Golden snowflakes.
Chapter two: of illness and cunning plans.
T: Helloooo! Yes chapter two is up and running, though unfortunately it's very short. I apologise for this in advance, you see this is kind of an in-between chapter that develops plot and makes sure chapter three (when it comes out!) makes a tiny bit a sense. Anyway now that I've made my excuses for this chapter I must make one about the last chapter…Bilbo was a little more awake than he actually is by ROTK, the reason? The elves fed him caffeine…seriously though, I know its odd, let us just agree that he was having an up day! This chapter is dedicated to ForceMuette whose review gave me a shove to finish this chapter. ForceMuette, yes EVERYONE knows about Frodo and Sam, apart apparently from Frodo and Sam. The Shire? Ehhh it reacted in a variation of ways from acceptance to disgust, though most could not care either way (kind of like today's society!) Anyway, warnings still the same and LOTR is still not mine, though I love it as if it were!!
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It was March the 13th and all preparation for the rapidly approaching trip to Gondor were put speedily to hold, for Frodo Baggins had fallen ill.
The illness had come upon the Ring barer suddenly, though not unexpectedly, in the early morning as he continued to pack for his journey. Memories had swamped him suddenly and with a cry he had fallen hard onto his back. Merry and Pippin (both of whom were now permanent residents at Bag End until the trip.) Had tried to sir their Cousin with soft words and gentle caresses, but the more they touched Frodo the more he cried and fought. Soon the Ring barer fell into a fitful sleep that was punctuated by a gentle whimpering and the constant repetition of Sam's name. Eventually the gardener was sent for and his presence calmed Frodo enough so that between the three of them he was lifted and deposited safely onto his bed.
Once Frodo was safe Sam had moved to leave his Master's room so that he might fetch him sustenance for when he awoke. This action brought a harsh keening to Frodo's lips, which was only silenced when Sam came again to his side. Wordlessly Pippin went to fetch a chair for Sam to sit upon while Merry horded together food and drink not only for Frodo but for Sam also. Eventually the gardener was left alone with his Master, his warm brown eyes watching the rise and fall of Frodo's chest carefully. He was lost for a moment in the remembrance of a point, a year ago to the day, when to hear his Master's breath or see the flicker of movement beneath his eye lids was all that he could have wished for, all that he desired.
Leaning forwards in the chair Sam took up one of Frodo's pail hands and held it for a moment, assuring himself that all was well and memorising again the steady thrum of Frodo's heart, strong against his skin. Then, after a moment to think Sam began to talk, the soft rumble of his voice a cold comfort in the empty silence.
"I recall that you told me you'd been forgetting things, Sir, things that would be best for you to recall instead of the darkness that you feel at the moment. So, begin' your pardon, Sir, I thought that I might tell you of things I recall while you sleep, so that you might recall them when your awake.
"We used to play games when we were smaller, Sir, in the time when Rings were no bother to us and Mr. Bilbo was still himself. Simple games they were, things that as children we found idle delight in, but as adults seem pointless to us, though perhaps sometimes they hid deeper meanings. For your favourite game was always hide and seek, the thrill of seeing without being seen was one that was never matched in your eyes.
"When you played with me though the rules changed, suddenly being invisible was only a temporary thrill to ye because you knew always that I'd panic if I didn't find you quickly. And so you made a new rule, un-official like, you decided that if I hadn't found you by about ten minuets into the game you'd sneak out of your hiding spot and high tale it to the Bywater Pond. You made yourself a boat and I'd always find you right in the very centre of the pond, book in hand and a smile on your young face. You'd always tell me how I was late and then you'd pat the small space at your side and ask me to join you.
"I always was frightfully afraid of the water, Sir, I'd almost drowned as a babe, something I never saw fit to tell you because the water also held another irrational fear for me. You see, Sir, I dreamt often as a child that somehow I'd lose you forever to a vast expanse of water and now that dream seems to be coming slowly true, for the sea is calling to you always now.
"That game came back to me in a flash, Sir, as I saw that boat drifting across the Anduin, empty and yet somehow full at the same time. In that moment I could almost hear you asking me to join you and the fear of loosing you destroyed the fear I had of the water. I didn't think, Sir, not at the time, no how, I just jumped and as I sank under the water I almost believed that you were not going to get me. Not his time.
"But you did, Sir and for that I'm forever thank full." He paused for a moment, his ears again searching out the soft rush of air being pulled in then pushed out from Frodo's lungs. "I'm wondering now, Sir, if you'd still come back for me and I begin to fear that I shall see very soon if you feel that ye still need me in your life." He said. Pausing again to listen and assure before the words continued to flow.
Down the hallway, sat comfortably in the small living room Merry told Pippin all that he had assumed and directly heard from Frodo when they had last talked
"…And he has this notion in his head that Sam's courting Rose Cotton. " he concluded. Pip shook his head and settled himself back into his chair, his green eyes free of their laughter for the moment.
"You would of thought that Frodo would have heard the Shire gossip about Rose and Fredegard Bolger by now."
"Not necessarily, Pip, Frodo has not been one to socialise of late and there has still been no proof that Rose is to wed Fatty."
"Not as yet no, but it will only be a matter of time. Not that Rose being wed or no should make a difference in things, for Sam has loved Frodo since they met."
"Perhaps that is half the problem. He has been Frodo's friend and servant for so long that perhaps he can not see that things have changed between them."
