Title: What May Come
Author: Frodo Baggins of Bag End (FrodoAtBagEnd), AK A Febobe (FBoBE)
E-mail: febobe at yahoo dot com
Characters: Celebrian, Frodo, Elrond; Gandalf, Galadriel, 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 continue a story I began many, many years ago; I had never planned for it to officially "end," but rather to be an ongoing fic, and yet I had never planned to trail off at the point that I left it for so long. And 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 in hopes that you, too, might enjoy it. 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. 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!
And yes, I - like some other authors - assume that elves are capable of mind-to-mind unspoken communication. I am also assuming that as a Ringbearer, Frodo might also have some limited ability to hear them calling thus to him, and might perhaps be able to answer in like fashion. If this bothers you, I'm sorry it does, but I hope you can simply enjoy the story. :)
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 IX 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! Thank you for your patience and for your requests that the fic continue I hope this chapter was worth the wait, and I'll try not to make you wait quite so long again. :)
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 IX: Darkness Overwhelming
Celebrian sat in her rocking-chair, cradling her little charge close. He was struggling; that much was clear. Memories of her own pain rose unbidden to her mind, and yet even that had not been so terrible as this, or perhaps it was because she had to watch this in one whom she had already grown to love as her own child. Whatever the case, her heart hurt.
Call for Ami, she called to Elrond.
The wound had been in his left shoulder, Elrond had told her. Her fingers slipped beneath his quilt - her quilt, had been, long, long ago - but stopped. What is this upon a chain? she wondered, and followed the path of the chain to its centre, where her fingertips brushed -
a white gem.
My daughter's.
Somehow she could feel Arwen's grace and beauty yet upon it, virtue emanating from it as from Tol Eressea itself, when first she caught sight of it so long ago. Arwen had given it to him; this much she felt certain. His skin growing cold, a sheen of sweat forming upon his brow, she reached for his tiny hand and folded his fingers around the little gem. At once his grip tightened upon it, and he whimpered faintly.
I must keep him warm, she thought. Whatever happens, he must be kept warm.
We are here. What may we do to help?
Narien's voice called Celebrian from her reverie. She looked up to see both of her companions standing in the doorway to her hall, their faces grave with concern.
I need such warming herbal mixtures as you can prepare, she returned, and if Mornaduial could make plenty of chicken broth, and a mixture of warm milk and honey, that would be most beneficial. I do not know what Ami and my husband and I shall require, but - I fear for this day. I fear that darkness is trying to consume him, and I am afraid. I am so afraid.
Narien came close and set her arms around Celebrian's shoulders, dropping a kiss onto her friend's silver hair.
But you are not alone this time. You have family here, and we too will be your family, as we have been. We will do all we can.
Before Narien and Mornaduial had even returned to the kitchen, Galadriel and Elrond pushed past, hastening into the bedroom. Galadriel - Ami - dropped to her knees beside her daughter's rocking-chair, laying her hand upon Frodo's brow and murmuring a prayer in Sindarin. Recognising it, Elrond joined in.
But Celebrian had something else in mind.
Sliding her hands beneath the quilt once more, she laid her fingers over the icy place upon his left shoulder, a cold so biting and painful it caused her to gasp. It was like the cold in winter so bitter it left her gasping for air, like a knife through her chest, like all the air had been knocked out of her body.
Frodo, she called softly, hoping that, though not of the Firstborn, this little one could hear her. Frodo, Frodo, I am here - help me find you, tithen min -
Nothing.
Then pain assailed her, an intense, stabbing, breath-stealing pain, again and again.
And again she braced herself and forced her thoughts out, her voice gaining strength even as the pain attempted to suffocate it.
Frodo! Tithen min, I am here! Help me find you!
A faint cry, returning her call.
It's so cold!
She followed the sound, aware that she could potentially stray too far and lose even herself in this darkness, for shadows were all around, and she could not see the light of his fea. I am here! The light is yet here! Do not fear the darkness, Frodo - tonight you are not alone, nor shall you be alone in the darkness ever again -
I'm frightened -
I'm frightened too, Celebrian started to think, then silenced herself. It would not do to show fear. This little one needed her now; just as she had denied being afraid when traveling to Ami's with her children, just as she had assured them that the howls they heard were commonplace and nothing worthy of alarm, so now did she staunch her fear and reach out afresh.
I am here, and all will be well now. You are safe. So many of the Firstborn love and honour you, tithen min. You are with us now.
And then she reached out further.
Ami! Ami! Nin meleth! I need you!
Again she drew a deep breath and plunged deeper into the shadows.
Frodo! Frodo, come back into the light! You need no longer to walk in darkness -
She thought she heard a reply - but perhaps it was only her imagination, as shadows crowded around her...
-to be continued-