Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Chapter 25
Rosie insisted that I take the next day off, despite my apparent good health. So, to ease her worries, I fulfilled fewer of my duties, letting my body rest. How I continued to keep myself from over working, I did not know, but I managed to keep the house tidy, taking an hour off during the afternoon.
Whenever I saw Frodo, he was the same yet different in his demeanor as he had been when I had first met him. I tried to talk to him, but he assured me that everything was going to turn out fine. My nightmare had unnerved me a bit, leaving me to fear sleep, but I pushed it out of my mind, so I could concentrate on my chores at hand.
"Mira, could you go to the market and get some ham from Mr. Bolger?" Rosie asked me one afternoon in late August after I had cleaned up the kitchen.
"Aye," I said, wiping my hands on my apron and going to Frodo's study to retrieve his plate. I walked in cautiously as not to disturb him, but he turned around to spot me as soon as I had fully entered the room.
"Good afternoon, Mira," he said, a faint smile crossing his lips.
"Good afternoon, Frodo," I replied, picking up his plate.
"Would you mind returning shortly? I would enjoy your company." There was a hopeful look dwelling within his eyes.
"Rosie asked me to go to the market and since I must work today, I'm afraid I cannot stay." I wanted to stay, but I knew I had my obligations to attend to.
"What if I were to accompany you? After all, it is quite a lovely day outside."
"I would enjoy that." I could not help but smile, as I turned around to retreat to the kitchen.
I cleaned Frodo's plate quickly and tucked it away. Then, I retreated to the front hallway, untying my apron and hanging on a hook. As I was straightening out my skirt, I turned around to find Frodo ready and waiting to leave. He opened the broad round door for me and closed it behind us as we passed into the fresh, warm air.
The crisp yet mild breeze whirled softly around us, and I was thankful that I was with Frodo, enjoying this trip to the market. I followed where Frodo lead, not wanting to return home quickly after picking up the ham from the market. So we walked around the farms on the edges of town, watching as the children chased the cows around, infuriating their parents. I glanced over at Frodo, smiling softly when he turned to look at me. I moved closer to him, our hands brushing against each other and our fingers slowly intertwining. He smiled in return, giving my hand a gently squeeze.
After some time and the sun had lowered a bit in the sky, we arrived at the bustling center of town where hurried people were frantically bartering for goods. I made my way through the crowd, holding on to Frodo's hand as he followed me. I found my way to Mr. Bolger's stand and waited to be helped. Soon I was walking with Frodo out on the streets with a package of ham tucked nicely under my arm.
I started to walk back to Bag End, Frodo following closely behind me, when I heard something from the crowd of people.
"Mira!" I heard from behind me. I turned around slowly, seeing a slightly disheveled girl run to me. It was only when she was maybe ten feet from me that I recognized it was Lily. She ran up to me, embracing me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her, glad to see her again.
"Lily," I whispered, pulling her tightly to me.
"I've missed you so much, Mira." Lily pulled away from me and stared into my eyes. Tears started flowing down her cheeks.
"I've missed you too." I reached up and wiped away her tears.
"There's something you should know," she trailed off, shifting gaze from side to side.
"What?" I asked, nervously waiting what appeared to be bad news.
She swallowed hard, averting her gaze for a moment and then looking back at me. "Father died a few days ago."
I could not believe what she was saying. "How?" I asked in disbelief.
"The healer said his heart stopped. One morning I noticed he wasn't awake yet and when I went into his room to wake him, he was gone." More tears ran down her face as she finished.
"I can't believe he's gone," I whispered, feeling some relief from knowing his looming presence was gone.
"Mira, please come home with me. The others miss you so much." Lily grabbed my hand, begging me.
"I don't know. I'm working quite a bit these days and the Gamgees need me."
"Please? Perhaps just for one evening?" I could see the longing in Lily's eyes and how much she had missed me.
"Perhaps you can take the evening off. I'll talk to Rosie for you," I heard Frodo's voice come from behind me. I turned to face him, confused.
"Really?" I asked, surprised at his confidence in the matter.
"Yes, now I'll take the ham back to Rosie and you can go home with your sister." Frodo smiled softly, stepping closer to me.
I handed him the package and pulled my arms around his neck, thanking him repeatedly. He pulled back slowly, rubbing my arm before turning to leave.
