"It pains me to do this, Frodo, but I cannot allow you to leave my care.
You are not in your right mind, Love. We need to rebuild the trust between
you and me, and that, dear cousin, will take time."
Chapter 9 - The Ring Goes Nowhere ________________________________________________________________________
Merry had clouted Frodo hard and sent him reeling. His head was swimming with pain, and his mind drowning in disappointment. Frodo's first impulse was to rub his throbbing check with his hands. But he was bound, and judging from Merry's fury, bound he would stay. His scheme had failed.
Anger flooded into Frodo's features, as if the dam that had held it in check had been shattered by the slap. The unexpected agony caused Frodo to betray everything. He felt like screaming. He wanted to tear Merry's eyes out. He longed to stop this unforgivable delay and return to his quest. All of these violent impulses ran through Frodo's mind, but the strongest of all the impulses was also the most basic. He wanted to cry.
The situation would have been ludicrous if Frodo's mission were not so gravely important. Two pieces of cloth binding Frodo's wrists and ankles. Two pieces of cloth standing between Frodo and his attempt to keep the Ring of Power out of the hands of Sauron.
Frodo pulled himself together in seconds, but it was too late. Suddenly Frodo became aware of Merry's eyes upon him. Merry had missed nothing. Frodo felt naked and vulnerable under Merry's unfaltering glare. Frodo had failed to read Merry, but Merry had just peered into his very soul. Frodo felt a lump form in his throat and dark dread coursing through his whole body. Frodo shuddered -anticipating Merry's next words, or next blow.
The next blow did not come, but Merry's words were little better.
"Frodo," said Merry, voice as cold as ice. "I honestly thought I could get you to see the wisdom of my plan. I thought we could speak frankly, like kin."
Frodo retreated into the safety of silence.
"But instead of dealing with me in a straightforward manner, you chose to deceive me."
Merry was pacing again. The creaking floorboards echoed in the room and in Frodo's ears -- sending a wave of tension shooting through Frodo with each of Merry's steps.
"Did you think I would not find out, Frodo? Did you think I would not be thorough on a matter of such importance? Samwise told us your itinerary months ago-"
"Back when we thought we were all going to follow you, Frodo!" Pippin burst in, followed by a deep intake of breath and a squeak. Merry had pounced on Pip like a cat on a prey, clawing Pippin's chin with his fingernails.
"Hush, Love," ordered Merry as he tipped Pippin terrified face up to meet his own. After a few long seconds, Merry released his grip, his fingernails leaving deep pink crescents on Pip's chin. Merry continued speaking as he gently finger-combed Pippin's unruly locks, not seeming to notice the bloated tears streaming uncontrollably down Pippins face.
"As Pip here just said, that was back when Pip and I did intended to let you go. Did intend to follow. Before it became obvious that there were other, better paths."
Frodo gasped in astonishment. This must have been their original plan- to go with him, to aid him on his journey. Frodo was heartened to think that Pippin and Merry has gone to this trouble for his sake; and had planned to follow him to whatever end. His cousins must have recruited Sam as a spy, and for no other reason than out of concern. And Sam, knowing this, would have told them everything. Frodo blanched. Everything! Certainly Pippin and Merry had been trustworthy then. Sam was a simple hobbit, but could be shrewd, and was possessed of an ample supply of good horse sense. Samwise would have noticed the change in Merry, and no amount of bullying would have pushed him into risking Frodo's safety.
So, whatever had gotten into Merry had done so recently, perhaps as late as the time the trio had arrived at Crickhollow. Hadn't Pip and Sam been flabbergasted when Merry had announced that he would not allow Frodo to proceed? Frodo wondered exactly when had Merry's once-pure motives been twisted, tainted, and defiled by unspeakable forces.
Merry made a careful study of Frodo's reaction. He took Frodo's gasp and knitted brow to indicate amazement at Merry's altruism, and to some extent it did. What Merry did not suspect was that as he stood surveying his cousin, Frodo was mentally cobbling together a timeline for Merry's corruption.
Indeed, Merry would not, could not see that his good intentions had rotted on the vine. Instead, Merry smiled, perceiving his own benevolence. He needed to show Frodo what a benefactor he had in Merry.
Frodo, meanwhile, looked up into Merry's face. His features had softened, like butter in the sun. And when Merry spoke again, his voice changed pitch and was infused with tenderness.
"That surprises you, doesn't it, Cousin?" asked Merry. "That we meant to accompany you. That we meant to share in your peril."
