A/N: So here is chapter seven. It's taken a tad bit longer to get up than I had previously anticipated, but it is here now. Thanks to SHOSANA, and CHRISTINA CONLON again for their reviews. I think you are my regulars. Thanks soo much! Thanks to JEN LEWIS and UGLYFACE who are newbies to reviewing my story also. Muchos appreciated! :D Please READ and REVIEW! I don't want to be one of those; if I don't get # reviews then I won't update. But it would be nice to get at least five or six reviews for this story before the next chapter goes up. This story has had 766 views since it's gone up, and only 8 reviews! I appreciated all those people who are even viewing my story in the first place, but reviews really would make me write faster. And I always welcome criticism and helpful comments. :] Oh, check my profile for updates and things on this story. I will be letting yous all know there when the next chapters should be up and if there is any changes and things. Just to keep you guys informed! Anyways, please enjoy the story.. :]
PS. Do you guys think Clara is a Mary-Sue? :S
Chapter Seven: Saying Goodbye
"Gandalf...?" I barely whispered, although it sounded harsh and loud in the current silent environment.
"Clara go home now! There is things I need to discuss with Frodo here. Alone!" His voice was firm and authorative, but kind all the same.
"I shall return shortly once I have walked her home" Frodo muttered as his grip on my hand tightened. Fear was evident in his expression.
"No." Gandalf finalized. His face seemed to be mulling his decision over, arguing with himself whether it was the right one. His gaze locked onto mine and his face softened, although his eyes still held a frantic stare in them "We have things of urgency to discuss that cannot wait. Not even for a moment more"
"I will be fine..." I mumbled to Frodo as I shook my hand free from his death grip. As much as I was curious to know what was going on, the look on Gandalf's face frightened me and my need to escape to somewhere safe shunned my need for answers. My head spun with confusion at the mere thought. My curiosity could most definitely wait until daylight to be squandered. "I shall see you tomorrow Frodo" I warned, and with that said I left. My feet taking me the familiar route home without my brain telling them to. My head was spinning and I could feel tears slipping away from my fronted steely gaze. I couldn't hold them back any longer. The fear was becoming overwhelming. My pace quickened and before I knew it, I was home. In bed and huddled under my bed lined hugging my knees to my chest until I fell into a very uneasy sleep. Tears caused by the utter terror at Gandalf's words soaking through my pillow.
"I don't know why I let you two talk me into these sorts of things" I huffed to Merry and Pippin as we headed towards Farmer Maggots. To be honest, I knew exactly why. I actually welcomed the distraction it gave me from Frodo. We had grown distant since the night Gandalf had returned in a frantic state. He wouldn't even look me in the eye after that night. He spoke to me much less also whenever he had the grace to present me with his company. I thought back to the morning after that night in Bag End. Just like after Bilbo's party, I had arrived at Frodo's door looking for answers. Only this time much more worried and much earlier than anyone should even be awake...
FLASHBACK
"Frodo! Let. Me. In! I know you are home. It's much too early for you to be out somewhere. Please just let me in?" I called through the oak door, loud pounding noises muffling the sound of my voice slightly as mu fists made contact with the doorframe. I wanted answers, and now! My fear had slowly ebbed away into suspicion by the time I had awoken this morning and it had now transformed into anger from the twenty minutes I had been pounding on the door with still no answer. My chest was tight with worry, I could almost sense the foreboding approaching and I wanted to be proven wrong. I wanted Frodo to justify my ridiculous thoughts and confirm to me that I was most definitely wrong. But I was almost sure I wasn't...
"What is it Clara?" Shot Frodo as he abruptly opened the door. I had to catch myself on the door frame as I nearly tumbled through from the unexpectedness of it.
"What happened last night?" I simply stated getting straight to the point. It seemed like the only sane thing to say.
"Nothing"
"Nothing? You don't seriously expect me to believe that!" I scoffed. I pushed my way inside at that, determined I wasn't leaving until he stopped being arrogant and answered my question. He just stood glaring at me as he closed the door. Un-moving from his spot. I tried to search for answers in his expressions, but I couldn't catch his eye. He was most definitely avoiding my gaze. "Gandalf looked angry and...and scared-"
"-It is none of your concern Clara. Now if you excuse me I have things to do" Frodo's tone was harsh but his guilty gaze as he stared at the floor made me push on with my questioning. There was something that he wasn't telling me and it was clearly upsetting him enough to react like this. So, so unkind!