I watched him as he started heading down the worn path to Bag End. Slowly, Lily tugged on my sleeve and turned me around to go home. The stony path seemed familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. We reached home, small compared to the luxury of Bag End. Lily opened the crimson door and guided me in. Being inside brought so many memories to mind, and for the first time that I could remember since mother's death, I was glad to be home.
"Mira!" I heard a small voice squeal. I looked to the side and saw Everard running towards me. I kneeled down as he came to me, wrapping his arms around my neck. I could tell from his voice and his quivering body that he had missed me.
"Hello, Everard," I whispered into his ear. I had forgotten how much I missed him and his eagerness that awaited me every time I saw him.
"Don't you be strangling her now, Everard," Lily said teasing him.
Everard pulled back and smiled. "Are you gonna stay?" he asked, worry consuming his expression.
"I'm afraid not, but I'll be sure to return more often." I said, straightening up.
"Mira's going to have dinner with us tonight." Lily moved to my side. "Why don't you go in the garden and help Ruby."
"Bye, Mira," Everard said as he ran to the back of the house.
"Come to the kitchen and I'll start dinner." Lily headed to the kitchen, pulling out various pots and ingredients to fix the meal.
"Has anything else happened since I've been gone?" I asked, just waiting to hear about my family.
"Well, most recent thing is father's passing, but other than that, the place has been pretty quiet without you." Lily began chopping some carrots and putting them into the large pot. I moved next to her, grabbing a knife and proceeding to cut leeks.
"I'm sure there must have been something," I said.
"There has," Lily said, her sly tone coming through. "Rorimac Greenhand has been courting me for a while and even proposed marriage."
"Congratulations!" I exclaimed, putting down my knife and embracing her. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you." She was beaming with excitement. "And what about yourself? There has to be some adventures over at Bag End since Master Baggins is there."
"Not especially."
"I saw the way he looked at you today. Does he fancy you?"
"Lily, it's not important. Besides, I just want to know how things are going around here."
"If it's what you insist."
The atmosphere fell quite for a while, leaving the constant rhythm of chopping vegetables. It stayed that way until it was nearly time for dinner when Andwise came home. The table was filled with chatter as both Ruby and Andwise told me everything that had happened in my absence. Everard insisted on sitting by my side and giving me a hug every once in a while.
"I should be going," I said, getting up from my chair after having a light chat with my family. "It's getting late and Rosie will worry."
"I guess we should let you go," Lily said, standing up as well. "But before you leave, I want to give you something." She retreated to her room. In the meantime, Andy, Ruby and Everard all said their farewells, wishing I could return sometime. Lily came back, holding a few books in her arms.
"These were mother's and I thought you might want them. Father was holding on to them even though he never wanted to read them." I took them from her and gave her a firm hug before finally leaving.
When I returned to Bag End, there were a few candles burning in the front room and I passed by the sitting room where Rosie was knitting and Sam was reading. I moved to the front room and sat down in a chair, setting the books down on the table beside me and picking up the first one. As I turned to the front page, I saw that it was one of the books I loved as a child. I had always assumed they were father's since he was the one who guarded them. I read on, bringing memories that had been lost for years.
My fantasy was interrupted by a soft cough. I turned to see Frodo in the hallway. Carefully, I closed the book and set it on the pile, standing up and moving to him.
"Thank you for letting me see them," I said.
"I knew that you've been wanting to see them for a while," he said, taking a step forward. "Did you enjoy your stay?"
"Yes. It was wonderful."
"That's good to hear. What are you reading there?" he said, nodding towards the pile of books.
"Lily gave them to me, they were my mother's."
"Oh." After a while he spoke up again. "I talked to Rosie and she, Sam, nor myself would mind if you were to go eat dinner there a few times a week."
Tears now streamed down my face from my joy. I could not help but move closer to him and wrap my arms around him, burying my head into his shoulder. "Thank you again. I did not realize how much I missed them." I murmured as tears flowed to my eyes.
"You're quite welcome." His arms folded around my back, embracing me. Then he let go, stepping back, taking his thumb and wiping away my tears. "You should get some sleep. It's been a long day for all of us."
I nodded and smiled. Frodo leaned in and kissed me gently on my cheek, then stepped back and smiled as he returned to his study.
My heart was too filled with excitement to sleep, so I curled up in the chair again and began to read, reliving my childhood.
~*~
Thanks for the reviews guys. Yes, I put my hands to the keyboard and just wrote, getting this chapter out before I left. So hopefully I will be able to get the next chapter out quickly after I return. Umm...yeah. Have fun all!
