FrodoBaggins1982 - Frodo didn't get much of a chance to enjoy the Yule party, did he? Lotho needs to watch his step around Bilbo, because Bilbo didn't trust him in the first place.
QTPie - 2488 - Lotho is a piece of work, isn't he? I'm not sure if I have ever seen mention of Frodo liking to dance either, but I just thought about that scene in the movie at Bilbo's party. He seemed to be having a good time then.
GamgeeFest - Lotho is getting a little sloppy because he can't help gloating. Bilbo doesn't trust him in the first place. He's going to have to try to make himself look innocent while he pulls his nasty tricks. Frodo should listen to his instincts, never mind being friendly. But we don't always do what we should, do we? Frodo's friendly nature will bring him some real trouble in this chapter.
Aratlithiel - Bilbo and Frodo's relationship is largely based in trusting each other and being honest. Bilbo treats Frodo as an intelligent individual, and Frodo respects Bilbo immensely for it. Lotho is a poop.
LotRseer3350 - Lotho was fairly subtle in his actions, if not in his words. He'd better mind himself when Bilbo is around!
Tavion - Lotho is being pretty crafty with his tricks. Frodo is far too trusting, too hopeful that he might be able to make friends with his haughty cousin somehow. You are right that this kind of bully is a new thing to Frodo. He's used to overt actions against him rather than the sneaky stuff Lotho is pulling.
Endymion - That was pretty rude of Lotho to wreck everyone's evening, wasn't it? Lotho just doesn't understand Frodo at all if he thinks Frodo will leave Hobbiton out of embarrassment. Bilbo is a great one for encouraging Frodo and allying his fears, so Lotho is on the wrong track if he thinks Frodo will give up easily. Winter will be the perfect time for accidents? Oh, yes, I think it will!
CuriousCat - Thanks for joining us! Frodo just seems to have non - stop trouble, doesn't he? I loved your comment about Lotho being the 'evil Eddie Haskell of Middle Earth'. Frodo is fortunate that people of good character and kind heart always seem drawn to him to balance out the troublemakers.
Chapter 7 - On Thin Ice
~*~After Yule~*~
Snow! Frodo was struck by the beauty of the scene before him as he peered out his window into the morning light. A thick blanket of fluffy snow had fallen overnight, and covered everything with a clean, white mantle. It sparkled as the first thin rays of winter sun glanced off the topmost layer of delicate flakes. Frodo was awake early and he wondered if Bilbo had seen it yet. He dressed hurriedly and wandered down the hall. Bilbo was awake already and was busily stoking the fire in the hearth.
"Uncle Bilbo!" Frodo called as he burst into the room, "Have you seen the snow?"
"Yes, Frodo," Bilbo replied, laughing lightly. "A lovely sight to be sure. It almost makes the cold of winter worthwhile, having such a thing to look upon." Once the fire was crackling merrily on the hearth, he summoned Frodo into the kitchen for breakfast.
"I imagine you'll want to go outside and have a good look, so let us not waste time," the older hobbit said as he bustled about. Frodo helped with the breakfast preparations, setting out a jar of raspberry jam and preparing toast.
Just as they were finishing breakfast, the doorbell rang. Frodo opened it to see Samwise Gamgee standing before him, red - cheeked and dressed warmly, with a shovel in his hands. It seemed he had already made good use of it, having cleared the path down to the gate.
"Good morning, Mr. Frodo!" Sam said brightly. "Would you care to come out and see the snow?"
Frodo laughed. "Well I suppose so, Sam, but please come in for a moment. We're just finishing breakfast and we've tea and toast if you'd like some," Frodo offered, waving Sam toward the kitchen.
"Sit down, Samwise, and remove that great bulky coat of yours," Bilbo ordered, and Sam complied. "You can't go about outside in the cold without a proper meal to warm you, lad," Bilbo continued, supplying the newcomer with tea and toast.
"Oh, I've had breakfast already, Mr. Bilbo," Sam informed him, "But some tea would be nice, it would." Sam thanked Bilbo for the tea and sipped it happily.
"With the snow, there's likely not much work to be done besides shoveling," Frodo surmised, thinking that Sam might have much of the day to himself as a result of the weather.
"That's so, Mr. Frodo," Sam confirmed. "In fact, Halfred, Hamson and I were going to go slidin' down the hill for a bit, if you'd like to join us."
"Sliding down the hill? On what, your backsides?" Frodo laughed at the notion. In Buckland a snowfall usually meant some good snowball fighting and fort building, but there really weren't any hills to slide down, at least not any that rivaled those of Hobbiton.
