TITLE: "Brandywine"
AUTHOR: Mainframe
RATING: PG
PAIRING: None so far
Disclaimer: The Hobbits belong to J. R.R. Tolkien and are not of my creation and I make no money from this or other stories involving them, this is purely a non-profit fiction of my creation in honour of the book & movies. However this storyline is mine.
SUMMARY: It's been raining none stop for over a month in the shire and Bilbo is being driven mad by three young hobbits with too much energy to spend. But is his solution to the problem a wise one or could it led to disaster?
NOTES: This is my first fic and I am extremely nervous…I'm usually one of the lurking members of this group so please don't shoot down my amateur efforts and force me back to lurking. I do however appreciate any constructive criticism you have to offer, or advice to give. Like I said this is my first fic, but I have written a reasonable detailed outline of all that is to happen. But it is not set in stone so all suggestions will be listened to. I have yet to work out the age difference between Merry, Frodo & Sam but this fic is set in Hobbiton before The War of the Ring, and if I've worked this out right none of the three have come of age. If this is wrong then I shall have to bend their ages a little for my purposes. Hope you all enjoy!
Brandywine
Chapter 2: Mud & Memories
Frodo, Merry, & Sam speed across the waterlogged lush green fields of Hobbiton towards the densely packed Wood, laughing and giggling until it had become a race. Frodo's long legs gave him the advantage and he was the first to reach the forest entrance. He paused to allow the others to catch up, observing with a frown how churned up the mud-track had become. As he waited for Sam and Merry, he closed his eyes and faced the sun, allowing it's gentle warmth to wash over him. He had missed its touch more then he had realised. He looked once again at the path they would have to take to reach their prize, setting one foot on the track to test it's strength. He sank to his dismay up to his ankle and with a thick slurping sound pulled his foot free. This was going to be difficult. He and Merry would probably be well, however Samwise was still not fully-grown and would probably have a great deal of trouble. As Merry closely followed by Sam pulled to a halt beside him, puffing and panting Frodo voiced his reservations.
"I don't like the look of this Lads, I think when we reach the orchards we may find them flooded if this path is anything to go by" He looked then to Sam who despite his youth was able, like his father, to read his environment with easy and a great deal of accuracy!
"What do you think Sam?"
Taking another deep breath Sam surveyed the scene before him and a frown returned to play across his young features as he contemplated. Finally after several minutes of silence he spoke.
"Well Mr Frodo I think were gonna end up knee high in mud before we've even picked our first apple. Not that it'd bother me nun. But what we'll find this close to the Brandywine I can't say, if you take my meaning?"
Frodo understood exactly what Sam was politely trying to tell him and gave him an understanding nod. The only un-harvested apple trees were situated along a densely forested strip of the river. But how wise it would be to start collecting from there under the present conditions, he and Sam were unsure.
Merry broke the silence first. He had been listening to their exchange quietly but did not much like the way the conversation was turning. As wonderful as Bag-End was compared to Brandy Hall, he felt like if he stayed indoors another day he would suffocate.
"Well cousin a little mud doesn't bother me! You've been studying in that room of yours for far to long anyway! Before very much longer you will have forgotten what daylight is." He baited.
Frodo knew what his cousin was trying to do. And with a gleam of amusement in his eye decided to play along. For the moment.
"And just what do you mean by that Meriadoc?"
Merry grinned at the use of his full name. "Oh nothing it's just that I remember what you used to be like at Brandy Hall is all. And you forget but Mother has told me that there was a time when you preferred to go swimming then learning your letters! But I suppose it was inevitable living up here in Hobbiton. They've finally got to you dear cousin, Hobbiton has tamed you and now you'll be as boring as they are!"
"Hey!" Sam growled at the double insult. "Nothin wrong with Hobbiton folk, we've got more sense then to go askin for trouble messin around near water! Don't you be teasin Mr Frodo like that!"
Then Sam blushed deeply at his outburst realising that for the first time ever he had raised his voice to Merry, who stood before him lips parted in surprise and delight that in trying to goad Frodo, he had discovered Sam's weakness. And a wicked smile spread across his face. Sam looked into Merry's eyes and they held his with a wicked gleam that promised payback.
"Thank you Sam. At least Sam is concerned about my feelings, and you shouldn't make fun of him for it" Frodo swatted Merry with his rolled up sack before turning his attention back to the path.
"My apologise Sam, I did not mean to upset you. I promise not to teases my cousin about becoming old and boring again!" Merry said.
He chuckled as Frodo acknowledged the mockery with a sidelong glance, and watched as conflicting thoughts played across his cousin's pale features. He had made his comments in jest but now that he actually observed his cousin more closely he could see that Frodo was actually paler then he thought healthy. He had always been thin, that was in his blood passed from his mother's side. He shivered as those expressive blue eyes became shadowed and he wondered what it was that he had said to disturb his cousin so. He regretted his words and was about to retract them when he heard Frodo speak.
"I am not old and I have no fear of the Brandywine" Frodo murmured, more to himself then to his companions. As if saying it out loud would help to convince him that it were true.
