Disclaimer: I will say this only once I own nothing!

Authors note: Sorry for not updating in a while I have had a nasty case of writers block. But it's unfair on you guys not to update frequently so I will do my best. Xxx Please it helps me a lot if you R&R!

The Rose

With one last heave from pip they both toppled over the fence landing in a heap on the other side. "Thanks for breaking my fall Pip" said merry all that came in reply was a muffled grunt from Pip who was still being squished by Merry.

"Oh ... sorry Pip!" said Merry realising what was causing Pip's sudden lack of response. "What were you two doing in my field!" came a yell from the other side of the fence and with that the two trouble makers were off as fast as their feet would carry them.

They scrambled up the hill only to come across me and Frodo rolling around on the ground and crying with laughter. "Oh and I suppose you two think that my near death experience is funny do you?" said Merry and Pip crossed his arms and gave me and Frodo a disapproving glare. The only response we gave was to laugh even harder if that is possible. "I-I think I've cracked I rib!" I gasped between my ongoing fits of laughter.

That was my first encounter with Merry and Pippin. We became firm friends, best friends even. But no one was closer to me than Frodo. We were practically inseparable. We did almost everything together, like two peas in a pod. Wherever Frodo was I was never far behind and likewise with me. That is until the night of Bilbo's birthday bash.

Frodo had asked me to go with him to the party and with a deep blush and a timid nod I accepted. My feelings for him were beginning even then to develop from friendship, blooming into something more. Every time he entered a room a light blush would paint my cheeks, and if my heart rate were being measured you would see a prominent spike on the once gently flowing line. It's a surprise he couldn't hear my pulse from across a room as his presence caused it to try an escape attempt from my body, trying to show him what he makes me feel.

Could he see it?

Does he know?

Or am I just the girl next door?

The one who is always there but never noticed?

These thoughts were running around my brain, constantly gnawing at my defences that I had worked so hard on to make them impenetrable. But this young hobbit was slipping through them without even realising.

My secret still hadn't come out. Would it? I was afraid Frodo would think I was weak and maybe even disgusting if he knew. I never slept with anyone but isn't letting someone batter you just like giving up? Cracking and becoming frail? That was not and is not the opinion I want Frodo to have of me. Not now; not ever. So no my secret remained behind closed doors. But for how long? How long until my defences fail completely?

I was shaken from my train of thought by a knock at the door. I took one last glance at my reflection I was wearing a midnight-blue gown. It was long and flowed past my ankles and trailed along the ground behind me. It's satin ruffles creating what felt like a layer of cloud caressing my skin. My hair trailed down to the small of my back in long lose ringlets and I had one flower the same colour as my dress placed in my hair. I had tried my best to get him to notice me would it work?

I opened the door to see the very hobbit that constantly invaded my thoughts standing outside my bedroom door holding a single red rose. I heard him take a sharp intake of breath. "Wow" he gasped "Lyra... you look absolutely beautiful; you take my breath away." He said. "Why thank you , you look stunningly handsome yourself." Came my reply and my cheeks betrayed my happiness at his comment with the pink blush that made itself known.

He knelt down on one knee before me and with a great flourish which drew a giggle from me he presented the beautiful rose and said "This is for you m'lady" I curtsied courteously and accepted the beautiful gift and thanked him with a kiss on the cheek. To hide his blush he rose and offered me his arm. "May I escort you to the festivities madam?" he said putting on a fake posh accent which made me all out laugh. So I took his arm and he led me away towards the sounds of laughter and music filling the night air.

The romance is blooming! Stay tuned for a serious development next chapter! Please REVIEW it makes my day to see a review be it criticism or praise just anything and everything!

Love cctrix