A/N: [6-20-23] Due to a glitch, a large portion of this chapter was accidentally deleted.  We have edited it to put in the missing information!  Please read this chapter over if you’ve read it before Chapter 105 comes up.  We are sorry for the inconvenience.  We really are not sure how that portion of this chapter disappeared.  Thank you, KG and DF!

Summary: In the spring of 2012, four American children find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar world and part of an unexpected adventure.  This story is AU, and blends Lord of the Rings book-verse and movie-verse.  This story also contains a lot of spiritual and religious content as a part of the AU elements.

Disclaimer: The world of Middle-earth and all its peoples belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien; the three films of The Lord of the Rings​ belongs to New Line Cinema and to Peter Jackson.  This story is not for profit, but is a gift for the enjoyment of those who read it.

Citations: In most chapters, there will be some quotations directly from both the books and/or the movies.  Quotations from Tolkien's books are in italics, and quotations from the movies are underlined.  Occasional quotations from other sources as well as silent dialogue, words spoken in emphasis, and passages from the Bible will also be in italics, and those citations will be footnoted at the end of each chapter in which they occur. We will also footnote research sources and credit the ideas of other people.

Thanks: We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of our beta, Linda Hoyland, another well-known and prolific LotR fanwriter, whose many wonderful stories also grace this site.

A/N:  One of the things that KG asked me (DF), when we were going to partner in this story, was that we try to include my OC, Mendelcar, who appears in my story “Chance Encounter”.  I agreed.  Therefore, you may see bits of that story quoted here and there in the next few chapters.  Those are from my own story, so be assured that if you see something you recognize, it is not plagiarized.  Thank you.  DF and KG.

Chapter 104: The Unbirthday Song, Part 1

Gail looked in the mirror as Mairen finished tucking her hair into a net, over which the Elf-woman then pinned a pillbox-type hat.  It was one of the new styles in Gondor.  One of the women in charge of the clothing for guests in the Citadel had sent it to her.  Gail had mostly been wearing the Elvish styles, which did not include hats.  She looked at it dubiously.

"I'm not used to hats at home," she said.   Except once in a while, a baseball cap for when I go to the kids' games.  And rarely on special occasions… she thought.

"Nor am I," Mairen said, breaking into Gail’s thoughts.  "But I must say, it looks attractive.  It shows off your face."

With a pretty blush, Gail smiled her thanks.  "Do you think so?  I suppose it's the style; I've seen it on other ladies on the streets lately.  Well, if you don't think it's ridiculous, I'll wear it.  If Princess Lindiriel doesn't laugh at me, it will be all right.  It is kind of cute."

Gail took her cloak and hung it over her arm.  The spring weather had been fickle as of late, so while she didn’t need her cloak at the moment, she couldn’t be sure that the temperature wouldn’t suddenly drop or the breeze change direction while she was out.

Mairen had already finished getting herself ready, as she would be going with Gail.  Steve had offered to stay with the younger children today.  

The two women went to the common room.  Avor was waiting to escort them, and Steve was playing with Kaylee and Megan.  Joey, who had a day off, was also there.  He had come to their quarters while Gail was getting dressed.

They had been talking, but when Gail came into the room, it was suddenly silent.  They all stared at her, Steve with pleasure.

After a few seconds, Joey exclaimed, "Mom!  I never saw you in a fancy hat before!  Just hats in the winter to stay warm back home."  He shrugged.  "Well, winter caps, anyway."

Gail laughed.  "I know, right?  But when I was a little girl, I always wore a frilly hat to church on Easter, as did my mom and grandmother.  People don't really do that much anymore."

"Some of the older women in our church still wear them every Sunday, mostly those in their eighties or nineties," Steve added.

Gail nodded.  "Well, wearing hats is a style that may come and go, but being late is never in style.  We need to go.  We don't want to keep the Princess waiting."  She dropped a little kiss on each of her children's foreheads, and one on her husband's lips, a modest one, as Mairen and Avorn were there.  Elven couples very rarely showed affection in front of other people.

"Good-bye, sweetheart," Steve said.

"I'll see you later.  Don't forget, we are having dinner with the hobbits this evening."  Gail hoped that they wouldn't get too wound up while she was gone.  Kaylee and Megan giggled.

"Be good for your daddy, kids; I'll see you later!"  And off she went.

