FrodoBaggins1982 - Good thing Bramblethorn doesn't understand Elvish, eh?
Sam has been doing his lessons faithfully. Go Sam! The timeline is little
confusing, and gave me some headaches as I was writing. Chapter 10 will
pick up the same evening with Sam and company, and then move on to the
following morning. We can figure Frodo has been in Bramblethorn's care for
around 4 to 5 days at this point.
Aelfgifu - Bramblethorn's smile at the end of last chapter was intended to produce a case of the willies. Looks like it worked! I had Frodo speak a little Elvish in his sleep to show that behind the courage, there is still a vulnerable side that is being affected.
MissTook1420 - Thank goodness for the Elvish lessons indeed! Sam's been a good student. Needing your story fix? Here ya go!
Camellia Gamgee Took - Yes, Sam's interest in all things having to do with Elves has been a good investment, I'd say. Frodo was speaking Quenya while having a nightmare about you - know - who. The translation is "I hate you" and "You disgust me." Good thing Bramblethorn doesn't know Elvish!
Safjazz - Hello! Great to have you drop by! If we told young Pre - Quest Samwise that he would be Mayor someday, I think he'd accuse us of having one too many at the Green Dragon! Mayor Whitfoot is impressed with that young hobbit, though! Sam and company will be rushing to Frodo's rescue, but first they have to find out just where he is. Therefore, there will be some story left before that happens.
Endymion - Give our beloved psychopath more time? He's still got some time left in the spotlight, rest assured. Will Bramblethorn fulfill his "promise" to Frodo? I can tell you that at this time he fully intends to. Will Sam get there in time? The race is on!
ZoSo Gamgee - Baggins - Another new reviewer to this story! Wow, you guys are coming out of the woodwork and just makin' my day! I don't like to keep you guys waiting too long for more either. I have such a good time hearing from all of you! I too, have a hard time leaving poor Frodo in his predicament, and poor Sam in his agitated state.
Aratlithiel - Will they find Frodo in time? Let's find out, shall we? I know I've been updating pretty fast. I just can't leave you guys hanging like that! Plus, this is a fairly fast - paced story, and I want to keep the momentum going. This chapter is a little short in comparison with some of the others, but I promise a longer one for Chapter 11.
Chapter 10 - Following
Pippin spoke up. "But Sam, we don't know where in Bywater Bramblethorn may be hiding Frodo. How are we going to find him?"
Sam had been pondering the same question. It looked as though Bramblethorn hadn't taken any chances on being seen with Frodo in his custody. "Nobody we talked to today had seen Mr. Frodo. He's got to be somewhere out of the way."
"And if Frodo was taken from Bag End in the night," Merry added, "Bramblethorn could have brought him to Bywater under cover of darkness and hidden him someplace without being seen." He could be anywhere, Merry thought silently.
Someone had to have seen Bramblethorn at some time during his stay in Bywater! After all, the villain had ventured forth to send a message by courier to the Mayor. Sam blinked and looked up as the meaning of that thought struck him. "Mr. Mayor, who delivered the scroll to you?"
"A representative of Bywater Couriers," the Mayor answered.
Merry's eyes lit up. "I think I see where you're going with this, Sam," he said. "Someone at Bywater Couriers knows where and when to deliver any reply from the Mayor to Bramblethorn. They must have made an arrangement regarding when and where to meet. If Mayor Whitfoot were to write a message in answer and we give it to the same courier, we could follow the courier and find Bramblethorn."
"Find Bramblethorn and we find Frodo," Pippin finished.
"I expect that Bramblethorn will probably not meet the courier in the same place where he is holding Frodo," Mayor Whitfoot cautioned. "You would then have to rely on Bramblethorn to lead you to Master Baggins. "It could be dangerous."
Sam shook his head slowly. "I can't think of no other way. We have no way of knowin' where that devil has hidden Mr. Frodo otherwise." The others nodded in agreement.
Mayor Whitfoot considered for a moment. "I suggest that I respond to Master Bramblethorn by offering to meet with him tomorrow evening. That will get him out of your way while you search for Master Baggins."
"That's a good idea," Pippin agreed. "but what will happen to him after that?" Pippin had broached the subject that weighed on the minds of all three hobbits.
