Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Chapter 7

"Good morning, Mira," Rosie said in her normal cheerful manner as I entered the kitchen. "You sister is feeling better then?"

"Aye." I stayed in the doorway to the kitchen.

"That is good to hear."

"Thank you for the soup. It helped her recover a bit quicker."

"You're Welcome." Rosie turned around to face me. Worry came over her eyes and she neared me. "What happened?" she questioned, reaching up to tough the bruise that had developed on my cheek. I pulled away slightly, remembering the pain from the previous night.

"I was a little careless in where I was going yesterday with the panic of taking care of my sister."

"Well, let me have a look at that," she reached up again, but I halted her attempts.

"No, I'll be fine." I walked to the counter and proceeded to prepare the morning's meal. Throughout the morning, I tried to remain as calm as possible despite Rosie pouring over me with concern as my mother had once done.

I took Frodo's lunch to him along with the current book he was lending me. I figured it was better to get it out of my hands so I would not take it home where my father might find it and be further infuriated.

"Here you go, Master Baggins," I said, setting down the plate and the book. "I brought your book back."

He turned around and smiled. " Good afternoon, Mirabella," he said. "Where were you these past two days?" he got up and crossed the room to pick up his book. Frodo's smile vanished as his gaze ran across my face. "What happened to your face?" I looked at the floor, wanting to run away.

"My sister was ill and since she is the only one who takes care of everything, I decided to take her place these past two days so the house would not fall apart. I figured Rosie or Sam would have told you." I quickly spit it out so I could just enjoy my time alone.

"That still doesn't explain that bruise on you face." He picked up the book and remained standing in front of me. Unable to make eye contact with him, I stared at the fine ivory linen shirt and the brown vest that hung loosely over his thing frame.

"I was clumsy last night and didn't mind where I was going." My brain raced to come up with a lie similar to the one I had told Rosie.

"I don't think you could ever be careless enough to get a mark like that." He reached up and I could feel the warmth of his hand near skin. I turned away before he touched the sensitive area.

"I'm quite alright," I whispered, stepping back. Silence covered the room and neither of us moved for a while. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Well, I should get you a new book, I suppose." He stepped back towards the bookshelf.

"That isn't necessary." I looked up at him as I said it just as he turned to face me.

'Why not?" A puzzled look crossed his otherwise expressionless face.

"I do. It's just that." I trailed off as my eyes fell to the floor again. I needed to come up with a plausible excuse quickly, but with all of the other turmoil mustering in my mind, I could not think of anything.

"It's just what?" Frodo prompted me, stepping a little closer. I could feel his eyes staring intently on me despite my refusal to look at him.

"I have enough to do already and my load will be getting heavier soon." That sounds reasonably enough, I thought to myself.

"Does this have to do with whatever happened yesterday?" Once again he came closer to me until he was inches away. My gaze ran up his body to his face. I saw the concern and care in the deep blue of his eyes. "Do you mind if we go stroll through the fields?"

"I would like to, but what about Mrs. Gamgee. She'll be needing me."

"You do have this hour off. That is the reason you started borrowing my books, correct?" A smile hinted across his lips. I gave in and followed him to the front hall where I pulled my shawl around my shoulders while Frodo pulled on his coat.

We walked through various streets of Hobbiton in silence, only occasional glances passed between us. A brisk wind whipped through the valley, tearing few of the final leaves from trees.

"Winter is settling in nicely," Frodo said softly as we continued in no particular direction.

"Aye, I stared at the landscape, the dead trees against the green grass with windows allowing onlookers to peer into warm hobbit holes.

"Are you going to tell me what happened or do I have to keep asking questions until I get a general idea?" Frodo's gaze remained ahead of us.

I gave in and decided to tell him half of my story. "Concerning the books, my father would probably burn it if he ever found it."

"Why do you sat that?"

"Because he will think I spent my earnings on such a luxury."

Silence once again filled both of us and we kept walking. After a few minutes, Frodo spoke up. "Is that why he struck you? Because you took care of your sister instead of working?"

"That's half of it, but how did you guess?"

"I can see there is some part of you that does not like to work and wishes to remain at home with your siblings."

"Truthfully, working for you and the Gamgees is the best vocation I have had in a while."

"You would still rather take care of you siblings or explore beyond the Shire if you were not tied down.

"Most likely, but how did you know?"

