Story Downloaded from Open Scrolls Archive (https://www.openscrolls.net)
Title: I Will Return (#727)
Author: Concetta
Chapters: 7
Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: Frodo, who thinks all the girls in Hobbiton are too silly for him to settle down with meets a girl who changes his mind. Setting: Three days before Bilbo's party
Published: 22 Mar 2004
Updated: 22 Mar 2004
Warnings:
Type: Romance
Characters: Frodo; OC
Chapter 1 - House Warming Gifts
*Hi all! This is my first Frodo fan fiction. I was inspired to write this by all those really good (non-slash) Frodo fics out there and also by my love of the Hobbits, which I think are the coolest characters, besides Elves. :) So here you go enjoy and review! And I might be a bit slow updating because I have other fics on FictionPress.net I’m trying to finish up.* Ciao!
House-warming Gifts
As Frodo Baggins walked up the path to Bag-End he breathed in the fresh mid-morning breeze that wafted over the rolling green hills of the Shire. He began to whistle. “What a beautiful day!” Frodo thought as he walked up to the gate of Bag-End and entered in. He chuckled and shook his head at the sign Bilbo had Sam post on the gate earlier that day: “No admittance except on party business.”
As Frodo reached for the doorknob of the green door he heard the murmur of two voices punctuated by a giggle or two, inside the house. Frodo opened the door and followed the sound to the kitchen. There he found Sam handing Rosie a small bouquet of purple lilacs. Rosie blushed and giggled.
“Oh, thank-you, Sam! But all I needed was a few ounces of rosewater.”
“I know,” answered Sam, turning red himself, “but, I know lilac’s are your favorite flowers n’ all, I just figured . . . they bein’ so pretty and sweet smellin’ an’ all, they reminded me of you.” Sam went crimson and dug at the wooden floorboards with his big toe.
“Oh, Sam . . I-” Suddenly the blushing Rosie spotted Frodo watching them with a grin, but once she turned to him he averted his eyes trying to make it look like he hadn’t been watching. But Rosie wasn’t fooled. “I’d better go Mr. Samwise, father will be expecting me back soon. Thank-you again for the flowers.”
“Oh, and the rosewater!” Sam cried going to the cupboard and pulling out a small jar of liquid. “Here you go, Miss Cotton.”
“Thank-you. Nice to see you again Mr. Frodo,” Rosie said with a red face as she passed by him and went out the door.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Frodo for shirkin’ my duties like that an’ chit-chattin’ with Rosie an’ all.”
“That quite all right, Sam. I don’t mind. You know, you should escort Rosie to Uncle Bilbo’s party the night after tomorrow’s night.”
“Oh, I couldn’t Mr. Frodo, I’m too afraid she’ll say no.”
“She could say yes, but you’ll never know until you ask her.”
“I suppose so, Mr. Frodo.”
Frodo watched Sam as he moved mechanically about with a dreamy expression on his face. Frodo grinned and shook his head. Love. He thought it was sweet and all, but only when it was affecting other people. Frodo had never been in love because he found the Shire girls his age to be too silly.
Bilbo soon walked in, breaking Frodo’s train of thought.
“Ah, finally done wooing for the day, eh, Sam?”
Sam was now as red as a tomato. Frodo saved him with: “how about some tea, Sam.”
“Oh, sure thing Mr. Frodo.”
“Tea for me too, Samwise, if you please,” Bilbo said.
“Only if you promise to tell me about the Elves, sir while I’m making it.”
“Of course, lad my pleasure,” Bilbo replied, with his eyes sparkling.
“I’ll fetch some seed-cake,” Frodo said.
“Seed-cake,” Bilbo murmured. “Frodo!” the hazel headed hobbit stopped.
“That reminds me,” Bilbo continued, “I want you to take some of our seed-cake over to the new residents a few holes down. Sort of a house-warming gift from you and I. Could you do that for me while we wait for the water to boil?”
“But, Bilbo-”
“Frodo, it’s the neighborly thing to do, what is the matter? Feeling shy?” Bilbo said the last comment with a teasing grin.
“It’s not that, Uncle Bilbo it’s just . . the new neighbors have a daughter in her late tweens. I must admit that I am not anxious to meet her. Girls at my age so silly and if they take a liking to you they become like a second shadow and follow everywhere.”
Bilbo laughed. “You’re still going.”
“But-”
“Frodo, I’ll admit that you do have a point. I would go myself but, these legs aren’t as strong as they used to be.” Suddenly a shadow crept over Bilbo’s face. He reached a hand into his pocket and began to finger something. Frodo did not notice though, for he was too wrapped up in his own little plight.
