Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR or any of the characters mentioned hereafter, I only write about them because I love them. I made up Old Adda so she's actually mine....yeah.
A/N: Thank you for the feedback everyone, sorry if this chapter is bad, I was really tired when I wrote it. Let me remind everyone that this is a non-slash fic. Actually I don't think I have ever said that... have I? Anyway, Non-slash....Um.... I can't remember who asked if Frodo had broken his collarbone or his shoulder. It's his collarbone.... I say shoulder because I'm an idiot and because it sounds better in writing. Like if Frodo says "My shoulder hurts" Its sounds better then "My collarbone hurts." OK, cleared up? Thank you.
Chapter 8: The Grudge
It was on a particularly beautiful day that Frodo was sitting in his room at his desk. He sat quietly in his little room awkwardly turning the pages of a rather large book. He had been allowed to walk around for a week and he still found it downright unnatural to use his left hand instead of his right. His shoulder still hurt if he moved it too much, but he was certain he could turn the pages of his book with his right hand if he tried. However, he was on strict orders from the doctor and his Aunt not to move his arm at all. Frodo was to keep his arm resting in the sling at all times. He had already attempted to tell his Aunt that the doctor had said not to use his "arm" and his hand really wasn't his arm and therefore he should be allowed to use it. She did not agree with Frodo and now she was keeping a very close watch on him. She was known for sticking her head in his door at random times just to make sure he wasn't using his right hand to turn the pages of his book. Frodo was frustrated with the whole situation.
While living at Brandy Hall with his many cousins he had gotten used to being overlooked and not watched all the time. Now he had to adapt to his Aunt and many other relatives checking up on him almost every moment of the day. Thus he lived in the constant fear that if he put his right hand too close to any object it, his well meaning relatives would appear in his room and see that he was punished for trying to use his arm. Frodo did not know how he would be punished. He couldn't do any outside chores because he wasn't allowed outside. He wouldn't be able to do much at all since he couldn't use his right arm. Frodo pictured himself trying to wash dishes with only his left hand. What sort of punishment could be given to him? Punished for turning a page in a book, Frodo thought miserably.
For the past few days he had been unhappy because he wasn't allowed to go outside or do much of anything at all. Beautiful days passed by as Frodo watched them from his bedroom window. After the potato incident Merry had been banished from Frodo's room and was now incredibly busy with chores that had been given to him. Merry blamed Frodo for his punishment, since it had been Frodo who had discovered the potatoes and then (as Merry put it) snitched on him and told Esmeralda how the potatoes had come to be under his bed. Frodo suspected that his younger cousins never came by his room to visit because Merry warned them that if they did, they would get in trouble. The only reason Frodo was happy at all was that he had received a letter from his Uncle Bilbo saying that he would come and pay his nephew a visit. Bilbo was due to arrive the day after tomorrow and that was something to be glad about. It had been too long since his Uncle's last visit to Buckland. In preparation of his arrival Frodo was trying to finish a book that he had given him. It was very long, but it told many stories about lands beyond the shire and Frodo really enjoyed it. His Uncle had presented it to him quite some time ago and he had said, "Frodo, my lad, I have something for you...Though I'm afraid the more time you spend reading it, the less time you'll have to get into the cupboards." Frodo smiled at the memory. He had a suspicion that his Aunt had told Bilbo about Frodo's mischievous ways and his Uncle had presented him with this book as some sort of solution.
However, Frodo hadn't been reading the book as much and getting into mischief more. So, he was trying to read the last few chapters before his Uncle came. It was difficult though, when he had to stop to turn the page with his left hand and then with his relatives coming in and out to check on him. It wasn't peaceful at all. He had just managed to become absorbed in the story when he heard the sound of pebbles being tossed against his window. His first instinct was to ignore it and keep reading.
Yet the sound did not stop and, in frustration, Frodo stood up from his desk and walked over to the window. Through the glass he could see Merry, vigorously through pebbles at his window. Frodo knew that Merry was holding a bit of grudge against him and blatantly avoiding speaking to him. So as to why Merry was now trying to get his attention, he did not know. Frodo opened the window with his left hand. Merry waited patiently as Frodo fumbled with the latch. Once the window was open Merry just stared at Frodo.
