Chapter Six
The tension was becoming unbearable in Bag End. Samwise Gamgee puffed on his pipe - the only noise in the room. "I must go to her" Holly stood up but Rose sat her back down next to Merry. "Leave it" he whispered. "But I can't!" Holly stood up again and Rose put a hand on her shoulder. "What about Frodo?" Rose whispered. The hobbits looked to Frodo's locked bedroom door, not daring to breathe. Frodo had looked so heartbroken and Holly sat down again. "Why did Friado have to choose Nina?" she whispered. "I had tried so hard to put him off her." "Guess he really loves her" Pippin shrugged. "No, not like Frodo does" Holly always had something about her.no one could quite put their fingers on it; but Holly always seemed to know what you were feeling, what you were thinking.Merry often wondered that he was lucky to have her as a sister, she always helped him through difficult situations with his parents when they constantly complained about him. "I think someone should talk to Mr Frodo" Sam spoke up. "But he preferred to be left alone" Rose said, just before going to check on Elanor. "I'll go talk to him," Holly offered, standing up again. Everyone looked up at her, as if pleading silently to make things better. Holly knew that was impossible, but there no harm in re-assurance. She didn't even bother knocking on the door - a bad habit she had picked up many years ago from Merry, but that wasn't what was going through her mind. "Frodo?" she called out as she stuck her head around the door. He was sat next to the window, looking at the dark streets below. He wasn't crying; in fact he had no expression upon his face. Holly edged closer, pulling him into a hug as she faced him. "I'm sorry" she whispered. "It's not your fault" he commented, looking back out of the window. "It's my fault" Holly frowned. "Frodo-" "I shouldn't have told her I loved her. If I kept it secret then she wouldn't have known and everything would be different" "No it wouldn't" Holly stated. "No, of course it wouldn't. You were still in love with her and would have still gone through this pain even if you hadn't told her. And she loves you, she always has" "But it doesn't change anything does it? I got mixed up with someone who can never be mine" "She is yours" "No, not really. She's Friado's, and soon it will be legal" Holly looked down - it was hopeless.
//
Nina aimlessly walked up her hill while the sun rose behind her. It wasn't like any other sun rise, because everytime she had watched the sun rise she had thought of Frodo.now, when she looked at it, she wept. Nina thought about the night before - the party, the proposal, the heavy cheers from the crowds and Frodo's heartbroken eyes. "Nina?!" Frodo stood up immediately as she reached the top of the hill. "Frodo." she breathed, not daring to believe it. "I." he started, then stopped, not knowing exactly what to say. Nina rushed up to him and leapt into his embrace, crying as he held her tightly. "I'm scared" she cried. "I don't want to marry Friado." "I know, I know" he soothed. "But." he pulled away and looked at her tear streaked face. He still found her beautiful. "What is going to happen?" "I don't know" she looked at him. "But I'm going to hold off this wedding for as long as possible, for forever if I can manage it." Frodo looked to her, wanting to remember her beautiful features forever, in case anything bad happened.he wanted t remember her now.holding him, looking into his eyes with so much love and desperation. "We can't hold it off forever" he could do nothing but speak the truth. Meruda Roper had given Friado Broadbeam Nina's hand in marriage; life was so unfair and completely wretched sometimes. "I try not to think about it" Nina sighed, holding him tighter. "All I ever wanted was you.I don't see why I can't have you Frodo, they say dreams come true if you want them too so badly" Frodo bent his head down and kissed her, telling her in more than one way how much he loved her.
