Disclaimers: See Prologue for more info.
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Thanks goes to Old Toad for their suggestion about the summaries.
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The journey to Aslan's How proved to take about an hour or two to complete on foot. In spite of being back at Narnia, Frodo couldn't help but wonder how much adventure he was going to get and whether they would be involved in some sort of war or a battle at most. He had hoped he was right, but then would he be allowed to fight?
"Taking in the view," Reepicheep asked, snapping Frodo's attention back to reality.
"I was just thinking," the hobbit answered.
"Ah." The anthropomorphic mouse understood. "You were dreaming of adventure. Have you received any, since you've been here?"
"I haven't been here long," Frodo admitted. It was true. He'd only been to Narnia for exactly two days, Narnia time. There really wasn't much he had seen.
"I said the exact same thing to the Beavers," Peter inclined.
"The what?" Frodo asked, confused.
"He hasn't met them," Lucy spoke up, smiling.
"Well, pardon me for saying this, but I don't exactly know what a beaver is or what one looks like," Frodo said in turn, confused and concerned. "Should I know about them first?"
"I say you are in good company," a badger named Tufflehunter said, "even if you smell a bit strange."
"I don't smell," Frodo commented, not understanding the situation. "I don't. Trust me. I would know if I did smell." He was welcomed by Lucy's laughter, something that made him more confused. He asked the badger, promptly, "Would you mind telling me what is so funny? Do Narnians always behave in this manner?"
"My brothers, sister and I," Lucy said, inquiring promptly, "we're not from Narnia, like we said."
"No, but you do know the land," Frodo said, looking around. "I mean, what's so dangerous about this place?"
"He'll find out," Edmund said, directing his gaze to Peter.
Frodo raised his eyebrows in understanding… sort of. He was still new to Narnia and already everyone was treating him differently, as if he was some sort of stranger in a new land. What made things worse was how everyone acted like they knew each other and he was the newcomer… wait. He said that already. Well, why then did it seem that he had the feeling of loneliness. Maybe he shouldn't have brought Sam along, if they were to be treated this way.
Looking back at Sam gave him a new impression on the Narnians. Already, Sam was enjoying conversations with the centaurs and getting to know them. He even interacted with the Pevensies as though he belonged here, but still spoke about the Shire throughout the conversation and Rosie. He wasn't bothered by these people. So maybe it was just him, Frodo Baggins, that needed to be concerned. Maybe he was going about this all wrong.
"Hey!" Peter got his attention. "You'll see some action. Don't worry."
"But Sam is…"
"Sam's fine," Edmund said, not understanding. "In fact, I think he's just as bad as Susan. All they talk about is home, and look at the impression they're making."
Frodo had to admit Ed was right about Sam and Susan. The way those two carried on a conversation, smiling and laughing, made him wonder if Sam's decision to come to Narnia was a mistake. Why then did Bilbo ask him to come along in the first place? It made no sense.
"I don't understand," Frodo said to Peter, Edmund and Lucy. "Sam's more of a homebody and yet he belongs here. I asked for adventures, pleaded with Eru for one, and now… now it's turning out differently than I first hoped it would. Maybe I don't belong here."
"Then why did you come?" Lucy asked him, curious. "Aren't you the first hobbit to discover Narnia, just as I'm the first to discover it?"
"Well yes, but I…"
"Then you have nothing to worry about," Lucy said, encouraging him.
"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense," Frodo said, calm but moved a little by her words, "why was I chosen?"
"I think in this situation, it's wise not to ask too many questions," Peter said, leading the way. Frodo was stunned. Wasn't asking questions the right way to go about this? Shouldn't he do so? He was stopped by a hand clasping his shoulder. Edmund's hand.
"Ah, don't worry. I'll keep watch of him," Edmund implied.
"Thank you," Frodo said, not sure if this was right. Even with Edmund's release of him, a lump fell into the hobbit's throat, a lump that wouldn't evade. He felt sure there was something he was missing. He remembered Bilbo being a part of an amazing adventure. But here – he didn't know if this was a bad time for hobbits. He honestly never expressed this sort of doubt before. He needed to get off this subject and fast, before… something was changing. No. There was definitely something on the horizon.
Yes there was. It was an open green field separating the forest from a towering fortress overgrown with grass and trees. Just what was that place. Frodo felt sure he would find out soon enough.
"My friends, new and old, welcome to Aslan's How," Caspian said, introducing them to the fortress.
"It certainly is," Frodo spoke to himself, forgetting his doubt. They had arrived at the place they were supposed to be at. Right on time, too. Oh boy. There was no telling what sort of adventures lay inside the How, but he was sure he was about to find out.
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Thanks for reading. :)