Chapter 12: Wishes

YOU ROCK CRYSTALHORSE72 AND CONNOR WOLF! U STILL RULE!

******************************************************************************************

Frodo watched Boromir and Kit dancing on the green in the twilight, just as the moon was rising, from the balcony just outside his room. A southern wind blew back their hair and it danced with them as they laughed. A sudden jealousy smote the hobbit and he tried to shake himself of it, but it would not leave. It only grew stronger until he thought he would burst. His cheeks began to burn in rage as they turned and turned in seemingly endless circles. Slamming his fist into his thigh, he turned away….

The pair knelt together, unaware of their watcher. Boromir, his heart nearly beating twice its regular speed at the wonderful prospect of a future wedding, felt very giddy and restless, whereas his new fiancée felt a beautiful calm in her mind, and was sure that for the first time she felt complete. She purred deep in her throat, brushing her lips across his own and he returned this sensual gesture before gently bending her head to rest it on his shoulder. "Boromir," she laughed quietly. "What are you doing?" He held her closer, burying his face into the scarlet curtain of hair that was draped haphazardly across his chest. "I am the man," he whispered. "I need to protect you."

He started when she pushed away from him with a sudden force he never thought she would have, yet still with her feminine grace. "What do you mean 'protected'?" she inquired, her lip curling. "Oh, Kit," he murmured, standing to draw her into an embrace, but she moved away. "What do you mean?" she persisted.

"Well," Boromir stammered. "It is only the sheer fact that woman are considered weaker than men."

"And do you think me weak?" she snapped, lowering her head in challenge.

Boromir could find no words. He stepped back, mouth agape, wonder and disbelief shining in his eyes. In only a moment, she was gone, running away from him, back to her uncle's home. He could find no more strength left in his body and he fell to his knees, hiding his head in his hands….

******************************************************************************************

Long before, Frodo had fled to his bed in frustration. He closed his eyes, but he could find no sleep. He tossed and turned, to no prevail. Yet he soon found a distraction as Kit burst into the room, her expression of pure malice. The door slammed behind her and she began bustling about, just to keep her hands, wishing to seek out a throat or a blade, occupied. She slowed as she spied the hobbit lying motionless in bed; her ears strained to hear his breath, and she shook her head, letting out an exasperated sigh. "I know you are not asleep, Frodo," she said, a slight edge in her voice.

"I admit it," he replied, sitting up. In an almost business-like manner, she began to dress a new bandage and remove his old one, although her hands were still gentle. "What do you desire most?" he asked suddenly. He caught a quick glance of her eye, but nothing more. "A child," she said. "No one is about to provide me with one at the moment." she added, her tone cutting off his answer. "But what about Boromir?" he questioned again after a moment's pause.

"We are in an argument at the moment," she said firmly, tugging his bandage too tight. She realized her error and corrected herself before sweeping out of the room.

For a long while after, Frodo lay in his bed, facing the ceiling. If only he could give her what she wanted…