Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters or his poem/song, only Tansy.
Author's note: I'm so happy for all the reviews. You guys are the best! I always appreciate your wonderful feedback and your support has encouraged me to continue this story. As always, any constructive critique is welcome!
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters or his poem/song, only Tansy.
Rating: PG
Characters: Frodo, Tansy, Sam and the Cotton family.
Chapter Four: Picnics in Hobbiton
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo trudged up the hill toward Bagshot Row. During most of the morning, sunlight played hide and seek behind numerous marshmallow clouds. And every time the sun would disappear, a slight breeze whispered by with a gentle stroke against Frodo's face. Usually he enjoyed such pleasures that spring had brought to Hobbiton, but as he journeyed with his hands buried deep into the pockets of his dark trousers, his thoughts were consumed with what transpired a week ago. He hadn't seen Tansy since that night at the Green Dragon. Frodo tried to forget the incident, wanting to believe it was nothing.
He only fooled himself.
Sam waited for him. They planned on having a second breakfast together, though Frodo knew breakfast wasn't the only thing he wanted to share with his best friend. He reached Sam's home and after ringing the bell, Frodo waited patiently until the door swung open.
Sam welcomed him with a pleasant smile. "Well, Good morning, Mr. Frodo. Breakfast is ready."
"Thank you, Sam. I've been looking forward to having a second breakfast with you this morning."
Sam waved his hand toward the parlor, gesturing him inside. He smiled again when Frodo entered, and then he closed the door behind them.
______________________________________________________________
At the table, Frodo savored the eggs Sam had made. Not only did he appreciate Sam's gardening skills, but also his cooking every time they ate together. Frodo scooped up some of the eggs and after finishing what he ate, he settled the fork back onto the plate. He looked up at Sam who ravenously chewed off a piece of loaf bread.
"Sam," said Frodo in a disconcerted tone.
Sam had been aware of what troubled his friend and he had no doubt as to what it was. He didn't answer right away, making sure to swallow the bread first.
"Yes, Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo sank against the chair. He took in a deep breath and let it roll out from his lungs as a frustrated sigh.
"What should I do about Tansy?"
Sam hoped he could avoid that inevitable question. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The bright, cheery mood he expressed only moments before had faded into an irritated frown.
"Mr. Frodo, well--,"
"You don't think I should do anything."
"I didn't say that."
"Sam..."
The golden-haired hobbit rolled his eyes and groaned. "It's not right...the way she talked to you that night."
"Sam!" said Frodo sternly and then he lowered his voice to a more gentle tone. "What should I do?"
"Well, it seems to me, Mr. Frodo, you already know what you want to do."
Frodo nodded and bravely admitted, "I want to see her."
Sam knew it was no use in dissuading him.
"All right, Mr. Frodo. Do what is best."
Frodo appreciated those words Sam uttered and lovingly smiled at his gardener.
_________________________________________________________________
Outside the farm near the fields, Tansy watched in amusement at Farmer Cotton's sons as they played light-heartedly with the dogs. It was almost a month now since she's been with the Cottons. There were moments she actually had fun, like joining in with his sons pranks when they allowed her to. But when Tansy was alone in her room, she often thought about her own family. Where could she go to escape the memories of them? Cherished memories that often stirred her tears. And then there was Frodo. She tried to forget him also, finding herself losing the battle. She never expected this to happen, to be attracted to a Baggins. What was the possibility of him feeling the same about her? And even if it had been, he would never forgive her for the way she treated him that night at the Green Dragon.
Something distracted her attention away from Farmer Cotton's sons and the dogs. Her hobbit ears tuned into the familiar creaking sound of a wagon and a horse galloping down the lane. Curiosity led Tansy toward the house. Her furry feet stepped onto the lane, ambling slowly across dirt and tiny pebbles. In the distance, she spotted the wagon and someone talking to Farmer Cotton. And as she edged closer, Tansy froze in her tracks.
"Frodo?" she mumbled to herself and dashed behind a tree.
A wide-eyed Tansy peeked around the tree. She watched Frodo. It didn't sink in yet, that he was actually standing there. And why was he there?
She listened attentively to their conversation.
"Farmer Cotton, do you know where I can find Tansy?"
"Tansy, she's at the farm. I'll tell her you're here."
She couldn't stay behind the tree and let him go off to the farm, knowing she wasn't there. Tansy breathed deeply, straightened out her yellow dress and trotted away from the tree.
