Red String

The Road Goes On

 She felt two arms wrap around her. Miranda looked up from the cooking and down at the arms wrapped around her waist. She smiled and glanced back at the gentle hobbit behind her before continuing with the mid-day meal. His arm squeezed against her hips, causing her to look up again. Miranda shook her head and turned around, finding the blue eyes of Frodo Baggins. He looked at her before smiling and bringing his hands from her waist to her arms, then her hands, kissing them in a gentleman way. Miranda giggled.

 "Well Master Baggins, aren't we a bit open with ourselves this day?" She asked teasingly. Frodo smiled in return.

 It had been a month now since the Elves, Gandalf, and Bilbo departed over the Sea. Ever since, Miranda had awoken every morning wondering if the last day or week had been a dream. Yet, Frodo was sitting in the living room, every morning, drinking his hot tea. He had insisted that Miranda stay with him in Bag End, Rosie saw this as a good aspect. Miranda was wonderful with taking care of Eleanor when she and Samwise wanted to go out on their own.

 Lately Frodo had been open with his once quiet feelings for her. She was not sure if it was because he had started to accept the healings of his wounds, or if he had something schemed. Yet, she did not really push the matter. She was with him, and that was what made her happy. Miranda glanced back at the stove for a moment before Frodo turned her head back to his and kissed her softly. Miranda wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss, feeling his arms around her waist bring her closer. His hand traveled up her back then across her shoulder and then onto her cheek.

 Miranda pulled away a small amount, looking into his eyes. He moved her bangs from her eyes and kissed her nose. Miranda giggled and pulled away, continuing to cook. Frodo stood behind her, his hands on her arms, watching her every move. The door to Bag End opened and closed, Samwise stepping into the kitchen.

 "Smells mighty fine, Ms. Miranda." Samwise said, smiling. Miranda smiled back, continuing to add ingredients to the mid-day meal. Frodo stepped aside, letting the kitchen become free for movement for the two.

 Frodo walked into his study and closed the door, sitting at the desk, looking out the small window above. A month now. Time was going by faster, without him dwelling on the future of the boats. Gandalf had told him that there would be a boat waiting for him and Samwise when it came their time to sail. He closed his eyes. That was too far into the future now, he did not want to shorten the time he had with Miranda. Even if the Ring had expanded his life, he would die. All mortals died. He just hoped that whichever one of them passed on first, the other would soon follow.

 He opened his eyes as he felt to small hands on his shoulders. He leaned back in his chair as the hands squeezed his shoulders, and he looked up through his bangs. Miranda smiled down at him, tapping his nose with her finger. He looked at her oddly, his eyebrows drawn into confusion.

 "Luncheons ready, if you want any." Miranda smiled.

 "Hmm, not yet." He answered, turning in his chair so his arm draped over the back of it. Miranda looked at him oddly. "Sam received a letter form Aragorn, the King of Gondor. He wishes us all to come and visit him and Queen Arwen in Minas Tirith this summer. Sam has yet to invite Merry and Pippin, but he will, seeing how Merry must go and check up on King Eomer of Rohan."

 "Am I to stay here?"

 Frodo smiled and shook his head, taking her hands in his. "Of course not, melda. Unless Pippin has sent word to Aragorn, he does not know about you…it would be a fine surprise seeing the look on his face when he learns that I have settled down." It was now Miranda's turn to look at him in confusion.

 "Settled down?" She asked, her eyebrows rising in a teasing manner. "I wouldn't say that unless you have something planned that I don't know about." Frodo smiled running his hand down her face, making her blush and smile again. "Well, we shouldn't keep Sam and Rosie waiting, come on now."

 "Gondor?" Pippin and Merry chimed together.

 Frodo, Samwise, and the two were sitting in their usual spot in the Green Dragon Inn. Frodo nodded and brought his mug of ale up to take a drink. Samwise adjusted his small pipe in his mouth as Pippin and Merry both recovered from the shock.

 "Aye." Samwise nodded. "Strider wants to meet little Elanor, seein' how you, Mr. Pippin, decided to speak of her in your last letter." Pippin chuckled. "But, seeing how it wants us to be present in the summer, we should have to leave soon."

 "Nonsense!" Merry shook his finger. "It will not take as long this time 'round, seeing how the Gap of Rohan is now open to us! We can freely pass by what is left of Isenguard and then trot right into to Rohan."

