Pansy Chubb - Nice to meet you! You're right, keyboards and chocolate don't mix, which is a sad thing for us chocoholics. If nothing else, Bilbo and Saradoc have learned to be up front with each other. Saradoc has managed to get over a lot of his misgivings about Frodo staying in Hobbiton due to Bilbo's performance in "On the Banks of the Brandywine." Merry startled everyone by hollering in the middle of the night, but good news is an enjoyable shock. Poor Frodo. Frodo doesn't completely trust Lotho, but he's on the edge. He's never encountered a family member like this before, and his desire to live in harmony is getting in the way of his hobbit sense. He's still young, after all, and this is the same hobbit who wouldn't give up on Gollum, for better or worse. Frodo has met with outright bullying before, but this is something different, something new. Please don't despair of Frodo yet. He will show himself to be the better hobbit, and Lotho will get his! ~Whew! That was a windy response, wasn't it?~
Amelia Rose - We needed some sweetness amidst the strife! I figured Merry and Sam met somewhere along the way, and why not now? Merry is just what Frodo needed.
Shire Baggins - Another reader comes forth! Thanks for reviewing! Frodo has such a good heart, it's hard for him to believe that someone would have such malice in his heart as Lotho does. I'm 36 years old, and I still don't understand how people as nasty as that can survive in the world. Lotho has more stuff up his sleeve, some of it subtle, some less so. I've got plans for that unruly tweener, mark me!
GamgeeFest - Being sick is a pain, except for people waiting on you. Unless you're in the hospital. Those people will wake you up to give you a sleeping pill! Lotho will mellow out a little for a while, but eventually he will pull something that will have a less than pleasant result, even for himself! Merry and Saradoc won't be having a very long visit, but Merry's presence was just the medicine Frodo needed.
LotRseer3350 - Lotho is mostly fixated on Frodo right now, but Sam will be part of a later confrontation.
Midgette - Guilty! I haven't read any Harry Potter books yet. Eventually I probably will. The concept and characters are so charming and imaginative! Being kind - hearted is a two - edged sword. It will make a person stronger in some ways and weaker in others. Lotho doesn't understand that particular character trait and sees it as little more than something to exploit. How sad for him!
Endymion2 - Poor Sam. As much as he wanted to stay by Frodo's side, exhaustion overwhelmed the poor lad and he let Bilbo send him off to sleep. His devotion to Frodo is just in its infancy, as you said. Someday, he will go far beyond average endurance to watch over Frodo. We will see Lotho again in this chapter. His curiosity is getting the better of him, and he wants news of his young cousin. Specifically, he wants to know if Frodo has been packed off to Buckland yet. How better to get the word than to see for oneself?
Bookworm2000 - Sam's got to figure that anyone Frodo speaks highly of is a good hobbit indeed, therefore his respect and liking for Merry is instant. Lotho isn't done yet. Look for something close to subtlety in the next couple of chapters, followed by a more obvious overture that doesn't lead where he hopes it will!
FrodoBaggins1982 - It was too bad Sam wasn't on hand when Frodo woke up feeling better. He'll get the good news soon enough, though! Saradoc gave Bilbo just the encouragement he needed.
Peony - Thanks for your kind words regarding the dialogue. For some reason I just love to write conversations between the characters. I guess it sort of allows them to tell the story themselves. Frodo's fever did cause him to have a vivid flashback, and he will have more disturbing memories later on.
TTTurtle - Yes, I did wonder if you were still out there somewhere! For a while ff.net's filter was messed up and it was impossible to see the updates amidst a sea of Mary Sues. The idea for sliding down a snowy hill - and falling through the ice, for that matter, came from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." George Bailey's little brother was doing that with a few of his friends. I never tried it myself, having a sled on hand for such occasions, but it worked in the movie!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Chapter 13 - Visitors
~*~Bag End, morning~*~
"Easy now," Bilbo cautioned as Frodo placed his feet on the floor and pushed himself up on wobbly legs to stand unassisted. He was glad the dizziness had passed, allowing him to remain upright without the sensation of the room spinning around him. The weakness that followed the worst of his illness was the thing that frustrated him now, as he reached out and grasped the bedpost to steady himself.
Frodo sighed as he leaned against the sturdy bedpost. "I think I've forgotten how to walk, Uncle."
"You may be unsteady for a day or two, but it will pass," Bilbo assured the tween. "Until then, I won't allow you to overdo it, mind you."
