Chapter 11 – With the rising sun

The next morning Frodo was sat in the kitchen with Sam after a good breakfast, Rose was walking about, Elanor in her arms gurgling and smiling.

"I have something to tell you," said Frodo quietly. Sam gave Rose a meaningful look. He knew there had been something wrong with his master.

"I..umm..have…err." he paused, not sure how to tell his friends everything that had happened between Robin and himself. "You may have noticed I have been troubled because, you know, umm…its someone" Sam sat down next to him "You can tell us anything"

"I have met someone" he continued "and today will decide which course it takes"

"Whose 'someone'? What's 'it'? asked Sam

"It's…" he was interrupted by a knock on the door. Rose gave him a look that said 'shall I ignore it' "No Rose, go and answer it, this can wait"

Rose handed Elanor to Sam and went to open the door.

Robin had left Hazel at the Inn and had walked the two miles to Bag End. Landlord Grubb had been polite but not overly chatty. The hobbits had stared at her as she had walked through the village. 'Let them stare' she though 'they will know the truth soon enough'. She was feeling very nervous. Frodo had asked her to come to Bag End and she had but what she was going to do she did not know. She knocked on the round front door.

"ROBIN" screeched Rose, pulling her friend into a warm hug. "This is a nice surprise. Come in, come in. SAM, GUESS WHOS HERE" Rose continued chatting as she let Robin into the house.

Sam had heard Rose's screech and immediately noticed Frodo's expression change. He looked into his eyes and saw a pleading look mixed with despair. He grasped Frodo's hand "I understand" he whispered. In fact he did not understand but he knew his master well enough to realise that it was something to do with Robin. "Whatever you need" he finished quickly as Rose came into the room pulling Robin behind her.

"Look whose here" she said to Sam and Frodo. Then taking Elanor off Sam she passed the bundle to Robin who took it apprehensively, "And this is my beautiful little girl"

"Well Robin it is nice to see you but I am surprised that you have not been sooner" said Sam, everyone in the room noted the sarcastic tone including Robin.

"Hush Samwise Gamgee" snapped Rose "That is no way to speak to guests, especially ones as dear as Robin. I'm sure she will tell us in time now put the kettle on"

"My apologies" bowed Sam "I'm sorry Robin. I am glad to see you"

"Thank you Master Samwise. But you are right I should have been sooner and I hope to amend my absence" She glanced quickly at Frodo. Sam noticed the glance.

That night Sam, Frodo and Robin were sat in the front room. Rose had already gone to bed.

"Well, I will say goodnight" Sam stretched his arms and yawned rather dramatically. "I shall see you both in the morning"

A while after Sam had turned in, the two of them sat in silence. So much had to be said but neither of them knew how to say it.

Frodo coughed "Ehem, err.. We need to discuss this, I think"

Robin nodded emphatically "I agree. So…

The first rays of morning crept slowly over the hills of the Shire bathing the green land in cool light. There was a bite in the air that suggested that frost was on the way and maybe even snow.

Frodo and Robin had talked all night. They started off quite amicable with one another but as the conversation twisted and turned so did the emotions of the Hobbits. First calm, then anger turning to sadness, now despair, now jovial until finally as their incessant talk waned with the moon the sat in comfortable silence each deep in their own thoughts.

"Well" said Robin stirring herself "The morning has come again, and if it was to rise evermore on my heart as it does this day then I would be at peace for eternity."

"Indeed my heart is also eased" replied Frodo "Though it is strange, we have not resolved much yet I feel closer to you now than ever before. Will you not stay? At least for a while. I know that things may seem clearer but do I guess right that you have not decided what the outcome of our conversation will be?"

"Alas, you are right. I am greatful that we have talked this night but I cannot make that decision so early. It has been a long time since I let you go but every day since all I wanted to do was hold you again. Now I have that chance, but I cannot, not yet. Yes Frodo I will stay, 4 weeks I shall take to make my decision. Would it take that long."

The following days passed by and life went on at Bag End. Robin and Frodo had spent a lot of time together, talking and taking short walks around Hobbiton. Sam noticed the change in his master and was glad. He noted his approval to his wife one day.

