Frodo, my dear - Frodo Baggins love story

Chapter 3 - the Habituation

Pippin's voice filled the cozy tavern, his cheery tone cutting through the din. "I'm telling you, Merry, she's even more beautiful than I remember. Aurora Brandybuck! Can you believe it? All these years, and she's only gotten prettier."

Merry rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "You've been going on about my cousin for hours, Pip. I grew up with her, remember? I don't need you to remind me how she looks. And frankly... it's off-putting." He chuckled and took a swig of his ale, while Sam, sitting beside them, nodded along, a look of quiet intrigue on his face.

"Aye, but you didn't see her today," Pippin continued, ignoring Merry's teasing. "I saw her walking those three rascals to the markets. She's just... mesmerizing! And her hair—like spun gold. I've half a mind to—"

"To do what, exactly?" Merry interjected, raising an eyebrow. "Propose marriage on the spot? You're hopeless, Pippin."

"Hey!" Pippin slammed his hand on the wooden table. "I'm a hero now, you know!"

"A hero, huh?" Merry raised an eyebrow. 

"Yes! A hero! And girls know that. Your cousin would be lucky to land a hero who saved the world from the evils of Mordor."

"Ah? You meant that hero?" Merry chuckled, wishing to tease his friend more. "In that case, Aurora should end up with Gandalf the White... or maybe Frodo?"

"GANDALF? FRODO? You MUST be pulling my leg! Frankly, I don't know which is worse," Pippin raised his chin, thinking out loud. "No, no, the wizard is the worse choice. Would Aurora marry Gandalf, she'd end up listening to a lecture a day."

Sam chuckled softly at their banter, but Merry, eager to shift the conversation away from his cousin, leaned in and asked, "Speaking of which, how's Frodo doing? Haven't seen him in a while. Has he come by lately?"

The cheerful mood shifted in an instant. Sam's face grew serious, and he glanced down at the table, fingers tracing the edge of his mug. "Frodo... he's not well," Sam said, his voice low. "The wound from that Morgul blade still pains him. And the memories... the echoes of the ring... they haunt him, Merry. It's like a shadow he can't shake." The three hobbits fell into a heavy silence. Around them, the tavern remained lively—hobbits laughing and chattering, music playing from the corner where a group of musicians strummed cheerful tunes. A few hobbit girls danced near the hearth, their skirts twirling as they spun and clapped along to the beat. The sound of mugs clinking together and bursts of laughter filled the air, yet within their circle, the mood was starkly different.

Sam's gaze drifted up toward the bar where a short, stout hobbit was cleaning glasses, his expression smug as he wiped each mug with exaggerated care. Sam wasn't really seeing him though; his thoughts had wandered. He stared off into the distance until Pippin, ever perceptive, nudged him sharply with an elbow. "Oi, Sam! You dreaming about that Rosie Cotton again?"

Sam rolled his eyes, averting his gaze and taking a long swig of his beer. "Not everything's about girls, Pip," he muttered.

Merry, sensing the discomfort, grinned. "So... when's Rosie coming back around then? Haven't seen her at the Green Dragon in ages."

Sam sighed and set his mug down. "She's not been the same, Merry, not since her younger brother went missing. She's... like a shell of herself. Stays in her room mostly. Doesn't go out, barely eats. Haven't spoken to her in almost three weeks."

Both Merry and Pippin's faces fell at the news, the lightheartedness draining from their expressions. "That's terrible," Merry said quietly. "Is there anything we can do?"

"I don't think so. She doesn't even want my help, but..." Sam just shrugged, his expression distant. "I mean, I don't blame her. We only went on one date, Merry. She's no reason to confide in me, not when she's got her own hurt to deal with. But..." He glanced out the small tavern window at the night sky, the pale moon not yet full, casting soft light over the Shire. "When she's ready—when she needs help, or even just someone to talk to—I'll be there for her."