Frodo only heard the giant's angrily surprised roar before he was dropped, and he hit the ground so hard that he was utterly dazed for a moment. The hobbit could not think clearly, but he perceived some muffled voices from a distance, and he thought he recognized one of them. Legolas? Before he could find out for sure, he was brutally pulled up by his hair, which made him shriek with pain: "Shagrat! No!" The answer was such a threatening growl that Frodo's blood froze in his veins. "Filthy rat of a halfling! I always knew that you would betray me at the first opportunity." Frodo's heart missed a beat. "That's not true, and you know it!" he screamed in utmost panic. However, the Uruk pulled at him even stronger. "Shut up, whimpering maggot, or I shall tear off your head!" Frodo did not know what was worse at this moment: his fear of death or the shattering realization that everything had been in vain. Shagrat bent down to him, taking Frodo's head into one of his huge paws. He slowly bent it backwards to stare into the hobbit's fearfully widened eyes. This is what I like best, he thought with satisfaction. He wanted to feast on this fear…
At the same moment - on the other edge of the clearing - Aragorn gave the pressing order that no one would be allowed to shoot or even move. Only Legolas still had his bow readied. "I could hit his heart from here. Trust me!" Aragorn quickly put his hand on the Elf's arm. "No, Legolas. You can not kill an Uruk-hai that easily. It would take him only a split second to break Frodo's neck. We must not take the risk in any case." Reluctantly, the fair-haired Elf lowered his bow. His hatred for the Uruk was intense. If he dared to harm his friend, he would hunt this creature until the end of the world.
Aragorn desperately closed his eyes for a moment. He would never forgive himself if Frodo was killed now. Again he gazed hard across the clearing. Frodo seemed to be talking insistently to the Uruk. Nevertheless, Aragorn was not sure about it, for the distance was too great to see anything clearly. Legolas, whose Elvish eyes and ears were much better than his own, reported what he was able to pick up. Though even the Elf barely understood anything, since the hobbit was speaking in a very low and urgent voice. To the men it seemed as if the terrible monster had taken Frodo hostage, that being a rather unusual behaviour for an Uruk. The small group of Men and Elves had definitely expected him to attack them immediately. Now, however, they could only wait and see what would happen next. This helplessness meant enormous torment to Aragorn. He had never even dreamed of meeting Frodo and his abductor right here of all places. Actually he had been travelling on a quite different errand...
Shagrat still stared at the hobbit, growling dangerously. To his dismay Frodo realized that any wrong gesture would cost him his life now. Again he had to deal with a perilous beast, which would only begin to fight at the mere sight of the watchful warriors. The dark power had displaced every other feeling inside. Nevertheless, the hobbit desperately tried to convince the Uruk: "You must run away, Shagrat! Please, you must not fight!" he pleaded. The giant gave a horrible and gloomy laugh. "An Uruk-hai never runs away from a foe, stupid tiny thing." "But they will kill you, Shagrat." "I don't care, and you should care even less." Frodo was absolutely shattered. Had everything been just in vain? However, at least the Uruk was talking to him, therefore something made him hesitate. Frodo had only this one chance. His words had to get through to Shagrat now, or they would both die.
He played his last trump, and his low voice was quavering: "Don't you understand? I don't want you to die. Remember, I'm your friend... you would make me very sad. Shagrat, I want you to live. Please, do it for me... you know I would never betray you. Look at me and listen to your heart..." Frodo fell silent, for every further word would be useless anyway. The Uruk bared his teeth, but still did not move. Obviously the hobbit had stirred up some doubt in him. Shagrat's glowing stare met Frodo's begging eyes, and time seemed to stretch endlessly.
Suddenly Shagrat roared deafeningly, rudely pushing the hobbit away. The next moment he had disappeared into the dense forest. At the same time loud voices were rising on the other end of the clearing. Frodo hectically struggled to sit up, trying to figure out where the Uruk had gone, but Shagrat had completely vanished. A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder, and he looked up in confusion. "Aragorn?" The king was kneeling before him, and his voice sounded concerned: "Are you wounded, Frodo?" "No, I am alright." Only then Aragorn dared to embrace his friend, full of relief, and Frodo clung to him with a sigh.
Aragorn's voice was slightly quavering: "I had already given up any hope of finding you alive..." Frodo nodded understandingly. Then he fearfully looked into the king's eyes. "Do you know anything about Sam?" Aragorn smiled, taking the hobbit's face in his hands. "Don't worry, he is well. He is at Rivendell, and Arwen has come to look after him. Merry and Pippin are also there, since he urgently needed some support from home. A hobbit should never be without another, this I have learned in the meantime." Frodo was fighting tears of relief.
