endymion: :)))))
aelfgifu: I got the idea of abusing the already injured part from GI Jane. Love that mivie just because Aragorn is in it!
Krista: (blush) Thanks.
Alisaundre: Heh, you're right. Merry HAS to stop for a while. Frodo must be a total wrecked hobbit by now - after 37 chapters of non-stop torture. Oh, my!
AN: I can't say that I believe in astrology. But a few days back, I felt totally blank when trying to write. And when I pushed on writing, it went completely blunt. And on that particular day, it happened that my star said that I would be unimaginative and having a writer's block. Was it really true?? Well, enough for me. On with the story and have a nice weekend! ^_^
Warning: AU
Chapter 38
Merry kicked Frodo lightly at the back. The hobbit stirred, grimacing. But he clenched his eyes shut even more tightly. Frodo curled up and made soft, whispering sounds, as if he were crying in his sleep. He just had one of the most terrifying dreams in which his leg had been caught by something and snapped, and he couldn't surface.
Merry was becoming impatient. He reached down and slapped Frodo hard enough to awaken him. Frodo's eyes jerked open and he sat up, shutting them back immediately as dizziness suddenly came.
"We've got to go now," announced Merry.
Frodo shifted a little and gasped when his healing ankle brushed against the ground. His eyes looked strangely misty, but his words were even weirder when they were spoken up.
"Go? Where?"
He gazed at Merry as if he had never seen the light-brown-haired hobbit before.
"Rivendell. I told you we were going to see your cousin, Bilbo."
Frodo got more uncomfortable. His brows were knotted.
"B - bilbo?" he stuttered. "Who is Bilbo?"
Despite everything he had done and wished for, Merry jumped at the question. Was Frodo joking around? But from the worried face Frodo wore, Merry knew his cousin was not joking at all.
Merry crouched, making Frodo cower even more.
"You don't know your own cousin and also uncle, Frodo?"
Frodo's heavy breath answered Merry's question.
"But, Frodo. He was the one giving you everything he once owned, including this." Merry clawed out the ring but Frodo just stared blankly, first at Merry and then at the gold ring. Merry put it back into his pocket.
"So, do you forget about me, too?"
Like a miracle, Frodo's lips curved up. He smiled, though it only made him look sadder.
"How can I ever forget you, Merry? You are the only person who stays with me like none others."
The answer did surprise Merry but he grinned nevertheless. This poor, beaten-down hobbit had lost a part of his mind but thankfully Merry was not a part of those forgotten! Even the ring was included in the lost part. Merry's smile widened.
"That is true, dear Frodo. I will never leave you behind. But the way, your name is Frodo, just as I called you earlier."
Frodo nodded weakly, arms flailing reaching for Merry.
"Yes, come here, baby." Merry pulled Frodo up. Frodo held his breath as he put his weight on his legs. The right leg was still hurt and he didn't think he would able to use it right away.
"Can you manage?" asked Merry with a worried look. "Are your legs strong enough to walk?"
Frodo breathed deeply. He had to be strong, he reminded himself. They were going soon and the journey seemed to be quite long. Merry needed him to be strong and he didn't want to show to anybody that he was weak. He didn't want to be left behind in the end.
But who was Bilbo? Frodo tried desperately to find the name in the dark corners of his wrecked brain. But he failed. Then he noticed that the hobbit in front of him was still observing him closely. Frodo flushed. Merry was waiting for his answer.
"Yes, I can manage," Frodo said feebly.
"Or you can ride the pony otherwise," offered Merry kindly. Frodo actually wanted to say no, but his relieved mind was faster in ordering his mouth to answer,
"I would be very glad, Merry."
Merry turned around to find his other cousin, Pippin. He noticed that Pippin had been paling to learn how Frodo had failed to remember some of the facts in his life. Pippin was about to say something when he saw Merry stared at him sharply. He shut his mouth at once.
"Help us, Pip," called Merry. "Help me mount Frodo to that pony."
Frodo looked at Pippin wildly as the young hobbit approached. Merry sensed something would go amiss if he didn't act rightfully. He grabbed Frodo's shoulders, embracing them, feeling the tense in the hobbit, and quickly tried to calm him.
