Chapter Two Disclaimers: Frodo Baggins comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's book trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Parker Dooley is my OC. Paravane Trepess is my original town. My self-insert is me.

Chapter Two's Songs: Olivia Rodrigo's song, "Can't Catch Me Now."

Chapter Two Summary: Frodo and Parker arrive in the town of Paravane Trepess. Upon arriving at the inn, Swan Tavern, Frodo is in for a sight, which will change him in many ways.

Sorry for the long delay. I was going through the rest of my healing/isolation phase around the time this chapter was written. Anyway, it's written and posted, around the same time I'm writing the next chapter for this fanfic. :)

But we did it! We finally have new material for this fanfic! :)

With this chapter, I ended up stuck figuring out what would happen next with it. Then an idea struck in Chapter Three concerning my self-insert, and that helped me write the rest of this chapter, as well as get ideas for Chapter Four. :) So, that's good. :) So, with this chapter, we're likely to see Frodo going through a new experience, with Parker just being himself. :)

That said, enjoy! :)

Chapter Two:

Swan Tavern

Frodo rode on ahead of Parker without delay. He was determined that this race wouldn't end up with Parker winning, not if Frodo had anything to say about it! However, Frodo didn't recall there being a green-rimmed portal standing out in the middle of the road, from which he and Parker passed on through without delay.

Frodo's pony Strider reared up on his hind legs, stunned as Frodo was at the sight of the town Paravane Trepess. How long ago had Frodo been in this town? If he could even recall being here before. The town was huge and covered with medieval buildings, complete with their own thatched rooftops.

Frodo stayed on his pony as Strider landed on his four legs once again. "Whoa! Calm down, Strider! Calm down." Frodo petted his pony's mane, determined to keep Strider calm as Parker rushed on ahead of him, determined to upset Frodo's pony once more.

Parker chuckled, telling Frodo, "Need some help."

Frodo gulped. He gazed at Parker fondly, telling him, as best he could, "No! I'll be fine."

"Really? You seem off lately," Parker stated, wanting to get to the bottom of this situation, right as the green-rimmed portal closed behind Frodo and his pony, Strider. Frodo looked back at the white wall, wondering what had just happened. "Frodo? Come on!"

Frodo gazed back at Parker and forth to where the portal had been. "But the portal? My—My way home… is gone. Just gone. Like that." Frodo gazed at Parker, fondly, wondering what was to become of them.

Parker merely laughed, stating, "What did you expect we'd do? That we'd head back to Middle-earth right away?"

Frodo gulped. He didn't like this one bit. He lowered his gaze, knowing there was no going back for him now. Not if he had anything to say about it. And Aria! Where did she go? What happened to her? He had to know, he had to find out what became of her! If not for his sake, then at least for others, knowing she was well and safe again.

Parker laughed, leaving Frodo facing him with anguish. Was Parker serious? Why wasn't he taking this so seriously?

Parker merely gestured him forward. "Come on! I think I know a tavern we should go to: Swan Tavern. It's not far from here!"

Frodo's heart skipped a beat. He felt as though he should go in there, but the experience alone, he feared, would change him. Wasn't he supposed to know what he was doing? Something didn't feel right.

Swan Song came up. That famous saying… it meant doom… but to hear a tavern named Swan Tavern… oh, this wasn't good, not good at all!

Frodo legs trembled, and yet, he rode his pony Strider out of the alleyway. Yes, there they were. The tavern seemed pleasant… three stories… decked out in polished wooden walls, glass windows, and a thatched roof… still, was Frodo meant to be here?

Frodo rode into Swan Tavern's stables, located just behind the inn. He dismounted, giving his pony to the local stable hand, before following Parker out of the stables and towards the tavern's wooden stairs and wooden ramp. Something was indeed not right about this place.

Frodo wanted so much to talk to Parker about all they were about to endure, only to find out what was going on. Yes, Paravane Trepess was safe, but Frodo felt uneasy. It was the one tavern he… lightning flashed before his eyes. Frodo took a step back! He felt his forehead. He felt… awakened.

"Frodo, come on!" Parker giggled, opening the tavern door for his hobbit friend.

"Oh, I don't feel right," Frodo stated, just as Parker led him inside, before shutting the door behind them.

Frodo rubbed his eyes, perspiration overwhelming him. He took a look around the tavern's dining area, with its walls covered with hunting trophies, and wooden tables and chairs covering the dining area, before a brimming stone fireplace, complete with its own grand, handmade wooden clock. All seemed pleasant, right? No worries then?

Frodo glanced up at Parker, who merely smirked at him. Had Parker, too, been affected somehow by the lightning flash? All at once, Frodo was guided over to a table, from which he sat directly across from Parker. Frodo pinched his nose, closing his eyes, and doing his best to snap out of his delirium.

Why did he feel wide awake? As if he awoke spiritually? Something just didn't feel right! How many times had he thought this? Three times. Oh boy. This wasn't good! Not good at all. Oh…

"…Dinner?" Parker asked, curiosity intriguing him over Frodo's state. Parker shook his head, pointing out, "Don't worry. This sensation you're feeling doesn't last! You'll be fine."

"What year is it in Aria's timeline?" Frodo asked. He didn't know where the question came from. Something was going on in Aria's world that he wasn't aware of yet. Where was Aria? He could already feel her nearing something, too. Were they connected?

Parker shrugged. "Whatever do you mean?"

Frodo glanced at him, fuming, "Don't look at me like that! I didn't ask for this! What was that lightning storm*?"

Parker shrugged. "Must be from outer space." He looked at Frodo in a serious manner, "Believe me, if I knew what was going on, I would tell you. I was human once, back in the Alternate Timeline, fragmented and turned into a cat, Nash Wimble, and a boy turned into a man, Jamie Foster. My own spiritual awakening just started, the moment I was put back together. Even I couldn't explain it. Eliza's here. Eliza Bowler-Dooley, my wife." He chuckled, "Can you imagine it? Just what was that in the Alternate Timelines that change us so? Did this mean to happen to us?"

"What do you mean?" Frodo groaned, quickly stopping himself from nearly whining as his food and drinks were served to him. He was better than that, and he knew it. Frodo glanced at the waitress, saying to her in a happy voice, nearly mistaking her for Aria, "Oh, thank you!"

"You're welcome," the hobbitess waitress said, moving along to other tables to serve the inn's customers' food and drinks.

Frodo glanced at Parker in a more serious voice, "Parker, what happened to Aria exactly?"

Parker shrugged. "She'll be along. No doubt going through the same thing you're experiencing."

"What?" Frodo asked. He was stunned to hear this, as he dug into his food, still feeling very strange.

Well, what a cliffhanger! :)

So, what will happen next? Are Frodo and Aria going to be reunited? What is happening with Parker, Eliza, and Turen? And what of Aria's fate?

Thanks for reading. :) More to come. :)

~Aria Breuer

.x.

Footnotes:

*The lightning storm is a reference to the 2009 movie, "Star Trek," which had a lightning storm in it, at the beginning of the movie.