So Penelope and James walked and hopped respectively towards their destination, but at his new, greatly reduced size James was struggling to keep pace with his still human companion and jumping everywhere quickly began to tire him. After a while he had no choice but to stop and catch his breath. Thankfully Penelope noticed.
"Oh dear James, are you exhausted? Do you need a rest?" She looked down at the toad sympathetically.
"Ribbit" James answered, hoping she would be able to translate that as a yes.
"Ok, there's an Inn just up ahead, we should probably stop there for the evening" she suggested "Besides, it's getting dark"
"Ribbit" James agreed. As desperate as he was to be restored to humanity, he couldn't hop any further today. Besides, in the darkness there could be any number of unseen dangers for a helpless little amphibian like him. He wasn't sure exactly what potential predators ate toads, but he was in no mood to find out.
To James' relief the Princess scooped him up and carried him the last kilometer or so to the modest, old fashioned looking Inn where they were to spend the night.
"Princess Penelope" the large, late middle aged gentleman who owned the place stood to attention in surprise as they entered "To what do I owe this honour, your majesty"
"I'd like a room for two.." she looked down at James and reconsidered "actually a room for one will probably be sufficient"
"Certainly, your Highness" the owner replied before gazing down at James "Um, I'm afraid we have a strict no pets policy here"
"But James isn't my pet, he's..." she paused for a moment "couldn't you make an exception?"
"Ribbit!" James chimed in, outraged at such discrimination against him.
"I'm afraid rules are rules, even for Royalty" the owner apologised "but we have a nice big pond outside. I'm sure he'll be happy out there for the evening"
James was sure Penelope wouldn't agree to this. No way was he spending the cold night outside in a smelly pond surrounded by frogs, toads and bugs.
"Well, okay then" the Princess answered after some thought.
"Ribbit! Ribbit!" James protested desperately "Ribbit!"
"You'll be fine" Penelope smiled "I'll come and fetch you first thing tomorrow"
Once she had retired to her nice, warm room, James was grabbed roughly by the Innkeeper who took him outside and unceremoniously dumped him into a small pond in the Inn's modestly sized garden.
James was furious as he surveyed his new surroundings and the various slimy critters who would be his companions for the evening. Surely those two brats narrating this ridiculous story would have to give him a break soon?