Chapter 10
" The Ball" "Sam hurry! We're going to be late," Rosie shouted from the bedroom where she was fixing flowers in her golden hair. Sam rushed in looking very overloaded.
"Everything's squared away, my Gaffer'll look after the kids so we can slip off to Pippin's wed-," he paused as his gaze fell on her. She was so lovely. She was dressed in a beautiful dark red dress with tiny black roses sown onto the hem. She had a lovely black lace shawl around her shoulders that mimicked the lace patter of her skirt's hem. Her skin seemed to radiate a warm glow and her eyes glistened.
"You're beautiful." he stammered. She smiled at him, walked over and tried to smooth the wrinkles in his shirt. It had been a literal fight to catch Elanor and put her into the hands of her grandfather.
"You're doing well yourself," She said and kissed him. She meant it as a little kiss but Sam took to it and wouldn't let go. He wrapped his arms around her. Of course it was just now that Frodo turned the corner in the hall and walked into their room. He had his mouth open ready to ask one of them a question but found he had no air to expel. Sam and Rosie jumped apart and Frodo looked at them not knowing what to do he found himself saying
"I'll come back.later," and walked back out of the room. It wasn't that he hadn't seen them display physical affection before that bothered him, it was that they seemed to think they had to hide it from him. Like he was some poor fool who didn't understand love and should be sheltered from the mere hint of it.
He walked into the main hall and straightened his vest. He looked handsome you had to give him that. "What lass wouldn't want to accompany me," he tried to say and found himself laughing. But the laughter turned quickly to melancholy. He had recovered physically from his spell three weeks ago, mainly because the ailment wasn't physical. It took only a day or too till he could pull off his 'normal' self in front of Sam and Rosie. He knew he wasn't all right and he'd never be all right. He cursed his very existence.
"Mr. Frodo!" His thoughts were interrupted and he put on a pained smile.
"Right here," He said. Sam rushed up to him. "Are you ready to go?"
"Quite," Frodo said reluctantly.
"Good," Rosie said as she came up behind them. "Shall we, my fine gentle hobbits?" she laughed joyously and they walked out to the coach that was to take them to the wedding. Pippin- or really Pearl (Pippin's lucky lady) had decided on a night wedding at the large estate of their dearest friend Merridoc Brandybuck. She had chosen an evening wedding mostly because it made the whole affair even more prestigious and formal. It was practically going to be a ball.
"Remember driver, to stop at the Brook house before we get to Buckland," Sam said. The driver acknowledged and told the ponies to pick up their pace. Frodo sighed noticeably.
After thirty minutes the driver brought the coach to a halt in front of a small wealthy hobbit estate right outside of Buckland. It was constructed of charming red bricks with lavish fruit trees growing like soldiers in solute. Everyone thought it was the prettiest house built on this side of the river, though they didn't say so. Frodo thought it looked menacing.
"Go on, Frodo," Sam said motioning toward the door. Frodo looked up at the large building wrapped in the night like Rosie's shoulders were shrouded in black lace. There were several lamps burning behind the closed drapes. Sam grew impatient and opened the door of the coach. Frodo took the hint and though he wasn't at all prepared stepped down from the coach and walked slowly up the walk. He passed the numerous pear and peach trees at attention, each whispering "go back," and he quickened the pace so as not to loose his nerve (of which he really didn't have any to begin with). He was almost at the door when suddenly out of the bush to his right a shadow jumped at him and knocked him to the ground. Frodo cried out and tried to throw his attacker off of him but found he was weaker from his spell than he knew. Just then the moon came out from behind a cloud and illuminated the face of Jack Sparrow.
"Jack?" Frodo exclaimed.
"You don't want to be doin' that, mate"
"Doing what?" Frodo said. Jack motioned with his head to the front door of the Brook house.
"There's a woman in there waiting to claim your life- I know- they never put on that much perfume unless they they're making a stand." Frodo looked at him almost speechless.
"You were in her dressing room weren't you?" Frodo said with a look of disgust. Jack leaned back and allowed Frodo to sit up.
"I can't help you there, mate- didn't see a thing," He sounded disappointed and added, "curtain." Frodo's eyes couldn't get wider.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just out for my evening stroll," He said standing up. Frodo stood up too.
"A little far for a walk," he said brushing himself off. "I know, that's why I gave your driver the night off," he swayed a little bit. Frodo became angry. "What do you want? If you've escaped- fine- go! But I've got to get this over with."
"That's exactly why I'm here!" Jack exclaimed, waving his arms "I'm here to rescue you."
"Rescue me? From Lilly?" Jack rolled his eyes- and then his head and emulated the movement with his entire body in an extremely exaggerated gesture.
"No. I'm here to save you from what you're about to do." He said as if Frodo should've known what he was carrying on about. Just then two white-gloved hands reached out from under the same bush and pulled Jack's feet out from under him. He let out a gargled "whoa' and fell to the ground. He didn't move. Out of the bush emerged the prettiest hobbit Frodo had ever scene. She wore an emerald dress that accentuated her robust figure. Her black hair was piled up on top of her head like a cascade of raven curls. Her green eyes cast a stare that none could contend with.
