A/N: Well, it's a start. Not the longest chapter yet, but it'll do.

A dark sky loomed over the war-torn city of Minas Tirith. All was quiet as the inhabitants of the city held there breath; every hour could bring the news of their utter defeat or (though the chance was minuscule) the news of their victory over this Shadow. Every where was quiet, that is, except for the Houses of Healing. The Houses were all astir with activity. Wounded soldiers crying out in pain, healers bustling about, trying to ease the pain of their numerous patients. One young healer with blond hair bustled about, carrying a message. She knocked on one of the doors, and, upon hearing the answer, entered. This was the Perian, Merry’s, room. He was sitting by the window, as was usual. As he looked at her, she was struck by the deep sadness in his hazel eyes. He was too thin, and very pale. But really, it was amazing that he was even alive and out of bed, considering he had been touched by the Black Breath. Miriel shuddered at the thought before proceeding with business.

"Master Merry, I have a message for you. It’s from Halmir." The despair in Merry’s eyes was temporarily replaced with a mix of fear and hope. He took the message and sighed in relief.

Halmir was a young lad who he had become great friends with while in Rohan. Both of them had snuck into the Rohirrim. The two had gotten seperated during battle. Merry was overjoyed to find that Halmir was alive, but was crushed to find how wounded his young comrade was. The message (written by a healer, for Halmir was not permitted to read or write due to a head wound) only asked for his company. Merry happily complied, and followed the tender-hearted healer to his comrade's room.

~*~*~*~

A great fit of coughs shook young Halmir's body. Merry helped him into a sitting position as best he could, and rubbed the lad's back. Finally, the coughing subsided, and Halmir lay back on his pillows exhausted.

"Thank you for coming, Merry." The lad croaked wearily.

Merry took the lad's pale, frail hand in his own. "Anything for my dear comrade and friend."

Halmir smiled a very small smile as he drifted back into a light sleep. Merry continued to hold Halmir's hand, knowing it made the boy feel safe and secure, thus enabling him to sleep better. Merry couldn't sleep. His mind was racing and whirling, thinking of where he could be, and how he was sitting here useless to Middle Earth. He glanced down at the sleeping form. No, not completely useless. A friend is always worth time and love. Besides, he knew that Halmir would do it for him if the healers would permit it. A soft hand on his shoulder startled Merry. He looked up to see Miriel standing behind him.

        "How is he?" She asked, looking tenderly at the small, sleeping form. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

         "He's as well as can be expected, Miriel. I do feel so helpless, though."

Miriel sighed. She knew he wasn't only talking about Halmir - he wanted nothing more than to join his cousins and the captains of the West in battle.

           "Miriel!" A voice shouted. The twenty one year old shot one last glance at her friends. Merry was staring out the window again. Another call reminded her of her duties.

TBC....

copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

"The hour of Darkness has come, child. Do now as you wish with what time you have left." The Warden’s eerie words rang through Miriel’s mind. Today was much worse than yesterday. Yesterday, the sunlight was hindered and a Shadow lay over the City. But today it was almost completely dark. There was something in the air that foretold of doom. Every single person in the city was tense, waiting in silence for what fate they did not know. Even the worst fo the patients were still and quiet.

Miriel was sitting on the edge of Halmir’s bed next to Merry. Both her companions were quiet and tense, each absorbed in his own thoughts.

"Merry...Miriel, I’m frightened." Halmir whispered. His weak voice was barely above a whisper, yet it seemed loud to his companions after the thick silence. Almost simultaneously, Hobbit and Healer turned and reached for the wounded lad’s hand. Merry reached it first, so Miriel’s hand went and stroked the lad’s pale brow.

"There now, dear one. You just...you just...don’t worry now. Merry and I are here. Shhh...there now."

Halmir seemed soothed, but didn’t sleep. A few more moments passed before Merry broke the silence.

"I can’t stand it any longer! This whole...waiting for the end to come. I’m so helpless, Miriel! And my cousins and friend are all in the worst of it! There’s nothing I can do." Tears sprung to Merry’s eyes, as he repeated barely above a whisper, "Nothing I can do."

Halmir squeezed Merry’s hand gently. "Merry, there’s hope yet. Don’t lose sight of hope."

"Oh, what hope is there, Halmir?"

"Well, as soon as we all die, we’ll see each other in the Presence."

Merry pursed his lips. That was true enough, but it was little comfort. It did not ease the clutch of fear and hopelessness on his heart.

Suddenly, Merry jerked his head up and met Miriel’s gaze. Had she felt it too? Another tremor. He was definitely not imagining. The earth was shaking! A rumble sounded in the distance and steadily came nearer and nearer as the shaking got more and more violent. Then, it stopped. Everyone looked around. Pictures, vases and various items on shelves had been knocked down. That seemed to be the worst of the damage. Everyone was shaken, but especially Merry.

"What *was* that?" he asked, his voice shaking nearly as much as the earth had been moments before.

"An earthquake, Merry. This was a fairly mild one, though. And I wonder that there isn’t an aftershock. We had better be prepared if there is one." All waited, yet another fear added to their long list. Hours passed. Miriel could not tell by the sun, but the grandfather clock in the Hall told her it was nearly eleven thirty. Her stomach growled as she remembered she had not eaten breakfast. Evidently, Merry was hungry too.

"I’ll go find some food. You two stay here." She left the boys to themselves.

"Mer, what’s he like?"

"What’s who like, Halmir?"

"Your cousin, Frodo."

"Well, Frodo...Frodo is very brave. He’s always been quite solemn for a Hobbit. He was that way since his parents died before I was born, but before the Quest, he laughed a lot more often. His laughter was so contagious. He...he laughed very little on the Quest. It changed him, you know. He was very sad when he lost his parents, of course, and he went through periods of depression, but on the Quest, he..he was so sad. Always tired, but always straining, fighting the Voice of the Ring. Oh, Frodo...you were such a wonderful cousin...and..."Merry’s voice trailed off. A tear left his eyes as they gazed out the window towards Mount Doom.

"I’m sorry, Merry." was all Halmir could find to say. His heart was wrenched for his friend. These were his last thoughts as he drifted off into a slumber.

~*~*~*~

Halmir woke with a start. Something was happening. He could hear many voices buzzing in the streets below his window. He couldn’t see due to the bandage covering his eyes, and was agitated because of it. Wait, he could hear one, clear voice above the crowd.

"Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,

 for the Realm of Sauron is ended forever,

and the Dark Tower has been thrown down.

Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of the Guard,

for your watch hath not been in vain,

and the Black Gate is broken,

and your King hath passed through,

and he is victorious

Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,

for your King shall come again,

and he shall dwell among you

all the days of your life

And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,

and he shall plant it in the high places,

and the City shall be blessed.

Sing all ye people!" *

Halmir gasped. Could it be? They were actually victorious? Halmir couldn’t believe it. Miriel came in moments later, beaming.

"Oh! Halmir! Have you heard? We’ve won! The Shadow has been defeated! The Ringbearers have completed his Quest!" She drew him into a gentle embrace and they wept tears of joy together. Merry came, and laid his hand on Miriel’s shoulder. She turned. Merry was smiling through tears of joy, but his forehead was slightly creased in worry.

"Merry, what’s wrong? Your cousin has fullfilled his mission." Halmir said.

"I know. The rumbling we felt earlier...well, that was...it was Mount Doom erupting. That means....Frodo is still..." Merry couldn’t finish the sentence and plopped on the ground, covering his face with his hands in grief.

"What? What, Miriel? What’s wrong?" Halmir whispered. Miriel turned her grey eyes to him, and they were full of pity and sorrow.

"Halmir, Frodo saved Middle Earth...but...he won’t be able to enjoy it. He gave the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life, Halmir." A knot settled in his stomach. He couldn’t move very much, but he reached down and stroked Merry’s curls. He sent a silent prayer to Eru to protect Frodo and Sam if He could. Miriel and Halmir exchanged glances and then looked out the window towards the huge column of black smoke from the Cracks of Doom. They both knew, somewhere out there, the Ringbearer and his friend lay, probably dead. Somewhere in the ashes were the bodies of the saviors of Middle Earth.

_______________________________

* Return of the King, The Steward and the King

TBC.....soon, I hope

Copyright text Frodo Baggins 2006

A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. So far this story has been book canon, but in this chapter, Frodo makes one comment that referrs to something that happened in the movie. It dosen't change the plot or anything, it's just a little detail that I thought was very sweet, and that enhanced the strong bond the cousins had. I'll just let you read and find out.

"You’re not excited, Merry?" Halmir asked. This was one of those glorious moments when Halmir’s head bandage could be removed to allow his eyes to get used to the light gradually. He treasured these brief instances.

"No, Halmir. I’m not excited. Really...I’m scared. The message from Strider was urgent. Apparently, the Eagles barely save Frodo and Sam. Pippin was gravely wounded in the battle. They...they may all be beyond even his aid. I have to see them, Halmir. He didn’t say, but I don’t think Aragorn expects any of them to live."

Halmir blinked back tears. "Oh...oh Merry! I’m dreadfully sorry! Please...go. Go, Merry, and give Pip my regards. And Frodo and Sam as well." Halmir smiled at Merry. They both knew that Merry more than likely would not say anything to his cousins and friend, but it sounded hopeful.

Merry smiled back. "I’ll do what I can, Hal. You get well now, do you hear?"

Halmir nodded and Merry took his leave. The wounded lad watched his small, valiant comrade leave. He looked down at his wounded leg, and right arm. His wounds were so bad, he was not allowed to move. This was the same bed he had awaken in when he came back to consciousness after the battle. He wasn’t even allowed to be taken out to the gardens on a litter.

The Healers would not answer questions about his future. But Halmir heard the whispers, and knew that whatever else happened, one thing was certain. His right arm would never be the same again. Halmir knew he had no family back in Rohan, and had no desire to return to the painful memories. No, right now, he would not look far into the future. He would concentrate solely on getting well and Merry’s return.

