The Headquarters' Ghost

Story By: Aria Breuer

Disclaimers: All material from The Lord of the Rings book trilogy belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien. All material from The Chronicles of Narnia book series belongs to C.S. Lewis. All material from the Harry Potter book series belongs to J.K. Rowling. All material from the "Star Wars" film series belongs to George Lucas. All material from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" film series belongs to the Walt Disney Company. All material from "The Lion King" trilogy belongs to the Walt Disney Company. All material from the "Happy Feet" films, 1 and 2, belong to George Miller. All other works not mentioned, but are referenced in this story, belongs to their respected owners. All original material, including the ghost of the Headquarters, belongs to the author of this five-shot story.

Summary: Midquel to The Emerald Diadem. During the fall season, Melissa and Nash, with Frodo's assistance, search for the ghost that haunts the Animal Headquarters. Will the trio find the ghost? How will the ghost react to their discovery? Alternate Reality.

This story takes place during Chapter 13 of The Emerald Diadem. Only in that chapter, we are given a snippet of what takes place in this five-shot chapter story. This story was inspired by "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" episode, "The Ghost in Suite 613".

Chapter One:

Forming the Group

The Previous Day…

A few weeks had passed since Frodo Baggins' birthday. Melissa Snowberry had grown tired of the same activities. There had to be more to do at the Animal Headquarters.

Melissa thought for a couple of minutes. "Maybe I should go bug Nash." She left her room, taking her prized seashell with her.

The first diner had always been a hang-out spot for the Animals, more than for people. However, some people chose to hang-out in the diner anyway. The diner had its travelers here and there, telling stories from their adventures. Melissa was usually in the mood to hear what the travelers had to say.

When Melissa arrived at the first diner, on the fourth floor, it was crowded with the typical groups. Nash Wimble, a hobbit born from a hobbit and an elf, sat in the same booth where he did his best thinking. The booth was by a window overlooking the sun and the ocean in the right spot. Melissa joined him, ordering some food as she sat there.

"Nash, how are you?" asked Melissa.

Nash shrugged. "I've had better days." He asked, absentmindedly, "Any news from the hobbit quartet?"

Melissa grunted. "If you mean Frodo Baggins and his friends, then no I haven't seen them this morning. And what a beautiful morning it is," said Melissa.

Nash whispered, "Hey, did you hear there was a new hobbit entering our base. He calls himself Elijah Molvaro, but…"

Melissa whispered back, "He came here now? Right when I was making plans to…"

Nash asked, suspicious, "To what, Melissa? You're not thinking of harming Frodo Baggins."

"Nonsense," said Melissa, "that would incline I do something drastic."

Nash said, "Here comes the newcomer." He watched as a male hobbit entered the diner.

From where she sat, Melissa noticed the newcomer hobbit had similar features to Frodo Baggins. The only difference was his attire. He wore a white-and-tan shirt, a gold vest, and brown breeches. Melissa nearly thought of a lion.

"Well, you weren't joking, Nash," said Melissa. "Maybe I should bug him, too."

"No, Melissa," said Nash, all too late. He watched Melissa head over to a corner booth, where the newcomer hobbit sat.

As Melissa sat down, she asked the newcomer gentlehobbit, "So, you're Elijah Molvaro?"

The hobbit peered up from his menu. "That's me. This must be the welcome party, or close enough to one."

"I guess you can say that," said Melissa. "I'm Melissa Snowberry. The hobbit over by that table is Nash Wimble," she pointed out Nash from a few tables down, "only he decided not to join me."

Elijah grunted, "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Melissa paused. "Um, this may sound strange, but you remind me very much of Fro…" As if on cue, Melissa watched as the four hobbits Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took entered the diner. She looked back, on to see Elijah's gaze had fallen first on his menu, and then at the four hobbits. "Oh, don't mind them. They aren't part of the welcoming committee."

"When can I meet them?" asked Elijah, curious.

An idea sparked in Melissa's mind, "How about tomorrow? I'm going on a scavenger hunt to find this spirit that lives in these halls. Rumors have it this spirit lives on the second and eighth floors… maybe just the eighth floor. Think you can meet me on the second floor?"

"There isn't a spirit walking these halls," said Elijah, disbelieving the story.

"You aren't superstitious…"

"No Melissa, if that is your name," said Elijah. He saw Melissa nod in approval. "I'm a skeptic. Common sense tells me there aren't any spirits in this headquarters."

"Fine," said Melissa. "Then you can prove me wrong tomorrow. Meet me on the second floor at one o' clock. I'll make sure Frodo Baggins joins us as well. He may not be as skeptical as you."

"Fair enough," said Elijah striking the deal. "I'll meet you then."

Nash watched Melissa as she left Elijah alone to his menu. Upon seeing the four hobbits again, Melissa approached them. Nash watched Melissa with suspicious eyes.

Melissa said, "Hello Frodo. May I ask what you are doing?"

"I'm ordering food. Why do you ask?" asked Frodo, confused.

"Oh," said Melissa. She hesitated, and then said, "In that case, I'll leave you to it." She returned to her original spot, only to be harped on by Nash.

Ignoring Melissa, Frodo told his three friends, "I'm going to the armory later. If anyone wants to join me…"

"I should find Rosie," said Sam, walking away from the booth. He found Rosie fast, when she entered the diner searching for him.

Merry asked his cousin, "They have an armory?"

Frodo nodded. He added, "And a weaponry."

Merry turned to Pippin. "Pippin, what do you think?"

"I think we should order our food first," said Pippin, glancing at the menu.

Frodo sighed, "Very well. We'll go to the armory after we eat something." He noticed Pippin call a waitress over to their booth.

Once Frodo, Merry, and Pippin finished eating breakfast, Frodo led the two hobbits to the first floor. There, they entered the armory, where the cats Aristotle and Tabitha were busy crafting more weapons and armor. The three hobbits explored the armory and weaponry to their heart's delight. Eventually, Aristotle returned with a new piece of armor.

"Enjoying yourselves?" asked Aristotle, as he forged another piece of armor.

Merry and Pippin spoke in turns. Aristotle stopped them with raised paws.

"Okay, I understand. You like it here," said Aristotle, as Tabitha walked in with a freshly-forged short sword.

Tabitha joked, "Be grateful the spirits are happy. Oh wait, we only have one."

"You have spirits here?" asked Pippin, curious.

"Well, yes… but it's an old wives' tale," said Tabitha. "I mean, you'd have to be barking mad to search for spirits in this headquarters."

"How do you mean?" asked Frodo, confused.

Aristotle hesitated. "Well… it's probably nothing. If you believe in that sort of legend, you would have realized there might in fact be a spirit wandering these halls.

"Seems odd," said Merry. "We have wights at home, in Middle-earth."

Tabitha shrugged. "It's the same thing, Merry. You would be lucky to not have to run into any spirits here." She noticed Frodo taking an interest in one of the short swords. "Ah! That sword is a beauty. It took me a while to craft that one. But each sword is crafted from the heart."

Setting the sword down, Frodo said, "We were looking."

Tabitha shrugged again. "Maybe one day, we'll craft armor and weapons for you and your friends, Frodo. Just keep your eyes open."

Frodo nodded. "I will. Thank you."

Aristotle bowed. "No, thank you. I have never seen a Halfling so intrigued with our weapons and armor." He watched Frodo leave, taking Merry and Pippin out of the armory and weaponry.