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: Big thank you to all those who have been reviewing my work, it's great to know that some people actually like it!
STORY WATCH: JastaElf has updated "Dark Leaf", nail-biting stuff! Frisky has also update "Hopeless Life" and Llinos has updated "Recaptured, cool! It's getting too exciting! Melodysongsinger has updated "Only The Very Best" again, this is a story that has taken on a life of it's own. And Trilliah has written a new series called "The Beginning" and is a shire based story, so if you love Frodo/ Sam fic's it's gonna be one for you! Rachelstonebreaker has written several great stories surrounding the hobbit's, pre-ring stuff; and I was never good at subtle so here goes...PLEASE CAN WE HAVE MORE? And finally Lilybaggin's has written a new fic called "A HOBBIT, CAUGHT OFF HIS GUARD" part three is up now, getting hot, hot, hot!
Brandywine
1 Chapter 11: Watch & Wait
Bilbo directed Hamfast to the guest room where Sam would stay, but upon opening the door he realised his grave error for the room was dark and cold. He instead directed all three of them into Frodo's room, which sported a roaring fire and a double bed.
Bilbo managed a juggling act with his unconscious nephew, shifting his body so that he hung over one shoulder, while with his free hand he drew back the covers. He carefully lowered his ice-cold nephew into its centre, Hamfast and Hamson deposited Sam and Merry either side and pulled the bedding under their chins.
Bilbo wiped sweat from his brow with his handkerchief and saw for the first time the two Gamgee sisters stood mute and pale in the doorway.
Bilbo caught Hamfast's eye and motioned to his pale, mute daughters. Hamfast decided that they had been through enough for one night, and sent them home escorted by Hamson; who was under strict instructions to return after explaining to Bell what had taken place.
Hamfast felt Sam's face and to his dismay discovered that it was cold once more, the cart ride back had taken a heavy toll on the three lads, the thick woollen blankets had helped, but the last leg of the journey had become a race he recalled. Soon after Halfred had dashed into town, Hamson had heard whispered mutterings of half formed words issuing from Frodo's mouth. When he reached over to check on him he gave a startle cry as he discovered that his face was like ice once more. Upon further inspection he discovered that Sam and Merry where in a similar state.
Hamfast went to the kitchen where he found boiled water and carefully filled several of the water bottles, then made two cups of tea with what was left. After placing the hot-water-bottles at the tweenager's feet, while Bilbo fussed with tucking the now many layers of bedding closely round the three, he handed Bilbo a cup and his pipe.
"Oh thank you Ham, that's just what I need"
"Your welcome Sir"
"I've not seen this before," Bilbo confessed. He made a gesture towards the bed as he pulled a chair next to his own for Hamfast and lit his pipe. "They were burning up before, why do they now feel as cold as stone, I am worried Ham, it's been too long since I heard anything from them. How could I have allowed this to happen?"
Ham was just as worried, however unlike his Master he had seen these symptoms before, a long time ago. "As I said befor' I'll say again, twern't nothing you could a done. The Shire don't flood 'cept once in a blue moon and you weren't ta know," he paused "We've got strong lads, my Sam's never been sick a day in his life and Mr Merry's got fire for blood as they say."
Bilbo noted how he avoided any bold statements concerning Frodo, out of the three Frodo had been exposed to the cruel elements the longest, his slight build made matters even worse. At least a little colour was creeping back into young Samwise and Merry...Frodo's skin was cold and clammy to the touch, and had taken on a light bluish ting, a warning of deep shock in it's late stage. He lay motionless, nestled between Sam and Merry.
Hamfast continued as he watched Bilbo stare at his beloved nephews, he cleared his dry throat. "Mr Frodo's got good blood in him..." He was rewarded with a small smile from Bilbo, a little of the old sparkle returned to his eyes as Hamfast continued, "...Baggins and Brandybuck make for a strong mix, there's no denyin that!"
Bilbo couldn't help but chuckle; it was rare that Hamfast ever spoke about Frodo let alone his blood heritage. He clapped Ham on the back several times as tears ran down his cheeks. "Yes, yes my old friend I think your right," He chuckled "you never knew him in Brandy Hall but he was a little terror!"
Hamfast waited patiently for Bilbo to continue, they had to wait for the healer anyway, he would rather Bilbo be distracted then allow him to continue reprimanding himself for the whole disaster.
"You know his mischief even rivalled Merry and Pippins!"
Ham's wild eyebrows shot to his hairline. Pippin and Merry together were notorious in Hobbiton as well as Buckland and Tuckborough! How in all the shire, could kind and gentle Frodo Baggins have been worse then that pair?
