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Last part! 🙂
Several mornings and evenings passed. Alfred was called upon to bring another message to Thorin. He with a hand full of others approached the forbidden ground again. This time, Nori looked over.
“It’s nice to see you Alfred. I….” he was shoved away by Thorin.
“What is your message?” he thundered.
“On behalf of Lake Town, I ask that their share be given. Then, they will leave this place and return to their business.”
In reply, a swift arrow came from the wall and pierced Alfred’s shield. He had been ready for this. “This is your answer? Very well.” He turned away.
“Get out of here quickly or more arrows will certainly follow!” came Thorin’s growl.
“We were unsuccessful,” reported Eugene on their return. “This is what we received in acknowledgment.” He yanked the arrow from Alfred’s shield.
Bard’s face was grim now too. The Woodland King looked angry. Legolas stepped up. “I think we had better leave and go home, father.”
The King rose to his feet. “No. We will not do that. There will be war.”
Eudora and Rowena were growing restless. It was hard taking on all of the tasks appointed them. One night, Eudora decided to sneak over to Rowena’s camp. Bard and the King were having a meeting in the main tent when Eudora passed by. She could see that they were earnestly discussing something. As she passed another tent, she saw an old man running his hand over his long white beard. A splash made her dart into a dark corner. She couldn’t see anything, but apparently the elf guards were searching. Then, suddenly, Bilbo was standing on the bank! She nearly exclaimed in delight. Bilbo was escorted to the main tent and Eudora followed quietly.
Rowena heard the commotion too. She stepped from her tent and saw Eudora. Together, they made their way stealthily to the tent. Once everyone was inside, someone closed the flap.
Eudora watched Bilbo curiously. He took a deep breath. “I have something that I think could help us all. Thorin is not about to surrender any of his findings and I am tired of this needless stalemate.” Slowly, he reached into his pocket and grasped something. Then, he pulled it out and held it up in the light. It was the arkenstone that Thorin was looking for and hoping for and living for. It took Rowena’s breath away to see such an unexplainably beautiful stone. The light shimmered from it masterfully cut edges and cast rainbows all over the tent. She wasn’t the only one who was fascinated. Eudora nearly reached out to touch it before she remembered where and who she was. Bard and the King looked upon it in surprise.
“I think we shouldn’t take such a precious thing,” said Bard. “It might bring harm.”
“I don’t think so!” broke in the elf King. “It will greatly help us to win Thorin over.”
“Yes, that is why I brought it,” informed Bilbo. “Show it to him tomorrow. He will want it more than anything else. I promise.” Bilbo’s eyes held fear, yet determination.
Bard held the said arkenstone up to the firelight. Everyone stood still in admiration. Finally, he looked down at Bilbo and said, “Tomorrow we will come and make our statement.”
Bilbo lingered. So did Eudora and Rowena. They couldn’t take their eyes off of the beauty that the arkenstone held. Bilbo slipped out of the tent and a few others followed, including the two girls.
“Well done, Bilbo,” said a voice suddenly. Eudora realized that the words had been spoken by the old man with the long white beard she had seen.
“GANDALF!!” exclaimed the hobbit in surprise. “Oh, I hope I have done the right thing.”
Rowena gasped. Gandalf was here too! She looked at Eudora,
Gandalf nodded solemnly. “I do believe you have done the right thing indeed. There are not many options. Let us see what happens in the morning.”
So it was that the next morning, Rowena found herself in the midst of the messengers, which included her two brothers. Eudora had been sent off to do some other errands. Gandalf carried the arkenstone, which was hidden inside a tin container. Bard marched firmly with a determined step. Rowena watched as the wall grew larger and larger. Alfred sidled up to her.
“Ever seen rock work like this before? It’s amazing!”
“It sure is. I….”
A loud commotion was heard at the wall and a dozen heads appeared, Bilbo among them.
“So, you have finally agreed to leave. Good.” It was Thorin’s commanding voice from the wall.
“Not exactly, King under the mountain,” said Bard. He took the arkenstone from its hiding place and held it aloft. “Here is the arkenstone, which you greatly desire. If you will give the promised treasure to me, then it shall be yours forever.”
Eugene always said ever after that Thorin’s look would never disappear from his mind. It was impossible for him to explain the terrible expression that crossed the dwarf’s face the moment he saw the arkenstone. Thorin’s eyes lit up like fire and he thundered louder than ever, “Who gave that to you? Will you give me something that was my fathers’ and is mine today? How did you get that?”
He was shaking with anger and bursting with greed.
Alfred heard a squeak and Bilbo said, “I….I…gave…gave it to them.”
Thorin tore Bilbo apart in word and would have also in deed if Gandalf would not have revealed himself just then. Thorin banished Bilbo from the mountain and he sadly joined the elves and men below. “Son of a rat,” Thorin murmured in disgust.
“What is your answer?” demanded Bard.
“THE SAME!!!!!!!!!”
The men and elves didn’t know why Thorin was holding on so stubbornly. Eudora hid that secret in her mind. While all the commotion with the dwarfs was going on, Eudora had slipped away into the heights. She climbed and climbed until she could see the panorama of surrounding land below. A squawk sounded and she looked up. Rickrack landed in a dither of feathers on her shoulder. “My relations are about to have a meeting. We are commanded by Thorin to tell his men with Dane that the arkenstone has been stolen. Those dwarfs will not be a pretty sight. I advise you to stay out of the way. Come with us. We will keep you safe.”
Eudora followed Rickrack’s directions and picked her way down the other side of the mountain. She finally came upon an assembly of ravens. They looked at her curiously and Rickrack explained that she was a friend of all birds. The little thrush, who had saved Lake Town from complete disappearance, alighted in her hand.
