Chapter 4 – Secrets

Frodo spent the next few weeks more solitary than ever. He stayed in his study all the time. Sam and Rosie presumed he was reading his notes and adding to the Red Book so they left him alone. Frodo, though was finding it hard to concentrate and found he was thinking of Robin all the time. One day the weather was fine and sunny and Frodo sat staring out of the window, there was a knock on the door. "Sorry Frodo, I don't means to disturb you" He turned to see Sam at his door. Frodo smiled "I'm always glad to see you my dear Sam, what can I do for you"

"Well seeing as its such a beautiful day, me and Rose wondered if we should go for a picnic, you know the three of us" Sam blushed, hating to inconvenience his master. Frodo smiled at Sam but then turned away. "The pleasures of this world grow less for me I'm afraid" Frodo hesitated "But there is one thing that would make my heart joyous again"

"Anything I can do" said Sam, keen to help his master regain some of his former happiness.

Frodo gazed out of the window "Sam, I'm ….. I'm in……." he struggled to say the words. He turned and looked at his faithful friend "Nothing Sam, it doesn't matter. No you go and enjoy yourselves, I'll be ok here"

Sam looked like he was going to say something but decided against it. If Frodo needed to tell him anything, he would find out in due time.

Frodo returned to looking on the garden and thought of a love missed.

"Robin, ROBIN!" the shout echoed around the house. Robin sighed. Her mother had been on her back since she had returned. 'Do this, do that, why aren't you eating, your looking pale' She wished her darling mother would keep out of her life. The door slammed "Robin, didn't you hear me calling? You know your grandmothers coming for tea, hurry up." 'And so life goes on' thought Robin. She felt dejected and kind of hollow inside like life at her home wasn't good enough now. She knew she missed Frodo, she could feel that in her head but her heart ached all the time. She never laughed anymore and rarely smiled, she continued to help her mother around the house but those closest to her knew something was wrong though what she wouldn't say. "The sun is making me tired" or "I think I'm getting a cold" was her usual reply when questioned. She was tired, that was true, tired of people mithering all the time. She was glad when four weeks since her return her cousin Peregrin came to visit.

"My poor cousin" Pip said kissing Robin on both cheeks "Struck with illness though you will see no doctor"

"I am feeling thrice better for seeing you, master Peregrin. But do not worry so for me, I am not a girl anymore"

"This I know" answered Pippin "And the finest Hobbit you are, but regrettably we have lost with age the closeness in youth we shared" Robin sighed and turned away. She couldn't face the questions of her cousin, not yet anyway.

The day after Pip asked Robin if she wanted to go riding with him. Though reluctant at first she finally relented and they headed out east towards Woody End. Robin rode her own pony; his name was Hazel and came from the stables of the Thain. Pip rode one of his many pony's. They cantered for half a day into the East Farthing before they reached the borders of the wood. There they stopped to rest and to eat the lunch they had brought. Robin was quiet as she looked out onto the wooded countryside. Pip chattered away about life in the Smials, affairs up at Michel Delving and the big party for his birthday that was coming soon. After a while he began to notice that she wasn't paying any attention and she hadn't touched any of the food. Pip pulled her shoulder so she was leant back into him. He put his arms round her "what's wrong with you?" he asked. She leant into him, feeling the warmth of another Hobbit that she hadn't felt since…… well it felt like forever.

"I miss him so much" her voice cracked as she spoke and the tears fell down her face.







Pip hugged her while she cried realising she needed to let some things out, but what things he did not know.

Finally her sobs subsided. "What's happened?" asked Pippin softly

She kept her back to him as she spoke "While I was staying in Hobbiton I met a Hobbit, a male Hobbit and we…." She took a deep breath as the memories came back to her. "I spent the night with him" she continued in barely a whisper. Pip had to bow his heads to catch the words. "I know it was wrong because we could never… never… you know? I thought I could come back and live as normal but I cant stop thinking about him."

"Who is it?" Pip asked the question but he knew already the name she would give.

"Frodo" She tears came again. Pip pulled her round into a hug. He didn't know what to say but hoped his support would mean something to her.

The ride back to Tuckborough was a quiet one. Robin felt tired but much relieved at having told someone, though Pip had not spoke yet. Pippin felt so sorry for Robin but didn't know how he could help. If she had asked his advice before he would of counseled her against it, as much as he respected his dear friend he knew deep in his soul that Frodo wouldn't stay in the Shire, and then Robins heart would be broken. But that was by the by now and if two of his closest friends wanted to enjoy what time they had, he would help all he could. At least he would be there for Robin if the worst happened. When they arrived home Pip hugged Robin hard "I will trust in your heart though your mind may be clouded. You are still young but you cannot deny love, be it friendship or more and whence you see clearly you will know what to do. This is the only counsel I can give you for I am not wise, but I will always be there for you." Robin smiled at him "Thank you dearest Peregrin"