Inspiration for Rhyme came from the fairy tale The Snow Queen, especially where the woman takes Gerda in during the spring season. Also, the three fairies introduced came from "The 10th Kingdom".

Chapter Eighteen:

Rhyme's House

FRODO'S POV

Frodo watched the scene unfold. He wanted to get Aria away from Rhyme, but found it no use. The door closed before he had a chance. Gathering his courage, Frodo walked to the door and knocked. No one answered, in spite of knowing that someone was inside. Frodo tried again, but found it no use. The woman Rhyme spoke harshly from the other side of the door:

"Go away! There'll be no more visitors today," said Rhyme. "You've worn out your welcome, Halflings!"

Frodo tried again, but received a similar response. Rhyme spoke, "Go mind your own business! We seek no travelers this day."

"Now what do we do?" asked Merry, who stood behind his older cousin.

"We get Aria out of there." Frodo asked, "How is it that Rhyme let Aria inside, but she locked us out?"

"Maybe she doesn't like men, or gentlehobbits," said Pippin.

"I'm not leaving Aria," said Frodo.

"We need to stay away from those plants," said Merry. He pointed out the flowers in the larger garden, as well as the flowers in the smaller garden. "Elijah warned us they might be dangerous."

"I don't trust this place altogether. Somethin' about it just don't feel right," said Sam.

Frodo looked back at the door as he followed his cousins and Sam down the cobbled path. The four hobbits stopped when three fairies, wearing green dresses, perched on a smooth rock.

"Well, look at that. Fairies. Wasn't there a Took who fell in love with a fairy?" asked Pippin.

"They weren't warned, were they?" asked one of the fairies.

"Warned what?" asked Frodo, confused.

"You're at Rhyme's place. The woods near her house have berry bushes, but you must not eat the berries," said a second fairy.

"There's the lake also to concern yourself, but don't drink its water," said the first fairy.

"And don't get lost in the forest," said a third fairy.

"Those are good reasons to get Aria out of here," said Sam, concerned.

"What happens if we do those things?" asked Frodo.

"Goodbye," said the fairies. They darted away.

"They weren't much help," said Pippin, heading out past the gate.

"Well, we can't eat the berries. Who knows what might be in them?" asked Merry, warning.

"How is our supply of food?" asked Frodo, turning to Sam.

"We have enough for this day and the next few days. It's hard to say what the next couple of days will bring. Let's hope Aria gets out of there," said Sam, troubled.

"Let's find a place to set up camp," said Merry.

"Do you think we can eat some of these berries, off from this berry bush?" asked Pippin, pointing out the blue berries.

"No Pippin. We don't know if they're safe to eat," said Merry.

Frodo looked back at the house. He knew Sam was right to be concerned. Whatever Rhyme was doing to Aria meant nothing good. He just wondered how long he would have to wait until she showed up and found them, waiting for her.

"Why didn't she just listen to us and stayed put?" asked Frodo.

"She's reckless and impulsive. Doesn't know when to listen to orders," said Merry.

"She chose a bad time to be reckless," said Frodo.

"Whatever did we say to make her leave us like that?" asked Merry.

"Whatever we said, it made her take off," said Frodo. Concerned, he added, "I hope she comes out soon."

ARIA'S POV

The days were passing, yet I had hardly noticed. How long had I been in Rhyme's house? Sure, she was nice and a little possessive, but I also felt as if she were hiding something. I was reminded of my hobbit friends and wondered what became of them.

"Aria, I think it's high time I show you the garden. There are so many wonderful fruits and vegetables there, and flowers too, but you must be careful of the flowers," said Rhyme.

"Why?" I asked, curious.

"The flowers are the enchanted wild sort. If they spot a trespasser, they'll clobber you in their vines until you can't get out," said Rhyme. "We wouldn't want that pretty face of yours to get caught in those flowers."

"Why don't I ever see roses?" I asked.