"Well?" Frodo asked impatiently. He was still sore at Merry for the way he had been acting recently. Merry crossed his arms and glared at Frodo.
"Aren't you going to say you're sorry to me?" Merry asked sniffing a bit with his nose in the air.
"Sorry for what?" Frodo asked, his patience wearing thin.
"Telling on me," Merry said huffily.
"Not unless you apologize for leaving the potatoes under my bed and then telling all our cousins not to come near me," Frodo said, glaring at Merry. At first, Merry looked like he might say he did nothing of the sort but then he quickly changed his mind.
"My cousins," Merry said softly.
"What did you just say?" Frodo asked in disbelief.
"They're Brandybucks! You're not a Brandybuck, you're a Baggins," Merry said angrily.
"I am just as much a Brandybuck as I am a Baggins! If you want me to apologize to you after what you just said, you have another thing coming! Good day!" If Frodo had been able to, he would have slammed the window shut, but he found himself fumbling with the latch to close it.
"Stubborn Baggins!" Merry shouted at the window.
"Blockheaded Brandybuck!" Frodo yelled as he closed the window.
Frodo stomped to his desk and sat down glaring at the opened book in front of him. He had no idea how he was to read after what had just happened. How could Merry have said that to him? Merry was his cousin and his good friend. Sadness slowly started to replace his anger. He was a Baggins, but he had never let that separate him from his Brandybuck cousins. Soon, the sound of pebbles was heard at the window again. This time the sound was louder and small rocks replaced the pebbles. Frodo took a deep breath and went to his window again. He opened and peered out at Merry. Merry, however, wasn't looking at him. Merry was walking back and forth humming to himself.
"What do you want Merry?" Frodo asked with a slight bitterness. Merry stopped and looked about as if he was quite startled someone was speaking to him. He looked up at Frodo and smiled pleasantly.
"It's such a beautiful day, isn't it?" Merry exclaimed.
"What are you playing at Merry?" Frodo asked suspiciously.
"Such a beautiful day," Merry repeated, "I feel very sorry for anyone that wouldn't be able to be out on a day like this."
Frodo glared at him. Merry knew Frodo wasn't allowed outside and Merry knew he hated being stuck inside. Merry began talking about the beautiful sunshine when Frodo cut him off.
"Don't you have chores to do?" Frodo asked. Merry faltered for a moment but then smiled.
"I have finished all my chores, now I'm just enjoying being outside on this beautiful day," Merry began walking casually back and forth.
"Well, you had better not throw anything more at my window. You might break it and then you will be in trouble again won't you?" Frodo said smartly, closing the window before Merry could respond. Merry continued talking loudly about the beautiful day while Frodo tried to read more of his book. Frodo soon found it impossible. A few relatives checked on Frodo, but none of them seemed to notice that Merry was giving a loud narration of the gorgeous day. Frodo didn't want to point it out because he thought that this would only make Merry dislike him more and it would show that Frodo really was a snitch.
The day passed on and soon Merry left his place from under the window. Frodo thought that that was the end of the grudge, but the next day Merry did the same thing. He stood under Frodo's window and began loudly commenting on the beautiful day. Frodo couldn't concentrate on anything except for what he was going to do to Merry when his other shoulder was healed. His Uncle Bilbo was going to be there tomorrow and he hadn't yet finished the book. It didn't look like he was going to with Merry's continuous commentary. Frodo decided something needed to be done.
Frodo reached for his water pitcher that had been sitting by his bed. He crept to the window with it and sat it on the floor. Then as quietly as he could Frodo unlatched the window. Merry was so into his descriptions of the flowers that he didn't hear Frodo open the window. Once the window was open enough, Frodo reached down and grabbed the water pitcher with his good hand. Then, before Merry realized what was happening, Frodo dumped the water out the window. Frodo quickly pulled the pitcher back inside and slammed the window shut. Outside he could hear Merry sputtering and gasping in astonishment at what had just happened. Merry shouted as many bad things as he could before leaving to dry off. Frodo wasn't really proud of what he had done, but he thought that Merry had deserved it. With Merry gone, Frodo was able to finish the book and wait for his Uncle's arrival.