*~*~*~*~*

Things were happening. The Steward now resumed his duties. He had come into his new office only to prepare for one to replace him. It had been five weeks since the Dark Lord had been cast down and Merry left. Gondor was now bursting with life. Preperations began at once for the coming of the King. Everyone was joyous and gleeful. The wounded and ill healed quickly. All except for Halmir. He was healing, but the process was painfully slow. How could it take so long? And why no, when he should be out and about helping prepare for the king Gondor had been waiting for?

Merry had sent posts when his cousins had woke. That was weeks ago, and Halmir had begun to worry. But yesterday, another post came. The Hobbits and the King were coming very soon to the City. They were due tomorrow, but Halmir couldn’t wait that long.

"Halmir, lad, you do understand the Ringbearer and his friends will be overwhelmed with many feasts and banquets, and more than likely, won’t be able to visit you." Miriel said to him. Halmir’s face fell. Halmir had noticed that Miriel looked very much like his sister would have at twenty one. She was very maternal, and always had time for him. Just like his sister always did. She smiled at him now, and said comfortingly, "Tis alright, lad. He’ll see you soon enough."

Halmir was not consoled. The next hours would pass torturously slow for Halmir.

*~*~*~*~*

Frodo plopped down on his bed in their new guest House. His head was throbbing. Today was spent traveling, and as soon as they had reached the City, Aragorn’s coronation was in place. And then they all proceeded to the feast. Sam could tell Frodo was not feeling well by the fourth course, and he and Frodo had been excused. Now, Frodo lay on his bed. He didn’t feel worthy of all the honor he was receiving and he found he still fatigued rather easily still. During the meal, Frodo had received hundreds of requests for his presence or attendance to one meeting or feast or another. The next few weeks would be filled to the brim. Another volley of pounding in his head, and Frodo groaned. Someone entered, bearing a cool rag that was placed on Frodo’s forehead.

"Thank you, Sam."Frodo murmured. But it wasn’t Sam.

"You alright, Fro?"

"What are you doing here, Merry? You should be at the banquet." Frodo said without opening his eyes. He knew his cousin’s voice.

"I was worried about you. Sam’s always there for you when you need him. I’m not. I wish I could have been. I know I can’t change the past, so I’m doing what I can to make it up to you."

Frodo sat up, ignoring the pounding and setting aside the rag. He took Merry’s hands in his own and looked his cousin right in the eye. "Oh Merry! You didn’t fail me. Oh, my dear, sweet Merry! How...how could even think that?" Frodo gathered his cousin in his arms as best he could, considering Merry being significantly bigger now. Frodo didn’t care. His cousin needed reasurrance, and just like he had for so many years, he was going to give it. "I never got to thank you. No, don’t act surprised. You and Pip saved my life, before I left. You’re so brave, and I’m ever so proud of you."

Merry leaned into Frodo’s embrace. Even after weeks had passed, at times, he found it hard to believe that it was all over, and everyone in the Company was alive and well. He breathed in Frodo’s scent and his mind drifted. He remembered the days when Frodo would hold him in his lap and tell him stories, or when Frodo would let him crawl into bed with him when he got scared. Frodo had always been there for him. Then he thought he had lost his beloved elder cousin. Now he was back. Safe. Secure. But changed. He thought of all he had done while Frodo was gone. He remembered joining the Rohirrim. And with a flash, he remembered Halmir.

"What is it, Mer?" Frodo asked, for Merry had jerked his head up and gasped when he recollected his friend.

"Oh, Frodo! I know you’re terribly busy...but...do you remember I told you about that lad named Halmir?"

A shadow crossed Frodo’s face, as he remembered that poor lad. "Yes."

"Well, I promised him you’d visit him...and...and...can you?" Merry looked at Frodo, expecting to find his cousin a little put out for having yet another visit on his long and growing list. But instead he found compassion and a hint of sadness.

"Tell him I’ll see him tomorrow just after elevenses."

Merry grinned at his cousin, and hugged him about the neck. "Oh, thank you! This will mean so much to him!"

Frodo chuckled. "What in Middle Earth did you tell him about me, Merry?"

Merry smiled mischievously, "A lot. But you’ll have to find out for yourself what he knows about you."

"You rascal!"But Frodo’s face fell as he uttered the last word. His headache was returning with a vengence.

"Frodo! I’m sorry. Here, you lie down, and rest a bit." Frat silently obliged. Merry snuffed out the candle and left the room. Frodo whispered, "I love you, Merry." before drifting off to sleep.

TBC....

Copy right text Frodo Baggins 2006

A/N: Hullo all! I must apologize for the length of time that has elapsed since my last posting. I have been working on it and reading some other author's work. I hope that my postings will come more frequently. I hope to post quite a few before I leave for Iowa for a month. Again, I apologize, but it can't be helped. Enjoy this chapter! Namarie! Frodo B

Halmir's dark brown eyes darted about the room. He had not looked at the clock in forever, so maybe he would peak at it and see how long it had been. Halmir groaned. The long hand had only moved two notches! It seemed like it had been forever since he looked at the clock last.

Halmir sighed. "But I can’t help it! I’m so…so excited! Is he never going to get here? What if he got lost? What if..."

Miriel laughed and cut him off. "Halmir, dear! So many questions! I doubt very much that the Ringbearer would get lost. He has all nine of his companions to consult, and every person in Minas Tirith would no doubt give him directions."

"Maybe so, but what if he forgot?"

"Do you honestly think his cousins would let him forget?"

"No, but..."

"Then hush, now, lad. Or you'll wear yourself out before he even gets here." Halmir settled back in resignation. He replayed in his mind everything Merry had told him that morning. Yes, Frodo had agreed to come. Yes, he was looking forward to meeting him. He would come just after elevenses, whatever that meant. Merry had explained it was a meal Hobbits ate around eleven o'clock in the morning. And then he had left. That was some hours ago, and everyone in the houses of Healing had been preparing for the coming of the Ringbearer.

A murmur raced through the House faster than a rumor in Hobbiton. The Ringbearer had arrived! Halmir nearly lept from his skin. It took forever to the waiting lad's mind for the advancing footsteps to finally reach his room.

Merry soon appeared, in all his fine Rohirric garb. He was followed by Pippin, who also wore his finery, and then two other Hobbits entered the room. They were not dressed in finery, and they were about five inches shorter than Merry and Pippin. One, who Halmir guessed was Sam, had a kind, broad face and smiled warmly at him; his curls were a honey colour and his eyes were a deep brown. The other Hobbit had to be Frodo. He was thinner than Sam, and his skin was fairer than all of the other three Hobbits's; his hair was dark brown and his eyes were light blue encirled by a dark blue. They were so sad! Then Halmir's eyes fell on the gap on the right hand where the third finger should have been. He had heard of the missing finger, but he had never actually seen it. Suddenly, he became aware that the blue gaze was on him, and he had been staring. He blushed and looked at Frodo, expecting to find hurt or anger in the former Ringbearer’s face. But Frodo only smiled at him and said,

"Why, hullo there, Halmir. It is a pleasure to meet you. Merry and Pippin have told me so much about you."

"Lord Frodo, it is a pleasure to meet you as well, sir. Your cousins have told me a lot about you, as well."

Frodo laughed. Those who knew the significance of this exchanged glances. "Halmir! Please, do not call me ‘Lord’ or any title, for that matter. Just ‘Frodo’ should do. And," Frodo shot a glance at his two cousins, "I’m sure they did tell you quite a bit about me. And I should like to know what exactly you have heard. I have a feeling that I have some tales to straighten out. But! I have been quite rude. I have failed to introduce you to my dearest friend, one who has earned his title of ‘lord’, unlike me. Halmir, let me introduce you to Lord Samwise the Stouthearted, renowned through all the Free lands of Middle Earth and deserving of the highest praise."

Sam blushed to a colour similar to that of roses.

"Well, now, I don’t know about all that. Them titles don’t sit well with me. Just Sam will do. It is a pleasure to meet you, though, Master Halmir." Sam said, bowing low at his waist.

"The pleasure is all mine, Sam." Halmir inclined his head, hand to heart, bowing as best he could from his position in the bed. When he brought his head up, he looked at Sam and said, "Though, I daresay, Frodo was quite correct, if half the stories are to be believed."

"Well, sir, they have been exaggerated, but I don’t think this be the time or place to be discussin’ such, if you follow me."

"Oh, yes. I’m sorry, Sam."

"Nothin’ to be apologizin’ about!"

At that moment, Miriel came bustling in the room, but stopped short when she saw who her charge’s visitors were.

"Why! My lords!" She exclaimed, curtseying. "It is such a pleasure to be entertaining you this day. My name is Miriel. Would you be needing anything?"

Each Hobbit bowed low in return.

"The pleasure is ours, miss Miriel." Frodo said correctly. "We thank you for allowing us to visit our friend. I hope we are not intruding or causing any problems by being here."

Miriel was quite at a loss for words. Why wouldn’t the Ringbearer and his comrades be allowed anything their hearts desired in this city? And how on earth could this Halfling think that he would be *imposing*, when every person in the city and more clamored for even a glimpse of the former Ringbearer? The healer’s apprentice shook her head and said,

"My dear Lord Frodo, of course you are not imposing. It is our pleasure to allow you to visit. And we consider this young lad very fortunate indeed to be visited by the Ringbearer and his friends."

Frodo inclined his head.

"Oh, Halmir! I almost forgot. The Warden said you are to be released in two days!" Miriel exclaimed.

The cheer died on Halmir’s lips.

"What’s wrong, lad?" Miriel’s voice was full of concern. "Do you not think you are well enough? I thought you longed for this day."

