LoTR FanFic

"Only You"

Summary- A year has passed since Frodo and his companions have been back in the Shire but much as changed. New scars, dark memories, and pain that seems to never fade. Then one day, a young hobbit comes to show him that a heart can indeed be healed. . .and learn to love again.

Chapter 1

Frodo heaved a sigh as he rotated his wrist, working out the kinks. He had been writing for so long, he had gotten a cramp.

Longer than I had thought, he realized as he looked out the window, surprised to see that the sky had darkened considerably since last time he looked. He closed the heavy book slowly, and for a moment he idly traced the letters on the cover page.

From There and Back Again- A Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins

and

The Lord of the Rings by Frodo Baggins

It's hard to believe we've been back for nearly a year, he thought to himself. So much and yet so little had changed. The Shire was still the Shire, and for that Frodo was grateful. And yet. . .so much was different. So much of the laughter and joy that filled his life before was diminished. There were merely sips of pleasure, mere moments of joy that he enjoyed briefly. His heart was joyful as he watched his dear friend Sam Gamgee marry his sweetheart, Rosie Cotton, an almost laugh threatening to bubble over as a drunken Merry and Pippin danced on the table, spraying guests with ale and wedding cake.

He came out of his musings with a grimace as a sharp pain wracked his shoulder and he rotated it slowly.

Will the pain never fade? He wondered dimly.

A dark voice in his head bitterly replied. No, the pain will never fade and the scars will never heal.

He was shook out of his thoughts by a sudden knock at the door.

He inwardly groaned. Probably Merry and Pippin trying to drag me off to the Green Dragon, he thought. Knowing that there was no use in ignoring them (he had tried before, but the little buggers were annoyingly persistent), he went to the door. He was pleasantly surprised when he found, not Merry and Pippin, but his next door neighbor, Fineas Haywood.

"Mr Haywood," he greeted the elderly chap. "Please come in. I was not expecting you."

The old hobbit moved slowly, leaning heavily on his walking stick. "My dear Frodo," Fineas said, chuckling merrily. "How many times must I tell you to please call me Fineas?"

"Alright then Fineas," Frodo said, allowing a rare smile to grace his lips. "Would you care for some tea?"

"Of course, m'boy," Fineas said. "Hope you don't mind if I sit," the old hobbit said, and Frodo hurried to get a cushioned chair. "These old legs aren't as sturdy as they once were. Ah, thank you," he said as Frodo handed him a cup of tea.

"I came to return the book you lent me," Fineas said, handing him a well worn book.

"That was quick," Frodo said, surprised. "I gave it to you only yesterday,"

Fineas chuckled. "Yes but I'm afraid I couldn't put it down! All that talk of adventure, battles, and good triumphing over evil!" the old hobbit was practically quivering in excitement. "It's all so exciting!"

Frodo's mouth quirked. It was times like these when Fineas reminded Frodo so much of Bilbo. "Yes," he said quietly. "I suppose it is all very exciting."

Fineas seemed to see the shadow that veiled Frodo's eyes and he said softly. "It's especially the good triumphing over evil part that I heroes that come home at the end."

Frodo looked down. "Well, not everyone's a hero," he said quietly. "Despite the fact that good wins at the end of the day, there are still scars."

Fineas looked at him carefully. "Ah yes, but my dear Frodo, that is when the healing can begin."

Frodo cleared his throat uncomfortably and turned away from Fineas' probing gaze. Despite the fact that no one knew of his adventures, Frodo could almost swear that the old hobbit knew much more than he let on.

"Is there anything else you wish to borrow?" Frodo asked. "I've got plenty more where that came from."

"Oh yes!" Fineas looked delighted at the idea and toddled over to the bookcase. He looked for a moment and then pulled out one. "How about this one? The elven love story?"

Frodo smirked. "You've read it twice now."

Fineas frowned a bit. "Ah yes, I believe I have." He chuckled a bit. "Oh but I am an old sap for a good romance. But I suppose it's true I should branch out a bit." He skimmed through the titles a few moments more. "Oh what about this one?" He pulled out another book.

"Oh that one's good," Frodo said. "It's about the Dwarves."

"Dwarves eh?" Fineas grinned. "I find I am quite fascinated by them. Stalwart, sturdy, little fellows, but they are quite the fighters." He chuckled. "And I've heard they enjoy a good ale and pipeweed as much as the next hobbit lad." He nodded decisively. "I should very much like to meet a dwarf one day."

Frodo smirked. Gimli would be delighted to hear that, he thought.

