Some inspiration for the upcoming events came from the episode "Heart of Darkness", from Season One of the ABC television show "Once Upon A Time".
Chapter Twelve:
A Changed Heart
A year passed. Within that time, Frodo was reunited with Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Due to Melissa's efforts, Frodo thanked her. Nash asked about Elijah, but Frodo said he hadn't seen him. Malinda looked on as the hobbits talked. They eventually brought Malinda into the conversation.
One morning, Frodo saw one of the servants bring in the items that were in the Shire. Frodo had received his sword Sting from Sam. As he peered over at the objects, two in particular caught his attention: the belt and the cordial that Malinda had given to him during one of her birthdays when she was still a teenager. Frodo looked at the cordial in wonder, curious if the liquid inside could cure his internal wounds.
"Here goes nothing," said Frodo. He drank down all the liquid in the cordial.
As he capped the cordial, Frodo felt a change come over him. It seemed his internal wounds were healing, yet he felt strange. Malinda had been forgotten from his thoughts, leading his heart to become dulled. Frodo left his room and began his chores. When he came to the Guardian Rooms with a fresh load of laundry, Silvan spoke to him:
"I trust this is going to be a big day for you," said Silvan.
"I suppose," said Frodo, unsure what he meant.
"Aren't you excited? You were going to meet Malinda today, to show her…"
"Who?" asked Frodo, confused.
Silvan understood. "What did you do?"
"What? I don't understand," said Frodo, bewildered.
"Hand it over. The vial," said Silvan, extended his hand.
Frodo took out the empty cordial and passed it to the tall, robed man. "It's empty. Thanks to that healing liquid, I feel better than ever. All I know is my cousin gave it to me."
Silvan examined the cordial. "This isn't a healing cordial. Whatever was inside it has made you forgotten who you truly care about."
"I know who I care for and that's my friends," said Frodo. "I don't have any lovers."
Silvan grabbed the laundry basket away from Frodo. "Frodo, let someone younger handle the laundry."
"Why? I can do this," said Frodo, taking the laundry basket back.
Malinda entered the room. Right away, she saw the blank expression on Frodo's face. "Frodo, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," said Frodo. He attempted to move, but Malinda blocked him.
"No, tell me. Please, I really want to hear from my lover," said Malinda.
Frodo said, "Ha! We're not lovers. If we were…" He shook the thought off. "I don't have a lover."
"Yes, you do. We're together," asked Malinda, stunned.
"Now I can see why I don't remember you. You think your charms can lure me. Please. You'll have to try something better to prove your love," said Frodo.
"Why are you acting like this?" asked Malinda.
"Move," said Frodo.
"Not until you give me an answer," said Malinda.
"You always were a stubborn troublemaker. Here's a thought: jump off a cliff and see if someone saves you. Maybe then I'll notice, be impressed," said Frodo, harshly. He finally pushed Malinda out of the way, carrying the laundry with him.
Malinda asked Silvan, "What's gotten into him?"
"He drank from this cordial. Does it look familiar?" asked Silvan, tossing Malinda the empty cordial.
"Sure it does. I gave it to him on my birthday. That was a long time ago," said Malinda.
"It turns out that wasn't a healing juice. It made him forget his one true love, or that he had one," said Silvan.
"You mean me? No wonder he's behaving so differently." Malinda asked, "Can't I give him true love's kiss?"
"That only works if two people believe, and he doesn't," said Silvan.
Malinda thought to herself, "Jump off a cliff to save him." She said, "I think I have an idea, but it may not work. Looks like I'll be taking a stroll with him." She left the room, with Silvan watching her.
Out in the hall, Malinda found Frodo bringing the laundry over to one of the servants. Malinda looked down at the emptied cordial in her hand. Bravely, Malinda approached Frodo, who looked stunned to see her. His impression of her hadn't changed.
"Oh, looks whose back," said Frodo. "You come to torture me some more?"
"Why did you drink the juice in this cordial?" asked Malinda.
"I don't have to answer to you," said Frodo.
"Tell me," said Malinda.
"I thought it could heal my internal wounds," said Frodo. "There. Are you happy now?"
"Why would you want to heal your internal wounds? Those wounds make us who we are. Without them…"
Frodo scoffed, "Listen, you may think you know me, but you don't."
"Come for a walk with me," said Malinda.
"I don't think that's a good idea," said Frodo.
"I hear the caves here are neat," said Malinda. "What do you say?" She added, "You used to love taking walks."
"Those are in the morning. Here, it's different." He admitted, "I haven't had a long walk in ages."
"So, you'll come with me," said Malinda, hoping.