"Yes, on our backsides, but we use shovels." At Frodo's quizzical expression, Sam elaborated. "We sit on them and slide down the hill. You can go far and fast on a shovel, Mr. Frodo."
Frodo crossed his arms in mock disapproval and raised his eyebrows. "Now isn't that a grievous misuse of a gardening implement, Samwise?" Bilbo started chuckling at this. Evidence of the Baggins sense of humor was plain in young Frodo, he reminded himself.
Sam colored slightly at Frodo's comment, but went on. "All the lads do it, Mr. Frodo. Even the tweens. It's fun!"
"Well then, I suppose I ought to try it, shouldn't I?" Frodo replied, looking at Bilbo for affirmation.
"If you like, Frodo," Bilbo said, and a grin crossed his face. "I would go with you, but an elderly gentlehobbit should keep to more dignified pursuits, and at my age, snow between the toes is rather bothersome."
"All right then, Sam. I'll go with you," Frodo said, and rose from his chair to help with the breakfast dishes. "You just finish your tea, Sam, and I'll be ready in a few moments."
In a short while, the breakfast dishes were cleared away and Frodo was adding a couple of warm layers to his clothing and donning his coat. "You'll show me how it's done then, won't you Sam?" he asked, wrapping a scarf around his neck to keep out the chill.
"Sure will, Mr. Frodo," Sam responded, grinning. "It's easy, you'll see."
The two left the smial as Bilbo waved to them. "You lads be careful, now," Bilbo shouted after them, and they hurried down the path with Sam in the lead.
"It's just over that way where the big hill is," Sam directed Frodo.
"But isn't that the hill with the pond at the bottom, Sam?" Frodo asked, concerned. "I don't think the ice is very thick on the pond yet," he continued, sounding a little worried. A swim in the summertime was one thing, but the icy pond water would be very unpleasant, and Sam's inability to swim came immediately to mind.
"Nobody ever slides far enough to get to the pond," Sam told him. "Even the bigger lads end up stopping before they can get that far out." Sam pointed to the group of tweens and younger hobbits who had already gathered at the hill. "There goes Moro Goodbody, and he's a lot bigger than us. See? He didn't even get near the pond before he stopped."
Frodo had to admit it was true. Even the larger tweens with their greater body mass weren't able to gain enough momentum to slide out onto the treacherous ice of the pond. He watched as one lad laid a shovel down and seated himself on it, grabbed the handle for balance, and waited for another lad to give him a shove down the hill. Down he went, yelling with glee, spinning in circles as he slid to a stop at the base of the hill.
Halfred and Hamson were already there, laughing at each other as they slid down the hill and ducked the snowballs the little ones were throwing at them. They waved at Sam and Frodo, motioning for the two to join them.
"'Mornin' Mr. Frodo," Halfred said jovially. "I see Samwise talked you out of your cozy home to come join us."
"He did at that, Halfred," Frodo answered. "It looks fun."
"Well come on and try it, then," Hamson said, pulling Frodo up the hill behind him. The four hobbits scrambled up the incline until they stood at the top. Halfred handed Frodo his shovel and Sam readied his own. In a few moments, the older two were giving Sam and Frodo a push to start them downhill.
~*~
Lotho was walking by a distance away, and caught sight of Frodo and Sam as they slid downward. ~Looks like my little cousin is having a good time~, he thought idly, watching as Frodo and Sam slid to a stop. Frodo stopped first and Sam just a little farther away, nearer to the pond. Hmmmm, the pond!
Lotho's face broke into a broad, malicious grin as he turned quickly for home. He had an idea of how to make this game a little more fun.
~*~
"You were right, Sam, this is fun!" Frodo said, giving Sam a hand up the hill. "We never did anything like this in Buckland." Merry would love this, he thought, as he pulled himself up the slippery hill.
"Aren't you glad you're here, then?" Sam asked, beaming at Frodo.
"Yes, Sam," Frodo said after a moment. "I am glad I'm here, and I'm glad you came by this morning too."
"And a fine morning it is, isn't it Cousin?" Lotho stepped toward them, a shovel in his hand. "Enjoying yourselves, then?"
"Yes, Lotho, we are," Frodo answered politely. He hoped that if he were friendly, some of it might rub off on his aloof cousin. "Have you come to join in?"