"I did, but...Miriel, I have no where to go! I don’t have family and I don’t know what occupation I could do...I don’t want to become a beggar, Miriel, I don’t!" This was the first Halmir had ever spoken of his future to her, but she knew he had been thinking about it on his own. There was such desperation in his young voice.

Frodo stepped forward and grasped his young friend’s hand. "Of course you won’t be a beggar. You will come and live with us in the guest house in the sixth circle. It is rather large, so I’m sure no one will mind. And if our cook doesn’t think she can feed *nine* people, I’ll do the cooking myself."

"Frodo, that’s valiant of you and all, but..."

"But what, Pip?" Frodo asked, confused. He honestly had not thought his cousins would turn this boy down.

"Well...maybe you should leave the cooking to Sam."

Frodo sputtered indignantly.

"Well, you know what happens when you try to cook..."

"Peregrine Took! I can make lots of things!"

"Like?"

"I can make oatmeal biscuits, and chocolate chip biscuits and sugar biscuits and...I can make a nice pork chop dinner, with mashed potatoes; and scrambled eggs for breakfast, and toast; and peanut butter biscuits and...and..."

"And the lad can’t live on biscuits alone!" Merry laughed.

"But Frodo," Pippin said, "Things...*happen* when you cook. Scary things! Like...exploding eggs...strange looking biscuits...or..."

"Now, now, we all know Mr. Frodo’s cooking has improved." Sam finished the argument before it could go any further.

Everyone was now laughing as the cousins bantered back and forth about Frodo’s culinary skills. Even Frodo was chuckling.

"Well, seriously, I think Halmir should stay with us. Goodness know there is enough room. What do you say, lads?" Frodo queried.

"I say that Sir Peregrine Took, Captain of the Citadel Guard, should gladly welcome Young Master Halmir into his home."

"His home? What about Sir Meriadoc Brandybuck, Holdwine of the Mark and Esquire to King Eomer? Does he have any say in the matter?"

"Forgive me, sir." Pippin bowed with a flourish. "What does Sir Meriadoc Brandybuck, Holdwine of the Mark and Esquire to King Eomer and future master of Buckland say?"

Halmir giggled at the two Hobbits’s antics. He looked to Frodo, who only rolled his eyes and shook his head at his cousins.

"Why, Sir Peregrine Took, Captain of the Citadel Guard and Future Thain of the Shire, I would certainly welcome this lad into our home."

"Well, then it’s settled!" Pippin exclaimed triumphantly. "My dear Halmir, you are to stay with us as soon as the Healers permit you to leave."

"Thank you kindly," Halmir said, bowing as best he could from his bed.

Frodo bowed in return. "You are most welcome."

A messenger appeared in the door. "Ahem, Lords Frodo and Sam, and Sirs Merry and Pippin, I was told I could find you all hear. The King Elessar has summoned you to his quarters."

"When does he wish us to be there?" Pippin asked.

"As soon as you can manage it, Sir Peregrine."

"I see. Thank you. Tell the King Elessar he can expect us in fifteen minutes."

The messenger nodded and continued his daily tasks. Frodo turned to Halmir and smiled genuinely.

"Farewell, my friend. We will return as soon as may be."

Halmir smiled in return. "It was so nice to meet all of you. Thank you for coming to see me."

Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin all squeezed the lad’s hand before leaving. Halmir watched them go. He was sad they left. But excitement rose as he thought of the new life he would have in only two days.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC....soon, I promise!

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

A/N: Well, I'm back. Finally! I know this chapter is not very long,(okay, okay,it's puny) but...well...I need some inspiration for this story and I was really itching to write more of FOTR (Um, my story "The Forging of the Ringbearer", not the Fellowship of the Ring. And no, I did not do that on purpose.) But anyway, here it is! ;) - ~Frodo Baggins~

CHAPTER FIVE

"Sam!" Frodo called loudly, thinking Sam was in the kitchen on the other side of the house.

"No need to shout, Mr. Frodo, I’m right here." Frodo jumped at the voice close behind him.

"Sam, you startled me. I thought you were in the kitchen. Is there anything else that needs to be done before Halmir arrives?"

"No, sir. The guest bedroom is ready."

"The sheets were changed?"

"Yes, sir."

"And..."

Sam chuckled. "Mr. Frodo, why don’t you inspect it yourself, and then go take a walk around the city to settle your nerves. Halmir won’t be here for another hour or so."

"Thank you, Sam. I’ll do that."

*~*~*~*~*~*

It was perfect. The room was painted a cheery blue, the colour of a light summer sky. White lacy curtains framed a view of the gardens. The bed looked soft and inviting. Vases of bright flowers were placed on the window sill, on top of the chest of drawers, and on the bedside table. Satisfied, Frodo left the Guest house to walk about the city.

The city was bustling with activity. Frodo preferred not to walk in the crowded streets, so he took a back alley. It lead him to a part of the city he had never been before. This part of the city was still in rubble. No one lived here. It was one of the lower parts of Minas Tirith and had gotten hit the hardest. Like a sudden shadow on a sunny day, this was vivid reminder that there were still hurts to heal. Frodo remembered that he had to be back and was just turning to leave, when he heard a strange noise. His Baggins curiosity was roused, and he cautiously approached a heap of rubble that was moving. The Hobbit carefully cleared away some of the rubble to reveal a small puppy.

"Why, you poor little dear! How...you’re all alone. Here..." Frodo scooped up the small bundle of brown, dust covered fur and held it close to him. The pup yapped and whined. "You’re hungry, I’ll bet. Well, Sam will fix you something nice. And..." Frodo stopped mid-sentence. He suddenly had an idea. Halmir would be awfully lonely. He couldn’t walk around too much right away, and so would be stuck in the house a lot. Surely he would be bored. Unless he had a friend who could stay with him at all times. Someone to care for, and to love him back. A puppy would be perfect! Frodo rushed home.

"What have you got there, Mr. Frodo?"

Frodo proudly held out the now quiet pup. "It’ s for Halmir. He was abandoned, and I’m sure Halmir would love something to care for."

"Why, that’s an excellent idea, Mr. Frodo! I’m glad you thought of it! He’s such a cute little thing. But...if you don’t mind me sayin’ so, you should probably hurry and give it a bath. I’ll fix it something to eat. Probably starving, poor little thing." Sam said as he hurried off to the kitchen. Frodo smiled to himself as he went to draw a bath. He knew Sam would take to little dog right away. And he was right.

However, he would have to hurry, for Halmir would arrive any minute!

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC...yea!

Copyright 2006 Frodo Baggins

A/N: Dear Readers: This chapter has many parts that were authentically written by our dear and beloved Queen Galadriel. When you review, be sure to give her a big applaud! She deserves it! :) Hannon le! - Frodo Baggins

CHAPTER 6: There's Always Hope

"Oh Frodo! I’m so glad to finally be here!" Halmir cried. He had been settled into his room with little difficulty. He had been permitted to walk a little bit on the way here, but his legs were still weak. Gandalf, Aragorn and the Hobbits were gathered around their new friend’s bed.

"And we’re equally glad to have you here, Halmir!" Frodo took the hand and pressed it fervently. "I do have something to give you. A sort of house warming gift. But, I don't know if I should give it to you."

"Oh, Frodo!! Please, please, PLEASE! You just HAVE to give me the gift!"

Frodo grinned, and this time his beautiful eyes shone with fun. "Well, Halmir, I don’t know. What do you think, King Elessar?"

Aragorn (who was in on Frodo’s surprise along with Gandalf), forced his face into a serious expression and pretended concern. "Hmmm…I don’t know, Frodo. I don’t know if it would be good for him just yet."

Frodo nodded seriously. "Yes, it might be too much excitement…"

Halmir squirmed and groaned, looking as if he would dearly love to force the secret from his tormentors. Merry and Pippin’s shoulders began to shake with silent mirth, and Frodo looked away to hide his mischievous glee.

Pippin leaned close to whisper to the nearly frantic boy, green eyes dancing with mischief. "It's a common trick of his, you know, pretending he isn’t going to give you the gift. Now, just give him the look."

The sparkling green eyes were met by equally mischievous brown ones for a moment, then they turned pitifully upon Frodo. "Oh! You two.....oh! I'll go get the gift. You two rascals, you know I can't resist the Look!" Frodo said in mock annoyance. But whatever his voice said, his blue eyes said otherwise.

He left shaking his head and returned shortly after with a large covered basket. Halmir squirmed with anticipation as Frodo re-entered the room. Frodo and Sam exchanged amused glances. "Oh, alright, here you are. Something from all of us." The hobbit set his mysterious burden down on the bed and stepped back.

Halmir grinned triumphantly at the Hobbit and eagerly took the basket. He opened the lid and gasped; for as he lifted the lid, a bundle of brown, black, and white fur leapt out at him and began enthusiastically licking his face. The shocked expression on his face as he struggled with the squirming pup brought peals of laughter from all present. "Oh, it's a....dog!" The surprised (and somewhat muffled) exclamation brought fresh bursts of laughter from the Hobbits.

"A small dog, though, Halmir!" Frodo said, still chuckling as he helped the startled lad extricate his sleeve from the puppy’s teeth. " Courtesy of the Hobbits. I am not particularly fond of large dogs, and this one is going to be small. It’s a Beagle. I had one when I was young, and she was a great companion."

"Oh, Frodo! Thank you! I've always wanted a little dog! We could take him out to the garden, and have such amazing adventures with him! What is he called?"

"That's for you to decide, lad."

Halmir grew thoughtful. After a moment he said, "Perhaps something like Frodo, or Sam, or something."

Frodo and Sam gave him looks of mock hurt. "A dog? After me? Really, I thought you had more respect than that, young master." Said the former Ring-bearer, exchanging a secret smile with Sam.

Halmir laughed. "I was teasing, but I think you are too!"

"Aye," said Sam. "And anyhow, you can’t very well give the pup a name like that. It wouldn’t be proper."

