A/N- Well I ended up adding to this chapter instead of writing chapter 7. Who knows when that will get written, probably not for another couple of months. Patience readers, patience.
Chapter 6- The Apology and Forgotten Birthdays
It was not long for Smeagol to find his friends. They were not far in front of him in the river. Not wanting to be seen though, Smeagol stayed close to the bank so that the willow trees hanging over him would hide his approach.
Smeagol watched as Deagol paddled up to a dock. He and Ridigol got out and embraced. Ridigol was crying, and Smeagol watched with interest as his friend brushed the tears of her rosy cheeks. Ridigol looked tenderly up at Deagol and apologized for not feeling up to going fishing with him. Deagol kissed her and Ridigol ran into her home in the bank and Deagol continued to the Great River alone.
At least Deagol thought he was alone. He was unaware of Smeagol behind him. Smeagol had not made himself known because he wasn't sure what he was going to say to his friend. How was he going to apologize?
Therefore all the way to the Great River, Smeagol thought out apologies in his head.
'Deagol, I'm sorry for..' no something else.
"Deagol, my friend you must forgive me, you must, for . . .' no that wasn't going to work either.
'Deagol, I've decided to come fishing after all, and I just wanted to say. . .'
"Smea!"
Smeagol looked up from his rowing. He had not been concentrating on where he was headed and therefore had ended up in the middle of the river in full sight of his friend.
"Oh, well I...I'm sorry Deagol. I should not have gotten mad, I shouldn't have," there, he had said it.
"Thats all right Smea," Deagol grinned, easily forgiving his best friend, "I knew you didn't mean it."
With the apology made, the two friends continued there way to the Great River. Their boats side by side.
Deagol had been fishing for 3 hours and Smeagol was hot, tired and bored (though that was nothing unusual). Smeagol's friend had been after one particular fish for most of his time on the Great River. The fish seemed to find pulling at Deagol's line a hilarious game and the poor hobbit was getting very fustrated. Smeagol wished for the fish to grow weary and swim away, but it did not. Finally Deagol gave up.
Blast it all, dang it all," Deagol muttered, joining Smeagol on the bank, " I'll catch the little fish if it's the last thing I'll do."
"You will, " Smeagol agreed, but his mind was on a rabbits hole so he didn't pay much attention to his friend as he continued talking. Deagol of course didn't mind Smeagol not participating in the conversation and babbled on about fishing, Ridigol and his birthday.
". . . and there's going to be lots of good food and your grandmother said she was going to make a rabbit stew with all the vegetables from her garden and she promised she'll add extra mushrooms. I'll bet your excited and. . .Smea?
"Mmmm?" Smeagol looked up from his hole, " birthday?"
"Yes of course birthday Smea. Its your birthday tomorrow,"laughed Deagol, "you've forgotten, haven't you."
"I guess I did," Smea smiled, of all the things to forget, "what are you giving me?"
"It's a surprise, it is," the young river hobbit scolded.
"Then I shall find out tomorrow, I shall. Lets go home Deagol, I've still have work to do at home."
So the two friends headed back to their Gladden river. It had turned out to be a remarkable day and there was to be a birthday tomorrow. Birthdays were always wonderful.