Halflings

Chapter Sixteen

~ Chapter Sixteen: Rivendell ~

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Frodo lays on a large white bed, in a large elegant room bathed in bright sunlight. He shuts his eyes, blocking the light from his sensitivity.

"Where am I?" He whispers, frightened.

"You are in the house of Elrond, and it is ten o'clock in the morning on October the twenty-fourth, if you want to know." Says a deep, familiar voice.

Frodo's eyes flicker open, revealing his unfamiliar surroundings. He slowly looks at the foot of the bed, seeing an elderly man sitting on a chair, smoking from a pipe.

"Gandalf!" Frodo exclaims, relieved.

"Yes, I'm here, and you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours and you would have been beyond our aid. You have some strength in you, my dear Hobbit."

Frodo slowly sits up, then suddenly grasps his left breast in pain. He closes his eyes and lets out a small moan, before looking up at the Wizard questionably.

"What happened, Gandalf? Why didn't you meet us?"

Gandalf's eyes drift, as he lets a troubled expression fill his aged face.

"I'm sorry Frodo. I was delayed."

"Gandalf? What is it?"

Gandalf's eyes shoot back to Frodo's, as he lets out a small smile.

"Nothing, Frodo."

Suddenly, Esmeralda walks into the room. She looks at Frodo, as her small, pale lips form into a huge smile. Frodo's big, blue eyes grew larger in happiness and relief, as he held his arm out to her. She ran to the bed, then jumped on it, bringing Frodo into her arms.

"Frodo! Bless ya, you're awake!"

"And for that, I am glad." He mumbled, against her ginger hair.

When she pulled away, they looked deep into each other's eyes.

"I was afraid that you, Sam and the others were harmed while I was away." Frodo said softly, as he grabbed her hand.

"Strider wouldn't have let that happen. He has been an excellent protector throughout these days, and we have put a good amount of trust in him."

Frodo nodded, as he smiled warmly at her.

"Esmeralda has hardly left your side." Gandalf said gently, smiling at the couple.

Esmeralda's cheeks slowly turned a light shade of pink, as she turned her head to the side.

"I was very worried indeed."

Suddenly, Gandalf stood up. "Frodo, Esmeralda, I will be back shortly."

They gave a nod, as he walked out of the room.

"There was no need to be worried, Esmeralda."

She looked back into his eyes, as she said, "Of course there was! Do ya know how scared I felt? I thought ya were... I..."

A tear slipped from Esmeralda's eye, as Frodo sat up straight with a worried look on his face. He grasped her face in his hands, as he wiped away tears with his thumbs. She looked back up into his eyes, as he pushed her head into his chest.

"Hush, darling."

He wrapped his arm around her small body, as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. Slowly, her tears started to dry, and she pulled away. Frodo looked up worriedly at her, as she turned her cheek.