The windows were open and a warm summer breeze billowed through the curtains. The scent of new summer blooms floated through the house. Bella was reclining in the sitting room, drawing in hand, when the twister came through the corridor. The door slammed and a muffled cry seemed to press through the curtains on the sudden flood of wind. Steps came quick and heavy through the hall and Bella rose to investigate as another door fell loudly shut. She stepped cautiously out of the safety of the living room and peered down the hall in the direction the steps had run. She was about to follow the invisible footsteps when she heard a knock at the front door. When she reached the front room she found Poppy and Mari already there, joined at the hip as always and staring slack jawed down the hall.
'Well, get the door!' Bella insisted, taking on the motherly role for her mischievous sisters. But before they could obey, she rushed forward and opened the door herself to see the face of a quite breathless Frodo Baggins. 'Why, Mr. Baggins, I--!'
'Where's Lily?' he cut her off, forsaking common courtesy.
'I don't know. I--'
'Is she alright?' he interrupted again.
'Mr. Baggins, I haven't--'
'Bella, is Lily alright?!' he asked again forcefully, pushing past her into the front room.
'I'm trying to explain. I--'
'Why wouldn't she be?' Poppy interjected quickly.
'What happened?' Mari finished the thought.
'I don't know; that's why I'm asking you. Now, where is she?' he pressed.
'She went--' and Poppy and Mari pointed as one before going slack-jawed once again.
Bella stood in front of the corridor, arms crossed firmly across her chest. 'If Lily's upset, Mr. Baggins, I think it best that you go.' Bella stated her first full sentence of the conversation with conviction and once again in that motherly tone. It seemed not to matter at all to her that she was but a child and Frodo a grown hobbit twice her age and in god standing as far as standings go. 'The last thing she needs is strange company,' she said and Frodo finally paused in his quest, his breath still coming shortly. He looked queerly at Bella as though she had done something quite odd and completely unexpected, which was the perfect response since she had. Then his eyes shifted focus.
There was a quick silence before the words cut the air. 'Frodo is not strange company.'
Bella spun on her heals. 'Lily!' But there was nothing more for her to say ot the older sister, so she only stood meekly in the doorway as Lily stepped forward confidently, feet completely silent now. Her hair was a mess, curls tumbling every which way. Her dress was rumpled and torn at the hem where it had caught on a low-hanging branch. Her feet were caked with mud from her shortcut through the garden. But she was calm and poised and beautiful. She strode forward with purpose and determination, and for a few brief moments no one could take his eyes off her. And then the spell was broken.
Lily walked straight up to Frodo completely ignoring Bella as she stood in the doorway and, in one quick motion, set her hands to his cheeks and her lips to his mouth. A shriek escaped Mari's lips, but Poppy only stood in admiration. Bella looked as though she might faint. The door opened and Susan rushed in hurriedly from her work in the garden. 'I heard a scream. What's--?' And then she saw. There stood her young daughter molded into the arms of Mr. Baggins, far too close for comfort. In her momentary astonishment, Susan dropped her watering can. A thin layer of water spread over the floor of the room.
Though the shock of the water at their feet did not break up the pair standing in the centre of the room, Mrs. Boffin did. She pushed dear Frodo straight out the door, smacking him with her gloves as she did, and slammed the door in his face. Then, she grabbed Lily by the elbow, leading her towards the kitchen. Before they rounded the corner she turned to Poppy and Mari where they stood still giggling and, motioning to the floor, ordered, 'Clean this up.'
A/N: Please review!