Title: Treasures
Author: BellaMonte
E-Mail:
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters that compose Middle Earth are not mine, but the property of one J.R.R. Tolkien.
A/N: THANKS TO ALL WHO REVIEWED!! Know that you all made my week! I had no idea so many were reading, and I really appreciate that you revealed yourselves for the first time in this latest chapter (GIRLOFRING, ladybug, Arowyn, WildFire203, Mrs. Maggot, Little Magic Lamb, Luthien Linareil, rinalry, map, Grimnir, Cara, Fennelwink, tufail).
You couldn't have had better timing. You all truly warmed my heart with your kind words. :)
As promised, I wanted to address some of the questions that I had a feeling would spark up after the last chapter.
1st: Bilbo's ring and the scene where he puts it on Frodo to hide him. In writing that scene, I hoped to demonstrate how Bilbo's love for Frodo overpowers everything, including his 'treasures,' and the ring obviously represents the greatest treasures he acquired on his travels. As to Frodo's reaction to having it on his finger, Frodo was unconscious at the time. So he was not aware he had it on, nor will he even discover its existence until later. Also, considering that this story is based before Sauron's awakening, Bilbo (or Frodo) having the ring on would not trap them in the dark world, as it is in FoTR. I hope that clears up some questions. No, Frodo did not claim the ring or anything or will he feel possession over it later, he was too out of it. :)
2nd: I apologize to those who nearly had heart-attacks at 'The End' joke. That's a classic example of why I write angst, not humor. I'm not so good at it.
Now, after chapter 25, I think it's a good time that I emphasize that yes, Frodo has now been saved, but the story is not over. Although the storyline so far has been primarily concerned with the kidnapping, the main focus I'm trying to concentrate on are the relationships between the characters, Frodo, Merry, Bilbo, etc. There's a lot more that has to happen (Merry's return, Frodo and Bilbo reconciling, etc.) and (please don't shoot me for this!) there is going to be a combination of angst as well as comfort ahead. I am unfortunately a realist when it comes to writing, and because of that I don't think it would be possible for the complicated issues that have been developing even before the story begins to be resolved within anything less than fifteen chapters. Frodo and Bilbo are going to make mistakes on the road to developing better communication skills, and the huge misunderstandings that have developed between them will take time to be righted. So the road to the happy ending is not going to be the smoothest trip, but I promise it WILL happen and all will be resolved and at peace, and it will be a happy tale by the time I finally put the pen quill down (ack, I mean the pencil).
3rd: Many have asked about a sequel. In answer to that question, I will definitely consider it. I just started a story about Frodo having migraines (can't get enough of Frodo angst, though if you care for a less than traumatic Bilbo and Frodo relationship, that one will have Frodo and Bilbo sweetness through and through!) But as for a 'Treasures' sequel, let me finish this one first and then I'll see. :)
Chloe Amethyst: Danke for the review! "Bilbo mistook it for Frodo imagining the kidnappers still had him": Glad you liked that part! I just couldn't break Bilbo's heart with the fact that Frodo's furious with him when they'd just reunited, it had to be a sweet scene.
WildFire203: "I think the traitor is Ted Sandyman": You do, do you? Well read on and see! :)
Budgielover: "I hope Bilbo comes to understand Frodo's anger at him and transfers that blame to himself, and feels he has to make it up to Frodo": Yay, you're back! On that part, yes, Bilbo's unfortunately going to face another walk through the mire (I'm so hard on my characters!) as he comes to terms with how Frodo's suffered on his account, and how much it broke the lad to think he didn't care for him. Their reconciliation will happen, and all will come out, but it's going to be slow as Bilbo struggles to figure out how he can protect Frodo and care for him at the same time, and Frodo's going to get the shocks of his life hearing about everything that's been going on in his absence, and what it's done to his 'annoyed' uncle. So yes, 'lingering distrust' will occur, though all will be forgiven and reconciled in the end. I be waiting most earnestly for chapter 24 of 'Some Nameless Place!' :)
Fionarox: "I expect people will be writing fan fiction about this piece of fanfiction in the future": LoL, Fiona! We'll see!
Niphrandl: Niphrandl! Welcome back! Glad you did not abandon the story! Frodo healing and Frodo/Bilbo reconciliation be in the works, though please don't abandon me again if it's not the smoothest road there. :)
Obelia Medusa: Ahh! There you are! And hey, I'm not joking about the fiction realist! There in fact be a name for those who throw in random details, and yes, it does ring a tone much more clear and intriguing than 'person-who-can't-stop-developing-whatever-minor-characters-catch-her-interest-' (I loved that!) And yes, isn't the title of the chapter articulate? I suppose after all the random detail I put into it, I don't feel the need to enlighten the reader more with anything more than a one-word title. Thanks for the touching review!
QTPie-2488: Glad you liked the chapter! I'm sorry I pained you for so long! Frodo comfort makings its way into the story, though a bit slowly. :)
Tiggivon: Hey there! No, no, your initial reaction's not ridiculous at all, it was very welcome! I'm soo glad you loved it!
Luthien Linariel: Hey there! (A newcomer!) You said it right, that's what I was intending, that the ring still hasn't awoken to Sauron's call at this point in the time line, so having it on does not throw the wearer into the shadow world. Thanks for clearing that up for me. :)
Rinalry: Hey there! I hope the answer up above explains all. Yeah, Frodo's too out of it to really realize he had it on, though he'll find out what happened later on. A new story for Bilbo to tell him.
Aemilia Rose: Thanks to you, my 500th reviewer! You're right, Frodo sure as hell needs some comfort at this point! He will get it, I promise, to the point he'll be exasperated at his reformed, over-attentive uncle. And no, no, no ending yet! Prepare thyself for more to come (bad AND good, more than ever before) story not over yet!
ShadowGraffiti: CrystalHorse72! There you are, I remember you well! And hell yes, I looked at your review! To know I made your parents think you're insane and you rush to every computer to check for updates....there's nothing I could have been more moved by as a writer. I'm glad you're still I had feared you'd slipped away after the chapters of endless misery. Am glad to know that's not the case. Please, review anytime! BellaMonte's a selfish, greedy creature just like Tony and Strasser and (traitor hobbit). BellaMonte writes faster when she gets reviews! So, thank you for this one! It was greatly appreciated. :)
Shlee Verde: You be loopy again? Yay! Me too! Hehehee.! "I wasn't expecting Strasser to kill Tony - but I guess one of the two was liable to kill the other by the end of this": Yeah, I felt as though one had to go. :) And yesss, traitor hobbit time! So I'm going to stop speaking here again and detaining you. hehehe!!
