Chapter Ten:
The Healing Chamber
At the Halls of Nature…
The next morning, Malinda found herself inside the Guardian Rooms. When she came into the waiting room, right next to the healing chamber, Malinda found Frodo sitting on a cushioned chair, waiting for his time. Frodo didn't look pleased to see her. As Father Time entered the room, Frodo spoke to Malinda:
"What are you doing here? I thought you had no business here," said Frodo.
"I thought you wanted me to come," said Malinda. "So I came."
"Aren't you busy elsewhere? Don't you have more important things to do than to watch me be healed?" asked Frodo.
"All you ever ask for is healing," said Malinda.
"You naïve child," said Frodo. "Don't you understand what I went through to get this far? Don't you?!" He stood up, fuming, "I ought to put you in your place right now…"
Father Time stopped Malinda before she could fight back. He told Frodo and Malinda, "I think it's high time you two apologized and got along. It's been too long since you last spoke, let alone had a strong friendship."
"He's a nuisance," said Malinda.
"You're one to talk. Stop making up stuff about me that's not true," said Frodo.
Father Time intervened, "Frodo, Malinda, don't make me say it again." He told Frodo, "Malinda came to see you be healed. Give her credit for that." He turned to Malinda now, "Frodo needs all the support he can get, after what he's been through." He told the two hobbits, "Now is the time to make amends."
Malinda said to Frodo, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" asked Frodo, waiting for a direct answer.
Malinda continued, "I'm sorry I've been a jerk to you lately, and in the past three years. But you could at least be less soppy when you see me."
"I'll admit I was acting naïve as well. I'm older than that. I should behave as someone with more experience," said Frodo.
An elf told Frodo from the open door, "Frodo, Silvan will see you now."
Father Time told Malinda, "You can join him, if you want. They'll allow it."
Malinda followed Frodo inside the healing chamber. In the room were many beds and a lot of herbs in vials. Frodo was told by Silvan to lie down on the bed he pointed out. As Frodo did as he was told, Malinda was given a seat to sit down. Father Time joined them a few moments later.
"I should let you know, most cases like this don't work out well. A trip to Valinor is what a person needs then, instead of this," said Silvan.
"Have you done this before?" asked Frodo.
Silvan shook his head. "Not in these extreme cases." He said, "Now, you concentrate on falling asleep. I'll be right here the whole time."
Frodo extended a hand towards Malinda. Malinda was close enough that she took his hand in hers. Frodo held onto Malinda's hand tightly, as if hoping she would still be around.
"You'll stay with me this time," said Frodo, hoping for reassurance.
Malinda placed her free hand on top of Frodo's hand, the one that held hers. "Always."
As Silvan sprinkled some herbs in the air, a few inches above Frodo's face, Silvan told the hobbit, "These will help you fall asleep faster. They're not meant to harm you."
"What are they…" Before Frodo could finish his sentence, his eyelids became heavy. He fell asleep seconds later.
At the Animal Headquarters…
Elijah was dragged by the bears deeper into the catacombs of the dungeon. When the bears found the cell they were looking for, a stone cavern built into a cell with a barred wall that separated the hall from the cell, they threw Elijah inside. One of the bears with the key closed the door fast and locked it good and tight. After checking to make sure the door wouldn't collapse open, the bears left the area and headed back up to the surface. Elijah tried as hard as he could to open the cell, but to no avail. He was trapped.
A voice called out to him from the shadow. "It's no use. You'll never get out."
"Who's there?" asked Elijah, cautious.
"No one you should befuddle yourself with. I am an old man," said the voice, belonging to a cell mate.
Out from the shadows was an elderly man, who looked like an older version of Frodo Baggins. Elijah was stunned to see him, recognizing him at once. The elderly man looked like he was fading away.
"Cornelius, is that you? I heard rumors about you, stories of your adventures. You're a nobody, too?" asked Elijah, curious.
"I'm one of the first nobodies that ever swept across these lands. I seem to have found myself in a sticky situation," said Cornelius.
"You're Frodo Baggins' nobody?" asked Elijah.
Cornelius nodded. "I was born right after Frodo's parents died. I had no use in Middle-earth, so I found my way to the limbo worlds. I traveled for many days and that's when I stumbled on the Animal Headquarters, before the animals took it over. I was sentenced inside these dungeons for a crime I didn't commit. I was only paying for an apple to give to a poor boy and that's when the soldiers came, told me about a crime that wasn't my own. I admit I told them the truth, but they wouldn't hear me out. They said the poor always lies to get what they want, which is a ridiculous notion. I've been locked in this cell ever since, with no way out. The animals have been harsher with the sentence and they left me here to die. It seems I am destined to be here, doomed to wait upon my last fading days, before I return to Frodo's body."
"We have to get out of here. Maybe we can tell the animals the truth. They'll have to let you go then," said Elijah.
