Chapter 10: The Aftermath

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Frodo was shocked by this kiss but he didn't back away. He had wanted to do this for a long time but never had the courage to. He and Saharah sat kissing for about five minutes when a knocking came at the door. They broke away and Frodo answered the door.

'Mr Frodo? What are you doing here so early?' Sam had a look of shear curiosity on his face.

'Well Saharah asked if I could stay the night and I said yes.'

'But why Mr Frodo?'

'You promise you won't tell a single hobbit, elf, wizard or man?'

'I promise.'

'Saharah's father died last night. She is very sad as is to be expected and now that she is alone in number two, she asked if I could stay the night. I am pondering on whether or not to ask her to move in with in me to Bag End.'

'That is so sad and here I was just thinking that he was a friend of hers that had passed out.' He felt terrible but Frodo reassured him that it was alright. 'You should ask her, Mr Frodo. You and Miss Saharah make a good couple.'

'Sam, where not dating!' Frodo found it hard to be mad at his best friend. And luckily he got the better of himself and didn't get mad at his gardener. Sam left and Frodo went back inside. When he went back inside Saharah looked slightly awkward. Did she regret the kiss? Frodo felt kind of stupid that he didn't feel awkward. Saharah had a mug of tea in her hand. 'I made some tea if you want some, Frodo.' She gave him a weak smile.

Frodo went into the kitchen and poured himself some tea and he decided to make some bread for Saharah and himself. While he waited for the bread to cook he took his mug of tea and sat next to Saharah. 'Sah, I've been thinking. If it isn't too early I was wondering if you would like to move into Bag End with me. I don't want you to be all alone here.'

'Thank you, Frodo. I think I might. Too many things remind me of father in this hole. When do you want me there?'

'Well you can pack now if you like and I will quickly go back home and fix up Bag End for you.'

'Thank you, Frodo.' She embraced him softly. He had finally done the one thing he had wanted to do. Ding! 'Oh the bread is ready.' Frodo got up and got the bread out of the oven and set it in a basket for a surprise picnic later if Saharah was up to it.

He hid the basket under behind his back and smiled at Saharah, 'Be back soon.'

Saharah got up as Frodo closed the door and went into her bedroom, got out a huge suitcase from under the bed and started to pack her clothes. She was packing photos when she came across one of her and her father. She started to silently weep. She held it in as best she could and packed the remainder of her things when Frodo walked in. She looked at him with teary eyes and got up and hugged him.

'Hey, hey, hey, Sah, It's ok. Shh, Shh.' He took her head in her hands and kissed her cheeks. 'It will be ok. I promise.' He took her suitcase and carried it to the front door and waited for Saharah. She was taking her time to come to the door so he went back up and saw that she was sitting on the floor balling her eyes out. Frodo picked her up and carried her to the door. 'Thank you, Frodo. I can walk from here.' She hugged him slightly, walked out the door and sighed. Frodo heard her mutter, 'Goodbye, Father, may peace be with you.'

They walked silently to Bag End. When they got there, Frodo took Saharah's suitcase and set it on the bed in the spare room and told Saharah to make herself at home. When Frodo came back out to the lounge, Saharah was asleep on the couch. It will do her good. Frodo thought to himself and he got a blanket for Saharah and decided to write some more of his book.

After about an hour or so Saharah found Frodo asleep on his hands on his desk. She closed the ink bottle as Frodo had done for Bilbo when he was younger. She gently shook him. 'Frodo, where is the food? I can't seem to find anything.'

'Don't worry about food just yet, I have a surprise for you but you have to wait about half an hour.'

'Okay, Frodo.' She left the room to find a book to read for a little bit. Frodo quietly left his study and went to the kitchen where he left the bread, cut the bread and put it into the basket. He cut up some watermelon and other fruits and put them into a container so they didn't go bad whilst in the basket. He got some bottles of water and put jam and butter in the basket. He walked into the lounge and took away Saharah's book. He had a light cloth in his hands. 'Sah put this over your eyes.' She tied it around her eyes tight but not to tight and waited for Frodo on the couch. A few moments later she felt his soft hand on hers. 'Come with me.' She heard him say and she got up and followed Frodo out of Bag End.

Frodo slowed to a walk and stopped. He took her other hand and kissed her. 'Where here. Take off your blindfold.' Saharah took off the blindfold and her view was of beautiful mountains and fields.

'Frodo this is beautiful!'

'It is one of my favourite places and always has been since I moved to Hobbiton. Please sit.' She took Frodo's arm and sat down on the picnic rug that Frodo had laid out.

Saharah and Frodo got talking about the things that Frodo had done when he was younger. 'Before I moved here I was a real trouble maker. Mostly Merry and Pippin's influence.' They shared a laugh and continued with their picnic until Frodo started to have a coughing attack.

'Frodo? Frodo are you ok?' Saharah was completely worried. She didn't know what to do. 'I'm ok, Sah. The water went down the wrong way. Would it be ok if we went back to Bag End early?'

'That is fine, Frodo.' She kissed his cheek as a thank you for the picnic and they headed kind of quickly back to Bag End. When they got home Frodo had an immense headache and decided to go to bed rather early. 'I should be ok tomorrow. Just come wake me if you need anything.' Frodo kissed Saharah goodnight and went to bed.

Please R&R only about three more chapters to go before the end.