Hanna opened her eyes. She looked around the room and saw some yellow curtains and a yellow rug on the floor. For a moment she wondered where she was. She stretched and got up. She walked over to her bag and pulled out a blue dress. She tied up the ribbon behind and brushed her hair quickly. She looked out of the window and saw that the storm had cleared over night. Cautiously she stepped out of her room. Then she remembered where she was. Mr Griffo and the cart, her parents, Mr Frodo... she composed herself and was determined to make amends for her coldness towards him yesterday. She walked into the kitchen and found some eggs in the larder and some bread. She searched for a moment and eventually found a pan in the back of a cupboard. She placed a kettle on the stove to boil some water. While she waited she buttered the bread and placed it on some plates she found. When the water boiled she took some out and made two cups of tea. With the rest she placed two of the eggs in the hot water and boiled them. Then she took them out and put them in two china egg holders. She walked back down the corridor to Frodo's room gingerly, she knocked on the door. There was a muffle so she walked in. Frodo sat up in surprise and quickly scanned the room. His hair was ruffled and his eyes were red. He looked as if he had a bad night.
"I'm sorry, I brought you some breakfast." She said sheepishly. She avoided his eyes when she realised how improper it was for her to stand in his bedroom. "I'll go." She whispered. She turned to leave.
"No, wait. I'm sorry it's a lovely gesture, please sit down." He said patting the bed. She handed him the tray and sat down. Her eyes darted around the room still not reaching his. He tucked into his food for a while then struck up a conversation. "How long have you been awake?"
"Only an hour or so." She replied still not looking at him.
"Would you like to see the village today? We can go see my good friend if you would like." He offered.
"Yes please." She smiled at the prospect of meeting some other hobbits. She hoped they were as nice as Mr Frodo. The truth was Frodo wanted to take Hanna to Sam's to ask Rosy's advice, as he had never dealt with girls before. "I'll leave you to get dressed" she said she got up and left the room.
15 minutes later Frodo walked into the hall. He smiled at Hanna and she smiled back.
"Shall we go?" she nodded. "It's a mighty windy day so you had best wear a cloak." He looked at the cloak rack. Hers was still dripping.
"Have you another?" he asked.
"No I'm afraid I left all my other ones back in Bree. I'm sorry. I have a small amount of money so maybe I could buy one in town?" she asked.
"I'm afraid market day was two days ago and there won't be another till next week." He thought for a moment. "Maybe Rosy could lend you one."
"Who's Rosy?" she asked him.
"A friend of mine." He replied. "Come, for now you can borrow one of mine." She turned around and he wrapped a yellow cloak around her and tied the string at her neck. He smiled at her and she looked up. He felt his heart melt as he looked into her warm chocolate eyes. Suddenly he was aware that he had gazed for too long. He coughed and walked towards the door. "Shall we?" the two stepped out of the house.
It took them 20 minutes to come to the house with the big yellow door and Frodo knocked on it. Sam opened the door and looked out.
"Mr Frodo, what are you doing here? Come in quick before you get swept off your feet." He ushered the two of them in. "Let me take your cloaks." Frodo handed him his and then took Hanna's.
When they had all sat by the fire to warm up Sam began to speak. "Now who is your girlfriend Mr Frodo?" The two shot a glance at each other.
"Really Samwise Gamgee, we are not going out, she is a guest at my house." Hanna giggled next to him.
"Samwise, why is there two of Frodo's cloak on the pegs?" Said Rosy as she walked in. "Oh hello Mr Frodo, who is your friend here?" she asked looking at the shy girl. She said nothing so Frodo spoke for her.
"This is my new friend Hanna of Bree. She came to me from Gandalf and shall be living with me. She was wearing one of my cloaks because she left hers in Bree."
"Well honestly Frodo, you can't expect poor Hanna here to walk around in a hobbit-lads cloak, it's inappropriate. Come along Hanna I'm sure I have one you can have." Rosy took her by the hand and lead her out.
Frodo laughed. "So who is this Hanna really and why did Gandalf send her?" Sam suddenly asked. Frodo then went on to explain about the death of Hanna's parents and how Gandalf sent her. "So you don't understand why Gandalf sent her?"
"No, but I have a feeling Bilbo may have had something to do with it." He grinned sheepishly Sam just looked confused. "It's just something Bilbo said to me the day I left..." he trailed off his mind racing back to that fateful day the words still running through his head. "Do something for me, live life to the full boy, have many adventures and find love!" Maybe he had planned this. Maybe he and Gandalf had planned it, after all I am at a respectable age and love has not yet come my way. Maybe this is what is meant to be, maybe its destiny. But... do I love her?"
The two sat together saying nothing Frodo looked up at Sam and realised that he was deep in concentration. Suddenly Rosy walked in. Seeing the worried expression on Frodo's face she began to explain.
"Hanna is with Elanor, do not worry so. Frodo?" rosy asked.
"Mm" he replied.
"Frodo, do you need our help?"
"What do you mean?" he looked shocked.
"Well, I was thinking that because you are so weighed down with all you're um, responsibilities, maybe we could help. I mean you have not had a great deal of experience with hobbit-lasses have you Frodo?" She asked awkwardly. "Maybe she could stay with us."
"No!" Sam and Frodo both interrupted.
"That wouldn't be wise Rosy." Sam said. "Gandalf and Bilbo were insistent that Hanna went to Frodo and I think it would be folly to do otherwise."
"Very well, but you know where we are Mr Frodo." Rosy concluded reluctantly.
"Actually, if you really want to help me you could do one thing for me." Frodo said. Rosy nodded. "Could I give you some gold and you take Hanna shopping for whatever clothes and supplies she may need please?" Frodo asked hopefully.
"Of course Mr Frodo, I will even get her a pretty little dress for the Christmas ball."
"That would be great. Do you think I should ask her to go with me?" Frodo asked shyly.
Rosie was about to reply when Hanna walked back in. All eyes rested on her. She smiled nervously and then sat opposite Frodo. They talked for a short while about the comings and goings in the shire until Hanna stifled a yawn. Frodo risked a glance at her. She was staring at the floor not listening to the conversation.
"Thank you for your hospitality Rosy, Sam but I think we best return before the lamps are lit." Frodo said interrupting Sam in mid flow. Rosy patted Sam's arm. Elanor who was sitting on the floor playing with a doll ran up to Hanna and hugged her legs.
"Bye bye Hanna, come see me again soon." She said grinning up at her. Hanna nodded and smiled warmly at her. Sam handed them both their cloaks and as Rosie said goodbye Sam turned to Frodo and said
"I think you should definitely ask her Mr Frodo." He said Frodo nodded.
"I think your right Sam." He smiled and then left with Hanna.
As they walked down the street Frodo plucked up the courage to talk to Hanna. "So what do you think of Rosie and Sam?"
"They're both really welcoming and Rosie is going to take me clothes shopping."
"Well that would be nice you could do with some new clothes, I mean not that the clothes you already have aren't great but with the dance coming up I thought..." Frodo stumbled.
"You wanted me to go with you?" She asked still not looking at him.
"Erm, if you wanted to, I mean it's just that you don't know anyone here and it would be a great way to meet new people."
"I'd love to Mr Frodo." She said shyly.
"Oh, please don't call me Mr Frodo."
"Ok, Frodo, but why does Sam call you that?"
"You know, I have absolutely no idea." The two laughed and then tried to run against the wind back home.