Quilster's Quillings

The Tale of Frodo and Jayni

2006-04-15T09:45:23Z

Originally written for part of a sophomore English project. I picked it up again for revising and expanding. Perhaps I shall actually finish that intention.

Rating: G

An excerpt from the fifth volume of the Red Book which contains commentaries, genealogies, and various other pieces of information concerning the hobbit members of the Fellowship. This story was recorded by Meriadoc the Magnificent, as was told him by his cousin Emily Took, who was a Goodbody, with a few added details by Mayor Gamgee.

Jayni Goodbody was a young Hobbiton lass. She and her sister Emila were beautiful, smart, and always the bright rays of sunshine wherever they went. During early summer and late fall they often went with their father all over the Shire. Their father was famous as a gardener, and his produce was very sought after, especially in Tuckborough and Buckland. It was very pleasant to visit their cousins at Great Smials and Brandyhall, and the girls and their brothers were invited to parties there often.
Time wore on and Jayni and Emila grew even more beautiful. Many a person in town would be heard to say as they passed, “You won’t find two prettier girls in the entire Shire than those there lasses.” This didn’t go unobserved by the lads around town either. The girls continued to grow more delightful and beautiful. Emila enjoyed the attention, while on the other hand, Jayni disliked all the attention, prying eyes, and showing off by the lads trying to catch her eye, and she retreated to the libraries, devouring the volumes found therein. She was fascinated by the histories, facts and fictional stories there.
One morning she also became fascinated by a lad she’d occasionally seen there before. She knew Frodo Baggins by sight, for he was often with her cousins Peregrin and Meriadoc scamping about the Shire.
Jayni wasn’t the only one who took notice of the company she was keeping. Frodo gradually steered towards Jayni as he searched for a book. He was supposed to meet Merry and Pippin there in the library shortly, which he thought was an odd place for his cousins to choose. But Frodo didn’t mind so much, knowing that they would be late, as was usual; no doubt they probably hadn’t even pulled themselves away from the table yet.
Frodo was very near Jayni now. He grabbed a book off the shelf. “Mind if I sit here:” he asked her, motioning to the chair next to her.
“Oh, no, by all means go ahead. It’s Frodo, isn’t it,” she smiled.
“Uh, yes,” Frodo replied. That smile, he’d never felt anything like when he saw her smile. He hurriedly opened the book.
“So, Frodo, I see you like to read your books upside down,” she said after a moment. She smiled as his cheeks turned red and he turned over the book.
“Well, actually…”
“I guess I should try it some time,” she smiled. Jayni turned her book upside down. “Hmm…I think it’s actually more interesting this way.”
Frodo was surprised at how much he felt at ease after about a quarter of an hour. It was different than being with Merry and Pippin or Sam or Bilbo. After a while, he finally asked, “What are you reading?” He wasn’t trying to break an awkward silence, because surprisingly, it wasn’t awkward, he just wanted to know.
“History of the Great Kings. I found it on the topmost shelf in the far corner,” Jayni said, though to tell the truth, she hadn’t gotten far since Frodo arrived.
“Hmm…that’s…nice,” Frodo replied. “You’re interested in histories then?”
“Yes, quite so. But I’m just generally addicted to the written word, especially lately. I am partial to stories, as Father would always send my brothers and sister and my self off to bed after a story around the fire.”
It was silent in the room again. Frodo enjoyed the silence just as much as he did.
Jayni’s voice. “My Uncle Bilbo is a great story teller. Have you ever heard the story of this adventure?”
“Not that I can remember. I may have heard bits and pieces around here and there.”
“That’s probably true,” Frodo laughed. “But if you love stories, you should come to Bag End and hear dear old Bilbo tell it himself. I must have heard it at least a hundred times or more, but I’m still fascinated by it!”
Frodo felt he was getting a little carried away and his cheeks started to redden again. He stood to go out. “Excuse me, but I am supposed to meet Merry and Pippin.” He hurried out of the library as quickly as he could.
“But-,” he closed the door swiftly behind him. Jayni frowned and stood and went over to one of the windows. She had only been with the young Baggins for a little over a quarter of an hour, but already she felt as if she’d known Frodo much longer. Before this encounter she’d only seen him occasionally around Hobbiton or at the Great Smials or Brandyhall. But even when she attended parties they’d both been invited to she’d never met him. She was always dancing, and when she wasn’t dancing many lads surrounded her, which is why she’d begun to take to the library. Mot many of the young hobbits ventured into the libraries, and that number was even less during a party. She could tell Frodo had been absolutely genuine when he talked to her; he wasn’t trying to impress or captivate her, just acted as a friend.