"Oh," said Farmer Cotton. "There she is."
At that, he left them alone. Tansy hesitated a few feet from where Frodo stood by the wagon.
Frodo nervously slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers.
"Hello, Tansy."
She continued toward him and closed the space between them.
Her eyes narrowed. "Hello?"
"I know I'm not one you expected to see," admitted Frodo. "But I had to come."
"Why?"
"Because...I'm sorry for the way I behaved since we've met."
"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I was wrong for what I accused you of. I just-,"
"What is it?" asked Frodo gently.
Flustered, she shook her head. "I don't know how to say it."
"Why don't we go for a ride and we can talk."
"Where are we going?"
Frodo tilted his head slightly and a flirty grin played across his lips.
"You'll see."
He took her hand, guiding her as she stepped up onto the wagon. A brief scent of strawberries sneaked past his nose. Frodo pondered momentarily. He knew he had some hidden in back of the wagon, but what he smelled was strong, not overbearing, just enough to know that it was coming from somewhere else.
When Tansy was seated, Frodo climbed up onto the wagon beside her and after he tugged on the reigns, the russet-colored horse started gingerly down the lane.
_______________________________________________________________
During the ride, Frodo grew uneasy at Tansy's frigid silence. He had to do something to keep himself busy and so he began to whistle. Every now and then, Frodo didn't have to look, he felt Tansy sneaking a glance at him. It seemed to him that his whistle caught her attention.
"What is that?" she inquired. Tansy said it so softly that Frodo leaned toward her side.
"Hmm?" he replied.
"That song you're whistling?" This time she asked a tad higher than before. "It doesn't sound familiar to me."
"Oh...well that's because it's a song you haven't heard. My uncle, Bilbo made it up. It's about an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill...that's how it starts."
Tansy only smiled at what he said. Her eyes fleeted back to the road ahead.
"Here we are," Frodo announced, yanking the reigns and alerting the horse to stop.
Tansy looked around and saw they stopped at a serene pond that led to Bywater pool.
Frodo hopped down from the wagon, veered around to Tansy's side and then he offered his hand to help her down onto the grass.
"Have you had lunch yet?" asked Frodo as he headed to the back of the wagon.
"No, I haven't."
Frodo reached into the back of the wagon and hauled out a large wicker basket.
He grinned. "Now you will."
Tansy watched in astonishment at Frodo walking away from her with the basket in his left hand.
*First he wanted to dance, and now a picnic...a picnic?*
Frodo hesitated and looked at her with a smile.
"Well? Come on."
Suspicion fell upon her again but this time she decided to resist the urge to run away and followed him.
They stopped at a cliff several feet above the pond. There was a huge willow tree, its leaves swayed lazily in the soothing, tranquil breeze that wafted by. Frodo parked the basket under the tree. He opened it and reached inside for an olive-green blanket that had been neatly folded. He unfolded it, waved it a few times in the air and settled the blanket down onto the grass. After he had done that, he seated himself upon it. Frodo waited for Tansy to sit but she remained, as if frozen on the spot she stood.
"Sit," insisted Frodo.
Tansy obeyed willingly, straightening out her dress and tucking it under her as she sat down on the blanket.
"I know I said it's lunch," he added while his hands rummaged inside the basket. "But it's really breakfast, well, my third anyway." He decorated the blanket with sugar coated pastries that were arrayed neatly in a small wicker tray. "If you don't mind a third breakfast?"
Delighted, Tansy answered, "Not at all."
Next, he surprised her with another tray filled with strawberries. He noticed how she beamed at the sight of them.
"Strawberries," said Frodo, "They're your favorite aren't they?"
She nodded and smiled shyly.
Frodo extended his hand toward the tray of pastries. He picked up one and chewed off a small piece.
Tansy stared at him through a fog of tears. She refused to let him see her cry and sniffed them back.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Tansy while the breeze gently fanned her tousled curls away from her face. "After what happened at the Green Dragon, I mean. I made a fool out of myself when I fell. It wasn't any of your doing. And the things I said to you..."
"Tansy, it's all right. What happened that night...it's forgotten, and you didn't make a fool out of yourself. I enjoyed the dance, really I did."
She sighed, clenching her fingers together. "I was afraid you see, because I can't dance. I've never danced or did anything like that," she continued to ramble nervously. "And I did not think you wanted to dance with, well, a Puddifoot--,"
"Tansy," Frodo interrupted, "Would you stop saying you're a Puddifoot! That's what this is all about?" He returned the pastry back onto his plate and leaned closer to her, but not too close so as not to frighten her. "I don't care who you are. I want to be your friend."