"Why not?" asked Halmir.

Frodo and Sam exchanged grins and said together, "Because it’s a lass!" And everyone in the room roared with laughter.

"Oh, Frodo, however did you come by her?" Halmir asked when the laughter had died down.

"Ah," said Frodo, sobering, "she was in desperate need of a home when I found her. I was walking through the lower parts of the City, the parts that are still evacuated. I found her under a pile of rubble. There was not another living thing around. She was so very gentle and sweet. Stole my heart. But I’m in no position for a dog right now, and I thought you would enjoy a friend."

"Oh," said Halmir softly, stroking the pup’s silky fur. "She’s an orphan then, like you and me. Poor thing."

Frodo didn’t question the lad’s knowledge of his being an orphan. One of the many things Merry had told the lad about him, Frodo wouldn’t be surprised. "You’ll have to be her guardian now. For she needs someone to look after her, just as all young ones do." Frodo said.

"I’ll give her the very best care, Frodo," said Halmir, cradling the now sleeping pup against his chest. He looked so solemn and proud and almost fatherly that Frodo smiled.

"Really, Halmir, do you know what you’ll call her?" asked Sam. "You’ll have to think of a proper lass’s name."

Halmir thought for a moment, looking down at the little life in his arms. "I think I’ll call her…Anna."

"Gift," Frodo murmured. And then, "How do you know Elvish?" This was very surprising indeed. He didn’t think the men of Rohan had any interest in Elves.

"Merry taught me a little, and so did Pippin. I only know a few words, though."

Frodo looked at his cousins, astonished. "So you were listening all those times I tried to teach you?"

Merry shrugged as if it was nothing and Pippin said, "Only sometimes, Frodo, when it was a choice between sitting and enduring you teaching us some language other than Westron or arithmetic!"

"That’s a right sensible name, lad," Sam turned the conversation back to the present. These cousin discussions could go on forever.

"It suits her perfectly." Frodo agreed.

A growl from Pippin's stomach alerted them of the time, and an amused grin went round the room like a streak of sunshine. "My, but it’s late!" Pippin proclaimed. "I’m dreadfully sorry to break this up, my dear cousin, but I’m famished!"

Gandalf laughed and rose from his chair. "Master Halmir, you will soon that it is safer to stand between a troll and his treasure than a Hobbit and his meal! I will bring some luncheon to the room and we can eat here. How does that sound?"

"Oh yes!" cried Halmir, and then remembering his guests, "Um, that is, what do you fellows say?"

"I say," said Frodo, "that this young lad is not to be gainsaid."

"Very well," said Gandalf, laughing. "I shall return in a moment."

"Shall I go for somethin’?" asked Sam, remembering his "duty" a bit too late.

"You, Samwise Gamgee, can help me if it would make you rest easier. But I think you have done enough serving in the last year to serve you the rest of your life."

"It would make me feel better, sir."

"Alright, come along, then."

*~*~*~*~*~*

After a delightful luncheon in Halmir’s room, the group sat talking amiably. They had only been talking for a few minutes before they heard two voices, one melodious voice of an Elf and the gruff voice of Gimli. Pippin ran out to meet them. His high, excited voice was mixed with the other two. Soon the voices came towards the room.

"Halmir, prepare to meet the last two members of our Fellowship. You’ll love them, and they will love you. Gimli may seem a bit rough, but he’s soft as butter on the inside." Frodo said, smiling fondly at the thought of his other two friends.

Said persons soon entered the room.

"So this is the laddy who will be sharing our house from now on, is it?" Gimli asked. Then he chuckled and bowed Dwarf fashion. "I am Gimli, son of Gloin. It is a pleasure to have you staying here. Any friend of these....rapscallions is a friend indeed."

"Thank you, Gimli. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." Halmir bowed as best he could from his position in the bed.

"And I am Legolas Greenleaf. It honors me to meet you, Halmir, son of Gladir. My young friends have told me much about you."

Halmir was amazed that this elf knew the name of his father! He again bowed as best he could from his position in the bed. "The honor is all mine. I have heard much about you as well." Halmir tried to suppress a yawn. Aragorn saw it.

"Friends, it is time we all left Halmir so that he may rest. The lad is weary and needs some rest right now. I know Legolas and Gimli just arrived, but everyone will have plenty of time to get to know each other in the future."

Everyone agreed. Halmir said nothing and sat there looking crushed.

"It’s alright, Halmir," Frodo said, sensing his friend’s distress. "He knows what’s best for you. He was the same way with me. Only, he put me in a healing sleep for two whole weeks! Do you want him doing that to you?" Frodo kept a straight face, but Halmir knew he was teasing because the lad looked to Aragorn (just to make sure) and Aragorn shook his head.

"Whatever you say, Frodo. Well, farewell, everyone. And thank you again for your hospitality. Though that sounds so very shallow. I can’t thank any of you properly."

"Yes, you can. That’s by resting!" Merry said. "Get enough rest. You’ll need it; my cousins and Sam have some exciting things planned for you."

At this Halmir’s eyes sparked. He lay down and held Anna, who had fallen asleep curled up next to her new owner. The Fellowship filed out. Frodo was the last to leave and he cast one last glance over his shoulder. Halmir was already fast asleep, holding his sleeping puppy as the two were bathed in the afternoon sun.

*~*~*~*~*

Halmir slept through tea and up until five that evening. He was awakened to the scent of mushroom pie wafting through the air. His stomach growled. Suddenly he realized that his Anna was gone! He looked frantically around, but the pup was no where to be seen.

Just as he was about to sound the alarm, when he heard a shout, followed by more shouts and the soft padding of Hobbit feet running down the hallway. Halmir was very curious about what was causing the commotion. As he eased himself out of bed, he heard a little bark and he smiled. Anna. The gift was turning out not to be such a pleasant one.

Halmir limped to the door and opened it as Gimli and Legolas came walking down the hall.

"Master Halmir! You are awake! Just in time for supper. Being around those Hobbits has worn off on you, I see." Gimli chuckled. Legolas nodded his greeting over Gimli’s head. Halmir joined the duo and they went to the dining room together.

"Where is King Elessar?" Halmir asked.

"The King does not stay here, Halmir." Legoalas answered.

Of course. He was the King. He wouldn’t stay in a guest house! "Right. Well, what’s for supper?"

"The HObbits are treating us to a delicacy of the Shire. We’ve never had it before, but it smells delicious. They call it Mushroom pie." Gimli explained. He was evidently anticipating this dish from that faraway land the Shire.

And it was indeed delicious. Everyone said so and complimented the Hobbits many times between mouthfuls. Merry and Pippin bobbed their heads in acknowledgment and said that if everyone liked this, they should wait for dessert. Sam only blushed and said it was nothing. Frodo said nothing at all. In fact, he seemed not to hear anything at all.

"Frodo? Frodo! Frodo Baggins!!" Merry said.

Frodo jerked his head up. Everyone was staring at him, concerned. Both Gandalf and Sam looked at him shrewdly. "Sorry, I...I was...just..." it was pointless. Frodo blushed.

"My dear boy, you are weary. You should go lie down for a bit." Gandalf rose.

"But I..." Frodo attempted to protest.

"No. At least go in your bed and read."

Argument was pointless. "I am a little weary. Goodnight everyone." Frodo said, bowing at the waist. He left the room feeling very foolish, like a child being sent to bed early for something he didn’t do. He had only been deep in thoughts. They were not happy thoughts, though. His heart was troubled. Memories of the Ring taunted him. Would he never truly find peace?

Later, Sam came with some tea. "Here, Mr. Frodo. I made you this."

"Thank you, Sam. That was very thoughtful of you." Frodo knew where Sam was going to go with the conversation. His Sam knew him very well, and knew something was bothering his master. But Frodo also knew Sam well, so he steered the conversation in another direction.

"What do you think of Halmir, Sam?"

Sam chuckled. "A right fine lad he is, Mr. Frodo. Very gentle. Reminds me a bit of you, in a way."

Frodo grew thoughtful. "Yes, he does. I love the lad like he was my brother, and yet I hardly know him. It’s his eyes, you see. I can see right into his heart. It’s broken, Sam. Broken, and he doesn’t have much hope." Frodo paused. Sam could see Frodo’s heart through those blue eyes of his. It was broken as well. "We must try to fix it for him, Sam. We have to give him hope. He has so much to live for."

"Aye, Mr. Frodo, he does." Sam couldn’t help but think, ‘You have so much to live for, too! Don’t you see it? Don’t you go givin’ up on hope, Mr. Frodo. There’s always hope. There’s always hope.’

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC...

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

Chapter 7: Nightmares

The cool shadow of night descended upon Minas Tirith, and all inside the Guest House in the Sixth Circle saw it as a comfort and welcomed the time for rest; all, that is, except one Hobbit. Frodo lay awake in the great bed, listening to Sam's deep breathing from the other side of the room. He couldn't sleep; he didn't want to sleep. So, after a brief debate between his mind and his exhausted body, he got out of bed and stole silently to the library. He lit a very small candle and, as quietly as he could, retrieved a book yet unexplored and returned to his room. He knew that Legolas did not sleep, but rested as he walked under the stars, as was his fashion. The library could be seen from the garden, and Frodo feared that if he stayed there, Legolas might see his light, and then he'd have to explain himself. That was the last thing he wanted. So, in the large room he and Sam shared, he propped his back against the wall in a secluded corner and read the book by firelight. The book was somewhat dull, and his body was extremely tired. Try as he might, he soon drifted off into a deep slumber.

Then came the plaguing dreams. Frodo found himself on Mount Doom just after he had claimed the Ring. But instead of Gollum biting off the Evil thing and his finger, Frodo had a sword, and, as if an outside force moved his hands, he slew Gollum, the very creature he had once wished to save. He rushed outside to find himself on a great plane, where all his friends and those he had met that were good and dear to him were lined up in shackles and chains. He heard the terrible voice of the Enemy in his mind, "Good, my faithful servant. Now, slay them all!".