 "Share a few ales with King Eomer." Pippin continued on Merry's train of thought. "Visit the grave of King Théoden and then head on to Gondor. Might take a few months…we should leave early February of next year, at the latest."

 "That is a long time off." Frodo mentioned, sitting his ale down. "I doubt you two will keep your excitement of seeing Aragorn again down before then."

 "What about good ol' Mira?" Pippin asked, referring to her by her childhood name. "She is coming along as well….correct, Frodo?" Frodo just smiled, taking another drink of his ale. "Oh, come now, cousin! Do not keep us here in the dark! What are you scheming for the lovely would be Mrs. Baggins?"

 "Would be?" Samwise lifted his eyebrows at Pippin, who smiled innocently. "I think she is more than a would be, Mr. Pippin. Ms. Miranda is quiet comfortable up in Bag End. A resident at Bag End for a long while, I reckon."

 "Perhaps." Frodo said, his smile still large. "Perhaps."

 Merry cleared his throat in order to change the subject. "Well then, what of lovely Rosie and Elanor? Do you think she will let the wee lass out in the world in such a young age? Not to mention the weather."

 "Rose wants to go and see what we've talked about." Samwise reassured. "She was worried of little Elanor, but now she believes it'd be good for her. After all, it won't be like we are going to be traveling head first into snow storms…" he trailed off for a moment, seeing Merry and Pippin glancing at one another. "I'll be sure to make sure you two aren't the navigators."

 "Aw, come now, Sam!" Pippin smiled, raising his mug and taking in a large drink. "We are not all that bad! Merry and I can navigate very well, you see. And perhaps this time we won't need to go through that Old Forest again! Ol' Tom may not be that happy to see us prancing around with more than four in our company."

 "I would think that it would be Old Man Willow not pleased to see us." Frodo's tone dropped to a small low one. They had noticed that whenever they mentioned parts of the quest his attitude and voice lowered. "The Brandywine Bridge goes 'round the Old Forest, we should not have to worry too much of trouble."

 "So." Merry cleared his throat, leaning forward. "When do you plan to propose to Miranda, cousin?" Frodo's eyes widened in the lightness of the question, his mug near his mouth, but stopped half way. "After all, you two just can't keep living as bachelors in Bag End…even a little odd for us Tooks and Brandybucks!"

 Frodo placed the mug down and looked into it, not answering.

 "February is an awful long ways away." Miranda said, looking up at Frodo as she sat on his bed, brushing her hair. He sat in a chair across from her, telling her of what they had talked about earlier that night. "I am surprised that Rosie would agree to such a cold time to leave in the year."

 "We leave then, we shall be in Gondor when the White Tree blooms." He answered, smiling. Miranda placed down the brush and Frodo stood, sitting beside her. "Aragorn and Arwen were married under the blooming tree. It was very lovely, something that you will only see once in your life time, if you are lucky." He looked at her and she smiled. "I am sure that they will care about you, Miranda, you don't have to be afraid."

 Miranda giggled. "I am more afraid of being with Merry and Pippin, traveling, for that amount of time!" Frodo laughed and gave a happy sigh, looking up at the ceiling. Miranda stood, and his eyes traveled to her. "Well then, I think I'll see you in the morning." She turned but he caught her hand, and pulled her into a tight hug. Miranda looked at him worriedly. "Frodo?"

 "Stay here." He said, although it was a request. Miranda looked up at him, pulling away slightly. His eyes were closed and his head lowered. For the first time since the sailing of the Ringbearers, Miranda saw his fatigue. He was tired and worn, frail and injured. Miranda sat back on the bed with him, holding his hands. Frodo sighed, opening his eyes and looking at their hands. "I am sorry, Miranda…I shouldn't have asked."

 "It is fine." Miranda responded, squeezing his hands. Frodo wrapped his arms around her waist, laying his head on her shoulder. Miranda held him, laying her head on his. They sat like this for a few moments, and Miranda had believed Frodo had fallen asleep until he moved away and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Miranda crawled beside him, sitting and looking down at him. He wanted her to be with him, not share his bed. Frodo rolled over and slipped under the bed sheets, and in moments had fallen asleep.

 Miranda sat beside him for a moment before nervously crawling under the covers and blowing out the candle. She looked up at the ceiling in thought for hours before she fell asleep.