Jaded
This is set 100 years after Frodo goes to the Grey havens, and sixty years after Sam goes. I think Pippin and Merry go, but I'm not sure, but I'll just say they went a few years after Sam. Legolas and Gimli went loads after, so they are in this fic quiet early. I am also giving myself a cameo role, so deal with it! Just read okay?
Oh yeah, please R and R, but flames will be donated to Sam to cook Bacon with. Mmmmmmmm Bacon.
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Froda lay in bed. It was the first day of her new high school, and she didn't want to get up. She didn't know anyone, and she hated everyone, irrelevant of whom they were. They would hate her too. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered at all when you were in bed. She was a Baggins. That's all there was to her.
Her great Uncle had written the red book, with Sam Gamgee, which most of the history of the shire had been bast. She knew it off by heart, and she also knew that they were lies. All Baggins cracked went mad and talk to themselves in their life. Great Uncle Frodo had been mad and run off into the wood or something when he wrote the red book. The Gamgee's were still respected, as they had money and a good family name. The only one of those that had every done any thing different was Samwise Gamgee, and he didn't count.
She didn't want to get out of bed. Or rather she did, but she wanted to throw furniture at the wall, and scream and just shout at the world until her throat was sore and she started to cry. She couldn't face the leering face of her 'Classmates' today. She hated them, even though she hadn't even met them at all, even once in her life.
Life was easy, when you observed from under the bed covers. But mum wouldn't allow that. She had to get a job after Dad had died during a battle against the orcs. Well, that's what everyone had been told, even her Mum and Herself. But somehow Froda knew it wasn't true. Froda then decided to get up.
Pulling herself up from the bed she plunged herself into the freezing cold air out of bed. Mum couldn't afford heating again. Not after Dad had died. That's what Mum always said, especially straight after Dad had died. Froda had only been twelve, and didn't understand. Whenever she asked for something that Mum couldn't, or wouldn't get, she would say,' I can't afford that, not after your dad died.' It was almost as if her dad had died to punish her.
Froda searched through the clothes on the floor and found a black Hawaiian T-shirt, a black polo neck and navy blue biker pants. She threw them on, and crawled to her mirror. She picked up a lipstick and put it on. Plum coloured lipstick swept gracefully over her lips, like a dark rainbow. She applied mascara and eyeliner liberally, and grabbed her school bag.
She crept out the house quietly, as her brother Ronald and Mum were asleep. She didn't eat breakfast, as she, unlike most hobbits disliked cooking. She was too scared to eat. She would have thrown up if she had eaten. Too late. She threw up into the sink. She was scared out of her mind. She remembered her last school, and what had happened there. She still had some of the bruises and the scars, and not all physical.
She now knew better than to become friends with anyone.
Or fall in love.
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'Sam, I hope you'll have a good first day back,' said Miss Iris Gamgee to her second born son, as she got him breakfast.
'I will mum' He replied as she piled bacon, eggs and fried bread onto his plate.
'We'll be getting some new teachers this year,' said Philippina, his twin sister.
'New meat!' said Sam.
'Now, be nice to them' started Iris…
'We will mum,' smiled Philippina evilly.
' Pippin, as if' grinned Sam. Pippin hit him, and they both grinned.
'Well, I'm starting off' said Sam, finishing the last of his egg. He grabbed his skateboard and slung his school bag on his back. Pippin got up also kissed her Mother gently on the cheek, and throwing her bag onto her back followed Sam out.
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Froda was on her way to school, and was feeling worse than she had all morning. She was cold, pissed off and starting to think about what was to happen. Everyone, no question would reject her, but knowing this didn't make the fact any easier. It somehow made it worse.
She watched as a couple came past. The guy was a hobbit, and had short curly gold-brown hair. She couldn't help herself. She stared at him. He wore a jock jacket * and skater pants, which clashed in meaning, but showed his personality.
The girl with him had long golden hair, like a sunflower, and large Grey eyes. She wore a tight T-shirt with the logo 'You're a bad boy, go to my room ' on it. She also wore a blue skirt with a flower pattern on it. She also wore a jock jacket. *
Froda realised that she had been seen. The couple looked at her and the guy shouted 'Hey, who are you?'
Froda looked away and carried on walking. The girl ran ahead to a group of girls, shouting 'Hey, how are you girlfriend!' She and some of her friends hugged, and ran ahead.
It started to rain. Shit, she had forgotten her umbrella. Her tears ran with the rain down her face. She cried out of the hopelessness of it all, and didn't make a sound. It wasn't as if anyone would want to share an umbrella with her.
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Sam watched the strange girl who had been looking at him and Pippin. She had long black curly hair, long black eyelashes, and skin the whiteness of a ghost, as if she really wasn't here, but a sad memory.
But her eyes were something different. They were large and blue. Not blue like the eyes Pippin claimed to have, which were blue/grey, and not blue like any on any face before. This was a deep pitiless blue, which was blue like the sadness of angel or like a star about to go super nova. Maybe if to describe them in a more hobbit way, they were like the blueness of the sea, when the light shone off it in a certain way.
He realised that he must have scared her when he shouted at her. She seemed delicate, like a dark flower on a wild moor. Ever part of him wanted to hug her gently, and tell her everything would be alright, but every part him told her that she would never let him get that close.
It was something in the way she walked through the rain, which said she had seen to much shit to take it from anyone she would ever meet. He got out his umbrella and tried to walk onto the other side of the road with out her thinking that she was coming on to her.
He walked behind her in the mud, almost copying her walk for a few feet when she suddenly turned around and shouted 'What is wrong with you? Look, I sorry if I *offended* you and your club, but fuck off!'