"That's for spying on me!" she said, giving Jack a little kick. Frodo swallowed as she turned her piercing gaze on him. Her face softened.
"Frodo! You look so-," She looked him up and down. "Wonderful," She then astonished an already astonished Frodo by jerking him to her breast and holding him extremely tightly.
"It's so fortunate that we get to meet again, Lily," Frodo said trying to get his proper greeting in from his place in between her cleavage. She released him and looked into his eyes.
'Fortunate is not the word," she said looking at him in a way that made him most uncomfortable. Suddenly Frodo remembered Jack and praised the stars for the interruption.
"What about him?" they looked down and suddenly found the pirate to be missing.
"Great," Frodo said.
"Don't bother about him," Lilly said taking Frodo's arm and leading him back down the path (though he really wasn't aware of his feet even moving- if anyone had asked him he would've said he had glided).
"He's just another scoundrel, Sam will take care of him, but tonight- " She stopped walking and grabbed Frodo and turned him toward her "I'm going to take care of you." She kissed him-right on the lips- just like that, and walked on ahead leaving Frodo standing there like a dumbfounded Proudfoot. Frodo regained himself just as he heard her call and raced to the coach. She climbed in without waiting for Frodo to open the door and he scuttled in after her. No one even noticed the driver staggering back to his place at the reins. Jack smiled with satisfaction and gave a shout to the ponies.
They reached the Brandy Hall not a moment too soon. Frodo was the first to get out the coach and he grasped for the sacred breath that seemed to have abandoned him. He kept tugging at his shirt's collar like it was a noose. She had held his hand the whole way. Immediately upon exiting the coach she latched on to his arm and gave him a look that made him blush. Frodo felt overwhelmed. To say he had been swept off his feet wouldn't do his emotional status justice as he was literally being swept around by Lilly's long black lashes. They entered Brandy Hall to find it in an uproar of men and hobbits. It glittered with lights and crystal and was bedecked with ribbons of every color. Hobbit butlers came running up to great the guests and to take their coats. Sam and Frodo looked eagerly around for a glimpse of Pippin.
"Frodo? Frodo?" they heard a voice shouting from within a crowd of hobbits. It began to get closer.
"Out of the way. Frodo?" and the owner of the voice emerged. Peregrine Took stood face to face with his cousin.
"Frodo." he whispered and then pulled him into his arms. Frodo snickered to himself about the number of embraces he was getting that night.
"I can't believe you're here," Pippin said and just then another voice was heard moving through the crowd
"Make way!" shouted Merridoc Brandybuck, Frodo's other cousin. When Merry caught sight of Frodo from a yard a way he let out a whoop of excitement and rushed to his kinsmen. All three of them embraced and Frodo felt himself heave a sigh, not of relief, or stress but of satisfaction. It was good to be with family.
"Merry, do you see what I see?"
"I do, and I can't believe it, our little Frodo Baggins!" he said.
"Now Merry, don't think that just because you've grown taller than me that I'm not still your elder," Frodo retorted. Merry smiled and put his hand on his shoulder
"You'll have to come and sit down and tell us all about the last nine years." Lilly cleared her throat and elbowed Frodo.
"Oh, and this is- um, Lilly Brook of Hobbiton," Frodo said his voice decrescendoing into a nervous whisper.
"Well put a saddle on me and call me a donkey!" Merry exclaimed.
"You see this Pip? It took us how long to get suitors? And here he's been back for three weeks and he's got a girl on his arm!" Pippin broke into laughter and Lilly smiled wryly
"Maybe you boys've been fishing with the wrong bait." Pippin looked at her in surprise, Sam looked like he was going to faint, Rosie smiled out of admiration and Merry looked positively intrigued.
"It's not so much that we've been using the wrong bait, Ms. Brook, but rather I don't think we've known such fish swam the Brandywine." Frodo felt a strange emotion shoot up his spine like a rocket- jealousy.
"Or maybe it's that most hobbits don't have the sense to know when to stop talking and ask the girl to dance," Frodo found his tongue to be way ahead of his good-sense.
"I'd love to," Lilly accepted and started leading Frodo away from his friends and family toward the music. He looked back over his shoulder only to see his cousins and Sam laughing at his own mistake. He cursed himself- but death didn't come- only a waltz.
Frodo felt like he should be dancing badly, and rigidly, but found that he swept Lilly around the floor like a master. Oddly enough he felt very alive. He loved the warmth of her hand in his and the feeling of protection he got from having his other hand on her waist. He felt her protecting him. Protecting him from his shyness, his pain, but mostly his past. The music swept on and on and he began to feel lightheaded. He began to throw in dips every now and then and each time Lily would tighten her grip a little bit more. This became the driving force behind his carefully planned choreography. He had to have her nearer to him. He felt all of his self-awareness leave and he forgot about his friends watching him. It also helped that many knights of Ithilien had been invited and gave Frodo the illusion of being hidden from view amongst their long legs. The knights had arrived two weeks ago bearing gifts from Lord Faramir and Lady Eyown and had stayed on as guests of Pippin and Merry.
