Chapter Ten
Weeks passed and with it, the summer. Autumn swept over the Shire.taking away the green leaves of the trees and turning them into a crisp brown.
Nina awoke in that familiar bed in Bag End, a smile creeping up onto her lips as she turned over and gazed at her Frodo sleeping. Without hesitation, she wrapped am arm around his waist and rested her head on his chest .not wanting to leave yet. But she knew she had to. The sun would be rising soon .if she left now, she could sneak back into her bedroom with no troubles at all .but the way her heart fluttered everytime she was around Frodo was making it more difficult to leave him.
"Oh why do you do this to me?!" she sat up, keeping her hazel eyes on his sleeping form. "Why have you taken over my heart so?"
She didn't expect an answer, what answer could he give her?! After all .she was in love with him, so really, she had allowed him to take over her heart.
"Why can't my father allow me to marry you, Frodo?" she stifled a sob, thinking about her family .and the Broadbeams. "Why can't they see that I'm in love with you? Why can't they see what they are doing to us? Holly says she shall help in any way she can, as do Sam, Rose, Merry and Pippin. But why don't I feel right Frodo? Why can I feel you slipping through my fingers .as if at any moment, you'll disappear. Or at any moment I'll wake up and find that you're a dream, a magical dream .and the Broadbeams are still there .? I don't want that Frodo, I want you. I want us both to be together .with no Broadbeams, no suitors, and a family of our own"
Nina turned her back from Frodo, as she lay back down on the bed, sobbing silently into the pillows. Why did he have to be so perfect? Why did she have to fall in love with him?
"Nina?" Frodo touched her shoulder lightly, frowning. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing, nothing Frodo" she quickly wiped her tears, then turned to face him, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
Frodo frowned and touched her cheek lightly. "You were crying"
Nina didn't respond, just rested against him and closed her eyes.
"Nina?"
"I just ." she started, then paused.
"Just what?"
"Just .can't take this anymore" Frodo lifted her chin so she was forced to face him. He looked scared almost, as if not wanting her to say what he thought she was going to say.
"Can't take what? Us? You mean .you'd rather forget us, go on and marry Friado? Nina, please ." he kissed her forehead and then her cheeks. "Don't leave"
Nina held onto her gentlehobbit tighter. "No, no Frodo .forget you? How could I? Don't think the impossible"
Frodo blinked as she kissed him deeply and desperately. Pulling away, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I just can't take the fact that my family won't allow us to be together .I just ."
"Miss Nina? Mr Frodo?" Rosie's voice came from behind the door. "Its sunrise, I strongly recommend that you be on your way before anyone spots you"
"Yes, Rose, thank you Rose" Nina said back, pulling out of Frodo's embrace, but Frodo pulled her back.
"No, stay here" he begged.
"I can't Frodo, we'll get caught"
"I don't care, just stay"
Nina smiled and shook her head at him, then suddenly pulling the blanket over them both and easing into his embrace.
"There," she smiled. "We can hide under here and be together. Away from the world"
"Yes, no one will ever think to look for us underneath my blanket!" Frodo made a joke out of it, and Nina cocked her eyebrows at him. She just ignored his remark and took his hand in hers, playing with his fingers then entwining her fingers with his.
"I think I should go, Frodo" she said finally, a little uneasy.
"Why?"
"You know why!" she let out a little laugh. "We can meet up sometime today .on the hill - yes! On the hill! No one ever goes there except us!"
"Why can't we stay here?"
"Because I need to go home and change"
"But we're hiding underneath the blanket remember? No one will look for us here!" he laughed again and she tutted and pulled the blanket off them both.
"There!" she smiled in satisfaction. "No hiding now!" with a look out of the window, Nina let out a gasp. "Oh my gosh! The sun has risen. Mama will be cooking breakfast by now!"
They heard a knock on the front door of Bag End and footsteps going to the door and opening it.
"Just stay" Frodo whispered and began to kiss her neck. Nina went to protest but fell into the wonderful feeling of Frodo kissing her. His lips were so soft and made her feel something she'd never felt before.
"Mr Frodo!" Frodo pulled away from Nina quickly and pulled the blanket up, covering their bodies as Sam entered the bedroom, out of breath.