The next day Frodo pleaded with his aunt to let him sit outside while he waited for his Uncle, but she wouldn't have it. Every time he thought she was close to letting him he would see her eyes go to his sling and then she would refuse. There were dark clouds in the sky and she was convinced he would become ill if he went outside. When his Uncle finally arrived a bit past noon, Frodo was so happy that he forgot he was supposed to wait inside and he ran out the door to go greet him. Frodo could hear his Aunt's protests, but Frodo was already outside and in his Uncle's embrace before she could say too much about it.
"Bilbo, please do be careful of his arm!" Aunt Esmeralda shouted, she had given up telling him to come inside.
"Let me see you my lad," Bilbo said gently pushing his nephew away. Frodo stood in front of his Uncle, now feeling a bit awkward with his sling. "I believe you have grown," Bilbo said giving one of Frodo's curls an affectionate tug. "Now tell me everything that has been going on with you and perhaps we shall start with this," Bilbo said as he looked at the sling with interest.
"I thought Aunt Esme told you what happened?" Frodo asked with confusion. Bilbo smiled and chuckled a bit.
"I heard her side of the story. Now I would very much like to hear yours. Tell me what mischief were you getting into before it caught up with you?" Bilbo said with a grin. Frodo didn't have a chance to respond, as at that moment almost ten of his littlest cousins came running up to Bilbo and began hopping about him asking if he would tell them any stories. Esmeralda came and told them to leave Mr. Bilbo Baggins alone and then she told Frodo to come inside with his Uncle. Merry had followed his cousins and was now standing between Frodo and the door. Frodo chose to ignore him as he walked with his Uncle towards the Brandy Hall entrance.
"Hello there, Meriadoc!" Bilbo said cheerfully. Merry gave him a slight nod. "You haven't been getting into to too much trouble I hope." Bilbo said smiling at Merry. Merry glared at Frodo.
"Maybe you should ask Frodo, he's the one that tells everyone when I do something bad," Merry gave Frodo a last glare, before stomping off. Bilbo looked very surprised and turned to his nephew to see that Frodo was glaring too.
"What is going on with you two?" Bilbo asked bewildered.
Frodo sighed, "It's a long story Uncle."
****
Besides the comment from Merry, the rest of the day was perfectly pleasant. The weather had turned bad and it had begun to rain, but Frodo didn't care because he had his Uncle with him. He told Bilbo everything about his shoulder and Merry. Bilbo was concerned and told Frodo he should try to mend things with Merry before things got worse. "A grudge is not a good thing my lad," Bilbo had said, "It's quite a waste and Merry and you are such good friends. You should patch things up quick." Frodo had said that he would, but he could not bring himself to apologize to Merry. Was he really a "stubborn Baggins," as Merry had put it?
Frodo lay awake that night listening to thunder rumble. The rain had turned into a thunderstorm and it sounded close. The thunder wasn't what was keeping him awake though; it was his thoughts of Merry that were bothering him. Frodo was starting to drift off when he heard a floorboard creak outside his door. For a moment he thought it was someone coming to check on him, but he was wrong. Through the door crept a very small hobbit lad. He paused in the doorway and seemed to be checking to see if Frodo was awake.
"Frodo?" he whispered, "are-are you asleep?"
"Merry?" Frodo asked. Just then thunder boomed and Merry jumped and let out a small cry. "What is it Merry?" Frodo asked.
"F-frodo?" Merry sounded as if he was on the verge of tears, "Can I sleep in here to-tonight?" Lightning flashed and lit up Merry's face, it looked like he had been crying. There was a quiet pause.
"Of course, Merry," Frodo said as he attempted to move over in his bed without moving his shoulder too much. Thunder sounded again and Merry was across the room and next to Frodo before it ended. For a long time the two lay quietly next to each other. Frodo broke the silence.
