SYNAPSES

Frodo was lying in bed, with Gandalf eating ketchup at his side.

FRODO: Gandalf! You're eating in my bedroom!

GANDALF: Sam has hardly left your side.

FRODO: That is disturbing. Who is that odd looking elf at the foot of my bed?

ELROND: Thanks to my matriarchal skills, you are beginning to mend.

GANDALF: That wasn't a very good pun, Ellie.

Elrond grew red in the face, and Frodo decided to change the subject again lest a bloody Elf vs. Wizard catfight broke out in his room.

FRODO: Gandalf, why weren't you at Bree? And have you got any ketchup left? Lost mine.

Gandalf glanced guiltily at the empty bottle in his lap.

GAnDALF: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are slick and smothered in ketchup.

ELROND: Clever. You can go play with your friends now, Frodo. Change the bandage every twelve hours and do not take a bath until the synapses are complete.

FRODO: Thanks.

ELROND: Council tomorrow morning at eight. I don't want that free-ranging organic hunk of orc's meat around my daughter longer than I can help.

Frodo nodded and mumbled as he walked away.

FRODO: Are all Elves this psycho?!