Anastasia and the plot are the only part of this which belongs to me. Everything else belongs to their respective owners; namely J.R.R. Tolkien.

Italics – Thoughts/Thinking

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Chapter 3: Disappearing Acts

Frodo

'It's coming out in a minute,' whispered Pippin to Merry. Merry nodded.

'Well!' Frodo said at last, sitting up and straightening his back, as if he had made a decision. 'I can't keep it dark any longer. I have got something to tell you all. But I don't know quite how to begin.'

'I think I could help you,' said Merry quietly, 'by telling you some of it myself.'

'What do you mean?' said Frodo, looking at him anxiously.

'Just this, my dear old Frodo: you are miserable, because you don't know how to say good-bye. You meant to leave the Shire, of course. But danger has come on you sooner than you expected, and now you are making up your mind to go at once. And you don't want to. We are very sorry for you.'

Frodo opened his mouth and shut it again. His look of surprise was so comical that they laughed. 'Dear old Frodo!' said Pippin, 'Did you really think you had thrown dust in all our eyes? You have not been nearly careful or clever enough for that! You have obviously been planning to go and saying farewell to all your haunts all this year since April. We have heard you muttering: "Shall I ever look down into that valley again, I wonder", and things like that. And pretending that you had come to the end of your money, and actually selling you beloved Bag End to those Sackville-Bagginses! And all those close talks with Gandalf.'

Good heavens!' said Frodo. 'I thought I had been both careful and clever. I don't know what Gandalf would say. Is all the Shire discussing my departure then?

'Oh no!' said Merry. 'Don't worry about that! The secret won't keep for long, of course, but at present it is, I think, only known to us conspirators. After all, you must remember that we know you well, and are often with you. We can usually guess what you are thinking. I knew Bilbo, too. To tell you the truth, I have been watching you rather closely ever since he left. I thought you would go after him sooner or later; indeed I expected you to go sooner, and lately we have been very anxious. We have been terrified that you might give us the slip, and go off suddenly, all on your own, like he did. Ever since this spring we have kept our eyes open, and done a good deal of planning on our own account. You are not going to escape so easily!'

'But I must go,' said Frodo. 'It cannot be helped, dear friends. It is wretched for us all, but it is no use you trying to keep me. Since you have guess so much, please help me and do not hinder me!'

'You do not understand!' said Pippin. 'You must go – and therefore we must, too. Merry and I are coming with you. Sam is an excellent fellow, and would jump down a dragon's throat to save you, if he did not trip over his own feet; but you will need more than one companion in your dangerous adventure."1

Anastasia's POV

That is it! I've had enough! I refuse to put up with Lindsay, the Thomas's and every other person including the shrinks and counselors, any longer! I will not let anyone control my life. So what if I'm so traumatized since the last encounter with 'him'. Did they ever think that they made it so I refused to talk? NO! They think it is 'his' fault, but no, it's partly their fault too. They didn't listen to me when I needed them to listen; now I refuse to talk.

I was fuming as I closed the bedroom door. I was going to leave and never come back. I'm a huntress capable of caring for myself. I can hunt herbivores and small carnivores, as well find berries and other safe plants to eat. I can smell water from miles away and shelter is easy enough to build.

Standing at the edge of my bed, I listened for the locations of Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas and Lindsay. The two females where in either the kitchen or dining room preparing dinner and Mr. Thomas had the TV in the den blasted loudly. After a few more moments of listening I realized he wasn't in the den. Oh, I thought with plenty of realization and ting of embarrassment, he's in the bathroom.

Since I did not have to worry about being caught, I swooped under the bed with inhuman speed and pulled out the locked chest. Looking closely at it I realized there were scratch marks on the lock and it smelt like Lindsay. You would think that if you were going to try to pick the lock, I thought with a cruel grin, you'd at least make sure you don't leave a scratch behind, Amateur. I should do something in return. But that would be mean, I continued with a frown. Well it's not like they'll ever find me if I disappear into an environment I thrive in.

As I was thinking, I pulled out the key from under my shirt and unlocked the chest. My knives were safe and sound; as well as completely unharmed. They were, also, all accounted for, 26 exactly, and my belt had no rips or loose stitching.

After carefully and thoroughly inspecting them; I put them away, locked the chest and put it back under my bed. I pulled out my back pack and moved to my drawers where my clothing was kept. My clothing must be durable and my pack light enough to carry. I pulled out some jeans, cargo pants and leggings, both black and stripped pairs, then I moved onto tops. I pulled out some tank tops and camisoles, as well as long sleeved shirts and pull-over hoodies. I continued on pulling out plenty of pairs of socks and underwear and grabbed a couple bras. Black one, check. Sports bra, check. Nude one, wearing . . . check. One with underwire . . . hmm . . . well . . . yes! Check. Out of my closet I pulled out my waterproof jacket, a couple dresses and a few pairs of shoes. My ballet flats, knee high boots and combat boots should be enough.

Once everything was folded and laid out on the bed, I set aside some black clothing for tonight, and put everything else in my back pack. Once set I put my change of clothing for tonight and my pack under the bed, and got into my pyjamas.

Frodo

Frodo woke suddenly. It was still dark in the room. Merry was standing there with a candle in one hand, and banging on the door with the other. 'All right!' said Frodo, still shaken and bewildered.

'What is it!' cried Merry. 'It is time to get up. It is half past four and very foggy. Come on! Sam is already getting breakfast ready. Even Pippin is up. I am just going to saddle the ponies, and fetch the one that is to be the baggage-carrier. Wake that sluggard Fatty! At least he must get up and see us off.'

Soon after six o' clock the five hobbits were ready to start. Fatty Bolger was still yawning.

In their shed they found the ponies: sturdy little beasts of the kind loved by hobbits, not speedy, but good for a long day's work. They mounted, and soon they were riding off into the mist, which seemed to open reluctantly before them and close forbiddingly behind them.1

Anastasia's POV

Once the Thomas house hold was still, Mr. Thomas and Lindsay snoring, and Mrs. Thomas breathing slow and deep, I moved. Once again Lindsay believed me to be asleep and went to bed after making a ruckus. Tossing the covers off and sliding off the bed, I got ready to disappear from the world of paper trails and shrinks. I tossed by pajamas into the dirty clothes bind, oh; I forgot to pack pajamas, got dressed andthen grabbed some from the drawers. Quickly I stuffed them into my pack, retrieved my knives and belt, placing the knives into the belt and boots, and took off down the stairs with my stuff. After getting downstairs without alerting the resident I realised the Thomas' lock their doors and windows. It would be suspicious if the back door was open. I wouldn't really disappear then. After a moment of thought in the darkness of the house I remembered one window was never locked because they couldn't get it open in the first place.

With enough effort and patience I worked the dining room window partly open. I then tossed my stuff out and quickly followed. Once outside in the cool air and glowing moonlight I worked on closing the window. A draft would surely wake Mrs. Thomas for she is always cold.

Once the window was closed I pulled on my pack, picked up and put on my belt of knives, I sprinted across the rolling hills in a blur to any human you saw me. The moonlight plays tricks on the mind and they will surely convince themselves they saw nothing, If they see me in the first place that is.

1 Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. London: Allen & Unwin, 1954. Print.

These direct quotes came from the chapters called A Conspiracy Unmasked and The Old Forest.

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