Chapter Twenty-Five:
Return to the Wall
Coming out from the light, Frodo and Aria found they were back at the hedge wall with the red wild flowers strewn around. The guards were present. Finding the Torch of Light, Aria picked it up from where it lay. The Emperor-across-the-sea and Aslan were in the next row, where the Evil Queen's magic mirror stood. Just as Aria and Frodo made their way towards the Wall of Memory, another flash of light came, jetting Merry, Pippin, and Sam into the area.
Frodo told the three hobbits, "Welcome back."
"Didn't we just leave this place?" asked Merry.
Aria cleared her throat, signaling that she had the Torch of Light.
"Oh, now I remember," said Merry.
The five hobbits passed by the soldiers, who glared at them. They reached the next row, only to find a few blue trolls were there as well.
Aria told the magic mirror, "Okay, we found the Torch of Light. Now, can you explain to us what we're supposed to do?"
"Eh?" asked the magic mirror, not understanding.
"I think the mirror only wants to talk to Frodo, at the present moment," said a blue troll.
Frodo spoke to the magic mirror. "We found the Torch of Light. What comes next?"
The slave in the mirror spoke in riddles:
"Well done, well done.
Achieved your final task is summed.
The girl who holds her heart twice now carries one.
The torch will guide the way to the next task is rebuked."
"Here. Let's have a look at that torch," said the blue troll.
After Frodo passed the torch to her, the blue troll studied it. Finding a hole in front of the magic mirror, the blue troll set the torch into the hole. There was a click. As the blue troll released her grip on the torch, flames ignited from the torch. The slave in the magic mirror's face vanished, revealing new images.
"Look," said Aria in awe.
The images revealed show battle, death, and the villains next move. When the image came to a meeting held by the villains, everyone listened in:
'"We cannot assume there isn't something up. The Nobodies are gone and somehow time ended up changed. We have to act now to stop those heroes," said Evil.
"We don't even know what their next move is," said Hook.'
From the image, a light came through. Aria felt a rippled light strike her, as Evil came out from the mirror. In spite of Evil's will to fight off the attack, she realized Aria had a darkness about her. Evil joined Aria, returning to her original host. The other Nobodies that belonged to Aria fell into her as well. Frodo caught Aria before she fell backwards to the ground. Aria realized what the torch was meant to do.
"It seems we caught another Nobody," said the Emperor-across-the-sea.
When the light stopped, the villains reflected in the mirror wondered what had happened. As Aria recovered, she heard what the villains had to say:
'"Oh drat, what was that?" asked Hook, bewildered.
"I believe Evil was a Nobody, and an annoying one at that," said Maleficent.
"Good. Now that Evil's out of the picture, we can begin work to bring Morgoth back," said Sauron, pleased.
"Wait Sauron. Isn't Morgoth trapped in the Void? Wasn't there a time when he would be released?" asked Maleficent.
Sauron grinned. "Why yes. I almost forgot that." He turned to the Horned King. "Now that Voldemort's gone, we have to work on our plans for taking down the heroes. I want Baggins' head. I have to be the one to kill him, since someone failed to when the One Ring was destroyed."
"All this talk of killing makes me anxious. Can't we at least settle for goblins to attack these fools?" asked Jareth.
"You mean the same goblins that can't face a fight, without being the targets. No, Baggins is different, as is his girlfriend. I'll kill them both if I have to," said Sauron.
"Baggins is all our enemy. I would say the same for his girlfriend and those friends of his," said Maleficent.
"You may have wings, Maleficent, but no one can deny you've gone soft," said Sauron, glaring at her.
"I have not. I'll find a way to track down these heroes if it is the last thing I do," said Maleficent.'
The image changed to a waterfall area and a wooden floating house in the middle of an enclosed circular retreat. There was something inside the floating house of interest: a shiny gold object. There were other items in the house as well. The image changed to a cavernous tunnel behind the waterfalls, leading into an underground tunnel network. When the image stopped at a huge bird's nest, the images faded away, returning the slave in the mirror's face to the group. The slave in the mirror spoke another riddle:
"Now you see what lies before you:
A task too great to befall.
What lies inside the floating house may help against the villains, a heartier crew.
If you are smart, you won't fail or stall.
The actions that come next depend on your stealth.
Should you succeed, a great reward will be laid in keeper's retell."
"I remember hearing about that place, but it's in the limbo world Peradus," said Frodo. "It's a tricky place to find."
"Well, let us know if you need anything," said the blue troll, moving the torch out of the hole. She told the companions, "We'll keep this. This torch really belongs here."
Frodo nodded. "Go right ahead. We have no use for it."
Merry turned to Aria. "Do you want to see your mother, Estella?"
"Sure," said Aria. "How's my brother, Perry?"
"Wait until we get home. I'd like to see him, too," said Merry.
Frodo said, "Wait Merry. We have to bring Aria back to Earth first."
"We make a short stop at the Shire," said Merry.
Aslan told Frodo, "Frodo, when you're ready, we'll bring Aria straight to Glamïre. Then it will be time for her to return to Earth."
Frodo nodded. "Then we'll come quickly."
After Merry pressed a button on the hilt device, a portal opened. Aria was told to step through first, as she knew where to go. The other hobbits followed in suit. Aslan and the Emperor-across-the-sea spoke their condolences to the blue trolls and the slave in the magic mirror, before departing for Glamïre.