"Frodo" I said softly as I slowly began to approach him, "You are my best friend. You can tell me anything and I will not judge. What is wrong? What did Gandalf say last night that has frightened you so?"
"Clara I..." He began weakly. His tone of voice had softened but his gaze was still on the floor, refusing to even glance over at me. "Please just trust in me that it is nothing of great importance for you to know and go home where it is safe"
"Frodo please! Please just tell me!" I pleaded with him as I reached his side bringing us within touching distance. My anger had quickly melted away into desperation and worry at the expression on his face. I was almost certain now that my fears of something bad happening where true. I just wished so much Frodo would tell me otherwise. It was killing me not knowing what was upsetting him so much. "Something that was nothing wouldn't make you act like this so angry, so...distant"
"Please do not think like that. It is nothing" He rushed, his gaze still firmly examining his furry feet, "Gandalf was just over reacting, stressing over silly things. He had other things on his mind when he arrived, more serious things. He simply was stressed"
"Well at least tell me what it was you were going to speak to me about before Gandalf came" I sighed. I didn't believe his last statement one bit, but was determined I was going to get any form of answers concerning last night. I knew I needed to change tactics.
"What?" He gasped as his eyes shot up from the mahogany flooring and right to my face. His blue orbs where enlarged to the size of the moon. His face matching his gaze conveying the embodiment of shock. I had clearly taken him off guard with my unexpected question.
"What you asked me in for some tea to discuss" I reminded him. His face paled as he began fidgeting his hands, fiddling with something in his right pocket. He looked like he wanted to just disappear from this situation all together. I couldn't comprehend why though, he had planned to tell me last night so why was this morning any different?
"It doesn't matter anymore" He mumbled as he gazed back to his feet again. His eyes filling with what looked like sorrow before they disappeared. He faintly added, "Its better if you don't know..."
"Why does it not matter anymore? It seemed so important last night before all...all this happened. Tell me, please?" I pleaded. This whole conversation was going nowhere. He was refusing to tell me anything, even things that he was planning to tell me before. Sadness was slowly creeping up on me with every word that Frodo spoke, and every look that he didn't give.
"Because it just doesn't okay!" He snapped as he quickly stepped back, closer to the door. Distancing himself from me, "Now go home Clara. I have nothing more to say on the matter"
"Fine!" I snarled as I stomped past him and out the door. Stopping only for a second to add, "Push me away and shut me out all you want Frodo Baggins, but I swear if you're hiding something important from me. If something bad happens that you're not telling me about, I will never forgive you. Never!" Enough was enough. I wasn't going to stand being treated like an idiot anymore. We had always confided to each other about everything, he was the one I could talk to about anything and he had said the same about me. I didn't care for his reasons for not telling me what was going on. I cared about the fact that he was shutting me out. Blocking me out from his emotions and keeping secrets between us. I could feel angry tears sliding warm and unwelcoming down my face. I chanced a look back at Frodo and my heart nearly fell out my stomach at his expression. His expression of utter heartbreak and sorrow.
FLASHBACK
It hurt to even think of his expression now. It had been the first real argument that we had ever had. The few times that I had seen him since then had been uncomfortable and awkward. He still wouldn't look at me and acted like I didn't even exist. He was obviously avoiding me for reasons unknown which I was to angry to even care about anymore. All I could focus on was the fact that he was avoiding me and not the reasons why. No-one had seen him or Samwise for a few days now and I found that my anger towards him was quickly starting to shift to worry.
"You know you come with us because you cannot resist causing trouble. You are as bad as poor Pippin here!" Merry laughed. I had almost forgotten where I was until he spoke. His words brought me out of my weary thoughts and I smiled at the half truth of his statement. That was the whole reason I was friends with him and Pippin in the first place, because I was a trouble magnet and quite enjoyed being one. The three of us where inseparable before Frodo had come. My smile faltered as I remembered my more current reason for spending so much time with the two of them, Frodo. Before our rift we had spent quite a lot of time together and my time causing trouble with Merry and Pippin had been seriously shortened. Now I was in need of a distraction from my lack of friend so caused mischief with them full-time now instead. I felt slightly guilty at using them to cheer myself up but I knew they wouldn't mind. I wanted nothing more than to resolve me and Frodo's argument as soon as possible but was too stubborn to admit defeat.
