Chapter 13
The Keys In My Pocket
The single flame that came from the candle flickered and cast a circle of light upon the blackened ceiling while the shadows of furnishings danced all around them. The flame leaned over waving back and forth from the breath and movements of the occupant's hands while they whispered to each other. Their slow conversational movements they made brought shadows that seemed to take the appearance of all sorts of distinguishable shapes against the far wall behind them. It seemed to give leeriness in the room especially from the one who leaned over the bed and was the first to speak.
The glow of the candlelight only emphasized his older brother's more dominate features as his eyebrows knitted together in anger and he could see the gleam of evil in his eyes. If not for the strange apparel that he wore, he would have seemed more of the brother that had tormented him all the young years of his life. Shudders of fear shook the younger hobbit who was awoken abruptly in his bed during the first few hours after nightfall. The pain of his burns upon his chest throbbed and ached, but he would not allow his brother to know this. Beads of sweet began to appear upon his brow while he cowered further to the corner of his bed and tried to distance himself from him.
"I saw ya, ya weak cowardly good-fer-nothin', whelp!" came the voice of his older brother in snarls from his anger. "Ya stood their and let 'em kill me brothers and Da!"
"I could do nothin' fer 'em, Faradom," he almost whimpered. "Their own ill- will caused their undoin'! Then if'n ya been there, why wasn't yer hands involved in a savin' 'em?"
"I got their just when Digger fell ta his death or I'd 'o had that one who'd pulled his arrow upon his back! Coward, he'd have never taken Digger if'n he'd have faced him one-on-one! Least ways, Digger brought down one o' 'em and I intend ta make sure o' it that he stays dead. As fer thee other fellow, mark me words, Sheffield, he'll fall ta his own death afore this night be over with!"
"What are ya tendin' to do?"
"There's mazes o' tunnels under these floors and I can get after 'em at me leisure!" he said. "I've already captured and buried five o' 'em, even the mistress that hired us. Kind 'o her to invite us in, takin' all the treasure that I can carry to those tunnels. By my figurin', ya lookin' at a lad whose finally come into his own!"
"I want nothin' o' it, Faradom. I never wanted none o' this!"
"Yah, I figured as much! It's why I've come ta tell ya the truth and fer this, you'll be doin' something fer me."
"Ya have no truth in ya, Faradom and me ears will not listen ta a thing ya can say!" Sheffield commented not caring any longer what his own brother would do to him.
Faradom slapped his hand down upon his burnt chest and watched Sheffield seize in agonizing pain. Then coming closer to his ear he began to whisper. "Have ya ever wondered, lad, why yer so different from me brothers, meself and me Da? That ya never had the stomach fer ill gotten games?"
Faradom searched is brother's face and came very closely to face him eye-to- eye. Bending closer to his ear, he again whispered; "That's because, Lad, your not me brother! You're a foundling snatched from his mother's side and taken away in the middle o' the night ta add another thief ta the pot. Ya, see lad, ya were small enough ta drop ya through an opened window ta unlock the door fer us!" course chuckles followed and echoed into Sheffield's ears and his eyes widened at the horror of what Faradom was telling him.
Seeing the raw effects of what his words had on the lad, he continued. "Now I could have kept that to me grave, lad and you'd not be knowin' no other truth if'n not fer me tellin' ya. I've seen yer brother and he's been living here in Buckland fer a time. I had a few run ins' with the lad in me travels going to and from Standelf by way of Brandy Hall. He knows nothing of me Tweksbury name or anything about yer where abouts. The only thing he knows o' me is I take what I will, when I have a need o' it. The lad learned that lesson a time or two!"
Chuckling in remembrance of the last time he had over powered him when he stole a pony that was in his charge when he was watching them in the far pastures. If it were not for the lad that he had with him that day, who called out his name carelessly, he would have never known it. Then seeing the beating that he endured from his attacker, he remembered Faradom's name and the face that he would never forget. Faradom recognized the lad also and remembered him at a much younger age when he first snatched his youngest brother that rested beside him while they slept. Faradom made it a habit to memorize the faces of those that had cause against him for his ill acts just incase that their paths would cross some where in the future.
Faradom thought of a way to convince young Sheffield that if he believed his real brother was still alive and here somewhere at Brandy Hall, he would hold his tongue and not tell the Brandybucks or the Tooks of his identity and he could escape without being recognized. He knew he had killed the lad and knew it would take days for them to figure out what had happened to him. By then Faradom would be long gone. . "All you have to do is get those keys away from the old cook without being caught and then give them to me. O' course you'll not be saying a word ta anyone about me and that be fair enough, by my figurin'. Now if'n ya can't see yer way ta that, I'll make another accident happen to yer brother that he'll not walk away from. These walls have ears, Lad. I can hear almost every thing that goes on within 'em. You'll not be knowin' when or where you'll met me again, and sure enough yer brother will neither!"
