CHAPTER FOUR – OF TOMATOES AND MIRACULOUS WEATHER
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
Rory took a deep breath as he stared out across the Shire. It was a nice day, the sun was present in the clear blue sky, and no clouds threatened to ruin the weather. Where Rory came from good weather was not common, in fact it was incredibly rare. In Edinburgh a day without rain either meant you had been miraculously zapped into a different country without your knowing it, or some wacky scientist was playing with the weather again.
Because Rory was so unused to the sun, instead of tanning like any normal person, Rory's skin had burnt to crisp. His red skin combined with his rather round stomach, made him look like a walking tomato. The hobbits had been kind enough to remind him of this frequently, they were very fond of mocking him.
Rory still enjoyed the company of his Hobbit friends. In fact, as of late he and the hobbits had been spending much of their time with each other. His friends however did not change the fact that he did not belong. He felt like a fish out of water, or a wingless bird. He was not meant to be there. It was all wrong. But what could he do? Where else could he go? He was in a foreign world a million miles away from anyone he knew. He had nowhere, he had nothing.
He had lost it all that he had fallen from the cliff. Everything he had, had slipped away from him whilst he was desperately clutching onto his life. Often Rory would wonder if his sister had been granted the same second chance, if she like him had miraculously woken surrounded by strangers in a strange place.
Rory was broken from his thoughts by the loud footsteps of Bilbo Baggins. The hobbit had appeared at Rory's door with a sympathetic smile upon his old, worn face. "You look terribly bored young master," Bilbo spoke kindly, "Do you fancy some company?"
"That depends on who the company is," Rory cast him a snide glance, Bilbo sat down beside him anyway, chuckling quietly to himself. "Oh Bilbo, I feel terribly lost,"
"We all do at some point in our lives," Bilbo answered coolly,
"I don't belong here Bilbo," Rory spoke, "You... and Frodo, you have become very dear to me over this year, but the truth of the matter is I'm not a hobbit, and the longer I spend here pretending that I am, the longer I will be unhappy,"
"I have seen this coming for a while," Bilbo spoke, "It is true, that you are no hobbit. In appetite maybe...but that is besides the point. If you do not think you belong here, do not let your care for myself and Frodo stand against you. If your heart tells you to leave, then leave,"
"But where would I go? I have nowhere Bilbo," Rory spoke quietly, "I know nobody here, except from you,"
"I suggest Rivendell; it is often the place where many go when they seek answers to questions. The elves that dwell there are some of the wisest beings on earth, if anyone knows what brought you here it will be Elrond," Bilbo explained. "If you tell them you are a friend of mine they will welcome you with open arms."
"You would let me leave without as much as a little protest?" Rory laughed. It would have seemed that Bilbo was all too eager to get rid of him.
"I see how unhappy you are. It pleases my heart to see my friends smile, if I have to send you away for you to smile, then I shall," Bilbo spoke smiling. "However, I cannot trust that Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin will be so understanding; I doubt they will let you leave without a little protest,"
"Thank-you Bilbo," Rory spoke kindly, "For everything; if it were not for you I worry what would have become of me,"
"It was my pleasure having you," Bilbo bowed, "This is not the end, you will see me again I'm sure."
"I hope I do," He smiled. "That will be a lucky day indeed!"
Rory shivered, he would have to tell the young hobbits. He couldn't imagine what they would say, just yesterday they had been telling him how much more exciting the Shire had become with his presence. Rory couldn't help but feel they would feel betrayed by his decision to leave.
"Rory!" Pippin grinned, "Just the person we wanted to see on this fine morning, care to join us for some smoking?"
"I suppose I shall," Rory smiled, "Do you know where Sam and Frodo are? It's just I have something to tell you all and I'd rather we all be here when I break the news,"
"Uh...I think we saw them by the Gaffer's, we could go fetch them if you'd like?" Merry suggested,
Rory nodded, following his hobbit friends up the hill. Sure enough Sam and Frodo were stood by a solitary tree conversing with one another. Sam and Frodo stopped speaking when they noticed their friends stood carefully awaiting their attention.
"Why hello Merry, Pippin, Rory," Frodo smiled widely. "Is something the matter?"
"Rory has something to tell us," Pippin informed them, "Go on then Rory,"
"Well," Rory began, "I cannot predict how you are going to take this. It is not good news, but nor is it bad news. Earlier today myself and Bilbo were speaking. It has become apparent to me, that I do not belong here; as much as I have grown to love hobbits I am not one myself. It is for this reason and this reason alone that I have chosen to leave,"
"You can't leave!" Merry exclaimed, "We do not mind if you're not a hobbit! You have the spirit of one."
"We're not letting you leave," Pippin spoke indifferently; "We will tie you this tree if we must."
"I'm afraid that it is not your decision my friends," Rory sighed, "I have made this decision, and If I ever change my mind I will be able to return. Besides, I have not let go of the hope that my sister is somewhere out here, alive and well, if I stay here forever I will never find her. I'm sorry and I will miss you all terribly, but this is the way it must be,"
"We won't stop you," Frodo spoke, "But we can try and persuade you otherwise?"
"I'm afraid master Frodo, that no amount of convincing will make a difference," Rory spoke "Merry, Pippin? Are you angry?"
"Yes," Pippin spoke hastily. Merry didn't speak, a mild nod of the head was enough to tell Rory he agreed with Pippin. "We're angry, but you're still our friend. If there's nothing we can do, then we will enjoy the time we have left with you. Let us go and get drinks!"
The day of Rory's leaving had finally arrived. Bilbo had kindly purchased a horse for Rory and prepared a travelling bag. The young man bit back tears. From a young age Rory had been taught by his father that tears were a sign of weakness, he felt foolish to be so near crying at his age.
"Ah...do not shed tears Rory; it is not the end,"
"I am not crying...My eyes are just sore," Rory lied, "I will miss you all terribly, I do not know what will do without you. Pippin, Merry you have given me laughter at this terrible time in my life. Sam, your ears have always been open if I ever needed someone to talk to, Frodo you were like the brother I never had, and Bilbo, what to say. You have given me a life here, and I am more thankful than you can possible know,"
"You flatter me," Bilbo chuckled, "Now get off before the sun goes down and orcs plague your path," Rory's eyes flickered with fear at the mention of Orcs, but he bit them back. Rory mounted his horse and attached the bag to the saddle. "Wait, I nearly forgot!"
Rory turned around to look at Bilbo; the Hobbit was stood clutching a sword. It was much too large for him and he held it with great difficulty. "A sword? Bilbo...I can't,"
"When your life depends on it, you won't be telling me you can't," Bilbo grumbled, "Now take it, it cost me a fare few so do not lose it,"
"I will not lose it," Rory took it, admiring the shimmering metal of the handle. He took it in his grip and was thankful that it was not too heavy. "Thank you for the gift,"
Rory cast the hobbits one last look before placing the sword in his belt. With one tug of the reigns the horse broke into a trot and Rory rode off into the sunset.