Halflings

Chapter Sixty Eight

~ Chapter Sixty Eight: Heaven's New Angel ~

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       Two months later, Esmeralda laid in bed, coughing. She was trembling, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. Frodo dabbed them away with a damp cloth. Her nose started bleeding, and he grabbed a tissue and wiped the blood away.

"Thank ya... Frodo." She said, hoarsely, before starting to cough again.

He lifted her head up, and placed a glass of water on her chapped lips. She drank, then sighed and laid her head back on the pillow. Frodo got on his knees, and held her hand. He rested his forehead on their intertwined hands, as tears fell from his eyes.

"I can't do this, Esmeralda." Frodo cried. "I don't want you to leave."

"Frodo... Look at me."

He slowly looked up, showing his red, puffy eyes.

"We've had so many great times together. I remember the first time we met. I never told ya, but I was captivated by your eyes."

Frodo's lips lifted into a small smile. She copied his smile, as she weakly lifted her hand, and brushed hair out of his eyes.

"These past years has been the happiest time of my life, Frodo. It was because of you, Drogo, and our wonderful friends." A tear slipped from her eye.

"I can't be a father to Drogo, Esmeralda." He said, tearfully. "He needs his mother."

"I know. You'll do fine. Ya just have to let him know that ya love him."

Frodo nodded.

"I don't think I tell ya enough, Frodo."

"What's that?"

"You're very handsome."

He chuckled. "And you're extremely beautiful."

She grinned, before starting to cough again. Frodo's face fell, and he grabbed the glass of water. She drank, then groaned in pain.

"Ya... ya will let Drogo know that I love him, right?"

Frodo nodded. "Of course."

She squeezed his hand. "I don't want ya to be sad while I'm gone. We'll see each other again."

Tears slipped from Frodo's large, blue eyes. He cupped her face in his palm, and rested his head on her stomach.

"No... no... I can find some medicine. I don't care what the doctor says. Maybe Gandalf has something that can-"

"Shh." She petted his hair. "Ya don't have to keep your promise, Frodo."

He lifted his head up. "What promise?"

"When we were waiting in the office, I was scared of the results. Ya promised me that ya wouldn't let me die."

He sniffed.

"I'm lettin' ya off the hook." She whispered.

He shook his head, watching as tears rolled down Esmeralda's cheeks.

"I love you." Frodo cried.