Chapter 7
The Darkening Scar
Frodo laid back onto the small bed. Basso examined his old wounds. He seemed mostly concerned about Frodo's left shoulder. As this continued, Frodo noticed two she-elves standing near the door. They would often assist Basso as he worked. Frodo couldn't help but feel like they were watching him closely.
"What are they looking at, Basso?" Frodo whispered.
"Well, being the Ring-Bearer and Destroyer of the Ring doesn't hurt your chances with the ladies." Basso whispered back, winking at his friend. But this was less comforting to Frodo.
"Well Frodo, your neck and back have made an excellent recovery." Basso commented, as he examined Frodo's back. "And your incident with Shelob…looks like that mark is almost gone. Well done." He looked closely at the scar on Frodo's left shoulder. "Hm…but this one is stubborn; it looks the same as you first came…in fact…it looks darker."
"I was told it would never fully heal." Frodo explained.
At this, Basso furrowed his brow in concern. "I see…Frodo…could you tell me how you got this scar?"
"I was on a quest with two of my kin, and a friend. We met with a man named Aragorn. He was leading us to Rivendell. We stopped one night to set a camp, and then…the Ring-Wraiths came and…I was wounded."
"Do you know who stabbed you?" Basso asked. "Which Ring-Wraith? Did you ever learn his name?"
"I believe so." Frodo replied, searching his memory. "I think he was known…as the Witch King of Angmar."
Basso's face seemed to go pale. He took a deep breath and nodded his head. "Do you still get ill?"
"Yes," Frodo replied. "And it stings…"
"When? How often?"
"Every now and then…"
"And…how often is every now and then?"
Frodo hesitated. "Most days…"
"Hm…" Basso nodded, seeming to be lost in thought. "I may have to do some more research on this. Keep an eye on your scar in the meantime."
"Thank you." Frodo said.
~jb~
Later that evening, Elrond joined the hobbits for dinner. They all sat around a table, large for the hobbits. The top nearly reached Frodo's collarbone, so he had to lift his arms high to reach his plate.
As they were dining, there seemed to be no sign of Basso.
"Where do you think he's off to?" Hildifons asked.
"Last time I saw him was in the library. He said he was on to something. He'll be along, I'm sure." Milo replied. "Besides, you know how he gets when he's researching. Nothing will stop him. He had his green notebook and everything."
"Oh great, he's never coming." Hildifons rolled his eyes.
They continued their dinner in silence. Suddenly, they heard Basso yelling in the hallway.
"Elrond! Thank goodness, you're here! I must speak with you!" He panted, running towards the table and climbing onto a chair. "It's urgent!" He continued, slamming papers and books onto the table.
"Yes?" Elrond asked.
"Morgal Blades…" Basso panted again. "They have been known to turn people into Ring Wraiths, and you have accomplished the impossible when you saved Frodo. However, the scar will remain. It may never heal and…"
"You're telling us things that we're aware of." Elrond replied.
"But that's not it…" Basso said. "I'm afraid…he will die…"
"What?!" Bilbo exclaimed.
"That's impossible!" Elrond said. "He can't die here!"
"Morgoth…works in strange ways…evil can't survive here." Basso explained. "Frodo will pass away…that's the only way it will diminish."
"No…" Bilbo got out of his chair and began to pace around the table. "This can't be…this can't happen!"
"But there is hope!" Basso continued. "There is a stone- a healing stone. It can cure anything! If this is held up to his scar, then it will fade, the curse will be lifted, and his life will be spared. I think there may be some other things required, but I think this will be all that we need."
Elrond sighed in relief. "That's good. Where can we find this stone?"
"Well…that's the hard part." Basso said. "The name of the stone is… The Healing Stone of Gundabad…"
Everyone in the room went silent.
"That's all the way back in Middle-Earth." Milo sighed in frustration. "I thought we could never go back…"
"You are not elves." Elrond informed. "But you are hobbits…you may be able to cross the sea again without Ulmo stopping you."
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Hildifons got out of his chair.
"I do believe I'm quite ready for another adventure." Bilbo added.
"No." The hobbits heard Frodo getting out of his chair and turning to leave the room.
"What?" Milo gasped.
"Why on earth not?" Bilbo demanded.
Frodo paused by the door. He was quiet for a moment before turning to his friends. "How many more of my friends need to put their lives at risk for me? My adventure is over, and frankly…I'm done with adventures. And if that means dying then…"
"No." Bilbo said. "I won't let that happen! I don't want you to die, I can't allow it!"
"Why not?" Frodo asked, nearly snapping at his uncle.
"Because you're far too young!" Bilbo snapped back. "All of this that's happened to you is my doing after all… and you're my nephew… You know why I took you in? You always had true spirit-but it's more than that. I love you as though you were my own son…and I will do anything to save your life."
Frodo stared at his uncle in awe. He gazed at the other hobbits. They were all waiting for his response. He was amazed at the older hobbits, all willing to risk their lives to help him…He wasn't sure if he wanted to take the chance, but something felt right…
"All right," Frodo finally nodded. "When do we start?"
Hope you enjoyed the feels!