"Point taken," Frodo replied as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "It would be so nice just to feel normal again, though. It's been a long time since I've been ill enough to require as much care and convalescence as I have recently."
Bilbo seated himself next to Frodo and draped an arm around his shoulders. "And I hope with all my heart that you must never endure such a thing again, dear boy," Bilbo said as he rose to his feet. "Shall we get you to that nice warm bath you told me you craved so desperately this morning?" He held out a hand for Frodo to use for support.
Frodo nodded and attempted the standing maneuver again, this time with more success. He did lean on Bilbo as he took slow, careful steps across the room. By the time they reached the washroom, Frodo was shaking from the effort and he sank down gratefully onto a wooden bench near the tub.
"There is plenty of hot water in the tub, and more where that came from if a long soak is what you feel inclined toward," Bilbo suggested. "Should you need anything of the sort, just grab that bell and ring it good and loud." Bilbo pointed to a brass bell with a long tapered handle. Frodo rang it experimentally, and the sound carried nicely. "Can you manage from here?"
"I think so," Frodo answered. Bilbo left him to his task, and Frodo pulled his nightshirt over his head without even bothering with the buttons. He lowered himself into the steaming bath, and decided it was the most wonderful thing he had ever felt.
~*~
Bilbo let the dish towel fall to the tabletop as he padded to the door. Who was ringing the bell now? With Frodo on the way to recovery and Merry and Saradoc out for a stroll, he was finally catching up on tasks that had been brushed aside as he had watched over the ailing tweenager. Now the dratted bell was ringing again, and his efforts were being disrupted.
Bilbo's eyes widened in surprise as he beheld the visitor, the very last person he would have expected to see on his doorstep, or cared to see for that matter.
"Good morning," Lotho said pleasantly, seeming to ignore Bilbo's expression. "I've heard my cousin has been ill as a result of his misadventure at the pond, and I've come by to inquire about him." Not that it pained him at all that Frodo had been stricken, but if he made nice with everyone, perhaps they would relax their vigilance sooner or later, and he would be able to get near enough to Frodo to have a private discussion with him.
Bilbo recovered from his initial shock and eyed Lotho suspiciously. "You say you've come to see how Frodo is faring?" Bilbo repeated Lotho's words to make sure he'd heard the lad correctly.
"Just as I said," Lotho replied. "I was passing by, so I stopped."
Bilbo played the mannerly host, quite against his better judgment. "Do come in, won't you?" The smile was polite and the tone neutral. It was a matter of saying the exact opposite of what he was thinking, and Bilbo hoped the visit would be brief. If Lotho behaved anything but properly, Bilbo would toss him out with his own two hands.
Lotho stepped into the smial, schooling his features into an expression of confident ease. "Where is Frodo, if I may ask?" He looked around him as if to find some evidence that his cousin still remained at Bag End and had not been packed off to Buckland where he came from.
"Frodo is in the bath at the moment." Bilbo declared, offering Lotho a chair in the parlor. "He has indeed been quite ill, but he's on the mend now."
"Quite a harrowing event, wasn't it?" Lotho said of Frodo's dunking in the frigid pond. "It took four of us to pull him out of the water, as the ice kept breaking around him every time he moved." He smiled, knowing he had just driven home the fact that he himself had contributed to averting disaster that day.
Bilbo fought to keep from grimacing as he noted that Lotho had indeed helped pull Frodo to safety. It was a bitter draught to drink, but Bilbo knew he owed Lotho a measure of gratitude for his role in the rescue. "Yes, it was quite frightening for those of us who care for Frodo." He eyed Lotho sharply. "I owe you my thanks for assisting."
Trust Bilbo to find a way around showing genuine gratitude, Lotho thought smugly. It was one thing to admit to owing someone one's thanks, and another to actually thank them. Still, what had he expected? "I couldn't very well stand by while my cousin was in peril, now could I?" Lotho raised an eyebrow as he watched Bilbo's expression.
"Hmph," Bilbo grunted. "One would certainly hope not," he stated flatly.
"Sad thing, such a terrible accident," Lotho commented as if discussing the weather. "Surely Frodo's family in Buckland are worried about him," he suggested, fishing for information. Had Frodo's Buckland relatives begun to feel that Bilbo was not a fit guardian, perhaps? Would they appear and whisk Frodo back to Brandy Hall, thereby solving Lotho's problem for him?
