ANOTHER BIG HUGE THANKS TO ERISINIA GAZELLE AND TALENTED-AND-GIFTED GIRL! YEY FOR BETA-ERS EVERYWHERE!!!
Mysterious Jedi: It's because I started posting the story at Stories of Arda long after I started posting on ff.net.
Hai: Hmm, I actually didn't think about him putting the Ring on. That would have been a good twist, though. I may add in a mention of it yet, though. Pippin-Frodo chapter in the works, possibly.
Lovethosehobbits: Oh thank you, darling! And, if I may ask, what is "tree"?
Arwen Baggins: Thanks! Oh, you're smart, love! Good premonition you've got.
Erisinia Gazelle: Yey! I'm so glad you liked it. Great job with this chappie, love. (poor pippin...)
Shirebound: Oh thanks! *yey* I'm so glad you like how I portrayed Merry. *grins bashfully*
Talon: Yey! *munches on muffins* And now *I* am the one who is waiting for the next chapter of Anduial. *phft*
BloodRoses9: Oh, I will eventually. Bozzie and Pip! Heh. And actually, the city is Caras Galadhon. Lorien is a general term for the wood. And where do you see the incorrect form of dunedain?
Chapter 6
~Warm Soup and Honest Words~
Frodo hid an irritated grimace as Sam, once again, tried to coerce him into eating. It was very simple: he didn't want to eat. But somehow, that fact was soaring over Sam's head by a league and a half. "Sam, really, I'm fine." He said. Sam wasn't buying it and raised his eyebrows skeptically. "It's just that I've gotten used to not eating much since we've been traveling... and that's all." Frodo emphasized, some anger slipping through. Sam, undaunted, persisted.
"Mister Frodo, I've seen you eat and hobbits who can eat like you don't just 'get used to not eatin' much.' Now have some of this soup." Sam threatened Frodo with his most frightening and authoritative glower-- and Frodo, though not affected at all by the glare but simply to appease his gardener and self-appointed care-taker-- took a few sips of the warm soup. He didn't taste it, but he tried to smile gratefully at Sam anyway.
"This is good, Sam. I'm sorry I made such a fuss." Frodo took some more sips of the soup and, satisfied, Sam went his way. When he was a sufficient distance away, Frodo ate a last spoonful and discreetly poured the soup out in an already damp spot. Sam would notice if a new one was created. It wasn't that the soup was bad, he just was not hungry! He did not want to eat, no matter how appetizing the food Sam enticed him with. Frodo sighed. If only everyone would just let him be! There was nothing they could do to help, and Frodo did not want to burden them with problems they could not solve. He sighed inwardly as he saw Legolas approaching. Yet another attempt to pry.
"Hello, Frodo." Legolas said cheerfully. "Aragorn asked me to have a last look at your wound." Frodo nodded.
"Of course." He said. Legolas lifted Frodo's shirt gently. The empty bowl and the now extra-damp spot on the ground did not pass Legolas' notice. He made a wry face.
"Your wound is healing nicely. We should not have to worry about it anymore, I should think." He paused. "I see you made good use of the soup Samwise worked so hard to cook for you." He scolded with concern.
"I wasn't hungry." Frodo said shortly. Legolas lowered his shirt.
"Frodo, you sound like a child." He chided. "As I understand, you are the eldest of the hobbits in the Fellowship. Do you not think that they see you as a leader, turpherian? An example? You are the center of their world, Frodo. Do you not know how much sorrow you are causing with your stubbornness?"
Frodo gaped silently. He had not even... "They love you, Frodo. We all do. You are the most important member of the Fellowship, and besides that, you have become dear to all of us. We are all incredibly worried about you. Merry is loosing sleep. Have you looked at him, Frodo? Have you seen the pain in his eyes? And Pippin, he cries at night when he thinks no one can hear. He is frightened for you. We do not want to pry," He said pointedly. "We only want to try to understand what is wrong so we can help you... so we can help you." Legolas finished pleadingly.
Frodo had not once stopped staring at the elf: at the deep hurt in his eyes. He had not... had not even considered that he might be causing his companions pain. By trying to keep them from sharing in his problem he had created one. By trying to protect them he had hurt them. He was a fool. Could he never make the right decision? He felt tears well up in his eyes and he collapsed into silent tears, flinging himself into the elf's waiting arms.
Legolas was surprised but relieved at the effect his words had had on Frodo. Perhaps he had finally reached him. Perhaps Merry could get a good night's sleep and Pippin would not whimper in his dreams. Maybe Sam would finally loose his agitated, worried stance and relax, knowing his master would be all right after all. And Aragorn... Aragorn could relax as well. He had enough things to be stressed about without worrying over Frodo, which he did constantly.
Legolas became aware that the area had suddenly become quiet and, looking around, he realized the other members of the Fellowship had picked up on the situation and given them space. Legolas decided to take a chance.
"Frodo... what is wrong? Are you ready to speak of it?" Legolas asked softly. Frodo snuffled and nodded, his face still hidden in Legolas' chest.
"It's... it's all my fault." He said pitifully, raising a tear-stained face to the sympathetic elf.
"What is? The Ring?" Legolas asked, confused.
"Yes, well, no. In a way, but that's not it." Frodo said, apparently confused himself. Legolas waited. "Gandalf... it's my fault he fell. If it wasn't for me we would have still been together... The Nine Walkers would have been complete." Legolas felt numb. How could this little one have taken on such a guilt? How could he think it was his fault? Legolas pulled himself back.
"Frodo, you cannot take on such a responsibility. Why do you think it is your fault?" He asked carefully.
"Because," Frodo said softly... reluctantly. "I made the decision. Gandalf gave me a choice on Caradhras. He said 'Let the Ringbearer decide.' And I did. I made the wrong decision and Gandalf's life was the penalty." He finished. Again, Legolas was shocked into silence. He shook it off.
"Frodo, had you not decided to go into Moria, many others may have died. Pippin, for example. Merry. Sam. Even you, pherianion. Had there been any more avalanches, Boromir, Gimli, even Aragorn and I could have died. Even Gandalf. So you see, Frodo, you very well could have saved us all from dying. Instead of one death amongst us we could have had nine. As the Lady said, nothing the Grey Wanderer did in life was in vain, and neither was his last act in death. There is a purpose for everything, Frodo. You will see that there is one for death as well."
Frodo said nothing. His crying had slowly waned, and now only deep shuddering breaths shook his body. Legolas stroked his curls comfortingly and hummed an Elvish lullaby. A few moments later he looked down and was not surprised to see the dignified Ringbearer peacefully asleep.
~TBC~
Oh goodness! I was shocked when I saw the response to the last chapter; there were quite a few reviews. Well, for the humble Cantora, anyway. Keep 'em comin', loves!
"I am deviously insane." -Me
