Map - I did it again. I posted 13 before I got your feedback for chapter
12. So, to answer a little late, we are close to wrapping up the tale, I'm
sad to say. It's been so much fun posting it and hearing from everyone.
Thank you for your praise, it means a lot. I'd thought about an A/U in the
future set in Bree. You never know! Meanwhile, when this is over, I'll be
waiting for another visit from the plotbunny! If I don't post anything new
for a while, don't give up on me. I enjoy this too much not to keep it up!
Aratlithiel - Frodo is a peace - lovin' hobbit, isn't he? I also picture Merry as having at least some experience getting into the odd scrap. Brandy Hall is a big place and I'm just betting the odd ruckus erupts among the young lads now and then. A little Frodo angst and recovery coming your way!
Misstook1420 - I don't think Sam knows how precious he is, but Frodo does!
FrodoBaggins1982 - When it comes to giving comfort, everyone could take a lesson from Sam. He's a natural at it!
ZoSo Gamgee - Baggins - Thanks for your congrats on this story reaching 100 reviews! I'm pleased beyond words that it has! Sam's loyalty is just the thing Frodo needs right now. And he's got it! Bramblethorn is to be justly punished, and soon! Now, to get Frodo back where he belongs.
Endymion - Siding with Sam - Off with Bramblethorn's head! Bramblethorn is lucky the Mayor didn't just give him to Sam!
TTTurtle - I hope to have more stories pop into my head soon. In fact, I'm rather nervous that the plotbunny will forget me after this! I hope not, since this has been fun for me too. You could be right. If Bramblethorn lives on, there could be more mischief ahead someday. We'll have to leave the Shire if we want to find him again, though.
~*~
Chapter 14 - Home
Frodo woke to the warmth of sunlight on his face. As he blinked at the brightness of it, his first thought of the morning was how wonderful it felt. Light! Cheerful beams slanting into the room through the curtains, a slight breeze stirring and fresh air filling the room. It was so good to wake up in such pleasant surroundings, to be unbound and able to move at will. He stretched experimentally and winced. He was stiff and sore from his confinement. It would be a few more days yet before his muscles relaxed and stopped aching.
Sam was asleep in the chair at the bedside. He hadn't moved from his place beside Frodo since the previous night. Frodo watched as Sam stirred and blinked, and then came to sudden awareness as he realized he had fallen asleep.
"Mr. Frodo! I was sleeping on watch, blast me!" Sam berated himself mercilessly. "Are you all right? Is there anything - "
"Sam, I'm fine," Frodo answered him. "I just woke up myself. No one expects you to go without sleep, myself least of all." Frodo began to sit up and Sam immediately jumped up and helped him settle the pillows at his back. "You should get some rest too," Frodo suggested, leaning into the pillows with a contented sigh.
"Mr. Frodo, I'm not about to leave you alone nohow, not with what you've been through," Sam argued stubbornly. "It's no use tellin' me otherwise," he said in a softer tone. "Suppose you'd come awake in the night, and I was snorin' away - "
"Suppose you were, Sam. You were here nonetheless, and if anything had been amiss, you would have awakened." Sam reluctantly conceded. He would indeed have awakened if the slightest sound had come from Frodo's direction in the night. The healer's medicine worked wonderfully though, and Frodo had slept quite soundly. Sam had dozed off in the early hours of the morning without need of any potions to help him.
Frodo yawned and stretched again, and his thoughts wandered to his conversation with Mayor Whitfoot. "Sam, the Mayor and I had a good discussion last night, about Bramblethorn." Frodo saw Sam stiffen at the mention of the name. "He will be humiliated publicly before the folk of the Shire and driven from our borders. His face will be known as well as his deeds. With so many folk being able to recognize him, it would be impossible for him to escape notice should he attempt to return in the future."
Sam nodded, but Frodo could tell his gardener wasn't completely satisfied. Sam's fierce protectiveness would demand greater satisfaction, Frodo reflected. It was enough for Frodo that he be rid of Bramblethorn.
"I'd like to see a sight more done to him, if you don't mind my sayin', Mr. Frodo." Sam shook his head. "He deserves - he should - " Sam stammered. "Well I don't rightly know just what he deserves, but it should be as awful as what he did to you!"
"He will be made to feel considerable discomfort, if the Mayor's plan goes forward. It need not be - " Frodo's next words were lost in a flurry of sound and motion. There came an exuberant pounding on the door and his cousins burst in, their hands full of food - laden trays. "Breakfast is served!" Pippin said brightly, placing one tray on the bedside table for Sam and placing the other one before Frodo.
