The Unexpected Stay.
Marigold looked at the scenery about her. Green grass, tall trees... adorable hobbit holes. It was a wonder she managed to continue walking instead of sitting down in the shade with a nice book. Hobbiton was just one of the places she had been since she began her journey, and if all went well, she's see most of middle earth before she was called back to Rivendell. Marigold was taking her time travelling through the shire though. Since taking hobbit form she had become strangely attracted to the area. She also had a strange urge to eat seven or more meals a day. Luckily she had been able to bypass growing hair on her feet with a small spell. The road widened now and Marigold neared the centre of town. Ahead of her was a large square building. She didn't know what it was so she walked near to it, hoping to discover it's use. The road she was taking turned a corner around the building so Marigold decided to follow that road to see if the other face of the building would yield any clues as to it's use. Before Marigold could turn the corner, or even get far enough to see around the corner, she was bowled over by a young blue-eyed hobbit who knocked her over and fell on top of her. Marigold looked up into his eyes and shivered. There was something about this hobbit. Overcome by the emotions of the moment, she reached up, linked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, kissing him. They stayed connected for a few seconds before the dark haired boy hobbit shifted from ontop of her and stood up, apologising fervently.
"I am so very very sorry Miss." He said. "Let me help you with those books."
Marigold pushed herself into a sitting position and studied the hobbit who had just made her feel a way she hadn't experienced in nearly three thousand years.
"Terribly terribly sorry." The hobbit repeated, glancing at the girl in front of him. Her green eyes made his knees tremble. "You aren't hurt, are you?"
"Oh no, no harm done." Marigold chuckled half-heartedly before trying to get up. She bended her left knee but when she tried to move her right leg to raise herself upwards a flash of pain seared from her ankle.
"Ah, My ankle!" Cried Marigold, blinking away tears. "I think it's broken."
"Oh no!" Yelped the other hobbit. "It's my fault!"
He proceeded to continue apologising while picking up the rest of her books and helping her to her feet so that she could lean on him.
"I'll... be okay." Marigold said, wincing at the pain that issued forth from her ankle. "I can set it but..."
"But what? Anything, I'll do it! Oh, I am so sorry!" Said the hobbit. "I must help you."
"I am travelling through the area and I would need somewhere to rest for a few days, maybe weeks, while it heals. Can you direct me to a good inn? I could use some help getting there too. I can probably scrape together the money."
"Oh no!" Said the hobbit. "I cannot allow you to do that! This is all my fault, you simply must stay at my home until you are well enough to continued your travels."
"You're very kind but..."
"Then it is settled. You shall stay at Bag End until your ankle is healed."
"but.."
"Come on, I can probably carry you. it's not far."
"I!"
The hobbit lifted her up in his arms, cutting her protests short. She was suprisingly lighter than he expected.
"But I don't even know your name." Marigold disputed. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You shall not be a burden Miss." Replied the hobbit. "It will be a pleasure having you. My name is Frodo Baggins by the way, and it comes to mind that I do not know your name either."
"Marigold..." Marigold murmured, feeling faint in the hobbits arms, resigned to her 'abduction' as it was. "My name is Marigold Smallburrow."
"Then maybe I do know you... sort of" Replied Frodo. "We have some Smallburrows living around here. Good folk."
Marigold was taken aback. "They are of no relation to me, I don't think. I am from very far away as it happens, and all my relatives live there."
"Are you certain?" Asked Frodo. "Where Bare/B You from?"
"You would not know the place."
"Okay. Well I did not know of any hobbit settlements further away than Bree."
"There is one..."
Marigold rested her head on Frodo's shoulder and Frodo looked alarmed.
"I do not understand." Said Frodo. "I have never felt this way before."
"I have not felt like this for a long time." Said Marigold. "But I do understand."
"This is love at first sight, is it not?" Asked Frodo. "My Uncle Bilbo has composed songs about this."
"Love? I do not know..." Said Marigold, looking sad. "A person could never love me..."
Frodo suddenly turned and hopped over a fence by the road, into a field shielded from vision on all sides by trees and leafy shrubs. Frodo put Marigold down gently on the grass, being very careful about her ankle. He sat down beside her and took her hands in his.
"I love you." He said.
"We only just met." Said Marigold.
"I don't care." Replied Frodo, and he kissed her long and hard until they were no longer sitting, but lying on the grass, with Frodo leaning on top of Marigold. "I love you, Marigold Smallburrow."
"I love you too, Frodo Baggins." Said Marigold.
