Song for Chapter 9: The Witcher song, "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher".

Warning! This chapter is Rated T for mild sensual content.

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Bethany observed the village of Bywater from her room at the Ivy Bush inn. So far, the sunset was the most beautiful scenic experience in all of the Shire. She smiled, wondering if New Zealand was the same way with its beautiful sunrises and sunsets. She stared at the horizon for one last time, before walking away and closing the glass door behind her.

She sighed. Frodo would be all right, wouldn't he? Of course, she couldn't make any promises. Frodo was coming in and out of amnesia. Still, she had to keep checking up on him. She couldn't abandon him now. Could she?

How were they supposed to prove their love, if she couldn't be there for him? Hmm. That was a good question, one she felt sure would have the answer soon enough.

She relaxed on the bed. It felt so empty being by herself. Frodo would be all right. He would. Of this, she was sure of.

Soon, sleep overtook her, allowing her to enter a dream that didn't feel entirely her own.

.

Bethany walked across the Caribbean islands. Each island was unique, each bringing themselves as the best islands to be at.

The last thing she expected was to enter a tavern where the Witcher stood. The Witcher… from the video game? What else was she missing? She looked at him in wonder. This rugged man wearing leather armor… surely, he must have had a story.

"Are you… okay?" Bethany asked the Witcher, cautious.

The Witcher gave her a gruff expression, before turning to the hobbit sitting by himself, over by one of the booths.

"Thank you," Bethany walked away from him, rushing towards the hobbit.

It was Frodo! It had to be! So, why was he drinking by himself? Bethany didn't know. She just knew she had to be with him now.

"Frodo, it's me, Bethany!" Bethany cried, hoping Frodo would respond.

"Bethany…" Frodo looked up at her, admitting, "You were Melody Corner, then Beatrice Blutman. Now… now, that's a good question."

"What do you know about it?" Bethany asked.

Frodo chuckled, looking away from her. "We came under many different names. Those names are only three. There are so many incarnations we have been through. Lifetime after lifetime. If we knew them all, then I'm afraid we wouldn't know much about ourselves, but we would remember our history."

"Do you think we'll ever know our past lives?" Bethany asked.

Frodo grinned at her, smiling, "There's so much to tell. And I'm afraid it would take more than one series to tell it. But all we need to know is that we have whatever past lives we can remember. There's always more to tell, more to seek."

He chuckled, admitting freely, "Ah, if only I could remember them all. But sadly, I don't. We came to this timeline, only because we wanted to find out what happened on my side, how the First Base got destroyed, how it fell. This is that story. You're involved, Beatrice—Bethany. Whatever." He drank some of his beer, going after another drink.

"But if we knew, then why are you telling me this?" Bethany asked, as he returned to her.

Frodo drank down some of his drink, saying, promptly, "Because I'm amnesiac, that's why. I can only talk to you when I'm sane in the dream world. I made up this fabricated tale of how I came to the Healer's House. I believe I said that Merry and Pippin brought me there."

He added, in all seriousness, "Believe me, if you came to me now, I wouldn't recognize you. I would scream, I would bawl, but it wouldn't be enough. Hey, now look," he took her hand, telling her, "You may not remember this, but one thing is certain: this story isn't over. Find the Warrior of the Sea. He may have a cure for me, how to free me from amnesia. You do this, we'll be reunited."

Bethany gulped. "And if I fail?"

Frodo let go of her hand, saying, "Well, then rest assured that I will find you. It's not an easy journey. But you cannot come back to me right now. Find the Warrior of the Sea."

"Who is the Warrior of the Sea?" Bethany asked.

Frodo sighed, admitting to her, "Only the Witcher knows. Or who knows? He may be the Warrior of the Sea." He added, as she neared wakefulness, "Bethany, wake up."

.

Bethany opened her eyes. She stayed in bed, aware of how deep the dream showed. A tear streaked down her face, leaving her in much distraught.

So, Frodo really forgot about her? Bethany so longed to be with him, but she knew now that Frodo could only communicate with her in her dreams. There was nothing left. She would need to find the Witcher and this Warrior of the Sea, if she was to cure Frodo of his amnesia.

In some way, she knew she would have to do this, if she wanted to see her husband back to normal.

She sat up, wiping the tears from her eyes. Yes, she would do this, if it meant she could get Frodo back. She nodded. This was the only way she could count on getting Frodo back to normal.

She looked around, as if hearing Frodo's breath on her. She looked around, spotting Frodo sitting next to her, wrapping an arm around her.

"You… You're back?" Bethany asked, surprised he was here.

"No, I'm at the Healer's House," Frodo said, kissing her on the side of her neck. "But I still can reach you like this, like before. Do you remember that time, when we first met and talked to each other? I don't know how you handled it, but it was impressive."