Now the music picked up into an invigorating song, and Lillies' skirt rustled and flipped about has Frodo pranced her around the floor. Each time he twirled her he caught sight of her glamorous petty coats and found himself both pleased with his accomplishment and horrified. He soon became aware of an odd knight dancing with a slight stagger in his step. He wondered if men of Ithilien were as healthy drinkers as Gondor, but then the knight dipped his lady toward Frodo so that he might meet his dark eyes. Frodo gasped and spun Lilly toward the other direction. Frodo felt it was urgent that hey got away from Jack and whatever it was he was up to. He danced Lilly toward the other side of the floor but Jack followed suit.
"Bloody pirates," he thought "he's going to mess this up."
"May I cut in," a raspy voice said from the side. Frodo turned and was fact-to-chest with Jack.
"Don't you think that will be a little awkward, my dear Sir," Frodo said irritated.
"Oh not at all!" and he picked Lilly up like a child and spun her around the room. The lady Jack had been dancing with had disappeared (probably at the thought of dancing with a hobbit) and Frodo stood amidst the dance watching Jack swoon. Lilly looked at him disgustedly.
"This is for kicking me!" he said tossing her into the air like a rag doll and catching her. She cried out and Frodo became infuriated.
"No need for alarm, love," he grinned and his gold teeth seemed to be especially shiny as Frodo could see the glint from where he was standing.
"I don't bite." He said swishing his hand in front of her face.
"Yeah, well I do!" she said and bit into his finger. He screamed and dropped her to the ground she began to crawl away and Frodo got on all fours too. They dodged the many dancing feet and met at the farthest side of the floor.
"Let's get out of here," She said and Frodo took her hand and led her out of Brandy Hall.
They walked down the steps and cut into the grass. They began down the long descent that went toward the river.
"Where are we going,"
"Shh," Frodo put his finger to his lips and began to ask himself the same question. What was he doing? They soon walked out onto the tiny dock that held the boats of the Brandybuck family. Frodo picked a tiny (even by hobbit standards) rowboat and jumped down into it. The boat rocked and he froze.
"Watch yourself, Frodo," He thought "Don't get carried away." He stood up cautiously and motioned to Lilly to give him her hand. She balked.
"I don't know about this," She said, her usual headstrong manner subsiding.
"Don't think about it," Frodo said realizing that he wasn't thinking any of this through and wasn't about to start thinking now. She looked at him and looked toward Brandyhall. Frodo knew he was losing her.
"You look so beautiful, I just have to get you to myself," He said holding out his hand. She couldn't believe her ears. Frodo couldn't believe his mouth. But she took the bait. Just then she caught her foot on one of the uneven boards of the dock and fell into his arms. There she was- all of her- in his arms. Their eyes met and he felt as though he was looking into himself, yet they were so different. He leaned in closer. He could feel her breath on his face.
"So this is a woman," he thought. She was so tender, so vibrant. She seemed to radiate colors he'd never seen before. She leaned in a little closer too. Their noses were almost touching.
"Was he falling in love with her?"
"Ahoy!" Frodo spun around to see Imbalech clutching the shirt collar of Jack Sparrow.
"Imbalech," Frodo exclaimed. He was very rattled. Everything seemed to be zooming by him at a hundred miles per hour.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it was either going to be me or him that spoiled your little-," she met Frodo's nervous eyes " outing."
"Yes, yes, thank you Imbalech, I'm sure Sam will be glad to know you've caught him, and I do appreciate your vigilance," Frodo rambled trying in as many ways as he knew to say "Go away now," without so many words. Imbalech seemed to catch on and excused herself
"I'll be sure to notify Sam at once, Frodo," She nodded to him and then to Rosie "Milady," and departed dragging Jack behind her. They walked to the top of the hill before she got so tired of his constant ramblings that she flung him to the ground.
"Why should I let you go?" Jack stood up brushing himself off.
"Your friend is grave danger." She looked at him suspiciously.
"From what?"
"Just.," he locked eyes with the elf "Trust me." She rolled it
over in her head (not that there was really any facts to go on.)
"You expect me to simply let The Dark One go, because he says I should
trust him?"
"Yes." He said matter-of-factly. She sighed and looked at him
and then glanced down to where Frodo and Lilly were starting to row
away from the shore. When she turned back he was gone. She looked
around thoroughly annoyed. Her eyes could see very well in the
daytime, but Imbalech had been blessed with even keener vision at
night. She quickly spied him hiding in a branch of a neighboring tree.
"I don't think so, Mr. Sparrow" She said picking up a good-sized
rock and targeting his head. He fell with a string of curse words from
the branch to the
ground. Jack sat up rubbing his head just as Imbalech grabbed him by
the collar again.
"I'm watching you now, Mr. Sparrow- there's no room for escape."
"You don't understand- I've got to stop him," Jack protested but
Imbalech answered him by picking him up kicking and thrashing and
throwing him over her shoulder.
"I think he can do this better on his own."
"That's just what I'm afraid of."
Indeed Frodo felt at complete ease now that they had drifted
down the river a little ways- to be precise they were about six feet
from the dock as both of them were terrified. She sat across from him
looking out at the dark water. The moon was behind a cloud and yet she
still seemed to glow.
"Are you cold?" he asked as innocently as he could muster.
"Yes," she answered as innocently as she could muster. He slowly
and carefully moved next her as not to rock the boat too much.
