A/N: Celtic Cross, you shall see what happens with the Wraith, Valia, and Frodo in Chapter 9. Hehehe... If you want to get to Chapter 9 sooner, you'll have to review for this chapter as soon as you're done with it. :D
Chapter 8: Into the Wild
"Where are you taking us?" Frodo asked as they walked through the wild trees and bushes.
"Into the Wild," Strider replied.
Valia sighed as a bush grabbed at her skirt for perhaps the hundredth time that morning. She snatched her skirts from the bush and followed after the others.
"That must be rather annoying," Frodo said, grinning.
"You have a ten second head start before I pounce," Valia warned then gave chase as he ran.
The others watched as she tackled him; both of them rolled with Valia ending up on top of Frodo. They were laughing then they kissed.
"So what's all this with Frodo and Valia?" Pippin muttered. "Are they engaged or not?"
"Of course they are, Pip'. They just didn't want the rest of Hobbiton to know," Merry replied. "Look at that ring on her finger! There's no doubt they're engaged."
"What ring?"
Both Sam and Merry stopped and stared at Pippin. They shared a glance then shook their heads.
"You're hopeless," Sam muttered.
Strider paused to look around. Valia and Frodo were standing beside him. Strider turned around to find Sam, Merry, and Pippin pulling things off Bill the Pony for another meal.
"Gentlemen, we do not stop until nightfall," Strider informed them.
"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked.
"You've already had it."
"We've had one, yes, but what about second breakfast."
Strider merely look at him for a moment before turning around and walking on. Frodo and Valia followed.
Merry walked up to the confused Took. "Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip'."
"What about elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He know about them, doesn't he?"
"I wouldn't count on it." An apple flew from the bushes ahead, and Merry caught it. He handed it to Pippin then patted his shoulder.
Merry continued walking, and Pippin was about to follow when an apple hit him in the head. He looked up at the sky, bewildered.
"Pippin!" Merry shouted.