"I wouldn't want to miss it," Lotho replied with a smile. The smile transformed into a frown as Lotho looked at the shovel Frodo was carrying. "That looks a little worse for wear, if you don't mind my saying so," the older tween said, examining the handle where it joined the metal. "The handle has cracks in it, see? It might break on you, Frodo."
Frodo had to admit Lotho was right. The shovel was old and the wood was becoming brittle. Several long, deep cracks were showing .
"Here, mine's almost new," Lotho said, holding his shovel out to Frodo. "On your next turn, use it instead. It's much sturdier."
Frodo searched Lotho's face for any sign of duplicity, but found none. The offer seemed to be genuine enough. Just as he was about to accept the shovel, Sam came to stand by his side.
"Don't do it, Mr. Frodo," he said, starting at Lotho with mistrust. "I don't trust him."
"What's this? Samwise Gamgee doesn't trust me," Lotho said with a hint of sarcasm. "Since when do your duties include making Frodo's decisions for him, then?"
Frodo sensed tension rising and stepped in before it could grow any further. "There's no need to worry, Sam, I'm sure." Sam gave Frodo a look of concern, but stepped back. To Lotho, Frodo replied, "He's only being a good friend, and looking out for me."
"I suppose so," Lotho said mildly, but gave Sam a slightly dirty look. "Ready?" He handed the shovel to Frodo.
Frodo nodded and took the shovel in hand. He placed it on the snowy ground at the top of the hill and sat down on it with his legs crossed. Lotho gave him a good, hard shove and down the hill Frodo went, picking up speed rapidly, perhaps a little too rapidly.
As the scenery whizzed by, Frodo thought he was going a little faster than he had on previous turns. He passed the point where the other lads had skidded to a stop, and to his surprise, he kept going! The icy pond loomed ahead coming closer and closer. Panic began to rise in him, and Frodo tried to dig into the snow with his fingers, dragging them to slow his perilous slide toward the ice.
The snow on the hill was well packed from the shovels sliding on it, and Frodo had gathered impressive momentum on the way down. Now, as he reached a place where the snow was fluffy and soft, he could gain no purchase as his fingers furrowed through it. He shot forward, sliding out onto the ice of the pond. As he finally came to a stop, Frodo looked up in horror to see Sam, Halfred and Hamson all running toward him with shocked expressions, and Lotho brining up the rear.
Minute cracks were beginning to form around him, and Frodo gasped as he looked up and locked his gaze with Sam's. The small cracks began to multiply and widen, the sound of their spreading like cruel laughter in Frodo's ears. "SAM!" Frodo cried out in terror as the ice gave way beneath him with a splintering crunch. Shovel and all, Frodo dropped through into the frigid pond water.
He had never been so cold in all his life. Frodo thrashed in agony as he tried to grab the edges of the broken ice and pull himself out of the freezing water. The extra layers of clothing that had been keeping him warm now worked against him, making him heavy and soaking up more of the cold water. Every time he grabbed onto the edges of the ice, more of it broke off, and he sank again.
"Mr. Frodo! Hold on!" Sam's panicked shout reached Frodo's ears and he gasped and thrust an arm out, reaching desperately.
"Sam!" Frodo gasped as the cold stole the air from his lungs. "H - help me!" More ice broke away and his head went under for a brief moment. He came back up sputtering and coughing. The water seemed to clutch at him with icy fingers, loathe to give up its prize.
"We've got to get him out of there," Sam shouted at his brothers desperately. The pond wasn't especially deep, but the longer Frodo remained in the cold water, the lower his body temperature would drop. If he lost consciousness, he could easily slip beneath the surface and drown, if he didn't succumb to hypothermia first. They had nothing to use to pull Frodo out of the hole in the ice, no rope, nothing! They couldn't get near enough to grasp Frodo's flailing hand, as the ice would not support them.
"Use this," Halfred shouted, handing a shovel to Sam. "Form a chain, hurry!" The two elder Gamgees lay down in the snow, Hamson behind Halfred, gripping his ankles. Sam stretched out in front as Halfred held onto his feet. He reached the shovel out toward Frodo.
"Grab it, Frodo! Grab it and hold on!" In his panic, Sam completely forgot the respectful 'Mr.' before the name, not that Frodo noticed or would have cared. Frodo flailed a hand out toward the shovel, missing it by a couple of inches.
"C - can't r - reach it!" he gasped weakly. "C - closer!"
Something almost like guilt surged briefly through Lotho's mind as he watched his cousin struggle in the water. It had been satisfying to see the rat fall through the ice, but things had gone far enough. He wasn't trying to kill the brat, after all, just make his life miserable. Besides, how better to escape suspicion than to heroically step in and save the day? It just might get Bilbo off his back for a while, and it would ensure that Frodo remained at least partially willing to trust him.
