The battle droids come from the prequel trilogy of the "Star Wars" film series and the television show "Star Wars: The Clone Wars". Gurgi came from the 1985 animated film "The Black Cauldron".

Chapter Seven:

Evacuation

Three long years passed in the Shire. During those years, Frodo and Malinda kept their relationship discreet, stealing kisses here and there when no one was looking. Sam grew concerned over his master's doings, sometimes asking Frodo about them. Merry also grew concerned, knowing that Malinda was spending a lot of time with Frodo or becoming interested whenever his name was mentioned.

One particular morning, Sam caught Frodo reading a letter sent by Malinda. He sat down across from him in the parlor.

"It's Malinda's reply," said Sam.

"You say it as if it's bad," said Frodo.

"Master Frodo, you spend too much time with her. Whenever she's not with you, you still think about her. You even talk in your sleep, saying her name," said Sam.

"Sam, I'm sure I don't talk in my sleep… you heard me talking?" asked Frodo, curious.

"It's not hard to tell," said Sam.

"Sam, I'm sure…" Frodo stopped the moment he heard a loud metallic sound outside. "What is that?"

"Master Frodo, shouldn't we discuss you and Malinda… where are you going?" asked Sam.

Frodo opened the front door. "I'm going to see what's out there." He closed the door before Sam had a chance to speak. He was followed by Sam outside. The two hobbits traveled down the road. When they turned towards the countryside, Frodo stopped Sam, for he had seen villains and strange machinery on the grassy area. "Villains."

A whip sounded, startling a scarred lioness. An orc bellowed, "Get back to work!"

"Hurry along now. We must keep our hobbit guests from noticing our behavior," said Maleficent.

Sam asked, pointing out a woman in a red-and-black dress. "Who's that, Master Frodo?"

"I don't know, but she looks an awful lot like Maia," said Frodo. "Come on." He and Sam snuck off down the road.

When they arrived at Bywater, Frodo and Sam approached the stables. Frodo grabbed his pony out from the stall. Sam asked him, "You're not leaving now, are you?"

"There are villains in the Shire, Sam. I think it's wise if I head to Buckland and warn Merry and Malinda. You need to alert the Shirefolk, maybe send the alarm," said Frodo.

"I'll do what I can, but where will you go?" asked Sam.

"The villains want me and Malinda dead. It's wise if we leave the Shire and…"

"And go where, Master Frodo? You won't get anywhere with these villains hanging around."

Frodo only said, clamping his hand on Sam's shoulder, "I'll see you soon, I hope." Mounting his pony, Frodo rode out of Bywater, straight to Buckland. Somewhere in the distance, the warning bell rang as did horns cry. Frodo figured the villains would be startled.

Hours passed. The machines the villains brought with them were nearly ready. Maleficent watched as large creatures they brought in the cages were dragged out of the ship. A battle droid approached Maleficent.

"The machine is ready, sir – ma'am," said the battle droid in a robotic, high-pitched voice.

"Good. Set the charges. If Sauron and Voldemort came through, we should be able to connect with the other machines," said Maleficent. She told herself, "Baggins, it's time to meet your doom." She told the battle droids, "Light them up!"

Once the machine was ready, it hummed a very loud mechanical hum. In the distance, another hum was heard, followed by a third. Maleficent cackled. She was glad the plan was set in motion on time.

Maleficent, after allowing the creatures the scent on the piece of shirt that Frodo left behind, told the beasts as the cages were opened, "Smell him out."

The beasts bellowed an unholy bellow. They charged off, at top speed, across the countryside. Maleficent felt certain they would find Frodo Baggins and catch up to him.

Frodo reached Buckland before dusk. When he arrived in Newbury, he was greeted by Malinda, who embraced him. Merry tended to Frodo's pony, moments into Malinda asking Frodo about his unexpected arrival.

"What are you doing here?" asked Malinda, curious.

"Malinda, I'm sure you'll understand someday, but we must leave the Shire… now," said Frodo.

Malinda asked, confused. "Why? What's happening?"

Estella told Frodo, as Perry came to see what all the fuss was about. "Frodo, you don't mean to take Malinda away now."