"It's too late for me, but there may be hope for you," said Cornelius. He pulled out a rolled up parchment. "Take this and may it do you well, better than my position. Here." Using his hand, Cornelius made two of the bars looser and weaker.
Elijah was glad to see the progress, but found Cornelius was weakening, "Come on. A little more. We can get out of here together."
Cornelius shook his head. "Go without me. My end has come."
Cornelius then faded into dust. Elijah watched the dust as he flew out of the cell. Once the dust was out of the cell, Elijah unrolled the parchment, only to find some notes on the cell, what was the proper way to get out of the cell, and a scribbled message that read:
Aging Process for Nobodies: UNSTOPPABLE
Elijah, after reading the notes, found a wooden pole and hinged it in the two loosened bars. The bars soon collapsed loudly on the stone ground before the cell. Just before someone checked the cell, Elijah scrambled out through the opening and fled, hiding behind a stone wall, as the two bears sounded the alarm. Relieved he hadn't been seen, Elijah searched the dungeon for a way out and possibly a way out of the Animal Headquarters.
At the Halls of Nature…
Frodo did not know how long he had been wandering in the darkness. Time seemed to have no end there. As he walked, Frodo caught flickers of images casting before his eyes. The images represented different places, and sometimes showed images of Malinda standing before him.
"Where are you?" cried Malinda in the distance. "Frodo! Come back to us!"
"Malinda!" called Frodo.
It was no use, and Malinda's voice vanished in the distance. Frodo continued to wander until he reached an area with doors on either side. A grey fog was seen in the darkness, bringing the blackened area to a grey tone. As Frodo moved through what appeared to be a hallway, he eventually came out to a wide atrium. A large statue of a Stoor hobbit catching a fish was seen standing in the center of this atrium. More voices called to him, but he couldn't make out what they were saying.
Frodo eventually pulled open a door, only to find he had entered a cliff area. The rock walls and floor reminded him of the space he entered after leaving Shelob's lair with Sam. There, he witnessed and eventually became part of the time when Shelob stabbed him in the neck. Immediately, Frodo felt a rush of pain, returning to the darkness as the poison flowed through him.
"Frodo, it is but an old memory," said a voice that sounded like Silvan. "Do not let the darkness take over you. Be stronger than it."
"Frodo, please come back to us. Come back to me," cried Malinda in the distance.
Try as he might, Frodo felt an overwhelming sensation come over him. The poison continued to seep through him, forcing him to topple over, gasping. His shoulder wound grew painful once more. He could not stand the darkness, yet it was overpowering him. What could he do to stop the darkness? It was too powerful for him. He hadn't the will to face the darkness alone.
Then he felt a kiss on his hand. He heard Malinda's voice, "Frodo, I love you. You can face this darkness. You've done it before, I'm sure."
Frodo felt a new strength grow inside him. The poison, no sooner, was out of his body. He felt freed from it. His shoulder felt better as well, as if the pain was now gone entirely. His other wounds returned, the internal ones. He nearly gave into the wounds, but encouragement outside helped him get through the darkness.
"He's returning," said Silvan in the near distance.
When Frodo awoke, he loosened his grip on Malinda's hand. Malinda smiled at him, as Silvan whipped off the last of the blood streaming down Frodo's chest. Silvan told Frodo, as Frodo realized he wasn't wearing his tunic:
"You did well, Frodo Baggins. The wounds were deep, but now they have a chance to heal. The last of the poison is out of your system," said Silvan. He told Malinda, "Now you should leave and give Frodo a chance to rest."
"Come now, child," said Father Time to Malinda.
"You will come back?" asked Frodo, weakly.
Malinda looked at him. "When you've rested." She left the healing chamber with Father Time.
o-o-o
A few days passed. Malinda returned to the healing chamber and found Frodo moving about. He was still recovering from the day he was healed by Silvan. The moment after Frodo saw Malinda, he finished his conversation with Silvan. Frodo turned to Malinda and told her:
"Let's take a walk," said Frodo.
In the next room, the two entered a garden. There was an overlook at the underground waterfalls. Frodo and Malinda sat down on a bench, gazing out at the balcony ahead. They were silent for a few moments, until Frodo spoke:
"I'm glad you came when I was healed. I wouldn't have gotten through that without your help," said Frodo.
"It was nothing," said Malinda.
"I don't think so. You helped save me from the darkness. You admitted you loved me. Do you still hold that claim?" asked Frodo, curious.
"It was the spur of the moment," said Malinda, being modest. She admitted, "I'm glad you made it out from that. I couldn't stand watching at times… it looked painful." She paused. "Maybe I do still have feelings for you, but I can't be certain."
Frodo held onto Malinda's hand, weakly. "You brought me back. I couldn't ask for anything less from a good friend."
"We're friends now?" asked Malinda.
"I say we are. What say you?" asked Frodo.
