Chapter 1
“Ashley? Ashley, wake up. Ashley!”
Ashley’s eyes slowly opened. For a
moment she saw nothing but a bright, overhead light. Slowly her eyes came into
focus on the face hovering over her.
“Ashley. Can you hear me?”
Ashley nodded slowly. “Yes.”
“I think you were dreaming.”
Ashley nodded again.
“Was it scary?”
Ashley finally found her voice.
“Not exactly. More strange than anything. I dreamed – ”
“Wait. I meant to tell you your
sisters are here.”
Ashley’s mind was still a bit
clouded. “My sisters?”
“Yes. You know, Debra and … and …”
Why could Tiko never remember her name? “and the other one.”
Ashley smiled. One of the things
she found most attractive, but also most annoying about Tiko was his apparent inability to remember details like her older sister’s name.
Ashley’s mind was suddenly alert.
“Wait a minute! What are you doing here Tiko? This is my house and my room, you
have no business being here and the last I remember …” Ashley trailed off. What
could she last remember? Suddenly the details of her life were very vague.
There was Phillip. She paused, remembering, painfully recalling their short yet
adventurous life together. His tragic death still kept her awake at night. She
recalled also Cornelius and a courageous journey which resulted in her meeting
Tiko, but beyond that … nothing. She wasn’t even sure how she’d gotten home
from her last adventure.
“Tiko, did you bring me home?”
“Yes,” he said. “Last night.”
Her face flushed. How could she
have gotten herself into this situation? Though she wasn’t exactly sure how
she’d gotten into this mess, there was no time like the present to redefine
boundaries. After all, he was a nice hobbit/human, but they had only just met.
“Tiko,” she began. “I’m not certain how you ended up here, but you should know I’m
not the type of girl who brings dates home with me, especially first dates.”
Tiko chuckled, until he caught
sight of Ashley’s face. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.”
Tiko’s face fell. “The doctor said
something like this might happen,” he muttered.
“Doctor?”
Ashley was still nestled in her
bed. Tiko couldn’t very well tell her she’d better take a seat, yet he know the
news would be shocking. “What is the last thing you remember?”
Ashley considered, then slowly
answered. “Meeting you.”
“That’s the last thing you
remember?”
Ashley nodded.
“So everything else – my masterful
proposal, our moonlight walks, the trail ride down the Grand Canyon, our
wedding, our honeymoon – ”
“Honeymoon?”
Tiko nodded. “We were married about
a month ago and then we decided to be adventurous and go camping for our
honeymoon.” He paused, his voice dropping in volume. “That’s where it
happened.”
“What happened?” Ashley knew he was
baiting her, but it didn’t matter, she had to know.
Tiko’s gaze turned away from
Ashley, as though he were picturing the scene in his mind. “It was overcast
when we left, but I didn’t think much of it, even when the clouds broke and the
drizzle began. We set up our tent in the rain. In many ways it was highly
romantic. You, me, a cozy campfire … but all that was before the snow.”
“Snow? Wait; when did you say we
got married?”
“June.”
“IT SNOWED IN JUNE???”
“Yes. Massive amounts of snow. The tent
collapsed on us and I was knocked out. When I came to, I couldn’t find you. It
took two days for me to locate you and dig you out. You were nearly frozen.”
“Frozen? Like the movie?”
“No sweetheart. Much, much worse.
There was no Olaf, no music, no reindeer and no academy awards. There was only
you; buried for two days in snow and completely unresponsive when I finally
found you.
“I took you to the hospital
immediately and they did all they could.” Tiko finally Ashley’s eyes once more.
“Ashley, I thought I lost you. You can’t imagine how happy I was when you
finally opened your eyes.”
Tiko leaned toward her as if to kiss
her. Ashley panicked. Perhaps what he said was true, but she had no
recollection of him or of any of it and his advances seemed rather forward.
“Didn’t you say my sisters were here?”
Chapter 2
Lottie, Lottie, not a hottie.
Lottie, Lottie, cold and snotty.
Lottie, Lottie, very naughty.
Lottie, Lottie, cannot squatty.
Lottie, Lottie, can’t go potty.
Lottie, Lottie, has no body.
“Really Ashley? It’s like your
seven years old again.”
“Sorry,” Ashley answered, “but not
much rhymes with ‘Debra’.”
