In this chapter, a lot of what's happening is inspired by the vivid dreams I've had in the past and there were a couple that went through something like what you, the readers, are about to read.
The blue trolls come from the 2013 animated film "Frozen".
Chapter Sixteen:
Return Trip Home
ARIA'S POV
Frodo and I did have that conversation the next day. It was around the time when the healer said I was discharged, so I had to leave the healer's house right away afterwards. Frodo led me inside the housing area, or in this case the housing court. There, Frodo showed me the room I would be staying at for that day, because Merry said we would be leaving the next morning for the Wall of Memory. As I figured out what every object was for in the room, including a basin to wash my face in the morning (something I wasn't used to doing), Frodo knocked on the door, getting my attention.
"Sam was thinking that we should make a return trip to your father's house. Merry figured there was something we forgot to bring, including our vests and jackets," said Frodo.
"Does this mean I come, too?" I asked. "Come on, Frodo. I haven't seen my dad in a week. He must be worried about me."
Frodo sighed behind his teeth. "I guess I can't keep you away from there. You should know, Merry's your father, too."
"I know that," I said, softly.
"Then why are you so desperate to return to the place you were so desperate to leave?" asked Frodo.
"I miss it," I said.
Frodo shook his head. "No, that's not it. Your life was sour there, before we came, and now you want to go back to it?"
"Frodo, why are you so upset?" I asked.
Frodo stood bewildered. "Aria, have you forgotten everything we said. I love you, and you want to return home because you can't find anywhere else to live." He added, curtly, "How do you live with yourself?"
"My family cares for me there. It's best that I don't disappoint them," I said, nearly choking back tears. "You have to understand. This is for the best."
Frodo was hurt. "There's no reasoning with you. All right, since it's come down to this. We return to your home, and I check up on you every so often. If your life is poorer than it's been, we return here without complaint." He added, "I'm not going to lose you again after this, no matter how brave you think you are."
"Deal, and if my life is better than it's been, you'll… leave me be," I said.
"Fine," said Frodo. He left the room, looking disappointed.
Of course I didn't mean to disappoint Frodo, but the thoughts of returning home were clear. Once the hobbits got the supplies ready, we traveled out of Glamïre in the same direction we took. This time, we had unicorn and elf escorts, but they would only stay with us until we were out of the forest. After that, I looked and saw the closet door still standing where it was.
After Merry rasped on the door three times, I opened it, entering my bedroom once again with Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. The hobbits were fast, after the closet door was closed to search for their stuff that they'd hidden away in secrets spots of the house. My dad wasn't there, but it was hard to tell when he would be back. I was fast, too, when grabbing my clothes and making for the bathroom. Frodo nearly stopped me, but decided then it was better to let me go. My pajamas that I wore the first morning were, of course, gone. They had been torn to shreds. The hobbits and I had just returned to my bedroom, me returning the clothes I wore and my boots back to Frodo, when sounds of my dad could be heard in the breezeway. I came out to greet him, which took him by surprise.
"Where have you been?" asked my dad. "I've been looking all over for you."
"I've been here the whole time," I answered. Not one of my best lies.
"Oh, then why didn't you come out? You must be starving," said my dad.
"I-" I stopped upon hearing the three slow rasps on my closet door.
"Is anyone else here?" asked my dad.
"Well… yes, I suppose," I answered.
By this time, Frodo gave Merry and Pippin my clothes. Before the three hobbits could stop him, Frodo closed the closet door on them, leaving him the only hobbit still in my bedroom. Just as my dad returned from the bathroom, Frodo came out of my bedroom. I was surprised that I could still see him, but even more surprised when he spoke to my dad. By now, Frodo had donned his brown vest and jacket.
"Sir," said Frodo, shaking my dad's hand. "I'm Frodo Baggins. I've been looking out for your daughter, while she's been away."
My dad spoke, startled, "You mean the Frodo Baggins from the…"
"Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings trilogy," I inquired.
"That's the one," said my dad. "How is it you're here?"
"It's a long story," I said.
My dad asked me, "Wait. I thought you said you'd been here this whole time."
"Did she?" asked Frodo, looking at me now with the most serious look.
After my dad walked towards the phone, I whispered to Frodo, "How is it that my father can see you?"
"I'm letting him see me. You shouldn't have lied," whispered Frodo back.
I whispered, "You've got a better way to explain…"
My dad called to me, "We're going to Grandma's. If he's not staying…"
"No, I can come along. That is, if Aria wants me there," said Frodo.
"You aren't going back to your hobbit hole?" asked my dad.
"Nope. I left my hole on my way here," said Frodo.
"Well, it's up to you whether you want to come, Frodo," I said. "You don't have to."
"I'm coming," said Frodo, giving me a look I understood.
While my dad spoke on the phone, I approached Frodo. "Why would you do this?"
"I'm not leaving you out of my sight. Remember? Besides, now that your dad has seen me, things might make better sense," said Frodo.
I turned to my dad, as I told Frodo, "Or things could get worse."
"You see? This is why I said you shouldn't have returned with us," said Frodo. "You didn't believe me."
