Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, and could never have been born from my limited imagination. I've just borrowed them.
Note: The year is 1390 S.R., so Frodo is 22, Regina is 20, Merry is 8, Sam is 7, and Pippin is due any day now.
"Don't, Frodo!"
"Aw, Regina, I only want to see her!
Regina hugged her doll, Ella, protectively with a confused look on her face. "Lads don't play with dolls."
Frodo scowled. "I know that, and I only wanted to look at her, anyway." Then he brightened. "Want to play with my marbles?"
"Sure." Regina said, relieved Frodo's attention had been drawn away from her new doll: lads always messed dolls up when they touched them. She grinned as Frodo proudly began showing off his marbles. They were nice. Then she sobered. "Frodo, you're not like the other lads." She said seriously. At the look on Frodo's face, she went on. "I mean, you like to be with me. You don't ever make fun of me. You're the only one in Brandy Hall who doesn't treat me different because of my real mommy dying."
"I would never make fun of you, Reggie. I love you." Frodo said adamantly. Regina was surprised.
"But, you can't love me, Frodo, silly! Only tweenagers and older hobbits love each other that way."
"I love you anyway. I'm going to marry you, and then I'll love you forever and ever." Frodo stated. "I promise."
Regina was quiet for a few moments, playing with Emma's hair. Then she said just as seriously, "I love you, too, Frodo."
Frodo pulled himself out of his memory and looked at the hobbit lass sitting beside him. Regina was now even more beautiful than she had been ten years ago. She was also staring at him strangely, and probably with good reason too since Frodo had been staring at nothing for the past few minutes. Frodo doubted she even remembered his promise made so long ago. But Frodo did.
"Frodo, when I come up all the way from Buckland just to visit you and Bilbo I don't come to watch you stare out the window." Regina said shortly. Frodo nodded and smiled to himself. Reggie hadn't changed at all since the last time he'd visited Buckland.
"So, how's little Merry?" He asked. Mer had been at Tookburough last time Frodo had gone to visit.
Reggie put on an expression of mock fear. "Don't even mention the wretched lad!" Then she chuckled. "He is wise beyond his years, as he ever was. As you were. He's hoping Lala's baby will be a little lad, as are the rest of the Tooks and Brandybucks and a good many other hobbits in the Shire." She paused. "Frodo, why are you staring at me that way? You're being very peculiar today. Been around dear Bilbo too long I suppose."
Frodo shook his head in surprise. He hadn't really realized he had been staring. "I… You're just…Reggie," At that moment Bilbo appeared.
"Hullo, Frodo! Regina, lass! It's so good to see you again. Sorry I was out; I was visiting the Bracegirdle's. Oh! Frodo, you'll be glad to know, on the way in I found that we had a letter. Gandalf is coming to visit! In fact, he'll be here tomorrow, if all is well, so be ready. Regina, you haven't seen Gandalf in several years, he'll be surprised at what a pretty lass you've become. Well, I suppose I'll go make tea. Carry on, loves!"
After Bilbo had left the room, Frodo and Reggie looked at each other, still absorbing what all had been said. "He never changes." Regina said. She grinned. Frodo grinned back.
"No, but you get used to him. Gandalf! He hasn't visited Bag End in nearly a year. I'm glad he's coming, I know Bilbo misses him." Regina looked dubious.
"Yes, it will be good to see him again, but he always gives me the most peculiar looks, especially when you and I are together. As if he knows something we don't." She paused, thinking. Then her face broke into a smile. "He does have the most wonderful fireworks! And he's a wonderful Big Person to talk to; he's been so many places."
"Yes, and sometimes I believe there's much more to him than meets the eye. And perhaps he does know something we don't." Frodo said thoughtfully. "In fact, he probably knows just about everything we don't." He kidded. Reggie rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean." Then they were both silent for a while.
"Regina …" Frodo began. "Perhaps I'm starting to realize what he knows. We've known each other for so long, we're so close… We…" He leaned closer to Regina. "I think…" At that moment Bilbo returned with tea. He opened his mouth to say something, but paused when he saw the scene. Frodo jerked away from Reggie and both of them looked at Bilbo rather guiltily. Bilbo smiled knowingly. It's about time. He thought.
"Well!" He said. "Here's your tea. Regina, lass, I hope you like blackberry muffins; they're in season now you know. Mrs. Bracegirdle was kind enough to give me some." Regina put on a smile.
"Of course, Mr. Baggins, that will be lovely. Thank you so much for the tea and for having me over."
"Oh, don't think of it, lass! You are going to stay the night aren't you? You must, of course, to see Gandalf when he arrives. In fact, you are welcome to stay until Gandalf leaves! I am sure you will have much to discuss. Regina, dear lass, say no more of that 'Mr. Baggins' silliness." Without waiting for an answer to his initial question, Bilbo smiled amiably and left the room. Regina had an amused, but rather lost, expression on her face.
"Now what do you think that was supposed to mean?" She inquired to no one in particular. Frodo forced a smile. He knew what Bilbo meant.
"Oh, you know Bilbo." He replied vaguely. "Though you are going to stay the night at least, aren't you?"
"I suppose. Dear Esmie had me bring a bag 'just in case' the weather turned bad and I couldn't come home today, so I've come prepared."
"Good, then." Frodo said, but he thought I hope she doesn't ask about these past few incidents. I'll have to tell her sometime. He sighed in anticipation of the next few days.
Notes: This is my first attempt at LotR fan-fiction. Please point out ANY errors (Tolkien, grammatical, anything), and suggestions are MORE THAN WELCOME! Regina is a character of my own making. She will appear in several of my stories at least, and I will try my best not to interfere with Tolkien history. Keep a watch for more chapters!!!