Halflings

Chapter Five

~ Chapter Five: Late Nights and Campfires ~

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*Two Years Later: Summertime*

"Rosie, Frodo is drivin' me crazy."

The two girls were at Esmeralda's house, sitting at the table, drinking tea. She put her head in her hands, and Rosie looked at her in confusion.

"Why? What's wrong?"

She sighed, then moved her hands to place them on her lap.

"He keeps givin' me things, and-"

Rosie cut her off. "Like what?"

"Flowers mostly. Although last week, he did give me a necklace." She pulled her shirt down a little, to show a braided necklace made of yarn, with a green gem in the middle. "He said he made it himself."

Rosie reached in to hold the gem in her fingertips.

"He did a good job."

She nodded, then put it back under her shirt.

"I know. Other then the gifts, sometimes we could be doin' somethin', then he suddenly will stare at me. Not in a creepy way though, like a loving way, then he'll brush my hair out of my eyes or somethin'."

Rosie nodded, then smiled. "Has he kissed you yet?"

Esmeralda's eyes grew, and a blush filled her cheeks. "No, he hasn't."

Rosie tilted her head in understanding. "Ah, now I know why he plays with your hair and stares at you."

"Why?"

"He's resisting to make things weird by kissing you."

Esmeralda blushed even harder, and hid her face in her hands.

"Oh my goodness..."

"Ah, you shouldn't worry, Esmeralda. Unless, you don't want him to kiss you?"

She lifted her head up. "I don't know. I've never kissed anyone before. What does it feel like?"

Rosie scoffed. "How would I know? Sam hasn't kissed me yet either!"

The two girls laughed.

"Well, what are you doing for your eighteenth birthday this week?" Rosie asked.

Esmeralda shrugged. "I dunno. Turnin' eighteen isn't very special."

Rosie smirked. "Maybe Frodo will take you somewhere."

Esmeralda shrugged. "Maybe."

          Two days later, Esmeralda awoke. She yawned, then dressed into black leather pants, a white blouse, and a grey vest. She poured water into the kettle, and while it was heating, decided to go outside and look at her garden. When she opened the door, she saw a note on her doorstep.

"Dear Esmeralda, happy birthday! I was wondering if you would want to have a campfire with me later this afternoon? As long as you don't have any other plans, of course. I'll be waiting at the edge of our woods! -Frodo."