“Zebra,” responded Lottie.
“Are we’re suddenly British?” asked
Debra, heatedly.
“It’s lovely to see you both again
and have you in our home,” Tiko said, hoping to smooth things over before the
situation had a chance to escalate.
Lottie and Debra seemed to respond
to the cue. Ashley, in contrast, was annoyed. These were her sisters. And what was with him calling it our home? Was Tiko a con-artist and had come up with the whole
story of the hospitalization, avalanche and the two of them falling in love? It
wasn’t as though she couldn’t take care of herself, but this was a mind game
and she’d had slightly less experience with those.
Using her voice of utmost
politeness, Ashley kindly asked, “Tiko, would you excuse us? I’d like to visit
with my sisters for a bit.”
He looked hurt, but nodded slowly
and headed out into the yard. He’d better
not be messing with my zinnias, Ashley thought. She waited until she was
certain he was out of earshot, she turned back to her sisters. “What brings you
by today?”
Lottie opened her crocodile handbag
and pulled an assortment of letters from it. “Mail!!”
“Mail? From whom?”
“Several people.”
Ashley’s mind was still reeling.
“Why don’t you read it to me, your voice is so solid.”
Lottie smiled knowingly.
“Some are for me and Debra and some
for you. I’ll just read them all.”
Ashley nodded her assent.
“I don’t understand the bunny
picture,” Lottie remarked.
“It’s from a past acquaintance - someone
who knew me back when I was associated with Bishop Cottontail.”
Neither Lottie nor Debra commented,
so it was up to Ashley to propel the conversation forward. “Do you know
anything about that guy?”
Debra and Lottie looked at one
another and then back to Ashley. Debra spoke first. “Are you joking?”
Ashley hesitated. “No. He claims we
dated and got married and that I nearly died on our honeymoon, but I don’t
remember anything more than meeting him when he saved me from a trash receptacle.”
For a moment, both sisters stared.
It wasn’t like Ashley to joke around, but maybe after the loss of so many of
her beloved friends she had finally realized life was short and worked to
develop a sense of humor.
“Ashley, do you really not remember
him?” Lottie asked. As the oldest sister she often felt responsible for her two
younger sisters, but if Ashley genuinely had forgotten Tiko, would there be any
way to help her?
Ashley shook her head.
“The doctor said something like
this might happen as a result of the accident, but you were doing so well,”
Debra claimed. “Try, Ashley, think back and try to remember him.”
Ashley focused intently. “I don’t
even remember the accident.” she said.
“What’s the most recent thing you
can remember?”
Ashley thought. “My dream last
night.”
Debra paused, but only for a
moment. “Okay. Why don’t we start there?”
Chapter 3
“That
was really weird,” Debra evaluated.
“But
has nothing to do with your issue,” Lottie reminded them. “Listen, I’m no
psychologist, but the logical solution is to recreate your honeymoon, sort of a
do-over. Maybe it will trigger your memory and your relationship with Tiko will
be restored.”
“Have you lost your mind?” Ashley
asked. “That is madness. I couldn’t possibly go away with a man I hardly know.”
“You know him,” Debra reminded her,
“you just can’t remember him.”
“How is that better?” Ashley retorted.
“It will be okay. We will come with
you.” Lottie offered.
“You and Debra are going to come
with me? ON MY HONEYMOON??!! You’re
sick,” Ashley said.
Lottie stood and began pacing the
room, as she always did when she had a big idea. “We won’t come with you. We’ll
go in disguise … as … as another honeymooning couple –”
“No!” Debra interrupted.
“Why not?”
“Because, Lottie. You and I both
know that if we go as a couple I’m going to end up being the man.”
“I can’t help it if your facial
features are less feminine than my own.”
“No.”
“C’mon, Debra. It’s for Ashley.
She’s your sister. Do it for Ashley.”
“No way.”
“Please,” begged Ashley. What if
Lottie is right and this will bring back my memory.”
Debra hesitated. “Okay fine, but
I’m not using a fake man-voice.”
“As I was saying,” Lottie said,
“we’ll pose as another couple on our honeymoon. If you get too stressed or need
a way out, we’ll be there. We can pretend to meet you and become quite fond of
you both. We’ll be your first ‘couple’ friends. Then we can join you for dinner
or dancing –”
“If I’m the man, I get to lead
while dancing,” Debra interrupted.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,”
agreed Lottie, turning back to Ashley.
