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: Oh it's been one of those nights; I thought I'd post two chapters this weekend to help make up for the slow week!
Big thank you to Rachel! Many, many thanks for your very thorough and constructive observations! They are appreciated and I enjoy reading them. The hobbit age's I knew were wrong, for they were a constant source of frustration to me, there is just such a huge age gap between Frodo to Sam to Merry (Pip not even being around yet), that I had to bend there ages a tad…well alright, a lot!
The distance from Hobbiton to Buckland I believe can be covered in two days on pony, that was an oversight on my part early on in the fic when I really didn't take the time to consider these things, I do now. Well spotted.
Brandywine
1 Chapter 8: Lost & Found
It was ten o'clock in the Shire when the four anxious hobbits left number three Bagshot Row, they were all thankful the rain had subsided. Bilbo had quickly returned to Bag-End to retrieve his coat and cloak, Hamson had accompanied him at his fathers request. While Bilbo crammed several old leather travel bags with just about his entire stoke of thick woollen blankets, and a few other necessities, Hamson hitched up Bilbo's cart.
Bilbo flew from the smial slamming the door on his way out, he threw the two travel bags into the back of the cart and jumped up to sit beside Hamson. Hamson motioned the pony forward with the rains but it stubbornly refused to move, he tried again a little more forcefully, but the pony only nayed in annoyance and stamped it's hoof. Bilbo took the rains and hooked them through a small metal loop; in a clear crisp voice he issued a command.
"On Trixiebell"
Hamson said nothing, he had realised for himself long ago that almost everything to do with the Bagginses was a bit queer and this was no exception. He never understood, and often teased his youngest brother relentlessly about the amount of time he spent in and out of bag-End.
Whilst he agreed wholeheartedly that young Mr Frodo was a kind and gentle hobbit, he didn't like his impressionable brother associating with anyone who had as much Brandybuck blood in him as Frodo, to say nothing of the rumours that had been circulating surrounding his parent's deaths.
*Their trouble and they'll led you ta trouble mark my words* He remembered saying to Sam one evening just before bed.
Sam had been chatting non-stop about the hike he, Merry and Frodo had been on that day and how he'd managed to climb a tree for the first time all by himself. His brother had been appalled at the mere notion of climbing anything other than the hill to Bag-End let alone a tree! Very unhobbitlike and most unnatural. They'd ended up in a fight and both had gotten the strap that night, Hamson for teasing Sam and disrespecting the Bagginses, and Sam for cursing his older brother in front of his mother (who had come in to investigate the raised voices that had floated through to the kitchen), and fighting in the house.
The pony instantly broke into a trot. As they approached Bagshot Row, Hamson jumped from the cart and rushed to relieve his father of the armful he was carrying, which consisted of several long thick coils of rope, a pick, three spare lanterns to add to Bilbo's two, more blankets, a long knife which he did not know his father possessed, and his fathers old walking stick.
As Hamfast climbed up to sit beside Bilbo he noted that the old hobbit was wearing a very thick, brown, leather belt from which hung a sword. Its intricately carved hilt gleamed in the soft light from the lanterns. He flicked his eyes back to Bilbo's face, he was staring ahead into the darkness, waiting for Halfred, Hamfast's second eldest to finish securing the equipment.
Hamfast saw something that he had never seen in his employer's eyes before. Bilbo's normally warm brown, mischievous eye's, which usually radiated life, were cold and unreadable. His face was set and jaw clenched. He looked more like a battle-hardened solider than the gentlehobbit and Master of Bag-End (or at least he looked how Hamfast thought a battle hardened solider would look for he had never travelled out of the shire). It was only then in that moment that Hamfast truly realised how changed his Master had become after his wonderings with the outlandish folk, and wondered for the first time what those eye's had seen to harden them so.
Bilbo turned to face him and caught him staring. He forced a small smile that didn't quiet reach his eyes and gave a small nod, subconsciously he pulled his cloak over his right hip, concealing the sword.
