Red String
A Healing Thread
Miranda stood outside Frodo's door three days later. She nodded to herself, if she was going to keep her promise – as well as keeping a dear friend – she would have to forgive and forget that fight. After all, part of healing was letting go of past mistakes. She raised her hand and knocked on the door, awaiting an answer. There was none, and she raised her eyebrow, knocking again.
"If you're looking for Master Baggins, he isn't in."
Miranda turned and saw one of the maids from Tuckborough. The maid came to Mira, and bowed her head in a manner of respect.
"He said he was going off for a walk earlier this morn, Miss. Would you like me to inform him that you were here, when he returns?"
Miranda shook her head. "Its alright…" she looked out one of the windows in the hall for a brief moment, seeing the leaves fall. "Do you have any idea where he went on this walk?"
"No, ma'am." The maid quickly responded. "Are you sure you don't want me to inform Master Baggins?"
"I'm sure, good day." Miranda walked down the hall and out of Brandy Hall. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and headed out for her brother's home. She'd made arrangements with him that day, if she wasn't busy; she'd stop by for a visit. She was the second child, born after her elder brother Olo, and then her brothers Ronald and Tugo followed. Not much was new in her family, same old doings in the Shire. Maybe that's why so many Tooks went on adventures, something besides the plain old boring Shire.
Miranda knocked on her Brother Ronald's door. As she waited for an answer, she flipped her braid back over her shoulder. There was a running of padded feet and then some yelling. Miranda smiled, that was her brother's family alright. The door opened and Miranda was pounced on by two children, both twins. Angelica and Ted, both six. Rosemary was her brother Olo's only child. Miranda laughed and stood, brushing herself up and hugged the two small hobbits.
"Auntie Mai-Mai!" Angelica squealed. Each of her brother's children had separate nicknames for her most of the time. "Mommy made me a new doll, want to see? She's so pretty…."
"Well, I caught a frog!" Ted interrupted his sister happily. Angelica let out a wail of disgust and hid her face in her hands. "I caught him at the pond yesterday, want to see?"
"I'll see both, I am sure." Miranda smiled. "Perhaps I should say hellos to your parents before you both go on a ruckus about competing for my attention?"
"Whats that mean?" Angelica asked.
"It means not fighting over to show her what we have." Ted rolled his eyes at his sister. "You're stupid!"
"I am not!"
Miranda rolled her eyes at the two and pushed them both inside, closing the door behind her. She put her scarf on the hanger along with her coat as the two children stood in the hallway arguing. She turned her eyes down the hall as Ronald came to the door, waving to her, and she returned the motion. Ronald came over and picked Angelica up.
"What did I tell you two about arguing?" Ronald asked.
"He started it!" "She started it!" they both yelled at the same time. Miranda shook her head.
Ronald placed Angelica down. "Alright, that is it. Angelica, go help your mother with luncheon, and Ted you go out and play until luncheon is done. When you hear the bell ring, you come straight home, you here? And don't get dirty, if your mother sees you covered in mud like this morning, she'll have both of our heads." Ted nodded and grabbed his small coat, running out of the hole. Angelica scurried down the hall to the kitchen. Ronald smiled and hugged his sister. "Well, it's been awhile."
"I'm sorry." Miranda smiled. "I've been busy."
"You've finally found something to do besides be an old granny?" Ronald asked teasingly. Miranda rolled her eyes, hitting her brother on the arm playfully. "Ow, stop it." He joked and invited her down into the living room. "So, seriously, when do you plan to open that healers you wanted to?" He picked up his children's toys.
"Not yet." Miranda said. "I want to go and learn more healing herbs from Aunt Lilly before I do."
"She's invited you back to Hobbiton so soon?" Ronald asked. "I didn't think she'd want to see you for another four months, after all you just returned since the end of July, Mira. Do you seriously plan to go there? Perhaps you should just move in with her."
"I don't know…" Miranda trailed off, thinking. She looked out the window, thinking. It was half way through September already…Frodo would be leaving for Hobbiton soon….
"Excuse me?"
Miranda turned, seeing her sister-in-law standing there, hands on her hips. Her name was Claudia Brockburttle Chubb. She had the normal fashion for hobbit lass's hair style, long and curly, brunette as well. She had on a boring orange dress, no other fancies about her. Hobbit woman were starting to become too similar. Miranda smiled weakly, she didn't fancy either of her sister-in-laws. Both had a habit of chit chattering to much, and also rumor spreading. She embraced her sister-in-law none the less, she was family.
