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The Lord of the Sites The Fellowship of the Page Book 1
By Seth Rex
In the lands of Middle-Web, legend tells of the One Ring of Banishment. Lost for thousands of years, it was said to be able to ban anyone its owner deemed to suffer this fate. Historians recall the last known account of the ring to be the second age of Middle-Web. However, there would be no known whereabouts for the last great battle of the second age and the location of the ring remained hidden…
It began with the forging of the rings of power. Three rings to the veterans, immune to age, wisest and fairest of all users. Seven rings to the sprites, miners of the great halls. Nine to the surfer kings, who above all, desired power…
Every one of these had within them the power to govern the free races to which they were presented, and uphold the benign qualities of all…but all of them were deceived…
For in the land of hotmail, the Dark Lord Shniz, lord of darkness forged another ring. One ring to ban them all!
One by one, the free sites of Middle-Web fell to the One Ring. Hope was all but lost by the peoples that inhabited the sites. A band of surfers and veterans, however, joined together and resisted. The surfers stood in lines upon lines along with the veterans. Ahead of them was Mount Doom, in the heart of Hotmail. Flooders and spammers were waiting to attack and the evil Lord Shniz looked over the battlefield with no remorse, unseen by his enemy force spread out before him. All would die that rejected him.
His dark armour reflected the fires of his fury and a mask bred from the suffering of hell covered his whole face…if he had one. Slowly he raised his huge mace and signalled for the battle to begin. His forces shouted their ghastly war cries and charged at the Veterans, which were led by Lord Post-Grant, and the Surfers, led by Vader and his father MegLives. Post-Grant’s squire, Dan, watched the flooders running towards them, and in a single swift motion, he held up his arm to his archers and threw it down.
“Fire!” he called out as thousands of archers fired their arrows at the flooders. Flooders fell from the mountain and from the rocks as the piercing points of metal struck them. The archers reloaded and fired again, taking more flooders and spammers as the enemy charged. The Surfers now began their onslaught as the Veterans worked on feeding their bows. They fired off arrows, taking flooders down from all places. The Flooders raged forward with no regard for their safety until finally they were close enough to break the ranks of the resistors.
Post-Grant shouted a Veterans curse and raced forward to meet the Flooders and Spammers head on, he jabbed with his spear, feeling it connect with the slimy flesh of his enemy. Forward he charged, hoping to lead the Veterans towards victory.
The battle raged for hours, and towards the final hours it seemed the resistors may perhaps have a chance to succeed. This hope was quickly diminished, as Dan turned just in time to see a fellow resistor fly through the air after being hit with an incredible force. His eyes scanned the horizon until he found the source of this blow. Shniz. The Dark Lord began to swing his mace, striking anyone that opposed him with bone jarring impacts.
In a moment of heroism that few have seen, Vader’s father, the great Lord of the Surfers, charged forward only to be struck down by the Dark Lord. His sword fell to the ground beside him. He was dead. Vader gasped a curse that can no longer be spoken and raced to his father’s side, just as a shadow fell over him. A huge armoured boot came down on the sword, snapping the blade into pieces. In a moment of rage, Vader rolled onto his back, seized the handgrip of the broken sword, and swung it above him in a wide arc, which managed to hack through the Dark Lord’s wrist. The hand, and the mace it carried, hit the ground and fell apart.
All was quiet and still as the Dark Lord stared down at his lacerated arm, perhaps wondering in fury how such a weak being was able to strike such an accurate blow. Then he exploded into pieces. Fire and ash stretched out over the lands and the clouds broke and rays of sunlight poured down onto the battlefield. The flooders and spammers scattered, howling and yelping in terror. The Alliance stood dumbfounded, unmoving, hardly daring to believe what they had just seen. The war had been won! Shniz was forever destroyed…or that’s what many believed.
Only Dan knew what had to be done next, but his heart already told him that the Surfer, Vader, had not the strength to do what was needed. “Come with me, Vader,” he said solemnly, “There is one more action that must yet be done before the Shniz can be forever destroyed…”
They journeyed up the cliff side of Mount Doom, in the very heart of Hotmail, until they reached the Crack of Doom. This was where the Ring must be destroyed. Then, and only then, would the Dark Lord be banished to the abyss.
”Vader, you must throw it into the fire,” pleaded Dan. “Destroy it!”
But Vader was torn between his duty and the Ring. It seemed to call out to him. Despite Dan’s endless yells, he merely stared at the tiny golden band in his fingers. Then he shook his head.
“No,” he said. With that, he turned and walked away from the Crack of Doom.
”Vader!” cried Dan.
But Vader never looked back, leaving Dan to fall to his knees. For Dan knew what had just happened, what Vader had done. The spirit of Shniz had just been allowed to thrive.
Not much is read about Vader and his ownership of the Ring. But what is known is that flooders using arrows shot down Vader later in the years. The Ring was lost in a river and lay in secret until many years later…when the Dark Lord felt his time to return was drawing near.
A small figure, pulled into the river by a fish noticed the sun glinting off something in the riverbed. The person stretched out his hand and grabbed a small golden object. Then he surfaced, gasping for air as he climbed from the water. When he had enough air in his lungs, he washed the mud of the thing he had found.
“Ooh, a ring,” he said. He looked eagerly around for his friend, to show off what he had found. He spotted his companion sitting on a log, and ran over to him. His friend looked up.
“Ooh. Is it for me, Gamblers?” he asked. Gamblers frowned.
”But I had already bought you more than I can afford, Domy,” he said. “I found this. It’s mine. My own.”
”But it is my birthday. This ring would be a nice present,” said Domy. “It’s just a ring, you won’t need it.”
Domy thought there was a small voice calling to him from the ring…it whispered, ’I am yours, too treasure and keep.’
But Gamblers persisted; he would not let it go. It was as though it had a hold on both of them. But something overcame Domy then, and in a fury unlike anything he had felt before, he suddenly lunged at his unsuspecting friend. His hand found Gamblers’s throat, and suddenly both of them plunged into the river. Gamblers dropped the ring as he fell, but Domy had the upper hand. After a submerged struggle, only Domy emerged. He spotted the ring lying where it had fallen, and snatched it up into his hand. As he stared, an odd look crossed his face, and his voice seemed to act of its own accord.
“My…precious…”
Domy then took the ring with him wherever he went. He used it to spy on his family, and he became a thief, stealing many things. When they had realized that he had found a way to turn invisible (though they never found out how), they began to despise him. In the meantime, however, Domy was becoming corrupt through the ring. When his family could bear him no longer, he was banished from the river, and he fled to the Misty Mountains where he would remain for centuries to come. The ring brought to Domy unnatural long life and for 500 years it poisoned his mind. He became Dac, a poker and prier in the underground caves. He was an invisible terror to the spammers in the caves, for he made his home in an underground lake, and when a spammer went down to fish, they never returned. Years passed and rumour grew of a shadow rising in the east. A nameless fear echoed among the spammers of the caves. The ring, hearing these, realised its time had come. Soon everything would change, and an unlikely little person would stumble upon a lost secret.
Martin looked around the cave of the misty mountains. He was lost. It was simple as that.
“Blasted Icebreaker to get me into this mess,” he told himself. He never cared much for adventures. He looked around and began to crawl through the cave to see if he could get his bearings before he became even more lost. He walked through another entrance into another tunnel, and suddenly realised he had stepped into an underground lake in an enormous cavern. As he stood there, dumbfounded, a voice came through the gloom, and a bent form appeared before him.
“Yes, my precious,” said the voice. “A creature it is. Small creature, it is, my precious. What’s it doing here, we wonders?”
“What are you?” said Martin in disbelief.
“What are we, it asks?” said Dac. “We forgets, it’s been so long, precious. But what is it, then?”
“I am Martin Baggins of the Kazaa,” declared Martin bravely. “Can you help me? I’m lost.”
Dac looked at him curiously. “Lost, it said it was, precious,” he said. “Stay right here, it must. Be back soon, we will.”
He went off for a few minutes as Martin sat on a flat rock. While he sat there, his foot accidentally kicked out a tiny stone, and in the dim light he noticed a hole behind it. He reached in and felt something cold and hard, yet smooth. A tiny ring. Martin picked it up and put it in his pocket.
Martin would then have to answer riddles told by Dac. Martin won the game and finally left the misty mountains never to see Dac again. Times would change; history would go on learning new things. And it would soon reach a time when newbies would change the tides of fate.
Chapter 1
When Mr. Martin Baggins announced his eleventy first birthday, people in the Kazaa were thrilled. Martin always held incredible birthday parties. It was a natural thing for him, a talent, of a sort. He made a celebration of his birthday every year, but it was also his younger cousin’s birthday at the same time, so it was not just one celebration, but rather, a mix of two birthday parties. Seth-Rex, an orphan who had been adopted by his cousin, was having his birthday on the same day. Martin and Seth-Rex were of a race called Newbies. They were rather small, only 3ft tall and very agile. Or so it is said about Newbies. Newbies had been farming the Kazaa for a long time, and Martin’s home was in one of the larger towns, called Newbiton. And just about everyone in Newbiton was looking forward to the highly-anticipated party, which would begin that night at last would be tonight. It was rumoured that it would be one of particular magnificence.