“I don’t know.”
“Come on. I want to see you be
brave! Do this for yourself. Aside from the hairy feet and constant necessity
to go barefoot, Tiko is a wonderful hobbit-man.”
“Yes, but –”
“We’ll go put on our disguises.
You’ll see. Wait right here.”
Within 45 minutes, Debra and Lottie
returned. Debra had seemingly grown a substantial black, handlebar mustache and
was wearing her stupid, straw hat. Lottie was caked in heavy make-up and wore a
pill-box hat covered in feathers with a blue bird perched on top.
“You look like a chicken died on
your head,” Ashley evaluated.
“But Tiko will never suspect!”
exclaimed Lottie
“The letters you brought mentioned
a straw hat and bird hat. Have you worn them before?”
“Jut to your wedding,” admitted
Debra.
“My wedding? You wore a bird hat
and a stupid, straw hat to my wedding, yet you think Tiko will never suspect?
Did I marry an idiot?”
“Men never remember details.
Besides, he was too engrossed in you to pay attention to either of us. He won’t
remember the hats and he won’t realize it’s us.”
“I still think this is a terrible
idea.”
“I promise it will be worth it. We
can sit down and make jiffy-pop.”
“Fine, but at the first sign that
something is going wrong, I’m out.”
“Agreed,” Debra and Lottie
responded together.
“Now go find Tiko to tell him of
your plan,” instructed Lottie, “and we’ll meet you up the canyon later on.”
Chapter 4
Several short hours later, Tiko and
Ashley were packed and ready to go. Though she knew he would prefer that she
sit next to him, Ashley positioned herself as far away as possible on the bench
seat. He eyed her, as if to comment, and then decided against it, strapped on
his seatbelt, and started the ignition. “Where are we going?”
Ashley pulled out her compass. “27
degrees to the south.”
Tiko checked the display on the
dash. “Just south okay?”
Ashley rolled her eyes, and then
nodded. The drive was a silent one with the only words being spoken by Tiko as the two passed the sinister
gatekeeper. At last, Tiko slowed to a stop near the pit toilets.
“This is it?” Tiko asked.
Ashley sighed. “I know it isn’t
exotic, but it’s shaded … as long as you follow the shade.”
Tiko didn’t respond, but he instead
got out and opened the passenger door. Ashley hopped out, hardly acknowledging
him. Clearly the weekend was going to be awkward and tension-filled. In
silence, the two unloaded their gear and set up the tent. Not a word was spoken
as Tiko connected the propane to the two-burner stove. Camp chairs were set up beneath
the shade of a nearby tree and still only the sounds of nature filled the air.
“That should be one sign,” Tiko
commented.
“What?”
“Did you see how harmoniously we
worked together? We didn’t even need to communicate to get unpacked and set up.
That is how synced our minds and souls are.”
Ashley rolled her eyes. “I don’t
know that our being able to set up cam demonstrates compatibility. After all, I
could have done all of this on my own. You’re only here as an accessory.”
“An accessory?? What did I ever do
to you?”
Ashley shook her head. “Nothing.
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t vent my frustrations on you.” In a gesture of goodwill
she reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry,” she repeated.
Tiko didn’t answer, but seemed to
soften.
For awhile, the two sat and watched
the minimal traffic on the two-lane road. At last, a truck pulling a horse
trailer pulled up and stopped in a site next to them. An odd-looking couple
emerged from the vehicle; an older-looking woman with a feathery hat and a
young man with long curly hair and a black mustache.
“Hello,” the woman called eagerly,
waving to Tiko and Ashley
Ashley rolled her eyes, but decided
to play along, “Hello,” she responded grudgingly.
“Lovely afternoon, isn’t it?”
Tiko spoke this time. “Great
afternoon for a honeymoon!” He hoped the encroaching strangers would catch the
hint and move along.
His wording must not have been
clear enough because the man proceeded to open the door to the saddles and bits
while the woman unloaded the horses.
“It’s our honeymoon too!” the women
shouted over her shoulder. “We couldn’t be happier, right Timothy?”
Timothy nodded, but didn’t speak.