"You don't bother to come for months, and then you just drop out of no where?" Claudia asked, shaking her finger at Miranda scolding. "Not very hobbit like, Miranda Anne Chubb. Perhaps if you came by and visited more often then you wouldn't be stuck in your home all day moping!"
Miranda frowned, trying to keep her anger down. "I'm sorry….I've just been…"
"I've heard she's been snooping around that Frodo Baggins." Came the voice of Olivia Burrows Chubb, her brother Olo's wife. She had the same hair and dress that of Claudia, except she was blond haired and had on a red dress. Olivia came up behind Claudia. "No use in snooping around him, he'll get you nothing in life!"
Miranda glanced back pleadingly at her brother, who seemed to be fancying himself with the fireplace.
"Honestly, Miranda, honey." Claudia joined in on the bashing. "You are nearly forty and have not found a husband, what dignity is in that? If you don't find a husband you'll end up being just like your silly Aunt, who lives all alone in her hole all day."
"But do find someone better than Baggins." Olivia rolled her eyes. "You might have had a rather nice chance with the hobbit lad when he didn't disappear off like that! You can't trust any hobbit who has been out past Bree, isn't right. They'll end up just as crazy and stupid as that old Bilbo. Why do you think that we didn't marry a Took or a Brandybuck? Honestly, Miranda! Set your goals higher!"
Miranda glared. "How can you speak about Frodo or Mr. Bilbo Baggins like that? You don't know either of them or what they went through!"
"Oh so you have been snooping around Frodo Baggins!" Claudia smiled in her gossip smile. Miranda smacked herself mentally for doing that. "I suppose he is rather cracked like his uncle now, isn't he…"
"Claudia, dear." Ronald came up behind his sister. "I think luncheon is burning." Both Claudia and Olivia turned and headed for the kitchen quickly. Ronald sighed and sat in the chair beside his sister. "Sorry about that, Miranda."
"Both are about as deep as a puddle." Miranda muttered, and looked at her brother. "I don't really see what either you or Olo see in them, but then again they probably do act different than me." She sighed and leaned against the wall. "SO, Ronald, you never told me that Olo was here."
"He is out at market." Ronald said. "He and Rosemary. Claudia decided to have a lovely family reunion since we haven't had one when you returned from Hobbiton."
"I think I'm glad for that!" Miranda spoke up hotly, glaring at the floor. "Neither have any right to speak of Frodo that way, they don't know what he has gone through, they are just as stuck up as Siamese cats. Just because Frodo is your average bloody shallow hobbit."
"That's a little harsh, Miranda, don't you think so?"
"No I don't! In fact…"
Miranda was stopped in her sentence by the door opening. She peaked outside the archway into the living room, seeing her brother Olo and Rosemary come in, and Ted following close behind. Ronald jumped up to help Olo out as the luncheon bell rang. Miranda scurried the two children into the large dinning room, wishing she could just skip the meal herself.
~*~
Miranda rubbed her forehead as she walked to her home later that afternoon. Dealing with the noisy children didn't bother her, but the constant bashing and bickering of Claudia and Olivia was what had given her such a horrible headache. She was used to the constant nagging of her finding a husband, but bashing on her friends was that of something unforgivable in her book. She reminded herself not to invite the two to the wedding she would have someday when she found the right gentlehobbit to marry.
Miranda looked up, finding Frodo standing in front of her door, waiting for her to answer. She had to smile at this. She slowly crept up behind him (the gate door was left open) and placed her hands on his shoulders quickly. "Waiting for me to answer?"
Frodo nearly jumped out of his skin as if someone had made a large firecracker explosion. He quickly turned, shock written on his face and saw Miranda. Miranda giggled softly, and he merely shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Well, I was waiting for a hobbit lass, not a explosion of an army of goblins."
"That is a complement?" Miranda asked, lifting her eyebrow. Frodo shook his head, turning a slight shade of pink. "Here, lets get inside." She opened the door, letting Frodo enter then closed the door behind him. She took off her scarf and coat, placing it away and headed for the sitting room, Frodo following her. "Forgive me for not being here, I was at luncheon with my brothers and their families."
"Yes, I know." Frodo said, sitting down in the seat near the fireplace. Miranda looked at him oddly. "I ran into Olo and your niece at the market on my walk, they told me that you were going to be over there." He looked up at her, seeing her rub her forehead again. "Are you alright?"
