FantasyFan – Wow! Long review, but as you said, two chapters at the same time. I struggled with how much explanation Bilbo would be willing to give about the Ring. I didn't really leave him an 'out' with the way I had him use it, did I? I allowed him to explain a little bit, since the circumstances were rather extraordinary. He never would have used it at all, except to save Frodo. As to Bargo and Reginard, I can only do so much to them, as they're still tweens. But we'll take care of them. As to the sequel, my poor addled brain is dropping hints all the time.
Aratlithel – Bilbo is great. I share Frodo's opinion of him. And poor Merry will have to deal with Frodo's departure, but he knows it's the best thing for him.
Krista – Frodo will indeed find a loyal friend in Sam.
Camellia – Gamgee – Took – I'm sure Merry wouldn't mind if you came to see him, especially if you bring some of those cakes and iced buns you mentioned!
TTTurtle – Haven't the last few days been frustrating? No updating or reading fic! I will touch on the move to Hobbiton in the final chapter, which, I'm sad to say is after this one. Then I'll start posting the sequel! Those naughty boys will get theirs, at least as much as I'm allowed to give them within the framework of hobbity – ness.
Heartofahobbit – I think Merry will grow from the experience of seeing Frodo off to Hobbiton. In the sequel, you will continue to see Frodo discovering his identity and making important realizations. I'm glad you're working on your own fic to post. If I can answer any questions, I'd be happy to, although I am little more than a novice myself.
Shirebound – I'm glad you enjoyed the conversation between Merry and Frodo. Perhaps Frodo will not feel so odd in Hobbiton.
Tavion – Merry and Frodo did have more sweet than bitter in their discussion, and there will be many sweet times and memories for them to come. We meet up with Bargo and Reginard again in this chapter.
FrodoBaggins1982 – Don't go soft on Bargo and Reginard? Oh, wait and see! You are a good editor, finding the places where I didn't quite sweep up all the remnants of my revisions!
Fool of a Took – Yeah, it's been a frustrating couple of days with the technical problems. Looking forward to Bargo and Reginard getting theirs? Look no further!
Midgette – Frodo's back where he belongs. Well, almost. And don't let the summary of the sequel scare you. Frodo's got some interesting experiences ahead, but in my opinion, not as rough as what I've put him through here.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Author's note – Bargo and Reginard. Don't go easy on them, many of you said. I hope you find the contents of this chapter as pleasing as Frodo, Merry and Bilbo have!
Chapter 26 – Second Breakfast and Just Desserts.
~*~Brandy Hall, Buckland, morning~*~
"Is this all?" Bilbo looked surprised when he saw the small number of bags and the single trunk that stood waiting beside the cart in the courtyard.
Frodo had never thought too much about it, but he supposed he really didn't have a lot of personal possessions. The only things he could think of that he had ever truly wished to own were books, and the Hall library was available to everyone. If he wanted something to read, he had only to make the trip to those quiet rooms and choose from the many interesting volumes available.
"This is all of it, Uncle," Frodo responded simply. "Are we leaving after second breakfast, then?"
"Soon after, Frodo lad," Bilbo answered, looking back toward the Hall. "I have a few more things to discuss with Saradoc before we depart."
Frodo lifted the small trunk into the cart without assistance, as it was rather light. "All right, Uncle. I'm going to load these and I'll meet you in the library afterward," he said lightly.
Bilbo nodded and turned to reenter the hall. He wanted to discuss with Saradoc the particulars of his plan to adopt Frodo formally. He planned not to reveal the fact that the adoption would also make the lad his heir to Frodo just yet. It wouldn't do to overwhelm the boy with too many changes at once. Let a few months pass, and the right time would come.
Merry hailed from across the courtyard and made his way to the cart to help his cousin. "You're all ready then," Merry observed, looking from the baggage to Frodo's eyes. "I really am happy for you, Frodo. It would be selfish and wrong of me to be otherwise."
Frodo lifted the last of the bags, a battered leather knapsack, into the cart. He leaned against its wooden side and looked around the courtyard one last time. He would be back for visits, but this was the last time he would see Brandy Hall and perceive it as his home. The sun shone brightly and he lifted his face to its warm rays and closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of fallen leaves as he spoke.
