Adrial
by T. Baggins
"....and he felt a pain like a dart of poisoned ice pierce his left shoulder. Even as he swooned he caught, as if through a swirling mist, a glimpse of Strider leaping out of the darkness with a flaming brand of wood in either hand....." from The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien.
With some effort he yanked the Ring from his finger, falling back with a cry of pain. Then a wave dizziness and nausea, and the world winked out..........
Strider stood alone on top of the hill, sword in hand. There were four short swords lying upon the ground. Four small bedrolls scattered about. There were no Hobbits. There was no Ringbearer. No Ring. "Sam!" he called out, "Merry! Pippin! FRODO!" There was no answer. No sign. It was as if the Halflings had disappeared off the face of Middle Earth.
Merry was dreaming a very strange dream. He was lying in a very uncomfortable bed that was way too big. Above him was a smooth, flat, white roof supported by smooth flat white walls. Light was shining, but there were no windows, no candles. He was covered with a blanket that shimmered like moonlight on the river. He sat up slowly and looked around. There was Pippin, fast asleep in a similar bed. And there was Sam, also fast asleep. And Frodo, muttering and moaning in his sleep. Merry stood and went to his cousin. "Frodo? Frodo?" he touched Frodo's hand and found it cold. He thought he should get some help, but there was not even a door. "Where are we? Is this Rivendell? Where is Strider?" Part of a wall slid away with a soft hiss. Merry squeaked and backed away until he bumped into Pippin's bed. He could not comprehend the creature that stood before him. A cat that looked like a woman? A woman that looked like a cat? She stepped in. Behind her was a Man, about Strider's height. But, not Strider. He was dressed in black leather and had yellow eyes. His voice was soft and kind, "You see, Retha? What did I tell you?"
Retha hissed softly, "Fool! These are not Omnies! We must return them!"
The Man shook his head, "We're parsecs away and the Navcom's off line. We'd never find that planet if we searched for a millennia! Besides, they look enough like Omnies, maybe enough to fool old Boreas? We'll say we found this 'research team' in trouble and rescued them. Perhaps he'll even reward us?"
"Graza, you are a fool! But, I see no other way, other than killing them." She held up a hand, unsheathing long curved claws, "One swipe at those soft bellies."
Merry groaned.
Retha smiled and sheathed her claws, "Do not fear, little one, you are worth more alive than dead."
And Merry fell over in a dead faint.
"They aren't Omnies." a voice said.
Merry kept his eyes shut.
"They look like us, doctor." female voice above and to the right
"At first glance maybe." male voice, the doctor, above to the left, "But, there are several anatomical differences. For instance: the feet. See the soles of their feet? Quite leathery, fit for traveling on bare ground. Not soft like ours. And the distribution of body hair is quite different. I won't even go into the bioanylasis. Or their mentality or their emotional responses. Quite amazing really."
"Yes, doctor." female voice sounded amused.
"And! From the look of their clothing they come from a Class 5K planet with an industrial scale of at least 3.5. I wish we could keep them for further study." male voice sounded upset. "Unfortunately, they're being transferred to the crown this evening. I tried to talk the palace representative into letting us keep just one for research. She wouldn't listen."
"Dr. Greenstar, please come to BioLab 12. Dr. Greenstar to BioLab 12, please." odd sounding voice directly overhead.
"Damn! Get started on that blood work, Gemma, and be sure to get a DNA reading on all four." male voice fading away. A hissing noise.
Female voice sighing, "Yes, doctor."
Merry opened his eyes slightly, just enough to see what looked like a hobbit lass bending over Sam. She was dressed strangely and was doing something to Sam's arm. "Here! What are you doing to him!" Merry shouted.
The lass, Gemma, gasped and whirled around, "Oh, Adrial! Oh! No!" She covered the distance between herself and Merry in a heartbeat and pressed something hard and cold against his arm. "I knew I should have used a higher dose..." Were the last words Merry heard.
Frodo moaned as he came out of the haze into reality. Or was it reality? He was lying on a most comfortable bed, covered with a soft blanket. Was this Rivendell? His vision began to clear and he looked around. The room he was in was large and very strange. He could hear some sort of chirping sounds above his head, but could not see the bird making them. As his mind cleared he realized he was naked beneath the covers. Fear gripped him, The Ring! The Ring had been in his waistcoat pocket! Where was it? Where! He sat up suddenly and his head swam. The Ring! Where is the Ring? Head spinning, he sprung out of the bed and promptly fell to the floor.
Dizzy and sick to his stomach, unable to move, he groaned in dispair. And was answered by a soft hiss. Looking to his right he saw a pair of feet. The feet of a Hobbit, but not those of any of his friends. A gentle hand, not Sam's, touched his arm and an equally gentle voice said, "Easy, lad, you'll feel better in a second." There were three little clicking noises. Something hard and cold pressed against his upper arm. hissss.
Vision cleared. Mind cleared. Stomach righted itself and the room stopped spinning. The gentle hands helped him sit up.
Frodo found himself gazing into the face of another Hobbit. The strange Hobbit was smiling, his gray eyes soft and concerned. Long black hair fell in waves over his shoulders, and was touched with gray at the temples. He helped Frodo to stand and sit on the bed again, "Better?"
"Yes, thank you." Frodo's head was full of questions, but only one needed answering immediately: The Ring. "Were are my clothes? The ones I was wearing?"
"Probably in a museum by now, or in the sanitizer. But, here," the hobbit dipped into his coat pocket, "they figured you'd want this back." And he handed Frodo the Ring. It was now on a gold chain and Frodo slipped it on.
"Again, thank you, Mr?"
The hobbit put on a face of mock solemnity, "I am Dr.Apollo Moongold, personal physician to his most sovereign majesty, King Boreas the Tenth. You are in his palace and under his protection and keeping."
Frodo drew himself up to his most formal bearing, "I am Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo, of the Shire. Very pleased to meet you, Dr. Moongold."
"That's Dr. Apollo, son, or just Doc will do. I'm sure you have a millennia's worth of questions. Maybe, though, you'd like to be reunited with your companions? There is clothing for you in that box. Join us when you're ready." Apollo grinned and walked towards the round door. Which magically slid aside to let him leave.
For a long while Frodo just sat there staring wide eyed at the "magic door" and fingering the Ring.
The door slid open again a few minutes later and Sam stepped in the room. He looked like Sam anyway. His clothing was odd. A loose tunic of green that fell about mid thigh, belted with a silver chain. Breeches that hugged the contours of his legs with liquid cloth. They were too long, way down to his feet and gathered there in soft folds. "Mr. Frodo?" he said, a look of concern on his face. "Are you all right, sir?"
Frodo said nothing, just stared.
Sam took a deep breath, "Dr. Apollo said you may be in shock, Mr. Frodo. Are you, sir? I'm that worried, you know."
"I'm all right." Frodo whispered.
"Well, either way, you'll feel better as soon's you have some food and drink and see the sun." Sam went to the box and opened it, "She's just as beautiful and warm here as at home, sir." he drew out some blue and gold cloth, "But, the sky! The sky is a kinda bluish lavender! Never seen such a sight in all my days, Mr. Frodo. Here, sir. It's a shirt. Please, put it on."
Frodo obeyed. Then drew the long breeches on. Both garments were shades of blue. Sam slipped the gold chain belt around his master's waist and fastened it. "I know these clothes are odd, master, but they cover what should be covered. Please, come outside, sir? It looks to be Spring what with all the flowers and all. There's a garden out there, a huge garden! So many lovely flowers! And the grass is so green! And the trees so tall and graceful. I ain't never seen the like of it! Merry and Pippin are outside. The doctor is waiting, too. Please, come?"
Frodo just stood there.
"Please, master?" Sam held out his hand.
"it's not real." Frodo whispered.
"It is real, Mr. Frodo, and it's beautiful." Sam smiled at him.
Frodo, at last, took Sam's hand and allowed himself to be led out of the little room. They stepped into another room, much bigger than the first. Sam led the way through it as if he'd lived here all his life. They saw no one else.
Finally, they came to a large wall of what appeared to be glass. A huge window. Sam stepped up to it, "Don't be scared, Mr. Frodo. I was at first, but there's naught to be afraid of. Just feels sorta funny the first time." and Sam gently tugged Frodo towards the window and they went right through it. Right through it! It didn't shatter and cut them like glass would. It felt as if they were walking under a waterfall without the water. Frodo stared back at it as Sam led him along a stone path.
"Ah! Frodo!" Apollo stood up, smiling welcome, "I was beginning to worry. Here." he poured a draught of some blue liquid into a small delicate glass, "Drink."
Frodo looked at the glass and shook his head, backing away.
Sam caught his hand, "It's all right, Mr. Frodo. Just juice, it is. Tastes like fresh raspberries. Just a sip? For me?" He took the glass from Apollo and offered it to his master with a reassuring smile.
Frodo took the glass and sipped it. It was very good indeed and he drained it. "Thank you." he said, "I'm sorry, I'm just afraid..."
The doctor laughed softly, "My dear Frodo! You have every right and reason to be afraid! Believe me, if some brain dead space pirate yanked me off my world and dumped me in yours, I'd be utterly terrified! But, you must see the necessity to eat and drink and try to stay in reasonable health? I know it's a lot to take in, but we'll go slow. Culture shock is not a pleasant thing to have to go through." The doctor's eyes darted to the left, "Sam, why don't you show Frodo the Rose Garden?"
"Thank you, but I'd rather just here for a bit." Frodo said softly. He sat down at the table and sighed.
Apollo looked nervous, "As you wish."
Just at that moment a young woman came round the hedge wheeling a shiny metal cart. The aroma from it was unmistakably luncheon, or at least elevenses. Frodo raised his head and glanced at her. Her face turned white, as if she'd seen a ghost. She raised her hand to her chest, much as Frodo himself did when the Ring was troubling him. Then turned and ran.
Apollo shook his head, "Oh, well, can't be helped. At least she's only a servant." Then he called out, "Merry! Pippin! Let's eat!" and started un loading the cart. Frodo and Sam just looked at each other.
Merry and Pippin came running round the hedge and fell into chairs.
"What time is it?" Pippin asked breathlessly.
Merry laughed, "Time to eat, you twit."