He allowed his thoughts to wonder back to his days at Brandy Hall, Merry hadn't even been conceived then, Frodo smiled as he remembered his Mother and Father teaching him how to swim. He remembered the first time he went into the Brandywine and how scared he had been, but he felt safe in his mother's protective arms. His father giving him gentle encouragement to swim the six feet to him from his mother arms. He took to swimming instantly and remembered how proud his father had been, beaming down at him as his son slowly and clumsily made his way to him. After that day his father would take him swimming every day before dinner.
Suddenly the warm smiling faces were ripped away as his mind jumped to another image, one that had haunted Frodo from it's happening to the present. His parents lay before him on the bank of the river where several dozen hobbits were gathered, including the members of his own household who had pulled their lifeless bodies from the Brandywine. They silently parted to allow him through, unsure themselves weather he should see more then he had already. He had been sat on the bank when it had happened, their boat had tipped and they had fallen into the water. The savage undercurrents had sucked them down and before Frodo could blink they were gone. Their cloths were soaking and their hair matted, but it was their pale faces and unseeing eyes that haunted Frodo. He would never forget the touch of their flesh, so cold. He brushed his mothers bangs from her eyes, she had always hated how no matter how hard she tried they always managed to work themselves loose and fall into her eyes. He grabbed her hand and tried to make it grip his, but when he let go it fell back lifelessly to the grass. His father was the same. He remembered hushed whispering around him and then the warm strong arms of his Aunt Esmeralda lifting him away from the dreadful scene. He never once made a sound and even as his sobbing Aunt had carried him away his eyes remained locked on his parents. He had never spoken of what he had seen or about the incident to any one, not even to his much beloved Bilbo. His silence disturbed the inhabitancies of Brandy Hall more then the tears that silently leaked from his eyes even in sleep. The tears had long since run dry but the silence on the whole accident had never been broken. Even to this day Bilbo ever so often would try to broach the subject, but Frodo would clam up and withdraw into the depths of his own mind. A habit that had taken ten years off Bilbo the first few times it had happened, the doctors could do nothing for him and had said that until he allowed himself to grieve openly he would never recover from the loss fully.
Long moments passed silently. Sam exchanged a concerned glance with Merry as Frodo chewed his lower lip unconsciously before pulling himself back to the present and reaching his decision. He noticed the silent exchange between Merry and Sam and gave them a reassuring warm smile before starting out down the mud-track. When Sam and Merry didn't move to follow him he called out over his shoulder.
"Come on you two! These sacks won't fill themselves you know!" He did turn around then and grinned. "Besides Uncle Bilbo will be expecting to see them filled".
Tbc ~
AUTHOR: Mainframe
RATING: PG
PAIRING: None so far
Disclaimer: The Hobbits belong to J. R.R. Tolkien and are not of my creation and I make no money from this or other stories involving them, this is purely a non-profit fiction of my creation in honour of the book & movies. However this storyline is mine.
SUMMARY: It's been raining none stop for over a month in the shire and Bilbo is being driven mad by three young hobbits with too much energy to spend. But is his solution to the problem a wise one or could it led to disaster?
NOTES: This is my first fic and I am extremely nervous…I'm usually one of the lurking members of this group so please don't shoot down my amateur efforts and force me back to lurking. I do however appreciate any constructive criticism you have to offer, or advice to give. Like I said this is my first fic, but I have written a reasonable detailed outline of all that is to happen. But it is not set in stone so all suggestions will be listened to. I have yet to work out the age difference between Merry, Frodo & Sam but this fic is set in Hobbiton before The War of the Ring, and if I've worked this out right none of the three have come of age. If this is wrong then I shall have to bend their ages a little for my purposes. Hope you all enjoy!
Brandywine
Chapter 2: Mud & Memories
Frodo, Merry, & Sam speed across the waterlogged lush green fields of Hobbiton towards the densely packed Wood, laughing and giggling until it had become a race. Frodo's long legs gave him the advantage and he was the first to reach the forest entrance. He paused to allow the others to catch up, observing with a frown how churned up the mud-track had become. As he waited for Sam and Merry, he closed his eyes and faced the sun, allowing it's gentle warmth to wash over him. He had missed its touch more then he had realised. He looked once again at the path they would have to take to reach their prize, setting one foot on the track to test it's strength. He sank to his dismay up to his ankle and with a thick slurping sound pulled his foot free. This was going to be difficult. He and Merry would probably be well, however Samwise was still not fully-grown and would probably have a great deal of trouble. As Merry closely followed by Sam pulled to a halt beside him, puffing and panting Frodo voiced his reservations.
"I don't like the look of this Lads, I think when we reach the orchards we may find them flooded if this path is anything to go by" He looked then to Sam who despite his youth was able, like his father, to read his environment with easy and a great deal of accuracy!
"What do you think Sam?"
Taking another deep breath Sam surveyed the scene before him and a frown returned to play across his young features as he contemplated. Finally after several minutes of silence he spoke.
"Well Mr Frodo I think were gonna end up knee high in mud before we've even picked our first apple. Not that it'd bother me nun. But what we'll find this close to the Brandywine I can't say, if you take my meaning?"