Rhyme gave me a stern look. "Darling, if you so much as go near the roses… well, it wouldn't do my heart right."

"What became of my hobbit friends?" I asked further.

"You ask one too many questions. It's not wise for someone as young as you to ask so many questions. The wise thing to do is ask less and accept more," said Rhyme. "It is how everything works in these realms."

I wanted to ask about the realms, but then I realized it was too many questions. Yet the questions persisted. When we came out to the garden, the first vegetable I saw was the carrots. As I looked at them, I glanced at Rhyme who was shooing the roses away. Although Rhyme dragged me to the house, I jerked away, telling her that I wanted to stay out longer. She suspiciously accepted and returned inside her house. After Rhyme was inside, I searched for a means to escape the garden, but the door was locked tight. As I searched for the exit, the roses clamped to my wrists and ankles, forcing me to the ground.

"We're here to help you, Aria," said the roses.

"Do you know where my friends are?" I asked.

"Your friends aren't here. They came two weeks ago, hoping to get you out of Rhyme's house. Now they've gone missing in the woods. Frodo, Pippin, and Merry are lost, but Sam is not," said the roses.

"I have to find them," I said.

"Sam is drinking the lake water. He was warned not to drink the water, or be lost in a drugged, dazed state," said the roses. "You must get to him soon."

"I have to leave," I said.

"You'll find the lake on the other side of the house. There's a fence door open just behind you," said the roses. "Good luck."

After the roses released me, I rushed over to the nearest fence door. As the roses said, the door was open. Now was my chance to escape. However, Rhyme caught me. "Going somewhere?"

"I have to find my friends. The ones you shooed away. I can't believe two weeks has passed," I said. "My friend Sam is by the lake."

Rhyme looked flabbergasted. "Why don't you come inside? We can have a nice fire brewing, some fresh vegetable cooked…"

"No. If I go back inside, you'll only keep me. That's what you want to do, I know it," I said.

"Wait. If you go the Wall of Memory, you'll not only lose yourself but maybe your memories of this life. It's not worth the trip. I've been there before. The bargain I made was suicide," said Rhyme.

"Maybe I'll get lucky," I said.

"Why do you risk your life to find these friends of yours?" asked Rhyme, serious.

Admitting even to myself, I told her, "Because one of my friends brought my heart back. I can't abandon them."

"Then you'll find one of your friends by my lake. Here, take this. It should snap him out of his trance, same for the others," said Rhyme, passing to me a gardener's sprayer. She corrected me when she saw I was concerned, "Don't worry. It's just water."

"Thank you," I said.

"If you wish to find your friends, then follow the path that leads into the forest. You won't lose them then," said Rhyme.

"Thank you again," I said, heading out through the first open door.

The flowers in the next garden block kept their distance from me. Seems they were afraid of the sprayer. I found the door leading out to the lake was also unlocked. When I came out, I saw the back of the house, the backyard with tall grass, and the large lake where Sam was sitting on the shore, drinking the lake water from a wooden mug. I rushed to him, catching my breath when I approached. Sam hadn't noticed I was there.

"Sam, I'm glad you're all right!" I said, excited. "I wondered what became of you, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin." Sam didn't respond. "Sam? Sam? Can you hear me?"

"Who are you?" asked Sam, in a drugged state.

"Sam, it's me. Aria. Don't you remember me?" I asked. Then I remembered the spray can. "Sam, I really don't want to do this."

I sprayed the water into Sam's face. Releasing my finger from the button, I found Sam was rubbing his eyes. For a moment, I thought he was going to turn violent, but then he gave me a new look. The look he gave me was not violent, but more dazed and alert at the same time. Sam felt his forehead as he fell to the ground. I set the spray can down as I helped him up.

"What happened to me?" asked Sam, concerned.

"Rhyme's lake-water. Something tells me you were drinking from it," I said, grateful Sam was back.