"I'm sorry Merry," he said softly.
"I'm sorry too, Frodo. I'm sorry I said you weren't a Brandybuck," Merry said with a sniffle.
"I'm sorry I poured water on you," Frodo said with a sigh. Thunder sounded and Merry buried himself deep into the blankets.
"I don't like storms," He said through the blankets.
"I don't either," Frodo said quietly.
Merry's face appeared again from the blankets, "The River is filling up," he said. Frodo nodded at Merry's comment, but didn't say anything. "Old Adda was around today," Frodo had no reaction to this so Merry continued; "She said we should keep an eye on you. She... she made it sound like you might go jump in the river."
"What?!" Frodo said.
"I don't know, she was going on about rivers and you and the myth ...Mama told her to go away when she saw she was talking to us."
"Us?" Frodo asked.
"A lot of cousins and me were playing when she came up to us and started talking about it," Merry said in a hushed voice. There was a long pause where thunder sounded and Merry hid again.
"I am not going to jump into the river Merry," Frodo said sternly.
"Really, Frodo?" Merry asked.
"Good night Merry."
"Because, Frodo, you're my best friend and I-I don't want you to drown in the river," Merry said with a sniffle.
"You're my best friend too Merry, good night."
"Good night, Frodo."
To be continued...........
So tired... must go to sleep..... ZZZZZzzzz....wait I had something to say ....um.... can't remember ....2:30 in the morning....um... oh, I used the term 'snitch' in this. I have absolutely no idea if they would have used that word in The Shire, probably not, but I really didn't know what other word would have worked as well. Um....ZZZzzz.... wait, If I said something wrong (Like Frodo Really liked his uncle Bibol) I am really tired.....And I am really sorry this took so long to write. I was having trouble and then I was like oh heck I'm just going to write and see what happens. Yay me. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz....... Wait I had an excuse I wanted to use here..... Oh, it took me a long time to write partly because it was my birthday and I was playing with all the toys I got. Playstation2.....nice.......ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
oh...crud the format's all weird. I wanted it to be HTML...why? Why is...oh forget it.
A/N: Thank you for the feedback everyone, sorry if this chapter is bad, I was really tired when I wrote it. Let me remind everyone that this is a non-slash fic. Actually I don't think I have ever said that... have I? Anyway, Non-slash....Um.... I can't remember who asked if Frodo had broken his collarbone or his shoulder. It's his collarbone.... I say shoulder because I'm an idiot and because it sounds better in writing. Like if Frodo says "My shoulder hurts" Its sounds better then "My collarbone hurts." OK, cleared up? Thank you.
Chapter 8: The Grudge
It was on a particularly beautiful day that Frodo was sitting in his room at his desk. He sat quietly in his little room awkwardly turning the pages of a rather large book. He had been allowed to walk around for a week and he still found it downright unnatural to use his left hand instead of his right. His shoulder still hurt if he moved it too much, but he was certain he could turn the pages of his book with his right hand if he tried. However, he was on strict orders from the doctor and his Aunt not to move his arm at all. Frodo was to keep his arm resting in the sling at all times. He had already attempted to tell his Aunt that the doctor had said not to use his "arm" and his hand really wasn't his arm and therefore he should be allowed to use it. She did not agree with Frodo and now she was keeping a very close watch on him. She was known for sticking her head in his door at random times just to make sure he wasn't using his right hand to turn the pages of his book. Frodo was frustrated with the whole situation.
While living at Brandy Hall with his many cousins he had gotten used to being overlooked and not watched all the time. Now he had to adapt to his Aunt and many other relatives checking up on him almost every moment of the day. Thus he lived in the constant fear that if he put his right hand too close to any object it, his well meaning relatives would appear in his room and see that he was punished for trying to use his arm. Frodo did not know how he would be punished. He couldn't do any outside chores because he wasn't allowed outside. He wouldn't be able to do much at all since he couldn't use his right arm. Frodo pictured himself trying to wash dishes with only his left hand. What sort of punishment could be given to him? Punished for turning a page in a book, Frodo thought miserably.
