Frodo had been in the Jedi Initiate Clan since he was three. He hardly had any memories of his time spent in Middle-earth, for he was taken by the Jedi to Tython on his first birthday.
The brief memory he had showed his parents, Drogo and Primula Baggins, quarreling with three Jedi Knights. It was then that Primula realized what was going on and allowed the Jedi to take Frodo from his home. Frodo cried, saddened to be away from his mother.
In time, Frodo adjusted to life on Tython. Six years passed since he joined the Jedi and his Jedi Initiate Clan, the Grey Clan. He had turned seven since two days ago, and still learning the Jedi ways with his group of seven-year-olds, all from different species, too. Among them was his favorite friend, a curly, brunette-haired hobbitess, donned in a grey tunic, grey pants, brown leather boots, and a utility belt, named Sapphire Bilberry, but he knew her better as Mira.
Mira had been taken from the Shire, too, around the exact same time as Frodo. They had been lonely when they joined the clan, but soon found strength in each other. Where Frodo was a fighter, Mira believed in counsel and sought to use her Force Powers wisely, but she wasn't afraid to get defensive when the time came for her to do so. She took great pride and joy in being Frodo's friend.
If Middle-earth was in danger, Frodo and Mira hardly knew. Someday, these two hobbits may return to their original home world. For now, they were happy growing up on Tython. And that was all there was to it.
.
Frodo was a young hobbit lad with bright blue eyes, a cleft in his chin, lighter-than-usual skin, due to the Fallohide blood from his mother's side, short pointy ears, and soft, thick, curly dark brown hair on his head and the tops of his feet.
Frodo wore Jedi robes, like all the other Jedi. He wore a tan tunic, tan pants, brown leather boots, and a utility belt. They were simple garments, meant to show peace and humility the Jedi prized.
.
Frodo ran down the circular hallway, determined to reach his next lesson. He didn't know what he was learning today, but he couldn't find his clan. Where was the Grey Clan anyway? There they were, observing the Eye of Zallow monument, resembling a massive holocron, floating in the air! He slowed down, making his way towards the clan, and meeting up with Mira.
Mira smiled, grateful to see he grew used to arriving with his clan on time. Or rather late. Frodo must have been very late this morning! He slept in a bit longer than usual. It wasn't his habit of staying up too late, but it was Mira's fault! She kept him up with a song or two, as well as observing floating balls that they played with for much of the night.
Frodo yawned, right as he joined their clan. It was too early for him to be awake, wasn't it?
"Ah, Frodo, come to join us?" his Jedi Master said, smirking. "Tardiness is not accepted."
"I'm sorry." Frodo apologized. "I went to bed late last night."
"Any particular reason why?" his Jedi Master asked, curious. Frodo paused. He wasn't sure if he should answer, or was he protecting Mira? "Honesty is good for many things, including this time. You should do well to remember it."
"Yes ma'am," Frodo said, curtly.
"We were playing a game, Frodo and I," Mira said, stepping in for Frodo. "I can assure you, it won't happen again."
"Excellent Mira. You show great progress," their Jedi Master instructed, making Mira blush.
Frodo smirked. He was happy for her, but somewhere deep inside of him, he wished he was the one who spoke up first. Now, he missed his chance. Would he regret it? He looked down at the floor, determined to find some way to repay Mira for sticking up for him. He hadn't realized how much he needed her and how much of a rival she was becoming.
"Frodo, pay attention!" his Jedi Master got their attention. Frodo stood up straight, confused. What did he do to deserve this? "Now, as you're still learning, you must realize that if you don't speak up, you will never get anywhere. Mira told the truth, but I want validation from you. Is that what happened?"
"It was," Frodo said, somberly. Why didn't he speak up? Now, he was getting a lecture? Oh, sometimes the Jedi ways got to him! Why wasn't he allowed to be himself?
"Then you'll promise you'll go to bed early tonight. A Jedi must always be on time, no matter their station," his Jedi Master said, firmly.
"Yes ma'am," Frodo said, softly.
"Now, let's observe this monument. What can you tell me about it?" His Jedi Master continued the lesson, leaving Frodo bored. As much as he loved studying the history of the Jedi, his mind was too preoccupied with other matters.
By the time the lesson was over and the clan returned to their room, Frodo made his way to a wall, leaning against it and sagging. Why was he so shy? Wasn't there a way he could break out of his shyness? What did he have to lose?
"I'm sorry about today." Mira said from behind him. That got Frodo's attention. "I shouldn't have spoke for you, but I thought I could help. I'm sure you appreciate that." She gulped, causing Frodo to smirk again. "I must have made you look like a fool back there!"