"Sam!" Frodo said, wondering what on earth had gone through Sam's mind to have done such a thing. Nina blushed from head to toe and only managed a faint smile to the gardener.
"Begging your pardon Mr Frodo, Miss Nina . but we need to get Miss Nina out of here!"
Nina frowned.
"The door!" Sam struggled for words. "Mr Roper - he's at the door! Mrs Roper went to awake Nina early this morning but found Nina had disappeared! Mr Roper wants to know if any of us have spotted her!"
Nina kept her body covered but tried to reach for her clothes which were scattered along the floor, fear taking over her. Her father was here .this cannot be good.
"Stall him Sam .please ." Nina begged, her eyes swelling up in tears for the fear that she may be caught and what may happen to Frodo .
"What will you do?"
"Get dressed and rush home. I'll tell mama I went for an early morning walk .please . just keep him from spotting me sneaking back home!"
"I shall" Sam smiled then turned to Frodo. "I'm sorry Mr Frodo"
"Do not worry yourself Sam; we're sorry we put this burden upon you"
"Tis no burden Mr Frodo, none at all. I know what it is like to be in love" he smiled.
"Thank you Sam, a hobbit could not ask for more of a friend"
Sam left, leaving Nina and Frodo to dress.
~~~
"Well Mr Gamgee?" Meruda Roper stood with hands on his hips as Sam returned into the room. "Has Mr Frodo seen my daughter?!"
"I am sorry Sir, but no he hasn't. Mr Frodo has been .sleeping all morning"
"And all night?" Meruda cocked his eyebrows and for a minute, the gardener thought that he knew everything.
"Why yes Sir, of course" Sam stammered.
"Hmm." Meruda sighed. "It's just that something's up with my daughter lately Mr Gamgee. She's not herself ."
"Must be all the lovely excitement" Sam forced a smile just as Frodo rushed in, still doing up his shirt buttons.
"Good morning Mr Roper ." Frodo stammered.
"In a rush Mr Baggins?" Meruda asked.
"Why, when Samwise came in and told me about Nina - I mean Miss Roper .I came to see what the matter was?"
"Nothing of great concern Sir, we just cannot find her .my good wife suggested that she may be here as I've heard you and Nina are good friends"
"That we are Sir" Frodo answered, giving Sam and Rose a quick glance that Nina had gone and was safe for the time being.
"Ah .well if she is not here, we can only assume she has gone to see her fiancé"
Frodo winced. "Oh .Mr Broadbeam .?"
"Yes ." Meruda smiled. "Time will come when she shall be with child. Friado will be so happy."
"Oh, they are trying for offspring?" Wait, Frodo thought to his elf. Why am I asking him this? I want to avoid this subject, not talk about it .
"Soon, very soon" Meruda winked, his face beaming with proudness and happiness. "Friado wishes to look for a house with her. I tell you Master Baggins, he loves my girl, he truly loves her .and I feel proud that I have found the perfect match for my daughter. Only leaves Portia and Nissa now. I must ask Mr Baggins if you have any interests in my daughters at all?"
"Me?" Frodo choked. "Oh .Mr Roper ."
"Portia or Nissa would make grand wives, I can tell you ."
"Well Sir, I ."
"Feel proud Master Baggins, you seem like a gentlehobbit, and from what Nina says .a very caring gentlehobbit at that. You'd make a grand husband to either of my remaining daughters"
"I say thank you but no Sir, meaning no offence of course. You daughters are charming ladies but I cannot dabble in marriage ways as yet .my heart is troubled at this moment in time"
"Ah ." Meruda smiled. "Well, there's no harm in changing your mind .and when you do, be sure to get back to me"
"Er . yes sir"
Frodo nearly let out a cry of frustration when Meruda finally went.
"Thank Elbereth!" Frodo called out in relief. "One more moment talking with him and I'm sure I would have let it all slip!"
Sam and Rose sighed in unison. "We warned you Mr Frodo, we warned you ."
//
"There you are!" Meruda called out as he spotted Nina in the front room of his home. "Where have you been young lady?!"
"Walking, supposedly" Nissa replied in a stuck up tone. Nina gave her sister a warning glance.