Leaving the portal, the five hobbits found they were back in Buckland. Aria made her way straight to Crickhollow, as did Merry. When he saw Estella in front of the house at Crickhollow, he embraced her and kissed her affectionately. Estella did the same. Frodo, Pippin, and Sam followed, just as Periadoc ran out of the house. Perry informed the five hobbits he and Estella moved to Crickhollow, at least until they could find a place. Perry embraced Aria and then Merry. In spite of Aria's wishes to leave them soon, even though she knew in her heart that she wanted to spend time with them, Estella agreed to invite the hobbits in for dinner. Aria agreed, as did the others to spend the night.
After a long bath, the five hobbits joined Estella and Periadoc at the dining room. Dinner was enjoyed by all. As they ate, Merry and Pippin told Estella about their recent adventures. When they got to talking about the light and the fact there weren't any Nobodies around anymore, Estella spoke up:
"I saw that light, too, but my mind isn't too muddled," said Estella. "Merry, however did you end up meeting so many people and not invite them over for tea?"
"Well, it would be a long story, if only we remembered what did happen," said Merry.
Pippin asked, "How's Diamond doing, and little Faramir?"
"They're well. They've been waiting for your return, Pippin," said Estella.
"Good, because I'm going to see them tomorrow," said Pippin.
Estella looked at Aria and asked her, "And how are you, Aria? It's been so long since I've seen you. You're my daughter, you know. I have to look after my children."
Aria was hesitant. "Oh. A lot has happened, but I don't remember much. All I remember is Frodo."
"Yes, well Frodo's much too old for you," said Estella.
"Thirty-some years isn't too far of an age gap," said Aria.
"It's not," said Frodo, agreeing with her.
Estella turned to Sam. "Sam, how are you? Rosie's been meaning to see you."
"Oh, has she? I'll go see her right away, but in the morning," said Sam, shyly.
Aria turned to Frodo and murmured, "Please tell me everyone's still frozen in time."
"Aslan didn't tell us if he unfroze Middle-earth's time. My age must still be frozen," said Frodo.
"Hopefully, it won't always be that way," said Aria.
"I'm much older than I look, or I should be," said Frodo.
Aria continued eating her meal in silence. Periadoc spoke to her throughout dinner, curious about her activities. Aria mentioned that she was a writer, which spurred a conversation by the hobbits, who went into detail about how there were new stories about them called fanfiction. Frodo grinned at Aria at this, in spite of Aria's worrisome look.
Later in the evening, when everyone went to bed, Frodo stayed up for a while. He was joined by Merry, who found another chair to sit down.
"Having trouble sleeping?" asked Merry.
"I was just thinking," answered Frodo. "I wonder what would have happened hadn't I listened to Gandalf. So much has changed. Sauron is still out there. Isn't there any way to defeat him?"
"We'll find a way, cousin. We always do," said Merry.
"It hasn't been the same without Elijah and Ronnie. I guess they're back inside me," said Frodo.
"So are the Nobodies that came out of me. Same for Pippin, Sam, and Aria," said Merry. "Estella's not happy that Aria has to leave us again."
"No. I expect she's not," said Frodo. "But this is Aria's last time she's sent to Earth, at least until things change. I wonder what Eru Ilúvatar meant by that… or maybe I already know."
"If anything, it's been prophesized, as it has here. They say Morgoth will return and spell doom to all of us for a time. It won't be pretty," said Merry.
"Let's hope it's not during our time, but I fear it soon will be," said Frodo.
"You should get some rest, Frodo," said Merry.
"Yes, I suppose you're right," said Frodo, following Merry to the guest bedroom.
Once Frodo was in the right room, Merry made his way to his and Estella's bedroom. The second his head hit the pillow, Frodo fell fast asleep. The dream he had was strange, but long:
Frodo was inside the white tower. He looked at a window, which showed the roaring waves of the sea. Standing before another window to his right as Aria, dressed in a red-and-black dress. Frodo approached Aria, resting his hands on the windowsill.
"You came for me after all," said Aria, glum.
"Why are you dressed like that?" asked Frodo, concerned.
"I always dress like this, especially when I'm Evil," said Aria.
"You're not Evil, and you're not evil no matter what you say," said Frodo.
"How do you know what I am?" asked Aria, confused.
"Because I know you. You're innocent, pure of heart, just like you've always been. You'll earn that pureness back. The Ilúvatar has faith in you, as does Aslan. Neither will give up on you," said Frodo, facing her now. He moved Aria's chin, making her look at him. "I know you don't see it now, but there is good in you."
Aria's dress changed to white. "Frodo, you have to leave. We cannot stay together."
"No! I don't feel that way. We're meant to be together, and nothing's going to change that," said Frodo.
Aria's dress changed to blue, and her hair was down. "You cannot fail me. Don't lose sight of us. Only you can bring me back."
Frodo cried, "I will! Don't worry! Aria…" He grasped her arms, before putting a hand against the side of Aria's face, "I love you. I won't lose you again."
"You promise," said Aria.
"I do," said Frodo. He kissed her affectionately on the lips. They stayed that way for a time, at least until the dream ended.
Frodo awoke in a frenzied state. He wondered what had just happened, but couldn't help except feel responsible for losing Aria in the first place. Then he remembered the kiss he shared with her in the dream. It was so passionate, just like their love. How could he ever lose her again, when there was hope in their relationship? He knew this was going to be the last time Aria went to Earth. He just didn't know when it would be time to bring her back to him.
Seeing that it was the middle of the night, Frodo went back to sleep. The house at Crickhollow was peaceful that evening.