You're My Light in the Dark

Chapter 4: Of Travelers and Green Dragons

The first thing I noticed was nice, comfy warmth. I snuggled deeper into it, and that's when everything came whirling back to me. The forest. Hobbiton. Frodo. My eyes snapped open. Oh God.

I was in a bed; a large quilt was thoughtfully draped over me and pulled up to my chin. There was a candle lit on the nightstand, the room growing dark. The room I found myself in was sparsely furnished with the bed, the nightstand, and a small chest of drawers in the corner. Slipping out of bed, careful to stay up on my toes, I went to the window and fell in love with the scene; the sun was setting, casting a beautiful orange, purple, and pink glow as it dipped over the horizon. I had never seen such a dramatic sunset before. Then it dawned on me; it was already dusk… how long had I been out?

I went to the door and out of the room into the hallway. Everything felt so surreal. Could I really be in Middle Earth? But how?

"Hello?" I called out hesitantly. At the end of the hallway I came upon another. This one seemed to be the entrance hall of the home, or so I assumed once I saw the large and very round green front door. Bag End, I realized with awe, I'm in Bag End! I turned a corner to find a room cluttered with many desks and chairs. The walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of books. There was a fire burning in the fireplace, and sitting in an armchair in front of the glowing hearth was a dark haired hobbit bent over a book, his blue eyes shifting across the pages as he read. Frodo looked so peaceful. Being a Tolkien and Lord of the Rings fan, I kicked myself for not recognizing him as a hobbit. How had I missed the pointed ears? I was just so startled when I realized where I was… and I fainted. I can't believe I fainted, either. I've never done so in my life, until now at least. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment. I fainted on him. Poor guy – er, hobbit.

I didn't want to disturb him; I must have done enough of that already today. But I had to face him sooner or later, I knew that; and besides, I needed to thank him and apologize. I stood in the rounded doorway, smiling a bit at the oddity, and knocked on the wood. Frodo didn't even look up at the sound. I crept into the room, and stood right behind his chair. Resting my chin on the back of the chair, I peered over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of what he was so wrapped up in reading. I couldn't read a word of it. Some of the letters I recognized, but for the most part the script was, what looked like to me, just a bunch of symbols. Must be Elvish lore, I thought.

"Good book?" I asked. The poor hobbit was so startled; he jumped out of the chair and quite nearly sent the book in the flames as he did so. He visibly relaxed when he saw it was only me.

Frodo put a hand through his hair and laughed at himself. "You startled me."

"Yeah, I saw. Sorry, I didn't mean to." Frodo waved my apology off with a wave of his hand and threw the book on one of the desks. "How long was I out for?"

"A few hours at the least," he replied, and then looked toward the windows. "Blast, I was supposed to meet Sam…"

I fidgeted, ringing my hands up in the pockets of my sweatshirt. What was I supposed to do now? And it's not like I could just tell him about my situation, he'd probably think I was insane. Heck, maybe I am. "Er… look, I'm terribly sorry about earlier. I don't know what was wrong with me."

"Oh, it's alright," Frodo said. He went around the room and snuffed out all the candles that were lit. Eventually all were out, leaving just the fireplace alight. He went over to the mantel, grasping a pitcher and dumping the contents over the fire, putting that out as well. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," I replied, not entirely sure how much truth was actually behind the statement. I lowered my heels to the floor hesitantly, biting back the cry of pain that threatened to escape my lips. Pain would have to wait and be ignored. I had much more pressing matters at hand to deal with – like, say, my sanity? Besides, this wouldn't be the first time I've had to ignore pain.

With the fires out, we were left in darkness. Shadows shifted across the walls. I could hear Frodo's feet shuffling across the wooden flooring. Just as I was beginning to contemplate what exactly I was going to do about my current situation, it was then that Frodo asked an unexpected question that brought things in an even more unexpected direction. Or, at least, it was something I never would've imagined he'd ask me.

"I'm going to meet a friend at the Green Dragon, would you like to come?"

So that was how I found myself walking through the crisp autumn evening air, walking with Frodo Baggins to the Green Dragon pub. He had insisted I tag along with him, said that he'd like to get to know me better. Not that I couldn't say the same, I mean, I was with someone I had thought to be a fictional character.

"So, Kate…" Frodo began; you could see his breath in the cold air, "Where are you from?"

"Far away," I replied vaguely. "Very far away."

He chuckled at my reply. "Well, I like your accent, in any case. I've never heard one like that before."

He was of course talking about the Boston accent I had acquired over the years of doing gymnastics down in Massachusetts. Even though my teammates all had slight ones of their own, they always found it hilarious that I had one and never let me forget it.

"Thank you, I'm glad someone does," I said with a smile, inwardly wondering how I could understand him at all. English isn't supposed to be spoken in Middle Earth, as far as I knew. I should be grateful there's no language barrier, but it still left me wondering how the only difference in speech was our accents – his own accent reminding me vaguely of a bobbing Irish brogue, though not quite.