When the day finally, Seth-Rex found himself lying in the grass, back on a tree reading a good book, out in the woods, and away from the hustle and bustle about the town. As he relaxed and lay there calmly, glad to be away from it all, he heard the creaking of wheels on the dirt road. He stood up quickly to hear a poem being recited. Immediately he knew who it was.
In the forest, on a horse and buggy, came Martin’s old friend Icebreaker. He wore his usual raggedy outfit and pointed wizard hat. He was reciting an old poem he had picked up on his travels. He rode on towards Newbiton, enjoying the sights and sounds of the woods, for it had been a long time since he had been there last. He was one of the very few outsiders who knew of the Kazaa, and as most people seemed happy not knowing about it, he didn’t feel like telling them about. He didn’t exactly like giving out the whereabouts so he kept it to himself. Just as he saw all the familiar trees and birds, suddenly another familiar figure appeared through the underbrush.
“You’re late,” said the new arrival. Icebreaker jerked the reins so the horse would stop. Then he turned solemnly to the newbie.
“A wizard is never late, Seth-Rex,” he said knowingly. “Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.”
Both of them stood or sat silent, and then Icebreaker spoke up.
“OK, so I’m one day late. I had to fix a damn tire.”
Then they both burst out laughing and Seth-Rex dived into the buggy, embracing his old friend, almost like a grandfather. Icebreaker set his horse moving again and they continued on towards Newbiton.
“You didn’t think I’d miss your uncle Martin’s birthday did you?” Icebreaker said.
“I see you’re doing fine,” said Seth-Rex.
“I see you’re doing fine as well,” replied Icebreaker. “For myself, the outside world can tend to be a pain in the ass, but I thrive.”
“So how is the outside world? Tell me everything,” said Seth-Rex.
“Very curious for a Newbie like yourself. I daresay that’s strange,” chuckled Icebreaker. “Well now what can I say. Life in the big world goes on as usual, scarcely aware of the existence of Newbiton and the Kazaa…and for that I’m very grateful.”
They rode into Newbiton with ease. Icebreaker’s presence caused a bit of excitement and some of the people waved. Others said hello and more still shook their heads with impatience (although thankfully the latter group was not very large). As they rode off, Icebreaker noticed the party being set up in a field nearby.
“Ah, the long expected party,” he laughed. “I hear it’s going to be something of great magnificence.”
“Half of the Kazaa is invited,” commented Seth-Rex. “And the rest are turning up anyway. He’s up to something. Something big.”
Icebreaker grunted and nodded his head.
“OK, you keep your secrets,” grinned Seth-Rex
“Eh?”
“I know you have something to do with it.”
“Oh, really?”
“Before you came around we Bagginess were well respected,” Seth-Rex said.
“Indeed,” Icebreaker replied.
“Never did anything unexpected, especially any adventures,” Seth-Rex added.
“If you’re referring to the incident with the Pteranodon, I was barely involved. I just…nudged him out of the door,” Icebreaker explained.
“Whatever you did, you’ve been labelled a disturber of the piece,” Seth-Rex said.
“Oh really?” Icebreaker asked as he looked around to see a house. A newbie was in his front yard, fixing his lawn. He looked up as Icebreaker passed and frowned. But even as he did, children were coming from the fields to the road behind the cart.
“Fireworks, Icebreaker, fireworks!” they called out to him. Icebreaker just ignored them and the children began to sigh with disappointment. Abruptly fireworks erupted from the back of his cart. They all jumped in surprise and cheered. Even the man was chuckling. But his wife soon came out near him and he returned to his lawn again. Seth-Rex and Icebreaker rode on up toward Bag-End. Finally Seth-Rex stood up.
“Icebreaker, I’m glad that you’re here,” said Seth-Rex. He jumped off and waved to Icebreaker as he walked back into the trees.
“So am I dear boy, so am I,” Icebreaker said to himself.
Icebreaker finally reached his destination and stopped the horse. He got off and walked through the gate. Using his staff, he knocked on the green circular door. His knocking, however, did not have the expected response.
“No, thank you!” snapped an irritated voice. “I have no time for well-wishers, party crashers, or dished up relations!”
“And what about very old friends?” Icebreaker called back, trying not to laugh. The door opened and Martin came out.
“Icebreaker?” he gasped in wonder. “Oh, my dear friend Icebreaker! It’s been far too long!” he said. Icebreaker knelt down and hugged the little man.
“Martin Baggins,” he sighed. “One hundred and eleven years old…Good god, you haven’t aged a day.” said Icebreaker.
“Well come in! Come in!” Martin offered. They walked into his house and Icebreaker closed the door using the bottom of his staff.
“Just watch the door, will you?” said Martin anxiously. “It fell off again last week. A big door like that on only one hinge can be such a bugger.”
Icebreaker looked at the house. It looked the same as the last time he had seen it. The dining room with the table was to his left. It was also connected to the kitchen that had another table. Martin took his staff and hat and put the hat on the coat hook, leaning the staff against the wall next to it.
“Would you like some tea? Or how about some wine? I have some that was given to me around the time of my great grandfather; it’s almost as old as I am!” Martin said.
“Just tea, thank you,” replied Icebreaker. As Martin bustled off to get some, Icebreaker walked into the study. He spotted a few things on the table. He picked up a map that covered the lands they had gone to on their journey to get rid of SGD the Pteranodon. That was Martin’s first adventure. It had been a most exciting one really. Martin was still rambling on.
“I can make you some eggs if you like,” he said as he went into the study but Icebreaker had wandered off.
“Just tea, thank you,” he repeated, now behind Martin, inside the dining room. Martin turned to face him.
“Oh yes,” he said. He put some cheese in his mouth.
“You don’t mind if I eat, do you?” Martin asked.
“Oh no, not at all,” Icebreaker replied.
“Martin! Martin Baggins!” a woman’s voice called as they heard knocking. Martin hid near a wall.
“I’m not at home!” he hissed to Icebreaker. He walked into his kitchen and peered cautiously out the window.
“It’s the Sackville-Bagginses,” he growled. “They’re after the house. They’ve never forgiven me for living this long.”
He sighed. “Oh I wish I’d get rid of those confounded relatives. Never giving me the time and peace I deserve.”
“I presume everything is going as planned then?” Icebreaker asked. Martin nodded his head.
“Yeah, it is. I need a vacation, Icebreaker. A very long one. And I don’t suppose I’ll ever return. In fact I don’t want to. I’m old, Icebreaker. I know I don’t look it but I feel it. It’s as if I’m feeling thin like butter spread over too much bread,” he said. He poured the hot water into the teapot.
“Seth-Rex suspects something,” Icebreaker said.
“Of course he does. He’s a Baggins,” Martin replied.
“He’s very fond of you,” stated Icebreaker.
“I know. He’d probably go with me if I asked him. But somehow I feel he’s still in love with the Kazaa,” Martin said. “And I can’t bear to take it away from him.”
A pleasant wind at dusk whisked about them as they sat outside smoking pipes. Icebreaker and Martin both stared at the field that would soon host the biggest party seen in the Kazaa. In good spirits, the pair started blowing smoke shapes. Martin blew out a smoke ring which floated in the air and hovered near Icebreaker. Icebreaker in return let out a smoky ship. The ship in turn sailed through the ring before both wisped into nothing.
“Old Tovie. The finest weed in Kazaa,” said Martin. Icebreaker chuckled; he’d heard the story, but no newbie ever got tired of telling it. However, Martin’s mind was clearly on other things.
“Icebreaker, my friend…this is going to be one hell of a night.”
Fireworks went off in the sky with deafening explosions. Icebreaker was working his magic of doing a good show for the kids. He sent off a firework that broke into a dozen rocket-type fireworks. They all shot outward and the children danced around, trying to catch them. It was the big party, finally taking off. Icebreaker chuckled as he let little firework pixies fly around for the kids to catch. Seth-Rex was dancing around as though his was a lot younger than he was, and their gardener, Mad-Rex Gamgee, sat at a nearby table drinking ale. Martin was telling a few kids the tale of the adventure of SGD nearby.
“And there we were, with three enormous raptors all chirping as to how they were going to eat us. Whether they should chop us up with their claws or simply eat us live! Well, they were all arguing so loudly, absolutely none of them noticed it coming, but before they even knew it, a T-Rex had come and ate them whole!” he said. The kids gasped in amazement.
Seth-Rex ran over to the table where Mad-Rex was drinking and grabbed his shoulder jovially.
“Why don’t you ask JPFan for a dance,” grinned Seth-Rex excitedly, looking over at a girl he knew Mad-Rex fancied.
“Nah,” said Mad-Rex nervously. “I think I’ll have another ale.”
“Oh no you don’t!” cried Seth-Rex exuberantly, and pushed him into JPFan’s path. She grabbed his hand and started dancing with him, and he looked petrified. Seth-Rex burst out laughing.
Martin, having finished his story, walked around saying hello to his guests.
“Mrs. Bolger,” he said. “Good to see you.” The woman he was talking to had a lot of children with her. “Are all these yours?” She nodded fondly. “My word, you have been productive!” he said. She just laughed and herded her children towards the food, but away from the ale.
“Mr. Proudfoot, wonderful to see you again…young master Took, welcome, welcome…”
Suddenly, his sensitive hearing picked something up…he could hear someone coming. Someone he definitely didn’t want to see. He spun around and found Seth-Rex behind him.