"Oh yes he was!" Bilbo sobered a bit before he went on "you see, when Primula and Drogo passed on...he went a little wild. Brandy Hall is such a huge place, you've never seen it but...at any one time there are roughly two hundred kin living there"
"Never! That's a village more like"
"True. As the months went by my lad seemed to perfect the art of blending into the background, despite Esmeralda's best attempts to make sure he was alright he always managed to give her the slip. He would burry himself in a book and forget the time, most un-hobbit-like to miss a meal!"
Hamfast lit his pipe and quirked a smile, but kept silent, Bilbo however had seen the gesture.
"I guess I'm hardly one to speak about hobbit behaviour now, am I? Still that is a trait that worries me to this day, he just seems to forget to eat. That started after his parents died as well." He paused "Ah well, what was I saying before?" His smile returned as he relayed to Hamfast many tales that Frodo would blush to hear retold. Including the time he and Merry decided to have a snail race in the kitchen and the cook caught them, and a certain incident involving itching-powder in the laundry-room!
Hamfast in turn told a tale or two of some of the things he'd caught his children getting up to when they were younger, finishing up with a cracker concerning Samwise and his rather disastrous, short-lived hobby of collecting caterpillars. Ham recalled how he had gone into his room, (for Sam had not appeared at breakfast with the others) and was about to pull him out of bed for being so lazy, when he realised that he was covered in small angry red spots all over his face, neck and arms.
"Turned out the poor mite was allergic to the furry little critters!" He roared "Course I weren't too please when I realised were he'd been hidin em."
Bilbo's eye's sparkled with laughter as he waited.
"He'd only been hidin em in amongst we cabbage sprouts in the shed, hadn' he! They'd near on eaten the pots an all!" He snorted.
"Oh dear! Poor Sam, I guess now I know why he's so thorough when it comes to pest control here"
"Aye, twere a good lesson to learn"
Just then they heard a soft moan from the bed. Bilbo was out of his chair and beside the bed before Hamfast could blink.
Merry's grey eye's slowly opened and he moaned louder this time as he raised a hand to his head and looked around in confusion.
"Hello Merry my lad! How many fingers am I holding up?" His Uncle half joked for it was obvious the child had a terrible headache.
Merry's eye's focused. "Three" He whispered, closing his eyes briefly before slowly turning to face Bilbo. He stopped in mid-motion as he felt cold flesh at his left side, Merry flushed as he turned back to see Frodo's unruly mop of curls at eye-level. He couldn't see his cousin's chest rise and fall and gave an involuntary whimper, he looked so pale, indeed if not for the startling contrast of his hair he could almost blend with the pillow.
He felt a hand slowly stroking the curls from his face and realised that his uncle was now perched on his side of the bed. Merry turned frightened, tear-filled eyes on his uncle.
"He's alive Merry, there's nothing to worry about, and you're all going to be fine. Halfred has gone to fetch the healer and will be back soon," He said as he continued to sooth his nephew, who visibly relaxed at this news. "Is there anything we can get you?"
Merry had to lick his lips several times before he was able to reply, his body felt strange, he had never known cold like this. It had penetrated his young body deeply and seemed to cling to his very bones, no matter how warm the bed was or how many blankets covered him.
His head pounded and he had to concentrate for a few moments, briefly closing his eyes. When the pain had calmed to a dull thud he opened them again to a very worried looking Bilbo, who was unsure weather his nephew had passed out or not.
"May I...May I have some...something to drink, please?" He panted.
He watched mutely as Bilbo turned from him and spoke to someone else, he couldn't see who else was in the room but surmised it was probably Hamfast, which meant that Sam must also be with them, probably on the other side of Frodo. He couldn't concentrate on what was being said, but heard the door creak open and footsteps disappear.
Bilbo captured one of Merry's slender hands and rubbed at it absentmindedly, annoyed that it didn't seem capable of retaining the hard won warmth he worked into it. "Merry..." He looked the lad square in the eye as he spoke.
Merry saw a silent war raging behind his Uncles eyes and wondered what the struggle was about, however he seemed to reach a resolve and continued.
"...Do you think you feel strong enough to tell me what you remember. It might help the healer if we are able to tell her exactly what happened. Sam managed to tell us a little about falling into the river, but that was about all."
Hamfast returned at that moment and handed a glass containing sweet, warm juice to Bilbo. Bilbo gentle cupped Merry's head and tilted it enough to press the glass to his lips and let him sip at his own pace. Even this simple action made Merry feel exhausted, his headache had returned with a vengeance at the small motion and he had to concentrate hard not to allow the juice to leak from the corners of his mouth.