For the past few days he had been unhappy because he wasn't allowed to go outside or do much of anything at all. Beautiful days passed by as Frodo watched them from his bedroom window. After the potato incident Merry had been banished from Frodo's room and was now incredibly busy with chores that had been given to him. Merry blamed Frodo for his punishment, since it had been Frodo who had discovered the potatoes and then (as Merry put it) snitched on him and told Esmeralda how the potatoes had come to be under his bed. Frodo suspected that his younger cousins never came by his room to visit because Merry warned them that if they did, they would get in trouble. The only reason Frodo was happy at all was that he had received a letter from his Uncle Bilbo saying that he would come and pay his nephew a visit. Bilbo was due to arrive the day after tomorrow and that was something to be glad about. It had been too long since his Uncle's last visit to Buckland. In preparation of his arrival Frodo was trying to finish a book that he had given him. It was very long, but it told many stories about lands beyond the shire and Frodo really enjoyed it. His Uncle had presented it to him quite some time ago and he had said, "Frodo, my lad, I have something for you...Though I'm afraid the more time you spend reading it, the less time you'll have to get into the cupboards." Frodo smiled at the memory. He had a suspicion that his Aunt had told Bilbo about Frodo's mischievous ways and his Uncle had presented him with this book as some sort of solution.
However, Frodo hadn't been reading the book as much and getting into mischief more. So, he was trying to read the last few chapters before his Uncle came. It was difficult though, when he had to stop to turn the page with his left hand and then with his relatives coming in and out to check on him. It wasn't peaceful at all. He had just managed to become absorbed in the story when he heard the sound of pebbles being tossed against his window. His first instinct was to ignore it and keep reading.
Yet the sound did not stop and, in frustration, Frodo stood up from his desk and walked over to the window. Through the glass he could see Merry, vigorously through pebbles at his window. Frodo knew that Merry was holding a bit of grudge against him and blatantly avoiding speaking to him. So as to why Merry was now trying to get his attention, he did not know. Frodo opened the window with his left hand. Merry waited patiently as Frodo fumbled with the latch. Once the window was open Merry just stared at Frodo.
"Well?" Frodo asked impatiently. He was still sore at Merry for the way he had been acting recently. Merry crossed his arms and glared at Frodo.
"Aren't you going to say you're sorry to me?" Merry asked sniffing a bit with his nose in the air.
"Sorry for what?" Frodo asked, his patience wearing thin.
"Telling on me," Merry said huffily.
"Not unless you apologize for leaving the potatoes under my bed and then telling all our cousins not to come near me," Frodo said, glaring at Merry. At first, Merry looked like he might say he did nothing of the sort but then he quickly changed his mind.
"My cousins," Merry said softly.
"What did you just say?" Frodo asked in disbelief.
"They're Brandybucks! You're not a Brandybuck, you're a Baggins," Merry said angrily.
"I am just as much a Brandybuck as I am a Baggins! If you want me to apologize to you after what you just said, you have another thing coming! Good day!" If Frodo had been able to, he would have slammed the window shut, but he found himself fumbling with the latch to close it.
"Stubborn Baggins!" Merry shouted at the window.
"Blockheaded Brandybuck!" Frodo yelled as he closed the window.
Frodo stomped to his desk and sat down glaring at the opened book in front of him. He had no idea how he was to read after what had just happened. How could Merry have said that to him? Merry was his cousin and his good friend. Sadness slowly started to replace his anger. He was a Baggins, but he had never let that separate him from his Brandybuck cousins. Soon, the sound of pebbles was heard at the window again. This time the sound was louder and small rocks replaced the pebbles. Frodo took a deep breath and went to his window again. He opened and peered out at Merry. Merry, however, wasn't looking at him. Merry was walking back and forth humming to himself.
"What do you want Merry?" Frodo asked with a slight bitterness. Merry stopped and looked about as if he was quite startled someone was speaking to him. He looked up at Frodo and smiled pleasantly.
"It's such a beautiful day, isn't it?" Merry exclaimed.