“Sackville-Bagginses!” he hissed urgently. Both of them darted behind a tent as SeanArcher and JP3girl Sackville-Baggins emerged through the front gate with their sandy-haired son, Chase. They didn’t spot Martin, so they raced off, searching for him.
“They’re still hounding me,” he sighed. “I can’t wait until…”
He trailed off, realizing who he was talking to.
“Until what?” asked Seth-Rex.
“It doesn’t matter, Seth-Rex,” said Martin hurriedly. “Just have a good time at the party.” And with that he walked off to greet more guests. Seth-Rex watched him. Worry was starting to creep into his head.
Elsewhere, Icebreaker was gathering more fireworks out of his buggy, but as he was walking back to his designated launching zone, he didn’t notice two figures creep out from a bush behind him. One launched the other into the buggy and kept a watch out for passers-by, while his companion picked up innumerable fireworks, looking around for a good one. He picked up a large green cylinder and showed it to the first.
“No, the big red one, DinoDude, you stupid Took!” hissed the first impatiently.
DinoDude spotted the one his friend meant: it looked like a Pteranodon with its wings folded around its body. He jumped off and bolted into the nearby tent while his friend, Spinoboy Brandybuck, stood cover. Once he was convinced no one was watching, Spinoboy joined DinoDude in the tent.
“Ok, we’re set,” Spinoboy said. DinoDude had already stuck the stand in the ground and lit the fuse. Spinoboy watched with glee. Then he realized something.
“DinoDude, I told you to put it in the ground,” he hissed in sudden urgency.
“It is!” DinoDude replied.
“Outside!” Spinoboy cried. But it was too late. The firework went off and they fell backwards, their faces dirty with smoke dust. The firework went up, taking the tent with it, and everyone outside spotted it and watched its flight.. The firework exploded and they all cheered and went back to their business, not noticing the body and head of a Pteranodon forming. Then the wings exploded out as it turned to fly toward them. A few people who happened to look upwards suddenly yelled in terror and everyone saw the Pteranodon coming right at them. Instantly they all panicked and ran before it. Seth-Rex ran up to Martin and grabbed him by the shoulders, yelling, “Martin, watch out! A Pteranodon!” Seth-Rex cried.
“Pteranodon? Codswallop,” snorted Martin derisively. “There hasn’t been one in 60 years, and none in the Kazaa for over a thousand years…”
The firework behemoth had already reached everyone and was swooping low over the party, so Seth-Rex grabbed Martin and knocked him over as it went over their heads. Finally it began to soar upwards again. Everyone was already on the ground and watch anxiously in case it made another pass…but in the distance it exploded into the largest fireworks display yet. Instantly their fear was forgotten and they started cheering. The dust-covered duo who had set it off grinned in delight.
“That was awesome,” Spinoboy said in awe.
“Let’s get another one,” said DinoDude eagerly. But as they turned around they ran into someone easily twice their size. He seized them both by their collars.
“Spinoboy Brandybuck…and DinoDude Took. I should have known,” sniggered Icebreaker. Still holding their collars, he dragged them over to the mess tent, where there were stacks of dirty plates, bowls and mugs, and goodness knows what else, easily the same height as the two troublemakers.
“I’m sure you know how to clean dishes,” said Icebreaker firmly. “I’ll keep an eye on you if you do not know how to.”
Sheepishly, the two got to work.
Later on, when most of the abundant food and drink had been cleared away and the party was about to come to a close, Martin decided it was time for his speech. Or rather, everyone else decided for him.
“Speech!” people called. “Speech, speech!”
Martin did it every year at his parties, and so they had come to expect it. He walked up to a small pedestal under the main tree in the field (which became known as the party tree afterwards).
“My dear Newbies,” he began. “First of all, I’d like to say how delighted I am that you could make it here tonight, as it is my 111th birthday!” he said.
The crowd started to cheer.
“Alas, eleventy-one years is not a long enough time to spend with such fine Newbies such as yourselves. I don’t know half of you half as well as I’d like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”
This comment didn’t go down as well as the one before it. A few people clapped, and the rest stared blankly at him, trying to work it out and see if it was a compliment. Icebreaker chuckled.
“Also,” continued Martin. “I’d like you all to express my congratulations to my cousin and adoptee, Seth-Rex, who has today reached the age of 33, at last coming of age, and coming into his inheritance.”
Everyone except the Sackville-Bagginses cheered and those around Seth-Rex clapped him on the back (incidentally, THAT is the sound of one-handed clapping).
“Today,” called Martin. “Marks the day where he becomes a fully-fledged adult, and no longer needs an old coot like me around. Congratulations, Seth-Rex.”
Everyone chuckled. However, Seth-Rex noted that seemed unusual, even for Martin, who was admittedly a bit eccentric. Icebreaker suddenly realised where Martin was going with this: he was drawing to the anticlimax of his speech.
“I…fear that I have something to say…” he said, more nervously. “Something that I’ve put off for far too long.”
No one noticed his hand creep into his pocket, then slip out and behind his back.
“I…I regret to make this announcement, but I must.”
Everyone was silent, looking curious.
“I’m sorry to say…this is the end. I bid you all a fond farewell, and I hope you will remember me.”
Everyone looked puzzled or worried, or both.
“Goodbye…” he said softly.
And then he disappeared. He appeared to step down off the back of the pedestal, but then he simply vanished. Everyone gasped in shock and amazement, except Icebreaker, who quietly slipped out the gate. Seth-Rex looked around to see even Spinoboy and DinoDude staring with their mouths open. While worried himself, he couldn’t bear to let this get to anyone, so he stepped up to the pedestal himself.
“Don’t worry, everyone,” he called above the noise of the rabble. Somehow he got everyone’s attention. “He knows what he’s doing. This party must still go on.”
And so it did, although it was not nearly as jubilant as before.
Chapter Two
The gate to Bag-End opened up by something unseen and soon the front door opened. With a laugh, Martin materialised as he took the Ring off and stuck it into his pocket. He collected all that he would be taking into one pack and grabbed his walking stick. When he went back into his living room, Icebreaker was standing there.
“I suppose you think that was extremely clever,” he said sternly. Martin glanced at him.
“Oh, don’t be a killjoy. Did you see their faces? That’s exactly what I wanted,” Martin said evasively.
“Of the many magic rings in Middle-Web, a big fat zero of them should be used lightly,” stated Icebreaker.
“It was just a little bit of humour…oh, fine,” caved in Martin, defeated. He continued to gather a few things and put them into his bag.
“So you’re definitely leaving now, then,” Icebreaker said.
“Yes, yes. Everything is at the prime moment; people have seen me disappear, Seth-Rex can legally fend for himself…you will keep an eye on him, right?” Martin said.
“Two eyes. As often as I can spare them,” Icebreaker commented.
“I’ve left everything to him: the house, the money, the possessions…” Martin said.
“And what about the ring?” asked Icebreaker. “Is that being left to him too?”
“Yes. It’s in an envelope on the fireplace,” Martin replied hastily. Then he paused. He felt his pocket. “Wait,” he said slowly. “It’s…it’s here in my pocket. Isn’t that odd.”
He took it out and held it in his hand. Icebreaker glared at him suspiciously.
“Now that I think about it…why should I leave it to Seth-Rex? It’s mine. My own. It came to me. I don’t want to part with it. I don’t feel like it,” Martin said. An edge had entered his voice.
“I think you’ve had the ring long enough,” Icebreaker stated flatly.
“So what if I’ve had it long enough. It’s my ring!” Martin said defiantly.
“No need to get angry,” Icebreaker said sternly.
“So what if I’m angry. It’s your fault!” Martin replied.
“Martin, give up the ring,” Icebreaker warned.
“No!” snarled Martin. “It’s mine…mine…my Precious!”
“Precious?” echoed Icebreaker. “It’s been called that before, but not by you.”
“What business is it of yours, what I do with my own possessions, even if Dac said the same thing?”
“Just let it go, it is not that hard.”
“You…you want it for yourself!” Martin accused Icebreaker.
“Martin Baggins! Don’t consider me a player of cheap tricks!” Icebreaker roared, with a powerful aura stirring around him. A rumble seemed to enter his voice. “I am not trying to rob you!”
The rumbling and aura vanished.
“I’m trying to help you!”
Martin nearly collapsed. He had broken into sweat, and Icebreaker held him gently by the shoulders.
“Martin, of all your long years that you’ve known me, trust me now,” he said. Martin silently nodded his head.
“You’re right,” he said, almost inaudibly, and walked toward the door.
“Martin…”
He turned.
“The ring is still in your pocket.”
Martin withdrew it and stared at it. A tiny band of gold. So small. So…helpless. He didn’t want to let it go…it was resisting him…
He flipped his hand over. The ring dropped out and hit the floor hard. Hastily, he walked out the door. Icebreaker followed him, nodding in approval. As they walked down to the road, Martin stopped and turned to his friend.
“Icebreaker,” he said. “I’ve considered an ending for my book. ‘And he lived happily ever after…till the end of his days.’”
“And I’m sure you shall,” Icebreaker commented.
And so Icebreaker saw Martin Baggins walk off into the night. “Until we meet again, old friend.”
Icebreaker walked into the house and glanced at the ring. He considered it for a moment, and then bent down to pick it up. But his fingers were an inch away from it when an image flashed into his head, for about half a second: a giant, flaming eye. The image vanished as soon as it came, but he could still see it. He knew what that image portrayed. But how did it fit in with this puzzle? He got his pipe and began smoking it as he went deep into thought.
