Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.

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Okay, so I know the Angry Birds movie came out, but after seeing it the first time I figured give the birds some sort of an appearance in this story. Let's see how it turns out, shall we? :D Also, credit goes to Eldhoron for helping me out with ideas for food that's coming up in this story. :)

This chapter took a while to write. So, here's hoping it turns out well. :)

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5:

An Open House Party

Indeed, it was bad timing. The moment Bane tossed to Rose the flowers, he darted through the gardens and into the next building. But he wasn't alone, for Peter and Edmund chased him right into the cafeteria. Bane howled and Edmund pounced, until Peter broke them up.

"This fighting won't help us." Peter turned sharply to Bane. "I don't know what your plan is, but leave Rosemary alone. She's been through enough."

"Haven't I? I was only being polite." Bane asked, curtly, "Why did your brother, King Edmund, pounce on me? I can't help how I feel about Rosemary. It's animal passion, as my father says."

"You look human to me," Edmund said, confused.

"Well, I'm not. I'm part animal, part wolf, son. And I'm outta here. See you royals later!" Bane scampered out of the cafeteria a moment later. Edmund was confused.

"Do you think we should keep an eye on him?" Edmund asked.

"Yes, we should, especially tonight, at the party." Peter told his brother last, "You stay and keep an eye out on Bane."

"Where are you going?" he asked, still confused.

"To see if someone else needs our help," he said.

"I thought I was supposed to keep an eye out on Bane," Edmund retorted.

"Well, you decide where you want to go…"

"I'm coming with you."

"Okay. Then watch my back." Peter scurried off in search of someone else to help. He looked back as his brother. Good. At least he had someone else to keep an eye out of things. Then again, Peter hoped this evening would turn out well.

o-o-o

As the sun climbed down behind the mountains, Frodo checked his gold wrist watch. They had thirty minutes before the open house party began. But it was waiting for Ebony to finish up that made Frodo a little impatient.

"Ebony, come on. Our daughter's already helping prepare for the party," he said, admitting honestly.

"I'm almost done!" Ebony cried out, hastily and nervous.

"You're fine." Frodo leaned against a chair, sighing to him. Footsteps made him stand upright. Coming out into the living room was Ebony, with her dark hair partially in curls and her grey eyes standing out, due to the blue-gray dress she wore. Frodo almost didn't recognize her. She looked so fair… she was fair. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, Frodo," she chided, grinning widely. Taking his hand, Ebony asked, "Do you know who'll be there? Where exactly are we heading to?"

"The castle, but I'm sure the party's scattered throughout the school," Frodo replied, kissing Ebony's hand a moment before he opened the door for her. A few moments after he closed and locked the round door, leading into their side of the loft, Frodo returned his gaze to Ebony. Wrapping an arm around his wife's shoulders, he looked at her and said, "Ebony, do you remember when we first met?"

"I remember," she smiled his way. "I was so young back then, and you were helping me find a book. Dinotopia."

"That was a long time ago, though," he raised an eyebrow. "Do you remember why you bought it, and then 'The Lord of the Rings'?"

"Because I was wondering what I should read. We're both bookworms, you and I." She laughed, merrily.

"Yes, that much I know." Frodo said. He gestured forward, "Come on. Let's go." Even though he remembered something from their past, and hoping that Ebony would remember too, Frodo continued on his way out of the smial, taking Ebony with him. They had just gotten down the road and onto a path leading to the castle, when Rosemary ran up to them. Frodo was stunned to see here. "Rose, there you are."

"We've got a cat infestation. Gandalf's been trying to get them out…" Rose looked back at the castle. Frodo had to admit she had a point, for a whole stampeded of meowing cats and kittens rushed out the front door, down the sidewalk and barreling through an invisible portal.

Frodo chuckled. "I'm sure that's all of them."

"Nope. There's the last one," Ebony said, pointing on ahead. Frodo watched as the last cat prowled out onto the grounds and through the invisible portal.

"I hope that's all of them, Gimli!" Gandalf's voice rose.

"Yes. I do believe it is," Gimli said. Frodo smirked as one final kitten zipped into the portal.