Arwen Baggins: "But where's Strider?": Sadly, not in this story. The ranger leader be not Aragorn, nor Faramir, nor Boromir. He's just one of the commanding men who tries to bring order to Bree. Really?? You didn't think it shouldn't have taken so long for Frodo to go through his transformation? Now you've surprised me, I thought it was too short considering the weight of everything that's happened!
Frodo Baggins of Bag End: OMG! OMG! (Grovels down before one of my all time favorite writers, inspirations, and founder of FrodoHealers) Febobe, I had NO IDEA you were reading!! I literally jumped out of my seat to find your review! I promise, hobbit healing/cuddling is on the way, though it'll have some bumpy spots. Also, while I have your attention, please o please continue with Counterpane! I've had my eyes glued to your story since chapter 1!
Heartofahobbit: Hey Heartofahobbit! "Will Frodo reveal to Bilbo how utterly abandoned he felt and how his own "trust issues" were so shaken by his perception of Bilbo's betrayal?": Of course he will. :) But Frodo's admitting to Bilbo what he was fearing the whole time is going to be one of the last things he admits, because it's the hardest to admit. Frodo's coming clean about everything that's happened is going to take several chapters to fully come out, as he slowly recovers and gradually comes to realize how many people love him and were grieving for him while he was gone. But it'll be slow, because even with the initial happy reunion, there's so many communication issues between them and there's the dramatic irony of what each of them thinks and the readers knows, but they don't say to the other character. So...it's going to be complicated, but it WILL come out, and that'll be another (hopefully moving, happy) scene. Ahh... you have a second question! (Sorry this is so long!) "What will Bilbo do to mend his ways and will he try to conform a little bit more to the norms of hobbit society to become more of a parent figure to Frodo?" (Takes deep breath, I'll try and make this short): Well, not to spoil anything for you, but Bilbo despite his best efforts IS going to make a few mistakes along the way still in parenting, mistakes are unfortunately inevitable, but it will all turn out in the end. The relationship between Frodo and Bilbo will be much different after everything that's happened, considering how much they've both gone through. Frodo's not going to be naive the way he was before, but the experience will, eventually, make him stronger. Bilbo in turn is going to be a heck of a lot more attentive to Frodo, to the point of the most over-protective parent figure on Middle Earth. Phew! Sorry that took so long! Thanks for the awesome review!
Fennelwink: Greetings, Fennelwink! Yay! My persistent begging prompted you! I should do it more often now, shant I? :) "Now for all that messy clean-up which can sometimes take longer than the actual ordeal": In this story, yes, that will almost be the case. I'm hoping everyone doesn't kill me because the story doesn't wrap up fast, in fact it doesn't really wrap up at all for a while, but yes, it's going to take Bilbo and Frodo a long while to clear up all the misunderstandings, and not without help from others. So you're waiting for a long haul! Good! Because that's what I've got planned! I'm glad you liked that last scene, I was very worried it wouldn't come off believable. But yes, you said it just as I intended it, that though Frodo is so scared and angry at his uncle, he can't fight the fact that he still loves his uncle and at the first sign of apology from him, he couldn't help but break down. Thanks for the review, it is greatly appreciated! :)
Ubiquitous Pitt: (grovels down before you) I'm sorry! I really did not intent, when I first mapped this chapter out over a year ago, that I would have readers grieving over a villain! But wait! (Winks) You get to what you said you'd do, and I'll work on that AU. Just don't leave me! :)
Ilmare: Thank you thank you for the review, Ilmare! I had feared I'd lost you along the way! I'm glad you liked the chapter, sorry it took a whole damn year to get Bilbo and Frodo back together! :)
TMMEOW1: I promise! I promise! (Puts hands up in reassurance) I am NOT intending to leave the story. Sorry, that "The End" was not as funny as I'd hoped! "Treatment, comfort and understanding MUST happen": I promise. They will. In time. :)
Shadowarwen: Thank you for the review, Shadowarwen! It's marvelous to read a review from someone new! I'm glad you liked the chapter! :)
Fantasy Fan: Woah, thanks for the loong review, Fantasy Fan! I think I'm ready to just about give up writing A/N's in explanation, though, because you articulate exactly what I was trying to say in each chapter perfectly. Thank you soo much for letting me know it came out right. :) I'm glad you didn't think it was too long, you're right, I had a lot to flesh out in this chapter and I couldn't concise it anymore. You anticipated me again about the rescue, it wasn't enough that Bilbo saved Frodo, but I just had to get some good men into the picture, as well as Hamfast and Sam returning to help Bilbo even when he didn't expect it (kind of like Merry and Pippin in FoTR w/ Frodo :) I must thank you so much for your thoughts on the Bilbo/Frodo reunion, you won't believe how much fear I had that the scene wouldn't come off believably, and yet you interpreted perfectly how I hoped it would come out. Thank you so much! :)
LilyBaggins: Wrung my toes in cyberspace? Ouch! Never felt more glad I'm not a sadist writer (well, at least not to the point that this chapter ended badly :) Heaps of comfort on its way ....it will have some hedges to break through and bumps....but it will come, I promise!
Shirebound: Welcome back! Am so glad you're still here! "In your next chapter can Frodo be fed and cleaned and cuddled and happy and all those lovely things? Pleze?": (Okay, BellaMonte waves as Shirebound disappears again) Read on and see. I dare not spoil. We will get some Frodo cuddle in this chapter. The rest be coming in time. :)
Midgette: Hey Midgette! "So who exactly is the traitor hobbit? Somebody they know closely?": Read on below. I dare not spoil you! :)
Madeleine Mitchell Carr: Wow! You've been reading from the beginning? Ahh....well, perfectly understandable reason as to wait to review. It took me long enough to rescue Frodo, didn't it? :)
Endymion: Hey Endymion! In that scene where Bilbo carries Frodo, I was thinking of RoTK (you've read that, right?) And in that scene, Frodo fights with Gollum, and technically they're interlocked but Gollum is still visible, so I figured as much that yes, clothes turn invisible too, but if Bilbo were carrying Frodo it did not necessarily make him invisible too.