"When I was around your age, I was the same. I wanted to have an adventure like my Uncle Bilbo," Frodo slowed his pace and stared at the ground in front of his face. He shook his head to get rid of whatever thought lingered in his mind, then looked at me again. "What is the other part in your father's reason for striking you so?" He returned to his normal pace.

"I questioned his logic in forcing me to come back today even though Lily is still ill. I know he loves me, but I also know that I remind him of my mother."

"Who was your mother?"

"Lalia Fairbarin, I do not know her maiden name. You probably do not know her since she died seven years ago."

Frodo looked out over the horizon before replying. "I do remember her. I recall meeting her and Bilbo's birthday party. She had an infant with her and two small children."

"The infant would be my brother, Andwise. The children would be myself and my sister, Lily."

"Ah, yes, I remember that night. I believe it was you who came up to me and asked for a dance?" he smiled lightly and peered at me through the corner of his eyes.

I blushed and hid my eyes from him as I felt his gaze cover me. "Aye," I managed to murmur despite my heart racing from embarrassment.

"Those were good times," he sighed and slowed his pace again.

"There's a question that's been turning over and over in my mind for a while now and I want to ask you, but I'm not sure if I should," I said, bringing him back from whatever memories were brewing in him.

"Ask and I'll give you an answer if it is in my power to do so." Frodo smiled and turned towards me, stepping in the middle of the path and coming to a stop. I halted as well and faced him. My heart pounded in my ears with nervousness as I ran various forms of the question in my head.

"After reading that page in you book, which I apologize for, I've been wondering what happened to you to cause such pain and grief."

Frodo's gaze drew away from me and focused on some distant object. He paused and took a deep breath before his gaze returned to me. "Two years ago, I started a journey that has had several impacts on my life, very few were for the better. I'd rather not speak of such times now for it still pains me to bring back those memories which are still unclear in my mind."

"Why are you writing them then?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"It helps to unload them. I feel that my story needs to be written down for later generations or at least to give myself peace of mind."

"Will you ever tell anyone? I feel it helps to tell others about my troubles, like now when I'm telling you about my father."

"Maybe some day the pain will not associate itself with the memories, but for now your innocent mind should not have to deal with such things." He reached up to his chest and clutched the fabric for a moment, releasing it slowly then returning his hand to his side. He looked up at me and smiled. "We should be getting back before Rosie frets too much over our disappearance."

"I guess you're right," I said, looking at the road and tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. We walked back to Bag End without another word passing between us. When we entered the hobbit hole, Rosie fussed over us.

"Where have you two been? I've bee worried for a while now." Rosie took Frodo's coat from him and my shawl from me and hung both of them up.

"I thought Mirabella might want to spend some time outdoors so I invited her to walk with me. There's no need to Rosie." Frodo tried his best to reassure Rosie that we were quite all right.

"You could have at least told me that you were going." Rosie started to sound more and more as a mother does.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Gamgee. I'm not quite myself after spending two days at home. I should have known better than to just leave. I'll go cook dinner." I headed to the kitchen and finished the meal Rosie had started.

As evening fell and I brought Frodo his dinner, I approached him. "Thank you, Master Baggins, for today. I had a nice outing with you." Frodo turned and smiled at me.

"I'm glad I could help you," his soft voice spoke. I turned to the door to leave, but he quickly stopped me. "And please, Mirabella," he said. I turned around to face him, "none of this Master Baggins nonsense. My name is Frodo and I would rather you call me by it. I know Sam and Rosie consider you family or at least a close friend and I'm sure they would like it if you treated them likewise."

"I'll try my best, but my years at the Green Dragon trained me to expect a slap in the face whenever I called a customer anything other than 'Master' or 'Mrs.' I assume you can see my dilema?"

"That I can, but I assure you that no one here will harm you."

"I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Frodo," I hesitated before saying his name.

"Goodnight," he said softly before returning to his book. I closed the door as quietly as possible and returned to the kitchen where I over heard Rosie and Sam talking.

"You'll never guess what happened this afternoon," Rosie said.

"And what might that be?" Sam responded.

"Frodo took Mira out on a stroll."

"That's the first time he's left the house in a long time."

I continued to put everything away, stunned to hear that something I did was helping Frodo. I gathered my things and entered the sitting room where Sam and Rosie were.

"I'll be leaving now if you have no further chores for the night," I stated, glancing from Sam to Rosie.

"Goodnight, Mirabella," Rosie said as she knitted. Sam nodded in agreement and I waved good-bye. Heading home, I felt better than when I had come to work that morning.