Chapter36

Dedicated to DJ Took, Hey mon amie! Review! And sign in! I need to know who you are!

We made our way slowly, through many a fen, and strange land. It was easy to get lost in the rhythm of walking, but I was reminded on the minute to keep my wits about me. Sometimes, I rode, usually with Faramir, but a few others were obliged to have me share a saddle as well.

That arse Ilias was put out straight away. Given a bit of extra food and water and sent to fend for himself. Punishment for disobeying a direct order, and trying to take advantage of a female prisoner. That was the last I saw of him.

We traveled on for days, and days (ok guys, I don't have an exact time frame for this), before we came to a shallow valley...Suddenly Faramir stopped dead, and put up a hand. The rest of the company halted.

My heart started to beat double time. If you listened hard enough, you could hear faint voices on the wind, and see the gray smoke of a small fire drifting upwards. Faramir sprang into action quickly, and taking a couple of men with him, moved forward cautiously. They fanned out, and spoke in gestures, and signals.

I wanted desperately to go with the choice few, but it seemed Faramir would not allow it, as the man I was walking next to took a firm hold on my cloak. I sighed. Men can be so stupid sometimes.

Then suddenly the voices stopped entirely. And then there they were, Faramir, and his three men, with two small figures bound, hooded and pushed along in front of them. I almost screamed. OMG, it was Frodo and Sam.

I bit my tongue, and kept my presence hidden to them. But instead, walked silently with the rest of the group, going to now what was called 'The Window on the West'.

We made good time, and I studied Frodo and Sam the entire time. They had both lost weight, and their skin was tanner, and their hands rough. I resisted the urge to change the paths of the story, still paying heed to Galadriel's words...

OOO

It turned out that the window on the west was nothing more than a Great hollow in a cliff face of rock. But it was well provisioned. Most of the company was made comfortable, and to watch the prisoners while the rest receded with their captain to battle a host of Easterlings.

The first chance I got I went to Frodo and Sam. I removed Sam's blindfold with care, and put my hand over his mouth. He looked at me in silent shock. I put a finger to my lips and shook my head. A signal for 'make no sound'

Then I released him and removed Frodo's blind. I had thought he would be quiet, but instead he started to loudly say my name. I put my hand over his mouth.

"Frodo, you have to be quiet! Why do you think I was sneaking over here?" I said with a small grin, as I removed my hand.

"They captured you too?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes. I was still travelling with Aragorn at the time, and then I was took by orcs, whereas I was eventually passed to Faramir." I answered.

They just looked at me. Then Frodo enfolded me in an embrace. I smiled and hugged him back. Then I looked over at Sam; I reached over and squeezed his shoulder.

"You kept your promise, Samwise Gamgee." I whispered. Goodness, I was starting to tear up.

"And Merry and Pippin? Are they ok?" Frodo asked, a little shy after his hug.

I frowned slightly, and rubbed my head. I really didn't know, probably. I mean, look at what I was doing to the story. Were they really ok? "Yes. I saw them only days ago." I lied through my teeth.

"Where's Gollum?" I asked. Frodo started.

"He.....how......I don't know." Frodo said finally. I nodded. He would know soon enough.

"I suppose you're hungry?" I asked with a chuckle. They hadn't gotten to eat that rabbit stew anyway. They nodded vigorously and I went and retrieved what ever I could find...

OOO

A little while later, content and full, Sam dozed off, and Frodo pounced.

"So, what feelings have you for Pippin?" He asked. I jolted awake.

"Why aren't we forward today," I stammered.

"Yes, well I'm sorry for this, but seeing as I may never get the chance to ask again, I'd like to know. He is family, you know, my first cousin twice removed on his....."

"Yeah ok. I get it. And what do you mean, 'feelings'." He looked pointedly at me. I knew exactly what he meant.

"Frodo!" I exclaimed, quietly. He raised his eyebrow, and looked me, like he already knew. "Well, erm, I'm not pregnant yet, am I?" I retorted hotly.

"Yet?" He said, mock-sternly.

I sighed. "Fine, have it your way." I said.

He stared at me. "I saw you two in Galadriel's mirror. And, well......Pippin did tell me sometime later about his...um....vision."

My jaw dropped. "I am going to kill him." That FOOL of a Took. He had went and told anyway. Little brat. I'll get him for this.

"So?" He questioned.

"Heemeeerresmmmeeee....well, I guess there's no use not answering you. Yes, I have feelings for Pippin. I always have. Though I admit sometimes he can be a bit trying (Frodo laughed) and if he asks me, I'll accept." I said, and I left it at that.

"Well, then Merna," Frodo started, looking at me, drowning me in his twin sapphire pools, "I have one last thing to do before I accept the fact that someday, your name will be on my family tree," He said, and moved closer to me.

I opened my mouth to say 'what' when he kissed me. On the mouth. Frodo. And me Kissing. I almost died. Then he pulled away. "Hmmmmm, Pippin wasn't kidding." Frodo said, touching his lips and smiling ...

I was completely and utterly shocked. "I am completely and utterly shocked." I said, my voice cracking.

"Why?" He asked, smiling at me.

"Frodo Baggins, you just kissed me. As in, right after I told you I wanted to marry your cousin."

"Well you aren't married yet, are you? And Pippin won't mind I'm sure." He said with a wink.

I couldn't help it. I smiled, and reached out to touch his cheek. "It must get lonely with just Sam and Gollum for company." I said quietly. He cast his eyes down, oh, I think I really upset him. "Oh...Frodo, I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." Dammit there goes my mouth again.

He looked back up at me. "Yes, it does, get lonely, I mean..... and to tell you the truth, I've wanted to kiss you ever since I saw how beautiful you were that night in the green dragon. But you had eyes only for Pippin."

That was a blow, let me tell you. Oh...my stomach is butterflying. "Oh. Frodo, I..."

"No, please don't say anything. I'm sorry I told you. You never needed to know." He said quickly. And for the first time, I saw how heavily the ring was weighing on him, and I wanted to give him some comfort.

I moved closer to him slowly, and his eyes darted around. "It's okay, Frodo." I said. And he opened his arms. I moved into them, hesitantly, and lay my head on his shoulder. He sighed and touched my hair. A tear landed on my neck.

I put my arms around his neck, as he buried his face against mine. And his last words were muffled, barely a whisper... "Thank you."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Author: Ooooooo, sorry for the wait the wait kitties! I had this written for a while. But I guess it was just all the lack-luster reviews I have been receiving, staying my hands from the loading button. And, this stupid site wouldn't let me update until Thursday at the earliest! Hopefully, the wait for the next chap won't be as long, if some peoples feel like sedating my bitchy side with a couple of GOOD reviews (Not one liners) so my nice side can continue.....

Ha aha ha......

Pippinsgal011890

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO