Lila sighed as she crossed her arms, sitting in front of Gandalf as their horse walked through the Shire. 12 years had passed since her and Gandalf's visit to Bilbo and young Frodo. They paid a visit whenever they could. Every time they were there, Frodo happened to be there. Every time Frodo was around, he always ran off to play with Sam, never wanting to invite her.
"Boys…" Lila mumbled.
"What's that, dear?" Gandalf asked.
"Nothing, Father", she sighed. "Do we have to see Bilbo and Frodo? Frodo's never nice to me."
"Frodo needs friends at this time. His mother and father have died, we should be there for him."
Lila huffed as she turned away. She sat up when she saw a figure walking toward the river.
"I'll be right back", she said getting up.
Gandalf stopped when Lila jumped off the cart. He watched her walk over the hill toward the river. Lila followed the young Hobbit toward the river, watching as he stood, looking at the water. She looked at his reflection in the water, recognizing the sad face.
"Frodo?" Lila said
She watched as Frodo turned and looked at her with the saddest of eyes she had ever seen from him. Lila looked at him and truly felt sorry for him.
"Come here…"
Frodo looked at her surprised as Lila wrapped her arms around him. Normally, he would push her away as some kind of game, but not this time. He welcomed her comforting hug. He needed it most at this time. Lila kept her arms around him. She could feel how much she needed him. She didn't know what to tell Frodo how to cope with this loss. She was far too young to remember anything about her parents when they died, so she felt no mourning at all.
"Lila", Gandalf said as he walked toward them.
He stopped when he saw the two young Hobbits in an embrace. If it wasn't for the tragic events, he would've smiled at the site.
"Come, children", he said walking back to the cart.
"Come on, Frodo", Lila said taking his hand.
Frodo looked at her and sighed as he kept his gaze down, walking with her and Gandalf. He was quiet as Gandalf helped him and Lila into the cart. He didn't speak a word during the ride to Bag End, not even when Gandalf attempted to speak to him. Frodo just sat in the back, hugging his knees to his chest, staring out into open space.
"Frodo", Lila said putting a hand on his shoulder. "We're here."
She watched him feeling a bit scared as he gave a heartbroken, empty look. Not that she could blame him for feeling that way. Gandalf helped the children out and escorted them to the door.
"Frodo…" Bilbo hugged him tightly.
"Hello, Mr. Bilbo", Lila said. "I'm sorry for the loss to your family."
He nodded and patted her shoulder. Gandalf wrapped his arm around her as they entered the Hobbit hole, filled with mourners. Mainly, Baggins, Brandybucks and Tooks were present, the adults eating and the children in the back rooms.
Frodo walked to his room in silence, not wanting to speak to anyone. Lila followed him, along with the other Hobbit children, Sam, Merry and Pippin.
"Frodo…" Lila said knocking on the door. "It's just us. Can we come in?"
She sighed when they heard no answer. She opened the door to see Frodo looking down at the floor. The four young Hobbits entered the room surrounding Frodo.
"You know we're here for you", Lila said. "All of us."
It was at that point that Frodo broke down in her arms. Sam, Merry and Pippin wrapped their arms in a hug as he cried freely.
