The Lady of Mirkwood - Frodo will be at the meeting. You'll see whether Bramblethorn pulls something nasty in this chapter.
FrodoBaggins1982 - Frodo was resigned to his punishment. He knew he wouldn't get by unscathed if he dared to fight back. If I had done some Frodo POV, I think I would have chosen to do it as he looked out the window. I didn't want to give away what he was plotting by going into his thoughts in the cellar.
Elwen - Glad you're enjoying the story. The more opportunities I have to work with these characters, the more practice I get with my writing.
Anarie - I'm glad Frodo's 'choice' made you smile. I had fun writing that part! Frodo is definitely more than meets the eye. Bramblethorn's underestimation of him was a mistake.
Breon Briarwood - Your nail chewing is not without reason. Frodo is not out of this yet.
Hobbitfeet13 - Bramblethorn does indeed have more mischief in mind! Fortunately, he has been content to just leave Frodo to suffer alone in the cellar, but he's ready to take action now.
Endymion2 - The exchange will occur over two chapters. That way I get to leave an evil cliffhanger! Bramblethorn did not leave Anson to watch the inn because he needed him to get the grain ready. Of course, he should have helped with that himself. His unwillingness to get his hands dirty has caused him to make less than the best use of his help.
Stephanie - My goal in the last chapter was to make it look like Frodo was finally breaking down, only to turn the tables on his enemy. Bramblethorn is expecting some trickery from Merry and Sam, and he's got his own plans to counter it. The woods may conceal his enemies, but they can also conceal a quick, stealthy hobbit. If Bramblethorn flees, he will have some chance of eluding the pursuit in the dense woods.
Trust No One - Frodo's humbled and defeated act may have fooled Bramblethorn, but it didn't fool you, did it? Anyone around Bree who knows Bramblethorn isn't too likely to cross him, I suspect. If they want bread to eat and the security of not having unfortunate things happen to them, they'll keep their distance from the villain.
Girlofring1 - Frodo and Sam's relationship is implied in this story, but going back to previous stories like "Sound, Silence and Solace" I have to say they've acted on their feelings in the past. It will be hard for Frodo to accept any such attention, but harder still for Sam to even think of offering it.
Sam - Glad to know the last chapter had the desired effect. I seem to remember snickering evilly as I wrote it.
Spootasia Tomoe - I see Merimac as being a bit of a 'character'. After all, he has a totally different kind of life from the hobbits at the Hall. I see him as being a bit more of a free spirit. Your much desired meeting between the forces of good and evil begins in this chapter.
Camellia Gamgee - Took - So it begins, indeed! It's time to see if Bramblethorn will keep his word and release Frodo.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Chapter 24 - A Meeting in the Moonlight
The last rays of sunshine were slanting across the yard at the inn as Merry and Sam made their way to the stables to meet with Darien. Merimac, Ned and Saradoc followed a few minutes later. Merry scratched a pony behind one ear and sighed. It had been a long day of waiting and anticipation, nerves stretched taut and details checked and re - checked.
Footsteps at the stable door caused the hobbits to look up, and Darien entered, followed by another man. Both were carrying bows and quivers of arrows, as well as dark cloaks. "I see you are all ready," he commented, surveying the group.
"How are we to proceed, then?" Saradoc asked.
"I believe the rest of us should go to the meeting point immediately, but Merry and Sam should follow after dark. They will not be expected until then, and they will be expected to be driving a cart to transport the grain," Darien explained. " It must appear that all instructions are being followed."
Sam and Merry looked at each other and nodded. As much as they disliked the idea of the party separating, they had to admit Darien was right. If Bramblethorn arrived after midnight to find Sam and Merry already waiting, he might become suspicious. There was also the danger of all of them being seen approaching together. With Frodo's life hanging in the balance, this was no time to take such chances.
"My companion is Fensel," Darien said, introducing the man next to him. "He is a good marksman and has come to my aid on other occasions." Fensel smiled slightly and bowed his head in greeting to the hobbits.
"Were you not able to enlist the help of more men?" Merimac asked, surprised to see only one other in Darien's company.
"Sadly, I was not," Darien told him with a shake of his head. "Many of the good marksmen I am acquainted with seem to be away."
"I know several who have gone into the wild to hunt," Fensel remarked. "They're not likely to return for days, I'm afraid."
"All right then," Saradoc said simply. "So we will go on ahead and conceal ourselves in the nearby woods. "Merry and Sam will follow after dark, and if all goes well, we shall have Frodo back with us soon."