Tansy's cheeks glowed a rosy-pink, and they glowed more after what Frodo confessed.
She acknowledged him with a shy smile. "I want to be your friend, too."
"Okay, then," said Frodo excitedly, "Let's start over again. I'm Frodo Baggins."
"I'm Tansy Puddifoot."
"A pleasure meeting you, Tansy."
She giggled. "A pleasure meeting you, too, Frodo."
"Now, let's eat shall we?"
Tansy reached for a strawberry.
Frodo watched her and again, he was mesmerized at the way she ate the fruit. It wasn't a quick bite, but slow and tantalizing as she sliced the strawberry into her mouth.
"Do you like strawberries?"
"Yes, I--I do," he replied dreamily.
"Then take one."
Frodo helped himself to a strawberry.
Tansy remembered her visit at Frodo's home. That last time he stared at her when she ate the strawberry then. His stare she found very intrusive and intimidating. Now, she met his gaze boldly, watching him while a half of the strawberry disappeared into his mouth.
At the moment, she wasn't sure if it was heat from the sun bearing down on her or heat rising from within her body. Tansy grabbed another strawberry. Her teeth sank into it. The heat...
Feverish.
Overwhelming.
"Strawberries," she began in a soft, dreamy voice. "So sweet and--,"
Tansy stopped when she noticed beads of sweat that began to trickle down from underneath Frodo's bangs.
He sat there, frozen with a strawberry he was about to eat and then as if he had been startled out of a trance, Frodo placed the fruit back onto the tray.
He smiled sheepishly. "I, uh--I've had enough."
Tansy was suddenly nauseated from what she just experienced. Dizzy, she swayed a little and cleared her throat.
"Yes, I've had enough, too."
With the back of his hand, Frodo smeared the sweat off from his forehead.
"I didn't realize the sun was so hot. Perhaps we should move into more shade."
"That's a good idea," Tansy agreed with slight embarrassment in her voice.
She helped him move the blanket further under the tree.
"There," said Frodo, "That's better."
Before she sat, Tansy looked at him. "Frodo?"
"Yes?"
"That song you were whistling? Sing it for me?"
"Sing it?" Frodo chuckled.
"Please, I want to hear it."
"Well, all right."
Like an eager little child, Tansy sat down, crossing her legs underneath her dress.
Frodo sat beside her. He also crossed his legs and began to sing...
There is an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown that the Man in the Moon
himself came down one night to drink his fill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat that plays a five-stringed fiddle;
And up and down he runs his bow, now squeaking high,
now purring low, now sawing in the middle.
The landlord keeps a little dog that is mighty fond of jokes;
When there's good cheer among the guests,
he cocks an ear at all the jests and laughs until he chokes...
By then, Tansy was enjoying the song. She picked up on the rhythm and clapped as he continued.
They also keep a horned cow as proud as any queen;
But music turns her head like ale, and makes her wave her tufted tail
and dance upon the green.
And O! the rows of silver dishes and the store of silver spoons!
For Sunday there's a special pair, and these they polish up with care
on Saturday afternoons...
When Frodo heard her laugh, he sang faster...
The Man in the Moon was drinking deep, and the cat began to wail;
A dish and a spoon on the table danced, the cow in the garden madly pranced,
and the little dog chased his tail.
The Man in the Moon took another mug, and then rolled beneath his chair;
And there he dozed and dreamed of ale, til in the sky the stars were pale,
and dawn was in the air.
Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat;
'The white horses of the Moon, they nigh and chomp their silver bits;
But their master's been and drowned his wits, and the sun'll be rising soon!'
So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that would wake the dead;
he squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune, while the landlord
shook the Man in the Moon: 'It's after three!' he said.
As Frodo went on, Tansy clapped faster and imagined herself back at the Green Dragon, dancing with him again, and this time she didn't fall but held on tight as he twirled her round and round...
With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke!
The cow jumped over the Moon, and the little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the Saturday dish went off at a run with the silver Sunday spoon.
The round Moon rolled behind the hill as the sun raised up her head,
She hardly believed her fiery eyes; for though it was day,
to her surprise they all went back to bed!
After he was done singing, Tansy giggled and clapped excitedly.
