Here is the rewritten version of this chapter.
Thanks goes to Adeleidhis and Eldhoron for helping me with this chapter, too. It is much appreciated. :) Here we go. :(
*.*.*
Chester's tail wagged. His strength was fading, but how he managed to stay happy was something that surprised Frodo. Oh, how Frodo wanted to be a dog! Then he would have a master to love and cherish him.
It was only fitting that master and dog got to be with one another for one last time. Frodo hoped he was the right master for this Sussex Spaniel.
He chuckled as the memories clouded his thoughts, making tears flow down his face. Memories that he thought were long forgotten but had resurfaced.
.
Frodo remembered the first day when Chester arrived on his doorstep, note dropping from his mouth. He remembered picking up the note and unrolling it, discovering the letter inside and the codename Folco selected for himself. Bard! Why did it have to be Bard?! Was it because of Bilbo?
It was!
That memory gave Frodo joy and happiness. And yet, the first night of howling kept him awake all night, leaving him a mess that he would have to clean up the very next morning. Fun! But not as fun as it was for Frodo when he came to realize that he needed this dog! He needed Chester, and always would need him, now until the end of time.
.
The next memory that came up was his and Chester's time out on the Bywater Pool. Lotho came and nearly spoiled their day by saying the Pool belonged to the Sackville-Bagginses. A bogus lie! The pool belonged to everyone, not just the Sackville-Bagginses. Chester certainly proved the pool was anybody's when he growled at Lotho.
Boy, was Lotho frightened of Chester!
But that didn't help when Lotho attempted to evict Frodo from Bag End, all because of Frodo's Sussex Spaniel. What? Did the mean hobbit not like dogs? Frodo had this feeling that was the case and let Chester go, simply to scare the rude hobbit away. Not to bite him! Just to scare him. The trick worked because Lotho ran out of Bag End and out of sight before Chester could catch up to him.
As far as Frodo recalled, Chester was happiest after that day and many to come. Frodo knew then he found the right dog or the dog found him. Most likely the latter, but who was counting?!
.
In Frodo's mind, he knew he found the right companion, when they went out to the field to play fetch. Chester was four years old at the time and loving life. And that, made things satisfactory. No one ever said they weren't happier that day. Theirs actions alone made them feel better, right up until it was time to go back to Bag End for lunch.
.
Frodo looked at Chester, the present situation returning to his thoughts. Another tear streaked down the poor hobbit's face. He let it happen, let the tears fall. He didn't care anymore! Chester was dying and there was nothing he could do to stop that! Maybe it was better this way… no. What was he saying? He should let Chester be at peace… no. Oh, now he sounded awful!
He should be helping his dog find safety and peace, not making things worse!
More tears ran down his face. His stomach growled! He wanted food, but he wanted to stay with Chester. Being with his dog was important. So, why was food on his mind?
"We'll get some second breakfast soon." Sam said, doing his best to keep calm.
"I know!" Frodo choked. He rubbed the snot with his sleeve. He couldn't hold the tears in much longer. Why not let them fall and be done with it?
The hobbit's breath stilled as his dog relaxed. Chester's eyes grew heavier. He let them close, drew a long sigh, and was no more. Chester sighed away his last breath.
The moment shocked Frodo. No! His dog… wasn't breathing, wasn't moving. He was dead.