"What are you playing at Merry?" Frodo asked suspiciously.
"Such a beautiful day," Merry repeated, "I feel very sorry for anyone that wouldn't be able to be out on a day like this."
Frodo glared at him. Merry knew Frodo wasn't allowed outside and Merry knew he hated being stuck inside. Merry began talking about the beautiful sunshine when Frodo cut him off.
"Don't you have chores to do?" Frodo asked. Merry faltered for a moment but then smiled.
"I have finished all my chores, now I'm just enjoying being outside on this beautiful day," Merry began walking casually back and forth.
"Well, you had better not throw anything more at my window. You might break it and then you will be in trouble again won't you?" Frodo said smartly, closing the window before Merry could respond. Merry continued talking loudly about the beautiful day while Frodo tried to read more of his book. Frodo soon found it impossible. A few relatives checked on Frodo, but none of them seemed to notice that Merry was giving a loud narration of the gorgeous day. Frodo didn't want to point it out because he thought that this would only make Merry dislike him more and it would show that Frodo really was a snitch.
The day passed on and soon Merry left his place from under the window. Frodo thought that that was the end of the grudge, but the next day Merry did the same thing. He stood under Frodo's window and began loudly commenting on the beautiful day. Frodo couldn't concentrate on anything except for what he was going to do to Merry when his other shoulder was healed. His Uncle Bilbo was going to be there tomorrow and he hadn't yet finished the book. It didn't look like he was going to with Merry's continuous commentary. Frodo decided something needed to be done.
Frodo reached for his water pitcher that had been sitting by his bed. He crept to the window with it and sat it on the floor. Then as quietly as he could Frodo unlatched the window. Merry was so into his descriptions of the flowers that he didn't hear Frodo open the window. Once the window was open enough, Frodo reached down and grabbed the water pitcher with his good hand. Then, before Merry realized what was happening, Frodo dumped the water out the window. Frodo quickly pulled the pitcher back inside and slammed the window shut. Outside he could hear Merry sputtering and gasping in astonishment at what had just happened. Merry shouted as many bad things as he could before leaving to dry off. Frodo wasn't really proud of what he had done, but he thought that Merry had deserved it. With Merry gone, Frodo was able to finish the book and wait for his Uncle's arrival.
The next day Frodo pleaded with his aunt to let him sit outside while he waited for his Uncle, but she wouldn't have it. Every time he thought she was close to letting him he would see her eyes go to his sling and then she would refuse. There were dark clouds in the sky and she was convinced he would become ill if he went outside. When his Uncle finally arrived a bit past noon, Frodo was so happy that he forgot he was supposed to wait inside and he ran out the door to go greet him. Frodo could hear his Aunt's protests, but Frodo was already outside and in his Uncle's embrace before she could say too much about it.
"Bilbo, please do be careful of his arm!" Aunt Esmeralda shouted, she had given up telling him to come inside.
"Let me see you my lad," Bilbo said gently pushing his nephew away. Frodo stood in front of his Uncle, now feeling a bit awkward with his sling. "I believe you have grown," Bilbo said giving one of Frodo's curls an affectionate tug. "Now tell me everything that has been going on with you and perhaps we shall start with this," Bilbo said as he looked at the sling with interest.
"I thought Aunt Esme told you what happened?" Frodo asked with confusion. Bilbo smiled and chuckled a bit.
"I heard her side of the story. Now I would very much like to hear yours. Tell me what mischief were you getting into before it caught up with you?" Bilbo said with a grin. Frodo didn't have a chance to respond, as at that moment almost ten of his littlest cousins came running up to Bilbo and began hopping about him asking if he would tell them any stories. Esmeralda came and told them to leave Mr. Bilbo Baggins alone and then she told Frodo to come inside with his Uncle. Merry had followed his cousins and was now standing between Frodo and the door. Frodo chose to ignore him as he walked with his Uncle towards the Brandy Hall entrance.
"Hello there, Meriadoc!" Bilbo said cheerfully. Merry gave him a slight nod. "You haven't been getting into to too much trouble I hope." Bilbo said smiling at Merry. Merry glared at Frodo.
