Disclaimer: ;; I still don't own The Lord of the Rings.

A/N: Thank you, ArwenEvenstar83, for your review! I realize that that didn't make a whole lot of since. I'm going to try to clarify that in this chapter. I'd also like to thank my friend & drill sargent for his review in his e-mail & on the phone. To everyone, I'm sorry that this update took so long.

Chapter 3 - She's Alive?

For a few moments Frodo remained in his position. That is until he felt the soft brush of what felt like butterfly wings brush his face (A/N: The feeling of something "like butterfly wings" brushing Frodo's face is the girl's eye lashes actually brushing against his skin. I'm deeply sorry for the confusion!). He opened his eyes to find a pair of red eyes reflecting the shock that must have been in his own blue eyes.

Frodo lifted his head from hers slowly, keeping eye contact the entire time. The red-headed lady raised her hand to Frodo's face shakily as though to make sure that the hobbit was really there. Once her hand made contact with his skin, he felt a chill race down his spine. Her hands were still cold as the ice she had been frozen in. The poor lass started shiver, & it was then that Frodo lifted her into a chair by the fireplace as he called for his elder cousin.

"What is it, lad," the older hobbit asked as he entered the room.

When Bilbo caught sight of the young lady sitting in the chair awake & alive, he had to steady himself on the back of the chair opposite her.

"What do we do," Frodo asked in complete uncertainty (A/N: I'm not sure if that's the word I'm looking for. If anyone knows of a better one then let me know.)

The beautiful landscape of the Shire became a blur to Frodo as he ran in hot pursuit of Merry & Pippin. Bilbo had instructed him to go after them & tell them that the coroner wouldn't be needed. While the young hobbit's mind was focused on doing precisely as his guardian bid him, he found several questions going through his mind.

How is it that this lady that had been frozen in a chunk of ice is alive? Was it the voice I heard that brought her back? I told the voice that only Eru could bring her back... Could have been...?

Frodo's thoughts were interrupted by someone who was calling his name. He abruptly stopped to locate the voice that was calling him. It was Merry & Pippin! Just the people I was looking for, Frodo thought to himself with a sigh of relief.

The two cousins jogged up to their kinsman followed by none other than Samwise Gamgee. Frodo took no time in informing the two messengers to forget their previous mission. Merry puzzled asked, "Why does Bilbo not want the ..."

"Because the coroner is no longer needed."

Pippin raised an eyebrow at this, "Why not? She's just as dead as she was an hour ago..."

Frodo shook his head, "No, Pippin, she's not. She sitting in the sitting room right now by the fireplace wrapped in two blankets. If you wish to go see for yourselves then go back to Bag End. Bilbo has asked to me to ask Rosie for help in nursing the lady back to health. So I'm going on to Cottons' residence."

Merry, Pippin, & Sam insisted on going with Frodo. So the four companions ran to Rosie's house. (A/N: Well, actually, Frodo ran, possibly even sprinted. His three companions ran at first, but then they had to power-walk the rest of the way.)

Back at Bag End...

Bilbo had left the young lady to run her a hot bath in the guest bathroom. Once he had accomplished this task he helped her to the bathroom & provided her with the necessary items that she would need to bathe as well as a towel & a bathrobe.

After the old hobbit had left her, she slipped out of her soiled, damp clothes. She stepped into the warm inviting water & lowered herself into the tub. Who are these people, Eru Iluvatar? Why am I here? These men are not elves. What land am I in, she prayed silently.

"Shame on you, Sachiko Song, for panicking," the red-headed girl scolded herself, "Even more shame on you for judging these men because of the fact that they aren't elves!"

As soon the young maiden finished bathing, she heard a knock on the door. Sachiko quickly put on the bathrobe the elder "man" had provided for her, & then slowly opened the door to behold a young lady with dirty blonde hair & was about as tall as Sachiko herself. The blonde headed lady smiled warmly at Sachiko as she extended her hand to her, "Hello! I'm Rose Cotton or Rosie as my friends call me."

Back in the kitchen...

Sam was busy cooking breakfast for everyone while Frodo pitched in a helping hand. Bilbo made Merry & Pippin set the table while he sat in a chair at the table with a warm cup of tea close at hand.

Sam looked up from his work as he asked his young master, "Mr. Frodo, did you get the lady's name at all?"

"No, I didn't, Sam. Bilbo, did the lady give you her name?"

The elder hobbit shook his head, "No, lad. She didn't say a word to me. Hopefully, Rosie will have more luck in getting her to talk."

As soon he spoke, Rosie herself came in with a smile on her face which almost made Sam burn the eggs (poor Sam!). When she had all the hobbit men's attention, she declared, "As a matter of fact, Mr. Baggins, I did!"

As the blonde hobbit lass spoke the red-headed lady came to stand timidly beside Rosie. "Mr. Baggins, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Sam, I'd like you to meet Sachiko Song, or Sachi for short."

A/N: This was an extra long chapter, for me anyway. Read and review, please! Constructive criticism is appreciated & needed! So please do NOT be shy. To all those who are recovering from Hurricane Katrina & the other hurricanes, & those who are preparing for the impact of Hurricane Rita, I'll be thinking of you & praying for you. Everyone take care!