Disclaimer: see chapter one
Chapter 27
One afternoon, in mid September, I was cleaning up in the kitchen when I felt a soft hand on my shoulder. I turned around to face Frodo.
"Yes, Frodo?" I asked, not being able to help but smile at him.
"I'd like to speak with you when you have some time to spare. And if you could manage to take the rest of the afternoon off, that would be better." I could see him shift from side to side as he stood before me.
"Is something the matter?" I asked him, trying to peer into his soul.
"Not exactly, but I must speak with you sometime today." He stepped back a few paces before turning around and retreating down the hall.
Trying to hurry yet perform my chores well enough, I quickly dried the dishes and put them away, clearing the table of leftover breads and cheeses. After finishing in the kitchen, I hung up my apron and searched the house for Rosie. She was in the nursery tending to Elanor. I stepped closer to her as quietly as I could, trying not to wake the peacefully sleeping baby.
"Rosie?" I asked, tapping her lightly on the shoulder.
"Yes, Mira?" she asked, turning around with a little jump.
"Could I have the rest of the afternoon off? Frodo would like to have my company for the afternoon."
"Oh, of course. I'll manage for the day." Rosie smiled softly at me before she leaned over Elanor's cradle to tuck a blanket around her body. I exited the room as quietly as I had entered.
I proceeded to walk to Frodo's study and leaned against the door frame, watching as he rummaged through trunks and drawers. Moving into the room, I cleared my throat lightly, trying to draw his attention from what he was doing. Frodo turned around abruptly, standing up in a shaky manner and running a hand through his unruly curls.
"You wished to speak with me?" I asked, trying to glean some information from his mannerisms.
"Yes, Mira. Would you care to go to the garden?" He moved closer to me, his gaze shifting around the room.
"If you would enjoy that," I said, still searching his eyes for some hint.
"I would enjoy that," he said, motioning towards the door. I walked out of the room, Frodo following closely behind me. Entering into the fresh air of the garden, I moved to the bench and sat down. Frodo sat down next to me, continuing to stare at the ground.
"What did you wish to talk about?" I asked, nervous about his sudden difference in personality.
Frodo sighed deeply before responding. "As you know, tomorrow Sam and I will be leaving."
"Aye, I did know that, but I have been asking myself why."
"We're meeting up with the Elves and seeing Bilbo off to the Grey Havens."
"I'll miss you while you're gone."
"And I'll miss you." He glanced up at me, sincerity dwelling deep within his soul. As I reached over to grasp his hand lightly, I felt my mouth curl into a slight smile. "But," Frodo continued, "I won't be returning home." His face soured, tearing into my heart and echoing through my ears.
"Why not? I thought you were better?" I questioned him frantically, not wanting him to leave.
"So I thought too, once. But I have been too deeply hurt. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them. You have helped me in more ways than you can imagine, but I'm afraid that nothing can heal wounds left from my journey." Here he paused, dropping his gaze for a while, then returning it to my face. "I wish that you would come with me, for you've grown in my heart."
Words were choked in my throat and tears caught in my eyes. I held my breath for fear that all would come bursting out if I released my control of it. I swallowed deeply, managing to hold on the sobs that were building in my chest.
"I cannot," I said closing my eyes. I wanted to go with him, but I knew my duties lied here in the Shire. "I must stay here and tend to my family. There's nothing more I desire than to go with you, but I cannot abandon them. They have no one to turn to."
Frodo's hand came upon my chin and turned my face to meet his eyes. "I understand and I cannot ask you to leave your family, for you are whole with them."
I leaned over to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my head into his shoulder, letting out all of the tears I had been holding back. His hands lightly stroked my back. I tried to control the sobs now shaking my body, but there was no point.
I pulled away from him, turning my face. "You must think me childish for such acts," I said, wiping the tears from my eyes.
"I do not think it is childish." I glanced up at him and for the first time saw tears in his eyes.
I took a deep breath and stared straight into his eyes. "I love you," I whispered, closing my eyes tightly and leaning on him again.
"And I love you." His arm wrapped around my shoulders, squeezing my body gently. Time was lost to us, passing as we sat in the other's embrace, hoping that the moment would never cease.
When the light had finally failed the earth, Frodo released me, standing up and extending a hand to me. He pulled me to my feet and stood in front of me, leaning in slightly and laying a soft kiss upon my lips. I returned his kiss, knowing it would be my last. We pulled apart slowly.