Frodo understood exactly what Sam was politely trying to tell him and gave him an understanding nod. The only un-harvested apple trees were situated along a densely forested strip of the river. But how wise it would be to start collecting from there under the present conditions, he and Sam were unsure.
Merry broke the silence first. He had been listening to their exchange quietly but did not much like the way the conversation was turning. As wonderful as Bag-End was compared to Brandy Hall, he felt like if he stayed indoors another day he would suffocate.
"Well cousin a little mud doesn't bother me! You've been studying in that room of yours for far to long anyway! Before very much longer you will have forgotten what daylight is." He baited.
Frodo knew what his cousin was trying to do. And with a gleam of amusement in his eye decided to play along. For the moment.
"And just what do you mean by that Meriadoc?"
Merry grinned at the use of his full name. "Oh nothing it's just that I remember what you used to be like at Brandy Hall is all. And you forget but Mother has told me that there was a time when you preferred to go swimming then learning your letters! But I suppose it was inevitable living up here in Hobbiton. They've finally got to you dear cousin, Hobbiton has tamed you and now you'll be as boring as they are!"
"Hey!" Sam growled at the double insult. "Nothin wrong with Hobbiton folk, we've got more sense then to go askin for trouble messin around near water! Don't you be teasin Mr Frodo like that!"
Then Sam blushed deeply at his outburst realising that for the first time ever he had raised his voice to Merry, who stood before him lips parted in surprise and delight that in trying to goad Frodo, he had discovered Sam's weakness. And a wicked smile spread across his face. Sam looked into Merry's eyes and they held his with a wicked gleam that promised payback.
"Thank you Sam. At least Sam is concerned about my feelings, and you shouldn't make fun of him for it" Frodo swatted Merry with his rolled up sack before turning his attention back to the path.
"My apologise Sam, I did not mean to upset you. I promise not to teases my cousin about becoming old and boring again!" Merry said.
He chuckled as Frodo acknowledged the mockery with a sidelong glance, and watched as conflicting thoughts played across his cousin's pale features. He had made his comments in jest but now that he actually observed his cousin more closely he could see that Frodo was actually paler then he thought healthy. He had always been thin, that was in his blood passed from his mother's side. He shivered as those expressive blue eyes became shadowed and he wondered what it was that he had said to disturb his cousin so. He regretted his words and was about to retract them when he heard Frodo speak.
"I am not old and I have no fear of the Brandywine" Frodo murmured, more to himself then to his companions. As if saying it out loud would help to convince him that it were true.
He allowed his thoughts to wonder back to his days at Brandy Hall, Merry hadn't even been conceived then, Frodo smiled as he remembered his Mother and Father teaching him how to swim. He remembered the first time he went into the Brandywine and how scared he had been, but he felt safe in his mother's protective arms. His father giving him gentle encouragement to swim the six feet to him from his mother arms. He took to swimming instantly and remembered how proud his father had been, beaming down at him as his son slowly and clumsily made his way to him. After that day his father would take him swimming every day before dinner.
Suddenly the warm smiling faces were ripped away as his mind jumped to another image, one that had haunted Frodo from it's happening to the present. His parents lay before him on the bank of the river where several dozen hobbits were gathered, including the members of his own household who had pulled their lifeless bodies from the Brandywine. They silently parted to allow him through, unsure themselves weather he should see more then he had already. He had been sat on the bank when it had happened, their boat had tipped and they had fallen into the water. The savage undercurrents had sucked them down and before Frodo could blink they were gone. Their cloths were soaking and their hair matted, but it was their pale faces and unseeing eyes that haunted Frodo. He would never forget the touch of their flesh, so cold. He brushed his mothers bangs from her eyes, she had always hated how no matter how hard she tried they always managed to work themselves loose and fall into her eyes. He grabbed her hand and tried to make it grip his, but when he let go it fell back lifelessly to the grass. His father was the same. He remembered hushed whispering around him and then the warm strong arms of his Aunt Esmeralda lifting him away from the dreadful scene. He never once made a sound and even as his sobbing Aunt had carried him away his eyes remained locked on his parents. He had never spoken of what he had seen or about the incident to any one, not even to his much beloved Bilbo. His silence disturbed the inhabitancies of Brandy Hall more then the tears that silently leaked from his eyes even in sleep. The tears had long since run dry but the silence on the whole accident had never been broken. Even to this day Bilbo ever so often would try to broach the subject, but Frodo would clam up and withdraw into the depths of his own mind. A habit that had taken ten years off Bilbo the first few times it had happened, the doctors could do nothing for him and had said that until he allowed himself to grieve openly he would never recover from the loss fully.
Long moments passed silently. Sam exchanged a concerned glance with Merry as Frodo chewed his lower lip unconsciously before pulling himself back to the present and reaching his decision. He noticed the silent exchange between Merry and Sam and gave them a reassuring warm smile before starting out down the mud-track. When Sam and Merry didn't move to follow him he called out over his shoulder.
"Come on you two! These sacks won't fill themselves you know!" He did turn around then and grinned. "Besides Uncle Bilbo will be expecting to see them filled".
Tbc ~