"You heard him, get closer," Lotho said, crouching behind Hamson and pushing the other hobbits further toward their goal. He grabbed Hamson's ankles and held on, digging his heels in to anchor the chain. At the head of the hobbit lifeline, Sam cringed as he felt himself slide forward so that he was half on the ice and half on solid ground. The ice didn't seem inclined to break under his partial weight, though, and he stretched out toward Frodo with the shovel.
The addition of an extra hobbit to the chain made the difference, and the handle of the shovel was now within Frodo's reach. He grasped it as tightly as his chilled fingers would allow and hung on.
"Pull!" Samwise shouted, and the grip on his ankles tightened. He felt himself slide backward a few inches and felt the sharp, unpleasant sensation of snow against his skin as his coat rode up over his stomach. He gritted his teeth and ignored everything but the sight of Frodo beginning to emerge from the frigid water. "More! Keep pulling!" Sam locked eyes with Frodo and sent a silent plea. ~Hold on, Mr. Frodo, don't give up! Stay with me!~
Frodo looked back at his friend, eyes filled with fear and pain, but comprehending. He nodded almost imperceptibly and held on, willing his fingers to obey the command of his mind. His hands slipped and he almost lost his grip on the shovel. His fingers were so cold, he was scarcely able to move them.
The chain inched backward again, and Frodo moved forward a little further. The brittle ice continued to break around him as they pulled him toward the edge of the pond. They needed a good strong pull all at once if they were to raise him clear of the water.
This truth was realized by the hobbits further back in the chain, and Hamson shouted over his shoulder to Lotho, "Pull hard on three!" There was an audible count to three, then Lotho lunged backward, letting his weight pull the other hobbits with him over the snow. They slid backward in a rush, and Frodo was lifted clear of the water to lie frozen and motionless but for his violent shivering on the ground at the edge of the pond.
"Quick, Samwise! Run back and get Mr. Bilbo. Tell him to bring blankets. Hurry!" Sam nodded once and, obeying Halfred's command, ran as fast as he could back to Bag End. Gasping and breathing hard, he rang the bell urgently, repeatedly, until he heard Bilbo's voice coming impatiently from within.
"Yes, yes! I'm coming!" Bilbo opened the door to find Samwise on the stoop, doubled over from running and looking at him wild - eyed.
"Mr. Bilbo, come quick! It's Mr. Frodo - "
"What about Frodo, lad?" Bilbo asked hurriedly, his voice tense and brittle. "What's happened?"
"Mr. Frodo fell through the ice! We got him out but he needs blankets an' we have to get him back here!" Sam's words came out in a great rush, and Bilbo reacted almost as quickly. He grabbed a couple of quilts from the sofa in the parlor and handed them to Sam. He quickly donned his coat and ran into another room to grab another thick blanket.
The two hobbits burst out the door almost as one. Bilbo struggled to keep up as Sam led the way as fast as he could. In a few moments they were kneeling by Frodo's side, where Halfred and Hamfast were rubbing Frodo's arms and legs to warm them.
"Oh, Frodo, my dear boy," Bilbo said in a frightened voice as he helped pull off Frodo's sodden coat and wrap him in the blankets. "Say something, Frodo, please," Bilbo pleaded, cupping Frodo's blue - tinged face in his hands.
"C - cold, s - so c - cold," Frodo choked out, as Bilbo held him in a tight embrace.
"We'll get you home and get you warm, lad. Just hold on." Hamson and Halfred stepped forward to lift the blanket - wrapped hobbit from the ground.
Lotho had stood back out of the way as Bilbo and the Gamgees tended to Frodo. They took no notice of him now, so concerned were they with Frodo's well - being. Bilbo hadn't even seen him there, it seemed. That was fine with him. He really wasn't trying to get anyone's attention, except Frodo's perhaps. A freak accident, nothing more. And no one would ever know about the wax.
Lotho had hurried home after spotting Frodo and the Gamgees, and had grabbed the shovel from the shed. He had taken a candle and carefully dripped hot wax onto the back of it, where it would make contact with the slick surface of the hillside, increasing the speed and distance that Frodo would travel.
He turned and walked away, wondering if his cousin had realized how accident - prone he had become since his arrival in Hobbiton. Did Bilbo? Perhaps there were fewer opportunities for such things to befall Frodo at Brandy Hall. Perhaps Lotho would make the suggestion himself, if the opportunity arose.