Frodo leaped onto his feet, acknowledging her appreciation of his song with a bow. But then he suddenly felt foolish.
"Now 'I' feel like I've made a fool out of myself."
"Frodo..." Tansy shook her head. "You've done no such thing. I loved it!"
"Did you really?"
She nodded, at the same time, surprised at the words that came out of her mouth.
Frodo gave her a coy smile and then something lured his attention away from Tansy. He strolled over to the edge of the cliff where he looked down at the pond that caught the sun's rays. At first, it glistened as if many jewels floated upon it until the sun retreated behind towering white clouds.
"It never leaves me," Frodo mumbled as he stared at the water. "Though I try to forget. My parents...I still miss them."
"What happened to them?" he heard Tansy ask.
Frodo went on. "I was a child then. One day they were in a boat and--," He paused at the annoying, painful lump that seized his throat, which he forcefully swallowed away. "They drowned in the Brandywine River."
"Oh..." he heard Tansy say softly. "I'm sorry."
"I felt so alone," Frodo continued, "Well, there were my cousins, Merry and Pippin, whom I spent most of my childhood with at Brandy Hall. Then Bilbo adopted me and I went to live with him at Bag End. I'm very close to him, my cousins and of course there's Sam. But at times I still feel...alone and frightened. It's like I'm longing for something else, something I don't have but I'm afraid of it."
Frodo walked away from the cliff and headed toward the tree. There he stopped, folded his arms and leaned his left shoulder against the wood.
"I don't understand," said Tansy, "You have your uncle Bilbo, Merry, Pippin and Sam like you said."
"I know, but that's not what I'm talking about."
Frodo pressed his forehead deep into the wood.
He squeezed his eyes shut. "There's something else."
Frodo opened his eyes and turned his head slightly in Tansy's direction.
"Frodo?" She met his gaze and thought she caught him shiver a little.
Realizing what he meant, Tansy looked away from him. She shuddered and kept her eyes locked onto the blanket.
Frodo returned to the blanket. He plopped down on his knees in front of her. He had been reluctant to ask her this question for some time now and could no longer refrain himself from asking.
"Tansy, what happened at home with your family?"
Her lips moved and for a moment it seemed she was about to tell him what really happened.
*No. I can't*
"Frodo, I had fun, really I did. But, I think you should take me back now."
He was disappointed she refused to be honest with him. Frodo didn't want her to see how he felt. Instead, he smiled warmly.
"All right. I'll take you home."
___________________________________________________
That wasn't the only time they had a picnic together. Twice a week and sometimes three, Tansy would wait by the picket fence at the lane. Her heart raced frantically in anticipation of him and her wide, almond-shaped eyes gleamed at the sight of a wagon and horse galloping toward her.
Off they would go again to the pond near Bywater Pool. This time, they enjoyed a lunch of mince pies, cheese and of course, strawberries. But as the day went on, Frodo noticed the temperature suddenly plummeted. The warm breeze that had been comforting before had morphed into an unfriendly gale. He peered over his shoulder at the sky and in the distance dark, angry clouds towered above.
"Come on," he said to Tansy. "It looks like a storm is coming. We better head back."
Tansy rose quickly from the blanket along with her cloak she tried to wrap around her shoulders. It refused to cooperate and almost snatched away by the wind that clawed at it.
"Here," offered Frodo. "I'll help you."
He grabbed the cloak, wrapping it around her shoulders. Once he had a firm grip on the broach, he pulled the hook toward it, stopping suddenly. His attention drifted down her neck. And he wasn't sure if it was by accident or intention, but his finger lightly brushed against the soft spot above her collarbone.
*Does she know what I had done?*
Frodo quickly glanced at her, searching for a reaction. This is what he saw...a frightened lass who was very much aware of what had happened. He fumbled with the broach until his fingers fastened it securely.
Frodo jerked away from her, taking a few steps backward.
"Come," he muttered and embarrassed. "We better go."
When they arrived at the farm, Frodo watched her until she was safe inside the house. He turned and stared down the lane. The wind howled viciously and the blue sky, no longer recognizable, now marred by dark ominous clouds.
A faint sound of thunder roared in the distance.
Frodo wondered if he should stay or attempt to hurry back to Bag End.
The scent of rain lay heavily in the atmosphere.
Frodo looked up...
The first drop of rain touched his nose and rolled gingerly down the side of his cheek.
