"Envin! Envin!" Emarin burst into the tent in a flow of her colorful
skirts. She embraced her brother warmly and spun in his arms. "Rosie likes
Frodo, Envin! Did you know that? And Frodo likes Rosie! I said I would lend
her to him if he liked. I think he liked that idea."
"Woah, sister!" laughed Envin, lightly, "Who is Rosie?"
Just them Sam emerged with Frodo on his tail clutching the little kitten lovingly. Sam tried a weary smile as he trudged to the bed. "I think-" he sighed, "You were right, Envin. I should have stayed off my feet."
Envin smiled, "You see, now I'm not one to gloat but-"
"Oh, now I've gone and done it," Sam laughed weakly.
Envin set his sister down and turned his eyes to Frodo. "He doesn't look afraid," he mused aloud. Sam nodded and closed his eyes, "That kitten's done him a bit of good, I reckon, though I cannot see why."
Envin smiled, "Animals have a strange healing power that even I do not possess." Frodo looked around warily. He clutched the kitten protectively as he stood stock still.
Emarin took his hand, "Come Lord Frodo, speak with my brother." Frodo followed and looked up at Envin without fear but with curiosity. Envin bent down and put out a hand. Frodo stepped back then looked at it. "So, Frodo," said Envin, "You want to learn, now?" The simple hobbit cocked his head but did nothing. Envin raised his hand in traditional Gondorian greeting (though it did not often involve being on one's knees). Frodo looked at it and imitated the motion. "I think we are on our way."
~~~
After Sam had bathed his face in a nice cool basin and rested, both hobbits were offered a warm meal which was never so greatly received. Frodo sat and ate quietly wondering at all the different flavors of bread and broth. Sam smiled, "I've never seen a hobbit so amazed and gentle with simple bread and soup." It was true; Frodo lifted the bread as if it were some fragile item and took a large yet tentative bite, chewing thoughtfully as if storing the memory of the flavor for later remembrance. He looked almost normal then. To Sam's eyes he was still his gentle, caring master.
Emarin was grooming her little kitten whom Frodo had reluctantly given up when the food arrived. It was Emáten who arrived with it and he sat with his sister and brother watching quietly. Sam smiled with wonder. "What a blessed family," he thought.
"Emáten," said Sam, and the soldier looked up quickly.
"Yes sir?"
"What has become of Lord Elrond and Lady Arwen? Are they still in the King's company?" asked Sam wondering what was going on outside the tent.
Emáten bowed his head to hide the blushing, "Lady Arwen will be wed to Lord Aragorn shortly, when they will be departing, I do not know. When will you be leaving, Lord Samwise? Though I do not mean to be rude!" Emáten caught his forthrightness a little too late.
"I suppose I am going with the elves. I do wish to see home again and Gandalf will be leading us, I reckon, though how far he would lead us that is left to him. The Shire is a long way from here..."
"Leaving-" gasped Envin, "No, no that will not do. I am not finished with my treatment."
Emáten and Sam both turned to Envin though Frodo and Emarin were occupied with Rosie. "Well," Envin cleared his throat, "We haven't resumed the treatment."
Sam sighed, "Envin I know you want Frodo back. I want him back more than anyone. You don't know who he was before this but-" Sam choked, "He was always someone I looked up to. But even I have to admit-"
"Samwise!" Envin cried in utter shock. "You can never ever even think that it is hopeless!"
"We've all changed," Sam cast his eyes down. "Even me."
Envin strode over to Sam and gripped his shoulders. "You have achieved so much, Sam, on such a fine thread of a hopeless task. Do not tell me that now of all times-" The young healer cupped Sam's chin and made him turn his eyes to Frodo. His old master was watching the kitten waddle to Emarin and the little girl giggled. Frodo looked up at the sound in wonder and awe. Tears filled Sam's eyes. "-when your master needs you the most."
"He looks so- normal," mused Sam.
"And perhaps one day he will be. It is yours to say whether we continue or not, Samwise, as it was yours to say when we started and will be yours to say when we are complete until our parting day."
