And Then There Were Three: Bingo Bolger-Baggins

[bingo_bolger_baggins]

It's hard to believe that on this day, three years ago, I came home to the Shire and my little Pantry Smial. Little did I know that a year later I would walk out of that Pantry Smial into a glorious party in the Backside Smial and be sharing the brand new Back End with my friends and family. And you know, I'm still having a hard time recalling this time last year, though I do think it also concerned warm feelings regarding our little home. Perhaps it was during one of my koalified episodes. Hmmm. Home, I suppose I'm thinking about it a great deal lately and, in the finest display of obsessive-compulsive behavior MESPT has yet beheld, linked to every thought of it in my last entry.

So here I sit in bed, in a place that is not my home and yet so home-like feeling now. Dear Gary. And if home is where the heart is, then home I am, for friends dear to my heart have joined us here today. I hope my scars and bruises don't frighten them too much. At least the wounds are much better than they were. I wonder how long their trip took and if it was much trouble to find this place, since I haven't taken that trip myself. I feel a bit silly staying here in bed since I am so well, obviously, but I suppose I should stay off my feet still. I won't be well if I tear my wounds, will I? Then who knows when I'll be ready to travel and see everyone.

Uncle Sennie, Melbie, Celly, and--I can't believe it--Elanorelle! I hear them talking. Now when are they coming up? How much patience do they think this poor hobbit can muster? Really!

Comments

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*looks at her and speaks gently* If I ask a question that rankles more than helps, please do wave it off, all right? So what does "parting amicably" mean? And what does that mean with Ana in the picture?

Well, last we spoke (http://www.livejournal.com/users/elanorgamgee/120383.html#cutid1) was in the fall, in our odd way, and I had recently gone through the Blue Fire. Since then, I have gotten back most of my memories--there are blurs of time, but then, who doesn't have those anyway except those gifted with extraordinary recollection abilities? So I know now I walked the Blue Fire because of my bond with Iorhael and my inability to manage my own pain at his comings and goings, and break away, as I needed to. *sighs* I have seen him since.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*shakes head and smiles* It doesn't bother me, although I may not have a simple answer for you. *pauses to gather her thoughts* It means that... we decided that it was time to release each other from our partnership, save for the responsibilities we share as Ana's parents. *chews her lip* When it all boils down to it, he doesn't need me to be happy, and I need more than what he can give me. And I think we finally came to terms with that. Or at least I did. He said.. he said he wanted me to be happy. *wipes the tears from her eyes, and attempts to recompose herself* We're going to share custody of Ana, of course, although we haven't figured out all the details. I needed... I just need some time to think. *sniffles loudly and smiles at him through the tears*

*nods, listening, still trying to regain the handle on her emotions*

*clasping his hands in hers* I'm so sorry, Bingo. *adding to clarify* Sorry that you ever experienced so much pain as to have your memories erased in order to deal with it. *struggles to keep at bay the tears that threaten to return with her grief at the sorrow and heartache they both experienced in their respective relationships*

*asks hopefully* But the process did work for you, though?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*nods, frowning with sympathy, sighs* Well, he knew was getting ready to join The Elven Home for Assisted Living--having a few thousand millenia on you, you think he would have been more responsible. *bites back his thoughts knowing they would upset her more than help* And I'm glad you decided that you do have a right to be happy, dearheart. *nods, reaches to pull her into a hug, tearing up at her pain*

*purses his lips, nods* It did. I think I needed that space to retrieve my heart from him. *looks at her* My sea-crossing was in here. *taps his head* And do you know, he wound up telling me himself, the darn fool! *chuckles with a rueful smile*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

¬_¬ *nods emphatically, feeling that she has italicised spoken enough on the matter for one day, and allows him to pull her into an embrace*

*nods again and smiles at their shared point of reference* Yes.

*incredulous, she pulls away in order to look him in the eyes* He didn't... That fucking son of a- *keeps the rest to herself, even in strikethrough*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*smiles back at her, as he shifts uncomfortably, having pulled his shoulder at an angle that aggravated it a bit*

*nods* I'm afraid so. So that went about as well as you could expect, I suppose. *rolls his eyes* That was shortly after you and I talked in the fall. I haven't seen Iorhael since, but I did sense his presence for a while recently, so I think he has visited Middle-earth.

*shakes his head* And I think I've come to terms with his not being a fully formed being. I hope he knows he has a friend in me always, and I have the distance in myself I need now, but it won't be without strain, of course. Who knows when our paths will cross again.

*shifts his hip, looking at her with a thoughtful smile* Who knew that when our paths crossed again, it would be out here near Bree?

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*her face colors with embarrassment at her carelessness when she sees the expression of discomfort on his face* Oh Bingo, I'm so sorry! *gently extricates herself and moves back to a safe enough distance to not cause him further injury*

*nods as she listens, not knowing quite how to comment on the idea of Iorhael's possible reappearance in Middle-Earth, so she focuses on the ways in which Bingo has learned to be able to protect himself instead* I'm glad that you were able to find that distance, Bingo. *smiles softly* And to have made enough peace with the past in order to consider yourself a friend to him, after everything you've been through. That's a very difficult road to travel.

*returns his smile, but with a slightly puzzled look* I'm not sure I understand, Bingo.

*noticing his shifting* Can I help adjust your pillows or try some other way to find a more comfortable position for you, dear?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Nonononono, dearheart! You didn't do anything! I shifted wrongly. I got so caught up in talking with you that I forgot about my wounds. For which I thank you, rather. It's nice to forget. *small smile*

*shrugs* Well, only time will tell on that, I suppose.

*furrows his brow* You and I. Meeting here, outside Bree. Well, Southlinch, to be more precise. And this farm south of Southlinch, to be moreso. *chuckles* You know, when we both came from west of here. You much further west. And I wasn't planning to be here. *laughs* This is all to say that I'm no prognosticator.

No, I've got it. Thank you, dearheart.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*smiles and says softly* I understand. *laughs* But perhaps I should stay over here, just to be on the safe side.

*reaches over and takes his hand carefully* As with all things, Bingo. *gentle smile* But it's also important to remember how far you've come.

*nods* I had figured you meant that, but I wsasn't sure if you referring to something else as well. Like how we first met when you were staying at Bag End recuperating from... *furrows her brow* How did you hurt your ankle? My memory from that time is a bit dodgy.

*nods* All right. *smiles* Just let me know if there's anything I can do.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*mock pouts*

*squeezes her hand* Yes, that goes for both of us.

*laughs, raises an eyebrow* Are you subtly implying that I'm accident prone? *smiles* I fell out (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bbolger_baggins/3069.html) of a tree. Do keep in mind that I wrote that entry before the extended edition came out, dearheart, and the mun didn't have linking skills then to offer me so I didn't link to the picture the title of the entry is referring to, but good . . . now I can get her to . . . hooray!

Oh, you already have, Elanorelle, by being here.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*smiles* That it does.

*laughs and shakes her head* No, I was just mixing up that time with when you returned from Mordor, and I think that's where the 'East' part came into it and.. *laughs again* Well, it made sense in my head. You know how strange memory can be sometimes.

*quietly, with an adoring smile* The same goes here. I cannot tell you how much I've missed speaking with you.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*smiles, wryly* Me? No, I wouldn't know anything of the kind. Though I do find it interesting that losing one's memory has become all the rage of late, or so I've been told.(-;

*takes both her hands in his, smiling at her fondly* I've missed being with you. I'm so glad you're back, dearheart.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Well you've always been a bit of a trendsetter, dear. ;D

*returns his smile* Thank you. That means so much to me, Bingo, especially at a time when I feel as if everything else in my life has fallen apart.