"I ran low on water. I was parched. So, I disobeyed what the fairies warned me and ran straight to the lake. I don't remember what's been going on. How long have you been with the Flower Guardian?" asked Sam.

"Two weeks," I answered.

"I lost sign of Frodo, Merry, and Pippin when our food supply dwindled. I remember they were eating the berries… well, beg your pardon, but Pippin ate them first, then Merry only because he was hungry. Frodo didn't for a long time, being as concerned as I was on what those berries did. I never ate those berries. I didn't want to take the risk," said Sam.

"I'm glad I found you, but Frodo…" I looked depress.

"You miss him," said Sam.

"I hardly thought of him in those two weeks," I said.

"Let's go and find them," said Sam. "We might as well take the sprayer with us. We may need it to snap Frodo, Merry, and Pippin back to their senses."

"Good idea," I said, carrying the sprayer.

When Sam and I left Rhyme's property, I informed Sam that we needed to find a path into the woods. Sam looked at the dirt road as the only path, but I felt sure there was another. As soon as I spotted the dirt path, I pointed it out to Sam. Taking our chances, after finding our packs, we walked down the path.

o-o-o

Eventually, the path ended at a measurable sized opening. There were tall trees surrounding the opening, but also a vast amount of bushes. I wasn't sure if the bushes were safe. Before I could look at the berry bushes, Sam grabbed me, shaking his head.

"Those berries are what got Mr. Frodo, Mr. Merry, and Mr. Pippin into this mess," said Sam.

"Right," I said. "Where are they?"

It didn't take Sam and me long to find them. Frodo returned to the opening with a handful of berries. Behind him were Merry and Pippin, who looked like they had also collected a handful or two. From the looks of things, the three hobbits were enjoying themselves, but they also looked like they were high. I wasn't sure what the berries did to them, but I knew it couldn't be good. I shook my head.

"It's time one of us got through to them," I said, charging forward.

"This reminds me of Old Man Willow, except under different circumstances," said Sam.

I called to the nearest hobbit, "Frodo! Hey Frodo!"

Frodo sat down on the stump next to him. When Sam and I approached, Frodo said in a drugged voice, "Ah, come to join us. Hullo Ari, Sammy."

"Sammy?" mouthed Sam, confused.

"Frodo, we have to leave. You know, the Wall of Memory?" I asked, completely serious.

Frodo clapped an arm around me. "Why should we go to that place? We're having so much fun as it is here." He offered, extending his other hand. "Berry?"

I slapped my free hand at the hand he held towards me. By doing this, the berries were thrown all over the place. I told him, flat out, "Frodo, those berries are the reason you're lost in the woods. We have to go now."

Frodo looked at me, a little angered, "I don't have to go anywhere with you."

Sam explained, "Mr. Frodo, Aria means to tell you is that we can't stay here. It's been two weeks since we saw Miss Aria and…"

Frodo moved away from me and, instead, put an arm around Sam. "Has it really been that long, Sammy?" He ate a few of the berries, before offering some to Sam. As soon as I passed to Sam the sprayer, Frodo asked, "What's that sprayer for?"

"Mr. Frodo, as my friend, you should snap out of this trance you're in," said Sam. He held the sprayer up to Frodo's face fast and sprayed the water in his eyes.

Frodo dropped the berries as he rubbed with eyes with a clean hand. As Sam chased after Merry and Pippin, using the sprayer to his advantage, I watched Frodo. He didn't look drugged anymore, but instead had an apologetic look across his face. Seeing me, Frodo embraced me in a longing effort. I was relieved he was back to himself again. Our embrace stopped the moment a new voice came into the opening. The voice belonged to Rhyme. After Pippin was sprayed in the face by Sam, Rhyme told me and Sam:

"I see you found your friends," said Rhyme. "I'll have the sprayer back." Once Sam passed to Rhyme the sprayer, Rhyme told Frodo, Merry, and Pippin, "You might want to wash your hands. You don't know where they've been." She raised a hand at one of the bushes. The bushes parted to reveal a private glen, flowing with a waterfall and a different assortment of berries. She told the five of us, "There. Now these berries won't be like the ones you encountered. I'm sure you'll find everything you need in there."