"Come on. Let's go help them," Frodo said, leading his family along towards the castle's back door. After a walk down the hallway, Frodo at last met up with Gimli and Gandalf. Gimli was still holding a little orange-and-white kitten, even scratching its little head.

"Oh, how cute," Rosemary said in awe, meeting up with the dwarf and his new little friend.

"Well, since this kitten is so cute, Gimli will take care of it," Gandalf huffed.

Gimli hesitated, "But I don't know how to take care of…"

"We can take the kitten off your hands," Ebony suggested.

"You will?" Gandalf asked, surprised.

"Will we, Frodo?" Ebony asked. Frodo was stunned. Was she really asking about raising a kitten. Then it dawned on him, an idea of sorts.

"Why don't we pitch in and take care of him or her. The kitten belongs to all of us. We could call it a university kitten," Frodo pitched in. It wasn't a bad idea.

"Well, it's a she," Gimli asked, finding out.

"A she? Are you sure?" Frodo asked, curious.

"Of course I'm sure. I checked," Gandalf huffed again. "And she can look after Gimli."

"I'll name her Sif," Gimli announced.

"Gimli and a cat named Sif. Sif and Gimli. Gimli and Sif," Ebony murmured, a little aloud.

"That's right, lass! Gimli and Sif the cat," Gimli announced.

"Let's prepare for the party," Frodo said to his wife and daughter. He wasn't sure leaving Gimli with a kitten was the best idea, but then to see Gimli cuddling a kitten… no. He needed to focus on the party. Leave Gimli to his cat. Not that he could argue. He liked animals, too. Oh, he should get ready for the party.

-.-.-

Once preparations were completed, the dinner portion of the party took place in the banquet halls of the university. The grand hall was the largest of them all, which was where the dancing part of the evening would take place. And so each family was given their own table to sit down on, and with each table they were decked with a meal to suit each family. Since this was a special occasion, the food was rich but also sweet, sour and tart depending on the tastes. But even Wolf and his son Bane only expected loads of meat to satisfy their thirst.

Rosemary was right disgusted by the Wolfson family, in particular Wolf and Bane's table manners. She wondered how Virginia Lewis could keep her men together.

"That is repulsive," Rose complained, staring at the family.

"Rose, eat your dinner," Ebony said, gobbling down her food.

"You're no better…" Rose was interrupted by Frodo.

"Rose, mind your mother." Frodo chuckled, telling Ebony, "You eat like a wolf."

"I'm hungry," Ebony said, not understanding.

"Well, it seems Wolf and Bane aren't the only wolves in this university," Rose said.

There was a pause between them, only to end up with merry laughter. It was good they were a part of the Baggins family. But even Ebony had to admit what was on her mind, "This is why I'm glad to be around hobbits. They're so versatile."

"Wait until we dance, Ebony," Frodo said, grinning mischievously, "then, I can assure you, you'll see how versatile this family, our family, is."

"Does this mean I have to dance with Bane?" Rose asked, concerned.

"Do you want to dance with him?" Frodo asked. He whispered low to his daughter, "If I were you, I'd keep an eye on him."

"You don't like him?" She asked.

"Bane is Wolf's son. Of course I don't trust him." He whispered further, "Why should you?"

"Father, I am keeping my distance from him," she whispered back. Frodo wasn't convinced. She continued, "I'll stay with Edmund or Peter."

"Or both," he said. "They'll keep you safe, as best they could."

"You don't trust me around other men, besides you. Father please. I'm a grown woman," Rose said.

"That doesn't mean I won't keep an eye on you." Frodo pointed to her food. "You going to keep eating that, your dinner."

"Yes father," Rose said, digging into her cooked steak.

…

Once dinner ended, there was a gathering around the dance floor. At first, it didn't seem like anyone wanted to dance… until Rosemary stepped in, pulling Bane into the forefront of the dancing. That was not what Peter and Edmund had in mind, but then of course Edmund had to urge Cinderella's daughter onto the dance floor. As the dances became slower, Frodo turned to his wife.

He asked her, "Would you care to dance?"

