Chapter Eleven Disclaimers: Frodo Baggins comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's book trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Father Time is a Legendary Figure. The Druid comes from Terry Brooks' book series, Shannara, and Terry Brooks, MTV, and Spike's television show, "The Shannara Chronicles." My self-insert is me.

Chapter Eleven Summary: Frodo and Aria finish their conversation in the dining hall. They soon strike another conversation outside the dining hall at Father Time's house. An unexpected visitor arrives at Father Time's house.

This chapter took off on me, but it works! It also worked by relieving me of thoughts that were on my mind. Well, writing is therapeutic, and this whole journey through Part 1 to the beginning chapters of Part 2, within this fanfic, helped me out as well as my self-insert. And yes, Frodo was a big help with writing this chapter, too. Thank you, Frodo! :)

That said, enjoy! :)

Chapter Eleven:

A Time of Peace

"Age doesn't define you," Frodo stated, getting Aria's attention, "I hope you know that."

Aria smirked, feeling more relief than ever. "Good. I'm glad to hear it."

Frodo chuckled, admiring her, "I'm serious."

Aria sighed, happy about it. "I know. Thank you," she said, facing him.

Frodo smirked. He was clearly relieved as well. "You're welcome." He rubbed the back of her head with his hand. He looked down at the floor, relief appearing on his face, "I'm glad you're feeling so much better," he repeated, chuckling to himself, admiring her, "It makes me happy."

Aria grinned. She nodded, "Me too, Frodo. Me too." She gave him a gentle peck on the lips, shortly before Frodo gave her a long kiss. They soon released, leading Aria to stroke his hand.

Aria looked down at Frodo's hand, deliberating what to say next. She inquired of him, "You were gone for a decade, weren't you?" Frodo lowered his head, knowing what she meant by it. She pressed on, knowing this was right. "What happened to you? I trust the stories returned back to normal."

Frodo inhaled, exhaling slowly. He looked at her now, telling her, "Life resumed. The Quest started and ended." He paused. This was hard to explain, but he did so anyway. "I came back to the Grey Havens, over and over again. I couldn't break free. Then I saw a vision of Middle-earth's future, should we fail on our task." He sighed, heaviness over his eyes, as he declared, "The Bay dried up. Maleficent came, told me what happened. Well, sort of, she did tell me so." He looked up at her, pointing to her, "She thought you were responsible. It seems we were right. I was with you that day when you stepped into Father Time's machine."

He added, getting her attention, "You changed things, Aria. I hope you know that."

Aria nodded. "I do. I'm sorry."

"For what? Surely, we can get this mess fixed in no time," Frodo stated, nodding to Father Time while Frodo moved some hair away from Aria's face. Frodo glanced over at Father Time, stating to him, "I mean, that's why we're going to the Alternate Timelines, isn't it?"

"We?" Father Time asked, confused. Then he understood. "Oh! You mean you and Aria. Yes, that can be arranged. She is responsible for this mess. Do fix it with her, Frodo, before I have to intervene again."

Frodo and Aria nodded. They whispered aloud, in near unison, "We will, Father Time."

Aria looked at Frodo, admitting, "Well, this is my fault. I guess I have to fix it."

Frodo chuckled. "Yes, indeed."

Father Time interjected, "Well, you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you wish. Should you leave my house, you may not come back, at least for a while."

Aria looked at Father Time, quizzical, "What do you mean?" She feared the worst should happen.

Father Time laughed. "Nothing, my dear." Aria stared at him, even more confused. But Father Time spoke to her and Frodo, saying to them both, "Now, shall we eat? Your food is getting cold."

"Oh, right. At once," Frodo said, as he and Aria returned to their food, finishing their meal in no time.

~o~

Archangel Raphael swarmed in on Aria, just after she and Frodo left the dining hall. In a manner of minutes, her right shoulder and her right arm were healed, the beet red color returning to a pale color. Aria sighed in relief, watching Raphael vanish mere moments, as she relaxed.

Frodo told her, inquiring upon her injury, "You know, that right shoulder's going to take time to heal."

Aria sighed. "Here I thought it did. Five years is plenty of time to get it working."

"Ah, I know that." Frodo said, relaxing on the wooden bench beside Aria. "I also know that if you don't exercise it, it will hurt. Did you exercise it while you were at the Sith Temple?"

Aria understood. "No, I didn't. Anakin took me by surprise. I guess that's when the pain started up again in my right arm and my right shoulder. I shouldn't have done it. The bones may re-break, if they didn't already, before… Archangel Raphael healed my arm and my shoulder."

Frodo looked at her with great affection. He leaned forward, while seated on the bench. He patted Aria's leg for a moment, reminding her, "You know about supernatural healing. But you need to strengthen your bones and your muscles, so what happened between you and Anakin doesn't occur a second time."

Aria looked at him now in wonder. "Can you do this? Can he do this?"

Frodo shrugged. "It's possible. We'll see." He repeated, enjoying the moment. "Yes, we will see what happens next."

Aria looked at him now with great intrigue. "You were romancing my toys, weren't you?"

"What? Your stuffed animals and your beanie babies?" Frodo asked, chiding with great hilarity, but truthfulness instilled in his voice. He nodded, shrugging as he admitted to her, "You were gone for over a decade. I was there with you the whole time. I couldn't help it. You know, your toys move around, don't you? They walk and talk? Well, I happened to have been in relationships with them."

He shyly pointed out, "It's not the weirdest thing to do. Believe me. It all led me back to you." He gazed at her, moving a tiny lock of dark brown hair out of Aria's face. He smiled at her, saying to her, "You're beautiful. And… what?" He turned to look up, spotting Father Time in a matter of minutes. "Father Time, what… brings you here?"

Father Time eyed Frodo and Aria suspiciously. He told them, flatly, "If you are lucky, you will explore my realm. I think today is that day, if you're willing to go on many trips with me."

Frodo looked at Aria now, saying to her, "Shall we do this?"

Aria nodded. "I think I've been cooped up here long enough." She could feel her old self integrating with her new self. The Darkness was present on her heart, and yet it was coalescing with the Light, too. She was both. She was of Light and of Darkness. That much was clear, as she and Frodo stood up, following Father Time to the front door, from which a Druid approached Father Time's house astride a paint horse.

How was that? A little cliffhanger. I hope I gave enough hints to let us know who the Druid is. :)

Next chapter, we're going back to Parker and Anakin, finding out their fates, as well as whether Parker will reunite with his wife and brother.

Thanks for reading. More to come! :)

~Aria Breuer