//
Nina awoke early to find that she had fallen asleep on the hill. The sun was rising in the pink sky behind her and she smiled when she saw Frodo sleeping peacefully next to her. She sighed and looked down onto the sleeping Shire. It was too peaceful that Nina almost forgot the situation she was in. She turned to Frodo and smiled, moving a dark curl off his forehead. He was too beautiful to imagine, and to think that she was to marry Friado who was just a simple hobbit with nothing to his name. Maybe there was so many hobbit lasses in Hobbiton who found him attractive - but Nina felt completely the opposite. Nina knew too, that there were many hobbit lasses after Frodo - she felt sort of special knowing that Frodo had fallen for her above any other lass. Frodo stirred in his sleep and Nina's breath caught. When those bright blue eyes opened, Nina smiled and couldn't resist not kissing him good morning. "Morning," she smiled, pulling away. Frodo smiled and sat up. "We must have dozed off" Frodo said, taking her hand in his. Nina shrugged. "I don't regret it; I needed a good night sleep after the other night's events. Seems only you can bring me happiness Frodo" "So it seems" he smiled, placing a sweet kiss on her lips. After a long lingering silence, Nina pulled away from his embrace. "I.I must see Holly." she bit her lip nervously. "Is she in a bad way?" "She's just upset" Frodo answered. "She came to see me before I came here last night. Even through her misery she tried to make me feel better.though I don't think it will work - I sharn't be happy unless that Broadbeam leaves our lives" Nina smiled, her heart pounding ferociously in her chest. It was just the impact Frodo had on her. He made her so happy by just looking at her with those blue, blue eyes. Friado did not even compare. "We must go" Frodo announced. "Your parents will worry" "Let them" Nina said sternly. "I'm not going back there with that.that Broadbeam" "Then come to Bag End with me. I know Holly would want to see you" Nina smiled and grasped his hand as he led her to Bag End.
"Nina!" Holly cried as the two hobbits entered Bag End. Holly threw her arms around Nina's neck and hugged her friend. "I'm so sorry! I did all I could to prevent it." "It's alright, Holly, it is not your fault" Nina smiled. "We'll think of something" "And you should hurry" Sam stepped forward. "Not that it'll make any difference anyway begging your pardon Mr Frodo and Miss Nina. From where I am stood, things look pretty hopeless" Merry sighed and shuffled his feet along the floor. "It is not all that hopeless Sam. We all still have one another" he said after a long pause. "And I'm going to postpone the wedding for as long as possible" Nina stated. "But for how long?" Rose asked. "You cannot prevent it forever" Nina looked to Frodo who just shrugged. "I cannot help it Rose, it's the best solution we can think of at this stage" Nina said. Rose sighed. "You'd better be careful - there's no telling what Mr Roper or Mr Broadbeam shall do if they find out" "But they sharn't find out Rose, they sharn't" Holly smiled, full of happiness and confidence. "We shall not let Nina marry some Broadbeam against her will!" "I shall help" Rose announced. "Although at this moment in time I am rather hungry! Anyone for breakfast?" "Hell yes!" Pippin stood up in excitement. It seemed that most of the time, meal times where the highlights of Pip's day. Rose laughed as the young Took followed her into the kitchen and Merry rolled his eyes.