As the door closed behind Gail, Steve and the children gave sighs of relief.  "Well, she didn't seem to have overheard our scheming," Steve said.

"What's 'skeemin', Daddy?" asked Megan.

"Plotting and planning secrets, baby," he answered, with a chuckle.  "We need to get ready to go ourselves."

-oo000oo-

Jennifer had asked if it was all right to bring her friends Lalaith and Firiel to help with the party, and the hobbits all thought it was a wonderful idea.  The two girls would be working that evening, so they thought they could spend the morning with Jennifer, helping her, since they would not be able to attend the party.

First, they had gone with Sam to the street market.  While Sam picked up some special food items he wanted, the three of them had picked up a lot of flowers that Frodo had ordered ahead of time.  They had just arrived back at the guesthouse from the market, and were going to put them into buckets of water when Jennifer heard some familiar voices calling her name.

"Jennifer!"   She heard two familiar eager squees.

She turned and saw Kaylee and Megan rushing into her arms.  "Hey!  Pumpkins!" she said, as she hugged them back.

Steve and Joey arrived at Jennifer's side more slowly, but just as happy to see her.  Her father gave her a one-armed hug.  It's good to see you, kitten, and you as well, Lalaith and Firiel."

Jennifer's friends smiled and greeted Steve with a very small curtsy.  "We are sorry that we cannot attend the party tonight," said Lalaith.  Firiel nodded in agreement; she had only met Jennifer's father once and was shy.

"So, what can we do to help?" Steve asked.

"Well, you and Joey can ask Frodo over there…"  She pointed at the hobbit, who had just come out of the house with Boridhren, Corunir, and Olon, three of the Elves who had traveled with them from Rivendell.  "...what needs doing, and Kaylee and Megan can help us with arranging these flowers."  She pointed at the three large baskets of cut flowers that the girls had put down when they noticed Steve and the children arriving.

The little girls heartily approved of that, excited to be able to help the "big girls" with all the pretty flowers.  And Steve and Joey sauntered over to where Frodo was explaining what needed to be done.

As Jennifer led her little group of helpers into the house with the flowers, she briefly overheard Frodo explaining to his volunteers what their task would be: "...and if you can bring the trestles and boards from the storage building in the back and stow them against the side wall, so they will be easily accessible to put up the tables tonight…"

The girls entered into the house.  There was a table in the front hall, and they were surprised to see Raendir arranging some vases on that table.  There was a large pitcher of water, and two or three vases already there.

"Rudolph!" squealed Kaylee and Megan in unison, pleased to see one of their favourite Elves.  The Elves were not often in the quarters they shared with the McClouds, preferring to leave before sunrise and not arriving back until late at night, and very often not returning at all if the weather was pleasant, preferring to spend the night under the stars.

Raendir laughed at the children's epessë** for him, as the little girls ran towards him.  “I am glad to see you, too, Kaylee and Megan.”  He patted Kaylee’s shoulder and ruffled Megan’s hair.

"We've come to help with the flowers," said Jennifer.

"I will be most glad to accept your help," said the Elf.

He sent Jennifer to fetch a few more vases and asked Firiel to fetch another pitcher of water.  Lalaith was given the task of trimming the stems of the flowers, and Kaylee and Megan were set to sorting out the blossoms by colour.

In the kitchen, Firiel found two more pitchers by the large kitchen sink and used the hand pump to fill each one, while Jennifer found three more vases on the smaller worktable.  At the larger table, Glorfindel was carving fruits and vegetables into fancy shapes, and Radagast was tending a pot of soup at the hearth.  Sam gave Jennifer and Lalaith a grin of a greeting from his spot at the small table, where he was rolling out pastry.  The two girls quickly grabbed the items they'd been sent to get and returned to the front hall, not stopping for conversation. 

Soon they were busy filling the vases with irises, roses, lotus, impatiens, narcissus, poppies, lilies, and peonies, a riot of colour.  The scent was almost overwhelming.  Kaylee and Megan were given the two smallest vases and left to their own devices. The five girls worked quietly, filling the vases.  Raendir did not direct the girls in any way, but instead just allowed them to do their tasks unhindered.  He only reached out once, when Megan almost tipped over the vase she was working on, to steady it.  She gave the Elf a shy smile and whispered, "Thank you."

"You are most welcome, young Megan," was his quiet reply.