"Let us hope you are correct," Darien said gravely. "My companion and I shall do all in our power to make it so."
With words of encouragement and the clasping of hands, Saradoc, Ned and Merimac joined the two men as they left the stables. Sam and Merry remained, looking at each other anxiously. "More waiting," Merry remarked in frustration.
"But not for long," Sam answered, eyeing the ponies. "I'll get the wagon ready, Mr. Merry."
Merry nodded sharply, glad of Sam's attention to the tasks at hand. "I'll get the ponies some hay and water then," he told Sam. The two hobbits set about their tasks as they waited anxiously for the hour of the meeting.
~*~ A clearing in the woods at nightfall ~*~
Bramblethorn's map, though simple, accurately led the hobbits and the men to a clearing in the woods near Bree. Dense forest surrounded them as they followed the road until they reached a place where the woods seemed to back away and stand at a greater distance.
"There are few of us and with little weaponry," Saradoc remarked to Darien. "How are we to cover such a large area and prevent Bramblethorn's escape?"
Darien considered. "As the only two archers, Fensel and I will have to take up positions on opposite sides of the clearing where we will be able to shoot accurately and at a proper angle," he answered. He shook his head in frustration. "I had hoped to there would be more of us to better cover the area."
Merimac nodded. "Nonetheless, we're glad of your presence," he said, echoing the thoughts of his companions. "I, for one, wouldn't mind if a bit of close action were necessary. It would be extremely satisfying to get hold of at least one of them."
"They may be armed," Ned reminded Merimac cautiously.
"I wouldn't mind tearing a strip off Bramblethorn myself, Mac," Saradoc admitted, "but this isn't a bunch of drunken riverhobbits throwing punches on a dock. It's far more serious."
"Aye, that it is," Merimac said quietly. He would mind himself and not do anything to endanger any member of the party, especially Frodo. Still, he hoped for his chance at Bramblethorn.
"It's getting dark," Darien remarked. "Let's split up and take our positions. The time for talk is past, and we must wait in silence until they come."
Darien and Fensel worked their way into the woods and found adequate cover where they could see each other and most of the clearing. Each pulled an arrow from his quiver and kept it in hand with his bow, ready to fire upon Bramblethorn when the opportunity presented itself.
Ned, Saradoc and Merimac concealed themselves where they had a view of the road and the clearing. They would be able to watch as the participants in the meeting arrived, and they would be able to see and hear any exchange between them.
The night wore on toward the hour of the meeting, tense minutes ticking by one after another in a seemingly endless march.
~*~ Bramblethorn's smial ~*~
Monto and Anson came tromping into the study, brushing dust and grain chaff from their clothing. They had just completed the loading of the grain and had come back to help with anything else Bramblethorn cared to set them to.
Bramblethorn looked up from where he was stuffing a few items into a leather pack. "You'll be sweeping that up, you know," he told them irritably. He had spent much of the day resting and recovering from the hurt Frodo had dealt him the night before. Bramblethorn found he could stand up without doubling over, but he was moving more gingerly than usual.
"We got the grain loaded up," Monto remarked. "You need help getting that pretty boy upstairs?"
Bramblethorn frowned at Monto. "Do not be insolent," he warned. "Yes, I shall require your assistance in preparing to transport Frodo to the meeting. He's to be kept bound, and I want him blindfolded. You'll not need to gag him, as I suspect a sharp knife pointed in his direction will be enough to silence him."
Beckoning for Anson and Monto to follow, Bramblethorn shouldered his pack and left the study. The three hobbits descended the staircase into the cellar together and Bramblethorn knelt at Frodo's side.
"Frodo, love, the time has come for you to see your cousin and your gardener again," he told his captive. Frodo looked back at him with glassy eyes, seeming to comprehend the statement with difficulty.
"Merry... Sam - " Frodo whispered as Bramblethorn blindfolded him.
"No, love, they are not here. We are going to meet with them now." Bramblethorn brushed his fingers across Frodo's brow and frowned slightly. "It was unkind of you to attack me last night."
"No other choice," Frodo breathed. "I - I had to, or you would have - "
"Indeed, Frodo, you may have spared yourself more of my attentions, but I see you received Monto's instead." Even in the dim light provided by the candle, Frodo's bruises were obvious.
Bramblethorn gestured to Monto and Anson and the two burly hobbits lifted Frodo from the cellar floor and began to carry him up the stairs.
Although sight was denied him, Frodo could hear the wooden staircase creaking under the weight of all four hobbits, and he could detect the faint scent of pipe smoke as they passed the study. A door creaked open and cool, fresh air washed over him. He breathed it in and let it rouse him from his somnolent state.