The night didn’t go without talk as Seth-Rex had hoped, but at least it wasn’t a big conversation. It was mostly the kids talking about how Martin disappeared to show them a cool trick. Seth-Rex ended the party at midnight so he could get to Bag-End and ask Martin what was going on. He knew how he had done the trick, but he wanted to know why. And he also wanted Spinoboy and DinoDude to stop laughing; they’d been at some of the brew and had gotten a kick out of it.
“Have a nice night,” he said as the last of his guests left. Then he sprinted up Bagshot Row, ran up through the gate and opened the door. Almost immediately, he spotted something.
On the floor was Martin’s gold ring, glinting in the dim light. What is it doing there? And where was Martin? He looked around to see…
By the fireplace, smoking a pipe with his back to him, was Icebreaker. Seth-Rex scratched his head; he hadn’t seen Icebreaker leave the party, but come to think of it, he hadn’t seen him after Martin’s speech. He picked up the ring and walked over to Icebreaker. The wizard didn’t look at him.
“Martin has left,” he said. “He’s gone. He won’t be coming back to the Kazaa; he’s gone to stay with the veterans. As you are now legally an adult, he felt it was time for you to officially inherit this house, and all his possessions that he didn’t take. Including that ring.”
Seth-Rex said nothing; it was a lot to take in at once.
“A mysterious ring, that is,” said Icebreaker. He finally turned, and his face looked as though he’d had a lot to think about.
“You recognise it?” he asked.
“Yes,” said Seth-Rex. “It’s the one he found in the mountains.”
”Yes, when he met Dac,” added Icebreaker. “Just as I suspected…but could it be possible…” he seemed to say this to himself rather than Seth-Rex.
“What could be possible?” asked Seth-Rex. “What do you mean?”
“…I have no idea, Seth-Rex,” said Icebreaker after a pause. “I really don’t know. But I intend on finding out.”
He stood up and collected his hat and staff, much to his host’s bewilderment.
“I am sorry, Seth-Rex, but I must be leaving now. It may benefit the both of us, what I have to do. Trust me, Seth-Rex. Until I return, you must make sure nobody sees the ring…at least for a while.”
He walked out the front door and down the path to his buggy, and unhitched his horse. He grabbed a saddle and slung it onto his mount and climbed up, just before turning to Seth-Rex.
“Keep it secret. Keep it safe.”
And with that he was gone, with Seth-Rex standing clueless beside him wondering what was going on.
Icebreaker rode hard eastward through the Kazaa. He had to find a friend of his that was currently in the northern lands for a while, hopefully. If Icebreaker was right, he knew exactly where his associate was staying. He left the Kazaa and followed the road to a surfer town called Yahoo, where he approached the gate and rapped on the wood with his staff. A small peephole opened as the gatekeeper, a thin unkempt man, peered out.
“Who goes there?” he asked.
“Someone with business at the inn,” said Icebreaker.
“What business?” asked the gatekeeper.
“I am heading to the Prancing Gallimimus. I seek someone who resides there,” Icebreaker replied flatly. The gatekeeper considered this, then opened the gate. Icebreaker spurred his horse through. Yahoo was an odd town at the best of times, and today was no exception. It was the only town in existence where newbies and surfers lived together. It was dank and dingy, but to those familiar with it, it had a warm feeling to it. He reached the town inn, the Prancing Gallimimus, gave a loud whistle. A stable buck walked out of the stables and, at Icebreaker’s instructions, led the horse in. Icebreaker walked into the main building and immediately the smell of a tavern hit him: an air full of smoke and beer breath. Trying to breathe as little as possible, he staggered over to the innkeeper, Cameron Butterbur.
“Mister Icebreaker, if I’m not mistaken,” grinned Cameron. Icebreaker did not return the grin.
“I’m looking for Jeff,” he said bluntly.
Cameron pointed to a table at the far end of the bar. Icebreaker nodded his head and walked toward the table. He sat down next to the man sitting there, whose face was mostly covered by a hooded cloak. He didn’t seem surprised to see a wizard sit down next to him.
“It’s been a while, Icebreaker,” said the man.
“Too long, Aragorn,” replied Icebreaker. “However, you’re a welcome sight in this dump.”
The man chuckled. “I’d hardly call it a dump. A waste of bricks, perhaps, but welcoming enough. So, what brings you to Yahoo?”
“Trouble, Aragorn,” said Icebreaker softly and hastily. “Trouble may be heading toward Middle-web.”
Aragorn sat up quickly.
“What sort of trouble are we talking about?” Aragorn asked. “Something to do with him, perhaps?”
“Come, we cannot talk here,” Icebreaker replied. They walked out of the tavern and down the road, to a small, dingy corner where no one wandered around. Icebreaker explained to his friend what was on his mind.
“So you think you have found the ring?” asked Aragorn. His interest was piqued.
“It’s possible,” replied the wizard. “I have to head to JPDatabase to seek out some information.”
“And where do I fit into this?” asked Aragorn, though he had guessed the answer.
“You know as well as I do that your major part will not come until later. However, for now I need you to track down and find that vile creature, Dac. He possibly knows more or less about the ring and its powers and he could be useful for further questions.”
“I shall have to have some basic details on his whereabouts,” said Aragorn cautiously. “Tell me all you know of the creature.”
Icebreaker explained what he knew of Dac.
“And I believe he has left the mountains, and is now searching all the lands for the one thing on his mind. So there your trail must begin.”
Aragorn nodded.
“This could take a while, but I’d say I should be able to find him. But what of you, Icebreaker?”
“I will be heading to JPDatabase to search out any information I can find on the matter. Their extensive library I’ve been told has some rare and most informative documents on The Ring.”
“Very well,” Aragorn said. Their little meeting was concluded. “May your quest be successful.”
“And yours, Aragorn.”
Icebreaker climbed back onto his horse and road off down the trail. Aragorn left the town and headed east.
Chapter Three
Icebreaker rode hard southward across the land. He was in a hurry to get to JPDatabase, the land of surfers to the south. He had to learn about the ring. Something was troubling him and he was sure that the information he needed would be there. Icebreaker had the feeling that a dangerous item thought long lost was found and now resides in the hands of the most unlikely creature to walk the earth. Days later, Icebreaker was at JPDatabase’s library and was sitting at a table, alone, doing his research. He learned about the origins of the ring, some of its powers. He even learned what fate had befallen Vader…
“It has come to me, the One Ring of Power…”
Vader was on his horse, surrounded by his many guards as they rode down a dirt trail. He had the ring around his neck on a necklace. He rode proudly and up straight, but there was something different about him. Something evil.
“The markings on the band fade, a secret now that only flames can tell…”
A war cry suddenly rang out and a Flooder jumped out of a tree and knocked him to the ground.
Arrows flew out of the trees almost right away and struck down the guards. Those that were left withdrew their swords and leapt at the flooders.
“It shall be an heirloom of my house, all my descendents will be bound to it…”
Vader ripped the Ring off the chain around his neck and stuck it onto his finger, vanishing from sight. Leaving his men, the invisible king dived into the river. However, his invisibility did not the splash he made, nor the ripples as he swam away from the battle. A flooder archer spotted the splash and aimed carefully at the ripples…
Vader’s movements suddenly ceased: the arrow had forced through his armour into his lung. He floated downriver, when the Ring slipped from his finger and dropped to the riverbed.
“It is precious to me…”
Icebreaker rode from the city, thoughts troubling him, not knowing where to go next. He decided to consult Dan of Dan’s JP3 Page, but as he rode northward, passing through the deserted land of iMesh, when unexpectedly someone else appeared, riding a horse in the opposite direction. The new rider spotted him as well, and both stopped their horses and dismounted as they got near each other.
“If it isn’t Icebreaker the Grey,” the newcomer said. Icebreaker stood and stared.
“Goldrex the Brown!” he exclaimed. What brings you this far from E-Bay?”
“I’ve been searching for you, my friend,” replied Goldrex. “I have a message for you, but first, let me know why you are riding north in such a hurry.”
Icebreaker’s smile vanished. “That’s a long story and one that is too long for now. What I can tell you is that something that was lost, vital to the enemy, has been found.”
Goldrex looked startled.
“The Ring of Power is found?” he cried. “Alas that it should happen now. The one who sent you a message told me that the Ring’s owner is re-gathering his strength in the dark eastern site.”
Icebreaker’s eyes widened. Goldrex continued.
“I have been hearing some whispers of a dread darkness appearing in the east, from some animal friends of mine. I went to visit Parasaur the White, and he confirmed the whispers and sent me to find you. He desires to see you, as soon as possible,” Goldrex said. Icebreaker nodded his head.
“Go back to Parasaur and tell him I shall see him soon,” Icebreaker said. “For now I have other business to attend to.”
Goldrex nodded, and both of them rode in their separate directions.
***
Aragorn had set up camp for the fourth night in a row. He had found out that Dac had left his little home and was out, wandering around. He had picked up on a trail, but it was old and worn, and could have been anywhere up to a year ago.