~*~ To be continued~*~
QTPie - 2488 - Lotho is a piece of work, isn't he? I'm not sure if I have ever seen mention of Frodo liking to dance either, but I just thought about that scene in the movie at Bilbo's party. He seemed to be having a good time then.
GamgeeFest - Lotho is getting a little sloppy because he can't help gloating. Bilbo doesn't trust him in the first place. He's going to have to try to make himself look innocent while he pulls his nasty tricks. Frodo should listen to his instincts, never mind being friendly. But we don't always do what we should, do we? Frodo's friendly nature will bring him some real trouble in this chapter.
Aratlithiel - Bilbo and Frodo's relationship is largely based in trusting each other and being honest. Bilbo treats Frodo as an intelligent individual, and Frodo respects Bilbo immensely for it. Lotho is a poop.
LotRseer3350 - Lotho was fairly subtle in his actions, if not in his words. He'd better mind himself when Bilbo is around!
Tavion - Lotho is being pretty crafty with his tricks. Frodo is far too trusting, too hopeful that he might be able to make friends with his haughty cousin somehow. You are right that this kind of bully is a new thing to Frodo. He's used to overt actions against him rather than the sneaky stuff Lotho is pulling.
Endymion - That was pretty rude of Lotho to wreck everyone's evening, wasn't it? Lotho just doesn't understand Frodo at all if he thinks Frodo will leave Hobbiton out of embarrassment. Bilbo is a great one for encouraging Frodo and allying his fears, so Lotho is on the wrong track if he thinks Frodo will give up easily. Winter will be the perfect time for accidents? Oh, yes, I think it will!
CuriousCat - Thanks for joining us! Frodo just seems to have non - stop trouble, doesn't he? I loved your comment about Lotho being the 'evil Eddie Haskell of Middle Earth'. Frodo is fortunate that people of good character and kind heart always seem drawn to him to balance out the troublemakers.
Chapter 7 - On Thin Ice
~*~After Yule~*~
Snow! Frodo was struck by the beauty of the scene before him as he peered out his window into the morning light. A thick blanket of fluffy snow had fallen overnight, and covered everything with a clean, white mantle. It sparkled as the first thin rays of winter sun glanced off the topmost layer of delicate flakes. Frodo was awake early and he wondered if Bilbo had seen it yet. He dressed hurriedly and wandered down the hall. Bilbo was awake already and was busily stoking the fire in the hearth.
"Uncle Bilbo!" Frodo called as he burst into the room, "Have you seen the snow?"
"Yes, Frodo," Bilbo replied, laughing lightly. "A lovely sight to be sure. It almost makes the cold of winter worthwhile, having such a thing to look upon." Once the fire was crackling merrily on the hearth, he summoned Frodo into the kitchen for breakfast.
"I imagine you'll want to go outside and have a good look, so let us not waste time," the older hobbit said as he bustled about. Frodo helped with the breakfast preparations, setting out a jar of raspberry jam and preparing toast.
Just as they were finishing breakfast, the doorbell rang. Frodo opened it to see Samwise Gamgee standing before him, red - cheeked and dressed warmly, with a shovel in his hands. It seemed he had already made good use of it, having cleared the path down to the gate.
"Good morning, Mr. Frodo!" Sam said brightly. "Would you care to come out and see the snow?"
Frodo laughed. "Well I suppose so, Sam, but please come in for a moment. We're just finishing breakfast and we've tea and toast if you'd like some," Frodo offered, waving Sam toward the kitchen.
"Sit down, Samwise, and remove that great bulky coat of yours," Bilbo ordered, and Sam complied. "You can't go about outside in the cold without a proper meal to warm you, lad," Bilbo continued, supplying the newcomer with tea and toast.
"Oh, I've had breakfast already, Mr. Bilbo," Sam informed him, "But some tea would be nice, it would." Sam thanked Bilbo for the tea and sipped it happily.
"With the snow, there's likely not much work to be done besides shoveling," Frodo surmised, thinking that Sam might have much of the day to himself as a result of the weather.
"That's so, Mr. Frodo," Sam confirmed. "In fact, Halfred, Hamson and I were going to go slidin' down the hill for a bit, if you'd like to join us."
"Sliding down the hill? On what, your backsides?" Frodo laughed at the notion. In Buckland a snowfall usually meant some good snowball fighting and fort building, but there really weren't any hills to slide down, at least not any that rivaled those of Hobbiton.