Then Bilbo took his hand out of his pocket and immediately brightened up. “It’s not so bad Frodo, from what I saw of her this morning, she didn’t seem empty headed.”
Frodo walked out the door of Bag-End with a wrapped up seed cake in hand. His heart sank as he thought of the inevitable meeting with the hobbit lass.
“Another empty headed giggle box,” he thought to himself. Frodo reached the house and rapped softly on the front door.
Immediately the door opened and Frodo beheld the sweetest face he had ever seen. A hobbit lass in her late tweens greeted him. Her intelligent green eyes were the first things that really struck Frodo about her. Her curly hazel hair sat on her on her shoulders which were covered by the maroon dress she was wearing, which was accompanied by a dark green bodice around her waist.
“Hello,” she said her voice middle-pitched and dulcet.
“G-Good morrow, miss.” Frodo then collected his wits and cleared his throat. “I’m Frodo Baggins of Bag End. I live a few holes down from you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Frodo Baggins.”
“Oh, the pleasure is all mine, miss . . ?”
“Peony . . . Peony Turnbuckle.”
“ . . Miss Turnbuckle. I brought a seed-cake for you and your family as a sort of house-warming present, compliments of my Uncle Bilbo and I.”
“Thank-you so much!” Peony said, gingerly taking the cake from Frodo’s hands. “Won’t you please come inside?” Frodo hesitated, then figured he had enough time and followed Peony inside the hobbit-hole.
“So,” Peony said as she led Frodo to the kitchen, “your uncle is the famous Bilbo Baggins!”
Frodo laughed. “That’s right!” Bilbo was the most respected hobbit in town. Well, maybe not as respected as he used to be before he went off on the adventure, but still greatly respected.
“Oh, I would love to hear him tell one of his stories!”
“You would?” Frodo asked, surprised.
“Oh, yes! I find them so exciting!”
Frodo was taken aback. This was different. Every girl his age that he knew had no interest in Bilbo’s stories and legends of Middle Earth. They dismissed them as either boring or childish and went off to braid ribbons and flowers into each other’s hair. Frodo stared at this curious hobbit lass for a moment then said:
“Most girls don’t care to hear my uncle’s stories. Well, not the girls around here anyway.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I would love to.”
Frodo felt his heart skip a beat and scolded himself. “Remember Frodo, this is probably just another silly Shire girl. Even if she does like your uncles stories, she probably spends the usual entirety of her day gossiping with the other lassies, like all the other girls do.”
Peony began slicing up the seed cake and hummed as she did so. When she finished, Peony served a slice to Frodo along with a pot of tea which she had been preparing earlier. Then she served herself and sat down.
“So, what’s all this talk about a big party being thrown soon?”
“Oh, Uncle Bilbo’s one hundred and eleventh birthday party is going to be held in three days.”
“Which reminds me . .” Frodo glanced at the grandfather clock which he could see sitting in the next room. “I have to go help prepare!”
Frodo jumped out of his chair and bowed quickly to Peony. “It was nice meeting you! Perhaps I will see you later!” Frodo then rushed out of the house.
After he had gone Peony said softly,
“I hope so.”
Chapter 2 - The Long Expected Party Preparations
The “Long Expected Party” Preparations
Frodo sat at the kitchen table writing down the list of necessary items for the party.
“We’re going to need at least fifteen barrels of ale,” he mused to himself as he brushed the end of his quill pen, absently, against his cheek.
Suddenly their came a knock at the green door to Bag-End. But before Frodo could answer it in anyway it burst open and in blew Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, two cousins of Frodo’s.
“Hello, Frodo!” Pippin exclaimed ambling over to where Frodo was sitting, bent over a sheet of paper.
“You know, you are supposed to wait for an answer after you knock.” Frodo said grinning at them.
“What for?” Merry asked, “we’re over here so often you should have the sound our knocks memorized by now.”
“Aye!” cried Pippin who was now cutting himself a slice of brown bread and spreading butter over it from the crock. “So, what are ye doin’?” he asked.
“I’m writing a list of things I will need for Bilbo’s birthday party, food, drink and such.”
“Well,” said Merry, “since more than half of the Shire is comin’, I suggest you havin’ everyone bring a bit of somethin’ food-wise.”
“That’s a great idea, Merry!” Frodo shouted, jumping from his chair. “Now, why didn’t I think of that?”