Apollo was smiling, "It's the thirteenth hour, Pippin, and we call this Middies, or Mid-day." He handed Pippin a plate.
Soon they were all enjoying a very nice meal. Foods that Apollo had chosen not necessarily for nutritional value, but for firmiliarity to the hobbits. Plain roast chicken, vegetables, potatoes and dark bread. Water and fruit juice to drink. Nothing stronger. Not with the tranquilizers.
Three hobbits laughing and talking about all they had seen, which wasn't much, and asking questions. Apollo leaned over, "Eat, Frodo. Please."
Sam turned to face his master, "You gotta eat, sir."
Frodo looked at Sam, "I, I'll try, Sam." He picked up his fork and took a bit of potato. Nibbling off only a small taste. It was good really. Fresh and hot and buttery. He smiled, "It's very good." He ate hartilly after that, and drank several glasses.
Apollo relaxed. They were all eating. New foods would be introduced. But, gradually. He poured himself another glass of juice and said casually, "What is it your people call themselves?"
"Hobbits." Merry answered.
Apollo nodded, "We call ourselves Omnies."
"Omnies." Merry repeated.
"In name of our planet, or world, Omicron7Delta." Apollo smiled. "What is your world called?"
Frodo blinked, "Middle Earth, I suppose. "
"We're from The Shire, sir." Sam said with pride.
"The Shire is your country?"
"I suppose you could say that."
" We have no countries, just districts."
"No countries?" Pippin asked., "aren't there Men and Elves and such?"
"No, Pippin, just us. Just Omnies."
Sam looked astonished, "Imagine, Mr. Frodo, a whole world of nothin but hobbits!"
Frodo put his glass down and looked Apollo in the eyes, "Doctor, when can we go home?"
Apollo lost his smile, "I cannot answer that, Frodo."
"Who can, then?" Sam asked
Apollo stood, "I cannot say.."
The hobbits were let alone for the rest of the afternoon. Apollo went back inside to "tend to some business". Merry and Pippin ran off together, holding hands. Frodo wondered what sort of mischief they would find. He needn't wait long, for soon excited cries of "Frodo! Sam! C'mere! Hurry! You gotta see this! "
Frodo followed the shouts. Sam followed his master. They found the younger hobbits by a fountain, clutching each other. Both wore looks of terror mixed with amazement as they pointed up and over Frodo's shoulder.
"Look!" Pippin nearly screamed.
Frodo turned around to look behind.
It looked like it was made of ice and snow, so smooth and glittering it was. Tall towers rose at seemingly random points. The towers were topped with what appeared to the hobbits to be gold filigree. Beyond this magnificent building rose huge mountains made blue by the clouds.
The Palace.
The sound of hoofbeats ended their contemplation of the building. Instinctively, Sam, Merry, and Pippin gathered round Frodo. Frodo's hand went to the Ring as the rider approached.
It was another Omnie. This one quite young, maybe even younger than Pippin. He was dressed in gold and red, his brown hair just brushing his shoulders. His eyes were icy blue. He reined in his mount, a pony in size but a horse in appearance. Long legged, pure white with a flowing mane and tail, fitted out in gold and black. The young man looked the hobbits over, then spurred his mount on.
Frodo was the first to speak, "Let's head back."
They returned to the big window and, with little hesitation, walked thru it. Apollo was bent over a black shiny counter top, tapping it occasionally. When the hobbits entered, he looked up and smiled, "Just in time."
"In time for what?" Merry asked.
"Time to come in." the doctor said, "Almost time for the fifteen's thunderstorm." he pointed outside. Sure enough, dark clouds were gathering.
"Is that East or West?" Sam asked.
"Neither, it's South. The sun rises in the North and sets in the South." Apollo said absently returning to his contemplation of the countertop. He looked up again, "I'm sorry, fellas, this report has got my brain fogged. Anystar, I've made arrangements for you all to be together. Come on, I'll show you your new quarters."
He started leading them through the large room, "This is my Sick Bay"
"Sick Bay?" Pippin frowned
"Uhm, yes, Sick Bay. Hospital. Clinic? Place of healing." Apollo mentally kicked himself for using too many words unfamiliar to the aliens.
"You're a Healer, then?" Merry said, "On our world, as far as hobbits go, Healers are females. Natural nurturing instincts, ye know."
Apollo gave Merry a side long glance. This hobbit was very bright indeed and very quick on the uptake. He would, Apollo noted, adapt easier than his companions.
"Men have nurturing instincts, too, Merry. Here, doctors....healers...can be either sex."
The room was large with four comfortable looking beds, four clothing boxes, four bedside tables, and a computer terminal. Of Corse the hobbits had no idea what a computer was, let alone it's purpose. But it had been installed anyway to get them used to it's presence. They were shown the shower room and how to use it. Assured that the jets of water were not harmful and their temperature could be adjusted. Shown how the soap dispensers worked. The toilet facilities had to be explained in more detail. They caught on quickly and could be left alone for a while.
Apollo retired to his office, sitting down at his desk with a heavy sigh. He opened a drawer, pulled out a bottle and small glass.
"Doctor."
He looked up into the disapproving eyes of his head nurse, Venus Snowleaf. "Good evening, my dear. Care to join me?"
She shook her head, frowning, "Do you need me to stay, doctor?"
"No. I don't think so" he sighed, filling the glass. "The tranquilizer I gave them was pretty mild, it should be wearing off by now. I think they'll be OK."
Venus took a tentative step into the room, "Doctor? Do you think...?" She kept her voice low.
Apollo sipped thoughtfully at his drink, "I don't know what to think, Venus, I'm not a religious man."
Venus nodded and smiled, "Well, good night, doctor." A wave and she was gone.
Apollo sighed, polished off the drink, and poured another. He had an idea of what the King was going to do. Maybe it would be to the best? Maybe not? Apollo shook his head and poured yet another drink.
For several weeks the four hobbits were confined to their quarters, Sick Bay, and the garden outside. Gradually, new things and people were introduced. First Venus and some carefully screened medical staff. Then, equally screened, maids and men of service. The, also, new foods were introduced. Merry and Pippin were especially willing to try new dishes. Sam was a bit more cautious, and Frodo had usually to be coaxed.
It was Merry and Pippin who seemed to be adapting the best. New foods, new clothing they took in stride. Then Frodo took an interest in the computer terminal. One of the male nurses started showing him how it worked. There was one hitch, though. Although the language of the hobbits was very close to Omicronase, the written word was very different. Both Merry and Frodo expressed an interest in learning. This desire was relayed to the king and a tutor was provided.
Pippin tried to learn, too, just to be with Merry but soon became bored. They were going home soon, Pippin and Sam logiced out, so why learn these letters?
It was Frodo who studied diligently all that the tutor gave him. Inside of a week he could read simple lines and words. He started using the terminal, trying to read some ancient works. He relayed his knowledge to Merry, who could not sit for hours of study. Who relayed it to Pippin. Sam, ever stubborn, refused to learn.
There were other things, too. Like watching a play on the vid. Sam was thoroughly enthralled by it. He thought at first that he was watching something that was really happening here and now. It took Apollo pressing the reverse button, to convince him otherwise.
And the magazines. Pictures of city life, country leisure, pictures of the latest fashions, and of young women wearing short skirts and skimpy tops particularly interested Merry and Pippin. Apollo was fascinated how the two cousins would pour through pictures of women, admire and comment on the maids of service and some of the female nurses, all the while with hands clasped and fingers entwined.
The doctor also found Sam's devotion to Frodo extremely touching. Sam was also possessive and fiercely protective of Frodo. All fine qualities in one's servant, But Sam took it beyond that, it seemed, almost into obsession.
At last the four hobbits seemed relaxed enough, and adapting well enough, to be brought before the king.
On a warm summer evening, after a good evens meal, Apollo led his charges, not to the reception room, or the throne room, but to the king's private apartments.
His Majesty King Boreas the tenth, stood his full height of three feet to greet the aliens. Dressed in crimson and gold, rings sparkling on his fingers. He was an old man to the hobbits, his white hair flowing passed his shoulders and his face lined with years. Yet, there was something about his eyes that Sam found odd. He had seen those ice blue eyes once before, on the rider whom they saw many weeks earlier. Yet the rider had been a young lad. Sam's contemplation's were abruptly halted when the king's icy blue eyes at last met Frodo's sapphire gaze. Boreas drew in a sharp breath and touched his throat just as all the Omnies did when they saw Mr. Frodo. Sam's eyes grew hard and he slipped his hand in Frodo's. Sam did not trust this king.
"So!" said the king, "It is true! I scarcely believe it. Apollo, do you not see?"
"How can I not see, Majesty? I am an Omnie. To be an Omnie is to know the face of Adrial." Apollo replied.
"Please, your majesty?" Frodo spoke up, "We have enjoyed the companionship of the doctor for many weeks, and your gracious hospitality, sir. We have learned of you and tried to teach you of us. Do not think, sir, that we are ungrateful, but it is always uppermost in our minds: When may we go home? I, I have a quest..."
The king looked at Frodo with great compassion, "I am afraid your quest has ended, Frodo. Please, let us sit out on the balcony? Let the city's lights be background to our tales."
They went out onto the balcony and were seated and served wine. The lights of the city far in the distance were, indeed, beautiful. Apollo slumped in his chair and quickly drained his wine. The king frowned slightly at him, and began, "Do you remember how you came to be here? Probably not. Then, I shall tell you: You were abducted from your world by a couple of space pirates looking to gain reward. They told me they thought you were an Omnie research team. They said they hoped to be rewarded by returning you to the home world. But, it was easily seen that you are most definatly not Omnies. I ordered that you be returned to your planet straight off with one of my starships as escort. It was then that I was told their NavCom was malfunctioning. That they hadn't the twinkling of an idea where they found you. Oh, we tried to back trace. But, pirates do not travel in straight lines. To be short, if I knew where your world was I would have returned you long ago."
"Middle Earth." Sam said, "That's where we're from. The Shire."
"We were on our way to Rivendell" Pippin added.
Boreas gestured toward the sky, "Do you see the stars, Samwise Gamgee? Do you see how many thousands there are? And beyond them are thousands, millions, billions more! Each star is a sun! Each sun has at least one planet. Which one is yours, Samwise? Just point to it and I will happily send you home."