Bethany trembled. "It was so natural back then."

Frodo nodded. "Why yes, it was." He kissed her neck once more, taking in whiffs of her scent. Bethany closed her eyes, her heartbeats racing. She rested her head on Frodo's shoulder, not wanting to let him go.

"You mean I have to leave you? I don't want to do that," Bethany said, cautious.

"Hmm. But you have to," Frodo said, smelling her scent. "Hmmhmhm. I'll still be with you, even if I'm not physically with you. There are other ways for me to do this, to be with you."

"So, your spirit remembers everything, doesn't it, Frodo?" Bethany asked.

"That's how I'm here," Frodo's spirit said. "But as far as my physical appearance goes, I'm going to long for you, the second you search for the Witcher. But that doesn't mean I won't give you clues. I will. I'll help you out. Don't worry. Amnesia can't separate us. I don't think anything will. I love you. I still do."

"I love you, too," Bethany said, staying close to him.

"Now, let's find the Witcher, before the sun rises," Frodo said, as Bethany nodded.

As Bethany finished her morning routine and got dressed, she noticed Frodo's spirit following her. She smiled. Frodo would ache for her if she left him, but this was how it had to be.

She took one last look at her room, before departing. She would miss being here, but this was for the best. Yes, this was for the best.

.

Bethany arrived at the inn's dining area. So far, there wasn't that big of a crowd. But there was Eliza talking with Ronnie and Elijah. Bethany sighed longingly at them. No. She had to remember her meeting with the Witcher. But how was she to find the man? Did she even know what she was getting herself into?

She remembered his appearance: a man with silvery hair flowing down his shoulders, while he wore a half ponytail, getting the hair out of his eyes. The man was rugged, handsome, and mysterious. And that leather armor… she shook the thoughts away. Yes, she would find him and this Warrior of the Sea.

But just how was she to accomplish this task? That was a good question.

She looked on at the others one last time, before making her way towards the door. The last thing she expected to find was Eliza stopping her, before Bethany could even set out on her quest.

"Bethany, what are you doing?" Eliza asked, knowingly. Bethany looked at her in wonder. Those yellow eyes Eliza had were creepy. But Bethany guessed that was how all dragonoids looked when they were human. So then, why couldn't Parker do that? Or did he learn to turn his eyes bright blue when he was in human/hobbit form. "You're going to find the Witcher, aren't you?"

"I have to do this. For Frodo. If I can find a way to cure his amnesia, then…"

"Bethany, Parker Dooley gave him that amnesia. The only way they'll remember is if one of them wakes up and remembers who they are. It will set them both off and all will be well," Ronnie shrugged.

"Besides, what? Why are you finding the Witcher? You won't find him here," Elijah said, confused.

"Because of a dream I had. I've got to find him. Maybe this Warrior of the Sea will cure Frodo's amnesia," Bethany said.

"Bethany, if you're going to see the Witcher, then it's probably for another reason," Eliza said, startled. "Bethany, think about it. Why were you given that dream? Why are you hearing Frodo's voice? This isn't the first time you've heard him, is it?"

"No. I mean, maybe in another lifetime, but I've always heard Frodo's voice, and you. I have hundreds of voices, nearly all of them characters," Bethany explained. She sighed, admitting, "Even I can't help it." She added, serious, "But if the Witcher can't free Frodo and Parker from their amnesia, then who… can?"

"Only Parker and Frodo can do that. They've done it before, but not like this. That's how Parker's powers work, Bethany," Elijah said. "Parker told me this last year, before everything fell to ruin. You have to trust them. They know what they're doing. When Frodo goes under, he has to find his way out on his own. He's done it before."

"I don't think that's entirely true," Eliza and Bethany said. Eliza looked at Bethany in understanding. Eliza spoke to the others, "I think it's a good idea to go and see the Witcher. Maybe we'll get more info about the Warrior of the Sea." Eliza slammed her fist on the table, standing up and telling Bethany, "But you are not going to see the Witcher alone! You need friends and allies. Let me come with you. Parker will be fine."

"Are you sure?" Bethany asked. "I don't want to burden you."

Eliza huffed. "Oh, nonsense! You're not going alone. Elijah and Ronnie can hold down the fort. So, come on. Eat breakfast, and then we'll go." She said, leading Bethany over to the table. Bethany felt Frodo's presence close to her. She had no choice.

She nodded to Eliza, as they ordered their food. Bethany sighed, wondering if anything would happen in this moment? Surely not! But it was worth a try.

For Frodo. For everyone.

Bethany just wondered if the others were doing as well as she was doing right now.

*.*.*

References:

The Witcher comes from the video game series, "The Witcher".