Frodo, paralyzed with fear, clenched his fists as one of the large Orc's drew closer; the second Orc remained at the door standing guard. "Lugbúrz says you eat!" Sneered the Orc as he threw something on the floor at Frodo's feet. Frodo did not look down, did not dare to take his eyes off the orc, fearing the worst. He leaned in closer, Frodo could feel his foul, hot breath on his face, "its not fair I haven't eaten yet.shouldn't feed food, to food!" The Orc laughed, turned on his heals, walked back to the door and descended the ladder. The second Orc just stood there staring at Frodo menacingly. His black eyes peering at him sizing him up, Frodo heard the unmistakable sound of metal scraping metal as the orc began to unsheathe his sword. The Orc licked his lips and said something about "fresh meat". Frodo heard the first orc holler "Gorbag, get down here!" Gorbag muttered something inaudible, replaced his sword and climbed back down the stairs, watching Frodo with a menacing look. The trap door slammed shut and Frodo heard the bolt slid back into place.

Frodo breathed a sigh of relief at their departure, and looked down to see a plate and a flask lying at his feet. Frodo wondered who or what Lugbúrz was and why he felt it necessary to provide Frodo with provisions. He sat down to discover what they had brought him. On the plate there was foul smelling meat and some stale bread, he contemplated if the food had been poisoned and hesitated eating it. He finally determined that poisoning food was not in orc fashion, they would rather spear their prey with a sword, Frodo decided to chance that the food was safe. He was especially glad to have the water he did not realize how thirsty he had been. His lips were caked with a film and his tongue seemed thick and swollen. He picked up the flask and poured some water into his hand, it was dark in color but it did not smell offensive, he took a sip and it tasted good, and he began to drink. He stopped when it was about half gone, deciding to save the rest not knowing when he would receive more, if ever. Frodo looked at the plate of food pushed the meat aside there was no telling what kind of meat was on the plate. He knew better that to eat meat offered by Orc's and decided the bread was the safest choice.

Frodo sat back and began to eat the hard, stale bread. He oddly found himself wishing for Lembas bread. His thoughts returned to the day he and Sam were in Emyn Muil sharing the stale bread and how glad Sam had been to have it. "Nothing ever dampens your spirits does it Sam?" Frodo had said, meanwhile wincing at the staleness of it. How glad he would be to have that Lembas now, he would never complain again, but the Lembas had been taken with all his other things. His clothes, his pack, his Sam, how much he missed Sam. He must be dead , for Frodo knew that nothing short of death would keep Sam from his Masters side. Frodo felt a tear rolling down his cheek, there was such a pain and emptiness inside him. There was a longing Frodo could not describe, for Sam yes, but there was something more, something that he could not remember gnawed at his very soul. Frodo's right hand was again clutching his breast fumbling for something that wasn't there. What was he looking for? What had he lost? He still could not remember.

Frodo wondered what day it was, perhaps it was night, light still did not penetrate filthy window. He began to think about Bag End and how much he missed his home. Frodo's eyelids began to grow heavy and his body felt light. A weariness began to take a hold of him "I wonder what was in that water" he thought to himself as he lay down and sleep quickly began to take a hold of him.

Frodo woke suddenly, there was a brightness in the room and a voice he recognized. "Good morning Master Frodo, I was beginning to think you were going to sleep the day away. You must be awfully tired. Too much ale with Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin at the Green Dragon last night I reckon."