Tears were dripping off Sam's lashes, "I don't know, sir. I'm just a gardener. I don't know nothin bout no stars or suns.."
"Easy, Sam." Frodo patted his friend's shoulder before turning back to the king, "We can't go home? What about the Ring? The Dark Lord's Ring of Power?"
"Bring out your Ring, Frodo." the king's voice was kinder, "Let me see it."
Frodo removed the Ring and it's chain from round his neck and let Boreas take it. The king motioned and a very tall Omnie appeared, one of the Palace Guard. He was all of 4 ft 6 in tall, dressed in red and gold livery. A sword hung on his belt, and something the hobbits had come to learn was a laser pistol. Boreas held the Ring by it's chain out at arm's length and nodded. The tall man drew the laser and fired at the Ring. A beam of white light shot forth and held the Ring and went no further. Frodo could see the Ring's inscription begin to glow. "Enough. That will be all." said the king.
The guard turned and left.
Boreas studied the inscription, "I do not pretend to be able to read the writing, Frodo, but tell me if I am incorrect? One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
Frodo nodded, "Yes, my lord, you are correct."
Boreas sighed, "So, the prophecies were legitimate. Take back your Ring, Frodo, no one will ever again touch it but yourself. No one will ever again dare to touch Adrial's ring."
"Who is Adrial? And why do you say Adrial's Ring, it is Sauron's."
The king made eye contact with Apollo, "You have not told him, doctor?"
"I had no command to do so, sir." Apollo said quietly.
Boreas folded his hands across his chest and began a very fascinating tale, "Thousands of years ago Adrial and his lover set out to destroy that very Ring. Thinking by doing so they would end evil and corruption and make the world a better place. They were aided in their quest by members of all the various races that existed at that time. But, Adrial never completed his task. Weather he was killed or taken or simply fled was never known. Great wars then ensued and the world fell into chaos. The Wars of the Ring lasted hundreds of years until the Dark Forces were driven back. But the planet was left devastated. And who had they to blame for this misery? Adrial. A halfling. And Men, for it was they who survived in number, took revenge upon us. Our towns were destroyed, homes burned to the ground. We were hunted like animals, tortured and killed.. Some, though, escaped and hid. Living in fear under squalid conditions for decades. And then, at last, one rose up and gathered our people together, gave them a leader. And we rose up and resisted the Men, the Elves, the Dwarves, and all who would oppress us. We had not strength, but we had cunning and cleverness. I will not bore you with a thousand or more years of wars. Suffice to say that after 2000 years we, Omnies, held dominion over this planet. Our cleverness and cunning has advanced our civilization this, the 28th century. We have reached out into space and colonized other worlds. There are problems, I won't say Omnies are perfect. But on the whole we are a happy, healthy, thriving society." the king smiled, pleased with himself, "And to what do you suppose we owe all of this prosperity? It was in the early part of the 20th Century that a free thinker called Thanatos Oldbuck determined that it was Adrial. The man we had hated for so long was, in fact, our deliverer. Adrial had failed in his quest and had brought us low. But we rose up stronger for it. And would we have done so had he succeeded? No! The men were already the dominate race and our ancestors too complacent. We would have died out eventually had it not been for Adrial. Thanatos soon gathered followers. The Cult of Adrial was born and evolved into The Fellowship of The Ring. It is our state religion. All Omnies know of Adrial and his sacrifice for his people. We thank you everyday, my Lord. And it pleases us that you have returned to live among your people." the king stood.
"I am not Adrial, your majesty. I am not an Omnie." Frodo rose to his feet, "I am just an ordinary hobbit.. I am just Frodo Baggins."
"Come, then, Frodo Baggins, and see for yourself." Boreas walked back inside and came to stand before a curtained wall, "This portrait, as you will see, is very old. The paint is but fine cracks and, if exposed to the atmosphere, would likely fall to dust. It is the only known depiction of Adrial from life." He pulled the curtain aside.
All was silence for a moment, then Sam gasped, "It's you, Mr. Frodo!"
"If it isn't, it sure looks like you!" Merry commented.
And Pippin said, "Wow."
Frodo groaned and dropped to the floor like a stone.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam was instantly on his knees beside his master., "Apollo!"
The doctor knelt beside them, held his scanner over Frodo's body. Apollo looked up at his king, "Sir, Frodo is ill and needs attention. May I have your permission?"
Boreas nodded, "Granted, doctor."
"To sick Bay, sir?"
"To his apartments, you may tend him there."
The doctor bowed his head briefly and stood. One of the tall guards moved forward and made to lift Frodo.
"No! Don't you touch him!" Sam threatened, "If Mr. Frodo needs carryin, tis I will do the carryin. Be off with ye!"
King Boreas was struck with not only Sam's devotion, but his bravery as well. Very few Omnies would have the audacity to face off one of the Palace Guards. He motioned the large guard away and watched as Sam lifted his master. Lifted him as if he were little more than a child in his arms.
"Lead on." Sam said.
Apollo bowed to his king and started out.
Sam followed, carrying Frodo.
Merry and Pippin trotted close behind. hand in hand.
Down a long corridor carpeted in pale blue they came to a very large round silver door. On either side stood two of the tall muscular guards, only these two wore livery of white and silver. They stood aside as the door split in two and hissed open. Inside was the sitting room. One whole wall was a window looking on the gardens and there were chairs, a sofa, even a fireplace. Apollo told Merry and Pippin to wait there and led Sam, with his precious burden, into the next room.
It was dark until the doctor said "Light."
Sam had never seen such a magnificent bedroom in all his days. All pearly white and silver, it was. The bed was large, but still hobbit size, piles of soft pillows rested at the head. The sheets looked and felt like silk. The white coverlet was covered with tiny flecks of silver that glittered. And on either side of this spectacular bed were two huge crystal vases filled with pink roses. Sam laid his master gently on the bed.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam worried, rubbing Frodo's hand, "Apollo, what's wrong with him? You said he was sick?"
"Yes, Sam, he is. Come now, help me get these clothes off him and get him covered. I'll give him some medicine.." Apollo started to remove Frodo's jacket, but Sam stopped him.
"I'll do that, sir, if you don't mind. You get your medicine ready."
Apollo nodded, "All right, Sam. The medicine is ready."
Once Sam had Frodo undressed and covered with the smooth sheet and coverlet, Apollo took a small silver box out of his pocket. He opened it carerfully and extracted a long tube with a plunger. The tube was filled with a rather pretty lavender liquid. Apollo pulled off a small cap on the other end and frowned at the long thin needle, "I wish there was another way." He sighed.
He plunged the needle into Frodo's arm and pushed the plunger until all the liquid was gone.
"What was that!?" Sam demanded, "You never gave us medicine like that before! What're you doin?"
"Sam, I'm sorry, this is the only way this particular drug can be administered. It's very special, that's all I can say..."
"What was..." Sam was cut off by a soft whimper from Frodo.
The blue eyes opened just a bit, just two blue slits beneath sable lashes. Then a moan as Frodo's body stiffened. "Mama.." he gasped and clutched at the bedding, "It hurts! It hurts! Make it stop! " Then a scream that chilled Sam's blood. It was scream of one being tortured. The scream of unutterable suffering and dispair. "NO!NOOOO! STOP! PLEASE! STOP! NO NO IT HURTS! HELP ME! SAM!SAM! SAM! KILL ME!"
Sam was crying. Huge tears were dripping down his cheeks. With trembling hands he tried to soothe his master as he lay screaming and writhing. Frodo's eyes never opened fully. It was as if were caught up in a horrifying nightmare and was unable to wake up.
At last, after an hour of this, Frodo's screams faded into hoarse sobs and his body relaxed. Sam collapsed across Frodo's sweat soaked body, trembling and exhausted. Apollo gently pulled Sam away and steered him towards the door.
Two of Apollo's nurses were waiting in the sitting room. They went into the bedroom as Apollo and Sam came out.
The doctor helped Sam into a chair and shoved a glass in his hands, "Here, Sam, drink. It's whiskey, son, drink. Don't worry, Merry and Pippin have been shown to their new quarters. Yes, they're together. Drink up."
Sam took a long drink, gulping and then coughing as the liqueur burned it's way down into his belly. "Oh, Doc! What..why...?" he finally managed to stammer.
Apollo downed his glass in seemingly one gulp and poured himself another, "I'm sorry, Sam, I should have told you sooner. Frodo wanted to keep it from you, he didn't want you to worry."
"Mr. Frodo, oh my poor master. My poor dear master." Sam was sobbing, unable to control himself.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Sam. It's....part of the illness. I'm sorry." Apollo leaned over and patted his arm."Shiva and James are cleaning Frodo up, making him as comfortable as they can. Sam, will you stay with him tonight? Watch over him? He'll need a firmiliar face in the morning."
Sam raised his face and looked Apollo in the eye, "You needn't ask, Apollo. I'll not leave his side. I, I made a promise, see? Don't you lose him, Samwise Gamgee, don't you lose him. And I don't mean to, sir, I don't mean to. I'll stay with him through thick and thin, through any sufferin or illness. You needn't worry, Doc. I'll look after him, I will!"
A small smile played at the doctor's lips, "I have no doubt of that, Sam, you are very protective."
"That I am, Doc, that I am! I reckon us bein the only hobbits here, we need to stick close. Merry and Pippin have each other, and Mr. Frodo has me. Maybe he don't know it, but he has me here for him."
"And what about you, Samwise?"
"Why I have Mr. Frodo to look after, and fuss over." Sam managed a smile.
James and Shiva came out of the bedroom. James said, "Done, Dr. Apollo."
"Come, then, you can give me report on the way back down to Sick Bay." Apollo rose from his seat, "Samwise, I leave Frodo in your capable, and loving, hands. Good Night."
Sam, both emotionally and physically exhausted, stumbled into the bedroom. In the dim light he saw Frodo lying in peaceful sleep. There was an extra nightshirt lying on the bed and Sam quickly shed his clothes and slipped it on. Without hesitation he pulled back the covers and climbed in the bed beside his master. Frodo smelled of sweet honeysuckle and roses. With a sigh, Sam settled himself close, but not too close, and held Frodo's hand. And just as he slipped into sleep, he thought he felt Frodo's hand squeeze his.