Sam almost staggered back. No girl had ever shouted at him, except Pippin of course. No girl had ever insulted him. No girl he had ever seen could electrify his soul with any more than a flash from her big blue eyes. He staggered back, and said 'What? I didn't do anything. I suppose you don't want to share an umbrella with me.'
'Actually, I would. Thank you.' Froda walked under the umbrella, and kept her distance from six inches away.
'Who are you anyway?' he asked. If he didn't, he knew that he would kick himself forever.
'Oh, some strange kid.' She said off-hand 'You probably don't want to talk to me. Not many people do.'
'Hey, a nice change for you then. I'm Samwise Gamgee. Named after my great grandfather.' He said with a touch of pride.
'My names Froda. Stupid name, I'm named after my Great grand uncle. Weird I know, it's something that I have to live with.' She said, also offhand. Sam did some mental reckoning in his head.
'Are you Froda Baggins?' he asked.
'Yes. You heard of me?' she said, as if impressed that he could think in a tiny way.
'Nah, just thought it might be your name.' He answered. Then he noticed the black mascara running down her face. 'Were you crying?' He questioned.
'No,' she said defensively,' It's just the rain, and I can't afford good mascara.'
Sam looked at her. They both knew she was lying. She wiped her face with her sleeve, and they both feel silent. After what seemed a short eternity Sam plucked up his courage and asked, 'Are you new to the shire?'
'Sort of, I just moved from Bree. Mum got a new job here, as a layer. Some fight over land or something. Sounds bad, so they got her onto it. She's the best female layer this side of the havens.'
'A layer, that's an unusual profession for a hobbit lass. Maybe if she was an elf, or Dwarf woman, or a human it could be different…'
'You can't keep women under your heel forever you know!' she almost shouted at him,' We have as much brain as the next man!'
'Sorry, we're still a little behind times in the shire.' Apologised Sam.
'Ah, don't worry. I was born in the shire, but we moved before I was three. Lived in Bree, and the Gondor colonies, and the occasional city.' Explained Froda.
'Well, I haven't left the shire ever. The furthest I have been is Overhill. I would love to go and see new place like you seem to.'
'Not if you knew what I do.' She said in almost a whisper, 'Not if you knew what I knew.'
Sam overlooked that comment. She already intrigued him. From what he could tell she was pretty clever in her way, she was streetwise and travelled. He could tell by the way she talked, walked and by the look in her eyes. Just this conversation seemed to have softened her eyes. He smiled at her, and she unexpectedly smiled back.
It stopped raining. Sam held his hand out, and felt the raindrops stop. The sun came out, and warmed his skin a little. He closed his umbrella, put it back into his bag. He could see the building of Shire high from where he was standing.
'How old are you?' he asked.
'21' she answered, 'How about you?'
'21.' He answered.
'Hey, we're in the same class!' she exclaimed,' What are you taking?'
'What?'
'As in classes?' She seemed to explain.
'Oh, History, Geography, Elfish,HE and drama, as well as the usual stuff like common tongue and maths and so on. '
'Snap!' she said, 'Except I take dwarfish instead of HE. Maybe we'll be in the same class.' She smiled at him again with her mouth and eyes and they walked into the school gates.
Sam plucked up his courage and said, 'Maybe you'd like to join me and my mates for Lunch?'
Froda looked at him and said, 'Sure, it's not as if I have anything better to do.'
+++++++++++++++++++++
The school filed into the school hall. Estel, Sam, Merry, Ledron, Pippin, kavamir and Thorin sat together, waiting for the head teacher to tell them to shut up and listen.
'Sam' said Kavamir,' Have you seen the new kid?'
'Which one?' he said distracted.
'The hobbit lass who dresses in black and doesn't talk to anyone.' Said Kavamir, pointing vaguely where Froda was sitting.
'Yeah, she seems sexy in a black, scary way.' Said Estel. Estel was the rich kid of the group, but he was a Prince of some sort. He was also one of the most fancied boys in school, but not only for his money. The only Three other people who where fancied as much as him by the female population of the school were Merodic Brabdybuck, Sam Gamgee and Ledron, Pretty boy as Pippin called him when he pissed her off.
They weren't officially the cool kids, but they were notorious. Although better than obscurity, being notorious isn't better than fame. They were fancied by everyone, they ruled the school and the teachers hated them.
Estel say with his legs open and said, 'Anyone see Xandra this morning?'
Kavamir winked at him and said,' Haven't you?'
Estel looked at his best friend 'No?'
Estel suddenly felt hands run down his front, and stroke him gently. They all looked up.
Xandra loved to make an entrance.
She smiled at them and jumped gracefully over the seat, landing next to Estel.
'Hey Estel, do you still want to see me?' she asked and kissed him. She left a blue lipstick mark on his face. That was her trademark as Xandra the blue. She wore blue grunge trousers, a blue shirt, with a dark blue tank top on top. She also wore blue trainers and blue makeup. She was an Aunia, and would live forever.
Estel stroked her blue hair and kissed her
'Look, ol' Gandy looks as if he's about to start his speech!' said Pippin. Estel and Xandra broke off, and watched the old man on the platform.
The teachers sat in a row behind him, on chairs with stern expressions on their faces. Gandalf straightened up and said,' Hello new and old pupils!'
There was a general cheer from the student paternity.
Gandalf cleared his throat.' Well, here we are again, starting a new school term and a new chance to *achieve*'
No one cheered except the new teachers, who quickly stopped.
'Well, I am so glad to teach at a school where there is so much, and indifference between the pupils about race. In that way we waved goodbye to Mr Epson and Miss Klein last term, and we welcome this term, Mr Greenleaf and Mr Gimli!'