Myfanwy: Myfanwy! (Hugs old friend) It's been so long, I thought you'd left this miserable story long ago (with good right the way it's been dragging through the mire!) I'm soo glad you're still here, I've missed you! (Breathes sigh of relief that Mynfanwy was not disappointed in Bilbo/Frodo reunion). "We definitely need some insecure Frodo angst in there somewhere": Rest assured, there will unfortunately be a lot more of that. Just because Frodo's rescued doesn't mean all nightmares and misunderstandings are out of the water. "And Frodo's reunion with Merry and Sam": Definitely! Though the Merry and Frodo reunion will be more fleshed out, since they were the relationship on rocky ground in the beginning. For some reason, I didn't flesh Sam out as a character as much as I should've in the beg, but he'll have more to do now that Frodo's back. And there be more than just a few 'loose ends' I'm afraid, all of which will be resolved in the end, though. Thank you for returning to let me know you're still here! :)
Peony: Hey Peony! Glad you liked the chapter! And no, no, I think Frodo's suffered enough hurts at this point so not to need to get stabbed with a sword. "I'm beginning to feel less cross towards Bilbo now - he's really suffering, isn't he?": Indeed, he is, and in the coming chapters that guilt that he felt couldn't get any worse before is only going to strengthen, seeing the full extent of what Frodo's gone through, and not knowing where to start in comforting him, or how to protect him. "Is it all over for Frodo?": Well, Frodo's been saved. And in my opinion, the worst is most definitely over. Now comes the time for the struggle of reconciliation, healing, etc. :)
To all those who reviewed, again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!! Forgive me if I couldn't respond to everyone, I'm rushing right now to get this posted before I leave for a second three-day vacation. Know that I read all reviews fondly (more than twice!) and you all drove me to get this out before I left. Thank you all! Enjoy!
The door to Bag End burst open, allowing a stream of hobbits and men entrance. Hamfast Gamgee and Milo Proudfeet were first, being the ones that ran ahead to open it, and they quickly moved aside to make way for the rangers that ducked low as they entered through the small, round door. Bilbo Baggins entered amongst them, carrying Frodo in his arms. The lad was now wrapped in a large, warm cloak one of the rangers had been kind enough to give them.
They had attempted to reach Bag End without causing too much of a disruption in the Shire, yet the rangers race through Hobbiton earlier had roused many hobbits from their beds, driving them to poke their heads out to observe what was about. Even in the middle of the night word spread quickly that strange men were in the Shire, and for reasons even stranger were leading Bilbo Baggins back to his home, along with an alive Frodo Baggins.
By the time the group reached Bag End, the rangers were practically scrambling to get Bilbo and his young nephew inside before hobbits began to swarm around them. They had no sooner entered the hole that Hamfast Gamgee and Milo Proudfeet faced the difficulty of closing the door while neighbors approached, dressed in nightgowns and nightcaps, demanding to know what was about.
"It be none of your affair, now off to bed with you!" Milo Proudfeet persisted, struggling to close the door.
One of the rangers stepped forward, and the hobbits recoiled in fear. "Please," he responded, his voice kind but commanding, "leave Master Baggins's residence. There is nothing you can do here."
Yet the hobbits continued to come, and as stories began to spread of what was happening . . . ruffians invading the Shire. . . blood being spilled. . . .rangers having a murderer in their clutches. . . the crowd grew more panic stricken than before.
In all the anxious mayhem, Bilbo wordlessly slipped past the rangers and retreated down the hall to Frodo's room. Since the trip from the forest, Frodo's sobs had slowly quieted, but the boy continued to cough and tremble even within the tight folds of the cloak. The heavy sobs, combined with the ragged coughs that had wracked his frame for most of the trip seemed to have drained him of the last of his strength so that he all but sagged on Bilbo's shoulder, tears leaking silently from his eyes. His room was thankfully far down the hall so that the loud, irritating voices from the corridor slowly quieted as Bilbo retreated into the far back of the hole.
A wet cough was muffled into his vest, and Bilbo worriedly pressed the boy closer to him, frightened by the heat radiating from the small body. "You're home, my boy," he whispered, looking down at the pale, tear-stained face resting on his shoulder. "It's all right now, you're safe."
At long last Bilbo came to Frodo's room. It was just as dark and quiet as it had been since Frodo's last night here, and Bilbo nearly reeled as he took in the covers of the bed, still pulled back from before.
It felt like a lifetime since he had expected to have saved his nephew and laid him back down to bed; for days he had grieved that he would never get the chance to ever lay him down in his own bed again. And now his boy was here, and safe in his arms.
By the Shire, he'd been given the greatest gift.
Shifting the boy in his arms, Bilbo sat down at the edge of the bed, prepared to bundle him up under the covers, for his little body continued to tremble like a leaf in the wind. Yet as he began to ease him out of the cloak, a swift, aching pain erupted in his chest and he realized after so long he couldn't let him go again, not so soon.
Suddenly was drawing the boy into his arms again, rocking the little body back and forth. His breaths were short and gasping as he struggled to calm his racing heart, trying to tell himself that it was all right, that Frodo was really here. "My boy," he whispered, holding him close. "It's all right now, you're home, you're safe, you're safe," he crooned, just as much to himself as to Frodo.
Bilbo heard a sharp whimper close to his ear, and he finally broke away, realizing he must've been holding him too tightly. With the greatest effort, he slowly disengaged himself and ever so gently laid the boy down against his soft pillows.
Emotion flooded Bilbo, and he bit back a sob as he looked down at the terrible state his nephew was in. He looked so small, so sick . . . the bloodless pallor to his face blended right in with the white sheets.
"Frodo," he whispered. He placed a hand on his shoulder, nearly pulling back at how narrow his frame was. Hadn't it been just two weeks ago that he had been innocently sliding cakes and apple pies in front of him, reveling that his coaxing had resulted in the boy's small weight gain? While not as much as he'd hoped, progress had still been made. Now that weight had vanished, along with the rest of him it appeared. The boy looked positively wasted away, his limbs frail and lifeless at his sides as though he were no more alive than a puppet on strings. .