********************************************************
TBC
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think of it :-)
Author's note: I'm so happy for all the reviews. You guys are the best! I always appreciate your wonderful feedback and your support has encouraged me to continue this story. As always, any constructive critique is welcome!
Disclaimer: I don't own Tolkien's characters or his poem/song, only Tansy.
Rating: PG
Characters: Frodo, Tansy, Sam and the Cotton family.
Chapter Four: Picnics in Hobbiton
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo trudged up the hill toward Bagshot Row. During most of the morning, sunlight played hide and seek behind numerous marshmallow clouds. And every time the sun would disappear, a slight breeze whispered by with a gentle stroke against Frodo's face. Usually he enjoyed such pleasures that spring had brought to Hobbiton, but as he journeyed with his hands buried deep into the pockets of his dark trousers, his thoughts were consumed with what transpired a week ago. He hadn't seen Tansy since that night at the Green Dragon. Frodo tried to forget the incident, wanting to believe it was nothing.
He only fooled himself.
Sam waited for him. They planned on having a second breakfast together, though Frodo knew breakfast wasn't the only thing he wanted to share with his best friend. He reached Sam's home and after ringing the bell, Frodo waited patiently until the door swung open.
Sam welcomed him with a pleasant smile. "Well, Good morning, Mr. Frodo. Breakfast is ready."
"Thank you, Sam. I've been looking forward to having a second breakfast with you this morning."
Sam waved his hand toward the parlor, gesturing him inside. He smiled again when Frodo entered, and then he closed the door behind them.
______________________________________________________________
At the table, Frodo savored the eggs Sam had made. Not only did he appreciate Sam's gardening skills, but also his cooking every time they ate together. Frodo scooped up some of the eggs and after finishing what he ate, he settled the fork back onto the plate. He looked up at Sam who ravenously chewed off a piece of loaf bread.
"Sam," said Frodo in a disconcerted tone.
Sam had been aware of what troubled his friend and he had no doubt as to what it was. He didn't answer right away, making sure to swallow the bread first.
"Yes, Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo sank against the chair. He took in a deep breath and let it roll out from his lungs as a frustrated sigh.
"What should I do about Tansy?"
Sam hoped he could avoid that inevitable question. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The bright, cheery mood he expressed only moments before had faded into an irritated frown.
"Mr. Frodo, well--,"
"You don't think I should do anything."
"I didn't say that."
"Sam..."
The golden-haired hobbit rolled his eyes and groaned. "It's not right...the way she talked to you that night."
"Sam!" said Frodo sternly and then he lowered his voice to a more gentle tone. "What should I do?"
"Well, it seems to me, Mr. Frodo, you already know what you want to do."
Frodo nodded and bravely admitted, "I want to see her."
Sam knew it was no use in dissuading him.
"All right, Mr. Frodo. Do what is best."
Frodo appreciated those words Sam uttered and lovingly smiled at his gardener.
_________________________________________________________________
Outside the farm near the fields, Tansy watched in amusement at Farmer Cotton's sons as they played light-heartedly with the dogs. It was almost a month now since she's been with the Cottons. There were moments she actually had fun, like joining in with his sons pranks when they allowed her to. But when Tansy was alone in her room, she often thought about her own family. Where could she go to escape the memories of them? Cherished memories that often stirred her tears. And then there was Frodo. She tried to forget him also, finding herself losing the battle. She never expected this to happen, to be attracted to a Baggins. What was the possibility of him feeling the same about her? And even if it had been, he would never forgive her for the way she treated him that night at the Green Dragon.
Something distracted her attention away from Farmer Cotton's sons and the dogs. Her hobbit ears tuned into the familiar creaking sound of a wagon and a horse galloping down the lane. Curiosity led Tansy toward the house. Her furry feet stepped onto the lane, ambling slowly across dirt and tiny pebbles. In the distance, she spotted the wagon and someone talking to Farmer Cotton. And as she edged closer, Tansy froze in her tracks.
"Frodo?" she mumbled to herself and dashed behind a tree.
A wide-eyed Tansy peeked around the tree. She watched Frodo. It didn't sink in yet, that he was actually standing there. And why was he there?
She listened attentively to their conversation.
"Farmer Cotton, do you know where I can find Tansy?"
"Tansy, she's at the farm. I'll tell her you're here."
She couldn't stay behind the tree and let him go off to the farm, knowing she wasn't there. Tansy breathed deeply, straightened out her yellow dress and trotted away from the tree.