Before we left the house, I grabbed the latest book I had been reading, before Frodo and his friends took me away from there the first time. My dad, of course, asked Frodo if he could drive, but like Frodo he said he couldn't but also gave an explanation for why that was. I wasn't sure if my dad was pleased with having Frodo there, but he certainly didn't say anything about it.
o-o-o
Frodo proved a quiet guest. He hardly said a word in the car. I had to wonder if my dad would say anything, but obviously he was too busy driving to notice. As for me, I could have said anything, even the first thought that came to my head, but all the excitement this past week left me stumped. I did speak about fanfiction, except that even mentioning it left me embarrassed. This did lead Frodo to join in the conversation, at which my dad spoke as well. I couldn't tell if that was the best thing, but Frodo managed to hold up his end of the conversation.
After an hour or so drive, we made it to my grandma's house. She greeted me, but like my dad saw Frodo. I guessed at this point he was going to reveal himself. I wondered how nervous he was, but he managed to hide his nervousness.
While Frodo looked around in the breezeway, my grandma pulled me over to the side and asked me, "Is he your boyfriend?"
"We're friends, Grandma," I said. "I met him on the road." I figured she heard about my sudden disappearance.
As my dad readied himself to mow the yard, with my Grandma telling him what needed to be done, I approached Frodo. I noticed he looked a little hurt, but he did his best not to show it.
"How are you holding up?" I asked him.
"We're just friends," Frodo said. "Aria…"
"Please Frodo," I said, stopping him.
Frodo grabbed my hand. "Yes, we are friends, but I was hoping for something more in return."
"I can't give you that now," I said. "I know you've come here to protect me, but I'm afraid I don't see what you could protect me from."
"I know how this works. Your dad is going to keep a closer eye on you, as will the rest of your family. But that doesn't mean there won't be danger now that you've seen me. By now, the villains might find us," said Frodo.
"Well, there aren't any villains around," I said.
"I hope you're right," said Frodo.
I whispered, "Although, you do remind me of Wolf from 'The 10th Kingdom'. Just the way you're so devoted to keeping us together and… in love."
"I remember him," said Frodo. "No, I didn't meet Wolf, but I can't help how I feel."
"You're the only one," I said. I walked off to talk to my grandma.
o-o-o
Dinner was had after my dad finished mowing. My grandma continued asking me if Frodo was my boyfriend, but eventually I couldn't deny it. Somehow, Frodo overheard and grinned at me. At the dinner table, we pulled up a fourth chair for Frodo, a few minutes before we passed around the food. After this, my grandma spoke to Frodo:
"Frodo, do you have a job?" asked my grandma. It seemed to be the question of the day for Frodo.
"I worked as a Deputy Mayor in the Shire," said Frodo.
"Oh. You don't know?" asked my grandma.
"Well, I'm rich. So, I'm sure I'll find something to do," said Frodo.
"You're rich?" asked my grandma. It was another question of the day.
"Thanks to my uncle, Bilbo Baggins," said Frodo. "And thanks to my many quests I've gone on. I have enough money to last me a lifetime."
"How did you and Aria meet?" asked my grandma. My dad became interested in this question.
"Well…" Frodo explained as best he could how we exactly met. I could tell he was doing his best to stretch the truth, but somehow my dad and my grandma believed him. It was a good explanation, but I knew hiding the whole truth was wrong.
I eventually did speak: "Oh Frodo, you can be so modest."
"You see how she treats me," said Frodo, stunned.
"Where will you go, Frodo?" asked my dad. It was a good question.
"I'll return home in a few days. I was thinking I could stay over at your house for a time." Frodo looked nervous then.
Luckily, my dad inquired, "Well, we have an extra bed you can sleep on."
I sighed in relief. As my grandma and my dad went into conversation, Frodo touched my hand. "How are you?"
"I'm fine," I said. I could feel my heart starting to recover again.
Frodo held my hand for a moment longer, before returning to eating the food in front of him.
o-o-o
After we returned home, the first thing I did was help put the food away. Frodo was generous, wanting to help me, but I told him that I could handle it. My dad didn't bother us. Once my chore was done, I went into the spare room. Frodo followed my lead. When we came into the spare room, Frodo looked at the twin bed with a sulking feeling. The invisible barrier surrounded me again, so I wondered if that meant my dad couldn't hear Frodo and me talking.
"Can my dad…"
"No. I made sure he couldn't hear us," said Frodo. "Aria, I can't sleep in here. I'm too used to sleeping next to you. If we're separated, even for a second…"
"You're not going to follow me into the bathroom, are you?" I asked.
"I'll wait in here until you've returned," said Frodo. "But you won't be alone. I'm sure the Angels are watching over us."
"I thought for a time that… you were my guardian angel," I said, feeling embarrassed. "I mean… it seemed obvious at the time…"
"And you feel embarrassed by it," said Frodo, chuckling. He kissed me on the forehead. My heart jumped with excitement again. "Tell you what. I'll wait until tomorrow, before we set out again."