Frodo accepted it gladly. As Bramblethorn's captive, he had been given precious little to eat, and it showed. He was slender for a hobbit to begin with, and days without nourishment had left his ribs showing far more than was proper. He ate slowly, taking care not to give his digestive system too much of a shock all at once.
"Did Mayor Whitfoot stay and talk with you for a while yesterday?" Merry asked, attempting to hide his curiosity behind small talk. "I know he certainly meant to." Frodo saw right through him, and it brought a smile to his face.
"Yes, Merry. We did have a good discussion," Frodo answered. He explained the Mayor's plan in detail, and approving nods were given in answer.
"That should get Bramblethorn's attention, I think," Merry said. "It should take him down a peg or two to have all of the Shire see him for what he is, and it won't hurt if he gets at least a small taste of the bitter cup you were made to drink, Frodo."
"I wouldn't mind having a nice ripe tomato handy when I see him," Pippin said with a gleam in his eye.
"That would be a grievous waste of a perfectly good tomato, Pip," Merry countered. With that, the somber mood of the group was broken, and they dined together gladly. Frodo was especially grateful for the company of Sam and his cousins, recalling how far from him they had seemed when he was imprisoned. They were here with him now, real and true, and he treasured them as never before.
~*~
Two days later, Frodo stood by the open window at the inn, enjoying the fresh air flowing past him into the room. The healer had pronounced him fit to travel, and he was eager to see Bag End again. Merry and Pippin would be going back to Buckland and Tuckborough, respectively. Their visit had definitely not gone as planned, and another attempt at a more normal one would be made in the near future.
Sam walked through the door and Frodo jumped at the sound. He blushed in embarrassment as he spoke. "Sam! Forgive me, please. I suppose I'm just a little excited to be going home."
"Not to worry, Mr. Frodo," Sam replied easily, lifting his pack from the floor. "Are you sure you're ready? I mean, walkin' all the way back to Hobbiton -"
"I'm much better now, and the healer says I'm ready," Frodo replied, attempting to soothe Sam's apprehension. "It's not such a long way, and we've plenty of time to rest if we need to. I have no doubt that you will see me safely home, Sam."
Although the bruises still showed here and there, Frodo's aches were gone and his strength restored by proper nourishment and much rest. Sam had made good Merry's words about waiting on Frodo hand and foot, leaving nothing wanting.
As they met Merry and Pippin at the desk and Merry prepared to pay for their room, Mayor Whitfoot intercepted them. "Good morning, lads! He said, grinning broadly. "Master Baggins, you look very well indeed. Are you on your way home then?"
"I am, Mr. Mayor," Frodo replied, nodding politely. "I can't thank you enough for all that you've done. Your assistance and personal attention to this matter - "
"No need to thank me, " the Mayor held up a hand to ward off the protests that would certainly come with his next statement. "Your room has been paid for and all is in order. It has been a pleasure seeing all of you, and a great pleasure indeed to see you in good health, Frodo."
"You are too kind, Mayor Whitfoot," Merry said, shaking the Mayor's hand. The group from Hobbiton waved farewell as they exited the inn and emerged into the sunshine of a beautiful morning.
~*~ Later, at Bag End
Supper was over and Sam was washing the dishes. He had stubbornly refused to allow Frodo to help, instead installing his master comfortably in Bilbo's favorite armchair with a good book and a glass of Old Winyards.
The journey from Bywater had been uneventful, even pleasant. They had arrived back at Bag End to find that the Gaffer and Sam's siblings had done their best to tend the garden during Sam's absence, and all was well. Word was beginning to spread regarding Frodo's safe return, and that in a few days Bramblethorn would be facing the scorn of the people of Hobbiton.
No time had been wasted in punishing the culprit. The Mayor and the Shirriffs had placed Bramblethorn in the town square of Bywater the very morning after Frodo had been freed. From there it was on to Frogmorton, and Michel Delving. Hobbiton, as the home of Bramblethorn's victim, would be the last stop before his expulsion from the Shire.
Frodo wore a pensive expression as Sam walked back into the parlor and sat down on the sofa. He had been trying to read, but his thoughts kept wandering. He had caught himself looking down the hallway several times, and when Sam had gone into the kitchen to wash the dishes, he had risen from his chair and locked the door.
"Mr. Frodo," Sam began, "Is there anything you need?" He looked at Frodo with a caring expression, having detected the nervousness in his master's posture and movements.
"I don't think so, Sam," Frodo said with a sigh. "It's just - I keep thinking about things. I keep hearing the things Bramblethorn said to me about - about -" he stopped, having difficulty going on.