Holding his finger up to his lips and whispering to him as he backed away from him. "Get those keys and you'll not hear from me again. Remember, not a word, Lad!"
The door opened and he slipped quietly into the hallway and closed the door shut. The candle blew itself out from the gush of wind from the door. Lying on his back and staring up to the ceiling, the minutes ticked by. Sheffield began to shiver and shake thinking about everything that Faradom had told him.
His heart has always whispered to him that he never belonged to this ill- favored family and now his own suspicions were confirmed. His brother, his real brother was some where in Brandy Hall. A million thoughts immediately flowed in his mind from thinking what he would look like, or if he resembled himself, if any. To wondering how he was going to tell him that he was his real brother. Sheffield closed his eyes as it dawned on him that Faradom had him caught in his web yet again. Even if he could find him, the lad would never believe a word of what he claimed and would think it was an underhanded trick since everyone believed him to be a Tweskbury. But if he were ever to be freed of Faradom, he would have to get him those keys. Knowing Faradom as he did, he would hold true to his word. He would only gain a brother to bury him.
Guilt and confusion raced through his thoughts and his heart ached thinking about the two elderly hobbits that had helped him get away from those who had captured him, lied to him, used him and convinced him that he was one of them. If it were not for them, he would have been set on fire and left in that burning barn. Some how he had to help them, warn them that their lives were in grave danger and at the same time protect his real brother if only he could find him.
The door slowly opened and Sheffield sat straight up in his bed in fear that Faradom had returned. A servant carried in candles to light the way of the assemblage of four more hobbits into his room. One of them was being carried and he could see that the lad had bandages placed about his shoulder and arm. He also wore another across his brow. The servants opened the bed next to his and helped the lad into it.
"You'll be havin' a guest staying with ya, lad while the two of ya be healin'," commented Hatty who placed her candle upon the table that sat in between the two beds. "It'll make it a might easier fer the healers while tendin' to yer wounds."
The lad groaned when they tucked him in and Hatty barked out orders to get more pillows so he could rest his poor arm upon something soft. "Tom, the healers gave me some power fer ya to help ya sleep. Would ya like me to mix-it into somethin'?
After the lad nodded, Hatty stuck her hand into her apron pocket and fumbled around trying to find the small bottle. Being unsuccessful, she lifting her hand out of her pocket that was filled with a number of different items, including those elusive keys. She set them all down upon the tabletop.
There were many small bottles of powders that she picked up and inspected trying to find the right one. Her handkerchief and a stack of small parchments where rested upon the set of keys on the table. He could see the red ribbon that held the keys together. Finding the small bottle she opened it. One of the younger lasses brought Hatty a small cup of tea. Turning her back to Sheffield she sprinkled the power into the cup and sat down next to Tom to help him drink it.
Sheffield kept his eyes upon Hatty and then to the keys. Noticing that she paid him no attention he was tempted to reach his hand over to take them, but something inside of him would not let him. Fighting inwardly with himself trying to convince himself that he was doing this to save his brother's life from Faradom, he made an attempt to reach his hand over to the keys. His finger trembled and his eyes were focused upon Hatty's back who was turned away from him. He looked at the lasses who were busy getting another blanket and items that Hatty ordered to make Tom comfortable. It was a perfect opportunity, but he still could not do it. He rested his hand down at his side and closed his eyes cursing his weakness.
A figure loomed in the doorway and watched them momentarily before he entered. Sheffield noticed it was one of the fine dressed elderly fellows who had killed Faradom's brothers with his arrows.
Paladin walked over to Tom and gazed down upon him. "Hatty will fuss endlessly over you, Tom and you'll be healed in no time."
"Thank you, sir," commented Tom meekly. "But beggin' yer pardon, sir, I should be restin' in the stables with Shimmering and Sheerimac and not resting in such a fine bed, as it is. Straw is to my likin' and my backside fines it comfortin'!"
"Not this time, Tom," came a voice from the doorway and Merry walked in with Estella directly behind him. "You've done a great service in protecting my mother and my wife and for that, Tom, I owe you a debt of thanks. I want you resting where the healers can take good care of you."