The front door opened again as Merry and Saradoc returned from their walk. Bilbo gestured toward them and told Lotho, "Here they are, if you'd like to inquire of them."
Saradoc looked quizzically at Bilbo for a moment, wondering what in the Shire Lotho Sackville - Baggins was doing in Bag End's parlor.
"Lotho has come by to inquire as to Frodo's condition," Bilbo informed the Brandybucks. Merry crossed his arms over his chest and adopted a stern expression. Mistrust was written all over his face as he regarded the tween.
"Frodo is doing much better," Saradoc said, throwing Merry a warning glance. There was no sense in causing a stir, especially when they hadn't been present at the start of the conversation. "He will recover fully, I believe."
"I'm glad to hear it," Lotho said, still smiling. "You must miss him terribly at Brandy Hall."
"His absence is truly our loss," Saradoc said sensing the probing nature of the question. "However, I believe he will thrive here in Hobbiton."
"You don't worry, after accidents such as his fall through the ice?" If mild probing didn't bring forth a good answer, there was no reason not to be more direct, Lotho decided.
"There is ice in Buckland as well, lad," Saradoc responded. "The only way Frodo could be completely safe from all harm would be to shut himself in his room and never emerge. Whether here or in Buckland, he would be unlikely to do so."
So they weren't getting the impression that Bilbo couldn't keep Frodo safe. Blast! Lotho felt his frustration surge within him. It looked rather unlikely that Frodo would be hauled back to Buckland on the premise that his care and supervision in Hobbiton were inadequate. Lotho had the sensation of being right back where he started. If all other efforts failed, there would be nothing to do now but try to persuade his cousin to voluntarily return to Brandy Hall.
"I regret that I must be going so soon, but I am expected at home," Lotho said, his voice as calm as his thoughts were chaotic. "Please tell Frodo I stopped by, won't you?"
"I shall indeed," Bilbo promised, nodding curtly as he escorted Lotho to the door. "Please give our regards to your mother and father."
Another veiled barb, as Lotho knew precisely in what regard Bilbo held his parents. "I'll be sure to do that," he remarked as he bade everyone farewell and disappeared down the path.
Bilbo closed the door, allowing his expression to reveal his true feelings of the moment. "That was a lovely little exchange, was it not?" he growled as Merry plopped down into a chair.
"Why was he asking all those questions about Frodo?" Merry looked at Bilbo quizzically.
"I don't know, lad, but I tend to doubt it was out of a genuine concern for his well - being. The Sackville - Bagginses are typically only concerned with themselves." Bilbo looked down the hall when he heard the sound of soft footfalls.
"Who was that, Uncle?" Frodo asked as he stood in the hallway, dressed in clean breeches and shirt, his hair still damp from the bath.
"Frodo, lad, why didn't you ring for one of us?" Bilbo berated kindly as he made his way down the hall to lend support to the still shaky youth. "You're just beginning to recover and you mustn't overdo it."
Frodo leaned on Bilbo slightly as he made his way to the parlor. He felt a little stronger than he had earlier, and he suspected the irritating weakness would pass quickly. "I heard you talking to someone," Frodo prodded again, not willing to be put off easily.
"Lotho was here, of all people," Bilbo admitted. "He was asking how you were faring."
"Lotho?" Frodo was rather surprised by the news. "I'd not thought he would concern himself further," he admitted.
"Well he certainly has, it would seem." Bilbo was quite annoyed with all the questions Lotho had asked and the things he had implied.
"Put him out of your mind, Bilbo," Saradoc said, trying to brighten the mood. "There are far more important things for all of us to consider, such as getting a proper meal into a certain tween." He looked pointedly at Frodo, who did indeed look a little thinner than usual.
Frodo grinned and Merry laughed outright. "You are starting to look rather like one of Farmer Maggot's scarecrows, Frodo." Frodo faked a hurt look at Merry while Bilbo settled him in a comfy armchair.
"A good hot meal would do us all a bit of good," Bilbo admitted as he made his way to the kitchen. "As long as we've no more unpleasant distractions, it should be easily accomplished as well."
The bell rang again, almost in answer to Bilbo's words and he groaned audibly. "Would someone please get the door?"
Merry leapt up instantly, afraid that Frodo would get up instead. He wanted his cousin to conserve his strength until it had returned in full. "I've got it, Uncle Bilbo," Merry called, and opened the door.
