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.
Note: Thanks for reading so far. Please review when you finish!
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.
****************
"Excuse me, sir, I'm looking for the young lass who arrived with
Mr. Took last evening?" Frodo asked as he craned his head to look at the
innkeeper, who was bent over paperwork at the moment.
Finally turning, the elderly
man exclaimed, "Why Mr. Baggins, how can I be of service to you? I didn't
realize it was you there, I would have been come right over if I had known."
Frodo smiled. "Olo, I didn't
know you were an inn-keep now," he replied. "Whatever happened to that little
pub you were opening up in Loamsdown?" With a mischievous grin, he continued,
"Didn't you say it was the perfect spot? I thought the fellow who sold it to
you promised it would turn a profit..."
Olo's eyes crinkled warmly at
his old friend's nephew. When the young Baggins had returned from his journey,
Olo had struck up a friendship with him, and they had soon become quite close.
He seemed to sense how Frodo missed Bilbo's presence, and he liked to think
that he could act as almost a substitute for the hobbit, as he and Bilbo had
once been good friends.
Olo and Frodo often would
spend hours talking about Bilbo's adventures and the marvels of distant lands,
yet they rarely discussed Frodo's own journey, save the occasional description
of the elves he had encountered. Olo had once questioned him about the Ring and
the land of Mordor, but at the mere mention of the word, Frodo had visibly
paled and had become quiet and pensive the rest of the afternoon. That day, Olo
often observed Frodo gazing solemnly out a nearby window, his eyes seeming to
search fruitlessly for unknown horizons.
After that, Olo had steered
clear of any conversation that might upset him further, and so their talks were
often lighthearted and fun. Olo would often tell Frodo of his latest idea for a
new business, none of which ever amounted to much or lasted for long.
"Well," he answered slowly, "Perhaps it wasn't such a good
location after all...Anyway, you know Hambitt Danders, Finnlock's friend? Well,
his cousin owns this place, and he's lettin' me work here til somethin' better
comes along."
Frodo nodded in understanding.
He had become friends with Olo's son Finn almost immediately after they had
been introduced a few months before. The young hobbit was cheerful and fun to
be around, though he sometimes became quite shy around members of the fairer
sex. Finn's carefree and joking manner often reminded Frodo of Pippin in his
younger days, though he was indeed notably less outgoing around the ladies. At
this thought, Frodo broke out of his reveries and repeated his initial question
to Olo.
"Olo, do you happen to know which rooms Pippin and his friend are
staying in? I believe he came in sometime last night."
"Why yes, I believe I did see Mister Took arrive indeed, with
quite a lovely lass on his arm. If Pippin wasn't such a close friend of yours,
I might have tried to win her for myself," the gray-haired hobbit commented
playfully with a wag of his eyebrows.
Frodo laughed at this, and
thanked Olo as he informed him that the couple was staying in rooms 12 and 14
on the second floor.
After making his way up the
musty stairwell, Frodo turned right and checked the door numbers.
8...10...12...14. It was the
corner suite at the end of the hallway; Pippin obviously had thrown some weight
around to get such decent accommodations at such late notice.
He had learned from the porter
that Pippin had left for his meeting within the last half-hour, so Frodo
guessed he had a good while before he returned. He could only hope Pippin had
not yet told Jasmine of his accusations or else why would she let him in?
When she first opened the
door, she seemed surprised, almost frightened, at Frodo's presence, but she
soon welcomed him in graciously, nervously rushing to make tea for them to
share.
He stepped in through the
doorway and surveyed the living area. It was cozy and comfortably furnished
with a welcoming fire burning in the fireplace and candles lit on the
mantle.
As Jasmine turned to fill the
teacups on a tray by the table, Frodo studied her profile, wondering if he had
missed any tell-tale sign of deceit. Her dark hair spilt down her back in
languid curls. Though he knew she was a master of seduction, she gave nothing
away with her modest violet dress that reached well above her ample bosom. The
firelight sparkled in her dark eyes, and her lips were pouted pertly as she
concentrated on controlling the rather unwieldy teapot.
All in all, she made quite an
attractive picture; As she stood there preparing the food, Frodo could well
imagine her playing the part of the happy wife, content to serve her husband
after a hard day of work. 'Provided, of course,' Frodo added mentally, 'that
his labor supplied her with all the jewelry and financial means her heart
desired...'
"Well, Frodo, how are you doing all alone in Bag End?" she asked,
turning around with a smile and jolting him from his thoughts. "Are you
managing to survive on your own cooking?"
He smiled half-heartedly and
explained to her of the Gamgees return. She seemed quite eager to meet them,
"Sam being such good friends with Pippin and all."
Jasmine handed him his tea and
took a seat on the small couch beside him.
Crossing her legs demurely as
she sat, she reached out and stroked his shoulder, saying, "Pip's so lucky to
have friends like you and Sam." She laughed. "You should hear the way he talks
about you. I probably know more about you than most people, and I've only just
met you for the first time."
Frodo clenched his jaw.
"Look, Ms. Greenbarrow, let's get to the meat of things here. I
know all about your little charade, and I'm prepared to go to any length to
keep you away from Pippin."
She flinched visibly, and for
a moment her eyes flared up and seemed to glow in the firelight. A second
later, however, she replied calmly, "What charade are you referring to exactly,
Mr. Baggins? I was under the impression that you were happy for Pippin and I.
Perhaps I was mistaken. Do you not believe that I desire to be his wife?"
"Oh, I believe that fine, Jasmine. And I'm sure Ruby does too. And
what about Bella, did you ever find out how she was doing?"
Leaping to her feet, she cried
out in indignation, her face flushed with anger. "I didn't realize that you
took pleasure in snooping around in your guest's private belongings! How dare
you do such a thing! You have no idea what you're talking about."
"Oh, really? Listen Jasmine, I read the whole letter, which might
I add, you yourself left lying on the floor. I suppose you're just lucky I was
the first to come along, instead of Pippin himself!"
She seemed to be almost at a
loss, her face pale with frustration and hurt.
"Mr. Baggins, please!" The word echoed in Frodo's mind, reminding him of
a similar plea the night before. "Believe me when I say I do care for Pippin!"
"Care for his gold, you mean!"
He responded, feeling suddenly uncomfortable, and wondering if he had crossed
the line. Before she answered, however, he had a revelation. The conversation
he had overheard at the market suddenly came back to him, flooding into this
mind in renewed clarity.
As he left the room, he took
one last glance at a glowering Jasmine standing alone by the couch, still
visibly shocked by his announcement. Taking the steps by twos, he left the inn
and set out determinedly in the direction of the Proudfoot home.
****************
Well, how do you like it so
far? I'm eager to know, whatever your opinion is! It's easy to do and is very
much appreciated, so please review :)