"NOOOO!!!" Frodo cried in desperation and shame. But the force that worked his sword to slay Gollum worked on every one of his friends. Tom Bombadil and Butterbur, several Hobbits and Elves, one after another they fell before him. Legolas and Gimli, and even Boromir were slain. But the last seven hurt him most. Aragorn said, "If by life or death I could have saved you, I would have, Frodo!" and then his sword ended the life and wonderfully familiar voice.

"My dear boy...." was all Gandalf could say. His eyes looked so hurt and broken. ‘We trusted you, Frodo. Look what has happened! I was wrong to let you take the Ring.’ Frodo read this in his dear friend’s eyes, but the Dark Will slew the wizard.

Then was Halmir, poor Halmir, whom Frodo had held so dear. The lad's eyes spoke of the hurt and accusation in his heart; there was fear as well, fear too well known by Frodo. But a will greater than his ended the precious young life.

Merry and Pip were next. His sweet, dear cousins could only say, "Frodo! Cousin Frodo, please!", but the Will would not be moved.

Bilbo cried, "Frodo lad! Don't...."and his uncle who had taken him in and treated him as a son was put to death without mercy.

The last was the worst of all. Sam looked at his master with those soft brown eyes that had unfailingly shone with love so many times. Even now, no betrayal, anger, or hate could Frodo see-only love. Sam, dear Sam, stood before him, sad and heartbroken, but loving and loyal nonetheless. In a broken voice he said, "I have always loved you, and I will always love you. No matter what you do to me, I love you still, me dear. Yes, I still love you. Always remember that." And then Frodo's hand went against his heart and slew the one who loved him more than life.

He was so utterly horrified that he wished nothing more than to plunge the sword into his own heart and end his misery. But the Enemy would not permit it, no matter how the Hobbit tried. So, in utter despair, far worse than he had ever known, Frodo sank down to his knees and wept, crying and sobbing and beating the ground with his small fist yelling, "Nooo! No, no, no! Why, why?" No other words could he speak, so great was the terror, shame, grief and utter despair in his heart.

As if coming to him from very far away, he heard familiar voices. "Frodo, me dear, please wake up. It's just a dream." That had to be Sam. But Sam was dead. If he wanted to, he could look over and see his friend’s body.

"Cousin Frodo! This had better be only a dream about you stealing my supper and feeling guilty!" Masked beneath Pippins' teasing words was a strong undercurrent of worry.

"Come on, Frodo, for me. Wake up, will you? It's only a nightmare, right? You used to comfort me when I had nightmares." Merry. Dear Merry.

There was Legolas's voice, murmuring comforts in Sindarin that only his heart seemed to understand. But there was another voice, or presence, shedding silent tears and holding his hand. How could this be possible? He had just killed all those dear to him. He would never forget.....slowly, he opened his eyes

He was surprised to see the circle of concerned faces looking at him instead of the carnage of those same faces. His mind slowly became aware that he was lying on the floor, his fists clenched. He was hot and sweating. His head was in Gandalf's lap, a placating hand on his shoulder. He read the question in his eyes: "You didn't' tell me about nightmares. You've been having them all along, haven't' you? Why couldn't I see?"

His eyes left the Maia’s piercing gaze and fell on all the other's faces. Merry and Pippin knelt beside him, their faces tight with anxiety, and Sam was looking compassionately at him, one strong arm about his shaking shoulders. Legolas and Gimli were also present, looking at him with tender concern. Halmir was gingerly holding his right hand, silent tears streaming down his face. "It was a terrible dream, wasn't it?" he whispered.

Frodo only nodded. He didn't trust his voice. So many emotions swirled in his heart, he knew his voice would sound choked and high. He drew a deep shuddering breath, resolving in his stubborn Baggins mind that he would not tell a soul about his terrible dream. He could not burden his friends with it.

"Oh, Frodo, mell min, what terrible thing..." Legolas's voice broke through his thoughts.

"No!" he said immediately. "I mean...I...I'd rather not talk about it, please..."

Gandalf bent to peer more closely into the face of his small friend and nodded with a gentle, sympathetic smile. "Not now, at least. You are weary."

"Are you all right, Frodo?" Pippin piped up.

Merry elbowed him in the ribs. "Honestly, Pip!" he hissed, trying to keep it too low for his cousin to hear. "Does he look all right?"

"It's all right now," Gandalf said in answer to Merry’s very correct assessment . "Come now. We are all weary, and bed is the best cure for that." Gandalf wished he could lift Frodo right up off the cold floor without damaging his dignity, but he knew well enough that Frodo’s pride was already very much damaged. Instead, he stood and took Frodo’s hands to help him to his feet.

Immediately he was flanked by Sam and his cousins. "You've given us quite the turn, Frodo dear." Merry tried to speak lightly, but there was worry in his voice.

With a cousin clinging to each hand and Sam close behind, Frodo went shakily back to the bed and scrambled up onto it, turning his face into the downy pillows to shut out the visions that still played cruelly before his eyes. His head pounded and he felt like weeping or screaming or maybe both. The dream was true - or at least, he knew his soul was lost with the Ring.

Then he felt someone gently turning his head, and a cool, damp cloth covered his still-wet eyes. When it was removed, he looked up into Halmir's sympathetic face. The lad smiled tremulously. "You're not the only one," he said. "I once woke screaming, just as you did this night, to find the king, Miriel, the Warden and Merry hovering over me. I'd fallen from the bed. It was rather humiliating."

Frodo tried to return the smile without success, and Halmir took his hand, gently pressing it as he whispered, "It will be all right. It was just a dream. It didn't really happen, whatever it was. And if part of it did happen, it's over now. There is always hope." Sam smiled at the lad’s perceptiveness.

Frodo did smile then, if only faintly, and returned the pressure of the boy's hand. "Thank you, Halmir," he said softly.

Halmir smiled. "Oh! Here comes Lord Gandalf." And so saying, he threw himself down at the foot of the bed.

Gandalf set the small kettle on the bedside table and removed its cover, and the fresh, pungent aroma of athelas filled the room, calming all who breathed it. The next moment Sam was scrambling up onto the bed, a steaming teacup in his hand. "Drink up now, master," he said, pressing the cup into Frodo's hand and then grabbing for extra pillows.

"What is it?" asked Frodo, not so shaken that he was not suspicious.

"Just chamomile, with lots of honey, just how you like it. Come now, drink up before it gets cold."

Frodo obediently drank the warm, soothing tea, and when the cup was empty, Pippin's hand reached out to take it from him. Frodo’s eyelids began to droop again, despite all his efforts to fight sleep, and he dimly heard Legolas's voice whisper, "Come. Let us all return to our own beds. He is weary, and we can do no more."

"No, I want to stay with Frodo," Halmir protested.

"No you don’t! You’re just as tired and in need of rest as my cousin is. Off to bed with you, too." Merry answered firmly. He would not be argued with.

Then he felt Merry and Pippin lightly kiss him good-night, each whispering a soft, "I love you, Cousin. Sleep well, and no more nightmares."

He murmured a reply, and all but Sam stole softly from the room with words of blessing and love. Merry took his young charge by the hand and led him away, and as they left, they caught the faint sound of Sam's voice murmuring softly behind the closed door.

Before Legolas headed back out to the garden, he checked on all of his friends to make sure all were well. Frodo was not the only one in the house who suffered from nightmares. Merry and Pippin were fast asleep, each in his own bed. Halmir, too, was sleeping soundly. Legolas next went to check on Frodo and Sam. He found them both asleep, Sam lying with Frodo's shoulder against his back so that he would know immediately if his master was distressed again. "Bless you both. May the stars shine upon your faces," he whispered in Elvish. Then he stole out to the cool garden to walk beneath the stars, and there wept silent tears for his dear friends. He prayed to Elbereth that with the morning light, hope and joy would return to those who suffered.

*~*~*~*~*

TBC....

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

The early morning rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains and illuminated Frodo's drawn features. The rest of the night had passed uneventfully for him, with only a vague feeling of uneasiness and dread. He opened his eyes; and as he did so, the horrible dream rushed at him from out of nowhere and he stifled a cry.

"Good morning, Mr. Frodo," Sam said softly from where he stood at the bedside.

Frodo looked at his friend, already fully dressed, and forced a smile. "Good morning." He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

Frodo was not a morning person, but it was still obvious that Frodo hadn’t slept well. Sam knew that the best remedy would be distraction. He grinned and laid Frodo’s folded clothes on the pillow. "We’d best be up and about. That young lad will be rarin’ to go today…if he even stirs from bed. I heard Anna gave him a night of it."

"Oh no! What now?" asked Frodo, beginning to smile.

"Whimpered and cried and carried on till he put her in bed with him, then slept like a babe the rest of the night." Sam said, chuckling.

Frodo laughed shakily. "Yes, Halmir will likely be very tired today then." ‘Very tired indeed,’ he thought with a pang of guilt. If only he hadn’t roused the entire house!

Sam must have guessed his thoughts, for he gave him a look that said, ‘Don’t you go worryin’ about things as aren’t your fault, Mr. Frodo.’

Not long afterward there was a knock at the bedroom door. Frodo answered and found himself looking up at a very tired-looking Halmir. A warm woolen robe was thrown about his shoulders, and Anna was held securely in his arms. "Oh, Halmir, you look as if you didn’t sleep a wink!" said Frodo.

"It’s her fault!" The lad tried to smile around a yawn.

Frodo smiled. "Sam told me. Ah well, Halmir, it’s part of being a guardian. Now, young master, does anyone else know you’re up?"

"Oh yes. Anna didn’t just wake me. Oh no, that was not enough. She must needs let loose with a howl and rouse Gandalf as well!"

