Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.

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8:

Bring on the Festivities

Rosemary was grateful that Percy decided to co-teach the classroom. It was a blunder being by herself. In a way, she was glad that Percy Jackson was by her side… until he told her that he was already dating Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena. Well, at least Rose found a good friend with Percy.

The rest of the first week of term flew by fast. Homework was passed around, keeping everyone busy. And we mean everyone since the teachers had the responsibility – including Frodo and Ebony – of scoring the grades on all the papers and tests. So far, everything seemed, well… a little more focused on homework and not much time outdoors.

Even Rose could admit things were pretty tiresome, dull and boring. At least, in her mind anyway. Where her parents came in the subject was on the weekend. By then, Rose could tell her mother Ebony was about to have a nervous breakdown… again.

Good thing for Frodo to come in with a stack of papers. No, they were a fistful of papers, which he slammed on Ebony and Rosemary's desks. Well, it certainly was a wakeup call. Either way, Rosemary was stunned.

"What are those for?" Rose asked, confused.

"A list of petitions from the dwarves. They want a beer keg festival," Frodo said.

"Like Oktoberfest," Ebony asked, perking up.

"Yes exactly," Frodo said, collapsing on a nearby comfy couch.

"You look tired," Rose admitted.

"I am tired," Frodo reiterated. He asked, "What are we to do? We can't deny the dwarves their beer, wine and ale."

"No. But I have an idea," Ebony said.

"Go on," Frodo said, curious.

"Well, the dwarves want a festival. But I was also thinking this school needs some extracurricular activities and sports-related subjects," Ebony said. No one responded. And yet, she pressed the subject further. "Come on. It'd give us all something to look forward to." She asked, "Why not?"

"First we need Aslan's approval," Frodo said. "And then we'll see if…"

"And I commend you for the idea," Aslan said, entering the Baggins family office. "If it disciplines the students, then we can keep it up. The whole point is to be fair to one another."

"So, we're allowed to have sports here?" Rosemary asked, curious now.

"As long as everyone is treated with respect, you may begin the games," Aslan said.

Frodo waited until the Great Lion was gone, before turning to his family. It was clear now what they were about to do. He sighed, giving in to this new arrangement.

"Very well." He nodded. "Then we'll do it together, as a family. If Aslan says so." He asked, nervous, "But there's only us and I wonder how we're going to coordinate this." He jumped the moment Aslan re-entered their office. "Aslan."

"Relax Frodo. I will send others to assist you in your tasks. Many have come, but most have come here for short classes, or longer ones." Aslan admitted, "We'll have this figured out."

"I hope so," Frodo said, uncertain.

"Your family has done much for this school so far. I commend you for it." The Lion added, "We'll get this sorted out."

"I know. Thank you," Frodo said, sighing in relief. He was glad there would be help coming, but from who, he wasn't sure.

"Any news from the Elves?" Ebony asked. Well, it certainly broke the tension, which Rosemary and Frodo noticed straightaway.

"Same as always," Frodo said, sipping his tea.

"Well, I find dwarves entertaining in this school." Rose said, perking up.

"How do you mean?" Frodo and Ebony asked almost at the same time.

"Well, they're rowdy, they love beer and meat, and they're great at singing dwarvish tunes," Rose said, chuckling a little.

"Our daughter's a dwarf lover," Ebony said. "Fancy that."

"Hmm." Frodo grunted. "Well, whichever she likes. As long as it's not Bane."

"What don't you like about him?" Rose asked, perking up.

"Well, he's after you, my daughter, and he's a wolf," Frodo said, serious. "I would watch him."

"Bane," Ebony said, chuckling. She recovered slightly afterwards, "I mean that in a good way."

"Are you hiding something from us?" Rose asked, confused.

"Your mother's a fangirl, Rosemary," Frodo said. "And yet, she chose me."

"Well, yeah," Ebony said, nearly at a loss for words.

Frodo shook his head. He would have to make sure to do his best to keep Ebony's mind fixed on him. But no. He'd rather let her choose what she sought after… well, maybe it was him she was after. He would wait and see what happened next. Either way, the moment his eyes locked with Ebony's, there was a growing feeling inside his stomach. A feeling that ceased to abate. He knew who he had chosen.