Guilt burned in Bilbo's chest like a hot brand. How could they do something like this? Why? Why? Frodo was just an innocent boy. . .what horrors he'd suffered at the hands of these men. . .and what little he himself had been able to do about it. This was HIS fault. Oh, if only he hadn't let Frodo leave the day, if he hadn't left him alone. This might not have happened.
I'm not letting him leave these walls ever again!
"Bilbo?"
Bilbo quickly broke out of his recrimination, and watched in relief as the boy finally began to stir. It took a great effort for Frodo to finally open his eyes. Though they were unfocused and bright with fever, Bilbo couldn't help the joy that ran through him as he looked into those enormous blue eyes again. He'd missed them so. . . .
"Bilbo?" he whispered.
"Yes, it's me Frodo, I'm here," he said, fresh tears springing to his eyes. Crouching down closer to him, he clasped the cold hand in his. "It's all right."
"And they're. . .they're really gone?"
"Yes, my boy," Bilbo breathed, grasping his hand tighter. "They're gone now, you're safe. You're home."
At hearing this, Frodo lifted his head slightly and squinted as though he were unable to see the room clearly. But his uncle's words were enough to reassure him, and he let his head drop back against the pillow, his ragged breathing easing a little.
The relief did not last long. Soon his chest started to rise and fall too quickly, and he began gasping. Bilbo worked quickly and carefully to move him onto his side so he could breathe easier as another terrible coughing fit took him. The older hobbit blinked back tears at the dreadful choking sounds that wrenched out of Frodo's throat. To ease his shaking, Bilbo kept one hand securely upon his shoulder and began to rub his back with the other.
Frodo cried out, his shoulders bunching up at the contact. "D-don't...please!" he choked in between coughs, and Bilbo quickly withdrew his hand.
For a moment Bilbo was confused. . . then understanding slowly began to sink into him like a cold sheet of ice into his stomach. Swallowing a hard lump of dread, Bilbo gently pulled away the tattered remains of the boy's shirt. His hands shook as he saw the series of dark bruises there. Pulling the shirt up further, he could see the patches of bruising that randomly colored the boy's frame, some darker than others. On one side there was a particularly ugly black bruise that was curiously shaped like a shoe print, and his sides revealed a similar trail of cuts and hurts that had obviously been agonizing and long suffered.
'Monsters....monsters!' Sobs were building in his throat, and his hands were trembling as he finally pulled the boy's shirt back down.
Everything he'd feared. . .all those dark visions of what his boy could possibly be going through. . .they had not been real enough. It had been folly to think that his nephew hadn't been hurt, hadn't been abused horribly at the hands of those horrible creatures. And this. . .to see how hurt he was, how weak . . ..
Guilt engulfed Bilbo again, and he had to restrain himself from gathering Frodo into his arms again, rocking him to sleep, away from this nightmare. Yet he could see the boy was still shaking with pain. He had groaned when Bilbo had held him before. . .
Bilbo forced back a growl of anger as he gently rested Frodo on his back.
By the Shire, he should have fought harder and plunged Sting into that ruffian's chest. Even after everything that had happened, he had still felt a reluctancy in going so far as hurting the man when he'd fought him. Saving Frodo had been his main priority. But now, seeing everything those ruffians had done to his young, innocent nephew . . .
"Frodo," he said, bending down and placing a hand on the boy's burning forehead. "I'm going to leave for a second, all right? You're terribly sick. I need to tell Hamfast to bring a healer."
That got a response. Instantly, Frodo's eyes snapped open, and he lifted his bandaged hand towards him. Bilbo could see him struggle to lift his other arm as well, but it refused to budge from his side. "N-no," he whispered, pinning the older hobbit with the intensity of his gaze. "D-don't leave."
At the same moment, Bilbo turned to the sounds of rapidly approaching footsteps down the hall. A second later, Mrs. Gamgee rushed in, still dressed in her night-robe after being awoken by the commotion outside.
"Sir, I heard," she gasped, sounding out of breath as she joined him at Frodo's side.
Her face held a mixture of shock, relief and sadness as her gaze fell on the little hobbit. "Oh Frodo dear, we're so glad you're safe."
But Frodo had begun coughing again, his frame shaking at the utter force of it, and his face was buried in the pillow. Bilbo crouched down next to him, gently supporting his shoulders as the fit tore through him. He looked up, his eyes shining with tears.
"Please," he whispered, "Fetch somebody to help - a healer, Dr. Burrows, anybody. He's terribly sick, and I. . . I can't leave him!"
"Dr. Burrows is already on the way, sir."
Mrs. Gamgee hurriedly began removing the large piles of clothes from the bed, and together they pulled the covers up to the boy's chin. The thin sheet and quilt were not enough to ward of the chills that continued to wrack his frame, and Mrs. Gamgee left to retrieve more blankets from a nearby room.
Bilbo knelt beside Frodo again, and carefully lifting his little hand in his own, he pressed his lips to the cold fingers, combing through the boy's limp curls with the other. For a while he just sat looking at him, impatiently waiting the moment when the doctor would come.
"Bilbo?" Frodo whispered.
"It's all right, Frodo, I'm here," he whispered, rubbing the cold hand, reassuringly. "We're going to get somebody to help you, don't worry."
"Why – "
Bilbo frowned as the boy's face contorted as he tried to speak. He didn't want him to talk if it was hurting his throat. Though he wanted to hear his voice more than anything, he couldn't let him if it was making him worse. "W-why did," Frodo tried again, his voice soft and weak, making it difficult to hear him. "W-why d-did you – "
"Shh, Frodo, don't strain yourself," he pleaded, fearing another coughing fit might result if he spoke further. He continued to stroke the boy's head, his hand quavering slightly as his fingers brushed over a small bruise above the boy's brow. He was prepared to ask Bell to bring him some water when she returned. "It's all right, my boy, whatever it is. You don't have to talk now."
Suddenly, he felt a tentative hand on his shoulder, and the voice of Halfred Gamgee spoke in his ear.
"Sir, they're askin' for you. The rangers, and Milo Proudfeet and Shiriff Hardbottle."
"I'll speak with them later, Halfred."
"But no, sir, you don' understand," the young hobbit insisted. "You must come now – "
Before he could speak further, he was interrupted as Milo Proudfeet entered the room, followed by a visibly frustrated Hamfast Gamgee.