"Well all's I can say is that she must be good for him. I've never seen him smile so much. I will admit I was a bit worried about him taking up with a lass so young, but, nay, they are good together"

"Now don't be getting ideas Samwise Gamgee" replied Rose "Any fool can see they've had trouble, now just leave 'em be. We can see they're meant to be together but I don't think they do, not yet anyway"

Three weeks into her stay Robin woke up one morning. The sun was already high but she snuggled into her blankets not wanting to move. She thought about everything that had happened since she had arrived. Her and Frodo were getting on very well. He didn't seem to hold any grudges against her nor was he pressing her to make a decision. He just seemed content to be near her and talk to her. Robin already knew what she felt. She loved him, she knew she did but she was determined to wait just a while longer. She did want anything to spoil the perfect bliss she was feeling now. She glanced at the calendar next to her bed; Highdei, 19th Afteryule. Suddenly a realisation cut through her sleepiness. She had forgot that it was her birthday. 'I must have a lot on my mind to not remember my birthday' she thought 'Oh well, I'm too happy to be miserable about it"

She rose then, dressed and joined the others who were in the kitchen sat round the blazing fire.

"Good Morning" said Frodo, rising he took her hand "Come have a look outside"

Robin was puzzled but soon saw what he meant as she looked out of the front door. The whole land around was covered in white. The snow led like a blanket on the rolling fells and hills. Robin could hear the Hobbit children playing in the village below but the sounds were muted. She felt Frodo squeeze the hand that he was still holding.

"Oh its beautiful" she sighed turning to him " I have never seen snow before"

Frodo laughed, a young laugh from the heart. Putting his arms around her he said, "I am glad we have shared this and there will be many more things, but if you go we will never see them together. I cannot let you leave me Robin, not now. I have felt your heart and it beats in time with mine. Don't leave me alone again. I love you"

Robin looked into his eyes and knew he spoke the truth. "Long have I dreamt that you would say those words to me. Dearest Frodo, I will not leave you as long as you need me."

He hugged her to him tightly then pulling away kissed her long and slowly.

"Ahem" they heard a cough behind them. Sam and Rose were stood watching. Sam blushed red "I'm..I'm sorry sir" he stuttered "Didn't means to disturb you" Rose started to laugh.

"Give over, Sam" she said nudging her husband. Coming over to Robin she hugged her "I'm glad that you two have seen sense"

"You mean you knew?" Robin asked

"Of course" Rose replied "You weren't exactly subtle love, the pair of you."

That night Robin was dressing for dinner when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in" she watched the reflection in the mirror as the door opened and Frodo walked in.

He seemed a little nervous but when she turned and smiled at him he relaxed. Sitting on the bed he pulled her to him.

"I want to give you this," he said handing her a small wooden box "Happy Birthday my sweet Robin"

"Oh you didn't need too, how did you know?" she asked enquiringly.

"I have my ways" he replied. Robin opened the box, inside was a silver broach, wrought with pearl and ruby. Robin gasped and kissed him. "It's beautiful, but where is it from?"

"My Uncle Bilbo brought it home from Rivendell with him when he returned from his adventure. He then gave it to my mother, his cousin Primula Brandybuck. It is one of the only things of hers that I have."

"Then you cannot give it me, I do not deserve such a treasured thing"

"Nay, it is but a trinket. You are the only thing that I will treasure" He took out the broach, pinning it to satin shawl she was wearing. "There is one more thing I will give you for your birthday. My home"

Robin looked at him perplexed unsure as to his meaning.

"I mean I would like you to move here and live with me"

Robin was shocked. She could just here her mother's voice 'Moving in with a Hobbit before marriage, disgraceful'

"I know what you are thinking" said Frodo "But do you care?"

"I don't know " said Robin "its just a big shock…"

"Do you love me" Frodo interrupted

Robin hesitated for a second, and just for that second she saw a fleeting look of anguish pass over his eyes. She took both his hands in hers. "Yes, I do. I am so in love with you that it hurts. I cannot imagine being parted from you again, so if that means that we live together then so be it. I do not care what the interfering old maids think.