The raven meeting was serious and to the point. The eldest of the ravens flew to a small tree and said, “Oyez, oyez, oyez. Any raven that has ought to speak, let him be heard.”
Rickrack reported the message that Thorin had given to him. The old raven ordered Rickrack and a few other young ravens to deliver the message. Way off in the distance, Eudora could see a bright light. “That must be the dwarfs’ armor, reflecting the noon day sun,” she said to herself.
The men and elves became aware that Thorin did have a plan up his sleeve. Soon, they knew too what it was. Rowena and her brothers came back to camp in a disappointed state of mind.
“Are we going to sit here until Goblins come out of the woods and swallow us?” questioned Eugene glumly a day or so later. “I’m ready for some action.”
Just at that minute, a cry from Ravenhill was sounded. “The armies of the dwarfs are coming at double speed!”
Eugene pulled Rowena to her feet. “We must get you out of here! I won’t have to chopped by fierce dwarfs.”
“But, you’re not going to fight them, are you, Eugene? You couldn’t do that!” Rowena said sadly.
Eugene dropped her hand and sighed. “I’m in a fix and it’s not pretty. Where is Eudora? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
Alfred looked his brother in the eye. “Goodbye. I’m going to go fight WITH the dwarfs. Just so you know, if you help to elves, you’ll be fighting against me.” He left the tent and the two watched him sneak away from the camp.
“Well, that was something else,” Eugene said grimly. “I don’t know what I am to do. I appreciate the elves and I want to fight with them.” He picked up his bow and ran his hand over the smooth finish of the wood. “Of course, I am not in any mood to fight against my brother, but what should I do? I am in the Woodland Kings army. He will call me any minute and I had better be…….”
“Attention!” yelled an elf officer.
“Just like that. Oh, Rowena? Where will you be safe?” Eugene grabbed his arrows and stepped out of the tent.
“I am going to find Gandalf,” said Rowena. “I’ll be plenty safe with him.”
Eugene smiled. “Good thinking. Hopefully we’ll all be able to reunite in safety and health. But, where is Eudora?”
Eugene would have been surprised to really know where his sister was. Rickrack was bringing her some food right as the alarm call was being made. “See, there are the dwarfs of Dane, coming to Thorin’s aid. I do hope my great grandfather has chosen wisely to bring on this engagement.”
“What will happen? Will folks die on both sides?” A sudden wind grabbed Eudora’s hat and blew it from her head.
“I’m sure that some will die,” said Rickrack gravely.
Eudora stood up and gazed down at the valley. The elves and men were gathering themselves and organizing their armies. The dwarfs came upon them and halted. Rickrack handed Eudora a scope. “Look though here.”
What met Eudora’s gaze was incredible. She saw the dwarfs’ armor. They were armed from head to foot in wrought iron. Impenetrable. Their instruments of war seemed frightening in their peaceful positions. She saw a few dwarfs break away from the main group and advance in peace. Her attention was diverted to the side of the army. A young boy was approaching the group of dwarfs and earnestly speaking to them. One dwarf gave the boy some armor to wear. “It’s Alfred!” yelled Eudora without thinking.
Rowena was able to find Gandalf. “Please, Gandalf, I need a safe place to go. Can I stay with you?”
The old man looked at Rowena closely. “Take off your hat,” he said.
She obeyed and a pile of light hair spilled over her shoulders and down her back.
“What is a young girl like you doing in such a forsaken place?” he asked, not unkindly.
Rowena then told him the whole story of how she came to be in Middle Earth with her brothers and sister. Gandalf nodded. “Well,” was all he said. “Stay near to me. Danger is lurking.”
Eugene stood at attention. Legolas was standing next to him. “Where is your brother?” he asked.
Eugene almost stopped breathing. “I…I…don’t know,” he stammered.
The elf looked him in the eyes. “You aren’t telling all you know,” he said gravely.
“No, I am not. He ran away.”
“Joined the dwarfs, did he not?” asked Legolas to the point.
Eugene merely nodded.
Legolas didn’t say anything else at that moment, because the war was about to begin. The dwarfs were not about to surrender when Thorin was still trapped behind the wall of the mountain. Since the ravens kept busy supplying Dane with messages, he understood clearly what was at stake. Eugene fitted an arrow to his bow as did his fellow soldiers. He aimed. He shot.
Eudora was watching the battle from her perch. “It has begun,” said Rickrack from her shoulder. She shivered. The men and elves poured into the fray and the dwarfs charged. Just at that moment, Eudora suddenly felt a darkness creeping from some evil habitation. Something hit her in the face and Rickrack squawked in agitation. She picked up the now dead creature and shrieked. It was a bat. “Rickrack! The world is ending!!” That was the last she knew for some time.
Rowena was standing next to Gandalf watching the fray from a safe distance. Rowena saw a change come upon Gandalf and he turned away from the fighting. His face turned from trouble to dread. “It is coming.”
“What is coming?” asked Rowena, a little unnerved.
Gandalf raised his hands to the sky and cried with a loud voice. Darkness was creeping upon them every minute. The dwarfs, the elves, and the men stopped the battle and studied the new evil. Foes stood side by side in confusion. Eugene watched Gandalf. The wizard was still watching the sky, which was now filling with bats and other black flying things. “It is too late to do anything,” said Gandalf to the men and elves next to him. “The goblins have launched a war campaign and nothing will stop them now. They have been stealthily crossing the wilderness to get here for many days. Even the ravens have not been able to see them. Almost all of goblins’ numbers are on the march now. They are enraged by the death of their leader. I will see what I can do. Prepare for battle against a deadly foe.”
A shock wave spread throughout all of the armies. The men did as Gandalf bid them, taking one shoulder of the mountain and the elves another. The dwarfs organized themselves too and soon all were waiting for the detestable beasts to come pouring into the valley. The plan was the best for the time and space that was available to the dwarfs, elves, and men.
