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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            By the time Frodo returned to Bag End, it was plain Pippin meant to leave immediately, their carriage left in front, various cases piled in its seats.

            He pulled Pippin aside on one of the younger hobbit's luggage trips back and forth from their rooms.
           
             "Pippin. Don't do this. I'm sorry I broke the news so suddenly. Maybe I should have waited or talked to you at a better time. But I will not back down from my accusations. I know the truth about her, and I give you my word that this is not the result of any jealousy I may be harboring. Come, now. You know me, Pippin."

             "Frodo, trust me when I say that this will be best for all of us.  We will visit Sam when they arrive."

            The authoritative tone made is clear that the conversation was over. Frodo merely sighed, and shook his head.

            It seemed as if Pippin had not informed Jasmine of the nature of their disagreement.

             She approached Frodo, saying, "I'm dreadfully sorry we had to leave so soon." There was an awkward pause, as though she could not think of anything else to say. With a weak smile, she added, "Shall I return to fix breakfast on the morrow?"

             "Please," Frodo replied, half intentionally allowing a somewhat sharper tone to tinge his words. "I believe you've done quite enough already."

            Her face remained blank, but Frodo thought there was a touch of sorrow in her bowed head.

             "Come, Jasmine, we must see if we can reach the inn at a reasonable hour."

            She recovered herself, and after thanking Frodo for a lovely stay, she followed her betrothed into the carriage, and they drove off down the road and out of sight.




            Early the next morning Frodo awakened to the sound of wheels on the dirt road outside Bag End. After quickly dressing, he rushed outside to welcome the returning Gamgees.

            Sam and Rose greeted him happily. Frodo noticed the difference between the mood they had left in and the mood in which they had returned with gladness. Clearly the brief respite from the daily grind had served them well. Each appeared more fresh and cheerful then he had seen them in a long time.

            Rose excused herself to go freshen up after their rather lengthy journey. Sam grinned at his friend, saying,

             "I tell you, Frodo, that was some idea you had, us going on a retreat and all. I haven't seen Rosie that happy in a long while. You should have seen her, she was acting just as if we had been married the day before, if you take my meaning," he explained, blushing. "I've set my mind to rest here in Hobbiton for a time.  It's been real hard on us both of late."

            Frodo smiled at his friend, pleased that the trip had worked out so well. Rose came in just then, and soon they were sitting around the table enjoying luncheon, laughing together as the couple recounted various stories of their week off.

             "So Frodo," Rose questioned him after a while, "What have you been up to with Bag End all to yourself?"

            He paused, wondering how much to share with them. "Actually, I had visitors for much of the time..."

            They were both full of questions as Frodo explained about Pippin's vague letter and visit, being especially curious about Jasmine. At first, he merely described her and how she had met Pippin, but soon he couldn't help himself. Desperate for guidance, he poured out the story to his friends, from the overheard conversation at the market to her letter to Pippin's reaction to his accusations. They interrupted every now and then with a question, but when he finished, they were silent, exchanging glances with each other across the table.

            Frodo was gripped with a sudden panic. If Pippin hadn't believed his story, who's to say that Sam wouldn't as well? Obviously they all thought he was a little off-his-rocker already, but what would he do if everyone turned against him? Was there anything he could do?

            He was relived to find his fears unbased when Sam finally said, "Well, what should we do? Do you think it would do any good for one for one of us to talk to him?"

            Rosie replied, "I don't think so. After all, he would simply say that we listened to Frodo's story and believed him. It's not as if we have any new proof that he didn't have."

             "Speaking of proof," Sam interjected, "Whatever happened to that letter, Frodo? If we could show Pippin that, then it seems like that'd put this lass in her rightful place."

             "I know, but I left in such a hurry that I didn't think to do anything with it after I read it through. Besides, I didn't want to arouse her suspicions before I talked to Pippin, so I left it right where I found it. By the time I got back home from the pub, they had packed everything. Their room's empty, I checked."

            They were all silent for a few minutes. Finally Rose said, "Well it seems to me that Pippin is going to refuse to listen to any of us, so he is a rather lost cause at the moment. Why not go straight to the source, if you know what I mean. I believe the only thing we can do is confront this Jasmine with all we know."

            The men nodded, and Frodo said, "The thing to do is visit her when Pippin isn't around, or else he'd never let me get close to her. I suppose one of you could pull her aside when you meet her, but I doubt that would do much, seeing as how you would have only just met, and there probably will not be a minute she is not attached to Pippin." He paused to think for a moment. "I guess the our only option is for me to talk to her by myself. If I could only get her to confess or at least scare her away, then that would be enough. All I know is I won't let her hurt Pippin."

             "And now that I put my mind to it," he continued, "I believe Pip has some sort of meeting tomorrow evening. I shall confront her then."

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            Hope it's okay so far! Remember I don't mind criticism, so please review.