It took about a week for Miss Tricollete to recover her strength and he had spent every waking moment in the Gingko residence. Samwise had visited to check in on them on several occasions, even announcing when Pippin or Merry had said they were looking for him at some point or another, however Frodo felt he had to maintain his focus on helping the Gingko recover to the best of his abilities. Aside from her constant stubbornness in insisting that she can take care of herself, Frodo had no issues tending to her needs (for they were very few).

A particular morning in which Frodo came over for tea (and to check on her, he justified to Samwise and Rosie), Tricollete was healthy enough to get of bed and tend to herself, so Frodo sat as she made tea. After the two sat down on the couch, the door was thrown open and little Pashmina dashed inside, "Auntie!"

The two shared a brief hug as Samwise entered behind her, introducing himself after it became blissfully aware that she had no recollection of him. Pashmina enthusiastically explained how wonderful her stay with the Gamgees was and how she was invited to go play with them whenever she wanted to.

"And Auntie, I learned how to knit!" she declared happily.

"That's wonderful," Tricollete murmured, trying to hide some sort of sadness that had clouded her features, "You'll have to show me later."

"And I'll knit you a scarf!" Mina nodded before scuffling off into her room to wash up as Tricollete requested. The latter sat, sipping at her tea after fetching Sam a cup as they sat in silence.

"What's wrong?" Frodo finally inquired, despite his better judgment telling him not to pry.

"It's…nothing really," Tricollete answered, though it had seemed rehearsed. The perfect length of time for a pause was used, and yet he could tell she was lying due to a resentment and bitterness that reflected in her body language, especially as she sat her cup down, "She's just turning more and more into her mother every day…"

"If you don't mind—" Frodo spoke up, though the words were just flowing out of his mouth beyond his control.

"I do mind you asking," she interrupted, and that settled that conversation abruptly. Sam awkwardly sipped at his tea as he made note of the increased tension in the room that Frodo's almost-question had caused.

Sam spoke up after several minutes of silence, "Merry and Pippin wish to know if you'll ever grace them with your presence any time soon. They're going to the Green Dragon tonight."

"I'll go see them tonight then," Frodo decided before turning to Tricollete, "Would you like to come with?"

The hobbit woman shook her head, her dark brown curls falling into her face, "Thanks, but I've got Pashmina."

"Rosie doesn't want to go, I'm sure Pashmina would be more than welcome to come over," Sam suggested, and Tricollete shook her head once more.

"You two have done more than enough for us," she murmured, "Besides, I think we need a night at home."

Frodo nodded in understanding, and when the time rolled around, both Sam and Frodo made their way to the Green Dragon. As always, it was bustling, and not surprising at all, Merry and Pippin were already at a table and drinking. The duo joined the two, and the opposite duo began to ask probing questions about the dark-haired hobbit's whereabouts recently.

Frodo explained that he was helping out a friend, and then informed how they had met and that she hadn't lived there for very long so she didn't know anyone other than her niece, Sam and him. The two nodded in understanding before inquiring when they were meeting her, or if the two of them were together, to which Frodo flushed and said, "No, just friends."

"Hmm," Merry hummed as he eyed Frodo suspiciously, "So, do you like her?"

"As a friend?" Frodo questioned, "Of course I do. She's quite wonderful."

"No, you dummy!" Pippin exclaimed, "Not as a friend. As a—" he hesitated, as if trying to think of the proper wording.

"Someone worth courting?" Merry suggested and Pippin nodded as the two stared into Frodo's bright blue orbs for an answer.

"No," he answered stiffly. In all honestly, Frodo hadn't even thought about courting anyone before in great detail ever since his journey to Mordor. It just seemed impractical, and he figured that he had missed the prime time to do so, and also no one had even remotely struck his fancy like that. Tricollete was just…intriguing. He couldn't quite wrap his mind for an exact explanation, but she was very intriguing.

"Well will we get to meet her at least?" Pippin asked curiously, "Then we can make judgments about your honesty."

"Soon, I'm sure," Sam nodded, "Her little niece is just absolutely darling. You two will love her. Miss Gingko is very nice as well."

"Gingko…" Merry's voice trailed off as he repeated Tricollete and Pashmina's surname, "I've heard that name before. Did they ever say where they were from?"

"The Buckland area," Frodo informed, "You might've known her family."

"I didn't know them, but.." he scrunched his nose, "I think something happened? That name just sure rings a bell."

"What do you mean?" Frodo's curiosity bubbled up like…well like the lava bursting from Mordor. He couldn't contain it, the question being almost involuntary.

Pippin shot him a funny look before Merry answered with, "I don't know. I just heard something had happened out there involving that name."

"I wonder what it could be," Samwise pondered aloud, "It is probably something good though. Those two are just two kind people."

Pippin disagreed, "I bet it is some big dark secret. Oh, and I hope I'm the one who figures it out first!"

"It isn't a game!" Frodo said suddenly, the outburst earning him several strange looks, "Look, it's their lives we're talking about, not some competition."

"I know that," Pippin retorted before mumbling, "Not liking her as more than a friend? Doubtful."

"I heard that," Frodo grumbled and Pippin shrugged.

"Maybe you were meant to," he pointed out, "I was just saying. For someone who only wants to be friends with the lass, you sound suspiciously defensive about her."

"Because she's my friend," Frodo attempted to explain, but Merry shot him a suspecting glance.

"Or are you?"

"Of course he is!" Sam interjected, "I swear you two just look for trouble these days."

"That's because there's nothing to do!" Merry whined, "These newcomers have been the only hint of excitement Hobbiton has seen for weeks!"

"And it is hardly exciting because we don't know the lasses!" Pippin exclaimed.

Frodo heaved a sigh before admitting that he didn't know when he would see the two next and the situations that prompted the first two visits were not the best, and because they were remedied, he was doubtful that he was going to just show up at their hole uninvited any longer for the sake of manners.

Though, he himself wondered how long that notion would last.