Deep

By Sistine Chapel

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Hang on you guys; I am eating a bowl of ice cream. Mummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Oh, all gone. Sorry if I have not up-dated in awhile. I liked to thank everyone who reviewed; y'all are real sweet! Ok, I know I have not said this in awhile, but I don't own any characters or ideas of LOTR, except Deep. Here is Chapter 13 of Deep. Enjoy!

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          Frodo took a long sigh as he looked of into the Shire sunset. Everything was so peaceful and quiet till a squeaky voice cried, "Wait! I'm coming Frodo!!!"

          He had known all to well that squeaky voice belonged to none other than Deep. She was the only person he knew that would watch the sunrise and sunset. Deep even got Frodo into the habit.

          When she finally got on to the hill when Frodo was standing, all she could mummer was "wow…" Frodo looked at her.  Deep had a spark in her eyes and the biggest smile on her face.

          "Aarien, " Frodo called Deep by her elvish nickname. "For the past 18 years, you never tire of a sunrise or sunset. Why?"

          Deep chuckled and replied, "My dear hobbit, I love the sun. I grew up in a desert where it was always sunny (and very hot, I might add). I love its' warmth and how its rays lights up everything. It is so beautiful with its golden hue. The sun, in a way, makes me feel safe. I feel that I connect to it, like the elves to the trees, dwarves to stone, men to horses, and you to the Shire." Deep said the last part softly for she knew Frodo had to leave the Shire.

          Of course he would not tell her the real reason, but she knew Frodo had to leave because of the ring ordeal. Because Deep was a "ring wraith", she felt the ring everyday. It sent cold shivers down her spine. And she swore, the shivers were getting colder and stronger everyday. The ring wants to go back to its true master.

          A few months ago when Gandalf came to visit, Frodo told Deep that he wanted to move at of Bag Ends and go back to Brandywine. He asked her if she wanted to come with him or stay in and keep Bag Ends. "After all, " he said, "you are a Baggins." Deep decided to move with Frodo to Brandywine. "I can't leave you Frodo," was Deep's reason for following him.

          You see, Deep was in love with Frodo. She loved him in so many ways; as a friend, a lover, a mentor, etc. No one really knew when her love for him manifested, but it clearly showed when Frodo gave her a present after Bilbo's birthday party. 

Flashback

Gandalf had just gone to sleep, and Frodo and Deep were still up. They were in the parlor, watching the fire burn in the fireplace. Out of the blue, Frodo gave a small box to Deep and simply said to her, "Open it."

Deep looked at Frodo questioningly, but shrugged and began to unwrap it. She suddenly gasped; it was a beautiful blue ring in the box! Frodo took the unwrapped box from Deep and placed the ring on Deep's left ring finger.

Her eyes began to widen. "Could this mean what I think it means?" she asked a little flabbergasted. 'Oh wow! It is not everyday Frodo Baggins asks for your hand in marriage!' she thought. She was kind of scared at the thought of being married.

"It is a friendship ring, Deep. The ring represents the friendship bond you and I share together," Frodo stated. "Oh," Deep was kind of embarrassed.  He grew closer to her and placed his chubby hand over Deep's hand and said softly, "I guess it just you and me."

After he said that, Deep knew that she was in love with Frodo Baggins, not the foolish schoolgirl crush kind, but she was truly in love.

Frodo got up and patted her on the shoulder and said with a big yawn, "I am going to bed now. Good night Deep." He placed a gentle peck on her cheek before he left the parlor. She looked at the ring he gave her. It was just a plain band made out a blue stone. The stone, she realized, was as blue as Frodo's eyes.  Deep just sat there lost and confused, but, some how, changed and enlightened.

End of flashback

          Deep rubbed her blue ring, as she always did out of habit. To her, the ring represented her growing love toward Frodo, but it was a reminder that he didn't love her the same way in return.

          She never took off her ring; it gave her a great comfort, especially in such uneasy times. Deep constantly debated whether or not her decision to go with him was a good one or not. She knew the dangers of Frodo's quest.

          The ring wraiths were out there, and would try to lure her into their dark ways (kind of like Luke Skywalker with Darth Vader). But if they were looking for her, wouldn't they have found her by now? The only conclusion Deep could think of was that they weren't looking for her or they didn't know she existed. Saurman probably didn't tell Sauron that he created a tenth ring wraith.

          But Deep knew she wanted to go for one reason, (actually she wanted to go to see all of the people and places of Middle Earth and have all of the adventures, but it wasn't the MAIN point) to protect Frodo. Well, she couldn't fight at all, but she could help him, but didn't know how. All Deep knew is that she wanted to be by Frodo. And it was that reason that ruled out all the cons, but she knew she had to be careful.

          "Deep, lets go. Pippin and Sam are waiting for us," Frodo was about to walk down the hill, but Deep grabbed his hand. "Wait Frodo! I have something for you! Happy Birthday Frodo!" she handed him a little box.

          Frodo opened it and took out a ring. Frodo smiled at Deep and said "thank you" very meekly. He put his ring on his left ring finger. His ring was a plain band made out of a blackish brownish stone; just like the color of Deep's eyes. "Now you are bound to me; just like I am bound to you," Deep said with a little smile on her face.

          She bent down on her knees and gave Frodo a hug. Deep finally, got up and took her pack. She walked down the hill with Frodo and looked over at Bag Ends one last time. She gave a long sigh.

          "Come on Deep. Bilbo used to say 'Don't look back, just look forward toward the future'," Frodo said and held Deep's hand.

          Deep was shocked, but gave his hand a small squeeze. And as she walked to where Sam and Pippin were, she looked forward, but couldn't help looking toward her side, to Frodo, her Frodo, her future.  

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Ok, I hope that this chapter wasn't too corny or anything. More action in the next chapter; I promise. Till then, later days!