"Where are we going?" He asked tiredly, as Monto and Anson lifted him into the back of the wagon among the sacks of grain. Bramblethorn climbed up and settled himself beside Frodo.
"Into the forest, dear Frodo," Bramblethorn told him. "And until we get there you will keep quiet." Bramblethorn drew a blanket over Frodo to hide him from view. "I am carrying a knife this evening, my dear," Bramblethorn warned softly. "Do you remember when I cut your hand? I think you do. You won't make me deal you any more such wounds, will you, Frodo?"
Frodo didn't respond. He concentrated on breathing the cool night air and listening to the sounds around him. The wagon began to move, and rattled away down the path, making for the woods.
~*~
"Ouch! Blasted root," Merimac groused irritably. He had been crouching in the underbrush for hours, and it was becoming mightily uncomfortable.
"Shhh! Someone's coming!" Saradoc warned and all three hobbits turned their eyes to the path.
A wagon was definitely approaching. Everyone waited in silence, barely daring to breathe as the sound of the wheels rolling over ruts in the dirt road reached them. Presently the wagon came into view, drawn by two ponies and driven by a stocky hobbit. Another hobbit sat beside the driver, eyeing the woods nearby suspiciously. The Shire hobbits froze in their hiding places as the wagon passed. Another hobbit sat in the back, but there was no sign of Frodo.
The wagon came to a stop and the hobbits climbed down from the seat. The one who had been sitting in the back leapt down and turned to survey the surrounding woods.
Bramblethorn! The moon was bright enough to provide sufficient illumination for Saradoc to identify the exiled hobbit. He recalled many hobbits standing along the road in Buckland, taunting Bramblethorn and hurling the odd tomato at him as he was marched out of the Shire for good.
The two who had been in the wagon's seat were now in the back, lifting something covered by a blanket. They dumped it over the other side of the wagon where it lay concealed from view by the wagon's bulk.
With the wagon between them and Frodo's abductors, Saradoc, Ned and Merimac couldn't see Frodo lying on the ground. They didn't see Anson and Monto pull the blanket away and unbind Frodo's hands only to bind them again in front and pull them up over Frodo's head. Frodo was forced to kneel as his hands were tethered to the wheel of the wagon.
"We shall now see if your cousin comes to pay for the grain and for your release," Bramblethorn said in Frodo's ear. "Monto will be by your side, and his knife is at the ready, so don't do anything foolish."
Darien watched silently from the shadows. From his position he could clearly see the hobbits secure their captive to the wagon wheel. Frodo was clearly alive, but he sagged wearily as he knelt on the ground. Darien's fingers tightened on his bow in a deadly grip and he willed himself to remain hidden, to wait until the proper time. The obvious suffering of the captive was difficult for him to watch, but he knew that he would only endanger Frodo more if he broke cover now. He peered around a tree and across the clearing at Fensel, raising his hand in a sign to hold fire and wait.
Bramblethorn paced and lit his pipe. He walked around to the other side of the wagon and leaned casually against it, contemplating the road anew. Brandybuck and the gardener should be along soon, he surmised, looking up to see the position of the moon, high in the sky.
The rattle of another cart on the path broke his reverie and he stared ahead at the road as it came into view.
Sam and Merry steeled themselves as they saw Bramblethorn and one of his bodyguards standing in the clearing ahead, next to a wagon loaded with sacks of grain. Frodo was nowhere to be seen. Merry glowered at Bramblethorn as he stopped the wagon and climbed down from the seat with Sam on his heels. "Bramblethorn!" Merry shouted angrily, "Where is Frodo?"
Bramblethorn smiled and puffed on his pipe. "Fear not, good Meriadoc. He is here."
"Let us see him," Sam called back, stepping forward. Anson brandished his knife, halting Sam's advance.
"You will see him when you have paid properly as agreed. Have you the gold?" Bramblethorn eyed them sharply as he waited.
Merry drew two sacks from his pack and hesitated. "How do we know you'll give Frodo back to us when we give this to you?"
"I suppose you will simply have to trust me," Bramblethorn said with a rakish grin.
"The day I trust you, I shall sprout wings and fly," Merry said and Sam crossed his arms and nodded.
"Hmmm, I guess you really don't want Frodo back as badly as you've said," Bramblethorn taunted. "That would suit me quite well, all things considered."
"You know bloody well we want him back," Merry shot back. "Let us see him, at least, and you shall have your payment."
