Disclaimer: I do not own LotR. I wish I did, but I don't. I do own Anya, but that's about it. I make no profit from this story. So please don't sue me, all you'll get is a violin and guitar that needs new strings and a computer that refuses to play my Fellowship of the Ring video game.
A/N- Well, all I can really say is that I hope you enjoy this chapter, because my muse woke me up at 3:30 in the morning to make me write it. Which maybe the story is better for it. Scenes that take place at night are usually better off being written at night, at least in my experience. Anyway, I hadn't planned on the next to chapters, but what can I say, when my muse speaks, I listen. So, read it, review it, and any flamers are going to be sent directly to the fireplace as kindling. Enjoy!
Oh, one more thing: this chapter isn't supposed to be a bonding experience between Frodo and Anya. Rather, it's a reflection of their relationship. I know that doesn't make much sense, but I had to say it. So there, I said it. Now read the story.
Chapter 6- Deep Night Conversations
Anya awoke in a cold sweat, unsure of what had woken her. She had been dreaming, but her dreams had been a mixture of so many different thoughts and emotions that they had left her with a feeling of cold, stark terror. She tried to calm down, forcing herself to take slow, deep breaths, but she knew that she wouldn't be getting anymore sleep that night.
Sighing, Anya got out of bed, slipping on her robe over her night gown. She headed for the kitchen, deciding that a cup of tea was exactly what she needed.
As Anya walked down the hall, she was surprised to see a light already burning from the kitchen. Silently walking inside, she saw Frodo sitting hunched over the table, staring at one of Bilbo's maps.
"Couldn't sleep either, love?" she asked softly. Frodo jumped at the sound of her voice, looking up startled.
"Anni," he breathed in relief. "What are you doing up?"
"I could ask you the same thing," she answered with a smile. "In fact, I believe I just did." She sat down on the bench across from Frodo, who poured her a cup of tea from the pot he had already made.
Frodo sighed. "I just woke up and realized everything that's happened." Anya nodded, understanding exactly what he meant. A lot had happened that night. Bilbo leaving, and then Gandalf taking off so mysteriously…it was enough to send her back to her childhood days, after their parents had died.
"It is rather unsettling, isn't it," she replied, staring into her tea cup. Frodo stared at her for a moment, as though he were trying to read her mind.
"What about you, Anni? You never said what you were doing, being up so late," Frodo said with a smile.
Anya switched her gaze to the fireplace, absently wondering why the flames brought back vague memories of her dreams. She shook herself slightly, straightening in her seat. "Bad dream," she answered simply. Frodo stared at her for another moment before he seemed to accept her answer.
Anya peered over the tabletop to the map sitting in front of Frodo. "What are you doing with that?" she asked.
Frodo pushed it over to her. "I was just wondering; where he is, what he's doing. Gandalf said that he had gone to stay with the Elves, but I suppose that could mean Rivendell or Mirkwood."
"Mirkwood? After the spiders? Why would he ever go back there?" Anya said smiling, fondly remembering her uncle's stories of giant spiders and brave rescues.
Frodo smiled as well. "Rivendell then." They sat in silence for several moments before Frodo let out a heavy sigh.
"Perhaps we should try to get some sleep. I'm sure we'll have many concerned relatives to deal with in the morning."
Anya snorted. "Concerned relatives? You mean Lobelia and Otho coming around here seeing how quickly they can get their sticky fingers on this house."
Frodo laughed. "Yes well, I asked Merry and Pippin to come by in case we need extra help. And Sam will be here, in the garden."
"Well, that's good."
Frodo stood, stretching as he did. "Besides, I found several things labeled from Bilbo that are for certain people. We'll give those out tomorrow as well." He walked around the table heading for the door.
Anya thought for a moment, then turned and looked up at him from her seat, a sad look in her eyes. "So I suppose he's really not planning on returning then, is he?"
Frodo paused, then turned back to her. The look in her eyes was mirrored in his own. "I suppose not." They were silent for a moment, the weight of their loss hitting them hard. Then Anya stood too, draining away the last of her tea.
"Anni…" Frodo started.
"What did you do with the copy of Bilbo's will?" Anya interrupted suddenly. He looked at her, slightly startled by the jump in conversation, before he realized what she was doing.
"I locked it in the trunk with Bilbo's maps and his ring. I figured that was the safest place for it."
Anya nodded in agreement. "Yes, well, we may need it tomorrow, in case the Sackville-Bagginses start to question just how legal everything is."
"I'll get it out in the morning," Frodo replied. Anya put out the light in the kitchen and they each took a candle to make their way down the hall.
"Goodnight Anni," Frodo said softly when they reached her bedroom door.
"Goodnight Frodo," Anya replied, just as softly, and watched as he walked the short distance down the hall to his own bedroom. With a sigh and a heavy heart, she headed into her bedroom, blowing out the candle as she did.
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A/N- Okay, that's it. Now press the pretty blue button in the corner and review or else I'll sic my four lbs. Pomeranian on you.