This is how it always went, every night. Every night Frodo would start to feel the first pangs of his illness and, every night, Apollo would come. The needle. The pretty lavender liquid. Then Sam watched helpless as Frodo's eyes became slits of blue. Every night it was the same. The tortured screams, the jerking limbs, the sweat and the gasping pain. But, now, Sam was the one to clean his master's body and change the soft sheets. Then crawl, exhausted, into bed and hold that slender, soft hand. Every night.
Every day it was the same. Frodo would sleep long, until nearly the 11th hour, sometimes to 11 and half. He would be weak. His voice only a hoarse whisper. He would take a bit of food if Sam would feed him. Sometimes he would lay in the bed. Sometimes allow Sam to carry him out on the balcony and set him in a reclining chair. Head resting on the satin pillows, covered with a light blanket. Frodo's eyes would fix on the Gardens below and, sometimes, he would smile a soft smile.
Every day there were visitors. Merry and Pippin came every morning with smiles and tales of their new adventures and discoveries. Frodo would close his eyes and listen. Then Pippin would lean down and kiss Frodo's cheek and with a quick, "Love ya, cousin." the two would be off.
The king came every day, too. He sat and talked to Frodo, and called him Adrial and my Lord. This annoyed Sam to no end, but he knew better than to chide a king.
Some days Apollo came in the daylight. Some days he would send Venus to check Frodo and bring him a report.
And there was a new visitor, Chronos, High Bishop of The Fellowship. High Priest of The Ring. Sam disliked him straight off. Chronos was younger than the king, older than Frodo. He was tall, majestic, and handsome with glittery dark eyes and raven hair that fell below his shoulders. Always dressed in flowing white robes when he came to visit. He bowed low and made 'the sign'. His talk was confined to Mr. Frodo's illness, his comfort and any needs he had. Chronos called Frodo Adrial, too, and when he said My Lord it was as if he were addressing a god.
Every day he offered to send a young Brother or Sister to sit with Adrial while Sam took some air. At first Sam was insulted and fuming at this. Now, though, after 10 long days, he was starting to warm to the idea.
Near the back of the Royal Gardens was an orchard. Apple trees, Oranges, pears. It was only late Spring but some of the pears near the top were looking quite ripe. Merry boosted Pippin up into the tree. "I'll toss em down to ye, Merry."
Merry licked his lips in anticipation, "Right." He was staring up into the tree, waiting, when he heard the sound of a pony approaching. Turning, he saw the same white pony and the same rider they'd seen weeks earlier.
"What are you up to?" the rider asked. Not angry, just curious.
"Nothin." Merry's standard answer whenever he got caught.
A pear dropped to the ground between them. Then three more. Then Pippin dropped out of the tree, landing on his feet with a thump. He picked up the fruit and grinned at the stranger, "Hullo. Look nice an ripe, don't they? " he offered one. "Thanks." said the stranger, "I'm Neptune Starbuck. I know who you two are: Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. Merry and Pippin. I've seen you around. You like it here?"
"It's all right, I guess." Merry said. He bit into the pear and juice trickled down his chin. He wasn't about to admit he was homesick.
"You guys want me to show you some better places?" Neptune asked
"Better?"
"Yea, more fun."
"Yea. Yea, sure. That all right with you, Pip?"
Pippin nodded as he finished his second pear. He licked the juice off his hand, and wiped it on his breeches. Without a second thought he slipped his hand into Merry's. "Lead on."
They walked through the orchards. Neptune leading his pony. Merry and Pippin holding hands quite unconsciously. It was a habit now. Just like sharing the bed was.
"What did you guys like to do for fun on your planet?" Neptune asked.
Merry told him about pinching Farmer Maggot's crops, swimming in the river, nights at the Inn, the Festivals and Celebrations of the Shire. Pippin told him about some of the games they liked and about the swing on that old tree near the Brandywine River and how much fun it was to have someone shove you real hard and then leap off into the water.
"You like swimming?" Neptune asked with enthusiasm, "Great! Come on!" He started walking faster. "We'll take Skycloud here to the stables, then I'll show you the pool."
Merry didn't think it was warm enough to swim and a little pool wouldn't be much fun anyway.
"Say." Neptune looked at Merry, "Do you two like girls?"
"Corse we like girls! Don't we, Pip?" Merry said way to loudly.
"Hey, don't get tight about it. I just thought...." Neptune glanced at the cousin's clasped hands.
Merry quickly let go of Pippin.
Pippin looked disappointed.
Neptune showed his new friends the swimming pool which not only had slides and a springy board to jump in the water from, but girls. Girls wearing little but three bits of cloth, or something so tight that it made the hobbits wondered, "Why bother?" And not only were the girls nearly naked, but they liked to play and touch and they giggled and squealed most delightfully. Merry and Pippin didn't mind wearing swimming trunks after that. They didn't mind the other lads being there either. It was all grand fun.
So were the new games Neptune taught them. Games played in teams, games played on the VidScreen, games played with the girls, and ones just for the lads. Neptune introduced them to new types of music, too. Music that made them want to move. Music with a deep bumping beat and songs about love and lust and feeling alone and feeling happy and feeling sad.
Merry and Pippin picked up on the latest fashions, the latest slang. Neptune taught them how to dance, alone and with a girl. They went riding together nearly everyday, and there were picnics and dances.
Deep into Summer as Merry sat on one side of Frodo's chair, and Pippin on the other, Sam looked with dismay. He had wanted all of them to remain hobbits, but the two youngsters were acting more and more like Omnies.
Finally, Merry took Frodo's limp hand, "When you get better, cousin, we'll all go swimming. It'll be brilliant."
Frodo opened his eyes half way and smiled a bit. He never said much any more, he was that weak, and barely moved on his own. And it seemed to Sam that he was getting worse, but Apollo said he was getting better.
Pippin smiled, "You're brilliant, Frodo. We miss you about a millennia's worth."
"Will you two speak in the Common Tongue?" Sam grumbled.
"We are!" Merry sounded surprised.
"Frodo understands, don't you?" Pippin defended.
"You're Hobbits, damn it! Not Omnies!" Sam's voice rose a notch.
Merry stood up and faced Sam, "Yes, Samwise, I am well aware we are hobbits! But, since we can't go home, we need to try at least to fit in here! We need to try and make a life for ourselves here. Sam, I miss the Shire terribly. I miss my family and that overcrowded warren that is my home. I miss the river and the trees and, and I even miss Farmer Maggot..." Merry bit his lip to keep from crying, "But, Sam, we have got to move on. Not forget, no never. The Shire shall always be in our hearts."
Pippin looked sadly at Frodo, who had drifted into sleep again, "Look at you two, Sam. Poor Frodo is so very sick, he may die. Oh, I know what Doc says, but just look at him? He grows weaker every day. He won't eat or drink on his own. He can't walk, and won't talk. Doc has to give him all kinds of medicines just to keep him going. And then here you sit, pining and sighing, and hoping. But, what if it's hopeless? What if he dies? What will you have then? In your present state you'd probably die, too. And Merry and I couldn't operate with that."
Sam turned away from them, arms folded across his chest, "He needs me."
Merry touched his shoulder, "Sam? I doubt he even knows you're here. C'mon, Pip, Neptune's waiting."
Sam waited until he was sure they were gone, then turned to look at his master. His flesh, always pale, had taken on a transparency that relieved the delicate blue veins beneath. His lips, once pink and plump, were ashen. And his eyes. Those deep sapphire pools that once Sam thought he could drown in, rarely opened fully. When they did open it seemed the blueness was gone, replaced with a dull gray.
Sam gently stroked Frodo's cheek. It was High Summer, quite hot, even here in the shade. Yet even with his blankets, Frodo felt cold and clammy.
"You know I'm here, don't you, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked, "You still need your Sam, don't you?"
There was no response, either real or imagined. Just that poor delicate creature that used to be a hobbit. Used to be Frodo Baggins. Lying very still, his breath shallow, his fingers trembling even in sleep. Sam wanted to gather him up and run. Run all the way back to the Shire. Back to Bag End, put Mr. Frodo in his own bed and have good Shire Healers look after him. Give him medicines that weren't funny colours. Wrap him in sturdy cotton sheets and the quilt his mother made when she was but a young lass. He would mend soon enough back home. He would talk again and smile. He would get strong enough to walk again, and he would come out into the garden. And Sam would stop his work and smile at Frodo. And in that one smile a million words of love would be exchanged.
Sudden pain gripped Sam's heart, catching his breath, choking him on a whimper. Because no matter if he could take Frodo and run away, where would they go? Where? Out into the woods? Would Sam be able to build them a hole? To plant a garden of food for them? Before Frodo died? It was all so foolish to even think such things.
"Sam?'
Sam turned around, startled, "Doc!"
Apollo offered an apologetic smile, "I had the guards ring, but you must not have heard. How'se our patent?"
" He opened his poor eyes a bit for Merry and Pippin, even tried to smile" Sam reported.
Apollo smiled, "That's good news." He took out his little scanner and held it over Frodo's body, "He's really doing well, Sam."
"Don;t tell me that!" Sam snapped, "I knows better! That ain't no way for a hobbit to look! Tell me the truth, doctor! He's dying, isn't he?"
"No, Sam, he is not dying. You've helped me give him the medicine each night. There's not so much pain as when we first started. He is improving. My word as a physician. On the image of Adrial, Sam, I swear to you: he is getting better."
But all Sam could do was bow his head and weep helplessly, "I'm sorry, sir, I just can't..."
Apollo let Sam cry for a bit before saying, "Sam, I know you're worried and afraid for Frodo's life. But, making yourself sick by staying up here with him for days on end, is not doing him any favors. Sam, for Frodo's sake? Please go outside for a while. Take a walk? Sit under a tree? Take a nap in the grass? Just get away for a bit. Breathe some air that isn't filtered and humidified. Please? Doctor's orders."
Sam blinked, wiping his eyes, "Well, maybe for a few minutes."
Apollo smiled, plopping himself into a chair, "I'll sit with him. You go on."
Reluctantly, Sam turned around and walked out the door.
