Sorry for my late, everyone. I think you all are frustrating right now when I would post this part in Fanfiction.net. Many things did happen. Yahoo was the big part of the problem. I sent this chap to my beta-read by attached file to her. Strengthly, she can't open it. So she mailed me back, informed me what had occured. BUT I didn't get her mail at all. (Really don't know why) SO I didn't know until a week later when I mailed her again. This time I got her reply mail. I cursed Yahoo for all the late that happened and sent this part to her again. And I just got it back yesterday.
Please, don't look at me like 'Why you just post today?'
Well, my internet time was running out before I can post. I just straighted back from the shop and logged in a moment ago.
mmm...Let me see who I didn't reply at the last post.
marbienl : Thanks for reading and reviewing. Actually, Frodo must get blood from kncoking the door but I was too lazy to describe all the healing that would happen. So I content with making him bang to the door. Poor him. er... what sounds? *El looks at the dinning table* Oh! No...Frodo, two of that cakes are mine! *Frodo attacks all ten pieces of cake El has* Oh! My! He ate them all! *El sits down again sadly* That's the problem if you have a hobbit in your house. Estel/Aragorn? You will see.
NekoNinja : ^^ Everyone loves him, you know that.
tidus2529
: Thanks to follow this story so far.
Sophara : I can't help myself. I love animals and always want to play with them. So I made the story that way. Beside, it needed to emphasize the fairy blood in Frodo.
Thanks to Lily
Baggins, my beta-reader for helping me with this story.
Thanks to NekoNinja, victoria ridell, IceAngelmoni14, Mariska Bierkens, and Halo Son for sending thier experiences and ideas about camping to me.
Thank you for all to read this fic. I can't believe my eyes when I saw that I got many feedbacks. You all make me VERY happy.
Yet again -
Disclaimers : read at chapter 1
(Note: I think you all already know the size of Frodo. This is only to remind you. Frodo is just a little above your knees---about 18 inches tall. His hands are about a fourth of your hands and only half of your palms. Well, think of the children in FOTR or you could think of hands of a one year old child.)
Chapter 9
Legolas opened the door silently. The light from the hallway shone past the gate on the small figure of Frodo Baggins on the bed. He quickly shut the door when he saw a movement from the mattress. The room turned dark again except for the first light of the day that passed the window and set itself on the bed a foot away from the hobbit.
He sat on the bedside, carefully not to jostle it too much. He always thought this bed was too big for his much younger friend. Frodo looked lost in the sheets and pile of pillows. He was sleeping soundly on his side, one of his hands lying before his face while the other held a stuffed rabbit close to his small chest. It was one of a herd of stuffed animals Glorfindel had kept on bringing to console Frodo while he was bedridden because of his sickness. And the animals were now scattered on the empty side of the bed, looking at him with their innocent lifeless eyes.
The prince of Mirkwood brushed a black curl out of Frodo's eyes, letting his fingertips linger on the hobbit's cheek. He wondered, if he had a younger sibling, would he or she be like this periannath? A murmuring sound pulled him out of his reverie. The elf pulled his hand back, afraid that Frodo would wake. He was relieved when the boy only moved a little in his slumber and fell back into dreamland again. It was too early for children to get up and Frodo needed to sleep a little more before the traveling began.
Thanks goodness that today the twins, Frodo, and he would finally go camping. After Frodo had run away from him, he couldn't find the boy anywhere until dinner. He saw Glorfindel enter the dining hall with the uncooperative hobbit in his arms. With him came Elrond, Gandalf, and Bilbo. His decision to chide the boy for his sneaking out disappeared when he saw the mark on his forehead. The Gondolin elf caught his eye and told him what had happened. He always thought being small was beneficial to hobbits to hide themselves from anyone but well, maybe it wasn't an advantage at all.
Soon the twins came and dinner started. During dinner Elrond had told them Frodo must stay at home for two days at least because he wanted to ensure that the hobbit was strong enough to travel. Frodo protested a little but stopped when the twins said that they wanted to prepare. Besides, they had just came back home. They desired to rest more than anything.
However, after two days passed, they still stuck to the Last Homely House unavoidably, for the rain decided it was a suitable time to fall from the heaven. Three days it rained, not a downpour, but a drizzle. However, that was enough to make everyone annoyed because they couldn't go outside without getting wet. Frodo too was uncharacteristically moody about this situation. That was easy to understand; the poor boy was very excited about going camping but had to stay inside the house on account of the rain.