"I am exceedingly glad to hear that." Replied Frodo, before kissing her again.
*****Censored*****
Marigold sat up and was quickly reminded of her ankle by a sharp burst of pain. She looked down at her ankle and then her gaze traveled up her legs until she realized she was wearing no clothes.
"Yipe!" She exclaimed. "I have no clothes on!"
This woke Frodo who was lying in the field beside her.
"What happened?" He asked groggily.
"I don't know." Replied Marigold. "I think we got carried away and I cannot see my clothes anywhere."
Frodo glanced down at himself and then noticed his breeches laid out on the ground beside them. Marigold's clothes, however, were nowhere to be seen.
"Oh..." Said Frodo, putting two and two together, his muscles aching. "Did we...?"
"I think so." Said Marigold. "Oh, there's nothing else for it."
Marigold blinked twice and instantly was wearing a backless top and a miniskirt.
"What kind of clothes are they?" Asked Frodo. "I have seen nothing like them before."
"They are native to my homeland." Marigold said. "I have not yet been able to materialize foreign clothing."
"Did you say materialize?" Asked Frodo, realizing what he had just seen. "Can you do magic?"
"A little." Replied Marigold. "My power is charged by my emotions. You must be good."
Frodo blushed but then another question appeared to him.
"A hobbit with magic? You're a hobbit witch?" He asked. "I have only known of Elves, Dwarves and Men who can do magic."
"I am the only one I know of." Said Marigold. "My power is why I think you can not love me, It comes between people."
"Marigold," Frodo said. "How that name rolls off the tongue, like a sweet song. Marigold, I love you... magic or no magic."
"Really?" Marigold asked, raising an eyebrow, her insides soaring.
"Really really."
That line made Marigold start laughing, although Frodo could not understand why.
"It's just something I remember from home." She reassured him. "I love you so, Frodo Baggins. You are the first person not to be scared by my magic."
"Magic is a beautiful thing Marigold." Said Frodo, pulling on his breeches. "It should not be hidden, but held out like a flame for all to see, for all to share in it's light."
"That is so poetic." Said Marigold. "Where did you learn such things?"
"My Uncle Bilbo is very learned." Said Frodo as he buttoned his shirt. "He writes poetry and composes songs when he is not writing a book about his adventures or teaching me about poetry, song or another language."
"I think I look forward to meeting your Uncle Bilbo." Said Marigold, while being lifted once again by Frodo.
"Then you shall not have to wait long, Marigold." Said Frodo, jumping over the fence and back into the road. "I stay with my Uncle Bilbo at Bag End."
"Oh..." Said Marigold, the thought of absolute privacy with Frodo squashed. "Call me Mari, If you wish."
"Do you wish to be called Mari?"
"It makes no difference to me."
"Then I shall continue to call you Marigold. It sounds so much sweeter than Mari."
"Okay." Replied Marigold. "And I shall call you Frodo, since I cannot think of a way to shorten it."
Marigold laughed and Frodo joined in.
"You are simply magical, Marigold." Said Frodo, smiling. "I think it certainly was a bit of luck that I ran into you."
Frodo paused for a moment.
"Although I am very very sorry for hurting you."
"My ankle will heal." Said Marigold. "I am just so embarassed to have to be carried."
Marigold snapped her fingers as an idea came to her.
"I think I have a little magic left." She said. "Put me down, please."
Frodo set Marigold down on the road and helped her to stand. With the hand not wrapped arround his shoulders for balance, Marigold waved a strange shape in the air, which grew in form to become a pair of crutches. With her free hand, Marigold grasped the crutches and shifted her weight to them, one under each arm.
"Much better." Marigold said.
Frodo took a step back, amazed. "What are those?" He asked.
"They are crutches." Said Marigold. "They'll help me to walk."
There was a pause and Marigold found herself forced to continue.
"Um... Yeah, While my magic is powered by my emotions, a backup usually remains and I can control it... Don't be afraid?"
Frodo regained his voice and reassured Marigold. "You are even more magical than I thought... but you still need you rest for a while right? You're still going to stay for a while? Even though you can walk?"
"Oh yes." Said Marigold. "Once I set and bandage my ankle I'll still need to keep off it. I still need you."
Marigold smile as Frodo, also smiling, took a step to stand beside her. "How can you walk in those things?"
"It's easy."Marigold said, taking a step. "Like that."
Marigold and Frodo continued walking.
