Chapter Three:

Learning to Trust

Frodo received Ronnie's message. He even wrote a reply, informing him about the caged scarred lionesses. Although Sam felt concern towards Frodo, he seemed to understand what he was doing. As for Elijah Molvaro, he stayed for two more weeks at Bag End. During that time, Frodo and Elijah conversed with Scar-ra and Katrina for information. Somehow, Scar-ra and Katrina were still convinced in their distrust towards hobbits and heroes in general. When Elijah was ready to depart, Frodo walked him to the countryside. It was there that Elijah would use a portal to leave Middle-earth.

"Do you have to leave? You could help me convince Scar-ra and Katrina-"

Elijah stopped him. "No, Frodo, I have to head back to the headquarters. With luck, I'll find Parker Dooley and inform him of our progress."

"Don't go too far away. I don't know when we'll meet again," said Frodo.

"You're a good hobbit, Frodo Baggins. I'm glad to have known you," said Elijah. "When will you return to the Animal Headquarters? We could use someone like you. You have keen instincts-"

"Thank you, but I'm going to stay here and help raise Malinda, Merry's daughter," said Frodo.

"Well, you will inform her where she was born. It wasn't on this world," said Elijah. "She needs to know what's happening."

"I will when the time comes. Good luck," said Frodo.

Elijah embraced Frodo. "Same to you, as always." When they released, Elijah drew a line in the air with a strange tool. He looked back at Frodo once before departing through the portal. The portal vanished in plain sight.


Two years passed.

In Bywater, Frodo returned to Scar-ra with a bowl filled with water. He also gave her some raw meat, which she gorged down. Before Frodo walked away, Scar-ra reached her paw out. This stopped Frodo in his tracks.

"Thank you for what you've done," said Scar-ra.

"You're welcome," said Frodo.

"Maybe hobbits aren't as bad as they seemed," said Scar-ra.

Just as Frodo walked away from Scar-ra's cage, he stopped mid-step, dropping the large water dish. Katrina looked out, wondering what happened. Frodo experienced a vision:

There was Maia – Malinda as it was – heading towards a large metallic door. There was also a lever, set on the middle switch that read: Normal – No Activity. Frodo was there, too, telling Malinda if it was the right thing. Malinda vanished into the room. The door closed in, shutting Malinda in the room.

"No!" cried Frodo, rushing towards the door. Try as he might, Frodo couldn't open the door.

The vision changed to Frodo looking over Malinda's lifeless body. He picked her up and wept. Aslan was there, alerting Frodo at once.

"Frodo, what have you done?" asked Aslan.

Frodo came to after the vision ended. Picking up the water dish, Frodo walked away to get more water. As he filled up the water dish, thoughts returned on the vision he witnessed. It certainly looked like it was in the future, but how far remained a mystery. Remembering his task, Frodo stopped the water from the faucet. He took the water straight to Katrina, who did not appear in the mood to see anyone.

"You can leave it by the cage wall," said Katrina, glum.

Frodo quietly set the water dish down, moments before closing and locking the cage door.

Katrina said afterwards, "Thank you."

Frodo asked, "I don't understand what I did that made you so furious."

"Look, if you're talking about that winter ball at the Animal Headquarters, I'm sorry for what I did," said Katrina.

"You're still going on about that? That was years ago. It's in the past, where it should be," said Frodo.

Katrina now looked at him. "But still, you deserve to know how wrong I was. I overreacted. I know that now, but you deserve better than a scarred lioness that can't choose between being a hero and being a villain." Katrina looked away. "No, you can't have it. I won't go through it again."

"Go through with what, Coral?" asked Frodo, concerned.

Katrina cringed. "Don't use that name! I haven't been called by that name in years."

"But that is your true name, Coral, and I will use it because I know that's who you are," said Frodo.

Katrina chuckled. "And low, I'm talking to a Halfling."

"You used to be better than this. What changed you?" asked Frodo.

"That night at the Winter Ball," said Katrina, serious. "That's what changed me. I'm sorry Baggins, but I've done more than enough trouble to you as it were. Now leave me in peace."

Frodo, after passing the raw meat through the bars, told her, "You can be a hero again. Your sister's willing to join us, be a spy for us heroes. You can do the same. You don't have to be a villain."

"Easy words from one so small," said Katrina. "I'm sorry, but I pass."

"Then it looks like you're stuck in the cage. I can't trust you around other hobbits," said Frodo.

"Well fine. Then what's the point in being a hero when you get left with pain," said Katrina. "Now leave me alone."

"You used to be different, Coral. You used to enjoy being around heroes," said Frodo.

"Times have changed," said Katrina.

"As have you," said Frodo. He left the scarred lioness in the cage, as he approached a water spinet. After washing his hands and face, Frodo turned off the tap. He looked back at Scar-ra and Katrina. Scar-ra seemed interested in what he was doing. Katrina looked once in curiosity before turning away. He felt pity towards Katrina, but kept it to himself. Figuring his work was done for the day, Frodo left Bywater.