"Bilbo, you must come with us now," Milo commanded, stretching his arm to the door.
Bilbo huffed at the request, shocked that Milo would dare ask him such a thing. Immediately he turned back to Frodo. His heart gave another turn to see the boy's lips part slightly, his eyes glazed with fever and tears. Cold pain continued to churn through Bilbo, and he continued to latch on to the small hand. The poor boy, he looked too sick to even understand what was happening.
"It can wait until later, whatever it is!" he said, angrily. "Can't you see he's sick?"
"Sir, please," Halfred insisted, a strange hint of anxiousness in his voice. When Bilbo refused to respond, the young Gamgee bent lower and whispered in his ear, "Sir...they've found the hobbit! The one you claim were workin' with the kidnappers!"
Cold hands seemed to grip Bilbo round the throat as those words reached his ears. His hand firmly clasping Frodo's, he turned to the hobbits assembled int the doorway.
"What?" he rasped, frowning indiscernibly. "What are you talking about? How?"
Distant voices from down the hall started to grow louder, and soon Dr. Burrows, an elderly hobbit that lived in Hobbiton, entered, followed by Mrs. Gamgee. Situation already explained to him, he went directly to the bedside, setting his bag down on the bed.
"Master Baggins, please move aside," Dr. Burrows replied, his voice grave as he observed his patient.
Gently, but firmly, Dr. Burrows edged Bilbo away from the side of the bed. Milo took the opportunity and came forward, grabbing hold of the hobbit's arm.
Bilbo's hand ripped from Frodo's.
He could hear Frodo call his name in alarm as Milo practically dragged him into the hallway.
"Frodo, I'm right here!" he called, tightly, watching as the bed was surrounded by Dr. Burrows, Mrs. Gamgee and Halfred.
Once out in the hall, Bilbo turned to Milo, furiously.
"Why are you coming to me with this now?" he demanded. "What do you mean the traitor hobbit's been found?"
"Well, sir, the rangers who traveled with us from Bree came knocking on your door this evening to see if you were home to tell you about the kidnappers returning. When you didn't answer, a few of them went round the hole, thinking there might be another entrance to knock upon, and they came across a hobbit tryin' to break in through a window. Thinking it were another trying to steal your...erm, if you excuse me, your make-believe treasure...they took him to the Green Dragon to question him. He ended upon admitting to actually being the very one you were looking for. The hobbit that got those men to kidnap your nephew."
Shock pummeled Bilbo in waves as he listened. "Well, who was it?" he finally exclaimed.
"They don't know the name of the hobbit, sir. They aren't exactly acquainted with him, being in the Shire just a few hours and all. That's why they've requested for you to come directly and identify him to make sure he's the actual one you saw in the forest that night."
"Well certainly I'll do so, but can't it wait until later?" he asked in bafflement. "Tomorrow, maybe?"
Milo shook his head, anxiousness starting to appear in his features as he peered down the hall.
"Sir, I know you've just rescued your nephew, but there are other things afoot at the moment! The entire Shire be in an absolute panic!" he remonstrated. "After this whole mess with men kidnapping a young hobbit, they're afraid these rangers have the same intentions! That one man that was shot in the forest is still there, and the rangers aren't leaving until this business with the traitor hobbit be settled. So you must go and see if it be him, so they can take him away too! So you must do it now! The Shire's awake with hysteria at having murderers and dark stranger in the midst!"
The older hobbit could do more but gape at Milo, and what he was asking him to do.
"Elbereth, I just got Frodo back!" he protested. "I can't just leave him, he needs me right now!"
"Sir, please let us through," another hobbit came down the hall, a doctor's bag under his arm.
As the two hobbits moved aside, Bilbo shot another glance into the room to see Dr. Burrows looming over Frodo, placing a hand on his forehead. Mrs. Gamgee was on the other side of him, holding his hand, and he thought he heard her telling Frodo that he was right outside.
Bilbo groaned, dragging a hand through his hair in a frenzy. He couldn't deny that he burned to know who the traitor hobbit was and confront the coward, whoever he was. But this wasn't the time! This was the worst time! Frodo needed him this moment. The wild fear that had flashed in the boy's eyes when he'd first opened his eyes and seen Bilbo still weighed heavily in his mind.
"I - I can't leave him!" he stammered. "You must understand that!"
"It won't take long, sir," Milo insisted, taking a hold of his arm once again.
"No," he demanded, grabbing his arm back, furiously. "You don't understand! He's suffered terribly, and I can't just leave him like this!"
"But sir, it's not as though you're leaving him in the care of those men again," Milo tried to reason with him. "Look in there, he's being tended by doctors. He's safe now, you don't need to worry."
"I can't," he stammered.
"Just come with us to the Green Dragon, and say whether or not he be the hobbit you saw, and that'll be it. Whether he is or isn't, he did try and break into Bag End this evening."
The older hobbit didn't respond.
"Bilbo, please!" Milo's eyes were practically pleading now. "Everyone in the Shire's in a panic! Can't you hear them outside? You're the only one that can end this before morning and it spreads further, so end it now!"
Bilbo ground his teeth together, fighting back the urge to say that he could care less at this moment what the rest of the Shire was in a panic for!
The voices from outside were growing louder, and he could hear the pounding of fists upon the door and nearby windows. One of the men suddenly appeared in the hallway, motioning for him to come.
"Dammit!" he cursed aloud. Turning, he peered into the room again and saw that the other doctor had flanked the bed as well, and they were both removing bandages and concoctions from their bags. He couldn't even see Frodo now, the bed was so swarmed with hobbits.
Another ranger appeared at the end of the hall, and both were now coming towards him. Their determined strides gave Bilbo the indication that if he did not comply willingly, then they were prepared to drag him out by force.
The cries from outside were growing louder, and more fearful. He could hear them clearly and distinctly now.
"What is going on?"
"What are men doing here?"
"Bilbo's not breeding dragons in there, is he?"
Milo tried to shake his arm again, and Bilbo jerked away. As the rangers approached, Bilbo rushed back into the room. Pushing his way through Dr. Burrows and the other doctor, he resumed his former spot by the bed.
Dammit, he couldn't believe they were making him do this!