Fineas stood up slowly. "I'm afraid I can't stay longer, Mr. Frodo. My niece is arriving tomorrow and I want to make sure everything is ready for her."

"I see," Frodo said, letting his old friend lean on his arm as he led him to the door. "I was not aware that you had a niece, Fineas."

A large smile came to Fineas' wrinkled face. "Ah yes, my dear Lily. She lives on the other end of Hobbiton, and has been living alone since the death of her parents when she was younger. She says she wants to come take care of me now." Fineas snorted and rolled his eyes. "Utter nonsense of course. I do quite well on my own, you know." He chuckled. "But I indulge the dear child."

"Of course, Fineas," Frodo said smirked.

"I say, my dear boy," Fineas said suddenly. "Why don't you come over tomorrow for afternoon tea? I would love for my Lily to meet some young folk. She doesn't have many friends you see."

"Oh." Frodo said, slightly surprised by the invitation. "Well I wouldn't want to intrude ---"

"Nonsense, boy. Nonsense," Fineas said waving his hand. "You would be most welcome."

"Well then, I suppose I can do that," Frodo said. "Thank you Fineas."

The old hobbit chuckled as he walked out the door. "No Frodo, my boy," he said, winking at him boldly. There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Thank you."

Frodo watched as his friend toddled down the road, humming merrily, and couldn't help but wonder what the old codger had up his sleeve.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lily yawned slowly and smiled as she saw that the sky was lightening.

Finally morning, she thought to herself. She had managed a few hours sleep but found that she was much too excited.

Not that one could sleep well in this bumpy carriage, she thought, chuckling a little. She looked out the window and was pleasantly surprised to find that she recognized many of the sites of her old home.

There's the bridge, and the Green Dragon tavern, she listed in her head. Oh and the old mill where I found the litter of kittens! She giggled at the memory.

So many years had passed and Lily was pleased to find that the Shire still felt like home. Not that Lochewood ever felt much like home. She had been born in the Shire but then had moved with her parents when she was a small child to Lochewood to be near her mother's family. She had spent most of her life in Lochewood and yet something felt. . .off. She had always felt that she was very different from other hobbit girls her age. She disliked gossip and giggling about utter nonsense, instead loved to find a nice tree to sit against and read books. And not just any books. Books about adventure, love, and magic. She was known as quite an oddity, but was used to it by now and didn't mind.

Perhaps things will be different now, she thought to herself. She loved and missed her uncle dearly and was excited to go spend time with him in the Shire. Her uncle always seemed to understand her and her strange desires of adventure. He never ridiculed her or scolded her like her parents and acquaintances. If anything, he had always encouraged her to dream. He used to come visit her every summer in Lochewood, but nowadays she was always worried about his advanced age. Plus this gave her a wonderful excuse to come back to the Shire that she dearly missed.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't even noticed that the carriage had stopped and the carriage driver had jumped down from his seat and was now retrieving her bags. She looked out again and smiled as she recognized the familiar large door of her uncle's home.

"Here you go then Miss," the carriage driver said pleasantly as he helped her out of the carriage. He handed her the two large bags she had brought with her. "Hope you enjoy your stay."

Lily smiled back at him. "Yes, thank you," she replied. "I believe I shall." She turned and laughed with delight to see her dear uncle walking towards her, a walking stick held tightly in his hand.

"Lily!" the old hobbit said, embracing her tightly as he reached her. "It's so wonderful to see you!"

"And you as well, Uncle Fineas," Lily said, a few happy tears coming to her eyes as she kissed his weathered cheek. "I have missed you so."

"And you as well, my dear," Fineas said. "Let me look at you." He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned back to look at her face. A delighted smile came to his lips. "I daresay you become more beautiful every time I see you."

Lily blushed and tucked a piece of dark auburn hair behind her ear. "You're a charming old rascal, Uncle."

Fineas chuckled. "I do try, my dear." He patted her hand. "Well I say, why don't we get you settled? I have a friend coming over for afternoon tea and I would very much like for you to meet him."

"I see," Lily said, somewhat suspicious by the sly grin on her uncle's face. "Well it shouldn't take me long to unpack and then I can make us some scones for tea."

"Mmm," Fineas said smacking his lips appreciatively. "Strawberry?" he said hopefully.

Lily grinned. "Why, of course."

Fineas chuckled. "My dear, you know the way to a fellow's heart." He turned and hobbled towards his door.

Lily laughed lightly. Yes, she thought to herself. Things will be different here. I can feel it.