Chapter 25
Rosie insisted that I take the next day off, despite my apparent good health. So, to ease her worries, I fulfilled fewer of my duties, letting my body rest. How I continued to keep myself from over working, I did not know, but I managed to keep the house tidy, taking an hour off during the afternoon.
Whenever I saw Frodo, he was the same yet different in his demeanor as he had been when I had first met him. I tried to talk to him, but he assured me that everything was going to turn out fine. My nightmare had unnerved me a bit, leaving me to fear sleep, but I pushed it out of my mind, so I could concentrate on my chores at hand.
"Mira, could you go to the market and get some ham from Mr. Bolger?" Rosie asked me one afternoon in late August after I had cleaned up the kitchen.
"Aye," I said, wiping my hands on my apron and going to Frodo's study to retrieve his plate. I walked in cautiously as not to disturb him, but he turned around to spot me as soon as I had fully entered the room.
"Good afternoon, Mira," he said, a faint smile crossing his lips.
"Good afternoon, Frodo," I replied, picking up his plate.
"Would you mind returning shortly? I would enjoy your company." There was a hopeful look dwelling within his eyes.
"Rosie asked me to go to the market and since I must work today, I'm afraid I cannot stay." I wanted to stay, but I knew I had my obligations to attend to.
"What if I were to accompany you? After all, it is quite a lovely day outside."
"I would enjoy that." I could not help but smile, as I turned around to retreat to the kitchen.
I cleaned Frodo's plate quickly and tucked it away. Then, I retreated to the front hallway, untying my apron and hanging on a hook. As I was straightening out my skirt, I turned around to find Frodo ready and waiting to leave. He opened the broad round door for me and closed it behind us as we passed into the fresh, warm air.
The crisp yet mild breeze whirled softly around us, and I was thankful that I was with Frodo, enjoying this trip to the market. I followed where Frodo lead, not wanting to return home quickly after picking up the ham from the market. So we walked around the farms on the edges of town, watching as the children chased the cows around, infuriating their parents. I glanced over at Frodo, smiling softly when he turned to look at me. I moved closer to him, our hands brushing against each other and our fingers slowly intertwining. He smiled in return, giving my hand a gently squeeze.
After some time and the sun had lowered a bit in the sky, we arrived at the bustling center of town where hurried people were frantically bartering for goods. I made my way through the crowd, holding on to Frodo's hand as he followed me. I found my way to Mr. Bolger's stand and waited to be helped. Soon I was walking with Frodo out on the streets with a package of ham tucked nicely under my arm.
I started to walk back to Bag End, Frodo following closely behind me, when I heard something from the crowd of people.
"Mira!" I heard from behind me. I turned around slowly, seeing a slightly disheveled girl run to me. It was only when she was maybe ten feet from me that I recognized it was Lily. She ran up to me, embracing me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her, glad to see her again.
"Lily," I whispered, pulling her tightly to me.
"I've missed you so much, Mira." Lily pulled away from me and stared into my eyes. Tears started flowing down her cheeks.
"I've missed you too." I reached up and wiped away her tears.
"There's something you should know," she trailed off, shifting gaze from side to side.
"What?" I asked, nervously waiting what appeared to be bad news.
She swallowed hard, averting her gaze for a moment and then looking back at me. "Father died a few days ago."
I could not believe what she was saying. "How?" I asked in disbelief.
"The healer said his heart stopped. One morning I noticed he wasn't awake yet and when I went into his room to wake him, he was gone." More tears ran down her face as she finished.
"I can't believe he's gone," I whispered, feeling some relief from knowing his looming presence was gone.
"Mira, please come home with me. The others miss you so much." Lily grabbed my hand, begging me.
"I don't know. I'm working quite a bit these days and the Gamgees need me."
"Please? Perhaps just for one evening?" I could see the longing in Lily's eyes and how much she had missed me.
"Perhaps you can take the evening off. I'll talk to Rosie for you," I heard Frodo's voice come from behind me. I turned to face him, confused.
"Really?" I asked, surprised at his confidence in the matter.
"Yes, now I'll take the ham back to Rosie and you can go home with your sister." Frodo smiled softly, stepping closer to me.
I handed him the package and pulled my arms around his neck, thanking him repeatedly. He pulled back slowly, rubbing my arm before turning to leave.