“How interesting,” Ashley remarked,
that you would bring four horses for two riders. It’s almost as though you were
expecting to meet another couple.”
The woman laughed nervously. “Oh …
well all our horses need exercise, so we usually ride one up the trail and the
other down, though now that you mention it, we’d love for you to join us.”
Ashley eyed Tiko. “Sure,” he
shrugged. “It’s something to do.”
The two watched as three white
steeds and a smaller brown horse were unloaded, saddled, and prepped for the
ride.
“This is Nacho,” the woman said,
stroking the muzzle of the brown horse, “and Arted, Max and Silver,” she added,
gesturing to the other three.
Ashley just nodded. Tiko smiled and
started toward Arted. Debra and Lottie, or the man and the woman, got on Max
and Silver respectively. That left Nacho for Ashley. Leaning her head against
him she whispered, “I think you are the sanest of the lot of us.”
Nacho whinnied in response and Ashley
deftly straddled the animals broad back.
Chapter 5
It seemed like hours passed as the
trail ride continued. The two couples conversed casually, but Ashley felt
nothing. As the seemingly never-ending trail ride continued, Tiko dropped back
to join Ashley. “Are you having a good time?”
She nodded.
“It’s nice that they happened to
have two extra horses,” Tiko tried again.
Ashley nodded again. Silence fell
between them. Ashley could tell Tiko was trying. She could at least meet him
half-way.
“Where did we go on our fist date?”
Tiko grinned. “The Dairy Delight.”
“Dairy Delight?”
“Yes. We went bowling and then
walked down to the Dairy Delight. We put some coins in the jukebox and played
One Directions ‘She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful’.”
Ashley smiled in spite of herself.
“So you’re telling me that to make a first impression you took me bowling and
then to a local burger joint?”
“I am part Hobbit. We live simply.”
“Did we ever visit the Shire?”
Tiko nodded. “We had a grand
reception there after our wedding. The hills were bright green and as the sun
set, fireflies emerged.”
“It sounds so beautiful,” Ashley
whispered. “I wish I could have seen it.”
“You did. You just don’t remember
it.”
Ashley looked ahead. The trail ride
was still going on, yet it almost seemed as if they were going in circles
because very little progress had been made. “How far are we going?” Ashley
called.
The older woman turned in the
saddle. “Just until the song ends. I have music on my iPod that plays
continuously. When the song ends, Silver knows to turn back.”
“Isn’t there any way to turn them
back sooner? I’m getting saddle sore,” Ashley complained.
The woman thought. “They’re an
Ubsbleckistanian breed and they only respond to commands in their native
language.”
“How do I say stop?”
“Hoof.”
“Hoof?”
“Yes. Hoof, Silver!” the woman
commanded. Immediately the horse she rode stopped.
“Hoof, Nahco!” Ashley shouted.
“Hoof, Max,” whispered the manly Debra.
“Hoof, Arted,” shouted Tiko.
All the horses stood still,
awaiting further command. “Now how do we turn them around?” asked Ashley.
“In Ubsbleckistanian, it’s ‘Ife’,”
said bird-headed Debra.
“Ife?” repeated Ashley.
“Yes, like this. Ife, Silver!” The
horse the woman rode turned to face the opposite direction.
“Ife Nacho,” hollered Ashley.
Immediately, Nacho turned.
“Ife Max,” Debra commanded.
“Ife Arted,” shouted Tiko.
Down the trail, the ride continued.
For awhile the new friends continued downward until suddenly Max stumbled and
collapsed. Debra-man got off and tried to pull him back to his feet. “He’s
broken his leg!” the young man exclaimed.
“Nothing left to do but shoot him,”
Ashley said, evaluating the break.
“Don’t be a fool!” the man spat.
“It’s a perfectly good horse. We’re not going to shoot it.”
“It can’t walk on three legs. It
will starve. It’s the only humane thing to do.”
“How will we get back?” asked the
woman, “and what will we do with a dead horse?”
“There are bears around that can
consume the carcass.”
“You’re sick,” hissed the woman.