“Because,” Merry said with a smug expression, “you don’t have the sharp mind of a Brandybuck, my dear coz.”
“If you have such a sharp mind, my dear Merry, how is it that each time you and Pippin are caught in the middle of mischief making you have no believable stories to offer.”
“Well, I . . .”
Frodo laughed and dipped his quill pen back into the inkwell.
“So, Pippin, Merry,” Frodo said, “what are you two going to bring?”
“Ourselves, of course!” Merry exclaimed putting his arm around his Took cousin’s shoulder.
“Yes, who needs gifts or food when you’ve got us around?” Pippin said grinning.
Frodo chuckled and shook his head. “Seriously though. Are you two going to bring anything?”
“Maybe,” Pippin said, shrugging his shoulders. “If we can manage it, we might bring a bit of somethin’.”
“Yeah, but only if a certain hobbit can manage not to eat whatever it is we bring before we get there,” Merry sending a significant look Pippin’s way. Pippin was oblivious to it until Merry said, “that means you, Pip.”
“Oh, right! . . . ‘that means me’ what?”
“Never mind, Pippin,” Frodo said laughing. “Just as long as you at least bring yourselves Bilbo will be happy.”
A general invitation was sent around to everyone the next morning. The entire Shire was practically buzzing with excitement. All the Shire lads pulled out their “Sunnendei” best and the Shire lasses all rushed to the market square for new dresses. When Frodo walked by them in the market they glanced flirtatiously his way and waved. Frodo politely waved back like a young gentlehobbit would and should.
“Oh, Sam!” Frodo exclaimed to his best friend as he plopped down next to him. Sam was sitting on a log and fishing at the time, with some luck too. So far he had a whole bucket full.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Frodo?” Sam asked concern showing in his eyes a little, though he kept his sight on the tugging fishing line.
“It’s women, Sam! They’re everywhere!”
“Is that a complaint?” Sam asked, confused.
“Well, yes and no,” Frodo admitted. “It’s just that- it seems- everytime I go into town there is always, at least, one girl whom I have no interest in that fashion, vying for my attention! And when I am then civil and polite to them, as always, they take it as an invitation- as encouragement of continuing their attentions towards me”
“Ah, well, Mr. Frodo, so is the way of the world.”
The hobbit-hole a few doors down Peony sat mending her only good gown, trying to make it look it’s best for the “long expected party.”
Chapter 3 - Fireworks in More Ways Than One
Fireworks in More Ways Than One
“Whoa, steady now . .” Frodo Baggins could be heard saying as he was helping to push the poles supporting a large banner upright. Once the banner was fully upright he let go of the pole and stood back. He smiled and looked at it while others clapped with delight. It read: Happy 111th Birthday Bilbo!
Frodo had a feeling that tonight was going to be unforgettable. Little did he know that a certain hobbit-lass felt the same way.
That night half the Shire was crowded in the large field below the hill in which Bag-End sat. Music and laughter echoed from the hills and Gandalf, the great and kindly wizard, known among some of the less good-natured Hobbits as the “disturber of the peace.” Gandalf came with his wonderful fireworks which Bilbo and the rest of the Shire so loved.
Frodo watched with great amusment as Gandalf set off a small rocket that held the shape of butterflies when it exploded and flew among the children.
Suddenly Merry and Pippin came up beside Frodo.
“Hello, Frodo,” Merry said.
“Hello Merry! Glad you and Pippin could make it!” Exclaimed Frodo with a wide grin.
“Oh, we brought somethin’ for the party besides us after all, Frodo!” Pippin said. Then he handed his cousin a bag. Frodo opened it and saw that it was full of mushrooms.
“Courtesy of Farmer Maggot,” Pippin said with a grin.
“Yes,” put forth Merry, “we risked life and limb to get those mushrooms for you.”
“But, Merry,” Frodo replied, “you and Pippin steal from Farmer Maggot’s crop once every week.”
“Yes,” said Pippin, “but not mushrooms.”
“Why is that?”
“Because a whole crop of them grows within a few feet of Maggot’s dog houses.”
Merry then nudged Pippin and when he got his attention he nodded his head in the direction of Gandalf’s stash of fireworks.
“Well,” Pippin said, “see you later, Frodo!” Then scuttled off with Merry toward the tent near Gandalf’s cart. Frodo chuckled and shook his head.
Frodo emptied the mushrooms into a vacant bowl to put on the buffet table and joined the throng of dancers
Soon he spotted Sam glancing, for the thousandth time, over his shoulder at Rosie Cotton who was dancing nearby.
