Faces of War:

Chapter 23: Surfacing

Disclaimer: The characters of this story are the property of one J.R.R. Tolkien, a master of fantasy writing. I am only borrowing these characters for a short time and gain nothing, save the enjoyment of writing, from their usage.

Shire Baggins: Sam is almost ready to give up...not becasue he wants to...but because he feel guilty that Frodo's life is not what it was before the quest...and he know what evil memories stand between Frodo and his healing. Anborn is a bit of a dolt when it comes to his housekeeping skills isn't he? Ah well....he didn't count on the intuitive skills and powers of observation that hobbits are endowed with! Besides....I needed Sam to find some clues to Frodo's presence!

Endymion2: Yes, Anborn is cruel and rather "thick" in his own way....a bad combination, yes....especially when he feels "outsmarted" by one half his size! Galen knows of Sam, which you'll hear more of later, because Frodo has spent the evenings of captivity soothing the children with tales ( which include Sam) and Galen overheard some of them....Sam is losing his hope...he has seen the pains Frodo endured in the past, and can't bear to think of what a future filled with those nightmares might bring his master. In a truly "Sam" way of thinking....if Mr. Frodo can't have the simple well lived life of a hobbit...then Frodo's need to find peace may be a journey to death that Sam will be able to accept.

Frodo felt his pain. He wrapped himself in this harsh reminder of his life, for with each twitch and fever induced chill he knew himself to be yet alive. He was submerged in his world of pain, awash with fear, doubt and depression and his broken mind wandered. The brutality of his last days had taken his hope and he felt the strength of his formally indomitable spirit began to waiver. A world of such hatred, a place where torment was visited upon others for sport, a humanity that was capable of inflicting pain to bring themselves wealth at any cost.... this was not the Middle Earth he had fought to save. His memories of the last days were a darkness he could not face and he sought to remain lost in his mind, hoping that within himself he'd find his peace.

The reality of his life came to him as another wave of chills forced his pain wracked body to move and he whimpered. " 'e's comin' back ta us Galen" a shaky voice whispered as he felt a cool hand upon his brow. Suddenly another set of hands gently rolled his body to his side, and Frodo knew if he were only to open his eyes he'd see those who sought to help him. His mind ached with the effort of trying to recall after all his torment, why he was worthy of such tending. His tortured thoughts and emotions would not allow him to believe that this was real, 'no' he thought 'they will hurt me too' and he tried to draw back within the himself, to surrender once more to his unconsciousness. A tear, that was not of his own making fell upon his face "please Frodo, we need ya Sir....yer Princess needs ya ta come back to us." a sad and remote voice penetrated the layers of Frodo's haze as he tried to recall the name behind the words.

Kylos looked, stricken to the worried face of the guard " Galen, he will come back...won't he?" The burley man could not meet the desperation in the boy's eyes and instead stroked the hair of the broken hobbit beside him " come now sir, ye've got ta try again Frodo...we've plans ta make, the children need ya and we've not got much time...please sir ye must come back ta us" the fear and sadness in the man's voice found it's way to Frodo's thoughts and he felt himself being pulled back. Frodo reluctantly gave up the respite of his mind and struggled to open his eyes, needing to see the voices whose pain seemed to match his own.

He opened his eyes, his gaze, unfocused and blurry at last cleared and he found himself looking upon the faces of a boy and large man who appeared to be a soldier. He tried, but he had no way to associate these faces and voices with any memory, his fevered state would allow him no access to clear thoughts. Galen, noting the confusion in the pain dulled eyes of the halfling guessed at his state of disorientation and soothingly wiped a cool cloth upon Frodo's forehead. "He 'tis fevering but good Kylos, we've gotta get them herbs of Tolemans's in ta him" he said as he gestured to Kylos to bring the cup from a nearby table. As Frodo continued to stare upon the unfamiliar face of the large man, Galen slipped an arm gently behind Frodo's neck and shoulders, shifting him enough to lift his limp form to a semi seated position against him. Frodo grew dizzy from the change of position and clutched the man's tunic in alarm. "Shh, 'twill be jest fine in a moment sir...let's get some of this in ta ya". The gentleness of the man's words and motions put Frodo at ease and he willingly opened his mouth to accept the drink offered. His tongue felt leaden, his dry and cracked lips bled as accommodating the brim of the cup forced his lips to stretch beyond the capacity of his dehydrated skin. The sensation of drink was a wonder, he felt he'd never had anything so good and he sighed in contentment, knowing that through his layers of pain one of his needs was being tended to.

