Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

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"Aria… wake up… Aria… wake up…"

That was Frodo's voice, calling me to come back. It felt so real. I felt like my head was being held up by someone. He sure smelled familiar, like someone soft and comforting. Why was I thinking of my cat? Okay, I'm going to open my eyes now. I did and was greeted by Rosie holding my head gently. Where was Frodo? Where was he? Oh, he was next to me or else talking to someone.

"No, no. Keep your head still," Rosie told me, planting her hands on the sides of my head. Really, this wasn't necessary, but my head did hurt and I felt dizzy and sleepy. "You need to keep awake." Oh, more comfort.

"Whose gonna take care of her?" a voice that sounded like Samwise Gamgee asked.

"Sam, I'd be glad to take her home with me," Rosie said to Sam. Oh darn it all. I wasn't going home with Sam. What about Frodo?

"Well, she did faint before me." Frodo's voice rang through my ears. "She's my fan." If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was enjoying this. "It's not often I see a fan, especially one as outlandish as she is." Oh darn. My clothes. And yet, I could feel a warm hand pinching my jeans. "What do they make this out of?"

"That's funny," was the first groaning reaction coming from me.

"She speaks," Frodo said, smirking. "You done with your fainting spell."

"Frodo!" Rosie chirped, complaining. I had to admit, it was rather rude of him to say that. At the same time, I did find it amusing, but then it was probably my fangirlish side acting up again.

"What?" Frodo asked, calmly. "I'm just trying to help."

"Do you want to take care of her? I don't know if you can handle it," Rosie asked, serious. "But then I can take care of her, seeing as she's a woman and I'm a woman."

NO! I wanted Frodo to take care of me. I wouldn't have minded. Then again, Frodo was rubbing my arm, as if he knew me. I looked up at him as best I could. He did seem to know me, even if it might be for a flicker of a moment.

"No, I'll do it," Frodo said, softly. "I think I'm supposed to and besides, what does gender matter in this situation?" He asked further, "Bring a pillow over. I'll hold her."

"We're not just bringing a pillow over," Rosie said, sternly.

"Rosie," Sam's voice came through. "Let him take care of her." No way. Did Sam remember me?! Wishful thinking.

"Please Rosie," Frodo pleaded, softly, to her. "Let me hold her."

"Be careful," Rosie said, carefully holding my head up so Frodo could move in. My heartrate increased inside my chest. I couldn't faint, but it certainly felt that way. I wanted to go to sleep, even with Frodo moving some locks of hair out of my face. Did he know who I was? He was silent for a good moment or two.

"Are you okay?" I managed to call out as best I could.

"Are you?" Frodo answered back, softly but loud enough for me to hear. "Once you feel better, you can come and live with me. I'm not sure how Rosie's family will take to an outsider of the Shire, let alone not from this time. But I can." He shrugged. "I've seen things most hobbits wouldn't care to imagine."

"If you want, I'll deliver dresses to her and whatever clothing she needs," Rosie suggested.

"Thank you," Frodo replied. Great. So I still had to wear dresses. I must have got the signal to Frodo, because he added, "Rosie, I think some breeches would be necessary."

"Frodo, she's a woman," Rosie said, concerned. "Women wear dresses."

"Well, this one doesn't, but it wouldn't hurt if she did wear dresses," Frodo said, glancing down at me. Darn it. Couldn't I get out of wearing dresses? Then again, my neck hurt badly. I jumped a little at the touch of Frodo's hand on the back of my neck.

"Ow. Ow," I whispered, wincing at the warm touch.

"It's not fractured, but I'm no healer," Frodo admitted, softly.

"A healer's coming, right?" Rosie asked, curious.

"Right. I'm here," said an unfamiliar voice. I couldn't see, but the next I knew I was handed a flat pillow and hands feeling my neck. "Her neck's not fractured, but she will need to stay put for a few hours." The healer turned to me. "I'm Ned Boffin. I think you'll be all right. You just need to stay put. I also think some fluids would do and not to do anything too strenuous."

"Well, let's hope that's not a problem," Frodo blurted out.

"We need to keep you calm," Ned told me, rubbing my shoulders for a few seconds. Quietly, he got up, spoke to Rosie, Frodo and Sam for a few minutes and left the tavern. I was alone with them again. Oh, how was I to get through this?

.

A few hours did pass and I was given enough water to calm my neck. Gandalf was right. I wasn't healing as fast as I did at home. I wondered if that would ever happen here again. And the thought of my clumsiness coming around that might cause worse things to happen… I couldn't think about it.

Next thing I knew, Frodo guided me out of the inn and through the village of Bywater. We weren't taking detours. We were really heading for Bag End, the one place that really felt homey to me. Then again, I just felt like I couldn't do too much for today; I just wanted to be in a warm bed. Eventually, I was put into a cart with Frodo beside me. It was hard for me to tell what happened next. I wanted to rest my head on his shoulder and even his chest, but I thought better of the idea… even though I really wanted to lean my head into his chest. Maybe touching his hand… no. I couldn't do it. I was too cowardly and sad.

"This is new to you," Frodo asked, getting my attention, "isn't it?"

"Well," I choked out my words, "it's not… I mean… eh." I was stammering. Why was I stammering? Because I was with a hot hobbit… whoa. Did I just think that? "You're handsome." I gasped. I couldn't believe what I was telling him.

"Thank you," Frodo spoke in turn.

I glanced at him for a brief second. "You're welcome."

We paused. Why was there a pause in the conversation?

"So you like writing?" he asked me in turn. He was nervous, too. I couldn't believe it. "I like it, too. You know, you can do whatever you want. You can."

"I don't have any money here," I said, somber. "I don't know how I'll make my way and… I don't know."

He chuckled a little. "I'll help you out, only if you'll contribute around the house."

"You're not going to turn me into a maid, are you?" I asked, not liking the idea.

"Maybe today you need to rest," he admitted, calmly. He smirked. "You remind me of Pippin, not of age he is, but still needing to grow up. Not that I need to tell you."

"Thank you."

"For what? You didn't do anything."

"That's just it. I didn't do anything." I felt so tired, but I was also awake. Maybe I would feel better once we neared Bag End. "I'm sorry."

"You didn't do anything," he repeated, almost happily. "You're fine."

I guess I couldn't ask for better, given my condition. The next I knew, there was silence and looking around, all I could see was a dirt road, hobbit houses along the hills. It was so peaceful, and yet the sun was beating down on me. Talk about a summer day… oh, a cool breeze! Lots of breezes here. The next thing I knew, the cart stopped. I was helped off the cart by Frodo and brought inside Bag End. Okay, it was just down the hallway where I hoped I could find a guest room to sleep in. Sure enough, I was well enough to move down the hall and into the bedroom. I couldn't help it. Before Frodo had the chance to return, I tucked myself under the covers and found sleep fast. The next thing I knew, I woke up with blankets wrapped around me.

The stranger thing about the evening: I was alone… again.

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Thanks for reading. :)