As Silence Falls
Warning: Angst, Character Death
Summary: Tragedy and aftermath
A/N #1: For simplicity's sake, Bilbo and Saradoc are Frodo's uncles, and Esmeralda is Frodo's aunt.
A/N #2: Tolkien doesn't specify what time of the year Frodo's parent died, so I chose the date to fit my need.
A/N #3: One of these days I will actually use a beta. Until then all errors you find belong to me.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. Never have, never will. Don't make any money either, so there!
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Chapter 1
The day dawned clear and bright. The birds were chattering and whistling their merry tunes. The fluffy white clouds were playing tag with the sun. It was a beautiful day, and in a little corner of the Shire, a little lad awoke, bright as the sun itself. His gentle waking like a sunrise, slowly, dreamily coming to awareness.
The sounds and smells of breakfast being cooked pulled him from his bed. He stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and climbed into his chair.
"Well, good morning," she said with a kiss to the top of his unruly curls as she set a plate of bacon, eggs, and pancakes in front of him. "And how's our birthday lad today?"
Frodo's eyes grew impossibly wide as he remembered that 'yes indeed, today was his birthday!
"Now don't tell me you forgot?"
"No ma'am," he said breathlessly. The news (and breakfast) seemed to energize the young hobbit. When he left the table his mother wondered when he had found the time to actually eat his meal as he had talked non-stop about the plans for the day; the friends who would come, the games they would play, and the arrival of his very favorite Uncle Bilbo who was scheduled to arrive that morning.
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The party was a grand affair with lots of friends and family, and plenty of good food. Children darted to and fro playing their games of 'hide-and-find', 'hobbit-hobbit-troll', and 'catch-me-if-you-can'. Weaving in and out among the lilac bushes they ran, a riotous melee of noise, and at the center of this whirlwind was the none other than Frodo himself, who was turning twelve years old that day.
The festivities lasted all day and it wasn't until late in the afternoon that the families took their leave, the children flitting about them like butterflies in the sunshine.
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That night Frodo woke from a restless sleep, filled with disturbing dreams, to the sound of raised voices in the smial. He recognized his uncle Saradoc and aunt Esmeralda. Frodo padded out to the kitchen and stood blinking in the door way.
"I can't believe they would do that. I can't believe Prim would do that. She should have known better!"
"At least they didn't take Frodo with them. Thank Eru they left him behind."
"He must have been worn out from the party. Oh Sara, how do we tell him?"
"I don't know Esme... I don't know."
"Should we wait until morning? Should we wake him?" Her voice rose steadily. " When is the best time to tell a lad his parents are gone!"
"Esme..." Saradoc nodded to the doorway where Frodo stood.
"Oh! Oh, Frodo..." she went to him and took him in her arms. "I'm sorry dear, but, your parents... the river... " She took a deep breath and tried again. "There's been an accident..."
-tbc-