The two new teachers stood up as the pupils cheered. Some of the female pupils in the back fainted when they saw Mr Greenleaf.
'Mr Greenleaf will be taking History, and Mr Gimli will replace Miss Klein in P.E' shouted Gandalf over the admiring fans. Some girls in the back started to shout,' I want to take history!'
Estel groaned. Ledron just looked at Mr Greenleaf. Estel then whispered to Xandra, 'Great, a fat old Dwarf will be taking me for Running. Oh great!'
Ledron said, 'It could be worse, he's taking all of us for Archery. Miss Klein told there was no way I could improve as I was so great, not Mr Gimli, he'll go on about technique and crap'
Thorin gave Ledron a dirty look. Ledron smiled lamely and said, 'Sorry Thorin. But you have to admit that I've got a point.'
'For once I agree with pretty boy,' said Thorin, pretty boy being the name that really pissed Ledron off, 'I am the best axeman. This old geezer looks like he'll go on about my throw and crap. '
Merry said,' So who's wants to take history?'
'Me!' Said Pippin, Xandra and Estel at the same time.
They all looked at Estel. 'I like history.'
Sam looked at the new teachers. He had a strange feeling about them. Like their presents would change everything about their life. He put that thought to the back of his head and said,' Well, Mr Greenleaf looks like a good teacher. All who are taking history say I'
'I' said the eight. They all looked at Kavamir and Thorin. No one was going to ask the obvious question about the class. Kavamir and Thorin hated History.
'Mum made me' explained Kavamir. Everyone laughed. He was a fighter, and he could beat up a mountain troll, but the mental image of Kavamir being attacked by a wet tissue by his mum was too much.
Thorin just said, 'I had to, it was the only way I could continue on the axe throwing team.'
'I'm not surprised, after the way you nearly killed Shari (an elf) last term. She is an arse hole, but you didn't need to do that.' Said Xandra.
'It was totally cool how you pinned her up by the make up bag. Bitch' Added Pippin.
'Hey, I never miss. I am da bomb Pippin' said Thorin clicking his fingers and pointing at her.
'Yeah, but it didn't stop ol' Gandy giving you detention for a month and forcing you to take history.' Added Ledron nastily.
'Excuse me,' said Gandalf from the stand,' I hope I'm not interrupting your conversation Ledron and Thorin. Please pay attention. Or leave.' Ledron and Thorin sat back and kept quiet.
'Well, please try to be nice to your new teachers today, and all strive for new heights. Please go to your first lesson!' the bell rang, and the crowd of pupils filed out.
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'Estel, what've you got first?' asked Xandra.
'Dwarfish.' He said simply.
'Me, Pippin, Sam and Kavamir have HE' said Merry, 'so I'll see you second period.'
They all looked at Kavamir. 'Cooking is a way to the la-diees, especially hobbit girls.'
Pippin gave him a dirty look and threw her bag on the floor. She had always been sensitive about her weight, especially when a guy said anything. When she felt threatened about her weight, people found out that even a fat hobbit girl could beat their brains out, and anything could set her off.
'Sorry' he said quickly, 'But I like to cook, and if anyone has a problem with that they can rot in hell.'
Pippin smiled at him. Kavamir went red. He was specialised in sensitivity in some ways.
Then Mr Gimli appeared behind them,' Chop, chop! You don't want to miss your lesson, do you?'
They walked off to their lessons, but not before Merry mouthed 'Fag' under his breath, which made the group laugh.
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Estel had decided to make friend with the new kid. She seemed all right, but she seemed as if she hated herself and her life, so people hated her. He wanted to do something good for her, but he didn't know why.
Froda sat on her own. She was first in the Classroom, and she chose a seat at the back. No one would see her, and it was a perfect position to create trouble in. She wasn't feeling like having people staring at her and finding reasons to reject her. She had a lunch date, and she felt like things might be different here, but it was unlikely. It never was. The guy, Sam was his name wasn't it, probably wanted to make fun of her or something. Shit, she had told him too much!
Well, it just saved time. Some kids came in. One was a dwarf in polyester trousers and a big red gap sweater. He wore loads of bling-bling, and his beard wad just a goatee. The elf wore grunge trousers, blue Jean of course, and a green long sleeve tee underneath a black tee shirt. Their was a girl dressed in blue, and a human again wearing skater pants and a black hoodie with an obscure cartoon character on it.
The dwarf slumped down next to her and the human sat down beside her. She got up to move for the Girl when the dwarf pulled her back down and said, 'Hey, don't worry, you don't need to move. We can have fun to, can't we.' The elf boy and humans laughed nastily.
She got up to move and walked to the other side of the classroom when the girl in blue pulled her back.
'Look, what is wrong with us?' she asked confrontationally,' do we smell? Why don't you want to sit next to us?' Only then did the girl realise that she held Froda by the neck in the air. The girl put her down and Froda rubbed her neck. She sat down where she had been before, and Xandra and Ledron sat down.
'Well, as we are all friends, tell us a little about yourself?' said Ledron.
'My name's Froda, I've moved here from Bree and you guys are taking the piss.'
'Ohh-oh!' said Xandra, Estel and Thorin at the same time.
'Why aren't you taking HE?' asked Thorin,' Hobbits usually take HE.'
She turned around slowly to him and said coolly, 'I. Don't. Like. H.E'
Xandra looked at her and said,' Who put that bug up your arse?'
There was an intake of breath. The Froda rolled her eyes and said, 'People like you.' She smiled smugly, and turned around.
'You are so fucked up!' said Estel.
'Don't tell me, I already know.' Said Froda.
'Look, why don't you want to talk to us? We just want to know about you?' Said Estel. 'We'll find out, weather it's true or not. It's best you tell us now rather than later!' he shouted at her.