Now if he could just get the fangirls off his back… not Ebony, of course. But still… at least, things were going well for him. As for the rest of his Fellowship… well, he would see what happened next and hopefully find a way to help them out. At least Gimli had his kitten Sif for company.

o-o-o

The very next morning, there was an uproar in the cafeteria. Already, those who read the noticeboard informed their friends at the campus about upcoming sporting events and clubs. The fangirls right away wanted to make certain clubs fit for whoever they were crushing on. And no, the fangirls did not shy away from their crushes of Frodo and Aragorn, even when they knew the truth. Other fangirls decide on someone else to crush on, since they knew Frodo and Aragorn were both married – although, it was hard for them to figure out how and why Frodo finally got married.

The elves and dwarves stayed to their own clubs, but offered to try out various drinking games, which included tea, beer, ale, wine and soda – yes, the dwarves and elves proclaimed they would drink soda until they couldn't take it anymore. As held the drinking contests, whoever was last was the winner. Gimli entered the drinking game with a keg of beer out of a dare – and no, he was not naming which dwarf proposed this offer.

"It was Glóin, his father," Legolas murmured.

"I heard that elf!" Gimli said, dowsing his second mug of beer.

Speaking of Legolas, and returning to the first subject, the fangirls' club that was the largest were all seeking Legolas' hand in marriage, or to let him take one of them on an adventure. It was quite a rowdy, noisy club, who were all determined to make signs and T-shirts in his honor. The Legolas fangirls got the notion in their heads that if it was possible for Frodo to find a wife, then why shouldn't they have Legolas. That is, until he gave one request to them:

"Let's resolve this now: whoever is my right match and has my heart, shall have me. But first – and here's the catch – you must be an excellent archer. You, my dearly devoted fangirls, must be brave, true, selfless and have a warm, caring heart. If you can succeed this impossible task, then you shall have me. Sound fair?" Legolas asked the numerous fangirls. However, he charged back to Frodo and Ebony. "Quick. They're going to try and steal me away again."

"STOP!" Gimli roared tremendously. That stopped Legolas' fangirls. "Now, here is my friend and unless you are worthy to wed him, then you shall have him. Now leave me alone to my kitten." He brushed the kitten's soft fur with a very soft brush.

"Well, this should be interesting," Frodo said, drinking a swig of soda. It tasted sweet and sugary in his mouth. He turned to Ebony, impressed with her choice in drink. "Ebony, I…"

"There's more by the soda machine." Ebony said. She looked up at him then. "Oh, you want me to lead you there."

"If it's helps," Frodo said, following her lead. When at last they reached the soda station, Frodo admitted to Ebony, while ignoring the stampede of fangirls chasing after Legolas, "Ebony, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Go on," Ebony said, looking his way.

"I love you," he answered.

"I love you, too." She changed the subject, "But Frodo, Rosemary…"

"She's a young woman. It's you I've been meaning to speak to," Frodo said, taking Ebony's hand in his. "I want us to be together, like we used to."

"Everything's different," Ebony said.

"Ebony, I love you. You mean so much to me," he replied. "Please, let's go out on another date… well, why don't we? We haven't done that much together in a long time." He added further, "Please."

"All right. Let's have a date… again." She added, light-hearted, "Yes. Let's do that."

"Good." Frodo said, leaning in and kissing her cheek. The moment he pressed his hand on Ebony's chest, everything froze. It was just them… until their moment was broken by rampant cheers of applause. "Thank you."

"Frodo, let's go back," Ebony said. Frodo stopped at the same time as Ebony, when Rosemary gestured for them to continue. Ebony's gaze returned to Frodo. "Let's get our drinks."

Frodo sighed. He had his wife back. Now what could they do? Well, a date for starters. Oh, he was going to enjoy this.

*.*.*

Chapter 9 Teaser:

The floor shook under Frodo and Ebony's feet. The chandelier they were sitting underneath began to shake, its glass ringing as the strange sound occurred. For a moment, there was stillness. In the next, everything seemed to change.

"What is that?" Ebony asked, confused.

"Stay here," Frodo said, moving away from the dining table. Yes, something was out there, but who or what remained to be seen. Was it a spirit of sorts? No. Everyone he knew was alive in this world. But… where did that sound come from? Frodo heard it before, earlier in the day, but now that it was nearing evening, the shaking sound would not stop.

Frodo looked back in time to see Ebony on the floor. No, he thought. He dived in after her, hoisting his wife to her feet and into his arms.

"Something's not right," Frodo said, stunned.

"You think? What is that?" Ebony asked, confused.

"Come with me," Frodo said, taking his wife's hand and leading her out the apartment door. It was time to see who or what was causing the racket.

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Thanks for reading. :)