'I… I didn't realise.' Gandalf stuttered. 'Everything makes sense now… I should go and apologise to him.'
'No, leave him for a bit. He gets upset like this every so often, and the best thing is to let him be alone for a while, don't annoy him any more.' Merry replied. 'I'll go and talk to him in a few minutes.'
***
'Frodo?' Merry asked quietly, opening the door of their bedroom.
'Leave me alone.' Frodo mumbled. He was lying on his front on his bed, his face buried in his arms.
Merry didn't listen, and instead moved into the room, and sat on Frodo's bed, resting his hand on Frodo's back.
Frodo didn't move for a few minutes, hoping Merry would leave him alone. When he realised that Merry wasn't planning on going away, he slowly turned over and sat up. Merry immediately pulled his friend into a hug as Frodo began to cry.
'I didn't mean to go mad like that.' Frodo cried. 'But I just can't cope! I know Gandalf didn't mean to hurt me, but he did.'
Merry hugged Frodo tighter to try and calm him down. 'Well, at least he knows now. He should be more careful with what he says now.'
Frodo nodded, and gave Merry another hug. Merry was now aware of how close he was to Frodo, and the temptation to kiss him was getting stronger again. To stop himself from doing something he'd later regret, he pulled away from Frodo.
'Merry?' Frodo asked. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing.' Merry said, slightly too quickly. Frodo knew Merry was still next to him, so he pulled him back into a hug before Merry could protest.
That's when it happened – Merry couldn't hold back any longer. Before Frodo knew what was happening, he found himself lying on his back with Merry on top of him. Before he could say anything, Merry was kissing him. What surprised Frodo was that he didn't feel in the slightest bit revolted by this, in fact he quite liked it. He moved his arms around Merry's waist, not pulling away from the kiss.
Merry suddenly realised what he was doing, and pulled away from Frodo. 'I'm sorry.' He said quickly. 'That shouldn't have happened. I don't know what came over me, I…' But he stopped apologising as he realised that Frodo was looking perfectly happy. More than happy, he looked as if all his dreams had come true.
'Frodo?' He asked nervously.
'I love you, Merry.' Frodo said quietly.
~I need some time to get my head round
The things you said to me
Thoughts are whirling round my mind
I never knew that I could feel so strong
Like the way I feel for you
That seemed impossible to me
Said oh, oh, I wish that you could see
Said oh, oh, it's the way it's meant to be
You're the only one I want at night
You keep me warm and make me feel alright
You know that we can work it out
Cause it's alright
I only want to share my life with you
Cause I love all the things you do
Cause I know it's alright
You know that I'm a dreamer
I can change reality
You know it's good times when we're together
We can take our love around the world
We could dance upon the sea
A little bit of work won't be forever
Said oh, oh, I wish that you could see
Said oh, oh, it's the way it's meant to be
You're the only one I want at night
You keep me warm and make me feel alright
You know that we can work it out
Cause it's alright
I only want to share my life with you
Cause I love all the things you do
Cause I know it's alright
I've seen around the world
Climbed the highest heights
To prove my love for you is real
To keep you warm through winter nights
Now baby, I want to let you know the way you've got me feeling
It's guaranteed to keep me here because we're reeling
When there's a problem
Together we can solve them
All we've got to do is keep that perfect world revolving
Said oh, oh, I wish that you could see
Said oh, oh, it's the way it's meant to be
You're the only one I want at night
You keep me warm and make me feel alright
You know that we can work it out
Cause it's alright
I only want to share my life with you
Cause I love all the things you do
Cause I know it's alright ~
Finally, Merry replied, 'I love you too, Frodo. I have done for ages, but I've been to scared to talk to you.'
'Well, you have now.' Frodo said, putting his arms around Merry's neck, and pulling him down for another kiss.
