Lost little Souls
Chapter 2
"Float on" by Modest Mouse
Note: Anything said between ** is said in Khuzdul. Later, I will but a word or two in but for the most part follow this.
Spring had to be little Frodo's favorite time of year. The weather was just starting to warm up, which meant swimming in the river, and fireflies buzzing about at night. Everything started to come alive again. The trees began to bud bringing the promise of sweet fruit in the fall and the fragrant scent of flowers flittered in the air.
Speaking of flowers, it was also a time when he would see his best friend much more. Sam would work in the garden with his father to bring all of Bag End in full bloom making it the envy of the entire shire.
Sighing sadly, Frodo looked around his new home. While he loved his Uncle Bilbo, Bag End still didn't feel like home just yet. Maybe it had to do with all of the looks that he would get in Hobbiton, the "Poor little Frodo. He now lives with Mad Baggins all by himself." It had been two years since he came to live in one of the biggest smial in Hobbiton and Frodo remembered to count his blessings. Before he lived with Bilbo, the young hobbit lived in Buckland with Merry and his family. While at one time, that would have been a match made in heaven, unfortunately that was no longer the case. Since his parents' deaths, the dark haired hobbit became a bit withdrawn and unable to keep with his wild Brandybuck cousins. Oddly, it was here in Bag End where he felt more comfortable, even if it was not "home" yet.
Both Frodo and Bilbo had an interesting love of books and learning. The pair would read for hours on end, while other hobbits preferred to socialize with each other. It was an odd thing to bond over, but it was theirs. Smiling to himself, he couldn't help but think of all the things he would learn. Bilbo had traveled to far off places and promised that one day, he would take Frodo with him. It was because of this that Frodo was learning Sindarin.
An even bigger smile danced across his face as he spotted Master Gamgee and his youngest son coming up the road. Meeting Sam had been the best part about coming to live in Bag End. The blond hobbit was quiet like Frodo and sincere in every action. However, it bothered Frodo whenever his friend would put himself down or "mind his place" as Sam called it. It was something that grown ups always said, "Some people needed to mind their place". It really didn't make a lot of sense to him, but from what he was able to figure out, it meant that Sam and he shouldn't be friends. If that was true, Frodo definitely didn't what to understand it.
Grabbing a book from the shelf, the young hobbit ran out through the back to sit under the tree in the yard. If he was where Sam was sure to pass, then they could talk.
The conversation between the Gaffer and Sam passed his ears. "Now Samwise, today while I am turning over the soil, I want you-Oh good morning, Mister Baggins."
"Good morning, Master Gamgee. How are you this morning?" Inquired Frodo.
"I can't complain, Mister Baggins. It looks to be a mild day; so much of the soil will be done today."
"That is wonderful." Frodo paused turning the book in his hands. "I'd hate to be a bother, but would I be able to borrow Sam this afternoon? You see, my Uncle and I are going into town and I was hoping Sam could join us, if that is alright by you of course."
Hamfast turned to look at his youngest son. Since Bell died, Sam had been much quieter than usual. He became extremely withdraw, in fact; the only time when Sam seemed to smile now a days was when he was with Frodo. While he knew it would be good for his son to accompany his friend, part of him worried about what could happen in the future, if this became a habit. It may be alright for them to be friends now but later on, it could prove to be heart breaking. Many in shire did not approve when someone stepped above their station. Frodo being a gentle hobbit, where as Sam was just the son of a gardener. Their friendship could never last and the very last thing Hamfast wants is for his sweet son's heart broken.
Master Gamgee could see Bilbo watching the scene with hope dancing in his eyes. The Master of Bag End was emphatic that the two lads be friends, even insisting on teaching Sam when he wasn't needed in the garden. The older hobbit remembered the day the Master of Bag End nearly got down on his knees, begging to Hamfast to permit Sam and Frodo to be friends. Bilbo explained how sad and lonely the little lad was, but after meeting Sam, he seemed to have more life in him. Bilbo could have cared less about social class. Just another reason many thought he was cracked.
A fast nod was all the answer they need. Giving the gardener a bright smile that would put the sun to shame, he grabbed a hand of each of the children and ran through the gate.
