Family Ties

Chapter Two: The Meeting

Notes: No, Frodo is not gay. I had no idea people would be so offended by one or two lines. There will be no graphic sex in this story, but I think some people need to learn to be more open-minded. There are gay people…there always were gay people….and there always will be gay people. You just can't ignore it. And I am very sure people would not have been offended if it didn't mention both lads and lasses. No, I do not think it needs to be rated higher than PG at this point. One reference to sex. That's it. That being said, there will only be a few references to sex in the entire story – it's not going to be smut or even slash. I have no problem with slash, but it's just not part of the story. It may be mentioned – along with heterosexual sex – in passing. Sex is, after all, a part of growing up. I'm sure you've all had "the talk" with your parents or guardians at some point, after all. But Frodo will rebel in other ways. Sex is just one of them. I do believe teenagers act out sexually when they're been ignored (as unintentional as the neglect is on Saradoc's part, I believe it is still there). In fact, I know people who have done similar things Frodo does. I'm an adolescent, after all. Yes, Frodo has a bit of a temper. He will be most fun to write – especially since Bilbo has a bit of stubbornness in him, too. It's a good combination. Thanks for the reviews thus far. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Walk On will hopefully be updated next week – along with this story. Spring break is coming up.

July 16, 1388

The morning following Bilbo's discussion with Saradoc, Bilbo found himself, once again, walking down the main corridor of Brandy Hall in the opposite direction of the dining hall.

At the previous night's supper, Saradoc had invited Bilbo to sit next to him and his family, a place usually reserved for a special guest of the master. The master's table was the only rectangular table in the hall – the other tables were much smaller and circular. The tables usually seated the Hall's families, while other tables farther in back held apprenticed teens and tweens housed there. Bilbo supposed his seating was arranged as a return favor for Bilbo, since Saradoc had asked him a rather large favor.

Midway through the meal, Saradoc had leaned over and said, "Well, I have some good news, Bilbo."

"You're taking back your offer?" Bilbo replied, with a humorous gleam in his eye. Saradoc frowned in response, so Bilbo quickly added, "That was merely a jest, dear hobbit."

"Well, good," said Saradoc shortly. "Because I have spoken with Frodo, and he loves the idea."

"Is that so," Bilbo said, taking a sip of water. "And what about meeting this lad?"

"I told him that you'd see him in his room tomorrow morning," Saradoc said lightly. "I think you two should get to know each other before any drastic measures are taken. He seemed more agreeable than usual."

Bilbo nodded and turned back to his supper, famished from the lack of meals he had eaten in the day – only three, including supper. After eating a heaping mouthful of mashed potatoes, Bilbo turned back to Saradoc and said, "Is Frodo even in the hall right now?"

"Oh yes," said Saradoc, obviously delighted at Bilbo's interest. "He's nearly across the hall – he's seated at the tweener table in the back of the hall, you see." He pointed across the hall at one of the small, circular tables. "He's the one with darker hair, wearing the green vest and brown breeches." Bilbo squinted and saw the lad, whose back was turned to him.

"He has a lovely backside," Bilbo said, smirking a bit.


"He was at the party last night," Saradoc added, ignoring Bilbo's rather rude comment. "You might have seen him."


"I might have," Bilbo said. "In fact, I probably did. Nearly every hobbit in the whole of Buckland was present at that party, I believe."

Saradoc smiled and nodded in agreement. "Indeed," he said, "and they were all there to see Merry, weren't they, lad?" He turned to his young son, who was seated next to his mother, on Saradoc's right side. Bilbo saw his honey-brown curls bob eagerly he and smiled, thinking that perhaps it would not be so bad to have a child around, after all.

~*~*~

The next day, Bilbo woke up just after daybreak – a far more respectable time than yesterday - and took his customary walk outside, admiring the sunset and allowing his mind to become cleared.

After an hour or so, he headed back into the hall and had a quick breakfast. He then headed back to his room to relax and read until he went to see Frodo. However, just as he reached his room, Saradoc hurried down the hallway behind him and shouted, "Bilbo!"

Bilbo turned around and replied, "Yes, Saradoc?"

"I was thinking that you should see Frodo now," Saradoc said, slightly out of breath. "It would give plenty of time to talk before elevensies." Saradoc finally caught up to Bilbo, and Bilbo could see that he was puffing, obviously exhausted from something. "For a hobbit your age, you certainly walk fast!"

Bilbo chuckled and said, "I've heard so before, yes. Now, please show me to Frodo's room. I must say that I'm looking forward to meeting this lad once again."

