Author's Note: As always, thank you to all my readers. . .especially for
the reviews, which SO encourage me to continue (and to try and work
quickly!). Without you guys, I probably wouldn't still be writing on
Fanfiction.Net. I hope you enjoy reading each new chapter as much as I
enjoy writing them for your pleasure! Please note that while this is a
VERY short chapter, I have Chapter 11 almost ready and will complete and
post after I get back from the movie again (my 23rd time, Minx! :) ) As to
whether little Frodo will get better or worse. . .well, we'll just have to
wait and see!
Speaking of which. . .good to hear someone else has seen this an appalling number of times! ;) :) BellaMonte, glad you enjoyed the trailer preview too! (Did everyone see this already and enjoy it? :) Hope so!)
GoldenWolf, dear heart, you know how you can remedy that. . .WRITE! :) Please, give us something more? :) I've missed your work SO much. . .you are such an inspiration. Please keep the light burning for all of us.
darthmorgana, I couldn't believe it when I saw your review. . .are you serious?!?! I positively MELTED over your first chapter and am following avidly. . .please, please, I can't wait for more! (And your little blue- eyed boy sends big hugs. :) )
Arien, m'dear, you spoiled us all with your latest lovely tale. You spoil us every time you post another fic! :) I always get such joy from reading your work. :)
Everyone. . .thank you all so much for bringing so much joy to my life. It is an honour to write for you. :) Please keep reading and reviewing. :) I'll be addressing some additional questions and comments in my Chapter 11 Author's Notes, so please stay tuned! :)
For permission to reproduce, please contact frodobaggins@frodo.com
DISCLAIMER: The characters, places, and story of The Lord of the Rings are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and consequently of the Tolkien Estate, with select rights by Tolkien Enterprises. This piece appears purely as fanfiction and is not intended to claim ownership of Tolkien's work in any way. Please e-mail me if you have concerns.
SHADOWS IN THE DARKNESS
Chapter Ten: Mud Puddles and Sweet Butter
"How is he?"
Bilbo looked up from Frodo's bedside, where he sat changing the boy's compresses and hot water-bottle, the evening hints of golden sunset beginning to show through the edges of the curtains. In the doorway stood Gandalf, his countenance open with concern.
"No better, no worse. . .he's been asleep, mostly. Woke up an hour ago feeling ill and took his medicine, drank three sips of chamomile tea for me, and went right back to sleep." He eyed the wizard curiously. "I wasn't sure you'd be back."
"I said I planned to stay for a fortnight, Bilbo Baggins, and I intend to do so, as long as my welcome isn't worn through already." Gandalf smiled, his voice merry as he stepped inside, closing the little round door gently. He managed to successfully duck the frame before coming to sit by Frodo's bed, studying the boy carefully. "I'm sorry to have left you at such a time, my friend, but I had things to do." His eyes sparkled, and at once he took out a small piece of wood and a little knife and began to carve quietly.
Bilbo eyed him curiously. "What sort of things?"
The wizard arched his eyebrows casually. "Oh, nothing really, nothing at all. . . . Allow me to say, however, that I saw Lobelia and Otho, and wouldn't you know that. . .despite the dry weather these few days. . .they drove right through a mud-puddle? Lobelia was quite covered, I believe, and screeching like an owl at her husband, who'd gotten splattered as well. . . ."
A chuckle bubbled forth as Bilbo settled a fresh hot-water bottle against Frodo's stomach, tucking him back in warmly. "Dear me! My, Gandalf, but you *do* have a way with things! I would love to have seen her face; I'm sure it would have soured sweet butter!"
"Indeed it would have." Fairly grinning, Gandalf continued carving. "And you needed time with the boy. He loves you very much, you know."
Bilbo nodded, his expression growing dim again as he looked back at the sick tweenager. "I'm worried about him, Gandalf. He hasn't been this ill in quite a while. . . ."
"He'll pull through. He's very strong. And surprising, like some other Bagginses I've known."
At this, Frodo began to stir a little, whimpering as he started to wake. Bilbo promptly slipped his hand into one of the lad's, smiling kindly. "There now, Frodo. . .sssshhh. . .it's all right."
The dark eyelashes fluttered, blue eyes opening slowly, still overly bright with fever. "Bilbo?"
"Yes, my boy. . .I'm here."
"Please. . .I'm thirsty."
