Frodo entered Bag End without looking behind him. He let go of Sam's hand and walked over to the table. He unceremoniously plopped into a chair. (Well, as unceremoniously as possible for one as graceful as Frodo.)

Suddenly he felt a great stinging sensation on his back. He whimpered in pain, trying his best to keep from crying out. But, in the end he failed and a small sob escaped his throat.

Bilbo turned abruptly from where he had been talking with Sam at Frodo's cry of pain.

"Frodo!" He yelled, running up to him, fear in his eyes. "Frodo, what hurts?"

"My back, Uncle. I had forgotten." Frodo said, wincing.

Sam rushed to his master's side. "Oh Mr. Frodo! It still hurts, sir? What that bad hobbit did to you?"

Frodo nodded slightly, trying to bury his face into his chest to hide the tears.

By this time, Bilbo had gotten Frodo to sit up. He gasped in surprise. There was what looked like dried blood on Frodo's shirt. He carefully began to lift it up. It was not an easy process, because some of the dried blood on the shirt was hooked to Frodo's skin. He grimaced when a little of the scab came off of Frodo's back, stuck fast to his shirt. He was trying his best to be careful, not at all liking the cry of pain that action had brought to his dear nephew. He could see that some of the wound reopened when Frodo's back had hit the chair, not to mention what the removing of the shirt did to it.

"I'm so sorry Frodo." Bilbo said, sadly. He brought Frodo's shirt up over his head and set it in the chair next to him. Then his mood and tone changed. "Did Lotho do this to you?" Bilbo asked angrily, looking at the welt on the pale skin.

"No, he did not." Frodo replied.

"Are you sure Frodo? You don't have to be afraid to tell me if he did. I would make sure that he got what he deserved. That lousy good for nothing…" Bilbo began to trail off.

"No, it was not Lotho, Uncle." Frodo said again.

"So, it wasn't him at the bottom of the hill?"

"No, it was him, but he did not touch me. He did not cause this." Frodo said.

"Well, then what happened, lad?"

Sam took this as the perfect opportunity to break into the conversation. "A bad hobbit whipped his servant!" He blurted with a look of fear and quickly added, "Sir!"

Bilbo waited for Sam to continue.

"And Mr. Frodo jumped in front of the servant before he got whipped again. That is what happened to him, sir."

"Oh." Bilbo said, suddenly sad, but no less angry. "Then there is not much I can do, but try to ease your pain, dear boy. It is a terrible thing that some masters treat their servants so. It was very noble of you to help the servant boy, Frodo."

Frodo looked up and smiled at the older hobbit. Bilbo wiped Frodo's tears away with his hands. Frodo clasped one of his Uncle's hands and held it to his face for a moment before letting it go. It felt so good to be so cared about!

"Samwise, will you go get me some bandages for Frodo?" Bilbo said, looking down at the small worried hobbit.

"Aye sir! You don't have to tell me twice." Sam scampered off.

Bilbo laughed good-naturedly at the young hobbit as he ran off. So much love emanated from that little soul. His Frodo was in good hands, he knew this for sure.

"Bilbo?" Frodo asked, uncertainly.

"Yes, my boy?"

"Why do you think Sam loves me so much? I'm nothing special."

"Oh Frodo! You have no idea how special you are lad. And Samwise was very keen on this fact. He has one of the sweetest, loving, souls I have ever seen."

"You are right about that, Bilbo! Do you know what Sam told me after I stood up for that servant boy? He told me that he would die for me. Such words for such a young hobbit! No one has ever said anything like that to me before."

"That is a prime example of what I was saying lad. Your Sam has a good heart. I have no doubt in my mind that he would die for you if the opportunity had arisen." Even as Bilbo said this, his eyes began to water. He was suddenly very thankful for Sam. Frodo could not have asked for a better friend.

"I believe that wholly." Frodo said, as Sam came back in the room with the bandages and a bowl of warm water with a washcloth.

"Thank you, lad." Bilbo said, taking the bandages. He carefully began cleaning Frodo's wound and then wrapped the bandage around him. "There! All set Frodo! Just be careful."

"Thank you Uncle." Frodo said, quietly.

Bilbo smiled at the slight hobbit and carefully gathered him into his arms. "You're a good lad, Frodo, and very special to me."

Frodo smiled all throughout the rest of the day. The smiled didn't leave his lips even after he fell asleep. It felt so good to be so cared about and so loved. His dreams were pleasant that night.

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Next chapter: More of our favorite hobbit Lotho. Only this time Lotho learns a lesson! And of course, Frodo will be lovely as usual. The next part is in my head, I just have to type it. It should be up within the week. Now to the reviewers. (ie: people I love!)

Melilot Sandybanks: Thanks for your comments. I really hoped I was doing justice to Frodo and Sam. They are my favorite characters after all. Oh yes, little Elijah at my church is adorable. Sometimes when he first sees me though he gets all shy and won't talk to me. Other times he wants me to pick him up and carry him around. Kids! And you are so not alone in your Elijah Wood obsession. I have what I like to call a "fascination problem" with him. Thanks again for your comments!

Senni: Yes more Sam and Frodo! I can't wait for ROTK either!

Michelle Frodo: Goonies is great and so is Huck Finn. They just recently became two of my favorite movies. I'm glad that Sam's words really meant a lot. That would be groovy if you came up with a poem for that! Yes Ross does sound cute. And since I keep you updated on little Elijah, I babysat him for a little while last Saturday with too many other kids. He was smiling and happy to see me. I really love that kid. Anyway he got his fingers pinched and started to cry. I felt so bad. I tried to get his fingers out, but I went the wrong way at first! That was no fun. But, I guess he forgave me because he wanted me to pick him up afterwards. That cradle/cage thing should be condemned. On another note since he can sometimes be shy, his Dad teased him saying that I wouldn't play with him any more if he didn't talk to me. Heh heh. He can be stubborn. Anyway, glad you like my story!

Obelia medusa: I'm glad you liked this chapter! I was very happy to include Biblical themes. It's very Tolkien-ish to do so, I think. And I agree about Lotho. In my story you will for the most part find him to be a cowardly jerk. But, there may be a surprise in there along the way!

Katini Petitedra: Eating Lotho would probably upset your stomach! And he is pretty darn pertinent to this fic. Therefore, I'm glad you decided not to eat him! J

????: (Like the name by the way!) Thank you very much. It always seemed that there must be reasons why Sam adores Frodo so much.

Hmsgirl: Thanks for the comments on my Lotho. I will be working to flesh him out more in later chapters. Maybe with an unexpected twist! And I like pretty colored fingers! It is fun!

Please review!!