Halfred's extra weight in the back of the cart signified it was time to leave, Bell approached the cart with little Marigold wrapped in a soft woollen shawl. She kissed her boys one by one before approaching her husband, she held Marigold up enough so that her father could kiss her goodnight, it was way past her bedtime.
"Be careful"
"I always am Bell, now go back inside before you and the nipper freeze"
Bell nodded and looked round her husband to Bilbo. "Master Baggins …Good luck to you Sir. Is there anything we can do for you at all? I shan't sleep till I know my Sam and your boys are safe so I'd rather be doing something of use"
Bilbo could see she was putting on a brave face in front of her children but she was on the verge of crying, her eye's had become impossible wide and glistened at their edge. Then it struck him; yes there was something that he needed done.
"Yes there is" He cleared his throat "If it's not too much trouble… could you ask either Daisy or May to go to Bag-End and light the fires in the kitchen, dinning-room and in Frodo's bedroom, I should like it nice and hot for him, he's not got much insulation of his own" he chuckled but it died in mid flow and sounded painful. He was forced to look away for fear his own emotions would overrun him.
"I'll send both girls up with your leave Sir, many hands make light work, and the sooner the fires are lit the better"
Bilbo cracked a small smile "Thank you Mrs Gamgee, tell them if they get hungry to help themselves, I don't know how long we will be"
"Now go on inside and wait," Hamfast said impatiently, the sooner he knew his son was all right the easier he would feel "Just in case they wander back on their own while were gone" He added in a softer tone.
Bell patted his knee understandingly and disappeared inside. Bilbo ordered Trixiebell on and they were off.
They covered the distance between Bagshot Row and the secluded apple orchard in good time, the cart was well made and most importantly for it's passenger's, well sprung. There was little conversation on the journey, only the two lads in the back chattered between themselves, Bilbo remained silent for the most part only breaking his silence to shout a command to Trixiebell. Hamfast respected Bilbo's silence, he knew that he was blaming himself for the whole affair and nothing anybody said was going to change that until the lads were safe.
They finally reached their destination and Trixiebell obediently pulled off the road and as far along the fields as she was able before Bilbo deemed it to muddy for the cart. The forest lay stretched out in front of them as they each took a lantern and distributed the equipment between them. Hamson and Halfred were to search north west of the path while Bilbo and Hamfast searched East towards Bywater.
They had barely gone their separate ways when the two adults heard a loud shout from Hamson followed by a curse from Halfred. Bilbo and Hamfast ran quickly back down the path, turning the corner where the edge of the forest began, they were able to see the soft glow from the lanterns further up the track. They could make out two silhouettes against the light and quickened their pace as they saw them crouched over something.
"Sam!"
Hamfast thought his heart was going to beat right through his chest, as he gently turned his youngest son's lifeless body onto his back, brushing the wet curls from his cold waxen face. There was no response, and he reluctantly touched his fingers to the side of Sam's neck and waited.
Halfred shook and started to babble as his eyes shot back and forward from his brother's motionless body to his father's grave features.
"We jus' found him like that Pa, bu we didn't want ta move him and he wouldn't wake up! hewouldn'twakeup!" His words ran together and became impossibly high pitched as panic gripped him. Hamson was forced clamped his hand over his hysterical brothers mouth, but couldn't control the tears that had started to burn down his own cheeks. He stifled his own sob and drew his shaking brother into a tight embrace as they waited silently for their father to speak.
Hamfast released the breath he didn't know he'd been holding, and his voice had a ragged edge to it when he spoke.
"He's breathin…we need ta get him outta these cloths"
Bilbo sighed with relief and wiped the sweat from his brow before rummaging through his leather pack. In the meanwhile Halfred and Hamson were helping their father to strip Sam of his sodden clothing. Hamfast lifted Sam gentle when they were done, allowing Bilbo to wrap one of the huge thick woollen blankets around him until only Sam's face was visible. Hamfast pulled his son onto his lap, allowing his head to rest against his broad shoulder, rubbing his back in strong fast circles. As he felt warmth returning to the boy he gentle began to call his name. Bilbo was busy repeating a similar action, placing Sam's foot under one arm he took the other and began to work life back into it.
