Red String
Days in Buckland
Miranda leaned back on the fence. It had now been a week since the "Tea Party" that Merry had in his rooms, and also the one that his cousin Frodo Baggins had attended. She had noticed Mr. Baggins more over the last week than she normally had before. Wherever he went he always wore that pale green cloak, pinned on the collar by a lovely emerald leaf with silver edgings.
She had also noticed he rarely spoke. When he did, it was usually soft and formal, much different from what anyone would expect of a Baggins born in Buckland. Miranda wondered then, what had changed him. Merry and Pippin had both disappeared, and both had said that they were on the same adventure as Frodo, and they all returned together and fought Sharkey. Miranda placed her hand on her chin, pondering.
"You going to stand there, amidst, all day, Miranda?"
Miranda turned her head, seeing Peregrin Took standing there. He had returned to Buckland a few days prior, saying that everything was well. The Took leaned against the fence along side Miranda, not bothering to ask if he could have her consent. He crossed his arms around his chest leisurely, smiling and looking up at the sky.
"You are up to something, Peregrin." Miranda said, looking at him suspiciously. Pippin looked at her, his mouth open agape, pointing to him.
"Me? My dear, you must have me mistaken for some other hobbit-lad." He said innocently. "I was just wondering why a lovely hobbit-lass like you stood here alone, staring out into oblivion."
"Perhaps I was watching for some Elf banner." Miranda spoke teasingly. Pippin rolled his eyes. "Anyways, to answer your question, Master Took, I was thinking of matters far beyond your comprehension."
"Now, its not nice using such a large word to make such a rude comment, Miranda, didn't you learn anything?" Pippin asked, waving his finger scolding at her. "I have a small, but, effort needing favor to ask of you, dear Mira."
"Peregrin, you still wish to call me by that child hood name?" Miranda sighed, pretending to be somewhat annoyed. Pippin chuckled at this. "Alright, what is it you want? Clean up after your mess next time you and Merry jump onto a bar table top and sing?"
"Oh, no, no." Pippin shook is head. "But, that would be most gracious of you." He laughed, Miranda giggled. "No." his tone turned serious, making Miranda's attention fully turn to him. "I would like you to get to know my cousin, Frodo, better…." He turned to her. "You see, he had a horrible time on our adventure, and he does not speak of it…believe it or not, Merry and myself know very little of what truly happened to him."
"So I'd like you to get to know him." Pippin continued after a moment. "Not to pry into his life, just, become his friend. He is lonely, and seems to be lost in his thoughts. Frodo told us, Merry and I, that he wished to pick of the threads of his old life, before our adventure. We think he is doing a mighty horrible job of it, could you aid us in our community service?"
Miranda thought for a moment. She then smiled. "Just a normal day in Buckland?" she asked.
"Why of course, you know the days in Buckland are always filled!" Pippin smiled. "Thank you, lass, for your kind donation." He leaned forward. "If you wish to start your services soon, lass, my cousin is down at the cemetery."
"That's a very dark place to be on such a bright day." Miranda said softly. "That's alright, I had plans to go and see to it anyways…" she nodded, waved good-bye, and headed on to her way.
Pippin stood there, scratching his head. "A lass and a lad in a cemetery going to become friends…not the best place I'd think to start a relationship, oh well. Perhaps Merry has something of better fitting materiel."
~*~
Miranda looked down at the small gate that led into the entrance of the cemetery. She placed her hand around the iron rods, seeing her arm shaking. When she was younger, she'd always been afraid of places like this. Places that would house the dead. She had been afraid of ghosts coming, walking around their graves and wailing out into the night. She shuddered at the thought, it seemed like those stories her brother told her when she was younger still frightened her. But this time her entrance had a meaning – she had a promise to keep.
She pushed the small gate open, walking forward. Every step she took sent a shudder and shock up and down her spine. Fear. It seemed like those stories a long time ago had made her worse than what she thought. As she walked, she spotted the dark green cloak of Frodo Baggins. He stood underneath a large cherry tree that branched over several stones, but he stood at two. Miranda looked forward and continued on her own journey.
She stepped off the main pebbled path and walked a few stones over. She was nearly ten rows from the entrance of the cemetery. Finally she came to the three stones she was looking for.
May Anne Chubb, 2957 -3003; loving mother and wife
Mungo Brutus Chubb, 2936-3019; cherished father and craftsman
Tugo Brodo Chubb, 2999-3007; small child of large heart and spirit
Miranda sighed sadly, falling onto her bottom and holding her legs to her chest, staring down at the three stones. Her mother, her father, and her youngest brother were in the ground. Her mother had passed on suddenly, more like a quick killing virus than a slow one that the healer had said it was. Her father had just passed from old age…and her brother…he had always been a sickly child.
