Frodo opened his eyes. He glimpsed at the window, finding it was still dark out but close to dawn. He rubbed the side of his face, thinking about the dream he just saw. He dreamt of his brother being stabbed by an iron poker and a man in shadows. Who was the man? Why did he go after Bingo? And the Blue Mountains… Frodo couldn't imagine seeing his brother die in his arms, not when they barely knew each other.
Frodo sat up now, recalling how his brother became flesh and blood after Frodo was stabbed by one of the elven teenage boys. His stomach ached, remembering the wound he received that day. He sighed, wondering if he could forget that pain, as well as the day he almost died.
"Frodo," Merry said, poking his head out from the bedroom door, "are you up? Sam's making us breakfast if you want to join us in the dining room."
"I'll be there in a minute." Frodo rubbed his forehead.
"Is something wrong?" Merry asked, opening the door a little wider.
"No. It was just a dream I had. I'll be fine." Frodo said, looking at the floor in shame.
"We'll be out in the dining room, whenever you're ready," Merry said, leaving the room and Frodo to his thoughts.
Frodo sighed a second time. "What a dream."
.
Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam didn't leave Bag End until eleven. It was decided they would ride to Needlehole with all haste, followed by journeying to the Blue Mountains, where Frodo expected to find lodging and a place to work.
As soon as they found their ponies, Frodo and his friends rode on through the Shire. Within a few hours, they had made it to the marshland and rode at a slower pace. So far, there weren't any trolls, but one never knew in these lands. At last, they entered the village, where they found various hobbit houses, a stable, and places where hobbits and dwarves worked together.
Frodo grinned. "Do you see?" He asked his three friends. "This is how a town is supposed to run!"
"Aren't we obsessed?" Merry asked Frodo, keenly.
"Yes. Rightly so." Frodo said, laughing happily.
"We don't know where this troll is or where to find its cave," Pippin admitted.
"Let's find out! Ask around and see what we can dig up." Frodo said, dismounting and bringing his pony to the stable.
"As long as one of us don't fall into the troll's path, then we should be good!" Sam insisted.
"Right," Frodo said, smiling. "I couldn't imagine coming face to face with a troll in broad daylight, especially if they're stone trolls, but here we are!" He waited until the others put their ponies in the stable, before checking out the village.
Needlehole was relatively smaller than the villages Frodo had ridden through on his travels. He understood the location but nevertheless enjoyed seeing everyone busy or lounging around. He shook his head, wondering if he would ever see peaceful times again.
"Frodo!" Pippin pounced on him. "I found someone who knows where to the troll is hiding."
"Where?" Frodo asked, returning to the present. "That's great to hear!" He pressed further, "Who is it?"
"Follow me," Pippin said, leading the way.
They stopped in front of an elderly hobbit, caressing his left knee. This hobbit wore a simple red vest with gold embroidery sewn into the fabric, grey breeches, and a white dress shirt. Next to him was a younger, brown-haired hobbit wearing nearly all green clothes in different shades. He stood up, the moment Frodo and Pippin dropped by.
"There you are!" The younger hobbit declared. "I'm Tom Butcher. My dad Marcho was out in the marshes when we came across a troll. It's in a cave not far from here. It shouldn't be too difficult to find. It's on the same cliff-face you see behind our house, only a way out there! Show that stone troll whose boss! Won't you?"
"Thank you," Frodo said, shaking Tom's hand. "We will find this troll and take care of it." He gestured to his friend, saying, "Come on, Pippin. Let's find Merry and Sam."
"I hope you find that troll!" Tom said, delighted.
"We will!" Frodo nodded, walking away from the Butchers' house.
*.*.*
Thanks for reading. :)