Sam!! It was Sam! Frodo bolted straight up in bed just as Sam was pulling back the curtains in Frodo's bedroom. Sam turned around "Why Master Frodo, what's the matter? you look as if you've just seen a ghost. Come on I've got breakfast ready. It's getting to be near ten am. You've wasted almost the whole day away now. I thought I might do some Strawberry picking today if you have a mind to join me. Only a week or so left of strawberry season you know." Frodo just sat there unable to move or speak. He was home at Bag End, in his own room, in his soft feather bed, with his lovely feather pillow. He felt euphoric, his eyes began to fill with tears " I am so glad to see you Sam! " he said "Why Master Frodo, What ever is the matter with you today? You just saw me yesterday?" "Oh Sam!" cried Frodo, as he ran to embrace his friend " I have just had the most awful nightmare ever, you were there, Merry, Pippin, there were Elves" Frodo's voice drifted off not sure he could put this dream into words. "Elves you say Mr. Frodo, well I have always wanted to go see the Elves, come on then you can tell me all about it at breakfast" and with that Sam left the room. Frodo sat back down on the bed and breathed a sigh of relief it had all been a horrible nightmare. He caught the aroma of sausages and eggs coming from the kitchen and he rushed to get dressed, he didn't ever remember being so hungry. Frodo ran to the kitchen and began to tell Sam all about his dream. Sam just sat on the other side of the table wide eyed in amazement. When Frodo got to the part about Shelob, Sam's eyes became wild with terror. "Stop Master Frodo, I don't think I can hear anymore! I've always wanted to go see the Elves I have, but Orc creatures, gigantic spiders, and black riders it's just too much Mr. Frodo I can't bear to hear anymore!" Frodo began to laugh "alright Sam, "I'll spare you anymore details. I'm just glad to be here, I am sure it is an awful thing to hear. I was terrified mind you, and I suppose its no conversation for the breakfast table. And Frodo began to eat. Just then there was a knock at the front door and before Sam could answer it Merry and Pippin came tumbling through the door. "Good morning cousin Frodo!" said Merry "Yes, good morning cousin" chimed Pippin "ooh sausages, lucky for us were just in time for second breakfast!" Pippin quickly sat down opposite Frodo at the kitchen table grabbing a plate and helping himself to four sausages and two eggs. Sam shot Pippin a look of disdain, thinking him very rude to just help himself, but thought it better not to say anything. After all this was Master Frodo's house and he didn't seem to mind. Merry came up behind Frodo grabbing him about the neck. "That was some time we had last night wasn't it Frodo? Where on earth did you ever hear that song you were singing? Something about a man named Tom Bombadil? Never heard such a strange song. Come on lets have it again Frodo" said Merry as he reached up and tussled Frodo's hair. Tom Bombadil? Tom Bombadil? Where had Frodo heard this name before? Suddenly there was a shiver in his spine and he felt uneasy. Frodo reached up to remove Merry's hand from his head, When all of a sudden there was a sharp pain! "Ouch!!!!" Cried Frodo Merry had stabbed him with something, Frodo grabbed Merry's hand it was soft, and furry, Frodo flung it off his head and heard a dull thud and a hissing sound.

Frodo opened his eyes, it was pitch black . It took a moment for him to remember where he was. He was in the tower, the lantern had gone out and it was as black and cold as a moonless winter night. Frodo was frightened, it had all been a dream! Sam, Merry, Pippin the sausages it was all a dream! It had seemed so real and that made the emptiness of this place seem even darker. Frodo held his hand it was bleeding, something had bit him. It could only be one thing Frodo thought to himself, a rat, a horrible rat! As he lay there quietly he could hear the sound of many tiny claws scurrying across the stone floor. What could he do with no light in the room there was nothing to keep the rats from crawling on him! Frodo was terrified, he lay there as quiet and as still as he could. His resolve was to not move a muscle, maybe they would not know he was there. He tried to calm his breathing and relax. Something brushed past his foot, then something past his arm! His mind was spinning, everything started to go foggy, he started to feel himself falling, and he felt like he was suffocating! Suddenly he heard a voice singing quietly at first but it steadily got louder.

*** Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo By the water, wood and hill, by the reed and willow By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us! Come, Tom Bombadil, for our need is near us ***

It was Frodo's own voice, he was singing, he knew that ol' Tom Bombadil was too far away to hear him, but it seemed to ease his spirits, and for some reason it seemed to be keeping the rats away for the moment.

Frodo lay there singing into the black night as loud as his feeble, worn, cracked voice would allow him. Listening to the sounds of claws scurrying across the cold stone floor. Wondering how long his singing would keep them at bay? Wondering how long his singing would keep them at bay? Not very long it seemed and he felt something crawl up his leg, then something on his arm! Frodo closed his eyes tight, tried to breathe and sang even louder!

*** Ho! Tom Bombadil, Tom Bombadillo...