Author Notes: Mish – I love it too! I think a lot of people will definitely think I'm weird, but I don't care. I think Sam and Frodo were soulmates (or rather, other-halves) and therefore had a special bond. My deepest apologies to the Professor for messing with his universe like this. Sorry, sir! I admit it, I'm perfectly shameless! But I love your characters! Please don't haunt me ^_^ Tigrin – hey, thanks for reviewing! And I'm glad it makes sense to you – I know it makes sense to me! My twin cousins can be standing across the room from one another, and I swear to God, they're talking. Not saying a word, but talking. Creepy, in a way. Umm, don't make yourself sick over this update ^_^ That wouldn't be good. Butterfly - *melts into a little puddle of sentiment* Love you, too. ^_^ More thought-interaction here, people! Please review! You *know* I like reviews!
The fields had flooded and many of the roads were washed out by the torrential rain, which fell incessantly from the ever-darkening sky. If we stay out here much longer, we shall have to swim, thought Bilbo, looking anxiously to the clouds overhead. I can't see a thing ! Maybe we *should* wait the storm out. He voiced his opinions.
« Aye, the roads are bad, » agreed Hamfast. « But my son is out here, an' I'll not return to Bell without our son. » He raised his chin and straightened his shoulders as he said it, as though expecting some sort of resistance from Bilbo. Bilbo, on the contrary, was relieved to hear that Hamfast had no intentions of stopping the search just for a little rain. Well, not a little. The Brandywine's probably flooded by now. He clapped his gardener on the shoulder.
« Glad to hear it ! Where else can we look ? » he asked.
« Well, all the woods round about here. Sam's come here sometimes to play, » Hamfast answered. « Chances are – specially if he's with t' young master – they headed under the trees to protect against the rain. »
« Even with the lightning ? » Bilbo asked, incredulous. Hamfast nodded.
« Anythin' to get out of the storm. In this rain they probably can't find their way home. Trees'd be the next best thing. »
« To the trees, then ! » cried Bilbo, and they marched on.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo was shivering terribly and trying his hardest not to. Though the hollow was completely protected from the rain, it was only partially protected from the wind, and every now and then a huge gust would sweep in and freeze them to the bone. Their clothes were absolutely drenched, and they found no warmth in them. Frodo's shivering muscles jerked uncontrollably, and he held Sam as close as he possibly could to keep from dropping him again. Their body heat was a poor exchange for warm, dry clothing, but at the moment they wouldn't have asked for anything more.
A strange warmth was spreading across Frodo's leg and he looked down at Sam, confused. Then he saw the blood, gleaming stickily red as it ran in thin shining streams from Sam's small foot to the dusty ground. The rock was still embedded in the wound apparently Sam had stepped on it so hard, it had been driven up into the sole of his foot. Frodo grimaced in disgust. Should I pull it out ? Or just leave it there till help comes ? he wondered. If I pull it out, the wound'll bleed more, he reasoned. I'll leave it there. Unless, of course, you want me to pull it out ? he asked. Sam shook his head. Just leave it, he answered tiredly.
Frodo watched him anxiously. The red and black flashes had faded to a dull, blood-colored mist in the back of his mind. Sam's thoughts were clouded by this mist, and a hard, throbbing ache that had started in his broken ankle. Frodo worried whether Sam had gone into shock, but he'd never seen it before, so he couldn't tell. What d'you do for shock, anyway ? he wondered. Keeping warm is about the only thing I can remember. He laughed shortly. Good luck with that. Everything we're wearing is soaked. ~ What about your backpack ? said Samwise weakly. Backpack ? Oh, I'm sure everything in there is dripping, too. A grey flash of unhappiness lit briefly in his mind, and he felt terrible. I'll look though. He directed his thoughts Westward.