At the same moment, Legolas joined up with them. The Elf embraced Frodo warmly, smilingly kissing his forehead, but right away his gaze turned grave again. "I'm going to gather some men to follow the Uruk's traces." "No!" Frodo screamed, "you must not do that. It's not as you think. Shagrat saved me from Shelob and brought me here." Legolas blinked in confusion, and Aragorn's voice sounded astonished: "Frodo, you just escaped getting killed by this Uruk! I know what I have seen." The hobbit hectically shook his head. "He was just upset because he got wounded. Please, leave him alone! You must not do him harm." But the king went on emphatically: "Frodo, we just cannot allow an Uruk-hai to be haunting these woods. He is a dangerous and brutal beast, a servant of the Black Power. We must urgently make sure that he is incapacitated."
Irritated, the hobbit tore off a tuft of grass, vigorously jumping to his feet. "Damn, don't you listen to me at all?" His voice had become demanding, making Aragorn and Legolas exchange worried glances. "He is no ordinary Uruk-hai anymore, for he has changed. I know what I am talking about. If you set out to hunt him now, then everything has been in vain!" The king got a little stricter: "Just calm down, Frodo, for then you will see that I can make no other decision. As you have already remarked: The Uruk is wounded, and therefore he is even more unpredictable. He is a danger for everyone crossing his path. I am sorry if you don't understand it, but this is not your decision to make." Frodo's voice almost cracked: "I will not allow this! It means betrayal to me, for he does trust me. If you should kill him, I will never forgive you!" Wrath was in his eyes when he picked up a stone to hurl it against a nearby tree in fury.
"That will do, Frodo Baggins!" Aragorn had risen, and his strict voice had become so loud that Frodo could only stare at him in disbelief. "We have feared for your life for weeks, searching for you desperately. We were just on our way back to Rivendell to deliver the sad message of you probably not being alive anymore. There was every indication that we had lost you. Can you imagine how we felt? And then we find you right in the claws of an Uruk-hai. However, after having a narrow escape, you cannot think of anything else than this hideous beast. Oh, I'm sorry, Master Baggins, for I forgot that you have very briefly inquired for Sam at least. Nevertheless, you seem not to care at all how the others have fared in the meantime. Instead you're wasting your thoughts entirely on this Uruk, and by the way, you're acting like one yourself right now!"
The hobbit started at this words. Did he really behave like that? Frodo blushed in embarrassment, being only able to stammer: "I have... I just wanted to..." He burst into tears of dismay, making Aragorn kneel down before him to gently hold him at his shoulders. "I am sorry, Frodo, for I did not want to shout at you. You have just been through so much. Please, don't be angry with me." "No, Aragorn," Frodo sobbed, "you're right. Indeed I am behaving badly... it's just - I have fought for this Uruk so hard… it just cannot have been all in vain..." His voice sounded so shattered that Aragorn turned about to Legolas to seek help.
The Elf approached to stroke Frodo's head comfortingly. "What do you think we should do instead?" Frodo desperately shrugged, whispering in a begging tone: "I really don't know that myself, but please, do not kill him!" Aragorn sighed. "You know we cannot promise this..." The hobbit clasped the Elf's hand in an imploring gesture. "Legolas, do you believe there's a chance of an Elvish spark being left in an Uruk-hai?" Legolas silently looked at the hobbit for a while and then sadly shook his head. "No, Frodo. The fate of the orcs has been sealed many thousand years ago. There is nothing Elvish left in them, for it has been destroyed for a long time." Nevertheless, Frodo remained persistent: "What if you could regain this spark - even if it would take another thousand years - there must be a way, and this just could be a beginning..."
Aragorn placed his hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "Frodo, you're getting stuck on something. You might have been able to keep this Uruk busy for a while. Who else could have managed, for you own this gift. Nevertheless, you cannot tame him. He will always remain an Uruk - no matter how sad this might sound to you. You have just seen it yourself." Frodo defiantly pushed the king's hand off his shoulder. "You don't understand anything!" Aragorn frowned at the hobbit's behaviour, but kept calm. "Well then, Frodo, I don't have any time to discuss this matter any longer, for I have to make a decision that cannot wait. I'm responsible for the welfare of many. However, I suggest a compromise." The hobbit gave him a questioning gaze. Aragorn continued gravely: "In case you vouch for this Uruk-hai, I will not let him be chased. I will take your word then. So I ask you now, Frodo: Can you vouch for this Uruk not to attack anyone and that he also poses no danger at all?"