He panted heavily when he had finished all he could, it was a long time before he was able to retell the events of that day and it's disastrous outcome.
Bilbo and Hamfast listened intently, Hamfast discovering that it had been his own son who had fallen first and how Merry and then later Frodo had saved his child's life. He felt shame silently burn inside him, for if truth be told he was sure he would discover that it had been Merry or Frodo that had inadvertently set the wheels in motion.
"Mr Merry?" He watched as the Brandybuck's eyes popped opened and settled on him. It was not an entirely friendly look; obviously he was still sour about the clothing business. "I just wanted to thank you...for savin me boy's life. Samwise can't swim an if you hadn' a done what ya did, when ya did..." His voiced trailed off, unable or unwilling to finish his sentence, Merry could not decide. "I owe you a dept Sir"
"Merry managed to blush despite everything, his gaze softened. "You don't owe me any-anything, Mr Gamgee. Sam's my...my friend" He panted "that's all there is t-t-too it". He felt his grip on reality start to slip "B-but if Frodo hadn't been strong.... enough, we'd both be...gone" His lids closed of their own accord and Merry knew no more.
Hamfast stared in amazement at Merry, there was definitely more to the lad then he let on. His gaze travelled then to Frodo. Frodo Baggins, a complete enigma too most hobbits in all four Fathings, yet despite his known family history with The Brandywine, he had saved Sam and Merry. He had always been fond of the lad, not just because he was his Masters chosen heir, but also because there couldn't be found a kinder hobbit in all the lands.
"I owe your family a huge debt o' thanks Master" He smiled then "both side o' it!"
Bilbo finished settling Merry back under the covers and grinned before quoting "A Baggins and Brandybuck make for a strong mix. Never a truer word spoken my friend!"
Hamfast was about to reply when they heard a knock at the door and upon opening it the healer, Laura Goodbody entered, closely followed by a rather haunted looking Halfred.
"I found her da, I found her!" Halfred shouted excitedly.
"I can see that lad, now quiet'n down"
Halfred's face fell. Hamfast took Miss Goodbody's shawl and hung it on the hall peg before guiding her to Mr Frodo's room. On the way he kneaded Hal's shoulder before patting him on the back, it was an appraisal that Halfred proudly accepted as they entered the room.
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: Big thank you to all those who have been reviewing my work, it's great to know that some people actually like it!
STORY WATCH: JastaElf has updated "Dark Leaf", nail-biting stuff! Frisky has also update "Hopeless Life" and Llinos has updated "Recaptured, cool! It's getting too exciting! Melodysongsinger has updated "Only The Very Best" again, this is a story that has taken on a life of it's own. And Trilliah has written a new series called "The Beginning" and is a shire based story, so if you love Frodo/ Sam fic's it's gonna be one for you! Rachelstonebreaker has written several great stories surrounding the hobbit's, pre-ring stuff; and I was never good at subtle so here goes...PLEASE CAN WE HAVE MORE? And finally Lilybaggin's has written a new fic called "A HOBBIT, CAUGHT OFF HIS GUARD" part three is up now, getting hot, hot, hot!
Brandywine
1 Chapter 11: Watch & Wait
Bilbo directed Hamfast to the guest room where Sam would stay, but upon opening the door he realised his grave error for the room was dark and cold. He instead directed all three of them into Frodo's room, which sported a roaring fire and a double bed.
Bilbo managed a juggling act with his unconscious nephew, shifting his body so that he hung over one shoulder, while with his free hand he drew back the covers. He carefully lowered his ice-cold nephew into its centre, Hamfast and Hamson deposited Sam and Merry either side and pulled the bedding under their chins.
Bilbo wiped sweat from his brow with his handkerchief and saw for the first time the two Gamgee sisters stood mute and pale in the doorway.
Bilbo caught Hamfast's eye and motioned to his pale, mute daughters. Hamfast decided that they had been through enough for one night, and sent them home escorted by Hamson; who was under strict instructions to return after explaining to Bell what had taken place.
Hamfast felt Sam's face and to his dismay discovered that it was cold once more, the cart ride back had taken a heavy toll on the three lads, the thick woollen blankets had helped, but the last leg of the journey had become a race he recalled. Soon after Halfred had dashed into town, Hamson had heard whispered mutterings of half formed words issuing from Frodo's mouth. When he reached over to check on him he gave a startle cry as he discovered that his face was like ice once more. Upon further inspection he discovered that Sam and Merry where in a similar state.