"Oh," said Farmer Cotton. "There she is."
At that, he left them alone. Tansy hesitated a few feet from where Frodo stood by the wagon.
Frodo nervously slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers.
"Hello, Tansy."
She continued toward him and closed the space between them.
Her eyes narrowed. "Hello?"
"I know I'm not one you expected to see," admitted Frodo. "But I had to come."
"Why?"
"Because...I'm sorry for the way I behaved since we've met."
"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I was wrong for what I accused you of. I just-,"
"What is it?" asked Frodo gently.
Flustered, she shook her head. "I don't know how to say it."
"Why don't we go for a ride and we can talk."
"Where are we going?"
Frodo tilted his head slightly and a flirty grin played across his lips.
"You'll see."
He took her hand, guiding her as she stepped up onto the wagon. A brief scent of strawberries sneaked past his nose. Frodo pondered momentarily. He knew he had some hidden in back of the wagon, but what he smelled was strong, not overbearing, just enough to know that it was coming from somewhere else.
When Tansy was seated, Frodo climbed up onto the wagon beside her and after he tugged on the reigns, the russet-colored horse started gingerly down the lane.
_______________________________________________________________
During the ride, Frodo grew uneasy at Tansy's frigid silence. He had to do something to keep himself busy and so he began to whistle. Every now and then, Frodo didn't have to look, he felt Tansy sneaking a glance at him. It seemed to him that his whistle caught her attention.
"What is that?" she inquired. Tansy said it so softly that Frodo leaned toward her side.
"Hmm?" he replied.
"That song you're whistling?" This time she asked a tad higher than before. "It doesn't sound familiar to me."
"Oh...well that's because it's a song you haven't heard. My uncle, Bilbo made it up. It's about an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill...that's how it starts."
Tansy only smiled at what he said. Her eyes fleeted back to the road ahead.
"Here we are," Frodo announced, yanking the reigns and alerting the horse to stop.
Tansy looked around and saw they stopped at a serene pond that led to Bywater pool.
Frodo hopped down from the wagon, veered around to Tansy's side and then he offered his hand to help her down onto the grass.
"Have you had lunch yet?" asked Frodo as he headed to the back of the wagon.
"No, I haven't."
Frodo reached into the back of the wagon and hauled out a large wicker basket.
He grinned. "Now you will."
Tansy watched in astonishment at Frodo walking away from her with the basket in his left hand.
*First he wanted to dance, and now a picnic...a picnic?*
Frodo hesitated and looked at her with a smile.
"Well? Come on."
Suspicion fell upon her again but this time she decided to resist the urge to run away and followed him.
They stopped at a cliff several feet above the pond. There was a huge willow tree, its leaves swayed lazily in the soothing, tranquil breeze that wafted by. Frodo parked the basket under the tree. He opened it and reached inside for an olive-green blanket that had been neatly folded. He unfolded it, waved it a few times in the air and settled the blanket down onto the grass. After he had done that, he seated himself upon it. Frodo waited for Tansy to sit but she remained, as if frozen on the spot she stood.
"Sit," insisted Frodo.
Tansy obeyed willingly, straightening out her dress and tucking it under her as she sat down on the blanket.
"I know I said it's lunch," he added while his hands rummaged inside the basket. "But it's really breakfast, well, my third anyway." He decorated the blanket with sugar coated pastries that were arrayed neatly in a small wicker tray. "If you don't mind a third breakfast?"
Delighted, Tansy answered, "Not at all."
Next, he surprised her with another tray filled with strawberries. He noticed how she beamed at the sight of them.
"Strawberries," said Frodo, "They're your favorite aren't they?"
She nodded and smiled shyly.
Frodo extended his hand toward the tray of pastries. He picked up one and chewed off a small piece.
Tansy stared at him through a fog of tears. She refused to let him see her cry and sniffed them back.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Tansy while the breeze gently fanned her tousled curls away from her face. "After what happened at the Green Dragon, I mean. I made a fool out of myself when I fell. It wasn't any of your doing. And the things I said to you..."
"Tansy, it's all right. What happened that night...it's forgotten, and you didn't make a fool out of yourself. I enjoyed the dance, really I did."
She sighed, clenching her fingers together. "I was afraid you see, because I can't dance. I've never danced or did anything like that," she continued to ramble nervously. "And I did not think you wanted to dance with, well, a Puddifoot--,"
"Tansy," Frodo interrupted, "Would you stop saying you're a Puddifoot! That's what this is all about?" He returned the pastry back onto his plate and leaned closer to her, but not too close so as not to frighten her. "I don't care who you are. I want to be your friend."