This time the visitor was a welcome sight, in the form of Samwise Gamgee. He carried a basket in his hands, and small wisps of steam rose from it through the chilly morning air. "Hullo, Mr. Merry. Mum sent me over with some fresh baked muffins, and she said she wants news of Mr. Frodo in return."
Merry grinned as Sam stepped through the door into the parlor. "Frodo is doing well. See for yourself." He pointed across the room, where Frodo sat in the armchair, looking pale and tired, but much better than he had in days.
"Good morning, Sam," Frodo said, and Sam almost dropped the basket as he hurried across the room to his friend.
"Mr. Frodo! You're all right!" Sam remembered the muffins suddenly and held the basket out to Frodo. "You can have the first one, Mr. Frodo."
Frodo smiled as he chose a muffin from the basket. It smelled wonderful and it tasted even better. "Thank you, Sam. They're delicious."
"What's all the ruckus out there?" Bilbo called. As he emerged from the kitchen, a smile lit up his features. "Not a ruckus, but a young Gamgee, I see," he said, walking over to give Sam a friendly pat on the back. "Are those some of your mother's famous muffins?"
"Yes sir," Sam said and handed the basket to Bilbo. "She said to make sure you got them and to bring back news about Mr. Frodo." Sam glanced across the room again. "And it's good news too!"
"It surely is, Samwise." Bilbo took Sam's coat and hung it up. "You're just in time for breakfast, lad. We've a crowd already, so one more is no trouble."
"Thank you, sir," Sam said politely as he joined the hobbits in the parlor. Within a few minutes, a lively conversation was in progress, with Merry telling Frodo the latest gossip and events at Brandy Hall, and Sam listening in amusement.
Saradoc left the young hobbits to themselves and joined Bilbo in the kitchen. "Nothing like the laughter of the young to warm and brighten a place," he said as he poured himself a cup of tea.
"I don't know how I managed to get on without it, Sara," Bilbo said, thinking of Bag End before Frodo's arrival. "The peace and quiet I so treasured once I don't miss as I thought I might," he elaborated. "The quiet moments are still there, of course, but Frodo has brought a spark of something new to Bag End. I can no longer imagine not hearing his laughter from the next room."
"I know what you mean," Saradoc said fondly, thinking of Merry. "The young ones will tax your patience and pull at your heart, and you'll do just about anything to make sure you don't miss a moment of it. You and Frodo will do fine together, Bilbo. I've no doubts anymore." He looked at Bilbo thoughtfully. "However, if you need any advice regarding the care and keeping of a tweenage lad, Esmie and I are at your service of course."
"I'll remember that," Bilbo said as he raised his teacup in acknowledgement.
~*~ To be continued~*~
Amelia Rose - We needed some sweetness amidst the strife! I figured Merry and Sam met somewhere along the way, and why not now? Merry is just what Frodo needed.
Shire Baggins - Another reader comes forth! Thanks for reviewing! Frodo has such a good heart, it's hard for him to believe that someone would have such malice in his heart as Lotho does. I'm 36 years old, and I still don't understand how people as nasty as that can survive in the world. Lotho has more stuff up his sleeve, some of it subtle, some less so. I've got plans for that unruly tweener, mark me!
GamgeeFest - Being sick is a pain, except for people waiting on you. Unless you're in the hospital. Those people will wake you up to give you a sleeping pill! Lotho will mellow out a little for a while, but eventually he will pull something that will have a less than pleasant result, even for himself! Merry and Saradoc won't be having a very long visit, but Merry's presence was just the medicine Frodo needed.
LotRseer3350 - Lotho is mostly fixated on Frodo right now, but Sam will be part of a later confrontation.
Midgette - Guilty! I haven't read any Harry Potter books yet. Eventually I probably will. The concept and characters are so charming and imaginative! Being kind - hearted is a two - edged sword. It will make a person stronger in some ways and weaker in others. Lotho doesn't understand that particular character trait and sees it as little more than something to exploit. How sad for him!
Endymion2 - Poor Sam. As much as he wanted to stay by Frodo's side, exhaustion overwhelmed the poor lad and he let Bilbo send him off to sleep. His devotion to Frodo is just in its infancy, as you said. Someday, he will go far beyond average endurance to watch over Frodo. We will see Lotho again in this chapter. His curiosity is getting the better of him, and he wants news of his young cousin. Specifically, he wants to know if Frodo has been packed off to Buckland yet. How better to get the word than to see for oneself?
