Frodo, my dear - Frodo Baggins love story

Chapter 6 - the Lost Boys

The night crept deeper, and with it, Aurora's worries seemed to grow. She tossed back and forth in her bed, caught somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, haunted by a dream filled with distant, piercing cries. She was running through a dark forest, the shrieks of children echoing in her ears, her heart pounding with fear. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, her breathing rapid, beads of sweat trickling down her brow. "Merias?" she whispered, her heart racing. She leapt out of bed, nearly stumbling as she rushed to the boys' room.

'It was him... he was crying...'

Her panic eased the moment she saw all three boys sound asleep, their faces peaceful, their chests slowly rising up and down. She shut the door quietly, letting out a sigh. "The paranoia hasn't left me," Aurora muttered softly, rubbing her forehead. With a heavy sigh, she whispered, "Why did you have to die, sis... I need you."

Finally after taking a moment, knowing she was far too awake to return to bed, Aurora wrapped herself in a robe and stepped outside, closing the large door behind her. She didn't venture far—just down the stone steps so that she could stand on the cobblestone path that lead from her grandmother's house to the Shire, hoping the cool night air would settle her nerves. She looked up at the nearly full moon, its light casting a gentle glow over the quiet landscape.

"Aurora?" a voice called softly, breaking the silence. She gasped, heart leaping in her chest, and turned quickly, only to find Frodo standing a few steps away. He wore a dark jacket, and his face held a quiet warmth.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, catching her breath.

Frodo smiled. "Just taking a walk," he replied. "It's much easier when everyone else is asleep."

"I see," Aurora chuckled, glancing down before looking back at him. She noticed how the moonlight seemed to illuminate his eyes, making them look almost hypnotically blue. She snapped out of her thoughts when he asked, "And what about you? Why are you out here alone?"

"Oh, me?" With a weak smile, she admitted, "I have trouble sleeping since my sister, you know... I keep fearing something might happen to the boys." Frodo nodded, leaning back against the stone gate, his gaze drifting up to the moon. "I'm sorry, Aurora. It must be difficult, adjusting to everything," he said gently.

She gave a soft laugh. "You have no idea," she said, teasingly.

A comfortable silence fell between them, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the night breeze. Aurora's mind wandered to the previous evening, and after a moment, she glanced away, cheeks faintly warm. "So... Now that you're here. I wanted to ask, I guess, umm... you know... What, maybe, did you think of last night?" she asked quietly, her head turned slightly away.

'Gosh, why am I asking this now. I shouldn't bother him with this,' she screamed in her mind. 'No, I have to ask. I mean, we almost kissed. I did not imagine that.'

Frodo looked at her, unsure of what to say, but sure of her meaning. Hesitating, he replied, looking away, "What do you mean?"

"Oh," disappointment flickered in Aurora's eyes, but she hid it, letting out a small sigh. "Nothing, really. I was just asking if... you enjoyed the dinner."

"Dinner?" He quickly nodded, his gaze darting away. "Yes, it was lovely."

'I guess I did imagine it...' was the only thought in her mind.

After another moment of silence Aurora pulled back from the gate, giving the man a soft smile. "Well, I'm glad I ran into you tonight, Frodo. You helped calm my nerves... but I should head back now. The boys are sleeping inside, all alone. And I should try to get some sleep too, I guess."