The Lord of the Rings: The Banshee Queen

Chapter 2

She stood there, a white drying cloth wrapped around her body and hands on her hips, arching brows furrowed.
"Forgive us, my lady," I apologized, feeling my face flush, keeping my gaze away from her nudity.
She scoffed and instructed, "Until I put my clothes back on, I don't want the both of you to look, understand?"
"Yes, my lady," we said in unison.
We turned our backs to her as we waited patiently.
After a minute, she whistled, allowing us to finally see her.
She was now wearing a white petticoat, free of a bodice.
"Of all the Hobbits in the Shire, I can't believe you were trying to look, Samwise Gamgee," she said.
Sam cracked a nervous smile, replying, "I promise I didn't mean to look, Miss Dawn. We were curious about that lovely singing and wanted to know where it was coming from."
She chuckled, a smile on her face.
"You should probably go to the Green Dragon, Sam. You and the others can wait for me there," I tell him.
Despite the many fish we caught, it was a better idea to spend my birthday evening at the inn.
Sam tossed back his flaxen curls and cracked his knuckles, grabbing his fishing rod and the pail full of fish.
"Alright then. I'll be off. Don't be gone for too long, Mr. Frodo," he said, gnawing on a pipe.
"When Rosie comes back, tell her I said hello," Dawn said.
Sam nodded and off he went, waving us goodbye.
Dawn wrung out her ringlets and began, "How was the fishing for you today?"
"It was good. Sam wanted us to catch some before we went to the inn."
"Listen: I am still very sorry for the loss of your dear uncle."
She wasn't entirely haughty; she had many moments where her kindness showed through, and she helped many in the Shire.
She trembled, hugging herself tightly and rubbed her arms.
I removed my coat and draped it over her, doing the first two buttons.
"You did come out of the river," I told her.
"Thank you, Frodo," she said, pulling the coat closer to her.
"Dawn?" cried a shrill voice.
We both turned our attention to the older she-Hobbit who tripped and rolled towards us.
She helped herself up, dusting off dirt and grass from her cotton dress.
Her graying yellow curls piled up on her head and her round blue eyes were vivid from anger.
"Frodo?" she asked.
"Yes, Ms. Dala?"
She eyed me, clicking her tongue.
"Be grateful that I won't tell Lobelia Sackville-Baggins."
She placed her hands on her hips and stormed to Dawn.
"I've been looking all over the Shire for you, girl!"
"I was bathing in the river," she innocently answered.
"How many times do I have to tell you: everyone will see you!"
She squinted her eyes to small slits, accusing, "You exposed yourself to Frodo, didn't you?"
Dawn shook her head and responded, "I didn't mean to. He was only fishing and didn't notice me."
Dala sucked on her teeth and placed a blue crystal pendant around Dawn's neck, wrapping a cloak on her afterwards.
"Where was this?"
"It was in the grass a few miles from here; must've fallen off your neck and you didn't realize. Luckily, it helped me find you," Dala answered.
"Now come with me and I'll start a proper bath for you."
She seized her wrist, dragging her along.
"Can we talk some other time, Mr. Baggins?" Dawn asked. "Perhaps tonight when I'm not being bothered by Dala?"
"I am right here!" she interjected.
"Yes, tonight after I come home," I said.
"Meet me by the river again, alright?"
"Yes, my lady."

It was terribly crowded in the Green Dragon, but it was lovely nonetheless.
Everyone was either drinking their ales, eating thick cheese and meat pies, or dancing to the cheery tunes that were playing.
Speaking of which, Merry and Pippin were on top of a table, mugs in their hands and slurring their words while singing,

Oh you can search far and wide
You can drink the whole town dry
But you'll never find a beer so brown
As the one we drink in our hometown
You can drink your fancy ales
You can drink them by the flagon
But the only brew for the brave and true
Comes from the Green Dragon!

We all applauded them, whistling and giving them compliments.
I smiled and raised a flagon, sipping the warm ale.
"So, what happened between you and Miss Dawn?" asked Sam, cutting up his pork and putting a piece in his mouth.
"Dala."
With that one word, Sam almost choked on his pork, and I repeatedly hit his back until he spat it out onto his plate.
"Ms. Dala? Oy, that awful"-
"Sam, please."
He stopped his cursing and continued to eat.
"I hope your birthday has been good, Mr. Frodo."
I took his hand, tenderly caressing it and thanked him.
His skin was soft and warm; I almost wanted to put it against my cheek. He and Dawn were the most special to me.
"You are most welcome, Frodo. But aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm saving my appetite for when I get home, but I might take a pastry with me."
Sam began to sniff, his green eyes watering and covered his face with a napkin.
"What's wrong, Sam?"
He sniffed again, clearing his throat and took another bite of his pork and sipped on his drink.
"I wish I could've given you a grander birthday. I feel just awful for not doing so much for you today."
I stroked his cheek.
Ever since we came home, I wasn't myself anymore. Back then, I would always spend my evenings with the others and join in their merriment; we would yell happily and dance until dawn.
But now I was empty; I still wanted to celebrate the holidays and birthdays like everyone else, but I avoided the loud fireworks and massive crowds.
Gone were the wild nights of glee; they were replaced with quiet suppers at Bag End, or the Green Dragon and I would pour over an old book before I go to sleep.
"My dear Sam," I began, "don't ever feel like that. You have done everything for me, and I appreciate you always. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren't here."
I patted his hand and pressed it to my lips, closing my eyes.
In that little moment between us, I refused to let go of his hand.
When I opened my eyes, Sam was smiling broadly, wiping away his tears and finishing his drink.
"Thank you, Mr. Frodo. I am forever by your side," he said.
"As am I, Samwise. I'm glad you're here with me."