END OF PART ONE
by T. Baggins
"....and he felt a pain like a dart of poisoned ice pierce his left shoulder. Even as he swooned he caught, as if through a swirling mist, a glimpse of Strider leaping out of the darkness with a flaming brand of wood in either hand....." from The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien.
With some effort he yanked the Ring from his finger, falling back with a cry of pain. Then a wave dizziness and nausea, and the world winked out..........
Strider stood alone on top of the hill, sword in hand. There were four short swords lying upon the ground. Four small bedrolls scattered about. There were no Hobbits. There was no Ringbearer. No Ring. "Sam!" he called out, "Merry! Pippin! FRODO!" There was no answer. No sign. It was as if the Halflings had disappeared off the face of Middle Earth.
Merry was dreaming a very strange dream. He was lying in a very uncomfortable bed that was way too big. Above him was a smooth, flat, white roof supported by smooth flat white walls. Light was shining, but there were no windows, no candles. He was covered with a blanket that shimmered like moonlight on the river. He sat up slowly and looked around. There was Pippin, fast asleep in a similar bed. And there was Sam, also fast asleep. And Frodo, muttering and moaning in his sleep. Merry stood and went to his cousin. "Frodo? Frodo?" he touched Frodo's hand and found it cold. He thought he should get some help, but there was not even a door. "Where are we? Is this Rivendell? Where is Strider?" Part of a wall slid away with a soft hiss. Merry squeaked and backed away until he bumped into Pippin's bed. He could not comprehend the creature that stood before him. A cat that looked like a woman? A woman that looked like a cat? She stepped in. Behind her was a Man, about Strider's height. But, not Strider. He was dressed in black leather and had yellow eyes. His voice was soft and kind, "You see, Retha? What did I tell you?"
Retha hissed softly, "Fool! These are not Omnies! We must return them!"
The Man shook his head, "We're parsecs away and the Navcom's off line. We'd never find that planet if we searched for a millennia! Besides, they look enough like Omnies, maybe enough to fool old Boreas? We'll say we found this 'research team' in trouble and rescued them. Perhaps he'll even reward us?"
"Graza, you are a fool! But, I see no other way, other than killing them." She held up a hand, unsheathing long curved claws, "One swipe at those soft bellies."
Merry groaned.
Retha smiled and sheathed her claws, "Do not fear, little one, you are worth more alive than dead."
And Merry fell over in a dead faint.
"They aren't Omnies." a voice said.
Merry kept his eyes shut.
"They look like us, doctor." female voice above and to the right
"At first glance maybe." male voice, the doctor, above to the left, "But, there are several anatomical differences. For instance: the feet. See the soles of their feet? Quite leathery, fit for traveling on bare ground. Not soft like ours. And the distribution of body hair is quite different. I won't even go into the bioanylasis. Or their mentality or their emotional responses. Quite amazing really."
"Yes, doctor." female voice sounded amused.
"And! From the look of their clothing they come from a Class 5K planet with an industrial scale of at least 3.5. I wish we could keep them for further study." male voice sounded upset. "Unfortunately, they're being transferred to the crown this evening. I tried to talk the palace representative into letting us keep just one for research. She wouldn't listen."
"Dr. Greenstar, please come to BioLab 12. Dr. Greenstar to BioLab 12, please." odd sounding voice directly overhead.
"Damn! Get started on that blood work, Gemma, and be sure to get a DNA reading on all four." male voice fading away. A hissing noise.
Female voice sighing, "Yes, doctor."
Merry opened his eyes slightly, just enough to see what looked like a hobbit lass bending over Sam. She was dressed strangely and was doing something to Sam's arm. "Here! What are you doing to him!" Merry shouted.
The lass, Gemma, gasped and whirled around, "Oh, Adrial! Oh! No!" She covered the distance between herself and Merry in a heartbeat and pressed something hard and cold against his arm. "I knew I should have used a higher dose..." Were the last words Merry heard.
Frodo moaned as he came out of the haze into reality. Or was it reality? He was lying on a most comfortable bed, covered with a soft blanket. Was this Rivendell? His vision began to clear and he looked around. The room he was in was large and very strange. He could hear some sort of chirping sounds above his head, but could not see the bird making them. As his mind cleared he realized he was naked beneath the covers. Fear gripped him, The Ring! The Ring had been in his waistcoat pocket! Where was it? Where! He sat up suddenly and his head swam. The Ring! Where is the Ring? Head spinning, he sprung out of the bed and promptly fell to the floor.
Dizzy and sick to his stomach, unable to move, he groaned in dispair. And was answered by a soft hiss. Looking to his right he saw a pair of feet. The feet of a Hobbit, but not those of any of his friends. A gentle hand, not Sam's, touched his arm and an equally gentle voice said, "Easy, lad, you'll feel better in a second." There were three little clicking noises. Something hard and cold pressed against his upper arm. hissss.
Vision cleared. Mind cleared. Stomach righted itself and the room stopped spinning. The gentle hands helped him sit up.
Frodo found himself gazing into the face of another Hobbit. The strange Hobbit was smiling, his gray eyes soft and concerned. Long black hair fell in waves over his shoulders, and was touched with gray at the temples. He helped Frodo to stand and sit on the bed again, "Better?"
"Yes, thank you." Frodo's head was full of questions, but only one needed answering immediately: The Ring. "Were are my clothes? The ones I was wearing?"
"Probably in a museum by now, or in the sanitizer. But, here," the hobbit dipped into his coat pocket, "they figured you'd want this back." And he handed Frodo the Ring. It was now on a gold chain and Frodo slipped it on.
"Again, thank you, Mr?"
The hobbit put on a face of mock solemnity, "I am Dr.Apollo Moongold, personal physician to his most sovereign majesty, King Boreas the Tenth. You are in his palace and under his protection and keeping."
Frodo drew himself up to his most formal bearing, "I am Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo, of the Shire. Very pleased to meet you, Dr. Moongold."
"That's Dr. Apollo, son, or just Doc will do. I'm sure you have a millennia's worth of questions. Maybe, though, you'd like to be reunited with your companions? There is clothing for you in that box. Join us when you're ready." Apollo grinned and walked towards the round door. Which magically slid aside to let him leave.
For a long while Frodo just sat there staring wide eyed at the "magic door" and fingering the Ring.
The door slid open again a few minutes later and Sam stepped in the room. He looked like Sam anyway. His clothing was odd. A loose tunic of green that fell about mid thigh, belted with a silver chain. Breeches that hugged the contours of his legs with liquid cloth. They were too long, way down to his feet and gathered there in soft folds. "Mr. Frodo?" he said, a look of concern on his face. "Are you all right, sir?"
Frodo said nothing, just stared.
Sam took a deep breath, "Dr. Apollo said you may be in shock, Mr. Frodo. Are you, sir? I'm that worried, you know."
"I'm all right." Frodo whispered.
"Well, either way, you'll feel better as soon's you have some food and drink and see the sun." Sam went to the box and opened it, "She's just as beautiful and warm here as at home, sir." he drew out some blue and gold cloth, "But, the sky! The sky is a kinda bluish lavender! Never seen such a sight in all my days, Mr. Frodo. Here, sir. It's a shirt. Please, put it on."
Frodo obeyed. Then drew the long breeches on. Both garments were shades of blue. Sam slipped the gold chain belt around his master's waist and fastened it. "I know these clothes are odd, master, but they cover what should be covered. Please, come outside, sir? It looks to be Spring what with all the flowers and all. There's a garden out there, a huge garden! So many lovely flowers! And the grass is so green! And the trees so tall and graceful. I ain't never seen the like of it! Merry and Pippin are outside. The doctor is waiting, too. Please, come?"
Frodo just stood there.
"Please, master?" Sam held out his hand.
"it's not real." Frodo whispered.
"It is real, Mr. Frodo, and it's beautiful." Sam smiled at him.
Frodo, at last, took Sam's hand and allowed himself to be led out of the little room. They stepped into another room, much bigger than the first. Sam led the way through it as if he'd lived here all his life. They saw no one else.
Finally, they came to a large wall of what appeared to be glass. A huge window. Sam stepped up to it, "Don't be scared, Mr. Frodo. I was at first, but there's naught to be afraid of. Just feels sorta funny the first time." and Sam gently tugged Frodo towards the window and they went right through it. Right through it! It didn't shatter and cut them like glass would. It felt as if they were walking under a waterfall without the water. Frodo stared back at it as Sam led him along a stone path.
"Ah! Frodo!" Apollo stood up, smiling welcome, "I was beginning to worry. Here." he poured a draught of some blue liquid into a small delicate glass, "Drink."
Frodo looked at the glass and shook his head, backing away.
Sam caught his hand, "It's all right, Mr. Frodo. Just juice, it is. Tastes like fresh raspberries. Just a sip? For me?" He took the glass from Apollo and offered it to his master with a reassuring smile.
Frodo took the glass and sipped it. It was very good indeed and he drained it. "Thank you." he said, "I'm sorry, I'm just afraid..."
The doctor laughed softly, "My dear Frodo! You have every right and reason to be afraid! Believe me, if some brain dead space pirate yanked me off my world and dumped me in yours, I'd be utterly terrified! But, you must see the necessity to eat and drink and try to stay in reasonable health? I know it's a lot to take in, but we'll go slow. Culture shock is not a pleasant thing to have to go through." The doctor's eyes darted to the left, "Sam, why don't you show Frodo the Rose Garden?"
"Thank you, but I'd rather just here for a bit." Frodo said softly. He sat down at the table and sighed.
Apollo looked nervous, "As you wish."
Just at that moment a young woman came round the hedge wheeling a shiny metal cart. The aroma from it was unmistakably luncheon, or at least elevenses. Frodo raised his head and glanced at her. Her face turned white, as if she'd seen a ghost. She raised her hand to her chest, much as Frodo himself did when the Ring was troubling him. Then turned and ran.
Apollo shook his head, "Oh, well, can't be helped. At least she's only a servant." Then he called out, "Merry! Pippin! Let's eat!" and started un loading the cart. Frodo and Sam just looked at each other.
Merry and Pippin came running round the hedge and fell into chairs.
"What time is it?" Pippin asked breathlessly.
Merry laughed, "Time to eat, you twit."