Alfred stood ready with a battleaxe in hand. He gazed at the wall where Thorin and his company were sitting. He thought he could see the space between the top of the wall and the ceiling of the mountain getting bigger and bigger, but he wasn’t totally sure. There wasn’t any time to think. The goblins had come.
Rowena, scared to death and in a faint, was taken up to Ravenhill where several sentries were guarding. They took care of her in a little room carved out of a huge rock. She woke up a few hours later and what she saw nearly took her sense away again. The valley was moving with the goblin creatures. Rowena couldn’t see the faces of the goblins, but what she did see was enough to scare her through and through. She saw the wave of goblins retreat but then more and more surged in to fill that gaps. Then, she noticed something horrible.
“The goblins! They have climbed the mountain and are descending!” she cried and pointed. The sentries saw too. Sure enough, the beasts had been able to climb over the mountain and appear higher than their victims. But, there was still a glimmer of hope…
Eudora couldn’t believe her eyes! Instead of the dwarfs and men and elves fighting each other, they were now dying side by side fighting one common enemy. How many times in history had this happened? She thought. She turned from her musing and nearly died on the spot. Three goblins were peering down the mountain only fifteen feet away from where she was hidden in a small tree. Instead of fainting, she fitted an arrow to her elvish bow and aimed. The arrow pierced the goblin and he fell head over heals down the mountainside. His companions, too shocked to move, were given the same treatment. That wasn’t the end of things, however. More goblins appeared and began to shoot down. Eudora was running out of arrows and the goblins were starting to get suspicious. Rickrack appeared just then with several arrows in his beak. Eudora took them gratefully and began the on slot again. She was about to be discovered when a terrible roar was heard that shook the very mountains….
Beside Legolas, Eugene was fighting bravely. Never had he seen such gory things. Worgs and goblins stared him in the face and he met them with courage. He drew his grandfather’s sword that he always wore and began with new inspiration. Nothing could stand in his way. Then, something hit him in the head and he lost his balance and fell. Legolas sprung down the mountain to his rescue when something happened that would change the outcome for the better…..
“You boy, quick!” shouted a dwarf. Then, the dwarf fell backwards. Alfred ran passed him, yelling and charging at the goblin that had killed his new friend. Surprised, the goblin gave way and Alfred attacked. A tremendous shout came from the mountain and all eyes turned towards it….
Bilbo looked towards where the sound had come from. Thorin and his companions were leaping from the gaping hole in the mountain and were hewing down the goblins. Renewed with stamina, everyone rushed with all of their strength at their enemies. Bilbo slipped on his ring and made for the Ravenhill lookout. He found Gandalf there with several others.
“It isn’t looking good. Is there any hope?” he asked. Nobody answered. At that moment, someone bumped into him. It was Rowena.
“That was weird. I don’t see anything.”
“It’s me, Bilbo,” said the hobbit, taking off his ring. “See?”
“Yes, it is. Well, what is going to happen?”
“I don’t know.” He slipped his ring back on.
Rowena was aware of shouting a few minutes later and she rushed from the rock room to the lookout.
“The eagles are coming! The eagles are coming!” said a voice. A rock tumbled down from above, missing Rowena and landing on the ground below. The voice went silent. Rowena strained her eyes. Sure enough, she could see dark forms coming near. They dove and attacked and dove and attacked again.
Eudora crouched in the tree as men ran back and forth keeping the mountain free of goblins. She had seen Thorin’s entry into the war and watched as the astonished enemies were repelled for a time. Now, something dark and shadowy was coming closer and closer to the mountain. It suddenly diverged into many shadowy shapes and began diving at the sea of goblins. “That’s the eagles of the misty mountains,” said Rickrack in a voice of awe. “I have never seen them, but I have heard great tales about them. They are powerful.”
Eudora watched them with quick eyes. “Oh, I would love to meet one!” she said.
“Would you?” came a voice behind her. Rickrack was bowing and when Eudora saw the great eagle king, she bowed too. “You have seen the greatest eagle there is,” he said.
“Great King of the eagles,” began Eudora. “I have two brothers in the war. I am afraid that they will not come free of deadly wounds. Please, can you help?”
The king of the eagles looked gravely at Eudora. “Young maiden, right now we are doing the best we can. Stay here. I will see if I can do anything to help your brothers.”
Eudora didn’t even think to tell the eagle what her brothers looked like and the eagle didn’t need her explanation. He memorized her face and searched with his eyes for the brothers. A huge goblin, who had won some higher ground on the elves, shoved Eugene off the cliff. The eagle king swooped and caught him before he was dashed. Carefully, the eagle brought Eugene up to the top of the mountain’s shoulder where the Woodland king was stationed. After that, the eagle king searched for Alfred. He couldn’t find him at first.
That’s because Alfred was way below in the valley fighting side by side with Thorin. Things were getting ugly. Alfred watched Filli and Killi die as they defended Thorin. Just as a worg was about to carry Alfred off, the king of the eagles dove into their midst and saved Alfred and Thorin from death. Thorin was carried away with terrible wounds to the dwarfs’ camp and Alfred was also brought there.
Something was causing a great stir among the warriors. A huge bear-looking creature was moving among the wicked worgs and goblins, destroying them at an unintelligible rate. He grabbed the leader of the goblins and a dozen others, sending them to their death.
Rowena was fretting a top the lookout. She had fainted again and but had awakened at some terrible noise. Nobody was there. She grabbed a looking glass that had fallen from one of the sentries’ pockets and took a look around. The battle was growing to a close. Many lay dead and dying from all sides. The goblins and worgs were sneaking away towards the woods as best as they could. The eagles and the great bear man were gone. Things were beginning to calm down as much as they could. A man was quickly ascending the steps searching for something. A voice was heard.