After her mother had passed on, she was in charge of taking care of him. Not only being the only female child, but also because her brothers had already moved out of the hobbit hole. The hole was left to her after her father passed on, and she still lived there…though her parent's and little brother's room she had locked, not wanting to be reminded of how alone she felt. It was a large hobbit hole – easy to feel alone in.
Her ears twitched as she heard footsteps stopping near her. She looked over from the corner of her eyes, seeing two feet of a male hobbit. They were dirty, seeing as if they had been walking all day. She slowly brought her eyes up to see that Frodo Baggins was standing there. Then she suddenly remembered her promise to Pippin.
"Hullo, Ms. Chubb." He began formally. Miranda smiled and nodded. He glanced down at the stones before her. "I never thought that I'd see someone like you amongst this sad place."
Miranda tilted her head, looking at him. "Is this supposed to be a complement of beauty or a mere fact, Mr. Baggins?" Frodo seemed a bit surprised at her question, and turned a slight shade of pink. Miranda moved over, letting Frodo sit on the ground next to her. Frodo looked out over the hills, lost in thought. His face was still, unmoving except when the wind blew hair in his eyes.
"You could take it either way, I suppose." Frodo said after a moment. He glanced down at the stones again. "I didn't know that you had anyone here."
Miranda shrugged a little. "I hadn't come in a while…so, I thought I would." She looked over at him. "But, then again, Mr. Baggins, I didn't know you had anyone here as well…."
Frodo seemed a bit startled and surprised. He looked at her, but quickly recovered from his surprise. "Well…I suppose you never heard of my parents." He spoke softly. Miranda seemed to get the message and turned her head back down to the stones before her. Both stayed sitting for a moment.
"Just another day in Buckland, I suppose." Miranda spoke up. Frodo turned to her. "Things are hardly quiet here, and surprises are everywhere."
Frodo nodded simply, turning his attention to the horizon and hills. "I have not been here since I was young, but when you are young you find many things are still surprising…." He trailed off for a moment. "And even when you grow older, you find that life has many surprises for you…some that keep you from returning to what you were before." He went silent.
Miranda watched him. The afternoon sun had set into motion, bringing out how pale his skin was. She understood now why Merry and Pippin and always referred to him as being 'Elf like'. From Pippin's description of Elves, Frodo did look much like one. Fair skin, dark hair (Pippin had spoken of Rivendell Elves). The only thing amidst of him being of Elf parents would be his height and feet. Miranda let out a small laugh and looked up at the sky.
"May I know what is so entertaining?" Frodo asked.
"Just thinking of something Pippin told me of, nothing to worry of." Miranda smiled. She stood then, rustling the wrinkles out of her skirt and she turned to Frodo. The hobbit-lad slowly looked up at her. "Well, Mr. Baggins, would you like to join me for luncheon? Its been awhile since I've had company over at my home." Frodo continued to look at her. "…well, you don't have to, that is, I mean….if you are busy or have something else you'd want to…"
"Its fine, I'd come." Frodo stood, and gave her a small smile in acceptance. "I must meet with Merry, excuse my rash leaving…I'm sure he or Pippin will give me directions." Miranda nodded and Frodo left. Miranda felt herself blushing at the smile Frodo had given her.
You're being silly, Miranda. She thought. Acting like some giggly tween over a male. She sighed and started for her own hole. It had been much too long since she had made a meal for more than herself.
-*-
a/n: I'm glad to see that so many people are enjoying this. ^_^ I never really thought an OC/Frodo romance would hit off, seeing how a large popularity of nearly all Romance stories involving The Lord of the Rings seems to be slash/yaoi. I won't get into my rant on that, seeing how I don't want to offend my readers. You might have noticed how I place Author Notes at the end, right? Well, why torment the reader at the beginning of having to read them? Lol. So, they are always going to be at the end unless they are some kind of annocement. Now for reviewer comments!
Ivy Borrows: Personally, I'm not sure how this will end. I was thinking of a Grey Havens ending – but Im not sure. You see, I am a very good angst writer, and most stories I write have that element, I'll see what I can do.
FrodoBaggins87: Glad to see you are still reading. ^^ Also happy to see that you are likeing this.
And also, if you'd all like to read more stories that I've written, check my profile – but also!
My friend Kalindia, a fellow LOTR author, have a new website up dedicated to our LOTR stories. We are currently working on one called Twilight Hour, a story based after the War of the Ring. Filled with romance, angst, action/adventure, mystery and other good things. Please follow the URL below, leave a comment at our guestbook, and read the story!
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