Apollo was smiling, "It's the thirteenth hour, Pippin, and we call this Middies, or Mid-day." He handed Pippin a plate.
Soon they were all enjoying a very nice meal. Foods that Apollo had chosen not necessarily for nutritional value, but for firmiliarity to the hobbits. Plain roast chicken, vegetables, potatoes and dark bread. Water and fruit juice to drink. Nothing stronger. Not with the tranquilizers.
Three hobbits laughing and talking about all they had seen, which wasn't much, and asking questions. Apollo leaned over, "Eat, Frodo. Please."
Sam turned to face his master, "You gotta eat, sir."
Frodo looked at Sam, "I, I'll try, Sam." He picked up his fork and took a bit of potato. Nibbling off only a small taste. It was good really. Fresh and hot and buttery. He smiled, "It's very good." He ate hartilly after that, and drank several glasses.
Apollo relaxed. They were all eating. New foods would be introduced. But, gradually. He poured himself another glass of juice and said casually, "What is it your people call themselves?"
"Hobbits." Merry answered.
Apollo nodded, "We call ourselves Omnies."
"Omnies." Merry repeated.
"In name of our planet, or world, Omicron7Delta." Apollo smiled. "What is your world called?"
Frodo blinked, "Middle Earth, I suppose. "
"We're from The Shire, sir." Sam said with pride.
"The Shire is your country?"
"I suppose you could say that."
" We have no countries, just districts."
"No countries?" Pippin asked., "aren't there Men and Elves and such?"
"No, Pippin, just us. Just Omnies."
Sam looked astonished, "Imagine, Mr. Frodo, a whole world of nothin but hobbits!"
Frodo put his glass down and looked Apollo in the eyes, "Doctor, when can we go home?"
Apollo lost his smile, "I cannot answer that, Frodo."
"Who can, then?" Sam asked
Apollo stood, "I cannot say.."
The hobbits were let alone for the rest of the afternoon. Apollo went back inside to "tend to some business". Merry and Pippin ran off together, holding hands. Frodo wondered what sort of mischief they would find. He needn't wait long, for soon excited cries of "Frodo! Sam! C'mere! Hurry! You gotta see this! "
Frodo followed the shouts. Sam followed his master. They found the younger hobbits by a fountain, clutching each other. Both wore looks of terror mixed with amazement as they pointed up and over Frodo's shoulder.
"Look!" Pippin nearly screamed.
Frodo turned around to look behind.
It looked like it was made of ice and snow, so smooth and glittering it was. Tall towers rose at seemingly random points. The towers were topped with what appeared to the hobbits to be gold filigree. Beyond this magnificent building rose huge mountains made blue by the clouds.
The Palace.
The sound of hoofbeats ended their contemplation of the building. Instinctively, Sam, Merry, and Pippin gathered round Frodo. Frodo's hand went to the Ring as the rider approached.
It was another Omnie. This one quite young, maybe even younger than Pippin. He was dressed in gold and red, his brown hair just brushing his shoulders. His eyes were icy blue. He reined in his mount, a pony in size but a horse in appearance. Long legged, pure white with a flowing mane and tail, fitted out in gold and black. The young man looked the hobbits over, then spurred his mount on.
Frodo was the first to speak, "Let's head back."
They returned to the big window and, with little hesitation, walked thru it. Apollo was bent over a black shiny counter top, tapping it occasionally. When the hobbits entered, he looked up and smiled, "Just in time."
"In time for what?" Merry asked.
"Time to come in." the doctor said, "Almost time for the fifteen's thunderstorm." he pointed outside. Sure enough, dark clouds were gathering.
"Is that East or West?" Sam asked.
"Neither, it's South. The sun rises in the North and sets in the South." Apollo said absently returning to his contemplation of the countertop. He looked up again, "I'm sorry, fellas, this report has got my brain fogged. Anystar, I've made arrangements for you all to be together. Come on, I'll show you your new quarters."
He started leading them through the large room, "This is my Sick Bay"
"Sick Bay?" Pippin frowned
"Uhm, yes, Sick Bay. Hospital. Clinic? Place of healing." Apollo mentally kicked himself for using too many words unfamiliar to the aliens.
"You're a Healer, then?" Merry said, "On our world, as far as hobbits go, Healers are females. Natural nurturing instincts, ye know."
Apollo gave Merry a side long glance. This hobbit was very bright indeed and very quick on the uptake. He would, Apollo noted, adapt easier than his companions.
"Men have nurturing instincts, too, Merry. Here, doctors....healers...can be either sex."
The room was large with four comfortable looking beds, four clothing boxes, four bedside tables, and a computer terminal. Of Corse the hobbits had no idea what a computer was, let alone it's purpose. But it had been installed anyway to get them used to it's presence. They were shown the shower room and how to use it. Assured that the jets of water were not harmful and their temperature could be adjusted. Shown how the soap dispensers worked. The toilet facilities had to be explained in more detail. They caught on quickly and could be left alone for a while.
Apollo retired to his office, sitting down at his desk with a heavy sigh. He opened a drawer, pulled out a bottle and small glass.
"Doctor."
He looked up into the disapproving eyes of his head nurse, Venus Snowleaf. "Good evening, my dear. Care to join me?"
She shook her head, frowning, "Do you need me to stay, doctor?"
"No. I don't think so" he sighed, filling the glass. "The tranquilizer I gave them was pretty mild, it should be wearing off by now. I think they'll be OK."
Venus took a tentative step into the room, "Doctor? Do you think...?" She kept her voice low.
Apollo sipped thoughtfully at his drink, "I don't know what to think, Venus, I'm not a religious man."
Venus nodded and smiled, "Well, good night, doctor." A wave and she was gone.
Apollo sighed, polished off the drink, and poured another. He had an idea of what the King was going to do. Maybe it would be to the best? Maybe not? Apollo shook his head and poured yet another drink.
For several weeks the four hobbits were confined to their quarters, Sick Bay, and the garden outside. Gradually, new things and people were introduced. First Venus and some carefully screened medical staff. Then, equally screened, maids and men of service. The, also, new foods were introduced. Merry and Pippin were especially willing to try new dishes. Sam was a bit more cautious, and Frodo had usually to be coaxed.
It was Merry and Pippin who seemed to be adapting the best. New foods, new clothing they took in stride. Then Frodo took an interest in the computer terminal. One of the male nurses started showing him how it worked. There was one hitch, though. Although the language of the hobbits was very close to Omicronase, the written word was very different. Both Merry and Frodo expressed an interest in learning. This desire was relayed to the king and a tutor was provided.
Pippin tried to learn, too, just to be with Merry but soon became bored. They were going home soon, Pippin and Sam logiced out, so why learn these letters?
It was Frodo who studied diligently all that the tutor gave him. Inside of a week he could read simple lines and words. He started using the terminal, trying to read some ancient works. He relayed his knowledge to Merry, who could not sit for hours of study. Who relayed it to Pippin. Sam, ever stubborn, refused to learn.
There were other things, too. Like watching a play on the vid. Sam was thoroughly enthralled by it. He thought at first that he was watching something that was really happening here and now. It took Apollo pressing the reverse button, to convince him otherwise.
And the magazines. Pictures of city life, country leisure, pictures of the latest fashions, and of young women wearing short skirts and skimpy tops particularly interested Merry and Pippin. Apollo was fascinated how the two cousins would pour through pictures of women, admire and comment on the maids of service and some of the female nurses, all the while with hands clasped and fingers entwined.
The doctor also found Sam's devotion to Frodo extremely touching. Sam was also possessive and fiercely protective of Frodo. All fine qualities in one's servant, But Sam took it beyond that, it seemed, almost into obsession.
At last the four hobbits seemed relaxed enough, and adapting well enough, to be brought before the king.
On a warm summer evening, after a good evens meal, Apollo led his charges, not to the reception room, or the throne room, but to the king's private apartments.
His Majesty King Boreas the tenth, stood his full height of three feet to greet the aliens. Dressed in crimson and gold, rings sparkling on his fingers. He was an old man to the hobbits, his white hair flowing passed his shoulders and his face lined with years. Yet, there was something about his eyes that Sam found odd. He had seen those ice blue eyes once before, on the rider whom they saw many weeks earlier. Yet the rider had been a young lad. Sam's contemplation's were abruptly halted when the king's icy blue eyes at last met Frodo's sapphire gaze. Boreas drew in a sharp breath and touched his throat just as all the Omnies did when they saw Mr. Frodo. Sam's eyes grew hard and he slipped his hand in Frodo's. Sam did not trust this king.
"So!" said the king, "It is true! I scarcely believe it. Apollo, do you not see?"
"How can I not see, Majesty? I am an Omnie. To be an Omnie is to know the face of Adrial." Apollo replied.
"Please, your majesty?" Frodo spoke up, "We have enjoyed the companionship of the doctor for many weeks, and your gracious hospitality, sir. We have learned of you and tried to teach you of us. Do not think, sir, that we are ungrateful, but it is always uppermost in our minds: When may we go home? I, I have a quest..."
The king looked at Frodo with great compassion, "I am afraid your quest has ended, Frodo. Please, let us sit out on the balcony? Let the city's lights be background to our tales."
They went out onto the balcony and were seated and served wine. The lights of the city far in the distance were, indeed, beautiful. Apollo slumped in his chair and quickly drained his wine. The king frowned slightly at him, and began, "Do you remember how you came to be here? Probably not. Then, I shall tell you: You were abducted from your world by a couple of space pirates looking to gain reward. They told me they thought you were an Omnie research team. They said they hoped to be rewarded by returning you to the home world. But, it was easily seen that you are most definatly not Omnies. I ordered that you be returned to your planet straight off with one of my starships as escort. It was then that I was told their NavCom was malfunctioning. That they hadn't the twinkling of an idea where they found you. Oh, we tried to back trace. But, pirates do not travel in straight lines. To be short, if I knew where your world was I would have returned you long ago."
"Middle Earth." Sam said, "That's where we're from. The Shire."
"We were on our way to Rivendell" Pippin added.
Boreas gestured toward the sky, "Do you see the stars, Samwise Gamgee? Do you see how many thousands there are? And beyond them are thousands, millions, billions more! Each star is a sun! Each sun has at least one planet. Which one is yours, Samwise? Just point to it and I will happily send you home."