"Maybe I'm the one who's selfish, Merry. I'm leaving you here and going my own way, for no other reason than making myself feel better." Frodo sighed, and a sad smile raised the corners of his mouth. "You're very kind to understand, and I appreciate it more than I can say."
"We didn't do a very good job of losing you, looks like!" The moment was shattered as Frodo jumped at the sound of Bargo's voice from behind him. "What does it take to get rid of rats, anyhow?"
Frodo slowly turned to see Bargo and Reginard standing in front of him. It was a moment before he realized that he no longer felt any fear of them. Instead, indignation rose up within him and he steeled himself.
"You'll answer for what you've done," Frodo said, looking from one to the other. "Your plan failed."
"Did it?" Reginard stepped closer. "I don't know, Frodo. In a way I kind of missed you. It might be fun to have you back." Frodo found himself wanting nothing more than to wipe the sneer from the other hobbit's face, and he held back with difficulty. Merry stood with his fists clenched and moved a step closer to Frodo.
"Well, you'll be disappointed in that respect as well, Reginard. I'm leaving the Hall." Frodo spoke the words without gloating. It was a mere statement of fact, meant to draw the conversation to an end as simply and as quickly as possible.
"Awww, and after all we've been through together," Bargo chimed in. "Going to live with that old crackpot then?" He and Reginard stood in front of Frodo and Merry, keeping them backed up against the pony cart. Reginard shoved Merry backwards and sneered, "Hello, Brandybrat," as Bargo reached out to grab Frodo.
"Don't speak to me of what 'we've' been through!" Frodo suddenly exploded. He batted Bargo's hand away disdainfully. "I won't waste time or breath telling you what I've been through as a result of your actions, but I will tell you that you couldn't have borne it." Frodo's eyes flashed and he met the somewhat startled gaze of his enemy steadily. "You're gravely mistaken if you think you have strength enough in you to do anything further to me." Frodo's jaw was clenched and his teeth ground together as he hissed, "I've seen far worse than you."
"Look at that, Bargo. He says we don't scare him anymore," Reginard said loftily. "I'll bet I can change your mind about that, Frodo," he said, his voice filled with menace. Reginard suddenly swung at Frodo, who ducked the blow with room to spare. Bargo grabbed Merry and held him back.
Frodo's eyes were fairly blazing now, and he let the pain and the fear of the last week fuel his anger at the two hobbits in front of him. They had caused all of it! They had put him in harm's way for naught but sport, and he owed them a share of the agony he had suffered as a result. He remembered the ropes burning his wrists and the searing pain of the welts on his back, the feeling of utter helplessness as he'd succumbed to the drug that had robbed him of his consciousness.
"You don't scare me, Reginard. Don't bother trying to, either." Frodo took a confident step forward as he spoke. "I won't give you the satisfaction."
"I don't care if you'll give it or not, Rat. I'll have it anyway," Reginard countered, aiming a blow at Frodo's midsection. Frodo was expecting it, and he clenched his muscles in preparation. He barely made a sound as the other lad's fist glanced off his abdomen. Reginard was caught off guard by his would be victim's response, and Frodo's fist connected squarely with his jaw.
Reginard reeled backward, staggering in shock and confusion. Since when did Frodo stand up for himself? True, he had attempted to fight back when they had sneaked into his room, but they had seen his fear then. The hobbit who faced them now bore little resemblance to the cowering youth they had overpowered in the shadows that night.
"Get your hands off me or I'll tear them off, Bargo!" Merry shouted angrily, struggling to break Bargo's hold on him. The older lad recovered his senses and shoved Merry again, pushing him away from where Frodo and Reginard stood facing each other.
"Feeling brave, Brandybrat? Did you and Frodo learn to fight while you were away?" Bargo laughed nastily as he approached Frodo.
"I learned more than you are capable of learning in a lifetime, Bargo," Frodo snarled, eyeing the other tween angrily. "It will take two of you to put me down, that I promise!" Frodo shoved Bargo away from him, looking into the older tween's eyes the entire time.