"Frodo, don't worry! This is Pippin. He is a nice lad, my cousin. He's here to help us all."
Frodo tried to squirm free from the tight hug but Merry insisted on holding him.
"W - what is he going to do?" Frodo asked quiveringly.
"Helping you get on the horse. Nothing else," persuaded Merry gently. "Oh, come on, Frodo. You can't do that alone. You are too weak. And I can't help you by myself either.I need a hand." Merry slowly took one of his hands off the shoulder and laid it gently on Frodo's back, tenderly rubbing it. It successfully eased the tense, and Frodo turned to Merry, weariness all over his face.
"All right, Merry. I trust you, and I think I can trust him, too."
Merry smiled, nodding his head, and led Frodo to the pony.
Pippin went to Merry and Frodo, and pushed Frodo's leg while Merry, after lifting his cousin's body, pushed his back. It was impossible for Frodo to mount himself. All of his body parts still felt sore from the beating and the falling.
Again, Merry looked at his cousin, up and down. This insensible hobbit definitely needed a bath. He was shamefully filthy. If they came across a river in their journey later on, Merry would wash Frodo himself.
Merry smiled contently at this plan. Frodo would surely fall hopelessly for him after he helped him bath. He would never be able to regain his normal condition once he could be convinced that Merry was HIS master and guardian.
So the three hobbits embarked on their journey. Merry walked in the front and was followed by Pippin, who was leading the pony with Frodo on its back. Frodo was near to closing his eyes again, starting to drift away in sleep.
***
After walking for several hours, Merry started to get exhausted. Pippin was not in his best condition either.
"Pip!" shouted Merry. "We shall rest here and have some bites of bread. Wake Frodo up, will you?"
Pippin had just thrown himself to the ground and groaned loudly after hearing Merry's order. His feet ached and his stomach growled in hunger. He leered at Frodo with envy. How weird their condition was! Their captive got even better treatment than they were. Frodo had been sleeping all the time, lying on his belly along the pony's neck and back. He was sleeping so soundly he never moved even an inch.
"I'm so tired, Merry. Can it wait?" Pippin sighed, now lying down with his hands supporting his head. He felt his eyelids grow heavy.
"Pippin!" barked Merry. His younger cousin, already half asleep, jerked up. "We can't stay in one place too long. Those hooded creatures can come any second!"
Grumbling, Pippin stood up.
"Yes, master," he said mockingly, and walked past Merry to the pony which in the meantime had been strolling around by itself.
But Merry didn't let him go that fast. He caught Pippin's collar and tugged him closer. Merry's eyes were red with anger and - obvious pride.
"Why did you say that?" he gnarled. Pippin cowered.
"I - I am sorry. I didn't mean that. I'm just very tired, Merry," pleaded the frightful creature.
"Because," replied Merry, "because that's not true, you know!? I'm not your master and you're not going to be my slave. We're of the same position, Pippin."
Pippin's eyes widened.
"Really?" he asked hopefully.
"Definitely! Even if I were to be a master, it would be of Frodo and all other walking beings in the Middle Earth. Not you. Never you." He let Pippin go only to be quickly hugged back.
"Thank you. Oh, thank you, dear Merry!" Trying not to break into smile, Merry freed himself from Pippin.
"Very well, then. Now, get Frodo, please." Pippin darted off cheerfully.
It was rather hard to snatch Frodo away from his dreamland. Frodo whined and was a bit upset by the disturbance.
"Come on, old chap! Wake up or I'll have to drag you down!" More whining, but Pippin didn't care. He pulled Frodo's hand, forcing him to yield and start to dismount by himself, better than being tugged down.
With a great care not to hurt his right ankle again, Frodo walked by leaning more on his left one. They went to Merry who was sitting near the fire, preparing the food. He gazed up.
"Come, Frodo, Pippin. Sit here with me and have some food."
He got all the food from Pippin's backpack. His own bag was scattered somewhere with Strider and Sam.