Bramblethorn considered. What could it hurt? "Very well." He nodded to Monto and the other hobbit disappeared behind the wagon. A moment later he appeared again, hauling Frodo with him.
Sam and Merry gasped. Frodo looked as though he had been in a fight and had come out the worse for it. He was bruised and weary, still blindfolded and swaying in the grasp of the burly hobbit who gripped his arms. At least his ankles weren't bound and he was standing under his own power.
"You said you wouldn't hurt him!" Sam cried furiously as he looked at Frodo. Icy daggers of fear and self - reproach stabbed into him. ~ I'm so sorry, Mr. Frodo! Can you ever forgive me?~
Frodo turned his head toward the sound of Sam's voice. "Sam?" He called. Monto gave Frodo's hair a vicious yank and held the blade of the knife against his throat.
"I said he would not be harmed provided he and the two of you behaved yourselves," Bramblethorn replied. "Frodo has been getting up to some rather ill - considered antics of late, and he has borne punishment for them accordingly."
"Anson, collect the payment, if you will," Bramblethorn said, trading his pipe for a knife of his own. "Don't try anything you - or Frodo - will regret," he instructed Merry and Sam.
Merry slowly handed the bags of gold to Anson, who took them and backed away toward his employer. Bramblethorn beamed. "Count it, Anson. It may be half Brandywine river pebbles for all we know."
Merry bridled at the insinuation. "I'll not cheat you," he called through clenched teeth. "Unlike you, I keep my word when I've given it!"
From the cover of the trees and brush, Saradoc, Ned and Merimac watched in troubled silence. Their fists were clenched and their jaws were set grimly as they listened to the exchange in the clearing. Merimac added another item to his growing list of things for which he wanted to punish Bramblethorn.
Bramblethorn smiled at Merry while Anson began to count the coins. "You've been quite long in coming to claim Frodo," he observed. "I wish to thank you for the time you've given me to get to know him better." Bramblethorn was standing beside Frodo now, reaching out to touch his bruised face. "Much better."
Sam's heart seemed to stop beating for an instant. No! Bramblethorn couldn't possibly mean what Sam thought he did! He watched as Frodo shrank away from Bramblethorn's touch, his shoulders slumped in defeat and shame. If Sam could have seen Frodo's eyes, they would have been nigh empty of all but fear and pain.
"It's all here, boss," Anson said as he finished counting the coins. Bramblethorn took the sacks from him and stowed them in his pack.
"Now, for the grain," Bramblethorn said, pointing at Merry and Sam's wagon. "Anson and Monto will help you load it." Bramblethorn toyed with his knife. "And I shall keep Frodo company during the process."
Sam found it difficult to heft sacks of grain into the wagon and watch Bramblethorn out the corner of his eye at the same time. Bramblethorn within arm's length of Frodo was bad enough, Sam thought, but the fact that the wicked hobbit was armed was worse still. Bramblethorn was standing with his arm around Frodo's shoulders. The hand with the knife hovered in the general vicinity of the captive hobbit's throat.
The other hobbits couldn't hear Bramblethorn whisper to Frodo. "How brave you are, my love. You've saved your people in Buckland from a hungry winter." Bramblethorn reached up and removed the cloth that covered Frodo's eyes. "See for yourself."
Frodo's eyes focused in the moonlight and he watched as Sam and Merry took the sacks from Monto and loaded them into their own wagon. He said nothing, but silently prayed for the end of his ordeal to come in the next few minutes.
When the loading of the grain was finished, Sam and Merry turned to face Bramblethorn. This time Sam's eyes did meet Frodo's and what he saw there chilled him. "Let him go," Sam demanded.
"You have your payment," Merry agreed. "Give us Frodo. Now."
A smile slowly spread across Bramblethorn's face. Sam and Merry tensed as the other hobbit spoke. "You command me to give him to you? It seems to me that you should ask me properly."
Merry gritted his teeth and growled, "Will you please release him?"
The moment had come. In the shelter of the trees, Saradoc, Merimac and Ned waited anxiously. Darien fitted an arrow to his bow, as did Fensel. They silently raised them and aimed.
Bramblethorn gazed into Frodo's eyes, his expression inscrutable. When at last he spoke, he faced Sam and Merry and his voice rang out. "I wonder why I should give him up? After all, I've become so very attached to him."
It was too much for Sam. He lunged forward and Anson waved his knife. "You let him go, you filth!" Sam shouted. "We've kept our end of the bargain, now keep yours!"
"I choose not to do this," Bramblethorn said sharply and Frodo gasped next to him. "I will not do it, for Frodo is mine."
