Title: What May
Come
Author: Frodo Baggins of Bag End (FrodoAtBagEnd)
E-mail:
febobe at yahoo dot com
Characters: Celebrian, Frodo, Elrond;
Gandalf, Bilbo, various others.
Rating: PG-13 or so. It's probably
just PG-13, generally, but I don't know angstiness and h/c level for
every single chapter yet. This chapter rated PG-13.
Summary:
Frodo's healing in the West is not as he had hoped. . .and yet it is
more; in Tol Eressea he finds a new home and family, and a different
kind of healing. . . .
Feedback: Welcomed. Constructive only,
please. . .no flaming.
Story Notes: I am delighted to finally
publish a story that I began work on more than a year and a half ago,
though to this day I cannot say it will not undergo further revision
before some final version. However, it is very dear to my heart, and
I thought I might go ahead and share it here as a work-in-progress -
open to you all the drafts, notes, etc. - of the past many months and
hope that you, too, will enjoy them. The interpretation, of course,
is purely mine and was touched upon in "The Memory of Taste"
(original publication of first chapter 1/18/03). . .others may
disagree, or may share this view, but this is an old project of mine
and simply a view I hold. If you wish to hear my reasoning, please
ask, and I'll dig up links to my LJ comments dicussing the tale or
engage in a discussion with you. But I hope that whether my rationale
is important to you or not, you will enjoy the story. . .I don't
think it's necessary to know the reasoning behind my thought pattern
in advance to find pleasure in the tale. :) At least I hope it isn't!
Warning: pure fluff (sometimes angst-filled, sometimes not) written for its own sake. It's not intended to have a grand plot. Lots of Frodo h/c in this, though, so if you like that, you'll enjoy this, especially if you like food detail! If you don't. . .my apologies; to each her (or his) own taste. :) I make absolutely no claims whatsoever that this is a canonically thematic portrayal of the West, though I have attempted to follow some canonical points, at least, of what we know, including that there was never a guarantee of how Frodo's healing would come, if it did, but that he might seek it there. . .as well as in some other matters, such as some of the book's characters actually being there at this time. Beyond those little points, I'm not even attempting to create a canonically purist story. This is purely for pleasure.
Part VII Notes: An extra-extra-extra-special thanks to all those who have reviewed thus far!
A word of reassurance for those who still worry. . .as I've promised, no, this one is not a deathfic; I have no plans for the Ringbearer to expire. . .so please don't fret!
For permission to reproduce any part of this fanfic, please e-mail your request to febobe at yahoo dot com.
DISCLAIMER: The characters, places, and story of The Lord of the Rings are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and consequently of the Tolkien Estate, with select rights by Tolkien Enterprises. This piece appears purely as fanfiction and is not intended to claim ownership of Tolkien's work in any way. Please e-mail me if you have concerns. Original characters, such as Mornaduial and Narien, are my own work; please do not use my creations in your work. Please respect my original contributions. Furthermore, please do NOT consider any treatments or remedies within this story safe or effective for use: these are included as fictitious hobbit care, not real human medical practice, and while some can indeed be traced to actual therapeutic practices, could be dangerous. Please consult your health care professional before treating yourself or others for any condition or symptom.
Part VII: Decisions and Details
He slept.
The little one slept, tucked into bed beneath soft covers and down comforter, still occasionally shivering in his slumber as if chilled. Celebrian sat by him, shushing and stroking his brow when he stirred, to keep him from waking, so exhausted and ill did he seem.
So small.
He was tiny, as small as her children had once been, no bigger than Elladan or Elrohir when she had rocked them to sleep in her arms. . .smaller than Arwen when she was still running about, chasing butterflies.
-Even you can only imagine what he has endured.-
Elrond's voice caught her attention, and she nodded, still stroking the fair brow as Frodo shivered weakly in his sleep, causing the faint trembling to ease back into stillness. -I can sense it. He has endured much, and more than a poisoned wound is at work here, though it accounts for much.-
-Yes.- Elrond took a seat on the opposite side of the bed, reaching beneath blankets to rub the small back. -He has been wounded with spider-sting, with bitter whip, with cruel spear, and with deadly knife. . .and he has borne the One into the Black Land, to the very fire where it was made.-
Celebrian's heart ached, and abruptly her own shoulder throbbed, causing her to swallow sharply. -Poor little one. And yet such courage, to bear all that as he has. And you say he carried the One willingly?-
-Yes. When no other would offer to carry this thing to its destination, it was Frodo Baggins who stood alone and said that he would take it, though he did not know the way. Such courage I have not seen in Men or Elves or Dwarves, nor indeed any people I have encountered save Hobbits. And this hobbit has courage above all others, I deem, though his servant may follow in time, and you shall then meet strength of a different kind.-
She nodded. -But for now, there is the matter of Frodo to be decided.-
-There is indeed. I would have him with us for a few days, at least, before he is taken to the healers. . .-
-No.- The firmness of her own voice surprised her. -No, he will not go to the Healing Halls, pleasant though they are. Let the healers come to us! He shall stay here, where he has a home. . .and, if you are willing. . .- She hesitated, looking up at him pleadingly. -. . .a family.-
For a long moment Elrond looked into her eyes, his grey gaze somber. At last he nodded. -He has a family here. And here he shall remain. Though he will need a great deal of care before any healing can truly begin. . . .-
-What would I be, if I did not provide it?- Beneath her hands the little hobbit stirred, nestling weakly against her touch, and she reached beneath the edge of the covers to slip one hand around his small ones. -He is my own, the one whom I have long sensed in visions. I could not abandon him.-
-What do you then propose?- Elrond's eyes sought hers, and in them she saw questioning such as never before.
-Are you not the healer in the family?- There was mirth in her tone, but she could not help curiousity at his enquiry.
He shook his head. -My skills were not enough to heal you beyond body. As you can see, they were not enough to do even that for Frodo. I was able to spare his life when he was wounded, but little else have I been able to do for him. It took both your mother and myself to keep him alive on the boat when his strength began to further ebb.-
For a moment she considered, recalling her earliest days after arrival. What had been done for her? -Time will be needed more than anything, and what we must do is buy him that. He needs rest and nourishment; we must provide them in such a way that he can take them, and benefit from them.-
A nod; Elrond's expression was grave. -There is another matter. . .one of grave import.-
-Yes?- She continued to cradle the small hands in hers, stroking the dark curls with her free hand.
-He was wounded on October the sixth.-
Her breath caught. -And tomorrow is. . .-
-Yes. He will need all the aid we can provide for him.- Darkness dimmed Elrond's fair countenance. -My hope is merely to keep him alive through tomorrow; from his own report, his illness has grown worse with each anniversary that passes. This time he is already so weak that I fear for his life.-
Celebrian reached for her husband's hand. -But we are in Tol Eressea now, and we are together. Let you call for Ami to come, if she will, and the three of us will see to it that he does not face this anniversary unaided.-
A faint smile greeted her in return. -Indeed we will. And may it be that this strength alone will be enough to pull him through the day.-
-Mornaduial and Narien will come. They will help us. He must have warm blankets, and nourishment, and all the things I cannot provide if I am to sit with him. They have asked what they can do to help, and here already is the perfect opportunity.- She smiled. -Fear not; I think the Ringbearer will find himself surrounded by help this time.-
She bent to kiss the fair brow, still cold despite the warm covers tucked around the tiny body.
-As we could not protect you before, tithen min, so shall we protect you now. Stay with us!-
-to be continued-