"You won't tell anyone about my magic, will you?" Asked Marigold. "It's hard enough as it is, fitting in in a strage town. Especially with hobbits, we aren't the most welcoming of strangers, you know."
"Sure. I won't say a thing." Said Frodo. "While we're on the subject... let's not tell anyone about us. We are, after all, going to be living in the same house for a while."
"Theres an us?" Marigold looked suprised.
"Well... I was hoping... that is..." Frodo tried to explain, a trifle flustered.
"I won't tell anyone." Said Marigold.
They reached Bag End just before evening and an old grey haired hobbit rushed out of the green door.
"Frodo! You missed afternoon tea! Where B have /B you been?" The old hobbit inquired. "Not to mention you missed elevensies and luncheon. Why, I haven't seen you since second breakfast."
"Um... Well I was just coming home from Sam's, running because I was late for elevensies actually, when I ran into this yound lady." Frodo stepped aside and Marigold gave a small bow, as much as she could manage with the crutches.
"Marigold Smallburrow, At your service." She said.
"Well, most unfortunately, I ran into her and tripped both of us up. I am afraid she broke her ankle in the accident." Frodo continued. "And since Marigold is just travelling through the area, she has no place to stay while her ankle heals. I offered for her to stay here, at Bag End, until she is mended."
"Oh, You poor child!" The old man (who was Bilbo) cried. He referred to her as child as he was already 110 and a half, anyone was young compared to him. "You poor child, I am terribly sorry about my nephew. Oh! Let me introduce myself. I am Bilbo Baggins and you simply must stay here until you are quite well again."
"Thankyou." Said Marigold. "And nice to meet you. Frodo has told me much about you, although I am very sorry I delayed your nephew. It took us some time getting here." Marigold looked at Frodo who was going red, and then quickly continued. "I mean, with my ankle and all."
"Yes, yes, your ankle." Bilbo said. "Come in, come in and make yourself at home. Come sit down and rest that ankle. I'll say we may suffer a late afternoon tea as well?"
"Or dinner." Said Frodo. "But yes, come in. Our home is your home."
Bilbo scurried quickly over to the funny green, round door, holding it open for Marigold by the shiny gold doorknob. Marigold wobbled in, guided by Frodo, since her crutches were beginning to hurt her.
They led her to a comfortable sitting room, with four green armchairs and a round coffee table in the middle. Frodo helped Marigold into one of them.
"I'll be right back." He said, reluctant to let go of her. "I just have to go and help Uncle Bilbo with the tea... or afternoon tea... or dinner or whatever it is."
Frodo left the room and Marigold was left alone to contemplate her thoughts.
What was she doing? Kissing a complete stranger and then going to stay with him for a few weeks? This was definitely going to mess up her schedule. According to her memory, she had about 12 months before she was due back at Rivendell and she was supposed to be visiting every signifigant place in middle earth. On foot! She figured now she'd have to leave out Fangorn Forest, or Mirkwood... or even Mordor and she had been looking forward to that. Calmed by her hobbit senses, telling her that the shire was safe and the best place to be, Marigold relaxed and noticed how comfortable the chair was. What was it? Duck feathers? The chair couldn't have been stuffed with duck feathers. Marigold deduced that these people certainly were wealthy but she was disturbed suddenly by a dark head poking back in the door.
"Would you like some eggs?" Frodo asked. "Or we've got sponge cake I think..."
"No thanks." Replied Marigold. "I'm not really hungry."
Frodo was shocked. "Not hungry? But surely... you... we haven't had lunch or anything."
"No really." Marigold smiled. "I'm not hungry."
Frodo paused for a moment, thinking.
"I'll take that as a yes, then?" He asked. "You know I think we have a bit of vanila slice in the pantry."
Frodo smiled cheekily.
"In this hobbit hole, you can't be not hungry." Frodo said before returning to the kitchen. "Believe me."
Marigold smiled at his retreating form. Dammit, she wasn't hungry and besides that, being immortal her body didn't need much food. Oh well, she had had to eat alot socially sometimes. Marigold resigned herself to weeks of yucky, goey and probably tomatoey dinners and the hobbit part of her rejoiced.
Actually vanila slice didn't sound to bad to her but these guys didn't have refrigerators. Ick. She shot a fireball from her hand and twirled her finger, following it around the room with her eyes. Over the last thousand or so years she bored easily.
Marigold nearly dropped it when Bilbo entered the room. With a snap of her wrist and a magic word, Marigold reversed time a bit... Actually vanila slice didn't sound to bad to her but these guys didn't have refrigerators. Ick. She shot a fireball from her hand and quickly made it disappear before Bilbo entered the room again for the first time.