Merry looked on in horror as Reginard suddenly belted Frodo, knocking him back against the side of the cart. His horror turned to elation as Frodo righted himself and spun around to give Reginard similar treatment. Bargo looked like he was going to attack Frodo as well, so Merry jumped on his back and held on.
There was no further opportunity for any of the combatants to damage each other. As Reginard raised his fist to strike again, a larger, stronger hand closed around his wrist and held him back. Saradoc glowered at Reginard, his eyes full of stern warning. Bilbo separated Bargo and Merry, then stood behind Bargo, placing a hand firmly on the lad's shoulder. "I may be old, my lad, but I am not entirely without my wits or my agility." His voice grew colder as he continued to address the tween. "You're not so big that I cannot haul you behind the shed for a thorough hiding!"
Merry leapt to Frodo's side, wrapping his arms around his cousin. Frodo barely noticed that he had received a blow that was likely to leave a hefty bruise behind. He was still shaking with rage as Merry held him back. "Frodo, are you all right?"
Frodo didn't answer right away. Bilbo held the young hobbit's gaze, and as he looked into the older Bilbo's eyes, the fire in his own dimmed, and his breathing became more even. "Yes, Merry," he replied rather tightly. "I'm fine."
"You lads had best get to work packing your things," Saradoc said, addressing Bargo and Reginard. "You denied involvement in Frodo's abduction, but your actions today are enough in and of themselves to demand your removal from the Hall." Reginard had the gall to look surprised. "What is more, I believe Merry and Frodo when they say you were responsible."
"It's their word against ours," Reginard said, daring to talk back to the Master of the Hall.
"Is it?" Saradoc growled. "What else have we then that will verify the tale?" With that, he reached into Reginard's pocket and pulled out a single gold coin. The coin had been the only thing in the pocket, and Saradoc was sickened and angered to think Reginard had been carrying it with him as if it were some kind of trophy. "Twenty, weren't there? Ten each, in payment for delivering Frodo into the hands of those ruffians?"
Bargo's eyes were all but popping out of his head. Aghast that the story was known in such detail, he blurted, "We were just playin' a joke on him, and – "
"A joke?" Bilbo said icily. "A joke brings merriment to all and harm to none. Yours has failed in both regards." He looked pointedly at Frodo and continued, "Your joke very nearly cost Frodo his life."
Saradoc grabbed both of the miscreants by their collars. "Back to the Hall with you." He had been considering how to deal with the culprits, and he had decided on something he thought appropriate. He let go of Bargo just long enough to flip the lone gold coin in Frodo's direction.
Frodo caught it and stood with it in the palm of his hand. He looked at it numbly, as Bilbo walked to his side. "I'm sorry, Frodo. I didn't think when I left you here alone." His voice was laden with guilt.
"I'll be fine, Uncle," Frodo answered as he closed his fist around the coin. Merry hugged him fiercely. "I wasn't alone, either. Merry was with me."
"They're leaving, Frodo. You don't have to." Merry looked at Bilbo hopefully. "Does he, Uncle?"
"Frodo does not have to do anything he doesn't want to do, young Meriadoc," Bilbo answered. "He stays or goes by his own choice."
"Merry," Frodo breathed, closing his eyes. "I know I will be free of them either way, but I feel I must go to Hobbiton. I need to do this, Mer. It's – It's time." Buckland and Brandy Hall had been Frodo's childhood home, and he was no longer a child. He felt beckoned by something new, something else, and he felt ready to face it.
Merry looked downcast. "Do you promise to write to me then?"
"All the time, Mer." Frodo replied. "And we will visit, just like I said before."
"We certainly will," Bilbo said. "Dragons and cave trolls couldn't keep us away!" The colorful remark made both lads smile in spite of themselves. "Now, for second breakfast, and some ice for your jaw, Frodo. Reginard managed one good attempt before you answered him, it seems."
Frodo rubbed his jaw as Merry said gleefully, "And Frodo answered him all right, didn't you Frodo?" Frodo smiled an affirmative. Bilbo wrapped an arm around his shoulders, and the other around Merry's. They headed into the Hall to enjoy their meal together, walking arm – in – arm.
