Author's Note: Hi, everybody! I started this story when I was really bored, and um, putting off doing some homework, and it's kind of grown from there. In case there's any confusion, let me say (in this story) I have not fallen into Middle Earth, nor have the characters fallen into our world. We all are living on the same plane (plain?) of existence. How is this possible? I have no idea; I just hope you enjoy the story. This is my first fic, so I'm a little nervous, but here it goes….
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or anything else that one may recognize; so all you lawyers better not sue. Besides, I'm a student, my worldly possessions are limited to a train pass and some Sacajawea coins. Think of the pathetic settlement you would get. The other lawyers would laugh at you.
'OK,' I thought to myself. 'I have exactly one hour until the bank closes to go cash my pathetic paycheck; that's plenty of time. But then I have to go the post office and--'
I was totally in my own world as I yanked open my front door and began to step outside.
"Hiiiiiii!!!!!"
"Aaaahhh!" I screamed, jumping about six inches off the ground.
Standing on my porch were Merry and Pippin. Each hobbit held a plastic bag and wore cheek-shattering smile.
"Geez!" I yelped, calming down a bit. "Don't do that to me before I've had my coffee."
"You don't drink coffee," Merry pointed out.
"Exactly," I said, "and until I start drinking it, neither one of you is allowed to scare me like that again!"
They both cocked their heads and gave me curious looks for a second before Pippin spoke up.
"We've brought apples," he announced, holding up his plastic bag.
"Good for you. Why are you telling me this?" I asked.
"Well, we got them for the sleepover," Pippin explained.
"Who's having a sleepover?" I asked him
"You are!" Merry piped up.
"What the ---- I'm having a ---- I never said that!" I sputtered.
"Yes you did!" Pippin exclaimed. "Last weekend when Merry and I were over, I remember you were making a line of empty Bacardi bottles and you said you missed everybody. Then you got real happy and said you would have a sleepover and invite the whole Fellowship!"
"Uh-huh," I said. "Pip, I also dimly recall on that same night, you went outside and ran up and down the neighborhood screaming, 'I am the Bubble Fairy!'" I told him.
Pippin blinked at me. "Right, so what's your point, Annie?"
"My point is nobody says anything he or she means a few Bacardis into the evening."
"But you SAID you would have one!" Merry protested. "You made a promise! You signed it and everything!" He fished a piece of paper out of his pocket. I unfolded it and read:
I, Annie, solemnly promise to be a gracious and generous friend and host a sleepover for the Fellowship of the Ring. I also promise not to be a little punk and try to back out of the deal by saying I was too drunk to know what I was doing, like Merry knows I will.
Oooh, and lookee. I had signed it. I gave the paper back to Merry.
"I hate you," I told him.
He gave me his most charming grin, "No you don't."
"So does this mean you'll do it?" Pippin asked, his eyes shining.
I closed my eyes and leaned back against the doorframe.
Ooooh, cliffhanger! Will I say yes? Will I say no? Well, if you read the title of this story you probably have a good idea of what my answer is. Read Chapter 2 anyway, though! It will give you some backstory. I was originally going to include it in Chapter 1, but it ran a little too long.