What if Boromir Lived Longer? (Complete)

Chapter 20: Last Time 7-12-16

Frodo hadn't realized it yet, but he had been reading that book up until the night. He looked to the clock and gasped. It was way over his bed time. Frodo took Merry and Pippin's book and his empty tea cup into the kitchen. He washed his cup out and then placed it on the table for tomorrow morning's brew of tea... for the last time.

Frodo then went into Bilbo's room and saw him also reading in his bed with the side lamp on.

"Goodnight Bilbo," Frodo said from the bedroom doorway.

"Goodnight my boy," Bilbo said as he looked up from his book.

Frodo smiled and closed the door quietly and walked to his own room. He set down Merry and Pippin's book on his desk next to his bed and got dressed in his comfy night clothes. He then closed his curtains after looking out into the night. He remembered the one night Gandalf had pulled Sam through his window and they had started their adventure to destroy the ring of power. Frodo glanced at his half finger. Frodo tried forgetting that memory and lay down on his back and thought to himself... this is my last night in my bed... in my house... in my home, the Shire.

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The next morning Frodo awoke early and grabbed Merry and Pippin's book from off his desk. He read three or four chapters and then set it down again. Frodo got dressed in his normal clothes and then grabbed the green book and headed out his bedroom door. He thought he would make a good breakfast this morning... for the last time.

As he walked into the kitchen, he was surprised to see Sam. Sam was flipping pancakes in one pan on the stove and in another; he scrambled up some fresh eggs. There was also a variety of berries and nuts on the table already.

"Sam?"

Frodo asked setting down the leather green book on the kitchen table.

Sam turned around and faced Frodo and said,

"Good morning Mr. Frodo! Pleasant day out today. The birds are singing beautiful songs and the air is just fine, and..."

Frodo interrupted and said,

"Sam. I know what you are trying to do. I know that you want me to stay... but I must do this. It's for my own good. I must go,"

Sam nodded and turned back to the stove and scrambled the eggs so they wouldn't stick to the pan. They looked well done and golden because of all the butter he used on them.

"I'm sorry. I just... don't want you to go is all," Sam said.

There was an awkward silence after that. Sam plated two plates of breakfast and set them on the table. He grabbed silverware and the maple syrup and then the both Hobbits sat at the table. Frodo took a couple big bites and then said,

"This is wonderful Sam. Thank you,"

"Of course! I thought I would make a big breakfast surprise..." Sam trailed off and then whispered to himself, "For the last...time,"

Frodo was getting annoyed by all "the last time" stuff even though he was doing it himself; more than Sam and Bilbo actually. He thought about Bilbo and decided to change the subject,

"Where has Bilbo gone?" Frodo said as he drizzled some more syrup on his pancakes and added a few blue berries and black berries on top.

"He went out for a walk. It really is a beautiful day out today," Sam said and took some handfuls of nuts and berries for himself.

Frodo decided that this conversation wasn't going to turn out good so he changed the subject again,

"What did Merry and Pippin say they were bringing to the party tonight?"

Sam finished chewing and then said,

"I think they said they were bringing an apple pie... or pies. Something like that,"

Frodo nodded and took his plate to the sink. When Sam was finished he brought his to the sink too and washed them. Frodo put back the berries and nuts that they hadn't eaten back into the pantry. Sam made Frodo's favorite tea and then they sat down in the sitting room with it and talked.

Bilbo came back home after his walk and joined in on the conversation with Frodo and Sam. They stayed there all day and talked and talked. But the party would start in about five hours and Frodo and Sam decided to get dressed.

They came out and saw the Bilbo had gotten dressed too. He looked nice in his green shirt and brown jacket with darker brown pants. Sam had put on a creamy white button up shirt with a dim brown jacket, along with light brown pants. Frodo had put on an off white button up shirt with a red vest over it, along with dark brown pants.

"Are you ready my boy?" asked Bilbo.

"I know what I must do Uncle," said Frodo, "But I'm not ready to say goodbye,"

A/N: one more chapter left...