'Look, I don't have to take shit from anybody.' She shouted back at him, 'And definitely not from * You *!'
'You think you're so hard, but you're not!' shouted Xandra,' You won't let anyone near out of fear of rejection, You're just a soft little hobbit!'
Froda went quiet. She sat, turning red with anger. She sat staring at her books, until the whole class came in. The class sat there talking, except for Thorin, Froda, Estel and Xandra. Then their teacher came in. Or rather he didn't. Mr Gimli did. Thorin's jaw dropped.
'Where's Dr Crenin?' he said in a whisper loud enough to wake the dead.
'I'm afraid Mr Crerin isn't here today Thorin, he's still feeling ill after your last attack on him. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from trying to do the same to me, as I would most likely lost my temper, and I don't just give out detentions.'
Thorin looked at Ledron and shrugged his shoulders. Gimli wrote the work up on the board. They copied it up into there rough books. Gimli sat down at the desk and looked at Estel.
'Mr Crenin asked me to get your assignment due to him last term Mr Estel. Would you please give it to me at the end of the lesson?'
Estel looked panicky. 'Ehh, yes! Of course!'
'I hope you will Mr Estel, I hope you do.' Then Mr Gimli got out some paper work, and started work.
Estel gave Xandra a look that explained that he didn't have his work, and that he was in deep shit. Suddenly Froda got out a bit of paper, and said, 'Give me a sample of your writing!'
'What?' Said Estel, mystified.
'Look, I've done my work, just give me a sample of writing and I'll copy it over. Simple.' said Froda urgently.
'Why should I trust you?' said Estel.
'Do you have much choice?' asked Froda.
'Good point. ' Estel wrote out the dwarfish alphabet and gave it to Froda. She went to work instantly.
A few minutes later Estel was still having trouble with the second exercise when Froda finished. She slipped it back to him. He compared it to his runes. Perfect match. He looked at Froda. She had started on the work now, and refused to look at him. Estel pencilled his name on the top, and smiled. He could hardly believe that she would do that for him. She hated him, and everyone, but she had helped him out. She was smart, had brilliant penmanship and an attitude problem.
Perfect.
He put the essay into his book when Mr Gimli stood up, and said; 'Now class, just before the bell goes, I am going to give a quick quiz.' The class groaned as a whole.
'Right, who can tell me how you ask for gold to be transported and turned into a line of rings. Ledron?'
'Err….' Ledron panicked. Then on his desk a piece of paper appeared. He read it out hoping against all hopes.
'Err…dhggf rggfrg fgrfgg fgfgfg fgfgf fgsdsdf hgjhy Herr fghfghf yihgj ' He said hesitantly.
'Good for an Elf, but a little work on pronunciation wouldn't got a miss.' Said Mr Gimli. Ledron looked at Froda. She sat writing, but he could tell by the tear in her rough book that she had given him the answer. She looked up, and gave him a look that said, 'What? What is your problem? '
'Froda, would you please pay attention.' Said Mr Gimli, waking her up from a daydream. 'Would you tell the class how to say that you wish to mine in sector 5.8, as there are possible deposits of mytheril? '
Thorin got ready to laugh. No one but a dwarf could say that out aloud, as it sounded like a person throwing up to other people.
Froda looked a little shocked, but she stood up and said it. In perfect dwarfish. Even Thorin was impressed. Mr Gimli looked very shocked. The class looked shocked. Some hobbit kid seemed to have appeared in their class, and started to speak perfect dwarfish. She sat down, and Mr Gimli said,' Very Good Miss Froda, I have only heard once dwarfish that good from a hobbit twice before, I hope you will keep up your good work.'
Froda went red, and sat down. Estel, Xandra, Ledron and Thorin looked at her. She started to put her books away, as an excuse not to talk to them. The bell rang, and they all started to pack away. Estel was about to walk out when Gimli grabbed him and said,' Mr Estel, would you please give me your work?'
'Err…yes.' He brought out his book, and gave the paper to him. Gimli quickly inspected it. He seemed pleased, and put it into a file. Gimli left, and Estel joined everyone outside.
'Want did he say?' asked Xandra.
'Not much,' Estel said,' I think he suspects, but he didn't say anything.'
'I *need* to talk to that freaky kid.' Said Thorin,' She speaks better dwarfish than me!'
'Thorin, you'll ace dwarfish, whatever.' Said Xandra.
'Baby, I don't just know the basics, I ace it' Confirmed Thorin.
'Look, she's just over there, I need to thank her.' Said Estel, and ran off after her.
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'Hey! Froda!' he shouted as she ran after her. She turned around slowly, and looked at him.
'Look, why are you following me?' She said almost shouting.
'What the fuck is up with you? One minute you're pissed off with me, and the next you get me out of a tight spot! What the hell is going on with you?' shouted Estel at her. Froda opened her locker by kicking it, and threw her books in.
' I don't know why I did that for you, and frankly I don't care why.' She held her head in her hand, 'I'm not feeling that well, just leave me alone.'
'No, not until you talk to me properly. If you helped me, I need to know why. Do you fancy me?'
Froda laughed,' Don't flatter yourself'
'Just tell me!'
'I just got a feeling that I should help you. I don't know where from…'
Then Froda, who had been leaning on the lockers, started to slide down, her arms covering her stomach. Every thing went dizzy, the human guy started to go fuzzy. She fainted. The last thing she saw was a big red eye, Looking at her. It said 'Give it to me!'
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*(Ok, I made up the name, but I think you know what I mean. The type of jacket those sporty kids wear in American sitcoms)
Well, I hope you enjoyed that. Please r and r!
