'Peregrin, I absolutely forbid it. You will not see Elanor after dark. As long as you live in this house, you will obey me. You don't know whats out there... '

'Oh mother, why do you worry so? Pippin is an almost grown up man, he can handle those things for himself. Besides, Elanor is Samwise Gamgee's daughter, they wont do anything...improper...' Galadrielle added with a snicker.

'Thanks Gala, but I can handle this myself. Your supposed to defending me, not adding to the list of worries that Mother already has.

Anyways Mother, why cant we? We're just going to Ted Sandyman's party, It isnt like some sort of bad thing. I am almost 23, why cant I make my own decisions?' Peregrin frumped.

'Pippin, I love you sweetie, I just dont want to lose you. I know you are engaged to Elanor, but as long as you live in this house, I still have something over your head.... What I mean is that if you leave, ill feel if something missing.... I guess I'll miss having a man around the house.' Lily said with a sigh.

 It wasnt like she completely forgot about him. Frodo was always on her mind, after he left her to go seek sanctuary in Eressea. She with 10 year old Pip, and 9 year old Gala and Alexandriae, it was hard not to forget him. After all, these were his kids; he knew about them, they knew about their father, they just refused to talk about him. Alexiae called him a coward for leaving once, and although Lily smacked her, she wasnt completely wrong. It was kind of cowardly of Frodo to leave her with the kids, but he had his own reasons, and she wasnt to mingle with them.

'Gala, why dont you run down to Fro's and grab some things for dinner, okay? Rose is coming for tea, and we have some personal matters to attend to.' Lily said. 

'Sure thing mother. Besides, I havent talked to Fro in awhile and rumor has it that he's going to ask me to Ted Sandyman's party....'

'Gala...'

'Okay, Okay I'll go. But don't chide me if I'm late...' Galadrielle said with a smile.

After Galadrielle left, and Pip and Alexiae went off to do something, a flashback came to Lily; the night Frodo left her.

'Frodo, please don't leave! You have 3 kids to raise, you cant just leave them; its just not right. I dont want them to go through life not knowing who their father is or was. Frodo, I love you, and the kids love you and the whole town loves you. You can't leave, please don't leave...'

Frodo looked at her sadly. 'I'm sorry Lily. My illnesses, they hurt me so. I cant go on living like this, it's killing me. I must leave. Dont you want me to be better, to live without pain?'

'Yes, but I dont want you to leave. Please Frodo, I beg of you, for the sake of Peregrin and Galadrielle and Alexandriae, please dont leave...'

Frodo made a move towards the door; Lily slammed it shut.

'NO FRODO! I WONT LET YOU LEAVE!' She screamed.

Frodo brushed her request aside. 'Goodbye Lilith, until we meet again...Adieu, and keep this holy kiss... I love you...' He kissed her again, and then opened the door, and walked out of Bag End.

She couldnt stop him from leaving, so when he shut the door, she broke down and sobbed and sobbed. It must have really hurt him, because he had never called by her real name, Lilith. When early the next morning, when Galadrielle, Peregrin, and Alexandriae inquired where their father was, Lily just couldnt lie to them. She told them the whole story, and at the end, they all broke into tears. But the kids were grown up now, they didnt worry if their father was ever coming back, all they worried about was how they looked and what maiden or man was courting them this month. But to Lily, there was something missing, something that couldnt be filled.

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'What am I to do Rose? I am becoming more and more melancholy as the days go by. I fear the kids will fall into my trap to. I just cant pretend to be happy anymore. There's something missing, something that Frodo fulfilled for me. It's been over 10 years, you would think I was over it yet...' said Lily sadly.

Rose looked at her. 'There's nothing much I can do for a broken heart. 10 years is a long time, but not long enough for your heart to mend. I'm sorry you feel this way, and I wish I knew how you felt. Frodo shouldnt have done what he did, but he did, and there is nothing that I can say or do to make you feel any better.'

'Thanks Rose...I just don't know what to do anymore.'

'Don't do anything. Enjoy your life; enjoy time with your kids. Stop your sadness. Be happy that you are well, and that your kids are well. You cant have everything.' Rose said sharply.

'Maybe you're right. This weekend, Gala and Alexiae are going to Brandy Hall to stay with Meriadoc and Estella for a couple of days while I go out to the Grey Havens...'

'You're not going overseas are you?' Rose interrupted.

'No, but I am going there. I want to see the place where Frodo last saw Middle-earth. Maybe that missing piece of me will come back, maybe not. But I am going anyways, to find some solitude.'

'Where is Peregrin going to stay?'

'Right here in Bag End. Him, Galadrielle and Alexandriae just think that I am going on a business endeavor, but I am going to find solitude.' Lily said.

'I hope you find what you are looking for...honestly. I wish I could stay longer, but leaving Sam with Primrose for too long drives him insane. Lilith  --Lily cringed at the name-- promise me you won't do anything you'll regret. I'll see you at tea tomorrow, okay?'

And with that, Rose Gamgee headed out the door to her house at number 13 New Row.