Chapter 29: Goodnight My Heart

The next few days I helped Bilbo get back his belongings and acquired a more sturdy bed much to the horrified faces of the hobbits who built it. It was peaceful in the shire and Bilbo and I spent what time we had exploring it. At night we'd spend them tangled in our fiery passion neither of us wanting this to come to an end, but like all things, it sadly had to.

I lied in his arms after such a time since I was to leave for Rivendell in the morning and with every tick of the clock, I dreaded leaving more.

"I wish we didn't have to ever get out of bed." I said into his chest feeling him laugh replying, "We could try though I don't think neither of us would be very successful."

"I never thought I would long for a quiet life like this… if I hadn't met you going off to fight orcs for Rivendell would have been so much easier to accept." I said sadly feeling him tighten his grip around me saying, "Any regrets?"

"Of meeting you, no none at all, of having to leave you for an unknown amount of time yes." I said truthfully while he kissed my forehead saying, "I'm sure it will fly by and I know you'll be safe since Gandalf would have to answer to me should anything harm you."

I laughed at his words saying, "And I know you'll be safe here which will make it a bit easier."

We both fell silent as I failed to hide the yawn that broke through my lips hearing him laugh saying, "You should get some sleep you'll need your rest."

I held him closer closing my eyes saying, "I love you Bilbo Baggins."

"I love you too Lossëa." I heard him say feeling his lips against my forehead before I drifted into the last peaceful sleep I'd probably see for a very long time.

I embraced Bilbo tightly feeling my tears wishing to fall but I held them back wanting to be strong as we stood on the edge of the shire. Despite my stalling, Bilbo knew it was time for me to leave so he coaxed me out of our home seeing he too was fighting his own tears from falling.

"You'll be back before you know it." He kept saying in a reassuring tone but a part of me felt that it wouldn't be that way.

I brought him into a passionate kiss pulling away as our foreheads touched saying, "I want you to keep this with you."

He looked down seeing I had the ring he gave me in my hands looking back up replying, "That is yours, it was a gift."

"It is mine to give… it is a promise of my return." I said as he took it gently from my hands holding it to his chest saying, "I will wait for the day I give it back to you."

I nodded standing up as he smiled sadly towards me watching me grab my bag giving him one more kiss before I turned away. I swallowed hard feeling my tears start to fall looking back to see his tears had done the same but we both gave each other a hopeful smile knowing one day we would be together again.

Ten Years Later

I trekked through the forest finally having a moment of pure peace as the birds chirped with the spring weather fast approaching. I would have made my way here sooner but due to unforeseen circumstances my journey was halted but now I could finally return home the shire. Not much had changed in all the years I spent away seeing most hobbits run off to the fields sneaking by without any worry.

I stopped for a moment smiling fondly at the hobbit hole at the top of the hill before making my way up the side along the forest path. Making my way up I paused feeling my heart flutter in my chest as my eyes began to fill with tears. Though he had required some wrinkles and streaks of silver in his chestnut hair Bilbo looked the same seeing him smoking his pipeweed happily.

Taking a step forward I stopped feeling my chest tighten as a small hobbit came rushing out of the gardens laughing along the way. He had dark brown hair and dazzling blue eyes seeing him make his way to Bilbo.

"Frodo how many times have I told you about stomping around in our garden?" Bilbo said sternly but with a laugh to his voice.

My breath caught in my throat as he said our garden watching the young hobbit look towards Bilbo taking a step back.

"I'm sorry, after lunch can I go play with Sam please?" he asked him with a pleading look in his eyes hearing the laugh I missed so much say, "Of course you can my boy."

This was it, he had moved on just like I feared he would, but how could I blame him though I had been gone for so long it was cruel to make him wait. I looked over at him seeing him smile at the boy closing my eyes, he was happy and I would be selfish to ruin his life now. Deciding to leave before I saw the mother of the hobbit boy I turned away as the wind wiped my hair disappearing behind the trees.

Collapsing against a tree I felt a pang in my heart wincing at the pain but I knew I had to get back to Rivendell.

I began walking again despite the heaviness in my legs feeling tears fall freely from my eyes, "Eyes forward Los, if you look back this will surely hurt."

Numbly I walked through the gates of Rivendell the elves bowing as I entered seeing Elrond look towards me surprised.

"Los my dear you're back earlier than I expected." He said while I looked up at him saying, "I am leaving once my affairs are in order I ask you honor your promise you made before I left."

He nodded somberly not wanting to ask my sudden change of demeanor walking past him towards my room.

I heard the door close seeing Gandalf stare at me as I said hoarsely, "How is she?"

"The worst has passed she should be strong enough for the journey now… where is Bilbo?" he asked looking behind me while I began walking past him saying, "It matters not and I hope you never bring him up to her or speak of it again. Bilbo Baggins and I…"

I felt my throat close clenching my fists saying, "We were friends who helped take back Erebor nothing more."

"Los my dear please reconsider your actions it's not right." He said placing a hand on my shoulder looking up at him with tear-stained cheeks saying, "He's happy Gandalf, even if it's not with me all I want for him to be is happy… please let it be."

He was quiet for a moment before saying, "I won't despite what you say he was happiest with you and whatever path you decide to take my dear I'll be there for you… both of you."

I nodded smiling lightly watching him walk away before taking a shaky breath opening my door seeing the light shine down on the bed where the sleeping form began to stir.

Her eyes fluttered open feeling my heart flutter with sadness and love for those eyes… his eyes…

"Mama?"

Alright, this is the end of this story but the beginning of their daughter's story. I hope everyone enjoyed this and keep your eye out for the sequel :)