Sam stirred with a soft moan and opened his eye's a crack, he wasn't quite sure where he was or what was happening, all he knew what that he had never in his life felt so sore and cold, his chest hurt and his head seemed to pound in time to his heart. He began the shiver and was forced to close his eyes for a few moments, he heard his father call his name again, this time with a bit more force.
"Yes-s-s-s S-s-ir! I've plante-e-d the marigolds-s…" He stuttered in confusion and his father feared that he had a fever and shook him a little as he continued.
"Enough of that talk Samwise Gamgee! Open your eye's an look a me!" He demanded.
Sam's eyes popped open instantly and awareness flooded back to him, he began to sob and struggle in his father's arms. His father held him a little tighter and began to gentle stroke the side of his face.
"Easy lad, easy, yer safe now" He paused as he caught sight to Bilbo's anxious and desperate gaze. "Sam? Samwise can you hear me?"
Sam gave a small nod and tried to talk, but doubled over in a harsh coughing fit instead which lasted several long seconds before he was able to make a second attempt. He looked to his father and then locked eyes with Bilbo who in response leaned in closed as Sam desperately tried to form sound.
"Easy lad, breathe and try again when you're a little calmer," Bilbo urged trying not to sound too impatient.
Sam closed his eyes and took several breaths, not too deep for the pain in his chest was starting to grow and he feared another coughing attack. When he opened his eyes again he took his time to slowly form his words and used as few as possible, just enough to convey what he knew.
"Merry…" He took another breath.
"Is he in trouble?
Sam nodded.
"Do you know where he is Sam?" Bilbo pressed unable this time to conceal his haste.
Sam twisted as much as he was able in his fathers embrace and set his eyes on the path further along the forest to their left and held his gaze there. It was exhausting and he fell back to face Bilbo breathing hard and fast through his mouth.
"Hamson, Halfred, take the lanterns and your packs" Bilbo snapped "look for my nephew on the path further down". As they scrambled to their feet and hoisted their packs in place, Bilbo asked Sam quickly.
"Is Merry hurt like you Sam, did you fall into the river?"
Sam nodded again as a tear slowly slid from his eye and he leaned into his father's warm embrace.
"When you find him do the same as we have done with Sam, and bring him as quickly as you can back to the cart." Bilbo ordered. "Stick to the path."
"And whatever happens mind the river!" His father bellowed at their backs as they disappeared round the river bend.
Bilbo returned his attention to the now shaking hobbit lad cowering in Hamfast's lap, he smiled gentle and patted his knee. "I'm sorry Sam just a few more questions and then we'll get you into a nice warm bed, I promise".
Sam sniffled and tried to sit up a little straighter. "Twas all-l my f-f- fault" He croaked "I f-f-fell in a-n-d, a-n-d …"
"It doesn't matter now lad, please tell me" He paused and drew in a deep breath bracing himself "Where is Frodo?"
Sam began to cry again and looked to the Brandywine.
"Did he fall in? Do you know where he is now? It's very important!"
"He, he, he p-pulled me an M-m-erry out" He panted with the effort, it was becoming almost impossible for Sam to concentrate enough to speak and he felt his thoughts begin the muddle, but managed to push the last few words out before it became too much. "The-the ground —he f-fell! Dow-down the river, t-took him…" He collapsed against his father, closed his eyes and sank into sleep.
Bilbo paled and had to sit down for a moment before gathering his wits, he looked from father to son and settled his eyes on Sam's shaking form and reached a decision.
"Ham, take Sam and wait for me back at the cart, you'll find many blankets" He stood suddenly with renewed energy and determination, after securing his pack he took his lantern and Ham's rope.
"You'll need help Master, I can…" But he was cut off in mid sentence.
"No! I'll be fine and Sam needs you more, I'll be back as soon as I can" And with that he broke into a fast walk.
