Title: Curving Paths
Rating: PG-13 (Just to
be on the safe side...Probably mostly PG)
Disclaimer: I am not, and do
not claim to be, at all associated with J.R.R. Tolkien, the brilliant author of
Lord of the Rings, whose characters I am borrowing temporarily.
Time Period: Mid to late 1420 of the Third Age, by Shire Reckoning.
Additional Note: This
is a revised version of the previous draft of the story. The plot has remained intact, for the most
part; I have simply made a few adjustments so that everything fits into canon a
bit more smoothly.
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Frodo browsed through the
market stalls, stopping from time to time to chat with neighbors and friends,
enjoying the atmosphere of the town.
When he had returned from his
journey, he had discovered that he had acquired a wonderful new appreciation of
the Shire and the hobbits who lived there. Sometimes he would go out walking
into town just to watch them go about their daily hustle and bustle, looking as
if they had hardly a care in the world other than what they were having for
supper that night. He envied them and admired them as well. When he observed
these folk and interacted with them, he often felt, for a brief moment, as if he
had been transported back in time, back when he was still just a curious, naive
little hobbit begging his uncle and Gandalf to give him news of an outside
world he longed to explore.
He knew he had sacrificed that
innocent outlook on life when he had agreed to become the Ringbearer, and
though this knowledge saddened him, it also did his heart good to witness
firsthand the type of peaceful life he had given everything to preserve.
Lost in his thoughts, Frodo
wandered through the market, stopping a few times to purchase supplies and
absentmindedly looking through the various wares.
At one stall, he walked up to
the sound of two older hobbit matrons talking as they did over an exchange,
filling each other in on the latest gossip.
Without meaning to, he caught
what sounded like the tail end of a conversation.
"She's here in Hobbiton? That good-for-nothing little wench! How
dare she show her face here after what she did to my poor Lily!" This outburst
came from a scandalized sounding, gray haired woman, who Frodo recalled as
being Mrs. Sue Proudfoot.
He didn't know the other's
name, though he recognized her from town. She was a tad taller than Mrs.
Proudfoot, with auburn hair twisted into a tight bun.
"I know, dear, but maybe she didn't realize you all lived around
here, though I'm not tryin' to give her any more credit than she deserves. She
and Bo met at that party out a ways, near to Tookland, remember?"
Sue just nodded. "Still, if I
see that little hobbit-stealin' harlot anywhere around here, I have a good mind
to show her just what we think of her! I'd slap some respect into that hussy!"
A large carriage rolled by just then, and Frodo missed her friend's reply, but
when it passed he head Sue say,
"Another hobbit? So, it's not enough to steal Bo from right out
under Lily's nose, but now she's working her charms on another hobbit? Well,
he'll see soon enough what she's after. Just as soon as a green- and richer,
might I add- pasture comes walkin' by, she'll be gone just as soon as you can
blink!"
Frodo left after this, having
bought the bread he needed. He shook his head and sighed. Didn't they have
anything better to do than stand there and talk about other people's lives?
Still, he did briefly wonder
who they had been discussing. A few months ago, he hadn't been able to help
hearing how Lily Proudfoot's betrothed had left her for another lass, some
stranger he had made at a festival of some sort. It had been the top news of
the town for a week or so, but he never had learned who the lass was. He hadn't
heard anything about it since then.
His mind wandered to different
things as he headed back for home, remembering that Sam and Rose would be back
in a mere two days. He knew they would be excited to see Pippin and to meet
Jasmine.
He found the couple sitting
close on the garden bench, laughing together as he approached.
"Well, Frodo, we've set a date. November 18, we're thinking. I've
already spoken to Merry, but you'll stand with me also, won't you? Sam will too
of course."
"Of course Pip, it sounds wonderful. A lovely autumn wedding."
"Pip's been telling me about the elves, Mr. Baggins, and he said
he's planning on inviting King Elessar himself! A lass is jittery enough on her
wedding day, without the added pressure of royalty in attendance!"
Frodo smiled. "Well, I'm sure
Strider is much too preoccupied ruling his kingdom to come all the way to the
Shire for the wedding of some measly halfling," he joked.
Pippin feigned offense. "What?
He could make it to Sam's, but not mine? I knew it, he always did like the
other's better! I was rather excitable back then, I suppose."
They were all laughing as they
made their way inside for afternoon tea.
As Frodo set out the china, he
noticed a glint on the table. Glancing up, he realized that its source was a
large gem inset into a slender gold band wrapped around Jasmine's finger.
Seeing his stare, Jasmine
smiled and said, "Lovely, isn't it, Mr. Baggins? Pippin's such a dear. I could
hardly believe it when I saw him slide it on my hand. It's like something out of a dream."
"Please, Jasmine, call me Frodo. And yes, your ring is quite
beautiful."
Jasmine excused herself to
freshen up, and Frodo took the opportunity to question Pippin.
"Pip, that jewel is rather staggering. Are you sure it was a wise gift?"
"Oh, it was my mother's, from the family collection, you know. But
Frodo, I told her the day I proposed that she is worth more than any jewel on
Middle Earth, and I will not spare any expense to secure whatever her heart
fancies."
The lass reentered the room
then, so the conversation ended. As he observed the way Pippin obviously adored
his betrothed, Frodo found himself wondering if he would ever find someone for
whom he felt the same. He had gotten used to the interplay between Sam and his
wife, but seeing this new couple, clearly still in the passionate giddy period
of romance, struck a chord within him, so deep he barely recognized the feeling
at first.
He was lonely. Yes, he lived
with his best friend and this friend's wife treated him like a brother. But he
longed for more, despite the impossibility of the whole situation.
"Frodo?"
He jerked his head back to
reality and realized he had missed a question from Pippin.
"I'm sorry, my mind was wandering. What did you ask?"
Pippin repeated himself. "I
was just wondering when Sam will be back. Jasmine is eager to meet them."
Frodo gave himself a shake
mentally, forcing himself to focus on the conversation. Still, the rest of the
night, he felt something tug inside himself every time Pippin would touch
Jasmine or she would lovingly pat his arm or stoke his back. When they
announced that they were taking a walk for a while and Pippin added with a
wink, "Don't wait up, Frodo," he had headed to bed, desperate to find solace in
sleep from the growing ache in his heart.
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