~*~ To be continued ~*~
FrodoBaggins1982 - Frodo was resigned to his punishment. He knew he wouldn't get by unscathed if he dared to fight back. If I had done some Frodo POV, I think I would have chosen to do it as he looked out the window. I didn't want to give away what he was plotting by going into his thoughts in the cellar.
Elwen - Glad you're enjoying the story. The more opportunities I have to work with these characters, the more practice I get with my writing.
Anarie - I'm glad Frodo's 'choice' made you smile. I had fun writing that part! Frodo is definitely more than meets the eye. Bramblethorn's underestimation of him was a mistake.
Breon Briarwood - Your nail chewing is not without reason. Frodo is not out of this yet.
Hobbitfeet13 - Bramblethorn does indeed have more mischief in mind! Fortunately, he has been content to just leave Frodo to suffer alone in the cellar, but he's ready to take action now.
Endymion2 - The exchange will occur over two chapters. That way I get to leave an evil cliffhanger! Bramblethorn did not leave Anson to watch the inn because he needed him to get the grain ready. Of course, he should have helped with that himself. His unwillingness to get his hands dirty has caused him to make less than the best use of his help.
Stephanie - My goal in the last chapter was to make it look like Frodo was finally breaking down, only to turn the tables on his enemy. Bramblethorn is expecting some trickery from Merry and Sam, and he's got his own plans to counter it. The woods may conceal his enemies, but they can also conceal a quick, stealthy hobbit. If Bramblethorn flees, he will have some chance of eluding the pursuit in the dense woods.
Trust No One - Frodo's humbled and defeated act may have fooled Bramblethorn, but it didn't fool you, did it? Anyone around Bree who knows Bramblethorn isn't too likely to cross him, I suspect. If they want bread to eat and the security of not having unfortunate things happen to them, they'll keep their distance from the villain.
Girlofring1 - Frodo and Sam's relationship is implied in this story, but going back to previous stories like "Sound, Silence and Solace" I have to say they've acted on their feelings in the past. It will be hard for Frodo to accept any such attention, but harder still for Sam to even think of offering it.
Sam - Glad to know the last chapter had the desired effect. I seem to remember snickering evilly as I wrote it.
Spootasia Tomoe - I see Merimac as being a bit of a 'character'. After all, he has a totally different kind of life from the hobbits at the Hall. I see him as being a bit more of a free spirit. Your much desired meeting between the forces of good and evil begins in this chapter.
Camellia Gamgee - Took - So it begins, indeed! It's time to see if Bramblethorn will keep his word and release Frodo.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Chapter 24 - A Meeting in the Moonlight
The last rays of sunshine were slanting across the yard at the inn as Merry and Sam made their way to the stables to meet with Darien. Merimac, Ned and Saradoc followed a few minutes later. Merry scratched a pony behind one ear and sighed. It had been a long day of waiting and anticipation, nerves stretched taut and details checked and re - checked.
Footsteps at the stable door caused the hobbits to look up, and Darien entered, followed by another man. Both were carrying bows and quivers of arrows, as well as dark cloaks. "I see you are all ready," he commented, surveying the group.
"How are we to proceed, then?" Saradoc asked.
"I believe the rest of us should go to the meeting point immediately, but Merry and Sam should follow after dark. They will not be expected until then, and they will be expected to be driving a cart to transport the grain," Darien explained. " It must appear that all instructions are being followed."
Sam and Merry looked at each other and nodded. As much as they disliked the idea of the party separating, they had to admit Darien was right. If Bramblethorn arrived after midnight to find Sam and Merry already waiting, he might become suspicious. There was also the danger of all of them being seen approaching together. With Frodo's life hanging in the balance, this was no time to take such chances.
"My companion is Fensel," Darien said, introducing the man next to him. "He is a good marksman and has come to my aid on other occasions." Fensel smiled slightly and bowed his head in greeting to the hobbits.
"Were you not able to enlist the help of more men?" Merimac asked, surprised to see only one other in Darien's company.
"Sadly, I was not," Darien told him with a shake of his head. "Many of the good marksmen I am acquainted with seem to be away."
"I know several who have gone into the wild to hunt," Fensel remarked. "They're not likely to return for days, I'm afraid."
"All right then," Saradoc said simply. "So we will go on ahead and conceal ourselves in the nearby woods. "Merry and Sam will follow after dark, and if all goes well, we shall have Frodo back with us soon."
"Let us hope you are correct," Darien said gravely. "My companion and I shall do all in our power to make it so."