"Yes, on our backsides, but we use shovels." At Frodo's quizzical expression, Sam elaborated. "We sit on them and slide down the hill. You can go far and fast on a shovel, Mr. Frodo."
Frodo crossed his arms in mock disapproval and raised his eyebrows. "Now isn't that a grievous misuse of a gardening implement, Samwise?" Bilbo started chuckling at this. Evidence of the Baggins sense of humor was plain in young Frodo, he reminded himself.
Sam colored slightly at Frodo's comment, but went on. "All the lads do it, Mr. Frodo. Even the tweens. It's fun!"
"Well then, I suppose I ought to try it, shouldn't I?" Frodo replied, looking at Bilbo for affirmation.
"If you like, Frodo," Bilbo said, and a grin crossed his face. "I would go with you, but an elderly gentlehobbit should keep to more dignified pursuits, and at my age, snow between the toes is rather bothersome."
"All right then, Sam. I'll go with you," Frodo said, and rose from his chair to help with the breakfast dishes. "You just finish your tea, Sam, and I'll be ready in a few moments."
In a short while, the breakfast dishes were cleared away and Frodo was adding a couple of warm layers to his clothing and donning his coat. "You'll show me how it's done then, won't you Sam?" he asked, wrapping a scarf around his neck to keep out the chill.
"Sure will, Mr. Frodo," Sam responded, grinning. "It's easy, you'll see."
The two left the smial as Bilbo waved to them. "You lads be careful, now," Bilbo shouted after them, and they hurried down the path with Sam in the lead.
"It's just over that way where the big hill is," Sam directed Frodo.
"But isn't that the hill with the pond at the bottom, Sam?" Frodo asked, concerned. "I don't think the ice is very thick on the pond yet," he continued, sounding a little worried. A swim in the summertime was one thing, but the icy pond water would be very unpleasant, and Sam's inability to swim came immediately to mind.
"Nobody ever slides far enough to get to the pond," Sam told him. "Even the bigger lads end up stopping before they can get that far out." Sam pointed to the group of tweens and younger hobbits who had already gathered at the hill. "There goes Moro Goodbody, and he's a lot bigger than us. See? He didn't even get near the pond before he stopped."
Frodo had to admit it was true. Even the larger tweens with their greater body mass weren't able to gain enough momentum to slide out onto the treacherous ice of the pond. He watched as one lad laid a shovel down and seated himself on it, grabbed the handle for balance, and waited for another lad to give him a shove down the hill. Down he went, yelling with glee, spinning in circles as he slid to a stop at the base of the hill.
Halfred and Hamson were already there, laughing at each other as they slid down the hill and ducked the snowballs the little ones were throwing at them. They waved at Sam and Frodo, motioning for the two to join them.
"'Mornin' Mr. Frodo," Halfred said jovially. "I see Samwise talked you out of your cozy home to come join us."
"He did at that, Halfred," Frodo answered. "It looks fun."
"Well come on and try it, then," Hamson said, pulling Frodo up the hill behind him. The four hobbits scrambled up the incline until they stood at the top. Halfred handed Frodo his shovel and Sam readied his own. In a few moments, the older two were giving Sam and Frodo a push to start them downhill.
~*~
Lotho was walking by a distance away, and caught sight of Frodo and Sam as they slid downward. ~Looks like my little cousin is having a good time~, he thought idly, watching as Frodo and Sam slid to a stop. Frodo stopped first and Sam just a little farther away, nearer to the pond. Hmmmm, the pond!
Lotho's face broke into a broad, malicious grin as he turned quickly for home. He had an idea of how to make this game a little more fun.
~*~
"You were right, Sam, this is fun!" Frodo said, giving Sam a hand up the hill. "We never did anything like this in Buckland." Merry would love this, he thought, as he pulled himself up the slippery hill.
"Aren't you glad you're here, then?" Sam asked, beaming at Frodo.
"Yes, Sam," Frodo said after a moment. "I am glad I'm here, and I'm glad you came by this morning too."
"And a fine morning it is, isn't it Cousin?" Lotho stepped toward them, a shovel in his hand. "Enjoying yourselves, then?"
"Yes, Lotho, we are," Frodo answered politely. He hoped that if he were friendly, some of it might rub off on his aloof cousin. "Have you come to join in?"
"I wouldn't want to miss it," Lotho replied with a smile. The smile transformed into a frown as Lotho looked at the shovel Frodo was carrying. "That looks a little worse for wear, if you don't mind my saying so," the older tween said, examining the handle where it joined the metal. "The handle has cracks in it, see? It might break on you, Frodo."