This is set 100 years after Frodo goes to the Grey havens, and sixty years after Sam goes. I think Pippin and Merry go, but I'm not sure, but I'll just say they went a few years after Sam. Legolas and Gimli went loads after, so they are in this fic quiet early. I am also giving myself a cameo role, so deal with it! Just read okay?
Oh yeah, please R and R, but flames will be donated to Sam to cook Bacon with. Mmmmmmmm Bacon.
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Froda lay in bed. It was the first day of her new high school, and she didn't want to get up. She didn't know anyone, and she hated everyone, irrelevant of whom they were. They would hate her too. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered at all when you were in bed. She was a Baggins. That's all there was to her.
Her great Uncle had written the red book, with Sam Gamgee, which most of the history of the shire had been bast. She knew it off by heart, and she also knew that they were lies. All Baggins cracked went mad and talk to themselves in their life. Great Uncle Frodo had been mad and run off into the wood or something when he wrote the red book. The Gamgee's were still respected, as they had money and a good family name. The only one of those that had every done any thing different was Samwise Gamgee, and he didn't count.
She didn't want to get out of bed. Or rather she did, but she wanted to throw furniture at the wall, and scream and just shout at the world until her throat was sore and she started to cry. She couldn't face the leering face of her 'Classmates' today. She hated them, even though she hadn't even met them at all, even once in her life.
Life was easy, when you observed from under the bed covers. But mum wouldn't allow that. She had to get a job after Dad had died during a battle against the orcs. Well, that's what everyone had been told, even her Mum and Herself. But somehow Froda knew it wasn't true. Froda then decided to get up.
Pulling herself up from the bed she plunged herself into the freezing cold air out of bed. Mum couldn't afford heating again. Not after Dad had died. That's what Mum always said, especially straight after Dad had died. Froda had only been twelve, and didn't understand. Whenever she asked for something that Mum couldn't, or wouldn't get, she would say,' I can't afford that, not after your dad died.' It was almost as if her dad had died to punish her.
Froda searched through the clothes on the floor and found a black Hawaiian T-shirt, a black polo neck and navy blue biker pants. She threw them on, and crawled to her mirror. She picked up a lipstick and put it on. Plum coloured lipstick swept gracefully over her lips, like a dark rainbow. She applied mascara and eyeliner liberally, and grabbed her school bag.
She crept out the house quietly, as her brother Ronald and Mum were asleep. She didn't eat breakfast, as she, unlike most hobbits disliked cooking. She was too scared to eat. She would have thrown up if she had eaten. Too late. She threw up into the sink. She was scared out of her mind. She remembered her last school, and what had happened there. She still had some of the bruises and the scars, and not all physical.
She now knew better than to become friends with anyone.
Or fall in love.
_____________________
'Sam, I hope you'll have a good first day back,' said Miss Iris Gamgee to her second born son, as she got him breakfast.
'I will mum' He replied as she piled bacon, eggs and fried bread onto his plate.
'We'll be getting some new teachers this year,' said Philippina, his twin sister.
'New meat!' said Sam.
'Now, be nice to them' started Iris…
'We will mum,' smiled Philippina evilly.
' Pippin, as if' grinned Sam. Pippin hit him, and they both grinned.
'Well, I'm starting off' said Sam, finishing the last of his egg. He grabbed his skateboard and slung his school bag on his back. Pippin got up also kissed her Mother gently on the cheek, and throwing her bag onto her back followed Sam out.
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Froda was on her way to school, and was feeling worse than she had all morning. She was cold, pissed off and starting to think about what was to happen. Everyone, no question would reject her, but knowing this didn't make the fact any easier. It somehow made it worse.
She watched as a couple came past. The guy was a hobbit, and had short curly gold-brown hair. She couldn't help herself. She stared at him. He wore a jock jacket * and skater pants, which clashed in meaning, but showed his personality.
The girl with him had long golden hair, like a sunflower, and large Grey eyes. She wore a tight T-shirt with the logo 'You're a bad boy, go to my room ' on it. She also wore a blue skirt with a flower pattern on it. She also wore a jock jacket. *
Froda realised that she had been seen. The couple looked at her and the guy shouted 'Hey, who are you?'
Froda looked away and carried on walking. The girl ran ahead to a group of girls, shouting 'Hey, how are you girlfriend!' She and some of her friends hugged, and ran ahead.
It started to rain. Shit, she had forgotten her umbrella. Her tears ran with the rain down her face. She cried out of the hopelessness of it all, and didn't make a sound. It wasn't as if anyone would want to share an umbrella with her.
_______________________
Sam watched the strange girl who had been looking at him and Pippin. She had long black curly hair, long black eyelashes, and skin the whiteness of a ghost, as if she really wasn't here, but a sad memory.
But her eyes were something different. They were large and blue. Not blue like the eyes Pippin claimed to have, which were blue/grey, and not blue like any on any face before. This was a deep pitiless blue, which was blue like the sadness of angel or like a star about to go super nova. Maybe if to describe them in a more hobbit way, they were like the blueness of the sea, when the light shone off it in a certain way.
He realised that he must have scared her when he shouted at her. She seemed delicate, like a dark flower on a wild moor. Ever part of him wanted to hug her gently, and tell her everything would be alright, but every part him told her that she would never let him get that close.
It was something in the way she walked through the rain, which said she had seen to much shit to take it from anyone she would ever meet. He got out his umbrella and tried to walk onto the other side of the road with out her thinking that she was coming on to her.
He walked behind her in the mud, almost copying her walk for a few feet when she suddenly turned around and shouted 'What is wrong with you? Look, I sorry if I *offended* you and your club, but fuck off!'
