The Grey Havens - A Frodo Baggins love story

Aundriella and Frodo

Chapter l : Accepting The Past

Frodo stepped out the door of bag end and breathed in the cool morning air. Almost one month had gone past since the treacherous journey to Mordor and the memories vwere still vivid in his mind. He felt a sharp and familiar pain return to his shoulder, a pain that he knew would never leave him.

As he walked outside he saw Sam checking on the newly planted trees. "Hullo Sam!" he called.

"Oh morning Mr. Frodo" Sam replied looking flustered, "I was just making sure these news trees are getting along"

Frodo smiled "Of course you were Sam " he said warmly; "I'm just heading off into town to see how things are going with everyone"

"Ok Mr. Frodo, just you be careful now".

As Frodo walked along the winding road into town he once again felt the pain return to his shoulder, stronger and more fierce than ever. Without

warning he felt himself loose all strength and collapse in agony. He barely heard himself whisper "help" before everything faded into blackness.

When Frodo awoke he found that he was in his own bed and the day was near its end. Sam sat at the end of his bed with a worried expression on his face.

"Sam?," Frodo asked sheepishly, "What happened"

Sam looked up at him, his eyes piercing Frodo's with an expression of love and sadness, he could see from his face that he had been crying.

"Why didn't you tell me Mr. Frodo?", "Why didn't you tell me it was getting worse?, I could have helped you".

The deep hurt was clear in Sam's eyes. "I'm so sorry Sam, after all you've done for me, I just wanted to give you the life with Rosie that you deserved, I didn't want you to have to worry about me anym-"

"Don't you say that!" Sam cut in sharply, taking Frodo's hand in his, "Don't you ever start talking like that Mr. Frodo, I will always be with you, always'. It was then that Frodo faded once more into a peaceful blackness.

The next morning Frodo awoke to the sound of someone knocking gently on his bedroom door. "Come in" he called softly, his eyes still adjusting to the blinding light of a new day. The door opened gently and Frodo was made aware of the sight in front of him. She had long dark hair that spiraled in soft curls all the way down her back, her smoldering chocolate eyes pierced his with a look of wonder. She was a slender hobbit, more petite than usual and had an elvish energy to her. She smiled warmly at him.

"Hello Frodo" she said, in a voice as rich and delightful as her eyes, "My name is Aundriella, Sam asked my

mother if she had any herbs to bring you for your shoulder, but she's still fixing up the crops so she sent me over instead, I hope you don't mind".

It was then that Frodo realized she was holding a small silver tray full of green herbs.

For a while Frodo felt he could do nothing but stare. The beauty of Aundriella had taken him aback. "No that's fine" he managed to choke out after a few minuets, "it's nice to meet you Aundriella" then he added quickly, "May I ask were you are from?"

"It's an honor to meet you too" she said, her voice as rippling as ever, "I live in a small cottage with my mother Lilia Tusselton just on the border of Tookland, but enough of me for now, I can see that you are unwell, may I please tend to you?"

With a small nod from Frodo, Aundriela walked politely over to him and gently removed his shirt revealing the hideous scar that had now almost consumed his whole shoulder, she gasped, shocked at the seriousness of the wound. Her eyes, then shifting from the scar, carefully trailed up his body, his face, until they met his. Frodo was so interlocked with her captivating gaze that he hadn't noticed her hands now grasping the vibrant green herbs and placing them upon his shoulder.

As soon as they connected with his shoulder Frodo screamed in agony, his present world had for a moment vanished, he now found himself in the a darkness, far worse than any night he had ever faced, and before him a great eye pierced his soul like a sleek dagger, waiting silently in the shadows for the precise moment to strike. The great eye bore into him with such force as that Frodo felt all hope he had leave him, his will of life had succumbed to the great fear that he now faced. It was almost silent except for the sound of distant screams, screams for him, for his own name.

Almost as quickly as it had appeared, the deathly blackness and the great eye vanished and he now found himself once again in his bed, with a terrified Aundriella by his side, clutching his hand, all the colour had been drained from her face, but her eyes, as dreamlike as they were held some look of understanding, of pain and grief.

"It ok Frodo" she breathed, her voice shaking, "It was just a memory, it wasn't real, I'm here, I'm real, the pain will end soon, I promise, I promise Frodo". It was then that she started to sing, her voice more beautiful and soothing than the soft river flowing on a warm summer morning, comforting him, he no longer felt afraid.

Interlocking his hand in hers, Frodo felt all a wave of calm travel through his body "Thank you" he whispered, "Thank you so much Aundriella", her name rolling elegantly off his tongue.

Chapter Two : The Start of Love

For the next few days Aundriella stayed with Frodo, applying the ever so healing therondis herb regularly to his shoulder.

During the nights the nights they would walk together under the pale moonlight to the sleek green fields that surrounded Hobbiton. "Frodo", Aundriella spoke softly, the silver luminosity of the moon covering her in glowing perfection, "Your wounds are deep but the emotional pain that you have endured are much worse, I have heard stories of your journey but will you tell me what has really happened?". Frodo's eyes met hers and he felt the same wonder and captivating understanding that he had felt the first time they had met. "I would tell you all that you wish, but I feel that I am not yet ready, the horror is still so near, I feel it reaching for me every night, I am so afraid Aundriella" He whispered, trembling as if the darkness of his memory's were alive again. Silently Frodo lifted Aundriella's hand and pressed it to his lips. "I must go home tomorrow Frodo", there was a sombre tone to her voice "But I promise I will visit you again when I can" . " And I will be waiting for your return" He replied never leaving her enduring gaze.