As he sat by the roaring fire, his thoughts went back to Yvonne. She was everything to him, and even though she begged him to stay back at Dan’s JP3 Page with her, he always told her he loved her and that he would return when he was done whatever he left at that time to do. It hurt to be away, but it was what he liked doing. He was a wanderer, not a settler. Besides, Dan’s was a place for Surfers. Not Veterans. Though the only thought that gets him through all the hard times and being alone out in the wilderness was knowing that he would see Yvonne again.
He heard a snap of a twig and stood up, whipping around, taking out his sword. He had trained his eyes and ears to see and hear well in the dark, but even with that, he couldn’t make out where or what had made the sound.
Even though he never did find out the source of the sound, he kept one eye open as he slept that night.
In the morning Aragorn rose and packed up his essentials. He had to find Dac as soon as possible. Aragorn was getting a strange feeling though. He glanced around and at last he thought he saw the figure of Dac in the distance. He got on his horse and rode off toward it.
Dac as it turns out was in the area. He was on his way toward Hotmail for no reason. He was a simple traveller though he hated those Bagginses. Martin Baggins stole his ring. His precious. And he was going to take it back. But right now he was travelling to Hotmail. Suddenly a group of flooders came by and spotted him. Aragorn watched them take Dac prisoner.
“This is not good,” he said. He had to get to Icebreaker.
Icebreaker rode long and hard after looking for straight 5 days for the information he came seeking. He had found the information he was looking for and it wasn’t good. He rode for another 2 days until he came across Aragorn again on the road.
“What is it you have found?” Aragorn asked.
“Too much to tell at the moment, but just enough to know what’s going on. What news of Dac?”
“I have followed him until the other day when he was taken by an army of Flooders. They were taking him to Hotmail.”
“They are looking for the same thing as us.” Icebreaker said. “And I fear Dac is not one of strong will.”
“Is there anything else you will of me?” Aragorn asked.
“There is. Ride to Yahoo. Wait there for my return. I shall be returning with a Newbie. His name is Seth-Rex Baggins. If anything is to happen to me, know that name. It will be important. Also, keep your ears open to mention of that name. I shell meet you at Yahoo with the Newbie.”
“Take care, old friend.”
And with that, Icebreaker continued riding. Aragorn turned off into a new direction and started walking.
Chapter 4
Seth-Rex had nearly forgotten about the ring. In fact he had forgotten it completely. It’s not that he fort about it. It’s just that he had never any reason to think about it. Mad-Rex had always been with him and they had been partying at the tavern most of the time. It had been nearly a month that Icebreaker had been gone and Seth-Rex had not bothered to wonder what happened. He knew Icebreaker to arrive whenever he could so it wasn’t a big thing for Seth-Rex to start worrying about. The one thing Seth-Rex did wonder at the beginning was the ring. What was so special about it? He had asked Icebreaker in a certain way but Icebreaker didn’t entirely answer. He simply said he didn’t know. But Seth-Rex was suspecting something. Icebreaker knew something. What it was Seth-Rex wanted to know. But as time went on he forgot his worries and confusions about the ring.
Now as time flew by, Seth-Rex was coming from a party at the tavern with Mad-Rex. Mad-Rex was tipsy so Seth-Rex had to help him walk at times. This was the type of result that came from most of their tavern parties. It was a mix of Mad-Rex’s being drunk and being tired at the same time. Seth-Rex and Mad-Rex walked to Seth-Rex’s front door and they said their good-byes. Now Mad-Rex walked off and tipped slightly. Seth-Rex walked into his front yard and to his door. He opened it and noticed a few things out of place. He walked into his house and glanced around. As a Newbie his senses were clear. He glanced around. He walked around his table when a hand grabbed him from behind. It was Icebreaker!
“Is it secret! Is it safe!” he said instantly. Seth-Rex knew what he was talking about that very second. He ran to his room and grabbed the envelope. He showed it to Icebreaker and Icebreaker took it into his hand. He walked toward the fireplace and stoked a fire. He threw the envelope in and let it burn. The ring appeared and Icebreaker took the ring out of the fire with a poker.
“Stick out your hand, Seth-Rex. Don’t worry, it’s not hot at all,” Icebreaker said. Seth-Rex did as he was told and stuck out his hand. Icebreaker dropped the ring on Seth-Rex’s hand and indeed it was quite cool.
“Icebreaker, what is the matter?” Seth-Rex asked.
“Seth-Rex, is there something written on the ring?” Icebreaker replied in question. Seth-Rex looked at the ring. Indeed words were forming on the ring.
“Yes. It’s a form of surfer language. I cannot read it,” Seth-Rex replied.
“Nobody can. It is the language of Hotmail, which I will not utter here. But in the common tongue it says One ring to Log them on, One ring to scan them, One ring to link them all and in the matrix ban them,” Icebreaker said.
“It is the one ring, Seth-Rex,” Icebreaker said. They were sitting at the table now with Seth-Rex whipping up some tea.
“Martin found it at Dac’s cave,” Seth-Rex stated.
“Yes. And he’s been keeping it secret all these years. It’s been keeping him alive all these years. But no more Seth-Rex. The ring has been found. And Shniz will come after it. All he needs is this ring and he can cover the lands with an age of darkness,” Icebreaker explained.
“But he was destroyed. Shniz was destroyed,” Seth-Rex said in surprise.
“No Seth-Rex, he wasn’t. Shniz put his heart and soul into the ring. As long as the ring survives, Shniz cannot die,” replied Icebreaker. Seth-Rex was stunned. He wouldn’t have expected to hear all of this information from someone as trustworthy as Icebreaker. But here Icebreaker was, telling him the truth about his ring and an evil thought dead.
“Ok, then. Let’s keep the ring secret. We won’t tell anyone. Nobody knows it’s here,” he said as he grabbed the ring and walked off toward his room, “Do they, Icebreaker?” Then it hit Seth-Rex. What of Dac?
“There was one who knew about the ring, Seth-Rex. I had a…friend look for Dac but he was seemingly captured by flooders,” Icebreaker explained.
Dac was taken into a dungeon and slapped onto a torture table. Flooders glanced at him as if thinking of some cruel way they’d interrogate him. A flooder went to a turning wheel that held straps. 2 flooders tied his legs and arms. Then the one flooder began to stretch him. The pain was unbearable.
“Tell us where the ring is!” one flooder kept saying. Dac was prepared to keep it a secret but he couldn’t stand the pain anymore.
“THE KAZAA!! BAGGINS!!” he called out.
Icebreaker glanced at Seth-Rex. Seth-Rex was worried and Icebreaker could tell.
“What should I do?” Seth-Rex asked.
“I want you to pretend you are moving to your own website. Call it Seth-Rex’s JP News,” Icebreaker explained. “ From there you will head off to Yahoo. A friend of mine will meet you there and if possible so will I. I must see the head of my order. He is both strong and wise. He will know what to do. Good luck Seth-Rex and don’t let anyone know about the ring.” Suddenly they heard something. It was coming from outside the window. Icebreaker quickly moved over and grabbed something and threw it in onto the table. It was Mad-Rex! He had been doing something outside the window.
“Mad-Rex Gamgee! Have you been eavesdropping?” Icebreaker asked in a fierce tone.
“No, no eavesdropping sir. I was just trimming some of the bushes if you get my meaning, sir,” replied Mad-Rex nervously.
“Isn’t it a little early to be trimming the bushes, Mad-Rex? What did you hear? Speak!” Icebreaker said. Mad-Rex trembled under him.
“Oh well, n-nothing important. Just some things about a ring and the end of the world. Oh Icebreaker, don’t turn me into something…unnatural,” replied Mad-Rex. Icebreaker had thought of what to do with Mad-Rex already by the time he said that.
“No, perhaps not. I have something more important for you to do,” he said.
Icebreaker grabbed his staff.
“Remember what I said. Be very careful when leaving. I’ll take care of the selling of the house. You just leave in a few days to get to Seth-Rex’s JP News page,” Icebreaker said. He got onto his horse and rode off. Seth-Rex stood there with Mad-Rex waving their hands. Soon Seth-Rex’s journey would begin. Soon a dangerous task would be in his hands.
Chapter 5
The next day, Seth-Rex began making his plans for the new website he’d be moving to. It was a pretty big decision, and he wanted to make it good enough for even a small while. Seth-Rex had to wait for Mad-Rex because Mad-Rex was working on his own stuff. Seth-Rex had been glad that it all worked out for Mad-Rex to come along. Now he’d have at least someone to make the journey with him. Seth-Rex now had everything set. He would leave as soon as Mad-Rex got to the house.
Mad-Rex walked through the street and up toward Seth-Rex’s house. It was an adventure he was going, as sure as the pipe weed he was smoking. Mad-Rex got up to Seth-Rex’s house and knocked on the door. Seth-Rex answered and smiled.
“I’m glad that you’re here,” he said. Seth-Rex let Mad-Rex into the house and they walked over to a map. Marked on the map was where Seth-Rex’s JP News.com would be.
“This is where we’re going Mad-Rex. It’s going to be a long journey so we better get going,” said Seth-Rex.
“Is it really going to be the 2 of us, Mr. Seth-Rex?” asked Mad-Rex.
“Yes it’s just the 2 of us, Mad-Rex,” Seth-Rex replied. Mad-Rex had a thought.
“I presume we could hit the farmer Carnotaur3’s house before we really head off. He could supply us with some good vegetables for the trip. We need our veggies if we’re to make some good stew,” suggested Mad-Rex. If it was one thing Seth-Rex knew Mad-Rex knew a lot about, it was good home cooking.
