Author's Note

Next chapter is up. It's kind of short, but still, hope you will like it.

To the daily reviewers, I thank you for your reviews. Been the source of motivation in writing this.

Alright. Enough said. On to the Story!

Disclaimer: Tolkein owns LOTR

Chapter 15 - A Nice Dream

"Velour's Inn…. Inn… Ah! There it is! Whoa… that's a really big sign…" I said in awe as I saw the big… no, gigantic sign board with the engraving of 'Velour's Inn' at the front.

I could hear some merry songs and cheers within the white two-storey house, reminding me of the Green Dragon back at the Shire. I ignored the curious stares from the passer-bys and gave a deep sigh.

Man… I miss those hobbits… especially those two mischievous hobbits, Pippin and Merry… I wonder if they will still remember me…

Aurin neighed and nodded his head, before halting in its steps in front of the inn, as though indicating me that we had reached and ask me to get down. I laughed at that, pushing away those sad thoughts and put my feet to the hard ground, swinging my sack over my right shoulder.

"Thanks Aurin. Now, stay here and let me see if they provide a stable here…" I smiled and patted Aurin, who bobbed his head up and down. "You must be quite intelligent my friend and I am glad we can communicate somehow. Wait here."

Leaving Aurin outside, I entered inside the inn, only to find myself greeted by a warm and jovial atmosphere. There was a large hall, filled with square tables and variety of people, tall white pillars stood at four corner of the hall. There were chandeliers lit at the ceiling, lighting the entire place in their warm glow. I could hear some playing music and singing, and also rumors of Mordor.

"I heard that there's some sign of activity at Mordor, within Mount doom..."

"Do you think the rumors are true?"

"Some say that Sauron is still alive despite our previous King, King Isildur, defeated him in the last Great War…"

My heart thumped faster as I heard that, feeling nervous of that conversation about Sauron. I did not know why, but just even hearing that name, a cold fear splashed on me…

"Good day. Welcome to Velour's Inn. We serve the best ale and provide the finest accommodation," a cheery voice came from behind me and I yelped in surprise. I turned around and saw a plump middle-aged woman with brown, curly hair that was tied into a tight bun. She wore the common dressing of Gondor females I saw on my path, and a white apron was tied neatly around her waist. Her light brown eyes looked at me curiously and amusedly as I tried to calm myself down.

"Good day My Lady, but I wish to see the Innkeeper. I have something for the innkeeper by orders of Gandalf the Grey," I said slowly and tried to steady my breathing. The lady's eyes widened and gave a curt nod.

"Please wait here," she said and she left my side. I took this time to look around at the surroundings and the people staying in the inn. I was giving side glances to Aurin outside, who was waiting patiently, when a tall, dark brown hair, burly yet welcoming looking man came towards me.

"Welcome to Velour's Inn once again. I am the innkeeper here. Name's Valento. I heard that you have something by Gandalf," that man said as he gave a small smile. He looked at me up and down curiously, causing me to squirm under his gaze.

"Yes. Here," I said quickly, handing the letter to him. Valento opened the letter, his dark brown eyes scanning down.

"… I see…" he said finally after a while, looking up to me and gave a wide grin, "So you are a companion of Gandalf. Welcome, welcome. I believed he is here in Gondor then?" I relaxed a little and gave a nod. Valento laughed merrily before handing me back the letter.

"You will need a room, do you not My lady? It seems that Gandalf wishes me to accommodate you during his stay here, till he was ready to fetch you. Since that wizard is a good friend of mine and had helped me much during my youth, you shall stay here as long as you want."

"Then… how much does the rent of the room cost for at least two years?" I asked, receiving another laugh.

"It's free; I shall pay for your accommodation as repayment of my debt to Gandalf." The Innkeeper stated, pointing to the letter in my hand. I gaped and raised my eyebrow at that.

You mean… I need not pay a single cent on the room?!?!?! What did Gandalf write in that letter anyway?

I opened the letter and read its content.

It read:

Valento, Innkeeper of Velour's Inn:

Good day my dear friend. It's been long since we last met and I apologize for reuniting like this. I have sent a person to pass you this letter and I would like you to give her a room of yours till I returned to your inn to fetch her. Consider this as a repayment of your debts during that incident.

That person is a ward of mine. Her identity must remain secret for reasons I do not wish to explain. Her name is Jacqueline and her origins, that I will let her explain herself.

Please take care of her my friend, and ensure she kept her hood up at all times be it outside or in the inn. I trust you will follow my request and keep her identity a secret.

I will return as soon as I can.

Thank you and till we meet.

Gandalf the Grey.

So Gandalf trusts this Valento guy to tell me to let him know of my secret. I guess I should do as what Gandalf requests then, I thought as I crushed the letter and put it into my pockets. But it's not nice just to live here for free without doing anything… I will feel… … bad somehow… very bad.