Saradoc nodded. "Of course." Saradoc and Bilbo started back toward the dining hall, but instead of going down to the right to reach it, they turned left and took a series of winding tunnels which led to the very western edges of the hall.

Finally, they reached a series of small, rounded doors. "Frodo's room is just a few doors down," Saradoc said, and he took a few brisk steps towards a green door on the right side of the hall. Bilbo quickly caught up with him; they stood in front of the door together. Bilbo felt rather apprehensive.

"I think I shall leave you two alone together," Saradoc said.

"Why not come in and introduce us?" asked Bilbo. "I think that would be beneficial."

"No," said Saradoc abruptly. "I do not think that wouldn't help matters at all."

"Why not?"

"Believe me," Saradoc said. "He's a very touchy boy, as I've said, and we don't get along very well, I'm afraid. Esmeralda fares better with him, I think. Not to say that I don't care for him," he added hastily.

"Of course," muttered Bilbo, "I shall speak with you later, then."

"Good luck, Bilbo," he replied, and hurried back down the hall. Bilbo watched him go, feeling even more nervous than he had before. He turned the door and gazed at it determinedly, building up his courage. He, Bilbo Baggins, had faced dragons, trolls, and giant spiders, but he couldn't remember feeling so jittery for quite awhile. He had no idea what he was facing – and the stories he had heard made him feel all the more anxious. Though he would admit it to no one, he secretly wished for this unknown boy to like him, though he didn't know for what reason.

Finally, he drew in a deep breath and raised his hand to knock. Before he could even touch his fist to the wood, the door swept open in front of him and Frodo stood there, glancing at Bilbo shrewdly. He was the same boy Saradoc had pointed out the previous night – though from the front-eye view this time. He had dark hair that almost appeared to be raven black. His eyes were a dark greenish-brown, which stood out boldly in his pale, curved face. He was wearing a pair of brown breeches with a blue, wrinkled shirt.

He glanced at Frodo for a moment, and then said, "Well, are you going to come in?" He stepped away from the door, bowing and flinging the door completely open.

"I mean, you and dear Uncle Saradoc…"

Bilbo couldn't help but notice he said this in a rather ridiculing tone.

"-were standing outside the door talking about me long enough. The least you could do would be to come in." Frodo smiled politely, though Bilbo sensed something other than pleasure behind it.

"I suppose I shall," Bilbo replied graciously, "and I apologize for the conversation Saradoc and I were having. I had no idea you could hear."

"Well, the walls are rather thin here at Brandy Hall," Frodo replied, and Bilbo walked in. The room was medium sized, and very immaculate. His bed, covered with a blue and white quilt, was made, and all the furnishings – and there were quite a few - were polished. Bilbo noted a large shelve of books above his bed. He couldn't help but think that the boy was well provided for.

"Please, sit down," Frodo said, and he pointed at a rocking chair near the only window in the room. Bilbo walked over and sat, and Frodo dragged a chair from his desk over by Bilbo. He sat and eyed Bilbo, obviously waiting for him to say something.

Bilbo cleared his throat. "Well, my name is Bilbo Baggins."

"Yes," Frodo said, "how do you do? I suppose Saradoc's already told you my name."

"Yes, Frodo," Bilbo said, "and he's told me quite a few things about you."

"I'm sure he has," Frodo said darkly.

"And he's also told me that he's informed you of his arrangement."

"He has."

"And that you're thrilled about it."

Frodo raised his eyebrows. "Now there's one thing I've never said."

Bilbo sighed, feeling tenser than ever. It made sense that Saradoc would say that – if he had said Frodo hated the idea, Bilbo would have never come to talk to him in the first place. "Well, I guess he lied about that, then."

"You'll find that lying isn't an uncommon thing for the master to do," Frodo said piercingly.

"Watch your tongue," Bilbo reprimanded, and thought that this whole affair was going rather wretchedly already.

Frodo sat up straighter, and plastered an even bigger smile on his face. "I apologize," Frodo said.

Bilbo ran his fingers through his hair, hoping his uneasiness did not show. "Accepted," he said quickly. "Let's get down to more pleasant matters, shall we?" Frodo nodded. "Well, as I said, I am Bilbo. I'm your first cousin on your mother's side, I believe, and your second cousin on your father's side. That makes me…well, a cousin."

Frodo snorted.

"I live in Hobbiton," Bilbo continued in his most civil tone, "and that's where most of the Bagginses live. We're family, Frodo, and I'd like to get along with you. I hear we have much in common, though I do not know what that is yet. I hope you will tell me a bit about yourself – especially if we are to live together."