“Ok, Mad-Rex. We can go to farmer Carnotaur3’s house first,” Seth-Rex said. He grabbed his pack and Mad-Rex grabbed his. They went out the door and walked down the road.
It was a sunny day and Seth-Rex glanced around the area. They had been walking for a few hours already. Mad-Rex thought they should stop for a while so they had. They sat near some trees to cook some food. Mad-Rex did the cooking while Seth-Rex rested. It was an interesting day though night was creeping up upon them soon. Seth-Rex heard some singing. It was heavenly. Then he realized what it was.
“Mad-Rex! Web veterans!” he called out.
They ran through the woods and stopped near a tree trunk. They glanced forward to see veterans walking through the forest. They were singing solemnly yet beautifully into the nothingness of the woods. Mad-Rex was in awe. He had always wanted to see veterans. The veterans kept walking through the forest. Some were on horses. Some just walked on their feet. They all looked graceful.
“They’re walking toward the ocean to disappear forever,” Seth-Rex said.
“I don’t know why, but it makes me sad,” Mad-Rex commented.
“Let’s go, Mad-Rex,” Seth-Rex suggested. They got up and walked back to their camp.
That night they set up their sleeping bags. Mad-Rex was having a hard time getting comfortable though.
“No matter how I lie, there’s a big grey root sticking up into my back,” he said. “There’s no way I’m going to get some sleep.”
“Neither will I, Mad-Rex,” Seth-Rex replied. They both fell asleep a minute later.
In the morning Seth-Rex woke with a start. Mad-Rex was waiting for him to wake.
“At last you wake, Seth-Rex. And it’s about time too. We have to get moving, don’t you think?” Mad-Rex said. Seth-Rex nodded his head.
“Alright, Mad-Rex. First, let’s pack our things,” Seth-Rex commented. Seth-Rex got his things together and so did Mad-Rex. They were ready for anything now.
The walk was an interesting thing. Mad-Rex had been thinking about those surfers that they had seen the last day. They had been travelling too. Could they really just go off and disappear? Mad-Rex didn’t want to think about it. This was a big journey of their own and they were first heading off to the Farmer Carnotuar3’s house. Carnotaur3 owned a house that was really a big farm as well. They could bum some cabbages and vegetables off of him for their trip to Hotmail. Seth-Rex, in the meantime, had been thinking of exactly that. He didn’t know where Hotmail was but hopefully Icebreaker did. The fact of the matter was that since Seth-Rex had never been out of the Kazaa, Icebreaker would have to show him the way to Hotmail. He technically didn’t even know the way to Yahoo. But he knew someone who would. And he was hoping that DinoDude would be there as we speak. DinoDude seemed a little off but he was smart when he wanted to be; especially when it came to fine beer.
Finally reaching upon the farmer Carnotaur3’s house, Seth-Rex glanced around. Farmland was a beautiful thing for a Newbie. Newbies were known for all things having to do with the land. Newbies were good with gardening and Farmer Carnotaur3 was no exception. In fact it seemed he knew how to do it just right. Mad-Rex glanced around as well.
“I suppose DinoDude is here. He’s always squandering a little cabbage and potatoes off the Farmer Carnotaur3,” said Mad-Rex.
“I suppose your right. Well today I’m hoping he’ll be here. He knows how to get to Yahoo as well as Spinoboy but he was nowhere to be seen as we left Newbie-ton,” Seth-Rex commented.
They walked down to the main gate and opened it. The 2 Newbies walked through the garden and up to Farmer Carnotaur3’s door. They were going to knock when the door swung open and there was DinoDude.
“Hello there, Seth-Rex. Pleasantly surprised to see you here. I was just going to have second breakfast with Mrs. Carnotaur3. Come in,” he said. Seth-Rex and Mad-Rex walked into the house.
“Is the Farmer Carnotaur3 here?” asked Seth-Rex.
“He’s out catching the thieves been stealing his crops,” said DinoDude.
“DinoDude, we need help getting to Yahoo. But first we have to go to my new home and restock some things,” said Seth-Rex.
“Oh well, I can take you. We can start just after we eat second breakfast,” replied DinoDude.
They had just sat down to Second Breakfast when Farmer Carnotaur3 walked in.
“Hello there, Seth-Rex. Having a good stroll?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” replied Seth-Rex.
“I hear you’re moving to a new website. What a pity. Well, can’t let you go without some proper supplies now, can we?” Farmer Carnotaur3 said. “Take as much crop as you need and be off on your way when the time comes.” He sat down with them. “And now it’s time for me to enjoy my second breakfast,” he said as they all chuckled.
Second breakfast was over and Seth-Rex, Mad-Rex, and DinoDude were getting ready to leave.
“So are you taking the Brandywine?” asked Farmer Carnotaur3.
“I suppose we have to,” replied DinoDude.
“Well I saw a few strange folks walking abroad. Very scary looking, they were. Suppose I could take you there myself? Won’t be much trouble. I’m going past there myself now that I think about it. It’d be easy to drop you off on my way,” said the Carnotaur3.
“That’d be nice. Thank you,” commented Seth-Rex.
“Good then. You go and get your veggies from my crop and I’ll get the buggy,” said Carnotaur3.
Seth-Rex, Mad-Rex, and DinoDude walked out of the house and into the garden. They picked a few cabbages, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and a few other shrubs for cooking spices. Mad-Rex went right to a few mushrooms and picked them. The lot of them gathered then around the buggy and got in. Once everybody was set, they rode off.
Chapter 6
Farmer Carnotaur3 drove the buggy through a road. The 3 Newbies rode in the back. Seth-Rex was thinking about something.
“Those strange folk you speak of. What do they look like?” he asked Carnotaur3.
“They looked like they were nothing there covered by black cloaks. Either their faces were well hidden or they had none at all, I couldn’t see what they looked like underneath their hoods,” farmer Carnotaur3 explained.
“That’s odd,” Seth-Rex commented.
“Odd indeed,” Carnotaur3 replied.
“Well then, let’s stop us off at the path to Buckleberry ferry. We’ll get to Brandywine that way,” suggested DinoDude.
“Good idea, DinoDude,” replied farmer Carnotaur3.
The buggy stopped near a path and the 3 Newbies got off.
“Thanks there, farmer Carnotaur3,” said DinoDude. Farmer Carnotaur3 simply waved since he was smoking from his pipe. He rode off leaving the Newbies to their journey. DinoDude glanced at Seth-Rex.
“Well, we might as well get moving,” he said, “if those people really do exist I don’t want to meet them here.”
“I second that, Mr. Seth-Rex,” commented Mad-Rex.
“Very well, let’s go,” Seth-Rex answered.
The path was long and the 3 hobbits walked through the woods to get to the buckle berry ferry. DinoDude had been glad he suggested it. If those black riders had been out there, this path would get the 3 Newbies clear to buckle berry ferry.
“Ok, Newbies, let’s get moving,” he said as he began to walk down the path. Seth-Rex and Mad-Rex began to follow him down the road while looking both ways. They didn’t want to meet up with anyone suspicious. DinoDude definitely hopefully knew where he was going, Seth-Rex thought. As he glanced at DinoDude, he was sure that the Newbie knew where he was going.
It sure was getting dark. The Newbies walked through the woods toward buckle berry ferry at a good pace. Mad-Rex glanced around the forest.
“It’s awfully scary this night, Mr. Seth-Rex,” he said.
“Don’t be a coward, Mad-Rex,” Seth-Rex commented. Suddenly Mad-Rex saw something walking through the darkness.
“ I don’t think we’re alone,” he said.
“Nonsense Mad-Rex. We’re not…” DinoDude was saying until he saw it as well. It was a black rider and it was headed straight toward them. It began to gallop quickly toward them.
“Run!” yelled Seth-Rex. The Newbies began to run through the woods. The dark rider was galloped faster now. It was clearly after them. Seth-Rex ran as fast as he could as well as Mad-Rex and DinoDude. Seth-Rex turned to see the black rider catching up. He took out a sword and held it ready to strike. Through countless bushes, the Newbies ran from the black rider. Finally reaching Buckleberry ferry, DinoDude and Mad-Rex began to untie the ropes anchoring it to the side. Seth-Rex had fallen behind, though.
Seth-Rex had tripped on a stone. He turned and glanced at the black rider. The black rider slowed down and swung at Seth-Rex’s head. Seth-Rex barely dodged and got back up. He began to run again as the black rider steadied the blade and chased after him once more. It obviously wanted to kill him. But why? He saw Buckleberry ferry and quickened his pace.
“Come on, Seth-Rex!” Mad-Rex and DinoDude both cried. Seth-Rex got toward the dock and made a leap of faith. He barely even made it onto the raft. DinoDude had to hold on to his arm to keep him from falling into the water. The black rider had stopped near the edge of the dock. The Newbies had gotten away this time but they wouldn’t get away the next time, the black rider thought. He turned and rode off with his compatriots.
“Oh, that was close,” said DinoDude. The Newbies had now been travelling down the river for about an hour or so.
“Travelling with you, Seth-Rex, is mighty dangerous these days.”
“You’re telling me,” Seth-Rex commented.
“Who was that black rider, Seth-Rex?” asked Mad-Rex.