Tansy's cheeks glowed a rosy-pink, and they glowed more after what Frodo confessed.
She acknowledged him with a shy smile. "I want to be your friend, too."
"Okay, then," said Frodo excitedly, "Let's start over again. I'm Frodo Baggins."
"I'm Tansy Puddifoot."
"A pleasure meeting you, Tansy."
She giggled. "A pleasure meeting you, too, Frodo."
"Now, let's eat shall we?"
Tansy reached for a strawberry.
Frodo watched her and again, he was mesmerized at the way she ate the fruit. It wasn't a quick bite, but slow and tantalizing as she sliced the strawberry into her mouth.
"Do you like strawberries?"
"Yes, I--I do," he replied dreamily.
"Then take one."
Frodo helped himself to a strawberry.
Tansy remembered her visit at Frodo's home. That last time he stared at her when she ate the strawberry then. His stare she found very intrusive and intimidating. Now, she met his gaze boldly, watching him while a half of the strawberry disappeared into his mouth.
At the moment, she wasn't sure if it was heat from the sun bearing down on her or heat rising from within her body. Tansy grabbed another strawberry. Her teeth sank into it. The heat...
Feverish.
Overwhelming.
"Strawberries," she began in a soft, dreamy voice. "So sweet and--,"
Tansy stopped when she noticed beads of sweat that began to trickle down from underneath Frodo's bangs.
He sat there, frozen with a strawberry he was about to eat and then as if he had been startled out of a trance, Frodo placed the fruit back onto the tray.
He smiled sheepishly. "I, uh--I've had enough."
Tansy was suddenly nauseated from what she just experienced. Dizzy, she swayed a little and cleared her throat.
"Yes, I've had enough, too."
With the back of his hand, Frodo smeared the sweat off from his forehead.
"I didn't realize the sun was so hot. Perhaps we should move into more shade."
"That's a good idea," Tansy agreed with slight embarrassment in her voice.
She helped him move the blanket further under the tree.
"There," said Frodo, "That's better."
Before she sat, Tansy looked at him. "Frodo?"
"Yes?"
"That song you were whistling? Sing it for me?"
"Sing it?" Frodo chuckled.
"Please, I want to hear it."
"Well, all right."
Like an eager little child, Tansy sat down, crossing her legs underneath her dress.
Frodo sat beside her. He also crossed his legs and began to sing...
There is an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown that the Man in the Moon
himself came down one night to drink his fill.
The ostler has a tipsy cat that plays a five-stringed fiddle;
And up and down he runs his bow, now squeaking high,
now purring low, now sawing in the middle.
The landlord keeps a little dog that is mighty fond of jokes;
When there's good cheer among the guests,
he cocks an ear at all the jests and laughs until he chokes...
By then, Tansy was enjoying the song. She picked up on the rhythm and clapped as he continued.
They also keep a horned cow as proud as any queen;
But music turns her head like ale, and makes her wave her tufted tail
and dance upon the green.
And O! the rows of silver dishes and the store of silver spoons!
For Sunday there's a special pair, and these they polish up with care
on Saturday afternoons...
When Frodo heard her laugh, he sang faster...
The Man in the Moon was drinking deep, and the cat began to wail;
A dish and a spoon on the table danced, the cow in the garden madly pranced,
and the little dog chased his tail.
The Man in the Moon took another mug, and then rolled beneath his chair;
And there he dozed and dreamed of ale, til in the sky the stars were pale,
and dawn was in the air.
Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat;
'The white horses of the Moon, they nigh and chomp their silver bits;
But their master's been and drowned his wits, and the sun'll be rising soon!'
So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that would wake the dead;
he squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune, while the landlord
shook the Man in the Moon: 'It's after three!' he said.
As Frodo went on, Tansy clapped faster and imagined herself back at the Green Dragon, dancing with him again, and this time she didn't fall but held on tight as he twirled her round and round...
With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke!
The cow jumped over the Moon, and the little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the Saturday dish went off at a run with the silver Sunday spoon.
The round Moon rolled behind the hill as the sun raised up her head,
She hardly believed her fiery eyes; for though it was day,
to her surprise they all went back to bed!
After he was done singing, Tansy giggled and clapped excitedly.
