people knew about him now. What was his problem anyway?
As she thought back on how strange she must've looked, she began to
wonder if anyone would take her seriously about him? What if they hadn't?
What if he was still out there looking for her? She pulled the blankets up
closer to her, trying to get some comfort out of them. What she wouldn't
give for that giant stuffed bear she had kept so close when she was younger.
At least he would have understood.
Her room suddenly seemed too big, either that or she had shrunk. All she
wanted was to get somewhere more enclosed and safe, somewhere where
she could easily see all of her surroundings. She glanced to the side and
spotted the closet. It wasn't too big, but just about the right size. She stood
up from her bed, taking a pillow with her to cling on to, and stepped inside
the closet, closing the door and relaxing in the small enclosed darkness she
found comfort in.
----
Deagol came by the house a few hours later while Tabby was gone, and
found Smeagol sitting at the kitchen table, cutting up an apple. "Hello,
Smea," he said softly, and Smeagol looked up and smiled.
"Hey," he responded, noticing that a lot of how Hope talked was starting to rub off on him. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard about last night," he answered, pulling out a chair and turning it so he was sitting in it backwards. Smeagol smiled a little. Just like Hope. "The whole village is talking about it. What happened?"
"She was sleep walking," said Smeagol. "That's all it was. She had a nightmare and was sleep walking. Why? What's the village saying?"
"Whatever story sounds more interesting," said Deagol. "Some of them say she's gone insane, others said that hobbit she ran in to was trying to... take advantage of her... and she went into that screaming fit."
"No," said Smeagol a little suddenly. "That's not what happened! Although they're probly not too far off about that hobbit."
"What was he doing to her?"
"I don't know. It's the same one who was chasing her the other night. He probly saw her sleep walking and figured it was a good chance for him to move in and do whatever it is he wants to do to her."
"Yes, well that's not the story he tells."
"Have they done anything with him?" asked Smeagol, looking up with interest.
"What could they do? He hasn't tried to hurt her, and half the town thinks she lost her mind."
"So he's still out there?"
"Yes, but he's keeping his distance from the village. I don't think you'll have much trouble from him again."
"I hope not," answered Smeagol.
"Where is Hope?" asked Deagol, looking around. "I wanted to see her."
"Oh, you can see her. But you'll have to get her out of that closet first"
Deagol gave him a strange look and Smeagol pointed to the door to Hope's
room.
"She's hiding in the closet?" he asked as he stood up. Smeagol nodded.
"How long has she been in there?"
"Since this morning," he answered. "I tried to get her to come out, but she
won't budge"
----
Deagol opened the door to Hope's room and proceeded to the closet in the
very back, nearly tripping over the mess all over the floor. For a girl she was
far from tidy, he mused. He opened the closet door and found her there,
huddled up in a corner. She had gotten dressed since she had gotten out of
bed, but he realized that she was back in black again. Her eyes wandered up
to him and she faked a tiny smile. "Hi, Deagol," she muttered.
He lowered himself down and sat next to her, putting his arm over her shoulders. Something shiny glinted in the light and he glanced down at the knife in her hands. "I stole a butcher knife from the kitchen when Smeagol wasn't looking," she said softly. "Just in case," she added quickly. "Do you think he'll mind?"
"I doubt it," said Deagol. "I think he's a little more preoccupied with getting the girl he loves out of here rather than his butcher knife." Hope glanced up at Deagol and opened her mouth to say something but he stopped her. "I've known about you and Smeagol since shortly after you two started courting each other. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
"Well... can you not tell Smeagol you know?" she asked.
"Of course," he answered. She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.
"No one is going to hurt you, Hope," he said softly, squeezing her shoulder
comfortingly.
"You're just trying to make me feel better so I'll come out of the closet," she muttered.
"Is it working?" asked Deagol. She sighed.
"A little... Could you say it again?"
He grinned and nodded. "No one is going to hurt you, Hope."
They sat there silently after that, Hope feeling safe with Deagol nearby, and about five minutes later the door opened and Smeagol stood there, staring at them strangely. "You too?" he asked Deagol.
"It just so happens to be sort of comfy in here," said Deagol.
Smeagol sat down on Hope's other side and put his arm around her too. The three of them sat together, until Hope's growling stomach refused to let her go hungry a moment longer. Then they all ate in the kitchen, never leaving her until she felt completely safe.
"I love you guys," she said, grabbing an apple from the counter.
"We love you Hope!" shouted Deagol dramatically and they all laughed.
"Group hug!" she cried and they all smushed in together, squeezing tightly
and laughing. At least now Hope was reassured that they would never leave
her, even if the whole town thought she was insane.
----
(A/N: R&R my children! And don't forget to hug your slightly insane friend at least once a day! Cheers! Oh, and some of this was inspired by NCIS, I confess.)