Sorry for the delay. I was updating my fanfics. :)
*.*.*
The first room Frodo entered, beyond the cave's door, was a large cavern where rainbow colors sparkled from gemstones in the stalactites, and stalagmites. A stone walkway circled around a large pool of cool, crystal-clear water. For a moment, as Frodo walked around the pool, he saw and heard a waterfall flow down to the pool.
The waterfall was beautiful, but looks can be deceiving. He jumped, letting out a cry of fright at the sight of Thomas, the Bearer of Secrets' face reflected in the waterfall.
"Don't look at me like that, boy!" Thomas' face said in disdain. "Continue down the path, if you're smart."
"Rude," Frodo said, annoyed by the face in the waterfall.
"Come on. Keep moving!" Thomas said, enthralled. "The next room you go to will surprise you."
Frodo chuckled. "Oh please. What could possibly surprise me—" He opened a wooden door to an antechamber, carved into the stone. He gasped upon seeing Musketeer clothing and swords scattered about the room. No! It couldn't be!
"Now you know the truth," Thomas said, creeping up behind Frodo. "I was once a Musketeer, just like you."
"What?" Frodo faced him, confused. "You were a Musketeer? What happened?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Thomas said, flicking a piece of loose ribbon, hanging off a candlestick. He looked at Frodo, grinning at him. "I was banished from the Musketeer legions, after they learned about an incident I endured with my mistress, Silvia, the hobbit lass you just met. It was a misunderstanding and the hobbit responsible kicked me out. It's only been a year since I've been banished from the Musketeers."
"Who kicked you out?" Frodo asked, appalled.
"Your good friends, Sam, Merry, and Pippin," Thomas said with a light smirk. "They were the ones responsible. They caught me with Silvia, thought I was going to hurt her, and then banished me before the king and queen found out. Like I said, it was all a misunderstanding."
"We should tell them, let them know about this!" Frodo couldn't believe it! How could his friends not see what was in front of them? He felt pity towards Thomas. He felt the need to see that Thomas was reinstated. But how would they do that? He looked at the hobbit man, asking, "Perhaps we can prove your innocence. Surely, my friends will think twice before manipulating you."
"If only that were true," Thomas said, shaking his head. "They're going to accuse me of the Salvia plant. I found it sprawled around Bag End. Your friend, Samwise Gamgee, has been planting the flower without realizing it. Anyone who touches the Salvia plant winds up with powder on their hands. A simple misunderstanding."
"Surely, you didn't crush the flower, turn it into a powder?" Frodo asked, accusing the hobbit man.
"What makes you say that?" Thomas asked, suspicious.
"Nothing. Never mind." Frodo said, patting his shoulder. "But we've got to prove your innocence."
"It's too late for me," Thomas said, watching as Silvia clonked Frodo on the top of the head with a rock. Frodo collapsed on the ground, unconscious. Thomas turned to Silvia, enthralled by her beauty and grace.
"He bought your story," Silvia asked, curiously.
"Yes, so it would seem. What? You don't think I would gather this Musketeer garb for show, do you?" Thomas asked, curious as well. He moved Frodo into a chest, setting him inside, before closing and locking the wooden chest. "He's not going to go anywhere."
"How did you escape the Musketeers?" Silvia asked Thomas, curious.
"Well, part of the tale I told Frodo is true. His friends caught us during our plot with the Salvia plant. If it wasn't for that day, when the Musketeers kicked me out, then I would never use it against them. Now, we have Frodo confused." Thomas smiled. "It's only a matter of time before his friends catch us." He admitted, picking up the chest and setting it on a wagon. The chest was light, which surprised him. He thought Frodo would be heavier. He guessed he was wrong. "Now, we only need to take Frodo back to Bree and make sure Longshanks takes good care of him." He patted the chest in wicked delight.
"Oh, you'd make a wonderful hobbit husband," Silvia said, kissing Thomas on the lips.
Thomas smiled, enthralled by her. "Yes," he held onto her arm, kissing her again, "we make quite the pair, my sweet." He gestured to the wagon. "Get on. I'll open the doors." He said, heading towards the opposite doors and opening them, welcoming the outdoor air. "It's time to go back to Bree." He said, hoisting himself up on the wagon and riding out on his chestnut pony.
Nothing could stop them now. Nothing ever could.