I watched him as he started heading down the worn path to Bag End. Slowly, Lily tugged on my sleeve and turned me around to go home. The stony path seemed familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. We reached home, small compared to the luxury of Bag End. Lily opened the crimson door and guided me in. Being inside brought so many memories to mind, and for the first time that I could remember since mother's death, I was glad to be home.
"Mira!" I heard a small voice squeal. I looked to the side and saw Everard running towards me. I kneeled down as he came to me, wrapping his arms around my neck. I could tell from his voice and his quivering body that he had missed me.
"Hello, Everard," I whispered into his ear. I had forgotten how much I missed him and his eagerness that awaited me every time I saw him.
"Don't you be strangling her now, Everard," Lily said teasing him.
Everard pulled back and smiled. "Are you gonna stay?" he asked, worry consuming his expression.
"I'm afraid not, but I'll be sure to return more often." I said, straightening up.
"Mira's going to have dinner with us tonight." Lily moved to my side. "Why don't you go in the garden and help Ruby."
"Bye, Mira," Everard said as he ran to the back of the house.
"Come to the kitchen and I'll start dinner." Lily headed to the kitchen, pulling out various pots and ingredients to fix the meal.
"Has anything else happened since I've been gone?" I asked, just waiting to hear about my family.
"Well, most recent thing is father's passing, but other than that, the place has been pretty quiet without you." Lily began chopping some carrots and putting them into the large pot. I moved next to her, grabbing a knife and proceeding to cut leeks.
"I'm sure there must have been something," I said.
"There has," Lily said, her sly tone coming through. "Rorimac Greenhand has been courting me for a while and even proposed marriage."
"Congratulations!" I exclaimed, putting down my knife and embracing her. "I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you." She was beaming with excitement. "And what about yourself? There has to be some adventures over at Bag End since Master Baggins is there."
"Not especially."
"I saw the way he looked at you today. Does he fancy you?"
"Lily, it's not important. Besides, I just want to know how things are going around here."
"If it's what you insist."
The atmosphere fell quite for a while, leaving the constant rhythm of chopping vegetables. It stayed that way until it was nearly time for dinner when Andwise came home. The table was filled with chatter as both Ruby and Andwise told me everything that had happened in my absence. Everard insisted on sitting by my side and giving me a hug every once in a while.
"I should be going," I said, getting up from my chair after having a light chat with my family. "It's getting late and Rosie will worry."
"I guess we should let you go," Lily said, standing up as well. "But before you leave, I want to give you something." She retreated to her room. In the meantime, Andy, Ruby and Everard all said their farewells, wishing I could return sometime. Lily came back, holding a few books in her arms.
"These were mother's and I thought you might want them. Father was holding on to them even though he never wanted to read them." I took them from her and gave her a firm hug before finally leaving.
When I returned to Bag End, there were a few candles burning in the front room and I passed by the sitting room where Rosie was knitting and Sam was reading. I moved to the front room and sat down in a chair, setting the books down on the table beside me and picking up the first one. As I turned to the front page, I saw that it was one of the books I loved as a child. I had always assumed they were father's since he was the one who guarded them. I read on, bringing memories that had been lost for years.
My fantasy was interrupted by a soft cough. I turned to see Frodo in the hallway. Carefully, I closed the book and set it on the pile, standing up and moving to him.
"Thank you for letting me see them," I said.
"I knew that you've been wanting to see them for a while," he said, taking a step forward. "Did you enjoy your stay?"
"Yes. It was wonderful."
"That's good to hear. What are you reading there?" he said, nodding towards the pile of books.
"Lily gave them to me, they were my mother's."
"Oh." After a while he spoke up again. "I talked to Rosie and she, Sam, nor myself would mind if you were to go eat dinner there a few times a week."
Tears now streamed down my face from my joy. I could not help but move closer to him and wrap my arms around him, burying my head into his shoulder. "Thank you again. I did not realize how much I missed them." I murmured as tears flowed to my eyes.
"You're quite welcome." His arms folded around my back, embracing me. Then he let go, stepping back, taking his thumb and wiping away my tears. "You should get some sleep. It's been a long day for all of us."
I nodded and smiled. Frodo leaned in and kissed me gently on my cheek, then stepped back and smiled as he returned to his study.
My heart was too filled with excitement to sleep, so I curled up in the chair again and began to read, reliving my childhood.
~*~
Thanks for the reviews guys. Yes, I put my hands to the keyboard and just wrote, getting this chapter out before I left. So hopefully I will be able to get the next chapter out quickly after I return. Umm...yeah. Have fun all!