Frodo nodded. It seemed like a safe enough question to answer honestly.
"Don't you know we love you, dear Frodo?
Merry kneeled down by the bound hobbit, clutching Frodo's shoulders.
"We would risk anything and everything for your well-being, Frodo. Do you think I like to hurt you, Frodo? Do you think I like to keep you bound? It pains me to no end! But Frodo, all this pain, all this trouble, I do it freely and willing FOR YOU"
Tears flowed out from the traps of Merry's lashes as he pulled Frodo toward him in a tight embrace. Frodo's body fell forward, crushing into the warmth that was Merry. Frodo felt like a rag doll, able to be held, but not to hold. In a perverse way, Frodo was touched by his cousin's emotional outburst. For a flicker of time, Frodo's pity chased away his anger. His poor cousin truly did believe that he was helping him! Frodo leaned his head into the crook of Merry's neck, offering the only physical comfort his restraints would allow. Merry responded by grasping his cousin closer and peppering his brow with soft kisses.
"How I wish you could see, Frodo, why there is no need to lie to me, to deceive me. You are like a brother to me, cousin, and I love you!"
"Then let me go, Merry," pleaded Frodo. "Let me fulfill my duty and return home."
"NO!" yelled Merry as he unconsciously dug his nails into Frodo's shoulders. The darkness had returned to Merry's features. "No." Merry softened. "No, Frodo. Because from that journey there is no return home, only death. I can't allow you to sacrifice yourself in that way."
It is my sacrifice to make should I wish it," said Frodo.
"It is not, Frodo," said Merry. "You belong to all of us, you and the thing that you bear."
"The Ring belongs to no one save the Dark Lord," cried Frodo sharply. "Let me do what I have set out to do! You must trust that I have made this decision, and have made it with all due caution!"
"I don't trust you!" said Merry as he stood, eerily reminding Frodo of a judge pronouncing a sentence upon a condemned prisoner. "You have shown yourself to be untrustworthy. It pains me to do this, Frodo, but I cannot allow you to leave my care. You are not in your right mind, Love. We need to rebuild the trust between you and me, and that, dear cousin, will take time."
"We have NO time, Merry," asserted Frodo. "You are very astute, Merry, but you do not understand."
Merry leapt to his feet, nearly causing Frodo to lunge downward into the floor.
"You, Frodo, are the one who does not understand!" Merry's voice was now ragged and desperate. "And I don't know how else I can make things clear to you!"
Merry stumbled over to the corner of the room and banged his head symbolically on the wall before drawing a shuddering breath. When Merry spoke again, his voice was thick with tears.
"Frodo, Frodo, I wanted this talk to be pleasant. I did not want to strike you. And I don't relish keeping you bound."
"Then unbind me-"
Merry abruptly spun away from the wall and turned to face Frodo.
"No, Frodo, that I cannot do." Merry shook his head as he spoke. "You leave me no choice, Frodo. Can you not see that you leave me no choice?"
Merry walked back to Frodo, wiping his reddened eyes with quivering fingers.
"Merry, at least let me see Sam." Frodo rephrased. "I know you care for me, Merry. Please let me see Sam."
Merry nodded sorrowfully. The ghastly glint that had infused Merry's eyes had been washed away by his tears. For a moment it seemed to Frodo that he had his beloved cousin back. Frodo went limp as Merry reached behind him with one arm and maneuvered his body to the side. Merry leaned Frodo to his chest and once again encircled him in his arms, lingering for a minute in a protective, loving embrace. A teardrop from an unseen eye moistened the back of Frodo's neck. Frodo's bound wrists made the hug and the tears seem a travesty. This was all wrong. Why couldn't Merry see it?
The moment passed, and Frodo suddenly felt Merry change positions and grasp him underneath his arms like a heavy sack.
"Pip," ordered Merry, "Grab Frodo's feet."
"Merry," begged Frodo, "Unfasten my feet. I can walk."
"You can," answered Merry tersely, "but you shall not. You are under my care now, Frodo. Try to relax and make it easier for yourself. Try to make this easier for your Merry who loves you."
Frodo relented. He had no choice.
"Pip," repeated Merry. "Frodo's legs."
Frodo clammed up, enduring the humiliation in silence. Merry was unpredictable in his current state. Frodo would say nothing that might threaten his contact with Sam.
Merry and Pippin shuffled down the hall bearing their disgruntled and embarrassed burden. Frodo's middle folded - sinking down towards the floor as Pip quickened his pace out of time with his cousin's awkward backwards steps. Finally, Frodo was plopped down unceremoniously in a corner of Sam's room.
