Following Frodo~ My Unexpected Journey

Chapter 5~Reading Stories

I watch Gerrick until he was completley out of sight. The door opened and my parents stepped out with a luggage cart, all our bags piled on.

"I don't like that boy." My father mumbled rubbing his chin. I sighed, he really doesn't like any friends of mine.

"Yes, Dad" I mutter, sometimes it's just better to agree with your parents then argue with them.

"How long till the rental is here?" Mom asked Dad. He looked at his watch.

"About five minutes." He declared looking satisfied that he knew the time.

I slid to the ground putting my earbuds in and listening to my Hobbit file. I could faintly hear Mom and Dad in the background but I kept my focus on the view in front of me and the music in my ears.

**5 Minutes Later**

The car pulled up and a man hopped out his accent was thick and I couldn't really understand him. He smiled widely as my Dad handed him his credit card. The man swiped the card and handed it back to my father. I could tell it was a rip off but at least we had transportation for the time being.

The car guy left, leaving us with our new rental car and tons of bags.

After loading up we headed out of the airport and into the main road. We passed Hobbiton, an area that was part of the movie set for Hobbit, which they now had open for public viewing.

"Can we go to Hobbiton if we get the chance." I begged my parents. They looked at each other.

"Maybe."

I sighed and rolled down my window letting the fresh New Zealand air blow on my face. The sky was unaturally blue and the grass was really green.

My Aunts house was probably 30 minutes away, if we didn't get lost. But we would, we always get lost.

Aunt Tilly's house was a modern looking cottage, but was very well kept. It was also very BIG. My mothers side of the family came from a lot of money, but my mom left it all to be with my father. Sweet, right?

"I say we take the left it's quicker!" Dad whined-literally-whined.

"No we always get lost when we take your short cuts."

Dad huffed. "Well if your so good at directions YOU drive." Mom smirked.

"Fine I WILL." Dad pulled over and the two exchanged seats. I smiled as they glared at eachother.

As soon as mom got behind the wheel we arrived at Aunt Tilly's house within the next 10 minutes.

"So..." Mom stated as she parked the car...."I guess someone needs to learn a thing or two about driving." She laughed and winked at me. Dad slid further in his seat.

"Way to lose your manhood Dad." I giggled getting out of the car.

"Just wait you two some day I'll prove you wrong some day I'll...."

"BURT!" Mom shouted cutting him off.

"What?" He groaned. She walked over to him.

"Shut Up." She whispered and then kissed him. I smiled, I love theses moments.

"You guys gonna help me with the bags or...." They laughed pulling away from the kiss and we all grabbed our stuff.

Our giddiness died down as we rang the doorbell, everything was finally setting in. The whole reason for this trip was because Aunt Tilly was dying, and she needed people to care for her. I peeked to my left and thought I saw Gerricks curly hair peeking from the corner. Shaking my head I turned to my right and thought I saw Kili, strange.

"Come in." A cheery voice called.

We walked in and were struck with a realization. The house smelled of medicine, and it was so dirty, cloths covered the furniture and the worst sight was what I saw next.

"Aunt Tilly" I smiled, hugging her boney body. Her red hair was mere peach fuzz now where it had once been thick curls. Her green eyes looked tired, and her eyelashes and eyebrows were gone, yet she still smiled.

Mom broke down in tears and dad cried a little too.

"Go on upstairs Arella, we need to have some grown up time."

"Sure." I bob my head...seriously adult time? My mom knows I'm freaking 18! But I still grab my bags and walk up to the spare bedroom. I hate this world sometimes why do bad things always happend to good people? It can be so unfair

. Unpacking my things I decide to change out of my clothes. I put on a pair of tribal print shorts with a white tee and a pair of brown combat boots laced up, my hair I do in a messy side braid and I take out my "necessary" items which includes my four Lord of the Rings books, ipod and...the letter. I fold up the letter and slide it into my shorts pocket.

"AHHH!" I turn around and face Kili, who is sprawled on the floor.

"Kili...how the hell...?" He groans and stands up.

"WHAT were you doing?" He growls, dusting himself off.

"I was just unpacking till you.."

"I mean with the HUMAN." He spits out the word like bad milk.

"How did you know about Gerrick?" I mutter to. I think for a moment then nearly slap myself in realization.

"You are WATCHING me?"

"Well not in the way that you are.."

"I don't give a shit who or what you think you are, because to me you are a fantasy character and since you and your friends have shown up I have been going crazy!" Tears begin to form in my eyes. "I don't know what is real and what isn't." I take a huge gulp of air. "And honestly, I just want you to go away and leave me alone, ALLRIGHT?"

He looks stunned, and sad for a moment and then his face turns cold "You were the one who chose us Arella, you wanted this."

"I never wanted.." Then I realized this IS what I had-have wanted all my life, and now that I have it I am being so ungreatful and selfish.

"Kili, I'm sorry I-" He cuts me off with a bow. Then dissapears into the air. I lean against the wall.

"Arella?" My aunt's voice calls out.

"Yes, Auntie..." I sniff wiping away the tears.

"Can I come in."

"Sure."

She slowly lets herself in and sits down on the bed.

"I was hoping you'd bring these." She said running her hand over my warn books.

"Can we read them?" She smiles looking at me.

"But what about mom and dad?"

"Oh posh, I sent them on a wild goose chase so I could have some good fantasy quality time with my neice." I smile.

"Trust me fantasies arent all the are cracked up to be." I say sighing sitting next to her on the bed.

"You're right...they are BETTER!"she smiled, looking for a moment happy and healthy.

"What do you mean?"

"If we did not have the magic of fantasy life would be sooooo boring, we'd all walk around like zombies with brains wired only for facts and never fantasy, It would be terrible."

"Hmmm.I guess you are right!" She nods and picks up the Hobbit.

"Shall we?" I nod as we sit together she takes a breath then begins.

This is how it should be, I thought, peaceful happy and calm. No sickness, no worries just us and reading stories.

(Picture of Aunt Tilly's house on the right --------->)

(Picture of Arella next chapter!!!!)