"And I WAS walking" Nina pointed out, staring at Nissa the whole while. Nina tried to avoid Portia's ice cold gaze, Portia knew very well where Nina had been.
"Well, you're back now anyhow, so let's forget the racket shall we?" Lilla said, putting her hand to her forehead as though she had a headache.
"Well, Nina," Meruda started. "We're expected at the Broadbeams for 2nd Breakfast so could you please change. You must impress your fiancé"
"Why? He chose me; he knows what I look like"
"You know what we mean, dear," Meruda narrowed his eyes at her, and then turned to his wife. "Oh where are Friagrin and Sogrin?"
"Brandyhall" Nissa blurted out.
"With that Brandybuck and that Took?! Oh lord save us all"
"What's wrong with Merry and Pippin?" Nina asked out aloud. "Why do you pull such glances whenever they are mentioned?"
"Because they are trouble .going out on that quest, leaving us for a year to get over ruled by that Sharkey and his men"
"But Samwise and Frodo went to, but you never speak of them like that!"
"Frodo, Frodo, Frodo!" Nissa turned to Nina. "What's this fascination you have with Frodo?!"
"It's no fascination! I was just merely speaking the truth!"
"Calm it girls, calm it!" Lilla called to her youngest daughters.
"Besides young Nissa, a fascination with Master Baggins would suit you fine. I've been speaking to him this morn and I do believe he is a kind, caring hobbit. He would make a good husband for either you or Portia"
Nina's heart stopped as her father said those words. He was expecting Frodo to marry one of her sisters?!
"Well," Nissa smiled. "I must admit, he is handsome .and kind. And maybe if I marry him, Nina can stop with her fascinations"
Leave him alone! Stay away from him! He's my gentlehobbit! Is what Nina wanted to shout out aloud. But she couldn't.
"And what did Mr Frodo have to say about it?" Nina asked weakly.
Meruda smiled and put an arm around Nissa and Portia. "He says his heart is troubled at the moment, though if he changes his mind, he shall report back to me. And he * shall * change his mind. A hobbit of his age must be in want of a wife. And who better than Portia or Nissa?!"
Enough was enough. Nina wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Things could not get any worse than this. Not at all.
//
The Roper's walked through Hobbiton towards the Broadbeams home for second breakfast. Nina kept her eyes to the ground, trying to hold back the tears. But instead, she began to sing to herself:
'When the cold of winter comes, Starless nights will cover day, In the veiling of the sun, We will walk in bitter rain .
'But in dreams, I still hear your name, And in dreams, We will meet again .
'When the seas and mountains fall, And we come to end of days, In the dark I hear a call, Calling me there, I will go there, And back again .
'But in dreams, I still hear your name, And in dreams, We will meet again'
Portia heard this sweet, young song and grasped hold of Nina's arm, pulling her back so they were a short distance from the family.
"Stop it Nina, stop it now" she warned.
"Stop what?!" Nina said in a loud whisper.
"That singing! That song! It's wrong .you're engaged to Friado"
"Thank you for the horrid reminder"
"Stop it Nina, I'm warning you, I know where you were last night, and I know what you and Frodo did .stop it now"
Portia said her final threat before walking to her family as they walked down the hill leading to the Broadbeams.
Nina sighed, that song meant so much. When the seas and mountains fall, and we come to the end of days, in dreams, I hear your name, and in dreams we shall meet again .
She wanted this meal over and done with. She wanted Frodo and she was damned if she was going to marry Friado and allow either of her sisters to marry her gentlehobbit. But her family couldn't understand, they wouldn't understand. She loved Frodo, * loved * and she was not going to allow her future happiness be thwarted by unnecessary demands and wishes.
But in dreams, I still hear your name, And in dreams, We will meet again .
*A/N hope you are enjoying Eternal so far! And I want to say thank you for those reviews! They mean so much to me. I know you're all dying for a happy ending but if I told you . it wouldn't be a surprise would it?! ( So you'll have to wait! Also, there's a disclaimer - the song 'In Dreams' is NOT mine! It belongs to The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. And if you have the LOTR soundtrack, the song is on number 17 - The breaking of the Fellowship, right at the end of it! Thanks again!*
Weeks passed and with it, the summer. Autumn swept over the Shire.taking away the green leaves of the trees and turning them into a crisp brown.