"That's better," she said and Frodo looked out over the water to
the lights of Brandy Hall. She faked a shiver and he looked back at
her concerned. He took off his jacket and stated to pull it over her
shoulders, but just as him arm wrapped around her she snuggled up and
pulled his hand to her shoulder.
"That's much better," She said. His eyes were wide for a second
but then softened. He felt mellow, very free, as if nothing could
bother him. When he had courted in his youth he had always had a great
sense of propriety. Never would he visit a girl unattended, and yet
here he was on a boat on the Brandywine with his arm around her. "Her.." suddenly Frodo felt fear creep inside of him. He thought of Jack's song to Elbereth, and he loosened his hold of Lilly. He wasn't going to give his heart to a hobbit, not when there was Elbereth waiting for him beyond the seas. Yes, it was the plutonic love of a servant to a master, but it was so deep, so meaningful. It had such great purpose and Frodo was not about to settle in to a meaningless life of taxes and children, dinner parties and town council meetings. He had returned from the West with a purpose- even if he didn't know what it was yet. He looked down at his shirt and fingered the button till it came off the loop, he pulled the fabric away and there like a star shone The One Ring, Mall'elen. Lilly felt him loosen his grip and looked to see what was the matter.
"Frodo- what's that?" he looked at her his eyes sobering and
becoming somber.
"A ring of power."
"It's not the one that took you away so long ago, is it?" She
said as she had heard the stories.
"Yes, and no," he looked at her with an anguished glance.
"I'm sorry Lilly, but it's a lie to think we could ever have a
chance..."
"What do you mean?" He undid the clasp of the chain about his
neck and took The Ring into his hand.
"She's called Mall'elen, or Road of the Star. I'm Her servant."
"I don't understand."
"The Powers in the West have sent me here to do something." He
said quietly as if he was trying to hold back the tears.
"With the ring?" She asked.
"Yes. Mall'elen was wrought from the light of Elbereth herself.
She is one it, even as Sauron was one with his ring of power."
"What are you supposed to do?" she looked terrified. He now
seemed alien to her.
"I don't know," as he looked at her his countenance seemed to
loose it's color and become dead.
"I only know that I live only to serve that purpose. This life
was not meant for me."
"I don't see why not!" she raised her voice. He looked at her
unprepared for this outburst- though he should've seen it coming.
"I don't see why you can't be with me- just as we are now." He
sighed.
"I don't think I'll be able to stay in the Shire much longer.
Tell me Lilly how many times have you slept beneath the stars with
nothing but a cloak for warmth? How long can you go without food or
water? These are things I'd like to know before you decide you're
going to stay with me. My road, the road of the Star will take me into
danger, I won't take you with me- into that." She started to cry.
Frodo felt like someone was slowly ripping him limb from limb.
"Please don't," he said pulling her near him.
"You're telling me to live without you," she sobbed on his chest
" I tried that.," she looked up at him. "When you vanished the first
time I waited for you.. everyone said you were dead. You never came to
see me, and now you've crossed the ocean and back and you're asking me
to forget you.when that's something I've never been able to do." He
looked away. "I never let go through all that," she continued "and I
wont start now!" suddenly she grabbed the ring from his hand and threw
it over board. Frodo let out a cry and without thinking lunged for the
ring only causing the boat to capsize. Within minutes they were
splashing about trying desperately to tread water. Both of them had
been raised on the river and had the rare skill of swimming but the
shock and the cold of the water had stunned Lilly. Frodo tried in vain
to swim her to shore but he could barley keep his head above water
with the flow of the current and her extra weight. Just as his head
was going under he had a vision of his mother and father out for a
moonlight ride, and the boat flipping. They gasped and struggled. His
father tried in vain to keep his wife above water but soon he lost his
strength and they surrendered their lives to the riverbed. Then the
vision shifted and all became white light. He was in the Court of
Elbereth, she whispered something to him but he couldn't hear her. He
cried out and reached for her but she was just beyond his fingers. He
strained and struggled and then the image began to darken and her eyes
became lined in black and suddenly her hand reached out to him and
actually grabbed him only it was a rough callused hand with leather on
the palm. Frodo was suddenly lifted out of the water, and with him
came Lilly. He was pulled up onto a boat of gray wood and he coughed
and spat. His vision had cleared and before him was none other than
Captain Jack Sparrow.
"Jack?"
"You just couldn't listen to me could you, mate?" he said
putting a blanket around his shoulders. Frodo didn't reply but turned
his attention to Lilly. She was breathing, but faintly. Jack handed
Frodo his dark blue jacket to wrap around her. Frodo held her as they
rowed to shore. A gathering of hobbits and men with torches lined the
dock. They took Lilly from Jack and gave Frodo a hand as he hobbled
out of the boat. Jack stepped ashore and was immediately grabbed by
two of the nearest knights. Sam came rushing down the hill with
Rosie, Pippin and Merry not far behind.
"Frodo! Are you alright?" Sam shouted as he neared his master.
All he could do was nod his head as the violent shivers began to drain
his consciousness.
"Sam, It's gone-," Frodo stared blankly at his friend. Sam
couldn't understand him.
"I've failed." And he dropped to the ground.
