Authors Note: Many thanks to my reviewers. Kirjava2, I'm going as fast as I can :) I'm glad you like it, and all I can say is: keep reading! Your questions will be answered. Obelia medusa, it's been very hard for me to decide just how much Frodo should tell Daisy. I hope I've got it about right. Silverelf, nice to hear from you! Your reviews have been very helpful; when this fic is all uploaded I will go back and correct everything you've pointed out, and probably a whole lot more. I always try to revise my fics at some point. I always get so muddled with tenses. :( Mojo, totally agreeing with you about the Ring. And RotK was very awesome, and I didn't cry once (as cold as a stone, that's me). Anyway, on with the fic.

Chapter Nine

Frodo told me that he was going to leave in September. His friend Merry Brandybuck had found him a hole in Buckland and he was to move on his birthday, no later. He was taking Sam with him. Now I was not only loosing Frodo, but Sam as well. Frodo was selling Bag End to the Sackville- Bagginses.

"Why them?" I had asked. I thought that he disliked them.

"They have a right to it," he answered simply.

September seemed to be creeping up on me already. I had only a few months remaining to be with Frodo until he left. Buckland seemed like the other side of the world to me. Every time I thought of Frodo gone and the Sackville-Bagginses living in his Bag End I felt like crying. I didn't though. I felt as if I had to be strong. The leaving must have been so hard for Frodo, and I didn't have to make it any more difficult than it already was. Still, soon it was summer. A beautiful summer we had that year, hot and lush. I spent time with Frodo, but not as much as I'd have liked. Our meetings seemed rather sad. As summer was closing we took a walk up the Water, and came to the place where we had sat last February. I smiled at the memories as we sat down in the same spot.

"I am to be leaving soon," Frodo said. "A week or two."

I cast my eyes to the floor. I had not realised that it was that close.

"I'd like you to have this," he continued. Then he passed me an envelope sealed with a wax stamp. I looked at it, and then went to open it.

"No, not yet." Frodo caught my hand. "You must wait until I am gone, long gone."

I creased my brow, and waited for him to explain.

"It will explain why I must go. But Daisy, remember to always keep the letter hidden. And you must tell no one. Not a living soul."

"You have my word," I promised solemnly. "But I can't read, at least, not very well." Sam had passed on to me what Bilbo had taught him, and as the years went on I was able to read simple passages. Not as well as I'd have liked, but enough to get by.

"Don't worry," Frodo assured me. "You'll be fine."

I smiled at him gratefully. It was good of him to explain properly to me and to care enough to want to. It made me feel slightly better about the situation.

"Thank you Daisy," he said, taking hold of my hand. "Thank you for being so understanding."

I squeezed his hand and leant into his side. We hugged comfortingly and sat together for a time.

"Well, I can visit, can't I?" I said brightly, trying my best to look on the bright side of things.

Frodo looked at me sadly. "Remember the letter. It will explain everything."

I was beginning to feel confused all over again. Why couldn't I visit? And in the recesses of my mind I wondered again why he had not asked for me to come with him. Did he really not want me to? I pondered over this for a long time, and finally decided to simply trust him. He said it would tell me everything in the letter, and I believed him. Soon after that we headed home, and said goodbye at the door of Bag End. I walked slowly home, my heart heavy with impending sadness. The first thing I did when I got inside was to tuck Frodo's letter away safe under my pillow. It was more precious than gold to me.

Everything was very busy up at Bag End. Frodo's furniture was sent up to Buckland by cart, and it all seemed very bare. Sam was helping him, and then it was the day of his birthday. I stayed indoors, watching the comings and goings from the window. I did not want to disturb Frodo, for he was having a birthday supper with his friends. I hoped that I would get to see him before he went. The whole family was sad that he was going, and wished that he could stay. Sam was going to be missed. The Gaffer grumbled about it every spare moment.

"Sackville-Bagginses? What's he selling it to them for? Must be a more decent family around somewhere."

I could hear him now; for the back door was open and he was shovelling soil about, probably wishing that it was a Sackville-Baggins on the end of his spade.

Sam said goodbye to us all at about two o'clock. It made me sad to see him go, and I wept a little into the apple tree at the back of the garden after he left. He was a good lad; we were going to miss him about the house. It was dark when Frodo came over, on the day after his party. It was a quick visit, for he was walking with Sam and young Peregrin Took under the stars that night. As I saw him coming up the path I hurried outside to meet him, not wanting to disturb anyone. We went to the side of the house and stood under the branches of the apple tree, the same one I had cried under just hours earlier.

"Don't forget me," Frodo had said. This had mystified me.

"I'd never forget you!" I said, somewhat indignantly. He smiled, though his eyes looked sad.

"Don't worry," I said. "I will see you again soon."

Then we kissed for the last time, clasping hands tightly. I felt the softness of his lips, touched his hair and his face and felt the warmth and closeness of his body. Then he pulled away and was gone, and for the second time that day I christened the bark of the old apple tree with my tears.

*-*