I Will Return

*Sorry this chapter is so short.

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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.