Tears were dripping off Sam's lashes, "I don't know, sir. I'm just a gardener. I don't know nothin bout no stars or suns.."
"Easy, Sam." Frodo patted his friend's shoulder before turning back to the king, "We can't go home? What about the Ring? The Dark Lord's Ring of Power?"
"Bring out your Ring, Frodo." the king's voice was kinder, "Let me see it."
Frodo removed the Ring and it's chain from round his neck and let Boreas take it. The king motioned and a very tall Omnie appeared, one of the Palace Guard. He was all of 4 ft 6 in tall, dressed in red and gold livery. A sword hung on his belt, and something the hobbits had come to learn was a laser pistol. Boreas held the Ring by it's chain out at arm's length and nodded. The tall man drew the laser and fired at the Ring. A beam of white light shot forth and held the Ring and went no further. Frodo could see the Ring's inscription begin to glow. "Enough. That will be all." said the king.
The guard turned and left.
Boreas studied the inscription, "I do not pretend to be able to read the writing, Frodo, but tell me if I am incorrect? One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
Frodo nodded, "Yes, my lord, you are correct."
Boreas sighed, "So, the prophecies were legitimate. Take back your Ring, Frodo, no one will ever again touch it but yourself. No one will ever again dare to touch Adrial's ring."
"Who is Adrial? And why do you say Adrial's Ring, it is Sauron's."
The king made eye contact with Apollo, "You have not told him, doctor?"
"I had no command to do so, sir." Apollo said quietly.
Boreas folded his hands across his chest and began a very fascinating tale, "Thousands of years ago Adrial and his lover set out to destroy that very Ring. Thinking by doing so they would end evil and corruption and make the world a better place. They were aided in their quest by members of all the various races that existed at that time. But, Adrial never completed his task. Weather he was killed or taken or simply fled was never known. Great wars then ensued and the world fell into chaos. The Wars of the Ring lasted hundreds of years until the Dark Forces were driven back. But the planet was left devastated. And who had they to blame for this misery? Adrial. A halfling. And Men, for it was they who survived in number, took revenge upon us. Our towns were destroyed, homes burned to the ground. We were hunted like animals, tortured and killed.. Some, though, escaped and hid. Living in fear under squalid conditions for decades. And then, at last, one rose up and gathered our people together, gave them a leader. And we rose up and resisted the Men, the Elves, the Dwarves, and all who would oppress us. We had not strength, but we had cunning and cleverness. I will not bore you with a thousand or more years of wars. Suffice to say that after 2000 years we, Omnies, held dominion over this planet. Our cleverness and cunning has advanced our civilization this, the 28th century. We have reached out into space and colonized other worlds. There are problems, I won't say Omnies are perfect. But on the whole we are a happy, healthy, thriving society." the king smiled, pleased with himself, "And to what do you suppose we owe all of this prosperity? It was in the early part of the 20th Century that a free thinker called Thanatos Oldbuck determined that it was Adrial. The man we had hated for so long was, in fact, our deliverer. Adrial had failed in his quest and had brought us low. But we rose up stronger for it. And would we have done so had he succeeded? No! The men were already the dominate race and our ancestors too complacent. We would have died out eventually had it not been for Adrial. Thanatos soon gathered followers. The Cult of Adrial was born and evolved into The Fellowship of The Ring. It is our state religion. All Omnies know of Adrial and his sacrifice for his people. We thank you everyday, my Lord. And it pleases us that you have returned to live among your people." the king stood.
"I am not Adrial, your majesty. I am not an Omnie." Frodo rose to his feet, "I am just an ordinary hobbit.. I am just Frodo Baggins."
"Come, then, Frodo Baggins, and see for yourself." Boreas walked back inside and came to stand before a curtained wall, "This portrait, as you will see, is very old. The paint is but fine cracks and, if exposed to the atmosphere, would likely fall to dust. It is the only known depiction of Adrial from life." He pulled the curtain aside.
All was silence for a moment, then Sam gasped, "It's you, Mr. Frodo!"
"If it isn't, it sure looks like you!" Merry commented.
And Pippin said, "Wow."
Frodo groaned and dropped to the floor like a stone.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam was instantly on his knees beside his master., "Apollo!"
The doctor knelt beside them, held his scanner over Frodo's body. Apollo looked up at his king, "Sir, Frodo is ill and needs attention. May I have your permission?"
Boreas nodded, "Granted, doctor."
"To sick Bay, sir?"
"To his apartments, you may tend him there."
The doctor bowed his head briefly and stood. One of the tall guards moved forward and made to lift Frodo.
"No! Don't you touch him!" Sam threatened, "If Mr. Frodo needs carryin, tis I will do the carryin. Be off with ye!"
King Boreas was struck with not only Sam's devotion, but his bravery as well. Very few Omnies would have the audacity to face off one of the Palace Guards. He motioned the large guard away and watched as Sam lifted his master. Lifted him as if he were little more than a child in his arms.
"Lead on." Sam said.
Apollo bowed to his king and started out.
Sam followed, carrying Frodo.
Merry and Pippin trotted close behind. hand in hand.
Down a long corridor carpeted in pale blue they came to a very large round silver door. On either side stood two of the tall muscular guards, only these two wore livery of white and silver. They stood aside as the door split in two and hissed open. Inside was the sitting room. One whole wall was a window looking on the gardens and there were chairs, a sofa, even a fireplace. Apollo told Merry and Pippin to wait there and led Sam, with his precious burden, into the next room.
It was dark until the doctor said "Light."
Sam had never seen such a magnificent bedroom in all his days. All pearly white and silver, it was. The bed was large, but still hobbit size, piles of soft pillows rested at the head. The sheets looked and felt like silk. The white coverlet was covered with tiny flecks of silver that glittered. And on either side of this spectacular bed were two huge crystal vases filled with pink roses. Sam laid his master gently on the bed.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam worried, rubbing Frodo's hand, "Apollo, what's wrong with him? You said he was sick?"
"Yes, Sam, he is. Come now, help me get these clothes off him and get him covered. I'll give him some medicine.." Apollo started to remove Frodo's jacket, but Sam stopped him.
"I'll do that, sir, if you don't mind. You get your medicine ready."
Apollo nodded, "All right, Sam. The medicine is ready."
Once Sam had Frodo undressed and covered with the smooth sheet and coverlet, Apollo took a small silver box out of his pocket. He opened it carerfully and extracted a long tube with a plunger. The tube was filled with a rather pretty lavender liquid. Apollo pulled off a small cap on the other end and frowned at the long thin needle, "I wish there was another way." He sighed.
He plunged the needle into Frodo's arm and pushed the plunger until all the liquid was gone.
"What was that!?" Sam demanded, "You never gave us medicine like that before! What're you doin?"
"Sam, I'm sorry, this is the only way this particular drug can be administered. It's very special, that's all I can say..."
"What was..." Sam was cut off by a soft whimper from Frodo.
The blue eyes opened just a bit, just two blue slits beneath sable lashes. Then a moan as Frodo's body stiffened. "Mama.." he gasped and clutched at the bedding, "It hurts! It hurts! Make it stop! " Then a scream that chilled Sam's blood. It was scream of one being tortured. The scream of unutterable suffering and dispair. "NO!NOOOO! STOP! PLEASE! STOP! NO NO IT HURTS! HELP ME! SAM!SAM! SAM! KILL ME!"
Sam was crying. Huge tears were dripping down his cheeks. With trembling hands he tried to soothe his master as he lay screaming and writhing. Frodo's eyes never opened fully. It was as if were caught up in a horrifying nightmare and was unable to wake up.
At last, after an hour of this, Frodo's screams faded into hoarse sobs and his body relaxed. Sam collapsed across Frodo's sweat soaked body, trembling and exhausted. Apollo gently pulled Sam away and steered him towards the door.
Two of Apollo's nurses were waiting in the sitting room. They went into the bedroom as Apollo and Sam came out.
The doctor helped Sam into a chair and shoved a glass in his hands, "Here, Sam, drink. It's whiskey, son, drink. Don't worry, Merry and Pippin have been shown to their new quarters. Yes, they're together. Drink up."
Sam took a long drink, gulping and then coughing as the liqueur burned it's way down into his belly. "Oh, Doc! What..why...?" he finally managed to stammer.
Apollo downed his glass in seemingly one gulp and poured himself another, "I'm sorry, Sam, I should have told you sooner. Frodo wanted to keep it from you, he didn't want you to worry."
"Mr. Frodo, oh my poor master. My poor dear master." Sam was sobbing, unable to control himself.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Sam. It's....part of the illness. I'm sorry." Apollo leaned over and patted his arm."Shiva and James are cleaning Frodo up, making him as comfortable as they can. Sam, will you stay with him tonight? Watch over him? He'll need a firmiliar face in the morning."
Sam raised his face and looked Apollo in the eye, "You needn't ask, Apollo. I'll not leave his side. I, I made a promise, see? Don't you lose him, Samwise Gamgee, don't you lose him. And I don't mean to, sir, I don't mean to. I'll stay with him through thick and thin, through any sufferin or illness. You needn't worry, Doc. I'll look after him, I will!"
A small smile played at the doctor's lips, "I have no doubt of that, Sam, you are very protective."
"That I am, Doc, that I am! I reckon us bein the only hobbits here, we need to stick close. Merry and Pippin have each other, and Mr. Frodo has me. Maybe he don't know it, but he has me here for him."
"And what about you, Samwise?"
"Why I have Mr. Frodo to look after, and fuss over." Sam managed a smile.
James and Shiva came out of the bedroom. James said, "Done, Dr. Apollo."
"Come, then, you can give me report on the way back down to Sick Bay." Apollo rose from his seat, "Samwise, I leave Frodo in your capable, and loving, hands. Good Night."
Sam, both emotionally and physically exhausted, stumbled into the bedroom. In the dim light he saw Frodo lying in peaceful sleep. There was an extra nightshirt lying on the bed and Sam quickly shed his clothes and slipped it on. Without hesitation he pulled back the covers and climbed in the bed beside his master. Frodo smelled of sweet honeysuckle and roses. With a sigh, Sam settled himself close, but not too close, and held Frodo's hand. And just as he slipped into sleep, he thought he felt Frodo's hand squeeze his.
