After a week or so, with my mind already all over the place and undecided still for what mood I am in, I have decided to continue this story. Be aware, as I will, Part II is a longer part in this story, much longer than Part I, I hope. Anyway, now that the exposition is taken care of, we can move onto learning more about the characters, fictional and original. Also know the track "Attack" from the live-action film "Pearl Harbor" is a running track, which will play at certain points in this second part.

So, the pieces from Part I that weren't revealed – some, not all – will be in Part II. There were also some hints of foreshadowing in Part I, which I hope some readers caught on. If you didn't, that's all right. They will be explained when they will in Part II. As for this teaser chapter, we are returning to the Shire, a few days after Frodo left with Gandalf for the Grey Havens, where he met Aslan for the first time.

Teaser:

Reluctant Hobbits

April 28th, 3020 TA

Sam,

I realize we did not speak much since our last meeting at Bag End. Frodo is fine, but he has become overburdened with training sessions. I fear he will not last long in the world we are located. He has a dangerous task ahead of him and will need your assistance, along with help from Merry, Pippin, and Rosie. Time wanes. Frodo will need as much aide as we can give him.

Your friend and companion,
Gandalf the White

P.S. Meet me at the Grey Havens before the week is out. Make sure Rosie, Merry, and Pippin accompany you. Otherwise, I will send quicker transport.

"What does he mean by 'quicker transport'? Why hasn't Master Frodo returned?" asked Sam to himself. "The wedding is in three days…" He let his voice drop, as bewilderment stirred.

Frodo had been gone for almost a week, which made many hobbits in the Shire curious and suspicious. Where had Frodo vanished this time? Some hobbits chose not to care, while only a few wondered what happened to make Frodo follow Gandalf again. Before Sam could ponder over these concerns, he looked up at Rosie as she entered the parlour. Following Rosie was Merry and Pippin, Frodo's cousins and Sam's friends.

Sam passed the letter to Rosie first. When Merry had a hold of the letter, with Pippin reading over his shoulder, Sam explained to the three hobbits, "It's a letter from Gandalf. We seemed to have missed some important aspects, when Gandalf told Master Frodo to meet him in the study at Bag End."

"You didn't sell Bag End?" asked Merry, serious now.

Sam shook his head, "No, of course not. Why would I sell Master Frodo's house? I know he will come back."

Pippin took the letter from Merry's hands. Boldly, Pippin told Sam, "Well, it says here that Gandalf wants us to travel to the Grey Havens. I wonder what it's about."

Facing Sam, Merry asked him, "Sam, your wedding is in three days…"

Sam interrupted. "I know, Mr. Merry!"

"Sam, calm down," muttered Rosie, approaching Sam. She paused, and then said aloud, "There was a stray cat that entered my parents' house, a few days ago. She had grey and brown fur. I don't know what she was doing, but it seemed she had picked up a few of my hairs from a brush, and then ran out through the same window."

Sam broke the silence that quickly entered Bagshot Row's parlour. Turning to Rosie, Sam muttered, "We may have to delay the wedding by a few weeks. Otherwise…"

"Sam, I thought you cared about me," said Rosie, shocked.

"I do care, but… if Master Frodo is in danger, then…"

"Then it is wise for you and Rosie to come along, Sam," said Gandalf, entering Number 4 Bagshot Row. He watched the four hobbits as they stood up in unison. Although the hobbits were startled by his presence, Gandalf gestured to the chairs. "Please, sit down. This will not take long." He joined the four hobbits in the parlour, where they sat down together.

Sam asked the wizard, "Where is Master Frodo?"

"All in good time, Sam," said Gandalf. "The lion Aslan will be here shortly. I know you have not been informed of the situation now overcoming Frodo…"

"We haven't heard or seen anything, since Frodo left us," admitted Merry, sharply.

Facing Gandalf, Pippin asked, "Gandalf, what happened to Frodo? Where is he now?"

Gandalf explained to the four hobbits, "This morning, Aslan agreed to send Frodo out into the world, the same world where the Evenshire Camp is located. I know all of you do not understand now, but you must. There is a greater danger than the stars falling from the night sky. Before long, the villains will overpower everything. I fear Sauron will return from the Shadow World."

"Gandalf, we do not know what you mean, or tell us." Sam asked, "Could you explain…"

"Sam, I cannot do that. Some things you have to see for yourself, but you will not see the Evenshire Camp. Aslan has decided to send you four to the Terrabay Camp. There, I hope, you will find peace and learn more about Frodo's travels," explained Gandalf.

"Couldn't we know where to find Frodo?" asked Merry, growing desperate.

"That is out of the question, Merry," said Gandalf, serious now.

"But you have told Frodo everything about…"

Gandalf interrupted him. "Meriadoc, your cousin Frodo does not know as much as you think about this situation. It is best to leave it there, for now." He stopped the conversation there. "Now come. Aslan waits for us."

Pippin muttered low to his elder cousin, "Merry, do you think he is avoiding telling us everything we need to know?"

"Come on!" Gandalf called, getting all four hobbits' attentions.

Sam, Rosie, Merry, and Pippin followed the wizard out of the smial, past the yellow-painted door. Outside, the four hobbits met a fully grown lion that Gandalf claimed was Aslan. Aslan seemed to be in concordance with the white wizard, or so Sam thought for a time. In procession, Aslan led Gandalf and the four hobbits down to the Party Field, where a tall mallorn tree stood in replace of the Party Tree. Aslan blew on the four hobbits first, and then turned to the mallorn tree. The tree's trunk split, forming an opening that appeared to lead nowhere, except towards the Lake. One by one, the hobbits filed towards the mallorn tree, where they vanished through the opening in plain sight.

As Aslan approached the mallorn tree, Gandalf asked the Lion, "Aslan, please keep Frodo safe on his journey. I would not want him damaged further."

"He will not be fully damaged, Gandalf. He is a strong, clever hobbit. Frodo will return to the Evenshire Camp safe and in one piece. I guarantee this, Gandalf. Now please, head on. I will follow," said Aslan.

Aslan watched Gandalf nod, before following the wizard last through the tree portal. After the Lion vanished into the opening, the mallorn tree's trunk pulled itself back together, making it seem as if there had never been a portal opened in the village of Hobbiton.