Chapter 10 – Bywater Gossip

Robin was right, she reached Bywater just as the last rays of the sun were sinking below the fells of Michel Delving. She was tired and hungry and the sign of the Green Dragon, as she approached the village, appeared very welcoming.

She dismounted outside the Inn, hitching Hazel outside. The patron, Benji Grubb met her at the door.

"Miss Took, isn't it?" he asked, squinting through the half-light. "Come in, come in" he led Robin through the passage, calling for his helper to stable Hazel, into the lounge were a small group of Hobbits were sat.

"So Miss Took, what can we do you for? Much as it is nice to see you, you're a long way from Tuckborough?"

"Thank you Master Grubb. I will need stabling for my horse and a room and a meal for myself if you please? I'm actually here to visit friends" she finished, not wishing to give the landlord too much information.

"Of course, of course." He answered leading her to one of the rooms off the lounge. "You won't be staying at Bag End then?" his tone was curious.

"I will be visiting Mr. and Mrs. Gamgee on the morrow. But I believe your hospitality will suffice for tonight" Robin turned away, her voice tight with annoyance "I shall have my meal in here" she dismissed him with a wave of her hand.

"As you wish" he replied.

Master Grubb was a good sort but his curiosity and love of gossip sometimes got the better of him. He couldn't wait to tell his customers that a close friend of the Thain and his heroic son was staying at his inn.

"… and whats more she ain't staying with the Gamgees" The good proprietor was in full flow. Quite a large number of Hobbits from the neighbourhood were listening intently, as with Hobbits they loved a good story. "Theres something strange goings on I reckons" he continued "She's one of some breeding not the sort of shehobbit to be vacating a village inn, begging your pardon Mistress Pearly" Pearly waved her hand to show no offence was taken

"Anyway, she more or less told me she's here to visit Sammie and Rose so I asks myself why she's not staying there"

The bustle and chatter quietened as the lounge door was opened but Mr. Grubb was too busy enjoying the attention to notice. "Now I think" he paused for effect "Miss Took isn't staying at Bag End because of Mr. Baggins" he finished triumphantly in a loud voice. He looked surprised as the company hung their heads in silent embarrassment but realised why when he saw the new arrival.

Frodo stood at the door, stayed by the comments of the landlord.

"Mr. Baggins, how nice to see you" Benji shook Frodo's hand laughing nervously "What can I get you, its on the house" he started to lead him to the bar but Frodo stopped. "Excuse me good sir for prying, but as it seems I was the topic of conversation before my entrance may I ask what this so interesting story was about?" The other Hobbits made as though they were busy but kept one ear on what was been said, well they didn't want to miss anything.

Benji lowered his voice "Begging your pardon sir" he bowed "but the conversation didn't rightly concern you but a customer that is staying here. A Miss Robin Took, I believe you have had the acquaintance?" The look on Frodo's face changed from anger, to disbelief then pained. He swayed on his feet, his hands groping blindly for something to hold on to. Benji helped him to a chair calling for strong liquor.

"I'm alright" Frodo gasped after downing the drink. "So Robin's here is she?" he tried to sound nonchalant but the urgent look in his eyes told Benji that there was more to it than inquiring after a friend.

"Yes she arrived at teatime, riding an' all. Says she was visiting the Gamgee's tomorrow. But I shouldn't be saying naught of others business"

"That didn't stop you in front of half of Bywater" Frodo retorted "Anyway I will here her business from herself, which room is she in?"

"At the back there, but sir she will be resting. I don't think…"

"Go back to discussing others business and stop preventing me doing mine" Frodo pushed past the landlord taking the passage that led to Robin's room. The entire room started talking at once, the topic of Master Bagginses funny mood would be discussed for a while.

Robin sighed heavily. 'If that's that dratted landlord, I'll ring his neck' she thought as she rose from the bed to answer the knock. As she opened the door she gasped, putting her hand over her mouth to stifle a scream.

"Was I to know that you were here?" Frodo asked questionly. He had been angry but the fury died as he saw her. "For once I am glad for a proprietors loose tongue. Is it true you were come to Bag End tomorrow? And if so was it to see me?"

The lump in her throat prevented Robin from speaking. Tears started in her eyes.

"Its true" she managed weakly "I have come to see Elanor. It is not fair that my own altruistic counsel should keep me from my friend"

"I would say selfish counsel" answered Frodo "You know that you would have seen me"

"Selfish? Aye maybe you would think so. If crying till I thought my heart would break and my soul shatter can be conceived as been selfish. I am eternally sorry if I have caused you pain but can you not see that I did this for you?" Robin was shaking now, the tears were rolling down her face but they were tears of mixed emotion. She felt angry at her loss of control, bitter joy at seeing him again and hurt that he wasn't declaring his undying love. In fact he wouldn't even look at her. Instead he sat on the bed staring at the floor.

"Did you not think, Robin" he started slowly "That I should have had a say in this, instead of you deciding that we shouldn't be together" his voice shook "Damn it Robin, we could have been happy. I would have forsook all for us. After everything I have been through I thought you would be the one thing that would make the sacrifices have some meaning."

Robin reeled from the hurt in his voice. "I do not know what you mean" she pleaded "But I am guessing that my selfishness, if that is what it was, has worked. You speak in the past tense. Verily you do not care anymore"

"If I speak as what could have been, it is only because I had convinced myself that I would not see you again. If that was your purpose then it worked as far as I was starved of the sight of you. As I look on thee again now I realise that the feelings I held for you have not gone, so as you say verily, but your plan did not work." He looked at her now but still didn't move.

Robin sighed, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Then I have grievously erred and I shall return home, with the first light hither shall I go" Half of her now wished that he would sweep her into his arms. Frodo wasn't the only one whose feelings had returned. Robin walked slowly to him, laying her hand on his arm. He was cold and unyielding but he did not withdraw. "I have regretted what I did every day since" she faltered, unsure of what to say "Alas that I cannot make it better now" Frodo then moved, he took her hand in his and stood.

"Come to Bag End tomorrow as you planned. I am weary and also unsure. The morning may bring better counsel to us both" he stooped to kiss her hand then hesitated. Letting her hand fall he turned and walked out of the room.