“Who is it that speaks from the rocks?” asked the man. He hadn’t noticed Rowena at all.
Bilbo appeared suddenly. “It is me, Bilbo Baggins.”
“Well, it is a good thing that I found you.” It was only then that he noticed Rowena. “My goodness! What in the world are you doing up here, young girl?”
Bilbo spun around. “You are still here, Rowena?”
“Yes. I came with the elves,” explained Rowena quickly.
“Rowena, your brothers are asking for you,” said the man.
“They are yet alive!” she cried and ran towards the man. “Take me to them, quickly!”
She found herself in an elvish tent surrounded by wounded elves. Eugene and Alfred had received wounds, but those that were in charge of the wounded assured Rowena that they would recover. Legolas appeared at her side. “How did you manage to get here?” he asked.
“Eudora and I dressed up as boys and came. We’ve been here ever since you set foot in this land. Now I am very grateful that I have come.”
Legolas shook his head. “Where is Eudora?”
“Eudora!” exclaimed Eugene through white lips.
Rowena looked at Legolas fiercely. “Eudora is fine, Eugene. She will be here in a little while.”
He smiled. Alfred did too. Upon his request, he had been moved beside his brother.
Eudora watched the battle come to an end before she ventured down the mountain. Rickrack accompanied her and told her where her brothers and sister were.
“I wish I had been able to thank the king of the eagles,” she sighed to Rickrack. “I know that it was he who saved them from perishing.”
The four children were reunited under the watch of Bard, Gandalf, Bilbo, Legolas, and the Woodland King. Many words were said that could not be written here. The boys grew healthy again and were able to assist others who were less fortunate. All of them wept at the funeral for Thorin. Alfred was never able to get over it completely. Also in his heart were the last images of Filli and Killi as they fought for Thorin. He determined to always fight bravely like they did. Eudora and Rowena watched as the arkenstone was placed upon Thorin’s breast. He would lie with Fili and Kili in a special hall made by the dwarfs of long ago. Dane, the new king under the mountain, gave what was owed the Lake men and he also rewarded Bilbo richly. The hobbit insisted on only taking as much as a pony could handle. He didn’t need more trouble on the way home with robbers and all. Dane presented Alfred with a handsome coat of mail, which he wore all the time.
Some days later, Bilbo stood with the four children and Balin as they gazed up at the mountain. The dead had been taken away and the dwarfs were busy restoring order to their palace. “It is now time for us to depart,” Gandalf said quietly.
Alfred couldn’t take his eyes off of the mountain. Finally, he broke the silence. “I am staying with Dane.”
Eugene shook his head. “Alfred, we will be miles and miles away from you.”
“I belong with the dwarfs,” he said firmly. “I will help Dane to establish his country again.”
“Let him stay,” said Gandalf. “He will do much good.”
Eugene, Eudora, and Rowena sadly bid their brother goodbye. “We will meet again,” Alfred said. He thumped his hand against his mail breastplate. Bilbo and Balin had some final words and then the dwarf and Alfred departed for the mountain.
The elves packed up their belongings and began their journey homeward. Eugene journeyed along side Legolas. Bard gathered his men and what was left of provisions and started out for Lake town. Eudora joined their number. Gandalf, after bidding the dwarfs goodbye, joined the men and elves. Bilbo, with Rowena at his side, stepped into line.
When they reached Lake Town, a great cheering was sounded. The people were joyful. They had moved from the island and were now established on the lush banks. They named Bard as their leader and he went on to establish his ancestral lands in Dale.
After saying a day in Lake Town, the elves were ready for the final trek to Mirkwood. Once again, the children had to say goodbye to one another. Eudora decided to stay in Lake Town. She loved the people and their ways and she did not want to return to Mirkwood. Rowena was especially saddened by this, but Bilbo and Gandalf told her that they were going on to a beautiful elf valley and she would be welcome to come along with them.
It was a relief to the elves when they finally reached their old homeland. Legolas was glad to see his forest again and his father was, perhaps, the gladdest of all. Bilbo, Gandalf, and Rowena stood together in the road while the elves and Eugene stood at the edge of the forest. Pleasant farewells were exchanged by all in attendance.
Before they left, Bilbo reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful necklace of silver pearls. “This is a gift for you, King of Mirkwood. I confess that I have benefited from you many times unbeknownst to you and your people.”
The King accepted the gift, saying a few reproofs in a jolly tone. He placed the necklace over Rowena’s head and the two parties bid each other a finally farewell. Eugene looked longingly after his sister, though he knew that she would be safe with the Wizard.
Rowena experience many trying things on that journey. Though the threat of goblins and other evil fiends was far away, the way was difficult. She soon acquired great strengths and was able to walk great distances without much trouble. When the beautiful elf lands of Rivendel met her gaze, she was thrilled. Never before had she seen anythings so pristine. Elves sang from the trees and Bilbo and Gandalf spoke to them. They accompanied the trio to the palace and led them into the tranquil atmosphere of the elves of the valley. Rowena was rejuvenated and received rest such as she never had experienced before. The food was strengthening and the singing was delightful to the soul. Rowena spent many hours sitting in the gardens, talking with the elf girls, and learning to play the harp. One night when the moon was full she met Arwyn in the pasture of yellow and white lilies. Arwyn told her of the history of the elves and how her father had come to reign here in the valley. Rowena was also called into the hall of Elrond and shown wonderful things. So, it was not without some regret that she left Rivendel with Bilbo and Gandalf two weeks later.
When they reached the place where three stone trolls stood, Bilbo recounted the beginnings of his journey to Rowena. As they approached the Shire, the hobbit began excitedly pointing out things that recalled his memory.