~*~
The dining hall was crowded when Frodo, Merry and Bilbo entered. Frodo found himself almost wishing he had taken his meal in a more private setting, as he looked around and saw many eyes watching him. What wild rumors had circulated regarding his absence, he wondered?
The trio filled their plates and seated themselves, conversing quietly as they ate.
"What do you suppose will happen to Bargo and Reginard?" Frodo asked. His question was met with a mischievous grin from Bilbo.
"If I know the Master of the Hall, their punishment will be both inventive and thorough," Bilbo noted as he stabbed his fork into a large lump of scrambled eggs. He looked up toward the head table as the level of noise in the room rose slightly. "And public, it would appear."
Frodo and Merry looked on in amazement as Saradoc led Bargo and Reginard to the front of the room, onto a raised platform from which the Master would sometimes address the Hall during celebratory banquets. Saradoc was holding a large wooden paddle in his hands.
"Uh – oh," Merry said ominously. "They're in for it now, I think."
Merry's words seemed prophetic as the Master of the Hall clapped his hands several times and demanded the attention of all present.
"Everyone, your attention please, if I may," Saradoc said loudly. The noise in the room died down to a soft murmur. "Some disturbing events have occurred here at Brandy Hall recently, as I'm sure you are aware." There were nod of affirmation here and there.
"The two lads you see before you are to be punished for their actions against another, actions which were unprovoked and caused great harm." Saradoc addressed Bargo and Reginard. "You will now confess to those assembled the acts for which you are being punished, and you each shall bear strokes in equal number to those borne by the victim of your misdeeds."
Frodo's eyes widened in disbelief. This was better than anything he had imagined. Merry tried to keep from grinning and failed completely, and Bilbo leaned back in his chair to watch the proceedings.
Bargo and Reginard were made to fall to their hands and knees. Saradoc stood behind them, the paddle ready in his hands.
"You first, Reginard. Speak up so we can all hear you." Reginard looked rather pale and didn't speak immediately. WHACK! The first punitive blow landed, and the miscreant's eyes bugged out as he stammered loudly, "I thrashed on Frodo for no good reason!" WHACK! "All the time!" Reginard elaborated as his face began to redden.
"Bargo?" Saradoc intoned, gripping the paddle.
"I did too!"
WHACK!
"You did WHAT, Bargo?"
"I thrashed on him as well!"
WHACK!
Reginard's turn came again. "I tossed him in the river!" The paddle hit him squarely in the backside. "A – And I trapped him in the hayloft!" Another smack.
Shamefaced, Bargo confessed his part. "I helped him both times." Saradoc swung again. Bargo lost his composure completely, and the real story came forth. "I helped Reg kidnap Frodo and sell him to some big folk down by the river!"
A collective gasp went up from the assembly at Bargo's words, proof of the rumors circulating around the Hall.
"It was my idea!" Reginard blurted as the paddle connected sharply.
"And you are aware of the consequences of your actions, are you not?" Saradoc asked them both.
"Yes, sir," Bargo and Reginard said simultaneously.
"Because of these two, Frodo was taken to Bree as a captive." Saradoc delivered a healthy whack to Reginard's backside, then stood behind Bargo. "He spent four days on the road, without even proper attire to keep him warm at night or protect him from the weather." Bargo gritted his teeth and winced as the paddle struck.
"Frodo was drugged, bound and underfed, each moment spent in terror and misery." Saradoc gave Bargo another swing. "Once in Bree, he was sold to the highest bidder as if he were nothing more than a sack of potatoes!" More horrified gasps arose from the hobbits in the room, and the paddle struck home again as Reginard received his due.
"Frodo was fortunate for a while. He came into the care of a kind man, who paid for his freedom." Saradoc faced the crowd for a moment, wanting to see their reactions. "But another man, a cruel and base individual who had failed to make a better price, refused to give up so easily." He paced back and forth, coming to stand behind Bargo.
"This fellow, with the help of another, attacked Frodo and his newfound friend, injuring them and rendering Frodo captive yet again!" Instead of shocked gasps, a near silence fell as the listeners tried to imagine the events. Saradoc gave Bargo another stinging swat. "Frodo was bound and beaten, and nearly killed by the ruffians. Bilbo and the good man who helped Frodo managed, with some assistance, to save him from a terrible fate."