“I don’t know. But it was probably one of those strange folk that Farmer Carnotaur3 had warned us about,” Seth-Rex answered.
"We better be careful from now on."
The 3 newbies reached the shores of the Brandywine by late night. They got off the raft and began to walk toward the new website Seth-Rex had set up. He was expecting nobody to be there since nobody knew about the website just yet. It was an interesting night. Seth-Rex glanced out around the area. It was his new home, even if it was for a few days. The newbies reached the house that Seth-Rex would be living at for those few days. Just as Seth-Rex was about to open the door, it opened on it's on. Standing there was none other than Spinoboy.
"Well it's about time you guys got here. I had been cleaning up for hours," he said.
The table was full of food. The newbies sat there chatting about the events that had unfolded. Spinoboy was awfully disturbed about the black rider. They had all decided to sleep and let the memory slip away. Seth-Rex couldn’t sleep though. He stood near a window, looking out at the land. He turned to see Spinoboy walking toward him.
“Seth-Rex, you’ll need your sleep if were going to plan for Yahoo in the next few days,” said Spinoboy.
“I’m worried about Icebreaker,” commented Seth-Rex.
“Icebreaker can take care of himself,” Spinoboy stated.
“You’re right, Spinoboy, let’s not worry about him,” replied Seth-Rex. They went to their beds and got into them. Seth-Rex lay there on his, wondering about things, before slowly drifting off into sleep.
Chapter 7
Icebreaker rode through fields to get to Gamespot. He had to get to Parasaur. He had to tell Parasaur about the ring. Parasaur was more powerful than he was, so it was obvious that Parasaur would know what to do with the ring. Icebreaker rode over a hill to see Orthanc standing tall. Orthanc was a wizard tower and website. The website was made by a fan, as were some others. The tower stood nearly the size of the empire state building. Icebreaker knew his journey was almost over…but that somehow another was just beginning. He had a feeling Seth-Rex was about to undertake the biggest quest of his life.
He rode toward the stairs of the tower, Orthanc.com and stopped as he saw Parasaur walking down to him.
“Icebreaker, my friend, what brings you here?” he asked. Icebreaker got off his horse and walked over to Parasaur.
“I have made a discovery, Parasaur,” Icebreaker replied. Parasaur waved Icebreaker off toward a peaceful area and they began to walk.
“The One Ring has been found at last. It was in the Kazaa all this time,” Icebreaker said. Parasaur took this all in.
“The Ring is found? And in the Kazaa? Clearly your love for the weed there has clouded your mind,” Parasaur stated. “And who has the ring?”
“I cannot say for safety reasons,” Icebreaker replied, glancing around quickly, “I fear the land may not be safe anymore.” Parasaur nodded his head in understanding.
They now sat in Parasaur’s office (of a sort). He had served both Icebreaker and himself a drink.
“I don’t see what time we’ll have to counter Shniz’s search for the ring, Icebreaker. He grows stronger in his tower. The fortress of Hotmail is rebuilt in that land. The 9 have left Hotmail in search of the ring. Icebreaker. They crossed the nearby river two weeks ago, disguised as riders in black. And he knows it’s out there, his spirit is taking form. You know what I mean: the Great Eye, engulfed in flame,” said Parasaur.
“You know of all this…how?” Icebreaker asked. Parasaur glanced toward a ball in the next room. Icebreaker glanced at it as well. He recognized it as one of the link stones of the net. He walked over to it.
“Why should we fear it?” asked Parasaur.
“These are very dangerous, Parasaur. The seeing stones of Internet are not all accounted for. Who knows whom else maybe watching,” he said as he covered it. It was then that he got a strange charge out of it. It was almost as if it was evil.
Icebreaker had to admit that Parasaur was acting quite strangely. Could it be that Parasaur was hiding something? Icebreaker glanced over toward Parasaur. For some reason, he was using his staff to shut all the doors.
“We must act, Icebreaker. Against the might of Shniz we cannot resist. We must join with him,” Parasaur said. It was now that Icebreaker realized what was going on. “We must join with Shniz, Icebreaker.”
“Tell me…friend. When did Parasaur the White trade wisdom for madness?!” Icebreaker growled. Parasaur didn’t like this one bit. He threw his stick up with a roar, sending Icebreaker to the wall. There he had Icebreaker float on the wall with his magic.
“Do you honestly think a newbie could bring Shniz’s great ring to Hotmail to be destroyed and live to tell about it?” sneered Parasaur. He let Icebreaker fall to the ground. But Icebreaker would not give in. With a mighty swing of his staff, he hit Parasaur with a magic blast that spun him in place. Parasaur retaliated with a blast of his own, sending Icebreaker to the floor again. Icebreaker struck once more with a blast that sent Parasaur sliding to a wall. With another quick throw of the staff, he sent Parasaur flying through a door. It was there that Parasaur got up and levitated Icebreaker’s staff into his free hand. Now Icebreaker was unarmed. He paralysed Icebreaker where he lay.
“You disappoint me, Icebreaker. I thought you’d have much more sense than this,” said Parasaur. “I gave you a chance, but you have elected the way of pain!” With both staffs he sent Icebreaker to the roof of the tower to leave him, as he would think about the situation.
Chapter 8
Mad-Rex, Spinoboy, and DinoDude woke up early to make breakfast. It was nearly 8:00 am in the morning and Seth-Rex was still asleep. It was ok since he had a bigger burden than they did. It was necessary to help him get to Yahoo. There they would meet Icebreaker and they would be off somewhere else. It was also apparent that the black rider Seth-Rex had talked about would probably be after them as well. He would take them through the old forest and through the barrow downs to Yahoo. The black riders would never follow them into those places and it was safer as any other place with the riders around.
“When we head off, I’ll be taking you through the forest. After that it’s the barrow downs. Might as well since that’s safer than the black riders sound,” said Spinoboy.
“Why the barrow downs? Won’t those ole Barrow-wights get us?” asked Mad-Rex.
“Do you want those riders getting Seth-Rex?” asked Spinoboy in response.
“No,” Mad-Rex commented. Suddenly Seth-Rex stirred and was up. He walked into the kitchen.
“That smells good,” he said.
During breakfast the newbies talked about the decision to take the 2 chosen routes. Seth-Rex had little objections except when it came to safety but it was then decided. It couldn’t be that bad he thought. They would go through the woods; through the barrow downs and that would be it. They’d make their way to Yahoo. It’d be as easy as cutting butter.
Noon came and Seth-Rex got his pack. The 3 newbies were packing some supplies for the trip. Seth-Rex walked outside. This was a brand new day and he had to admit that this adventure was somewhat fun so far. If it weren’t for the dark riders, he’d almost consider it a simple journey of exploration. In fact that’s exactly what he was going to consider it as. They wouldn’t be seeing the riders again so it wasn’t a problem anymore to just relax and enjoy his walk. The task at hand wasn’t an entirely difficult one, he thought. If not for the black riders earlier, he considered himself free of danger. And technically speaking he didn’t know what the black riders wanted. For all he knew they could have been mistaking him for some wanted criminal. He saw that the 3 newbies were now read and exiting the house.
“We better get going,” said Spinoboy.
The newbies walked through the neighbourhood, smiling and waving at people walking by. They came toward the edge of the forest. First they had to cross a marsh. Slowly the newbies walked through, making sure not to get stuck in the mud. A nice newbie woman had made them shoes especially made for the marshes near there. Seth-Rex had to be especially careful. If he fell and the ring came undone, he could easily lose it in the marshes.
Finally they came to the edge of the old forest. Seth-Rex glanced at the trees.
“I hope you’re right about this being safe, Spinoboy,” he said.
“Don’t worry, Seth-Rex. I’d never steer your wrong,” Spinoboy replied. Seth-Rex glanced at him. The newbie wasn’t sure of his own judgment, Seth-Rex noticed. He took a deep breath. Well, like Seth-Rex himself had said, anything was better than the dark riders were. He began to walk into the forest. Mad-Rex, Spinoboy, and DinoDude followed him in. They glanced around to make sure everything was safe. The woods didn’t seem too bad; it was just that they were unpredictable. A lot of rumours stated that the woods could move. Seth-Rex didn’t want to get lost in the woods of all places to get lost in.
“Erm…Spinoboy, are the stories about this forest true?” asked Mad-Rex. Evidently he had been thinking the same as Seth-Rex.
“That depends what stories,” answered Spinoboy. “If you mean those with the Dimetrodons and hob-flooders, you’re definitely wrong. But the trees in here can be weird. Some trip you over, some whistle at you annoyingly. But the worst is a couple of bastards throwing branches at you sometimes.”
Immediately, several small branches flew at Spinoboy’s head.
“OK, sorry!” he yelled. The branches stopped flying. “See what I mean?”
Mad-Rex laughed. DinoDude blinked in confusion. “Did that really happen?”
“Yes, now let’s push on!” said Seth-Rex nervously.
They continued on for hours, and the trees did no more to harm, save for a root that sprang up to trip Mad-Rex over and a strip of bark flying over that hit DinoDude. They pushed on, but the trees always ended up blocking them. Mad-Rex tripped over again after the third block-off, but found he landed on an incline.
“Hey, guys, I found a slope!” he called out.
The others crowded around him and dragged him to his feet. Then they started up the hill. Once they reached the top, they found it looked over the whole forest.