As Hamfast watched he was struck by how fast his old Master could move when he had to, it was most unnatural he thought, there he was over a hundred and able to move about like a hobbit half his age. He shook his head and carried his son carefully back to the cart, but quickened his pace when he saw his two sons already there and fussing around in the back.
"Da, we found Mr Merry! But he won't let us take his cloths"
Hamson ran to his father and took Sam from him. He lowered his voice to a whisper as they approached the cart "He tried ta punch Halfred when he first came round, he'd only managed the first button!"
The Gaffer grunted and stepped up into the back of the cart and relieved Hamson of Sam. Over in the far right-hand corner of the cart he saw the scrunched up form of the young Brandybuck, shaking like an Ivy leaf, Hamson had managed to throw one of the blankets over him.
Two piercing grey eye's regarded him as he gently lowered Sam into another thicker blanket that Halfred had placed on the floor of the cart for him. He spoke to Merry as he carefully continued to wrap his son into a bundle.
"Now what's this nonsense I hear young Master?"
He was greeted with silence, broken only by the soft, involuntary chattering of Merry's teeth.
Merry stared at Sam the whole time, he was dimly aware that the Gaffer was talking to him but he couldn't understand, as if he were talking in another tongue. Sam looked peaceful with the exception of a small frown that played across his youthful features every so often. After a time, he wasn't sure how long, he realised that the Gaffer had stopped fussing over his son, satisfied that he had done all that he could for him, and was now staring at him consideringly.
The Gaffer had been watching the small bundle before him for several minutes, he'd realised that talking was a waste of time for Merry didn't seem able to hear him. Instead he stared at Sam. He motioned his boys out of the cart and asked them to see if they could find and lend a hand to Bilbo, instructing them to head along the path towards Bywater. Once they had gone he turned his attention back to Merry, one way or another Merry would do as he was told young Master or no, his health depended on it!
Hamfast pulled out several more blankets from the pile and shook one open, Merry's blanket was soaked through in places from his breeches and was only adding to his obvious discomfort. Ham firmly grasped the edge of the blanket and pulled it away despite Merry's feeble efforts to retain it. The gaffer dropped the wet blanket to one side, using hand gestures as well as words he motioned for Merry to remove his own clothing. When Merry shook his head for the fourth time and scrunched into an even tighter ball Hamfast was through playing around, he was the father of three lads and knew exactly how to handle them!
Merry let out a strangled yelp of surprise when he found himself pulled from the corner he was occupying, he glared at the Gaffer as the gardener began to wrestle with the rest of Merry's buttons. Before Merry was able to struggle the Gaffer had worked all the buttons loose, grabbing firmly the waistband of his breeches and his unders together, Hamfast gave the clothing one sharp yank and dropped them on top of the wet blanket.
Merry panicked and tried to scuttle away on all fours, but one of Hamfast's rock solid arms caught him and lifted him in the air, briefly balancing the struggling Brandybuck on his left hip, while arranging one of the blankets on the floor of the cart. He then wrapped the still struggling child tightly in the second blanket, trapping his arms within its folds. Merry collapsed in exhaustion and Hamfast lifted him into his arms rocking him slowly as he would his own child, Merry gave a shudder and then relaxed into the comforting embrace, allowing himself to do something he thought he'd forgotten how to do. Cry.
Hamfast had always had his suspicions about Merry's plight, but it was not his place to question how others chose to discipline their children, that and the fact that until just now that's all he'd had, suspicions. But after seeing the bruising covering the tweenager he was in no shadow of a doubt, some of the bruises on the child were obviously old and not from today's ordeal, for they were well on their way to fading. But they had obviously been brutal when first inflicted, even on the odd occasion when Sam had needed the strap, Ham had never lashed to even a degree of what this child had been.
As he rocked the sobbing child he looked at his own son sleeping soundly, trying to imagine what he would feel if it had been Sam with these hurts in his arms, his blood quietly simmered. He would defiantly be informing Mr Bilbo about this when the opportunity presented itself.