"It's only because her and Frodo have fallen out" Pippin blurted out then looked sheepishly away afterwards. Merry clumped him over the head while mouthing the word idiot at him. He then turned and offered me a small smile.
"Well he is better company than you Pip, smarter too, but that wouldn't be hard now would it?" I scowled, furiously at him for mentioning his name in my company. But more for the horrid sadness it brought with it. My face softened as I noticed his expression however and mustered a soft smile before I added in a much friendlier tone, "But you know how to make up for your stupidity with your bad humour"
"Thanks Clara" He mumbled as relief washed over his features, "But we all know that everyone enjoys my jokes. Even old Meriadoc here and we all no he has no sense of humour at all!" And with that he rustled Merry's hair and ran off ahead.
"That's it Pippin! You have asked for it now!" Merry shouted as he rushed off after him, laughter lingering behind them. I shook my head at their childish behaviour as I took off after them. They really did know how to make me smile.
We were running through the tomato patch, laughing as we collected as many tomatoes as we could. Although I was still terrified of Farmer Maggot and his docile dogs, I was more terrified of the boredom I would of had to endure If I hadn't of came here today. Dying of boredom in my room would be a much worse and slower death than anything that could possibly happen running around here. The thought of that made me laugh even more.
"I think we should go to the carrots next" Pippin declared as he chewed on a rather plump tomato.
"Then the turnips!" Merry added.
"Then the potatoes!" I said. I was munching on a tomato as I spoke and the juices run down my face and onto my dress. I tinged pink as I quickly wiped my mouth before either of the boys saw. I may more or less be a boy myself in way of acting, but I was still a lady and had manners, at the very least.
"Then..." Merry and Pippin chimed in unison as large mischievous smiles broke out across their muddy faces, "The mushrooms!"
"Can we leave the mushrooms today please?" I groaned. I still wasn't in the best of moods and wasn't really up for an adventure today. My mind was too clouded with other thoughts to even comprehend one.
"How can you even suggest such a thing!" Exclaimed Pippin in mock shock. We had just reached the carrot field now and me and Merry were simultaneously plucking some form the ground and loading them into our already overflowing arms.
"Because I am sensible Pip. Unlike you!" I mocked him in return. My face was twitching as I struggled to hold back my laughter.
"Well that's you told!" Laughed Merry as he struggled to pluck a rather large carrot from the ground.
"You two are hilarious!" Pippin laughed which I thought to be in a very sarcastic manner.
"Yeah yeah, let's just head to them turnips shall we?" My mood was turning sourer by the second. It was hard to enjoy myself these past few weeks with Frodo popping into my thoughts and dampening my mood. Being here just made that even more plausible.
The small trip from the carrots to the turnips was uneventful. I hadn't said anything throughout the short journey and could feel Merry and Pippins worrying eyes on me throughout. Merry had been acting quite strange himself since me and Frodo had fallen out. He would come and visit me on his own. Pippin was no doubt with Frodo and Sam as he had spent these past weeks stuck between the two of us. I felt quite guilty about that fact. Merry on the other hand, spent little to no time with Frodo and Sam and would spend most nights in The Green Dragon alone, me serving him and offering conversation when I could. Pippin would enjoy him occasionally, but I think he had lost his taste for ale recently as we wouldn't all sit together like we used to. I just assumed that Merry had taken to asking questions to Frodo also and had happened to push the wrong buttons like me, therefore ending on the bad side of him. I nearly laughed at the thought. I never knew Frodo had another side to him until a month ago!
"Pippin be quiet will you!" Merry hissed next to me attracting my full attention. I looked over to Pippin who had just fallen over a turnip and landed in a nearby wheelbarrow with a deafening thud. This will not end well I thought as the scary sound of Farmer Maggot reached my ears at the same time. My face paled considerably as Merry grabbed my hand and attempted to move me.
"Run!" He said to me as he continued to tug on my arm, pulling me along behind him. Pippin didn't need to be told twice and ran ahead through the tall maize without us. My mind didn't have long to register much else as we suddenly collided with something, or someone, as the sound of pippin shouting, "Frodo! Merry! Its Frodo Baggins!" reached my ears. I nearly groaned outwardly in frustration. Why did we have to run into him, literally!