Legolas thought, amused, of how he and the twins had tried to entertain Frodo in the last few days. All the games they had played while young had been played with the hobbit again. If they weren't playing games, they would tell the boy of many tales or the adventures they had had. Finally the rain had passed Rivendell to visit another place. But still they had to wait for two more days so the ground would dry enough for camping. Frodo was depressed with the wait-more-days news while the servants busied themselves packing things for traveling.
At last, the day had come when they would go out camping and have fun together.
The creak of the door pulled Legolas back to reality. He saw Minatha entering the chamber. The maid halted her steps when she saw the unexpected guest in the room and curtsied to him.
"Good morning, Prince Legolas."
"Good morning, Minatha."
"If you would like to help me, my Lord, please wake Frodo while I'm preparing his tub," Minatha said and walked to the bathroom, but didn't wait to hear his reply.
Legolas smiled after the blond-haired elf. She had been the nanny of Elrond's children plus Estel and had performed duties as one of the housekeepers in the Last Homely House after that. She seemed to enjoy her task as nanny so much that even those who were adults now, she still fussed over sometimes and her concern passed to him as well. After Frodo came to Rivendell, she found her nanny job again. It was obvious to many elves that their Lord was very fond of the little hobbit.
The elf prince looked down at the small angel.
"Frodo."
The hobbit stirred a little and sank back into the soft mattress again. He mumbled something in protest and pulled the sheet to cover his head, as if he was trying to hide in the fold of the blanket.
"Frodo, wake up," Legolas called again. Nothing happened. *Well, I know how to get you up, boy* he thought evilly and began to tickle the boy's waist.
It worked. Frodo jumped up immediately.
"Lego…ah…haha…no…s…stop," Frodo gasped, trying to get his breath. His big eyes brightened up and spilled with tears from laughing. He used his tiny arms to protect his waist as well as tried to avenge Legolas back. The ticklish war between the elf and hobbit finally ended by the panting and sweating two figures on the bed.
"Stop playing, boys."
A voice came from the bathroom. They turned together and saw Minatha there. She went to them and picked the exhausted Frodo up, wiped the sweat off of his damp forehead tenderly and cast a disapproving stare at Legolas.
The prince only grinned sheepishly at her. Minatha shook her head as a sign of *You are incorrigible, Legolas* before she carried the hobbit to the bathroom.
Legolas chuckled. He sprang up and grabbed Frodo's pack from the cushion and walked out of the room.
* * *
The courtyard was full of people. Elladan and Elrohir were getting a lecture from their father and Gandalf with "You must take good care of Frodo," "be careful about the wild creatures," "make sure that he eats enough at every meal," "cover him with a blanket when he sleeps," "don't lose him," "where is the first-aid kit I gave you?" etc. Legolas was in this situation also with Bilbo and Minatha, who gave him much information about Frodo. For example, "He likes to drink something warm before he goes to bed," "he often has nightmares," "he doesn't know that some wild creatures are dangerous---he might try to befriend them, you mustn't let him out of your sight, etc."
Before the traveling started, poor Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir were dazed with a ton of advice which they could only remember half of them.
Meanwhile, the Prince and the twins were getting headaches. Glorfindel and Frodo were happy with each other's company. The elf lord carried Frodo to see the horses as well as tried not to be in the way of the servants who were packing things in the saddles.
The steeds neighed their greeting to the elf. They eyed and smelled Frodo in Glorfindel's arms curiously, for they never seen anyone so small such as Frodo before. Legolas' horse nudged the hobbit's head gently as if it was saying "Hello, I remember you, little one. I suppose we are journeying together again."
"Give these apples to the horses---they like to eat them," Glorfindel said and gave one of the apples to Frodo but the hobbit's hands were so small he had a hard time grasping the apples firmly in his hands.
Frodo did so obediently. He patted and hugged each horse briefly after they took the apples from him.
Glorfindel lost his count sometime at "I will remember" from Legolas at twelve; and "yes, we understand, ada" at fifteen and "we would do that, Mithrandir," at eight. The last two were from the twins. He had heard those words since the packing had begun and they hadn't stopped yet.
The elf sighed inwardly; deciding that he must rescue Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir. Then the three elves and the hobbit could set out from Rivendell before noon.
The elf lord tapped on Elrond's shoulder first. The half-elf stopped his sentence and looked at him with a question in his eyes.
"I think it's high time to go, my lord."