"You don't have to talk about it, Mr. Frodo. Not unless you really want to," Sam said as he looked into Frodo's eyes. He wished he could erase the rather haunted look he saw there and replace it with the dancing twinkle he'd come to know over the years.
"No, Sam. I do need to talk about it, though it isn't easy." Frodo rose from the chair and paced restlessly, still holding the book in his hand. "I refused to sign the document repeatedly until one night, Sam. I was dreaming and I called for you. He - " Frodo's voice quavered. "He said he would hurt you, Sam, if I didn't do as he asked. It was more than I could bear!" Frodo clutched the book tightly, his knuckles going white with the pressure.
Sam rose and put an arm around Frodo's shoulders, guiding him to the sofa.
"He won't be hurtin' me or anyone else hereabouts, Mr. Frodo," Sam said soothingly. "Don't you worry 'bout your Sam."
"But Sam, I was so afraid - " Frodo broke off again, trying to gather his wits and sort his words out. "I was afraid that I would never see you again." A single tear traversed a path down his cheek as he spoke. "I realized how alone I would be without you, and how much I need you with me." He turned to Sam and hugged him tightly.
Sam was slightly taken aback but returned the hug gladly. "I felt the same thing, Mr. Frodo. When none of us could find you, I went searchin' through the woods again. I was so scared, and I just couldn't breathe. It felt like my heart had been torn out."
Frodo leaned his head against Sam's shoulder as his tears fell. He felt sorrow for Sam's pain, as well as his own. As the thought of passing the night alone with his recent memories and the fears they evoked flitted through his mind, Frodo began to tremble as if chilled by a cold wind.
Sam held him closer and rubbed his back gently. When he could trust himself to speak again, Frodo looked up at Sam and spoke one word. "Stay."
"Mr. Frodo?"
"Stay with me, Sam. Don't leave me alone. I can't - "
Sam unfolded a blanket that had been draped across the back of the sofa, and wrapped them both in it snugly. "I won't leave you, Mr. Frodo. If you're scared, I'll be right here. I won't let nothin' come to harm you, in dreams or otherwise," Sam said as he carefully drew Frodo into his arms.
Eventually Frodo fell asleep. Sam remained awake for a while, just watching over him as he rested. Frodo's chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm and a calm expression graced his features. Sam looked at Frodo, praying silently that he would never see his beloved master's face bruised again, or hear Frodo whisper his name in that hoarse, broken voice. His embrace tightened protectively. ~You're safe, Mr.Frodo,~ he thought, and listened gratefully to Frodo's breathing and heartbeat until he too relaxed into sleep.
~*~To be continued~*~
Aratlithiel - Frodo is a peace - lovin' hobbit, isn't he? I also picture Merry as having at least some experience getting into the odd scrap. Brandy Hall is a big place and I'm just betting the odd ruckus erupts among the young lads now and then. A little Frodo angst and recovery coming your way!
Misstook1420 - I don't think Sam knows how precious he is, but Frodo does!
FrodoBaggins1982 - When it comes to giving comfort, everyone could take a lesson from Sam. He's a natural at it!
ZoSo Gamgee - Baggins - Thanks for your congrats on this story reaching 100 reviews! I'm pleased beyond words that it has! Sam's loyalty is just the thing Frodo needs right now. And he's got it! Bramblethorn is to be justly punished, and soon! Now, to get Frodo back where he belongs.
Endymion - Siding with Sam - Off with Bramblethorn's head! Bramblethorn is lucky the Mayor didn't just give him to Sam!
TTTurtle - I hope to have more stories pop into my head soon. In fact, I'm rather nervous that the plotbunny will forget me after this! I hope not, since this has been fun for me too. You could be right. If Bramblethorn lives on, there could be more mischief ahead someday. We'll have to leave the Shire if we want to find him again, though.
~*~
Chapter 14 - Home
Frodo woke to the warmth of sunlight on his face. As he blinked at the brightness of it, his first thought of the morning was how wonderful it felt. Light! Cheerful beams slanting into the room through the curtains, a slight breeze stirring and fresh air filling the room. It was so good to wake up in such pleasant surroundings, to be unbound and able to move at will. He stretched experimentally and winced. He was stiff and sore from his confinement. It would be a few more days yet before his muscles relaxed and stopped aching.
Sam was asleep in the chair at the bedside. He hadn't moved from his place beside Frodo since the previous night. Frodo watched as Sam stirred and blinked, and then came to sudden awareness as he realized he had fallen asleep.
"Mr. Frodo! I was sleeping on watch, blast me!" Sam berated himself mercilessly. "Are you all right? Is there anything - "
"Sam, I'm fine," Frodo answered him. "I just woke up myself. No one expects you to go without sleep, myself least of all." Frodo began to sit up and Sam immediately jumped up and helped him settle the pillows at his back. "You should get some rest too," Frodo suggested, leaning into the pillows with a contented sigh.
