Disclaimer: See chapter 1
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Arrangements had been made. Ponies acquired and luggage and provisions packed. Gandalf had ridden on ahead to make Elrond aware of the situation.
Frodo shut the door to Bag End and locked it. It was the first of September and suprisingly it was quite chilly. Frodo pulled his coat close to his body.
Pippin, Merry and Sam approached with the ponies. Frodo mounted his with a bit of trouble, as his belly had been growing rapidly. After he was seated, Sam began to fuss with him, swathing him in blankets.
"I won't let you catch cold, Mr. Frodo."
Frodo was too tired to argue with all the attention. Pippin and Merry sensed his embarrassment and giggled behind their hands.
The four Hobbits set off on the trail. It was a relatively quiet journey, as it was slow paced on smooth paths. The arrived in Rivendell soon enough, and were received warmly by Gandalf and Elrond.
"Welcome, Frodo Baggins. I hope you will find this place to be a safe haven," Elrond spoke in a booming voice.
Frodo slowly and strenuously dismounted his pony, "I shall hope so, Lord Elrond. I am not exactly in my best form right now."
"Duly noted, Frodo. We should unpack your things and then I must examine the extent of your condition."
Sam noticed that Elrond and Gandalf were deliberately avoiding looking at Frodo's belly. He, Merry and Pippin grabbed all of their belongings and went up to where they were going to be staying for the next few months.
Frodo followed as quickly as he could, but he grew tired easily. He soon found himself having to take a rest on a random bench. Gandalf waited with him.
"Well, my boy, this is an odd twist of events."
Frodo laced his hands together and let them rest on his bulge. "Quite shocking. I don't feel as though this is happening to me. It's an out of body sort of experience," Frodo turned to Gandalf, "I'm scared. I don't know what's going to happen, how it will effect those I love."
Gandalf put a hand on Frodo's stomach as well, "The baby will brighten everyone's life, Frodo. He, or she, will make you and Sam complete, and Merry and Pippin more happy than they've ever been in their entire lives. I know that for sure." Gandalf smiled.
Frodo smiled back and struggled to get up from the bench. "I must get to my room. Sam will be waiting."
"Indeed, my boy. Sam's on edge as it is..." Gandalf escorted Frodo to his room.
The second Sam finished unpacking, Elrond swept into the room. "Frodo, could I have a few words with you?"
"Of course, Master Elrond," Frodo following Elrond to a secluded area, surrounded by lush gardens.
"Frodo, I need to know a few things. When did this happen?"
"April... early April. I know not the date."
"Then the baby is due early in January. We still have four months to go," Elrond brought a hand to his chin, "I'll keep my eye on you, otherwise, feel free to wander Rivendell, and enjoy the environment. In December we shall begin practicing for the birth."
Frodo swallowed, "Is it going to be difficult, Master Elrond?"
"Every birth is difficult, Frodo. The body will make accommodations for the actual event, or that's what happened in Isildur's case. We shall have to hope and pray that happens with you."
"And if that is not the case?"
Elrond looked at Frodo gravely, "A surgery. But let us hope it does not come to that."
Frodo turned away and stared off into the distance.
Elrond started to say something, then stopped himself, "I'm sorry I upset, Frodo. I'll leave you to ponder this on your own."
Elrond got up and left Frodo with his thoughts.
The fall months came and went quickly, and winter was soon upon them. Luckily, Rivendell was always warm.
The baby had started to move, and all the Hobbits got an immense amount of glee from feeling Frodo's stomach. The first time it happened, Pippin felt it and jumped away from Frodo, screaming in surprise. Of course, they all had a good laugh over it.
Frodo was so burdened that he could hardly move. He required assistance from Sam at all times. Gandalf was always close at hand, hovering about. One could not always see him, but they sensed his presence.
Elrond had begun to train Frodo for the birth. Sam was always with him. Merry and Pippin were greatly amused by the class itself. They'd always attend and go through the motions with Frodo. Of course, they'd break down in giggles often. That would cause Frodo and Sam to start laughing, which would cause Elrond to become exasperated.
Elrond tried forbidding Merry and Pippin from attending the class, but that didn't work. At one point, he became so frustrated that he made them sit in a corner. This was just so absurd that Merry and Pippin sat in their corners laughing for the remainder of the day.
As the end of December approached, Frodo had started to become very restless and nervous. There was nothing left to do now but wait.