action.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo arrives rolling and tumbling across the floor.

There was a great shadow over him then, something with a terrible stench and legs too numerous to count. And now, light. He shields himself from the brightness and scoots back until he bumps against the wall, then scrambles to find shelter behind a couch. It hurts his eyes. The air is suddenly too clear, everything too clean. He fears it is a trick.

He speaks in a hush, afraid to alert the enemies but more afraid of being alone. ]

Sam? Where are you, Sam?

Comments

[bow_of_the_galadhrim]

[Legolas is quick to step out of the way as a vaguely familiar Hobbit shape goes tumbling across the floor. The elf is once more himself, no longer an elfling of twenty and most certainly all are glad for it. He's dressed more comfortably than any had been during the War of the Ring and there's a book, poetry, tucked under his arm. And then that voice and the familiar name of Sam.]

Samwise Gamgee? Is that who you seek? I fear he is not here, in fact I've seen no Hobbits here since I've arrived.

[Making heavier steps than he might usually, he steps over towards where Frodo is sheltered. He keeps out of reach, for fear that he might lash out, but he is clearly visible should Frodo look to him.]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo draws back from the edge.

That isn't Sam's voice, though no beast in Mordor could sound so sweet, lest all of this is a deception. He tries to fit under the couch, an easier feat than he expected, and hold his breath. ]

Have a small human wizard

[wizard_redfive]

[Dairine was heading down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when a smallish person tumbles into the lobby. Well then. A newcomer at this hour? Seriously, castle?

The guy seems skittish, so Dairine will approach slowly and with caution. Who knows what he could have been facing only moments ago.]

Not here, probably, though you're free to prove me wrong.

\o/

[bronwe]

[ Skittish is right, and very confused. Frodo keeps as quiet as he can, waiting for the illusion to pass away or the threat to reveal itself. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[His voice may have been too soft for most to hear, but elven ears are certainly keener than most. Part way through the lobby, Galadriel pauses. That voice was familiar.]

Master Baggins?

[bronwe]

[ Her voice sounds soft enough in his ear that he thinks he imagined it. Perhaps the Phial reminded him of her, but that he had given to Sam to hold.

He almost chokes the word back but he would grasp at anything at this point. He whispers. ]

Yes?

[magicus]

[ Merlin's been poking around the library and is just heading back towards his room (with a sizable stack of books, of course) when he thinks he hears a whisper, stops and backtracks a bit. And then Frodo's treated to a young man peering around the couch, mostly ears and an easy, non-threatening smile. ]

You all right? [ Well, no, he clearly isn't, but it's polite to ask. ]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo lets out a yelp and jumps away. He doesn't remember to draw his sword, only scrambles back for a moment, looking terribly confused. ]

[wilder]

[Zelos was on his way to...somewhere when he hears someone behind a couch, the faintest sounds that Frodo make being plain as day to him. Normally he'd judge it to be a child playing hide and seek, but the heartbeat and breath? Far too rapid to be anything but fear. ]

[So curious, he goes to investigate. When he gets far enough to see the hobbit, he pauses at odd the guy looks. Size of the child, but certainly wasn't one. Maybe he was a dwarf? Then again, he didn't think they could be separate from their beards. ]

[Oh well, one thing was for pretty certain]

Lemme guess, you're new.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo gasps and falls back on his butt while scrambling away from the man. He would think of fleeing if he can find reason to. All of this seems to be a strange dream, neither the ones about food and water or nightmares. ]

No. I was-- this is where I live. [ Hello fellow Mordorian, don't hurt him please. ]

[silvertree]

[Quite the spectacle there.

Celeborn almost didn't know what to think once he saw the hobbit stumble by. Stranger happenings have befallen upon other wayfarers here in the past, but Frodo looked absolutely petrified.

Uncertain whether or not he should make his presence known, the Lord of Lothlórien approached.]

...You are the ringbearer.

[bronwe]

[ Petrified yes, finally someone who understands. The sight of the bright elf approaching makes him more afraid but in a different way, more pleasant. He remembers him, of course. ]

No. Stay away.