Elrond stared at the sky and his cheeks got a little redder when he noticed that it was late in the morning. His sons and their friends should take off soon before it was too hot to travel under the sunshine.
"Yes, you are right," the lord of Imladris admitted with some hesitation. He still wanted to give more words to his sons. However, time was running out. Therefore, he had to believe that the twins would know what they should or shouldn't do.
"Good journey," he said and walked them to the horses that were waiting for the riders patiently.
Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas sighed inwardly. Each looked at the blond-haired elf thankfully and mounted their horses. Glorfindel waited a moment and gave some time for Legolas to adjust before lifting the periannath to the elf who took him easily and set Frodo in front of him.
This deed was meant only to prevent jealousy between the sons of Elrond. Although Elladan and Elrohir loved each other, there was still competition between the two. Thus it meant Frodo would stick with the Prince of Mirkwood until the end of this camping.
The three elves and one hobbit said farewell and began their journey.
* * *
Elladan and Elrohir rode their steeds happily.
At first, Elrond had protested why they wouldn't set their camp in Rivendell valley. It was safe, easy and not too far.
It was so tempting but the twins knew well about the elves in Imladris. Elves needn't sleep. Some of them wandered around the forest when all their duties were done. Many liked to sing songs that made Rivendell's valley full of song such as Bilbo and the dwarves heard the first evening they reached this valley. Those songs may not have been loud, but still disturbed the camping anyway. Thus, they insisted on going camping outside.
Three horses went southward as their masters wanted. Why didn't they go another way? Because the east was the way Frodo had come; nothing interesting to go that way again. And if they went to the north, they must be careful not to go so far for it would bring them to the troll's nest and that would be the most unfortunate event that could happen to them. The west wasn't interesting, unless they wanted to climb the Misty Mountains and if the angel of fortune turned against them, they would meet goblins. Therefore they didn't want to risk it. Besides, if something happened to Frodo, Elrond, Glorfindel, Minatha, Bilbo and Gandalf would undoubtedly skin them alive.
When all ways had been discussed, the only path they could go was south.
The stallions galloped slowly and smoothly on the soft grass and the brown leaves of the earth. On the way, the elves would teach Frodo about the types of trees. Sometimes, they would point out the birds that flying over them and told the hobbit the birds' names.
They stopped at noon under the trees to have lunch. Minatha had thoughtfully packed many foods in the bag: six loaves of bread, a jar of honey, a big chunk of butter, sliced ham, some lettuce and tomatoes (that was on top of the stuff---so it wouldn't be crushed). They had a wonderful meal and rested for an hour after that before they continued their travel again.
In the evening, they found a river. They rode a little more until they found a small yard which was in the shadows of the trees and perfect to cover them from the sun. It was a nice location.
"We will set our camp here," Elrohir shouted at his friends and brother who were behind as he pulled the reigns back. The horse halted a little before he stopped.
The others did the same. Elladan dismounted quickly, almost sprang off, and lifted Frodo off Legolas' stallion so the prince could get off his horse easily. A minute after Frodo's feet touched the ground, a loud grumble emitted from his stomach. The poor hobbit blushed immediately while the elves chuckled with amusement.
"I will get some wood to make a fire. Thus, we can feed this little hobbit before he faints from starvation," Elladan said and went into the forest. But not before he gave a pat to Frodo's soft hair.
"What will we do for this meal? We have already eaten half of the foods Minatha prepared for us. We should keep some for tomorrow," Legolas said as he dug into a saddle bag to get the kitchenware he wanted out. He laid a knife, four forks and four plates on the ground. Of course, a set of fork and plate were small for Frodo's sake.
Elrohir thought briefly. The glow of the river caught his eyes.
"Fish, I think," he replied and pulled some bread and butter out, laying them on a piece of cloth that he had laid on the grass so the food wouldn't get dirty from the earth.
"Good idea," Legolas grinned. "What do you think, Frodo?"
He frowned when he heard nothing from the hobbit. He looked about him and found the hobbit walking toward the river. He dropped all the things he carried and sprinted toward the boy, afraid that he would fall into the stream and drown. The elf caught the hobbit's arms a few feet from the riverbank. Frodo stumbled backward from the sudden pulling. He gazed at Legolas, confused. This was the first time he had seen seriousness in the elf's expression.
He didn't like it when adults showed this face because that meant something bad had happened and he was in trouble.
