Chapter Two Disclaimer: We don't own anyone but Celebriel. Celebriel and Frodo stared at each other frozen. Finally, Frodo broke the silence and said, "I beg your pardon, my lady, who are you?" " Celebriel, daughter of King Aragon Elessar and Queen Arwen Undomièl. You? You are a halfling, no doubt." "I am Frodo Baggins, and this is my companion, Samwise Gamgee. Indeed, we are halflings, from the Shire. Suddenly, Frodo didn't care about their differences in height and race. He only had eyes for Celebriel's exquisite elfish beauty. He took her slender white hand and kissed it. It was probably the most daring thing he had ever done. Celebriel was charmed. "I am glad we have met, Frodo Baggins." Frodo led her to the camp and sat with her. Sam rekindled the fire and lay nearby, smoking his pipe. Celebrile told Frodo of her abduction and escape. Frodo told her of his uncle and his purpose to find him. They talked late into the night, and by that time, Sam had fallen asleep. Frodo and Celebriel gazed into each other's eyes. "How old are you?" he asked, almost whispering. "Thirteen" Her face was so close to his. "Thirteen!" Frodo was surprised. "Why I'm nearly forty, but still young by hobbit years." "Yes, and you look young too, Frodo. I would have never guessed your age. Neither could resist anymore. They leaned forward and kissed. They wrapped their arms around each other, lovingly. After a while, their faces drew apart. "Do you have any idea how you will go back to Gondor?" Frodo asked, tenderly. "Go back? I don't know. I suppose my father and mother will be looking for me. But will they know haw far west the wild-men took me? It is a long way from here to Gondor" she paused, taking it all in, "yes, a very long way." She was suddenly frightened, what if her parents never found her? Would she see them again? Frodo's hand brushed her cheek, and she felt something wet. She hadn't realized she was crying. "Don't worry," he whispered in her ear. "I'll look after you, Celebriel, as long as you're here with me, I promise." He gathered her in his arms and rocked her gently. The sight of the flames and the warmth of Frodo's body made her drowsy, and before she knew it, she was dreaming. Frodo gazed lovingly at the young elf maiden. He brushed his hand across the dove gray riding dress and the braided golden brown hair, He still didn't care if he was smaller than she was. Celebriel loved him, and that's all that mattered. He groped for his blanket and covered her. Then he lay gently on the grass. How could he possibly sleep with her nearby? A noise made him jump. It was Sam. "Haven't got a wink yet, Mister Frodo?" "No, not yet Sam." Sam studied him for s moment, "You're smitten with that elf maiden, and no mistake, Mister Frodo, begging your pardon." "I?? I. no.I." "Now, now Mister Frodo, you can fool half the hobbits in the shire, but you can't fool your old Sam, no you can't" Frodo laughed softly. "And so I can't. I'm sorry Sam. I am. Go back to sleep, Sam. I'll manage myself." As Sam put out the fire, Frodo wrapped himself in his cloak, and lay down. It was a long time before he could actually doze off.
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