"Mr. Frodo, I'm not about to leave you alone nohow, not with what you've been through," Sam argued stubbornly. "It's no use tellin' me otherwise," he said in a softer tone. "Suppose you'd come awake in the night, and I was snorin' away - "
"Suppose you were, Sam. You were here nonetheless, and if anything had been amiss, you would have awakened." Sam reluctantly conceded. He would indeed have awakened if the slightest sound had come from Frodo's direction in the night. The healer's medicine worked wonderfully though, and Frodo had slept quite soundly. Sam had dozed off in the early hours of the morning without need of any potions to help him.
Frodo yawned and stretched again, and his thoughts wandered to his conversation with Mayor Whitfoot. "Sam, the Mayor and I had a good discussion last night, about Bramblethorn." Frodo saw Sam stiffen at the mention of the name. "He will be humiliated publicly before the folk of the Shire and driven from our borders. His face will be known as well as his deeds. With so many folk being able to recognize him, it would be impossible for him to escape notice should he attempt to return in the future."
Sam nodded, but Frodo could tell his gardener wasn't completely satisfied. Sam's fierce protectiveness would demand greater satisfaction, Frodo reflected. It was enough for Frodo that he be rid of Bramblethorn.
"I'd like to see a sight more done to him, if you don't mind my sayin', Mr. Frodo." Sam shook his head. "He deserves - he should - " Sam stammered. "Well I don't rightly know just what he deserves, but it should be as awful as what he did to you!"
"He will be made to feel considerable discomfort, if the Mayor's plan goes forward. It need not be - " Frodo's next words were lost in a flurry of sound and motion. There came an exuberant pounding on the door and his cousins burst in, their hands full of food - laden trays. "Breakfast is served!" Pippin said brightly, placing one tray on the bedside table for Sam and placing the other one before Frodo.
Frodo accepted it gladly. As Bramblethorn's captive, he had been given precious little to eat, and it showed. He was slender for a hobbit to begin with, and days without nourishment had left his ribs showing far more than was proper. He ate slowly, taking care not to give his digestive system too much of a shock all at once.
"Did Mayor Whitfoot stay and talk with you for a while yesterday?" Merry asked, attempting to hide his curiosity behind small talk. "I know he certainly meant to." Frodo saw right through him, and it brought a smile to his face.
"Yes, Merry. We did have a good discussion," Frodo answered. He explained the Mayor's plan in detail, and approving nods were given in answer.
"That should get Bramblethorn's attention, I think," Merry said. "It should take him down a peg or two to have all of the Shire see him for what he is, and it won't hurt if he gets at least a small taste of the bitter cup you were made to drink, Frodo."
"I wouldn't mind having a nice ripe tomato handy when I see him," Pippin said with a gleam in his eye.
"That would be a grievous waste of a perfectly good tomato, Pip," Merry countered. With that, the somber mood of the group was broken, and they dined together gladly. Frodo was especially grateful for the company of Sam and his cousins, recalling how far from him they had seemed when he was imprisoned. They were here with him now, real and true, and he treasured them as never before.
~*~
Two days later, Frodo stood by the open window at the inn, enjoying the fresh air flowing past him into the room. The healer had pronounced him fit to travel, and he was eager to see Bag End again. Merry and Pippin would be going back to Buckland and Tuckborough, respectively. Their visit had definitely not gone as planned, and another attempt at a more normal one would be made in the near future.
Sam walked through the door and Frodo jumped at the sound. He blushed in embarrassment as he spoke. "Sam! Forgive me, please. I suppose I'm just a little excited to be going home."
"Not to worry, Mr. Frodo," Sam replied easily, lifting his pack from the floor. "Are you sure you're ready? I mean, walkin' all the way back to Hobbiton -"
"I'm much better now, and the healer says I'm ready," Frodo replied, attempting to soothe Sam's apprehension. "It's not such a long way, and we've plenty of time to rest if we need to. I have no doubt that you will see me safely home, Sam."
Although the bruises still showed here and there, Frodo's aches were gone and his strength restored by proper nourishment and much rest. Sam had made good Merry's words about waiting on Frodo hand and foot, leaving nothing wanting.
As they met Merry and Pippin at the desk and Merry prepared to pay for their room, Mayor Whitfoot intercepted them. "Good morning, lads! He said, grinning broadly. "Master Baggins, you look very well indeed. Are you on your way home then?"