Frodo instantly made eye contact with Sam, whose face seemed unusually flushed. Both hobbits offered each other warm smiles and sad eyes. Sam bristled when he noticed the huge red patch spreading across Frodo's face where Merry had stuck him, but said nothing.
Merry whispered instructions to Pippin, who raced out of the room, and returned in minutes lugging a cumbersome straw mattress that bent down over the hobbits head, flapping with Pippin's every step as he lumbered across the room.
"There, Pip" Merry indicated the floor near Frodo's large, heavy chest of oaken drawers. Pippin flopped the mattress down, panting.
Merry looked at Pip expectantly. "And?"
Pippin darted out again to fulfill another unknown request.
Frodo said not a word as Merry dragged him gently into a sitting position on the mattress, and supported his back with a few colorful feather pillows. He placed one small pillow between Frodo's bound hands and his back to help release the pressure upon Frodo's spine
"There now," exclaimed Merry, almost seeming his old self.
Merry tried to kneed the tension out of Frodo's shoulders with his strong hands. Satisfied with the result, Merry then straightened out Frodo's shirt, weskit and trousers as one would do for a child in dress clothes.
"How is that?"
Frodo was dying inside, aching to kick, to scream, and to maim, to stop the madness.
"Fine, thank you," Frodo answered politely.
Pip dashed back into the room so fast that he actually skidded upon the wooden floor. Frodo might have thought it endearing, if he had not caught a glimpse of what Pip held in his right hand. Rope.
Merry ruffled Pippin's curls, eliciting a blush and a giggle. Merry took the rope.
"Merry--?" started Frodo.
Merry began to thread the rope through Frodo's arms and around his waist. He then made to wind the rope to the back leg of the dresser.
"You are LEASHING me, Merry?" asked Frodo, half-annoyed, half-aghast.
"Frodo, I can't have you crawling over to Sam and having him untie you. I'm trying to be kind, Frodo. I'm allowing Sam to keep his hands free. Unless you'd rather sit in another roo-"
"No -it's fine Merry. Perfectly fine."
Frodo noticed that through this whole ordeal, Sam had remained uncharacteristically silent. As Merry busied himself with the knots around the dresser leg, Sam gave Frodo desperate, intense glances -- making eye contact, staring down at his own feet, then making eye contact again. A signal?
"There now!" Merry exclaimed, as if he had done no worse than lace up Frodo's shirt. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"
In his mind's eyes, Frodo envisioned himself tearing off his bonds, leaping forward, and wrapping his hands around Merry's neck, squeezing the life out of him.
"No, Merry," answered Frodo laconically. "Not so bad."
"I'll leave you two for awhile," said Merry in a friendly tone. Looking up at Sam, he added, "Frodo and I will speak a bit later. Until then, take comfort in each other's company."
Merry crouched down by Frodo once more, and leaned in until his breath was ghosting against Frodo's ear. Every muscle in Frodo's body tensed and he stifled a shudder.
"Remember, Love," whispered Merry. "I only have your very best interests in mind. You'll come around. Trust will be rebuilt."
Merry tilted Frodo's chin up and kissed him gently on the tip of his nose. Gazing into Merry's eyes, Frodo saw only inky pools of shadow and mist. Where had his beloved cousin gone? Frodo resisted the urge to spit in Merry's face instead of remaining silent and subdued.
But subdued he remained as he watched Merry rise, wrap his arm around Pippin, and lead the younger hobbit out of the room. Both Frodo and Sam kept silent until they heard the bolt on their door slide home with an ominous click.
Sam exhaled loudly, as if he had been holding his breath the whole time.
"Master Frodo!" he exclaimed. "Your poor face! That scoundrel of a cousin, did he--?
"I'm fine, Sam." sighed Frodo. "It is so good to see you awake. They drugged you dear boy-did you know?"
A tremor raced down Sam's spine. "Yea, I mos' certainly did."
"Sam," continued Frodo. "I'm afraid we have urgent matters to discuss while we are alone, and I don't think we have much time."
Frodo's jaw dropped as Sam bounded out of the bed and scurried to Frodo's side, wrapping his master in a meaty embrace. A piece of rope still snaked around his ankle, but it was attached to nothing.
"I was meanin' to tell you, Master Frodo! I've managed to free my leg! This loop is only for show!"