It was a great surprise to everyone in the Shire to see Bilbo return. Some hobbits were quite disappointed of his appearance. A few had auctioned off his home and had begun to sell off his furniture. Bilbo was able to put things to right again however, and soon every morning, bacon and eggs were fried on his stove once again. He replenished his food supply and Rowena was kept busy cleaning his hobbit hole, which she began to love very much. She learned to know many of the hobbits and they all came to see her in the evenings to hear of tales from other lands.
One day, Rowena was busy knitting by the fireside when she heard a knock at the door. Bilbo had been trying to blow smoke rings out the window but stopped when he heard the knock. He went down the hall and flung open the door. To his surprise, Gandalf and Balin were standing there.
“Come in, come in, friends!” he said.
Rowena hurried to the door to see who could be there. And, how surprised she was when she discovered Eugene, Eudora, and Alfred behind Gandalf and Balin! They all threw themselves into each others arms and gave way to a mountain of exclamations. Gandalf, the hobbit, and the dwarf looked on with amusement.
That night, they all sat around the warm fire and talked of many things. When the clock struck midnight, Bilbo suddenly began to think of beds. “I suppose you wouldn’t mind hobbit beds? They might be small for you, but I think they will work.”
“Anything is better than nothing,” said Alfred.
Holding a lighted candle, Bilbo led the four children down a hall. He opened two bedroom doors. “Here’s four beds for you all to sleep on. I hope you get good rest.”
“Thank you very much, Bilbo,” said Eugene.
“Yes, thank you!” echoed the rest as they piled into the beds.
“My pleasure. I know what it is like to go without a comfortable bed and a good meal.” He pointed to his stomach, which had rounded out again. “I am glad to be home……….
————————————————————————————————————————
“……..Me too!!” mumbled Eudora. She sat up.
“ME too!” said Rowena softly and opened her eyes.
“ME TOO!!” exclaimed Eugene and bolted up in bed.
“MEEEE TOOO!!” yelled Alfred. He shoved back his blankets and jumped to the floor. “MY! That was the most exciting and scary dream I’ve ever had!”
“Quiet!” hissed Eudora from her room. “You’ll wake up the whole castle, servants and all. I don’t think that was a dream.”
“No, that wasn’t a dream,” Eugene said. He crossed the floor and came into the girls’ room, Alfred following.
“We were really there in Middle Earth,” Rowena whispered. She put her feet on the floor. Eudora did the same.
Alfred turned on the lamp. “I wish we could be sleeping back in Bilbo’s house. I….”
At that moment, all eyes were drawn to a little book that was sitting on the lamp stand. Eugene reached out for it and read the title. “The Hobbit, By J. R. R. Tokien.”
A light shown on the book and then went out, leaving the outline of two illuminated words: Return Shortly. Eugene, Eudora, Rowena, and Alfred read the message and then the words disappeared.
“What does it mean?” asked Rowena to no one in particular.
Eugene was opening up the book. There was a note written inside. “Eudora, Happy Birthday. Here is a book that I think you will like very much. Sincerely, Uncle Norman.”
“Oh, he did! He gave it to us!” cried Eudora.
“Now you’re the one who is going to wake everybody up!” Alfred snorted.
Just then, a noise was heard. Alfred turned off the lamp and the children darted back to bed and pretended to be asleep. The noise was the maid coming to see what was causing so much racket. She was greatly confused when she found the children “asleep”. When the coasts were clear, the children edged out of bed again and reexamined the book. They read it through, laughing at all the exciting parts and turning sober over the times they could have perished. Everything made so much sense.
The sunrise was just touching the clouds when they realized that they had better get a few winks of sleep before the day broke. The nurse was troubled when no child came at the bell and was even more perturbed to find them all fast asleep!
The days went by uneventfully. Unknown to the children, folks in the castle began talking about them in hushed tones. “Rowena never used to sew and now all of a sudden she has come up with the most gorgeous fabrics, stitches, and patterns I have ever set eyes on,” said a maid. “Along with her intelligence, she is very strong.”
“Eugene is a fine marksman,” remarked the head falconer. “Sometime I think it would be helpful to take him hunting along with my falcon!”
“Alfred has matured greatly in such a short amount of time,” noticed his father. “I never have to call him into the study for a punishment. He is always looking forward to meeting with me and talks non stop of war, battles, and armor.”
“Something happened to Eudora,” the nurse whispered. “She seems to think a lot deeper about things. I’ll find her side by side the servants in the kitchen and she always turns out the most delicious meals. She can sew and cooks as well as anybody.”
Everybody affirmed and reaffirmed that the Montgomery children had outstanding eye sight, better than all of the citizens put together. The years went by and these mysteries were forgotten. But Eugene, Eudora, Rowena, and Alfred never forgot what they had experienced. And they always remembered the words on the book: Return Shortly.
The End.
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
*standing ovation*
AHHH THE ENDING WAS AMAZING!!!
*calms down*
I love it! Kinda sad that it’s over though. XD
relates too much to Arthur about the deaths of Fili and Kili"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19Thank you so much!! 🤗🤗🤗
I wasn’t going to tell you this but I think I will. So, the reason the message on the book says “Return Shortly” is because I was going to keep writing and have them appear in all three of the LOTR books. I think I started another story but I didn’t finish it. If I kept going, would you read it?
relates too much to Arthur about the deaths of Fili and Kili
I know. I’m sorry. I was just devastated when I found out they died. From the movies,
I kind of had a crush on Kíli. XD🤣Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
Thank you so much!! 🤗🤗🤗
You’re welcome! =D
I wasn’t going to tell you this but I think I will. So, the reason the message on the book says “Return Shortly” is because I was going to keep writing and have them appear in all three of the LOTR books. I think I started another story but I didn’t finish it. If I kept going, would you read it?
