A/N: I do NOT own Lord of the Rings or Tolkien or Smeagol. I do however own Pearl, so please don't steal her.

His Other Love

By Nin Mela Elesser

Prologue: Everybody "thought" that Sméagol was shunned by all his relatives and friends. But that's not how I heard it...

"Sméagol. Sméagol?" called a girlish yet low voice. "Smeag? Where are you Smeagol?" The call was repeated. It came from a young creature the size of a hobbit, yet somehow different. She was slender and not plump like most hobbit girls, and she ran with a grace that hobbits are not gifted with. However, a quick glance from a passerby would assume her origins came from the little people. But this was not so.

She was one of the river-folk; not unlike hobbits in a way, but somehow different. Her name was Pearl.

"Sméagol! There you are!" she cried. "I've been searching for you and Deagol all morning! Where have you two been?"

The one she spoke to was also one of the river-folk. He was lithe and slim, but had a curious resemblance to his kindred the hobbits. As she watched him she saw a peculiar look come into his eyes. A sly suspicion perhaps. "Smeagol? Are you all right? Where's Deagol? "

"Deagol? I...I don't know where Deagol is...my preciousssssss." The creature replied.

"Precious? Smeagol I know we're friends, but that's a little strange. Precious?" The bewildered girl queried. "Smeagol you're acting awfully weird. What's wrong and where's Deagol? He came out here with you didn't he?"

"I said that I hadn't seen Deagol!" snapped Smeagol. "He must have gone home!"

"But he didn't!" cried Pearl. "He didn't come home for lunch!" You must have seen him!"

"I haven't seen him! He must have drowned in the river!" snapped Smeagol. Instantly he wished he'd not said it. Deagol's sister gasped and turned white.

"The river? But...Deagol can swim!" she finally said.

"Even the best swimmers can fall into the current" he replied, a little guiltily.

"I must go home and tell mother!" Pearl cried, running away into the forest. A dazed figure stood looking after her. He fingered something, and disappeared.

A/N: R&R please! This is my first fanfiction and I hope it turns out okay!