With words of encouragement and the clasping of hands, Saradoc, Ned and Merimac joined the two men as they left the stables. Sam and Merry remained, looking at each other anxiously. "More waiting," Merry remarked in frustration.
"But not for long," Sam answered, eyeing the ponies. "I'll get the wagon ready, Mr. Merry."
Merry nodded sharply, glad of Sam's attention to the tasks at hand. "I'll get the ponies some hay and water then," he told Sam. The two hobbits set about their tasks as they waited anxiously for the hour of the meeting.
~*~ A clearing in the woods at nightfall ~*~
Bramblethorn's map, though simple, accurately led the hobbits and the men to a clearing in the woods near Bree. Dense forest surrounded them as they followed the road until they reached a place where the woods seemed to back away and stand at a greater distance.
"There are few of us and with little weaponry," Saradoc remarked to Darien. "How are we to cover such a large area and prevent Bramblethorn's escape?"
Darien considered. "As the only two archers, Fensel and I will have to take up positions on opposite sides of the clearing where we will be able to shoot accurately and at a proper angle," he answered. He shook his head in frustration. "I had hoped to there would be more of us to better cover the area."
Merimac nodded. "Nonetheless, we're glad of your presence," he said, echoing the thoughts of his companions. "I, for one, wouldn't mind if a bit of close action were necessary. It would be extremely satisfying to get hold of at least one of them."
"They may be armed," Ned reminded Merimac cautiously.
"I wouldn't mind tearing a strip off Bramblethorn myself, Mac," Saradoc admitted, "but this isn't a bunch of drunken riverhobbits throwing punches on a dock. It's far more serious."
"Aye, that it is," Merimac said quietly. He would mind himself and not do anything to endanger any member of the party, especially Frodo. Still, he hoped for his chance at Bramblethorn.
"It's getting dark," Darien remarked. "Let's split up and take our positions. The time for talk is past, and we must wait in silence until they come."
Darien and Fensel worked their way into the woods and found adequate cover where they could see each other and most of the clearing. Each pulled an arrow from his quiver and kept it in hand with his bow, ready to fire upon Bramblethorn when the opportunity presented itself.
Ned, Saradoc and Merimac concealed themselves where they had a view of the road and the clearing. They would be able to watch as the participants in the meeting arrived, and they would be able to see and hear any exchange between them.
The night wore on toward the hour of the meeting, tense minutes ticking by one after another in a seemingly endless march.
~*~ Bramblethorn's smial ~*~
Monto and Anson came tromping into the study, brushing dust and grain chaff from their clothing. They had just completed the loading of the grain and had come back to help with anything else Bramblethorn cared to set them to.
Bramblethorn looked up from where he was stuffing a few items into a leather pack. "You'll be sweeping that up, you know," he told them irritably. He had spent much of the day resting and recovering from the hurt Frodo had dealt him the night before. Bramblethorn found he could stand up without doubling over, but he was moving more gingerly than usual.
"We got the grain loaded up," Monto remarked. "You need help getting that pretty boy upstairs?"
Bramblethorn frowned at Monto. "Do not be insolent," he warned. "Yes, I shall require your assistance in preparing to transport Frodo to the meeting. He's to be kept bound, and I want him blindfolded. You'll not need to gag him, as I suspect a sharp knife pointed in his direction will be enough to silence him."
Beckoning for Anson and Monto to follow, Bramblethorn shouldered his pack and left the study. The three hobbits descended the staircase into the cellar together and Bramblethorn knelt at Frodo's side.
"Frodo, love, the time has come for you to see your cousin and your gardener again," he told his captive. Frodo looked back at him with glassy eyes, seeming to comprehend the statement with difficulty.
"Merry... Sam - " Frodo whispered as Bramblethorn blindfolded him.
"No, love, they are not here. We are going to meet with them now." Bramblethorn brushed his fingers across Frodo's brow and frowned slightly. "It was unkind of you to attack me last night."
"No other choice," Frodo breathed. "I - I had to, or you would have - "
"Indeed, Frodo, you may have spared yourself more of my attentions, but I see you received Monto's instead." Even in the dim light provided by the candle, Frodo's bruises were obvious.
Bramblethorn gestured to Monto and Anson and the two burly hobbits lifted Frodo from the cellar floor and began to carry him up the stairs.
Although sight was denied him, Frodo could hear the wooden staircase creaking under the weight of all four hobbits, and he could detect the faint scent of pipe smoke as they passed the study. A door creaked open and cool, fresh air washed over him. He breathed it in and let it rouse him from his somnolent state.
