A/N: Well, I'm back from Paraguay, but school has started so from here on out I will try to get a chapter up every Friday if not, every other Friday.

Celtic Cross: I'm glad you enjoy the story so much. I hope you like this chapter as well, and I know they're moving kind of fast. It's just got to be that way…. (sigh)

Silver Tongued Princess: Yes, you can label a file for "DUH" and put YOU under it. At the beginning I wrote that Sauron raped Valia's mother BEFORE he became an eye! If you want to review my story, at least read the thing before you do! I distinctly pointed out that Valia's mother was raped about 2,500 years ago. The war that "killed" Sauron happed 2,000 years ago. Please, please, PLEASE read my story in entirety before you try to flame me.

Sorry for all others I forgot about that reviewed, but thanks for reading and please continue to do so:D

Chapter 3: Risking All

Only six months later, Valia and Gandalf were returning to Hobbiton for Bilbo and Frodo's birthday party. Frodo would be turning 33. Valia was silent as she thought of Frodo, twisting the ring on her finger. It hadn't even been a year, but she was afraid. What if he doesn't remember me? What if the ring meant nothing?

Why do you doubt? Valia nearly jumped as Frodo's voice entered her mind. They had just entered Hobbiton.

She blushed and looked down, knowing she would see him soon. How much would he have changed? Would his eyes still be as bright and happy as before even with his coming of age?

"Stop worrying," Gandalf muttered. "Your distress is like a storm cloud around you."

"Light can always be found even in the darkest storm," a voice said as Gandalf brought the wagon to a halt.

Valia looked up to find Frodo grinning as he stood on a low cliff just higher than the wagon. His eyes were just as bright with a teasing sparkle to them. Valia couldn't help but smile knowing he was still the same Frodo she had known from before. He joined them as Gandalf continued on the road. Valia didn't pay much attention as they talked, watching the trees pass. Frodo took her hand suddenly, and she looked up at him. He was still listening to Gandalf.

Come with me when I jump off, he said. She nodded slightly.

A few minutes later they said goodbye to Gandalf and leapt off. Frodo led her deeper into the woods, stopping in a clearing they both knew so well.

Valia looked around in surprise. "This is where we first met." Frodo nodded, and she smiled. "It's just as I remember it."

"You are just as I remember save for your beauty," Frodo replied.

She blushed and looked up at him. He smiled and raised his hand to her cheek.

"I have missed you," he said quietly.

"As I missed you," she whispered, closing her eyes.

"I should have done this before you left," he said, his hand falling to hers.

His lips met hers in a gentle yet passionate kiss. She smiled shyly, and he smiled as well, a joyous sparkle in his eyes.

"Valia, will you marry me?"

She bit her lip nervously and looked away.

"What is it?" He gripped her hands. "Valia…"

"Frodo, what do you know of the Maiar…? The Wizards?"

"I know only of Gandalf. Valia, why do you not answer me?"

She looked up hesitantly, fearfully. "There are four Maiar: Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey, Radaghast the Brown, and…." She swallowed. "My father, Sauron."

Frodo looked at her curiously. "But what does it matter? Sauron is dead."

"But I cannot marry you!" She pulled away from him. "Soon, all will know, and I will be loathed and feared. You will not want to marry me." She moved to leave, but he caught her hand.

"Valia, I love you. I don't care what every one else believes or thinks. I will always love you." Frood took her face in his hands. "I know broken pieces of your past. I know the fear you hold inside, and I also know you fear love like that I offer you. You fear it because you fear to be hurt."

She couldn't remove her gaze from his eyes. "Such love can bring much pain," she whispered, "but I do not fear the pain for myself. I know you would never hurt me. I fear the return of my father. Through me, he would hurt you." Her eyes filled with tears. "I love you, Frodo. I do, but I cannot—"

She was interrupted by his lips upon hers once more. Her eyes were closed as the kiss ended, and she slowly opened them. He trusted her completely, this she knew.

"Marry me," he whispered, in an almost begging, pleadful tone. "Please, Valia."

A tear trailed down her cheek. "How can I refuse when the one I love risks all to be with me?" she whispered back.

A/N: Augh, so sappy and so crazy! I drive myself crazy sometimes…. Anyway, please R&R!