Oh cool! If you want to keep going, I’d definitely read it! =)
I might not be able to respond immediately to them, but I’d definitely read it.I know. I’m sorry. I was just devastated when I found out they died. From the movies, I kind of had a crush on Kíli. XD🤣
XD I reeeeally liked them in the movies and related waaaay too much to the one who died last when he watched his brother die…
one of the fears I struggle with is family members dyingso I bawled when they died…especially when they started playing “The Last Goodbye” DIRECTLY AFTER IT…they definitely sabotaged my feelings. XD"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19Here goes! Yes! Story number 2!!!
For reference, it starts out with the kids quite a bit older. Hope you enjoy whenever you find time to read. I don’t have any more written so it might be awhile til the next post!!
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Journey to the Past: Into Middle Earth; Story Two
Light rain sprinkled the windows of a small room, which was lighted by numerous odd looking lamps. Two young ladies could be seen busily engaged.
The older one, Eudora, was flipping through a stack of papers, looking for something. “Here it is,” she said aloud.
“When are you going to finish the cook book?” questioned her younger sister Rowena, who paused from her sewing.
“When are you going to finish the surprise cloak for Alfred?” Eudora asked, smiling. She studied the paper before her. It was a recipe she called “Bard’s Bread.” She had learned to make it some years ago far away from her homeland.
“I suppose I’ll finish Alfred’s cloak today in time for his arrival,” Rowena grinned. “I only need to finished hemming the bottom and then I’ll put the green broach at the top. I think he is going to like it very much.”
Eudora turned from her desk to examine the article. Rowena, at age twenty-four, now had a business sewing fancy clothing for the royalty of England. She hardly had time to spare these days because orders were so frequent. Sometimes Eudora, now aged twenty-six, would devote her willing hand to the work. Most times, she was found in the castle kitchen where she reigned as head cook. People from all over the country had heard of her ingenious recipes and just now she was engaged of compiling samples of them.
“I declare it is the handsomest cloak I have seen yet,” Eudora praised.
“You didn’t answer my question. When will you be finish your cookbook? Are you going to share our secret recipe of lembus? ” Rowena looked up at her sister.
Eudora frowned. “I’m beginning to wonder if I should even publish the book. I don’t like the idea of people taking those precious recipes that have taken me a long time to develop. They will become common place and I don’t believe I will appreciate that at all. I am going to make a cook book for my self and my descendants but nothing more. As for the lembus, I shall never breath a word to any soul as long as I live.”
“Why, Eudora!” exclaimed her sister. “You could make a fortune! People are raving about the recipes.”
Eudora shrugged. “Let them rave. I will not be persuaded.”
Rowena had learned that once her sister had decided something, persuading her would be like trying to dig up Mount Everest. She quietly turned back to her sewing.
By the evening, the cloak was completed. Eudora scurried about setting a beautiful table and putting on a delicious meal and Rowena kept the servants and maids at bay. The four children were going to have a reunion by themselves.
Perhaps the reader does not understand why a reunion was to be had. Since the time of the last story, the Montgomery children had grown a great deal. Eugene, now aged twenty-seven, was a seasoned soldier in the British Army. He had fought in great battles and was knighted by the Queen for showing bravery and defying all odds to save seven of his comrades. Sir Eugene’s time in the army had expired, but he was always employing himself in matters concerning the safety of his country.
Alfred, at the time of this story, was about to turn twenty-two. He had been busy traveling to various countries studying the customs of the vikings. After a year of absence, he decided to return to his castle home. Eudora and Rowena invited Sir Eugene to join them and Alfred in a reunion feast. It had been sometime since all four children had spent time together in the castle to which they had been born. Their parents were away in France meeting with the leaders there. It would be just the four of them in charge of the castle and that felt good to Eudora and Rowena, who were quite tired of servants. After the preliminary cleaning was finished, they had announced three day holiday to the inhabitants of the castle, except the guards. The reunion was prepared by the sisters and the brothers were to be received by them with great joy.
Finally, the clock struck five. “Alfred and Sir Eugene should be here any minute,” Rowena said, drawing aside the sash from the window. Candle light spilled passed her and two young men looked up and saluted. “Oh, they are here now!”She exclaimed letting the sash fall back into place. Eudora surveyed the dining area once more, making sure that everything was in the proper places. Then, the two young ladies left the hall and went to the door. Eudora took a key from her pocket, unlocked the oaken door, and opened it. Alfred and Eugene were standing there, looking very merry.
“Greetings, Eudora and Rowena,” Eugene said with a low bow.
“Greetings, sisters.” Alfred kissed their hands.
“Do not linger on the door step,” admonished Eudora gaily. “Come, we must go into the dining hall at once. Everything is ready.”
The four children walked up the red carpeted hallway and followed the glow of the candles. “This reminds me of the hall that I used to dine in when I lived with the dwarfs at Lonely Mountain,” commented Alfred as he surveyed the changes that had taken place.
“I haven’t been in a place as beautiful and heartwarming as this in so long,” shared Eugene.
“Sir Eugene and Prince Alfred, please be seated,” said Rowena in a magniloquent manner.
Eugene and Alfred obliged and after a prayer, they all began to eat. They talked late into the night about Alfred’s adventures, Eugene’s knight-ship, Eudora’s masterful cooking, and Rowena’s inspiring sewing. Alfred was not too surprised with the welcome home gift he received from Rowena and Eudora. The cloak fit perfectly.
“Once again it puts me in mind of the days we spent with the elves,” he said, his face taking on a look of longing. “I do wish we could see our good friends again. Thought it has been ten long years, I have not forgotten the goodwill that the Middle Earth folks have bestowed upon us.”