The moment Frodo closed the door behind him, he tripped and fell over two hobbits right at the door.
“Frodo! What are you doing?” asked one of them.
“Well, I was coming to look for you and Merry, you fool of a Took! You were supposed to meet me nigh a quarter of an hour ago! What have you been up to?”
“Well, nothing,” Merry answered. “You should go back in there and continue talking with our dear cousin Jayni. You know, we Brandybucks don’t take kindly to people who are abrupt and uncaring with our eleventh cousin thrice removed!” Merry and Pippin smiled mischievously.
“But,” Frodo stammered, “I thought we meant to go scouring the Shire for mushrooms!”
“What for? Jayni’s excellent father, the Master Farmer and Gardener Goodbody, has brought in bushels of them,” Pippin laughed.
“So then you put Jayni up to this?”
“Of course not! We put you up to it,” Pippin answered. “We had a fair guess she’d be here. Now are you going to pass up such an opportunity for a sort of adventure as it were?”
“So you two have been listening to us the whole time?”
“Would you just go back in there already?” Merry reopened the door and pushed Frodo inside. “Shame we can’t hear what’s going on inside,” Merry shrugged and Pippin nodded.

Jayni turned as she heard the door open and close again, and when she saw it was Frodo she hurried a tossed the book Frodo had been reading before back on the table where he’d left it.
“Miss Goodbody,” Frodo tipped his head and began walking towards her.
“Master Baggins,” Jayni giggled. “Why so formal all of the sudden? And I thought you were going to meet Merry and Pippin.”
“Well, I’ve just been informed that they’ve left me already.”
“I’m sorry! I probably kept you too long!”
“No, no, it’s alright. I don’t mind.”
“No, really, is there anything I can do? I want to make it up to you Frodo.”
“Well, actually there is something you can do…”
“What is it?”
“Would you consider accompanying me on our own excursion this afternoon? A picnic perhaps?”
She smiled, “I would love to.”

Frodo smiled widely, almost in relief she thought. He offered her his arm and they cake to leave the library. Just as the got to the door, Frodo halted.
“What is it?” Jayni asked.
“We should go out the window and across the gardens,” he said. Jayni have him a questioning look. “It’s honestly quite faster. Trust me. Besides, it’s more adventurous, and the gardens are so beautiful right now.”
Jayni laughed, “Alright Frodo, lead the way.”
So Frodo and Jayni slipped out the window, thus avoiding Merry and Pippin, who stayed at the door until Elevensies.

While Frodo and Jayni were out on their picnic, they talked and laughed. Jayni told Frodo about her brothers and sister; Frodo invited Jayni to he and Bilbo’s grand birthday celebration and told her about some of the exciting plans and preparations. They walked along the Brandywine as Jayni collected the sweet little pink flowers that grew in abundance in Buckland. She weaved the blossoms together as Frodo watched. Jayni mentioned that she had collected many of the seeds from the flower and was trying to grow them in her own garden in Hobbiton.
They both silently tried to decipher why they had never crossed paths before, both living in Hobbiton, both close to Merry and Pippin, both invited to the same parties. Truth be told, it was because they both shied away from being thrown into the social scene. Jayni hated the would-be suitors and Frodo preferred to mingle with his close friends.
“Jayni,” Frodo said, “you are entirely different than what I thought you would be.”
“Never judge a book by its cover.”
Frodo chuckled, “I just expected you to be very quiet and even…even a bit melancholy,” he added, hoping she wouldn’t take offense.
“Because I don’t behave like my sister,” she smiled. “That is quite understandable. I don’t like to be the center of attention, especially because it seems like almost all the male hobbits in the shire are competing for my attention, but none of them even know me.” Jayni laughed good naturedly.
They continued to walk along the lively Brandywine. Jayni finished the flowered crown and gave it to a young lass nearby. Jayni then did something that threw Frodo completely off guard. When she came back to where he was standing and they presumed walking again, she on his right side, and she then took his hand in her left hand, and placed her right hand on the upper part of his arm.
He paused for a mere half-second while his heart skipped a beat and then they continued to walk thusly through the afternoon back to Brandyhall. Indeed, many a person assumed they had known each other for months and months, keeping it quite a secret. This only aided the old gossips in their wanting to spread such news as fast as they could. We must however note especially three hobbits who watched Frodo and Jayni’s return.