Kneeling down beside the boy, Bilbo brushed back the limp bangs and placed a soft kiss on his fevered brow.
"Frodo," he said, his face above his. Frodo's eyes opened, and he stared at his uncle, fearfully.
"W-wha – " he began.
"I have to go for a short while, but I'll be back very soon," he promised, trying to keep his voice from shaking as he stroked the dark curls.
Frodo's face contorted in confusion and he stared at his uncle in disbelief. The older hobbit's chest burned as he watched fresh tears rush to his eyes. "W-what?...no!"
Arms were already snaking around Bilbo, pulling at him. He managed to shove them away one last time.
"Frodo I'll be back soon, I promise, I'll explain everything later."
"Where–" The worry lines on Frodo's face deepened, and a tear dropped down his cheek.
It made Bilbo's heart bleed to see it. But already the doctors were pushing him away, and Milo was practically hauling him out the door.
"Sir, he'll be all right," assured one of the doctors. "He's safe now...we'll take good care of him."
Bilbo wasn't even listening. He wouldn't listen to any of it. It was madness.
Breaking away from Milo, who along with another hobbit had grabbed hold of him, he stomped down the hall and out the door, the rangers and Hamfast trailing behind him.
Fury raged in him that they were making him do this, now, of all times! He hoped they didn't expect any great trial. He'd point the hobbit out, and then storm straight back here. Right now, he didn't even care who it was. He was too tired. He just wanted it all to be over.
There was a crowd of at least twenty outside Bag End. At seeing Bilbo storming out the door, they parted to allow him get through. He expected them to attack him with the onslaught of questions they'd been shouting at his door, yet they remained oddly silent, most likely due to the ranger's presence behind him. Bilbo couldn't help but admit that with the long, dark capes and hoods, the rangers had a dangerous look about them. Even though they meant no harm, they seemed aware of the scare they had unintentionally created as well, and knew that suspicious eyes were on them as they led Bilbo down the road.
There was a crowd outside the Green Dragon as well. As Bilbo was led through, he could hear whispers amongst them on who the hobbit was, and what was to be done with him, but none seemed to have the answer. After emerging from the crowd, he realized why. The doors were guarded by two of the rangers, and it was too dark to see through the windows.
Once they entered, they were quickly ushered into a side room, where Bilbo was surprised to find Shiriff Proudfeet along with two other Shiriffs, Shiriff Bolger and Shiriff Hardbottle. They were standing by a side door, while two more rangers and the leader stood inside the room. All eyes were directed upon a hobbit that crouched, trembling, in the far corner, his identity hidden by the dark shadows of the dimly lit room.
Bilbo saw him, and his heart started to pound madly in his chest as he realized who he was about to confront.
"Master Baggins, we thank you for coming," the head ranger replied.
"Not a problem," Bilbo answered, though the bitter anger in his tone was not lost on anyone in the room.
"This will be quick," he said, and gestured for one of the rangers to go bring the hobbit in the corner. "Once we're
finished here, we shall bother you no more. We are taking the ruffian we captured in the forest with us, and we will determine what punishment he will be granted. This hobbit...well, he is one of your own land. Therefore, we can not lay judgement upon him. So it will be the Shiriff's to determine what is to be done with him, if he is in fact the hobbit you saw."
His hand then gestured to the three Shiriff standing by Bilbo. They were all casting dark, angry eyes at the hobbit who continued to cower in the corner.
"If it be all right with you, sir," Shiriff Proudfeet spoke, after clearing his throat, "I believe I speak for all the Shire that if this is in fact the hobbit...meaning," he added, and his eyes went to Bilbo with the slightest glint of humor, "that Master Baggins judges correctly this time, then we wish you to take this hobbit with you. If he is the one who Master Baggins claims he is, then he should be exiled from the Shire."
Milo gasped, and Bilbo found himself equally astounded at the sentence. Though he certainly didn't think the sentence was harsh in the slightest, he had not expected something so severe from Shiriff Proudfeet. Banishment was a punishment almost unheard of in the Shire. Crime in general was a rare occurrence, and the only time Bilbo had ever heard of a hobbit being banished was for repeated thievery, and that had only been a temporary banishment.
"Are you sure on your decision, little sir?" the ranger inquired, speaking carefully. "If you put him under our responsibility, we will be pushing him along with the ruffian. The punishments that are determined to be appropriate in the world of men are far more severe than what you would deem right here, I am sure."
"I do not doubt it, sir," Shiriff Proudfeet replied, his tone similarly careful. "But the crime that this hobbit has committed has disrupted the peace in the Shire in a way that is uncomparable. To threaten the peace in this land is by far the most serious crime one can do. And this - of conspiring to kidnap and no doubt harm a young, innocent hobbit for the purpose of gaining wealth – "
Shiriff Proudfeet paused, and he took a deep breath before continuing, his voice calm but grave. "Well, I believe that this is a crime too severe for any punishment the Shire could inflict. In my opinion, and in the mind of the Mayor, whom I have already spoken to on this matter, this hobbit deserves no better than to be cast out and left to the mercy of your laws."
A long, heavy silence weighed down upon the members of the room at Shiriff Proudfeet's words, only to be broken by sharp whimpers erupting from the corner.
A sudden chill swept up the back of Bilbo's arms and he shuddered at the familiarity of that whimper. When the ruffian had grabbed the traitor hobbit on the night of the first exchange, he had whimpered like that. The same mewling, pathetic whine as though HE had been wronged and had something dreadful to complain about.
The Shiriffs heard the whimper too, and that served as a signal that it was time for the traitor to be revealed.
The two rangers standing in the doorway went to the corner and each took hold of one of the hobbit's arms, pulling him forward. His hands were bound in front, and he kicked and struggled within their grasp. As the dragged him into the light, his head pitched forwards into his chest, averting his face.
One of the rangers wrapped his hand around the top of the dusty brown, curly head, and pulled it back to expose his face.
There was a wave of shock that tore through the room, striking Bilbo first.
Sandyman.
The Miller.
A regular face at the Green Dragon.
The father of Ted Sandyman, a good friend of Lotho Sackville-Baggins, Lobelia and Otho's son....
Bilbo's mouth went dry as he stared through monstrously wide eyes, his lips parted slightly.