Sam almost staggered back. No girl had ever shouted at him, except Pippin of course. No girl had ever insulted him. No girl he had ever seen could electrify his soul with any more than a flash from her big blue eyes. He staggered back, and said 'What? I didn't do anything. I suppose you don't want to share an umbrella with me.'
'Actually, I would. Thank you.' Froda walked under the umbrella, and kept her distance from six inches away.
'Who are you anyway?' he asked. If he didn't, he knew that he would kick himself forever.
'Oh, some strange kid.' She said off-hand 'You probably don't want to talk to me. Not many people do.'
'Hey, a nice change for you then. I'm Samwise Gamgee. Named after my great grandfather.' He said with a touch of pride.
'My names Froda. Stupid name, I'm named after my Great grand uncle. Weird I know, it's something that I have to live with.' She said, also offhand. Sam did some mental reckoning in his head.
'Are you Froda Baggins?' he asked.
'Yes. You heard of me?' she said, as if impressed that he could think in a tiny way.
'Nah, just thought it might be your name.' He answered. Then he noticed the black mascara running down her face. 'Were you crying?' He questioned.
'No,' she said defensively,' It's just the rain, and I can't afford good mascara.'
Sam looked at her. They both knew she was lying. She wiped her face with her sleeve, and they both feel silent. After what seemed a short eternity Sam plucked up his courage and asked, 'Are you new to the shire?'
'Sort of, I just moved from Bree. Mum got a new job here, as a layer. Some fight over land or something. Sounds bad, so they got her onto it. She's the best female layer this side of the havens.'
'A layer, that's an unusual profession for a hobbit lass. Maybe if she was an elf, or Dwarf woman, or a human it could be different…'
'You can't keep women under your heel forever you know!' she almost shouted at him,' We have as much brain as the next man!'
'Sorry, we're still a little behind times in the shire.' Apologised Sam.
'Ah, don't worry. I was born in the shire, but we moved before I was three. Lived in Bree, and the Gondor colonies, and the occasional city.' Explained Froda.
'Well, I haven't left the shire ever. The furthest I have been is Overhill. I would love to go and see new place like you seem to.'
'Not if you knew what I do.' She said in almost a whisper, 'Not if you knew what I knew.'
Sam overlooked that comment. She already intrigued him. From what he could tell she was pretty clever in her way, she was streetwise and travelled. He could tell by the way she talked, walked and by the look in her eyes. Just this conversation seemed to have softened her eyes. He smiled at her, and she unexpectedly smiled back.
It stopped raining. Sam held his hand out, and felt the raindrops stop. The sun came out, and warmed his skin a little. He closed his umbrella, put it back into his bag. He could see the building of Shire high from where he was standing.
'How old are you?' he asked.
'21' she answered, 'How about you?'
'21.' He answered.
'Hey, we're in the same class!' she exclaimed,' What are you taking?'
'What?'
'As in classes?' She seemed to explain.
'Oh, History, Geography, Elfish,HE and drama, as well as the usual stuff like common tongue and maths and so on. '
'Snap!' she said, 'Except I take dwarfish instead of HE. Maybe we'll be in the same class.' She smiled at him again with her mouth and eyes and they walked into the school gates.
Sam plucked up his courage and said, 'Maybe you'd like to join me and my mates for Lunch?'
Froda looked at him and said, 'Sure, it's not as if I have anything better to do.'
+++++++++++++++++++++
The school filed into the school hall. Estel, Sam, Merry, Ledron, Pippin, kavamir and Thorin sat together, waiting for the head teacher to tell them to shut up and listen.
'Sam' said Kavamir,' Have you seen the new kid?'
'Which one?' he said distracted.
'The hobbit lass who dresses in black and doesn't talk to anyone.' Said Kavamir, pointing vaguely where Froda was sitting.
'Yeah, she seems sexy in a black, scary way.' Said Estel. Estel was the rich kid of the group, but he was a Prince of some sort. He was also one of the most fancied boys in school, but not only for his money. The only Three other people who where fancied as much as him by the female population of the school were Merodic Brabdybuck, Sam Gamgee and Ledron, Pretty boy as Pippin called him when he pissed her off.
They weren't officially the cool kids, but they were notorious. Although better than obscurity, being notorious isn't better than fame. They were fancied by everyone, they ruled the school and the teachers hated them.
Estel say with his legs open and said, 'Anyone see Xandra this morning?'
Kavamir winked at him and said,' Haven't you?'
Estel looked at his best friend 'No?'
Estel suddenly felt hands run down his front, and stroke him gently. They all looked up.
Xandra loved to make an entrance.
She smiled at them and jumped gracefully over the seat, landing next to Estel.
'Hey Estel, do you still want to see me?' she asked and kissed him. She left a blue lipstick mark on his face. That was her trademark as Xandra the blue. She wore blue grunge trousers, a blue shirt, with a dark blue tank top on top. She also wore blue trainers and blue makeup. She was an Aunia, and would live forever.
Estel stroked her blue hair and kissed her
'Look, ol' Gandy looks as if he's about to start his speech!' said Pippin. Estel and Xandra broke off, and watched the old man on the platform.
The teachers sat in a row behind him, on chairs with stern expressions on their faces. Gandalf straightened up and said,' Hello new and old pupils!'
There was a general cheer from the student paternity.
Gandalf cleared his throat.' Well, here we are again, starting a new school term and a new chance to *achieve*'
No one cheered except the new teachers, who quickly stopped.
'Well, I am so glad to teach at a school where there is so much, and indifference between the pupils about race. In that way we waved goodbye to Mr Epson and Miss Klein last term, and we welcome this term, Mr Greenleaf and Mr Gimli!'
