A/N: Well, I'm leaving for Paraguay tomorrow,
but I thought I might start a new story. Anyway, review if you'd
like.
She sat beside a river weeping. Though she looked no older than twenty, she was in fact just over 3,000. Her mother was an elf/hobbit who had lived in Bree before committing suicide. Her father…she dried her eyes and looked at the water. She knew the tale well.
Her mother had been visiting her father in Lothlorien when she had been kidnapped by Sauron's men. Sauron had raped her just before he was destroyed by Isildur. Her mother had been sent to Bree to hide from him, but she killed herself only a few days ago. Now orphaned, she had wandered the streets before finding herself in a place called Hobbiton. She had no one to turn to. Her grandmother was dead, and her grandfather was in Valinor.
"Frodo, get back here! You need to apologize to Farmer Maggot!"
She stood to her full height of three feet as she heard movement behind her. She turned just as a hobbit stumbled into the clearing. They stood staring at each other for many minutes. The hobbit looked to be about 21, his bright blue eyes staring back into her light green ones. His hair fell in dark curls around his nice face, and she found herself slightly interested in this hobbit.
"Frodo!" The hobbit looked back as the other voice called, apparently, his name.
He looked back at her before hiding in a nearby tree. She remained where she was as another hobbit entered. He was much older than the other, and she guessed they were somehow related.
"Well, hello. Who are you?"
She eyed him curiously. "My name is Valia."
"Valia…strange name for a hobbit."
She said nothing, keeping her eyes trained on him as he searched the clearing.
"Have you seen my nephew?" the hobbit asked finally. "He—"
"—took mushrooms from Farmer Maggots field with his cousins Merry and Pippin."
"How did you…?"
She looked down. "I have certain…abilities."
"Oh, well… Have you seen him?"
She shook her head. He thanked her anyway then left. She looked up at the tree. You may come out now. She smiled as the hobbit nearly fell out of the tree.
"How did you do that?" Frodo asked.
"It's one of my abilities." She glanced around. "I better go."
"Wait!" He grabbed her hand. I can't let her leave!
Why am I hearing his thoughts?
He released her. "You can hear my thoughts?"
"You can hear mine?" She took a step back. Oh, no, this is terrible! How did this happen!
"Isn't it only fair? You can hear mine."
She didn't answer as she covered her face with her hands and dropping to her knees. Frodo felt as though he was suddenly plunged into her memories. None of them were long. There was darkness then fear then a silver forest of gold leaves came to view. A little girl was fleeing with her mother, leaving the forest behind. It was cold, it was raining. Bree… The little girl's mother lay dead in their home.
Frodo wrenched himself from the memories. He felt like his head was spinning. Valia was lying on the ground sobbing as the memories continued to torment her. Frodo knelt beside her and touched her hand. She started then looked up at him.
"Was that your mother?" he whispered. She nodded hesitantly. "My mother's dead too."
Could I… She stopped, knowing he could hear her thoughts. She sat up, her eyes trained on the ground.
"Come on." He helped her stand and kept hold of her hand. "I owe you something from hiding me from Uncle Bilbo. Are you hungry?"
She hesitantly raised her gaze to his. Her eyes were sad, afraid, and hopeful. Why are you doing this?
Because you're alone. He gently squeezed her hand. "Just say yes," he whispered.
She continued to look at him for a few moments before finally nodding.
A/N: Okay, this chapter's kind of...er, weird? I don't know. Anyway, let me know what you think.