Legolas caught a startled cry from Frodo. He smiled reassuringly at the boy and knelt down. It was easier to see each other's eyes that way. Moreover, it was a tactic to make children feel better. Children tended to get frightened when they gazed up at one taller and bigger than them.
"Are you going to the river?" the elf asked, tried to calm his tone though some strain appeared. He hoped Frodo didn't notice it, for he didn't want to alarm the hobbit any more.
"Yes. I'm hot and want to wash my face and hands," the hobbit replied, puzzled as to why Legolas acted seriously.
"Then we will go with you then. The water is rather flowing fast. It's very dangerous for you to go alone, Frodo," Elrohir said from behind, making Legolas and Frodo jump. They hadn't noticed a bit when the son of Elrond appeared.
Elrohir had removed his tunic, leaving only a soft shirt. His breeches were folded up above his knees. He stood there with bare feet; one hand held a spear while another held a pan. He had tethered the horses to the tree, many feet from the plates, and let them have their grass before he went to the river. Of course, it wasn't necessary to bind the intelligent stallions because they would never get themselves lost, but the bread and butter might vanish in their bellies when the elves and the hobbit came back if Elrohir didn't tether them.
"All right," Frodo nodded. His bare hobbit
feet wriggled impatiently as Legolas removed his own boots. The hobbit was glad
that he didn't have to wear shoes again after that day in the garden with Elrond.
The lord was so nice to him about the clothes but shoes didn't suit him at all.
His feet felt hot and sweaty within them. He didn't understand at all why men
and elves wore such boring things like boots.
Before long, they walked to the river together. The elves found a small bay which suited Frodo because it wasn't deep. So they left the halfling by himself, not worried that the hobbit would drown. Besides, they didn't want the boy to see them killing the fish. It wasn't good to let any child watch such things.
Elladan returned from gathering the wood and made a fire on the shore. The smell of burnt wood affected their stomach. The image of fried fish floated into their head. Elrohir caught seven fish for them. Legolas cleaned the fish and managed to get their bones out with his knife so Frodo wouldn't have any problem with it. Elladan came to join them with a dish in his hand because the pan they had brought wasn't large enough to contain all the fish they caught.
Suddenly they heard a loud splash from where they had left Frodo. All turned to look but didn't see the little hobbit. They sped to the small bay with alarm and saw the stream was floating Frodo away from them. Legolas hurled himself into the river and swam to the poor child. He grabbed the hobbit's arm effortlessly and brought him back to the shore.
"What happened?" Elladan asked as he got hold of Frodo, who was trembling with cold and fright.
"I slipped out of the bay and the river floated me further," Frodo said and wrapped his tiny arms around Elladan's neck. He felt cold from his wet clothes and the wind didn't help him any. The elf tightened his embrace and carried him back to the fire with Legolas. Elrohir departed to get the fish and the spear from where they had left a moment ago.
Legolas pulled his extra clothes out and changed behind a big tree, letting Elladan took care of Frodo. In a minute, he returned to the fire. Frodo stood in front of Elladan, who was buttoning his shirt, also the elves' style like the wet clothes. After that Elladan pulled the hobbit into his lap and began to dry his hair with a small towel. The boy sat silently and ate the strawberries that Elladan found between gathering the wood; his blue eyes stared at Elrohir, who was cutting the fish to pieces. No doubt about it, the child had had only two meals today. It was really unnatural for the hobbit when considering that they ate five or six meals per day.
The prince of Mirkwood laid his wet things on the ground neared Frodo and helped Elrohir prepare the dish. He jumped a bit when he felt a pair of small arms wrap around his neck and a kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you for saving my life," and with that, Frodo ran to the horses. In his hands were three strawberries for the beasts.
Legolas smiled after him.
* * *
The stallions welcomed Frodo happily. They bent their heads down and took the strawberries from the small hands and let him patted their faces.
Frodo blinked his eyes briefly when he saw something yellow from the bushes that were behind the horses. Curiously, he decided to go exploring.
"Hello," he said, hoping that any animals there wouldn't be alarmed by his presence.
The thing in the bushes didn't move. It stared at him with yellow eyes. Frodo walked toward it slowly. He was only a few feet from the bush when someone called him.
"Frodo Baggins, dinner's done."
The little halfling forgot the yellow eyes and ran back to the elves, his mind occupied with food. If he turned back to see that creature, he would have seen its malicious eyes and sharp teeth.
"We foundd it preciousss. The Bagginsss."
To be continued...
* * *
What do you think?
Review please ^.~