"Envin," said Sam, "What would it teach him now?"
"We will see."
It was then that Sam, Envin, and Emáten shared in their sorrow of this war, from every perspective known. Emáten spoke of the great tragedies of battle and the masacres that occur. He spoke with a choking voice, full of scorn and fear. He had seen men fall, good honourable men that had families, die in the midst of battle. He had seen young men fall, younger than he, and older men fall, more experienced than he. Good friends who once walked with him through the streets of Gondor and shared wine with him at the tavern were lost. He put his hand to his eyes and wiped away some glittering tears.
"I could not be prouder to have fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth and my king, but it is truly a frightful way to keep peace and life. I had to remind myself of those back at home, my brother, my father, and my sister. I pray that with time such things like war will no longer be needed or we shall find ourselves in a sorry state."
When Emáten finished Envin clapped his brother on the back, "You have much wisedom brother, but none of us can see what is to come. I fear there will always be a battle to fight for wicked creatures will always try and harm all that you hold dear and they will covet your lands and freedom and you must stand up and fight if these things you wish to still possess." It was then that Envin sighed and his eyes became weary and old. The healer was worn as well. "I have seen the worst of battle. With every passing day a new man would be brought in, and I had little to do for them. We are far from the conforts of home. I have come too familiar with death and still it always hurts... each time more painful than the last. Every day another is lost and for every man that passes two are wounded and in dire need of care. I fear that every soldier is you, brother, and when it was... when you were brought in... my heart stopped. For a moment it just all stopped... I couldn't bear it... my hands were shaking... I do not know what I would do..." Envin bowed his head and Emáten just pressed his hand gently.
"I was not about to leave you yet. I believe that I am not quite finished living. There are things that I must still do."
"We.." choked Sam meekly and both pairs of eyes turned to him. "We gave up life, in the end. It was all too much. I had been... ill... I believe Frodo took care of me... All on his- on his own... I couldn't tell what was right any more... I thought that I was doing the right thing. I stopped... I stopped drinking... I don't know why but for a moment I thought that I could go without it... the water. Once that moment occured to me... I kept going. Oh what was I thinking! I almost got us both killed!" Sam threw his hands up in the air and then covered his face shamefully. "What possessed me to do such a thing! I gave it all to him and in the end forced him to go on all those journeys... all that walking through dust and ash and darkness to get the water. He had that Thing! And It weighed him to the ground, like a heavy stone strapped to his neck. He still made it. I'll never know how. But he- he just barely did..." Sam ended on a cracked whisper. "When I got better... knew what was going on... I came to him barely in time. Somethin' possessed him and I couldn't bear it! He was gone from me then too. He tried to- he told me to- give him the sword. I didn't know why. It was another folly o' mine! Why did I hand it to him!?"
Envin and Emáten stared, gripping eachothers' hands so tightly, they were truly frightened. This was what had really happened on the quest. And how terrible, how traumatizing it was! It took all they had to keep from weeping and then crying out 'What then! How!'
Sam continued. "He took it... he told me to... walk away... I knew then... I knew what he intended to do. It all cleared up for me in an instant and I couldn't let him do that! I couldn't let him take his own life! I pulled it from him! Snatched it right from his hands! Oh they weren't hands they were claws! He wasn't my master! He was- he was-" Sam's face registered with a terrible clarity then. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "He fell," Sam muttered. "He fell backwards when *I* took the sword. He- he hit his head... He hit his-" Sam turned and looked at the bandage wrapped around his master's head. The dark curls nearly covered it as they bounced playfully.
"Sam," said Envin in a stern unwavering tone. "If not for you he would be dead long ago."
"He's dead now," muttered Sam and he lay back down and pulled the covers over his face. He spoke no more that day.
~~~
A/N: I know short for such a long wait. I am sorry. As for those of you getting a little impatient I'm sorry again but this fic is barely half done. Heh on the good part no more plays so I have a bit more time on my hands. The reference in here about Emáten getting injured has been mentioned before in the chapter titled "Conflict" in case you want to check me on my accuracy. Heh. I hope you are all enjoying this it is a pleasure to write.