"He will be detained here," the Mayor answered gravely. "I will have the help of the innkeeper and some sturdy lads. He will be held accountable and punished, I assure you."
After supper the Mayor composed a short message to Bramblethorn, stating that he had come to Bywater and wished to meet with him at the Eagle Feather Inn to discuss the document. The message would be taken to the courier and the courier followed to the point of delivery.
Sam, Merry and Pippin thanked the Mayor for supper and retired early in preparation for a very busy day ahead.
~*~
The next morning, Merry stood outside the small wooden building with the sign that read 'Bywater Couriers', the Mayor's message in his hand. Pippin and Sam would wait outside. They surmised that it might look odd to have all three of them bringing a message from the Mayor. It was better to have one of them pose as the Mayor's emissary, and Merry could use that Brandybuck charm to good ends when he chose to.
As he walked in, Merry looked around him. There was a slightly untidy desk nearby and a hobbit stood behind it shuffling through a stack of items. There was another hobbit at a second desk scratching away with a quill pen. Besides the three of them, there was nobody else around.
"Excuse me, Sirs, but I have an important message from Mayor Will Whitfoot that must be delivered to a Mr. Rushford Bramblethorn." The hobbit who had been writing with the quill looked up at the mention of the name.
"I'll take the parcel, if you please, Sir," the hobbit said, rising from his desk.
Merry thought of something. "If I may ask, will this be delivered quickly today? The Mayor wishes to meet with Mr. Bramblethorn early this evening."
The courier looked at Merry with annoyance. The Mayor's emissaries were a nosy lot! "Yes, you may tell the Mayor that delivery would be scheduled for after luncheon."
Merry smiled congenially. "Thank you, good Sir, I will tell him." Merry gave the courier a few coins and with another smile and a polite bow of his head, he turned and stepped out the door. Sam and Pippin were waiting for him just around the corner.
"All done," Merry told them with satisfaction. He managed to look a bit smug as he made his next statement. "And as a special treat for us, I managed to find out that the delivery will be made today after luncheon."
"Good, Merry! We won't have to wait around all day!" Pippin was pleased to hear the news. It would be a very long day indeed if all there was to do was wait around near a courier's office.
"I know which one of the couriers is taking the message," Merry said. "I'll point him out to you when he comes out of the building. After that, we'll split up and follow at a distance."
There were still a couple of hours before luncheon, and they decided to go back to the inn for a brief rest and to go over their plans once again, in detail.
~*~
Near time for luncheon, Sam, Merry and Pippin returned to the area of the couriers' offices and settled in to wait until the courier left the building. Merry had thought better of wearing the same clothing he had worn that morning. Suppose the courier should catch sight of him and recognize him? He had switched from the bright yellow weskit he had worn earlier into something of a more subdued shade.
Upon reaching the street where Bywater Couriers was located, they lingered within clear sight of the building, but not conspicuously so. A short time later, the courier Merry had spoken with emerged from the building with a message in his hand.
"That's him," Merry whispered and pointed out the courier. "Let's see where he's off to."
Sam crossed to the other side of the street but continued to follow the courier as he went. Merry and Pippin stayed on the same side of the street as the courier, following at a distance so as not to be noticed. Merry was especially careful not to be seen, since the courier knew what he looked like. A change of clothing helped, but he couldn't change his blonde curls or facial features. The weather was lovely, so hiding behind the hood of a cloak was out of the question. The hobbit carrying the Mayor's message made for his destination at a steady pace, never looking behind him.
The courier made several turns and continued for a few blocks until he reached a small shop that sold pipeweed and accessory items. Signs in the window advertised the price per weight for several varieties, including Old Toby and Longbottom Leaf. There were several other shops in the area, and the Hobbiton trio were able to blend in with the other hobbits milling around. Merry and Pippin rejoined Sam and pretended to be inspecting apples for sale at a stand across the road from the pipeweed shop. They waited.
Sam watched closely as a stocky hobbit with sandy brown hair and a bit of a swagger approached the shop. Sam felt his chest tighten as he watched the hobbit enter the small building. He recognized Rushford Bramblethorn instantly. He would probably never forget that nasty creature as long as he lived. Sam fought the impulse to cross the street, haul Bramblethorn out of the shop and take care of him right then and there.