"Thank you," said Frodo, grateful.

As Sam, Merry, and Pippin rushed to the glen, Frodo took me by the hand and led me towards the same place his friends were traveling. Once we were in the glen, the bushes returned to their first position. With that area of the woods no longer a concern, the hobbits and I drank from the fresh water and ate the berries to our leisure. We weren't drugged by either one, which was a relief as Frodo, Merry, and Pippin wanted to get the taste of the other berries out of their mouths. Sam felt the same. As soon as Frodo washed his hands in the cool water, Merry and Pippin doing the same, Frodo approached me.

"I wondered what became of you," I said.

"We were thinking the same about you," said Frodo. "After our supplies dwindled, Pippin was the first to go after those berries. Merry eventually followed suit, as hungry as he was. Sam and I managed for a time, but eventually I couldn't resist. I honestly don't know how Merry, Pippin, and myself got lost in the woods. How did you find Sam?"

"He was at Rhyme's lake," I answered. "I couldn't believe it had been two weeks. Rhyme just wouldn't let me go."

"She wouldn't let us in either," said Frodo.

"I nearly forgot our task while I was there." I concluded, "I guess neither of us fared well."

"You may have, a lot better than Sam, Merry, Pippin and I," said Frodo.

"How much of the supplies do you still have?" I asked.

"Not much. From what Sam reckoned, we've only had a day's supply. I'm not sure if we ate the food or it's old," said Frodo. He grinned at me, "I'm glad you found Sam, and came after me."

"It was the right thing to do," I said. "I guess this is the first time I've saved you."

Frodo touched my cheek. "It won't be the last, but I would like to save your life too."

I grabbed his hand, which he caressed mine. "You're a good hobbit." I joked, "But Sammy?"

Frodo said, as an honest reason, "Sam didn't need to hear that from me. Those berries are the fault."

"To be honest, I haven't heard you say that about me, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, overhearing.

Frodo asked me, serious, "Why did you leave us? If you had stayed with us, then none of this would have happened."

I interrupted, "I know I did. I know." When Frodo waited, I told him, "I left you lot because I was being called the newbie, the immature one." I paused. "I'm sure you don't think very highly of me, and I'm sorry I ran off like that. It would be nice if I had the chance for an adventure, but that's not all." I paused to gather my thoughts. "You already have an established friendship with Sam, Merry, and Pippin. I don't want to get in the way of that."

Frodo touched my leg. "Is that what this is about? Aria." He paused. "The last thing I want to see is you feeling like an outcast. You matter to me." He told me, "If you still feel like you want to return home, I won't stop you. The deal's still on: we get your memories back, you can either continue to live here with me or you can go home. It's your choice."

"I'll think on it," I said.

Frodo put an arm around my shoulders. "In the meantime, I'll see what I can do to make you feel less like an outcast."

"You mean that?" I said, perking up.

"Why wouldn't I? I don't abandon my friends, no matter who they are." Frodo added, last, "You are my friend, Aria. You deserve an equal share, as much as my friends."

I noticed the sad look on Frodo's face. "You really don't think about yourself. Do you?"

"Why would I have time to think about myself? I'm too concerned about everyone else's sake," said Frodo.

I knew Frodo was hiding much about himself from me. He was certainly mysterious for a hobbit. Sure, we made up for lost time, but I felt sure Frodo was thinking about his journeys, how he couldn't heal fully. Frodo did admit he was healing, but I knew some wounds would take longer to heal than others, meaning the internal wounds. Yes, our bond may have grown stronger that day, but would it be enough to keep me there with him? That was the question that remained to be seen.