Several more blows were delivered to each of the culprits. Saradoc then pulled the tweens to their feet and demanded, "Now make public your apology to Frodo."
Ashen faced and trembling, Bargo and Reginard turned to face the one they had wronged so greatly and so often.
"We're sorry for what we did to you, Frodo," Bargo said, shame and pain showing in his features.
Reginard spoke up under the watchful gaze of Saradoc. "We're sorry we brought you harm and we won't ever do anything like that again."
Saradoc addressed the room at large. "Bargo and Reginard will be leaving the Hall and are stripped of their status as apprentices."
Murmurs of approval rose from the crowd as Saradoc led Bargo and Reginard out of the dining hall and back to their rooms to await their parents' arrival.
Merry thought his face would split if his grin got any bigger, but he couldn't help himself. Frodo looked dumbfounded as Bilbo rubbed his hands together briskly. "Well, I must say, I don't think I've ever had so satisfying a meal in my lifetime," he said, matching Merry's grin.
~*~
Frodo stood beside the pony cart as Bilbo climbed up carefully into the seat beside the driver. Saradoc had assigned one of the older stable boys to the task of making the journey to Hobbiton. Bilbo had assured Saradoc that the lad was welcome to stay the night at Bag End and go back to Brandy Hall in the morning after a proper breakfast, of course.
Merry wrapped both arms around Frodo once again in a lingering hug. "Goodbye, Frodo," he sniffed.
"No, Merry. Not goodbye," Frodo answered him softly. "Just farewell. Bilbo and I will spend this Yule in Hobbiton, but we'll be back for the Forelithe celebrations. I'll write to you in the meantime, so there won't be anything happening that you will not hear of."
The promise was small consolation to Merry as he watched his favorite cousin and best friend climb into the seat behind Bilbo and the driver. Saradoc put a companionable arm around his son's shoulders and smiled at him. It was difficult now, but things would get better.
"Thank you for everything, Saradoc," Bilbo said, looking down at them from the pony cart. "I know we may have had our differences, but I thank the Valar for you, Esmie and Merry. You are truly some of the finest hobbits in the Shire."
"Thank you for coming, Bilbo." He made a stern face. "As we arranged, you have until Forelithe to make this lad comfortable in his new home. Should you fail to make him happy, he may return here to stay with us again." The twinkle in Saradoc's eye belied the hardness in his tone.
"I shall care for him as though he were my very own son, Sara," Bilbo replied, smiling at Frodo. "He shall want for nothing, and anything that tries to harm him will have to get past me to do it."
Frodo smiled at the thought of Bilbo fending off all manner of nasty creatures in his defense. The old gentlehobbit would do it, too!
The pony cart began to move along the path through the courtyard, departing amid waving and well – wishing. Frodo's eyes held Merry's until a bend in the path interrupted their line of sight. He was startled from his gazing by Bilbo's voice.
"To pass the time as we go, Frodo lad, what say you to a bit of practice with your Elvish?" Frodo had learned a little on the journey from Bree, and it wouldn't do to let him forget it for lack of use. He was a fast learner, Bilbo reflected, and they could make much progress if they set themselves to it properly.
"All right, Uncle. That sounds like a fine idea," Frodo responded. As the cart clattered along the path toward Hobbiton, Bilbo shouted out a word in common tongue, and Frodo responded with the Elvish translation. Upon exhausting Frodo's supply of words, Bilbo switched to drilling Frodo on new ones, patiently outlining the pronunciation, spelling and meaning of the words as they went.
"So, now that we have covered some new ground, let us review, shall we?" Bilbo said cheerfully. "Tell me, Frodo, what is the word for 'blackberry'?" Hearing no response, Bilbo prompted him again. "Frodo?"
Turning his head to look behind him, Bilbo saw that Frodo had nodded off. The warmth of the sun and the steady rattle of the cart had lulled him to sleep, and he leaned back against the seat of the cart with his eyes closed.
"The attention spans of the young are growing shorter all the time," Bilbo lamented to the lad who was driving. He received a shy grin in response. Bilbo laughed heartily, lit his pipe and leaned back in the seat to enjoy the journey home.
~*~To be continued~*~