The courier had waited a few moments, then walked into the shop after Bramblethorn. Sam watched intently, wishing he could overhear the conversation between the two. He saw Bramblethorn take the message, a satisfied look on his face. The courier accepted a few coins from Bramblethorn and left.
From his vantage point across the road, Merry chuckled to himself. Taking payment at delivery and receipt, he mused. That courier wasn't doing too badly. It was likely that Bramblethorn had paid him a little extra to keep his mouth closed about things. After all, Bramblethorn was in the Shire against a Mayoral decree.
Bramblethorn was still in the shop, and appeared to be purchasing some pipeweed. Sam took advantage of the moment to speak with Merry and Pippin.
"I don't think we should all follow him," he said. "He's a wily stinker, and he might spot three of us. Mr. Merry, I'd like to go after him, if you please." No surprise that Sam wanted to be the first to know where Bramblethorn had taken Frodo. Merry and Pippin understood and respected Sam's request.
"Merry and I will go tell the Mayor what's happening," Pippin suggested.
Merry nodded, then fixed Sam with a stern look. "You be careful, Sam. You know better than we that Bramblethorn is dangerous."
Sam's eyes seemed to cloud over slightly and his face took on a determined look. "I know, Mr. Merry." Sam's eyes flashed. "And so am I!"
Merry looked into Sam's eyes and didn't doubt it for a moment. He pitied Bramblethorn if Sam should get his hands on him.
~*~
Pippin and Merry immediately started back to the inn to give the Mayor the details and to await Sam's return. They were both very concerned, since they didn't know where Sam would be in the next hour. If Bramblethorn discovered Sam following him, something could happen to Frodo's beloved gardener, and they wouldn't know Sam's whereabouts any more than they knew Frodo's.
"Sam will be all right, won't he Merry?" Pippin asked, genuine concern flooding his features.
"I hope so, Pip," Merry replied with a sigh. "I don't like leaving him on his own, but he had a point. The three of us tailing Bramblethorn would be a lot easier to detect, especially if he leaves the main part of town where we have buildings and crowds to use as cover." Besides that, Merry knew Sam was a capable hobbit.
They continued on to the inn, silently praying that Sam would succeed in finding the location of Bramblethorn's lair.
~*~ To be continued ~*~
Aelfgifu - Bramblethorn's smile at the end of last chapter was intended to produce a case of the willies. Looks like it worked! I had Frodo speak a little Elvish in his sleep to show that behind the courage, there is still a vulnerable side that is being affected.
MissTook1420 - Thank goodness for the Elvish lessons indeed! Sam's been a good student. Needing your story fix? Here ya go!
Camellia Gamgee Took - Yes, Sam's interest in all things having to do with Elves has been a good investment, I'd say. Frodo was speaking Quenya while having a nightmare about you - know - who. The translation is "I hate you" and "You disgust me." Good thing Bramblethorn doesn't know Elvish!
Safjazz - Hello! Great to have you drop by! If we told young Pre - Quest Samwise that he would be Mayor someday, I think he'd accuse us of having one too many at the Green Dragon! Mayor Whitfoot is impressed with that young hobbit, though! Sam and company will be rushing to Frodo's rescue, but first they have to find out just where he is. Therefore, there will be some story left before that happens.
Endymion - Give our beloved psychopath more time? He's still got some time left in the spotlight, rest assured. Will Bramblethorn fulfill his "promise" to Frodo? I can tell you that at this time he fully intends to. Will Sam get there in time? The race is on!
ZoSo Gamgee - Baggins - Another new reviewer to this story! Wow, you guys are coming out of the woodwork and just makin' my day! I don't like to keep you guys waiting too long for more either. I have such a good time hearing from all of you! I too, have a hard time leaving poor Frodo in his predicament, and poor Sam in his agitated state.
Aratlithiel - Will they find Frodo in time? Let's find out, shall we? I know I've been updating pretty fast. I just can't leave you guys hanging like that! Plus, this is a fairly fast - paced story, and I want to keep the momentum going. This chapter is a little short in comparison with some of the others, but I promise a longer one for Chapter 11.