The two new teachers stood up as the pupils cheered. Some of the female pupils in the back fainted when they saw Mr Greenleaf.
'Mr Greenleaf will be taking History, and Mr Gimli will replace Miss Klein in P.E' shouted Gandalf over the admiring fans. Some girls in the back started to shout,' I want to take history!'
Estel groaned. Ledron just looked at Mr Greenleaf. Estel then whispered to Xandra, 'Great, a fat old Dwarf will be taking me for Running. Oh great!'
Ledron said, 'It could be worse, he's taking all of us for Archery. Miss Klein told there was no way I could improve as I was so great, not Mr Gimli, he'll go on about technique and crap'
Thorin gave Ledron a dirty look. Ledron smiled lamely and said, 'Sorry Thorin. But you have to admit that I've got a point.'
'For once I agree with pretty boy,' said Thorin, pretty boy being the name that really pissed Ledron off, 'I am the best axeman. This old geezer looks like he'll go on about my throw and crap. '
Merry said,' So who's wants to take history?'
'Me!' Said Pippin, Xandra and Estel at the same time.
They all looked at Estel. 'I like history.'
Sam looked at the new teachers. He had a strange feeling about them. Like their presents would change everything about their life. He put that thought to the back of his head and said,' Well, Mr Greenleaf looks like a good teacher. All who are taking history say I'
'I' said the eight. They all looked at Kavamir and Thorin. No one was going to ask the obvious question about the class. Kavamir and Thorin hated History.
'Mum made me' explained Kavamir. Everyone laughed. He was a fighter, and he could beat up a mountain troll, but the mental image of Kavamir being attacked by a wet tissue by his mum was too much.
Thorin just said, 'I had to, it was the only way I could continue on the axe throwing team.'
'I'm not surprised, after the way you nearly killed Shari (an elf) last term. She is an arse hole, but you didn't need to do that.' Said Xandra.
'It was totally cool how you pinned her up by the make up bag. Bitch' Added Pippin.
'Hey, I never miss. I am da bomb Pippin' said Thorin clicking his fingers and pointing at her.
'Yeah, but it didn't stop ol' Gandy giving you detention for a month and forcing you to take history.' Added Ledron nastily.
'Excuse me,' said Gandalf from the stand,' I hope I'm not interrupting your conversation Ledron and Thorin. Please pay attention. Or leave.' Ledron and Thorin sat back and kept quiet.
'Well, please try to be nice to your new teachers today, and all strive for new heights. Please go to your first lesson!' the bell rang, and the crowd of pupils filed out.
_____________
'Estel, what've you got first?' asked Xandra.
'Dwarfish.' He said simply.
'Me, Pippin, Sam and Kavamir have HE' said Merry, 'so I'll see you second period.'
They all looked at Kavamir. 'Cooking is a way to the la-diees, especially hobbit girls.'
Pippin gave him a dirty look and threw her bag on the floor. She had always been sensitive about her weight, especially when a guy said anything. When she felt threatened about her weight, people found out that even a fat hobbit girl could beat their brains out, and anything could set her off.
'Sorry' he said quickly, 'But I like to cook, and if anyone has a problem with that they can rot in hell.'
Pippin smiled at him. Kavamir went red. He was specialised in sensitivity in some ways.
Then Mr Gimli appeared behind them,' Chop, chop! You don't want to miss your lesson, do you?'
They walked off to their lessons, but not before Merry mouthed 'Fag' under his breath, which made the group laugh.
________________
Estel had decided to make friend with the new kid. She seemed all right, but she seemed as if she hated herself and her life, so people hated her. He wanted to do something good for her, but he didn't know why.
Froda sat on her own. She was first in the Classroom, and she chose a seat at the back. No one would see her, and it was a perfect position to create trouble in. She wasn't feeling like having people staring at her and finding reasons to reject her. She had a lunch date, and she felt like things might be different here, but it was unlikely. It never was. The guy, Sam was his name wasn't it, probably wanted to make fun of her or something. Shit, she had told him too much!
Well, it just saved time. Some kids came in. One was a dwarf in polyester trousers and a big red gap sweater. He wore loads of bling-bling, and his beard wad just a goatee. The elf wore grunge trousers, blue Jean of course, and a green long sleeve tee underneath a black tee shirt. Their was a girl dressed in blue, and a human again wearing skater pants and a black hoodie with an obscure cartoon character on it.
The dwarf slumped down next to her and the human sat down beside her. She got up to move for the Girl when the dwarf pulled her back down and said, 'Hey, don't worry, you don't need to move. We can have fun to, can't we.' The elf boy and humans laughed nastily.
She got up to move and walked to the other side of the classroom when the girl in blue pulled her back.
'Look, what is wrong with us?' she asked confrontationally,' do we smell? Why don't you want to sit next to us?' Only then did the girl realise that she held Froda by the neck in the air. The girl put her down and Froda rubbed her neck. She sat down where she had been before, and Xandra and Ledron sat down.
'Well, as we are all friends, tell us a little about yourself?' said Ledron.
'My name's Froda, I've moved here from Bree and you guys are taking the piss.'
'Ohh-oh!' said Xandra, Estel and Thorin at the same time.
'Why aren't you taking HE?' asked Thorin,' Hobbits usually take HE.'
She turned around slowly to him and said coolly, 'I. Don't. Like. H.E'
Xandra looked at her and said,' Who put that bug up your arse?'
There was an intake of breath. The Froda rolled her eyes and said, 'People like you.' She smiled smugly, and turned around.
'You are so fucked up!' said Estel.
'Don't tell me, I already know.' Said Froda.
'Look, why don't you want to talk to us? We just want to know about you?' Said Estel. 'We'll find out, weather it's true or not. It's best you tell us now rather than later!' he shouted at her.