Frodo grinned and ambled over to his friend who had just turned his head back. He plopped in the chair next to him.
“Go on, Sam,” he said, “ask Rosie for a dance.”
Sam sighed. “I think I’ll just have another ale.”
“Oh, no you don’t! Go on!” Frodo laughed then pushed Sam towards Rosie as she danced by. Immedietly Rosie put her hand on Sam’s shoulder and took up his hand. Sam happily went along.
Frodo laughed with delight as he watched Sam and Rosie dance.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Frodo spotted a certain figure. He turned and felt his jaw drop. It was Peony.
She was dressed in a rose colored gown overlayed with a lighter, almost translucent material of the same color, to give it more of a fluttery quality. Part of her hair was pulled back and the rest was left loose to tumble down her slightly bared shoulders. She also had made a chain of small pink flowers and pinned them to the crown of her head.
Frodo stood there, staring at her as if in a trance. Peony turned her head and her brown eyes locked with Frodo’s intense blue one’s. Peony gulped with nervousness as Frodo slowly made his way over to her.
“Hello, Miss Turnbuckle.”
“Hello, Mr. Baggins.”
“Y-You may call me Frodo,” he had stumbled over his words because Peony had such a beautiful smile, which she graced him with at his greeting.
“Very well . . Frodo, you may call me Peony, then.”
Silence reigned after that. Frodo looked nervously about as his mind raced to think of something else to say. When he thought of something he turned to her with his mouth open to speak and was startled to find that she was just about to say something as well. Peony stopped and waited for him speak and Frodo waited for her.
“You were about to say something?” She prompted, as she nervously fidgeted with her gown.
Frodo took a deep breath then asked, “would you care to dance?”
Peony’s entire face lit up, causing Frodo’s breath to catch. “I would love to!”
Frodo extended his hand to Peony and led her into the dance circle.
The two hobbits danced until their feet declared that they had had enough. But, even then they were ignored. For a lovely tune of a slower tempo arose from the musicians and Frodo and Peony were not about to pass up, at least, just one more dance.
Frodo led Peony to dancing in a small circle, in a way like the waltz.
“Frodo . .” Peony began but could not continue because Frodo was looking at her in such a way that her tongue became immobile. His glance was so warm and his blue eyes were so intensly blue that Peony thought she could drown in them.
“Yes?” Frodo asked, expectantly.
“I . .”
Suddenly Frodo was overcome by the powerful inclination to kiss her. He leaned down and Peony closed her eyes. But moments before their lips could touch a loud bang was heard. Startled Peony wrapped her arms around Frodo, in reflex from the sudden outburst. The two saw a light go up and to the entire party’s horror it became a fearsome red dragon.
“Bilbo!” Frodo suddenly shouted and, grabbing Peony’s hand, raced to his uncle’s side. “Bilbo! Look out for the dragon!”
“Dragon! Nonsense! There hasn’t been a dragon in these parts for a thousand years . .”
As the fiery being swept over them Frodo pushed his uncle down to the ground and out of it’s way.
The entire party was relieved to discover that it was only a fireworks rocket when it exploded high above their heads in shimmering glory.
In the end it was that that rocket was being set for the end of the party and it’s early igniting was due to the mischievous acts of Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took.
After all had calmed down and the food was finished and cleared away, courtesy of Merry and Pippin who had the responsibilty of washing dishing now as penalty, under the watchful eye of Gandalf, the hobbits called for a speech from their beloved Bilbo.
Frodo sat by a table with Peony sitting next to him and waited for Bilbo to speak.
Bilbo stood up on a barrel under the great tree and began.
“My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles and Proudfoots.” “Proudfeet!” Yelled out the elder member of that clan. Bilbo waved him off and the crowd laughed as he repeated: “Proudfoots. “Today is my one hundredth and eleventh birthday!” All the hobbits shouted merrily, happy birthday and raised their glasses to him. “Alas,” he continued, “eleventy-one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”
The hobbits sat there for a moment trying figure out if that was a compliment or not.
Suddenly Frodo saw Bilbo shakily reached into his pocket and pull something out which he then hid behind his back. “I, uh, I h-have things to do.” He then announced, Frodo thought he heard him whisper, “I’ve put this off for far too long.” Bilbo then addressed the crowd once more. “I regret to announce this is the end. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell.” Bilbo then made eye contact with Frodo, whose face was full of concern and confusion. “Goodbye,” he whispered.