“Hold on, hold on, ladies … and
gentleman. I know a thing or two about horses. Let me have a look at him.” Tiko
said, dismounting to look at the broken leg. Taking two straight piece of wood
and some colorful adhesive, he straightened the leg and splinted it. Working
quickly, he finished his task. “That should hold until we get back. We’ll have
to double up and take of the saddle so he doesn’t have to carry any extra
weight.” Pausing, he looked to Ashley. “May I?”
She debated, and then nodded. More agilely
than she thought possible, Tiko swung himself up behind her in the saddle
leading the limping Max behind. Ashley had to admit it was strange having him
so close, strange, but not entirely undesirable.
Chapter 6
The ride back was agonizingly slow.
The sun was low in the sky as they rode back to the enclosure surrounding their
camp.
“Can I make dinner for you?” the
woman offered. “It’s the least I could do after you saved my horse.
Ashley was physically and
emotionally exhausted. It was nice to have someone else offer to cook. Nodding
her head, she accepted. Lottie was a tremendous cook and though Ashley was
looking forward to dinner, she was anxious because their carefully orchestrated
plan was not working. She had enjoyed talking with Tiko on the long, long trail
ride, but she still had no recollection of who they had been together.
“How can I help with dinner?”
Ashley asked.
“Don’t worry about it,” the woman
answered. “I enjoy cooking. Why don’t you and Tiko go sit in the shade?” She
motioned to a tree some ways in the distance. “I’ve heard,” she continued,
“that it is the tree of revelation and if you sit beneath it for awhile,
amazing things will be revealed to you.”
Ashley glared, but – taking her
camp chair – she followed Tiko to the tree. For awhile, neither spoke, but
instead sat in companionable silence, as a gentle breeze whispered through the
leaves.
“How did you propose?” Ashley
finally asked.
Tiko didn’t answer right away.
Finally he spoke quietly. “We were in a forest, much like this one. I’d gone
with you as you returned to the Wetlands to look for the purse of crocodile.
Somehow we were led astray by the snarky gatekeeper and ended up in a forest. I
wasn’t planning to propose, but a near-death experience led me to believe it
might be my only chance.”
“What happened?”
“We were in the woods, deep in the
woods, trying to find our way out of the forest. We were so focused on finding
our way out that we weren’t paying attention until I felt hot breath on my
neck.”
“I’m not much of a lady.”
Tiko smiled, “Not you; the great
badger-bear.”
“Mordu?”
Tiko rolled his eyes. “You can
remember a character from an animated film, but you don’t remember us and
falling in love?”
“Sorry.”
“No, it wasn’t Mordu,” continued
Tiko, “but it was a huge black bear with gray striping in the fir.”
“Hence the badger-striped bear?”
“Yes. I turned around and there he
was, his enormous jaws ready to snap, claws like daggers protruding from his
paws.”
“And?”
“I was afraid it was the end for
us, so I told you I loved you and said I wished we had more time and that I had
hoped we’d get married and now it looked as though there would never be a
chance.”
“You said all that before the bear
attacked?”
“No. I said it as I was fighting. I
managed one good hit that took out his eye. It didn’t kill him, but it damaged
him enough that we were able to get away.”
“Naturally, now he is the bear with
the ‘one dead eye’.”
“So we found our way back to the
main trail and headed for home. On the drive back, you asked if I was serious
about what I had said. I agreed I was. The ring didn’t come until I was able to
battle some Orcs, but it did come.”
Ashley looked down. “What would I
do with a ring? During many phases of my life I haven’t even had any hands.”
The metal was melted down and
forged into the flowers you wear as earrings.”
Ashley didn’t respond. The tale was
lovely, a bit soft for her taste, but lovely none-the-less. Yet it did nothing
to remind her of who she was. She looked up, scanning the horizon. “Tiko,” she
whispered, “is that him? The bear with the one dead eye?”
Tiko followed her gaze. Climbing
over the fence, a bag of enormous marshmallows in his paw, was the fattest bear
Ashley had ever seen.
“No. That bear has two eyes and
from the looks of him, he’s eaten no fewer than four people.”
“Then why are we just sitting
here?”
“Look at him,” laughed Tiko. “He
can’t even get enough footing to get over the rails.”
“Jazz cakes are ready,” called Lottie,
still posing as the newlywed bride.
Diner was delightful. Flavors
Ashley had never dreamt of exploded inside her mouth; chocolate chip,
blueberry, cocoanut and pineapple. For one of the first times in her life, Ashley
felt relaxed, peaceful, and like she was almost royalty.