One question he had wanted to demand suddenly lost its meaning. He didn't even need to ask how this monster acquired all the knowledge he needed about Frodo and him to entice the kidnappers.
"Sir, is this the hobbit?" the ranger asked, breaking the silence that had engulfed the room.
When Bilbo didn't answer, Hamfast gave him a slight nudge. He swayed slightly at the contact, still dumbstruck as he tried to grasp that he was looking upon the face the hobbit had been responsible for all of this.
Sandyman was an ordinary looking hobbit. Completely ordinary. Despite his labor at the mill, he had an impish, almost childish face, with small, piggy eyes and a snubbed nose. In his long, miserable musings by the fire, Bilbo remembered suspecting Sandyman as possibly being the traitor hobbit. Yet he had existed within a mass of other names he had suspected, and in the end Bilbo had discarded him, believing him to be too vague and unimpressionable to seriously consider. For he worked at the other end of Hobbiton, and Bilbo hardly knew him. Frodo had never even met him! And yet...
For a long time, Bilbo couldn't do or say anything. He just stood, his eyes hard on the hobbit whom continued to whimper and struggle in the ranger's hold.
Then fury erupted in Bilbo like a raging fire, accompanied with the fear he'd harbored that it could have been anyone. It wasn't a hobbit that lived nearby, or bore him a personal grudge, or was a Sackville-Baggins. It was just one of the many faces among the crowd.
"Master Baggins," one of the rangers said, indicating for him to reply.
"Let him speak," he replied, swallowing. "I may need only to hear his voice to see if he is the one."
All eyes darted to the struggling hobbit.
"N-no," Sandyman said, his voice sounding gruff and obviously faked.
"We meant your real voice," commanded the head ranger.
A reminder was hardly needed, though. Confirmation had been made. This hobbit wouldn't have faked his voice if he had nothing to hide.
"I didn't do it!" he protested, anxiousness slipping into his voice as he squirmed.
"Now wait, sir. I must ask, didn't Sandyman already admit to conspiring earlier?" Shiriff Proudfeet inquired. "For that is what I had been informed, that the hobbit had already confessed."
"It was not a confession," the ranger admitted. "But let me explain. We caught him trying to break in to Master Baggins's hole, and before we even had the opportunity to question him, he began to protest that he wasn't the one that had conspired to kidnap Master Baggins's nephew. He said that straight out, and at our confusion he desperately attempted to retract his statement. And, regardless of whether or not he claimed to be guilt of that crime, he was caught breaking into Master Baggins's home, no doubt for reasons of theft."
"That's not true!" Sandman screeched, as his face whitened and his voice lost all disguise. "I ain't the one! I ain't got any reason to steal from ol' Bilbo Baggins!"
Bilbo closed his eyes tightly. The words came back...even though they'd been disguised, Bilbo could distinguish that the voice was the same.
'Greetings to you, ol' Bilbo Baggins! Just taking a share of some o' yer lavish wealth that you're not generous enough to pass round!'
He had looked supremely triumphant in that moment, his broad chest puffed out, grinning smugly. He had stood beside the ruffian as though they were great companions, and he harbored completely indifferent to who he was hurting in the process of his scheme, of what lives he was destroying....
The ruffians may have been the ones who hurt Frodo....but here was the one responsible for all of this in the first place. If not for him, those men wouldn't have entered Frodo's life, and none of this ever would have happened....such a thought was like a dream, too distant and wonderful to be real.
Suddenly, Bilbo came to himself, and he remembered that he still had Sting with him.
He managed to storm a solid three steps, Sting clenched in his hand, when Shiriff Proudfeet and Shiriff Hardbottle grasped him and pulled him back.
"No, Bilbo," Shiriff Proudfeet protested. "That's enough, you know we can't let you do this!"
A part of Bilbo had known that they would be there to hold him back, but his blind outrage had driven him forwards anyway.
"How could you," he hissed, his eyes narrowing to sharp slits until his face resembled the twisted sneer Frodo had cowered from in his nightmares. "You scum! How could you do something like this! So devious, so evil! And to one of your own kind! Wait, no," he said, his fist still clenching Sting. "I take that back. You're not one of his own. You're not a hobbit to do something so monstrous!"
"Bilbo, that's enough, stop it," Shiriff Proudfeet panted, amazed at the strength it took both him and Shiriff Hardbottle to hold back a ninety-nine year old hobbit. "He'll get what's been coming to him."
"It's not enough," Bilbo snarled, glaring at the hobbit who cowered, terrified, just a few feet from him.
Even though Shiriff Proudfeet had promised a sentence far worse than Bilbo had expected him to, and he knew that he would be sinking lower than this rat if they let him go, it just wasn't enough. Not NEARLY enough! Exile wouldn't take away everything he was feeling, everything his poor boy had gone through. Even now, Bilbo still felt the tremors of worry that nearly drove him mad those first days in the search to find Frodo, not knowing what had happened to him and dreading the worst....then going days in the belief that Frodo was dead, nursed only by grief and the knowledge he'd failed the lad. Those days of a living nightmare were still fresh and raw in his mind, and they might never leave him.
Bilbo would have continued to struggle if the sorrowful memories hadn't weakened him. Shiriff Proudfeet and Shiriff Hardbottle released him, but kept him against the opposite wall, wary hands on his shoulders.
Sandyman stared back at Bilbo in terror.
"Y-you crazy hobbit!" he spluttered, and craned his head up to the men. "Get him! He's the crazy one! What are you capturing me for? He's the one that's a disruption of the peace! An' he's an old miser, he's a selfish, sorry, mad – "
"Knock it off," said one of the rangers, darkly.
"But it's true, look at him!" he exclaimed, and lifted his bound hands towards Bilbo's direction. "He's tryin' to attack me with a great big sword! I don't know about you," he said, with a condescending huff, "But I ain't crazy enough to carry weapons like that!"
The rangers laughed grimly at this.
"I believe he's every right to wield that sword at you," replied the leader, tonelessly.
With his arms folded in front of him, he stepped into the space between Bilbo and the traitor hobbit, and looked down on him with dark, threatening eyes. "Think what you've done. To him. To his nephew. You've brought unimaginable suffering upon them. You've thrown an innocent soul into the hands of terribly men, who nearly succeeded in killing them both. And as for his carrying that sword with him...well, has he not suffered enough to have reason to fear his neighbors, and feel the need to protect himself?"