'Look, I don't have to take shit from anybody.' She shouted back at him, 'And definitely not from * You *!'
'You think you're so hard, but you're not!' shouted Xandra,' You won't let anyone near out of fear of rejection, You're just a soft little hobbit!'
Froda went quiet. She sat, turning red with anger. She sat staring at her books, until the whole class came in. The class sat there talking, except for Thorin, Froda, Estel and Xandra. Then their teacher came in. Or rather he didn't. Mr Gimli did. Thorin's jaw dropped.
'Where's Dr Crenin?' he said in a whisper loud enough to wake the dead.
'I'm afraid Mr Crerin isn't here today Thorin, he's still feeling ill after your last attack on him. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from trying to do the same to me, as I would most likely lost my temper, and I don't just give out detentions.'
Thorin looked at Ledron and shrugged his shoulders. Gimli wrote the work up on the board. They copied it up into there rough books. Gimli sat down at the desk and looked at Estel.
'Mr Crenin asked me to get your assignment due to him last term Mr Estel. Would you please give it to me at the end of the lesson?'
Estel looked panicky. 'Ehh, yes! Of course!'
'I hope you will Mr Estel, I hope you do.' Then Mr Gimli got out some paper work, and started work.
Estel gave Xandra a look that explained that he didn't have his work, and that he was in deep shit. Suddenly Froda got out a bit of paper, and said, 'Give me a sample of your writing!'
'What?' Said Estel, mystified.
'Look, I've done my work, just give me a sample of writing and I'll copy it over. Simple.' said Froda urgently.
'Why should I trust you?' said Estel.
'Do you have much choice?' asked Froda.
'Good point. ' Estel wrote out the dwarfish alphabet and gave it to Froda. She went to work instantly.
A few minutes later Estel was still having trouble with the second exercise when Froda finished. She slipped it back to him. He compared it to his runes. Perfect match. He looked at Froda. She had started on the work now, and refused to look at him. Estel pencilled his name on the top, and smiled. He could hardly believe that she would do that for him. She hated him, and everyone, but she had helped him out. She was smart, had brilliant penmanship and an attitude problem.
Perfect.
He put the essay into his book when Mr Gimli stood up, and said; 'Now class, just before the bell goes, I am going to give a quick quiz.' The class groaned as a whole.
'Right, who can tell me how you ask for gold to be transported and turned into a line of rings. Ledron?'
'Err….' Ledron panicked. Then on his desk a piece of paper appeared. He read it out hoping against all hopes.
'Err…dhggf rggfrg fgrfgg fgfgfg fgfgf fgsdsdf hgjhy Herr fghfghf yihgj ' He said hesitantly.
'Good for an Elf, but a little work on pronunciation wouldn't got a miss.' Said Mr Gimli. Ledron looked at Froda. She sat writing, but he could tell by the tear in her rough book that she had given him the answer. She looked up, and gave him a look that said, 'What? What is your problem? '
'Froda, would you please pay attention.' Said Mr Gimli, waking her up from a daydream. 'Would you tell the class how to say that you wish to mine in sector 5.8, as there are possible deposits of mytheril? '
Thorin got ready to laugh. No one but a dwarf could say that out aloud, as it sounded like a person throwing up to other people.
Froda looked a little shocked, but she stood up and said it. In perfect dwarfish. Even Thorin was impressed. Mr Gimli looked very shocked. The class looked shocked. Some hobbit kid seemed to have appeared in their class, and started to speak perfect dwarfish. She sat down, and Mr Gimli said,' Very Good Miss Froda, I have only heard once dwarfish that good from a hobbit twice before, I hope you will keep up your good work.'
Froda went red, and sat down. Estel, Xandra, Ledron and Thorin looked at her. She started to put her books away, as an excuse not to talk to them. The bell rang, and they all started to pack away. Estel was about to walk out when Gimli grabbed him and said,' Mr Estel, would you please give me your work?'
'Err…yes.' He brought out his book, and gave the paper to him. Gimli quickly inspected it. He seemed pleased, and put it into a file. Gimli left, and Estel joined everyone outside.
'Want did he say?' asked Xandra.
'Not much,' Estel said,' I think he suspects, but he didn't say anything.'
'I *need* to talk to that freaky kid.' Said Thorin,' She speaks better dwarfish than me!'
'Thorin, you'll ace dwarfish, whatever.' Said Xandra.
'Baby, I don't just know the basics, I ace it' Confirmed Thorin.
'Look, she's just over there, I need to thank her.' Said Estel, and ran off after her.
___________
'Hey! Froda!' he shouted as she ran after her. She turned around slowly, and looked at him.
'Look, why are you following me?' She said almost shouting.
'What the fuck is up with you? One minute you're pissed off with me, and the next you get me out of a tight spot! What the hell is going on with you?' shouted Estel at her. Froda opened her locker by kicking it, and threw her books in.
' I don't know why I did that for you, and frankly I don't care why.' She held her head in her hand, 'I'm not feeling that well, just leave me alone.'
'No, not until you talk to me properly. If you helped me, I need to know why. Do you fancy me?'
Froda laughed,' Don't flatter yourself'
'Just tell me!'
'I just got a feeling that I should help you. I don't know where from…'
Then Froda, who had been leaning on the lockers, started to slide down, her arms covering her stomach. Every thing went dizzy, the human guy started to go fuzzy. She fainted. The last thing she saw was a big red eye, Looking at her. It said 'Give it to me!'
________________________________________
*(Ok, I made up the name, but I think you know what I mean. The type of jacket those sporty kids wear in American sitcoms)
Well, I hope you enjoyed that. Please r and r!