Galen nearly cried to see the simple gratitude in the eyes of the hobbit in his arms, to be so grateful for a drink after all he'd been through, it made his anger rise within him and he swore that he'd rid the world of Anborn's evil presence....as soon as he could see the little ones safe. "Frodo sir, ye have ta try and stay with us...the children need yer help." Galen stared into the wide blue eyes beneath him, he wasn't sure if he'd yet seen any spark of recognition in the the depths of Frodo's gaze and was worried that perhaps the last days had been too much, perhaps the halfling would not leave the recesses of his mind again. He set his lips in an angry hard line, after all the hobbit had endured, he could not fault him nor blame him if he were to hide forever in his veil of madness.

A sudden commotion behind him caused Galen to turn about and lay Frodo back down upon the pallet, carefully adjusting him so that he lay once more upon his side. A blur of a little girl came flying towards him and he quickly stood up and caught her before she could throw herself onto the injured hobbit. "Slow up there lassie, ye'll do him no good by crushin' him now....here, set next ta him and ye can settle him with yer talk whilst I go gather the dressings from the table." Galen, admonishing Rosetta to be careful, placed her beside Frodo on the pallet and with a warning glance to Kylos went to gather the healing supplies from nearby. He returned in moments as set himself about the task of organizing the supplies he'd need to bandage and care for the halflings injuries.

Rosetta, her small pink mouth trembling with sadness bent over and took one of Frodo's slender dirt and blood covered hands in hers...she caressed his hand gently and stared into the haze of his troubled gaze. Frodo looked with wonder upon the beauty of the small face beside him. The pert and innocent look of blond curls and dark blue eyes with the sweetness of her small features reminded him of someone...he listened as she spoke. Rosetta's voice was small in the vastness of the cave, but Frodo followed every word as if it were spoken by a great host of angels, so powerful was it's message. "The bad men hurt you Sir Frodo...but on the outside is where they hurt ya...bad men can only hurt the outside...remember Sir Frodo? That's what ya told me...that the bad men can't hurt ya on the inside and it's the inside of a person that really matters....remember? " Rosetta searched his face for any sign of recognition or twinge of memory and for a long moment, saw nothing but blank and hollow eyes staring at her in return. She took her hand and rubbed it upon the stump of his missing finger and she continued, her voice becoming stronger and more certain with each word "badness can't get ya inside Sir Frodo, in all the great tales the badness goes to a place where the goodness of others makes it better...don't you remember?" She paused and looked once again into the depth of his blue eyes "you must remember..." she begged, her voice fading in it's sadness and pain.

Frodo looked from one face to another, careworn man to guarded teen to saddened child and he remembered. A wave of images past came upon him and he saw in his mind moments of warmth and love. He remembered days of shared misery, nights of elvish tales told and songs sung to soothe the scared among them, times spent teaching the intricacies of Sindarian to eager minds ready to rebel against their plight. He recalled restless nights of snuggled sleep and the pain and drudgery of enforced labor. He remembered the the warmth of love given without fear and the joy of unconditional acceptance...he felt his haze part as the mists that had obscured his memories lifted, his heart lightened and a tear came from his eye as he whispered " I remember" in a voice cracked and broken from pain but filled with love.

Rosetta was unable to help herself and threw her arms about Frodo's neck, tears silently falling into the dirt and bruises upon the hobbit's neck and shoulders. Frodo winced in pain, but gladly bore the discomfort knowing that he could sooth the hurt of another "shh my Princess" his broken voice whispered "shh, my lass...the bad men will not take me so far from you again, you have my promise" he said weakly and added " I can not bear to be so far from your light my little one." Frodo coughed with the strain of his words and Rossetta lifted her head and stroked his dirty cheek with her tiny hand "you shall have all the light I can find Sir Frodo...your Princess will be a light forever" she said earnestly. Frodo smiled and pulled her head down to snuggle beneath his chin as he looked gratefully to Galen and Kylos. Galen took the peace of the moment to seek out Toleman, he badly needed to find some herbs to sooth Frodo to sleep for the healing tasks to come.