Sandyman squirmed in discomfort as he was forced to listen.
"I didn't hurt the boy any," he mumbled.
"No," Bilbo said, scowling. "But you did. You might not have kidnapped the boy, but you devised the idea. You brought those men here to do it. Without you, this wouldn't have ever happened! You – " Even as he spoke, fury lurched in him again and Shiriff Proudfeet grabbed onto his arm to hold him back.
"You've no idea, of what you've done, do you!" he said, harshly. The weight of the last two week's fury and grief poured out of him as he spoke. "You've no comprehension of what evil you brought on this land and you've no idea what you did to the lad – " his voice cracked, and guilt seeped into him. "Even I don't know what your greed has done yet. They've dragged me first thing to look on your worthless face instead of taking care of my nephew!"
Bilbo broke off again to catch his breath, and the rangers interpreted this to mean that it was time to lead the hobbit away. But Bilbo wasn't finished.
"You never even met him, did you?" he hissed, as the rangers passed him.
"Who?" Sandyman asked, squinting in confusion.
Bilbo seized the hobbit's shoulder, venomously. "FRODO!"
Sandyman's eyes dimmed in recollection, and then grew vaguely uncomfortable.
"Well, no," he admitted. "But I hear well enough about him from others, an' they know what they're talking about."
"Ted," Bilbo said, suddenly reminded of Sandyman's son, a good friend of Lotho's. He grabbed him, harder. "Did he know about this?" he demanded. "Or no, even better, was it the Sackville-Bagginses? Are they the ones that told you to do this?"
"No," he admitted, the confusion that flittered across his face evidence that he was most likely telling the truth.
An abrupt scowl erupted in Sandyman's face, and Bilbo's stomach flipped at the hatred and resentment that was unleashed before him. "They deserve it more'n' you do, though!" Sandyman muttered. "You've done nothin' to deserve treasure, all you do is sit around! I've seen it! You never worked, never did nothin'! It were supposed to be mine...and I'll bet that boy wasn't harmed any."
Bilbo's hand had come up before Shiriff Proudfeet could stop him. Sandyman went flying back into the ranger's hold and moaned as the fist connected with his jaw.
"You monster," Bilbo glowered. "You have no idea how wrong you are."
"So you were alone in this," the ranger stated, lifting his sword to meet the hobbit's eyes.
"Yes," Sandyman answered, grudgingly, still blinded with pain at the force of the blow.
"That's enough for me," the ranger said.
With a gesture of his hand, the two men dragged a moaning Sandyman away.
Shiriff Proudfeet clapped a firm hand on Bilbo's shoulder, both to reassure him and to prevent him from attacking him again. From there, they were able to hear the sharp gasps and cries from the hobbits outside as they observed Sandyman being led out and exposed as the traitor hobbit.
The hobbits in the room refrained from going out for a moment.
"Well, Master Baggins," Shiriff Proudfeet said. "I had to disappoint you that it wasn't your vile relatives after all."
Bilbo didn't have the strength to look amused. A heavy sigh escaped him, and his head pitched into his chest with renewed weariness and disbelief.
Sandyman. The miller. It was such a commonplace name...in the past, Bilbo had seen him at the Green Dragon, exchanged greetings with him on the road.
Bilbo couldn't even trust his earlier assumption that it was necessarily Lobelia and Otho who Sandyman had learned of his wealth, as well as how important Frodo was in his life. As Sandyman had said, there had been others.
The entire Shire had flocked to his door when Frodo went missing. . .
When Bilbo finally stepped out of the Green Dragon, he was received by hobbits clapping him on the shoulder and bidding him well for getting his nephew back. Bilbo couldn't help but feel indifferent to their praise, knowing how fast opinions changed in the Shire, and still feeling the gnawing suspicions at the back of his mind. It could have been any one of them...
As Bilbo and Hamfast broke away from the crowd, and began the journey home, they could hear the ranger making an announcement to the remaining hobbits gathered.
"We are very sorry to all of you for what has transpired in the last few weeks. The worst, however, appears to be over. The hobbit that was kidnapped has been saved thanks to the courage of his uncle, Master Baggins, and the kidnappers have been caught, as well as a hobbit conspirator. They will all be removed from your land, and we all bid you now to return to your homes. We will be gone by morning, and will trouble you no more."
These words seemed to satisfy most of those listening, and the crowd slowly began to disperse. Bilbo and Hamfast had a head start up the road, and they were silent as they walked down the dark lane.
Sensing his master's distress, Hamfast gave him a firm clap on the shoulder.
"Don' think about it anymore now, sir," he said, softly.
"How can I not?" Bilbo asked, his eyes tracing the ground, looking positively lost. "It was Sandyman....just an acquaintance....a regular face at the Green Dragon..."
"An' he's been caught, sir," Hamfast reminded him. "An' with the anger I saw in that ranger's eyes, he ain't gettin' less than what you'd inflict upon him."
"I suppose," he said, scrubbing his weary face with his hand. "The one ruffian's dead...and the other's going to be sentenced too," he said, looking back at the dark road behind them.
"That's right, sir," Hamfast replied. "You've done all you could do. An' now you've got Frodo back, an' he's gonna be all right. All can end well now."
"Yes," Bilbo said, relief returning as he was reminded who would be waiting for him when he got home.
A smile came into his face. Though it was hard to see it now, the Gaffer was right in what he said. Things could have gone worse. Much worse.
"Frodo's waiting," he said, his pace quickening. With every step, it felt as though he were putting a little bit of the fury and worry behind him on the dark road and coming closer to a better end.
"Let's just get home."
TBC
So...............Shlee Verde, Ilmare, you two win for anticipating rightly! Arg, Shlee, you just can't stop anticipating my moves! :) And WildFire203, you were really close! It wasn't Ted, but his father!
I'm sorry this chapter took so long, I swear I had it nearly finished last Friday but it wasn't quite right, and I left for vacation for a week.
To all who reviewed, please keep it up! BellaMonte is selfish like Tony and Strasser and Sandyman and loves to hear how you liked the latest bit. You pursue me to write faster! :)
Next chapter is in the works, and I promise Frodo will finally be out of his feverish stupor and thinking and talking coherently again.