Diamond awoke the next morning with the newly risen sun shining brightly upon her face. She looked to the left of her, and saw Pippin still asleep on the ground, his scarf grasped tightly in his hand. He was still smiling.
"He must be dreaming about food," she thought to herself laughing. Then she walked up to him and gave him a sharp kick in the side.
He awoke suddenly, and shouted "Ow! Well, that was uncalled for, Diamond. You could have simply shaken me or something."
"My apologies," she said laughing. "What were you dreaming of Pippin? Food I suspect, because you had a huge smile on your face."
Pippin blushed a deep shade of red and then said, "I do not remember." In truth he did remember, however he was not confident that now was the time to share his knowledge so he kept quiet.
Pippin's arm was feeling much better, and the only sign of the previous inury was a slight bruise. They ate a small breakfast, and then set out for Bag End. It was not a long walk, but the two walked slowly talking as they did.
"Diamond, I know you probably do not wish to talk about this matter, but what shall you do about Horro and the agreement with your father?" asked Pippin.
"I shan't marry Horro, unless by some paths that fate has in store for me I fall in love with him. That, however, is highly unlikely," she responded carefully. "Why do you ask?"
"I just do not wish to see you unhappily married to someone almost double your age," he responded sincerely.
"Nor do I," said Diamond, "however, there is a good eight months left before I have to face that. Let us not dwell on what might happen. Are we almost to Bag End?"
"Yes, I can already see Bagshot row up ahead. Oh and look there is Merry," replied Pippin.
As Merry drew closer, Pippin thought he noticed an unusual look of sadness in Merrys eyes though he spoke naught of it. When Merry reached them he said, "Where have you been? It is no more than half a day's walk through town."
"We went around Hobbiton, as we did not care to run into our friend Mr. Boffin again," said Pippin. "Then." As Pippin looked at Diamond, he saw the look of embarassment that was rising to her face, and decided not to tell Merry she had gotten lost.
"I thought I knew a shortcut and got us lost. By the time I realized where I had lead us it was too late to continue. I am sorry Merry," said Pippin quickly, unable to think of another decent excuse.
"Honestly Pippin, just when I think you know everywhere there is to go in the Shire, you go and get yourself lost. Come there is much to discuss, but first Diamond needs to meet Frodo Baggins," said Merry. Diamond looked thankfully at Pippin, which caused him to blush slightly, but he turned away to hide it.
The three walked back up Bagshot Row and slowly made their way up the hill that led to Bag End. Diamond thought the house was with its bright green door and beautiful wood.
Merry led them up the path and inside Bag End. It was rather messy, with maps and things strewn around. They could hear sounds coming from the kitchen in the back of the house, and soon a Hobbit walked up from the passage on the left. He had dark hair, and bright blue eyes.
"Frodo, this is our good friend Diamond of Long Cleeve. Diamond, this is Frodo Baggins," said Merry.
"Hello," said Diamond.
"Pleasure to meet you," he replied. "Sam has prepared a nice luncheon if you care for it."
"I certainly would like some of Sam's cooking, for I am starved!" cried Pippin being very much himself.
The four of them walked to the kitchen in the back of the house where another Hobbit stood cooking. He was introduced to Diamond as Sam Gamgee, Frodo's gardener. Once Sam had finished preparing the meal, they all sat down to eat.
"Diamond," said Frodo, "I wonder if the name of Baggins has reached even the North Farthing. It would not be me of course, but my adventurous uncle, Bilbo Baggins."
"That name I have heard before, though in truth I do not know anything about your uncle save his name," she replied.
"I thought everyone had heard the stories of how he left the Shire on his grand adventure and came back laden with riches of the outside world."
"I had not heard such, but I would love to hear the tale sometime, for I am fascinated by adventure. Did he truly leave the Shire?" she asked, quite impressed.
"Yes he did leave, as he has left it now," said Frodo, a look of pure sadness coming over his face.
"You miss him don't you," she said softly.
"Yes, but let us not dwell on sad matters. I have finished my meal, and could do for a walk. Care to join me? I could tell you the story of my uncle's adventure," Frodo offered.
Diamond's eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she quickly agreed. Merry and Sam looked especially pleased about the situation, for they would have time alone to talk about such matters as could not be discussed in front of Frodo, however Pippin was getting quite irritated.