Gently Bilbo brought the cup of chamomile tea to the dry lips, tipping it gently for the boy to sip. Frodo drank carefully, finishing perhaps a third of the small tea-cupful before pressing Bilbo's hand, indicating for him to stop. Cooperating with the youngster's wishes, Bilbo set that aside, stroking the damp curls, and started to speak - but his attention was caught by the soft creak of the door, and a pair of brown eyes that peered through. . . .
~To Be Continued~
Speaking of which. . .good to hear someone else has seen this an appalling number of times! ;) :) BellaMonte, glad you enjoyed the trailer preview too! (Did everyone see this already and enjoy it? :) Hope so!)
GoldenWolf, dear heart, you know how you can remedy that. . .WRITE! :) Please, give us something more? :) I've missed your work SO much. . .you are such an inspiration. Please keep the light burning for all of us.
darthmorgana, I couldn't believe it when I saw your review. . .are you serious?!?! I positively MELTED over your first chapter and am following avidly. . .please, please, I can't wait for more! (And your little blue- eyed boy sends big hugs. :) )
Arien, m'dear, you spoiled us all with your latest lovely tale. You spoil us every time you post another fic! :) I always get such joy from reading your work. :)
Everyone. . .thank you all so much for bringing so much joy to my life. It is an honour to write for you. :) Please keep reading and reviewing. :) I'll be addressing some additional questions and comments in my Chapter 11 Author's Notes, so please stay tuned! :)
For permission to reproduce, please contact frodobaggins@frodo.com
DISCLAIMER: The characters, places, and story of The Lord of the Rings are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and consequently of the Tolkien Estate, with select rights by Tolkien Enterprises. This piece appears purely as fanfiction and is not intended to claim ownership of Tolkien's work in any way. Please e-mail me if you have concerns.
SHADOWS IN THE DARKNESS
Chapter Ten: Mud Puddles and Sweet Butter
"How is he?"
Bilbo looked up from Frodo's bedside, where he sat changing the boy's compresses and hot water-bottle, the evening hints of golden sunset beginning to show through the edges of the curtains. In the doorway stood Gandalf, his countenance open with concern.
"No better, no worse. . .he's been asleep, mostly. Woke up an hour ago feeling ill and took his medicine, drank three sips of chamomile tea for me, and went right back to sleep." He eyed the wizard curiously. "I wasn't sure you'd be back."
"I said I planned to stay for a fortnight, Bilbo Baggins, and I intend to do so, as long as my welcome isn't worn through already." Gandalf smiled, his voice merry as he stepped inside, closing the little round door gently. He managed to successfully duck the frame before coming to sit by Frodo's bed, studying the boy carefully. "I'm sorry to have left you at such a time, my friend, but I had things to do." His eyes sparkled, and at once he took out a small piece of wood and a little knife and began to carve quietly.
Bilbo eyed him curiously. "What sort of things?"
The wizard arched his eyebrows casually. "Oh, nothing really, nothing at all. . . . Allow me to say, however, that I saw Lobelia and Otho, and wouldn't you know that. . .despite the dry weather these few days. . .they drove right through a mud-puddle? Lobelia was quite covered, I believe, and screeching like an owl at her husband, who'd gotten splattered as well. . . ."
A chuckle bubbled forth as Bilbo settled a fresh hot-water bottle against Frodo's stomach, tucking him back in warmly. "Dear me! My, Gandalf, but you *do* have a way with things! I would love to have seen her face; I'm sure it would have soured sweet butter!"
"Indeed it would have." Fairly grinning, Gandalf continued carving. "And you needed time with the boy. He loves you very much, you know."
Bilbo nodded, his expression growing dim again as he looked back at the sick tweenager. "I'm worried about him, Gandalf. He hasn't been this ill in quite a while. . . ."
"He'll pull through. He's very strong. And surprising, like some other Bagginses I've known."
At this, Frodo began to stir a little, whimpering as he started to wake. Bilbo promptly slipped his hand into one of the lad's, smiling kindly. "There now, Frodo. . .sssshhh. . .it's all right."
The dark eyelashes fluttered, blue eyes opening slowly, still overly bright with fever. "Bilbo?"
"Yes, my boy. . .I'm here."
"Please. . .I'm thirsty."
Gently Bilbo brought the cup of chamomile tea to the dry lips, tipping it gently for the boy to sip. Frodo drank carefully, finishing perhaps a third of the small tea-cupful before pressing Bilbo's hand, indicating for him to stop. Cooperating with the youngster's wishes, Bilbo set that aside, stroking the damp curls, and started to speak - but his attention was caught by the soft creak of the door, and a pair of brown eyes that peered through. . . .
~To Be Continued~