S.R. Forelithe 1398 (Frodo is 30 and Dulcie is 27)
It was a such a lovely day, Bilbo didn't want the lad cooped up in Bag End. So, with a few seedcakes stuffed in his pockets and a thick book tucked under his arm, Frodo set off through the cool grass to his favorite reading spot under the trees near Bag End.
As he was coming upon his reading spot, he stopped short. A lass was sitting against a tree, her skirts laid out around her. It wasn't everyday that Frodo saw a lass. Only the Gamgee daughters lived closest to him. He'd never seen this lass before. Her hair was sandy brown and hung on her shoulders. Her clothes looked fancier than normal. Her face was turned away from him.
"Good day!" Frodo greeted, stepping toward her. The lass jumped, and turned to him. "Sorry to startle you, miss," he added, seeing her surprised expression.
The lass raised a hand to her heart, blushing. " 'Tis all right. I should take into consideration that folks live around here."
Frodo bestowing a friendly smile, bending down beside her. "I live down the hill that way." He pointed to the clearing in the trees where a slope lead to Bag Shot Row.
The lass cocked her head slightly. "Are you Frodo Baggins?"
"Yes," he replied, taken aback. He wondered how many folks knew of him. "I am he."
"My little cousin, Sam, has not stopped talking about you since I arrived yesterday."
"Sam Gamgee?"
The lass smiled, warmly. "Yes. The lad speaks so highly of you."
"Are you staying with the Gamgees?"
"Until the mid-year harvest is over. My father wanted me to spend time with the relatives I don't see very often, and also it appears the crop this year is abundant. The Cottons need an extra hand at the farm. I'm related to the Cottons as well."
"Oh my!" Frodo said, digesting the information. "You will be busy during your stay here."
The lass lowered her eyes to the hands in her lap. "Yes, I will, but it'll be good to learn. I've never worked on a farm before."
"So, are you a Gamgee or a Cotton?"
"Neither," the lass replied then blushed furiously. "I have not introduced myself! I'm Dulcie Goodchild." She sat up on her knees, grabbing her skirts, and half curtsying.
"Good to meet you, Miss Goodchild," Frodo said, bowing his head. "Excuse me for prodding, but why are you out here?"
Dulcie frowned. "It's so crowded at the Gamgees, and I'm not use to such a crowd. At my home, 'tis only myself and my parents."
Frodo nodded. "I can understand. It is only myself and my Uncle at Bag End, but I know how it feels to leave in a crowded place. I lived at Brandy Hall in Buckland for most of my childhood. The Hall is bursting at the seams with hobbits. Being at Bag End is much calmer."
"My mother use to tell me stories of how the Great Smials were bursting as well while she was there."
"Oh, your mother worked at the Great Smials?"
Dulcie's face went blank. "No, she lived there. My mother is a Took," she said, defensively.
At the last sentence, Frodo wanted to give himself a good slap on the cheek. He had assumed something he shouldn't have. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."
" 'Tis all right," Dulcie replied, understandably. "I'm familiar with a response like that. It's a long story, but my Took mother married my Wiseacre father. My mother was practically disowned because of it."
Frodo blinked in surprise. He had never heard this story before, but knew it could be true. "I have Took blood in me as well, so we must be related somewhere down the line."
Dulcie smiled. "We must be." She glanced up, watching the leaves on the branches sway. "I really should be getting back. Only Daisy knows where I am." She went to stand, but Frodo got to his feet first and held out a hand to her. "Thank you, Mr. Baggins," she said, as he pulled her up.
"Please call me Frodo."
Dulcie nodded, smoothing out her skirts. "All right, Frodo. And please call me Dulcie. I hope to see you again."
"I'm sure we'll see each other much during your stay."