Chapter 10 - Following
Pippin spoke up. "But Sam, we don't know where in Bywater Bramblethorn may be hiding Frodo. How are we going to find him?"
Sam had been pondering the same question. It looked as though Bramblethorn hadn't taken any chances on being seen with Frodo in his custody. "Nobody we talked to today had seen Mr. Frodo. He's got to be somewhere out of the way."
"And if Frodo was taken from Bag End in the night," Merry added, "Bramblethorn could have brought him to Bywater under cover of darkness and hidden him someplace without being seen." He could be anywhere, Merry thought silently.
Someone had to have seen Bramblethorn at some time during his stay in Bywater! After all, the villain had ventured forth to send a message by courier to the Mayor. Sam blinked and looked up as the meaning of that thought struck him. "Mr. Mayor, who delivered the scroll to you?"
"A representative of Bywater Couriers," the Mayor answered.
Merry's eyes lit up. "I think I see where you're going with this, Sam," he said. "Someone at Bywater Couriers knows where and when to deliver any reply from the Mayor to Bramblethorn. They must have made an arrangement regarding when and where to meet. If Mayor Whitfoot were to write a message in answer and we give it to the same courier, we could follow the courier and find Bramblethorn."
"Find Bramblethorn and we find Frodo," Pippin finished.
"I expect that Bramblethorn will probably not meet the courier in the same place where he is holding Frodo," Mayor Whitfoot cautioned. "You would then have to rely on Bramblethorn to lead you to Master Baggins. "It could be dangerous."
Sam shook his head slowly. "I can't think of no other way. We have no way of knowin' where that devil has hidden Mr. Frodo otherwise." The others nodded in agreement.
Mayor Whitfoot considered for a moment. "I suggest that I respond to Master Bramblethorn by offering to meet with him tomorrow evening. That will get him out of your way while you search for Master Baggins."
"That's a good idea," Pippin agreed. "but what will happen to him after that?" Pippin had broached the subject that weighed on the minds of all three hobbits.
"He will be detained here," the Mayor answered gravely. "I will have the help of the innkeeper and some sturdy lads. He will be held accountable and punished, I assure you."
After supper the Mayor composed a short message to Bramblethorn, stating that he had come to Bywater and wished to meet with him at the Eagle Feather Inn to discuss the document. The message would be taken to the courier and the courier followed to the point of delivery.
Sam, Merry and Pippin thanked the Mayor for supper and retired early in preparation for a very busy day ahead.
~*~
The next morning, Merry stood outside the small wooden building with the sign that read 'Bywater Couriers', the Mayor's message in his hand. Pippin and Sam would wait outside. They surmised that it might look odd to have all three of them bringing a message from the Mayor. It was better to have one of them pose as the Mayor's emissary, and Merry could use that Brandybuck charm to good ends when he chose to.
As he walked in, Merry looked around him. There was a slightly untidy desk nearby and a hobbit stood behind it shuffling through a stack of items. There was another hobbit at a second desk scratching away with a quill pen. Besides the three of them, there was nobody else around.
"Excuse me, Sirs, but I have an important message from Mayor Will Whitfoot that must be delivered to a Mr. Rushford Bramblethorn." The hobbit who had been writing with the quill looked up at the mention of the name.
"I'll take the parcel, if you please, Sir," the hobbit said, rising from his desk.
Merry thought of something. "If I may ask, will this be delivered quickly today? The Mayor wishes to meet with Mr. Bramblethorn early this evening."
The courier looked at Merry with annoyance. The Mayor's emissaries were a nosy lot! "Yes, you may tell the Mayor that delivery would be scheduled for after luncheon."
Merry smiled congenially. "Thank you, good Sir, I will tell him." Merry gave the courier a few coins and with another smile and a polite bow of his head, he turned and stepped out the door. Sam and Pippin were waiting for him just around the corner.
"All done," Merry told them with satisfaction. He managed to look a bit smug as he made his next statement. "And as a special treat for us, I managed to find out that the delivery will be made today after luncheon."
"Good, Merry! We won't have to wait around all day!" Pippin was pleased to hear the news. It would be a very long day indeed if all there was to do was wait around near a courier's office.
"I know which one of the couriers is taking the message," Merry said. "I'll point him out to you when he comes out of the building. After that, we'll split up and follow at a distance."