Frodo had to admit Lotho was right. The shovel was old and the wood was becoming brittle. Several long, deep cracks were showing .
"Here, mine's almost new," Lotho said, holding his shovel out to Frodo. "On your next turn, use it instead. It's much sturdier."
Frodo searched Lotho's face for any sign of duplicity, but found none. The offer seemed to be genuine enough. Just as he was about to accept the shovel, Sam came to stand by his side.
"Don't do it, Mr. Frodo," he said, starting at Lotho with mistrust. "I don't trust him."
"What's this? Samwise Gamgee doesn't trust me," Lotho said with a hint of sarcasm. "Since when do your duties include making Frodo's decisions for him, then?"
Frodo sensed tension rising and stepped in before it could grow any further. "There's no need to worry, Sam, I'm sure." Sam gave Frodo a look of concern, but stepped back. To Lotho, Frodo replied, "He's only being a good friend, and looking out for me."
"I suppose so," Lotho said mildly, but gave Sam a slightly dirty look. "Ready?" He handed the shovel to Frodo.
Frodo nodded and took the shovel in hand. He placed it on the snowy ground at the top of the hill and sat down on it with his legs crossed. Lotho gave him a good, hard shove and down the hill Frodo went, picking up speed rapidly, perhaps a little too rapidly.
As the scenery whizzed by, Frodo thought he was going a little faster than he had on previous turns. He passed the point where the other lads had skidded to a stop, and to his surprise, he kept going! The icy pond loomed ahead coming closer and closer. Panic began to rise in him, and Frodo tried to dig into the snow with his fingers, dragging them to slow his perilous slide toward the ice.
The snow on the hill was well packed from the shovels sliding on it, and Frodo had gathered impressive momentum on the way down. Now, as he reached a place where the snow was fluffy and soft, he could gain no purchase as his fingers furrowed through it. He shot forward, sliding out onto the ice of the pond. As he finally came to a stop, Frodo looked up in horror to see Sam, Halfred and Hamson all running toward him with shocked expressions, and Lotho brining up the rear.
Minute cracks were beginning to form around him, and Frodo gasped as he looked up and locked his gaze with Sam's. The small cracks began to multiply and widen, the sound of their spreading like cruel laughter in Frodo's ears. "SAM!" Frodo cried out in terror as the ice gave way beneath him with a splintering crunch. Shovel and all, Frodo dropped through into the frigid pond water.
He had never been so cold in all his life. Frodo thrashed in agony as he tried to grab the edges of the broken ice and pull himself out of the freezing water. The extra layers of clothing that had been keeping him warm now worked against him, making him heavy and soaking up more of the cold water. Every time he grabbed onto the edges of the ice, more of it broke off, and he sank again.
"Mr. Frodo! Hold on!" Sam's panicked shout reached Frodo's ears and he gasped and thrust an arm out, reaching desperately.
"Sam!" Frodo gasped as the cold stole the air from his lungs. "H - help me!" More ice broke away and his head went under for a brief moment. He came back up sputtering and coughing. The water seemed to clutch at him with icy fingers, loathe to give up its prize.
"We've got to get him out of there," Sam shouted at his brothers desperately. The pond wasn't especially deep, but the longer Frodo remained in the cold water, the lower his body temperature would drop. If he lost consciousness, he could easily slip beneath the surface and drown, if he didn't succumb to hypothermia first. They had nothing to use to pull Frodo out of the hole in the ice, no rope, nothing! They couldn't get near enough to grasp Frodo's flailing hand, as the ice would not support them.
"Use this," Halfred shouted, handing a shovel to Sam. "Form a chain, hurry!" The two elder Gamgees lay down in the snow, Hamson behind Halfred, gripping his ankles. Sam stretched out in front as Halfred held onto his feet. He reached the shovel out toward Frodo.
"Grab it, Frodo! Grab it and hold on!" In his panic, Sam completely forgot the respectful 'Mr.' before the name, not that Frodo noticed or would have cared. Frodo flailed a hand out toward the shovel, missing it by a couple of inches.
"C - can't r - reach it!" he gasped weakly. "C - closer!"
Something almost like guilt surged briefly through Lotho's mind as he watched his cousin struggle in the water. It had been satisfying to see the rat fall through the ice, but things had gone far enough. He wasn't trying to kill the brat, after all, just make his life miserable. Besides, how better to escape suspicion than to heroically step in and save the day? It just might get Bilbo off his back for a while, and it would ensure that Frodo remained at least partially willing to trust him.
