Regina was absolutely enchanted with Gandalf. He knew so much, and there was so much she wanted to know. She hoped she didn't tire him with her endless questions. Whenever she began to ask something he would say, "Dear me! Another question! Such a Took!" Last night Gandalf and Regina had stayed awake 'til the wee hours of the morning and he had told her of Iluvator singing the world into existence, the Valar who watched over Middle-earth, the Enemy of old: Morgoth, the awakening of the Elves, Valinor, Feanor and the Silmarils, Beren and Luthien, Elrond and Elros, the Edain, Turin and Tuor, Earendil, the Last Alliance, and all other things which she asked about. For once he told her everything she wanted to know, without the cryptic answers he was known for. She looked over at Gandalf and Bilbo, sitting on one side of the fire, smoking their pipes and sending smoke rings flying about the room. They were discussing old times and times to come. Frodo was sitting beside her on the couch, staring into the cheery flames thoughtfully. The firelight was dancing about the cozy sitting room, creating a home-like atmosphere. Once in a while Frodo would glance her way, but then he would quickly look back into the fire. 'What's on his mind? He's so quiet.' Reggie wondered to herself. Frodo noticed her looking at him. He smiled warmly at her. "That was a wonderful supper, Reggie. Thank you. I…" He stopped, and shook his head.
"You what?"
"I… it… it's too bad Bilbo can't cook like that." Frodo finished lamely. He sighed. Why couldn't he just tell her? Why was he so scared? He'd always been able to tell Regina everything. They had no secrets between each other. 'I'm afraid I'll lose her if I tell her.' He thought, answering his own questions. "I'm glad you're here, Reg. How long are you planning on staying?" Regina thought for a moment.
"Probably until Gandalf leaves, I suppose. I may stay the night after as well, if that's all right. He said he'd be here for about two more days or so, right?"
"Yes. That will be fine." He paused. "I'll take you to the Green Dragon the last night you're here. Bilbo finally lets me stay there alone." Frodo winked at her and grinned. "Their ale is first-class. The older Gamgee lads took me there one night and… well, let's just say we all needed some help getting home." Regina laughed. The older hobbit and the wizard stopped their conversation and looked over at them, eyebrows raised. Regina pressed her lips together, body shaking in restrained laughter. After a moment, the elders resumed their conversation. "What are they talking about, I wonder?" Frodo asked the room at large.
"Is he ever going to tell her?" Bilbo wondered quietly to Gandalf. "He's been nearly doing it for the past three days! Just out with it! The suspicion is doing who knows what to my poor nerves!"
"Ha! Your nerves weren't bothered by a dragon and they're not threatened by this, though it does keep one on the edge, doesn't it? Ah, well. He'll tell her, don't you worry, Bilbo." He smiled at the pair across the room. "The only question is when." He finished, rather disgruntled.
"He loves her, sure enough, and he can't keep it to himself forever. But does she love him that way? He is very dear to her, and she cares very much for him, that much is obvious. But how much? In what way?" Bilbo rambled nervously. Gandalf chuckled.
"Don't worry, Bilbo. She loves him, though even she may not know it yet. She most likely hasn't even thought about the possibility. It will be fine. Mm… once he tells her, that is." Gandalf said. They were quiet for a moment, watching Frodo and Regina out of the corners of their eyes.
"Well!" Bilbo said abruptly to everyone. "It's time for this old hobbit to go to bed! Frodo, Regina, Gandalf, goodnight! And Reggie, I've got breakfast tomorrow! You sleep in, love."
"Goodnight, Bilbo!" Chorused three very different brogues.
"I suppose I'll get to bed as well." Gandalf said after Bilbo had left the room. He looked pointedly at Regina. "I had a late night last night. You two just carry on whatever you were talking about. Frodo, Regina, goodnight." Gandalf winked at Frodo as he bent down to get through the doorway. Frodo took a deep breath and blew it out through his lips nervously. He had to tell her. He had to. 'NOW!' He commanded himself. 'Now, now, now, now… Oh, Frodo, you're a fool.'
"Something on your mind, Frodo? You've been… rather thoughtful tonight. Actually, you've been like this the whole time I've been here. Is there something wrong, something we need to talk about?" Regina asked, concerned.
'Now, you fool!' Frodo thought. 'She's given you the perfect opportunity. Come to think of it, so have Bilbo and Gandalf. Now!' He began, "Reggie… I… well, there is something I've been wanting to tell you. It's just that… well, I've been too scared." He leaned closer to Regina. The firelight flickered across her face and fire-red hair, casting shadows and lighting her sea-colored eyes. She was looking at Frodo expectantly. "Regina, we've known each other all our lives, and… do you remember when you were just 10 and I made a promise to you?" Regina thought for a moment, eyes staring across time. Realization dawned on her face.
"Yes… I do, actually. You said… you said you'd love me forever. I haven't thought about that in years."
"Do you remember what you said?" Frodo asked hopefully. Regina thought again.
"I said I loved you too." Excitement lit Frodo's eyes and he leaned even closer to her.
"Regina, I haven't forgotten that promise." Frodo tentatively took Regina's hand. She was trembling. "I still love you. Reggie, I always have! I love you."
By this time, their faces were mere inches apart. Regina was flushed and Frodo was shaking slightly. Mere moments of silence passed, but they seemed like hours to Frodo. He lost himself in the deep sea-colored pools of Regina's eyes.
'He loves me! He always has! He loves me! We're tweenagers now!' The random thoughts flashed through Regina's head. 'Say something, you ninnyhammer!' She told herself. Then she realized she couldn't speak. 'What's wrong with me?' And then, 'What would I say?' Suddenly, like a breath of air, she realized, 'I love him. I love him. I always have. That's what I'll say.' She opened her mouth to speak, but it was still an effort to get any sounds to come out. 'Frodo,' She whispered, breaking the silence. 'Frodo, I…' But at that moment the remaining distance between them was crossed.
Their lips met and all of Regina's thoughts and words vanished from thought and memory as her mind was occupied with one word: Frodo.