*Peeks out from the darkness*

Hey, everyone! Long time no see. Well, that's what happens when you have multiple story ideas and very little patience to put them on hold. Not to mention real life getting in the way. Who knew it'd take a sudden urge to write at 2 am to get me back on track? I'm going to try and work on this more often. I really want to finish this story.

Lila sighed as she sat by the window, watching the rain pour down outside. Gandalf had been gone for a couple of weeks and she had no word from him. There was no way of telling if he was alright or if anything had happened to him. Bag End was wonderful, she loved living with Frodo. The only problem was she missed her father terribly. Frodo stood in the doorway with a tea kettle in his hands, frowning when he saw his betrothed looking out the window as she had done for the last few days.

"Lila?" he said.

"Huh?"

Lila snapped out of her gaze and turned to see Frodo watching her. She sighed and got up from her chair, walking to the dining table. It was time for afternoon tea, but she hadn't had much of an appetite, most unusual for a Hobbit.

"I know you miss him", he said as he poured the hot tea into the cup. "But, you can't keep waiting for him like that."

"I just worry, Frodo darling", Lila said as she picked up the cup, gently blowing on the hot steam. "Why has he not sent any word?"

"You know Gandalf. He always comes and goes as he pleases."

The two of them sat in silence as they drank their tea. Frodo looked at Lila worried, but then again, he also understood why she was so worried. Gandalf was the only family she had. Life with him, traveling from place to place was all she knew. Lila wouldn't know what to do if she lost Gandalf.

"I know what should get your mind off this business", Frodo smiled trying to cheer her up. "Tomorrow, we'll go to the Green Dragon. We can start preparing for the wedding. We've been engaged this whole time and yet, we have nothing ready. We don't even have a date chosen."

"I want my father to be there", Lila answered. "I don't want him to miss it."

She sighed as she took another sip of tea, jumping when a flash of lightning lit up the house. Frodo looked at her with a smile and put his hand over hers, stroking with his thumb gently. He knew Lila had a fear of storms, stemming from the day she had lost her parents, the day Gandalf found her and took her in. He held her hand and pressed a kiss to it to help calm her down.

"There's no harm in starting preparations, is there?" he asked. "We can send out invitations, choose decorations. By the time Gandalf returns, everything will be ready."

Lila looked at him and gave a slow nod. That was a very smart plan. If everything was ready, they could have the wedding as soon as possible, the way they celebrated Bilbo's birthday. She gave a smile and nodded again.

"Yes", she answered. "That would work out perfect. I could talk to Rosie tomorrow and we can get a wedding dress made."

"Then it's settled", Frodo nodded with a smile.

Lila jumped startled again as she heard a crash of thunder, followed by lightning.

"I just hope the weather settles by then."