Two weeks passed in the Shire. Merry and Pippin arrived with the cart. Sitting next to Pippin on the driver's seat was Malinda, who waved to Frodo and Sam. Rosie came out with her five children. She carried Pippin-lad, still an infant, in her arms. Elanor and Frodo-lad rushed up to the cart, with Rose-lass following. Rosie held onto Merry-lad in the other hand. Malinda stepped down from the cart, moments before embracing Elanor and Frodo-lad. Frodo approached Merry and Pippin with a serious look across his face. Merry understood and stepped down from the cart after Pippin. The two hobbits carried Malinda's belongings inside Bag End.

Later that morning, Frodo spoke long with Merry, Pippin, and Sam about affairs in Buckland. Merry and Pippin also informed Frodo about their positions as Thain of Tookland and Master of Buckland. The four hobbits turned to the children. Malinda looked back at Frodo with a kind look on her face. She let Elanor play with her brother, before approaching the four hobbits. She overheard Merry tell his cousins:

"We can't let Malinda go meet the scarred lionesses. Think of what they did two years ago. It's not worth the risk," said Merry.

"They've calmed down. I think they can be reasoned with," murmured Frodo.

The four hobbits stopped talking the second Malinda joined them. Sam remained wary, as did Merry and Pippin. Only Frodo seemed interested in Malinda's doings.

"When can we visit the – what did you call them – scarred lionesses?" asked Malinda.

Frodo looked at Merry, but saw his cautious gaze. Merry shook his head. Sighing, Frodo told Malinda, "Seeing the scarred lionesses may be dangerous. You don't even know what they are, what they'll do – maybe you know what they'll do."

"I'm not afraid," said Malinda.

"That's exactly the reason to be afraid," said Merry.

"You really are naïve," said Frodo, impressed with Malinda.

"Frodo, remember your place. We don't want to put Malinda into any unneeded danger," said Merry.

"What do you mean?" asked Malinda, concerned.

"Couldn't we change the subject?" asked Pippin, nervous.

"I had two dreams this morning. I've been having these strange dreams a lot. One of them had this huge cat with several scars across her body. I met her at this cage in the dark. It was scary," said Malinda. "Frodo was in there, too." She asked, "Do you know what it means?"

Frodo asked Merry, "Couldn't we give Malinda a chance? I assure you, nothing will happen to her."

"Well, I have to return to Buckland. I've got business there," said Merry.

"And I have to return to Tookland as well," said Pippin.

"You're not staying?" asked Sam. "Oh, well then good luck to you both."

"We'll see you, Sam, Frodo." Merry turned to his daughter. "Now Malinda, be kind to our cousin and don't give him too much trouble." After more goodbyes were said, Merry followed Pippin out of Bag End.

When the cart was out of sight, Sam asked Frodo, troubled, "Where do you think you're going?" He understood. "Don't you think you've meddled with the lionesses well enough?"

"I'm just going to show Malinda them. They won't threaten her like last time," said Frodo. He grabbed Malinda's hand, "Come on, Malinda."

"Just make sure you're back by lunch," said Rosie.

"We will," said Frodo.

Frodo opened the green door and left Bag End. Malinda followed him. The two crossed the Bridge to Bywater and, after a walk, reached the village of Bywater. There, Frodo showed Malinda the two cages where the scarred lionesses were kept.

Malinda announced, a little too loud," Ah, so that's a scarred lioness."

Frodo shushed her. "Yes. Would you like to meet them?"

Cautious, Malinda was led by Frodo towards the two scarred lionesses. Scar-ra looked up the second she saw Frodo and the hobbit girl. She backed up as Frodo approached the cage.

"I remember her," said Scar-ra, cowering.

"So you do talk," said Malinda, curious. She bravely put her hand through the bars.

Frodo told Scar-ra. "She won't hurt you."

"I just don't want to risk hurting her again," said Scar-ra. Slowly, Scar-ra approached the tiny hand. She purred the moment Malinda's hand touched her head. Malinda petted the scarred lioness, giggling with enjoyment.

"Seems I can trust you," said Frodo to Scar-ra.

Scar-ra backed away, leaving Malinda with the hint that she petted her long enough. Malinda was a little hurt but recovered.

Scar-ra told Frodo, "She's a sweet child. What's her name?"

"Malinda, but I'm used to calling her Maia," said Frodo in introduction.

"A gentle name for a gentle soul," said Scar-ra. She whispered to the child, "Don't ever change. We may need people who have gentle hearts, that aren't so bold." She noticed Frodo taking the comment to heart. She turned to Malinda again. "You remember that and keep it close to your heart."

"Come on, Malinda," said Frodo.

"Bye," said Malinda, waving to Scar-ra.

When Frodo led Malinda to the second cage, he knocked on the bars. Katrina looked away, hurting. Not receiving a response from her, Frodo said, "Come now, Katrina. I know you're better than this."

Hurt again, just by hearing the name 'Katrina', Katrina said, "Go away."

"Come on. Malinda wants to see you. At least do this. If not for me, then for her," said Frodo. Not receiving a response, Frodo told Malinda, "Come on, Maia. I don't think she's going to see us."

