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.