Nina awoke in that familiar bed in Bag End, a smile creeping up onto her lips as she turned over and gazed at her Frodo sleeping. Without hesitation, she wrapped am arm around his waist and rested her head on his chest .not wanting to leave yet. But she knew she had to. The sun would be rising soon .if she left now, she could sneak back into her bedroom with no troubles at all .but the way her heart fluttered everytime she was around Frodo was making it more difficult to leave him.
"Oh why do you do this to me?!" she sat up, keeping her hazel eyes on his sleeping form. "Why have you taken over my heart so?"
She didn't expect an answer, what answer could he give her?! After all .she was in love with him, so really, she had allowed him to take over her heart.
"Why can't my father allow me to marry you, Frodo?" she stifled a sob, thinking about her family .and the Broadbeams. "Why can't they see that I'm in love with you? Why can't they see what they are doing to us? Holly says she shall help in any way she can, as do Sam, Rose, Merry and Pippin. But why don't I feel right Frodo? Why can I feel you slipping through my fingers .as if at any moment, you'll disappear. Or at any moment I'll wake up and find that you're a dream, a magical dream .and the Broadbeams are still there .? I don't want that Frodo, I want you. I want us both to be together .with no Broadbeams, no suitors, and a family of our own"
Nina turned her back from Frodo, as she lay back down on the bed, sobbing silently into the pillows. Why did he have to be so perfect? Why did she have to fall in love with him?
"Nina?" Frodo touched her shoulder lightly, frowning. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing, nothing Frodo" she quickly wiped her tears, then turned to face him, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
Frodo frowned and touched her cheek lightly. "You were crying"
Nina didn't respond, just rested against him and closed her eyes.
"Nina?"
"I just ." she started, then paused.
"Just what?"
"Just .can't take this anymore" Frodo lifted her chin so she was forced to face him. He looked scared almost, as if not wanting her to say what he thought she was going to say.
"Can't take what? Us? You mean .you'd rather forget us, go on and marry Friado? Nina, please ." he kissed her forehead and then her cheeks. "Don't leave"
Nina held onto her gentlehobbit tighter. "No, no Frodo .forget you? How could I? Don't think the impossible"
Frodo blinked as she kissed him deeply and desperately. Pulling away, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I just can't take the fact that my family won't allow us to be together .I just ."
"Miss Nina? Mr Frodo?" Rosie's voice came from behind the door. "Its sunrise, I strongly recommend that you be on your way before anyone spots you"
"Yes, Rose, thank you Rose" Nina said back, pulling out of Frodo's embrace, but Frodo pulled her back.
"No, stay here" he begged.
"I can't Frodo, we'll get caught"
"I don't care, just stay"
Nina smiled and shook her head at him, then suddenly pulling the blanket over them both and easing into his embrace.
"There," she smiled. "We can hide under here and be together. Away from the world"
"Yes, no one will ever think to look for us underneath my blanket!" Frodo made a joke out of it, and Nina cocked her eyebrows at him. She just ignored his remark and took his hand in hers, playing with his fingers then entwining her fingers with his.
"I think I should go, Frodo" she said finally, a little uneasy.
"Why?"
"You know why!" she let out a little laugh. "We can meet up sometime today .on the hill - yes! On the hill! No one ever goes there except us!"
"Why can't we stay here?"
"Because I need to go home and change"
"But we're hiding underneath the blanket remember? No one will look for us here!" he laughed again and she tutted and pulled the blanket off them both.
"There!" she smiled in satisfaction. "No hiding now!" with a look out of the window, Nina let out a gasp. "Oh my gosh! The sun has risen. Mama will be cooking breakfast by now!"
They heard a knock on the front door of Bag End and footsteps going to the door and opening it.
"Just stay" Frodo whispered and began to kiss her neck. Nina went to protest but fell into the wonderful feeling of Frodo kissing her. His lips were so soft and made her feel something she'd never felt before.
"Mr Frodo!" Frodo pulled away from Nina quickly and pulled the blanket up, covering their bodies as Sam entered the bedroom, out of breath.
