I have decided to skip ahead a few years because I'm just writing myself into a hole with this story, unless I move on from where I' up to... Even though I haven't actually been writing for a while. I'm really trying to get back into it because having all of these unfinished stories is bugging me badly. Hopefully I can keep going and get them all finished!
Chapter 9: Departure
Knock knock came a sound on the door. Esmeralda opened the door and Bilbo walked in. "Bilbo, what are you doing here?"
"I've come for Frodo. He wrote in his last letter that he would like a holiday, so here I am!" Bilbo said, looking down the hall and out the back door to see that familiar brunette head coming up the head.
Frodo looked up and his smile widened. "Bilbo!" He exclaimed. He ran the rest of the way and into his Uncle's arms. Little Merry, now two years old, was pattering behind him, huffing and puffing, trying to keep up with his older cousin. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to pick you up, Frodo. You're coming with me to Hobbiton for a holiday. All the arrangements have been made. Mr. Gamgee has helped me all week to get everything ready for you." This was the first time that Frodo was going to be staying with his Uncle by himself without someone there with him.
Frodo's eyes lit up, while Merry's became sad. Frodo was his best friend. Everyone was much older than he was, and Frodo was the only one that gave him any attention, aside from his parents, of course. He tugged on Frodo's shirt, and Frodo bent down to eye level. "I don't want you to go." Merry whispered into Frodo's ear.
Frodo smiled. For a long time he felt that only Bilbo, Esme and Saradoc were the ones who loved him. Everyone else, for some unknown reason, treated him like dirt. He never understood why though. It wasn't like he had ever wronged them in any way. Frodo did hear their parents saying things about him and his family though. And for some reason, Bilbo's name was often mentioned. People would say that he was 'cracked,' whatever that meant.
"It's all right, Merry. I'll be back again soon. And one day, you will be old enough to come with me, won't he Bilbo?" Frodo said, reassuring his friend that everything would be all right without him. He looked at Bilbo who looked down at the pair crouched on the floor and smiled. Frodo's heart was kind and pure. Nothing would taint it.
"Really, Frodo?" Merry's eyes lit up. Both Bilbo and Frodo had told Merry dozens of stories about Hobbiton. So many that it seemed like a fairytale.
"Of course!" Frodo said with a smile.
That night, Frodo packed his small suitcase, with the help of Esme. "I'm so excited, Aunty Esme. Uncle Bilbo's is always so much fun!" Frodo said with a smile, quickly glancing at his Aunty, who was sitting on Frodo's bed taking out the things he had just put into his suitcase and folding them. She always said that it created more room for more things, though Frodo never saw it that way.
"You'll have a lovely time, I'm sure of it, Frodo. Bilbo loves you and I am perfectly sure that he will make your first time staying on your own at Bag End a memorable one." Esme said, smiling and taking out another item of clothing from Frodo's suitcase.
It wasn't long before Frodo (and Esme) were done packing when it was time for bed. Bilbo walked into Frodo's bedroom. "Are you excited, Frodo? You must be feeling pretty mature being able to come and stay with me all by yourself this time," he said with a sly smile. He sat down on the edge of Frodo's bed, watching the young Hobbit try to stifle a yawn. In truth, Bilbo was happy to take Frodo away from Brandyhall, even for just a little while. Ever since Frodo's parents had died, he had always seemed somewhat sad. Whether or not he was concious of it, Bilbo wasn't sure, but his few visits to Brandyhall to see Frodo, he had often noticed that his Nephew was putting on a brave face. If all went well this time, Bilbo was going to ask for custody of Frodo and have him permanently stay at Bag End until he came of Age, then it was up to Frodo where he wanted to stay.
Bilbo would have given anything for Frodo to not constantly have all these reminders of his parents everywhere he looked. It didn't help either that right next to the river where the boats were kept were two plaques that had been placed in memory of Primula and Drogo Baggins. Bilbo knew that Frodo purposefully spent a lot of time down there. Without those plaques at Bag End, Frodo might be able to finally move on with his life.
"Of course, Bilbo!" Frodo said, smiling. "It's going to be so much fun, I can't wait!" Frodo yawned again.
"I think it's time you went off to sleep, Frodo." Bilbo said, getting off the bed carefully and standing up with a stretch. "We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow and then all the fun you could hope for at Bag End." Bilbo kissed Frodo's forehead and left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him.
It wasn't long before Frodo was fast asleep. Tomorrow was going to be so good.
Frodo woke early the next morning; the sun hadn't even risen yet. He laid quietly in bed until he began to hear the stirrings of the other Hobbits that lived at Brandyhall. Frodo was glad that he was going to get away from the business of the place and go out to Bag End where it was quiet.
Frodo wondered who he would meet while he was there. Whenever he stayed at Bag End, there was always someone new around. He wished for someone around his own age that he could hang around with, being that Merry couldn't come with him. Oh, how he would miss his little cousin so!
Frodo turned onto his right side and noticed that his bedroom door was slightly open. It opened a little more to reveal Bilbo standing in his doorway.
"Good morning Frodo." He said with a grin. "How did you sleep?"
"I slept really well, Uncle Bilbo." Frodo didn't, however, mention that he had been finding it difficult to sleep for some time now. His dreams were plagued with feelings of drowning and his parents. He kept it to himself though. He didn't want and didn't need anybody to worry about him.
"Good! Now, it's time for breakfast. We need to be on the road early, Frodo." Bilbo said, shutting the door and allowing Frodo to get dressed. He found himself slightly dreading the long walk, but at the same time anticipating it because it would give him a chance to hear more of Bilbo's stories.
He got dressed and then rushed out of his room, knocking Merry over with a thud. "Oh, Merry! I'm so sorry!" Frodo said, loud enough to here some faint shut up's from other Hobbits still sleeping. Frodo noticed that Merry was sobbing. "Merry, what's wrong?"
"You can't go, Frodo!" Merry said authoritatively and stamping his foot with as much force as his little foot would let him. "You're not leaving. I won't let you." He had folded his arms across his chest and turned his nose in the air. Frodo couldn't help but smile.
"Merry, you silly thing!" He said, hugging his small cousin. "I'll be back before you know it, and I will have so many songs and tales for you you'll want to run away from me," Frodo said with a reassuring smile. "Come on, Bilbo's cooking breakfast." Frodo took Merry's hand and led him into the kitchen. He was going to ask his cousin why he was awake so early, but Frodo guessed why, and he didn't want to upset his cousin even more.
Frodo wanted desperately to ask Esme and Saradoc if it would be okay for Merry to come with him, knowing full well that Bilbo wouldn't mind, but he knew that Merry wouldn't be allowed, so he never asked, even though it took all his might not to say something about it. It made Frodo sad to leave his cousin. But he would only be gone for a week or two and then he'd be back again. Back to the same hustle and bustle of Brandyhall.
Breakfast was eaten quickly and soon it was time for Frodo to depart from Brandyhall. He was delighted to find that Bilbo had hired a Pony and Cart for his journey here and for their journey back.
Before long, Bilbo and Frodo were waving goodbye to the inhabitants of Brandyhall. Merry tried his best to keep up with the cart and run his way to Bag End after the horse and cart, but soon gave up when his legs gave out from underneath him. Esme scooped him up and tickled his stomach, saying "Don't worry, Merry. Frodo will be back again. He's not leaving us yet."
