QTPie-2488: Thank you for the reviews. I'm glad you like "happy" hobbits. I like to write about 'happy' hobbits, but I try to get more serious stuff mixed in too.
Shirebound: "The Adventures of Merry and Frewin" -- Sounds like a good idea, though I don't think I'll take that on quite yet.
Chapter 9: The Artful Frodo Baggins
The cold rainy weather had stopped just long enough for the sun to come out and dry the roads. Bilbo had decided it was time for him to be on his way before it began to rain again. Merry, who was working on Frodo's behalf, had hidden Bilbo's walking stick in an attempt to keep him from leaving. As soon as Bilbo found his walking stick in one of the gardens, he was ready to leave. Frodo took his time saying good-bye to his Uncle. Frodo didn't like the coming and going of everyone. It was rather troublesome to have to say hello and than good-bye so quickly. Frodo especially disliked the 'good-byes.' It always made him feel sick in his stomach. He knew he would see his Uncle Bilbo again, but it still bothered him.
With his arm still in a sling, Frodo walked his Uncle out of Brandy Hall and down the road. When Frodo walked as far as his Aunt would allow, he became very silent and stared at the ground.
"Well my lad, I suspect this is as far as your Aunt will let you travel in your condition," Bilbo said with a bit of a smile. Frodo nodded, still staring at the ground. Frodo didn't want to move or look up. If he did, his Uncle may not be there anymore, he would be alone again. Bilbo could sense his nephew was troubled.
"Look here Frodo," Bilbo said, not getting any response from Frodo. "I believe there is a chill that runs through Brandy Hall in the winter and I know your Aunt wouldn't want you catching a cold. So I had a word with her and we agreed that you must come stay with me this winter. That is, if you don't mind it Frodo."
Frodo snapped his head up in disbelief, "Of course I don't mind Uncle! I would love to stay at Bag End for the winter!"
Bilbo laughed and gave one of Frodo's curls a gentle tug, "Well, that's settled then. You'll need to come before it begins to snow or gets too cold. How about in about two months?"
"But I will still be wearing my sling! Aunt Esme won't let me go traveling anywhere like that," Frodo said in dismay.
"Don't worry about that my boy. I have discussed it with your Aunt and we have decided that I will personally come to Brandy Hall and escort you, mending bone and all, back to Bag End," Bilbo said, smiling broadly.
Frodo was about to reply when he was interrupted by a small voice.
"I want to go too!" Merry had apparently followed them and decided to make a sudden appearance. "Can I go? Please Frodo, please?"
Bilbo laughed, "And of course young Merry can come as well. Though I suspect your mother will want you back home for Yule, Merry."
"You'll have to be extra good so your mother will let you come along," Frodo added.
Merry nodded vigorously, "I'll be very good! I'll be good for two whole months!" Merry then turned and ran back towards Brandy Hall. Frodo and Bilbo could hear him loudly announcing to everyone and everything that he was going on a trip in two months.
"It will be interesting to see that little one behave for two months," Bilbo said with a chuckle.
Frodo smiled, "He'll be lucky if he lasts two days."
****
Bilbo had been gone for a week and Meriadoc Brandybuck had stayed true to his word. He hadn't been into any mischief at all, but the pent up energy he had was showing itself. Merry fidgeted whenever he had to sit down and he often was found pacing a room. Once Esmeralda learned what Merry was doing, she enjoyed not having to worry about him getting into mischief. Frodo often thought Merry would burst if he didn't do something to misbehave soon.
On a beautiful day, Frodo was sitting outside reading a book. He was enjoying the sun and the fresh air, when Merry came running up to him. Merry stood, hopping in place, watching Frodo read. Merry squirmed and wiggled about as if he really was about to burst. Frodo was aware of his cousin's presence, but he wanted to finish the page he was on first.
"Frodo!" Merry suddenly shouted, a bit louder than he intended to. Now Merry had Frodo's complete attention.
"What is it Merry?" Frodo asked, slightly concerned. Merry didn't answer. Instead he wrapped his arms around his cousin and tried to bury his face in Frodo's left side. "Merry? What is it?" Frodo asked, awkwardly putting his book down with his left hand. Merry didn't answer, but started to hop in place. "Come now Merry, you'll hurt my shoulder if you keep bouncing about like that."
"Kitchen's empty!" Merry suddenly blurted, hopping away from Frodo so he could see his face.
"What?" Frodo asked. Merry covered his mouth with his hands as if he had said something horrible. He looked as though he was fighting something within himself.
"No one is in the kitchen," Merry said, taking his hands away for a moment before immediately covering his mouth again. Merry looked as though he was losing his fight. "There are bread rolls, Frodo. Fresh rolls. There's jam too. Mama put all the good jam on the highest shelf in the pantry." Merry stopped and began taking in deep breaths. "There are so many rolls…. and little jam jars, Mama won't notice… If some went missing… how would she know?" Merry quickly shook his head and covered his mouth with his hand. He sighed heavily and sat down next to Frodo.
They both sat quietly for a moment. Frodo suddenly stood up and Merry watched him curiously. "Merry, I think we both have been to well behaved this past week," Frodo looked down at his cousin with a slight smile.
"Frodo?" Merry asked standing up slowly.
"Come along Meriadoc, I have an idea," and with that Frodo set off toward the Brandy Hall kitchen.
***
"Keep a close watch on the doors Merry."