Frodo looked up at Sam, eyes twinkling with joy and renewed hope.
"Sam! You're a marvel!"
TBC
Chapter 9 - The Ring Goes Nowhere ________________________________________________________________________
Merry had clouted Frodo hard and sent him reeling. His head was swimming with pain, and his mind drowning in disappointment. Frodo's first impulse was to rub his throbbing check with his hands. But he was bound, and judging from Merry's fury, bound he would stay. His scheme had failed.
Anger flooded into Frodo's features, as if the dam that had held it in check had been shattered by the slap. The unexpected agony caused Frodo to betray everything. He felt like screaming. He wanted to tear Merry's eyes out. He longed to stop this unforgivable delay and return to his quest. All of these violent impulses ran through Frodo's mind, but the strongest of all the impulses was also the most basic. He wanted to cry.
The situation would have been ludicrous if Frodo's mission were not so gravely important. Two pieces of cloth binding Frodo's wrists and ankles. Two pieces of cloth standing between Frodo and his attempt to keep the Ring of Power out of the hands of Sauron.
Frodo pulled himself together in seconds, but it was too late. Suddenly Frodo became aware of Merry's eyes upon him. Merry had missed nothing. Frodo felt naked and vulnerable under Merry's unfaltering glare. Frodo had failed to read Merry, but Merry had just peered into his very soul. Frodo felt a lump form in his throat and dark dread coursing through his whole body. Frodo shuddered -anticipating Merry's next words, or next blow.
The next blow did not come, but Merry's words were little better.
"Frodo," said Merry, voice as cold as ice. "I honestly thought I could get you to see the wisdom of my plan. I thought we could speak frankly, like kin."
Frodo retreated into the safety of silence.
"But instead of dealing with me in a straightforward manner, you chose to deceive me."
Merry was pacing again. The creaking floorboards echoed in the room and in Frodo's ears -- sending a wave of tension shooting through Frodo with each of Merry's steps.
"Did you think I would not find out, Frodo? Did you think I would not be thorough on a matter of such importance? Samwise told us your itinerary months ago-"
"Back when we thought we were all going to follow you, Frodo!" Pippin burst in, followed by a deep intake of breath and a squeak. Merry had pounced on Pip like a cat on a prey, clawing Pippin's chin with his fingernails.
"Hush, Love," ordered Merry as he tipped Pippin terrified face up to meet his own. After a few long seconds, Merry released his grip, his fingernails leaving deep pink crescents on Pip's chin. Merry continued speaking as he gently finger-combed Pippin's unruly locks, not seeming to notice the bloated tears streaming uncontrollably down Pippins face.
"As Pip here just said, that was back when Pip and I did intended to let you go. Did intend to follow. Before it became obvious that there were other, better paths."
Frodo gasped in astonishment. This must have been their original plan- to go with him, to aid him on his journey. Frodo was heartened to think that Pippin and Merry has gone to this trouble for his sake; and had planned to follow him to whatever end. His cousins must have recruited Sam as a spy, and for no other reason than out of concern. And Sam, knowing this, would have told them everything. Frodo blanched. Everything! Certainly Pippin and Merry had been trustworthy then. Sam was a simple hobbit, but could be shrewd, and was possessed of an ample supply of good horse sense. Samwise would have noticed the change in Merry, and no amount of bullying would have pushed him into risking Frodo's safety.
So, whatever had gotten into Merry had done so recently, perhaps as late as the time the trio had arrived at Crickhollow. Hadn't Pip and Sam been flabbergasted when Merry had announced that he would not allow Frodo to proceed? Frodo wondered exactly when had Merry's once-pure motives been twisted, tainted, and defiled by unspeakable forces.
Merry made a careful study of Frodo's reaction. He took Frodo's gasp and knitted brow to indicate amazement at Merry's altruism, and to some extent it did. What Merry did not suspect was that as he stood surveying his cousin, Frodo was mentally cobbling together a timeline for Merry's corruption.
Indeed, Merry would not, could not see that his good intentions had rotted on the vine. Instead, Merry smiled, perceiving his own benevolence. He needed to show Frodo what a benefactor he had in Merry.
Frodo, meanwhile, looked up into Merry's face. His features had softened, like butter in the sun. And when Merry spoke again, his voice changed pitch and was infused with tenderness.
"That surprises you, doesn't it, Cousin?" asked Merry. "That we meant to accompany you. That we meant to share in your peril."
Frodo nodded. It seemed like a safe enough question to answer honestly.