Malinda said, "I don't have a lot of friends. Actually, I don't have any, not here."
"We can be friends again. That much is possible," said Frodo. "I don't have many friends either, but I don't mind having a few." He peered at Malinda's sword. "Why did you bring that sword with you? We're not in danger here."
"I brought this in case there's any trouble," said Malinda, tapping her sword Finder.
"You always have to be prepared," said Frodo, casually.
"Shouldn't you?" asked Malinda.
Before Frodo had a chance to speak, a loud crash could be heard in the hall. Malinda moved quickly out of the garden. Frodo lagged behind, but was eventually stopped by Silvan, forcing him to return to the bed that was his until he was fully recovered.
Malinda, meantime, came out to the First Room. As she left the room and re-entered the hall, Malinda saw what appeared to be a dark-furred lion with a dark mane. The lion looked crazed, yet ready for action. Malinda pulled out her sword from its sheath, as it glowed green. The lion cackled, giving a maddening look.
"What's the little princess going to do? Stab me with that?" asked the crazed lion, cackling. "I'd like to see you try."
"Who are you? What do you want here?" asked Malinda, bravely. She held her sword out, pointing it at the lion.
"Ooh, little princess is going to make me wallow. I'd like to see her try," said the lion.
Father Time intervened. "Nuka, this is the last time you enter this facility."
The lion Nuka paid no heed to him. "My business is with the little princess."
Malinda told Father Time, "I've got this."
Father Time, after some consideration, nodded but kept a short distance towards them. Before Future, Past, and Present could attack Nuka, as well as others present, Father Time told them, "No, stay your weapons. Malinda must do this on her own."
Nuka told Malinda, "There's a pretty price on your head, little princess. You and the Ring-bearer are going to pay in cold blood!" He lunged at her, startling Malinda.
Frodo came out to the hall in time to see Nuka land on top of Malinda, sending her on her back. Frodo jerked away from Silvan and approached the scene. He pushed Nuka off Malinda, causing Malinda to come out, looking alarmed. As hushed murmurs spread amongst the people, Malinda noticed her sword was lodged in Nuka's chest. The lion was dead. Frodo and Malinda embraced, as Malinda recovered from the episode.
Father Time told Malinda, "Malinda, clean your sword and then meet me in the Round Room." He then walked away, as Past and Present spoke. Future merely looked at Malinda as she followed Frodo to the weaponry room.
Once Malinda's sword was clean, with help from Frodo who showed her how, Malinda – after asking for directions – found her way to the Round Room. Silvan accompanied Frodo to that Room, but told him once the meeting was finished to return to the healing chamber to recover. Inside, Malinda found Father Time studying a glass orb. Father Time, once he noticed Malinda's entrance as well as Frodo's, turned his gaze to them.
Father Time told Malinda, "You have proven you are capable to take the first steps in becoming a hero, Malinda."
"What am I supposed to do now? I can hardly handle a sword," said Malinda.
"That, dear friend, is what Frodo Baggins can teach you, once he is well. For now, I'll assign you to a trainer." Father Time added, "This way, you can be prepared in case more villains come snooping in here."
"Is this wise?" asked Malinda.
"You don't have to fight, Malinda," said Frodo.
Father Time said, "That's true, Frodo. But if we are to have any chance of defeating the villains…"
"What? You think Malinda's capable of facing them. She hardly knew what to do against Nuka," said Frodo.
"Don't I have a say in this?" asked Malinda, joining the conversation.
"Malinda, you don't have to do this," said Frodo.
"What if I'm supposed to, Frodo? What then?" asked Malinda.
"You know nothing of war," said Frodo. "I've seen war. I know what it costs. True, I was outside war during my quests, but…"
"Then what makes you think you know as much about war as I do? We're in the same boat, practically," said Malinda. "You won't always be around to protect me, and there are some decisions I must do myself." She asked Father Time, "So, what has happened elsewhere that I need to know about?"
"In the past three years, since you've been here, communications made by the villains have all but failed. The worlds' connections are back up, but it seems the villains were ready and waiting for something like this to happen. Most of their machines they've abandoned, but some have chosen to stay with them. This act they performed was only a ploy. They're up to something big," said Father Time.
"And the prophecy stated that me and Frodo are supposed to stop them," said Malinda.
Father Time shook his head. Future answered, "No Malinda. The prophecy states that two hobbits were supposed to end all evil. It specifically stated a hobbit Ring-bearer and another hobbit would perform this task. That doesn't make it your responsibility, unless the prophecy was talking about you two."
"So it could have meant Sam, as the last prophecy about the Ring meant him," said Frodo. "He just won't admit it to himself."
"Whatever the case, we must hurry," said Father Time.
Frodo felt weakened and nearly collapsed. Silvan said, "I think it's time you returned to bed." He led Frodo out of the Round Room, while Malinda continued to debate with Father Time, as well as Future, Past, and Present about current affairs.