"Just a headache." Miranda spoke, sighing. "My sister-in-laws gave it to me after their bickering and nagging." Frodo nodded slowly, and then rolled his left shoulder as if it were in discomfort. Miranda recognized this as his wounded shoulder, from the wraiths.
"Now my turn to ask, are you alright?" She came over to him worriedly, putting her hand on his arm, their argument seemed forgotten already. Frodo let out a slight frustrated sigh. "Frodo, answer me."
"It has a muscle cramp, nothing serious Miranda, I promise." He said, and saw that his answer obliviously didn't please her. Frodo guessed that her mind had automatically thought of the wraiths, seeing as how the anniversary was quickly coming up. Miranda shook her head at him, and pulled him to his feet. "Miranda…."
"Frodo, don't worry." Miranda smiled. "If it really is just a cramp, I have something that will help with it." She grabbed his arm and led him to the familiar kitchen. Miranda rummaged through a cabinet with many bottled herbs. Frodo stood, his hands in his pockets, behind her, watching her. Miranda smiled in triumph and gave a slight jump to reach the bottle she was looking for. She pulled it down, pulled off the cork and took out two leaves, and then a small bowl with a medium rounded stick and began to mash the two together. Frodo picked up the bottle, seeing that the worn writing on it read 'Kingsfoil'. He let out a small weary smile and placed the bottle down, continuing to watch her.
Miranda removed the stick and the placed some cold water into the mixture, making the small torn pieces of leaves wet. She then placed them into a little pouch, tying the top of it with a string that had a bead at the end of it. She placed the pouch down, retrieved a mug from the cabinet and filled the kettle with water, placing it over the fireplace and created a fire. She watched the kettle as if she were an excited little bird. Frodo continued to watch the processes, rolling his left shoulder back once in a minute. Miranda took the kettle off the hook and pored some water into the mug, then placed the pouch inside it, and twinkled some sugar inside the drink to make it sweeter. Miranda held the mug out to him, and he took it.
"Just like Sam." Frodo smiled and took the mug from her, sitting down on the chair that was there, he looked up at her to find that she was still excited.
"I learned it from my Aunt." She said happily. "She's the healer in Hobbiton, and I go over about every summer to help her run her little office for a while. I'm hoping that sometime I'll be able to open one here in Buckland."
Frodo lifted an eyebrow playfully. "Then I suppose I am your first patient…" he moved his head a little away from the mug as if it were a poison. Miranda shook her head, folding her arms. Frodo brought the mug up took a small drink of the herb tea, making a slight sour face at its taste. He looked up at her. "It could use more sugar." Miranda looked surprise and then embarrassed and looked down blushing.
"Did it help?" she asked, not looking up. She felt Frodo take her right hand in his, and she brought her eyes up to him. He smiled and let out a little nod, still having a sour look on his face. She smiled happily; she stood there, unsure of what to do next. Frodo stood, holding the warm cup in his left hand.
"I suppose I have a story to continue?" he asked, and Miranda nodded, but then looked away.
"I'm sorry for a few days ago, Frodo…." She said softly. "I didn't mean to have you remember something ill." She looked back up at him. He shook his head at her, and squeezed her hand. Miranda figured he meant that it didn't bother him, and so the two headed back to the living room.
By the time Frodo had reached the tale telling of Lorien, it was already well past afternoon tea. He had gone silent at a long moment after he spoke of the Fall of Gandalf, and she had sat next to him, taking his hand and holding it in comfort. He continued on, speaking of the Mirror of Galadriel, and also how Sam had admired the Elven Queen. Miranda let out soft laugh at this, and Frodo shook his head.
"She was very fair." He commented.
"Of course she was, she is an Elf." Miranda pointed out, Frodo let out a smirk, seeing that he had been caught. "I think you fancied her as well."
"She was very fair." He repeated as if it could defend him. Miranda laughed again. He then went on to describe the gift giving, and all that Galadriel had bestowed upon their weary Fellowship. "She had adorned us all in cloaks, the one that you've seen me wearing. She gave Merry and Pippin Elven daggers; both seemed rather confused on why they would bear such a thing. Unto Aragorn she gave a sheath with shimmering gems, one that would protect his sword, and a small green stone that had been given down Galadriel's kindred line. To Boromir she gave a golden belt. Merry and Pippin received silver belts with golden flowers, and each an Elven dagger. Legolas received a Bow of Lorien and new arrows. Sam received a rope from the Elves, and also a small box filled with earth from Galadriel's orchard, for him to use when he returned to the Shire after the guest. I learned later that she had given Gimli three strands of her golden hair, for Gimli had fallen into a fancy for her."