Frodo and Sam roared with laughter. "She probably just wants her breakfast," Sam explained, looking over his shoulder as he industriously plumped pillows.

At that moment Merry and Pippin appeared. "Did I hear someone say breakfast?" asked the irrepressible youngest hobbit.

Frodo laughed again as he was enveloped in one of Merry’s bear hugs. That had been Merry’s way of rousing him when they were young at Brandy Hall.

"Yes," said Halmir. "Come on!" And he began limping back towards his own room. It was the first time Frodo had seen him attempt walking, and he was shocked by the unsteadiness of the boy’s gait. Indeed, it looked as if Halmir might fall at any moment. In a second Frodo was at his side, covertly offering support by way of a brotherly arm about the lad’s shoulders (which was rather a far reach).

"Well, my lad, ready for some adventures?" Frodo said, smiling up at his young charge as they made their way slowly along the corridor.

"Am I!" cried Halmir, with such an eager expression of countenance that everyone smiled to see it.

As it turned out, Gandalf and Legolas had risen early and were attending various business matters about the City. So it was up to the four Hobbits and the lad to eat breakfast by themselves. Soon, though, they were joined by Gimli.

The breakfast was wonderful. Delicious eggs with cheese scrambled in, and bacon and delicious biscuits. There was also some fruit on the table that Frodo and Sam had never seen before. Frodo held one up.

"What...what is this?" It was a roundish ball, bright orange in colour. Sam looked at it quizzically.

"Oh, Frodo! That is a delicious fruit."Pippin chirped. But then, Pippin liked just about any food. "You can only find it this far South. Aragorn said that even if we took one home to grow, it wouldn’t grow, because the winters and even the spring and fall is too cold in the Shire. Guess what it’s called?"

Both Frodo and Sam gave him a withering look. "My dear cousin, how in Middle Earth am I to guess what the Gondorians named this odd fruit?"

"Alright, alright, don’t be any fun. It’s called...."Pippin giggled, "An Orange!"

Sam and Frodo both started laughing. Even Merry was laughing. Gimli and Halmir exchanged confused glances.

"Frodo?" Halmir asked. "What is so funny?"

"Well, Halmir, it’s just that it’s so dreadfully obvious. And, well, the Gondorians and the Rohirric all have such funny names for everything else, that..."Frodo chuckled and then said,

"How do you eat it?" Frodo attempted to bite into it like an apple.

"Not like that, mell nin. You must peel it first." Heads swiveled to see who the new voice belonged to. A chorus of greetings rose when the speaker was identified.

"My Lord!"

"Aragorn!"

"Strider!"

Then everyone addressed the King at once.

"Why are you here?"

"Do you want to join us for breakfast?"

"We are so very glad to see you!"

"Sit down, sit down!"

Aragorn held up his hands in defense. "Please! Everyone. I am quite glad to see you all as well. I am free this morning, so I thought I would drop by and see how my friends are doing. How was your night?"

Frodo’s face darkened, but Pippin immediately made his cousin smile by saying, "It was fine. We should tell Halmir some stories." The orange was forgotten.

"About Frodo’s escapades," Merry put in.

"Like the time he tried to make breakfast when Mer and I were visiting!" Pippin sang in triumph.

"Nooooo!" Frodo groaned. "You wouldn’t do that to your dear old cousin, would you?"

Pippin ignored this. "You see, Halmir," he began, "it was soon after Bilbo left the Shire, and Merry and I were at Bag End for a week. One morning Frodo decided to make pancakes for us for breakfast. But somehow or other he got the flour and soda confused, and ended up using soda instead of flour in the batter. So when he tried to cook them, they went everywhere! Then I slipped in the sticky mess and dropped a cream pitcher. Of course it broke, and cream was all over the floor."

"And another time," Frodo put in, "during this same visit, I had to go to market for more foodstuffs. Two young hobbits have a remarkable ability to deplete the larder in a matter of days. Anyway, while I was gone, Merry and Pip decided to make me a cake to make up for something they’d done earlier."

Merry groaned, and Pippin cried, "Frodo, no!"

Frodo ignored his cousins and went on. "By Sam’s account they spilled batter everywhere, and then they tried to clean it up. Unfortunately they got hold of the wrong kind of soap, and used too much besides. So when I returned and opened the kitchen door to see what the shouting was about, I was greeted by a cloud of soap suds that rose almost to the ceiling! Then I dropped all the food I’d just bought, and milk, bread, butter, honey, and eggs were added to the mess."

Everyone was laughing. "Did…did you ever…manage to clean it up?" Halmir gasped out between fits of laughter.

"Yes," said Merry. "Good old Sam was so kind to help."

"Pip is especially good at making great messes," Frodo teased. "Why, he nearly flooded my house at Crickhollow before we left the Shire!"

"Oh no no no no no!" Pippin cried in a rush. "Frodo Baggins, you will not tell that story!"

Frodo thought for a moment. "No, perhaps I won’t," he finally said. "For it might be somewhat…embarrassing."

"Frodo, tell the lad about the first time I met your rapscallion cousins in Rivendell." said Gimli

Merry and Pippin groaned loudly, and Frodo and Sam exchanged amused glances. "Yes, perhaps I will." said Frodo.

"A very humorous story, Halmir." Aragorn added.

"Oh, do!" cried Halmir, squirming with excitement.

Frodo settled back into the (rather large) chair he was sitting in and took a deep breath. He looked at every single face and decided he was quite satisfied with the expressions he found. Gimli and Aragorn had an air of calm expectancy; Halmir was nearly jumping out of his skin with excitement; Sam smiled knowingly, and Merry and Pippin looked nervous. Frodo was ready to begin.

"Well, when we were at Rivendell, on a lovely day before the Council, I was reading..."

He was interrupted by Pippin saying sarcastically, "Well, *that's* no surprise!"

Frodo looked at his young cousin with a straight face. But his blue eyes twinkled with fun. "You would do well to read more often, young cousin, especially if you are supposed to be the Thain. And besides, who's telling this story?"

Pippin left the question unanswered and settled back. "That's what I thought. Now, as I was saying, there I was reading in the garden, a particularly good story, I might ad, when all of a sudden, I hear someone shouting my name. Strider here comes nearly running to me. ‘Frodo! You had best come quickly, if you want to save your cousins from Lord Elrond's wrath.’ Of course, I could have expected this was the problem, having spent so much time with the impish pair," snorts from Merry and Pippin, "but, I thought they knew better than to meddle with the tempers of Elves. Apparently," he added with a look at the two, "they still don't! Anyway, Sam and I followed Strider down several corridors until I got quite lost, and I could tell Sam felt that way as well. Soon, however, we began to hear several agitated voices. And then came the greatest surprise: soapy water all over the floor, spilling, apparently, from the wash room! From the point where our feet first touched the water to the door must've been at least five feet!"

"Was not!" Pippin butted in hotly. "Everyone know's your judgement may not have been perfectly correct because…because you've always been like that, bad at measuring!"

"I'm sorry, Master Peregrin, but I do believe your cousin is right in this matter. It was at least five feet into the halls on either side," Aragorn said.

"So a total of ten,"Frodo added. "When we got into the wash room, we were met with a most comical sight. The Lord Elrond was there, the cook and several other Elves were all making a circle around two soapy Hobbits with chocolate and flour all over their faces and clothes, each holding an armful of treats. Everyone was standing in water that had apparently spilled over the edge of the bath."

Frodo paused while everyone howled with laughter. When it had died down, Merry piped up, "And maybe you'd like to hear how it came to be that way."

"Yes, all by accident, you know!" Pippin chimed in.

"Well, it all started when our boring cousin took his bodyguard and his book to the garden and left Pip and me to fend for ourselves to have fun."

A sniff from Pippin. "Yes, and we were terribly bored, but no one was paying attention to us. Bilbo was sleeping and Lord Elrond was too busy."

Merry nodded and continued, "Aye, and so we took initiative and decided to pay the larder a little visit."

"Right, behind the cooks back!" Frodo said in jest.

Pippin looked indignant. "Well, we didn't exactly tell him what we were doing, but he wasn't around and we found it without his help, so it was fine."

"As we were saying, we took our prize, after accidently upsetting some flour, chocolate dip and the cook, and made for the bath room rather quickly to wash off. The cook lost us, and Pip here accidently knocked over the whole box of soap..."

"Taken from Bilbo’s room, I might add!" Frodo stated.

Merry and Pippin blushed a little. "So,"Merry continued, "It spilled all over the place, and that's when Lord Elrond with the cook..."

"And the wrong story!"

"And Strider and more Elves all came to scold us and then Strider left and came back with Sam and Frodo."

"Yes, and they got us out of trouble."

"Don't I always?" Frodo interjected.

"Yes. So, ever since then, Lord Elrond has said that his house will not be at peace as long as Pip and I are there."

"But we still can't figure out exactly why!" Pip added, which was met with peals of laughter from everyone.

"Were they always this impish when they were young and on the Quest, Frodo?" Halmir asked.

Sam, Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli all said "Yes!!" emphatically.

Frodo looked thoughtful. "Well, sometimes I think they have matured. Merry has anyway, but Pippin, well…I have to wonder."

Before Pippin could recover from his sputtering spell, the King spoke. "Well, it has been absolutely wonderful dining with you, but I regret that I have business to attend, now. Farewell, dear friends."

"Me, too. Farewell, lads. Try not and destroy the house!" Gimli said as he followed King Elessar out. And so four Hobbits, a boy, and a puppy were left to find adventures.

______________________________________________________________________________

TBC....

