Frodo, my dear - Frodo Baggins love story

Chapter 5 - the Almost ...

The next morning dawned gray and rainy, a misty drizzle falling over the Shire, casting a muted, somber light on everything. Aurora stood by the door with her grandmother, who was wrapped in a thick coat, a well-worn leather bag clutched in her hand, preparing for her journey to a distant part of the Shire with a more experienced doctor. Aurora watched with a gentle smile as her gran leaned down to hug each of her nephews in turn. "Merias, you be good and do not misbehave too much," she said firmly, giving him a small shake. "Mentha, listen to Aurora." Her voice softened as she patted Meilot's shoulder. "And Meilot, you be patient and eat everything on your plate."

'So this is what I have been missing for these last few years...'

Aurora couldn't help but smile at the scene, her heart warmed as her gran turned to her and pulled her into a tight, familiar hug. "You be careful with those boys," she whispered. "And don't forget to look after yourself."

Aurora hugged her back tightly, her voice soft. "I will, Gran. Take all the time you need, and make sure you get better." She chuckled, adding, "And don't let Doctor Brown slack on looking after you."

Gran gave a quiet laugh, giving Aurora's hand a squeeze before she headed out the door. With a final wave, she climbed into the carriage, and as it began to pull away, Aurora and the boys stood on the doorstep, waving until it disappeared around the bend. The moment Gran's carriage vanished from view, the boys erupted into excited whoops, running through the house with wild energy. They jumped on the couches and tumbled around, yelling at the top of their lungs. Aurora folded her arms, trying to keep her face stern as she watched them with a grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. 

"Boys!" she called, barely stifling a laugh. "If you don't behave, I'll be even stricter than Gran!"

Merias, bouncing on the sofa, shot back with a cheeky grin, "No one's as strict as Gran!"

Before Aurora could respond, there was a knock at the door. The boys froze in place, their eyes wide with horror.

"Gran's back! She's back because we were naughty!" they screamed, scrambling and bolting down the hall to their room.

Aurora shook her head with a chuckle as she turned toward the door, curiosity piqued at who could be visiting in this dreary weather, her laughter soon fading as she looked up to see Sam standing on her doorstep, holding his hat in his hands. She raised her brows in pleasant surprise, smiling warmly.

"Oh, Samwise! Come in," she said, stepping back to let him enter. She closed the large round door behind him as he wiped his feet on the mat and stepped inside, nodding with a polite smile.

"Hello, Miss Aurora," he greeted, his voice soft and respectful. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"Not at all," Aurora replied. "You're always welcome here, Sam." She gestured around the cozy interior, and Sam looked around appreciatively.

"You have a lovely home," he said, eyeing the worn but well-kept furniture and the heirlooms that decorated the room.

Aurora chuckled, following his gaze. "Most of it belongs to my gran and grandfather. When he passed, he left her everything."

Sam nodded thoughtfully, his eyes lingering on a framed painting. "I've heard he was a well-known hobbit."

"He was... I miss him a lot." Aurora smiled at the memory, and after a brief silence, she asked, "So, what brings you here?"

Just then, her nephews came charging out of their room, shouting as they brandished wooden sticks like swords, waving them in mock battle as they clashed with each other, blissfully unaware of their guest. Sam chuckled at the sight, though Aurora, used to the boys' antics, only glanced at them with amusement before she led the man into the kitchen.