"And what brings you to the Shire from very fahh away?" Frodo teased lightly, mimicking my lack of ability to pronounce a proper R.

"Luck, I suppose," I replied absentmindedly.

We reached Hobbiton's town square; it had only been a few minutes walk from Bag End. I could see the Green Dragon, hobbits milling in and out. "Is this place always this busy?" I asked, trying to set the conversation in another direction.

"Oh yes," he replied as we made our way into the pub, "Best ale in the Shire, so hobbits from all over come here."

The Green Dragon did indeed live up to every standard the books had set and then some. While reading the books or even watching the movies, nothing compared to actually being there. At every table there were hobbits drinking, laughing, smoking, and in general just having a good time for themselves. In the far corner there was a counter, behind it were mugs and glasses piled up beside huge barrels, which I assumed were filled with the famous ale.

Frodo nudged my shoulder. "Come on, then!" he said with an excited grin, grabbing me by the hand, and pulling me through the crowd. Hobbits who weren't dead drunk stopped and stared, whispering to each other or shook their heads at us as we past. Well, perhaps they were doing that because of me. I glanced down at my clothes, at the baby blue fleece pants and my gigantic hooded sweatshirt. Every woman I saw had on a dress or skirts. Yup, that was probably what the fuss was about. I felt like the odd one out.

"Just ignore them!" Frodo said, pausing for a moment and letting go of my hand.

"What?"

Frodo nodded his head at the staring passersby. "Town gossips, I mean," he clarified, "Just try your best to ignore them. They talk about anyone and everyone about anything, and half of it ain't true. Tell someone a little something about yourself 'round here and soon enough everyone will think they know your whole life story."

"You know this from personal experience?" I asked and all he did was give a dry laugh.

A barmaid came whizzing by, and although she was working, she seemed to be having a blast. Carrying a large tray of ale filled mugs; she was spinning around and dancing to the beat of some little tune she was humming to herself as she served the customers their drinks. She twirled around again and would've ran right into us if Frodo hadn't steadied her.

"Ah!" the barmaid squeaked. Using the free hand that wasn't holding a tray, she brushed her blonde curly hair out of her face. "Oh, hi Frodo!" she greeted brightly. "Sorry, have to get going and get these served! One for each of you, I take it?" she said, and with a wink, she off again.

Frodo shook his head and laughed. "That's Rosie," he explained.

A few minutes later, we finally found the table we were looking for. I automatically recognized Sam with his sandy colored head, smoking pipe-weed. Across from him was a mousey looking girl, she had a round face with small features and her very dark hair was a mass of shoulder length curls.

The girl smiled widely as she saw us approach and poked Sam to get his attention. "Mister Frodo!" Sam greeted.

"Hello, Frodo," the girl said as well.

"Lily, Sam," he returned, nodding at them. "This here's Kate. She's a traveler."

"Really now?" the girl named Lily questioned. She eyed me up and down, still smiling brightly. "Well, that must be interesting, and you've already done my life's goal I see."

"Which is?" I asked.

"To actually get out of the home wearing trousers," she responded. "My mother would have a fit if she saw me wearing your attire; and believe me, I've tried it. I like you already, Kate, seems like you've got spirit, unlike many of the hobbits 'round here. Here, take a seat!" Lily pulled out the seat next to her then yanked me into it.

Sam shook his head and breathed out a puff of smoke, but smiled nonetheless. "Don't let her fool you. She's only got the spirit for mischief, only doing things if she knows it will drive her mother cracked."

Lily huffed and nodded. "But of course. I wouldn't have it any other way. Besides, what d'you expect after one has five older brothers?"

"For the only lass in the family to act like the little lady she should," Frodo replied smartly and promptly received a smack on the arm for it. "Ah! I wasn't being serious, you know!"

Lily smiled sweetly at him. "I know, but I never give up the chance to hit someone, especially you, Mister Baggins."

"Thanks," he commented dryly.

Rosie came around with our drinks not long after. She handed each of us a mug, this being Lily and Sam's second. "What's your name, then?" Rosie asked.

"You can call me Kate," I said.

"Good to meet you and I hope to be seeing you more," she said and then left after getting another order yelled to her from another table. I couldn't help but notice how Sam stared after Rosie as she left, dancing about to her little tune once again.

Lily giggled. "Sam fancies her," she said in a stage whisper, looking pointedly at Sam and waiting for his reaction. She wasn't disappointed. His head whipped back around front and he frowned long and hard at her before taking another sip of ale. The three of us laughed as Sam continued to ignore us for the next few minutes.

Lily reminded me so much of how Jill and my little sister, Lauren, were. How they were playful and refused to do anything by the rules. But they weren't here, were they? No. That thought made me feel lonely. They had been my best friends, my family. Would I ever see them again?

I glanced down at my mug of ale, swirling the liquid around. Lily's voice brought me out of my thoughts. "So, Kate, what do you do? Besides travel that is? And where have you been?"