"I am, Mr. Mayor," Frodo replied, nodding politely. "I can't thank you enough for all that you've done. Your assistance and personal attention to this matter - "
"No need to thank me, " the Mayor held up a hand to ward off the protests that would certainly come with his next statement. "Your room has been paid for and all is in order. It has been a pleasure seeing all of you, and a great pleasure indeed to see you in good health, Frodo."
"You are too kind, Mayor Whitfoot," Merry said, shaking the Mayor's hand. The group from Hobbiton waved farewell as they exited the inn and emerged into the sunshine of a beautiful morning.
~*~ Later, at Bag End
Supper was over and Sam was washing the dishes. He had stubbornly refused to allow Frodo to help, instead installing his master comfortably in Bilbo's favorite armchair with a good book and a glass of Old Winyards.
The journey from Bywater had been uneventful, even pleasant. They had arrived back at Bag End to find that the Gaffer and Sam's siblings had done their best to tend the garden during Sam's absence, and all was well. Word was beginning to spread regarding Frodo's safe return, and that in a few days Bramblethorn would be facing the scorn of the people of Hobbiton.
No time had been wasted in punishing the culprit. The Mayor and the Shirriffs had placed Bramblethorn in the town square of Bywater the very morning after Frodo had been freed. From there it was on to Frogmorton, and Michel Delving. Hobbiton, as the home of Bramblethorn's victim, would be the last stop before his expulsion from the Shire.
Frodo wore a pensive expression as Sam walked back into the parlor and sat down on the sofa. He had been trying to read, but his thoughts kept wandering. He had caught himself looking down the hallway several times, and when Sam had gone into the kitchen to wash the dishes, he had risen from his chair and locked the door.
"Mr. Frodo," Sam began, "Is there anything you need?" He looked at Frodo with a caring expression, having detected the nervousness in his master's posture and movements.
"I don't think so, Sam," Frodo said with a sigh. "It's just - I keep thinking about things. I keep hearing the things Bramblethorn said to me about - about -" he stopped, having difficulty going on.
"You don't have to talk about it, Mr. Frodo. Not unless you really want to," Sam said as he looked into Frodo's eyes. He wished he could erase the rather haunted look he saw there and replace it with the dancing twinkle he'd come to know over the years.
"No, Sam. I do need to talk about it, though it isn't easy." Frodo rose from the chair and paced restlessly, still holding the book in his hand. "I refused to sign the document repeatedly until one night, Sam. I was dreaming and I called for you. He - " Frodo's voice quavered. "He said he would hurt you, Sam, if I didn't do as he asked. It was more than I could bear!" Frodo clutched the book tightly, his knuckles going white with the pressure.
Sam rose and put an arm around Frodo's shoulders, guiding him to the sofa.
"He won't be hurtin' me or anyone else hereabouts, Mr. Frodo," Sam said soothingly. "Don't you worry 'bout your Sam."
"But Sam, I was so afraid - " Frodo broke off again, trying to gather his wits and sort his words out. "I was afraid that I would never see you again." A single tear traversed a path down his cheek as he spoke. "I realized how alone I would be without you, and how much I need you with me." He turned to Sam and hugged him tightly.
Sam was slightly taken aback but returned the hug gladly. "I felt the same thing, Mr. Frodo. When none of us could find you, I went searchin' through the woods again. I was so scared, and I just couldn't breathe. It felt like my heart had been torn out."
Frodo leaned his head against Sam's shoulder as his tears fell. He felt sorrow for Sam's pain, as well as his own. As the thought of passing the night alone with his recent memories and the fears they evoked flitted through his mind, Frodo began to tremble as if chilled by a cold wind.
Sam held him closer and rubbed his back gently. When he could trust himself to speak again, Frodo looked up at Sam and spoke one word. "Stay."
"Mr. Frodo?"
"Stay with me, Sam. Don't leave me alone. I can't - "
Sam unfolded a blanket that had been draped across the back of the sofa, and wrapped them both in it snugly. "I won't leave you, Mr. Frodo. If you're scared, I'll be right here. I won't let nothin' come to harm you, in dreams or otherwise," Sam said as he carefully drew Frodo into his arms.
Eventually Frodo fell asleep. Sam remained awake for a while, just watching over him as he rested. Frodo's chest rose and fell in a slow, even rhythm and a calm expression graced his features. Sam looked at Frodo, praying silently that he would never see his beloved master's face bruised again, or hear Frodo whisper his name in that hoarse, broken voice. His embrace tightened protectively. ~You're safe, Mr.Frodo,~ he thought, and listened gratefully to Frodo's breathing and heartbeat until he too relaxed into sleep.
~*~To be continued~*~