Galen returned moments later with Toleman in tow. As they approached the pallet they'd sequestered in the far back of the children's cavern, Galen heard a soft, soothing and gently sung lullaby. A moments remembrance rushed through him as he saw, from a distant corner of his mind, himself crooning his youngest one to sleep. 'She'd be the age of Princess by now' he thought to himself as he saw her tiny form fill his imagination. He saw in his mind her honey toned hair wind whipped from the breezes of the lake, her brown eyes laughing with mischief as she teased the black noses of the sheep with the pussy willows from the bog, small perfect hands entwined in his as they picked berries in the high meadows. His bittersweet memories turned to pain as his wondrous moment of loving memorial was exchanged for his last image of his little Kindra. Kindra lying, warm brown eyes open and vacant upon the ground, Kindra's honey locks matted with blood and her perfect hand reaching to find someone, anyone to save her. He put a hand to his head and whispered tearfully " I shoulda been there for ya my poppet...forgive yer Da for not being with ya" he begged his memory's forgiveness and with a deep sigh approached the figures huddled about the Hobbit on the pallet.

Frodo's gently sung elven tune had it's desired effect and Rosetta was sleeping peacefully for the first time in days. Frodo grimaced with pain as he shifted a bit to stroke his hand along her thin cheek. 'She 'tis too thin' he found himself thinking and reminded himself to ask Galen and Kylos what had happened while he was....he felt his breath catch in his throat, no, he could not even allow himself to think of where he had been, it hurt too much. He looked up to see Galen and Toleman standing beside him. Toleman gestured to Kylos to take the sleeping child away, they would need privacy to treat Frodo and did not want Rosetta to see the damage that had been done to the hobbit by the cruelty of Anborn. Frodo gave a fleeting kiss to Rosetta's blond curls as Kylos lifted her and walked her prone form back to her pallet a few feet away. He took a deep breath, clenched his fists nervously and waited for Toleman to begin his examination.

The grey faced old man looked apologetically to Frodo and then motioned that he should drink the herb infusion that he held before him. Frodo wrinkled his nose distastefully at the noxious odor of the drink and found himself thinking vaguely of the many foul concoctions that Strider had forced upon him in their travels. He took the cup and drank deeply as he thought 'if the taste is any indication of strength, then I shall soon feel nothing'. He forced himself to drink to the dregs of the cup and sputtering handed it back to the gnarled hand of the old man. "Thank you Toleman" he whispered " I am in your debt". The wan faced cook shook his head and Frodo knew he was indicating that no 'thanks' was needed. The hobbit smiled his reply and closed his eyes as a detached feeling of drowsiness pervaded his senses. Galen readied the dressings and herb laced water for cleansing and waited for Frodo's breathing to even out and become quieter. He had only a few moments to wait and he placed a gentle finger upon the hobbit's eyelid, pulled it upwards to check for responsiveness, and finding none, proceeded to remove the blood encrusted shirt that covered the injured halfling.

Galen and Toleman worked with mute efficiency, washing away the dirt and blood from Frodo's back, shoulders and legs. With each newly discovered welt and tear upon the pale skin, each darkened patch of bruised skin that would not wash clean, each wince of pain from the unconscious hobbit, Galen felt his resolve grow. He did not know how, or when the opportunity would present itself, but he knew he'd no longer count himself among Dalmer's band of ruffians. One glance at the tears in Toleman's eyes told the guard that he could count on the old cook when the time came. Galen paused a moment and took a deep breath to steady himself as he tended to the hobbit's leg. The blistered skin about his foot was swollen and hot to the touch and the reddish streaks that ran up his calf had lengthened and become more angry looking. The skin was hot to the touch and and his gentle bathing of the afflicted areas caused the Frodo to moan in his sleep. Toleman brought dressings soaked in echinacea and witch hazel root to reduce the swelling, but his face was grim and he shook his head slowly in answer to Galens' silent question. "How much time Toleman, how long'll he be able ta endure this infection?" the guard asked, his voice hardened and businesslike, he had to have an answer if he was to find a way to help them all escape. Toleman scratched a few numbers in the dust at his feet....2 or 3...was the message revealed by the old man's markings.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke the pattern of Galen's thoughts and he quickly stood up and leaned nonchalantly against the nearby wall of the cavern. It would not do to allow others of Dalmer's men to see of his concerns. Dalmer himself spoke quietly in Galen's ear "How does the half high fare after the 'attentions' of my brother?" he asked, his voice feigning concern. Galen composed himself and sought to restrain his anger "he's fevering good and he'll need some stitchin' from the welts upon him." Dalmer nodded in recognition of these hurts and came closer to observe the injured hobbit as he asked maliciously "and his pride, his 'spirit' that he seemed so proud of....what of that Galen...is the runt more humble after my brother's ...most intimate of lessons?"a tiny laugh escaping his snarling lips. Galen's leader seemed unaware of the effect his words were having upon the burley soldier, yet Toleman could see the rage smoldering in the eyes of the guard and he thrust out a feeble hand to caution Galen as he moved to strike down the perpetrator of all this evil. Galen took a deep breath and answered calmly "No sir, I see no change in his spirit.....he still worries for the children and naught for himself." Dalmer looked suddenly to the guard behind him and frowned "his worries for the children are endearing to be sure....but it will gain him nothing in the end....the exchange is to happen within two days. We shall see how much longer the children shall last without the food and water I've ordered withheld....perhaps the misery of the children will show this hobbit how low he has sunk."

