EPIC: A Demigod's Tale by Frodo Baggins

Chapter 1

Sitting with his back resting against a pine tree on the edge of the woods was a young demigod reading a book. At least, it appeared he was reading, but he had fallen asleep and was now drooling on the pages of the open volume.

As the young demigod, named Frodo Baggins, snored on, a horse and cart pulled up on the road skirting the edges of the woods. Inside the cart was the great wizard known as Gandalf the Gray, who wore a gray hat, robes, and long beard. 

Frodo awoke with a start and rubbed his eyes blearily. "You're early," he muttered sleepily to Gandalf. 

"Early? Indeed." muttered the old wizard, glancing at the sky. "I highly doubt that. I always arrive precisely when I mean to, and I wanted to be fashionably late." 

Frodo yawned. "Oh...I must have drifted off. How are you Gandalf? It's been awhile." 

"I was here yesterday. You were asleep all day," Gandalf said. 

"Oh, I suppose I was," Frodo said. 

"Well, come on, get in the cart. Your friends are worried sick looking for you, and Bilbo's party is tonight, so try not to fall asleep for so long again."

Frodo climbed clumsily in the cart.

Gandalf flicked the reins and his horse began walking, following a gently winding path through the woods. Monsters and other animals rustled in the underbrush. 

"Gandalf," Frodo said sleepily. "If you wanted to arrive fashionably late, then why did you come a day early?"

"I was wondering when you were going to ask that," Gandalf replied. "I arrived yesterday on your planet. I visited the West Farthing, and now I've come to your camp; the East Farthing."

"Right," Frodo said, looking slightly more awake. "I forgot you were friends with the Romans." 

Gandalf snorted. "I'm friends with practically everyone in the galaxy! Besides, the Romans aren't so bad; after all, they're demigods, just like you!"

"But they are so weird!" Frodo said, rubbing his eyes. 

"They are not weird. Just different," Gandalf said. 

"Well, if that's different I hope there's not that many different people in the galaxy," Frodo said with a yawn. 

Gandalf looked at him. "I'm different than you." 

"Yes, but you're a good kind of different. Those Romans are just so, so..."

"Weird, different?" Gandalf said, looking amused. 

"You said it," Frodo agreed. 

"I hear your uncle has gone all out with his party." 

"Oh, yes," agreed Frodo. "I didn't help much with the planning, because there was always so much of it; the to-do list put me straight to sleep. But I'm sure it'll be a great celebration." 

"Yes, the Athena cabin seems to really have outdone themselves with the birthday decorations this year," Gandalf said.

As the wagon neared the camp, Frodo heard his friend Sam from the Demeter cabin call his name. 

"Mr. Frodo! Merri, Pippin, Gandalf's found Mr. Frodo!"

Sam barreled down the hill. "Frodo, I was worried you might 'ave been eaten by a 'ellhound or somethin'! We were so worried!" 

"Thanks, Sam." Frodo smiled sleepily. "Sorry I worried you guys." 

"You're found now, Mr. Frodo. That's all I care about," Sam said, looking very relieved.