"But the ponies, Master Merry," he began to fret. "Poor Shimmering will be beside herself if'n I'm not there."
"I have one of the other lads tending them tonight," said Merry and knew his discomfort being away from his ponies. "Besides, Tom, you'll mend fast enough and be back to the stables before you know it. In the mean time, we'll be rebuilding the stable that was burnt down and I'm adding a special room just for you. I want you to get some rest and not worry yourself any for tonight. Besides, I have a wonderful surprise for you when you're able."
"Snowclad!" his voice echoed with excitement. "You found her and brought her back where she belongs!"
Hearing his beloved pony's name instantly brought his sorrow to the surface and he could see Tom's reluctance in his face as his smile instantly faded. "No, you don't mean that........."
"Yes, Tom, Snowclad passed on giving birth to her foal. I feared her age was against her......." Tom could see the sadness in his master's face and knew how hard this was for him. Tears stung his eyes thinking about the pony that he had taken care of for so many years.
Merry glanced at Sheffield and nodded a silent agreement with the lad and Sheffield slightly nodded back to him. Lowering his eyes away from the Master of Buckland and feeling the loss of this pony in his own heart.
Tom looked back up to Merry when he realized that he had said, 'foal'. "The foal, is she......?"
"Yes, Tom. The foal is perfectly all right and she's as white as the first snowfall on a mild winter morning!" added Merry. "Pippin is warming her a bottle in the kitchen as we speak!"
Tom sat up in his bed with a sudden groan of pain from his quick movement. "Master Peregrin! Pardon my saying so, sir, but he does not know a single thing about bottle feeding a newborn foal!"
"He's been trying his best all evening to getting that foal to like him. Besides he has Diamond with him and her gentle nature will help some, I'll wager," added Merry trying to convince Tom to stay in his bed.
"My kitchen!" shouted out Hatty with a look of horror in her face. "You mean to tell me that lad is in my kitchen, alone! Unattended! With just his wife!" She placed her hands to each side of her cheek thinking about the havoc he could cause in just a few minutes of time. "Pardon me, Tom, but my kitchen needs me more than ya do at this moment." Rushing out of the room and brushing past Paladin, she raced down the hallway shouting out orders.
"Now don't be worrying none about it, after I see my father, Mrs. Brandybuck and myself will be tending to the foal!" said Merry and turned to his wife and gave her a wink of mischief in his eyes.
Paladin walked over to Merry. "I'll go with you, Merry. I want to see Saradoc myself before I turn in for the night. My sister has not let anyone in since she arrived back at Brandy Hall earlier this evening. She is quiet beside herself in worrying over him."
"Has he spoken yet?" asked Merry while they turned and headed out the door into the hallway. Sheffield saw that the elder Took shook his head when he walked out of the room after Merry and Estella. They all headed down the long corridor seeking the Master of Buckland's door.
Giving Tom a second glance, he saw the lad being tucked back into his bed and pillows arranged around his arm to comfort his wounds. Sheffield turned his head and looked at the keys still sitting upon the table. With a heavy heart he lifted them up into his hand and stared at them for a moment. He hesitated briefly before he stuck them into his pocket of his nightshirt. Hoping that some how he could find his brother in enough time before Faradom and stop him from hurting any others.
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BedTimeMonster: I too am looking so forward to writing that chapter and it will be forth coming soon. I have a lot planned for these characters and hopefully I will keep this interesting and you wanting to come back to read more.
Lowri Brandybuck : I am glad you are enjoy this story and wanting more updates. I love to write and trying some new things in practicing writing, but I'm having a blast with it all! I love having reviews they keep me wanting to write more.
Merry lad : thank you so much for your review and that you liked the last chapter. It was really hard for me to write and brought back some of my own sad moments when we lost an older horse that I was really fond of. I tried to use those feelings in writing that chapter. I was worried if I could get those emotions working in the story. So it was awesome that you thought that I did! Makes me smile and smile.
Frodo's sister : I still hope you find this story interesting enough to come back and read more. I love reviews and knowing that others are enjoying this story. I am not sure at this point about Saradoc condition and whether he will live through the night or if Faradom will make sure that he does not. Only Sheffield knows what his brother is capable of and if he can find his strength to stop him. Hopefully I will have a surprise in that chapter to keep it interesting enough.
ShireElf: I could not wait any longer to post this next chapter. I guess when you come back from your vacation, you will want to read a couple more chapters. If not, yikes! He will come to take my ring.......take away my muse so I can no longer write....... "My preciousesssssssss!" Hurray back loveofthering misses you!!!