"I don't have time to explain…" Frodo stopped as he heard an unearthly bellow.

"Where is that coming from?" asked Malinda.

"Listen, if I told you it was urgent we leave, would you believe me?" asked Frodo.

"Frodo, what are you talking about?" asked Malinda, concerned.

But they had spoken too soon. Charging towards the village of Newbury were strange mutated beasts with rounded snouts. They had sharp teeth and claws, but didn't look anything friendly or familiar. They sniffed the air for a moment, as if searching for its prey.

"Frodo, what are those things?" asked Malinda, nervous.

"Merry, where's your sword?" asked Frodo.

"I'll go grab it," said Merry, charging inside the hobbit house.

"You don't have a sword, do you Frodo?" asked Malinda.

"I left mine back at Bag End," said Frodo. "I wasn't aware that I would need it."

"You weren't aware? How could you forget your sword? You're a hero, aren't you?" said Malinda.

Merry returned, pulling his sword from its sheath. The creatures ignored him and focused their charge on Frodo. The second Merry stood in front of Frodo and Malinda, one of the beasts knocked him out of the way. Merry watched Frodo struggle as the beasts advanced towards him. Using quick-thinking, Merry called to Frodo and tossed him his sword. Frodo managed to catch the sword and used it against the creatures. Malinda approached Merry, while Frodo dealt with the beasts. Frodo managed to kill one of the creatures in a few blows, before being knocked to the ground by another beast. The sword flung out of his hand and landed a short distance away from his grasp. Before the remaining beasts attacked, they stopped upon seeing a firework blow up in the sky above. This distraction was enough for Frodo to crawl towards the sword, pick it up, and stab at the next creature's head. The third beast charged towards him, but was knocked unconscious by the sword. Frodo approached Malinda, who looked dazed. Frodo handed Merry back his sword.

"Malinda, we have to leave," said Frodo, helping Malinda stand up.

Mother Nature called from an open portal, "So you must. Follow me through here and bring her along. Your sword is waiting at the Animal Headquarters."

"What?" asked Malinda, confused.

"Come on. We're needed elsewhere." Frodo turned to Merry, "Take care."

"We'll see you soon, Frodo," said Merry. He quietly told Estella a few things, before she became too panicked.

Frodo, against her wishes, dragged Malinda through the portal. By nightfall, the villains arrived in Newbury, but found two of the beasts dead. Maleficent found Merry sitting outside his hobbit house, with his legs folded.

"You won't find them. They've gone. Frodo is nowhere in sight," said Merry.

Maleficent, using magic, raised Merry in the air. "I'll believe that when I know Baggins is dead. As for his girlfriend, it won't be long until we have her in our grasp." She lowered the hobbit down forcefully.

"They're smarter than you know, and that's my daughter you're talking about," said Merry, defensive.

"All the more reason to find her and kill her before any other villain has a chance," said Maleficent. She told the villains, "Move out. Baggins isn't here."

"Yes mi lady," said the villains, following Maleficent through a dark portal.

Maleficent noticed the third beast rouse. She turned to an orc and said, "Kill this one. He's not of any use to me."

"Yes mi lady," said the orc. He slammed an axe into the third beast's head, killing it instantly.

They had just arrived at the village of Vallüs when Malinda jerked Frodo's hand off her arm. Malinda was beyond flustered.

"Frodo, tell me what is going on," said Malinda, serious.

"We have to keep you safe, Malinda," said Frodo.

"Yes, you keep telling me that, but why? Is it because of the villains, the ones in that story you told me and Perry three years ago?" asked Malinda. She said, calmly, "Frodo, you can tell me anything. I'll do my best to understand."

Mother Nature said, "We should speak in more subtle places. Out in the open is not a good idea."

"Come, Malinda. We'll explain everything to you. I promise," said Frodo.

"Frodo, wait. I know you thought me naïve when a teenager. That may be, but just tell me what's going on," said Malinda.

"If you can wait until we get to safer quarters, we'll tell you what you need to hear," said Frodo.

Malinda said, "This is serious, isn't it?"