“Now where the hell do we go?” demanded DinoDude. He got impatient rather easily.
“I don’t know…”
It took five more minutes before Seth-Rex spotted the tiny website from which they had come. He then turned and saw chimney smoke rising from the other direction.
“Hey, young newbies look! I can see Yahoo.”
The others peered over. Indeed they could see Yahoo, but a bit closer they could see the Barrow-downs, and they weren’t looking forward to crossing them. The downs had a more sinister reputation than the forest in which they were standing. The ghosts of long-dead veterans supposedly dwelt there, known as Barrow-wights.
“Well, my friends, I think it’s time we continued on,” commented Seth-Rex.
Everyone climbed to their feet and trod unsteadily down the hill. They pushed on for another hour before they realized they had once more lost their way. That was bad enough, but when they stopped, DinoDude was standing on a small boggy puddle. His feet stank for the rest of the day. As they continued on, Spinoboy found where they were; quite unexpectedly, as he fell face down into a river.
“Oho, now I know where we are!” he declared. “This is the river that eventually joins the Brandywine down south!”
“Well, which way are we facing?” asked Mad-Rex, who seemed quite unimpressed.
“Well, the river is flowing that way, so that must be south, so this way must be east, and that’s where we’re headed. Come on, newbs, we shouldn’t be far off.”
Another hour later, the sun was starting to set, they had stopped near a large oak tree with a pond on one side and Mad-Rex was complaining bitterly.
“Not far off? Admit it, we’re lost. I just feel like sitting down here and dropping off.”
“Oh, fine,” sighed Spinoboy. “Just rest, for now.”
Spinoboy and DinoDude sank to the ground and immediately fell asleep. Seth-Rex turned to Mad-Rex.
“I feel like washing my face in that pond. Want to come with me?”
“All right. I won’t wash my face but I may as well go to sleep there.”
They both stumbled around to the pond. It was dank and murky, but pleasantly cool. Seth-Rex felt he couldn’t get enough of the water on his face. Mad-Rex dropped off completely, in a deep sleep.
***
A splash and a loud snap roused Mad-Rex immediately. He rushed to the bank of the pond and saw Seth-Rex floundering in the water as he swam to the bank uncomfortably. When he climbed out he looked bewildered.
“Would you believe it, I think the tree threw me in! Something that felt wooden curled around my ankle, lifted me into the air, and tossed me into the pond!”
Mad-Rex blinked.
“Well, that’s odd. I don’t like this tree.”
“Neither do I…wait…the others!”
They scrambled around the tree…and the other two were nowhere to be seen! A yell came from above them, and they looked up to see Spinoboy with a thick oak branch curled around his stomach. He was waving his arms frantically. As for DinoDude, he had vanished completely. It wasn’t until they heard a muffled yell and some thudding on the inside of the tree that they found he had been taken in utterly. The snap Mad-Rex had heard was the tree closing tight.
“What a horrible thing to happen!” cried Seth-Rex. “Why did we leave home? Why did we come into this horrible forest?”
He kicked the oak tree with all his might. A sudden shudder ran through it and Spinoboy flailed wildly as the tree shook him about, yelling. Mad-Rex stared in horror, and then slowly a small grin spread across his face.
“Mr. Seth-Rex, have we got an axe?”
“No, Mad-Rex, I’m afraid not. I brought a little hatchet with me for chopping firewood, but that wouldn’t be any use.”
“Wait a minute!” cried Mad-Rex. The mention of firewood had lit an idea in his mind. “We could try something with fire!”
“We could,” replied Seth-Rex. “We could also roast DinoDude alive, intentionally or not.”
At this, DinoDude started hammering the inside of the tree again frantically.
“He doesn’t think much of the idea,” remarked Seth-Rex.
“Well, we can at least make a small fire just to hurt it, and it might let them go.”
“What about Spinoboy? He’s twenty feet up! If the tree lets him go he’ll drop straight down!” protested Seth-Rex.
“Well, try to catch him!”
Seth-Rex gaped, but now Mad-Rex was on the ground, gathering dry leaves, twigs and grass, bark, small sticks and made it all into a pile on the far side of the tree from where their friends were. Seth-Rex ran around the other side and got ready to catch Spinoboy as Mad-Rex lit their little pile. It caught flame at once and tiny tongues of flame singed the tree trunk. But instead of dropping, Spinoboy started screaming in horror, and they heard DinoDude yelling inside. What DinoDude was saying they couldn’t hear, but Spinoboy’s words were all too clear.
“Put it out! Put it out! If it stays lit he’ll squeeze me in half! He said so!”
“Who? What?” cried Seth-Rex.
“Put it out!” begged Spinoboy.
Up above, the tree was behaving oddly. The branches were lashing about a whipped around, nearly taking Spinoboy’s head off. The leaves seemed to hiss above their heads, and the trunk seemed to growl in rage. At the sound of the growl, the trees around them seemed to slowly turn and started growling at them. Some started hurling small branches at them like before, but with a lot more malice. Branches lashed out and started to swipe at Mad-Rex. Even the pond splashed him a couple of times. He quickly stamped out the fire, making sure not to miss an ember or a spark. But Seth-Rex ran down the path, crying Help! Help! Help! His own voice seemed to be blown away by the wind as easily as he could throw a rock. At first he thought he’d never get an answer, but suddenly he did, or so he thought. From behind him, back up the path, he heard a voice. After a moment it was clear that it was not coming to help, but he could ask whoever it was anyway. He caught sight of a small green cap with a red feather sticking out of it near the ridge. Then its owner appeared. Seth-Rex couldn’t work him out. He was too tall to be a newbie or a sprite, and he was too short for a veteran or a surfer, he didn’t look anything like Martin’s description of a flooder…that was good enough. Seth-Rex ran up to him, and Mad-Rex followed to avoid more water from the pond. But, as the voice (which was singing in some form of surfer language) rose, the trees, which were still tripping, pelting and hissing at them, fell strangely silent. The person walked around a few more trees and started down the path towards them, but he didn’t seem to see them at all. He wore a blue coat and yellow boots, had a long beard of black, startlingly bright blue eyes and a pace that seemed to have a hop in it every now and then. In his hands he held a bundle of dandelions. Though he wasn’t as tall as a veteran and taller than a sprite, he made more noise than one of both put together. The newbies glanced at each other with raised eyebrows before running over to him.
“Help, please!” they both cried.
“Hey, whoa, hold it!” said the old man, and he held up his hand. At this the newbies suddenly halted stiff, as if paralysed in mid-run without any pain.
“Now then, little ones, where do you think you’re going? Running like that won’t help. Don’t you know who I am?”
They shook their heads vigorously; seemingly the paralysis effect had worn off.
“I’m Dino-Snore, I am. Truly sorry I am if I startled you, but it isn’t often two newbies come hurtling through my old forest, and nearly crush my flowers. What be the problem?”
“Please, sir, our friends are trapped by the oak tree!” cried Seth-Rex.
“Mr. Spinoboy is nearly being squeezed in half!” added Mad-Rex.
“Oho, is that it, is it? Naught worse than that, young sirs, the Old Oak One shan’t trouble you again. That can easily be helped, young ones; I can take him under control. If he doesn’t comply, I’ll freeze his roots and blow his branches away! Fear not my young ones, Dino-Snore is on the job! Old Oak One!”
He carefully laid his flowers down and hurried over to the tree. He heard Spinoboy yelling above him and saw him flailing his arms.
“Hold now, Old Oak One, let them go, let them go! What be you thinking?” he cried, and he sang a curious song next.
“Let him down, let him out,
Don’t be such a great big lout,
You’re making trouble,
Big kafuffle,
Don’t be such a great big lout!”
At this note soft moss and heather seemed to sprout at his feet, and grew nearly to five inches high. Just as well, too, for at that moment, Spinoboy fell to earth, and had Dino-Snore’s little mattress emerged, he would have been badly bruised-to say the least. DinoDude, however, was not so lucky. A large crack snapped open at the base of the oak and poor DinoDude came flying out, as if he’d been kicked, and he collided with Mad-Rex. Both of them fell down, dazed, as the crack shut again. Dino-Snore looked at them.
“Now that won’t do. On your feet, little ones!”
The two young newbies stood unsteadily. Seth-Rex and Spinoboy were already thanking Dino-Snore over and over, and once DinoDude and Mad-Rex had come to their senses they did too. Dino-Snore just laughed.
“Your thanks is not needed, think nothing of it! Now, my young ones, my guess is you still have a while to go, so why not come home with me? The table is laden with cream, honeycomb, white bread with butter and delicious things beyond count! Becky is waiting. Come, my little ones, for the day is old, and we are getting older! Follow as fast as your small feet can carry you!”
And on that note he picked up his dandelions and bounded away. The newbies gathered their things and ran as fast as they could…indeed, as fast as their feet could carry them, and faster. Dino-Snore got further away from them and they could barely make out his shape in the ever-increasing gloom, but as they panted over a small rise, they spotted a very welcome light: it was the light of candles filtering through windows. Dino-Snore stood on the stone threshold, and from somewhere within the house they heard a clear voice singing, and the sweetness of it filled their hearts with as much joy and happiness as possible. The newbies, overcome with delight at seeing house lights again, stumbled down the hill towards it.
1/17/2007 11:11:33 PM
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