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Ch. 6: The First Kiss
Many years passed in which Zilda didn't see Gandalf. Occasionally, he would drop by Frodo's smial in the middle of the night and while he was there he would leave messages and sometimes books for her, but then he would run off again just as quickly as he had come. Sometimes, Zilda wondered if he even cared about her anymore, but when she began to think that Frodo would show up at her door with a loving message from Gandalf and all would be well. While he was gone, she continued to learn as much as she could from the books that he sent her so she could impress him when he returned.
Then, there was a period of about three years when Gandalf wasn't seen in the Shire at all. One day, during the third year of his absence, Zilda and Frodo were sitting by the lake skipping rocks and talking.
"You know, Zilda, I've been thinking…"
"Really, Frodo! I'm so proud of you!" Zilda said sarcastically, with a smirk. Frodo shoved her.
"No really, I'm being serious now." Zilda stopped and turned to Frodo.
"Ok, I'm sorry. I'll listen."
"Well, what if… what if he's not coming back, Gandalf, I mean. What if he's forgotten about us?" Zilda's jaw dropped open. Then slowly she replied.
"Frodo, that is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard and I don't want to hear you say that again."
"Oh come on Zilda! It's been three whole years! Three years without a word from him! Where could he have possibly gone?" Zilda just stared at Frodo like he'd lost his mind. Then she got up angrily.
"Fine! You just keep thinking that! And when you've decided you're done being pessimistic, you'll find me at home still waiting patiently for my Grandfather to show up which, mark my words, he will! Then you'll be sorry because I'll tell him that you lost hope and then he'll probably turn you into… into… A FROG!" With that, Zilda turned on her heel and began to stomp away. Frodo got up and began to run after her.
"Zilda! Zilda wait!"
"I don't talk to pessimists."
"I'm sorry!" Zilda stopped and turned back to look at him. He was standing about three feet away from her with the puppy face on; the cute, pathetic face he made when he really wanted something. She never could resist it. She sighed and walked over to a pile of rocks and sat beside them, with her head resting on her knees. Frodo climbed on top of the pile and sat there waiting for her to say something.
"I just can't believe that he's really gone. I can't." There was a pause.
"You called him your grandfather." Zilda looked up and chuckled.
"Did I? I guess I didn't notice."
"You two are very close aren't you?" Frodo asked quietly. Zilda nodded. Then they sat for a while in silence. Zilda picked up a rock and tossed it in the lake, not even trying to make it skip. It didn't seem to matter anymore. Frodo just sat and watched her, trying to think of something to say that would make her feel better, but nothing came to mind. He sighed and picked up a rock of his own and tossed in the lake. Then, he reached down to pick up another just as Zilda reached for the same rock and his hand landed on top of hers. They looked up and realized just how close they were. They were only inches away from each other and could see into the depths of each other's eyes. Frodo thought that he might just fall into the deep blue of her eyes and never come out again. It was like a magnet pulled them together and their lips met. A million thoughts were running through Zilda's head as she kissed him.
'Why is this happening? Is this right? What would father say? What would Gandalf say? Do they ever have to know? What will happen after this?' But all those thoughts began to slowly melt away as she just enjoyed the sensation of being kissed. Suddenly, though, her ears picked up her brother's voice calling her. She pulled away from Frodo and whispered "Pippin." As she jumped up and walked toward the path through the woods that would lead her home. Before she entered though, she turned back one time to look at Frodo. He was still sitting just where she had left him, watching her leave. Suddenly, she had the overwhelming desire to run back and kiss him again and never stop. But then she heard Pip's voice call her again, closer this time.
"Zilda! Where are you?" With a sigh, Zilda turned and ran up the path to find her brother.
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