The Keys In My Pocket
The single flame that came from the candle flickered and cast a circle of light upon the blackened ceiling while the shadows of furnishings danced all around them. The flame leaned over waving back and forth from the breath and movements of the occupant's hands while they whispered to each other. Their slow conversational movements they made brought shadows that seemed to take the appearance of all sorts of distinguishable shapes against the far wall behind them. It seemed to give leeriness in the room especially from the one who leaned over the bed and was the first to speak.
The glow of the candlelight only emphasized his older brother's more dominate features as his eyebrows knitted together in anger and he could see the gleam of evil in his eyes. If not for the strange apparel that he wore, he would have seemed more of the brother that had tormented him all the young years of his life. Shudders of fear shook the younger hobbit who was awoken abruptly in his bed during the first few hours after nightfall. The pain of his burns upon his chest throbbed and ached, but he would not allow his brother to know this. Beads of sweet began to appear upon his brow while he cowered further to the corner of his bed and tried to distance himself from him.
"I saw ya, ya weak cowardly good-fer-nothin', whelp!" came the voice of his older brother in snarls from his anger. "Ya stood their and let 'em kill me brothers and Da!"
"I could do nothin' fer 'em, Faradom," he almost whimpered. "Their own ill- will caused their undoin'! Then if'n ya been there, why wasn't yer hands involved in a savin' 'em?"
"I got their just when Digger fell ta his death or I'd 'o had that one who'd pulled his arrow upon his back! Coward, he'd have never taken Digger if'n he'd have faced him one-on-one! Least ways, Digger brought down one o' 'em and I intend ta make sure o' it that he stays dead. As fer thee other fellow, mark me words, Sheffield, he'll fall ta his own death afore this night be over with!"
"What are ya tendin' to do?"
"There's mazes o' tunnels under these floors and I can get after 'em at me leisure!" he said. "I've already captured and buried five o' 'em, even the mistress that hired us. Kind 'o her to invite us in, takin' all the treasure that I can carry to those tunnels. By my figurin', ya lookin' at a lad whose finally come into his own!"
"I want nothin' o' it, Faradom. I never wanted none o' this!"
"Yah, I figured as much! It's why I've come ta tell ya the truth and fer this, you'll be doin' something fer me."
"Ya have no truth in ya, Faradom and me ears will not listen ta a thing ya can say!" Sheffield commented not caring any longer what his own brother would do to him.
Faradom slapped his hand down upon his burnt chest and watched Sheffield seize in agonizing pain. Then coming closer to his ear he began to whisper. "Have ya ever wondered, lad, why yer so different from me brothers, meself and me Da? That ya never had the stomach fer ill gotten games?"
Faradom searched is brother's face and came very closely to face him eye-to- eye. Bending closer to his ear, he again whispered; "That's because, Lad, your not me brother! You're a foundling snatched from his mother's side and taken away in the middle o' the night ta add another thief ta the pot. Ya, see lad, ya were small enough ta drop ya through an opened window ta unlock the door fer us!" course chuckles followed and echoed into Sheffield's ears and his eyes widened at the horror of what Faradom was telling him.
Seeing the raw effects of what his words had on the lad, he continued. "Now I could have kept that to me grave, lad and you'd not be knowin' no other truth if'n not fer me tellin' ya. I've seen yer brother and he's been living here in Buckland fer a time. I had a few run ins' with the lad in me travels going to and from Standelf by way of Brandy Hall. He knows nothing of me Tweksbury name or anything about yer where abouts. The only thing he knows o' me is I take what I will, when I have a need o' it. The lad learned that lesson a time or two!"
Chuckling in remembrance of the last time he had over powered him when he stole a pony that was in his charge when he was watching them in the far pastures. If it were not for the lad that he had with him that day, who called out his name carelessly, he would have never known it. Then seeing the beating that he endured from his attacker, he remembered Faradom's name and the face that he would never forget. Faradom recognized the lad also and remembered him at a much younger age when he first snatched his youngest brother that rested beside him while they slept. Faradom made it a habit to memorize the faces of those that had cause against him for his ill acts just incase that their paths would cross some where in the future.
Faradom thought of a way to convince young Sheffield that if he believed his real brother was still alive and here somewhere at Brandy Hall, he would hold his tongue and not tell the Brandybucks or the Tooks of his identity and he could escape without being recognized. He knew he had killed the lad and knew it would take days for them to figure out what had happened to him. By then Faradom would be long gone. . "All you have to do is get those keys away from the old cook without being caught and then give them to me. O' course you'll not be saying a word ta anyone about me and that be fair enough, by my figurin'. Now if'n ya can't see yer way ta that, I'll make another accident happen to yer brother that he'll not walk away from. These walls have ears, Lad. I can hear almost every thing that goes on within 'em. You'll not be knowin' when or where you'll met me again, and sure enough yer brother will neither!"
