Just a query- I have started writing a 'history' for Gilia but I'm not sure if I should post it. If you're interested, let me know and I'll e-mail it to you.

Take my heart away- Chapter 3

Frodo woke up the next morning to Sam shaking him, telling him to rise because Merry was here and desperately wanted to speak to him. Sighing, he dressed and met Merry in his kitchen.

"Is there any thing I can help you with, Merry?" Frodo asked when they had sat down.

"Do you know where Gillie was last night? She didn't come home till after dawn."

Frodo shook his head. "No Merry, I don't."

Merry sighed. "I know you know something Frodo, you're telling me the truth. You know very well that she shouldn't out at night alone. "

"She's in the Shire Merry, she's safe."

"We thought she was safe here before, remember? Then the dwarves attacked and-"

"That was a mistake," Frodo interjected angrily.

"A mistake that left her an orphan. Frodo," he leaned forward in his chair. "You remember what is was like when your parents died Frodo. Gilia it was ten times worse; she had to leave the Shire, you were able to stay with Bilbo."

"Yes, and remember where that got me? I'm a prisoner in my own house Merry, I don't belong among my own people."

"And you think Gilia understands?"

"Well, yes, she doesn't belong among the Elves."

"Frodo, she's been living in the Misty Mountains for 25 years. She never knew about the Fellowship until Legolas visited Galacaida and told them."

"Yes, and how do you think she felt? She had no idea that two of her cousins were put in danger, constantly, and neither you nor Pippin had the common courtesy to write to her and let her know."

"I didn't tell her because she already had enough to worry about. And besides, if I had told her, she would've wanted to come, and Gala or Pippin or I would have allowed that. Yet she would have found a way, and then she would have gotten in trouble. Remember how she was?"

Frodo nodded grimly, memories of a 4-year old Gilia chasing after the three of them, yelling for them to slow down and wait up. Then she'd pretend to go home, but instead she'd be stalking them through the Shire, determined to be included. And only two years after that, her parents died and her world came crashing down around her.

"That was a long time ago," he said softly.

"And yet she hasn't changed."

"Maybe, maybe so," Frodo sighed as he stood up. "Today is set to be long one and I have much to do. I will see you soon."

Merry nodded and left. Frodo collapsed into the chair by the fire. He didn't want to come between Merry and Gillie. He closed his eyes and had just about dropped off to sleep when a loud knocking at his door stirred him.

Shuffling and grumbling slightly, he got up and flung the door open. Standing there was Pippin alone- or was he? For he seemed to be having great difficulty in holding the large, wrapped and struggling parcel he was carrying. He stepped into the entrance hall and put it down gratefully. An almighty tearing rendered the air as who ever it was in side freed it self. Not long afterwards, Gilia stood in the entrance hall with a pile of paper at her feet a scarf covering her face from above her left eye to the right corner of her mouth.

"Not one of your more brilliant ideas Pippin," she said grimly.

"I didn't hear you come up with any thing yourself," he replied. Grinning and shaking his head, Frodo lead them into the kitchen and produced from one of his many pantries, some buns and beer for them to enjoy.

"Gilia, what are you doing here?" he asked her.

"Merry is being horrendous. He won't let me out of Buckland, and it's so boring over there."

"You're the first Brandybuck I've heard say that."

"And it won't be the last time."

Frodo smiled. Gillie had never been able to stand other people telling her what to do. He suddenly remembered she had been living with Gala for 25 years. He wondered how much she still remembers from her childhood.

"Gilia, how much do you remember about Shire life?" he asked her.

A fire started in her eyes as she leant forward and whispered excitedly: "First breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper!"

Frodo laughed. "And I hope the Elves were feeding you properly."

"Oh yes," she nodded. "I taught Gala a thing or two about the Hobbit ways. Now Legolas and the others think she's abnormal; she can't stop eating!"

The three of them laughed, but their mirth was cut short by a banging on the door. Gilia made a sort of gaping sound through her bun and dove into a spare bedroom.

"Merry!" Frodo exclaimed upon opening the door. "Why are you back so soon?"

"I heard Gillie speaking. Where is she?" Merry barged past his second cousin and began to poke his head in every nook and cranny in Frodo's entrance rooms. "Frodo, you really are being ver irresponsible. If her parents were alive-"

"My parents?" Gilia had emerged from her hide out. "How dare you bring my parents into this? Ever since I have arrived home, you have done nothing but lecture me on how to keep my head down and told me constantly to stay home. I am 33 now Merry, you can't tell me what to do, you never could."

"Gillie, do you know why your parents were killed?"

Merry had managed to strike Gilia dumb. She took an involuntary step back. "M-my parents? They died in a fire didn't they," she looked around the room, form one guilty face to another. "D-didn't they?"

"Merry, I don't think is too smart."

"I agree with Pip Merry, are you sure this the right thing to do?"

"I'm positive Frodo," he replied, not taking his eyes from Gilia. "It is time she knew that truth."

Frodo sighed and muttered something about the truth coming out a lot in this room.

Gilia and Merry sat down in chairs opposite to each other at the table. Frodo sat next to her, Pippin next to Merry.

"Gilia, your parents were killed when you were a young Hobbit girl. A band of dwarves, under the command of Nim Woodenarmour attacked your hole and they would have killed you, but they didn't manage, I'm not sure why.

"After I rode with you into the Old Forest, where we meet Galacaida, who agreed to take you with her. She cast a spell and made you forget your whole ordeal."

"Why? Why would she make me forget?"

"We felt you might not've been able to handle it."

"But why did they come to the Shire in the first place? Where are the Iron Hills?"

"The Iron Hills are beyond Erebor, the Lonely Mountain," Frodo put in, knowing most about that area of Middle earth. "We're not sure why they attacked."

"So you see Gillie, you're safest inside, where they can't find you. I'm only trying to help you." Merry pleaded.

Gilia looked from Merry to Pippin to Frodo. Realising she had no other choice, she nodded. "I understand," she said softly. Merry nodded too and together, they stood and left Bag End.