"Woah, sister!" laughed Envin, lightly, "Who is Rosie?"
Just them Sam emerged with Frodo on his tail clutching the little kitten lovingly. Sam tried a weary smile as he trudged to the bed. "I think-" he sighed, "You were right, Envin. I should have stayed off my feet."
Envin smiled, "You see, now I'm not one to gloat but-"
"Oh, now I've gone and done it," Sam laughed weakly.
Envin set his sister down and turned his eyes to Frodo. "He doesn't look afraid," he mused aloud. Sam nodded and closed his eyes, "That kitten's done him a bit of good, I reckon, though I cannot see why."
Envin smiled, "Animals have a strange healing power that even I do not possess." Frodo looked around warily. He clutched the kitten protectively as he stood stock still.
Emarin took his hand, "Come Lord Frodo, speak with my brother." Frodo followed and looked up at Envin without fear but with curiosity. Envin bent down and put out a hand. Frodo stepped back then looked at it. "So, Frodo," said Envin, "You want to learn, now?" The simple hobbit cocked his head but did nothing. Envin raised his hand in traditional Gondorian greeting (though it did not often involve being on one's knees). Frodo looked at it and imitated the motion. "I think we are on our way."
~~~
After Sam had bathed his face in a nice cool basin and rested, both hobbits were offered a warm meal which was never so greatly received. Frodo sat and ate quietly wondering at all the different flavors of bread and broth. Sam smiled, "I've never seen a hobbit so amazed and gentle with simple bread and soup." It was true; Frodo lifted the bread as if it were some fragile item and took a large yet tentative bite, chewing thoughtfully as if storing the memory of the flavor for later remembrance. He looked almost normal then. To Sam's eyes he was still his gentle, caring master.
Emarin was grooming her little kitten whom Frodo had reluctantly given up when the food arrived. It was Emáten who arrived with it and he sat with his sister and brother watching quietly. Sam smiled with wonder. "What a blessed family," he thought.
"Emáten," said Sam, and the soldier looked up quickly.
"Yes sir?"
"What has become of Lord Elrond and Lady Arwen? Are they still in the King's company?" asked Sam wondering what was going on outside the tent.
Emáten bowed his head to hide the blushing, "Lady Arwen will be wed to Lord Aragorn shortly, when they will be departing, I do not know. When will you be leaving, Lord Samwise? Though I do not mean to be rude!" Emáten caught his forthrightness a little too late.
"I suppose I am going with the elves. I do wish to see home again and Gandalf will be leading us, I reckon, though how far he would lead us that is left to him. The Shire is a long way from here..."
"Leaving-" gasped Envin, "No, no that will not do. I am not finished with my treatment."
Emáten and Sam both turned to Envin though Frodo and Emarin were occupied with Rosie. "Well," Envin cleared his throat, "We haven't resumed the treatment."
Sam sighed, "Envin I know you want Frodo back. I want him back more than anyone. You don't know who he was before this but-" Sam choked, "He was always someone I looked up to. But even I have to admit-"
"Samwise!" Envin cried in utter shock. "You can never ever even think that it is hopeless!"
"We've all changed," Sam cast his eyes down. "Even me."
Envin strode over to Sam and gripped his shoulders. "You have achieved so much, Sam, on such a fine thread of a hopeless task. Do not tell me that now of all times-" The young healer cupped Sam's chin and made him turn his eyes to Frodo. His old master was watching the kitten waddle to Emarin and the little girl giggled. Frodo looked up at the sound in wonder and awe. Tears filled Sam's eyes. "-when your master needs you the most."
"He looks so- normal," mused Sam.
"And perhaps one day he will be. It is yours to say whether we continue or not, Samwise, as it was yours to say when we started and will be yours to say when we are complete until our parting day."
"Envin," said Sam, "What would it teach him now?"
"We will see."