After everyone finished breakfast, Holly helped Rose cleanup whilst the other hobbits sat in the living room, laughing, joking and forgetting the situation they were in. Merry choked on some wine after a hilarious joke Pippin let lose as a knock on the door came out. "Get the door Meriadoc!" Holly ordered mid-laughter. "Fine! Fine!" Merry groaned, walking to the door and opening it. "Well? Who is it?" Sam asked, after a long silent pause from Merry. Friado Broadbeam, smiling sheepishly walked into the front room. Everyone looked towards their feet until the Broadbeams son spoke up. "Ah, Nina, dearest." he held out his hand for her to take. She refused. "What is it Friado?!" she answered, rather harshly, not allowing her eyes to stray to Frodo. "Come along Nina, your mama and papa call for you" "If they must call for me for whatever reason, can't they, themselves fetch me?!" "Nina, Nina darling." "Please do not call me that" she looked down. "Just address me by my name" Friado forced a weak smile and looked to the other hobbits and caught Holly giving him evil glares. "Good evening Ms. Brandybuck how are you this day?" "I am fine, or rather WAS fine. We were having such a lovely time with Nina and we were all going to the Green Dragon Inn together, alone. Like old friends do. If you must take her away, you shall be ruining our fun" "Oh, oh I see." Friado started. "Well, I do suppose I can inform her parents on this matter. However, I was much looking forward to spending the evening with my fiancé.it does not matter, if she has other plans." "I do" Nina stated. "Well.um.I shall see you tomorrow I guess.goodbye" Friado let himself out and Rosie looked to Nina. "There was no need for that attitude" she said quietly. "What else should I do Rosie?!" Nina lashed out. "Be nice to him? Kind to him? Hug him? Kiss him?! I don't love him and I told him I wasn't interested. He chose me anyway!" "Maybe he is in love" "Maybe he is purposely trying to ruin my life" "It cannot be easy for him Nina, you must understand" Rose commented. "Easy for him?!" "Nina, calm down" Frodo said softly. "Please. Why don't we all go to the Green Dragon Inn?" "Oh, I don't know." Nina answered. "We cannot be alone there" "If that's what you want Nina, we shall go" Holly stood up and ushered Pippin and Merry up. "No, no I didn't mean." "I know you didn't" Holly smiled. "Besides, we are depriving you both of being alone with one another. We shall leave, no, really, we insist" "We do?" Pippin looked up and Holly slapped him over the head lightly. "I mean.yes we do.we do insist" he stuttered and Holly smiled in satisfaction. "And we shall go to the inn" Rose announced. "If you would kindly keep an eye on Elanor while we are gone." "Of course" Frodo smiled; thankful he had such caring, thoughtful friends. Truth they did not one hundred percent approve of this situation between he and Nina, except for Holly that is. But they would soon have to learn that he was in love.maybe with another woman who is engaged.but that was the way it was. He couldn't help being in love with everything that she did - the way she smiled, or crinkled up her nose in deep thought.or the way he dimples showed whenever she showed that cute smile. When his friends left, Frodo smiled to Nina and kissed her deeply. "Alone at last" he whispered to her. And for those precious, magical moments, Nina forget everything except him.
The tension was becoming unbearable in Bag End. Samwise Gamgee puffed on his pipe - the only noise in the room. "I must go to her" Holly stood up but Rose sat her back down next to Merry. "Leave it" he whispered. "But I can't!" Holly stood up again and Rose put a hand on her shoulder. "What about Frodo?" Rose whispered. The hobbits looked to Frodo's locked bedroom door, not daring to breathe. Frodo had looked so heartbroken and Holly sat down again. "Why did Friado have to choose Nina?" she whispered. "I had tried so hard to put him off her." "Guess he really loves her" Pippin shrugged. "No, not like Frodo does" Holly always had something about her.no one could quite put their fingers on it; but Holly always seemed to know what you were feeling, what you were thinking.Merry often wondered that he was lucky to have her as a sister, she always helped him through difficult situations with his parents when they constantly complained about him. "I think someone should talk to Mr Frodo" Sam spoke up. "But he preferred to be left alone" Rose said, just before going to check on Elanor. "I'll go talk to him," Holly offered, standing up again. Everyone looked up at her, as if pleading silently to make things better. Holly knew that was impossible, but there no harm in re-assurance. She didn't even bother knocking on the door - a bad habit she had picked up many years ago from Merry, but that wasn't what was going through her mind. "Frodo?" she called out as she stuck her head around the door. He was sat next to the window, looking at the dark streets below. He wasn't crying; in fact he had no expression upon his face. Holly edged closer, pulling him into a hug as she faced him. "I'm sorry" she whispered. "It's not your fault" he commented, looking back out of the window. "It's my fault" Holly frowned. "Frodo-" "I shouldn't have told her I loved her. If I kept it secret then she wouldn't have known and everything would be different" "No it wouldn't" Holly stated. "No, of course it wouldn't. You were still in love with her and would have still gone through this pain even if you hadn't told her. And she loves you, she always has" "But it doesn't change anything does it? I got mixed up with someone who can never be mine" "She is yours" "No, not really. She's Friado's, and soon it will be legal" Holly looked down - it was hopeless.