"If changed they have. I am still not quite sure on this whole thing, Merry."
"The I shall have to call you a fool of a Took, Pip, for their love shines bright enough that all see it."
"All but themselves, seemingly. I shall trust you on this Merry, for though you have often caused me trouble with your schemes you have never deliberately hurt me or any of our kin." Pip replied. Merry smiled then, content that he had stayed Pippin's concern, for now at least. He allowed the muffled sound of Sam's voice to lull him for a moment as he remembered to thank the gardener once again for all that he had done of late for his dear Cousin.
"Well?" Pippin enquired after a moment.
"Well what?"
"What's the plan, Merry?"
"It seems to me that we have two problems. One, how to get Frodo and Sam talking about their true feelings and two how to stop Frodo from crossing over to Valinor as we know he is contemplating. Now I believe if we can do the first than the second will be done for us and so I have concentrated my efforts on solving Frodo and Sam's communication problem.
"Now they can not communicate with one another if Frodo is in Gondor and Sam is here in Hobbiton and so we need a way to assure that Sam is coming on the trip with us."
"But Frodo does not wish him to come."
"That's true, but if Sam was coming to Gondor at the request of Aragorn it would be rude of Frodo to refuse to allow him to travel with us, for convenience and company."
"And how do we get Aragorn to request for Sam's presence?"
"We merely tell him what we are planning, Pip and he will be more than willing to help, for he as the rest of us wishes Frodo to be healed."
*
The day after Frodo's recovery was a blur of raised and crushed hopes for Samwise Gamgee. For though Frodo had been more than willing to tell his servant of where he was going and that he was indeed planning to return, he had made it very clear that he did not wish to pull Sam away from his work within the Shire.
Despondent, Sam had returned home to his father's quite inquisitiveness as to whether Mr Frodo was indeed planning to leave Bag End. Once the Gaffer had been informed of the situation and Sam had eaten his tea, he was left fairly well to himself, to dwell over the odd moods of both his Master and his father.
Frodo's mood could be explained easily by the residual memories of darkness and the lingering threat of pain that marred his life now. The Gaffer's oddness seemed to sprout back to his return to Bagshot Row, however and seemed to have spread through out Hobbiton. For everywhere that Sam went these days he was asked about Frodo's welfare, or he was given stairs that it a time gone by he would have considered hurtful or rude.
Long he remained awake, pipe in his mouth and thoughts churning over in his head. Indeed so long was it before he retired to bed that he had but a few moments sleep before he had to return to his duties at Bag End.
He had not long settled down to removing the fresh growth of weeds from about the Forget-me-nots that had been Mr. Bilbo's favourite flowers when a cheery
"Hello Sam." Distracted him from his work. Shielding his eyes against the sun he looked up into the green eyes of Peregrine Took.
"What can I do for ye, Mr Pippin?" He enquired.
"I have a message here for you Sam." The Took replied as he passed Sam a small envelope that was addressed simply ` Master Samwise Gamgee, Number Three Bagshot Row, Hobbiton in the Shire. ` "Your Gaffer gave it into my keeping as I passed up the row today." Pippin explained. Sam opened the letter carefully; the soil that still coated his fingers staining the envelope despite the caution.
The note inside was written in a bold hand that, though new to Sam was instantly recognisable to him as the hand of Aragorn.
`Samwise,
Minas Tirith has need of late for gardeners that not only love their art but are highly skilled within it also. The lady Arwen recalled to me your skill and reports have come to me of late that lead me to believe that you would be the best candidate of the job.
I ask that you might spare me a little of your time this summer to come to the city and give me your advice, you would not be required all of the time and you will have time to yourself that you may spend as you wish. I am aware that Frodo and Pippin are also coming to the city and perhaps you could make the journey in their company if you are loathed to make the journey on your own.
Aragorn. `
"Well what does it say?" Pippin enquired once Sam had re-folded the note.
"It is a summons from Aragorn. He wishes me to come to Minas Tirith and help him with the gardens there."
"And when does he wish you to come?"
"He wishes me to be there for summer."
"Then you shall have to come with Frodo and I."
"I'm not so sure Mr. Frodo wants me there, Mr. Pippin."
"Nonsense, Sam, he just did not want you putting yourself out. This way everyone is happy, Frodo keeps assured that he is not a burden to you and you keep assured that Frodo is not going to run off." Pippin said. Sam looked hard at the Took for a moment then he smiled,
"You're spendin' too much time around Mr. Merry, Mr. Pippin, you'll soon be too smart for your own good."
"There is no fear of that Sam, for after I have said something intelligent I often follow it up by putting my foot straight into my mouth. Took trait, you know." Pippin said. Sam shook his head and returned his attention back his work, secreting the letter into his back pocket for safekeeping. Pippin watched his friend garden for a moment then, smile on his face he went in search of Merry so that he might tell the Brandybuck that the first part of the plan had gone smoothly.
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T: Phew…well even for such a short chapter I'm beet. The basic plotline should be evident by now, though even I am still not sure about the ending. Umm…Possibility of Tom Bombadil in the next chapter though I'm still not sure if he'll make the final cut, because I relay don't understand him all that well as a character and so I might not be able to make him work convincingly in the chapter. Ooh! If you're still reading then perhaps you might like to have a guess at what Pip's secrete is when you review. The best suggestion may well be used when I get Pip to confess!
R&R Please! I'll give you Frodo…he's a little bruised but he's still pretty!