Then, quick as a flash, he disappeared. Amid the sounds of the astonished guests, Frodo heard Gandalf get up.
“Frodo, what happened?” Peony asked.
“I don’t know.” Was all Frodo could say.
~*~
*REVIEW, PLEASE AND I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER!!! But only if you’re a guy, preferably between 18-22, and are really cute. I like long moonlit walks on the beach . . . just kiddin’! ;)
Chapter 4 - Horsing Around
Horsing Around
Frodo stood there on the steps of Bag-End watching Gandalf ride away. His head was awhirl with confusion. What was the exact reason for Gandalf's sudden departure?
Frodo stared at the sealed envelope in his hand. Had it to do with the ring? He recalled Gandalf's instructions: "Keep it secret; keep it safe."
Frodo quickly turned back into the house and stowed the envelope away in a chest.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Wake up, Mr. Frodo!"
Sunlight suddenly hit Frodo's face; he groaned and sleepily rubbed his still closed eyes.
"Good morning, Sam."
"Good morning, Mr. Frodo. Isn't it a lovely day?"
Frodo sat up and peered at Sam with tired eyes. "What has made you act so cheerful this morning?"
"Uh . . It's just that the day is so lovely. ."
"Or rather she is so lovely," Frodo said with a teasing grin.
Sam lost grip of the curtain cord and was blushing hotly.
"You were at the Green Dragon this morning, weren't you?"
Sam nodded sheepishly.
Frodo then smelled the aroma of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. "Well, you shall tell me about it over breakfast." *~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, then she said that the ale would be of no charge if I would come by and visit the Cotton farm house tonight.
"What? Are you calling on her, then?"
Sam went scarlet. "Oh-no, I don't think she looks at me in that way, Mr. Frodo."
"Don't be such an ass, Sam, of course she does!"
"Do you really think so?"
"Does Farmer Maggot keep vicious dogs?"
"You do then!" Frodo nodded.
"Oh, I hope you're right."
For awhile after that breakfast proceeded in silence while Sam began washing up the dishes Frodo already used. Frodo began to sip his tea when Sam asked.
"So, have you heard from Peony Turnbuckle lately?"
Frodo choked and nearly dropped his mug. It was now his turn to blush
Samwise grinned. He now had the perfect outlet to get back at Frodo for teasing him about Rosie.
"Not lately," Frodo said with a horse voice.
"Have you ever thought about calling on her?"
"That's it, son of Hamfast!" Frodo cried jumping from his chair.
"What are you going to do about it, son of Drogo?"
"This!" Frodo threw his half eaten muffin at Sam. Sam in turn threw a cupful of soapy water his way, and the childish antics began.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Peony knocked on the green door of Bag-End. No one answered. She heard shouting coming from inside. Alarmed, Peony opened the door. There she beheld a very bedraggled Frodo and Sam, holding each other by the collar with one hand, and a fist formed with the other. When the door had opened the two had froze and stared at the intruder with a startled gaze.
"Good morning, Master Baggins, Master Gamgee," Peony said slowly.
"Good morning," they both said in unison, still both frozen in fighting position.
The three stared at one another for a long time until suddenly, Peony broke out into peals of laughter. Frodo and Sam began to laugh as well and released their hold on each other.
"In the name all that is good, what on Middle-Earth happened here?" She asked once the gaiety died down.
"We were just horsing-around," Frodo answered. Then Sam spoke up.
"'Twas my fault, really. I was teasin' him about-OW!"
Frodo had stepped hard on Sam's foot before he could blurt out the rest.
"I see.well, I came by to announce that my family is having a small party at our new house, we are inviting all the neighbors." Peony then said in a softer voice, "And I would like it especially like it if you came, Frodo." Then after a pause she hastily added, "and you to Master Gamgee."
"Thank you, Miss Turnbuckle," Sam replied with a gracious nod. When Frodo didn't do anything but stare at Peony, Sam nudged him. "Oh! Yes, thank you, Miss Turnbuckle."
When Peony left Sam said, "a party, that sounds nice!" Frodo didn't answer, but looked at the place where Peony had been standing moments earlier. Sam grinned, then said, "I should've thought twice before reactin' when you threw that muffin at me, because I'm the one who's gonna have to clean all this up!"
Chapter 5 - In the Cellar
In the Cellar
Frodo stood nervously with Sam at the door of the Turnbuckle's hobbit hole.
"Why am I so nervous, Sam?" he asked his friend. "Peony's just a lass,
like any other."
