venture around The Shire? Frodo can take you. This place is beautiful."

"Oh, yes. Of course, Lord Bilbo." Gandalf gave her a smile, in which she knew she had gotten his title wrong. "Pardon, I mean Mister... Baggins..." She flushed crimson at her mistake before continuing. "Happy birthday."

Frodo toured her around The Shire and introduced her to his friend. Peregrin Took (Or Pippin), Meriadoc Brandybuck (Also known as Merry) and Samwise Gamgee (although he insisted to be called Sam).

Pippin and Merry were childish and if she dare say so- cute. But she didn't let the words slip for she feared that it might be offensive, considering that it was highly likely they were far older than her.

Sam was much more calm and, well, generally more adult-like. He told her that he was Frodo's gardener in which Valina took great pride in for she had found her first friend fond of plants. Gandalf had taught her certain plants and it's uses, but never really dwelled into it. He was more interested in teaching her Elvish, Westron, Middle Earth and magic.

"So, where are you from?" Pippin asked, curiousity dripping from his tone.

Valina thought for a moment, unsure of how to answer before smiling. "Far from here."

"Is it like The Shire?"

That was a hard question. She carefully looked around, her bi-coloured eyes scanning the fields. They were sitting by the stream with their feet within the water. The water felt the same as the water in Spira. The grass was green like the grass in Spira. The people celebrated birthdays like the people of Spira did... "In some cases, yes." She smiled as she thought back of her home.

When evening arrived, so did the mass of Hobbits entering the party at the field. Bilbo was well loved, it seemed. She was certain he was good at telling stories, at a tie with Gandalf she presumed because she saw many young Hobbits circled around him, listening to some type of story he had managed to weave. The gray wizard was busy entertaining guests with his bundle of fireworks. Unfortunely, Valina couldn't find Pippin and Merry to show her the way of their dance like their promise, but she managed to find Frodo and Sam.

Sam was staring at a young maiden hobbit. Her hair was curled and blonde and she weaved her way around the crowd with her skirt flowing around like silk. She watched as Frodo abruptly pushed Sam into her which resulted in a crimson flush, but a rather happy Sam as he danced with the girl.

"They look lovely together." She softly told Frodo as she sat by him.

He wasn't stunned to see her because he had seen her from the corner of his eye. He noticed that she had not touched any breverage of ale, but she ate a few bits of food but most were fruit. "They do." He answered with a slight smile.

The excited chatter ceased when there was a loud bang. Dazzling sparks rose into the sky and a chorus of 'oh's and 'ah's were heard as they watched it morph like water into a dragon. It flew was such velocity in which she was enchanted with. Unfortunely, it came arching back and frightened cries were heard. Benches and tables were toppled over and running Hobbits bumped into her.

They all ducked down in time to have the dragon fly past and everyone watched as it exploded into a million shimmering stars. She instantly knew that, although Gandalf was usually responsible for such beautiful, magical things, he was not irresponsible to cause such a fuss.

And to confirm her thoughts, Gandalf came out of a burnt tent with rather burnt Pippin and Merry. She merely watched with pity as the wizard dragged them by their ears to another tent, no doubt for a punishment. Of course, the party went on.

Then, came Bilbo's speech and cake. However, unlike the admiring hobbits below him, she was recalling far away memories. When is my birthday? She thought. The way they arranged time in Middle Earth was far different from Spira's. In Spira, they had six months. Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Water, Life and Death. She was born on the twelfth day of Life. She never really had any idea why they could bluntly name a month 'Death', but her father explained that each month represented the black or white magic you could learn to cast. It was the elements of life and if they were unbalanced, the consequences were deadly... Which was already being noted in her world before she left it.

Gasps made her snap out of her thoughts and her head shot up to see that Bilbo was gone from the platform. Did his speech end?

"He disappeared!" A hobbit boy giggled.

A gray blur caught her attention and she was delighted to see Gandalf. But his deep, concerned frown brought down her smile and she made haste to follow him as he rushed out of the party.

I honestly want to hurry and get up to the Fellowship of the Ring, so if this seems rushed, I'm sorry.
Anyways, I better head off. It's 2:20 am now...

Thank you for reading and have a good day!

-Lolimochi