Eugene sipped a bit of tea and set down his mug a bit forcefully. “I will never ever put that incident out of my mind. I still wonder why it happened and if we will ever be given an opportunity so great as that again. Which reminds me, Uncle Raymond gave me another of Tolkien’s books.”
“Did he really?” Eudora exclaimed.
“Yes, it is a continuation of the story. I’ve read some of it.” Eugene reached into his leather bag and pulled the book out. He read them some of the pages and they all listened in interest.
“Tolkien can write,” Rowena observed after a pause in the reading. “He makes me feel like I was there.”
“Wouldn’t it be something if we could return and see Bilbo and meet Frodo?” Eudora mused. “I do believe something life changing is in store for all of us. Remember the words that we saw on the cover of the Hobbit?” She took the work out of her pocket and put it on the table. “A few days ago, I saw the words on the cover again “Return Shortly” when the moon light was shining through my bedroom window. I flipped through the book and then I noticed a small piece of paper tucked inside the end cover. I pulled it out and held it up to the moon so I could see it. Words that were written in an unknown tongue appeared on the paper. They were outlined in a reddish-orange color like fire. Then, the unfamiliar script vanished and I read words in English that sounded almost evil.”
Rowena drew in her breath. “You never told me that! Oh, what did they say?”
“I brought the paper with me.” She fumbled in her pocket for a few seconds before pulling out the paper. After a few silent minutes, Eudora said hopelessly, “I can’t see them anymore. I’m afraid we will only be able to see it in the moonlight.”
Alfred stood to his feet. “Come, girls, and Sir Eugene. We must figure out this mystery.” He took the paper carefully from Eudora’s hand and led the way down the hall. Rowena and Eudora took two candles. Eugene put a hand on his sword. They followed Alfred until he came to the huge door of the library. Alfred stepped in first. Then Eugene. Eudora blew out her candle and stepped over the thresh hold. Finally, Rowena entered, and her candle extinguished all on its own. They looked at one another in fear and amazement.
“Let us go to the window,” whispered Eugene. The window he was speaking of was the center window of the library where Alfred had first sat with The Hobbit ten years earlier. The rain had stopped and clouds vanished, letting the moon shine brightly. All the corners of the library were illuminated. Eudora and Eugene advanced, but Alfred stayed motionless. Rowena touched his arm.
“Aren’t you going to go to the window and read it?”
Slowly, Alfred began to move again. Rowena joined him. Drenched in the full moon’s illumination, they all paused directly in front of the window. Hesitantly, Alfred began to reveal the message in a trembling voice:
Three Rings for the Elvin kings under the sky
Seven for the Dwarf lords in their halls of stone
Nine for Mortal men doomed to die
One for the DARK LORD on his dark throne
In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie
One Ring to rule them all
One Ring to find them
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the land of Mordor where the shadows lie
This is what Alfred read aloud. This is what they all saw light up on the paper. In their imagination (or was it reality?) they could feel an ominous darkness like they never had before. Rowena and Eudora shuddered noticeably and Alfred tried to throw the paper away. But it wouldn’t leave him.
Eugene unsheathed his sword. His voice shook the room. “These words are found in the Lord of The Rings book.” He flipped open the front cover and the words shone dimly. “I feel something mysterious is going to happen. We will conquer the evil no matter what it takes. Now, Alfred, hold your hand so I can slip my blade between it and the paper.”
Alfred held out his hand but no matter what Eugene did, the paper didn’t budge. “Eugene, I’ve traveled to great lands and seen many horrible things. But I do not like the feel of this magic. It is as if we are doomed to die, just like it says.” And he repeated the words.
At that moment, a gust of wind blew the glass from the window and it turned into a screaming black beast much larger than half of the castle. The blackness screamed through the night towards the moon and then vanished. Eudora clung to Eugene and Rowena to Alfred.
“What are we getting ourselves into?” Eudora said faintly.
“Girls, we have fought before and we will fight again.” Eugene handed his sword to Alfred. “I’ll be back.”
He indeed returned, but it seemed like forever that the others sat in fear. Eugene presented them with three swords. “These are mine but I give them to you for you will need them. Strap them to your sides quickly.”
They obeyed immediately. Eugene climbed onto the window sill and looked out. He nearly fainted himself, but being a soldier and a knight, he could do no such thing. The landscape outside the window had changed dramatically. No longer did the streets hum with wagons and horses and people. Eugene was looking at mountains, valleys, streams, rivers, marshes, black rocks, gates, and many shapes slowly shuffling about. “Alfred, Eudora, Rowena. Come and see where we are,” he said when he could speak.
Eudora covered her mouth to keep from shrieking. Alfred stuck his head over and was instantly pulled out. Rowena, without thinking, grabbed his leg and was taken too. Eugene reached for him and Eudora recklessly grasped for Eugene. They found themselves flying over unfamiliar lands. The paper was taking them somewhere, through the sky. Eire noises sounded all around them. Black arrows whizzed by them dangerously close. Up a large river, passed a water fall, over beautiful gardens and delightful music, passed spooky grounds, above an extravagant castle, by a forest that seemed quite alive, and finally over a neat little town of small, round houses.
“Hobbiton!” cried Rowena. “I see Bilbo Baggins house! We are landing.”
Suddenly, a streak of light shot towards them and nearly blew them up. The paper was burnt instantly, and they began to fall recklessly to the ground. Just before they crashed into the ground, and invisible force gently stood them up in the middle of a grassy lawn. Surrounding them were hobbits covered in astonished faces.
“I didn’t know that Gandalf could bring men from the sky!” exclaimed someone behind them.
“He never did that before!” agreed someone else. They came up to Eugene, Eudora, Rowena, and Alfred and looked them up and down. “Well, I never,” said one. “What are your names?”