"I'd love to," Ebony said. Frodo was happy that Ebony took his hand. It was good. She was coming out of her shell again. However, Ebony couldn't help but notice Gimli dancing with his kitten. "Look Frodo. There's Gimli with his kitten."

"What?" Frodo asked, taking Ebony over to the auburn dwarf. "Excuse me, Gimli. Did we say we were bringing animals in…"

"Look Frodo, you brought talking animals to this party. Why can't I invite my kitten?" Gimli asked, scratching the kitten behind the ears. "Now, go on and enjoy the party."

"Gimli, I think you need a dance partner." Ebony said, pointing to the trio of women, dressed in cool colored dresses.

"Oh. No," Gimli said, embarrassed.

"Ebony, they're Water Nymphs," Frodo said, explaining, "Aslan sent a bunch of Nymphs here to teach classes."

"Really?" Gimli asked, surprised, "Oh, well in that case, here I go." But just as he approached them, to Frodo's surprise, Gimli was forced to chase after them. Frodo sighed.

"That was well done, Ebony," Frodo said, serious.

"What? I thought Gimli needed a partner." Ebony said.

Just then, Gimli's kitten sped off and out of the ballroom. Frodo shook his head, watching the display of chasers running from each other and out of the ballroom, as well. Frodo rubbed his forehead in agony. This was the last thing he expected. But then…

"Frodo Baggins!" one of his fangirls squealed.

"Oh no," Ebony said, nearly smirking.

"Stay and watch the ballroom for me." Frodo said to Ebony, taking off out of the room.

"What am I supposed to do?" Ebony asked. It was too late. The fangirls were too busy chasing Legolas and Frodo. Unsure what to do, Ebony moved about the dance floor. She didn't have to wait for long, for Frodo rushed onstage to make another announcement:

"All right, if anyone brought in those fangirls, please refrain from any activities, involving chasing me, Legolas, and anyone else you see as your favorite character. Thank you." Frodo climbed down the stage to an uproar from various fans, who were working on their fanfics. He announced next, "Please. Let's keep this as decent a ballroom as we can get it to be. You may talk freely to your favorite characters. Just avoid stampeding them."

"Where's my kitten?" Gimli asked, rushing through the ballroom.

"Gimli, watch out for Goofy…" Ebony spoke too soon, for the anthropomorphic black dog slipped in the water. The tray of appetizers landed into the mouths of various cats. Frodo slapped a hand to his forehead, knowing full well the party was heading into disaster.

"This will all get cleaned up, Frodo," Aslan said, approaching the gentle-hobbit and his wife.

"I hope so, Aslan." Frodo returned his gaze over to Rosemary, who was busy stopping a fight between Bane, Edmund and Peter. Frodo returned his gaze over to Aslan, "Yes. I see what you mean."

…

Aside from Gimli's fiasco with finding his kitten, the party managed to turn out well. But then, there was the fiasco with the fangirls that also needed to be straightened out. Aslan agreed with Frodo on letting the fangirls come and go as they pleased, but that wouldn't stop the school from functioning properly.

Later that evening, Frodo, Ebony and Rosemary immediately fell asleep in their beds. What would happen on the first day of school… well, that was something that would begin in its own fashion. Frodo sighed. Another four days to go, and then the school year would begin.

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Chapter 6 Teaser:

"I have something to show you," Frodo said, carrying a torch into a stone chamber.

"What?" Rosemary asked, confused.

"Frodo, what is it?" Ebony asked.

Frodo set the torch against the iron placeholder on the wall. Gesturing his wife and daughter forward, he opened one of the hardbound books. For inside was something that intrigued them: how portals started in the University. There was also a picture that showed Frodo and his family with Aslan.

"We're in a book," Ebony said, surprised.

"Yes, we are," Frodo said, grinning at her.

"I don't get it." Rosemary pressed further. "What does it mean?"

"It means the beginning of your history in this world," Aslan said, joining Frodo and his family. "And all the endeavors you seek, that will come to pass." He added with mirth, "All in good time."

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Thanks for reading. :) And we'll see what happens in the next chapter, too.