"Maybe you should ask Frodo, he's the one that tells everyone when I do something bad," Merry gave Frodo a last glare, before stomping off. Bilbo looked very surprised and turned to his nephew to see that Frodo was glaring too.
"What is going on with you two?" Bilbo asked bewildered.
Frodo sighed, "It's a long story Uncle."
****
Besides the comment from Merry, the rest of the day was perfectly pleasant. The weather had turned bad and it had begun to rain, but Frodo didn't care because he had his Uncle with him. He told Bilbo everything about his shoulder and Merry. Bilbo was concerned and told Frodo he should try to mend things with Merry before things got worse. "A grudge is not a good thing my lad," Bilbo had said, "It's quite a waste and Merry and you are such good friends. You should patch things up quick." Frodo had said that he would, but he could not bring himself to apologize to Merry. Was he really a "stubborn Baggins," as Merry had put it?
Frodo lay awake that night listening to thunder rumble. The rain had turned into a thunderstorm and it sounded close. The thunder wasn't what was keeping him awake though; it was his thoughts of Merry that were bothering him. Frodo was starting to drift off when he heard a floorboard creak outside his door. For a moment he thought it was someone coming to check on him, but he was wrong. Through the door crept a very small hobbit lad. He paused in the doorway and seemed to be checking to see if Frodo was awake.
"Frodo?" he whispered, "are-are you asleep?"
"Merry?" Frodo asked. Just then thunder boomed and Merry jumped and let out a small cry. "What is it Merry?" Frodo asked.
"F-frodo?" Merry sounded as if he was on the verge of tears, "Can I sleep in here to-tonight?" Lightning flashed and lit up Merry's face, it looked like he had been crying. There was a quiet pause.
"Of course, Merry," Frodo said as he attempted to move over in his bed without moving his shoulder too much. Thunder sounded again and Merry was across the room and next to Frodo before it ended. For a long time the two lay quietly next to each other. Frodo broke the silence.
"I'm sorry Merry," he said softly.
"I'm sorry too, Frodo. I'm sorry I said you weren't a Brandybuck," Merry said with a sniffle.
"I'm sorry I poured water on you," Frodo said with a sigh. Thunder sounded and Merry buried himself deep into the blankets.
"I don't like storms," He said through the blankets.
"I don't either," Frodo said quietly.
Merry's face appeared again from the blankets, "The River is filling up," he said. Frodo nodded at Merry's comment, but didn't say anything. "Old Adda was around today," Frodo had no reaction to this so Merry continued; "She said we should keep an eye on you. She... she made it sound like you might go jump in the river."
"What?!" Frodo said.
"I don't know, she was going on about rivers and you and the myth ...Mama told her to go away when she saw she was talking to us."
"Us?" Frodo asked.
"A lot of cousins and me were playing when she came up to us and started talking about it," Merry said in a hushed voice. There was a long pause where thunder sounded and Merry hid again.
"I am not going to jump into the river Merry," Frodo said sternly.
"Really, Frodo?" Merry asked.
"Good night Merry."
"Because, Frodo, you're my best friend and I-I don't want you to drown in the river," Merry said with a sniffle.
"You're my best friend too Merry, good night."
"Good night, Frodo."
To be continued...........
So tired... must go to sleep..... ZZZZZzzzz....wait I had something to say ....um.... can't remember ....2:30 in the morning....um... oh, I used the term 'snitch' in this. I have absolutely no idea if they would have used that word in The Shire, probably not, but I really didn't know what other word would have worked as well. Um....ZZZzzz.... wait, If I said something wrong (Like Frodo Really liked his uncle Bibol) I am really tired.....And I am really sorry this took so long to write. I was having trouble and then I was like oh heck I'm just going to write and see what happens. Yay me. ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz....... Wait I had an excuse I wanted to use here..... Oh, it took me a long time to write partly because it was my birthday and I was playing with all the toys I got. Playstation2.....nice.......ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
oh...crud the format's all weird. I wanted it to be HTML...why? Why is...oh forget it.