" The Ball" "Sam hurry! We're going to be late," Rosie shouted from the bedroom where she was fixing flowers in her golden hair. Sam rushed in looking very overloaded.
"Everything's squared away, my Gaffer'll look after the kids so we can slip off to Pippin's wed-," he paused as his gaze fell on her. She was so lovely. She was dressed in a beautiful dark red dress with tiny black roses sown onto the hem. She had a lovely black lace shawl around her shoulders that mimicked the lace patter of her skirt's hem. Her skin seemed to radiate a warm glow and her eyes glistened.
"You're beautiful." he stammered. She smiled at him, walked over and tried to smooth the wrinkles in his shirt. It had been a literal fight to catch Elanor and put her into the hands of her grandfather.
"You're doing well yourself," She said and kissed him. She meant it as a little kiss but Sam took to it and wouldn't let go. He wrapped his arms around her. Of course it was just now that Frodo turned the corner in the hall and walked into their room. He had his mouth open ready to ask one of them a question but found he had no air to expel. Sam and Rosie jumped apart and Frodo looked at them not knowing what to do he found himself saying
"I'll come back.later," and walked back out of the room. It wasn't that he hadn't seen them display physical affection before that bothered him, it was that they seemed to think they had to hide it from him. Like he was some poor fool who didn't understand love and should be sheltered from the mere hint of it.
He walked into the main hall and straightened his vest. He looked handsome you had to give him that. "What lass wouldn't want to accompany me," he tried to say and found himself laughing. But the laughter turned quickly to melancholy. He had recovered physically from his spell three weeks ago, mainly because the ailment wasn't physical. It took only a day or too till he could pull off his 'normal' self in front of Sam and Rosie. He knew he wasn't all right and he'd never be all right. He cursed his very existence.
"Mr. Frodo!" His thoughts were interrupted and he put on a pained smile.
"Right here," He said. Sam rushed up to him. "Are you ready to go?"
"Quite," Frodo said reluctantly.
"Good," Rosie said as she came up behind them. "Shall we, my fine gentle hobbits?" she laughed joyously and they walked out to the coach that was to take them to the wedding. Pippin- or really Pearl (Pippin's lucky lady) had decided on a night wedding at the large estate of their dearest friend Merridoc Brandybuck. She had chosen an evening wedding mostly because it made the whole affair even more prestigious and formal. It was practically going to be a ball.
"Remember driver, to stop at the Brook house before we get to Buckland," Sam said. The driver acknowledged and told the ponies to pick up their pace. Frodo sighed noticeably.
After thirty minutes the driver brought the coach to a halt in front of a small wealthy hobbit estate right outside of Buckland. It was constructed of charming red bricks with lavish fruit trees growing like soldiers in solute. Everyone thought it was the prettiest house built on this side of the river, though they didn't say so. Frodo thought it looked menacing.
"Go on, Frodo," Sam said motioning toward the door. Frodo looked up at the large building wrapped in the night like Rosie's shoulders were shrouded in black lace. There were several lamps burning behind the closed drapes. Sam grew impatient and opened the door of the coach. Frodo took the hint and though he wasn't at all prepared stepped down from the coach and walked slowly up the walk. He passed the numerous pear and peach trees at attention, each whispering "go back," and he quickened the pace so as not to loose his nerve (of which he really didn't have any to begin with). He was almost at the door when suddenly out of the bush to his right a shadow jumped at him and knocked him to the ground. Frodo cried out and tried to throw his attacker off of him but found he was weaker from his spell than he knew. Just then the moon came out from behind a cloud and illuminated the face of Jack Sparrow.
"Jack?" Frodo exclaimed.
"You don't want to be doin' that, mate"
"Doing what?" Frodo said. Jack motioned with his head to the front door of the Brook house.
"There's a woman in there waiting to claim your life- I know- they never put on that much perfume unless they they're making a stand." Frodo looked at him almost speechless.
"You were in her dressing room weren't you?" Frodo said with a look of disgust. Jack leaned back and allowed Frodo to sit up.
"I can't help you there, mate- didn't see a thing," He sounded disappointed and added, "curtain." Frodo's eyes couldn't get wider.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just out for my evening stroll," He said standing up. Frodo stood up too.
"A little far for a walk," he said brushing himself off. "I know, that's why I gave your driver the night off," he swayed a little bit. Frodo became angry. "What do you want? If you've escaped- fine- go! But I've got to get this over with."
"That's exactly why I'm here!" Jack exclaimed, waving his arms "I'm here to rescue you."
"Rescue me? From Lilly?" Jack rolled his eyes- and then his head and emulated the movement with his entire body in an extremely exaggerated gesture.
"No. I'm here to save you from what you're about to do." He said as if Frodo should've known what he was carrying on about. Just then two white-gloved hands reached out from under the same bush and pulled Jack's feet out from under him. He let out a gargled "whoa' and fell to the ground. He didn't move. Out of the bush emerged the prettiest hobbit Frodo had ever scene. She wore an emerald dress that accentuated her robust figure. Her black hair was piled up on top of her head like a cascade of raven curls. Her green eyes cast a stare that none could contend with.