"Don't you know we love you, dear Frodo?
Merry kneeled down by the bound hobbit, clutching Frodo's shoulders.
"We would risk anything and everything for your well-being, Frodo. Do you think I like to hurt you, Frodo? Do you think I like to keep you bound? It pains me to no end! But Frodo, all this pain, all this trouble, I do it freely and willing FOR YOU"
Tears flowed out from the traps of Merry's lashes as he pulled Frodo toward him in a tight embrace. Frodo's body fell forward, crushing into the warmth that was Merry. Frodo felt like a rag doll, able to be held, but not to hold. In a perverse way, Frodo was touched by his cousin's emotional outburst. For a flicker of time, Frodo's pity chased away his anger. His poor cousin truly did believe that he was helping him! Frodo leaned his head into the crook of Merry's neck, offering the only physical comfort his restraints would allow. Merry responded by grasping his cousin closer and peppering his brow with soft kisses.
"How I wish you could see, Frodo, why there is no need to lie to me, to deceive me. You are like a brother to me, cousin, and I love you!"
"Then let me go, Merry," pleaded Frodo. "Let me fulfill my duty and return home."
"NO!" yelled Merry as he unconsciously dug his nails into Frodo's shoulders. The darkness had returned to Merry's features. "No." Merry softened. "No, Frodo. Because from that journey there is no return home, only death. I can't allow you to sacrifice yourself in that way."
It is my sacrifice to make should I wish it," said Frodo.
"It is not, Frodo," said Merry. "You belong to all of us, you and the thing that you bear."
"The Ring belongs to no one save the Dark Lord," cried Frodo sharply. "Let me do what I have set out to do! You must trust that I have made this decision, and have made it with all due caution!"
"I don't trust you!" said Merry as he stood, eerily reminding Frodo of a judge pronouncing a sentence upon a condemned prisoner. "You have shown yourself to be untrustworthy. It pains me to do this, Frodo, but I cannot allow you to leave my care. You are not in your right mind, Love. We need to rebuild the trust between you and me, and that, dear cousin, will take time."
"We have NO time, Merry," asserted Frodo. "You are very astute, Merry, but you do not understand."
Merry leapt to his feet, nearly causing Frodo to lunge downward into the floor.
"You, Frodo, are the one who does not understand!" Merry's voice was now ragged and desperate. "And I don't know how else I can make things clear to you!"
Merry stumbled over to the corner of the room and banged his head symbolically on the wall before drawing a shuddering breath. When Merry spoke again, his voice was thick with tears.
"Frodo, Frodo, I wanted this talk to be pleasant. I did not want to strike you. And I don't relish keeping you bound."
"Then unbind me-"
Merry abruptly spun away from the wall and turned to face Frodo.
"No, Frodo, that I cannot do." Merry shook his head as he spoke. "You leave me no choice, Frodo. Can you not see that you leave me no choice?"
Merry walked back to Frodo, wiping his reddened eyes with quivering fingers.
"Merry, at least let me see Sam." Frodo rephrased. "I know you care for me, Merry. Please let me see Sam."
Merry nodded sorrowfully. The ghastly glint that had infused Merry's eyes had been washed away by his tears. For a moment it seemed to Frodo that he had his beloved cousin back. Frodo went limp as Merry reached behind him with one arm and maneuvered his body to the side. Merry leaned Frodo to his chest and once again encircled him in his arms, lingering for a minute in a protective, loving embrace. A teardrop from an unseen eye moistened the back of Frodo's neck. Frodo's bound wrists made the hug and the tears seem a travesty. This was all wrong. Why couldn't Merry see it?
The moment passed, and Frodo suddenly felt Merry change positions and grasp him underneath his arms like a heavy sack.
"Pip," ordered Merry, "Grab Frodo's feet."
"Merry," begged Frodo, "Unfasten my feet. I can walk."
"You can," answered Merry tersely, "but you shall not. You are under my care now, Frodo. Try to relax and make it easier for yourself. Try to make this easier for your Merry who loves you."
Frodo relented. He had no choice.
"Pip," repeated Merry. "Frodo's legs."
Frodo clammed up, enduring the humiliation in silence. Merry was unpredictable in his current state. Frodo would say nothing that might threaten his contact with Sam.
Merry and Pippin shuffled down the hall bearing their disgruntled and embarrassed burden. Frodo's middle folded - sinking down towards the floor as Pip quickened his pace out of time with his cousin's awkward backwards steps. Finally, Frodo was plopped down unceremoniously in a corner of Sam's room.