Just as they were about to answer, Bilbo himself came to them. “Ahhh, friends! You have returned in time to celebrate my eleventy-first birthday! What a suprise! Rowena, Alfred, Eugene, Eudora, good to see you all.”
The two hobbits, who had fist come to investigate, stepped aside. “Must be folks that he met when he was on his mysterious journeys years and years ago,” one speculated suspiciously.
“Tonight we are also celebrating my nephew’s coming into manhood. He is thirty-three tonight.” Bilbo looked away from the four newcomers and studied a group of hobbits. “There he is. Come meet Frodo.”
Eudora almost laughed. Indeed, they were going to be able to meet Frodo! She and Rowena followed Bilbo with their brothers bringing up the rear. Alfred was startled by a voice. “What is your name?”
He turned to find a fine looking hobbit at his side. “My name is Alfred Montgomery.”
The hobbit grinned. “I am Merriodoc, but most call me Merry. My fellow hobbit here is Peregrine Tuck. We all call him Pippin.”
“Very nice to meet you both,” said Alfred, quite amused. Eugene introduced himself and before long, Eudora and Rowena learned the hobbits’ names too.
“Frodo, son of Drogo, here are four friends of mine that arrived a little later for the party. This young man is named Eugene. The two maidens are Eudora and Rowena. Alfred is the youngest, though by now he has grown much. He’s taller than me, that’s for sure.” Bilbo looked up into Alfred’s face and smiled.
“I’m afraid they are all taller than us, Uncle,” Frodo said with a laugh. He studied them all with his brown eyes. “It is very good to meet you all. Uncle Bilbo has told me much about you and all. I’m glad you were able to come.”
“Thank you for being so welcoming,” Eudora said politely.
Rowena felt a hand on her shoulder and glanced up into to face of Gandalf. “How does it fair with my little maid?” he asked.
“Very well, Gandalf the gray. I am glad to see you.”
“Find places to sit and we will resume our show.” He strode away, though not very quickly. Rowena noticed that he seemed to be carrying some weight on his shoulders.
Alfred found himself beside another jolly hobbit, who was full of talking. “I’m pleased to meet you, Alfred. My name is Sam Gamgee. I work for Bilbo Baggins in his gardens. ‘Tis a pleasant task, I tell you. Roses, trees, daisies…if you take my meaning.”
Merry and Pippin were busy talking with Eugene and Eudora. “We live over the river and came just for this special party. Bilbo’s mother was a Tuck, so I am related, you see,” informed Pippin.
“Look at all this food!” exclaimed Eudora to Merry, who was busily drinking the last of his beer.
“Yes, indeed. We hobbits won’t go hungry for anything,” he said gaily.
Rowena found a seat beside a pretty hobbit, who she found out was named Rosie. “I live with my mother, father, and brothers in a little house down the road,” Rosie said. “We are all here tonight. Look! Gandalf is about to start again!!”
The fireworks blasted off, spilling beautiful colors into the air. Then, a huge dragon came flying out of the sky, making everyone yell and duck. Alfred grinned and elbowed Bilbo a little. “That was almost too real.”
Bilbo didn’t hear him. Or if he did, he didn’t respond. He was busy fumbling with something in his pocket that Alfred couldn’t make out. When the last of the fireworks died away, Bilbo whispered, “I’m going to go make a speech. Go find Frodo and stay with him.”
Wondering not a little, Alfred obeyed. Frodo was sitting on a log in deep thought. “What is it like to become a man in the Shire?” questioned Alfred.
Frodo looked up at him. “It’s a very special occasion. I am now recognized among the leaders of our town.” He didn’t offer much more than that and Alfred was disappointed. He was still mulling over the fact that Bilbo had changed very much. He seemed restless and bound for somewhere.
“What’s up with your uncle? It seems like something is eating him.” Alfred studied Frodo’s face.
“I don’t know,” Frodo said thoughtfully. “He’s always searching for something. I think he has some kind of worry weighing down on him. I hope this party will help to relieve him.”
Alfred settled down on the grass and watched Bilbo stride to where Gandalf was standing.
“My dear people,” the little hobbit began.
So many cheers responded to his introduction and entire speech that it seemed he would never finish.
“Thirdly and finally,” he said, “I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that–though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you–this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!!”*
At that second, a tremendous boom sounded and flashing lights exploded. Bilbo was gone. Hobbits began murmuring to one another.
“What is this? Playing tricks on us?”
“Goodness! I never saw the likes!”
“This is the queerest thing ever.”
Frodo touched Alfred’s shoulder. “Come with me quietly.”
Alfred obeyed. Frodo wove himself among the merrymakers, his appetite gone. All he felt like doing was going to Uncle Bilbo’s house…..
That’s it!! So far. 🙂 🙂
* indicates quote from The Fellowship of the Ring. (page 30)
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
Yay!
I don’t have any more written so it might be awhile til the next post!!
No worries! I’ll enjoy it when you post it, but if it takes awhile that’s okay! Please don’t stress yourself over it for my sake. =)
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*grins way too much* AHH I love the way they got to go back! It really seems like Middle Earth should be their home… *eagerly/slightly concernedly awaits the ending of the book now*
"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19*grins way too much* AHH I love the way they got to go back! It really seems like Middle Earth should be their home… *eagerly/slightly concernedly awaits the ending of the book now*
I’m going to work on some and try to post today!! Glad you are enjoying it. It’s going to probably be three stories, one for each LOTR book. 🙂
Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo
Cool!
sorry for the late response, I tried to respond to you yesterday but internet didn’t want to work"...I did not say to the seed of Jacob, 'Seek Me in vain..."
(Part of) Isaiah 45:19
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