"That's for spying on me!" she said, giving Jack a little kick. Frodo swallowed as she turned her piercing gaze on him. Her face softened.
"Frodo! You look so-," She looked him up and down. "Wonderful," She then astonished an already astonished Frodo by jerking him to her breast and holding him extremely tightly.
"It's so fortunate that we get to meet again, Lily," Frodo said trying to get his proper greeting in from his place in between her cleavage. She released him and looked into his eyes.
'Fortunate is not the word," she said looking at him in a way that made him most uncomfortable. Suddenly Frodo remembered Jack and praised the stars for the interruption.
"What about him?" they looked down and suddenly found the pirate to be missing.
"Great," Frodo said.
"Don't bother about him," Lilly said taking Frodo's arm and leading him back down the path (though he really wasn't aware of his feet even moving- if anyone had asked him he would've said he had glided).
"He's just another scoundrel, Sam will take care of him, but tonight- " She stopped walking and grabbed Frodo and turned him toward her "I'm going to take care of you." She kissed him-right on the lips- just like that, and walked on ahead leaving Frodo standing there like a dumbfounded Proudfoot. Frodo regained himself just as he heard her call and raced to the coach. She climbed in without waiting for Frodo to open the door and he scuttled in after her. No one even noticed the driver staggering back to his place at the reins. Jack smiled with satisfaction and gave a shout to the ponies.
They reached the Brandy Hall not a moment too soon. Frodo was the first to get out the coach and he grasped for the sacred breath that seemed to have abandoned him. He kept tugging at his shirt's collar like it was a noose. She had held his hand the whole way. Immediately upon exiting the coach she latched on to his arm and gave him a look that made him blush. Frodo felt overwhelmed. To say he had been swept off his feet wouldn't do his emotional status justice as he was literally being swept around by Lilly's long black lashes. They entered Brandy Hall to find it in an uproar of men and hobbits. It glittered with lights and crystal and was bedecked with ribbons of every color. Hobbit butlers came running up to great the guests and to take their coats. Sam and Frodo looked eagerly around for a glimpse of Pippin.
"Frodo? Frodo?" they heard a voice shouting from within a crowd of hobbits. It began to get closer.
"Out of the way. Frodo?" and the owner of the voice emerged. Peregrine Took stood face to face with his cousin.
"Frodo." he whispered and then pulled him into his arms. Frodo snickered to himself about the number of embraces he was getting that night.
"I can't believe you're here," Pippin said and just then another voice was heard moving through the crowd
"Make way!" shouted Merridoc Brandybuck, Frodo's other cousin. When Merry caught sight of Frodo from a yard a way he let out a whoop of excitement and rushed to his kinsmen. All three of them embraced and Frodo felt himself heave a sigh, not of relief, or stress but of satisfaction. It was good to be with family.
"Merry, do you see what I see?"
"I do, and I can't believe it, our little Frodo Baggins!" he said.
"Now Merry, don't think that just because you've grown taller than me that I'm not still your elder," Frodo retorted. Merry smiled and put his hand on his shoulder
"You'll have to come and sit down and tell us all about the last nine years." Lilly cleared her throat and elbowed Frodo.
"Oh, and this is- um, Lilly Brook of Hobbiton," Frodo said his voice decrescendoing into a nervous whisper.
"Well put a saddle on me and call me a donkey!" Merry exclaimed.
"You see this Pip? It took us how long to get suitors? And here he's been back for three weeks and he's got a girl on his arm!" Pippin broke into laughter and Lilly smiled wryly
"Maybe you boys've been fishing with the wrong bait." Pippin looked at her in surprise, Sam looked like he was going to faint, Rosie smiled out of admiration and Merry looked positively intrigued.
"It's not so much that we've been using the wrong bait, Ms. Brook, but rather I don't think we've known such fish swam the Brandywine." Frodo felt a strange emotion shoot up his spine like a rocket- jealousy.
"Or maybe it's that most hobbits don't have the sense to know when to stop talking and ask the girl to dance," Frodo found his tongue to be way ahead of his good-sense.
"I'd love to," Lilly accepted and started leading Frodo away from his friends and family toward the music. He looked back over his shoulder only to see his cousins and Sam laughing at his own mistake. He cursed himself- but death didn't come- only a waltz.
Frodo felt like he should be dancing badly, and rigidly, but found that he swept Lilly around the floor like a master. Oddly enough he felt very alive. He loved the warmth of her hand in his and the feeling of protection he got from having his other hand on her waist. He felt her protecting him. Protecting him from his shyness, his pain, but mostly his past. The music swept on and on and he began to feel lightheaded. He began to throw in dips every now and then and each time Lily would tighten her grip a little bit more. This became the driving force behind his carefully planned choreography. He had to have her nearer to him. He felt all of his self-awareness leave and he forgot about his friends watching him. It also helped that many knights of Ithilien had been invited and gave Frodo the illusion of being hidden from view amongst their long legs. The knights had arrived two weeks ago bearing gifts from Lord Faramir and Lady Eyown and had stayed on as guests of Pippin and Merry.