Frodo instantly made eye contact with Sam, whose face seemed unusually flushed. Both hobbits offered each other warm smiles and sad eyes. Sam bristled when he noticed the huge red patch spreading across Frodo's face where Merry had stuck him, but said nothing.
Merry whispered instructions to Pippin, who raced out of the room, and returned in minutes lugging a cumbersome straw mattress that bent down over the hobbits head, flapping with Pippin's every step as he lumbered across the room.
"There, Pip" Merry indicated the floor near Frodo's large, heavy chest of oaken drawers. Pippin flopped the mattress down, panting.
Merry looked at Pip expectantly. "And?"
Pippin darted out again to fulfill another unknown request.
Frodo said not a word as Merry dragged him gently into a sitting position on the mattress, and supported his back with a few colorful feather pillows. He placed one small pillow between Frodo's bound hands and his back to help release the pressure upon Frodo's spine
"There now," exclaimed Merry, almost seeming his old self.
Merry tried to kneed the tension out of Frodo's shoulders with his strong hands. Satisfied with the result, Merry then straightened out Frodo's shirt, weskit and trousers as one would do for a child in dress clothes.
"How is that?"
Frodo was dying inside, aching to kick, to scream, and to maim, to stop the madness.
"Fine, thank you," Frodo answered politely.
Pip dashed back into the room so fast that he actually skidded upon the wooden floor. Frodo might have thought it endearing, if he had not caught a glimpse of what Pip held in his right hand. Rope.
Merry ruffled Pippin's curls, eliciting a blush and a giggle. Merry took the rope.
"Merry--?" started Frodo.
Merry began to thread the rope through Frodo's arms and around his waist. He then made to wind the rope to the back leg of the dresser.
"You are LEASHING me, Merry?" asked Frodo, half-annoyed, half-aghast.
"Frodo, I can't have you crawling over to Sam and having him untie you. I'm trying to be kind, Frodo. I'm allowing Sam to keep his hands free. Unless you'd rather sit in another roo-"
"No -it's fine Merry. Perfectly fine."
Frodo noticed that through this whole ordeal, Sam had remained uncharacteristically silent. As Merry busied himself with the knots around the dresser leg, Sam gave Frodo desperate, intense glances -- making eye contact, staring down at his own feet, then making eye contact again. A signal?
"There now!" Merry exclaimed, as if he had done no worse than lace up Frodo's shirt. "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"
In his mind's eyes, Frodo envisioned himself tearing off his bonds, leaping forward, and wrapping his hands around Merry's neck, squeezing the life out of him.
"No, Merry," answered Frodo laconically. "Not so bad."
"I'll leave you two for awhile," said Merry in a friendly tone. Looking up at Sam, he added, "Frodo and I will speak a bit later. Until then, take comfort in each other's company."
Merry crouched down by Frodo once more, and leaned in until his breath was ghosting against Frodo's ear. Every muscle in Frodo's body tensed and he stifled a shudder.
"Remember, Love," whispered Merry. "I only have your very best interests in mind. You'll come around. Trust will be rebuilt."
Merry tilted Frodo's chin up and kissed him gently on the tip of his nose. Gazing into Merry's eyes, Frodo saw only inky pools of shadow and mist. Where had his beloved cousin gone? Frodo resisted the urge to spit in Merry's face instead of remaining silent and subdued.
But subdued he remained as he watched Merry rise, wrap his arm around Pippin, and lead the younger hobbit out of the room. Both Frodo and Sam kept silent until they heard the bolt on their door slide home with an ominous click.
Sam exhaled loudly, as if he had been holding his breath the whole time.
"Master Frodo!" he exclaimed. "Your poor face! That scoundrel of a cousin, did he--?
"I'm fine, Sam." sighed Frodo. "It is so good to see you awake. They drugged you dear boy-did you know?"
A tremor raced down Sam's spine. "Yea, I mos' certainly did."
"Sam," continued Frodo. "I'm afraid we have urgent matters to discuss while we are alone, and I don't think we have much time."
Frodo's jaw dropped as Sam bounded out of the bed and scurried to Frodo's side, wrapping his master in a meaty embrace. A piece of rope still snaked around his ankle, but it was attached to nothing.
"I was meanin' to tell you, Master Frodo! I've managed to free my leg! This loop is only for show!"
Frodo looked up at Sam, eyes twinkling with joy and renewed hope.
"Sam! You're a marvel!"
TBC