Flisa loved the youngsters.
Frodo soon found this out. Called 'Miss Flisa' by the kids, she would often sit under a tree on Bagshot Row, and hobbit children would gather around, asking, sometimes begging for a story. Not only would she tell them a tale, but she would use expression, and sometimes even act them out for them. Often, many older hobbits would come and stand a little ways off to listen. Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry would often do so as well.
The children would often ask for certain stories. "Tell us about the time you were captured by the slave traders!" they would ask, or, "What about the story where you rode an Oliphaunt?"
One day, Flisa happened to be telling of her journeys through Rohan. She talked about how strong and valiant the horsemen were.
At the end of her tale, one hobbit lad asked an unusual question.
"Miss Flisa, if you've been to all these places, and met all these people, haven't you ever fallen in love?"
The entire crowd was silent. Everyone, even the adults, watched Flisa, waiting for an answer. She simply smiled and said, "There's no needin' to speaks 'bout that. Now, runs along, dearie dears."
The children scurried off, muttering complaints as they went. The older hobbits dispersed, but Frodo stayed behind. Flisa was sitting up, staring out on the horizon. Frodo walked over and stood next to her.
"Flisa?"
The dog twitched an ear and turned her head. "Yessum, dearie love?" she asked, as if her mind was somewhere else.
"Have you ever fallen in love?"
He wanted to know; he wasn't sure why, but he was curious. Flisa said nothing. Finally, after a few long moments, she sighed.
"Indeed, Frodo. I have. In a fact, I am. But 'e lives quite a ways, and I haven't see 'im for some time. We're not 'posed to be in love, ya see. It's…a complicated thing. Dya get what I'm sayin'?"
Frodo nodded. "Yes, I think I do."
Flisa smiled. "It's hard, but I'm waitin'. Because I know somehow, someday, we'll find a way."