Title: In Absentia
Author: Rowan aka Sue DeNimme
Summary: Merry's thoughts at the Hundredweight Feast.
Disclaimer: No copyrights were harmed in the making of this fanfic.
Note: This is Lbilover's prize for winning my weekly trivia contest.

~

When Frodo stands up to propose his toast, I can all but hear what some of the other guests are thinking. They are thinking that if they must pretend for an evening that old Bilbo still lives, it's a small price to pay for a meal.

But I know Frodo, and I know that when he says, "To Bilbo", he truly believes that his uncle is still out there somewhere. Perhaps that thought is what has made this first year on his own bearable for him.

So I lift my glass in answer. "To Bilbo -- and Frodo," I say firmly, and drink.

Frodo's smile is my reward.

~end~