Hamfast went to the kitchen where he found boiled water and carefully filled several of the water bottles, then made two cups of tea with what was left. After placing the hot-water-bottles at the tweenager's feet, while Bilbo fussed with tucking the now many layers of bedding closely round the three, he handed Bilbo a cup and his pipe.
"Oh thank you Ham, that's just what I need"
"Your welcome Sir"
"I've not seen this before," Bilbo confessed. He made a gesture towards the bed as he pulled a chair next to his own for Hamfast and lit his pipe. "They were burning up before, why do they now feel as cold as stone, I am worried Ham, it's been too long since I heard anything from them. How could I have allowed this to happen?"
Ham was just as worried, however unlike his Master he had seen these symptoms before, a long time ago. "As I said befor' I'll say again, twern't nothing you could a done. The Shire don't flood 'cept once in a blue moon and you weren't ta know," he paused "We've got strong lads, my Sam's never been sick a day in his life and Mr Merry's got fire for blood as they say."
Bilbo noted how he avoided any bold statements concerning Frodo, out of the three Frodo had been exposed to the cruel elements the longest, his slight build made matters even worse. At least a little colour was creeping back into young Samwise and Merry...Frodo's skin was cold and clammy to the touch, and had taken on a light bluish ting, a warning of deep shock in it's late stage. He lay motionless, nestled between Sam and Merry.
Hamfast continued as he watched Bilbo stare at his beloved nephews, he cleared his dry throat. "Mr Frodo's got good blood in him..." He was rewarded with a small smile from Bilbo, a little of the old sparkle returned to his eyes as Hamfast continued, "...Baggins and Brandybuck make for a strong mix, there's no denyin that!"
Bilbo couldn't help but chuckle; it was rare that Hamfast ever spoke about Frodo let alone his blood heritage. He clapped Ham on the back several times as tears ran down his cheeks. "Yes, yes my old friend I think your right," He chuckled "you never knew him in Brandy Hall but he was a little terror!"
Hamfast waited patiently for Bilbo to continue, they had to wait for the healer anyway, he would rather Bilbo be distracted then allow him to continue reprimanding himself for the whole disaster.
"You know his mischief even rivalled Merry and Pippins!"
Ham's wild eyebrows shot to his hairline. Pippin and Merry together were notorious in Hobbiton as well as Buckland and Tuckborough! How in all the shire, could kind and gentle Frodo Baggins have been worse then that pair?
"Oh yes he was!" Bilbo sobered a bit before he went on "you see, when Primula and Drogo passed on...he went a little wild. Brandy Hall is such a huge place, you've never seen it but...at any one time there are roughly two hundred kin living there"
"Never! That's a village more like"
"True. As the months went by my lad seemed to perfect the art of blending into the background, despite Esmeralda's best attempts to make sure he was alright he always managed to give her the slip. He would burry himself in a book and forget the time, most un-hobbit-like to miss a meal!"
Hamfast lit his pipe and quirked a smile, but kept silent, Bilbo however had seen the gesture.
"I guess I'm hardly one to speak about hobbit behaviour now, am I? Still that is a trait that worries me to this day, he just seems to forget to eat. That started after his parents died as well." He paused "Ah well, what was I saying before?" His smile returned as he relayed to Hamfast many tales that Frodo would blush to hear retold. Including the time he and Merry decided to have a snail race in the kitchen and the cook caught them, and a certain incident involving itching-powder in the laundry-room!
Hamfast in turn told a tale or two of some of the things he'd caught his children getting up to when they were younger, finishing up with a cracker concerning Samwise and his rather disastrous, short-lived hobby of collecting caterpillars. Ham recalled how he had gone into his room, (for Sam had not appeared at breakfast with the others) and was about to pull him out of bed for being so lazy, when he realised that he was covered in small angry red spots all over his face, neck and arms.
"Turned out the poor mite was allergic to the furry little critters!" He roared "Course I weren't too please when I realised were he'd been hidin em."
Bilbo's eye's sparkled with laughter as he waited.
"He'd only been hidin em in amongst we cabbage sprouts in the shed, hadn' he! They'd near on eaten the pots an all!" He snorted.
"Oh dear! Poor Sam, I guess now I know why he's so thorough when it comes to pest control here"
"Aye, twere a good lesson to learn"
Just then they heard a soft moan from the bed. Bilbo was out of his chair and beside the bed before Hamfast could blink.
Merry's grey eye's slowly opened and he moaned louder this time as he raised a hand to his head and looked around in confusion.
"Hello Merry my lad! How many fingers am I holding up?" His Uncle half joked for it was obvious the child had a terrible headache.