//
Nina aimlessly walked up her hill while the sun rose behind her. It wasn't like any other sun rise, because everytime she had watched the sun rise she had thought of Frodo.now, when she looked at it, she wept. Nina thought about the night before - the party, the proposal, the heavy cheers from the crowds and Frodo's heartbroken eyes. "Nina?!" Frodo stood up immediately as she reached the top of the hill. "Frodo." she breathed, not daring to believe it. "I." he started, then stopped, not knowing exactly what to say. Nina rushed up to him and leapt into his embrace, crying as he held her tightly. "I'm scared" she cried. "I don't want to marry Friado." "I know, I know" he soothed. "But." he pulled away and looked at her tear streaked face. He still found her beautiful. "What is going to happen?" "I don't know" she looked at him. "But I'm going to hold off this wedding for as long as possible, for forever if I can manage it." Frodo looked to her, wanting to remember her beautiful features forever, in case anything bad happened.he wanted t remember her now.holding him, looking into his eyes with so much love and desperation. "We can't hold it off forever" he could do nothing but speak the truth. Meruda Roper had given Friado Broadbeam Nina's hand in marriage; life was so unfair and completely wretched sometimes. "I try not to think about it" Nina sighed, holding him tighter. "All I ever wanted was you.I don't see why I can't have you Frodo, they say dreams come true if you want them too so badly" Frodo bent his head down and kissed her, telling her in more than one way how much he loved her.
//
Nina awoke early to find that she had fallen asleep on the hill. The sun was rising in the pink sky behind her and she smiled when she saw Frodo sleeping peacefully next to her. She sighed and looked down onto the sleeping Shire. It was too peaceful that Nina almost forgot the situation she was in. She turned to Frodo and smiled, moving a dark curl off his forehead. He was too beautiful to imagine, and to think that she was to marry Friado who was just a simple hobbit with nothing to his name. Maybe there was so many hobbit lasses in Hobbiton who found him attractive - but Nina felt completely the opposite. Nina knew too, that there were many hobbit lasses after Frodo - she felt sort of special knowing that Frodo had fallen for her above any other lass. Frodo stirred in his sleep and Nina's breath caught. When those bright blue eyes opened, Nina smiled and couldn't resist not kissing him good morning. "Morning," she smiled, pulling away. Frodo smiled and sat up. "We must have dozed off" Frodo said, taking her hand in his. Nina shrugged. "I don't regret it; I needed a good night sleep after the other night's events. Seems only you can bring me happiness Frodo" "So it seems" he smiled, placing a sweet kiss on her lips. After a long lingering silence, Nina pulled away from his embrace. "I.I must see Holly." she bit her lip nervously. "Is she in a bad way?" "She's just upset" Frodo answered. "She came to see me before I came here last night. Even through her misery she tried to make me feel better.though I don't think it will work - I sharn't be happy unless that Broadbeam leaves our lives" Nina smiled, her heart pounding ferociously in her chest. It was just the impact Frodo had on her. He made her so happy by just looking at her with those blue, blue eyes. Friado did not even compare. "We must go" Frodo announced. "Your parents will worry" "Let them" Nina said sternly. "I'm not going back there with that.that Broadbeam" "Then come to Bag End with me. I know Holly would want to see you" Nina smiled and grasped his hand as he led her to Bag End.