Frodo's lips twitched, and his eyes filled with tears again. He said nothing. Being no longer able to bear Aragorn's gaze, he downheartedly lowered his head. The king felt like being stabbed in his heart, but he couldn't spare Frodo this agony now. He wordlessly nodded to Legolas who - after a pitiful glance at Frodo - left to gather some Men and Elves, following him to take up the chase.
Aragorn faced the hobbit again. Frodo still held his head low, keeping silent. The king saw tears streaming down his cheeks. He was painfully touched by this sight, and most of all he wished to embrace the hobbit comfortingly. Instead of this he only said: "The remaining men will pitch a camp over there for tonight. Early in the morning we will set out to reach Rivendell tomorrow. If you get hungry or want to know what your friends have gone through in the meantime, just come to the fire later on. I will be there." With that he turned away to leave, not without biting his lip in despair.
***********
Darkness had already fallen when Frodo quietly sat down by the fire beside Aragorn who had chosen a place at a distance from his men to wait for the hobbit. "Are you hungry, Frodo?" The hobbit silently nodded, avoiding Aragorn's eyes in embarrassment. Nevertheless, the king politely rose to serve his guest, patiently waiting for Frodo to satisfy his hunger. He would give him all time he needed. Finally Frodo dared to speak, his voice insecure and hoarse: "Now I would like to hear how you all have fared in the meantime."
Lighting his pipe, Aragorn nodded and began to speak: "We must have found Sam only a short time after he had been left behind by the orcs. He could not exactly remember when this had happened, since he was very feverish and in an overall alarming state. I quickly sent some men to bring him to Rivendell. Besides I thought it best to send also Merry and Pippin with them, although they would have preferred trying to trace you, for they were suffering from fear and concern. I have already told you that Sam is well now. Now, this certainly wasn't a lie, but I still suspected that the fact of him believing you to be in Shelob's cave would considerably slow down his recovery. Therefore I sent a messenger to Arwen, and she hurried to Rivendell at once to look after your dear friend with her Elvish skill. Thanks to the Valar, Asfaloth truly is an almost flying horse, as you just know yourself. However, two days ago I got a message from Arwen that Sam is as well as can be expected under the circumstances."
Aragorn took a puff of his pipe, and Frodo listened to him attentively. "While I was looking after Sam to get him stabilized at least for the journey, Legolas and Gandalf gathered some more Elves to support us in search of you. We followed the abductors' traces up to Mirkwood, but there we had bad luck: we were attacked by a horde of orcs. We killed some and put the rest to flight, but unfortunately two Elves lost their lives in this fight." Frodo swallowed in distress. "Nevertheless, we were able to capture one of the orcs. When we questioned him, it turned out to be the horde which had carried you off.
The captured orc laughed maliciously when he heard of our search for you. Then he told us we would be too late, for his own leader - this traitor of an Uruk - had taken you from right under Shelob's sting in his greed. Actually he had just wanted you for himself all the time. Just this orc had clearly heard Shagrat telling you he would prefer to devour you himself." Frodo breathlessly nodded: "I see: You must have thought me dead then." Aragorn sighed: "Indeed, we were absolutely shattered, but still we managed to make our way to Shelob's cave. Gandalf used all his magic to find out something from Shelob. It was just eerie. He insisted on going into this cave all alone and didn't let us talk him out of it. Don't ask me how he did it, but the monster confirmed him this incident in the end.
Aragorn shook his head. "It was horrible for us, Frodo. Of course we tried to find Shagrat, but we were also aware that he would have cleared off quickly before being thrown into Shelob's web as a traitor by his own people. Besides he seems to have a talent for keeping vanished, for we could not find the slightest trace of him. Maybe he will succeed this time as well..."
The hobbit gave Aragorn a searching gaze, but the king went on at once: "After several days of fruitless searching we had no choice but turn back without hope. Only Gandalf wanted to return to Shelob's cave alone once more to - so he called it - try another dance with her, whatever he meant with that. You just know yourself how he always comes across as being so mysterious. The rest of us were on the way to Rivendell to deliver the terrible message of you probably..." He sighed again. "We would never have dreamed of this Uruk not eating you, but carrying you halfway home instead. Indeed, he must have carried you a long distance, hasn't he? A hobbit would hardly have made progress this quickly." Frodo sadly nodded, remembering Shagrat.