"How would you like your tea, dear?" He asked her. "Or coffee?"
"Tea, thank you. White with no sugar." Marigold replied and the hobbit scurried back to the kitchen.
Marigold blanched inwardly. Why had she said that? She hated tea. Marigold shrugged and decided to go with the flow, even though she realized her new hobbit body was beginning to affect her judgement. Marigold set about setting her ankle, and fishing around in her backpack she had with her, she looked for some bandages. As she wrapped her ankle, Marigold stated thinking again.
Now Marigold was looking forward to the dinner. It had been weeks since she'd eaten anything... anything but cram.
Dammit! Stupid hobbit instincts. This was gonna take a while to get used to. Geez, It was like having a yeerk in her head. Marigold was so confused. She had never had a body with instincts so powerful and she didn't know what that indicated about hobbits. Marigold decided to stop thinking so much to herself as it made her seem devious. She actually wasn't devious. Just an all-powerful deity from the future who wanted to explore middle-earth, but she couldn't tell THAT to Frodo. The hobbit colony wasn't a lie though. She had created one on the other side of the world because she just ADORED hobbits really. Anyway, Marigold had decided to be a hobbit for this journey because she could hide better this way that being an Elf, and it was safer, considering what happened when she was an Elf in some earlier ages. She was being sincere about what she felt about Frodo though, and that no-one, according to her knowledge, could love her. A little bit of psychic power. she didn't have much but it came in handy anyway, told her that Frodo would be important, to her and to all. Admittedly, Frodo was seeming important to her now, and once again, Marigold had started daydreaming. Oops!
"Marigold, Marigold." Frodo had hold of Marigold's shoulder and was shaking her. "Hey Mari... Marigold."
"Wha?" Marigold blinked and stretched in her chair, a little startled. "What's happening?"
"Nothing, you just drifted off." Replied Frodo. "But dinner's ready now. You are hungry, aren't you?"
"What? Oh... yeah, I guess." Said Marigold. "You know, what with this journey and all, I haven't eaten anything but dwarfish cram in weeks."
"Well I'll have to show you just how good Shire food is then, won't I." Said Frodo, taking her arm and helping her up. "Come on, we have a dining room just across the hall."
Just across the hall turned out to be several doors down.
"This house... er... hole is huge." Marigold commented, although amazement did not show in her voice.
"It's my Uncle Bilbo's." Admitted Frodo. "But he doesn't mind you staying here, that's for sure. He loves guests."
"Why that's very nice of him."
"Yes, actually his father built this hole." Said Frodo. "I should tell you one time about some guests he had a while back."
"I should like the hear that." Marigold said, as Frodo sat her down at the table. "Are you adventurous hobbits? I've noticed that you don't get many of those in these parts."
"Well... You probably could say that about my Uncle... but don't worry, I am not as odd. His stories are nice though."
"So you're not adventurous?"
"Not if it's a bad thing."
Marigold laughed. "You know, I don't think I should stay here."
"Why not?"
"You're so remarkably charming that I don't suppose I will ever be able to leave."
"I don't see a problem in that."
"A bit forward, aren't you?" Said Marigold. "You're more like your Uncle Bilbo than you give credit for."
Frodo leant over and gave Marigold a quick kiss, as Bilbo was still safely in the kitchen.
"Don't want to spoil a winning streak." He said. "Now here comes Bilbo. Don't be alarmed by his unusual speech, he's not as respectable as others, but he is harmless."
"Well gee, Frodo." Said Marigold, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. "You don't put two and two together, do you? Think... I'm not from around here, I've been travelling... Is it possible I might be on an adventure?"
"Oh." Frodo quietened quickly.
"Okay everybody, here comes dinner." Called Bilbo, scuttling into the room. "Now don't be afraid to dig in, Miss Marigold, there's plenty more."
They laughed as Bilbo served the food and joined them at the table. At a spur of the moment, Marigold decided to return Frodo's affection and show that she wasn't insulted, so she gave him a gentle jab in the ribs, to make him laugh. Instead of laughing though, Frodo turned and looked at her with a confused look on his face, so she shrugger her shoulders and smiled, raising her eyebrows, which served only to make Frodo more confused. Marigold gave up and enjoyed her dinner, though she would have to make up with Frodo later.