This is how it always went, every night. Every night Frodo would start to feel the first pangs of his illness and, every night, Apollo would come. The needle. The pretty lavender liquid. Then Sam watched helpless as Frodo's eyes became slits of blue. Every night it was the same. The tortured screams, the jerking limbs, the sweat and the gasping pain. But, now, Sam was the one to clean his master's body and change the soft sheets. Then crawl, exhausted, into bed and hold that slender, soft hand. Every night.
Every day it was the same. Frodo would sleep long, until nearly the 11th hour, sometimes to 11 and half. He would be weak. His voice only a hoarse whisper. He would take a bit of food if Sam would feed him. Sometimes he would lay in the bed. Sometimes allow Sam to carry him out on the balcony and set him in a reclining chair. Head resting on the satin pillows, covered with a light blanket. Frodo's eyes would fix on the Gardens below and, sometimes, he would smile a soft smile.
Every day there were visitors. Merry and Pippin came every morning with smiles and tales of their new adventures and discoveries. Frodo would close his eyes and listen. Then Pippin would lean down and kiss Frodo's cheek and with a quick, "Love ya, cousin." the two would be off.
The king came every day, too. He sat and talked to Frodo, and called him Adrial and my Lord. This annoyed Sam to no end, but he knew better than to chide a king.
Some days Apollo came in the daylight. Some days he would send Venus to check Frodo and bring him a report.
And there was a new visitor, Chronos, High Bishop of The Fellowship. High Priest of The Ring. Sam disliked him straight off. Chronos was younger than the king, older than Frodo. He was tall, majestic, and handsome with glittery dark eyes and raven hair that fell below his shoulders. Always dressed in flowing white robes when he came to visit. He bowed low and made 'the sign'. His talk was confined to Mr. Frodo's illness, his comfort and any needs he had. Chronos called Frodo Adrial, too, and when he said My Lord it was as if he were addressing a god.
Every day he offered to send a young Brother or Sister to sit with Adrial while Sam took some air. At first Sam was insulted and fuming at this. Now, though, after 10 long days, he was starting to warm to the idea.
Near the back of the Royal Gardens was an orchard. Apple trees, Oranges, pears. It was only late Spring but some of the pears near the top were looking quite ripe. Merry boosted Pippin up into the tree. "I'll toss em down to ye, Merry."
Merry licked his lips in anticipation, "Right." He was staring up into the tree, waiting, when he heard the sound of a pony approaching. Turning, he saw the same white pony and the same rider they'd seen weeks earlier.
"What are you up to?" the rider asked. Not angry, just curious.
"Nothin." Merry's standard answer whenever he got caught.
A pear dropped to the ground between them. Then three more. Then Pippin dropped out of the tree, landing on his feet with a thump. He picked up the fruit and grinned at the stranger, "Hullo. Look nice an ripe, don't they? " he offered one. "Thanks." said the stranger, "I'm Neptune Starbuck. I know who you two are: Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. Merry and Pippin. I've seen you around. You like it here?"
"It's all right, I guess." Merry said. He bit into the pear and juice trickled down his chin. He wasn't about to admit he was homesick.
"You guys want me to show you some better places?" Neptune asked
"Better?"
"Yea, more fun."
"Yea. Yea, sure. That all right with you, Pip?"
Pippin nodded as he finished his second pear. He licked the juice off his hand, and wiped it on his breeches. Without a second thought he slipped his hand into Merry's. "Lead on."
They walked through the orchards. Neptune leading his pony. Merry and Pippin holding hands quite unconsciously. It was a habit now. Just like sharing the bed was.
"What did you guys like to do for fun on your planet?" Neptune asked.
Merry told him about pinching Farmer Maggot's crops, swimming in the river, nights at the Inn, the Festivals and Celebrations of the Shire. Pippin told him about some of the games they liked and about the swing on that old tree near the Brandywine River and how much fun it was to have someone shove you real hard and then leap off into the water.
"You like swimming?" Neptune asked with enthusiasm, "Great! Come on!" He started walking faster. "We'll take Skycloud here to the stables, then I'll show you the pool."
Merry didn't think it was warm enough to swim and a little pool wouldn't be much fun anyway.
"Say." Neptune looked at Merry, "Do you two like girls?"
"Corse we like girls! Don't we, Pip?" Merry said way to loudly.
"Hey, don't get tight about it. I just thought...." Neptune glanced at the cousin's clasped hands.
Merry quickly let go of Pippin.
Pippin looked disappointed.
Neptune showed his new friends the swimming pool which not only had slides and a springy board to jump in the water from, but girls. Girls wearing little but three bits of cloth, or something so tight that it made the hobbits wondered, "Why bother?" And not only were the girls nearly naked, but they liked to play and touch and they giggled and squealed most delightfully. Merry and Pippin didn't mind wearing swimming trunks after that. They didn't mind the other lads being there either. It was all grand fun.
So were the new games Neptune taught them. Games played in teams, games played on the VidScreen, games played with the girls, and ones just for the lads. Neptune introduced them to new types of music, too. Music that made them want to move. Music with a deep bumping beat and songs about love and lust and feeling alone and feeling happy and feeling sad.
Merry and Pippin picked up on the latest fashions, the latest slang. Neptune taught them how to dance, alone and with a girl. They went riding together nearly everyday, and there were picnics and dances.
Deep into Summer as Merry sat on one side of Frodo's chair, and Pippin on the other, Sam looked with dismay. He had wanted all of them to remain hobbits, but the two youngsters were acting more and more like Omnies.
Finally, Merry took Frodo's limp hand, "When you get better, cousin, we'll all go swimming. It'll be brilliant."
Frodo opened his eyes half way and smiled a bit. He never said much any more, he was that weak, and barely moved on his own. And it seemed to Sam that he was getting worse, but Apollo said he was getting better.
Pippin smiled, "You're brilliant, Frodo. We miss you about a millennia's worth."
"Will you two speak in the Common Tongue?" Sam grumbled.
"We are!" Merry sounded surprised.
"Frodo understands, don't you?" Pippin defended.
"You're Hobbits, damn it! Not Omnies!" Sam's voice rose a notch.
Merry stood up and faced Sam, "Yes, Samwise, I am well aware we are hobbits! But, since we can't go home, we need to try at least to fit in here! We need to try and make a life for ourselves here. Sam, I miss the Shire terribly. I miss my family and that overcrowded warren that is my home. I miss the river and the trees and, and I even miss Farmer Maggot..." Merry bit his lip to keep from crying, "But, Sam, we have got to move on. Not forget, no never. The Shire shall always be in our hearts."
Pippin looked sadly at Frodo, who had drifted into sleep again, "Look at you two, Sam. Poor Frodo is so very sick, he may die. Oh, I know what Doc says, but just look at him? He grows weaker every day. He won't eat or drink on his own. He can't walk, and won't talk. Doc has to give him all kinds of medicines just to keep him going. And then here you sit, pining and sighing, and hoping. But, what if it's hopeless? What if he dies? What will you have then? In your present state you'd probably die, too. And Merry and I couldn't operate with that."
Sam turned away from them, arms folded across his chest, "He needs me."
Merry touched his shoulder, "Sam? I doubt he even knows you're here. C'mon, Pip, Neptune's waiting."
Sam waited until he was sure they were gone, then turned to look at his master. His flesh, always pale, had taken on a transparency that relieved the delicate blue veins beneath. His lips, once pink and plump, were ashen. And his eyes. Those deep sapphire pools that once Sam thought he could drown in, rarely opened fully. When they did open it seemed the blueness was gone, replaced with a dull gray.
Sam gently stroked Frodo's cheek. It was High Summer, quite hot, even here in the shade. Yet even with his blankets, Frodo felt cold and clammy.
"You know I'm here, don't you, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked, "You still need your Sam, don't you?"
There was no response, either real or imagined. Just that poor delicate creature that used to be a hobbit. Used to be Frodo Baggins. Lying very still, his breath shallow, his fingers trembling even in sleep. Sam wanted to gather him up and run. Run all the way back to the Shire. Back to Bag End, put Mr. Frodo in his own bed and have good Shire Healers look after him. Give him medicines that weren't funny colours. Wrap him in sturdy cotton sheets and the quilt his mother made when she was but a young lass. He would mend soon enough back home. He would talk again and smile. He would get strong enough to walk again, and he would come out into the garden. And Sam would stop his work and smile at Frodo. And in that one smile a million words of love would be exchanged.
Sudden pain gripped Sam's heart, catching his breath, choking him on a whimper. Because no matter if he could take Frodo and run away, where would they go? Where? Out into the woods? Would Sam be able to build them a hole? To plant a garden of food for them? Before Frodo died? It was all so foolish to even think such things.
"Sam?'
Sam turned around, startled, "Doc!"
Apollo offered an apologetic smile, "I had the guards ring, but you must not have heard. How'se our patent?"
" He opened his poor eyes a bit for Merry and Pippin, even tried to smile" Sam reported.
Apollo smiled, "That's good news." He took out his little scanner and held it over Frodo's body, "He's really doing well, Sam."
"Don;t tell me that!" Sam snapped, "I knows better! That ain't no way for a hobbit to look! Tell me the truth, doctor! He's dying, isn't he?"
"No, Sam, he is not dying. You've helped me give him the medicine each night. There's not so much pain as when we first started. He is improving. My word as a physician. On the image of Adrial, Sam, I swear to you: he is getting better."
But all Sam could do was bow his head and weep helplessly, "I'm sorry, sir, I just can't..."
Apollo let Sam cry for a bit before saying, "Sam, I know you're worried and afraid for Frodo's life. But, making yourself sick by staying up here with him for days on end, is not doing him any favors. Sam, for Frodo's sake? Please go outside for a while. Take a walk? Sit under a tree? Take a nap in the grass? Just get away for a bit. Breathe some air that isn't filtered and humidified. Please? Doctor's orders."
Sam blinked, wiping his eyes, "Well, maybe for a few minutes."
Apollo smiled, plopping himself into a chair, "I'll sit with him. You go on."
Reluctantly, Sam turned around and walked out the door.
END OF PART ONE