I know this update had been really slow but I do have a good reason for that. Finals crept up on me sooner than I've thought and I had to pause everything to at least pass with a reasonable grade. However, that wasn't the end. I had to make appointments with my counselors and in college, making an appointment with a counselor is a feat within itself. So, forgive me for this late update and enjoy.
The forest had to be the prettiest forest I've ever been to. I don't know why I am saying this when I have nothing to compare it to. I lived in concrete jungle most of my life and saw the forest for brief periods during road trips. However, this forest was open, airy, the leaves were emerald green and sunlight glittered through the leaves and branches. Oh, the wildlife was breathtakingly beautiful. I happened upon a deer on accident. It got spooked and bolted off, braying. Birds, especially songbirds, sang their heart out, hidden in the trees.
I am surprised that I wasn't freaking out like I thought I would but I am sure I won't be able to sleep good tonight. So many questions, so little answers. The first question is: would I be able to survive such time where the health care is just bandages and herbs? Second question: would I be convincing enough to others that I belong in this world? Third and final question: am I really going the right way to Gandalf? If not, the Valar wouldn't have placed me here, right?
No point in doubting myself, I just got to keep on moving. After twenty more minutes of walking, the trees begin to thin out. Seeing this as a sign of the forest coming to an end, I picked up my pace. As I got closer to the edge, the sound of wheels going over rocks began to appear. It got louder as I came upon a wide path that could fit two cars side by side. Panicked, I hid behind a tree as a cart drawn by a horse came into view. A tall, old man sat in the driver seat of the cart, holding a long, thin branch as a crop. He had a long, white beard and wore a pointed gray hat, the pointy end sagging. He matched his hat with a long gray robe.
He looks like a wizard if I do say so myself.
At the back of his cart, colorful rods were stacked upon each other and as it came closer, I realized that it was fireworks. A celebration? A wizard obsessed with pyrotechnics? The wizard/old man lifted up a pipe and sucked. He blew the smoke out in rings. He was smiling to himself, enjoying the day, looking around the forest. A rustling from behind me caught my attention. I switched to another tree, this time the base of the tree thick, and leaned over to see someone sliding down a leafy hill, careening towards the cart.
I watched the dark-haired-boy?-man jump over fallen logs easily despite the fact that his legs were short. I crept closer, risking the chance of being caught by the gray-haired man, as the dark haired man skidding to stop beside the road, on top of a boulder. At the same time, the cart had reached where the dark haired man stopped, causing the pony to neigh in shock from the sudden appearance of the man.
"You're late." The dark haired man said, crossing his arms over his chest. The old man in the cart seemed to glower at the young man.
"A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to." The older man said, his low voice announcing his anger. Frodo Baggins?! I eyed the dark haired man, who kept on glowering at the older man. That's who I need to help? If he is Frodo Baggins,-my eyes swiveled to the old man-then that must mean he is…The older man kept on glowering at Frodo, however, in few seconds, his face split up into a smile, causing the two to erupt in laughter. Frodo leaps onto the cart, settling on the front seat of the cart.
"It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf!" Frodo cried out, happily, letting his head fall back to look at Gandalf. I knew it! I knew it! Now, a chance to speak to him...First of all, how short was Frodo? His face says adolescent but his body says adult (despite the short height). In my experience of reading fantasy novels, he was too tall to be a dwarf but too short to be human. Maybe a mixture? Probably happened when dwarves met humans and created this version? I shook my head, bringing my attention back to the to rejoicing friends.
"You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?" Gandalf jokingly asked and with a twitch of this wrist, the crop gently hit the backside of the pony, causing the animal to trot. Realizing that they are about to be far from my hearing, I began to follow them, hidden behind trees. As they mumbled to themselves, I realized that they just entered a field where other...small...people are tending to...and no trees to hide behind. Shit! I bit my lower lip as I watched the cart slowly get further away.
I sighed, knowing my predicament won't be stealthy anymore. I just have to follow behind them. Damn trees… I tsked as I jumped onto to well-traveled road. With a deep breath, I began the journey behind the wizard and the half-man. As I began to enter the road that traveled through the fields, the farming half-people gazed at me, few puzzled and a few suspiciously. I gave them a hesitant and uncomfortable smiles then began to walk faster. I guess hospitality was out the window at this place.