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

CHAPTER 9: Midnight Meeting

Frodo lay in bed, fighting the horrible images that crowded his mind. He was very afraid to go to sleep tonight and had full intentions of not sleeping at all. But he was simply exhausted from entertaining Halmir and his boisterous cousins all day. So Frodo closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to relax. He knew that as long as Sam knew he was awake, the faithful young gardener would not close his eyes. So to distract himself, Frodo pondered over the events of the day. He had tried to hide his melancholy under a cloak of merriment, and he thought he had succeeded remarkably well. After breakfast he, Sam, and Halmir had taken Anna out to the garden, where they had remained until luncheon, when Merry and Pippin had come to drag them in, insisting they would all perish if they missed another meal. When their appetites had been sated, the Hobbits and Halmir participated in a game of Blind Man’s Bluff, and then had proceeded to play Hide-and-Seek in the spacious guest house.

Finally, when Sam was satisfied with Frodo's "sleep", his breath evened out and Frodo sighed with relief. Knowing full well that Sam would not be fully asleep for a while yet, Frodo resorted to any mental game he could think of to keep his mind from straying too close to the boundaries of the appalling dream. Despite his efforts, brief, vivid images bombarded his mind and the feeling of guilt and unutterable shame, horror, and grief would not leave his heart. He knew it was just a dream, but it had seemed so real. What scared Frodo the most was that, had it not been for Gollum's greed, the dream more than likely would have become a reality. He shuddered at the thought, and then listened carefully to Sam's breathing. He was finally in a deep enough sleep for Frodo to leave for a while and not be missed. Frodo was thankful that Sam was sleeping in a different bed and would not feel Frodo leave.

He slipped from his bed and stealthily made his way out to his favorite place in the garden. He had discovered it soon after their arriving. It was a serene place where the trees formed a circle around a sort of glade. Their welcoming branches formed a canopy with a few patches in which one could lie on one's back and gaze at the stars. Frodo often did this, enjoying the cool grass gently tickling his body as his thoughts wandered. The stars were especially bright tonight, Frodo observed from his window. The little jewels dusted the sky, and Frodo fancied he reach out and touch them.

Frodo thankfully reached his destination without hindrance. But to his surprise, he found that he was not the only one who had discovered the secluded haven of peace. A small figure about the size of Merry and Pippin was lying on it's stomach in the grass. It was not a Hobbit, for the feet swinging lazily in the air had no fur, and the hair on the head was not curly. Halmir.

"So, I'm not the only one to have found this place," Frodo whispered as he plopped down next to the lad. He spoke lightly, but concern filled his eyes.

Halmir sat up with a start. "Frodo! I didn't hear you…wait! What are you doing awake at this hour?"

"I should be asking you that, young rascal! And out of bed, too! You'll get a tongue lashing, you know."

"Hah! And I suppose you won't?"

This Frodo left unanswered, for an image of Halmir's slain body had suddenly crossed his mind, and he looked down, trying desperately to hold back a sudden cry of terror. This did not go unnoticed by his young friend. "You can't sleep, can you?"

Frodo didn't answer.

The boy knew full well what his hero was going through. Gently he took Frodo's chin in his hand and tipped it so that the Hobbit was forced to look at him, and for the first time, a good deal of the torture and pain often concealed in the blue depths was revealed to him. It was enough to bring tears to Halmir’s eyes. Now he saw that Aragorn was right. Frodo had suffered so much more than he. The lad's heart was suddenly flooded with emotions: love for this halfling that had given his very soul to a torture worse than death for all of Middle Earth, despair that this small hero would never know true peace again, hope that the despair was in vain, and a longing to protect him from anything that threatened him. All this passed in a moment, and Frodo only saw a sudden love mingled with tears well up in the boys eyes.

"Halmir, I'm sorry....you can't sleep either, can you? Do you want to tell me about it?"

Halmir shook his head. "No, I was just too excited to sleep is all. I was thinking about you. Hoping…hoping you wouldn't have that nightmare again." he ended in a very quiet, almost frightened tone that Frodo recognized as one that has experienced some form of deep heartache. He squeezed the boy's hand and it was returned. "But, Frodo…"

"Yes?"

"Do…do you want to…to tell me what it was about?" He sounded sheepish.

Frodo closed his eyes hoping to avoid the fresh attack of scenes and emotions. He shook his head. "I can't."

Halmir looked into Frodo's eyes and said, "Sometimes, it helps to tell someone about what is bothering us."

Frodo shook his head. "But it's too terrible…"

"Mine was too, until I told. It was hard to do at first, but when it was over, it was as if the burden was lifted a little."

Frodo looked up at this. Burden lifted…how much had he longed for that since he had taken the Ring? How much had he wished that the burden on his soul could be destroyed when the Ring was destroyed? This was something pretty small, and he knew that it would not completely be gone. But even its being lifted a little would be a relief to his tortured soul. Halmir only kept looking at him with love and understanding. Frodo felt yet again as he had felt on several occasions before, that he had a kindred spirit in this young lad. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea…

Drawing a deep breath, Frodo proceeded. "I…I was on mount Doom, after I had taken…claimed the Ring. Only…"He closed his eyes and paused. Halmir waited patiently, not loosening his grip on his friend’s hand. "Only, I had a sword. It was strange. It seemed some outside force moved my hands…I…I killed Gollum. The Dark Lord's voice called me…"Here he paused as a tear slid down his thin cheek. The tear twinkled in the starlight, And Halmir reached up with his free hand to gently wipe it away. Frodo continued shakily. "He…he called me his good and faithful servant. Than he had me…he had me…kill all those who were dear to me! It was as if some outside force made me, and…I didn't have the strength or will to overcome it. Slaughtered them, Halmir, with my own hands! It was…I then wasn't aloud to kill myself. That's when I woke up."

The tears now were streaming from both pairs of eyes. The brokenness, hopelessness in Frodo's voice had moved Halmir deeply. Out of instinct, he drew Frodo close to him and held him for a long while. Frodo returned the embrace. Hobbit and lad sat there for a good while, two kindred spirits, sharing in each other's pain and taking more comfort in that than in many other things.

Finally, Frodo came to his senses and drew out of the brotherly embrace. "Halmir," he whispered, "We had better get you back to bed, or Sam and Gandalf shall have both our heads."

Halmir nodded and the two stole along in companionable silence. Frodo helped Halmir into his large bed as best he could and climbed up so he could properly tuck him in. The Hobbit bent close to the lad's ear and whispered, "Good-night, dear little brother. Hannon le!"

"Good-night." Halmir smiled as the Ringbearer brushed a kiss against his forehead and crept silently from the room.

Shortly after, the Merry came soundlessly to the door, and upon seeing his young charge was awake he approached his bed. "Halmir," he began.

"I know I should be sleeping, Merry, but…"

He held out his hand to stop him. "Of course, you shouldn’t be awake this late. I woke because I heard something, and came to check on you. But...I passed Frodo in the hall. He didn’t look that well. Do you know why?"

"Yes?"

" My cousin obviously has been weeping. I figured he couldn’t sleep because of his former nightmare. He also informed me that he had talked with you in the garden and that he took full responsibility for your late hours. What did you two speak of to make him weep?"

Merry detected in Halmir's large brown eyes sorrow for their dear friend. It spilled over in the form of tears. "First of all, he is not responsible for the hour. I am. We simply had a chance meeting in the garden. He told me his dream." Halmir ended with a note of sadness.

"Would you tell it to me? Don’t worry, Halmir. I won’t let him know that you told me. He does not bare his soul so easily to people, and I would like to know some of what goes on in his mind that he does not let on about."

Thus encouraged, the story came out of Halmir in a rush, not missing a single detail. By the time all had been told, both Merry and Halmir had tears in their eyes.

"Thank you, Halmir," he said at length, feeling the lad’s gaze upon him.

"Merry?"

"Yes, lad?"

"Will…will Frodo be all right?"

How was he to answer this? "I think that opening his heart like he did tonight will help a great deal."

"I know now," Halmir said in a voice so solemn that Merry was almost alarmed.

"Know what?"

"I know now what he suffered, what he had to endure. When I looked into his eyes…oh! I don’t know how to put it into words. I saw...everything!"

Merry nodded solemnly. "Yes. His eyes have always been windows into his very soul. But even they do not tell all.

"Now. It is way past your bedtime, and Frodo will kill me in the morning if he finds out I kept you awake longer than need be. Are you alright?" Halmir nodded. "Then go to sleep. Frodo will doubtless be refreshed in the morning, and, trust me, you will want to be ready for more adventures." Merry’s grey eyes twinkled with delight.

Halmir smiled. "Yes, indeed. Good-night, comrade."

"Good-night, Halmir." Merry gently kissed Halmir’s forehead as if the lad were one of his own cousins.

 *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Frodo woke to the feel of something warm and wet on his face. He groaned and burrowed deeply under the blankets.

"Let me be!" he muttered, not even sure whom he was addressing. He was enjoying the first peaceful sleep in many nights, and he did not wish to be disturbed.

"Here! You rascal, what are you doing in here? With your new master you ought to be, you little rapscallion!" That was unmistakeably Sam. Frodo saw a brown hand, heard a murmured, "I’m sorry, Mr. Frodo," and then the thing was gone.

"What’s going…Anna!" cried a childish voice. Halmir’s voice. Anna? Then he must have felt her licking his face.

The next moment a small body was rolling over him, and Pippin’s lilting voice cried, "Good morning, Cousin Frodo!"

"Oh, Pip! What is all this?" Frodo groaned, burrowing still deeper under the blankets.

"It’s almost time for breakfast!" Pippin caroled. "You wouldn’t want to miss breakfast, would you?"

Reluctantly Frodo scrambled out from beneath the blankets. All round the bed stood Sam, Merry, and Halmir, all grinning broadly. Frodo looked from face to grinning face for a moment, and then he gave way and laughed with utter abandon, as he had not done in days. "You’re a set of scoundrels!" he cried. "And that includes you, little miss!" He addressed the last to Anna, who merely squirmed in Halmir’s arms.

"And a good morning to you as well, Frodo!" Merry laughed. "You’ve slept the day away! Why, it’s already nearly time for second breakfast!"