With a sneer and a quick extension of his leg, Dalmer's foot sought to kick Frodo, but he found his foot suddenly held and would have fallen if not for the quick thinking of Galen, who wanted to spare Frodo greater injury and grabbed Dalmer about the waist rather than see him land upon the injured hobbit. Dalmer shoved Galen's hands from him and glared at the pale face of the wide awake hobbit beside him. "You will bring food and water for the children Dalmer, or you will see nothing of the King's gold." Frodo said, his voice brittle with certainty. Dalmer laughed "it don't look like yer in a position ta be givin' orders half high....I seem to be the one in charge here." the man said as he squatted beside the pallet. Frodo sighed and shook his head, "that is where you are wrong....for I know my King, and I know he will only offer his riches for my safe return." Dalmer looked quizzically at Frodo "I shall see yer returned safe, not whole perhaps, but alive...or just barely." he smiled and ran his hand through Frodo's lank curls "alive yes, but not...shall we say, without cost to yer spirit little one...and if ye doubt my words, I am certain that my brother may be persuaded ta teach ya another lesson in manners...he should be most pleased to become acquainted with yer charms once more."

Frodo shuddered and went white as his mind sought to take him back to his last hours with Anborn, 'no' he thought 'I must be strong'. He licked his lips and stared with unwavering intensity to the hard gaze of Dalmer " I have been gifted by the Valar Dalmer, I am to be given the choice of Numenor" Frodo paused, wondering if his words would hold meaning for one such as Dalmer. They did not and as the man narrowed his eyes and stared ,Frodo's eyes filled with pain and hardening assurance as he continued "I am to choose the hour of my long journey Dalmer, and make no mistake, if I were to choose the path of death now...there would be no rest for you...the King shall hunt you to the ends of Middle Earth, if it takes him the rest of his days."

Dalmer looked the hobbit over carefully, watching for signs of deceit and trickery. He could see by the stiffness of the hobbit's face and the sadness in the depths of his blue eyes, that this was true. He stood up abruptly "Galen, have Toleman bring food and water for the children...as for you my half high friend, I shall delight in handing over what is left of you to our mighty King...." Dalmer nudged Frodo's injured leg with his foot roughly and smiled as the hobbit's face twisted in pain "there are many ways to die my dearest halfling...many ways" he snarled contemptuously and left with an evil laugh left in his wake.

Frodo suddenly started to tremble, the agony in his foot and the pain of his last revelation had taken their toll upon his waning strength. Galen gestured for Toleman to bring more of the sleeping draught they'd made earlier. He gently knelt down and placing his hands gently upon Frodo's bandaged shoulders lifted him up as he brought the cup to his lips. Frodo drank deeply and sighed with contentment as he began once more to feel drowsy. Galen's face looked drawn and pained and as Frodo stared to him the man felt he had to ask " is this true Frodo, can you choose the time and place of yer death?". Frodo smiled weakly and took Galen's hand in his...."I will not leave until the children are safe Galen." he whispered. Galen nodded, he knew that Frodo'd not leave until the wee ones were out of danger, but he needed to know "is it true sir, can ye just will yerself to death?". Frodo sighed tiredly and closed his eyes a moment, still holding the guards hand he pulled the man's massive hand to his heart and opened his eyes. Galen stared into the depths of a deepening blue pool and saw sadness, pain, and fear shimmering in their midst as the hobbit smiled, a lopsided grin that spoke of guilt and regret " I do not know for certain...this has been shown to me by the Valar...yet, I have not had cause to put their words to a test....at least not yet" he softly murmured as he fell once more into the safety of his dreams.