To Jordan: Yes, in fact, I have read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, the Hobbit and the Silmarillion three times. I have also seen the movie four times. Some of this story will be from the movie, some of it will be from the book, and some of it will be out of my own head!

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"Lil! There you are!" Lily turned around to see Merry and Pippin, their hair and faces blackened, running towards her. "Whew! I've had enough dirty dishes to last me a lifetime, how bout you Pip?" Merry said, poking him in the arm. "Dirty dishes? Is that why you two have black all over your faces?" Lily asked, confused. "By the way, have you seen Bilbo anywhere?" "Nope. Haven't seen him. Where's Frodo?" Merry said. "Hey did you like our firework?" Pippin asked. "So Frodo was right after all," Lily answered, "And I guess that's why you two are all black. What did you do? Steal one of Gandalf's fireworks or something?" "How did you guess?" they demanded together. "Trouble is you two's middle name," she replied. "BOO!" a voice yelled behind her. Lily jumped and squealed in fright. She whirled around to see Esme standing behind her, shaking with laughter. She turned back around to face Pippin and Merry. "Why didn't you warn me? You saw her sneak up!" "She motioned for us not to," Merry protested. "Besides," added Pippin, "We thought it would be much funnier this way." "Oh you two," Lily grumbled. They all began to laugh, after a few moments, she joined them. When they had all calmed down, she said, "Well, I'm gonna go see if Frodo found Bilbo. He's probably in Bag End laughing at us all right now. Goodnight everyone!" "Goodnight!" they all said. Lily hurried up the path to Bag End, hoping that Frodo and Bilbo would both be there. When she opened the door, she found Frodo sitting at the table, but no Bilbo. He looked. strange. Something was wrong with him, but she couldn't tell what it was. Slowly, she walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Startled, he jumped out of his seat, "What are you-Oh, Lil, it's just you. Sorry, I.. I.. never mind." He sat back down again. "What's wrong Frodo?" she said, sitting down next to him, "Have you found Bilbo yet?" "Nothing. Nothing. Nothing's wrong," he said. Smiling, she placed both hands on his shoulders and looked straight into his eyes, "I've known you way too long for you to lie to me. Come on, Frodo. I can tell something's bothering you. Why won't you tell me?" With a small sigh, he looked up to meet her gaze, "I just can't, Lil. Not right now. I promise I'll tell you sometime, though. Alright?" "All right. Now where's Bilbo?" "He's gone. Gandalf told me he went to stay with the Elves in Rivendell." "He DID? Oooooo! I've always wanted to meet the Elves. And especially learn their language. It's so pretty!" "Well, actually," he said, brightening up a bit, "I know quite a bit of it. I'll teach you if you like." "You will?! Oh thank you so much!" she said, grabbing him by the waist and hugging him in her excitement. Frodo sat still, her arms around him. He had been thinking about a lot of things, before Lily had walked in. Especially about how much his feelings for her were changing. She was so dear to him. And now, after what Gandalf had told him. But now, nothing mattered except that she was here, in his arms. He had no idea how she felt about him; he wasn't even sure how he felt about her. All he know was that this was what he wanted. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. She didn't protest. Her head was buried in his chest, and he leaned down to rest his chin on top of her curls. Lily was amazed, a little scared, by the wave of emotions rushing through her. She had never meant her hug to go this far. But in Frodo's arms, she felt so. right. She didn't mind a bit when he pulled her closer. She shivered with delight when he rested his head on top of hers. 'What's wrong with me?' she wondered. Then, Frodo placed his finger under her chin, and brought her head up to look deep into her eyes. At his touch, chills ran up and down her spine. She wondered if he was going to kiss her. She knew she wouldn't mind it if he did. "Frodo? Frodo are you in there?" said a voice from behind the front door. Slightly embarrassed, Lily jerked away from him. 'What are you thinking, Lil. It's just Frodo. Your friend.' Frodo stood up and went to the door. It was Sam. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Master Frodo, but I was just wondering where you went. I couldn't find you after Bilbo disappeared, but Pippin told me you were in here so I- Oh, hello Lily," he said, somewhat surprised. Hoping he wasn't wondering what she and Frodo were doing there alone, she said, "Hello Sam. Did you manage to get a dance with Rosie?" A blush crept over his round, honest face as he mumbled, "Well. yes." Frodo and Lily both smiled at his embarrassment. Frodo said, "Bilbo's gone to live with the Elves, Sam. He just left. There's still quite a few people out there, you know. If you hurry, you might get a chance to walk Rosie home." "Oh yeah, well I already asked her. In fact, I'd better hurry, I told her I'd only be a minute," Sam said, as he walked out the door. "Goodnight, Sam," Frodo said, walking to the door with him. Lily followed. After Sam was out of sight, Frodo turned to her and said, "You'd better be getting on home, too. It's late. In fact, I'd better go with you. In light of what's just happened, you won't be safe alone." "What are you talking about?" she asked, "The Shire's perfectly safe, even at night. Does this have something to do with that. that thing you can't tell me about?" Frodo nodded. "Come on. Let's go." Without any further protest, she followed him out the door and into the lane. "Now about your Elvish lessons." "Oh yes! When can we start?" "Well.. why don't you come over for tea tomorrow and we'll begin. I don't really know that much, though. You might want to find a better teacher." "I can't think of anyone I'd rather have teach me than you," she protested, then blushed as she realized the connotation of her words. He didn't seem to mind, though. As they walked down the lane, he found himself wanting to take her hand in his. He wondered if she would mind. 'Stop kidding yourself, Frodo. She's only your friend.' When they reached her door, she turned to face him and said, "Thank you for everything. I had a wonderful time." Smiling, he lifted her hand to his lips, "Anything to please the lady." She laughed. "I am most honored at your attentions, gentlehobbit," she replied, curtsying. Then she realized he was still holding her hand. He must have realized it the same thing; a blush crept over his cheeks and he let go of her hand rather reluctantly. "So... I'll see you tomorrow." he said. Smiling, she nodded, "Tomorrow." As he turned to go, he said, "Namaarie." "I'm assuming that means 'farewell'?" "Och, she's a right smart lass, tha' she is." She laughed again. "Namaarie, Frodo." He waved to her in response. Once he reached the lane, she went inside, her thought whirling with questions and anticipation of tomorrow's lesson.