*** Later Marigold returned to find the square building, only to discover it was not there. *Gasp* It had been a... *DUM DUM DUUUUUM...* Plot device!!! ***
Marigold looked at the scenery about her. Green grass, tall trees... adorable hobbit holes. It was a wonder she managed to continue walking instead of sitting down in the shade with a nice book. Hobbiton was just one of the places she had been since she began her journey, and if all went well, she's see most of middle earth before she was called back to Rivendell. Marigold was taking her time travelling through the shire though. Since taking hobbit form she had become strangely attracted to the area. She also had a strange urge to eat seven or more meals a day. Luckily she had been able to bypass growing hair on her feet with a small spell. The road widened now and Marigold neared the centre of town. Ahead of her was a large square building. She didn't know what it was so she walked near to it, hoping to discover it's use. The road she was taking turned a corner around the building so Marigold decided to follow that road to see if the other face of the building would yield any clues as to it's use. Before Marigold could turn the corner, or even get far enough to see around the corner, she was bowled over by a young blue-eyed hobbit who knocked her over and fell on top of her. Marigold looked up into his eyes and shivered. There was something about this hobbit. Overcome by the emotions of the moment, she reached up, linked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, kissing him. They stayed connected for a few seconds before the dark haired boy hobbit shifted from ontop of her and stood up, apologising fervently.
"I am so very very sorry Miss." He said. "Let me help you with those books."
Marigold pushed herself into a sitting position and studied the hobbit who had just made her feel a way she hadn't experienced in nearly three thousand years.
"Terribly terribly sorry." The hobbit repeated, glancing at the girl in front of him. Her green eyes made his knees tremble. "You aren't hurt, are you?"
"Oh no, no harm done." Marigold chuckled half-heartedly before trying to get up. She bended her left knee but when she tried to move her right leg to raise herself upwards a flash of pain seared from her ankle.
"Ah, My ankle!" Cried Marigold, blinking away tears. "I think it's broken."
"Oh no!" Yelped the other hobbit. "It's my fault!"
He proceeded to continue apologising while picking up the rest of her books and helping her to her feet so that she could lean on him.
"I'll... be okay." Marigold said, wincing at the pain that issued forth from her ankle. "I can set it but..."
"But what? Anything, I'll do it! Oh, I am so sorry!" Said the hobbit. "I must help you."
"I am travelling through the area and I would need somewhere to rest for a few days, maybe weeks, while it heals. Can you direct me to a good inn? I could use some help getting there too. I can probably scrape together the money."
"Oh no!" Said the hobbit. "I cannot allow you to do that! This is all my fault, you simply must stay at my home until you are well enough to continued your travels."
"You're very kind but..."
"Then it is settled. You shall stay at Bag End until your ankle is healed."
"but.."
"Come on, I can probably carry you. it's not far."
"I!"
The hobbit lifted her up in his arms, cutting her protests short. She was suprisingly lighter than he expected.
"But I don't even know your name." Marigold disputed. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You shall not be a burden Miss." Replied the hobbit. "It will be a pleasure having you. My name is Frodo Baggins by the way, and it comes to mind that I do not know your name either."
"Marigold..." Marigold murmured, feeling faint in the hobbits arms, resigned to her 'abduction' as it was. "My name is Marigold Smallburrow."
"Then maybe I do know you... sort of" Replied Frodo. "We have some Smallburrows living around here. Good folk."
Marigold was taken aback. "They are of no relation to me, I don't think. I am from very far away as it happens, and all my relatives live there."
"Are you certain?" Asked Frodo. "Where Bare/B You from?"
"You would not know the place."
"Okay. Well I did not know of any hobbit settlements further away than Bree."
"There is one..."
Marigold rested her head on Frodo's shoulder and Frodo looked alarmed.
"I do not understand." Said Frodo. "I have never felt this way before."
"I have not felt like this for a long time." Said Marigold. "But I do understand."
"This is love at first sight, is it not?" Asked Frodo. "My Uncle Bilbo has composed songs about this."
"Love? I do not know..." Said Marigold, looking sad. "A person could never love me..."
Frodo suddenly turned and hopped over a fence by the road, into a field shielded from vision on all sides by trees and leafy shrubs. Frodo put Marigold down gently on the grass, being very careful about her ankle. He sat down beside her and took her hands in his.
"I love you." He said.
"We only just met." Said Marigold.
"I don't care." Replied Frodo, and he kissed her long and hard until they were no longer sitting, but lying on the grass, with Frodo leaning on top of Marigold. "I love you, Marigold Smallburrow."
"I love you too, Frodo Baggins." Said Marigold.