"Master Valento, I wished to pay for the accommodation despite Gandalf saying so. I will feel uncomfortable for living here uncharged while your guests have paid their rooms"

Valento raised his eyebrows and paused for a moment. I took out the pouch that Gandalf gave me and opened up the bag to look at its content. To my utmost surprise, it filled with GOLD!!!!!!!

You have to be kidding me. I KNEW IT! Gandalf is filthy rich! I cried mentally in shock as I shakily put my hand in to feel the coins. There's gotta be like at least a hundred of this in this pouch, definitely can last for a year or more. But how does the currency go here anyway?

I took out a couple of gold coins and pushed it towards the innkeeper, who stared at the gold in his hands in surprise and shock. "I hope it's enough to last for a year of my stay here." I said sheepishly, hoping that the innkeeper would accept the payment.

"It's more than enough lady Jacqueline! My rooms are not that expensive. So here," he pushed me back five gold coins and tuck the rest to his pocket. "Then the payment is settled then. I shall give you the best accommodation my inn can offer, at least for a companion of Gandalf. Come with me, I shall show you your room," Valento smiled and was about to turn towards the stairs at the far corner right of the hall leading up when I asked if Aurin could get a good stable to live in for the period.

"Your horse will be well taken care of by one of my assistants. It's the brown horse outside right?" With that, he motioned the same plump lady over. "This is my wife, Marthia. She can handle horses quite well to their stables. Rest assured your horse will be in good hands."

I gave a grateful nod to Marthia, who gave a warm smile before going outside. I saw her patted Aurin and telling him something, before he bobbed his head and allowed her to lead him into his deserved stable.

"Your wife, she can speak to horses?" I asked curiously as I followed Valento up the stairs to a long corridor, both sides lined with dark wooded doors. I saw some of the guests walking pass me and gave a nod to Valento who returned. I lowered my head, hoping that the hood would prevent my face being seen.

"Yes. She had known of her ability since she was in her youth when I married her. A wonderful wife she is and I loved her a lot. Oh yes! Did I say her cooking is the finest of Gondor? Perhaps she can whip up a few of her best dishes for you to try. Here's your room."

I stepped inside my room, which was the fourth door of the left corridor and gave an appreciative grin. My room was well furnished in a cozy, home like manner, reminding me of my room at Bag End. There was a nice, soft looking bed with two fluffy pillows and a large thick quilt at the far end of the left wall. Beside it was a squarish wooden table with a small lamp. A reasonable sized cupboard and a study table were at the right wall, spaced nicely against the smooth wooden floor. The brown curtain drapes moved gently against the wind blowing from the rather large window in front of me as I heard sounds of activities from outside the inn.

"This is one of our best rooms here; have pretty good wind blowing from the east," Valento grinned as I walked around, putting down my sack and sat on the bed. I gave a sigh of relief at the feel of the bed.

"Thank you Master Valento. It's a really great room. I appreciate this," I smiled gratefully to Valento who nodded.

"Then, I shall leave you for now. Dinner will be served at seven. I will be sounding the bell to signal then." Valento gave a smile before excusing himself and left me alone in my room.

I lay on my bed and looked at the white pastel ceiling. I am finally here… in Minas Tirith… I closed my eyes tiredly as I gave a yawn. Frodo… I have arrived safely... I hope you hobbits are safe still in the Shire...

With that thought, I slept.

I found myself surrounded in a lush forest; earthy clear air could be smelt. I looked around me in curiosity.

"This is a dream right? But where am I?"

I walked slowly, wandering aimlessly through the trees and uprooted roots as I felt a sense of déjà vu. I had been here before… but I… I did not remember…

"Cursed my brain for not remembering!" I cried out loud as I gave a groan and sat on the large root of a tree in dismay.

This place… it's really familiar… but where did I see it…

"Jacqueline?"

I turned up and saw the one person I had never seen for a long time. My eyes watered slightly as I could not believe my eyes.

There in front of me was Frodo, the same Frodo I met at Bag End. His face still remained the same, his curly ebony hair now longer swaying slightly against the breeze as his clear expressive blue eyes stared at me in amazement and shock. He was wearing his usual dressing, a white long-sleeved shirt and brown pants.

"Frodo! What are you doing here?!" I shouted aloud, standing up in surprise.

"Am I dreaming?! I must be… I must have missed you guys in the Shire too much to have such dream…" I groaned and rubbed my temple, not noticing the dream 'Frodo' walking towards me and lifted my face up to meet his eyes.

"Jacqueline… is it you?"

I stared into the dream 'Frodo' questionably at the eye.

'Okay… this is getting weirder. I thought usually in dreams, the person you dream of will usually just you know, stay there and don't move. ………… maybe…"

I pinched the dream 'Frodo' hard at the cheeks, receiving a loud yelp. I widened my eyes.