As soon as Frodo and Diamond left the house, Pippin got up to leave too. "Where are you going, Pippin?" asked Merry. "Sam and I need to tell you something while Diamond and Frodo are not here. It cannot be told to them, and this is very important."
"Merry, not now. I have.something.something I need to do," he spat out, trying to think of an excuse to leave, but Merry would not give in so easily.
"Pippin just listen to me, then you may go. Please," Merry begged.
"Fine, what is so important, Merry?" he reluctantly asked.
"Frodo is planning to leave, just as Bilbo did. He is going to pretend to move back to Buckland, selling his wealth and then he is going to leave. We must go with him, Pippin. We cannot let our friend, and kin face the dangers of this world alone," Merry said solemnly.
"Wh...What?" stammered Pippin. "Go with him? Why can we not just convince Frodo to stay here?"
"He must leave, or all shall come to ruin. The Shire will no longer be a place of safety and peace ere this task is not completed," said Sam, speaking for the first time.
"What task? What is going on Merry?" asked Pippin, quite confused.
"I shall explain all, dear cousin." he was cut off by Pippin rising suddenly, remembering his urgency to leave.
"I must go out for a bit, Merry. I shall return shortly and then we shall speak of leaving the Shire," said Pippin, rushing out the door before Merry could get another word in.
"Where is he off to so quickly, Mr. Merry?" asked Sam, confusedly.
"I do not know, but I fear he is not understanding the urgency of what we tell him. I shall speak with him in private later on, perhaps then he shall listen."
"What about your friend, Diamond. Is she to come as well? It shall be a dangerous road Merry, no place for a girl," said Sam.
"I do not wish for harm to come to her, but I think she would be more than capable of protecting herself. Alas, she wishes to leave the Shire more than anything, and would very well despise us for leaving her behind. I shall tell her tonight with Pippin and let her choose for herself," he decided.
Meanwhile Frodo and Diamond were walking along Bagshot row talking of adventure and the lands that lay outside the Shire. Frodo preceeded to tell her of Bilbo's journey to the Lonely Mountain. She listened intently hanging on his every word, for talk of the outside world was something she valued highly, and rarely had the chance to hear.
When he had finished Diamond said, "I wish I could write of such adventures, for my writings are naught compared to that tale." "You write?" he asked curiously.
"Yes, but it is not very good," she replied.
"May I see it?"
Diamond nodded and handed Frodo the book that she kept with her always. They stopped walking so Frodo could read, and sat down beside the road. After some time he handed it back saying, "I think it is wonderful. Where did you ever get the inspiration to write such an staggering story?"
"Thank you," she said happily. "A good deal of it is experiences I have had with Merry and Pippin actually. I just altered the places and changed the names slightly."
"So then your character Peterin represents Pippin I assume, and Daisy is yourself?" Frodo asked with a smile.
"I suppose so, yes," she said slightly embarrassed.
"He did not save you from a wolf did he?"
"Oh no," she added laughing. "It was one of Farmer Maggot's dogs actually. That is what inspired that scene of the story."
Frodo smiled, and standing said, "Do you truly believe in fate and destiny?"
"Why do you ask?" she said curiously.
"Because in your book you wondered if fate had brought you togther. Was that just for purposes of writing, or do you truly believe it?"
"I believe in fate, and I believe that if I had a choice I could fall in love, but I fear that my destiny lies elsewhere," she said solemnly.
"Everyone has a choice," he said.
"Nay, I do not. My father is forcing me to marry in eight months time unless I find a decent suitor before then. It is not that simple however, for my father must agree with whoever I choose. There is no way around the fact that I shall be wed to someone thrice my age, I have come to accept my fate." "True love cannot be forced. It is our actions that determine our destiny, and unless you give in to the darkness there is always hope. Always. Do not give in to the evergrowing despair, promise me that," he said in all seriousness.
"I promise," she said, though she did not fully believe it.
"Diamond, do tell me, where is your father most likely to found?"
"Why should you care to know?" she asked looking up.
"I should like to meet him. Does he stay at your home, or is he abroad?" asked Frodo.
"My father, Aradin, is usually away on business in Overhill, rarely ever is he at home," she said.
"Overhill. Thank you, Diamond. We should be getting back to Bag End, for it has grown late, and I think Afternoon Tea sounds good about now."