"I will, Frodo," Merry said importantly. Ever since Frodo had broken his collarbone he had been forced to behave perfectly and he thought that he was fine with that. However, the kitchen pantries thought differently. The pantries were unguarded and the contents within them called to Frodo.
The inability to use his right arm slowed him a bit, but Frodo had a plan that would make the wretched sling useful at last. With years of experience guiding him, Frodo quietly went to the counter where the rolls were. They looked wonderful, and Frodo quickly grabbed a handful of them and shoved them into his sling so that the rolls were positioned on his arm. Frodo then went to the biggest pantry and quietly opened the door. Frodo stood upon an upturned bucket to reach the top shelf. He was able to grab two jam jars before the bucket he had trusted with his weight suddenly gave way. Frodo hadn't been in this much pain since his fall from the tree. He had hit his head hard on the kitchen floor and a horrible pain was shooting from his shoulder. Frodo blinked hard, trying to bring the room into focus and stop the bright colors that had appeared when he had hit the back of his head.
Frodo groaned as he fought to push himself into a sitting position. The two troublesome jam jars were both safely still in Frodo's possession. In a bit of a daze he stuffed the jars into his sling with the rolls. Frodo took a few deep breaths and noticed the floor around him was covered in jam and broken glass. He had apparently knocked a few jars off of their shelves when he had fallen. The now broken bucket, that Frodo had used, was turned over mockingly on its side. Frodo saw Merry take a few horrified steps towards him.
"Don't Merry," Frodo said shutting his eyes tightly against the throbbing pain in his shoulder, "there's broken glass. Go watch the door."
Merry nodded and slowly went back to his post. After many minutes, Frodo was able to stand and he carefully began making his way around the glass.
"Mama's coming!" Merry suddenly gasped, running towards Frodo and pointing at the door. Frodo quickly made his way around the last bit of glass as Merry grabbed his good arm. "Let's go to your room Frodo!"
"No, that's what she'll expect," Frodo moaned.
"We'll say you weren't feeling well, hurry!" Merry said, beginning to drag his cousin. Frodo was still disoriented from his fall, but he thought Merry's idea might work. It was partly the truth, since Frodo really wasn't feeling well anymore. The two quickly fled from the kitchen and headed for Frodo's room. They made it safely and Merry shut the door. Frodo sat down on his bed and began to empty his sling.
"Take these," Frodo groaned, handing Merry the jars and rolls.
"Where shall I put them?" Merry asked holding their spoils nervously.
"I don't care Merry," Frodo said rubbing the back of his head.
"Under the bed, maybe?" Merry asked.
"She'll look there," Frodo said simply. Merry looked about the room, but there really was no place to hide anything. Merry quickly sat on the floor and opened one of the jars. "What are you doing?" Frodo asked.
"I'll eat them, I can finish before she gets here," Merry said dipping a roll into the jar. In a matter of minutes all the food was gone except for half a jar of red raspberry jam. Frodo hadn't wanted anything to eat, his head hurt and he was worried that at any moment his Aunt would come bursting in and find them. However, Esmeralda never came into Frodo's room. She never caught them and once Merry thought it was safe, he left. It was dark out now and Merry had missed supper, but he thought he could still catch dinner. Frodo was aching and he was tired, he wasn't feeling hungry so he got dressed for bed and nestled the two jam jars into his sling. He would return them later, when it was safe.
Frodo had been asleep for sometime when he felt a warm hand on his forehead. He opened his eyes to see his Aunt Esmeralda. She smiled when she saw he was awake.
"Hello dear, Merry told me you weren't feeling well," his Aunt said quietly, "Are you feeling better?" She asked. Frodo slowly nodded and shut his eyes again. He just wanted to sleep. "I'll just tuck you in then," his Aunt said, sounding grateful that Frodo was not ill. She took hold of the blankets and pulled them up to Frodo's chin. She went smooth out the blanket near Frodo's arm when she stopped short. She suddenly yanked all the blankets off and began frantically looking for something. "Frodo," she said fearfully, "Where is this coming from?"
Frodo looked at her to discover she was holding up part of his blanket that was covered in something red. Frodo's eyes widened, he was sure he wasn't bleeding, he would have known. His Aunt let out a gasp as she saw Frodo's sling was soaked through with it. "Let me see your arm," she said frantically. That was when Frodo realized he was in trouble. Before he could do anything to prevent it, his Aunt discovered both jam jars. One of which had opened and had leaked its red raspberry contents all over Frodo's sling. Frodo silently cursed Merry for not closing the lid all the way.
"Frodo," Aunt Esmeralda said with a shaky voice, "don't you ever frighten me like that again. I thought you had… What have I told you about sneaking food Frodo Baggins?" Her voice was suddenly stern. Frodo didn't get a chance to apologize or explain. "Let's get you out of this and cleaned up, your entire arm is sticky," She said, pulling Frodo up into a sitting position. Frodo couldn't believe it. He had spilled jam all over himself and his blankets and his Aunt wasn't going to punish him or even get that angry with him. She was so relieved he hadn't been hurt and bled all over the place that she was going to let it go. Next time he needed to get out of trouble, he would just need to make his Aunt think he was mortally wounded, that seemed to solve things. He hoped Merry wouldn't be found out; after all he had gone a whole week without being punished for anything.
To be continued…….
A/N: Sorry this took so long. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter . Thanks to my reviewers for patiently waiting for this.
This is dedicated to Jacob and Jordan P. who's insane antics with red food coloring inspired me when writing the last part of this chapter. I still feel sorry for their poor mom.
Please Review! Thank you!