Emilà Goodbody immediately upon seeing the Frodo and her sister coming back to Brandyhall squealed in delight, calling to her two companions to come have a look as well. Merry and Pippin jumped up from where they were sitting, smoking pipeweed over a game of chess, and rushed to see.
“Ah ha!” Merry exclaimed.
“I knew it would be an excellent match!” Emilà said smiling widely.
“I don’t know why didn’t think of it before,” Pippin added.
“They really compliment each other entirely,” Merry noted.
“Sadly though, there is only one flaw in this match,” Emilà sighed.
“Neither of them will ever bring up the idea of marriage, though they ought to be married, that much is evident right now,” Merry laughed.
Emilà shrugged, “There’s enough time to consider such things later, we are in no hurry; she is young and he is not much older, and everyone knows that the Baggins are developing quite a knack for living to a great age.”

Frodo and Jayni saw each other nearly everyday after that for a very long time. The week after they went on their picnic, Jayni came to Bag End to hear about Bilbo’s adventure. Frodo watched as Jayni looked totally engrossed in listening to the story and Bilbo looked totally engrossed in telling it. Bilbo was entirely taken with the young girl and told Frodo after she left that he entirely approved.

The Storm - Harry/Luna

2006-04-15T09:37:09Z

Rating: NC-17
One-Shot
Inspired by reallycorking's piece of art found here.

Harry tried to concentrate on the row of books, really he did. He tried to concentrate on the titles embedded on the spines as his fingers ran across them. He needed to get cracking on that essay for Splitting Charms, but his insides were so split he really didn’t know what to do with himself.

It’d been hard enough controlling the little beast in his chest that gave him torture over Ginny. Now there was something that was shaking the waters.

Something for Luna “Loony” Lovegood.

True, he didn’t see her as a complete loon anymore; he’d grown to respect her quite a lot since that fateful visit into the depths of the Department of Mysteries. He’d even embraced her quirks; they made her endearing in his eyes now.

She’d smiled at him today. A little differently. They’d passed in the corridor. She’d been wearing her hair down, peach ribbon tying a bit of it back out of her eyes, wand tucked behind her ear as always. He’d gotten a warm feeling in his hands.

They itched to just hold her for a moment and run his hands through the soft waves of hair.

Luna was like a cloud. She simply floated, and he wondered what it would be like to float with her. Ginny was like a fire. Which would really suit him? He didn’t fancy that he could just choose one or the other. Ginny had Dean, and Luna was Luna. But if he could, who would he choose? They were so different.

“What book are you looking for?”

Harry nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Luna’s continually-wistful voice from over his shoulder. He whipped around, blushing. “Luna!”

“Shh.” She put a finger to his lips. “We’re in the library. You’ll wake the Flippandaries.”

Harry wondered idly for half a second what in the world Flippandaries were, but Luna’s finger, still pressed to his lips, was much more diverting. He grasped her hand, moving it away from his mouth, but still holding it close to his face.

“You’ve forgotten which book you needed, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” he whispered, swallowing nervously.

Luna smiled a little more than she had been before, and he took a small step closer to her, closing the distance between them. He bowed his head down hesitantly, and she didn’t make a move to stop him. He hovered there for a moment. Then his lips met hers timidly, testing the waters, and they were met with a tender force from Luna.

When the kiss broke off, he smiled.

Then something changed. There was a look Harry had never seen on Luna’s face before. All of a sudden, their lips were pressed together again. But there was something in her lips, something in the way her hand escaped his grasp and wound through his mess of hair, the other hand gliding across his hip and traveling until her fingers were resting his back pocket.

At this point, Harry had pulled her tightly to his chest. His hands drifted heatedly up and down her back, tangling in the hair that hung there. His fingers caught the silky ribbon, and he laughed softly against her lips. This apparently sparked the next level, for Luna’s hand drifted to pull out the hem of Harry’s shirt. Next, buttons were scrambling to be unbuttoned.

Harry only came to his senses when Luna moaned into his neck. She was kissing and suckling the crook at his collarbone while he’d been rubbing his thumb across her breast and tugging her hair with his other hand. But at the sound of her moaning, he stopped everything abruptly, and jumped back from her, turning around and resting a hand on one of the bookshelves to steady himself.

His shirt was only on one arm now, and the fly of his trousers was undone. “Luna,” he breathed. “What are we doing?”

“We’re enjoying this moment,” she answered, sidling up against his back. She hadn’t been wearing a bra, and her small breasts pressed delightfully against his mostly bare back. “The moment will drift away soon enough,” she whispered into his ear, kissing from there down his neck, to his shoulder.

