The information on Frodo Baggins comes from various sources, including fanfiction and the original Lord of the Rings book trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Chapter Fourteen:

The Ring-bearer

When I came out to the dining hall for dinner, I had expected there would not be anyone from another land joining me and the robed people. I was wrong, of course, as I could see other characters here for therapy, too. What really made me jump was seeing a curly, brown haired hobbit with bright eyes and fair elven-like features. Yes, even his hair on his feet was brown, so that gave me a huge hint he was a hobbit. His jacket, vest, and breeches were brown, but his dress shirt was white.

I froze on the spot, unsure what to do. My mind kept telling me to go eat. Gathering as much courage as I could, I made my way to the buffet tables. I was surprised I could still walk, especially after recognizing the hobbit. As I got my food from the buffet table, a thought passed my mind: I was fine around the other Fellowship members. Why then could I not control myself when it came to Frodo Baggins? It was very strange.

The hobbit approached the buffet table, too. To clarify on the height, something which was not clarified in previous chapters that had hobbits, hobbits in the warehouse are roughly the normal height of one of our kind. So, whatever height they were back in their world was not the same in the warehouse. I felt sure this hobbit was Frodo Baggins, but it did not hurt to check.

As the hobbit gathered his food onto a plate, on a tray, he spoke to me. "You must be Aria Breuer."

"That's right," I managed to say.

"I'm Frodo Baggins," said the hobbit in introduction. "I heard you were my therapist."

"You heard correctly." I said, "I've treated all of your companions. Maybe you won't be any different from them." I walked away, finding a place at an empty table.

Moments passed before, to my surprise, Frodo joined me, sitting at the table across from me. He said, "I wasn't finished. I also heard you are a fan; one of my fans."

I looked embarrassed. "Should I not be?"

"It is strange. These robed people would choose you, a fan, as a therapist," said Frodo.

I admitted, "Gandalf said I was bright."

"Yes, but are you really a therapist or just another fan that wanted to meet the Fellowship, see what they're like?" asked Frodo. He was suspicious of me. "Miss Aria, I'm sure you're intentions are good, but you cannot be a real therapist. You may have fooled the others, but you cannot fool me."

"Maybe we should try a therapy session and see, then," I said.

"I suppose," said Frodo.

I gave my explanation, rather hotly, "Look, the robed people here told me I would be therapist to the Fellowship of the Ring. They knew I know something about what therapists do, the way they talk. No, I may not be a real therapist, but I know enough to get me by." I asked, "What have your friends said about me?"

"They said you were alone, lacking friends or the idea of friendship. They also said you were different, that you weren't a typical fan. I have yet to see it," said Frodo. "Where have Legolas and Gimli been off to? They seem to fighting something bad."

"If you've heard about fanfiction…"

"I know enough of it, what people think of me," said Frodo, serious. "Clearly, I've grown tired of hearing the same things. I'm practically ignored, while my friends gain the victory. It's not that I don't mind the quiet life – I do – but at the rate the fans go, sometimes I think they think too much of me, but they don't really know me. I'm tired of their ignorance. I'm tired of the fans pairing me with women and girls who may not show affection for me in reality." He glanced at me. "I know you've been partially responsible, since you write fanfiction too."

"Yes, but none of those pairings work out in my stories. There's something that happens to the female character, usually by the sequel," I said.

"Except for you. I know you've written self-insertion stories. You're in one now, aren't you?" asked Frodo.

"That doesn't mean something hasn't happened to me, too. Do you think I would be fair to myself in a story? No, something would have to happen to me as well, otherwise it wouldn't be fair to everyone else," I said. "I'm sorry if I've been a burden to you."

Frodo said softly, "I see."

I noticed Frodo was staring at me. "What?"

"Nothing," said Frodo, glancing down at his food for a moment. "The fans need to learn their place. The fangirls can't have me, no matter how they deny it."

"Why won't you let any woman in? I mean, why haven't you married?" I asked.

