Astron-Meares: No! Of course you can give any feedback to me and I will call none of it terrible. I love to hear what you tell me. But in this case, Frodo might have lost a bit deeper than we thought. He's scared, of course, with what he has in mind. Please don't give up on me. Please tell me anything. That's one of the sources of my ideas.
Freya: Thank you for reviewing! I guess, with this Merry-angst, I draw the readers' sympathy toward him.
Coriandra: Thanks for coming again! Frodo has to experience winding roads to get healed again. Poor him.
heartofahobbit: Oh, before I reply, allow me to extend my regret for not reviewing your last two chapters. I'm still following, of course, and trembling with the thought of what terrible things Frodo might suffer next.
Now with the reply! You know, the story gets more and complicated. I hope I have the hold of it myself eventually. Hehe.
FrodoBaggins87: I can't tell for sure how many more chapters it will need. Hope not long, btw. But I can assure you Frodo will come back, with a little past experience overshadowing, though. Hmm.
Skye12: Hi, Skye! Now you hate the jewelry. That's not good. Heheh. Oh, dear, I wish I can get to update sooner… But don't give up on me, will you?
Ru: Thanks for coming here! But you're right about the importance of friends – and yourself. We have to be strong for ourself.
Trust No One: I myself never saw Merry as Gollum. You are so imaginative! Thank you, deary!
Chapter 13 – Merry's Dose of PunitionMerry panted hard. He was trying to see through the veil of curly hair falling upon his brow , but the incessant dripping of sweat kept getting into his eyes, hindering his sight. His body burned, especially his back. His arms were stretched out, tautly lashed to two posts in the balcony.
# -- # -- #
"You shall have to punish Merry?" asked Elrond.
"Yes."
"Why? He repents what he has done to you. We have talked and his guilt punishes him enough."
"That's not enough."
"But it is, Frodo, and you know that."
"No."
"Why? Why won't you forgive him?"
"I won't."
"Wherefore, lad?"
"Because then they would think I'm weak."
"Frodo?"
"They would do anything they on me and they would mock me afterwards if I did not do anything in return."
"Who said that?"
"I would be an easy prey to everyone; I should not do that."
"The Ring whispered that to you, Frodo?"
"I can't be a weakling."
"Is there any other way?"
"Making Merry feel what I have suffered is the only way."
"You are certain about this?"
"Yes."
"Think again, Frodo."
"I have."
"There won't be any turning back once you bring about the punishment."
"I know."
"Then we shall proceed."
"Thank you, Lord Elrond."
"Where would you want to do it?"
"Outside. In the balcony."
"Let us go there."
"Get Merry out."
"He is with the guards now. Look."
"He should be unclothed of his shirt."
"Done, Frodo."
"And tied between those posts."
"Arms out?"
"Arms out."
"How would you want to deliver the punishment?"
"I should scourge him with a belt like what he has done to me."
"How many times, Frodo?"
"Until he can't let out a scream anymore."
"He is ready."
"The belt, please."
The belt hit hard.
"One."
Smack!
"Two."
Smack!
"Three."
Smack!
"Scream, Merry!"
Smack!
"He is screaming, Frodo."
Smack!
"Scream!"
Smack!
"I hate you!"
Smack!
"You are my only friend!"
Smack!
"I hate you!"
Smack!
"I love you!"
Smack!
"You make me do this!"
Smack!
"Why, Merry? Why?"
Smack!
"I don't want to be weak!"
Smack!
"Oh, what am I doing?"
Smack!
"I want to stop this!"
Smack!
"But I don't want to look weak."
Smack!
"Stop me. Oh, please. Stop me!"
Smack!
"I am strong, I have to!"
Smack!
"My hand won't stop! Help me, please. Merry? Merry!"
Smack!
"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!"
"Ssshh, Frodo. I understand you. I understand you now."
Elrond grasped Frodo's small hands in his while Frodo broke down, kneeling before the healer. Sobbing.
"Hush now, halfling. Get up. Get up, I say. Good. Now look me in the eye."
After several moments spent to help Frodo to his feet and another to force him to look into his eyes, Elrond brought Frodo's hands to his chest, saying, "You are a strong hobbit, Frodo. I have told you that. Do not listen to any other telling you otherwise. Do you understand?"
The blue eyes bored into Elrond's, flashing with his qualms and his sorrow. And tears. Frodo froze, seemingly unaware to Elrond's question.
"Do you understand, Frodo?" Elrond repeated.
His heart sank as Frodo shook his head and stuttered.
"I – I thought I was strong. I l-love my cousin Merry but It said – It said I was w-w-weak. Now, now I punished Merry. I struck him. I'm yet very weak!"
"Oh no, Frodo." Elrond released Frodo's fists and cupped his face. "You did not punish Merry. You never beat him. No one was harmed."
Frodo's eyes shone incomprehensively. Elrond took his hand and brought him back to his bed. The elf helped Frodo get into it and tucked him in.
"Close your eyes, Frodo, and listen to me carefully. You never thrashed Merry. None of that ever happened. You will not remember that you ever wanted to punish Merry. And you are strong, very strong. You survived, Frodo. And in the future you will never allow yourself to be lured by the Ring or anyone else to things you don't want to do.
Now sleep, little one. Rest your wearied flesh and soul. When you are awake later, you will see that peace shall come unto you yet again."
TBC
AN: What should I do to make you all reveal yourself? I love you forever for reading this, though!
