Freed!
Amelia and Frodo walked into the library minutes later, walking hand in hand. Before them, Estella, Diamond, and Rosie were already at work using holy water on their hobbit vampire men, pressing their hands against their hobbit men's foreheads.
That seemed to do the trick! But Sam, Merry, and Pippin winced in pain; Amelia could only guess that pain caused by the holy water, in order to drive the Vampiress' intruding thoughts out of their heads.
"Hot, hot, hot, hot – oomph!" Merry cried, not enjoying this.
"I can't… breathe!" Pippin cried out, closing his eyes in sheer pain.
"Hot, hot, hot – it's working! I feel better!" Sam cried out in triumph a moment too soon, for, within that moment, Rosie fainted. Sam held her in his arms, determined to save her. "I'll save you! I promise!" He rushed out of the library before another word was spoken.
"Will he be all right? Will Rosie?" Amelia asked, concerned.
Frodo chuckled. "Knowing Sam, he's bound to come up with something. I'm sure they'll be fine, and yet, I worry about them."
"Sam's not been himself lately," Pippin pointed out.
"Well, neither has Rosie. Frankly, this whole vampire mess is ticking me off!" Estella complained.
"I would love to see everyone all right," Diamond admitted, hopefully. She passed the silver flask over to Amelia. "Here."
"Thank you, but what am I supposed to do?" Amelia asked, confused.
"You pour some holy water onto your hands and gently press them against Frodo's forehead," Merry explained. "It's that simple!"
"It gets Vampiress out of our heads, breaks the connection," Pippin said with ease. Amelia guessed this much already, but it was nice to hear it rephrased.
"Thanks, Pippin," Frodo said with a smile.
Amelia opened the flask, pouring some holy water onto her palm. She looked at Frodo, wondering if he wanted to do this. Would she be gentle about it? Would he notice the pain? She felt sure he would notice the pain. He was a vampire! As if that made a difference!
"I'm ready," Frodo nodded, grinning. "Do it."
Amelia nodded, moving her hand until she pressed it against Frodo's forehead. She stared at her hobbit husband in shock and anguish, watching him writhe in pain. Frodo stepped back, the pain too much to bear.
No! He could do this! He just needed to try again. He took a breath and then leaned his forehead against his wife's hand. The burning was sensational. It nearly took his breath away. He winced, screaming out in sheer pain. He wanted this to end. He wanted it to be over!
Snap!
The connection between Frodo's mind and Shirina's had broken. Frodo took a step back, glad the nightmare was over. His mind was clearer and he felt more like himself again. He couldn't believe how easy that was! Now, he could spend his days and nights with Amelia, holding her, caressing her, enduring every waking moment he spent with her!
It was nice to be free again!
"Frodo, are you all right?" Amelia asked, worriedly.
"I've never been better," Frodo said, wrapping an arm around her. He added with a smile, "Well, now I think it's time for a proper rest. And I think if Sam loves on Rosie, her wounds should heal in no time." He whispered in her ear, "She'll need that rest like you after I bite you." He said, cheekily. He didn't need any more of her blood but didn't hurt to tease.
End of Part II