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: Oh it's been one of those nights; I thought I'd post two chapters this weekend to help make up for the slow week!
Big thank you to Rachel! Many, many thanks for your very thorough and constructive observations! They are appreciated and I enjoy reading them. The hobbit age's I knew were wrong, for they were a constant source of frustration to me, there is just such a huge age gap between Frodo to Sam to Merry (Pip not even being around yet), that I had to bend there ages a tad…well alright, a lot!
The distance from Hobbiton to Buckland I believe can be covered in two days on pony, that was an oversight on my part early on in the fic when I really didn't take the time to consider these things, I do now. Well spotted.
Brandywine
1 Chapter 8: Lost & Found
It was ten o'clock in the Shire when the four anxious hobbits left number three Bagshot Row, they were all thankful the rain had subsided. Bilbo had quickly returned to Bag-End to retrieve his coat and cloak, Hamson had accompanied him at his fathers request. While Bilbo crammed several old leather travel bags with just about his entire stoke of thick woollen blankets, and a few other necessities, Hamson hitched up Bilbo's cart.
Bilbo flew from the smial slamming the door on his way out, he threw the two travel bags into the back of the cart and jumped up to sit beside Hamson. Hamson motioned the pony forward with the rains but it stubbornly refused to move, he tried again a little more forcefully, but the pony only nayed in annoyance and stamped it's hoof. Bilbo took the rains and hooked them through a small metal loop; in a clear crisp voice he issued a command.
"On Trixiebell"
Hamson said nothing, he had realised for himself long ago that almost everything to do with the Bagginses was a bit queer and this was no exception. He never understood, and often teased his youngest brother relentlessly about the amount of time he spent in and out of bag-End.
Whilst he agreed wholeheartedly that young Mr Frodo was a kind and gentle hobbit, he didn't like his impressionable brother associating with anyone who had as much Brandybuck blood in him as Frodo, to say nothing of the rumours that had been circulating surrounding his parent's deaths.
*Their trouble and they'll led you ta trouble mark my words* He remembered saying to Sam one evening just before bed.
Sam had been chatting non-stop about the hike he, Merry and Frodo had been on that day and how he'd managed to climb a tree for the first time all by himself. His brother had been appalled at the mere notion of climbing anything other than the hill to Bag-End let alone a tree! Very unhobbitlike and most unnatural. They'd ended up in a fight and both had gotten the strap that night, Hamson for teasing Sam and disrespecting the Bagginses, and Sam for cursing his older brother in front of his mother (who had come in to investigate the raised voices that had floated through to the kitchen), and fighting in the house.
The pony instantly broke into a trot. As they approached Bagshot Row, Hamson jumped from the cart and rushed to relieve his father of the armful he was carrying, which consisted of several long thick coils of rope, a pick, three spare lanterns to add to Bilbo's two, more blankets, a long knife which he did not know his father possessed, and his fathers old walking stick.
As Hamfast climbed up to sit beside Bilbo he noted that the old hobbit was wearing a very thick, brown, leather belt from which hung a sword. Its intricately carved hilt gleamed in the soft light from the lanterns. He flicked his eyes back to Bilbo's face, he was staring ahead into the darkness, waiting for Halfred, Hamfast's second eldest to finish securing the equipment.
Hamfast saw something that he had never seen in his employer's eyes before. Bilbo's normally warm brown, mischievous eye's, which usually radiated life, were cold and unreadable. His face was set and jaw clenched. He looked more like a battle-hardened solider than the gentlehobbit and Master of Bag-End (or at least he looked how Hamfast thought a battle hardened solider would look for he had never travelled out of the shire). It was only then in that moment that Hamfast truly realised how changed his Master had become after his wonderings with the outlandish folk, and wondered for the first time what those eye's had seen to harden them so.
Bilbo turned to face him and caught him staring. He forced a small smile that didn't quiet reach his eyes and gave a small nod, subconsciously he pulled his cloak over his right hip, concealing the sword.