The king went on: "Gandalf will also join up with us at Rivendell soon. He said he wouldn't stay longer at Mirkwood than five days and then follow us. Anyway, today in the afternoon we reached this clearing, perceiving the Uruk shaking you powerfully - a very alarming sight - and we urgently wanted to divert him before he could do something worse to you... well, you know the rest. As far as I'm concerned, I 've already sent a messenger to Rivendell to announce our arrival tomorrow, and - above all - to report that you are safe now, being with us." Aragorn finished his report with a nod.
Frodo looked at the king as if to apologize, quietly saying: "I am sorry that you have been through so much on my account. Indeed, during the first days didn't expect to survive all this... it was very hard, very difficult for me, especially when we reached Shelob... but then everything changed..." His voice trailed off, and he seemed to struggle with his memories. Aragorn gently placed a hand on his arm. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Frodo." The hobbit gave him a melancholic gaze. "I know, Aragorn. You have only done what you had to do, and unfortunately you're right. Indeed, Shagrat is unpredictable. Though he often is quite different..." He let his head sink, obviously trying not to lose his composure. There he perceived Aragorn's gentle voice: "Would you like to talk about it?" Frodo looked up, nodding slowly. "I'd love to."
At this moment they were interrupted, as Legolas and the search party returned to the camp. Aragorn noticed the hobbit slightly trembling when he saw the Elf, who had separated from the group, approaching without hesitation now. "We didn't find a single trace. This Uruk seems to have disappeared completely. Now we've called off the search until tomorrow, since it would be too dangerous for the Men who cannot perceive things in the dark as good as Elves can. At daybreak we will set out anew and probably be away for some days then." The king nodded his agreement and quickly glanced at Frodo, who seemed to be surprisingly composed again.
Legolas addressed the hobbit now. "I understand your concern, Frodo, and I wish I would have to obey another order - one that does not torment one of my friends." He sadly shook his head. Frodo sympathetically nodded, saying: "I appreciate this, Legolas, but it simply cannot be helped for the time being. Besides I was just telling Aragorn about my experiences. Please, sit down and join us if you like. Perhaps this way you're going to understand a little better why I was so upset a while ago..." The Elf smilingly nodded, sitting down beside Aragorn to listen to the hobbit's report.
Indeed, Frodo urgently wished to share the multitude of his good and bad experiences with both his friends, since their joint hard struggle against an overpowering darkness had inseparably united them a long time ago. So he told them everything he could remember, maybe also for him to rethink it as well. However, with a sidelong glance at Legolas, he decided rather to skip the matter concerning the dwarf.
***********
When he had finished his story, Legolas gave him a sympathetic gaze. "This is an incredible story, Frodo, and it fills my heart with much joy and relief to see you in good health again, after we had already given up hope." The hobbit nodded seriously. "Do you understand now why I reacted so impulsively?" The Elf smiled compassionately. "I have always understood you, Frodo. I have seen the fear and concern in your eyes, and I have known your pitiful heart for a long time." Frodo gazed at him gratefully. He suddenly had the unerring feeling that Legolas would do everything to avoid wounding Shagrat or even worse, although he understood that the Elf could not guarantee that. They all knew exactly how an Uruk-hai would inexorably fight when surrounded by foes...
A little bit later Legolas rose and excused himself to join up with the other Elves, for he had read in Aragorn's eyes that the king wished to talk to Frodo alone once more. For a while silence reigned by the fire before the king quietly asked: "Do you think this occurrence will put our friendship to the test?" The hobbit reflected on the question for a moment and then slowly shook his head. "No, Aragorn, and I am sorry for what I've said a while ago. I hadn't considered how difficult the situation really is." Aragorn nodded und said: "I hope you understand my concern, but I only fear for your heart to get hurt once more, and this would mean pain also to me, for I believe that you are taking on more than you can handle with your sincere wish to help this Uruk. However, you cannot do more than you have already done, and I think you know that yourself." He fell silent for a moment, gazing at the hobbit who had bowed his head again.