"So are we really going to live with the rabbit children, Uncle?" Ask Kili looking up at his uncle.
Thorin's head jerked over to his younger nephew. "Who told you that?" Of course they were going to the Shire as Gandalf had suggested but rabbit children? "It was Dwalin, wasn't it?"
"Yep!" smiled Kili.
Fili ran up to his brother and uncle. "Are they all going to be our age?"
Thorin sighed. I'm going to kill Dwalin one of these days. "They are not rabbit children. They are hobbits. They are a small, quiet people that live in the ground."
"Like rabbits!" Screamed with joy Kili as he pictured who cute they hobbits would be. "I bet they all have long ears!"
Hanging his head with a sigh, Thorin continued on listening to the laughter and eager joy of his nephews.
A few paces back, Dori looked at the laughing children. It saddened him to know Ori wasn't one of them. Looking down at the bundle in his arms, he cradled it closer. Nothing was going to stop Ori from getting better. One day, he would be like Fili and Kili, running and laughing. But for now all he could do was wait and pray. Something good had to happen soon, even if he made it so.
"Deep in though again, Dori. Careful or your mind will turn to mush!" Laughed Bofur, walking beside his friend.
"I can not help it." Dori whispered as Ori snuggled closer to his oldest brother warmth.
"Well, from what I heard, the Shire would be a good place for Ori to heal. It's supposed to very peaceful and mild weather. And of course lots to drink." Leaning his head close to Ori, he whispered, "Ya get better and I'll let ya have some ale. But don't tell Dori."
A light chuckle came from the silver haired dwarf. Bofur always knew how to make things better. Originally, Bofur had been Nori's friend. But when he left, Nori asked Bofur to keep an eye on them. Soon, Bofur's cheerful personality won Dori over and of course it didn't hurt that he made Ori all kind of toys.
"Here, let me carry the lad for a while. You've been doing it for that past few days." The toymaker extended his arms to take the sleeping child from his brother. A look of hesitation appeared on Dori's face before he finally gave into his smiling friend and deposed the sleeping child into the other's arms.
"Thank you, Mister Bofur." Dori was thankful for Bofur as a friend.
"Bofur, Dori. Not Mister Bofur." He winked.
A set of brown gazed up at Bofur. "Hi, Bofur. Why are you carrying me?" squeaked the dwarfling.
Bofur quickly looked around in an obviously comical way before bringing his mouth close to the redhead's ear to whisper but still loud enough for Dori to hear. "I have always wanted an adorable little brother, but I got stuck with Bombur. So I made a deal with Dori that I could keep ya."
"No you didn't!" little Ori shrieked.
Keeping up the act, Bofur stuck out his lower lip and pretended to sob. "Ya, ya, ya, don't want to be my little brother? Not even on the weekend?"
Ori wrapped his tiny arms around his older friend. "I'm sorry, Bofur. I can be your little brother on the weekends, if it is ok with Dori."
The eldest Ri brother chuckled. "You can be his little brother only on the weekends. The rest of the time, you are mine."
Nodding his small head, Ori agreed to the agreement. "Bofur."
"Yeah kid?"
"I really like the kind of toys you make. They are really neat. You must really like to make toys for children." Observed little Ori.
"Well, I also make toys for adults too. Those are special toys." A mischievous glint came into the dark haired dwarf's eyes.
Ori's brown eyes lit up with wonder. "Really! Grown ups like toys too! So that means when I grow up, I can still play with your toys."
"And this is where I take my baby brother back." Dori's nimble arms grabbed Ori, clutching him to this chest.
"But Dori, I want to hear about the special toys!" He winded.
"When you're older!"
"But-"
"When you're older!" the silver haired dwarf shrieked before sending a death glare to his friend that would have killed Smaug himself.
"Oh, come on Dori. I was joking around…sort of."
Before long, the little dwarf was sleeping against his brother's chest, content to listen to the sound of his beating heart. Seeing the kid sleeping, Bofur lowered his voice. "I couldn't help meself." Explained the toymaker. "The kid is so dam cute an innocent."
"That is why you should not have said such things." His mind was clearly some where else as he spoke, never once looking up from his sleeping brother.