"Wait!" cried Katrina. Standing up, Katrina walked into the light. She glanced up at Frodo for a moment, before turning her gaze to Malinda. She sniffed and then made ready to return to the shadowy area.

"Wait!" cried Malinda, getting Katrina's attention. "I want to see you. Will you come out? Please?"

Katrina lowered her head in shame. Raising her head and finding a way to fill her courage, Katrina returned to Frodo and Malinda. Katrina brought her head close to Malinda, close enough where Malinda's hand could touch her head. Malinda petted Katrina in a loving manner, sending the scarred lioness into a purring frenzy. Frodo grinned at the sight. When Malinda had enough, Katrina shook her head from side to side.

Katrina looked at Frodo and then back to Malinda. "I guess there is a light in the darkness after all. I didn't see it until now. She's beautiful, Frodo."

"Seems she is," said Frodo.

Just before Frodo moved away, Katrina pawed his shoulder. She whispered, "If I were you, I'd stick with this one. She may be your mate."

Frodo looked at Katrina with a shocked expression. "Thank you, I think." He led Malinda away from the cages, towards the market area of Bywater.


Early the next morning, Frodo set out from Bag End. Since very few hobbits were up at that hour, Frodo found the walk somewhat tiresome yet invigorating. He was fully awake by the time he reached Bywater. Pulling out his set of keys, Frodo unlocked the door to Scar-ra's cage first. Scar-ra looked at Frodo with a wary expression.

"Come on," said Frodo, gesturing her forward.

"What are you doing?" asked Scar-ra, as she climbed out of the cage.

"I'm setting you free. Go on now, before the Shirriffs find out," said Frodo.

"Why would you do this?" asked Scar-ra, confused.

"I'm helping a friend, or two," said Frodo, approaching Katrina's cage.

Scar-ra waited until after Frodo convinced Katrina that it was safe to come out. Katrina was wary at first, but eventually came to terms. She told Frodo, "I still have a hard time trusting you, or anyone."

"Yet I'm setting you free," said Frodo.

"Thank you, but you don't have to-"

"Nonsense. It's the least I can do to help out my friends," said Frodo.

Scar-ra told her sister, "Come now. We need to find a portal out of here."

Katrina jogged to catch up to her elder sister. "And then after that."

"We find Aslan and Melena. Maybe search the Pridelands for our sister Zenith," said Scar-ra.

"I thought Zen died in battle." Katrina stopped. She told Scar-ra, "Wait. Is this right? I thought we were villains."

"Now we're spies for the heroes," said Scar-ra.

"I thought you didn't like heroes," admitted Katrina.

"I thought you didn't like Frodo Baggins, but I can see I was wrong," said Scar-ra.

Katrina asked, out of curiosity, "We will come back here again, won't we Scar-ra?"

Scar-ra nodded. "On my word, we'll see Frodo again and I have a feeling that hobbit girl, too. Malinda was her name."

"Right," said Katrina, following her sister Scar-ra out of Bywater and into the countryside.

o-o-o

Frodo returned to Bag End several minutes later. He was met on the road by Malinda, who right away guessed where Frodo had been.

"How are the scarred lionesses? Oh, what were their names? Frodo?" asked Malinda, curious.

"I set them loose. They won't be coming back here," said Frodo.

"Why did you do that?" asked Malinda.

"Because it was the right thing to do," said Frodo.

"But Frodo…"

"No buts, Malinda. Scar-ra and her sister are gone. It was the least I could do for them. One day, you'll understand, but you're still too young to understand," said Frodo.

Following Frodo past the gate, Malinda asked him, "Will they be all right? Do you know, Frodo?"

Frodo stopped her. "Malinda, stop asking me all these questions. I don't know their fate. I only know where they were headed, and that's far away from here."

"Maybe they'll come back," said Malinda.

"I doubt they will," said Frodo.

"Frodo, they're your friends. Odds are, they will come back and find you. They care about you, Frodo," said Malinda, speaking innocently.

Frodo sighed. He nodded, feeling relieved. Taking Malinda by the shoulders, Frodo told her as they walked up the stone steps, "I'm glad you're around to tell me these things."

Malinda shrugged. She said, being modest, "I guess I know something about friendship."

Frodo allowed Malinda to enter Bag End first. The second they were inside, Frodo handed Sam the keys to the two cages.

"I set them free. I'm done raising animals, no matter how ferocious," said Frodo, serious.

"You set them free? Mr. Frodo, those two lionesses could be dangerous. We don't know what they're capable of," said Sam.

"You may not know, Sam, but I do," said Frodo. "I don't like to argue with you."

Sam said, being modest, "I don't either, Frodo." He asked, "So, now what do we do?"

Frodo looked at Malinda with wandering eyes. "We wait until Malinda is grown, before we figure out our next move."

"And when is that?" asked Sam.

Frodo sighed. "Who knows?" He admitted, "She's a lot like you, Sam."

Sam blushed. "Mr. Frodo, surely you understand she's Merry's daughter."

"I know. I was only admitting what I've seen," said Frodo.

Rosie called, "Lunch is ready!"

"Come on, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, following the children into the dining room. Frodo joined them.