The Grotto

Chapter One

The Grotto

 

A 2003 Golden Mushroom Award Nominee in the "Best Wet 'n Wild—hobbits are slippery when wet and it’s better so…" category.


Disclaimer: The characters and settings are Tolkiens. I just wanted to take them out and play for a while.



The Grotto

Frodo found it first, though he shared the discovery with his ladies almost as soon as he had. At the base of a reach of the distant mountains, there was a small cleft cut back into the hills. A bright running stream fell joyfully from the green slopes above to plunge into the dizzying depths of an ancient, moss-lined grotto that had been cut into the soft stone by uncounted ages of running water. Cool clinging mists rose from these recesses and you had seen them drifting around Frodo’s head, decorating his dark curls with droplets of crystal and sunlight.

It was a glorious day when he had brought those of his ladies who were so inclined to the slopes of the mountain. It was a long walk, many miles from Bag End West, but the picnic and cave exploration that followed had been one of the most memorable times you had ever spent on this blessed island. Pleasantly sated and a little tipsy from picnic wine, you, Frodo and a couple of his more adventurous ladies had crept into the cave to explore its cool, mysterious hollows.

It was dark inside and cold – a refreshing change from the sunny heat of the mountainside – and the constant fall of water drowned out all but the loudest feminine shrieks of delight. You realized that none of you should have been in there in such condition, but if you hadn’t been somewhat worse for the wine, you would never have ventured in. And it was enchanting inside the grotto. The high-pitched laughter of your sisters in front of you, picking their way along the ledge and the deeper baritone of Frodo’s voice in answer reverberated inside the cavern. You could make out nothing that was said – but it was a comfort knowing they were with you in that mysterious, alien place.

You stopped and peered over the edge. Thousands of grey droplets disappeared as they fell into the vast blackness below. The sound of the water, rushing as it tumbled over the lip of the sink, was deafening. You could barely hear yourself think – and didn’t notice at first the sounds of your sisters fading off into the distance as they climbed back out into the sunlight.

The sight and sounds were mesmerizing…. You stood as if in a trance, almost weaving as your sense of equilibrium was challenged by the hypnotic spill of water. Because the water is so loud, you did not hear him approaching you. The first time you realize you are not alone is when his strong arms encircle you and pull you quickly from the edge. The wine has slowed your reactions. You jump with surprise, but not until he has you safely against him. You look wildly into his eyes and breathe out a relieved sigh when your brain registers that it is merely Frodo. The concern in his face is quickly replaced with an answering smile. He knows the only danger was that you might have slipped but now even that danger is passed and he gives you a reassuring squeeze.

In the coolness of the cavern, he is very warm against you. His waistcoat is open and you can feel the firm smoothness of his body against you. This brief touch, which shocked you at first, quickly begins to warm your cheeks. He feels so very good pressed close like this. He makes a move to step away, leading you down the path to where your sisters have gone, but checks himself, as if suddenly realizing how very good your body feels to him. Your eyes meet in the half dark of the cavern and, wine-fed desire meets answering desire. The blue of his eyes is almost made black and they shimmer breathtakingly. You read in them what he needs no words to say. You cannot… not here, not now. Your sisters are waiting outside in the sun. It would be unseemly for him to dally here with you when the others you both love wait outside.

You see the delightful dilemma that has plagued him the whole day through. So many lovely ladies, such a magical setting, such intoxicating wine… He has been aching to reach out and savor some of this bounty, HIS bounty; these beautiful maidens who love him above all others… But he knows he must hold himself in check – he cannot favor one because he loves you all – as deeply and passionately as you all love him. You giggle as you perceive his predicament. He is a starving hobbit in the midst of a sumptuous feast and decorum forbids him to even taste a morsel! He raises an eyebrow, mockingly aghast at your lack of sympathy for his plight, but that simply makes you laugh aloud.

His grin grows broader. He knows how to make you regret your lack of pity. His arm reaches up your back and he crushes you against his lips in an almost bruising, urgent kiss. Your eyes fly open wide as your knees weaken. Every ounce of his pent up passion is expelled into this kiss. It is what he has wanted to do to all of you this day as he has delighted in the sight of sunlit curling tresses, the sounds of delighted peals of laughter, the scent of sweetly perfumed skin. His joy is boundless in the loving circle of his ladies and you feel the warmth of his delight in this kiss.

His lips are on fire as he caresses yours. He plunges deep and passionately, taking your head in his other hand and holding you firmly against his mouth. He is soft, wonderfully warm and his lips quiver delightfully where they touch you. Your head swims as you melt against him. Oh, my! you think, he even tastes good! And though that is something you have known long before this, your suddenly fevered mind clings to his honeyed sweetness as you ride the overwhelming tide of his passion. The weakness in your knees has spread to your back and you find yourself falling, held up only by the circle of his arms and the tender touch of his hungry lips.

He breaks off and smiles wickedly at your swoon, quite satisfied that he has achieved his desired result. Now, perhaps, you have SOME idea of what he has been dealing with all day. He raises an eyebrow as if in triumph but his flushed face still glows with fierce joy. You gasp, unable to quell the raging of your body. You cannot believe he has such power over you! You cannot believe he can do that to you,… and then STOP! He lifts you up and you scramble to find your balance as he tugs you back along the path.

“Why YOU!….” You dart forward, aiming mock blows and pinches at whatever part of him you can reach. He is quick though, and laughs merrily as he dances out of your reach. You follow, shrieking with delight as you chase him up into the bright sunlight. As nimbly as the flight of a humming bird, he dashes among your sisters relaxing amid the picnic remains. More shrieks of glee and an impromptu game of tag ensues. You all rise to chase joyfully after him in the dappled afternoon sunlight. At last he allows himself to be caught and the lot of you tumble into a wonderfully winded heap under the trees. There, surrounded and snuggled close by ladies who love him, he begins to tell a ridiculous tale of trolls and dragons inspired by the shapes of the clouds overhead.

You smile reliving the memory of his stolen kiss. He loves you all, you know, but he could not have expressed the depth of his feeling so profoundly to all at once. You were just in the right place at the right time to receive this gift of his joy and you smile at your good fortune. You rub your cheek against his side where you are cuddled and sigh in complete contentment. His kiss was a treasure you will cherish, but to see him at last so full of life and joy is the most precious gift he could ever give you.


TBC

Go To Chapter Two