"Sure." She said. I got up, and headed as inconspicuously as I could to meet Frodo. We went out into the field, where the gentle, silvery moonlight had transformed it into a beautiful, shining landscape.

We walked for a little, and then Frodo turned to face me. "You know Rachael, if it's at all possible, you look even more beautiful in the moonlight. I blushed and ducked my head, but Frodo gently tilted it back up again, before kissing me softly and gently. I ran my fingers through his hair, and our shadows stood out on the hilltop as the dragon firework went off in the background. When we stopped, I pulled Frodo down on the grass.

"Scarlet really likes you," I said slowly. "And I don't know how she'll react to us. Is there any chance of finding her someone else? You know, to help take her mind off things." He thought about this, but then shook his head.

"What about the hobbit I was dancing with earlier? The one with the blonde hair?" At this, Frodo's face darkened. "That was Jonas Proudfoot. His family considers him an outcast, and they refuse to talk to him. He can be charming enough, but he wanders off into the Dark Forest for days on his own. You had best stay clear of him." I pressed my finger to my lips, because I had heard someone approaching. We lay down in the shadow of the hill and cuddled into each other, trying to reduce the risk of being seen, especially by Scarlet.

"Well, well. If it isn't the two lovebirds." Sneered a voice from the dark. Jonas came out from the shadows, and sat down beside us. He slid his arm around my waist, but I pulled away and snuggled closer to Frodo, who protectively wrapped his arms round me. "Tut tut. What will Scarlet think of you? Betraying her like that. She's a nice girl. I was talking to her earlier. And you, Frodo. Does your beloved know of your plans to leave Hobbiton?" I sat up and defiantly stared him in the eye.

"Of course I know! I'm not totally stupid!!! I'll go with him to the very fires of Mount Doom!"

"Well then. Would you permit me to look upon you one last time?" Frodo gave his grudging consent.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jonas and I walked into the trees, him trying to get closer and me constantly edging away. "Come with me! I could give you everything you ever wanted!" Jonas suddenly announced.

"Oh, get lost. Go ooze somewhere else!" I replied crossly.

"I have." He began.

"Yes, yes, I know, powers beyond my imagination. But I don't want an evil weirdo. I am in love with Frodo, and I'm going to go with him."

"You'll get killed before you leave the Shire. Would you not just spend one night with me? And see if I can persuade you to change your mind?" He asked, all smooth and smarmy.

"No, I don't want to spend the night with you, and I most definitely will not get killed before I cross the Shire border."

"A dangerous quest is no place for a female. What if you were attacked?"

"I can use a sword and a bow. I can ride a horse. I can track animals. I know the basic healing properties of some plants. So don't tell me I'll get killed. Now I will bid you good night."

I turned to leave, but Jonas grabbed my arm and tried to kiss me. I pushed him away, and he turned, but spun back quickly and hit my cheek with full force. I fell to the ground and brought my hand up to my stinging face. I pretended to cry, but suddenly swept my leg round and knocked Jonas flat. I got up, and put my foot on his chest, none to gently. I reached up my dress to the inside of my thigh, and pulled out a small dagger.

"Never, ever try to do that to me again. This time, I'll just give you a little something to remember me by. Next time, I'll kill you!" I smiled, but it was the smile of a tiger that just spotted lunch. I quickly made a shallow cut on his cheek, then crunched down with my foot and started walking coolly away, leaving Jonas struggling for breath.

"You'll live to regret that!" He managed to gasp, but I didn't even turn round and just kept walking, back to Frodo.

Will Jonas seek his revenge on me personally??? Or will he send someone (or something-THING i.e. evil pigeons) to do his dirty work for him???