Frodo leaped onto his feet, acknowledging her appreciation of his song with a bow. But then he suddenly felt foolish.
"Now 'I' feel like I've made a fool out of myself."
"Frodo..." Tansy shook her head. "You've done no such thing. I loved it!"
"Did you really?"
She nodded, at the same time, surprised at the words that came out of her mouth.
Frodo gave her a coy smile and then something lured his attention away from Tansy. He strolled over to the edge of the cliff where he looked down at the pond that caught the sun's rays. At first, it glistened as if many jewels floated upon it until the sun retreated behind towering white clouds.
"It never leaves me," Frodo mumbled as he stared at the water. "Though I try to forget. My parents...I still miss them."
"What happened to them?" he heard Tansy ask.
Frodo went on. "I was a child then. One day they were in a boat and--," He paused at the annoying, painful lump that seized his throat, which he forcefully swallowed away. "They drowned in the Brandywine River."
"Oh..." he heard Tansy say softly. "I'm sorry."
"I felt so alone," Frodo continued, "Well, there were my cousins, Merry and Pippin, whom I spent most of my childhood with at Brandy Hall. Then Bilbo adopted me and I went to live with him at Bag End. I'm very close to him, my cousins and of course there's Sam. But at times I still feel...alone and frightened. It's like I'm longing for something else, something I don't have but I'm afraid of it."
Frodo walked away from the cliff and headed toward the tree. There he stopped, folded his arms and leaned his left shoulder against the wood.
"I don't understand," said Tansy, "You have your uncle Bilbo, Merry, Pippin and Sam like you said."
"I know, but that's not what I'm talking about."
Frodo pressed his forehead deep into the wood.
He squeezed his eyes shut. "There's something else."
Frodo opened his eyes and turned his head slightly in Tansy's direction.
"Frodo?" She met his gaze and thought she caught him shiver a little.
Realizing what he meant, Tansy looked away from him. She shuddered and kept her eyes locked onto the blanket.
Frodo returned to the blanket. He plopped down on his knees in front of her. He had been reluctant to ask her this question for some time now and could no longer refrain himself from asking.
"Tansy, what happened at home with your family?"
Her lips moved and for a moment it seemed she was about to tell him what really happened.
*No. I can't*
"Frodo, I had fun, really I did. But, I think you should take me back now."
He was disappointed she refused to be honest with him. Frodo didn't want her to see how he felt. Instead, he smiled warmly.
"All right. I'll take you home."
___________________________________________________
That wasn't the only time they had a picnic together. Twice a week and sometimes three, Tansy would wait by the picket fence at the lane. Her heart raced frantically in anticipation of him and her wide, almond-shaped eyes gleamed at the sight of a wagon and horse galloping toward her.
Off they would go again to the pond near Bywater Pool. This time, they enjoyed a lunch of mince pies, cheese and of course, strawberries. But as the day went on, Frodo noticed the temperature suddenly plummeted. The warm breeze that had been comforting before had morphed into an unfriendly gale. He peered over his shoulder at the sky and in the distance dark, angry clouds towered above.
"Come on," he said to Tansy. "It looks like a storm is coming. We better head back."
Tansy rose quickly from the blanket along with her cloak she tried to wrap around her shoulders. It refused to cooperate and almost snatched away by the wind that clawed at it.
"Here," offered Frodo. "I'll help you."
He grabbed the cloak, wrapping it around her shoulders. Once he had a firm grip on the broach, he pulled the hook toward it, stopping suddenly. His attention drifted down her neck. And he wasn't sure if it was by accident or intention, but his finger lightly brushed against the soft spot above her collarbone.
*Does she know what I had done?*
Frodo quickly glanced at her, searching for a reaction. This is what he saw...a frightened lass who was very much aware of what had happened. He fumbled with the broach until his fingers fastened it securely.
Frodo jerked away from her, taking a few steps backward.
"Come," he muttered and embarrassed. "We better go."
When they arrived at the farm, Frodo watched her until she was safe inside the house. He turned and stared down the lane. The wind howled viciously and the blue sky, no longer recognizable, now marred by dark ominous clouds.
A faint sound of thunder roared in the distance.
Frodo wondered if he should stay or attempt to hurry back to Bag End.
The scent of rain lay heavily in the atmosphere.
Frodo looked up...
The first drop of rain touched his nose and rolled gingerly down the side of his cheek.
********************************************************
TBC
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think of it :-)