"Maybe after I finish my chores…"
"No. We can leave right now," said Malinda.
Frodo wasn't convinced. "Why are you onto me like that? Do you think by allowing me to take a walk you can suddenly convince me we're soul mates? Nice try. Now move."
"Just come with me. You may need the walk. It could help you remember…"
Frodo grabbed Malinda's arms. "Why are you so desperate? I don't deserve this from anyone."
"What does your heart say?" asked Malinda.
"I don't know," said Frodo. "Now move, please."
"You mean you can't hear your own heart?" asked Malinda, saddened.
"How should I know?" asked Frodo. He eventually pushed Malinda out of the way, walking off in stomping steps.
o-o-o
"I don't know why he would take the juice in the cordial. He's not acting like himself," said Malinda, sitting in the tavern with Merry.
"How much did he take?" asked Merry, curious.
"All of it," said Malinda. She pulled out the empty cordial from her dress pocket. "Now I don't know what to do."
"Take him for a walk. That should clear his head," said Merry.
"Silvan, the Guardian Healer, suggested that," said Malinda. "I can't get through to him, but maybe you can convince him."
"Will he listen to me?" asked Merry.
"He won't listen to me, Papa," said Malinda.
"Maybe he's forgotten what it's like to love. Forgetting love will make a person do unspeakable things. Frodo's not one to forget who he cares about," said Merry.
"Well, he sure is acting strange," said Malinda, taking a drink.
Sam approached the two at the long bar table. "Mr. Frodo is here."
"Maybe I should go," said Malinda, about to get up.
Merry stopped her. "No. If you two are going for a walk, then it's only fitting that's how it should be."
"I was planning on going to the caves with him," said Malinda.
Merry told her, concerned, "Malinda, going to the caves is dangerous."
"I know," said Malinda. "I'm not doing this without reason."
Pippin said to Frodo, as the two chose a spot at a booth, "Of course, Frodo. Taking a walk might help ease your mind."
"Why should I care who takes me for a walk? The whole idea sounds stupid," said Frodo, complaining.
"Just consider it, Frodo," said Pippin.
Frodo looked over at the bar stand, asking promptly, "Why is she here? I'd rather not see her."
Pippin forced Frodo to look at him. "Frodo, you may not care who your friends are or whether you have a lover in your life."
"I'm not in love with anyone, Pippin," said Frodo.
"You can't act like this. Your friends notice the change, as do I. You haven't been the same since you drank that juice," said Pippin.
"That juice helped me forget my internal wounds. Clearly, I feel better without them," said Frodo.
"But you're not acting like yourself," said Pippin.
"I don't deserve to be lectured to," said Frodo.
Sam intervened. "Mr. Frodo, what brings you to this tavern?"
"I was forced to come here," said Frodo, sharply.
Sam pointed out the bar table. "Well, look, Mr. Frodo, there's Malinda."
"Are you two trying to fix me up with her?" asked Frodo, suspicious.
"Come on, Mr. Frodo. You used to love taking walks," said Sam. "You can expect to go on alone the rest of your life… at least, that's what I fantasize."
"Then your dreams are not the same as mine," said Frodo.
"Just please go on this walk with Miss Malinda. You may enjoy yourselves," said Sam, trying to sound encouraging.
"You two are supposed to be my friends. But now I see that I've been stuck with a bunch of hobbits that don't know any better," said Frodo.
"Just consider it, Mr. Frodo," said Sam.
Frodo glared at Sam, before heading towards the bar stand. He came up to Malinda from behind, telling her in an angered voice, "Come on. You wanted to go for a walk. Then let's go for a walk." He dragged Malinda out of the tavern. Malinda looked at Merry with concern, but Merry gestured her forward.
o-o-o
The Caves proved to be a wondrous sight. There were many rock formations with stalactites and stalagmites, some which formed natural pillars. In some areas, there were gem formations to be found in the rocks. Malinda found the Caves a marvelous sight. Frodo, on the other hand, with his heart dulled, wondered when it was time to leave. By the time the two hobbits entered a vast array of rock walkways, Frodo asked Malinda the most basic question:
"Malinda, why did you bring me here? Did you think this would make you love me?" asked Frodo, scornful.
Malinda looked stunned. "I came here because I thought a walk would do us both some good. You've changed, Frodo. Whether you see it or not, there has to be a way to cure you."
"The wounds might return if you do that," said Frodo, worried.
"Would you prefer a life if there weren't any wounds?" asked Malinda.
"The worlds would be a much peaceful place without them. So yes," said Frodo.
"You've changed so much. Why did you drink the juice in that vial? Really?" asked Malinda.