Mother Nature cried, "Come. We need to move quickly. It's better if we talk indoors."

"Come, Malinda," said Frodo, extending his hand.

Malinda took Frodo by the hand, as he followed Mother Nature back to her house. Inside, Malinda looked in awe at the elvish designs along the walls and pillars. When the three came to the parlor, Mother Nature went to the kitchen to fetch some food and drinks. She returned to the parlor with the fresh food and warm drinks. It was after Mother Nature returned that Frodo began telling Malinda everything he knew.

"Look, Malinda, as far as things go, I'm afraid you're going to have to come with me to the Animal Headquarters. It's in a limbo world," said Frodo.

Malinda said, "So everything you've ever told me was the truth. Limbo worlds exist?"

"There are many limbo worlds as there are many universes," said Mother Nature. "The one Frodo came to is inhabited by both animals and people. Sometimes heroes and travelers make their way to the limbo world."

"Why? Whatever for?" asked Malinda.

"I don't know. I only know as much as you," said Frodo.

Mother Nature explained, "Limbo worlds, first off, don't rely on time. Worlds outside these limbo pockets have a set time period, but those traveling to and from limbo worlds can either travel in the past or the present."

"What about the future?" asked Malinda.

Mother Nature said, "That's the tricky part. No one is allowed to know their own future. It would have cataclysmic results if they knew. It's better to explore the past and present than to look on your own future."

Malinda was stunned. "How does this relate to the current situation?"

Frodo grabbed Malinda's hand. "Malinda, right now we're in Valinor or at least a part of it."

Malinda said, shocked, "What – you mean we're where Elves go and where older people go to die?"

Mother Nature said, "See. I knew she would be this way."

Frodo gained Malinda's attention as he said, "Maia, you were naïve when you were a teenager."

"I'm still naïve because I'm a tween. What is this about, really?" asked Malinda.

Frodo sighed behind his teeth. "Malinda, we're in danger now. The villains want us dead because we're the only ones who can stop evil from spreading. At least, that's what the prophecy says."

"Right, the story you told me and Perry," said Malinda.

Mother Nature informed, "Frodo, there's going to be a meeting at the Animal Headquarters soon."

Frodo told Malinda, "We can talk later."

Mother Nature said, to Malinda, "Before you leave, I have something for you." She left the parlor. A couple of minutes passed before she returned with an elvish short sword. As she passed the sword to Malinda, Mother Nature told her, "This sword is called Finder. It glows green whenever something is hidden."

"It used to be my sword, in replace of Sting," said Frodo.

Malinda extended her hand to Frodo. "Well, you should have it."

Frodo pushed the sword back to her. "No, you have it. It's yours."

The three were cut from their conversation by high-pitched laughter. As Frodo stood up, a furry grey-and-white creature bounded towards him. Although the creature was familiar with Frodo and Mother Nature, Malinda had no clue who he was.

"Frodo, Gurgi is so excited to see you again!" cried the creature, caressing Frodo's leg.

"Gurgi, who sent for you," said Frodo, chuckling.

"I did," said Mother Nature. "Gurgi was in the Unicorn World for a time, but the relief is he wasn't in any danger."

"Oh Frodo should have seen Gurgi in Prydain." Gurgi swatted the air. "Gurgi saw destruction. The Horned King ravaged our home. I was saved by a unicorn called Summer. She was a nice unicorn to Gurgi. She helped Gurgi get out of Prydain."

Mother Nature sensed something in the air. "The meeting is starting soon. You three had best leave, or else you'll miss it. The meeting's at Peradus. Now hurry."

"What meeting? Where is Peradus?" asked Malinda, as she was escorted by Frodo towards an open silver portal.

"You'll see," said Frodo. He turned to Mother Nature and said, "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Gurgi comes too," said Gurgi. He rushed towards the portal, disappearing in seconds. He waited until Frodo and Malinda were through before heading on through the Animal Headquarters. Malinda was stunned by the sight of the massive base.

"You'll adjust," said Frodo.

"I'm not sure I will," said Malinda. "It's so open here."

"Come on. We're probably late," said Frodo, taking Malinda by the hand.