Frodo sat down. His eyes brightened. He hadn't been having a proper meal for what seemed like years. His knees felt weak all of a sudden when realizing how hungry he was. But the smell - the smell coming from whatever was in the pot made his stomach churn. He couldn't tell what exactly made him feel that way - his memory was still blocked up - but he was sure it wasn't something pleasant. He received a bowl of the food - soup, apparently - from Merry with reluctance.
"What is it, love? You seem not too happy with it. Aren't you grateful with what I give you?" Frodo flinched at the tone of Merry's voice.
"I - I am, Merry, honest!" He reflexively grasped the bowl with both his hands, and winced when realizing that it was burning hot. He immediately put it down to the ground. Merry sneered.
"Easy, Frodo. Now eat it slowly. Here's the bread." Merry handed him a big piece of rather dried bread. It was still good, though.
Frodo finished the bread in quite high speed. He was so starved. Then he gulped down a great amount of water. Sighing contentedly, he turned to his two cousins, who, in fact, had been staring at him all the time.
"Sorry," murmured Frodo, blushing. "It was very nice. I was so hungry. Thank you very much."
Merry smiled encouragingly.
"Don't mention it, Frodo. This is the least we can give you. But hey, you still haven't finished your soup!"
Frodo looked down, eyeing disgustedly at the already-cold soup. His eyes rolled up, glancing at Merry, with his head still bent down.
"I think I'm full already. It's not that I don't want it, Merry!" added Frodo quickly so as not to upset his cousin. Merry tilted his head. Curiosity filled him. There had to be something wrong. Although Frodo was notorious at always eating so little, it was not his habit to reject something entirely. Finally Merry decided to deal with it later.
"All right. That's fine, Frodo."
"Don't be mad, Merry. Please---" begged Frodo.
"Hey!" Merry tapped Frodo on the shoulder. "Nobody gets mad, beloved."
Warm feeling gushed over Frodo's heart. Merry was not angry and he wasn't punished for being such a bad boy! He leant on Merry's hand that was still on his shoulder. He closed his eyes, smiling and feeling like crying at the same time.
"Thank you, Mer - ry," Frodo mentioned the name softly, as if he didn't deserve to just even mention it. He was looking at his cousin now with his adoring eyes.
TBC
aelfgifu: I got the idea of abusing the already injured part from GI Jane. Love that mivie just because Aragorn is in it!
Krista: (blush) Thanks.
Alisaundre: Heh, you're right. Merry HAS to stop for a while. Frodo must be a total wrecked hobbit by now - after 37 chapters of non-stop torture. Oh, my!
AN: I can't say that I believe in astrology. But a few days back, I felt totally blank when trying to write. And when I pushed on writing, it went completely blunt. And on that particular day, it happened that my star said that I would be unimaginative and having a writer's block. Was it really true?? Well, enough for me. On with the story and have a nice weekend! ^_^
Warning: AU
Chapter 38
Merry kicked Frodo lightly at the back. The hobbit stirred, grimacing. But he clenched his eyes shut even more tightly. Frodo curled up and made soft, whispering sounds, as if he were crying in his sleep. He just had one of the most terrifying dreams in which his leg had been caught by something and snapped, and he couldn't surface.
Merry was becoming impatient. He reached down and slapped Frodo hard enough to awaken him. Frodo's eyes jerked open and he sat up, shutting them back immediately as dizziness suddenly came.
"We've got to go now," announced Merry.
Frodo shifted a little and gasped when his healing ankle brushed against the ground. His eyes looked strangely misty, but his words were even weirder when they were spoken up.
"Go? Where?"
He gazed at Merry as if he had never seen the light-brown-haired hobbit before.
"Rivendell. I told you we were going to see your cousin, Bilbo."
Frodo got more uncomfortable. His brows were knotted.
"B - bilbo?" he stuttered. "Who is Bilbo?"
Despite everything he had done and wished for, Merry jumped at the question. Was Frodo joking around? But from the worried face Frodo wore, Merry knew his cousin was not joking at all.
Merry crouched, making Frodo cower even more.
"You don't know your own cousin and also uncle, Frodo?"
Frodo's heavy breath answered Merry's question.
"But, Frodo. He was the one giving you everything he once owned, including this." Merry clawed out the ring but Frodo just stared blankly, first at Merry and then at the gold ring. Merry put it back into his pocket.