There were still a couple of hours before luncheon, and they decided to go back to the inn for a brief rest and to go over their plans once again, in detail.
~*~
Near time for luncheon, Sam, Merry and Pippin returned to the area of the couriers' offices and settled in to wait until the courier left the building. Merry had thought better of wearing the same clothing he had worn that morning. Suppose the courier should catch sight of him and recognize him? He had switched from the bright yellow weskit he had worn earlier into something of a more subdued shade.
Upon reaching the street where Bywater Couriers was located, they lingered within clear sight of the building, but not conspicuously so. A short time later, the courier Merry had spoken with emerged from the building with a message in his hand.
"That's him," Merry whispered and pointed out the courier. "Let's see where he's off to."
Sam crossed to the other side of the street but continued to follow the courier as he went. Merry and Pippin stayed on the same side of the street as the courier, following at a distance so as not to be noticed. Merry was especially careful not to be seen, since the courier knew what he looked like. A change of clothing helped, but he couldn't change his blonde curls or facial features. The weather was lovely, so hiding behind the hood of a cloak was out of the question. The hobbit carrying the Mayor's message made for his destination at a steady pace, never looking behind him.
The courier made several turns and continued for a few blocks until he reached a small shop that sold pipeweed and accessory items. Signs in the window advertised the price per weight for several varieties, including Old Toby and Longbottom Leaf. There were several other shops in the area, and the Hobbiton trio were able to blend in with the other hobbits milling around. Merry and Pippin rejoined Sam and pretended to be inspecting apples for sale at a stand across the road from the pipeweed shop. They waited.
Sam watched closely as a stocky hobbit with sandy brown hair and a bit of a swagger approached the shop. Sam felt his chest tighten as he watched the hobbit enter the small building. He recognized Rushford Bramblethorn instantly. He would probably never forget that nasty creature as long as he lived. Sam fought the impulse to cross the street, haul Bramblethorn out of the shop and take care of him right then and there.
The courier had waited a few moments, then walked into the shop after Bramblethorn. Sam watched intently, wishing he could overhear the conversation between the two. He saw Bramblethorn take the message, a satisfied look on his face. The courier accepted a few coins from Bramblethorn and left.
From his vantage point across the road, Merry chuckled to himself. Taking payment at delivery and receipt, he mused. That courier wasn't doing too badly. It was likely that Bramblethorn had paid him a little extra to keep his mouth closed about things. After all, Bramblethorn was in the Shire against a Mayoral decree.
Bramblethorn was still in the shop, and appeared to be purchasing some pipeweed. Sam took advantage of the moment to speak with Merry and Pippin.
"I don't think we should all follow him," he said. "He's a wily stinker, and he might spot three of us. Mr. Merry, I'd like to go after him, if you please." No surprise that Sam wanted to be the first to know where Bramblethorn had taken Frodo. Merry and Pippin understood and respected Sam's request.
"Merry and I will go tell the Mayor what's happening," Pippin suggested.
Merry nodded, then fixed Sam with a stern look. "You be careful, Sam. You know better than we that Bramblethorn is dangerous."
Sam's eyes seemed to cloud over slightly and his face took on a determined look. "I know, Mr. Merry." Sam's eyes flashed. "And so am I!"
Merry looked into Sam's eyes and didn't doubt it for a moment. He pitied Bramblethorn if Sam should get his hands on him.
~*~
Pippin and Merry immediately started back to the inn to give the Mayor the details and to await Sam's return. They were both very concerned, since they didn't know where Sam would be in the next hour. If Bramblethorn discovered Sam following him, something could happen to Frodo's beloved gardener, and they wouldn't know Sam's whereabouts any more than they knew Frodo's.
"Sam will be all right, won't he Merry?" Pippin asked, genuine concern flooding his features.
"I hope so, Pip," Merry replied with a sigh. "I don't like leaving him on his own, but he had a point. The three of us tailing Bramblethorn would be a lot easier to detect, especially if he leaves the main part of town where we have buildings and crowds to use as cover." Besides that, Merry knew Sam was a capable hobbit.
They continued on to the inn, silently praying that Sam would succeed in finding the location of Bramblethorn's lair.
~*~ To be continued ~*~