With my awesome hearing, I could still hear Frodo and Gandalf speaking. "What news of the outside world? Tell me everything!" Frodo asked excitedly, looking up at the wizard.
"What, everything? Far too eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural…" teased Gandalf, chuckling. I quickened my pace as I watched the road evolved into a bustling place, probably a marketplace, filled with boisterous crowds of Hobbits. "Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on much as if it has past age. Full of its comings and goings, scarcely even aware of the existence of Hobbits...for which I am very thankful."
The citizens of Shire that were humbling upon the marketplace cheered as Gandalf's cart rode past them. They were still cheering to notice me so I kept my pace. We came upon an open area field were scores of Hobbits were creating tents and decorating as if they were getting ready for a festival.
"Ah, the long-expected party. So, how's the old rascal? I hear it's going to be a Party of Special Magnificence." Gandalf asked, looking at Frodo who shook his head in exasperation.
"You know Bilbo...he got the whole place in an uproar."
Gandalf simply nodded, smiling, as if he told himself a joke. "Oh, well...that should please him."
Frodo continued, "Half the Shire is invited…" I raised my eyebrows. Who was this Bilbo, this party animal? I barely even knew more than ten people back home!
"Good gracious, me." Gandalf said, shaking his head, chuckling. However, Frodo didn't join his merriment.
"He is up to something." He said, instead, staring at Gandalf who, in return, averted his face away from the Hobbit. Hmm, juicy gossip, huh? What is Gandalf hiding? Does he know what Bilbo was up to? If so, why not just tell Frodo?
"Oh, really?" The wizard ask, attempting nonchalance but he and I both knew, it didn't go over Frodo's head. However, Frodo didn't seem to mind. Instead, he beamed out a smile.
"Alright, then...keep your secrets. Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought off." joked Frodo which caused the wizard to look back at the Hobbit.
"Indeed?"
"Never had any adventures," continued Frodo, his smile even brighter, "or did anything unexpected."
"If you're referring to the incident with the Dragon...I was barely involved...all I did was give your Uncle a little nudge out the door." Gandalf hurriedly said, and my eyes widened. Dragon?! Holy Macaroni! Frodo laughed at the defense.
"Whatever you did...you've been officially labeled as a Disturber of the Peace." Frodo noted, nodding at the revelation. I hid a giggle that threatened to come out. I am sure Gandalf already knows that I am following him.
Gandalf laughed. "Oh, really?"
The marketplace was behind us now and from the looks of the area, we entered some kind of residential area. I eyed the whole place in wonder. The houses were built in the grassy hillsides in a round shape, giving off the quaint, peaceful, and beautiful scenery. As the cart rode past several houses, kids began chasing after the cart, squealing and screaming happily. Gandalf did nothing, causing the squealing to die down as kids turned sad. I am gonna hit that old man! Before I could do anything, bright color shapes and sizes shot off from the carts-like fireworks!-causing the once deflated children into a frenzy again. A soft smile appeared on my face at the sight of the kids.
I watched as the cart stopped, causing Frodo to stand up again. "Gandalf...I am glad you're back." He said, smiling widely. He turns around and leaps off the cart. Gandalf muttered something, smiling and Frodo walked away from the cart, whistling. Gandalf sat there for few minutes, then looked over his shoulder to meet my eyes with a curious smile on his face. I knew that he knew about me following but it was still shocking for him to know I was there.
"Come here, child." He said, his tone still holding the merriment. I swallowed and began to walk towards his cart at a slow pace. Once I stood beside his cart and gazed at the older man, he had a kind face and soft but wise blue eyes. He was warm all around and I could feel the tension that was bearing down on my neck lessen.
"Hello." I said, meekly. I cleared my throat, not wanting to seem weak in front of him. "I am sorry for following you but you had company and I didn't want to intrude. You must know about me already."
Gandalf nodded to the seat next to him. "Climb on, dear. You must be confused." I did what I said, noticing that I didn't use that much muscle power to climb on.
"I am."
"I know you are not part of this world but some other but I don't know how you got here. Would you be okay in explaining?" He asked, pulling the cart to the side of the well-worn dirt road. I nodded, smiling.
"I am from the world called Earth. It's not like this world at all! I mean, we did have the Middle Ages but that was a long time ago! I mean to be in an era where you only read about in books is overwhelming, to be honest." I explained, cringing internally at the repetitive 'I mean's'. Gandalf listened quietly, smoking a pipe that I didn't see him pull out. "I died in a car accident because of the weather being so foggy and rainy that I couldn't see anything in front of me."
