Setting: Minas Tirith after the crowning of the King. Friendship and healing. No sex/violence/no slash.

Disclaimer: I humbly borrow these dear characters from the master and promise to give them back unharmed.

Chapter 3. The Dreams of Friends

In the morning the King shooed away the hobbits, Elf and Dwarf all waiting to look in and say hello to their friend, assuring them that there would be time for visiting later.  He and Gandalf entered the room to find Frodo still asleep and Sam pottering around, tidying and setting things to order. After hearing Sams report that his master had slept well they dispatched him off to join the others, to get some rest and something to eat.  Gandalf set down a tray of breakfast, small by Hobbit standards but sufficient for the small patient. He roused the Hobbit gently.

Frodo woke with a yawn, stretched and sat up in bed.  'Hello Gandalf, Aragorn, is everything OK'. The two men exchanged a smile 'Oh, I think so Frodo, would you like some breakfast?' 'Yes thank you I feel quite hungry this morning'. The three friends chatted quietly about nothing in particular until Frodo had finished eating.

Seeing the Kings grave expression Frodo wondered what was coming next.

'Why didn't you tell me you weren't sleeping Frodo? I could have helped you and saved you much distress!'

Frodo looked uncomfortable and whispered quietly  'It wasn't that I couldn't sleep…. I just avoided sleeping at night…. to stop the nightmares…it was the dreams, they were so bad…I…I thought I was going mad'. Frodo paused,  his head buried in his hands as if to block out the images that had risen unbidden before him. 'I… I thought that the Ring had… gotten inside my head' He looked up fearfully with tears in his eyes.  'I kept seeing G..Gollum. He kept saying I was just like him and that Sauron had sent him to fetch me. Because he couldn't have the Ring he was going to take my soul …… and then he was going to get everyone I loved starting with Bilbo. He was going to dangle them over the fires of Mount Doom for all eternity because I had claimed the Ring.  I tried to fight them off but they just laughed,…. and I always failed!' at this Frodo broke down and wept.

'Oh my dear Frodo' Gandalf hugged the Hobbit tightly until his shaking ceased. 'Frodo, Sauron and Gollum are gone, they can never come back, they have no power to hurt you.  You, my dear Frodo are the strongest, most stubborn hobbit I have ever had the pleasure to meet but even you cannot fight all battles alone. You must ask for help when you need it. It is not a sign of weakness to need you friends'.

There was a long silence. 'Can you help to give me back my past'? asked Frodo quietly.

What do you mean Frodo'

'My memories! When things are bad I try to remember the good things but…. but they have all gone….' Frodo swallowed hard before continuing. 'All of the important people in my life   I can't see them   I can't even picture Bilbo's dear face. The beauty of the Shire, of Lothlorien, even Rivendell they are lost in the darkness of my memory and it's….it's breaking my heart! 'He buried his face in the pillow to avoid the shock and pity on the faces of his friends.

'Frodo, please don't turn away from us'. The King kneeled beside the bed and waited for the small drawn face to turn towards him. 'Frodo… Frodo! He spoke softly but his words were insistent.  Frodo turned, he saw the tears on his face but his eyes were soft with compassion.  'Frodo you should never have had to bear this burden and if I could bear it for you I would gladly do so, but that is not within my power. I do think that I can help you if you will let me.  I need to speak to Arwen and Lord Elrond for I believe they may be able to guide me'. He embraced him and rose to leave. 'I will return shortly'.

Gandalf remained at the hobbits bedside until a soft knocking at the door heralded the arrival of the other Halflings. 'May we come in' whispered Pippin.

'Well Frodo! do you feel up to a visit from these reprobates' said Gandalf with a smile. Frodo nodded and was soon buried beneath a gaggle of curly haired friends.

'Now now' said Gandalf trying to sound serious 'there is to be no riotous behaviour, Frodo needs rest and peace. Sam, I leave you in charge of seeing that he is well fed and watered! And heed me well' he continued looking particularly at Merry and Pippin 'any errant Hobbitry will be taken from this place and fed to the nearest Balrog!!