"You just keep tellin' yourself that, Mr. Frodo," Sam said.
Frodo slowly knocked on the door. It was opened by Mr. Turnbuckle.
"Why hello there, lads! You've come for the party, then?"
"Yes, sir," replied Frodo.
"And we brought some food!"
"Oh, how kind of ye! It's a good thing too. With all these guests in
the house I'm getting low on vittles."
Mr. Turnbuckle ushered them in to a houseful hobbits. Everyone was laughing, eating, chugging ale, the usual hobbit party.
"Frodo!"
Suddenly a lass almost barreled into him. "Sorry about that." It was Peony. "Me brothers get a bit pushy after their fifteenth pint."
"And how are you?" Frodo said, trying to ignore how close they were
forced to be, with all the people there, and all.
"I'm doin' fine."
Silence then reigned; well silence between those two, the rest of the company was loud enough for the entire Shire to hear.
"I had better go check up on the ale," Peony said, "before me brothers
consume the entire barrel."
"I'll go with you," Frodo offered. "I could actually use a little ale
myself."
"All right, follow me."
Peony led Frodo down to the cellar where the barrels and wine bottles were kept. It was dark and damp. Frodo felt himself bump into Peony ahead of him.
"Oh, I'm very sorry!"
"That's quite alright, I can't blame you, it's very dark down here!
Wait a bit while I get the lantern lit."
Frodo heard a scraping sound then the area around them was illuminated. The hobbit could see racks upon racks of wine bottles and also five barrels of ale in the corner, which they then sat upon.
"It's amazing how much of the party you cannot hear down here," Frodo remarked.
"Yes, it's very quiet," Peony agreed. "This is where I usually come to
cool off on a hot day, and to get some peace and quiet. Peony then
hopped off the barrel. "Well, lets see how much of this me brothers
have drained."
Peony opened the tap to find only droplets coming out.
"Well, that settles it, this one's empty." Frodo jumped off and helped
Peony move the barrel aside. The hobbit lass then grabbed a mug that
was sitting near the barrel and filled it.
"Would you like a glass of ale, Frodo?"
"Oh, yes please," he answered taking the glass. "Aren't you going to
have some?" Frodo asked.
"I already had some upstairs."
Frodo and Peony sat on top of the barrels for a while; Peony was swinging her legs while just reveling in the quiet. The two did not notice the barrels shifting from their combined weight and the swinging of Peony legs.
All of a sudden, the barrels collapsed and sent the hobbits sprawling to the floor. Frodo figured he must have landed in a pile of clothes, or something, for whatever he landed on was soft. He just hoped that Peony was so lucky.
"Peony! Peony! Are you alright?" Frodo cried.
"Well."
Frodo heard her voice answer from under him. Frodo raised himself up on his arms and looked down. Frodo could see in the dim light Peony's face looking up at him.
"Hello," he said quietly, with a slight grin.
Peony looked quite shaken but did smile back. Suddenly Peony reached up and tucked a dark lock behind Frodo's ear. Her hand then traced his jaw-line, then began to trace his lips.
"Frodo . . ."
Suddenly there was the sound of a pair of feet on the stairs and before Peony of Frodo could move, one of Peony's brothers could be heard saying:
"Is there any more ale?-Oh, excuse me--- wait a second!"
"No, it's not what you think!" Frodo cried out, scrambling to his feet.
"Oh, it isn't, eh?" It was Peony's eldest brother, Tomil. He grabbed Frodo by the collar. "'ere wha' were ye doin' to my li'al sister?"
"Nothing shameful, I assure you!"
"Oh, really?"
"He's telling the truth, Tomil!" Peony cried.
Tomil looked at Peony over Frodo's shoulder than looked at Frodo again. With a scowl he let go of the other hobbit. "I'll be watchin' you," he said threateningly as he went up the cellar stairs.
Frodo and Peony looked at each other and both gave a relieved chuckle.
"I guess we had better." Peony began, motioning to the staircase.
"Yes, I guess we had."
When everything was said and done and all the partygoers said "good night," Frodo and Sam headed on home.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Sam," Frodo asked as they both walked down the road in the evening twilight, "when did you first realize that you were in love with Rosie?"
"What makes you think I'm in love with Miss Cotton?" Sam asked reddening
Frodo just looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Yeah, okay ." Sam said with a grin.
"So, Sam when did you first realize it?"