It was then that Sam, Envin, and Emáten shared in their sorrow of this war, from every perspective known. Emáten spoke of the great tragedies of battle and the masacres that occur. He spoke with a choking voice, full of scorn and fear. He had seen men fall, good honourable men that had families, die in the midst of battle. He had seen young men fall, younger than he, and older men fall, more experienced than he. Good friends who once walked with him through the streets of Gondor and shared wine with him at the tavern were lost. He put his hand to his eyes and wiped away some glittering tears.
"I could not be prouder to have fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth and my king, but it is truly a frightful way to keep peace and life. I had to remind myself of those back at home, my brother, my father, and my sister. I pray that with time such things like war will no longer be needed or we shall find ourselves in a sorry state."
When Emáten finished Envin clapped his brother on the back, "You have much wisedom brother, but none of us can see what is to come. I fear there will always be a battle to fight for wicked creatures will always try and harm all that you hold dear and they will covet your lands and freedom and you must stand up and fight if these things you wish to still possess." It was then that Envin sighed and his eyes became weary and old. The healer was worn as well. "I have seen the worst of battle. With every passing day a new man would be brought in, and I had little to do for them. We are far from the conforts of home. I have come too familiar with death and still it always hurts... each time more painful than the last. Every day another is lost and for every man that passes two are wounded and in dire need of care. I fear that every soldier is you, brother, and when it was... when you were brought in... my heart stopped. For a moment it just all stopped... I couldn't bear it... my hands were shaking... I do not know what I would do..." Envin bowed his head and Emáten just pressed his hand gently.
"I was not about to leave you yet. I believe that I am not quite finished living. There are things that I must still do."
"We.." choked Sam meekly and both pairs of eyes turned to him. "We gave up life, in the end. It was all too much. I had been... ill... I believe Frodo took care of me... All on his- on his own... I couldn't tell what was right any more... I thought that I was doing the right thing. I stopped... I stopped drinking... I don't know why but for a moment I thought that I could go without it... the water. Once that moment occured to me... I kept going. Oh what was I thinking! I almost got us both killed!" Sam threw his hands up in the air and then covered his face shamefully. "What possessed me to do such a thing! I gave it all to him and in the end forced him to go on all those journeys... all that walking through dust and ash and darkness to get the water. He had that Thing! And It weighed him to the ground, like a heavy stone strapped to his neck. He still made it. I'll never know how. But he- he just barely did..." Sam ended on a cracked whisper. "When I got better... knew what was going on... I came to him barely in time. Somethin' possessed him and I couldn't bear it! He was gone from me then too. He tried to- he told me to- give him the sword. I didn't know why. It was another folly o' mine! Why did I hand it to him!?"
Envin and Emáten stared, gripping eachothers' hands so tightly, they were truly frightened. This was what had really happened on the quest. And how terrible, how traumatizing it was! It took all they had to keep from weeping and then crying out 'What then! How!'
Sam continued. "He took it... he told me to... walk away... I knew then... I knew what he intended to do. It all cleared up for me in an instant and I couldn't let him do that! I couldn't let him take his own life! I pulled it from him! Snatched it right from his hands! Oh they weren't hands they were claws! He wasn't my master! He was- he was-" Sam's face registered with a terrible clarity then. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "He fell," Sam muttered. "He fell backwards when *I* took the sword. He- he hit his head... He hit his-" Sam turned and looked at the bandage wrapped around his master's head. The dark curls nearly covered it as they bounced playfully.
"Sam," said Envin in a stern unwavering tone. "If not for you he would be dead long ago."
"He's dead now," muttered Sam and he lay back down and pulled the covers over his face. He spoke no more that day.
~~~
A/N: I know short for such a long wait. I am sorry. As for those of you getting a little impatient I'm sorry again but this fic is barely half done. Heh on the good part no more plays so I have a bit more time on my hands. The reference in here about Emáten getting injured has been mentioned before in the chapter titled "Conflict" in case you want to check me on my accuracy. Heh. I hope you are all enjoying this it is a pleasure to write.