Halflings

Chapter Three

~ Chapter Three: The Funeral ~

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

*One Year Later*

          Frodo awoke at five o'clock that morning by a frenzied knock at the door. He groaned, before rolling out of bed, and walking to the front door. He opened it, to find Esmeralda standing in her nightdress, with a frightened look on her face. Frodo's sleepy expression changed into a worried one instantly.

"Esmeralda? What's wrong?"

"It's- it's my uncle. He won't wake up!"

Frodo's mouth hung open, before saying, "Come in, I'll get Bilbo."

She nodded, and walked through the door, before Frodo ran off down the hall. Esmeralda stood quietly, waiting for her friend to return. Suddenly, Bilbo and Frodo came running out out the hall towards her.

"Lead the way, Esmeralda." Bilbo said, as they all ran out the door.

A minute later, they arrived. She ran in first, followed by Frodo and Bilbo. They followed her to a bedroom, where Tom laid motionless on the bed. She stood back, as Bilbo kneeled at his side. Frodo held her, as Bilbo placed his ear on his chest. After a minute, Bilbo lifted his head, with a hurt look in his eyes.

"There's no heartbeat." He whispered.

Tears rolled down Esmeralda's cheeks, as she embraced Frodo. He soothingly stroked her hair, as she cried into his chest. Bilbo slowly stood up, and covered Tom's face with the blanket. Him and Frodo made eye contact, both with sad expressions.

"Esmeralda..." Frodo whispered. "Go go to the living room. I'll be out in a minute."

She hesitantly pulled out of his embrace, so she could wipe her eyes and nod. She shakily walked out of the room, holding on to the wall for support.

Frodo turned to his uncle, and whispered, "What do we do?"

Bilbo sighed. "We'll wait until later, and then I'll tell someone."

Frodo nodded, before embracing him. "I'm so sorry. I know that he was a dear friend of yours."

Bilbo sniffled, before letting go. "Thank you, Frodo."

He nodded sadly, before walking out into the living room. He found Esmeralda sitting on the couch, staring at the wall. He slowly walked to her, then sat on the couch.

"Esmeralda, do you know what happened?"

"No. All I know is that he was complaining about chest pains for the past two days. He stayed in bed for those two days, and I stayed up to take care of him."

Frodo grabbed her hand. "Esmeralda, are you telling me that you haven't slept in two days?"

"Frodo, this isn't the issue right now."

Frodo nodded, noticing dark circles under her eyes.

"Although my uncle was a happy person, he was always using that to cover up his illness. He's always been in pain, since the day we moved in here."

A tear slipped from her eye, as Frodo looked down.

"I feel so horrible." She whispers. "And selfish."

He looked up. "No, Esmeralda. You did all you could-"

"Not because of that." She interrupted. "I feel relieved. I don't have to stay up to care for him anymore, and I'm happy. I feel so horrible because of this."

Frodo said nothing, before slowly pulling her into his embrace. She cried, gripping his shirt tight.

"Shh... It'll be alright." He whispered.

~ The Next Day ~

          Esmeralda stood quietly, watching as they lowered Tom's body into the ground. Her face remained emotionless, as her black dress blew in the wind. Frodo stood by his uncle, holding his arm, as Bilbo quietly cried. Not many people were at the funeral, only a few other townsfolk, including Merry, Pippin, Sam and Rosie, along with their parents. The coffin hit the bottom of the hole, and the priest stood up straight, and took off his hat.

"Rest in peace, Tom Bombadil."

Everyone bowed, before Frodo patted his uncle's hand, and walked over to Esmeralda. Rose saw, and nudged the other Hobbits to follow her. Frodo and Rose soon had Esmeralda in their embrace, along with Sam, Merry and Pippin. She hugged them all back, as they said encouraging words. They pulled away, and she looked at them kindly.

"Thanks, guys."

Rose nodded, before taking Sam's hand and walking away. Merry and Pippin half-smiled, before walking off. Frodo sadly brushed hair from her eyes, before whispering, "Bilbo and I will be at Bag End if you need anything."

She nodded, before Frodo and Bilbo walked away.