"When I saw her dancin' that night at Mister Baggins' birthday party." Sam's eyes got a far-off look in them. "She was like a vision, Frodo, with her golden hair an' all . . . then I saw her dance with Fatty Bolger . . . I knew I wanted to be in his place an' hold her. an' caress those golden curls . . . have her smile at me . . . spend the rest of my days under those blue eyes . . ." Suddenly Sam cleared his throat. "Does tha' answer your question, Mr. Frodo?"
"Yes, Sam . . . it does."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo stepped out his door after his elevensies, which he preferred to make himself, to see Sam running up the lane.
"Mr. Frodo! Mr. Frodo!"
"What is it Sam?"
"She kissed me!" Sam cried, grabbing his friend by the shoulders.
"Who kissed you?" Frodo asked, though he had a good idea who.
"Rosie Cotton!"
Frodo's face spread into a wide grin. "That's wonderful Sam! How did this happen?"
"Well, I was walkin' down to the fishin' pond, you know, like I do every Sunnendei, when I saw Rosie sittin' up in a tree. She was on the limb overhangin' the pond, eatin' an apple!
"Well, you could imagine my surprise seein' her sittin' a way up there. But, suddenly she caught sight o' me and was startled I guess, 'cause then she gave a cry and afore I knew she was fallin' into the pond!
"Well, right then and there, Mr. Frodo I dropped my fishin' tools and jumped in the pond to save her. Then I remembered that I couldn't swim. Lucky for me, Rosie could." Sam blushed at this, a bit embarrassed. "She pulled me up on shore and I opened my eyes to seein' her lovely face smilin' down on me. Her golden curls were wet with water makin' her hair sparkle in the sunlight. I don't know what came over me Mr. Frodo but the next thing I knew, I was kissin' her an' she was kissin' me!"
"Well! Finally, a move is made! She just beat you to it!"
"Yeah." Sam said with a sheepish grin.
"So, where's Rosie now?"
"I walked her home. She told me to meet her at the Green Dragon tonight! Oh, Mr. Frodo I canna' begin to tell ya how happy I am right now!"
Frodo gave his friend a warm smile and gave him a pat on the back.
"Now, it's your turn with Peony, Frodo!" Sam said with a nudge. Before Frodo could say anything, Sam sped off yelling: "I gotta get ready for tonight!"
"This early?"
*~*~*~*~*~*
That night at the Green Dragon things were very festive. Frodo tried to make conversation but couldn't. Rosie and Sam just made googly-eyes at each other the entire time. Frodo looked around the tavern hoping desperately to find Peony there, but was disappointed.
When it was time to go they both said their goodnights to Rosie. Sam and Rosie didn't kiss before they left each other, though, both shy of showing intimacy of that kind in public, at the moment.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Sam and Frodo said good night at their partings in the road, Frodo stepped up to the green door of Bag-End to find it ajar. Frodo frowned and slowly stepped inside. He felt a draft and found the study window to be open. Papers were fluttering everywhere. He cautiously stepped into the room. Suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder, Frodo gasped and turned around to behold a very distraught Gandalf.
"Is It secret?" he hissed urgently, "is It safe?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 6 - Departing
*Sorry this chapter is so short.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Departing
Peony couldn't sleep, she kept thinking about Frodo. His eyes; his hair, his laugh, and his intense gaze that made her go weak at the knees. Peony got up and decided a quick night stroll would help to clear her head. She put on her overcoat, since she didn't want to be seen in her robe, and slipping on her shoes, she stepped outside.
Peony had been walking for only a few minutes when she heard the sound of voices up ahead. "Now, who else could possibly be up walking at this early hour?" she hurried up the hill and as she ran she heard Frodo say, "If youhadn't been eavesdropping, Sam, you know you wouldn't be in this mess."
Frodo!
Peony ran so hard, that by the time she reached the top of the hill, she had trouble slowing down on the decline.
"Frodo!" she cried, stopping short of running into him. Frodo turned and his face lit up.
"Peony!"
Gandalf watched this scene. If it were under normal circumstances he would've been fondly amused, but now he looked on with a wary eye, glancing at their surroundings. Time was short.
"Frodo, where are you going?"
"I . . . can't tell you . . ."
"Well, when will you return?"
"I don't know."
"But----"
"Time is of the essence, Frodo," Gandalf said.
Peony looked to the wizard.
"Gandalf, where is he going?" Peony asked him with pleading eyes.
Gandalf sighed and stooped down. "He's going on a journey. A journey of great importance, to all of Middle Earth. That's all I can tell you."