Holding his finger up to his lips and whispering to him as he backed away from him. "Get those keys and you'll not hear from me again. Remember, not a word, Lad!"
The door opened and he slipped quietly into the hallway and closed the door shut. The candle blew itself out from the gush of wind from the door. Lying on his back and staring up to the ceiling, the minutes ticked by. Sheffield began to shiver and shake thinking about everything that Faradom had told him.
His heart has always whispered to him that he never belonged to this ill- favored family and now his own suspicions were confirmed. His brother, his real brother was some where in Brandy Hall. A million thoughts immediately flowed in his mind from thinking what he would look like, or if he resembled himself, if any. To wondering how he was going to tell him that he was his real brother. Sheffield closed his eyes as it dawned on him that Faradom had him caught in his web yet again. Even if he could find him, the lad would never believe a word of what he claimed and would think it was an underhanded trick since everyone believed him to be a Tweskbury. But if he were ever to be freed of Faradom, he would have to get him those keys. Knowing Faradom as he did, he would hold true to his word. He would only gain a brother to bury him.
Guilt and confusion raced through his thoughts and his heart ached thinking about the two elderly hobbits that had helped him get away from those who had captured him, lied to him, used him and convinced him that he was one of them. If it were not for them, he would have been set on fire and left in that burning barn. Some how he had to help them, warn them that their lives were in grave danger and at the same time protect his real brother if only he could find him.
The door slowly opened and Sheffield sat straight up in his bed in fear that Faradom had returned. A servant carried in candles to light the way of the assemblage of four more hobbits into his room. One of them was being carried and he could see that the lad had bandages placed about his shoulder and arm. He also wore another across his brow. The servants opened the bed next to his and helped the lad into it.
"You'll be havin' a guest staying with ya, lad while the two of ya be healin'," commented Hatty who placed her candle upon the table that sat in between the two beds. "It'll make it a might easier fer the healers while tendin' to yer wounds."
The lad groaned when they tucked him in and Hatty barked out orders to get more pillows so he could rest his poor arm upon something soft. "Tom, the healers gave me some power fer ya to help ya sleep. Would ya like me to mix-it into somethin'?
After the lad nodded, Hatty stuck her hand into her apron pocket and fumbled around trying to find the small bottle. Being unsuccessful, she lifting her hand out of her pocket that was filled with a number of different items, including those elusive keys. She set them all down upon the tabletop.
There were many small bottles of powders that she picked up and inspected trying to find the right one. Her handkerchief and a stack of small parchments where rested upon the set of keys on the table. He could see the red ribbon that held the keys together. Finding the small bottle she opened it. One of the younger lasses brought Hatty a small cup of tea. Turning her back to Sheffield she sprinkled the power into the cup and sat down next to Tom to help him drink it.
Sheffield kept his eyes upon Hatty and then to the keys. Noticing that she paid him no attention he was tempted to reach his hand over to take them, but something inside of him would not let him. Fighting inwardly with himself trying to convince himself that he was doing this to save his brother's life from Faradom, he made an attempt to reach his hand over to the keys. His finger trembled and his eyes were focused upon Hatty's back who was turned away from him. He looked at the lasses who were busy getting another blanket and items that Hatty ordered to make Tom comfortable. It was a perfect opportunity, but he still could not do it. He rested his hand down at his side and closed his eyes cursing his weakness.
A figure loomed in the doorway and watched them momentarily before he entered. Sheffield noticed it was one of the fine dressed elderly fellows who had killed Faradom's brothers with his arrows.
Paladin walked over to Tom and gazed down upon him. "Hatty will fuss endlessly over you, Tom and you'll be healed in no time."
"Thank you, sir," commented Tom meekly. "But beggin' yer pardon, sir, I should be restin' in the stables with Shimmering and Sheerimac and not resting in such a fine bed, as it is. Straw is to my likin' and my backside fines it comfortin'!"
"Not this time, Tom," came a voice from the doorway and Merry walked in with Estella directly behind him. "You've done a great service in protecting my mother and my wife and for that, Tom, I owe you a debt of thanks. I want you resting where the healers can take good care of you."