He couldn’t think, let alone speak, so he merely settled for breathing erratically. She wrapped her arms around his lean torso and he rubbed her arm with his hand. Tangling her leg up around his, and rocking her hips against his backside, Harry moaned and moved both hands to brace himself against the shelves.

Harry was glad he’d taken the precaution as her hands next traveled down to his undeniable erection. She chuckled into his shoulder and then gave it a quick nip before releasing his manhood into the stale air of the library, which for the moment had been ignited with the electricity of desire just around where the two stood, huddled in the dim light.

A few more bites as she pumped her hand slowly up and down over his arousal. Harry was at a loss for everything at that moment. He had two thoughts.

Luna.

More.

He didn’t know if he spoke or if she just felt it.

But then her hand was moving faster and harder, and he turned his head to catch her out of the corner of his eye as he was overcome with a wave of pleasure, moaning her name in ecstasy.

Everything was a blur, spurred on by the dim emptiness of their surroundings. Luna was on her back and Harry was moving according to the small gasps and moans coming out of her mouth until she tensed, gave a soft cry, and then ley still next to him.

They held each other for a bit.

Then Luna was floating out of his arms, straightening clothes and hair, and drifting away.

Harry scrambled to pull himself together. “Now what, Luna?” He called after her in a frantic whisper.

“Moments are like clouds, Harry. They pass you by. You either heed them when they come, or you don’t, but they never stay around for long.”

Hide And Seek

2006-04-15T09:16:40Z

I was reminded of the existence of this fic when I got reviews for it recently. It's posted on ff.net and on lotrfanfiction.net. The latter is where I received the recent reviews. There were like five of them in the last month. It's really quite odd, since I haven't been active on that site, not even checking up on stories, in over a year.

However, as I draw so close to the end of "The Mystery of the Lightning Bond" (the first story I ever started), I feel compelled to return to this story and clean and polish it up and finish it.

Seeing as I started this story back in senior year, it was long before Imogen Heap wrote that beautiful song. I can't believe I'm posting this without revising it first, but here goes...