"We're leaving already?" I asked. I noticed Frodo's troubled gaze. Then I understood. "The villains might catch us."
"And…"
"Frodo, it's hard enough leaving home," I said.
"Yet now that we've been back here, things are different. Aria, I doubt we'll return. We need to reach the Wall of Memory and get your memories back. We don't have time to make another trip here," said Frodo. "Be grateful I did this for you."
I understood then how generous Frodo was. "You're not going to leave my side, are you?"
"Not for anyone or anything. I'd do anything to protect you, keep you safe, no matter what happens. Your father won't see me tonight and I won't let him. I'm spending the night with you," said Frodo.
This made me nervous. "Frodo, I couldn't…"
"How long are you going to be timid?" asked Frodo.
"It's not that. It's letting a boy… man sleep with me. It's weird," I said.
"I thought you were used to me sleeping with you," said Frodo.
"That was different. I only saw you once, but that was years ago. Now there's this," I said.
"I love you, Aria Breuer. I always have," said Frodo. "That's something that's not going to change."
"I'm glad you're heart wasn't damaged," I said.
"I didn't fall out of love like you," said Frodo. "Of course, I am glad you are starting to feel again."
I was surprised. How did he know? Frodo took a seat on the chair next to me. He rested his thumb against my chin, rubbing it tenderly. He told me, "I love you, Aria. I want you to know that I mean every word." Then he kissed me on the lips. My heart surged with joy, feeling some of its old strength renewed. We kissed for a long while. Even after we released, I didn't want it to stop. Frodo repeated, softer this time, "I love you."
"I think I do, too," I said.
"Good," said Frodo, looking at me affectionately.
FRODO'S POV
Against his will, Frodo slept in the spare bedroom. The dream he had that evening was strange: Frodo and Aria arrived at the hedge wall, filled with red flowers. As Aria looked at the flowers in wonder, they shot powder at her. Frodo grabbed Aria, moments into the powder reaching his face. Although sleepy-eyed, Frodo and Aria crossed the door into the hedge maze. There, they encountered a strange blue troll roughly Frodo's height.
"What brings you two to the Wall of Memory?" asked the blue troll.
"We came to regain Aria's memories," said Frodo.
The blue troll nodded. "Follow the maze that way until you reach the mirror." She pointed to the path on her left.
"Thank you," said Frodo.
Snapping out of the dazed state, Frodo and Aria reached a glass mirror. The two stared at it for a while, wondering what to do. A deep voice from the mirror spoke of regaining Aria's memories and how to do so.
Frodo awoke before dawn. Getting out of bed, Frodo left the spare bedroom and knocked on the door to Aria's bedroom. Frodo heard a groan before stepping inside. He closed the door after him, moments into hearing three slow rasps against the closet door. Coming out from the closet were Merry, Pippin, and Sam. Merry had the clothes Aria wore previous. Frodo approached Aria and covered her mouth with his hand. Frodo shushed her the second she was awake.
Sleepily, Aria said, "Five more minutes, please?"
"Aria, we need to leave," said Frodo. As he saw Aria's confused glare, Frodo told her, "Come on. Get out of bed."
Aria waited a couple of minutes, before finally getting herself out of bed. The invisible barrier returned, shielding Aria for however long. Aria grabbed her clothes from Merry, but not before telling him, "Hello Merry."
"Hullo Aria," said Merry. "Did you miss us?"
"You've only been gone for a day. What time is it?" Aria asked.
"It's time to leave," said Frodo.
Aria rushed over to the dresser, where she took out her glasses from the case. Frodo followed Aria to the hallway, where she closed the bathroom door on him. Frodo waited until Aria looked fairly decent, before helping her get some of her clothing fixed up and straightened. When the two returned to the bathroom, after Aria put her pajamas in the hamper, Merry handed to Aria an elvish short sword that was glowing green.
"Merry, I can't take this," said Aria.
"The sword is yours. It's called Finder and it glows green whenever something's hidden," said Merry. "I'm sure Frodo would want you to have it."
"That I do," said Frodo. "Now where's Sting, Merry?"
As Frodo took his elvish short sword from Merry, Aria pulled out Finder from its leather sheath. She looked at it for a moment, before sheathing the sword. Sam helped Aria put the belt around her waist, which she was grateful for.
"I respect you better now, Sam," said Aria.
"You must be, especially after what you pulled. I couldn't believe you ran away that one time," said Sam. "I'm glad you were caught. You deserved that punishment."
"It was in my future, according to the vivid dreams," said Aria. "I'm sorry for the way I acted."
"Maybe this time, we can do gardening proper," said Sam.
"Come on. Let's go," said Pippin.
Merry gave three slow rasps on the closed closet door. When he opened the door, the same field and forest in the near distance was seen. The four hobbits let Aria go in first, before they followed one after the other. Sam was last to close the closet door.
o-o-o
Days passed before a missing report was sent out about Aria Breuer. No one had any idea where to look, but when the villains arrived on Earth, they realized the truth about Aria's fate. The first place they stopped was at Aria's father's house, where they questioned him.