Merry's eye's focused. "Three" He whispered, closing his eyes briefly before slowly turning to face Bilbo. He stopped in mid-motion as he felt cold flesh at his left side, Merry flushed as he turned back to see Frodo's unruly mop of curls at eye-level. He couldn't see his cousin's chest rise and fall and gave an involuntary whimper, he looked so pale, indeed if not for the startling contrast of his hair he could almost blend with the pillow.
He felt a hand slowly stroking the curls from his face and realised that his uncle was now perched on his side of the bed. Merry turned frightened, tear-filled eyes on his uncle.
"He's alive Merry, there's nothing to worry about, and you're all going to be fine. Halfred has gone to fetch the healer and will be back soon," He said as he continued to sooth his nephew, who visibly relaxed at this news. "Is there anything we can get you?"
Merry had to lick his lips several times before he was able to reply, his body felt strange, he had never known cold like this. It had penetrated his young body deeply and seemed to cling to his very bones, no matter how warm the bed was or how many blankets covered him.
His head pounded and he had to concentrate for a few moments, briefly closing his eyes. When the pain had calmed to a dull thud he opened them again to a very worried looking Bilbo, who was unsure weather his nephew had passed out or not.
"May I...May I have some...something to drink, please?" He panted.
He watched mutely as Bilbo turned from him and spoke to someone else, he couldn't see who else was in the room but surmised it was probably Hamfast, which meant that Sam must also be with them, probably on the other side of Frodo. He couldn't concentrate on what was being said, but heard the door creak open and footsteps disappear.
Bilbo captured one of Merry's slender hands and rubbed at it absentmindedly, annoyed that it didn't seem capable of retaining the hard won warmth he worked into it. "Merry..." He looked the lad square in the eye as he spoke.
Merry saw a silent war raging behind his Uncles eyes and wondered what the struggle was about, however he seemed to reach a resolve and continued.
"...Do you think you feel strong enough to tell me what you remember. It might help the healer if we are able to tell her exactly what happened. Sam managed to tell us a little about falling into the river, but that was about all."
Hamfast returned at that moment and handed a glass containing sweet, warm juice to Bilbo. Bilbo gentle cupped Merry's head and tilted it enough to press the glass to his lips and let him sip at his own pace. Even this simple action made Merry feel exhausted, his headache had returned with a vengeance at the small motion and he had to concentrate hard not to allow the juice to leak from the corners of his mouth.
He panted heavily when he had finished all he could, it was a long time before he was able to retell the events of that day and it's disastrous outcome.
Bilbo and Hamfast listened intently, Hamfast discovering that it had been his own son who had fallen first and how Merry and then later Frodo had saved his child's life. He felt shame silently burn inside him, for if truth be told he was sure he would discover that it had been Merry or Frodo that had inadvertently set the wheels in motion.
"Mr Merry?" He watched as the Brandybuck's eyes popped opened and settled on him. It was not an entirely friendly look; obviously he was still sour about the clothing business. "I just wanted to thank you...for savin me boy's life. Samwise can't swim an if you hadn' a done what ya did, when ya did..." His voiced trailed off, unable or unwilling to finish his sentence, Merry could not decide. "I owe you a dept Sir"
"Merry managed to blush despite everything, his gaze softened. "You don't owe me any-anything, Mr Gamgee. Sam's my...my friend" He panted "that's all there is t-t-too it". He felt his grip on reality start to slip "B-but if Frodo hadn't been strong.... enough, we'd both be...gone" His lids closed of their own accord and Merry knew no more.
Hamfast stared in amazement at Merry, there was definitely more to the lad then he let on. His gaze travelled then to Frodo. Frodo Baggins, a complete enigma too most hobbits in all four Fathings, yet despite his known family history with The Brandywine, he had saved Sam and Merry. He had always been fond of the lad, not just because he was his Masters chosen heir, but also because there couldn't be found a kinder hobbit in all the lands.
"I owe your family a huge debt o' thanks Master" He smiled then "both side o' it!"
Bilbo finished settling Merry back under the covers and grinned before quoting "A Baggins and Brandybuck make for a strong mix. Never a truer word spoken my friend!"
Hamfast was about to reply when they heard a knock at the door and upon opening it the healer, Laura Goodbody entered, closely followed by a rather haunted looking Halfred.
"I found her da, I found her!" Halfred shouted excitedly.
"I can see that lad, now quiet'n down"
Halfred's face fell. Hamfast took Miss Goodbody's shawl and hung it on the hall peg before guiding her to Mr Frodo's room. On the way he kneaded Hal's shoulder before patting him on the back, it was an appraisal that Halfred proudly accepted as they entered the room.
Tbc~