"Dori. Ya know that if there is anything you need, I'm here right? I mean, not just cause Nori asked me to look after ya, but I think of ya, I mean both of ya, as my friends." It meant a great deal to the toymaker that his gentle friend understood this.
A kind smile graced his lips. "I know." Once again they walked in silence until Dori excused himself to see Oin.
A frustrated sigh escaped Bofur's lips. That went well. He though.
"*So. Do you want to look after him at night as well as during the day?*" Only one dwarf only spoke Khuzdul.
"What is that supposed to mean, Bifur?" Not for the first time in his life, did Bofur wish he had more facial hair to cover the rising blushing.
"*I see the way you look at him, cousin. The same look our king has when he talks about Erebor.*"
"Oh! So ya mean anger and frustration?" he teased.
"*Longing, my dear cousin, longing*"
Perhaps Bifur was right. Maybe Bofur did look at did look at Dori with longing. How could he not? Dori was one of the kindest dwarves in all of Middle Earth. The older dwarf cared for both his brothers without asking for a single thing in return. Even though Nori was out of sight, Bofur knew that he was not out of Dori's mind. The silver haired one loved his brothers with all his earthen soul and would do anything for them. May be that was what drew Bofur to the other, the limitless dedication.
Bilbo looked over his shoulder to see the two lads following, walking hand in hand. The hobbit had to stifle a giggle that was bubbling up inside when he saw the sight. They looked so perfect together. Even though the pair of children could not have looked more different. Sam's sandy hair completely contrasted to Frodo's ebony locks. While his nephew's alabaster skin opposed the gardener's son's golden tones. But it was not the physical differences that truly set the two friends apart, it was their dress. Sam wore cloths that had obviously been worn by his two older brothers making the clothes look even more worn and dirty even though they were clean. Frodo, on the other hand, looked neatly pressed, clothes that spoke of his status in their society.
A status in society was nothing more than something for true fools to worry about. Thought the older hobbit.
Unlike many of the residents in the shire, Bilbo was a true believer in equality. Take people as you find them. He would say. Just because one person was of a certain status or race did not make them any better or worse than another. While Hamfast might believe himself to be below the "gentle hobbits", but there were many who Bilbo felt weren't worthy enough to breath the same air as the skilled gardener, Lobelia for one.
"Look, Sam! It's Merry and Pippin!" Frodo pointed to a crowed of people near the post office. "Let's go." Still holding hands with Sam, the pair ran up to see Frodo's wild cousins.
"Hello, Mister Merry, Mister Pippin." Smiled Sam. While Sam knew he was not in the same class as the three, the four were very good friend.
"You as well, Sam. I can't wait for the weather to be warmer, and then I can go swimming. And I will take you with me." Grinned Merry, knowing fully well the other hobbit was afraid of the water.
"A very kind offer, bbbbbut I do believe that I have to help my Gaffer that day." Sam couldn't help but stutter out his reply. It wasn't a complete lie, Sam reasoned with himself.
It was then that Frodo spoke up in an attempt to save his gentle friend. "Pippin, it is good to see that you are feeling better."
Pip could only smile and nod his head. While the pair had their attention on Pippin, they missed the cloud of sadness that drifted through Merry's green eyes. My sunny Pip. What will I do about you?
Bilbo had decided that he had given the lads enough space and decided to join in on the conversation. "Hello, lads. What is going on here?"
"Bilbo!" Pip jumped up in to the older hobbit's arms and all but demanded a hug. Bilbo had to laugh, Pip everything a Took should be. Mischievous, foolish and adorable.
"I heard from some of the grown up what's going on. A pair of Dwarves came into town and they wanted to speak with the mayor. But I'm not sure why they are at the post office or in Hobbiton." Merry commented.
Thinking for a moment, Bilbo realized the problem. While Hobbiton was the center of the shire, it was not where the mayor resides and if one is looking for the office of an important person, you might look for a building that many people would go to. That would be the post office. "Lads, I want you to wait here. I am going to see what this is about."
As soon as Bilbo was out of sight, Pip leaned over to his blond cousin to whisper. "Let's follow."
The song for the next chapter is "The Pit" by Silversun Pickups .