"So, do you forget about me, too?"
Like a miracle, Frodo's lips curved up. He smiled, though it only made him look sadder.
"How can I ever forget you, Merry? You are the only person who stays with me like none others."
The answer did surprise Merry but he grinned nevertheless. This poor, beaten-down hobbit had lost a part of his mind but thankfully Merry was not a part of those forgotten! Even the ring was included in the lost part. Merry's smile widened.
"That is true, dear Frodo. I will never leave you behind. But the way, your name is Frodo, just as I called you earlier."
Frodo nodded weakly, arms flailing reaching for Merry.
"Yes, come here, baby." Merry pulled Frodo up. Frodo held his breath as he put his weight on his legs. The right leg was still hurt and he didn't think he would able to use it right away.
"Can you manage?" asked Merry with a worried look. "Are your legs strong enough to walk?"
Frodo breathed deeply. He had to be strong, he reminded himself. They were going soon and the journey seemed to be quite long. Merry needed him to be strong and he didn't want to show to anybody that he was weak. He didn't want to be left behind in the end.
But who was Bilbo? Frodo tried desperately to find the name in the dark corners of his wrecked brain. But he failed. Then he noticed that the hobbit in front of him was still observing him closely. Frodo flushed. Merry was waiting for his answer.
"Yes, I can manage," Frodo said feebly.
"Or you can ride the pony otherwise," offered Merry kindly. Frodo actually wanted to say no, but his relieved mind was faster in ordering his mouth to answer,
"I would be very glad, Merry."
Merry turned around to find his other cousin, Pippin. He noticed that Pippin had been paling to learn how Frodo had failed to remember some of the facts in his life. Pippin was about to say something when he saw Merry stared at him sharply. He shut his mouth at once.
"Help us, Pip," called Merry. "Help me mount Frodo to that pony."
Frodo looked at Pippin wildly as the young hobbit approached. Merry sensed something would go amiss if he didn't act rightfully. He grabbed Frodo's shoulders, embracing them, feeling the tense in the hobbit, and quickly tried to calm him.
"Frodo, don't worry! This is Pippin. He is a nice lad, my cousin. He's here to help us all."
Frodo tried to squirm free from the tight hug but Merry insisted on holding him.
"W - what is he going to do?" Frodo asked quiveringly.
"Helping you get on the horse. Nothing else," persuaded Merry gently. "Oh, come on, Frodo. You can't do that alone. You are too weak. And I can't help you by myself either.I need a hand." Merry slowly took one of his hands off the shoulder and laid it gently on Frodo's back, tenderly rubbing it. It successfully eased the tense, and Frodo turned to Merry, weariness all over his face.
"All right, Merry. I trust you, and I think I can trust him, too."
Merry smiled, nodding his head, and led Frodo to the pony.
Pippin went to Merry and Frodo, and pushed Frodo's leg while Merry, after lifting his cousin's body, pushed his back. It was impossible for Frodo to mount himself. All of his body parts still felt sore from the beating and the falling.
Again, Merry looked at his cousin, up and down. This insensible hobbit definitely needed a bath. He was shamefully filthy. If they came across a river in their journey later on, Merry would wash Frodo himself.
Merry smiled contently at this plan. Frodo would surely fall hopelessly for him after he helped him bath. He would never be able to regain his normal condition once he could be convinced that Merry was HIS master and guardian.
So the three hobbits embarked on their journey. Merry walked in the front and was followed by Pippin, who was leading the pony with Frodo on its back. Frodo was near to closing his eyes again, starting to drift away in sleep.
***
After walking for several hours, Merry started to get exhausted. Pippin was not in his best condition either.
"Pip!" shouted Merry. "We shall rest here and have some bites of bread. Wake Frodo up, will you?"
Pippin had just thrown himself to the ground and groaned loudly after hearing Merry's order. His feet ached and his stomach growled in hunger. He leered at Frodo with envy. How weird their condition was! Their captive got even better treatment than they were. Frodo had been sleeping all the time, lying on his belly along the pony's neck and back. He was sleeping so soundly he never moved even an inch.
