Prologue: Concerning Frodo

Rating: T

Summary: Bilbo and his friend Gandalf are concerned for Frodo. Obviously staying in the Shire drowned him in his angst and depression. Sending him from the Shire seems to be their best option.

Warnings: Slash, BoyxBoy, YAOI, FrodoLegolas, Fregolas

Disclaimer: J. R. R. Tolkien owns LotR; I own Hallaer and THIS plot line, dolls.

Author: .Planned

Publish Date: 02/04/09

Story Title: In the Arms of an Angel

Originally: Only One –in the rough draft-

The candle was lit suddenly. Both men blinked as their eyes adjusted to the new light and the shorter one sighed.

"How is Frodo, Bilbo?" the taller one inquired of the shorter one –Bilbo. Bilbo shook his head, his eyes cast downwards. He'd no idea what he needed to do for the boy. The boy was not well… Bilbo shook his head again. He brought his eyes up to meet his old friend's eyes.

Wearily, he said, "Frodo is not well… The boy is still depressed. Gandalf, what should I do?!"

Gandalf sighed and looked out the window. Frodo was sitting under a tree, watching Samwise Gamgee cut the lawn. He looked horrid. Even from afar, the bags of pain were visible under his baby blue eyes and his skin was a pasty color. Samwise would glance at him to make sure he was alright every now and again. Gandalf shook his head. There was nothing he could say to Bilbo to ease the feeling of failure and there was nothing he could do to make Frodo better. The teen sat and stared at the lawn mower with an expression Gandalf didn't like but couldn't place.

"He's suffering, Gandalf," Bilbo whispered coarsely. "I'm all out of ideas." Gandalf turned his piercing grey eyes to Bilbo. The poor man was shuddering with tears. Sobs wracked his entire frame as he cried for Frodo. Gandalf reached out and placed a consoling hand on Bilbo's knee and glanced up. Frodo was heading inside. Maybe he knew Bilbo was crying and was coming to comfort him? The front door opened and Frodo walked by. He paused in the door way to stare at them. Gandalf's eyes were full of hope, but the way Frodo's eyes sneered at them told him the boy was not going to be comforting.

Frodo snorted at the sight of his "guardian" sobbing. How mundane. His life was not horrid. He did not recently lose his parents. He should not have the right to cry! He shouldn't! It was Frodo's job! And Frodo didn't take the job. Crying was beneath him. He shook his head and sneered at Gandalf before continuing to his room. He grabbed his wash basin from the bathroom and dragged it to his room and sat there, staring at his reflection in the water. He was disgusted by what looked back at him. He sneered at the face in the basin. The face in the basin sneered back. Disgusting creature. Like an Orc, the face was ugly and repulsive and no one would look twice at it unless they had to. Or so Frodo thought. A growl caught in his throat as he dug around for the knife he'd nicked the night previous.

He held his pale arm over the basin and brought the knife down, slicing a thin line along his arm. It hurt at first, but then it began to gradually feel good. It was the greatest thing since who-knows-when. He actually felt something. It was amazing. Amazing… He licked his lips as the crimson red droplets of blood rolled down his arm and lightly dripped into the basin. He sighed deeply. It felt godly. Nothing could compare to this feeling, except having his mother and father back.

--

Bilbo sniffled slightly as he called for Frodo. There was a slight scuffing from down the hall and Frodo came stumbling in. He looked so innocent and lost. He looked from Bilbo to Gandalf to Samwise and back again. "Frodo," Bilbo said softly, "how are you?"

Stiffly, Frodo replied, "I am well. And yourself, Bilbo?"

"I could be better, m'boy." Frodo glowered. "How would you like to visit Rivendell again?"

Frodo visibly perked up. "And will I see Glorfindel and Lady Arwen?" Bilbo nodded slowly. "Of course I shall like to go! When shall we leave? I expect Sam shall be tending the house again?"

Bilbo smiled sadly. "No, no, m'boy. You and Mister Gamgee shall be moving to Rivendell for a while until you heal…" Frodo's brows furrowed.

"P-pardon?"

"I should hope you will like my accompanying you Master Frodo!" Samwise said happily. "I always did want to meet me some elves! This Glorfindel and Lady Arwen sound like some right good Elvish folk!" Frodo, despite his best efforts, had to give Samwise a smile. The man always knew how to make him smile.

"Of course I shall love your company, Sam! You're my best friend!" both grinned at each other, though Frodo's grin was more subdued. Bilbo clapped his hands.

"Then it's settled!" he cheered."We set out for Rivendell first thing on the 'morrow!" Frodo sighed and nodded.

"Then," said Sam, standing, "I best be gettin' back to me old Gaffer to tell 'im the good news. Then I best be gettin' packing!" and with those words, the group dispersed.