Now the music picked up into an invigorating song, and Lillies' skirt rustled and flipped about has Frodo pranced her around the floor. Each time he twirled her he caught sight of her glamorous petty coats and found himself both pleased with his accomplishment and horrified. He soon became aware of an odd knight dancing with a slight stagger in his step. He wondered if men of Ithilien were as healthy drinkers as Gondor, but then the knight dipped his lady toward Frodo so that he might meet his dark eyes. Frodo gasped and spun Lilly toward the other direction. Frodo felt it was urgent that hey got away from Jack and whatever it was he was up to. He danced Lilly toward the other side of the floor but Jack followed suit.
"Bloody pirates," he thought "he's going to mess this up."
"May I cut in," a raspy voice said from the side. Frodo turned and was fact-to-chest with Jack.
"Don't you think that will be a little awkward, my dear Sir," Frodo said irritated.
"Oh not at all!" and he picked Lilly up like a child and spun her around the room. The lady Jack had been dancing with had disappeared (probably at the thought of dancing with a hobbit) and Frodo stood amidst the dance watching Jack swoon. Lilly looked at him disgustedly.
"This is for kicking me!" he said tossing her into the air like a rag doll and catching her. She cried out and Frodo became infuriated.
"No need for alarm, love," he grinned and his gold teeth seemed to be especially shiny as Frodo could see the glint from where he was standing.
"I don't bite." He said swishing his hand in front of her face.
"Yeah, well I do!" she said and bit into his finger. He screamed and dropped her to the ground she began to crawl away and Frodo got on all fours too. They dodged the many dancing feet and met at the farthest side of the floor.
"Let's get out of here," She said and Frodo took her hand and led her out of Brandy Hall.
They walked down the steps and cut into the grass. They began down the long descent that went toward the river.
"Where are we going,"
"Shh," Frodo put his finger to his lips and began to ask himself the same question. What was he doing? They soon walked out onto the tiny dock that held the boats of the Brandybuck family. Frodo picked a tiny (even by hobbit standards) rowboat and jumped down into it. The boat rocked and he froze.
"Watch yourself, Frodo," He thought "Don't get carried away." He stood up cautiously and motioned to Lilly to give him her hand. She balked.
"I don't know about this," She said, her usual headstrong manner subsiding.
"Don't think about it," Frodo said realizing that he wasn't thinking any of this through and wasn't about to start thinking now. She looked at him and looked toward Brandyhall. Frodo knew he was losing her.
"You look so beautiful, I just have to get you to myself," He said holding out his hand. She couldn't believe her ears. Frodo couldn't believe his mouth. But she took the bait. Just then she caught her foot on one of the uneven boards of the dock and fell into his arms. There she was- all of her- in his arms. Their eyes met and he felt as though he was looking into himself, yet they were so different. He leaned in closer. He could feel her breath on his face.
"So this is a woman," he thought. She was so tender, so vibrant. She seemed to radiate colors he'd never seen before. She leaned in a little closer too. Their noses were almost touching.
"Was he falling in love with her?"
"Ahoy!" Frodo spun around to see Imbalech clutching the shirt collar of Jack Sparrow.
"Imbalech," Frodo exclaimed. He was very rattled. Everything seemed to be zooming by him at a hundred miles per hour.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it was either going to be me or him that spoiled your little-," she met Frodo's nervous eyes " outing."
"Yes, yes, thank you Imbalech, I'm sure Sam will be glad to know you've caught him, and I do appreciate your vigilance," Frodo rambled trying in as many ways as he knew to say "Go away now," without so many words. Imbalech seemed to catch on and excused herself
"I'll be sure to notify Sam at once, Frodo," She nodded to him and then to Rosie "Milady," and departed dragging Jack behind her. They walked to the top of the hill before she got so tired of his constant ramblings that she flung him to the ground.
"Why should I let you go?" Jack stood up brushing himself off.
"Your friend is grave danger." She looked at him suspiciously.
"From what?"
"Just.," he locked eyes with the elf "Trust me." She rolled it
over in her head (not that there was really any facts to go on.)
"You expect me to simply let The Dark One go, because he says I should
trust him?"
"Yes." He said matter-of-factly. She sighed and looked at him
and then glanced down to where Frodo and Lilly were starting to row
away from the shore. When she turned back he was gone. She looked
around thoroughly annoyed. Her eyes could see very well in the
daytime, but Imbalech had been blessed with even keener vision at
night. She quickly spied him hiding in a branch of a neighboring tree.
"I don't think so, Mr. Sparrow" She said picking up a good-sized
rock and targeting his head. He fell with a string of curse words from
the branch to the
ground. Jack sat up rubbing his head just as Imbalech grabbed him by
the collar again.
"I'm watching you now, Mr. Sparrow- there's no room for escape."
"You don't understand- I've got to stop him," Jack protested but
Imbalech answered him by picking him up kicking and thrashing and
throwing him over her shoulder.
"I think he can do this better on his own."
"That's just what I'm afraid of."
Indeed Frodo felt at complete ease now that they had drifted
down the river a little ways- to be precise they were about six feet
from the dock as both of them were terrified. She sat across from him
looking out at the dark water. The moon was behind a cloud and yet she
still seemed to glow.
"Are you cold?" he asked as innocently as he could muster.
"Yes," she answered as innocently as she could muster. He slowly
and carefully moved next her as not to rock the boat too much.
