Disclaimers: See the Prologue for more information.

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9:

On Another Date

The day transitioned in nightfall. All around the Heroes' University, there was much going on. It was agreed, by Frodo, to set up coordinators for the clubs, sporting events and other activities. And while there was a lot going on with the fangirls, heroes and descendants, Frodo was preparing for another matter: his date with Ebony.

Putting on his best dress clothes, he hurried to get around dinner. Sure, he made extra, just in case he and Ebony were that hungry, but it was a right nice idea. At last, the doorbell rang. Frodo skipped over to the front door. Making sure everything was right, he opened the door, revealing Ebony in a red sparkling dress.

"Oh wow," Frodo said.

"It's not too much." Ebony said, checking herself over.

"You look beautiful," he said, opening the door for his wife.

"Thank you." Ebony said. The minute Frodo closed the door, his wife commented on the food. "It sure smells good in here. What are we having?" She set a paper bag down as well. "I brought wine. One glass of it. I hope it's not too much."

"Let me see it," Frodo said, a moment after checking the sauce. Taking the wine bottle from Ebony's hands, he read the note on the front. "To Merry, please deliver this wine for Frodo on his date. Signed Bane." He sneered a little at the name. "Of course Bane." He set the wine bottle down gently, remembering the food that was cooking on the stove.

"You don't like Bane," Ebony asked, uncorking the wine bottle.

"It's not… well…" Frodo glanced over at her. "Come on, Ebony. You had a crush on Wolf. And now our daughter's meeting this wolf, Wolfson's son. And it's just…"

"Go on," Ebony said. She asked, "It runs in the family?"

"Yes. Like mother, like daughter," Frodo said, shaking his head. "The food's ready. I'll uncork the bottle, if you can't get it."

"I'm not going to try. Don't want to risk making a mess," Ebony said, passing the bottle to Frodo. Once he had the stove turned off, Frodo took the bottle. Uncorking it was nothing, but being the gentle-hobbit he was, he poured the wine. "Thank you, Frodo. Do you want me to bring something to the table?"

"Hold on. I'm coming back," Frodo said, setting the bottle down on the table.

It was a group effort, but the food and wine were finally set on the table. As their usual dinners, Frodo and Ebony sat across from each other. The dishes he made involved a hamburger sandwich with his own choice of sauce, Bane's wine, and cooked beets and carrots. It wasn't a large dinner, but it was enough to fill their stomachs. And the dinner wasn't complete without a cabbage salad with his own mixture of dressing. Ebony was impressed, which delighted the gentle-hobbit… even though Frodo did his best to be selfless this late afternoon.

"It's excellent, Frodo, as always," Ebony said, smiling at him.

"Thank you," Frodo said, smiling back. "I hope the beets aren't too much."

"No, they're divine. I love beets," Ebony said.

"I know you do," he answered. "Ever since we met, I've had my eye on you."

"I knew you were watching me," she replied. She asked him, "So, on the night we met – after we met – where did you go? I mean, you can tell me what got you so frazzled that evening."

"It's complicated." He admitted. "I had a run in with Aslan. He promised me that someday, I would meet my match. It looks like I found her, in you."

"That's sweet, Frodo," she replied.

"Well, we are married and have a life here, so far," he said. "And we're both happy."

"Yes. We've had one adventure already," Ebony said, her face saddening. "I mean, are we settling?"

"It looks like it," Frodo said. "I'm curious as to where you're heading?"

"I would like to have adventures with you. Whenever they come." She replied, "I know it's like I'm soul-searching, or travel-searching. Soul searching I'm working on. I just would like to find time to settle, once we've had a few adventures or two… or three… or four… or more even."

"I knew you'd stick to having an adventure," Frodo said, blushing. "We'll have one. I promise."

"Yes. And I –" Ebony was cut off by another sound. Frodo heard it too. But it was Ebony who asked, curious, "What's that sound? Frodo?"

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. Managing to reach the front door of the housing complex, he pulled Ebony with him. Wait… there wasn't a lake at the University before. But there was something else.

The moment he and Ebony reached the shoreline, there stood before them a large ship with boats, crew and a captain. From the moonlight, Frodo could see the black sail with the skull and crossbones. Frodo had a few guesses to who the pirate captain would be, but he hadn't expected for a moment that a pirate ship would reach the Heroes' University. What happened next was a complete mystery; a mystery that was about to unravel itself before they're eyes.

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Chapter 10 Teaser:

A boat docked on the shoreline. The captain who stepped on shore had high boots, a heavy trench coat, a dress shirt and black leather pants. To everyone's surprise, this captain did not wear a pirate's hat, but he did brandish a cutlass sword in its sheath and a pistol. However, when the pirate looked back, another ship swung in on the harbor, only this ship hard dark wood surrounding it and black sails.

It was obvious there would be a game between pirates, in which the victor owned this new piece of land.

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Thanks for reading. :)