"I'm so tired, Merry. Can it wait?" Pippin sighed, now lying down with his hands supporting his head. He felt his eyelids grow heavy.
"Pippin!" barked Merry. His younger cousin, already half asleep, jerked up. "We can't stay in one place too long. Those hooded creatures can come any second!"
Grumbling, Pippin stood up.
"Yes, master," he said mockingly, and walked past Merry to the pony which in the meantime had been strolling around by itself.
But Merry didn't let him go that fast. He caught Pippin's collar and tugged him closer. Merry's eyes were red with anger and - obvious pride.
"Why did you say that?" he gnarled. Pippin cowered.
"I - I am sorry. I didn't mean that. I'm just very tired, Merry," pleaded the frightful creature.
"Because," replied Merry, "because that's not true, you know!? I'm not your master and you're not going to be my slave. We're of the same position, Pippin."
Pippin's eyes widened.
"Really?" he asked hopefully.
"Definitely! Even if I were to be a master, it would be of Frodo and all other walking beings in the Middle Earth. Not you. Never you." He let Pippin go only to be quickly hugged back.
"Thank you. Oh, thank you, dear Merry!" Trying not to break into smile, Merry freed himself from Pippin.
"Very well, then. Now, get Frodo, please." Pippin darted off cheerfully.
It was rather hard to snatch Frodo away from his dreamland. Frodo whined and was a bit upset by the disturbance.
"Come on, old chap! Wake up or I'll have to drag you down!" More whining, but Pippin didn't care. He pulled Frodo's hand, forcing him to yield and start to dismount by himself, better than being tugged down.
With a great care not to hurt his right ankle again, Frodo walked by leaning more on his left one. They went to Merry who was sitting near the fire, preparing the food. He gazed up.
"Come, Frodo, Pippin. Sit here with me and have some food."
He got all the food from Pippin's backpack. His own bag was scattered somewhere with Strider and Sam.
Frodo sat down. His eyes brightened. He hadn't been having a proper meal for what seemed like years. His knees felt weak all of a sudden when realizing how hungry he was. But the smell - the smell coming from whatever was in the pot made his stomach churn. He couldn't tell what exactly made him feel that way - his memory was still blocked up - but he was sure it wasn't something pleasant. He received a bowl of the food - soup, apparently - from Merry with reluctance.
"What is it, love? You seem not too happy with it. Aren't you grateful with what I give you?" Frodo flinched at the tone of Merry's voice.
"I - I am, Merry, honest!" He reflexively grasped the bowl with both his hands, and winced when realizing that it was burning hot. He immediately put it down to the ground. Merry sneered.
"Easy, Frodo. Now eat it slowly. Here's the bread." Merry handed him a big piece of rather dried bread. It was still good, though.
Frodo finished the bread in quite high speed. He was so starved. Then he gulped down a great amount of water. Sighing contentedly, he turned to his two cousins, who, in fact, had been staring at him all the time.
"Sorry," murmured Frodo, blushing. "It was very nice. I was so hungry. Thank you very much."
Merry smiled encouragingly.
"Don't mention it, Frodo. This is the least we can give you. But hey, you still haven't finished your soup!"
Frodo looked down, eyeing disgustedly at the already-cold soup. His eyes rolled up, glancing at Merry, with his head still bent down.
"I think I'm full already. It's not that I don't want it, Merry!" added Frodo quickly so as not to upset his cousin. Merry tilted his head. Curiosity filled him. There had to be something wrong. Although Frodo was notorious at always eating so little, it was not his habit to reject something entirely. Finally Merry decided to deal with it later.
"All right. That's fine, Frodo."
"Don't be mad, Merry. Please---" begged Frodo.
"Hey!" Merry tapped Frodo on the shoulder. "Nobody gets mad, beloved."
Warm feeling gushed over Frodo's heart. Merry was not angry and he wasn't punished for being such a bad boy! He leant on Merry's hand that was still on his shoulder. He closed his eyes, smiling and feeling like crying at the same time.
"Thank you, Mer - ry," Frodo mentioned the name softly, as if he didn't deserve to just even mention it. He was looking at his cousin now with his adoring eyes.
TBC