"Frodo, you finally must come to rest after all what destiny has demanded of you. You have experienced harder privations than any other of us. You have accomplished the unimaginable against all hopelessness and despair. Time may pass quickly, yet it was not long ago that you have fulfilled a nearly unrealizable task which nobody but you could have mastered. Who could ask for more of you?" Frodo's shoulders cramped. Barely audible, he whispered: "I have not fulfilled it, and you know it." Aragorn took a deep breath. "I understand," he seriously said, "you think you have failed at Mount Doom. Probably you also think you have failed concerning Gollum. And now you desperately try to compensate for your supposed failure by looking after Shagrat. Am I right with that?"
Frodo was trembling again, and his shoulders were shaking. Aragorn had risen to sit down closer to the hobbit. He gently took him in his arms, and Frodo hid his face on the king's shoulder, weeping. "I should have followed Gandalf's advice", he whispered in tears. "He had urgently warned me against ever using the ring. He was right, and if I had listened to him, Gollum would still be alive maybe and..." He sobbed, and Aragorn replied softly, but strongly: "What are you trying to justify, Frodo Baggins? That you are not perfect? That you have yielded to weakness in the face of an overpowering threat? What do you demand of yourself? How can you ever be so mercilessly harsh with yourself?"
He sighed, and the hobbit looked at him, seeking advice. "Frodo, you must not be so unjust towards yourself, for it would ruin you in the end. It is time to get rid of the burden. You cannot take responsibility for everything, for destiny follows its own way, and we cannot force our will upon it." Frodo sadly looked at the ground, and the king continued: "You have done everything you could for Shagrat, and this is truly wonderful. Nevertheless, you must let go of this Uruk to let him find his own way, even if he is homeless now. You must look at what lies ahead of you. Sam needs you, Frodo. He had to endure terrible pain and fear. The long uncertainty of your fate nearly broke him. You have to decide now where you really belong and where your home is."
Frodo looked thoughtfully at the king for a long time, but then slowly nodded. "I'm sure you're right, Aragorn. However, it's not easy for me, and I will have to reflect on many things you have told me. For now just know this: Never before I have felt more clearly how infinitely precious your friendship is to me." Aragorn mildly smiled, stroking the hobbit's cheek gently. "Try to catch some sleep now, Frodo, for we will set out early in the morning." With this he rose to leave Frodo to his own thoughts and to hopefully relieving sleep. Indeed, the hobbit soon let himself be wrapped up by a warm emotion. It felt like security, for he was aware that he was surrounded by friends which would always protect and understand him. Slowly he slipped into a gentle dream, seeing Sam in the garden of Bag End...
***********
At dawn the king approached to Legolas who just wanted to set out to a new search for the Uruk with the other Elves. They had decided that now only the Elves would carry on. Aragorn's men would accompany him to Rivendell and return to Gondor later on, since the king did not intend to stay much longer in these lands. Duty would soon claim him. "If you ask me, Legolas, I would prefer never to see or hear anything of Shagrat again. I believe this would be the best for all, in any case better than maybe having to bring Frodo bad news." The Elf nodded his agreement. "You're right, Aragorn, for I don't want Frodo to suffer either, and I will do everything I can not to let it come to this. Nevertheless, we all have our own experiences in fighting this race. Uncertainty can be even more torturing when somebody takes great interest in the fate of another person." He shrugged with a sigh. Aragorn nodded at him once more. "We will meet again at Rivendell some days from now. Good luck, my friend!"
When the Elves had dissappeared into the forest, Aragorn returned to the camp to wake Frodo, and after a short breakfast they set out. The men had horses, and therefore they would reach Rivendell within a few hours. Aragorn took Frodo before him on his horse Hasufel. They rode at a fast pace, taking into account that the Uruk might lie in wait somewhere beside the path.
The sun already tilted into the afternoon when they reached the last part of the path, leading them straight down into the picturesque vale. Suddenly the men caught sight of two small figures coming round the next bend in the distance. They seemed to run after they had discerned the group, since they were approaching quickly now. "Aragorn, there are Merry and Pippin! Please, put me down quickly!" Frodo excitedly exclaimed. With a smile the king did him the favour. Unstoppable now, Frodo ran towards the two hobbits. Aragorn thoughtfully smiled by hearing his little friends yell in happiness and watching Pippin lift Frodo to wildly whirl him around. Merry and Pippin could not stop hugging their cousin and happily tousling his hair. Frodo laughingly endured it. At this moment of pure happiness he had forgotten anything else.