Miranda smiled. "That's so cute." She commented. Frodo glanced at her.
"All the Elves were unsure of Gimli's request of Galadriel, but they spoke no evils of it." Frodo paused. "Then she came to me. The gift she gave me was a small crystal phial, filled with the light of Earendil, the Elven star. She told me 'May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.' I couldn't find any words to say in thanks, so I bowed as low as I could in gratitude. Galadriel then sent us to our boats, and we left Lorien through the water passage of the Great River."
"Lothlorien sounds like a magical place." Miranda said half-dreamily, leaning back onto the back of the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Frodo studied her reaction to the newest part of the tale he had woven for her. She stared off, and his eyes went down to see that his hand was still held by hers, and she made no move to remove it. Frodo looked back up at her face, not making any moves to move his hand as well.
"If I could, I would take you to see it." He said softly.
Miranda looked at him, feeling her face redden. She looked down, unable to think of anything to say. This is how he must have felt after the gift that Galadriel had given to him. "Do you still have the crystal phial she gave to you?"
"Sam has it now." Frodo replied. "Perhaps next time you come to Hobbiton, he will show it to you." He then thought of where to begin his next stage of the tale. The more difficult parts were starting to surface now. He frowned in discomfort and rolled his shoulder again, bringing his hand from Miranda's and rubbing the wound.
Miranda looked at him. "Frodo, are you sure you are alright?" she didn't bother to recommend him to see a healer. A healer of the Shire would not know how to treat any wounds of blades from distant evil lands. He nodded and rolled his shoulder again, continuing to rub it.
"I should head to the Shire within a few days." He said thoughtfully. Miranda felt her face move into slight shock. "Sam will be wondering why I haven't returned yet…and he will want to look after me while I am ill." He looked at her to find that she was now looked off at one of the other walls. "I won't be able to finish the tale before I leave, Miranda."
"That doesn't matter." She said stubbornly. "It is more important to be well Frodo, I worry more for your health than knowing the next part of your story right now." She looked at him, seeing him nod in understanding. "When will you be leaving?"
"At soonest, the day after tomorrow."
Miranda nodded. "Should I see you off then?"
"I'd appreciate that, thank you."
~*~
Miranda sighed sadly, leaning against the mailbox outside her home just two days later. Frodo had already left for Hobbiton, despite how much Merry and Pippin had wanted him to stay. Olivia and Claudia were pleased that he had gone, saying now that Miranda could focus less on him and more on finding a wonderful suitor. She sighed again, nerved by Buckland. She needed a nice long holiday. The messenger boy came to her hole.
"Good day, Miss Miranda!" he said happily, shuffling through his large amounts of letters. "How be you today?"
"I'm fine, thank you Milo." She responded. Milo nodded and finally found a letter for her.
"Here you go, Miss Miranda, sorry for the delay." He sighed. "All the children are getting letters from grandparents for the holidays already! Can you believe that? It isn't nearly fall yet, and they are already inviting them to come and spend the winter holidays with them. I don't understand."
"Well, time for them goes rather quickly." Miranda noted. Milo nodded and said his goodbye, heading for her neighbors hole. Miranda opened the letter from her Aunt, reading quickly over it. She smiled happily and nearly torn the letter in two.
Aunt Lilly had invited her over for winter holidays, in Hobbiton.
-*-
a/n: See the angst didn't last long! And everything is going to be happy, winter holidays in Hobbiton with Frodo! ~.^ cute, ne? I can't believe this is already eight chapters, where has all the writing gone!? And why isn't the romance started?! Drat me and my horrible realistic thinking. Oh well. I must say thank you everyone so much for bothering to put up with this story for these eight chapters. I can't say how long it will be, but I'm not done yet. ^^
myheartxyourknife: You are very welcome! ^^ Hope my review gave you some good feelings or something….(making up races are fun ^_^)
ElegantArrow64: Ummm was this a thank you for a good chapter or just Frodo bashing? XD Yes well, Frodo never really seemed like he accepted much help from anyone besides Sam, sorry -_-
FrodoBaggins87: Of course I'll let you all know when the site is posted! ^^ In fact I have a URL here for you guys to send me what I need so I can post your things up on the site if you wish them to be.
Have I done this many review feedback? ß-put WWW. In front
Read here how to submit your stories to the soon website! ^_^ Follow the rules please, don't worry, I'm not that harsh!