"Please promise me you will not tell Sam," Frodo whispered into my ear. "He is the same as you and has duties with his family and he would not let me go on this journey if it meant he would lose me."
I bit my lip before responding. "You have my word."
"Thank you." He slipped his hand in mine and guided me to the door, following me into the house. After dinner was finished, I spent hours watching him in his study packing up his final things and setting everything in order. I set these memories deep within my heart, hoping to keep his spirit alive in my mind even though he was leaving.
The next morning Sam and Frodo set off before dawn. After much debating about it in my mind, I decided it was better this way, because I did not have to have the pain of seeing him one last time before he left.
The days passed and Rosie saw my discontent, but said nothing. I busied myself, hoping to relieve the sorrow, but nothing could ease it. Working my fingers to the bone did nothing except give physical feeling to the emotion that I was experiencing.
After a few weeks, I heard the front door open and Rosie ran to the door.
"Well, I'm back," Sam said, hugging Rosie tightly. I walked over to him, drying my hands in the cloth I was using to wipe the counter tops. "Mira, I've something for you," he said, reaching into his coat pocket and handing me a rather heavy envelope. I took it from him, my hands shaking frantically.
"Thank you," I said. "May I be excuse for a while?" I asked, feeling dread encroach upon me.
"Of course," Rosie said. She had known for the past two weeks that I was missing Frodo and that I loved him, but she did not know the extent of my sorrow. Rosie tried her best to comfort me over that time, but I could not fully tell her what was running through my mind.
Quickly, I ran to my bedroom and sat on my bed, opening the envelope and pulling out the folded paper concealed within. Then I noticed a thin silver chain with a clear jewel on the end; the necklace that Frodo always wore.
I could barely unfold the letter and keep it still enough to read, but somehow, I managed to push my way through it.
Dear Mirabella,
I am truly sorry to leave you in such a manner, but I have no choice. These last few months have been better than anything I've known in the past three years, but at the same time, I have felt my soul dying within me. I wish I could have stayed with you, but the Ring has left deep scars that cannot be healed and they worsen every day. I do no think I could have gone on living in the Shire much longer. You did help me though. You relieved some of the burden that rested on my soul, but the Ring still looms in my mind every hour, waking or asleep. I will always keep the times spent with you in a dear place in my heart, for you have done more for me than you know. In hopes of repaying you even a fraction for what you have done for me, I leave you any of the books you wish in my study. Enjoy them and see that they are well appreciated. I have instructed Sam of this. Also, I have given him my book to complete his tale as he was also a ringbearer. It is at your disposal if you would care to read it, and I hope that you would, for it may give you more insight to what has happened. I am leaving you a portion of my wealth that Bilbo left to me. I have left it with the Gamgees, but use what you need to take care of your family.
I am with Bilbo now, in a better place where hopefully the elves can soothe my afflictions. I will never forget what you have done for me because you have allowed me to love again, something I thought was lost to me after my journey. I love you, Mira, with all of my heart, and I regret having to leave you just as we realized this. All I ask is that you do not forget me as the years pass, and share my story with the rest of the Shire. I leave you now with the same necklace that Queen Arwen left to me for I now have the grace of the elves to ease my pain. I wish you a long and wonderful life.
Sincerely,
Frodo Baggins
I held the letter in my trembling hands, unable to hold on to it any longer because of the tears now shaking my body. I clutched the necklace tightly, bringing my hand to my chest. I felt my body fall to the side so I was laying on the bed, and tears poured from my soul as my heart tore in two.
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Okay, I must state that this is not the end. There is one more chapter left, so please stick with this. and please don't hurt me. Note, yes the part where Frodo talks about the Shire not being saved for him is from the book and I did not write it. As always, thanks for the reviews everyone.
Story-weaver09: I'm sorry, but it lead that way. Please stick it out to the last chapter though. Trust me, it's worth it.
LOTRNERD: I'll see what I can do with updating sooner. ;) I appreciate that you like this story.
FrodoBaggins87: ummm….my character is Mirabella, not Miranda. But it doesn't matter. Anyway, oh well. I did not steal my idea from another story…incase you were thinking that.
bluerain1984: guess you were right ;)
Traveller: first off, don't worry about not replying lately. Take care of your son because he's waaaaaay more important than my little dinky fic here. Anyway, I hope this chapter lived up to your expectations and pleased you. And hopefully I can work in that happy ending after all.