Merry blurted out: "This is a complete disaster, for Sam really wanted to come with us, heading for you. However, he hadn't reckoned with beautiful Arwen's strictness. She simply didn't give in to him, for in her opinion he has to save his strength for some more days. Indeed, he has been rather sick, but now he's better again, you'll see..." Frodo beamed all over his face at the sound of his dearest friends' voices which he had been missing for so long. Pippin also started to babble: "Still you're looking surprisingly good, considering you've almost been devoured...," which earned him a poke from Merry. "What have I been up to again?!" Merry rolled his eyes, but Frodo burst into laughter. How much he had missed that!
Merry and Pippin were pestering him with questions so eagerly, that he - with a smile - let them talk him into walking the rest of the way with them. In fact it suited him fine. Although he could hardly wait to take Sam in his arms again, he still wanted to prepare a little for this moment. Being convinced that the path was well watched by Elvish eyes and therefore not dangerous, Aragorn agreed on riding ahead with his men and leaving the hobbits to their vivid conversation.
The three of them were so absorbed in their talk that they barely became aware of their own arrival at Rivendell, almost not noticing some Elves on their way, who friendly nodded at them. Frodo was just laughing about a joke from the Shire told by Merry, when he beheld Sam and Arwen looking at the arrivals from a distance. Frodo needed a little moment to grasp this sight, but - becoming aware of Arwen's loving smile - he was released from his breathless paralysis and started to run. However, he stopped some steps short of Sam, noticing that his friend was standing on seemingly shaky legs. "Mr. Frodo," was all Sam could stammer at this moment, not even managing a smile. Big tears were rolling down his cheeks. Frodo was so touched by this sight that his eyes turned moist as well. He embraced his beloved friend so cautiously as if he was afraid of breaking him, and Sam clutched him as if he never wanted to let go of him again. Both were much too moved to speak, only Frodo whispered, barely audible: "Sam, my wonderful Sam..."
Arwen, Merry and Pippin silently retreated to give their friends some privacy at this special moment. Frodo silently wept, and Sam sobbed noisily at his shoulder. They were standing there for long, until Frodo carefully took his friend's hand to lead him to a bench under shady trees. They sat down, and Sam still could only stare at Frodo speechlessly, as if not believing that his master had truly returned from the bottomless depths of darkness. Frodo lovingly smiled at him, again and again gently stroking Sam's face to wipe away the tears. "It's alright, Sam, I'm back now..." he whispered in a calming tone.
Sam looked at him, finally regaining his speech. "Frodo... Mr. Frodo... I could hardly believe it when the messenger came to Rivendell this morning... and what he said... I am so happy, but you must never frighten me so terribly again." "I will try not to, Sam," Frodo replied softly, "but now tell me how you are doing. You had been so ill when we left you, and I was so terribly worried about you." Immediately Sam started to protest: "You have suffered much worse! They dragged you right to the jaws of this monster…," - another tear ran down his cheek - "and, Mr. Frodo, sometimes I dreamt of a messenger bringing terrible news… and then indeed one came this morning, and..." He sobbed, recalling the shock this sight had caused, and Frodo could not help being moved, for he knew how close Sam had come to the possible truth. A quite different message could have reached Rivendell. But this was not important at all anymore, he quickly decided.
Yet something seemed to be wrong with Sam. Frodo took Sam's hands into his own, giving him a searching gaze. He said encouragingly: "Come on now, Sam, at least give me a little smile to let me see that you're truly happy to have me with you again." But instead Sam only lowered his gaze in embarrassment. "What is it, Sam?" Frodo demanded with a touch of concern in his voice. Sam blushed and stammered: "It wasn't right... and so terrible... I mean, I couldn't protect you and simply left you alone… so utterly alone with all these horrible monsters..." "Sam, what are you talking about?" Frodo was stunned. "How can you say anything like that?" Sam did not let himself be put off. "But it's true - without me you wouldn't have gotten into all this trouble to begin with. It is my fault. I endangered you..." Dismay was reflected on Frodo's face. "Sam, I don't understand! Surely you don't think I would blame you!" "No, Mr. Frodo", Sam hastily said, "you would never do anything like that, but I blame myself for, because..."
"Sam!" Frodo had jumped up. "You must not say or even think anything like that! That's just crazy!" Sam looked at him uncertainly. Frodo sat down again, grabbing his friend's hands and looking at him with a fixed gaze. "Now listen to me, Sam! I don't want to hear anything like that ever again! How can you just think of being responsible for that?! That's simply not true, Sam!" He shook his head, still being stunned. "Must I remind you of what would have happened if you had not stopped Shelob back then? Have you forgotten about that? Therefore don't ever talk such nonsense again!" Sam stared at the ground, contritely muttering: "That was rather stupid, wasn't it? It's just - all the time not knowing if you were still alive... it was just so unbearable for me, and so I began to wonder… if you know what I mean..." Frodo sighed. "I know what you mean. This time of uncertainty was tormenting for me as well. Just that's why I would very much like to see you smile again. Come on, Sam!" Finally Sam did him the favour, and Frodo tousled his hair in a friendly manner. "There you are! I like this much more."