'Not a fate I would recommend', he muttered. He winked at Frodo turning to leave.

********

Towards noon Gandalf gathered the companions together in a chamber across the hall from Frodo's room to await the arrival of the King.  The King arrived but went in first to see Frodo.  He sat on the edge of the bed and reassured himself that Frodo had suffered no ill effects from his troubles. He took the Hobbits hand.  'You have been through so much my friend but I believe I may be able to help you. I cannot take away the shadow left by the Ring but I think that its influence may be lessened.'

'What do I have to do Aragorn'?

The King smiled. 'Do you trust me Frodo'.

'Of course, I'd trust you with my life'.

'Then that is all you have to do' he said. Laying his hand on the Hobbits forehead he continued 'close your eyes and breath deeply'. Frodo relaxed and gently drifted into sleep. 'Sweet dreams, my friend'.

The King joined the companions. He explained to them all that he and Gandalf had learned of Frodo's distress. 'We need to help Frodo by helping him to rediscover all of the good memories that have been swallowed up by the influence of the Ring. I do not believe that they have gone forever, just that they are buried so deep that he cannot retrieve them without the help of his friends. I have sent him into a gentle half sleep. I want each of you in turn to sit with him and talk to him about the past. Relive for him the good times and favourite places, he will hear you words and his memory will be filled anew.'

Sam went first. He sat by the bed and holding his masters hand began to talk about the Shire. He lovingly described the gardens and the trees, sunlit glades and soft rain. He told tales of boyhood jaunts and adventures. He described Bag End and even recounted some of Bilbo's songs and stories. Merry's tales were of family and friends. He recounted stories of growing up, of parties and weddings and family gossip.  He recounted boyhood scrapes and tweenage pranks.  All the time painting word pictures of good times and dear friends. Pippin softly sang familiar songs of the Shire and spoke of his joy at being allowed to join in the adventures of his older cousins. Of being cosseted and loved by the two people who meant the world to him.

Gandalfs stories were of Bilbo, his adventures with dwarves and his love and affinity with the elves. Gimli described the work and craft of his people, their achievements and their histories and their love of the mountains.  Lastly, Legolas described the wonders of the woods, of Lothlorian and Rivendell; he described them with the love of one who feels their beauty. He sang of past glories and ancient deeds.

Towards evening, while Legolas was singing quietly at Frodo's side the Lady Arwen entered. She carried a tray that she set upon the table.  She crossed over to Sam who had fallen asleep in the chair by the fire. Kneeling she gently roused him. 'Master Samwise supper awaits you in the Kings chamber' Sam looked over to his sleeping friend, 'oh, begging you pardon but I couldn't leave Mr Frodo'.

 'Sam I don't think it was a request' she said with a smile. 'I will stay with Frodo, he will not be left unattended'.  Sam made himself presentable and with a last check on his friend went with Legolas to attend on the King.

Arwen's memories for Frodo were tales of love and longing. She spoke of her family, her love for her Father and brothers, for her Mother who had long ago passed into the west to seek healing and peace. She spoke of Aragorn and their wait to be united and her decision to give up her immortality. Finally she spoke of the Grey Havens and the lands in the West, painting vivid images of the beauty of Eressea.  When her story ended she lapsed into silence, lost in thought.  She sensed Frodo beginning to wake. She spoke his name softly and caressed his cheek.  The Hobbit stirred and reaching out touched her hand. A single tear escaped from beneath his closed eyes.

'Frodo'

Keeping his eyes closed to preserve the comforting images of his dreams for as long as possible he whispered 'I thought they had gone for ever… I... I…saw my Mother..…!' At this he could no longer hold back the tears and he wept. But these were no longer the tears of anguish and pain, of darkness and despair. He wept tears of joy and healing, for what he had lost and for the blessing of that which still remained.

*TBC*

A/N ;   Please review. I really appreciate any feedback.

Thanks