"A car? What's that?" Gandalf interrupted, looking confused.
"Oh! You wouldn't know what that would be, I suppose." I said, embarrassed. "How can I explain it…? Hmm… It's like this cart but it's made out of metal and it runs on electricity."
"Electricity?" Another puzzled head tilt.
"Okay, what makes this cart?" I asked, teacher mode on.
Gandalf looked at me as if I was crazy. "Wood, my child."
"What's the wood made out of?"
"It's made from the seeds that had been planted."
"What are the seeds made out of?"
Gandalf looked stumped. "From Valar?"
I shook my head. "In my world, extensive research has been made about how the objects are what they are. They are made from tiny particles called atoms. This particle makes up everything you see. This wood, the seed, the road, a dust particle, your smoke that you just blew out. They are so minuscule that your naked eye cannot see them. They are literally called the 'building blocks of the universe.' I would explain to you what atoms are but it would take years for me to finish." I explained, realizing that I am explaining a concept that hasn't been at all discovered at this period of time. "And each of this minuscule atom has a charge. These charges are what makes electricity. You are a wizard. You can say that electricity could be also called lightning."
"So, this smoke I just blew out also have this...atoms in them?" He asked, and I nodded, eagerly.
"The air we breathe has atoms in it. It's an area of study that will take years—years!—to be discovered in this world. It's is so extensive that in my world, the era I lived in, was so advanced in everything, that they are still studying about it. It's quite amazing." No matter how much I explain, Gandalf wouldn't be able to understand it.
"So this car you were in ran on lightning?" He asked and I nodded. "And you died by getting into an accident?"
"It was raining. The whole road was so foggy that I couldn't see anything in front of me. You see where your horse's head is? Beyond that, I couldn't see the road in front of me. I work as a…" I trailed off, thinking for the words that could work in this world for a waitress, " food server. Like someone who works in a tavern and helps send food out. And my boss wouldn't let me come in later on. So, I drove slowly so I won't slip on the slick road but it didn't matter; the other car was sliding and hit me. My car fell off a cliff. Next thing I know, I wake up here."
Gandalf looked sorrowful. I continued on. "The Valar, The Gods of this place, spoke to me when I came to. They explained about this world in little detail but they gave me a quest. The quest for me to find you, Gandalf."
"My dear, in all this excitement, you forgot to tell me your name." Gandalf asked, putting his hand out to stop me. I realized it and blushed at my stupidity. How could I lecture him about atoms when I didn't even tell him my name?!
"It's Hyra! Sorry for not introducing myself even after I have been caught following you." I apologized, bowing my head. "Hyra Daniels, at your service." Gandalf nodded in acknowledgment, silent. He resumed riding with a flick of his wrist, however this time around, the cart moved slowly.
"You said something about a quest." I eyed the wizard. I am sure he knows what I am talking about or else the Valor wouldn't have spoken to him so reverently.
"The first part of the quest was to find you and tell you about my mysterious entrance into this world. The second part is they believe that I am needed for this mission. I don't know why they chose me instead of a seasoned warrior, but all I know is whatever is going to happen in the future, it's going to contain Frodo Baggins and I am tasked in protecting him." I stated my true purpose in great zeal but deflated as doubts appeared in my head. "From a cushioned life to literally picking up a sword, how can I protect Frodo?"
Living paycheck to paycheck in an apartment with easily accessed water and nearby hospital easily accessible? Compared to this world, where I used to live sounds like a fucking dream come true. Now, in this strange new world, with a sword strapped to my hips and the life of man on my hands, I could feel the world closing on me. A hand placed itself on my shoulder causing me to look up.
"If the Valar thought that you weren't capable of this mission, do you think they would have chosen you for it?" Gandalf asked, flicking the burned tobacco out of the pipe. I shook my head slowly, in denial. "A seasoned warrior isn't born as a seasoned warrior. Just little fledglings hoping to make a mark in the world. What makes them seasoned is by them facing hardships out on the road."
His eyes were twinkling but his face looked, expectant. "You will have hardships, my dear. Don't forget; the people who surround you also have faced them. If the need arises, speak with them and let them comfort you. You are no longer alone in this world, dear, even though it seems like it."