"That's better," she said and Frodo looked out over the water to
the lights of Brandy Hall. She faked a shiver and he looked back at
her concerned. He took off his jacket and stated to pull it over her
shoulders, but just as him arm wrapped around her she snuggled up and
pulled his hand to her shoulder.
"That's much better," She said. His eyes were wide for a second
but then softened. He felt mellow, very free, as if nothing could
bother him. When he had courted in his youth he had always had a great
sense of propriety. Never would he visit a girl unattended, and yet
here he was on a boat on the Brandywine with his arm around her. "Her.." suddenly Frodo felt fear creep inside of him. He thought of Jack's song to Elbereth, and he loosened his hold of Lilly. He wasn't going to give his heart to a hobbit, not when there was Elbereth waiting for him beyond the seas. Yes, it was the plutonic love of a servant to a master, but it was so deep, so meaningful. It had such great purpose and Frodo was not about to settle in to a meaningless life of taxes and children, dinner parties and town council meetings. He had returned from the West with a purpose- even if he didn't know what it was yet. He looked down at his shirt and fingered the button till it came off the loop, he pulled the fabric away and there like a star shone The One Ring, Mall'elen. Lilly felt him loosen his grip and looked to see what was the matter.
"Frodo- what's that?" he looked at her his eyes sobering and
becoming somber.
"A ring of power."
"It's not the one that took you away so long ago, is it?" She
said as she had heard the stories.
"Yes, and no," he looked at her with an anguished glance.
"I'm sorry Lilly, but it's a lie to think we could ever have a
chance..."
"What do you mean?" He undid the clasp of the chain about his
neck and took The Ring into his hand.
"She's called Mall'elen, or Road of the Star. I'm Her servant."
"I don't understand."
"The Powers in the West have sent me here to do something." He
said quietly as if he was trying to hold back the tears.
"With the ring?" She asked.
"Yes. Mall'elen was wrought from the light of Elbereth herself.
She is one it, even as Sauron was one with his ring of power."
"What are you supposed to do?" she looked terrified. He now
seemed alien to her.
"I don't know," as he looked at her his countenance seemed to
loose it's color and become dead.
"I only know that I live only to serve that purpose. This life
was not meant for me."
"I don't see why not!" she raised her voice. He looked at her
unprepared for this outburst- though he should've seen it coming.
"I don't see why you can't be with me- just as we are now." He
sighed.
"I don't think I'll be able to stay in the Shire much longer.
Tell me Lilly how many times have you slept beneath the stars with
nothing but a cloak for warmth? How long can you go without food or
water? These are things I'd like to know before you decide you're
going to stay with me. My road, the road of the Star will take me into
danger, I won't take you with me- into that." She started to cry.
Frodo felt like someone was slowly ripping him limb from limb.
"Please don't," he said pulling her near him.
"You're telling me to live without you," she sobbed on his chest
" I tried that.," she looked up at him. "When you vanished the first
time I waited for you.. everyone said you were dead. You never came to
see me, and now you've crossed the ocean and back and you're asking me
to forget you.when that's something I've never been able to do." He
looked away. "I never let go through all that," she continued "and I
wont start now!" suddenly she grabbed the ring from his hand and threw
it over board. Frodo let out a cry and without thinking lunged for the
ring only causing the boat to capsize. Within minutes they were
splashing about trying desperately to tread water. Both of them had
been raised on the river and had the rare skill of swimming but the
shock and the cold of the water had stunned Lilly. Frodo tried in vain
to swim her to shore but he could barley keep his head above water
with the flow of the current and her extra weight. Just as his head
was going under he had a vision of his mother and father out for a
moonlight ride, and the boat flipping. They gasped and struggled. His
father tried in vain to keep his wife above water but soon he lost his
strength and they surrendered their lives to the riverbed. Then the
vision shifted and all became white light. He was in the Court of
Elbereth, she whispered something to him but he couldn't hear her. He
cried out and reached for her but she was just beyond his fingers. He
strained and struggled and then the image began to darken and her eyes
became lined in black and suddenly her hand reached out to him and
actually grabbed him only it was a rough callused hand with leather on
the palm. Frodo was suddenly lifted out of the water, and with him
came Lilly. He was pulled up onto a boat of gray wood and he coughed
and spat. His vision had cleared and before him was none other than
Captain Jack Sparrow.
"Jack?"
"You just couldn't listen to me could you, mate?" he said
putting a blanket around his shoulders. Frodo didn't reply but turned
his attention to Lilly. She was breathing, but faintly. Jack handed
Frodo his dark blue jacket to wrap around her. Frodo held her as they
rowed to shore. A gathering of hobbits and men with torches lined the
dock. They took Lilly from Jack and gave Frodo a hand as he hobbled
out of the boat. Jack stepped ashore and was immediately grabbed by
two of the nearest knights. Sam came rushing down the hill with
Rosie, Pippin and Merry not far behind.
"Frodo! Are you alright?" Sam shouted as he neared his master.
All he could do was nod his head as the violent shivers began to drain
his consciousness.
"Sam, It's gone-," Frodo stared blankly at his friend. Sam
couldn't understand him.
"I've failed." And he dropped to the ground.