"Where are we going?" He asked tiredly, as Monto and Anson lifted him into the back of the wagon among the sacks of grain. Bramblethorn climbed up and settled himself beside Frodo.
"Into the forest, dear Frodo," Bramblethorn told him. "And until we get there you will keep quiet." Bramblethorn drew a blanket over Frodo to hide him from view. "I am carrying a knife this evening, my dear," Bramblethorn warned softly. "Do you remember when I cut your hand? I think you do. You won't make me deal you any more such wounds, will you, Frodo?"
Frodo didn't respond. He concentrated on breathing the cool night air and listening to the sounds around him. The wagon began to move, and rattled away down the path, making for the woods.
~*~
"Ouch! Blasted root," Merimac groused irritably. He had been crouching in the underbrush for hours, and it was becoming mightily uncomfortable.
"Shhh! Someone's coming!" Saradoc warned and all three hobbits turned their eyes to the path.
A wagon was definitely approaching. Everyone waited in silence, barely daring to breathe as the sound of the wheels rolling over ruts in the dirt road reached them. Presently the wagon came into view, drawn by two ponies and driven by a stocky hobbit. Another hobbit sat beside the driver, eyeing the woods nearby suspiciously. The Shire hobbits froze in their hiding places as the wagon passed. Another hobbit sat in the back, but there was no sign of Frodo.
The wagon came to a stop and the hobbits climbed down from the seat. The one who had been sitting in the back leapt down and turned to survey the surrounding woods.
Bramblethorn! The moon was bright enough to provide sufficient illumination for Saradoc to identify the exiled hobbit. He recalled many hobbits standing along the road in Buckland, taunting Bramblethorn and hurling the odd tomato at him as he was marched out of the Shire for good.
The two who had been in the wagon's seat were now in the back, lifting something covered by a blanket. They dumped it over the other side of the wagon where it lay concealed from view by the wagon's bulk.
With the wagon between them and Frodo's abductors, Saradoc, Ned and Merimac couldn't see Frodo lying on the ground. They didn't see Anson and Monto pull the blanket away and unbind Frodo's hands only to bind them again in front and pull them up over Frodo's head. Frodo was forced to kneel as his hands were tethered to the wheel of the wagon.
"We shall now see if your cousin comes to pay for the grain and for your release," Bramblethorn said in Frodo's ear. "Monto will be by your side, and his knife is at the ready, so don't do anything foolish."
Darien watched silently from the shadows. From his position he could clearly see the hobbits secure their captive to the wagon wheel. Frodo was clearly alive, but he sagged wearily as he knelt on the ground. Darien's fingers tightened on his bow in a deadly grip and he willed himself to remain hidden, to wait until the proper time. The obvious suffering of the captive was difficult for him to watch, but he knew that he would only endanger Frodo more if he broke cover now. He peered around a tree and across the clearing at Fensel, raising his hand in a sign to hold fire and wait.
Bramblethorn paced and lit his pipe. He walked around to the other side of the wagon and leaned casually against it, contemplating the road anew. Brandybuck and the gardener should be along soon, he surmised, looking up to see the position of the moon, high in the sky.
The rattle of another cart on the path broke his reverie and he stared ahead at the road as it came into view.
Sam and Merry steeled themselves as they saw Bramblethorn and one of his bodyguards standing in the clearing ahead, next to a wagon loaded with sacks of grain. Frodo was nowhere to be seen. Merry glowered at Bramblethorn as he stopped the wagon and climbed down from the seat with Sam on his heels. "Bramblethorn!" Merry shouted angrily, "Where is Frodo?"
Bramblethorn smiled and puffed on his pipe. "Fear not, good Meriadoc. He is here."
"Let us see him," Sam called back, stepping forward. Anson brandished his knife, halting Sam's advance.
"You will see him when you have paid properly as agreed. Have you the gold?" Bramblethorn eyed them sharply as he waited.
Merry drew two sacks from his pack and hesitated. "How do we know you'll give Frodo back to us when we give this to you?"
"I suppose you will simply have to trust me," Bramblethorn said with a rakish grin.
"The day I trust you, I shall sprout wings and fly," Merry said and Sam crossed his arms and nodded.
"Hmmm, I guess you really don't want Frodo back as badly as you've said," Bramblethorn taunted. "That would suit me quite well, all things considered."
"You know bloody well we want him back," Merry shot back. "Let us see him, at least, and you shall have your payment."
Bramblethorn considered. What could it hurt? "Very well." He nodded to Monto and the other hobbit disappeared behind the wagon. A moment later he appeared again, hauling Frodo with him.