"I am exceedingly glad to hear that." Replied Frodo, before kissing her again.
*****Censored*****
Marigold sat up and was quickly reminded of her ankle by a sharp burst of pain. She looked down at her ankle and then her gaze traveled up her legs until she realized she was wearing no clothes.
"Yipe!" She exclaimed. "I have no clothes on!"
This woke Frodo who was lying in the field beside her.
"What happened?" He asked groggily.
"I don't know." Replied Marigold. "I think we got carried away and I cannot see my clothes anywhere."
Frodo glanced down at himself and then noticed his breeches laid out on the ground beside them. Marigold's clothes, however, were nowhere to be seen.
"Oh..." Said Frodo, putting two and two together, his muscles aching. "Did we...?"
"I think so." Said Marigold. "Oh, there's nothing else for it."
Marigold blinked twice and instantly was wearing a backless top and a miniskirt.
"What kind of clothes are they?" Asked Frodo. "I have seen nothing like them before."
"They are native to my homeland." Marigold said. "I have not yet been able to materialize foreign clothing."
"Did you say materialize?" Asked Frodo, realizing what he had just seen. "Can you do magic?"
"A little." Replied Marigold. "My power is charged by my emotions. You must be good."
Frodo blushed but then another question appeared to him.
"A hobbit with magic? You're a hobbit witch?" He asked. "I have only known of Elves, Dwarves and Men who can do magic."
"I am the only one I know of." Said Marigold. "My power is why I think you can not love me, It comes between people."
"Marigold," Frodo said. "How that name rolls off the tongue, like a sweet song. Marigold, I love you... magic or no magic."
"Really?" Marigold asked, raising an eyebrow, her insides soaring.
"Really really."
That line made Marigold start laughing, although Frodo could not understand why.
"It's just something I remember from home." She reassured him. "I love you so, Frodo Baggins. You are the first person not to be scared by my magic."
"Magic is a beautiful thing Marigold." Said Frodo, pulling on his breeches. "It should not be hidden, but held out like a flame for all to see, for all to share in it's light."
"That is so poetic." Said Marigold. "Where did you learn such things?"
"My Uncle Bilbo is very learned." Said Frodo as he buttoned his shirt. "He writes poetry and composes songs when he is not writing a book about his adventures or teaching me about poetry, song or another language."
"I think I look forward to meeting your Uncle Bilbo." Said Marigold, while being lifted once again by Frodo.
"Then you shall not have to wait long, Marigold." Said Frodo, jumping over the fence and back into the road. "I stay with my Uncle Bilbo at Bag End."
"Oh..." Said Marigold, the thought of absolute privacy with Frodo squashed. "Call me Mari, If you wish."
"Do you wish to be called Mari?"
"It makes no difference to me."
"Then I shall continue to call you Marigold. It sounds so much sweeter than Mari."
"Okay." Replied Marigold. "And I shall call you Frodo, since I cannot think of a way to shorten it."
Marigold laughed and Frodo joined in.
"You are simply magical, Marigold." Said Frodo, smiling. "I think it certainly was a bit of luck that I ran into you."
Frodo paused for a moment.
"Although I am very very sorry for hurting you."
"My ankle will heal." Said Marigold. "I am just so embarassed to have to be carried."
Marigold snapped her fingers as an idea came to her.
"I think I have a little magic left." She said. "Put me down, please."
Frodo set Marigold down on the road and helped her to stand. With the hand not wrapped arround his shoulders for balance, Marigold waved a strange shape in the air, which grew in form to become a pair of crutches. With her free hand, Marigold grasped the crutches and shifted her weight to them, one under each arm.
"Much better." Marigold said.
Frodo took a step back, amazed. "What are those?" He asked.
"They are crutches." Said Marigold. "They'll help me to walk."
There was a pause and Marigold found herself forced to continue.
"Um... Yeah, While my magic is powered by my emotions, a backup usually remains and I can control it... Don't be afraid?"
Frodo regained his voice and reassured Marigold. "You are even more magical than I thought... but you still need you rest for a while right? You're still going to stay for a while? Even though you can walk?"
"Oh yes." Said Marigold. "Once I set and bandage my ankle I'll still need to keep off it. I still need you."
Marigold smile as Frodo, also smiling, took a step to stand beside her. "How can you walk in those things?"
"It's easy."Marigold said, taking a step. "Like that."
Marigold and Frodo continued walking.
"You won't tell anyone about my magic, will you?" Asked Marigold. "It's hard enough as it is, fitting in in a strage town. Especially with hobbits, we aren't the most welcoming of strangers, you know."
