Chapter Two Summary: Frodo and Bertha have spurts of conversation, leading Frodo to disappear on her. God helps give Bertha Hobbits Gifts, which the LORD turns into something useful.

Sorry for the over-month delay. I was busy reposting fanfics and working on finishing my fanfic, The Final Stand, which helps this story make more sense now.

That said, enjoy. :)

Chapter Two:

Hobbit Gifts

Frodo took another swig of his wine. The way he eyed Bertha was intense. Bertha grinned, lustfulness in her eyes. She had to get to know him. Whoever he was, she wanted to be there for him. So, why was this so hard to grasp? Wasn't there anything to be done?

Bertha's expression changed from smiling to sorrowful. She had to know him; but then, there was something holding her back. What was this indistinguishable look on Frodo's face?

At last, Frodo took her hand, setting his wine glass down. "Come with me."

"Oh!" Bertha set her wine glass down, too. She asked Frodo as he dragged her away. "Where are we going? Frodo! What are we doing?"

Frodo moved Bertha down an alleyway. Grey stone walls formed an arch. It was right underneath the Mad Badger Inn and clearly opened. So far, Bertha thought Frodo was going to whisk her away. They nearly did, as Frodo stopped her.

The moment they stopped Bertha collided against the wall. Frodo turned her around, facing her. For a moment, Bertha could hardly breathe. They were together. Frodo smirked, diving in for a kiss. The moment was sweet, tender, and passionate. Bertha couldn't imagine a time or a place where they didn't run away together.

Frodo pulled away, telling her, "I love you. You know I do."

"I love you, too," Bertha said, unsure what was happening. Sweat beaded down her face. The heat intensified. She could feel the ecstasy burning in her veins. Bertha looked away for a moment, her fingers pressed against her lips. She didn't know what to do. Frodo, to Bertha, felt like someone she knew her whole life.

Was there more to this story than meets the eye? She wondered that.

Frodo looked around, asking her, "Let's get away, somewhere where we're alone. Would you like that?"

Bertha's smile faded. Take her away? With him? Where would they go?

"Are you leaving me?" Bertha asked, wanting to make sure that this was not the case.

Frodo returned his gaze to her. The look in his eyes was one of fury and deceit, but there was also a need. Bertha gulped, expecting as much.

Frodo shook his head. The deceit was there, present, but he smiled at her. Just what was on this hobbit's mind? That's what Bertha wanted to know.

.

Frodo turned his gaze to the road. He sighed, knowing he should do. He grit his teeth, knowing this was the right path.

"Bertha, I sense a villainess in you. One day, you will see that. For now, this will do," he inquired, as if knowing who she was. He gave her another kiss, departing down the road and leaving Bertha in the alleyway.

Bertha's chest pumped rather quickly. She didn't know what happened. Their moment was so wonderful… wait. Where did Frodo go? Bertha turned to the alleyway. There was Frodo, standing on the edge of a grey stone wall, observing his surroundings.

Bertha joined him, caressing his shoulders. She asked him, "Tell me. What's wrong? You can talk to me, you know."

"If I did, you wouldn't understand," Frodo said, glancing over at her. He shook his head, admitting, "It doesn't matter. You won't always be by my side. Unless circumstances change, then…" he smirked, saying to her, "…bah! What do I know? You're here, and that's what matters." He met her gaze, resting his hands behind her back.

He stared deeply into her eyes. Kissing her twice, before releasing her, he simply told her, "Please, don't. I have to go." He took off, taking off his jacket and swinging it over his shoulder. Bertha couldn't keep her gaze off him.

The temperature rose, as Bertha tried to calm down. What just happened? Did she know? Would she ever know? It was hard to say. All she knew was that the ecstasy she felt towards Frodo wouldn't abate. It grew. Oh, what had they done?

.

Bertha made her way out of the alleyway, returning to the village square, with its wide cobbled grey stone road. The village was ripe with activity. She could hardly believe what she was seeing. With all the vendors present, she wondered how she was ever going to make her way through the Spirit World.

"Hobbit Gifts! Hobbit Gifts! Get your free Hobbit Gifts!" one of the announcers said. Bertha looked at the hobbit announcer with a blank stare. She had no idea what Hobbit Gifts were, and whether they meant something.

The hobbit announcer looked at her, instructing her, "Check your coin purse. Maybe there's a gift for you in there."

"What? Eh…" Bertha checked her belt. Strange. She had a pink coin purse, and inside were two gold coins. She sighed, wondering what she could do with two gold coins. She closed her coin purse, surprised to hear a clink. Bertha opened her purse to find the coins had turned into manna.

Bertha sighed, wondering what she could do with two manna. She pulled one of the manna out of her purse, tasting it. "Mmm! It's so good!" She loved the flavor. This was worth more to her than gold coins.

She looked up at the LORD. The LORD laughed, "Yes, you're in the Spirit World. I'm afraid those coins won't do any good here, but the manna might. The more Hobbit Gifts you collect daily, I will transform into something useful. The coins will become manna, and you'll need an abundance of it where you're heading."

Bertha smiled, nodding to the LORD, "I thought you abandoned me."

The LORD shrugged. "I did. Don't worry. I won't ever leave you."

"What about Frodo? We shared a few kisses. Such sweet kisses," she sighed, her breath heavy.

She sighed, mourning over losing him again. "Will I ever see him?"

"Well…" the LORD's voice dragged on. He smiled at the first hobbit who crossed his path. It was Frodo. Of course. Frodo smirked, waving to Bertha. The LORD told him, "I think this one needs you. Good luck." He slapped Frodo's shoulder, departing a moment later.

.

Frodo pointed to Bertha's manna. He said, "Is that good? That's all we get, besides an assortment of other food." He shrugged.

Bertha eyed him. "You were gone. You left me alone. I didn't know what to do!"

"Do? Do you want to have adventures?" Frodo asked.

"Do I?" Bertha asked, still suspicious.

Frodo chuckled a little, sheepish towards her. "Look, I'm sorry. Duty called…" he shrugged, bobbing his head a little. He faced her, finding he had no excuses. He sighed, admitting to her, "…no, you know that's not it. There's a lot of us paving the way for you. When you're ready, your adventure will start. We can get started on your missions! What do you say?"

Bertha looked at him now, gravely. She sure missed him. "Will it be worth it? Is that why you were gone? You called me a villainess. Is that what I am to become? Is that what's written out for me?"

Frodo sighed, saying, "The future is already written. The question is: do you want to experience it? It's up to you. But we need to go. Are you ready?"

Bertha sighed. Even though she feared he might leave her, that everyone would leave her, she found herself on a crossroads. What would she do?

She turned to him, her decision made, "I'm ready. Take me with you."

Frodo sighed in relief. He nodded, saying to her "Then it's time." He extended his hand, saying, "Let's go." Bertha took it, knowing this was right.

Thanks for reading. More chapters to come. :)