Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Chapter 15

The next day started like any other, I made breakfast diligently in the kitchen and lit the fire in the front room to bring heat to the failing winter temperatures. My mind still wondered about Frodo the previous night, but I knew it was not my place to ask of such matters.

"Please wait," Frodo said as I started to exit his study after setting his breakfast down. I turned to look at him as he stood from his chair.

"I'd like to thank you for what you did yesterday," he continued, coming closer to me, step by step. I shifted nervously, my hands fidgeting behind my back. His left hand came to rest on my right shoulder and my motions calmed a bit. "It meant quite a lot to me."

"You're very welcome, Frodo, but I can't see how what little I did helped you."

"It did more than you could ever know."

I stood there nervously, coming up with ways to phrase various questions that I could pose without seeming too forward. My eyes wandered around the room, trying to find something to give me inspiration.

"Is something troubling you?" his voice came softly. His gaze was upon me, staring intently as I lifted my eyes to meet his.

"A lot of things have been bothering me ever since I started work here." I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. This was my opportunity to ask him about everything that was stirring in my thoughts, but seeing the pain he went through yesterday made me want to keep my peace and not let him suffer through those memories again.

"Well, what has been troubling you most recently and we can go from there." Frodo crossed the room and sat in his more comfortable chair in the corner nearest the door. "Please sit down." He motioned to a chair next to him. I sat down and looked up at him.

"I guess the most current issue is yesterday. You seemed very ill and yet today you seem rather normal. And then when you were in a delirium, you shouted something in a foreign tongue." Once it all had slipped form my mouth, I regretted it. Frodo sighed deeply before responding.

"It is a long tale that I might one day have the courage to tell you, but for today, I do not have the courage nor the strength to tell you. All I can say is that it has to do with my journey. Several things happened to me that will always stay with me. Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of one of them. As for the foreign tongue, I am suspecting that it is Elvish since that is the only other language I know." Despite the ease with which he spoke, I could see the pain in his eyes that remembering such a subject brought about. I knew several traits about him were linked to his journey and that I should not inquire further. Still, there was one question I just had to ask.

"Please, I do not mean to bring up bad memories, but your hand.." I trailed off, afraid of continuing.

Frodo looked down at his lap, gazing upon his stub of a finger. His right hand ran over his left and the he spoke softly. "This is also from my journey."

"I figured so, but I had to inquire." I felt bad for asking after seeing the sorrow his body exhibited. "I'm sorry if I have stirred disconcerting memories."

"No," he said quickly. "It's quite alright. I asked you what was troubling you and you complied. I cannot punish you for something I brought upon myself."

"Well, then maybe we can move to a lighter topic?" I asked, still wanting to be in his presence.

"That would be nice." His lips curved into a light smile, half- hearted, yet a smile all the same.

I tried to think of a different subject that would not dwell on his journey. "One other item that has sifted through my thoughts from time to time is my mother."

"Oh?" His head perked up to look at me.

"Ever since my father told me about you and my mother, I wonder if it only was his attempt to frighten me away from you."

"I do believe his intent was to have you stay away from me, but he failed in that seeing as you are here. Your mother did have feelings for me, but I think it was merely an infatuation. As I said before, I did not return her feelings in any way. She was lovely though. You look just like her except that your hair is much darker than hers."

"Folks always said I looked like her when she was alive."

"I can remember her dancing at many celebrations in the Shire. Her hair would flow about her body and her nimble limbs would move as though she grew up with the songs, dancing them everyday instead of walking. Although I am surprised that I remember her when I have lost many of the memories of my youth. The mind works in strange ways." He turned his gaze from me and stared at some distant point beyond the walls of the house. "There is no predicting what memories it will hold on to an which ones it will choose to let go."

I peered out of the window on the opposing wall. The sun poured down onto the freshly watered earth, gleaming from the moisture that remained on the surface. Then the time of day clicked in my brain.

"I'm sorry, but I must get back to my duties. 'Tis nearly time for second breakfast and I've yet to make it." I stood up from my chair and stood next to the door.

"Forgive me for keeping you here like this."

"There is no need for it for I have kept you from your breakfast and it must be cold by now." I picked up the plate. "'Tis a shame to let such things go to waste."

"I am not hungry anyway." Frodo stood from his chair and crossed the room.

"You never eat much do you," I said, placing my hand on the doorknob. Frodo simply shook his head and returned to his seat. "Frodo?" I beckoned his gaze. He turned around and glanced at me. "Maybe we could continue talking during my break after lunch? I'd enjoy it quite a bit."

"As would I," he said lightly before picking up his quill and returning to his journey. I left the room quietly and returned to the kitchen in hopes of fixing second breakfast before anyone noticed the time of day.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was eager to talk to Frodo again. We sat together in his study and enjoyed the other's company for some time, then we started to discuss various books he had lent me. It was fascinating all that he knew about such things. I was amazed. A small fire burned within his eyes at his enthusiasm when discussing such topics. I knew then that there was some part of him that still endured with the innocence of his youth despite his journey.

The days continued, everyday bringing a sliver of life back to him. I had forgotten how much I had missed our afternoons together before my father struck me. Every afternoon helped me forget my father and the wicked ways he believed to be right and they helped me to remember the bliss I once had as a child.

~*~

Thanks to all of you who reviewed and those who have just read this for the first time. I appreciate that you like my story.

Linriel: when Sam said to leave Frodo alone, he meant for Mira to leave him alone, and that he was going to talk to Frodo through the night. So yeah, sorry if it was confusing.

Gwien Star: I had the last chapter written up a couple days before I posted it but decided it would be a nice present for the holidays to all of you who read this.

Firefly: wow, your review made my day. Thanks so much.

Happy New Year's all!