“Julieanne, I cannot believe we are picking up your wedding dress from the seamstress already. My darling daughter, look at how you’ve grown up right before my eyes,” the Governor James Andrews said, smiling nostalgically.
“Oh, Daddy, don’t be sad,” Julieanne took her father’s hand from across the carriage, “for you still have Emma to keep you and mother company.”
“Of course, but that’s only for a short time,” he said looking mischievously at his niece sitting opposite him, beside Julieanne. “I wouldn’t doubt Emma’s betrothal within a fortnight, you mark my words!”
Julieanne laughed as Emma gasped. “Uncle! Do not even imply such a thing! So far as I know, I shall not marry, for indeed I find no interest in suitors.”
The governor was the one who gasped now. Emma continued, “I plan to stay your sweet niece for a very long time. I don’t want things to change. I want to stay the same. I don’t know why everyone wants to grow up, get married; I’m happy as I am. No man I have met has tempted me into the state of mind to fall in love with him. When I do fall in love, the man must fascinate me and occupy my every thought; and he must think of others, and not only himself. He needs to be charming, handsome, adventurous, and…I don’t know…villainous!”
“Villainous, Emma?” the governor cried.
Emma laughed, “Yes, villainous…or a man that could be villainous and wouldn’t. Now you know why I shall never marry, Uncle, for there is no man in this entire colony who could fulfill all of my requirements. Oh, and above all, he must make me laugh, and all the young men in this colony are far too serious, besides my dear cousin-to-be; but alas, he could not be villainous.”
Emma’s cousin and uncle laughed again. “And so, I shall remain companion to my uncle and aunt, ever entertaining them with my imagination, and grow to be an old maid,” Emma smiled.
“Oh, my silly girl, do not sacrifice a lifetime of happiness simply to entertain an old man. To rejoice in the weddings of two daughters would give me enough pleasure to last the rest of my life. You are as a daughter to me, my dear sweet niece,” Emma took the governor’s other hand. “Any man who can tame your wild imagination of this non-existent husband and win your heart would be one of the luckiest men in the world.”
Emma gave her uncle a calculating look, “any man who would try to tame my imagination would indeed not be for me,” they all laughed, and the carriage came to a stop. The footman opened the carriage door and assisted the young ladies out. Just as the party was about to enter the dressmaker’s shop, someone called to them, and they stopped.
                It was a young man in his mid-twenties who had called them. “Governor Andrews! Good day to you!” he said as he crossed the street which was bustling with the everyday business of the thriving colony.
                “Ah, good day to you, young Master Livingstone!” said the governor taking the man’s hand and shaking it heartily.
                “Miss Julieanne,” Livingstone gave a small bow, “all my best wishes for your wedding tomorrow.”
                “Why, thank you Mr. Livingstone,” she smiled.
                “And Miss Emma, perhaps we may hope to be favored with your lovely singing voice tomorrow,” he took her hand, and kissed it, bowing his head, but never letting his eyes stray from her face. Emma tried to smile politely.
                “Ah, I shouldn’t want to ruin a perfect wedding with my average singing, sir.”
                “Don’t be silly Emma,” Julieanne said.
                “I agree with your cousin, Miss Andrews, I doubt your voice to be capable of ruining anything,” Livingstone added, who finally dropped her hand. The governor took notice of this gesture, as did Emma, though he did with approval, and she did with annoyance.
                “Now, tell me Jonathan, how is your father’s plantation?” Governor Andrews inquired.
                “Thriving more than ever and busy as always. We’re making ready a shipment that will be sent out in two days time. Father has sent me now to check the loading docks, it’s a rather large shipment, and they started loading things yesterday morning. Father just wants to be sure that things are running smoothly.”
                “And am I to understand that your father plans to sign over all the aspects of the plantation to someone else? I was most shocked when my secretary told me there were some legal goings on with the property.”
                “Well, sir, it’s nothing for anyone to worry about, except for myself of course. Father has promised it to be signed over to me as a wedding present.”
                “Ah! Congratulations! Who is the lucky girl then?” Governor Andrews asked, smiling.
                Livingstone turned slightly pink around the ears as he said, “well, that still has to be put in order…”
                “I would suggest acting quickly in such matters,” The governor said, glancing sideways at his niece, “young ladies simply don’t wait forever, you know.”
                Livingstone‘s cheeks now matched his ears. “Very good advice Governor Andrews, I shall take it to heart. Well, I must excuse myself, I’m afraid I must be getting to the docks, and I do not wish to keep you from your own business.”
                “If you must depart then, but pray, will you dine with us this evening, young Master Livingstone?”
                “It would be an honor, sir.”
                “Splendid! We shall be having a small party of our dinner then. My family will be there as well as Julianne’s fiancé. Indeed, our table will be surrounded with excellent company this evening.”
                “I look forward to it, sir,” Livingstone said, glancing at Emma. “Good day to you all.” Then he hurried off and Governor Andrews, Julieanne and Emma entered the dressmaker’s shop. Inside, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Andrews, and the governor’s mother, Mrs. Margret Andrews, were waiting along with the dressmaker.

Rain

2006-04-14T07:15:06Z

Pride & Prejudice Drabble for irishphoenix711

He stepped out of the carriage, the rain hitting his face, and offered her his hand, as he always did. She took his hand, jumped out of the carriage. Then, gripping his hand more firmly, she led him, running, not to the house but towards the gardens. Her hand slipped out of his grasp after a mere second.

"Lizzy?"

She turned around, continuing backwards away from him. "Aren't you coming, Will?" she asked, a mischievous smile creeping across her face.

She whipped back around, and he followed after her with a laugh. A far-off flash of lightning lit up the gloomy sky and a roll of thunder shook the air around them. The pouring rain did not deter his wife from running across the lawn, skirts hiked up to her knees, laughing as she entered the trees. He followed close behind her until she stopped at the edge of a small overlook, the trees ending, and the landscape dropping before spreading out below.

Darcy stood behind her, placing his hands on her hips. She pulled his arms around her waist, resting her own arms with his. She settled into his chest, and he kissed the top of her head.

"The storm will break soon," she said, not a whisper, but only just loud enough for him to hear.

And so they stood until the warm summer rain stopped. The sun began to sidle through the clouds, and there was a gleam of a rainbow. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked.

"Yes, it is," he answered. He turned her around to face him, cupping her head in his strong hands. "So are you, my dear, sweet Elizabeth."

"I love you, William." She smiled that lovely smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes, beaming at him, the evident love there more powerful than the rays of sunshine now dancing across her cheeks.

"And I love you, Mrs. Darcy," he whispered as he tilted his face down to hers, a few droplets of the rain falling from his hair onto her forehead.

She pushed up on her toes just a bit, just enough to capture his lips, and he pulled her tightly against him, reveling in the moment that was deliciously theirs for the taking.