"Jacqueline!? That hurts…" Frodo said in pain as he caressed his reddened cheeks to soothen down the pain. Just then, he suddenly remembered something and his eyes widened.

I pinched myself at the arm and I too felt a sharp surge of pain.

"Frodo, you are real… we both felt pain!"

Frodo looked at me for a moment longer before giving me that same beautiful smile. "Then... it's been a long time… Jac."

I gave a wide smile before tackling the smaller hobbit down to the ground into a big hug. "I miss you Frodo… I miss you and Sam, Merry and that Pippin too soo much… I miss Bilbo too…"

Frodo laughed his same lilting smile before hugging me tighter.

"I miss you too Jacqueline… Both of you… things have remained the same in the Shire… but at Bag End, it was never the same again… … and you are heavy. One thing you haven't change is your size milady."

I pouted at his last remark before pushing myself up from the ground and gave an apologetic grin. "How did you landed in my dream Frodo?"

"I… I do not know… I was reading my book in the usual place when I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I was here and you are here...," Frodo recounted as he walked towards me and sat on the large root, pulling me to sit beside him. "What about you? Where are you and Gandalf at now? How's Gandalf?"

I grinned at his anxious tone. "We are now currently at Minas Tirith, the City of Kings in the realm of Gondor. Gandalf went to use the libraries there to do his… research. That old wizard is doing fine," I said, not revealing much.

Frodo gave an understanding nod and looked in front of him, his surprisingly large, comforting hand grasping mine gently.

"I know you will not reveal what Gandalf is doing. You two have become such great partners in conspiracy and friends, I feel so left out…," said Frodo in mock disappointment and I punched him lightly at his shoulder.

"You are not left out my dear hobbit, I have much stories and sights to tell you!" I laughed, my heart filled with much happiness of talking to a friend.

"Tell me more of what's happening in the Shire, especially Sam, Merry and Pippin!"

Frodo laughed and nodded.

"You are joking right? Pippin and Merry did all that? Old Maggot must have made a lot of loss of his crops," I said in amusement, as Frodo nodded with a mischievous grin.

"Indeed he has. It's a wonder how those two never get caught by him all those years even til now, even I as their elder cousin, cannot stop them. Maybe it's the Took and Brandybuck blood within them," Frodo continued.

For the past few minutes… or was it hours, me and Frodo chatted much of the Shire. Pippin and Merry still remained the same jokers, playing pranks and getting themselves into trouble. I heard from Frodo that they were saddened greatly at my sudden departure, especially Sam. Sam had been the same, continuing his service as Frodo's gardener. It seems that Sam was still trying to gather his courage to confess to Rosie of his feelings, and also, he remained as the 'matured' hobbit within the foursome.

In return, I told Frodo of my trip to Minas Tirith. The misty mountains, Edoras and the breathtaking Minas Tirith. Not forgetting also my pranks on Gandalf, out of boredom of course.

"You are fortunate Jacqueline… you can get to see the world outside the Shire… just like Bilbo is. Whereas for me, I will be stuck here at Bag End till my death…" the hobbit sighed despairingly as his hand gripped tighter at mine. My eyes softened.

"Didn't I say that you will go on an adventure Frodo? You will… soon enough… but it is not now. Wait patiently… and I will assure you, you will see many things you can never see in the Shire." I reassured the hobbit, patting his back gently. Frodo looked towards me and rested his head against my shoulder.

"You cannot say much of my adventure to me right Jacqueline?" Frodo asked softly and I shook my head at that. Frodo gave an understanding smile before he sighed again.

"I am glad I can meet you again… in this dream Jac… I hope this dream will last longer…"

"Me too Frodo… Me too…" I whispered sadly as we sat in a companionable silence, something I appreciated most now, to be beside Frodo and his presence. Somehow, the Ring had not changed him yet… which I was glad of.

Just then, the entire surrounding began to fade away as a binding light entered abruptly. My eyes shut themselves, trying to prevent the light from blinding my eyes.

"What's going on?!" I cried in surprise.

"It seems… that our dream has ended," Frodo's soft alto voice floated into my ears, his hand slowly leaving mine. "I guess this is goodbye for now…"

"Frodo, don't forget me okay? No matter how long I am away from the Shire! Don't forget me!"

I tried to feel for Frodo's hand through the light, but to no avail.

I could hear Frodo's soft laughter.

"I won't… and don't you forget me too… I will wait for the time we shall meet again… just like you say…"

I woke up with a groan, revealing the familiar white ceiling of my room. Darkness had already entered my room, signaling that it was night.

A lone tear flowed down from my right eye as I gave a grateful smile.

"Thank you… for letting me talk to Frodo again…"