Halfred's extra weight in the back of the cart signified it was time to leave, Bell approached the cart with little Marigold wrapped in a soft woollen shawl. She kissed her boys one by one before approaching her husband, she held Marigold up enough so that her father could kiss her goodnight, it was way past her bedtime.
"Be careful"
"I always am Bell, now go back inside before you and the nipper freeze"
Bell nodded and looked round her husband to Bilbo. "Master Baggins …Good luck to you Sir. Is there anything we can do for you at all? I shan't sleep till I know my Sam and your boys are safe so I'd rather be doing something of use"
Bilbo could see she was putting on a brave face in front of her children but she was on the verge of crying, her eye's had become impossible wide and glistened at their edge. Then it struck him; yes there was something that he needed done.
"Yes there is" He cleared his throat "If it's not too much trouble… could you ask either Daisy or May to go to Bag-End and light the fires in the kitchen, dinning-room and in Frodo's bedroom, I should like it nice and hot for him, he's not got much insulation of his own" he chuckled but it died in mid flow and sounded painful. He was forced to look away for fear his own emotions would overrun him.
"I'll send both girls up with your leave Sir, many hands make light work, and the sooner the fires are lit the better"
Bilbo cracked a small smile "Thank you Mrs Gamgee, tell them if they get hungry to help themselves, I don't know how long we will be"
"Now go on inside and wait," Hamfast said impatiently, the sooner he knew his son was all right the easier he would feel "Just in case they wander back on their own while were gone" He added in a softer tone.
Bell patted his knee understandingly and disappeared inside. Bilbo ordered Trixiebell on and they were off.
They covered the distance between Bagshot Row and the secluded apple orchard in good time, the cart was well made and most importantly for it's passenger's, well sprung. There was little conversation on the journey, only the two lads in the back chattered between themselves, Bilbo remained silent for the most part only breaking his silence to shout a command to Trixiebell. Hamfast respected Bilbo's silence, he knew that he was blaming himself for the whole affair and nothing anybody said was going to change that until the lads were safe.
They finally reached their destination and Trixiebell obediently pulled off the road and as far along the fields as she was able before Bilbo deemed it to muddy for the cart. The forest lay stretched out in front of them as they each took a lantern and distributed the equipment between them. Hamson and Halfred were to search north west of the path while Bilbo and Hamfast searched East towards Bywater.
They had barely gone their separate ways when the two adults heard a loud shout from Hamson followed by a curse from Halfred. Bilbo and Hamfast ran quickly back down the path, turning the corner where the edge of the forest began, they were able to see the soft glow from the lanterns further up the track. They could make out two silhouettes against the light and quickened their pace as they saw them crouched over something.
"Sam!"
Hamfast thought his heart was going to beat right through his chest, as he gently turned his youngest son's lifeless body onto his back, brushing the wet curls from his cold waxen face. There was no response, and he reluctantly touched his fingers to the side of Sam's neck and waited.
Halfred shook and started to babble as his eyes shot back and forward from his brother's motionless body to his father's grave features.
"We jus' found him like that Pa, bu we didn't want ta move him and he wouldn't wake up! hewouldn'twakeup!" His words ran together and became impossibly high pitched as panic gripped him. Hamson was forced clamped his hand over his hysterical brothers mouth, but couldn't control the tears that had started to burn down his own cheeks. He stifled his own sob and drew his shaking brother into a tight embrace as they waited silently for their father to speak.
Hamfast released the breath he didn't know he'd been holding, and his voice had a ragged edge to it when he spoke.
"He's breathin…we need ta get him outta these cloths"
Bilbo sighed with relief and wiped the sweat from his brow before rummaging through his leather pack. In the meanwhile Halfred and Hamson were helping their father to strip Sam of his sodden clothing. Hamfast lifted Sam gentle when they were done, allowing Bilbo to wrap one of the huge thick woollen blankets around him until only Sam's face was visible. Hamfast pulled his son onto his lap, allowing his head to rest against his broad shoulder, rubbing his back in strong fast circles. As he felt warmth returning to the boy he gentle began to call his name. Bilbo was busy repeating a similar action, placing Sam's foot under one arm he took the other and began to work life back into it.