"It's all right," Frodo said, calming down. He played with Mira's hair for a bit, causing her to jerk back. Frodo let out a long laugh, enjoying his teasing. "Come on. You're a girl!"
"And you're a boy! What difference does it make?" Mira inquired.
Frodo didn't understand. But then, neither did Mira. All they knew was right from wrong, good and bad, black and white. They couldn't see anything else. They could only see that they were good friends. At least, that's what counted, right?
They were just kids, doing nothing but teasing each other. Of course, Frodo enjoyed teasing Mira. It was one of his past times!
"Stop it, Frodo!" Mira complained, as she and Frodo chased each other. Just as they embraced, blushing madly and wondering what they were doing, they were caught red-handed by a Jedi Knight, who eyed them suspiciously.
"Attachments only lead to bad ends, younglings," the Jedi Knight said, breaking them up. Only, Frodo didn't want to let go of Mira. Mira was his friend. Wait. What was this Jedi Knight doing? No! "I'm sorry, but I have to keep you two apart for a while." He turned to Mira, taking her hand. "Come on, Mira. It's time for you to join a different clan. I'm afraid that Frodo Baggins will have to enjoy someone else's company for the time being."
"You can't do this! I won't let her go!" Frodo cried in terror, finding his feet were like lead. He wanted to chase Mira. He wanted to so badly, if it weren't for another Jedi Knight, a female Mirialan, blocking his path. "No, we won't be separated! Mira! Mira, come back!"
"Shh!" the Mirialan shushed him, grasping his shoulders. "Now, you listen to me. If you walk the Jedi path, sometimes it's better to let attachments go. You'll find a way to cope and Mira will find peace somewhere else."
"Will we see each other again?" Frodo asked, tears streaming down his face.
The Mirialan nodded. "With time, we will allow you two to meet again. But not now. You must learn discipline and respect. You do this and you will be a full-fledged Jedi. Love is a cruel thing. It only brings heartache and rage. Love is always dangerous."
Frodo didn't know what to do. He wanted to fall into the Mirialan's arms and hug her. He nearly did, but he stopped. He couldn't do it! He wanted to be alone. And so, he moved away from the Mirialan, finding a spot on the floor to sit down and contemplate on what just happened. He didn't feel the Light Side or the Dark Side of the Force. He felt… in-between. There like there was something more to him than meets the eye.
Maybe when this was over, he could see Mira. But for how long would it take for them to find each other again? Hopefully, not too long, he wondered.
.
Five Years Later…
Frodo found Mira when they were ten years old. It took them some time to adjust, but soon enough they fell into an embrace. So much time was lost between them. They were growing up.
Now they were twelve, almost thirteen, Frodo knew that at some point, he and Mira would have to be separated again. Or would they? Mira seemed like an agile brunette-haired hobbit lass, capable of taking care of herself. Her grey robes kept her going, reminding her that not even the Jedi could keep her and Frodo apart.
Not yet anyway.
"A Master is being selected for us. We're to be together for our Initiate Trials. The Jedi thought it best that we should be together, especially since they saw you wanted to be with me," Mira said, pleased. "I'm surprised they let us train together. You seemed to have matured much faster than me."
"It's kind of difficult when you have no parents around to guide you," Frodo said, looking out the window. He looked at Mira, telling her, "Must we be apart? I thought we could spend more time together. Get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses, before we depart."
"What about our weaknesses?" Mira said, alarmed. She shook her head, telling him, "We can't keep doing this. I say it's high time we listen to the Jedi Code. Isn't that what we both want?"
"You don't know what I want." Frodo said, timid. He admitted, blushing madly, "I want us to still be… friends. I want us to be… together. I'm… I'm sorry! I'm just… timid."
He sighed, embarrassed now. "You're my friend. My best friend. The only one I've got here. It's miserable in the Grey Clan. All the Jedi do is lecture me! I miss having a companion, someone I can count on when times are toughest." He sighed in defeat. "You have no idea how hard it is being with the Jedi." He shook his head. "They don't understand what we want."
"So, you don't want to be with the Jedi?" Mira asked him, curtly.
"I don't—I don't know." Frodo said, shaking his head. "Our home world is out there. I intend to find it. And when I do, I'll take you with me." He recovered, "As a friend, of course." He blushed again, finding it hard to control his emotions.
"Of course," Mira said with a sigh. She looked at Frodo, saying, "Good luck with the trials, Frodo. I hope you do well."
"I hope you pass, too, Mira," Frodo said, looking out at the horizon and watching the sun set across the golden, late afternoon sky.