"Sure. I won't say a thing." Said Frodo. "While we're on the subject... let's not tell anyone about us. We are, after all, going to be living in the same house for a while."
"Theres an us?" Marigold looked suprised.
"Well... I was hoping... that is..." Frodo tried to explain, a trifle flustered.
"I won't tell anyone." Said Marigold.
They reached Bag End just before evening and an old grey haired hobbit rushed out of the green door.
"Frodo! You missed afternoon tea! Where B have /B you been?" The old hobbit inquired. "Not to mention you missed elevensies and luncheon. Why, I haven't seen you since second breakfast."
"Um... Well I was just coming home from Sam's, running because I was late for elevensies actually, when I ran into this yound lady." Frodo stepped aside and Marigold gave a small bow, as much as she could manage with the crutches.
"Marigold Smallburrow, At your service." She said.
"Well, most unfortunately, I ran into her and tripped both of us up. I am afraid she broke her ankle in the accident." Frodo continued. "And since Marigold is just travelling through the area, she has no place to stay while her ankle heals. I offered for her to stay here, at Bag End, until she is mended."
"Oh, You poor child!" The old man (who was Bilbo) cried. He referred to her as child as he was already 110 and a half, anyone was young compared to him. "You poor child, I am terribly sorry about my nephew. Oh! Let me introduce myself. I am Bilbo Baggins and you simply must stay here until you are quite well again."
"Thankyou." Said Marigold. "And nice to meet you. Frodo has told me much about you, although I am very sorry I delayed your nephew. It took us some time getting here." Marigold looked at Frodo who was going red, and then quickly continued. "I mean, with my ankle and all."
"Yes, yes, your ankle." Bilbo said. "Come in, come in and make yourself at home. Come sit down and rest that ankle. I'll say we may suffer a late afternoon tea as well?"
"Or dinner." Said Frodo. "But yes, come in. Our home is your home."
Bilbo scurried quickly over to the funny green, round door, holding it open for Marigold by the shiny gold doorknob. Marigold wobbled in, guided by Frodo, since her crutches were beginning to hurt her.
They led her to a comfortable sitting room, with four green armchairs and a round coffee table in the middle. Frodo helped Marigold into one of them.
"I'll be right back." He said, reluctant to let go of her. "I just have to go and help Uncle Bilbo with the tea... or afternoon tea... or dinner or whatever it is."
Frodo left the room and Marigold was left alone to contemplate her thoughts.
What was she doing? Kissing a complete stranger and then going to stay with him for a few weeks? This was definitely going to mess up her schedule. According to her memory, she had about 12 months before she was due back at Rivendell and she was supposed to be visiting every signifigant place in middle earth. On foot! She figured now she'd have to leave out Fangorn Forest, or Mirkwood... or even Mordor and she had been looking forward to that. Calmed by her hobbit senses, telling her that the shire was safe and the best place to be, Marigold relaxed and noticed how comfortable the chair was. What was it? Duck feathers? The chair couldn't have been stuffed with duck feathers. Marigold deduced that these people certainly were wealthy but she was disturbed suddenly by a dark head poking back in the door.
"Would you like some eggs?" Frodo asked. "Or we've got sponge cake I think..."
"No thanks." Replied Marigold. "I'm not really hungry."
Frodo was shocked. "Not hungry? But surely... you... we haven't had lunch or anything."
"No really." Marigold smiled. "I'm not hungry."
Frodo paused for a moment, thinking.
"I'll take that as a yes, then?" He asked. "You know I think we have a bit of vanila slice in the pantry."
Frodo smiled cheekily.
"In this hobbit hole, you can't be not hungry." Frodo said before returning to the kitchen. "Believe me."
Marigold smiled at his retreating form. Dammit, she wasn't hungry and besides that, being immortal her body didn't need much food. Oh well, she had had to eat alot socially sometimes. Marigold resigned herself to weeks of yucky, goey and probably tomatoey dinners and the hobbit part of her rejoiced.
Actually vanila slice didn't sound to bad to her but these guys didn't have refrigerators. Ick. She shot a fireball from her hand and twirled her finger, following it around the room with her eyes. Over the last thousand or so years she bored easily.
Marigold nearly dropped it when Bilbo entered the room. With a snap of her wrist and a magic word, Marigold reversed time a bit... Actually vanila slice didn't sound to bad to her but these guys didn't have refrigerators. Ick. She shot a fireball from her hand and quickly made it disappear before Bilbo entered the room again for the first time.