Shortly they had a dozen lovely flower arrangements, no two alike, lined up on the hall table.  There were still a few flowers left.

"It seems a shame to waste those flowers," said Jennifer wistfully.  "But there aren't any more vases."

Raendir nodded.  "I could find no others."

"I have an idea," said Lalaith.  "Do you suppose there is any ribbon here?  We could make a posie for your mother—I noticed some wisteria in bloom growing on the wall by the front gate.  We could cut a few of those to fill it out, if you think it would be all right."

"We could ask Master Sam.  He would know if we could cut some of the blooms," replied Raendir.

Sam did think it was a good idea, and he loaned them a pair of "big-size" kitchen shears—"Seeing as they're too big for the likes of me,"—and a length of twine—"as we got no ribbon 'round here as I know of."  He accompanied them outside to the wall where the wisteria bloomed most thickly.  He directed them to the clusters that would stay fresh the longest.  With a few snips, they had enough to add to the flowers they already had.  When they finished, Sam directed them to an empty shelf in the cold cellar to put all the flowers until time for the party.  The small arrangement they had made for Jennifer's mother, she carefully tucked into an empty stone jam jar with water.

Then the girls were given some napkins to fold.  Steve and Joey, along with the Elves, had finished stashing the table parts in a way that would be easy to set up, once guests had arrived, when Sam announced lunch.  It consisted of a hearty vegetable soup that Radagast had made, and some bread that had been made the day before.

Once all had eaten to their hearts' content, Steve's family took their leave, so they could get back before Gail returned, and then get ready for the "dinner" they were going to attend that evening.

Jennifer said farewell to Lalaith and Firiel, as both girls wanted to take naps before their evening of work, and she went back to their quarters in the Citadel to get ready for the real event: the party!

-oo000oo-

Gail smiled when she saw that they were approaching the Dol Amroth townhouse.  She found herself disappointed that Éowyn could not join in the meeting.  She had been so interested in helping with the fair, but of course her uncle's funeral was a priority.  Today she would be busy getting ready to leave in the morning for Rohan.  But the sound of the two Rohirric warriors who walked behind her and Mairen with their burden reminded Gail of the generous gift that Éowyn and Éomer had donated.  It was a very generous gift, indeed.

Princess Linderial greeted Gail and Mairen cordially.  But she looked with curiosity at the two men who followed, carrying a large wooden chest between them on two poles.

Gail gestured to them as they lowered their burden to the floor in the entryway.  The two men stood back, and Gail introduced them.

"My lady, this is Éothain, son of Éodred, a Marshall of Rohan, accompanied by Danulf, son of Danhelm.  Éodred is also cousin to King Éomer and Lady Éowyn.  They have brought with them a gift of great value, which can be sold to provide more funds for the benefit of the orphanage."

Princess Landiriel acknowledged the introduction, and the two men stepped forward to bow, with their fists on their hearts.  "My Lady Lindiriel, we present this on behalf of our nation in the hopes that they will bring comfort the children of Gondor who lost their families to war," said Éothain.

Danulf stepped back, and Éothain continued.  "Here is the saddle and tack of Snowmane, the noble steed of Théoden King.  Snowmane lies buried on the field of battle here in Gondor," he said.  "It is fitting that the saddle he bore remain here, where he died.  This is the wish of our King and his sister."  Éothain hesitated.  "Oh, and the saddle has been thoroughly cleansed of the stains of war."

Lindiriel gasped.  "This is indeed a kingly gift, and the price it brings will be of great benefit to the many children that are in need."

The two declined Linderiel's generosity to remain and take refreshment, and bid their farewell.

The Princess summoned a couple of footmen to carry the chest and its contents to the strongroom in the cellar, and she gestured for Gail and Mairen to join her in the sitting room, where other ladies who had offered their help with the fair awaited, so that they could begin to finalize the details of the fair.

-oo000oo-

Kevin had been paired with Beregond, who had replaced Beleg after he had sprained his ankle during training the day before.  As they reached the gate to the Sixth Circle, other members of the team split up and began to enter the street and lose themselves among the various people who were about their morning business.  He and Beregond headed out at Captain Targon's signal into the spring sun. 

"Remember," Kevin told Beregond.  "In the crowds, Pip's going to look like a kid about nine or ten years old.  But he has curly reddish-brown hair, not black hair like most of the Gondorian kids."