"I thought it would make the pain go away. I'll admit I don't remember you, but at least the pain is gone," said Frodo.
"I don't think it's gone entirely, Frodo," said Malinda.
The rocks shifted under their feet. Before Malinda could speak another word, the ground beneath her feet collapsed. She was lucky to have held onto the rock walkway, but she didn't know for how long. As Malinda called for help, Frodo's mind reeled in confusion. Should he save her life and return the internal wounds? He had a bad feeling the wounds might return…
"Frodo, please help me!" cried Malinda, scared out of her wits.
"Oh," said Frodo. He clambered down on his stomach, holding out his hand. "Here, take it! Come on!"
Malinda, in a nervous state, reached a hand out towards his. Once Frodo had both her hands, he helped her get back on the walkway. As Malinda caught her breath, Frodo looked shocked by what he just accomplished.
"Thank you," said Malinda, relieved.
"You're the first lass I've saved, in a long time," said Frodo.
"Really?" asked Malinda.
Frodo nodded. "I mean, maybe my heart felt something there, but I can't be sure…" He was cut off the moment Malinda embraced him.
"Thank you for saving me," said Malinda.
Frodo released his grip on her, seconds before he kissed her on the lips. The moment the two released, Frodo felt the cordial juice wear off completely. His internal wounds were still there, but his heart jumped in joy. He looked at Malinda with newfound hope.
"Maia," said Frodo, remembering her.
Malinda looked relieved. "You remember me."
Frodo nodded. "I do." He helped Malinda to her feet. "Come on. Let's leave this place, before something bad happens." He looked back as another ledge fell a distance away. Noticing Malinda's hand holding his, Frodo looked at her once before leading her back to the gem formations cavern.
A few weeks passed.
For a long time, Father Time had been keeping watch of the villains' movements. He hoped they wouldn't tamper with time, as that was his biggest concern. All the while, Frodo and Malinda's relationship mended and blossomed. The two hobbits had never been happier. Merry, Pippin, and Sam noticed the change as well, but were glad that Frodo was back to his old self.
As Frodo and Malinda spoke to Past and Present, one of Future's servants returned to them and Father Time with the latest report on the villains. While it looked like scribbled notes to Malinda, Frodo was able to read some of the writing, which appeared to him to be in partial elvish.
"The villains are attacking. We cannot stop them. Send help now," said Frodo, looking grave.
"That's not good," said Malinda.
"The villains have tampered with us in the past. This is nothing new," said Present, reading the message.
"What can we do to stop them?" asked Future's servant.
"Make sure they don't come into the Halls of Nature. If they do, it would spell bad news to us all," said Past.
"If they came here, it would not be to come after Frodo and Malinda," said Father Time.
"True," said Past, his mind at ease. Yet he felt uneasiness in the air, "The villains would more than likely find out what they could do to mess up Time itself."
"Or find a way to get their hands on Time," said Father Time.
"Why would they?" asked Frodo, curious and concerned.
"Obviously, to change their past," said Past.
"So they would have the upper hand," said Present. "If that happened, we would all be doomed." She added, "If they got their hands on Future."
"No villain is getting their hands on me. They'd be dead, long before they find out what's in their futures," said Future, peeved.
"Still, it's wise to keep a more secure watch on the Halls," said Father Time. He ordered the guards to keep a closer watch on the surroundings, both day and night.
Malinda looked at Frodo with concern in her eyes. "What do we do if they catch us? I know things now that may catch us off-guard. It'd be bad if the villains were to have that information."
"I won't let that happen," said Frodo, serious. "I won't let the villains get to you."
"I'm going to have to forget what I know," said Malinda.
"What? Maia, you can't…"
"Frodo, it's the only way," said Malinda.
"Do you remember when I forgot, just in hopes of stopping the pain? It wasn't the brightest idea I had at the time. I know that now, how wrong I was. Forgetting won't stop the villains from coming to search for us," said Frodo.
"No, but it may slow them down," said Malinda.
"They'll be after both of us," said Frodo.
"Then we need a plan," said Malinda.
Frodo looked at the scribbled message again. "This message said the villains would be here by next year. They're planning on something big, something that might whip us all out, those that are heroes."
"As long as there's a breath in my body, I won't let them come near you, or us," said Malinda.
Frodo sighed. "I wouldn't know what to do if they ever caught you."
Malinda kissed Frodo's palm, as Frodo's hand touched her face.
"You mean the world to me," said Frodo.
"And I you," said Malinda. She and Frodo locked eyes for a good long while. Then they embraced, hoping for better times.