After many decisions on whether or not this would be the last chapter of Part I for The Dark Twilight, it turns out I was more right than I believed. Yes, we have reached the end of Part I, in this story. Don't worry, we'll return to Part II by the first week of March. The fact is I have literally breathed in this story day and night, so it has left its mark on me. Again, I'm looking forward to Part II, where the action/adventure part begins. We've only seen a little romance, but this is the first part of the story, so I didn't expect much to happen between the characters that will pair up or are already paired.

Chapter 18 felt like a second filler chapter, similar to what happened in Chapter 12. Well, at least the good part about ending Part I is we find the seven heroes about ready to leave the Evenshire Camp. I won't say anything further. That's for you, the readers, to read and find out for yourselves. Also, the track used for this chapter is "Evenstar", from the soundtrack to the 2002 live-action film, "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers".

Now I leave you with the last chapter to Part I. I'm sure I'll hear from readers again in The Dark Twilight's Part II.

Chapter Nineteen:

The Journey Begins

The evening before Frodo and his new companions set out for the Merswold Camp, Aslan brought the seven heroes inside his tent for a different meeting. Although the Lion knew he wouldn't have any more meetings with these seven, Aslan felt it necessary to give them useful objects. One by one, Aslan called each hero to him, where he presented each with a few gifts, already set out on a long wooden table. With Reepicheep and a few guards helping give the gifts, Aslan found no trouble from the heroes, other than silence.

Anakin was the first to receive a gift from the Great Lion. As he sat down on a cushioned chair, between Jack Sparrow and Kovu, Frodo could not see what gift the Jedi received. Yet he was reminded of Galadriel's gifts and could see Aslan repeating this, in order to prepare him and the others for their journey. Jack Sparrow was next but, like Anakin, he didn't reveal his gift. This manner continued with Edmund, Harry, Kovu, and Mumble.

When it was Frodo's turn, he approached the Lion, now standing at the other end of the table. Aslan sent the guards away, before facing the hobbit. "Frodo, I have something for you. This may prove useful and as potent as Galadriel's Phial…" He gestured to Reepicheep, who moved a plain silver ring towards the hobbit.

Frodo picked up the silver ring, examining it closely. Confused, Frodo asked, "Aslan, I don't think I should take this…"

"No, I ask you to keep this ring safe and out of harm's way. This ring needs to return to Mother Nature, when you find her. It holds great power, but in the wrong hands, I fear the worst. Do not let anyone know you have this silver ring, until you meet her," said Aslan, muttering low for only Frodo to hear. He warned, "That is your other task, which I strongly suggest you take as soon as you are away from Anakin Skywalker."

Changing the subject, Aslan told him, "Now, I present to you a gift, one that will make all races of Middle-earth relieved they have a Ring-bearer who is safe, protected, and healed fully." He gestured again to the large mouse, causing Reepicheep to pass a silver flask to Frodo. Seeing the hobbit realize there was liquid inside the flask, Aslan explained, "Inside that flask is pure water. Use it well against the villains, villainesses, and their evil servants."

"How do I use this water?" asked Frodo, concerned.

"That is water taken from a pure stream in my country. A special herb was placed inside the water to make it more potent for heroes to heal and villains to weaken. You may find need of the water, more than you realize," said Aslan.

Frodo glanced up at the Lion, and said, "Thank you, Aslan. This should be enough to keep me well for the journey."

"Yes, I hoped as much." Aslan told him, "I suggest you return to the others, before this conversation drags on." He saw Frodo nod, before they approached all seven heroes. Frodo sat down seconds later.

Aslan announced, "Tomorrow morning, I suggest leaving before the animals awake. I fear some heroes know you are leaving. I ask that you all get a good night's rest. Be assured, you will receive a wakeup call before dawn, no matter what you do. I wish you well on your journey, as I have said many times, but will tell again." He saw the seven heroes leave his tent with ambition and nervous looks across their faces.

As Frodo finished packing his clothes and other belongings, which he figured he would need for the quest, he noticed Danielle enter his tent using the trapdoor stairway. Frodo watched the servant girl as she approached him. She carried a new short bow and quiver, filled with thirty arrows, two knives, and two daggers.

Quietly, Danielle told Frodo, passing the short bow and quiver to him, "Here. Legolas made this bow, quiver, and arrows. Aslan did something to the bow and quiver. He said you may need more arrows, than I first thought." She added, "With Aslan, no one can tell him what to do or voice our opinions without him noticing. He isn't a tame lion."

"I know. I didn't hear the last of Aslan from Lucy. She must be attached to him, or else she wouldn't speak so much about him," admitted Frodo. He spoke, calmly, "You can tell Legolas 'thank you', for me. I don't know how I would remember to use a bow and arrow, without these…"

"You're welcome. I'm sure he would tell you, Frodo." Danielle said, "Well, good night."

Frodo stopped her with his words. "Wait, what happened to you, before you arrived?"

Danielle answered, hesitantly, "I worked as a servant for my step-mother and step-sisters. Then I met Henry, a crown prince of France. We were acquaintances when Aslan came to France and brought me here, to work with Remy in the kitchens and help with the chores. I am grateful Aslan found me, but I do miss home." She added, more to herself than to Frodo, "I would like to see what happened to Henry and my friends."

Frodo nodded in agreement. "Maybe, one day, you will see him again."

Danielle grinned, happily. "Thank you." She curtseyed, as she said, "Good luck, Mr. Baggins. I hope you return to the Evenshire Camp safely."

"I hope so, too," admitted Frodo, watching the servant girl leave the tent, climbing back down the earthen-stone stairs.

Hours passed before Frodo was roused by Aslan's voice, calling him from a soft wind. Once he dressed and gathered his pack, as well as his sword and quiver, he found Harry and Edmund in the food pavilion, eating breakfast earlier than he expected. Already aware the road through the Silent Forest would be long and difficult, Frodo grabbed a clean tray and put some breakfast food on some plates. The second he sat down at the table, across from Edmund and Harry, Frodo noticed Jack Sparrow enter with Anakin dragging him by the sleeve. Kovu and Mumble filed in last, telling the five they already ate their breakfast, before they searched for Aslan.

Frodo was curious again about Aslan's doings. The Lion was supposed to wake them before the dawn. This was the second time Aslan took off without telling Frodo anything of his business. There were other times when Aslan would not tell Frodo anything of his past, the secrets he kept, and other matters that, perhaps, did not concern the hobbit.

In spite of Frodo's concerns, after he ate breakfast, he was told by Anakin Skywalker to lead the way out of the Camp. Frodo peered at the sky, as he saw the first patches of light over the horizon. As he left the food pavilion, in the direction Anakin told him, Frodo looked back, past the Jedi, as he saw Kovu and Mumble walking behind them, with Jack Sparrow, Harry, and Edmund following last. Frodo guessed the three were checking to make sure no other heroes caught them on sight, before their journey began. Fortunately, there was no one in sight. However, the silence grew as the seven companions fled inside the Silent Forest.

End of Part I