Beregond nodded.  "A good point, Sir Kevin.  We should not walk too closely together.  The halfling will have a head start on us." 

The two spread apart, so they didn't seem to be together, and began to keep an eye out for Pippin.  It was not until they reached the busier streets of the Third Circle that they spotted him.

Kevin watched as Pippin strolled through the streets with his hands in his pockets.  The hobbit was keeping his expression one of wide-eyed curiosity, but Kevin knew he was also keeping on the alert for the Men that Menelcar had described.

The street was fairly deserted.  A shabby and disreputable-looking figure leaned against a wall, seemingly lost in thought.  Across the street and not too far away, two Men were talking rather loudly.  Kevin could hear what they were saying, and he was sure that Pippin could hear them, too.  Sure enough, his friend paused nearby.

"I am very sorry," said the shorter of the two figures, in a whiny sort of voice.  "But if you wish to have the employment, you must start right away.  I need workers I can depend on—not someone who will take off at the drop of a hat."

"But it is just for a brief while, sir.  My poor children need to be brought home."  The other person, slightly taller, sounded pitiful.

"You will be there, or I'll find someone else to do the job."  The first figure walked away.

Kevin saw Pippin stop to look in the window of a shop selling cloth.  Another Man, this one rather a large fellow, approached the Man who remained.  It was clear that the hobbit was trying to listen.

"Well, Minastir, have you the money?" he asked roughly.

"Not all of it, I am afraid.  And I am not certain if I can accompany you to Lossarnach.  My new employer is reluctant to give me leave."

The new Man sneered.  "Well," he said loudly, "you need all the money I asked for, and then some, if you want me to bring your family back without you along.  I have told you I am no nursemaid, and I'll have to hire one if I do this for you."

Kevin shook his head.  This guy was not as good an actor as the first one.  He sounded rather stilted.  In fact, he thought, he sounds rather like a local car salesman in a hokey ad!  He rolled his eyes at the thought.

"I am leaving in two days’ time.  You will let me know before then if you have the coin."  He walked off with a swagger.  He came in Pippin's direction, and as he passed the hobbit, he glanced at him briefly.  There was an unpleasant smile on his face, but he quickly moved on.

Now the taller Man was standing alone, the very picture of dejection.  He brought his hands up to his face and began to weep.  He slowly staggered along, and also came in Pippin's direction, bumping into him.

Pippin had been prepared for something like this and carefully schooled his expression before turning around.  Kevin wondered how Pippin was going to handle this situation.  He shuffled just a little closer so he could hear better.

"I'm sorry, child!" the Man exclaimed.  "I didn't see you."

"That's all right, sir," Pippin replied politely, putting out a hand as if to steady him.

The Man looked at him and feigned amazement.  "Why, you are no young boy!  You are one of the pheriannath!"

Pippin nodded.  "Peregrin Took at your service and your family's," he replied.

"Sir Peregrin?  The Ernil i Pheriannath?"

"The very same.  And you are?"

"Minastir, son of Castamir," he replied sadly, "the unhappiest of Men."

"Why, whatever is the matter?" Pippin asked curiously.

Kevin bit back a grin.  This ought to be good!

"Alas, it is a long and sad tale," was the woebegone reply.

"Please tell me.  Perhaps I can help."

Here we go, Kevin thought.  I hope the man takes the bait.

"I am a carpenter, not a warrior, but when the City was threatened, I thought I should remain to be of what help I could.  I sent my four little children, and my wife, who was expecting our fifth, in the wains of refugees to Lossarnach, where they could stay with my widowed sister and her own little ones.  I missed them very much, but was expecting word any day now that they were returning.  My former employer was slain in the siege, and so I sought a new place, and was just two days ago engaged.  I am to start tomorrow.

”But only yesterday," he continued, "I received word that my poor wife died delivering our new little daughter, and my sister cannot keep the children much longer, as she has mouths of her own to feed.  I wished to go and fetch them, and a travelling merchant was willing to take me there with him for a fee.  But now my new employer says I must start work now, or lose my position.”  He sighed.

”And if I do not go myself, the merchant will increase the fee, as he says he is not a nursemaid.  I have only a very little money, and I simply do not know what to do.  If I do not take the job I am offered, I will have no way to keep the children when I get them here.  Alas, my poor little ones!  I do not know what is to become of them."