"But the ponies, Master Merry," he began to fret. "Poor Shimmering will be beside herself if'n I'm not there."
"I have one of the other lads tending them tonight," said Merry and knew his discomfort being away from his ponies. "Besides, Tom, you'll mend fast enough and be back to the stables before you know it. In the mean time, we'll be rebuilding the stable that was burnt down and I'm adding a special room just for you. I want you to get some rest and not worry yourself any for tonight. Besides, I have a wonderful surprise for you when you're able."
"Snowclad!" his voice echoed with excitement. "You found her and brought her back where she belongs!"
Hearing his beloved pony's name instantly brought his sorrow to the surface and he could see Tom's reluctance in his face as his smile instantly faded. "No, you don't mean that........."
"Yes, Tom, Snowclad passed on giving birth to her foal. I feared her age was against her......." Tom could see the sadness in his master's face and knew how hard this was for him. Tears stung his eyes thinking about the pony that he had taken care of for so many years.
Merry glanced at Sheffield and nodded a silent agreement with the lad and Sheffield slightly nodded back to him. Lowering his eyes away from the Master of Buckland and feeling the loss of this pony in his own heart.
Tom looked back up to Merry when he realized that he had said, 'foal'. "The foal, is she......?"
"Yes, Tom. The foal is perfectly all right and she's as white as the first snowfall on a mild winter morning!" added Merry. "Pippin is warming her a bottle in the kitchen as we speak!"
Tom sat up in his bed with a sudden groan of pain from his quick movement. "Master Peregrin! Pardon my saying so, sir, but he does not know a single thing about bottle feeding a newborn foal!"
"He's been trying his best all evening to getting that foal to like him. Besides he has Diamond with him and her gentle nature will help some, I'll wager," added Merry trying to convince Tom to stay in his bed.
"My kitchen!" shouted out Hatty with a look of horror in her face. "You mean to tell me that lad is in my kitchen, alone! Unattended! With just his wife!" She placed her hands to each side of her cheek thinking about the havoc he could cause in just a few minutes of time. "Pardon me, Tom, but my kitchen needs me more than ya do at this moment." Rushing out of the room and brushing past Paladin, she raced down the hallway shouting out orders.
"Now don't be worrying none about it, after I see my father, Mrs. Brandybuck and myself will be tending to the foal!" said Merry and turned to his wife and gave her a wink of mischief in his eyes.
Paladin walked over to Merry. "I'll go with you, Merry. I want to see Saradoc myself before I turn in for the night. My sister has not let anyone in since she arrived back at Brandy Hall earlier this evening. She is quiet beside herself in worrying over him."
"Has he spoken yet?" asked Merry while they turned and headed out the door into the hallway. Sheffield saw that the elder Took shook his head when he walked out of the room after Merry and Estella. They all headed down the long corridor seeking the Master of Buckland's door.
Giving Tom a second glance, he saw the lad being tucked back into his bed and pillows arranged around his arm to comfort his wounds. Sheffield turned his head and looked at the keys still sitting upon the table. With a heavy heart he lifted them up into his hand and stared at them for a moment. He hesitated briefly before he stuck them into his pocket of his nightshirt. Hoping that some how he could find his brother in enough time before Faradom and stop him from hurting any others.
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BedTimeMonster: I too am looking so forward to writing that chapter and it will be forth coming soon. I have a lot planned for these characters and hopefully I will keep this interesting and you wanting to come back to read more.
Lowri Brandybuck : I am glad you are enjoy this story and wanting more updates. I love to write and trying some new things in practicing writing, but I'm having a blast with it all! I love having reviews they keep me wanting to write more.
Merry lad : thank you so much for your review and that you liked the last chapter. It was really hard for me to write and brought back some of my own sad moments when we lost an older horse that I was really fond of. I tried to use those feelings in writing that chapter. I was worried if I could get those emotions working in the story. So it was awesome that you thought that I did! Makes me smile and smile.
Frodo's sister : I still hope you find this story interesting enough to come back and read more. I love reviews and knowing that others are enjoying this story. I am not sure at this point about Saradoc condition and whether he will live through the night or if Faradom will make sure that he does not. Only Sheffield knows what his brother is capable of and if he can find his strength to stop him. Hopefully I will have a surprise in that chapter to keep it interesting enough.
ShireElf: I could not wait any longer to post this next chapter. I guess when you come back from your vacation, you will want to read a couple more chapters. If not, yikes! He will come to take my ring.......take away my muse so I can no longer write....... "My preciousesssssssss!" Hurray back loveofthering misses you!!!