"Hello Frodo" Merry murmured icily as he helped me up from the ground. I could feel the colour draining from my face as I shifted my gaze to anything but the tall Hobbit beneath us. I could literally feel his large sapphire eyes burning my skin as he glared at me. I couldn't bring myself to look at him to see his exact expression. I assumed it wasn't a nice one anyways.
"Get off him!" Sam shouted as he approached our huddle of bodies, "Frodo, are you alright?"
"What' the meaning of this?" Frodo scowled at Merry, who I noticed was still firmly holding onto my hand. I looked away embarrassed as I roughly tugged my hand back and hugged it to my body protectively. I didn't know why, but I didn't want anyone to see us holding hands and picking up the wrong impression. He looked a little upset but that was soon forgotten when we heard Farmer Maggot's foul voice behind us.
"Hoi! You get back here! Wait till I get this through you!" Pippin and Merry suddenly handed their piles of vegetables to Sam who stood baffled. My own pile was long forgotten in the turnip patch, "Get out of my fields! You'll know the devil if I catch up with you!"
Frodo unexpectedly grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the voice without as much as uttering a word to me. Merry and Pippin followed close behind. I looked to Frodo then to my hand then back again, utterly baffled as to why he was holding it. However, the sight of a scythe over the corn quickly shoved all other thought from my head.
"I knew we shouldn't have lingered here! Pippin this is your greed!" I called to Pippin behind me and I continued running.
"Dunno why he's so upset!" Merry puffed as he caught up with Frodo and I, "It's only a couple of carrots!"
"And some cabbages and those few bags of potatoes that we lifted last week, and the-" Pippin rambled as he too caught up with us.
"Well, he should have no reason whatsoever to be angry then should he? I mean you two have hardly stolen anything from him have you?" I pointed out, my voice ringing with a thick coating of sarcasm. I couldn't take my mind off that scythe... Frodo unexpectedly stopped, putting his arm out in front of me to help me stop next to him. Which I did. I hadn't even breathed a sigh of relief when Merry, Pippin and Sam came crashing into the back of us and sent us all tumbling off the end of the small cliff that me and Frodo had thought we had managed to avoid. I was having a serious case of de ja vu.
"Ooh! That was close!" Noted Pippin as I turned to see a very large pile of manure lying between me and him. Very close indeed!
"Oh! I think I've broken something..." Mumbled Merry who was lying on the other side of me clutching his back. I reached my hand over to help him just as he pulled a broken carrot out from underneath him. Typical!
"Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!" Shouted Sam as he got up and came over to offer a hand to help Frodo, completely ignoring me who was slumped on top of Frodo I might add.
"Ehm...sorry..."I managed to stutter as Merry helped me to me feet. Pippin meanwhile shouted something about mushrooms but I had had enough of food for one day so didn't pay attention. Frodo seemed to not be listening either as he stood stalk still staring down the road. I wanted so much to talk to him. To ask if he was okay, but I couldn't. Something was stopping me and I couldn't put my finger on exactly what. So I just continued to stand in the same position behind him, my gaze burning a hole into his back. We stayed like that for what felt like hours but was most likely seconds. He suddenly mumbled something that I couldn't quite hear because of the racket the others were making over the mushrooms.
"Get off the road! Quick!" He spoke again. Shouting this time. His eyes bored into mine, silently urging me to move but I couldn't. His gaze had paralyzed me and I was rooted to the spot. Merry rushed past me then, grabbed my hand and forced me to move with him. I really needed to stop this habit of letting everyone drag me around whenever something happened. I don't even know how it had come about! We huddled under the roots of a grand tree in a small ditch across from where we had landed earlier. I was silently praying it was Farmer Maggot coming to scold us for stealing, but the look on Frodo's face was telling me otherwise. He was sheet white and sweating nervously next to Sam. I was currently squished between Merry and Pippin, I was gripping both of their hands like grim death. I felt just as Frodo looked. Suddenly, horse hooves sounded above us on the road. I don't know what possessed me, but I peeked through a gap in the ground and saw black bleeding hooves coming towards us. Heavy metal shoes hit the ground hard, causing the earth to shudder above our heads. I had to bit my tongue to refrain myself from screaming aloud as all sorts of insects began to make their way out of the surrounding soil and crawl all over us. Almost as if they were searching for something. I couldn't care what was happening next as I buried my head into Pippins chest. I was utterly petrified now and was silently scolding my fidgeting nature for not being able to stay at home. I could feel someone pulling at my hand urging me to stand up. The rider was gone.
