His Queen

Chapter 1 - Kitra

The crisp, autumn leaves crunched under Kitra's feet as she walked beside her cousin. The morning was peaceful, as it was every morning in the Shire. The birds sang, and their sweet tunes carried on the wind, adding to the serenity of the countryside. Perched on her shoulder, Violet listened intently for anything important with her keen senses.

Kitra and Alana had served as guardians of the Shire's borders for thirty-five years. It had been a long and arduous journey filled with perilous encounters and bittersweet moments. Now, they had received urgent orders to return home, leaving behind their duties to answer the call of family.

Carth, Alana's brother, was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his third child in just one week's time. He had requested their presence for this momentous occasion, and Kitra couldn't wait to be reunited with her dear friend and relative. There was a small hope that she would also get to see Frodo, Carth's younger brother who had left Fornost to wander the wilderness years ago. She missed him dearly and hoped he would be there when they arrived.

As they made their way through the familiar paths of the Shire, Kitra noticed a small figure sitting below a tree with a book in hand. Even without seeing his face, she knew it was Frodo - always lost in some new adventure between the pages of his beloved books. As they drew closer, she called out to him with a warm smile.

"I do believe every time we run into you, you have your nose buried in one of those books." His head snapped up and whipped around, looking in their direction. Catching sight of the girls, a huge grin spread across his face. He jumped up from his spot on the ground, quickly shutting his book.

"Kitra! Alana! It has been too long since you last visited." He came running over, nearly tackling both of them in a hug. "I miss your company."

"We have been a bit preoccupied with our duties as guardians, but we've missed your company as well," Alana replied, trying to downplay the danger that had been lurking outside the borders of their peaceful home.

"But we always try to make time for each other," Kitra told him, her voice warm and affectionate.

"We actually came to say goodbye, for now," Alana explained, her eyes filled with sadness.

"Why?" Frodo asked, his face falling in disappointment.

"We've been summoned back home," she replied, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

"My brother needs us there for the birth of his third child," Alana added, a hint of excitement in her tone.

"Are you leaving before Bilbo's birthday feast?" Frodo asked, looking crestfallen.

"Unfortunately, yes. But we were on our way to give him our gifts before we depart," Kit explained, hoping to ease his disappointment. Frodo's expression only grew sadder, and she wished they could stay longer. Just as he was about to speak, a faint sound of humming caught their attention. "That voice sounds familiar," she mused.

Without hesitation, Frodo ran off to meet the source of the sound - a wizard who was standing nearby. Kit looked at Alana and shared a knowing smile before following after him.

The melody grew louder as they approached. "Hmm hmm hmm hmm, Down from the door where it began..." The old wizard sang, his voice rich and full of nostalgia. Kit recognized the tune immediately - it was one that she had heard countless times in her childhood. As they drew closer, she could see Frodo standing at the side of the road with his arms crossed, watching a wagon slowly come to a stop beside him.

"You're late!" He exclaimed, trying to hide his excitement.

"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins," the wizard replied with a twinkle in his eye as he looked up at the boy from under his droopy hat. "Nor is he early; he arrives precisely when he means to." A moment of silence passed before Frodo burst into laughter, his excitement uncontainable.