"You heard him, get closer," Lotho said, crouching behind Hamson and pushing the other hobbits further toward their goal. He grabbed Hamson's ankles and held on, digging his heels in to anchor the chain. At the head of the hobbit lifeline, Sam cringed as he felt himself slide forward so that he was half on the ice and half on solid ground. The ice didn't seem inclined to break under his partial weight, though, and he stretched out toward Frodo with the shovel.
The addition of an extra hobbit to the chain made the difference, and the handle of the shovel was now within Frodo's reach. He grasped it as tightly as his chilled fingers would allow and hung on.
"Pull!" Samwise shouted, and the grip on his ankles tightened. He felt himself slide backward a few inches and felt the sharp, unpleasant sensation of snow against his skin as his coat rode up over his stomach. He gritted his teeth and ignored everything but the sight of Frodo beginning to emerge from the frigid water. "More! Keep pulling!" Sam locked eyes with Frodo and sent a silent plea. ~Hold on, Mr. Frodo, don't give up! Stay with me!~
Frodo looked back at his friend, eyes filled with fear and pain, but comprehending. He nodded almost imperceptibly and held on, willing his fingers to obey the command of his mind. His hands slipped and he almost lost his grip on the shovel. His fingers were so cold, he was scarcely able to move them.
The chain inched backward again, and Frodo moved forward a little further. The brittle ice continued to break around him as they pulled him toward the edge of the pond. They needed a good strong pull all at once if they were to raise him clear of the water.
This truth was realized by the hobbits further back in the chain, and Hamson shouted over his shoulder to Lotho, "Pull hard on three!" There was an audible count to three, then Lotho lunged backward, letting his weight pull the other hobbits with him over the snow. They slid backward in a rush, and Frodo was lifted clear of the water to lie frozen and motionless but for his violent shivering on the ground at the edge of the pond.
"Quick, Samwise! Run back and get Mr. Bilbo. Tell him to bring blankets. Hurry!" Sam nodded once and, obeying Halfred's command, ran as fast as he could back to Bag End. Gasping and breathing hard, he rang the bell urgently, repeatedly, until he heard Bilbo's voice coming impatiently from within.
"Yes, yes! I'm coming!" Bilbo opened the door to find Samwise on the stoop, doubled over from running and looking at him wild - eyed.
"Mr. Bilbo, come quick! It's Mr. Frodo - "
"What about Frodo, lad?" Bilbo asked hurriedly, his voice tense and brittle. "What's happened?"
"Mr. Frodo fell through the ice! We got him out but he needs blankets an' we have to get him back here!" Sam's words came out in a great rush, and Bilbo reacted almost as quickly. He grabbed a couple of quilts from the sofa in the parlor and handed them to Sam. He quickly donned his coat and ran into another room to grab another thick blanket.
The two hobbits burst out the door almost as one. Bilbo struggled to keep up as Sam led the way as fast as he could. In a few moments they were kneeling by Frodo's side, where Halfred and Hamfast were rubbing Frodo's arms and legs to warm them.
"Oh, Frodo, my dear boy," Bilbo said in a frightened voice as he helped pull off Frodo's sodden coat and wrap him in the blankets. "Say something, Frodo, please," Bilbo pleaded, cupping Frodo's blue - tinged face in his hands.
"C - cold, s - so c - cold," Frodo choked out, as Bilbo held him in a tight embrace.
"We'll get you home and get you warm, lad. Just hold on." Hamson and Halfred stepped forward to lift the blanket - wrapped hobbit from the ground.
Lotho had stood back out of the way as Bilbo and the Gamgees tended to Frodo. They took no notice of him now, so concerned were they with Frodo's well - being. Bilbo hadn't even seen him there, it seemed. That was fine with him. He really wasn't trying to get anyone's attention, except Frodo's perhaps. A freak accident, nothing more. And no one would ever know about the wax.
Lotho had hurried home after spotting Frodo and the Gamgees, and had grabbed the shovel from the shed. He had taken a candle and carefully dripped hot wax onto the back of it, where it would make contact with the slick surface of the hillside, increasing the speed and distance that Frodo would travel.
He turned and walked away, wondering if his cousin had realized how accident - prone he had become since his arrival in Hobbiton. Did Bilbo? Perhaps there were fewer opportunities for such things to befall Frodo at Brandy Hall. Perhaps Lotho would make the suggestion himself, if the opportunity arose.
~*~ To be continued~*~