At this moment Aragorn approached, pretending to deliver a message of tremendous importance. "My lords, the Elves of Rivendell send me as a messenger to let you know they wish to give a feast in honour of the return of Master Baggins. One hour from now you will be awaited for an extremely opulent feast - even for hobbits." Frodo blushed a little, as always when he thought he was given too much attention. Still he answered politely: "Thank you, Aragorn, this is a great honour for me."
Later in the evening the Men, hobbits and Elves were listening to Frodo's narration in breathless anticipation. This time he kept his report somewhat brief. He was still exhausted due to the strain he had suffered during the last weeks. Most of all he longed for a soft and warm featherbed now, and no-one could hold his early departure against him. Besides Sam - still carefully nursed by Arwen - was not allowed to stay up that long yet. Frodo accompanied his friend to his chamber, for Sam had been put into another part of the house until he would be fully recovered. "Good night, Sam. I am looking forward to tomorrow. We will have much time to talk then." "Good night, Mr. Frodo, but first you must get a good night's sleep!" "Don't worry, Sam, I will..." Frodo waved him goodbye and strolled past fragrant bushes to his room. He already felt the salutary atmosphere of this Elvish home cover his soul, making him sigh in relief.
Frodo fell into deep and dreamless sleep at once, and so he did not notice that the door to his room quietly opened in the middle of the night. Sam cautiously tiptoed into the chamber. He insisted on sitting down on a comfortable chair by the window to watch over his master's sleep.
***********
The hobbits spent the following two days together in a brilliant mood, and far from home they had to tell each other so much that time went by very quickly. Aragorn and Arwen often joined them, and especially the king enjoyed being with his little friends from the Shire again, for since they had fulfilled their joint hard mission, everyone of them had followed his own way into a new life at last.
Sometimes Sam and Aragorn exchanged worried glances, noticing that Frodo seemed to be torn between brooding and restlessness from time to time. However, they thought it best not to address him about it. Often Frodo let his gaze wander into the distance as if waiting for something to appear on the horizon.
Sam had fully recovered within this short period. The fact that he was reunited with Frodo had put an end to his illness at lightning speed. Arwen was more than pleased with her little charge now, for it had not been long ago that the seriously ill hobbit had put all Rivendell into concern and excitement. Only sometimes a pained expression appeared on Sam's face when he heard Frodo talking about his experiences. Concerning Shagrat, he obviously had his own opinion, which no-one could just blame him for. However, Frodo did not seem to notice it at all.
Finally the king proclaimed that he would ride out to intercept Gandalf and personally deliver the glad tidings of Frodo's rescue. Aragorn had his own reasons for this decision, for he wanted to seize the opportunity to inform the wizard of his worries concerning Frodo's behaviour. The hobbit's restlessness would probably only ease off after he had been informed about Shagrat's lot.
Aragorn had been on his way not longer than half a day when he perceived the cheerful neigh of Shadowfax, for the wizard's horse had already scented him. Both men greeted each other warmly and dismounted to enjoy a good pipe first. Then the king reported what had happened since their separation, only very briefly mentioning Frodo's experiences. Of course he wanted to leave it to the hobbit to tell his dear friend all the details. Instead he talked of his own conversations with Frodo, not being able to avoid a tense expression.
Gandalf nodded understandingly, but finally smiled. "My dear Aragorn, from time to time you still seem to underrate the Hobbits. I understand your concern, but Frodo is strong, and he will cope with his worries, no matter how things will turn out. Concerning the wounds of his soul, I think it will take some time till they are cured. Some of them he will bear forever, that is true. Nevertheless, it was his own decision not to go to the West and rather to endure these injuries. So he will have to learn how to live with them, and I think he knows what he is doing. He is a very wise creature, Aragorn, and you should trust him a little more..."