"Nina!" Holly cried as the two hobbits entered Bag End. Holly threw her arms around Nina's neck and hugged her friend. "I'm so sorry! I did all I could to prevent it." "It's alright, Holly, it is not your fault" Nina smiled. "We'll think of something" "And you should hurry" Sam stepped forward. "Not that it'll make any difference anyway begging your pardon Mr Frodo and Miss Nina. From where I am stood, things look pretty hopeless" Merry sighed and shuffled his feet along the floor. "It is not all that hopeless Sam. We all still have one another" he said after a long pause. "And I'm going to postpone the wedding for as long as possible" Nina stated. "But for how long?" Rose asked. "You cannot prevent it forever" Nina looked to Frodo who just shrugged. "I cannot help it Rose, it's the best solution we can think of at this stage" Nina said. Rose sighed. "You'd better be careful - there's no telling what Mr Roper or Mr Broadbeam shall do if they find out" "But they sharn't find out Rose, they sharn't" Holly smiled, full of happiness and confidence. "We shall not let Nina marry some Broadbeam against her will!" "I shall help" Rose announced. "Although at this moment in time I am rather hungry! Anyone for breakfast?" "Hell yes!" Pippin stood up in excitement. It seemed that most of the time, meal times where the highlights of Pip's day. Rose laughed as the young Took followed her into the kitchen and Merry rolled his eyes.
After everyone finished breakfast, Holly helped Rose cleanup whilst the other hobbits sat in the living room, laughing, joking and forgetting the situation they were in. Merry choked on some wine after a hilarious joke Pippin let lose as a knock on the door came out. "Get the door Meriadoc!" Holly ordered mid-laughter. "Fine! Fine!" Merry groaned, walking to the door and opening it. "Well? Who is it?" Sam asked, after a long silent pause from Merry. Friado Broadbeam, smiling sheepishly walked into the front room. Everyone looked towards their feet until the Broadbeams son spoke up. "Ah, Nina, dearest." he held out his hand for her to take. She refused. "What is it Friado?!" she answered, rather harshly, not allowing her eyes to stray to Frodo. "Come along Nina, your mama and papa call for you" "If they must call for me for whatever reason, can't they, themselves fetch me?!" "Nina, Nina darling." "Please do not call me that" she looked down. "Just address me by my name" Friado forced a weak smile and looked to the other hobbits and caught Holly giving him evil glares. "Good evening Ms. Brandybuck how are you this day?" "I am fine, or rather WAS fine. We were having such a lovely time with Nina and we were all going to the Green Dragon Inn together, alone. Like old friends do. If you must take her away, you shall be ruining our fun" "Oh, oh I see." Friado started. "Well, I do suppose I can inform her parents on this matter. However, I was much looking forward to spending the evening with my fiancé.it does not matter, if she has other plans." "I do" Nina stated. "Well.um.I shall see you tomorrow I guess.goodbye" Friado let himself out and Rosie looked to Nina. "There was no need for that attitude" she said quietly. "What else should I do Rosie?!" Nina lashed out. "Be nice to him? Kind to him? Hug him? Kiss him?! I don't love him and I told him I wasn't interested. He chose me anyway!" "Maybe he is in love" "Maybe he is purposely trying to ruin my life" "It cannot be easy for him Nina, you must understand" Rose commented. "Easy for him?!" "Nina, calm down" Frodo said softly. "Please. Why don't we all go to the Green Dragon Inn?" "Oh, I don't know." Nina answered. "We cannot be alone there" "If that's what you want Nina, we shall go" Holly stood up and ushered Pippin and Merry up. "No, no I didn't mean." "I know you didn't" Holly smiled. "Besides, we are depriving you both of being alone with one another. We shall leave, no, really, we insist" "We do?" Pippin looked up and Holly slapped him over the head lightly. "I mean.yes we do.we do insist" he stuttered and Holly smiled in satisfaction. "And we shall go to the inn" Rose announced. "If you would kindly keep an eye on Elanor while we are gone." "Of course" Frodo smiled; thankful he had such caring, thoughtful friends. Truth they did not one hundred percent approve of this situation between he and Nina, except for Holly that is. But they would soon have to learn that he was in love.maybe with another woman who is engaged.but that was the way it was. He couldn't help being in love with everything that she did - the way she smiled, or crinkled up her nose in deep thought.or the way he dimples showed whenever she showed that cute smile. When his friends left, Frodo smiled to Nina and kissed her deeply. "Alone at last" he whispered to her. And for those precious, magical moments, Nina forget everything except him.