"Yes, if," Frodo agreed. "I do not know what to say about myself. I daresay Saradoc has told you all you care to hear."

"He's told me some things," replied Bilbo. "But I'd like to hear about you, Frodo, not what Saradoc has said."

"I'm Frodo," he said, "I'm nineteen, though I shall be twenty in September. I live here, in Brandy Hall. I don't know," he said, hesitatingly, "I like to read, I guess, and write sometimes. I don't know what else to say."

Bilbo nodded. "I like to read as well," he replied eagerly, "and I'm writing a book of memoirs."

"Yes, I have heard about your adventures," Frodo said, and Bilbo thought he saw his ears prickle up in interest, "But I've also hear you're mad," he added bluntly, and Bilbo frowned a little. Before he could respond, Frodo said, "So, what's Saradoc told you about me?"

Bilbo had a good mind to tug his ears and tell him to be more respectful, but instead he said, "Well, mainly that you steal."

"Occasionally." He shrugged. "Don't all tweens?"

"Also that you keep the wrong company," Bilbo said.

"Whatever does he mean?"

"And," Bilbo hesitated to say this, "that you're mature for your age."

"Mature? In what way?" Frodo asked suspiciously.

"Well, he's said that you're quite active with the lads and lasses your age," Bilbo replied, hoping his point was clear.

"Ah!" Frodo shouted, and he rose from his seat. "I knew he'd say that, I knew it! He's a liar! A liar! The only reason he says that is because he wants to send me away! He wants a reason!" Frodo got up and angrily paced in front of Bilbo's chair. "He just dislikes me. He thinks I will end up like my crazy mother, so he makes up things to justify his own stupidity!"

"Frodo Baggins!" gasped Bilbo. "I think you've said quite enough."

"Just because you're his friend doesn't mean a thing to me," Frodo snapped.

"I've known Saradoc before you were even born," Bilbo said angrily, "and I think I know him quite well, thank you, and I don't need to hear a nineteen-year-old ungrateful brat telling me otherwise."

"Ungrateful?" yelled Frodo.

"Yes!" Bilbo shouted, and he rose from his chair. "Look at all you have! And how do you pay back your aunt and uncle? by slandering them –"

"Only because they've slandered me first!"

"-slandering them, just because you're ashamed of your actions –"

"I have never done the things he's accused me of!" Frodo raged. "I have never! He hates me, and he hates that I speak my mind."

"You call it speaking your mind, I call it raging about incoherently like a spoiled tween. And I'm not only speaking of the bedding," Bilbo said, "I'm speaking of your disrespect, your stealing –"

"My running away, my vandalism, my running with the wrong crowd," Frodo shouted, "yes, I know I am a bad child, I've been informed of it on many occasions."

"Well, obviously not on enough occasions, " Bilbo replied. "You are the most rude and unpleasant hobbit I've met, and I've known quite a few." He immediately thought of the Sackville-Bagginses.

"Unpleasant?" Frodo said. "You've only talked to me for a few minutes, and you've already come to that conclusion?"

"It's not a hard one to come to, seeing as you weren't very talkative or pleasant with the first words you spoke to me."

"Well, I'm so very sorry," Frodo said, "but it's difficult to be pleasant to someone who already thinks the worst of you before they've even talked to you. I get it all the time. It's hard to be pleasant when no one likes you."

Bilbo sat down in the chair, shaking with anger. He hadn't been so angry since the time a few months ago when Lobelia took some of his serving spoons from a tea party he'd had.

"Well," Frodo said, walking away from the chairs. "I guess you can go talk to Saradoc. Tell him I'm a wretched child. I guess his plans are off. He'll be most disappointed."

"Oh, I don't think so," Bilbo said. Frodo stared at him. "Whether I want to believe it or not – you are a Baggins, boy. I have more responsibility of raising you than I realized - though I barely knew of your existence a few days previous. But you are my family, and I have the responsibility to set you right. Very few people have wits enough to anger me, and you've done so." Frodo smirked at that. "But you are young and you think you know all, and that is your shortcoming. I think you'll find it very hard to be stubborn with me, boy, as I am very stubborn myself. But keep your stubbornness – you shall need it for the next year when you live with me."

Bilbo got out of the chair and caught Frodo's open look of disbelief. "I shall see you in one month. Good day, Frodo." With that, Bilbo walked out the room, slamming the door shut behind him.