Bookworm2000 - Sam's got to figure that anyone Frodo speaks highly of is a good hobbit indeed, therefore his respect and liking for Merry is instant. Lotho isn't done yet. Look for something close to subtlety in the next couple of chapters, followed by a more obvious overture that doesn't lead where he hopes it will!
FrodoBaggins1982 - It was too bad Sam wasn't on hand when Frodo woke up feeling better. He'll get the good news soon enough, though! Saradoc gave Bilbo just the encouragement he needed.
Peony - Thanks for your kind words regarding the dialogue. For some reason I just love to write conversations between the characters. I guess it sort of allows them to tell the story themselves. Frodo's fever did cause him to have a vivid flashback, and he will have more disturbing memories later on.
TTTurtle - Yes, I did wonder if you were still out there somewhere! For a while ff.net's filter was messed up and it was impossible to see the updates amidst a sea of Mary Sues. The idea for sliding down a snowy hill - and falling through the ice, for that matter, came from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life." George Bailey's little brother was doing that with a few of his friends. I never tried it myself, having a sled on hand for such occasions, but it worked in the movie!
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Chapter 13 - Visitors
~*~Bag End, morning~*~
"Easy now," Bilbo cautioned as Frodo placed his feet on the floor and pushed himself up on wobbly legs to stand unassisted. He was glad the dizziness had passed, allowing him to remain upright without the sensation of the room spinning around him. The weakness that followed the worst of his illness was the thing that frustrated him now, as he reached out and grasped the bedpost to steady himself.
Frodo sighed as he leaned against the sturdy bedpost. "I think I've forgotten how to walk, Uncle."
"You may be unsteady for a day or two, but it will pass," Bilbo assured the tween. "Until then, I won't allow you to overdo it, mind you."
"Point taken," Frodo replied as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "It would be so nice just to feel normal again, though. It's been a long time since I've been ill enough to require as much care and convalescence as I have recently."
Bilbo seated himself next to Frodo and draped an arm around his shoulders. "And I hope with all my heart that you must never endure such a thing again, dear boy," Bilbo said as he rose to his feet. "Shall we get you to that nice warm bath you told me you craved so desperately this morning?" He held out a hand for Frodo to use for support.
Frodo nodded and attempted the standing maneuver again, this time with more success. He did lean on Bilbo as he took slow, careful steps across the room. By the time they reached the washroom, Frodo was shaking from the effort and he sank down gratefully onto a wooden bench near the tub.
"There is plenty of hot water in the tub, and more where that came from if a long soak is what you feel inclined toward," Bilbo suggested. "Should you need anything of the sort, just grab that bell and ring it good and loud." Bilbo pointed to a brass bell with a long tapered handle. Frodo rang it experimentally, and the sound carried nicely. "Can you manage from here?"
"I think so," Frodo answered. Bilbo left him to his task, and Frodo pulled his nightshirt over his head without even bothering with the buttons. He lowered himself into the steaming bath, and decided it was the most wonderful thing he had ever felt.
~*~
Bilbo let the dish towel fall to the tabletop as he padded to the door. Who was ringing the bell now? With Frodo on the way to recovery and Merry and Saradoc out for a stroll, he was finally catching up on tasks that had been brushed aside as he had watched over the ailing tweenager. Now the dratted bell was ringing again, and his efforts were being disrupted.
Bilbo's eyes widened in surprise as he beheld the visitor, the very last person he would have expected to see on his doorstep, or cared to see for that matter.
"Good morning," Lotho said pleasantly, seeming to ignore Bilbo's expression. "I've heard my cousin has been ill as a result of his misadventure at the pond, and I've come by to inquire about him." Not that it pained him at all that Frodo had been stricken, but if he made nice with everyone, perhaps they would relax their vigilance sooner or later, and he would be able to get near enough to Frodo to have a private discussion with him.
Bilbo recovered from his initial shock and eyed Lotho suspiciously. "You say you've come to see how Frodo is faring?" Bilbo repeated Lotho's words to make sure he'd heard the lad correctly.
"Just as I said," Lotho replied. "I was passing by, so I stopped."
Bilbo played the mannerly host, quite against his better judgment. "Do come in, won't you?" The smile was polite and the tone neutral. It was a matter of saying the exact opposite of what he was thinking, and Bilbo hoped the visit would be brief. If Lotho behaved anything but properly, Bilbo would toss him out with his own two hands.