"I am wounded, Aria. My spirit was damaged, due to the Ring, and I am wounded in body. I was poisoned by Shelob and stabbed by a Morgul knife. So I'm leaving for the Undying Lands, where I will stay," said Frodo. "The reason I haven't allowed a woman in my life is because I am in constant pain. Any woman would find me a burden after a while. Even you would have to agree."

"Maybe we should discuss this during your therapy session…"

"No!" said Frodo, making an outburst. "We're having this conversation now, aren't we?" He asked, "Wouldn't you agree, no woman could have me?"

"What about your soul-mate? Don't you think she should know?" I asked.

"I don't… know. If she were to show up, perhaps I would re-consider." Frodo said, "No, my mind is made up."

"Are you all right?" I asked. I remembered what Pippin said about Frodo knowing more about me than I thought. I had to be careful. "Are you sure you don't already know me?"

"Merry and Pippin told you about my affairs. I knew they couldn't keep their mouths shut," said Frodo.

"How much do you know about me?" I asked.

"That depends on what you're asking," said Frodo. "I knew you were different." He asked, "What? You didn't think I wouldn't be watching you. Ever since I heard from the robed people about your affairs, becoming a therapist, I had to listen. I had to see if you were as worthy as they say."

"Can I at least help you? You may need therapy as much as your friends," I said.

"You can, if you like. I don't know if I approve of such affairs," said Frodo.

"Come on, Frodo. You need therapy. I recall you have a lot of problems, more so than Legolas," I said.

Frodo snickered. "Right, because Legolas' problems consist of fanfiction and fans." He said, "All right. I'll consider therapy. We start tomorrow."

As we ate, Frodo got me to talk more than I would prefer. He asked me about what made me different from other fans. I told him my reasons, but that made me wonder what else he knew about me. I recalled that Frodo was older than me by a few decades, which made me wonder then if being a fan of Frodo's was really worth it. Before I went to the bed chamber I had been given, I bumped into Frodo. He gave me a knowing smirk, which drove my curiosity up. What did he know? I followed him to his bedroom, but then I regretted it.

"Following me, are we?" asked Frodo. "I thought you would be nervous or afraid to meet me. Most fans, I assume, are." He turned to me. "Why did you come?"

"I don't know," I said.

I stopped the moment Frodo grabbed my hand. "Wait, please. Come on." He led me inside the bedroom and closed the door.

I retaliated. "Frodo, I don't know what you're thinking, but it's probably wise if…" I saw Frodo face me. "Just don't try anything."

Frodo gazed at me. "Aria, you know I wouldn't, unless circumstances proved otherwise. It's true I have been watching you, hoping to see that you were worthy as a fan… perhaps a bit more."

I made for the door, but Frodo grabbed me and backed me into a wall. "You can't think… Frodo, I'm your therapist."

"You keep saying that," said Frodo. "Haven't you thought… you've always been on my side, defending me when I least expected it."

"Times have changed," I said.

"I don't think so. I would know if they had," said Frodo. He leaned in and kissed me. We stayed like that for a short time, but it was hard to release. When we did, Frodo muttered, "I love you."

"We can't do this," I murmured right back.

"Why not?" asked Frodo. "Aria…"

"I have to go," I said.

"No," said Frodo, not understanding. "I thought this is what you wanted."

"What about needs, Frodo? We can't be doing this, not here. Too many people would suspect," I said.

"I wasn't thinking about other people, Aria." Frodo said, serious, "What do you think?"

"Frodo, let me go," I said. "Please?"

Frodo did let me go. As I left the room, I wondered whether I had hurt him. I walked out of the room, but looked back. My room was two doors down from his and across the hallway. Frodo watched me, before closing the door. I entered my bedroom and closed the door after me. No, I couldn't get into a relationship with one of the Fellowship members. I did notice, before entering my bedroom, some of the robed people staring at me. What did they know? Of course, they made me therapist of the Fellowship of the Ring. It was only fair that my relationship with Frodo stayed therapist to client. But how long would that last?