In the name of all the Valar, *what* exactly is going on ? This is ridiculous ! When he's unhappy, *I'm* unhappy when he's in pain, *I'm* in pain. And when he speaks, I hear his thoughts. It apparently works the other way round, too. I've heard of supernatural bonds, but they only happen in legends ! And then after those bonded have spent many, many, many years together. And it takes magic, too. We just met today ! This afternoon ! A few hours ago ! We're just a couple of hobbits, not some ancient Elven heroes. This shouldn't be happening, it's just too unreal. ~ But it's real, came the answer in his mind not Samwise speaking, but something else. Frodo looked around warily. Who said that ? ~ You asked. We answered. Believe, halfling this *is* real. Frodo buried his head in his hands. Alright. I don't know who you are or why any of this is happening, but I'm sixteen years old. I'm lost, I'm cold, I'm tired, I'm more than a little frightened, and now I'm hearing voices in my mind. I don't know if I'm mad, or going mad, or if this really *is* happening, but assuming that it is, answer me this : Why ? Why him and me ? ~ You are soulmates, the voice said gently, and disappeared. Soulmates ? What's a soulmate ? why's a soulmate ? how's a soulmate ? Frodo chanted inanely in his head. Soulmates. Thanks. That makes so much sense. He glared Westward. Soulmates. Well. Apparently we're soulmates, little one. A vivid flash of green made Frodo smile. I'd never have thought happiness was green. Then again, I'd never have thought this morning that I'd be here, in a hollow in a hillside, holding the four year-old child who's apparently my 'soulmate' – whatever that is – while his blood is running over my leg and he's smiling up at me. But I'll believe it.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
« Master Bilbo ? »
« Yes ! » shouted Bilbo over the storm.
« Sir, we might try the hills round here. The flooding's so bad they might've headed for higher ground, » said Hamfast. Bilbo nodded.
« Alright, that makes sense. Where are the closest hills ? » he asked. The gardener gestured northwards. « Let's split up, » said Bilbo. « We can each search a hill and then meet together if we don't find them. Then we can search another one, and – »
« Beggin' your pardon, sir, but that's not wise. It'd be best if we stayed together. If one of us gets hurt, we'd need the other for help an' if the boys are hurt, they may need us both. Splittin' up isn't a good idea. » It was one of the only times in Bilbo's long experience with him that Hamfast contradicted him, and he was so astonished that he agreed. Upon thinking the matter over, he decided the gardener was right. Off we go, then, he thought, and they headed towards the dark humps of the hills.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
« Little one ? » Frodo whispered. Sam opened his eyes. « Hey. How're you feeling ? »
« Not so good, » the child mumbled, closing his eyes again. But it's not your fault, said his voice in Frodo's head. So stop thinking that. Frodo choked back his laughter at the tone of the command. « Alright, alright… » he conceded. « I just wish I could do something for you. » You're holding me, an' that's enough. « Hmph, » said Frodo skeptically. « Doesn't seem like enough. » I want to keep you warm, he thought. But I don't know how. ~ It doesn't matter. ~ Well it matters to me ! If only we weren't so miserably *wet* ! You're going to catch a chill, I just know it. Assuming you haven't caught one already. ~ I haven't. You have. ~ Don't be ridiculous, said Frodo sharply. He didn't want to think about chills he wanted a way to get them home. This has undoubtedly been the longest day in my entire life, he thought heavily.
Sorry, the child said softly.
Oh, it's not your fault. It's just – so many things have happened today. The nightmares, the revelation, the argument with Bilbo… D'you know, I don't care what he says I'd give anything to see him coming over that ridge in front of us. Taking us home fixing your ankle and keeping us warm. Anything. Frodo sighed. Like that's going to happen. I think we'll just have to wait it out. ~ Then we'll wait, Sam answered resolutely through a haze of blood-dark mist. As if we had a choice, said Frodo unhappily. You're so cold, so cold… If only I could keep you warm ! He gathered his injured Elf to him, holding him as tightly as he dared, and began to rock slowly back and forth. Weak flashes of green assured him he wasn't hurting the boy, and he set a rhythm to his rocking, softly humming the tune to an old lullaby. A soft, misty grey color grew in his mind, and he felt Samwise falling asleep. He pressed his cheek to the top of Sam's head, and continued rocking gently. The mist increased until he felt himself falling asleep. Alright, little one. You sleep, then. And kissing Sam's forehead, he pressed his back to the wall of the hollow and closed his eyes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N : And they get found in the next chapter, so you don't have to ask. ^_^ I promised I wouldn't do it again, sorry ! Please don't throw things at me ! *hides behind computer* Review, people ! Love ya ! I'll probably update later today, so be on the alert ! (I'd say tonight, but most of you live in different time zones, so suffice to say I'll update in the next twenty-four hours).