Sam stirred with a soft moan and opened his eye's a crack, he wasn't quite sure where he was or what was happening, all he knew what that he had never in his life felt so sore and cold, his chest hurt and his head seemed to pound in time to his heart. He began the shiver and was forced to close his eyes for a few moments, he heard his father call his name again, this time with a bit more force.
"Yes-s-s-s S-s-ir! I've plante-e-d the marigolds-s…" He stuttered in confusion and his father feared that he had a fever and shook him a little as he continued.
"Enough of that talk Samwise Gamgee! Open your eye's an look a me!" He demanded.
Sam's eyes popped open instantly and awareness flooded back to him, he began to sob and struggle in his father's arms. His father held him a little tighter and began to gentle stroke the side of his face.
"Easy lad, easy, yer safe now" He paused as he caught sight to Bilbo's anxious and desperate gaze. "Sam? Samwise can you hear me?"
Sam gave a small nod and tried to talk, but doubled over in a harsh coughing fit instead which lasted several long seconds before he was able to make a second attempt. He looked to his father and then locked eyes with Bilbo who in response leaned in closed as Sam desperately tried to form sound.
"Easy lad, breathe and try again when you're a little calmer," Bilbo urged trying not to sound too impatient.
Sam closed his eyes and took several breaths, not too deep for the pain in his chest was starting to grow and he feared another coughing attack. When he opened his eyes again he took his time to slowly form his words and used as few as possible, just enough to convey what he knew.
"Merry…" He took another breath.
"Is he in trouble?
Sam nodded.
"Do you know where he is Sam?" Bilbo pressed unable this time to conceal his haste.
Sam twisted as much as he was able in his fathers embrace and set his eyes on the path further along the forest to their left and held his gaze there. It was exhausting and he fell back to face Bilbo breathing hard and fast through his mouth.
"Hamson, Halfred, take the lanterns and your packs" Bilbo snapped "look for my nephew on the path further down". As they scrambled to their feet and hoisted their packs in place, Bilbo asked Sam quickly.
"Is Merry hurt like you Sam, did you fall into the river?"
Sam nodded again as a tear slowly slid from his eye and he leaned into his father's warm embrace.
"When you find him do the same as we have done with Sam, and bring him as quickly as you can back to the cart." Bilbo ordered. "Stick to the path."
"And whatever happens mind the river!" His father bellowed at their backs as they disappeared round the river bend.
Bilbo returned his attention to the now shaking hobbit lad cowering in Hamfast's lap, he smiled gentle and patted his knee. "I'm sorry Sam just a few more questions and then we'll get you into a nice warm bed, I promise".
Sam sniffled and tried to sit up a little straighter. "Twas all-l my f-f- fault" He croaked "I f-f-fell in a-n-d, a-n-d …"
"It doesn't matter now lad, please tell me" He paused and drew in a deep breath bracing himself "Where is Frodo?"
Sam began to cry again and looked to the Brandywine.
"Did he fall in? Do you know where he is now? It's very important!"
"He, he, he p-pulled me an M-m-erry out" He panted with the effort, it was becoming almost impossible for Sam to concentrate enough to speak and he felt his thoughts begin the muddle, but managed to push the last few words out before it became too much. "The-the ground —he f-fell! Dow-down the river, t-took him…" He collapsed against his father, closed his eyes and sank into sleep.
Bilbo paled and had to sit down for a moment before gathering his wits, he looked from father to son and settled his eyes on Sam's shaking form and reached a decision.
"Ham, take Sam and wait for me back at the cart, you'll find many blankets" He stood suddenly with renewed energy and determination, after securing his pack he took his lantern and Ham's rope.
"You'll need help Master, I can…" But he was cut off in mid sentence.
"No! I'll be fine and Sam needs you more, I'll be back as soon as I can" And with that he broke into a fast walk.