"Sam!" Frodo said, wondering what on earth had gone through Sam's mind to have done such a thing. Nina blushed from head to toe and only managed a faint smile to the gardener.
"Begging your pardon Mr Frodo, Miss Nina . but we need to get Miss Nina out of here!"
Nina frowned.
"The door!" Sam struggled for words. "Mr Roper - he's at the door! Mrs Roper went to awake Nina early this morning but found Nina had disappeared! Mr Roper wants to know if any of us have spotted her!"
Nina kept her body covered but tried to reach for her clothes which were scattered along the floor, fear taking over her. Her father was here .this cannot be good.
"Stall him Sam .please ." Nina begged, her eyes swelling up in tears for the fear that she may be caught and what may happen to Frodo .
"What will you do?"
"Get dressed and rush home. I'll tell mama I went for an early morning walk .please . just keep him from spotting me sneaking back home!"
"I shall" Sam smiled then turned to Frodo. "I'm sorry Mr Frodo"
"Do not worry yourself Sam; we're sorry we put this burden upon you"
"Tis no burden Mr Frodo, none at all. I know what it is like to be in love" he smiled.
"Thank you Sam, a hobbit could not ask for more of a friend"
Sam left, leaving Nina and Frodo to dress.
~~~
"Well Mr Gamgee?" Meruda Roper stood with hands on his hips as Sam returned into the room. "Has Mr Frodo seen my daughter?!"
"I am sorry Sir, but no he hasn't. Mr Frodo has been .sleeping all morning"
"And all night?" Meruda cocked his eyebrows and for a minute, the gardener thought that he knew everything.
"Why yes Sir, of course" Sam stammered.
"Hmm." Meruda sighed. "It's just that something's up with my daughter lately Mr Gamgee. She's not herself ."
"Must be all the lovely excitement" Sam forced a smile just as Frodo rushed in, still doing up his shirt buttons.
"Good morning Mr Roper ." Frodo stammered.
"In a rush Mr Baggins?" Meruda asked.
"Why, when Samwise came in and told me about Nina - I mean Miss Roper .I came to see what the matter was?"
"Nothing of great concern Sir, we just cannot find her .my good wife suggested that she may be here as I've heard you and Nina are good friends"
"That we are Sir" Frodo answered, giving Sam and Rose a quick glance that Nina had gone and was safe for the time being.
"Ah .well if she is not here, we can only assume she has gone to see her fiancé"
Frodo winced. "Oh .Mr Broadbeam .?"
"Yes ." Meruda smiled. "Time will come when she shall be with child. Friado will be so happy."
"Oh, they are trying for offspring?" Wait, Frodo thought to his elf. Why am I asking him this? I want to avoid this subject, not talk about it .
"Soon, very soon" Meruda winked, his face beaming with proudness and happiness. "Friado wishes to look for a house with her. I tell you Master Baggins, he loves my girl, he truly loves her .and I feel proud that I have found the perfect match for my daughter. Only leaves Portia and Nissa now. I must ask Mr Baggins if you have any interests in my daughters at all?"
"Me?" Frodo choked. "Oh .Mr Roper ."
"Portia or Nissa would make grand wives, I can tell you ."
"Well Sir, I ."
"Feel proud Master Baggins, you seem like a gentlehobbit, and from what Nina says .a very caring gentlehobbit at that. You'd make a grand husband to either of my remaining daughters"
"I say thank you but no Sir, meaning no offence of course. You daughters are charming ladies but I cannot dabble in marriage ways as yet .my heart is troubled at this moment in time"
"Ah ." Meruda smiled. "Well, there's no harm in changing your mind .and when you do, be sure to get back to me"
"Er . yes sir"
Frodo nearly let out a cry of frustration when Meruda finally went.
"Thank Elbereth!" Frodo called out in relief. "One more moment talking with him and I'm sure I would have let it all slip!"
Sam and Rose sighed in unison. "We warned you Mr Frodo, we warned you ."
//
"There you are!" Meruda called out as he spotted Nina in the front room of his home. "Where have you been young lady?!"
"Walking, supposedly" Nissa replied in a stuck up tone. Nina gave her sister a warning glance.