"How would you like your tea, dear?" He asked her. "Or coffee?"
"Tea, thank you. White with no sugar." Marigold replied and the hobbit scurried back to the kitchen.
Marigold blanched inwardly. Why had she said that? She hated tea. Marigold shrugged and decided to go with the flow, even though she realized her new hobbit body was beginning to affect her judgement. Marigold set about setting her ankle, and fishing around in her backpack she had with her, she looked for some bandages. As she wrapped her ankle, Marigold stated thinking again.
Now Marigold was looking forward to the dinner. It had been weeks since she'd eaten anything... anything but cram.
Dammit! Stupid hobbit instincts. This was gonna take a while to get used to. Geez, It was like having a yeerk in her head. Marigold was so confused. She had never had a body with instincts so powerful and she didn't know what that indicated about hobbits. Marigold decided to stop thinking so much to herself as it made her seem devious. She actually wasn't devious. Just an all-powerful deity from the future who wanted to explore middle-earth, but she couldn't tell THAT to Frodo. The hobbit colony wasn't a lie though. She had created one on the other side of the world because she just ADORED hobbits really. Anyway, Marigold had decided to be a hobbit for this journey because she could hide better this way that being an Elf, and it was safer, considering what happened when she was an Elf in some earlier ages. She was being sincere about what she felt about Frodo though, and that no-one, according to her knowledge, could love her. A little bit of psychic power. she didn't have much but it came in handy anyway, told her that Frodo would be important, to her and to all. Admittedly, Frodo was seeming important to her now, and once again, Marigold had started daydreaming. Oops!
"Marigold, Marigold." Frodo had hold of Marigold's shoulder and was shaking her. "Hey Mari... Marigold."
"Wha?" Marigold blinked and stretched in her chair, a little startled. "What's happening?"
"Nothing, you just drifted off." Replied Frodo. "But dinner's ready now. You are hungry, aren't you?"
"What? Oh... yeah, I guess." Said Marigold. "You know, what with this journey and all, I haven't eaten anything but dwarfish cram in weeks."
"Well I'll have to show you just how good Shire food is then, won't I." Said Frodo, taking her arm and helping her up. "Come on, we have a dining room just across the hall."
Just across the hall turned out to be several doors down.
"This house... er... hole is huge." Marigold commented, although amazement did not show in her voice.
"It's my Uncle Bilbo's." Admitted Frodo. "But he doesn't mind you staying here, that's for sure. He loves guests."
"Why that's very nice of him."
"Yes, actually his father built this hole." Said Frodo. "I should tell you one time about some guests he had a while back."
"I should like the hear that." Marigold said, as Frodo sat her down at the table. "Are you adventurous hobbits? I've noticed that you don't get many of those in these parts."
"Well... You probably could say that about my Uncle... but don't worry, I am not as odd. His stories are nice though."
"So you're not adventurous?"
"Not if it's a bad thing."
Marigold laughed. "You know, I don't think I should stay here."
"Why not?"
"You're so remarkably charming that I don't suppose I will ever be able to leave."
"I don't see a problem in that."
"A bit forward, aren't you?" Said Marigold. "You're more like your Uncle Bilbo than you give credit for."
Frodo leant over and gave Marigold a quick kiss, as Bilbo was still safely in the kitchen.
"Don't want to spoil a winning streak." He said. "Now here comes Bilbo. Don't be alarmed by his unusual speech, he's not as respectable as others, but he is harmless."
"Well gee, Frodo." Said Marigold, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. "You don't put two and two together, do you? Think... I'm not from around here, I've been travelling... Is it possible I might be on an adventure?"
"Oh." Frodo quietened quickly.
"Okay everybody, here comes dinner." Called Bilbo, scuttling into the room. "Now don't be afraid to dig in, Miss Marigold, there's plenty more."
They laughed as Bilbo served the food and joined them at the table. At a spur of the moment, Marigold decided to return Frodo's affection and show that she wasn't insulted, so she gave him a gentle jab in the ribs, to make him laugh. Instead of laughing though, Frodo turned and looked at her with a confused look on his face, so she shrugger her shoulders and smiled, raising her eyebrows, which served only to make Frodo more confused. Marigold gave up and enjoyed her dinner, though she would have to make up with Frodo later.
*** Later Marigold returned to find the square building, only to discover it was not there. *Gasp* It had been a... *DUM DUM DUUUUUM...* Plot device!!! ***