Aragorn smiled. "Thanks for the lecture, my dear wizard, but it must have been my love for this unbelievable hobbit, that expresses itself in my deeply felt concern." "Oh no," Gandalf replied, "you don't have to justify it! Who could understand your feelings better than me? I have also worried about Frodo's welfare many times. Still we have to trust in destiny, yet never meddle too much with its ways." Aragorn nodded his agreement. Then he gave the wizard a questioning gaze. "Tell me, Gandalf, what has actually happened to Shelob?" Suddenly Gandalf smiled mischievously, taking another puff of his pipe. "Well, my dear Aragorn, let me express it as follows: I have sung her a sweet lullaby. She will not trouble us anymore, at least not for the next one hundred years." The king knew that Gandalf would not lose any further word about it, and so he left it at that. The wizard would always have his secrets, lying beyond the skills of his friends. The men mounted their fast horses again to finally hurry to Rivendell where they would already be eagerly awaited. Soon they had reached their destination.
Gandalf gave Frodo a long and warm embrace, yet he could not completely conceal that only a short time ago an immense despair had left him. "My dear Frodo, seldom before I felt a greater pleasure than on this day, seeing you safe and sound again." Frodo also was overjoyed. "It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf, for I have badly missed your wise advice for much too long." After that the wizard also greeted the other hobbits with a friendly embrace. Besides he lightly pinched Pippin's cheek, making the surprised hobbit ask in bewilderment if he had just done anything wrong again. "No, my dear Peregrin," Gandalf replied with mock strictness, "this was just meant as a precaution..." Pippin looked tormented, but the bystanders could not help but smile.
After the evening meal Gandalf and Frodo retreated to talk calmly about the latest events. Frodo trustingly told the wizard about everything that had happened to him in the meantime, and towards Gandalf he did not leave out the incident with the dwarf. The wizard silently listened to Frodo's report, only nodding thoughtfully from time to time. Finally the hobbit finished, expectantly gazing at the wizard. "Well, my dear Hobbit," Gandalf replied at last, "this is something only you could have done. Indeed I have never heard of such an occurrence before, Frodo. To talk to an Uruk as if he were a normal creature and even to elicit sense and sensibility from him - this just means a small miracle." He nodded respectfully and patted Frodo's shoulder in acknowledgment.
Then suddenly the hobbit gave him a pained look. "Gandalf, I'm worried about Shagrat, and it almost strikes me as betrayal that I can't do anything to help him. Instead I'm tremblingly waiting for Legolas to return with tidings of Shagrat's death." He downheartedly let his head sink. "I see, Frodo", the wizard replied sympathetically, "and of course you must reckon with this possibility. Still - if you ask me - maybe it's a good sign that he has not been found yet. And who knows which powers are pulling the strings to let him remain hidden until this very day. Life is full of mysteries and secrets, and no one can foresee what will come to pass. You find friends, and sometimes you lose them again, Frodo. Whatever is going to happen, you will have to face it and cope with it, and this is everything you can do, my dear boy."
Frodo sighed, since he knew that the wizard could not give him any other advice. Then suddenly another thought flashed through his mind: "Aragorn told me what you have said about Shelob. Does this mean she is still alive?" Gandalf nodded. "Yes, that's true, Frodo. She is in the best of health and has only become a little more peaceful, in which I had a little part." The hobbit gave him a questioning gaze. "Why have you not killed her? It surely was within your power, wasn't it?" The wizard searchingly looked at him. "It's not a question of it being or not being within my power. Why should I have done this, Frodo? Well, I know that Shelob will always be a terrible memory to you and Sam. Still I would be acting against the order of the Valar. Shelob is an ancient creature. It's true that she is malicious, but she has never threatened the fate of Middle-earth wilfully. Dwelling in this cave, she's only lying in wait for her prey, like every other predator would do - just apart from the fact that she has recently used very unique methods to get hold of her victims."
Frodo frowned and sceptically gazed at the wizard for a moment. Indeed, sometimes it was not easy for him to understand Gandalf. After a pause the wizard continued: "However, there is no reason to kill her apart from a personal desire for revenge. Would you like to take revenge on her, Frodo?" The hobbit gave a start. Never before he had pondered that possibility. Then he slowly shook his head. "No, Gandalf, I don't think so. However, it truly puts my mind at rest to know she won't mean a threat anymore for the moment or even for the next hundred years." Lost in thought, Gandalf smiled, obviously pleased with Frodo's reply. Suddenly the hobbit had the unerring feeling of having been put to the test once more. "Now off to bed with you, Frodo, before Sam starts worrying about you not getting enough sleep!" Gandalf left him with a smile.
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