Lotho stepped into the smial, schooling his features into an expression of confident ease. "Where is Frodo, if I may ask?" He looked around him as if to find some evidence that his cousin still remained at Bag End and had not been packed off to Buckland where he came from.
"Frodo is in the bath at the moment." Bilbo declared, offering Lotho a chair in the parlor. "He has indeed been quite ill, but he's on the mend now."
"Quite a harrowing event, wasn't it?" Lotho said of Frodo's dunking in the frigid pond. "It took four of us to pull him out of the water, as the ice kept breaking around him every time he moved." He smiled, knowing he had just driven home the fact that he himself had contributed to averting disaster that day.
Bilbo fought to keep from grimacing as he noted that Lotho had indeed helped pull Frodo to safety. It was a bitter draught to drink, but Bilbo knew he owed Lotho a measure of gratitude for his role in the rescue. "Yes, it was quite frightening for those of us who care for Frodo." He eyed Lotho sharply. "I owe you my thanks for assisting."
Trust Bilbo to find a way around showing genuine gratitude, Lotho thought smugly. It was one thing to admit to owing someone one's thanks, and another to actually thank them. Still, what had he expected? "I couldn't very well stand by while my cousin was in peril, now could I?" Lotho raised an eyebrow as he watched Bilbo's expression.
"Hmph," Bilbo grunted. "One would certainly hope not," he stated flatly.
"Sad thing, such a terrible accident," Lotho commented as if discussing the weather. "Surely Frodo's family in Buckland are worried about him," he suggested, fishing for information. Had Frodo's Buckland relatives begun to feel that Bilbo was not a fit guardian, perhaps? Would they appear and whisk Frodo back to Brandy Hall, thereby solving Lotho's problem for him?
The front door opened again as Merry and Saradoc returned from their walk. Bilbo gestured toward them and told Lotho, "Here they are, if you'd like to inquire of them."
Saradoc looked quizzically at Bilbo for a moment, wondering what in the Shire Lotho Sackville - Baggins was doing in Bag End's parlor.
"Lotho has come by to inquire as to Frodo's condition," Bilbo informed the Brandybucks. Merry crossed his arms over his chest and adopted a stern expression. Mistrust was written all over his face as he regarded the tween.
"Frodo is doing much better," Saradoc said, throwing Merry a warning glance. There was no sense in causing a stir, especially when they hadn't been present at the start of the conversation. "He will recover fully, I believe."
"I'm glad to hear it," Lotho said, still smiling. "You must miss him terribly at Brandy Hall."
"His absence is truly our loss," Saradoc said sensing the probing nature of the question. "However, I believe he will thrive here in Hobbiton."
"You don't worry, after accidents such as his fall through the ice?" If mild probing didn't bring forth a good answer, there was no reason not to be more direct, Lotho decided.
"There is ice in Buckland as well, lad," Saradoc responded. "The only way Frodo could be completely safe from all harm would be to shut himself in his room and never emerge. Whether here or in Buckland, he would be unlikely to do so."
So they weren't getting the impression that Bilbo couldn't keep Frodo safe. Blast! Lotho felt his frustration surge within him. It looked rather unlikely that Frodo would be hauled back to Buckland on the premise that his care and supervision in Hobbiton were inadequate. Lotho had the sensation of being right back where he started. If all other efforts failed, there would be nothing to do now but try to persuade his cousin to voluntarily return to Brandy Hall.
"I regret that I must be going so soon, but I am expected at home," Lotho said, his voice as calm as his thoughts were chaotic. "Please tell Frodo I stopped by, won't you?"
"I shall indeed," Bilbo promised, nodding curtly as he escorted Lotho to the door. "Please give our regards to your mother and father."
Another veiled barb, as Lotho knew precisely in what regard Bilbo held his parents. "I'll be sure to do that," he remarked as he bade everyone farewell and disappeared down the path.
Bilbo closed the door, allowing his expression to reveal his true feelings of the moment. "That was a lovely little exchange, was it not?" he growled as Merry plopped down into a chair.
"Why was he asking all those questions about Frodo?" Merry looked at Bilbo quizzically.
"I don't know, lad, but I tend to doubt it was out of a genuine concern for his well - being. The Sackville - Bagginses are typically only concerned with themselves." Bilbo looked down the hall when he heard the sound of soft footfalls.