[compromisedarrow]

[And Clint's walking down the stairs, quiver on his back, bow case in his hand.

...And there's someone hiding behind the couch.]

Huh. That's new.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo holds his breath and keeps silent. Maybe this Orc or whatever foul Mordor creature will forget he's there! ]

[lordofthevalley]

[Elrond is passing through the lobby, headed for the city really he has a store there still, when he hears something. Elven hearing being what it is he hears that voice, and it's the voice that makes him look behind the couch after some looking around and actually smile.

As afraid as the hobbit may be, he can't help it and he does his best to well, not look threatening looming over him.]

Master Baggins, it has been sometime.

[bronwe]

[ The looming startles him and he scrambles away. He hasn't noticed the elf coming closer at all! ]

Lord Elrond. [ Hushed, disbelieving. ]

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[Oh dear, what was that. Ashura had been on his way to the kitchens when THAT all happened and he peered curiously at the crouching figure. He trailed over, dressed in long robes of blue and gold today, lined with white fur for warmth.]}

Dear thing, what is the matter? And who is Sam? A friend of yours?

[bronwe]

[ Oh, majestic-looking person. Mighty tall too. Frodo sort of cowers and peers at him. Too fair to be one of the enemies, surely. ]

Yes. [ He stands up, unsure. ] Why are you here?

action

[checklist]

[ Because I'm going for the most absurd meeting possible, there's a pastel purple unicorn pony (really, she's small enough for Frodo to ride) just trotting by.

More alarmingly, there's a rather large sheet of parchment, seemingly enveloped by magenta-colored magic, just floating in front of her. Or, well, the top half is floating in front of her. The bottom half is dragging along the ground. Because it is a really, really long checklist.

Even more more alarmingly, she's talking to herself as she trots by, reading off her checklist. ]

Science fiction and fantasy wing organized, check. I'll put down the historical fiction, mystery, and romance sections to be organize tomorrow morning with Spike...

[ Yup.

Blame Yuff. ]

action

[bronwe]

[ GIANT SPIDERS AND NOW TALKING PONIES. The other hobbits were right to call him Mad Baggins. Frodo pretty much stares with mouth gaping at her, and the checklist, but mostly the purple pony.

He remembers to stand up as slowly as he can to make little sound, still not taking his eyes off of her. ]

Action

[lupinotuum]

[ Remus is simply passing through on his way to the kitchen to meet his friends, when a rather strong smell coming from behind one of the couches assaults his sensitive nose. He pauses, sniffing the air for a moment in a rather canine-like fashion and scrunching up his nose.

And then he hears this little voice, full of fear, calling out for someone called "Sam".

Immediately concerned, but wary, he carefully moves closer to investigate. ]

Erm ... Hello?

[bronwe]

[ Frodo clamps a hand over his mouth. That was a bad idea after all. He peers over the couch and quickly hides it again at the sight of the unfamiliar man, who might only catch a tuft of dark hair.

He drops to the ground and plans his escape. ]

[willrememberthat]

[Clem enters the lobby to see someone scurry behind a couch. She pauses, snow from the outside on her coat, probably just as afraid as he is for a moment.

But he sounds scared. More scared than her, now, and so she slowly goes to peer around the couch.]

Hello?

[bronwe]

[ Watch him stumble back and fall on his butt at the sight of a little girl. Frodo stares at her for a moment, not sure if his fear is warranted. At least it's a human little girl who nearly matches his height! ]

Hullo.

[fistfullofmagic]

[Dhaos has seen many strange things in his long life, and near half a year within the walls of Cair Paradisa had only led him to expect oddities. Thus the sudden appearance of a very small and rather skittish man hardly fazes him.

Remembering the circumstances of his own arrival, he decides to lend some assistance.]

I am uncertain if your friend is here, but for the time being, you are safe.

[He's not going to lie about it being completely safe. A magic castle with a will of its own is never an entirely safe place.]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo startles, keeping silent for a moment before peering out. ]

I don't think I am where I was, if that makes sense.

[lightbranded]

[Will frowns with concern. That had looked like a hard tumble. He walks over and kneels beside the couch.]

Are you well?