"And I WAS walking" Nina pointed out, staring at Nissa the whole while. Nina tried to avoid Portia's ice cold gaze, Portia knew very well where Nina had been.
"Well, you're back now anyhow, so let's forget the racket shall we?" Lilla said, putting her hand to her forehead as though she had a headache.
"Well, Nina," Meruda started. "We're expected at the Broadbeams for 2nd Breakfast so could you please change. You must impress your fiancé"
"Why? He chose me; he knows what I look like"
"You know what we mean, dear," Meruda narrowed his eyes at her, and then turned to his wife. "Oh where are Friagrin and Sogrin?"
"Brandyhall" Nissa blurted out.
"With that Brandybuck and that Took?! Oh lord save us all"
"What's wrong with Merry and Pippin?" Nina asked out aloud. "Why do you pull such glances whenever they are mentioned?"
"Because they are trouble .going out on that quest, leaving us for a year to get over ruled by that Sharkey and his men"
"But Samwise and Frodo went to, but you never speak of them like that!"
"Frodo, Frodo, Frodo!" Nissa turned to Nina. "What's this fascination you have with Frodo?!"
"It's no fascination! I was just merely speaking the truth!"
"Calm it girls, calm it!" Lilla called to her youngest daughters.
"Besides young Nissa, a fascination with Master Baggins would suit you fine. I've been speaking to him this morn and I do believe he is a kind, caring hobbit. He would make a good husband for either you or Portia"
Nina's heart stopped as her father said those words. He was expecting Frodo to marry one of her sisters?!
"Well," Nissa smiled. "I must admit, he is handsome .and kind. And maybe if I marry him, Nina can stop with her fascinations"
Leave him alone! Stay away from him! He's my gentlehobbit! Is what Nina wanted to shout out aloud. But she couldn't.
"And what did Mr Frodo have to say about it?" Nina asked weakly.
Meruda smiled and put an arm around Nissa and Portia. "He says his heart is troubled at the moment, though if he changes his mind, he shall report back to me. And he * shall * change his mind. A hobbit of his age must be in want of a wife. And who better than Portia or Nissa?!"
Enough was enough. Nina wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Things could not get any worse than this. Not at all.
//
The Roper's walked through Hobbiton towards the Broadbeams home for second breakfast. Nina kept her eyes to the ground, trying to hold back the tears. But instead, she began to sing to herself:
'When the cold of winter comes, Starless nights will cover day, In the veiling of the sun, We will walk in bitter rain .
'But in dreams, I still hear your name, And in dreams, We will meet again .
'When the seas and mountains fall, And we come to end of days, In the dark I hear a call, Calling me there, I will go there, And back again .
'But in dreams, I still hear your name, And in dreams, We will meet again'
Portia heard this sweet, young song and grasped hold of Nina's arm, pulling her back so they were a short distance from the family.
"Stop it Nina, stop it now" she warned.
"Stop what?!" Nina said in a loud whisper.
"That singing! That song! It's wrong .you're engaged to Friado"
"Thank you for the horrid reminder"
"Stop it Nina, I'm warning you, I know where you were last night, and I know what you and Frodo did .stop it now"
Portia said her final threat before walking to her family as they walked down the hill leading to the Broadbeams.
Nina sighed, that song meant so much. When the seas and mountains fall, and we come to the end of days, in dreams, I hear your name, and in dreams we shall meet again .
She wanted this meal over and done with. She wanted Frodo and she was damned if she was going to marry Friado and allow either of her sisters to marry her gentlehobbit. But her family couldn't understand, they wouldn't understand. She loved Frodo, * loved * and she was not going to allow her future happiness be thwarted by unnecessary demands and wishes.
But in dreams, I still hear your name, And in dreams, We will meet again .
*A/N hope you are enjoying Eternal so far! And I want to say thank you for those reviews! They mean so much to me. I know you're all dying for a happy ending but if I told you . it wouldn't be a surprise would it?! ( So you'll have to wait! Also, there's a disclaimer - the song 'In Dreams' is NOT mine! It belongs to The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. And if you have the LOTR soundtrack, the song is on number 17 - The breaking of the Fellowship, right at the end of it! Thanks again!*