Sam and Merry gasped. Frodo looked as though he had been in a fight and had come out the worse for it. He was bruised and weary, still blindfolded and swaying in the grasp of the burly hobbit who gripped his arms. At least his ankles weren't bound and he was standing under his own power.
"You said you wouldn't hurt him!" Sam cried furiously as he looked at Frodo. Icy daggers of fear and self - reproach stabbed into him. ~ I'm so sorry, Mr. Frodo! Can you ever forgive me?~
Frodo turned his head toward the sound of Sam's voice. "Sam?" He called. Monto gave Frodo's hair a vicious yank and held the blade of the knife against his throat.
"I said he would not be harmed provided he and the two of you behaved yourselves," Bramblethorn replied. "Frodo has been getting up to some rather ill - considered antics of late, and he has borne punishment for them accordingly."
"Anson, collect the payment, if you will," Bramblethorn said, trading his pipe for a knife of his own. "Don't try anything you - or Frodo - will regret," he instructed Merry and Sam.
Merry slowly handed the bags of gold to Anson, who took them and backed away toward his employer. Bramblethorn beamed. "Count it, Anson. It may be half Brandywine river pebbles for all we know."
Merry bridled at the insinuation. "I'll not cheat you," he called through clenched teeth. "Unlike you, I keep my word when I've given it!"
From the cover of the trees and brush, Saradoc, Ned and Merimac watched in troubled silence. Their fists were clenched and their jaws were set grimly as they listened to the exchange in the clearing. Merimac added another item to his growing list of things for which he wanted to punish Bramblethorn.
Bramblethorn smiled at Merry while Anson began to count the coins. "You've been quite long in coming to claim Frodo," he observed. "I wish to thank you for the time you've given me to get to know him better." Bramblethorn was standing beside Frodo now, reaching out to touch his bruised face. "Much better."
Sam's heart seemed to stop beating for an instant. No! Bramblethorn couldn't possibly mean what Sam thought he did! He watched as Frodo shrank away from Bramblethorn's touch, his shoulders slumped in defeat and shame. If Sam could have seen Frodo's eyes, they would have been nigh empty of all but fear and pain.
"It's all here, boss," Anson said as he finished counting the coins. Bramblethorn took the sacks from him and stowed them in his pack.
"Now, for the grain," Bramblethorn said, pointing at Merry and Sam's wagon. "Anson and Monto will help you load it." Bramblethorn toyed with his knife. "And I shall keep Frodo company during the process."
Sam found it difficult to heft sacks of grain into the wagon and watch Bramblethorn out the corner of his eye at the same time. Bramblethorn within arm's length of Frodo was bad enough, Sam thought, but the fact that the wicked hobbit was armed was worse still. Bramblethorn was standing with his arm around Frodo's shoulders. The hand with the knife hovered in the general vicinity of the captive hobbit's throat.
The other hobbits couldn't hear Bramblethorn whisper to Frodo. "How brave you are, my love. You've saved your people in Buckland from a hungry winter." Bramblethorn reached up and removed the cloth that covered Frodo's eyes. "See for yourself."
Frodo's eyes focused in the moonlight and he watched as Sam and Merry took the sacks from Monto and loaded them into their own wagon. He said nothing, but silently prayed for the end of his ordeal to come in the next few minutes.
When the loading of the grain was finished, Sam and Merry turned to face Bramblethorn. This time Sam's eyes did meet Frodo's and what he saw there chilled him. "Let him go," Sam demanded.
"You have your payment," Merry agreed. "Give us Frodo. Now."
A smile slowly spread across Bramblethorn's face. Sam and Merry tensed as the other hobbit spoke. "You command me to give him to you? It seems to me that you should ask me properly."
Merry gritted his teeth and growled, "Will you please release him?"
The moment had come. In the shelter of the trees, Saradoc, Merimac and Ned waited anxiously. Darien fitted an arrow to his bow, as did Fensel. They silently raised them and aimed.
Bramblethorn gazed into Frodo's eyes, his expression inscrutable. When at last he spoke, he faced Sam and Merry and his voice rang out. "I wonder why I should give him up? After all, I've become so very attached to him."
It was too much for Sam. He lunged forward and Anson waved his knife. "You let him go, you filth!" Sam shouted. "We've kept our end of the bargain, now keep yours!"
"I choose not to do this," Bramblethorn said sharply and Frodo gasped next to him. "I will not do it, for Frodo is mine."
~*~ To be continued ~*~