"Let me come with you!" Peony said, with tears forming in her eyes. "I'm sorry, my dear," Gandalf replied, sadness furrowing his brow. "But, it would be best if you stay here, for your safety's sake, trust me."
Peony choked back a sob then slowly turned back to Frodo as Gandalf stood up. "Frodo . . . take care of yourself, please."
"I will."
Peony looked down at her hands and sniffed as a tear fell on them.
"Peony," Frodo whispered, tilting her head up to face him. "I will return. I promise!"
With a sob Peony wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.
"Come, Frodo" Gandalf said gently.
Frodo reluctantly let go of Peony. He was more loath to leave her then he ever expected to be.
"I suggest, Miss Turnbuckle, that you go home straight away. There is a sure chance that there will be dark beings afoot in the Shire tonight." Gandalf warned.
Peony stood there for a moment until she heard very far off in the distance a faint high-pitched sound, like an animal calling, but the sound was unlike any animal she had ever heard.
"Go!" Gandalf exclaimed. Peony ran and scrambled back up the hill and only looked back once to see Frodo and his companions fading into the distance. After that Peony did not stop running until she got to her door a slammed it behind her.
It was then that she unleashed all of the tears she had been holding back.
Chapter 7 - Out of the Lockholes and Into Waiting Arms
Out of the Lockholes and into Waiting Arms
Peony waited. Faithfully she waited. Everyday she would look out the window in hopes of seeing the brown curly hair of the hobbit that, she discovered, she loved.
Much time past and mean men began to overtake the Shire under the command of a man known as Sharky. The stores of "Old Toby" were being depleted and it was farmed by force and not by will. Peony just hoped and prayed that Frodo was faring far better.
Peony soon was forced to help pick the grubs off the Old Toby plants. As time went on, her tolerance grew thin.
One day Peony put her foot down. "That's enough!" she shouted. "No more!" The overseer came over to her. "Hey, there, what'dya stop working for?" "I refuse to do anymore! We are not your slaves!" "You get back to work!" "No!" Silence reigned as the other hobbits watched this tableau with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Peony fixed the ruffian with a cold stare. "Right," the man said after a moment of thought. "Off to the Lockholes with ye." And with that, Peony was dragged off by other ruffians who were standing by. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Peony was awakened by the sound of people shouting outside her confinement. Lobelia Sackville-Baggins was startled out of her sleep and immediately grabbed her umbrella.
"What in the name of the Shire is going on, child?" she yelled.
"I don't know! I can't see enough thorough hole in the door to be able to tell you."
Suddenly, the door to their prison was being beaten against. In fear Peony ran to the back of the tunnel and stood protectively in front of Lobelia. Although she wasn't known to be a nice sort, her confinement in Michel Delving's storage tunnels a lot of the fight, which had got her in there in the first place, was taken out of her. Peony took care of her during their time locked together as best she could, as if she were her own mother.
The door finally gave way and in the dim light that poured in, Peony felt a strong arm encircle her shoulders. Another hobbit took Lobelia by the hand and led her out. Peony blinked in the sunlight she had so missed seeing. She turned to see who had lead her out.
"Why, Mr. Merry you are back!" she cried weakly. "If I hadn't known you before, I would've sworn you were a human and not a hobbit! My you have grown!" she then managed a grin.
Merry smiled back gently. "There's someone else who has also returned." Merry nodded over to the brown, curly haired hobbit, who, amid the cheers for the very touched Lobelia and himself, was helping Lobelia into the front of the cart that would take her home.
"Frodo!"
Frodo turned and his face broke into a smile that expressed his sheer joy at seeing her. Peony summoned all her strength and ran into Frodo's waiting arms. Frodo was almost knocked over by the impact.
"Frodo, I thought I would never see you again!"
Frodo wrapped his arms around her in an embrace.
"Well, I'm here now, s-h-h-h-h . . ." he said as Peony began to sob and he soothingly rubbed her back.
Peony raised her head from his chest, which she had been crying into, and raised herself a bit on her tiptoes. She then pressed her mouth to his.
Frodo, though startled, happily returned the kiss. Peony's fingers entwined themselves in Frodo's curls and Frodo's hand rested on the back of her neck, gently pulling her in to deepen the kiss.
When they parted Frodo smiled down at the hobbit lass, his gaze intense.
"I love you Peony Turnbuckle."
"And I love you, Frodo Baggins," she quietly replied. Then with a happy sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder.
Frodo, sensing her tired state, scooped her up in his arms.
"Let's get you home."
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