Kevin watched, as Pippin looked sympathetic.  "I am so sorry to hear of this, Minastir.  But perhaps I can be of help, if it is only a matter of coin.  How much do you think you might need?"

The Man looked at him, with an expression of dawning hope. "Why, originally, I was to pay fifty silver pennies.  But now the merchant has doubled that."

Pippin smiled.  "Why, as to that, the King gave me a hundred pence when I was knighted.  I have it right here, as no one ever seems to take my money for anything.  I would be happy to know that I could help your poor children be with you again.  There is nothing worse than children with no family to look after them.”  Pippin pulled out his money pouch.  "You are certain, then," he continued, "that this money will enable you to bring your children home to you?"

It sounds way more than enough, thought Kevin.

"Oh, Sir Peregrin!  They will bless your name forever!"

"Because, you know, I could ask the King for more."

What's Pippin up to now?  Why did he bring that up?  Then Kevin realized—Oh, he's trying to slow things down.  We want to catch them all, and not just this guy!

The Man's eyes glittered briefly, before he schooled himself to a more sombre expression.

"Well," he said slowly, "for the same amount again, I could also send for my widowed sister and her family.  Then my poor motherless babes would have someone to care for them as I worked."  He looked at Pippin out of the corner of his eye.  His mask briefly slipped, and Kevin could see the greed, though it quickly passed.

Pippin nodded.  "That's true," he said sympathetically, and then he looked as if an idea had just come into his head.  "I've an idea!" Pippin said eagerly.  "Why don't I just ask the King to send for your family?  Then it would not cost you a thing!"

Kevin was once more surprised.  What on earth is that hobbit doing?  He then grinned when he saw the man's brief look of alarm.  Of course, that was the last thing the guy would want!  

"No, no, that's not necessary.  I would not wish to trouble him so far.  I am sure that the money is adequate.  I do not like to think the King himself would be troubled by my little family."

"So, then, do you think you might need anything more?"

Minastir gave him a sharp look and narrowed his eyes.

Oh, no, he’s suspicious, I can tell, thought Kevin, who then watched as Pippin schooled his face into its sweetest and most innocent expression.  It reminded Kevin of the great big eyes of Puss-in-Boots in one of the Shrek movies.***  The hobbit added an engaging and charming smile, and saw the Man’s brief suspicion fade.

"I am sure that will be enough to take care of everything, my lord."  The Man sounded humble and sincere.

"Well," Pippin said, "I will see you tomorrow at this time and place, then.  I'm so glad I can help your children."

After more bows and effusive thanks, the man walked off.  Pippin watched him disappear, and then turned and very briefly gave a smile, before he walked on, soon vanishing down a side street.

Kevin caught up with Beregond, and both headed back up towards the Citadel.

-oo000oo-

A/N: We did make some changes to the timeline for "Chance Encounter" to accommodate this new story, which is slightly AU.

*You can find an example of this hat as the site Rosalie's Medieval Woman in the section "Filets, Circlets, and Torques" (https://rosaliegilbert.com/headwear.html).

**Epessë [FROM TOLKIEN GATEWAY: “Elven Customs” (https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Elven_customs#Ess%C3%AB) and “Epessë” (https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Epess%C3%AB)]:

The epessë or the "after-name" was the fourth type.  The after-name was given later in life (not necessarily by the Elf's kin), as a title of admiration and honour.[1] In some circumstances, the epessë was chosen by the Elf himself or herself.  A typical example for an epessë is Galadriel.  Galadriel is the Sindarin rendering of Alatáriel, the latter being the Telerin epessë originally given to her by Celeborn, meaning "Maiden Crowned by a Radiant Garland".  (From “Elven customs”)

Epessë, Quenya for after-name, is a nickname or honorific given to an elf at some point in his or her life.  It is one of the anessi, or given names, of High Elves, along with the father-name and amilessë ("mother-name").^[1]  The epessë was a public name, and the person it was given to sometimes adopted it as one of his or her actual names.

An example is Gil-galad ("Star of Radiance"), which was the mother-name of the last High King of the Noldor.  His father-name was Rodnor.^[2]  Upon becoming king he was given the epessë Ereinion ("Scion of Kings") and called Ereinion Gil-galad.^[3] (From “Epessë”)

***Puss-in-Boots first appeared in Shrek 2, and has subsequently appeared in the other sequels and and TV specials, and two spin-offs of his own.