Chapter 3: Distant Memories
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Bilbo was gone for a few hours and Sam and Merry kept an eye on Frodo the whole time. They got him new ice packs when needed and made him some tea. Frodo's bruise looked terribly painful and he winced every time he put a new pack on it. He slipped in and out of an uneasy sleep. All was quiet in Bag End except for the occasional 'Mum, Dad, where are you?' from Frodo. This made Merry and Sam uncomfortable. They had no idea what to say. Bilbo came back a few hours later and gently roused Frodo.
'Lad I think it is high time that you got off this couch and attempted to eat something.'
Frodo gently got up but was incredibly sad that it wasn't one of his parents that had woken him. He loved Bilbo dearly but not even his favourite uncle could fill the hole in his heart. He didn't speak much the rest of the night and he went to bed early. Before Sam went home he asked Bilbo an important question.
'Mr Bilbo, sir, begging your pardon but before you came back, Frodo was calling out for his parents. What happened to them?'
Bilbo had an uneasy look on his face. 'Sam I think that might be a question that you should ask Frodo when he is better. He might tell you but please don't be disappointed if he decides it is a story for another day. Now off with you before the Gaffer wonders where you are.'
'Goodnight, Mr Bilbo. Thank you for letting me stay.' And he left and went back home to number three.
'Goodnight, young Samwise.' And with that Bilbo went to bed.
The next day Frodo and Merry were up early making tea and an early breakfast. They were hopefully going to convince the Gaffer if Sam could go with them to the market as they needed some more milk.
They ate quickly and went off down the short way to number three, Bag Shot Row. Merry had known why Frodo was brought to Hobbiton so he didn't say anything to Frodo. He wasn't entirely sure that Frodo even knew that he had spoken of his mother and father in his sleep. Or since he had gotten to Hobbiton for that matter.
The Gaffer had let Sam out but only until 3:30. The Gaffer needed his help to get his potatoes from the garden. They walked quickly down the road and past the Brandywine River and past the Mill and to the market. Frodo had a sudden dread in his stomach. He spotted the Miller and Ted in the market. He quickly walked behind Merry and Sam and asked if they could go the long way around to the milk isle. His fear became even more sudden when the Miller came up to the young Hobbits. Frodo was worried that the Miller would give him trouble about what had happened yesterday afternoon. But his fear was quickly forgotten when he heard what the Miller had come over to say.
'Mr Frodo Baggins, I am so sorry about what my son has done to you. Your eye looks very painful. Be sure that Ted's punishment is very great. It isn't like him to hurt young hobbits such as yourselves.' Sam sniggered and the Miller gave him a harsh look. The Miller went on. 'If he does it again please be sure to have someone or yourself to come and tell me.' He shook Frodo's hand and walked off. Ted gave all the three hobbits a harsh look and pushed past them knocking Merry over. Sam helped him pick himself up and they went on walking.
'Are you alright, Mr Frodo?' Sam had noticed that Frodo seemed very quiet and distant. 'I'm ok, Sam. I thought that the Miller was going to hurt me.' But in truth Frodo wanted nothing more than to go back to Bag End and cry his eyes out into his pillow. He was missing his parents now more than ever. He wished that they had survived the horrible drowning and so that he didn't have to leave Buckland.
They got the milk and quickly walked back to Bag End. 'Good day, Mr Frodo and Mr Merry. Do call if you need anything, Frodo.' And Sam went back inside number three. Merry and Frodo walked on to Bag End where Bilbo was up and dressed. He had a worried look on his face.
'Frodo! Merry! Where on earth have you two gotten to?'
'Please do not be worried, Bilbo, sir.' Merry said. 'We went to the market with Sam to get some milk. After the tea we had this morning there wasn't enough left for another pot so we went down to the market.' Merry wasn't sure if it was his right to tell Bilbo of their run in with the Miller.
'Well I can see that there was no milk left but Frodo please, if you are going to leave Bag End then please tell me. Don't just wonder off.'
'I'm sorry uncle.' Was all that Frodo said. He hugged his uncle and said he was going to his bedroom for a nap. 'Please don't disturb me unless it is important.' And he closed the door.
Frodo closed the door and immediately stuffed his head under his pillow and balled his eyes out. He did so for a good half hour and then started reading his favourite book about the history of Elves and Men. There came a knock at the door. Before he let the person inside he asked who it was. 'It's Sam. Can I please come in?'
Frodo quickly got up off of the floor and opened the door. 'Hi Sam.' and he left his hobbit friend in.
'Mr Frodo, are you ok? You don't seem yourself. Is something bothering you?'
'Sam, have you ever lost someone close to you? I mean really close.'
'Not entirely close as you are referring but yes I have lost someone close. What's this all abut Mr Frodo?'
'Can you swear to me that you will never tell a single hobbit, elf, dwarf or man what I am about to tell you?'
'Yes Mr Frodo. I swear on my heart and hope to die.'
Frodo began his long tale about his parents and how close he was to them. And how everyone was very rushed and not their proper selves just after Drogo and Primula's bodies were found. '…And then when they drownded I didn't know what to do. It only happened about a month ago and now I don't what to do. Cry that I have lost the two people closest to me or be happy that I have come to a new place and made a very special friend.' He tapped Sam on the shoulder.
Sam had tears in his eyes he looked up into Frodo's blue eyes and said 'Mr Frodo that is a terrible thing to happen to anybody. I wouldn't even wish it on the Miller or his dratted son. And I am extremely grateful to have met you. You are my first and true friend.' Frodo hugged his friend and they went back out into the kitchen area of Bag End.
Bilbo noticed the tear stains on both the young hobbits faces but said nothing of it.
'It is a good thing you went to Frodo, Sam. Poor merry is starving and it is well on the time that we would be having supper, but no trouble at all young Frodo. Sam you had better go back home before the Gaffer throttles you. Are you ok, Frodo lad?'
'Yes, uncle, I'm alright. Felling much better, I am. But very hungry.' He sat down and waited for Bilbo to make dinner. A few times he got up to help his uncle as he felt a bit guilty keeping them waiting. They shared the hot meal and all went to bed early. Frodo stayed awake late into the night, thinking about his parents and all the good memories he had of them. But he did wish that he had a few more to think of.
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