We ran and ran, then managed to somehow run some more until be all stopped suddenly. Me nearly collapsing on the forest floor as I was struggling to breathe. Everyone was clearly struggling as much as I, not as much as poor Sam though, as they were all slumped against trees and what not trying desperately to catch their breath.
"What was that!" Merry hissed in Frodo direction. He was currently holding onto his knees, his face bright red from all the exertion cause from running. Frodo was slumped against a nearby tree with a look of sheer terror etched into his features.
"What is going on?" Pippin asked as his grip loosened on my hand. I realized then that it was him who had pulled me to my senses from under the tree. I quickly latched back onto him, this time gripping onto his arm. I could feel myself shaking from all the running and the familiar feeling of terror also.
"That black rider was looking for something, or someone" Merry said as he approached Frodo and stared him down, "Frodo?"
"Get down!" Pippin hissed as he quickly pushed me down while everyone else followed suit. I buried my head into his shoulder trying my best to hide from reality again. This was all too much for me to comprehend! You would think I would have more courage and backbone than this from spending all my time with lads. Cleary nothing had rubbed off on me except mischief!
"I have to leave the Shire. Sam and I must get to Bree" Stated Frodo with no emotion whatsoever. His face was a blank book. My head shot up in his direction when I heard his comment. He could not be leaving! He could not be leaving...me? Was this why he had pushed me away? No, he would never...would he?
"Merry nodded in reluctant understanding, "Right. Buckleberry Ferry. Follow me"
Everything was hazy after that. Almost like all the scenery was blending into one. We did nothing but nonstop running for what felt like hours. Days even. My legs ached from all the unexpected exercise I had put my body through today. It was now pitch black out making the woods seem almost creepier if that was possible. The utter fear I felt seemed to be pulling me along this time instead of stopping me dead, hindering my abilities to even move. I was rather thankful that I wasn't currently relying on someone to pull me along anymore. It made me feel braver, if only slightly. I still had not spoken since before we had seen the rider. It was almost as if I had gone mute with shock, losing my ability to speak even if I wanted to. All words had chosen to abandon me at this present moment, and even if they had not. I wouldn't have the first clue as to what to say. I had lots of questions yes, but this was not the time for questions. It was the time for running and running is what I did.
A small glimmer of happiness soared through me when I spotted that we had finally reached Buckleberry ferry. It was short lived however when a black rider burst through the tress and tried to intersect us, stopping us from getting to the dock. We somehow managed to slip past him and manoeuvre our way onto the small raft which I assumed was the ferry. I was just about to sigh in relief when I noticed Frodo was not with us. He was still behind near the dock trying to slip away from the rider, who had somehow managed to multiply into three riders. This was bad! Really, really bad! I cringed and shut my eyes just as he ducked underneath one of the horses and began running down the dock towards us. The riders hot on his heels in pursuit.
"Frodo! Frodo!" I yelled in desperation and I tried to get off the little raft to go help him. Merry and Sam grabbed me around the middle and attempted to hold me back. I couldn't help panic more and more as I noticed that we were drifting further and further away from the dock. He will never reach us! He is doomed! Suddenly Frodo leaped off the dock and landed on the ferry, pushing Pippin over in the process. I didn't care about any argument of silly feud now. I didn't even care if he was leaving me. I was just glad that he was safe. That I was here in this moment to see him off. I shrugged out of Merry and Sam's death grip and flung my arms around Frodo in a death grip of my own as I enveloped him in a bone crushing hug. I could feel silent tears of relief shedding from my eyes as I felt his arms hug me back in an awkward hug back. Everything over the last month was suddenly forgotten with that one small gesture. I only wished that the black riders could be so easily forgotten from memory to.
"How long to the nearest crossing?"Frodo muttered solemnly as he gently stroked my hair with his hands. The motion was soothing to my manic state, calming me almost instantaneously.
"The Brandywine Bridge, twenty miles" Merry replied in the same sad tone. It was in this moment that I suddenly realized how young and emotional I actually was. I was a lady, not one of the lads as I so wanted to be. I was a weak, silly little girl. Pippins teasing words had been right all along...