As Hamfast watched he was struck by how fast his old Master could move when he had to, it was most unnatural he thought, there he was over a hundred and able to move about like a hobbit half his age. He shook his head and carried his son carefully back to the cart, but quickened his pace when he saw his two sons already there and fussing around in the back.
"Da, we found Mr Merry! But he won't let us take his cloths"
Hamson ran to his father and took Sam from him. He lowered his voice to a whisper as they approached the cart "He tried ta punch Halfred when he first came round, he'd only managed the first button!"
The Gaffer grunted and stepped up into the back of the cart and relieved Hamson of Sam. Over in the far right-hand corner of the cart he saw the scrunched up form of the young Brandybuck, shaking like an Ivy leaf, Hamson had managed to throw one of the blankets over him.
Two piercing grey eye's regarded him as he gently lowered Sam into another thicker blanket that Halfred had placed on the floor of the cart for him. He spoke to Merry as he carefully continued to wrap his son into a bundle.
"Now what's this nonsense I hear young Master?"
He was greeted with silence, broken only by the soft, involuntary chattering of Merry's teeth.
Merry stared at Sam the whole time, he was dimly aware that the Gaffer was talking to him but he couldn't understand, as if he were talking in another tongue. Sam looked peaceful with the exception of a small frown that played across his youthful features every so often. After a time, he wasn't sure how long, he realised that the Gaffer had stopped fussing over his son, satisfied that he had done all that he could for him, and was now staring at him consideringly.
The Gaffer had been watching the small bundle before him for several minutes, he'd realised that talking was a waste of time for Merry didn't seem able to hear him. Instead he stared at Sam. He motioned his boys out of the cart and asked them to see if they could find and lend a hand to Bilbo, instructing them to head along the path towards Bywater. Once they had gone he turned his attention back to Merry, one way or another Merry would do as he was told young Master or no, his health depended on it!
Hamfast pulled out several more blankets from the pile and shook one open, Merry's blanket was soaked through in places from his breeches and was only adding to his obvious discomfort. Ham firmly grasped the edge of the blanket and pulled it away despite Merry's feeble efforts to retain it. The gaffer dropped the wet blanket to one side, using hand gestures as well as words he motioned for Merry to remove his own clothing. When Merry shook his head for the fourth time and scrunched into an even tighter ball Hamfast was through playing around, he was the father of three lads and knew exactly how to handle them!
Merry let out a strangled yelp of surprise when he found himself pulled from the corner he was occupying, he glared at the Gaffer as the gardener began to wrestle with the rest of Merry's buttons. Before Merry was able to struggle the Gaffer had worked all the buttons loose, grabbing firmly the waistband of his breeches and his unders together, Hamfast gave the clothing one sharp yank and dropped them on top of the wet blanket.
Merry panicked and tried to scuttle away on all fours, but one of Hamfast's rock solid arms caught him and lifted him in the air, briefly balancing the struggling Brandybuck on his left hip, while arranging one of the blankets on the floor of the cart. He then wrapped the still struggling child tightly in the second blanket, trapping his arms within its folds. Merry collapsed in exhaustion and Hamfast lifted him into his arms rocking him slowly as he would his own child, Merry gave a shudder and then relaxed into the comforting embrace, allowing himself to do something he thought he'd forgotten how to do. Cry.
Hamfast had always had his suspicions about Merry's plight, but it was not his place to question how others chose to discipline their children, that and the fact that until just now that's all he'd had, suspicions. But after seeing the bruising covering the tweenager he was in no shadow of a doubt, some of the bruises on the child were obviously old and not from today's ordeal, for they were well on their way to fading. But they had obviously been brutal when first inflicted, even on the odd occasion when Sam had needed the strap, Ham had never lashed to even a degree of what this child had been.
As he rocked the sobbing child he looked at his own son sleeping soundly, trying to imagine what he would feel if it had been Sam with these hurts in his arms, his blood quietly simmered. He would defiantly be informing Mr Bilbo about this when the opportunity presented itself.
Tbc