"Who was that, Uncle?" Frodo asked as he stood in the hallway, dressed in clean breeches and shirt, his hair still damp from the bath.
"Frodo, lad, why didn't you ring for one of us?" Bilbo berated kindly as he made his way down the hall to lend support to the still shaky youth. "You're just beginning to recover and you mustn't overdo it."
Frodo leaned on Bilbo slightly as he made his way to the parlor. He felt a little stronger than he had earlier, and he suspected the irritating weakness would pass quickly. "I heard you talking to someone," Frodo prodded again, not willing to be put off easily.
"Lotho was here, of all people," Bilbo admitted. "He was asking how you were faring."
"Lotho?" Frodo was rather surprised by the news. "I'd not thought he would concern himself further," he admitted.
"Well he certainly has, it would seem." Bilbo was quite annoyed with all the questions Lotho had asked and the things he had implied.
"Put him out of your mind, Bilbo," Saradoc said, trying to brighten the mood. "There are far more important things for all of us to consider, such as getting a proper meal into a certain tween." He looked pointedly at Frodo, who did indeed look a little thinner than usual.
Frodo grinned and Merry laughed outright. "You are starting to look rather like one of Farmer Maggot's scarecrows, Frodo." Frodo faked a hurt look at Merry while Bilbo settled him in a comfy armchair.
"A good hot meal would do us all a bit of good," Bilbo admitted as he made his way to the kitchen. "As long as we've no more unpleasant distractions, it should be easily accomplished as well."
The bell rang again, almost in answer to Bilbo's words and he groaned audibly. "Would someone please get the door?"
Merry leapt up instantly, afraid that Frodo would get up instead. He wanted his cousin to conserve his strength until it had returned in full. "I've got it, Uncle Bilbo," Merry called, and opened the door.
This time the visitor was a welcome sight, in the form of Samwise Gamgee. He carried a basket in his hands, and small wisps of steam rose from it through the chilly morning air. "Hullo, Mr. Merry. Mum sent me over with some fresh baked muffins, and she said she wants news of Mr. Frodo in return."
Merry grinned as Sam stepped through the door into the parlor. "Frodo is doing well. See for yourself." He pointed across the room, where Frodo sat in the armchair, looking pale and tired, but much better than he had in days.
"Good morning, Sam," Frodo said, and Sam almost dropped the basket as he hurried across the room to his friend.
"Mr. Frodo! You're all right!" Sam remembered the muffins suddenly and held the basket out to Frodo. "You can have the first one, Mr. Frodo."
Frodo smiled as he chose a muffin from the basket. It smelled wonderful and it tasted even better. "Thank you, Sam. They're delicious."
"What's all the ruckus out there?" Bilbo called. As he emerged from the kitchen, a smile lit up his features. "Not a ruckus, but a young Gamgee, I see," he said, walking over to give Sam a friendly pat on the back. "Are those some of your mother's famous muffins?"
"Yes sir," Sam said and handed the basket to Bilbo. "She said to make sure you got them and to bring back news about Mr. Frodo." Sam glanced across the room again. "And it's good news too!"
"It surely is, Samwise." Bilbo took Sam's coat and hung it up. "You're just in time for breakfast, lad. We've a crowd already, so one more is no trouble."
"Thank you, sir," Sam said politely as he joined the hobbits in the parlor. Within a few minutes, a lively conversation was in progress, with Merry telling Frodo the latest gossip and events at Brandy Hall, and Sam listening in amusement.
Saradoc left the young hobbits to themselves and joined Bilbo in the kitchen. "Nothing like the laughter of the young to warm and brighten a place," he said as he poured himself a cup of tea.
"I don't know how I managed to get on without it, Sara," Bilbo said, thinking of Bag End before Frodo's arrival. "The peace and quiet I so treasured once I don't miss as I thought I might," he elaborated. "The quiet moments are still there, of course, but Frodo has brought a spark of something new to Bag End. I can no longer imagine not hearing his laughter from the next room."
"I know what you mean," Saradoc said fondly, thinking of Merry. "The young ones will tax your patience and pull at your heart, and you'll do just about anything to make sure you don't miss a moment of it. You and Frodo will do fine together, Bilbo. I've no doubts anymore." He looked at Bilbo thoughtfully. "However, if you need any advice regarding the care and keeping of a tweenage lad, Esmie and I are at your service of course."
"I'll remember that," Bilbo said as he raised his teacup in acknowledgement.
~*~ To be continued~*~