[bronwe]

[ The tumble left him unharmed! Though he cowers away, suspicious. ]

Yes.

[majestic_leader]

[DeMarco hasn't gotten around to removing his armor yet since he arrived, bt he's at least taken off the helmet and clipped it to his belt. He's intent on discovering as much of his new surroundings as he can before he goes through the laborious task of shedding the heavy plating.]

[These new surroundings which include, it would seem, teeny tiny kids. DeMarco watches Frodo for a moment before clomping over with heavy steps and kneeling on one knee to put him on a more even level. Streamlined as this new armor model is, it's still an impressive bulk on an already tall, buff frame.]

Hey there little guy, you lost? [The kid looked like he'd been on his way to a fantasy convention or something.]

[bronwe]

[ Oh no, they heard him. Frodo clamps a hand over his mouth and scoots to try and slip under the couch, but too late. He clambers backwards and fumbles with his dagger, not succeeding on drawing it.

But he looks human. ]

No. I was given the right to-- [ doesn't look like one of the rangers either ] No, I'm not.

[theabjectauthor]

[oh look, someone else who knows how to hide. never mind that they look new. and are barefoot. and grubby. hiding is a valuable skill, and he will respect that. Lemony creeps carefully to another piece of furniture with a line of sight to the newcomer, then gives him what he hopes is a universal all-clear signal]

[bronwe]

[ Hobbits are the best at hiding, better if they're not tired near-death and hungry to boot. Frodo stares at him at the signal, not quite understanding the how or why.

After some while, he whispers. ]

Did you see my friend?

[eat_me_beat_me]

[A fairy flies over the boy(?) who just scrambled in out of nowhere. The red glow around her fades as she hovers over him.]

Whoa! Are you okay?

[bronwe]

[ ARGH WEIRD CREATURES. He tries to swat her away while taking care not to actually hit her. ]

[emboldens]

[ Igraine witnesses the whole thing, cupping a hand over her mouth in surprise before she steps into view and crouches down. But she doesn't approach as she does not want to startle him further. ]

Please, do not be afraid. You are safe here.

May I approach?

[bronwe]

[ Frodo is propped on his elbows, staring at her, disbelieving. She seems like a woman of high standing, did they travel the wrong direction and strayed into Gondor proper? The castle seems to prove this point.

He speaks warily. ]

You might prefer not to.

[not_mafia]

[Tsuna comes just in time to see someone dive behind the couch. He stares for a moment, confused, before he tentatively calls out.]

Hel...lo?

[bronwe]

[ Is that a shy orc? Frodo keeps under the couch, holding his breath and fighting the urge to peer out! ]

[kid_apocalypse]

[Evan had been on his way to the tv room when he spots Frodo come tumbling across the lobby floor. Remembering his own abrupt and somewhat violent entry into the castle, how jarring it had been from where he'd come, he can't help but feel bad for whoever this guy was. He walking over to the couch where Frodo is hiding, getting to his knees to better see the little guy.]

I can't say I know anyone named Sam, except for that guest speaker that came to my school a few months ago, but I don't think that's who you mean. Are you okay?

[He reaches a gray hand out. Red-eyed, gray skinned kid in your vicinity Frodo, what do?]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo has nothing against grey people or even people with red eyes! People with giant yellow eyes might be met with a different reception Though he does scuffle away when he notices the guy, watching him warily as if he doesn't understand what's being said. It takes a minute for him to speak. ]

Yes. [ He stands up on his own and takes a step back. ] Where am I?

[silentrunning]

[Her name isn't Sam...But she is in the lobby, and walking pretty near that couch...

When he calls out, she freezes, and peers around, searching for the source of the voice. She's not moving closer but she may be close enough for a shadow to fall in front of part of the light, at the very least.]

[Odd...She had heard a voice. But where... Slooowly she peers around the edge of the couch, but he's not been spotted yet.]

[bronwe]

[ Frodo clamps a hand over his mouth and proceeds to scuffle under the couch!

He tries to quietly drag his cloak and everything with him so he's not seen. He can still see her feet, human-looking and hardly menacing, but one can never be too careful. ]