Chapter 7
At last, all the Jazz cakes were
consumed.
“My husband and I were considering
a ride after supper,” the woman said, clearing the dishes. “Would you like to
join us?”
“A ride?” asked Ashley.
“Through the glen, shooting at
targets. My husband has this amazing trick of balancing an apple on his head.
I’m sure he wouldn’t mind doing it so that we could shoot the apple off his
head.”
The woman’s husband glared.
Ashley sighed. She had enjoyed the
afternoon ride and the time with her sisters, but if Tiko really was the man
she had fallen in love with, she needed to find out. “I think we’ll decline.
After all, Max still needs a good rest.”
“You could double up again, or
Timothy won’t be riding anyway since he’ll be holding the apple.”
“Thank you, but no. I think we’d
rather take an evening walk. It’s cooled down enough that the weather isn’t too
stifling and maybe we’ll see some bats.”
Tiko looked momentarily surprised, and
then pleased.
Lottie the bride, studies Ashley’s
face. “If you’re sure …”
“Completely.”
“Then the tree of revelation
worked?”
“No,” Ashley replied, “but even so,
I think we’ll refrain.”
Tiko stood and held out his hand to
help Ashley to her feet. “Where shall we go?”
“I noticed a park as we drove in.
Maybe we should head down that way.”
“To the park?”
Ashley shrugged. “Don’t you
sometimes like to go to the park; reflect on your inner child and all that?”
Tiko chuckled.
“What?”
“Reflect on your inner child? You’ve
lost your edge, Ashley.”
Ashley thought about it. Perhaps he
was right. If so, this whole weekend had been a terrible idea. All those years
of training and sacrifice … and now… was she to be undone by a part hobbit? “Maybe
we should skip the walk. This isn’t working. I don’t remember you; I don’t remember
us. The only solid memory I have is of me. And you’re right. I’m losing myself.
If I lose that, what do I have?”
Tiko stopped walking and turned her
toward him. “Don’t give up yet, Ashley. Give it a little more time. Trust me.”
“What if I never remember? What if
what you say has happened never really happened. I can’t trust you, I don’t
even know you!”
Tiko continued walking, both hands
shoved in his pocket. Ashley watched his retreating figure only a few moments
and then, finally followed him. She caught up quickly, but didn’t speak and he
also seemed to have nothing to say as they strolled, light leaving the valley by
degrees. Ashley had no idea what he was thinking, but her thoughts continued to
focus on the futility of it all. Why had she agreed to this ridiculous plan?
What kept her now from turning around, getting in the car and driving home? He
was part hobbit. Surely he was resourceful enough to find a way home and by
then she could be long gone. But where would she go? What adventure lay ahead?
No, what she needed was closure. If what Tiko said was true, she had to stick
it out and find out. And if it was a lie … well he would soon have evidence
that she hadn’t really gone soft.
The sun had set completely and a
pinkish haze reflected against a sign. Ashley looked ahead, read the sign,
reread it, and closed her eyes.
“What is it?” Tiko asked, speaking
for the first time in several minutes.
Ashley pointed. Tiko followed the
direction of her finger. “Oh, don’t worry about that. You know a cougar would
have no defense against you and if something should go awry, I have your back.”
“I remember,” Ashley whispered.
“What?”
“Tiko, I remember.”
“But how?”
“How many years younger than me are
you?”
He hesitated, afraid this was a
trick question. “Five.”
“Don’t you think by most accounts
that makes me a cougar?”
“Are you kidding me?”
“A cougar who has shown lack of fear toward humans." Ashley shook her head. "I'm that cougar, that fearless cougar. I remember
it all. The bear, the shire, the proposal and even the tent collapsing around
us. I remember it all, Tiko.”
“Then you remember how in love we
were – are.”
“Yes.” Ashley agreed. “And I think
it’s time we walked back to our camp and told my sisters to go home.”
“Your sisters?”
“Debra … Lottie … Please don’t tell
me you really fell for them being a couple.”
Tiko hesitated. “No,” he agreed at
last, “but I know they care for you as sisters should and I hoped if I played
along with whatever plan they had devised it would eventually be to our
benefit.”
Ashley smiled. “And so it has been.”