"Er…" I mumbled a bit awkwardly. I took a small sip of the ale, which was a tad stronger than I had expected it to be, and coughed as it went down. What was I supposed to say? I (very stupidly) hadn't thought up the answers to these questions. I should have known they would be curious about this type of information. I fidgeted nervously as the three waited for my answer. "Well, I've been learning how to do acrobatics. Like flips, spins, and cartwheels… that sort of thing; though what I've been doing is a bit more dangerous than that," I said, a bit put out I couldn't explain myself better than that.

Lily leaned forward in her seat. "Acrobatics, eh? That's certainly not something you hear everyday! Sounds like fun! Perhaps you could give us a demonstration some time," she commented, giving me a little shoulder-to-shoulder nudge.

"Maybe," I said absentmindedly. Lily flashed me a mischievous grin, one that I found looked oddly suiting on her features, as if it belonged there, and she got to her feet.

"Ah, what a day this has been! But I must be off! Mayhem to cause before I'm expected home and all that," Lily said then nodded in my direction. "Pleasure meeting you, Kate, I do hope you'll be staying here a while. Good evening to you too, Frodo," she said.

"And to you," Frodo replied.

Lily turned to say goodbye to Sam, only to find that his attention was rather occupied with watching Miss Rosie Cotton once more. Smiling a bit to herself, she grabbed the mug sitting in front of Sam, dashing away while calling back, "Haha! This is the second time I've gotten you this week, Mister Gamgee!" and getting lost within the crowd.

Sam snapped out of his trance abruptly and jumped up as well. "That Proudfoot!" he muttered with a frown, "Not again! She can't keep doing this! I must go and fetch that, Mister Frodo. I'll be seeing you!" And with that, he was off hightailing it after Lily.

Frodo chuckled. "Lily's a bit much at times, but she means well. She's been driving poor Sam nuts ever since she found out he fancies Miss Rosie."

I nodded. "I can see that. She reminds me of my little sister. That's exactly the sort of thing that she'd do."

Frodo took a swig of his ale before setting it with a clunk on the table. "Where is she? Your sister, I mean."

That was a very good question. I can't imagine she'd actually be here in Middle Earth too, though I admit that the idea had crossed my mind. A selfish part of me wished she was, just so that I wouldn't be so alone here, and so that I would know I wasn't crazy. But the possibility of that happening was slim to none. I mean, it was amazing enough I was here… "We've gotten separated," I said slowly, "So I can't really be sure."

He gave me an understanding look. "You miss her, don't you?"

I nodded again. "Terribly."

Silence fell over the table, though it was far from uncomfortable. Frodo seemed to understand how I felt, or at least to some extent, and left me to my thoughts. My mind was racing, not really sure what to ponder first. Of course there were the obvious questions of how I had gotten here in Middle Earth and then why? Was I now a hobbit? I had noticed back at Bag End that Frodo was taller than me, which knowing that hobbits are less then four feet tall, should have been a physical impossibility at my normal height of five feet.

This has officially been the weirdest and most confusing day of my entire life. I wondered when I would wake from this horrible joke of a dream.

"Oi, Pip! Watchhh where you're steppin'!"

I glanced up, my eyebrows furrowed. It was as if my ears were playing cruel tricks on me or maybe perhaps, by a small chance of fate, my wish for a sign or any piece of my sanity and life was being granted. I could recognize that voice anywhere, even if what they said was slurred.

I turned in my seat. That was when I saw her: Lauren. Her dirty blonde hair was out of its braid, falling down to her chin in waves. And she was dancing on top of a table with two other hobbits, clinking their mugs together and laughing with drunken glee.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, but had to laugh nonetheless.

"Hmm? You know them?" Frodo asked, seeing who I was looking at.

"At least one of them, though I have a good idea who the other two are," I replied. "That's my sister." I got up from my seat in a sort of daze, walking over to them slowly, as if this dream may shatter.

The three didn't even realize I was there standing in front of them, they were too preoccupied with their almost empty ale mugs. "I hope you drank wisely," I said loudly to catch my sister's attention, "We're out of Advil."

Lauren froze, glancing down slowly. "Kat?!" she exclaimed, completely surprised. Her eyes immediately lit up, and shoving her mug into Pippin's hands she jumped down with less than her usual grace, staggering slightly, and hugged me tight.

"It's you, it's really you!" she practically whispered. I heard her sniffle and I knew she had started crying. Lauren pulled back from the embrace and wiped her tears with the back of her hand, smiling a bit.

Nothing was making any sense. Reality as I knew it was turned up-side down and was mocking me, but through it all, here she was; and that's all I cared about.

"Yes, it's me," I found myself grinning as well. "What's wrong?" I questioned.

Lauren shook her head and motioned to our surroundings. "What isn't?" she countered, rolling her eyes as if the question was ridiculous. "What is going on?"

I shrugged in response. I didn't know. And at the moment it seemed as if all the problems that were bugging me just a short while earlier didn't matter anymore. Lauren was here. And I wasn't going crazy. That was all I could get myself to care about.