"And the lord Aragorn has promised to join us for breakfast!" Halmir put in excitedly. "So will you get out of bed and join us?"

Frodo made a face. "I don’t know. I’m still very sleepy..." Frodo was, of course, only teasing.

All the same, Halmir turned wide, pitifully beseeching brown eyes upon Frodo. "Pleeeeeeeeease?" he said in a high-pitched voice that trembled. He blinked, causing very convincing tears to well up in his eyes.

"Oh, that’s splendid!" Frodo laughed, applauding. "Absolutely splendid!"

Halmir laughed as well. "I learned from the best!"

"Are you two going to make pathetic faces at one another until elevenses?" Merry interrupted. "Come on! Let’s go have breakfast…before Pip eats all the best food!" And everyone laughed again.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC.....

Copyright 2006 Frodo Baggins

Chapter Ten

Halmir pushed back his plate with a sigh of contentment. "Oh, no you don't, young master! Just like Mr. Frodo you are, not eatin' enough for a growin' lad!" Sam said as he pushed the half full plate back in front of Halmir.

"Sam, I'm fifty and not growing anymore. I finished growing by twenty nine," Frodo gently teased.

"Maybe so, but it don't change the fact that you don't eat enough, meanin' no disrespect to you, of course." But then he sighed. "However, if Lord Strider says he can be finished..."

Aragorn chuckled. "Of course he may be finished."

Halmir smiled thankfully at him.

"You forget, Sam, that Men do not eat near as much as Hobbits. And Halmir is just a lad, not even in his teens; he is still healing besides. You musn’t forget that this is his *second* breakfast, where he usually only eats one."

Just then, the door opened and Gandalf peeked in. "Just as I thought. Finishing second breakfast a little late, aren't we?" he asked.

"Well, if cousin Frodo here hadn't slept so long, we would have been done by now!" Pippin answered promptly, ignoring Frodo's blushing and attempts to defend himself. "Indeed, if it wasn't for us, he would have slept right through a mad wolf attack!"

"Mad wolf, eh?" Gandalf asked, his eyes twinkling.

"The dog," Frodo clarified. "I couldn't help it, though. I..." his eyes darkened a little, but then he continued normally, "Had a late night. I couldn't find a decent stopping place in a book I was reading, and well…the hours flew!" He noticed Gandalf and Aragorn's shared glance, but let it pass.

"King Elessar?" Halmir began tentatively as Gandalf entered at the King’s bidding and took a seat at the large table.

"Yes, Halmir?"

The lad blushed and said, "Well, I...I was wondering. Would...would it terribly bother you to tell me about the first time...the first time you met Frodo?"

"Haven’t you heard this story many times?" Aragorn asked.

"Well...not from someone who was actually there. I," Halmir paused and shot a sheepish glance at Frodo, "I was wondering what *you* thought."

"Yes, what did you think of me that night, Aragorn?" Frodo queried, mischievousness and curiosity lighting his face. Everyone leaned in closer in anticipation for the King’s account of his first impression of Frodo. This was a new story for everyone.

"When I first saw you, I...I," Aragorn paused. He did not really want to bear his soul to everyone. And besides, what he had thought about Frodo that first night was personal, and Frodo would more than likely not relish being talked about in such a manner. So the King decided to take the humourous approach. "I thought that dance you did was ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?!" Pippin cried. "Why, I think he did it very well. It is, after all, a common Hobbit dance. Why don’t you show us what it looked like, my Lord?"

For the first time, Frodo saw embarrassment in the always composed and dignified King's face. "No, friends, I am afraid that Men, even the Dunadain, were not meant for capering about and singing Hobbit drinking songs."

Frodo and Sam laughed.

"Please do it, King Elessar!" Halmir pleaded. Merry and Pippin heartily agreed as they returned from clearing the table.

"I wouldn’t mind seeing this, myself, Aragorn. I think we all deserve some entertainment from the new king." Gandalf agreed.

Aragorn blushed, and shrugged. Frodo smiled, wondering to himself if the King would perform on the table. However, the king had no such intention. Between fits of laughter, Frodo, and everyone else for that matter, agreed that it was a good thing; for if the tall and dignified Aragorn had actually danced upon the table, they would truly all die of mirth.

But the laughter died on some lips as the king "jumped for the moon" and landed with his rear end on the floor. Gandalf and Sam stopped laughing, and Sam rushed to the king's aid. Merry, Pippin, Halmir and Frodo were only sent into fresh peals of laughter. They were all laughing so hard that tears began rolling down there cheeks. Frodo, being the gentlehobbit, managed as much courtesy as he could between laughing fits.

"Oh, oh…my lord…are you…are you…a-alright? You…you did look rather silly falling like that! Oh, forgive me…my lord Ara-aragorn. I truly am sorry!"

Thankfully, all four had gained composure by the end of Frodo's speech. But then Halmir and Frodo looked at each other and giggled helplessly, which, of course, made Merry and Pippin laugh again.

"All right, you four. If you think that was funny, you should just see Master Baggins himself do it!" said Aragorn, pretending to be angry as he got to his feet. His stern tone was rather belied, however, by the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Frodo groaned.

"You wouldn't make me do it again, would you? But there, I see that I won’t win against such odds. Besides, the good Lord Strider can not possibly do a Hobbit dance correctly; we can’t have the King’s interpretation be Halmir’s only glimpse of Hobbit dancing, so I suppose I will have to demonstrate how it is really done." Frodo said. Then he muttered, as if to himself, "Hopefully this time, I will land safely!"

"You can’t show Halmir how a Hobbit dance goes without doing it on the table, Frodo B. See, Pip and I have cleared the table so now you can safely dance on it."

Reluctantly, Frodo mounted the table and started the song, rather slowly at first. But once he got going, it really was quite comical; though not as comical as a man performing a Hobbit drinking song and dance. He went capering about and singing merrily in his pure, gentle, lilting tenor, the beauty of which not even the Ring could destroy. The cow leaped over the moon without mishap--at first, that is. For there were no trays and mugs for him to slip on, but Frodo had apparently misjudged where he would land. His foot slipped from under him, and his body crashed into the side of the table before his back got acquainted with the stone floor.

Everyone gasped. But before they could rush to the fallen hero, they realized he himself was laughing. When he had got up and dusted off his clothes, he said,

"Well, I can't quite seem to do that without a mishap, now can I? Well, that's how it's done for you Big Folk. Of course, when the cow lands, it's supposed to actually land on it's feet! However, that seems an impossibility for me. At any rate I certainly shall not repeat it now!"

Everyone collapsed into helpless laughter, both for the fun of the moment and the joy of seeing Frodo truly merry.

"So, Cousin, what adventures have you planned for today?" Pippin asked when the laughter died down.

Frodo thought for a moment. He hadn’t had much time to plan, and now three pairs of eyes were turned expectantly upon him. "A camp-in!" he exclaimed at length.

"A what?" Halmir queried.

"Camp-in," all four hobbits said at once.

"You know," said Merry. "We make a tent of chairs and blankets and sleep in it. We tell stories, sing songs…"

"And bring plenty to eat!" cried Pippin, causing everyone to laugh.

"Wouldn’t it be more…adventurous to camp out of doors?" asked Halmir. "Can’t we do that?"

"No," Gandalf and Aragorn stated at once.

"Aww! Why not?"

"Now, my lad," said Sam, placatingly, "camp-ins are just as fun as campin’ out of doors. Why, when we were all lads, Mr. Frodo would have me and Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin up at Bag End, and Mr. Bilbo would build a tent for us in the biggest parlour and we’d all huddle inside, and then Mr. Frodo would start tellin’ tales. And what tales they were too! Oh, just you wait till you hear ‘em! And one time Mr. Bilbo stood outside and listened, and Mr. Frodo was tellin’ one of them stories as make your blood run cold. And just at the right moment, Mr. Bilbo came boundin’ into the tent, roarin’ like ten dogs. Scared us out of our heads, he did."

Halmir laughed. "All of you? Even you, Frodo?"

"Even me," said Frodo. "I had no idea he was going to do such a thing!"

"All right, let’s have the camp-in!" said Halmir.

"Halmir, if you intend to stay up through the night, you need to take a rest now."

"My Lord, I’m not a bit tired."

"Well, I am," said Frodo unexpectedly. "I think I’d better rest a bit myself."

"Oh! Are you all right?" cried Halmir, suddenly concerned.

"Yes, of course. But if I’m going to be up all the night…again…then I want to rest now. Besides, you young lads take looking after, you know. So go and lie down. When you wake we will start preparations for the camp in. All right?"

Halmir nodded submissively. He rose and limped to his room with the assistance of his dear friend, Merry.

"Don’t let me sleep the day away," he said, yawning in spite of his declarations of not being a bit tired.

"Don’t worry," Merry said. "I’ll be sure to wake you." He helped Halmir into his bed and Frodo came in just as Merry was tucking the lad in. Frodo walked over and gently kissed the lad’s forehead, as he did to his own cousins.

"Sleep well, Halmir." Frodo whispered, but the lad was already asleep. Merry and Frodo exchanged fond smiles.

"Halmir reminds me of you, in a way, Frodo."

"How’s that?" Frodo looked at his cousin suspiciously. Merry was wearing that smile.

"He is nearly impossible to put to bed!"

Frodo laughed. "I fear I am not the most cooperative of patients."

"And I know you are not," Sam teased. He had come up from behind. "But now I think you’d best be gettin’ to bed, sir. You will, won’t you?"

Frodo smiled and said, "Yes. Only, let me say goodbye to our guests."

"They just left, Mr. Frodo. A messenger came bearin’ a summons for the King Elessar and the Lord Gandalf. They said to tell you ‘Farewell’ and that they was sorry for having to leave so soon."

"Ah, I’m sorry that I didn’t get to see them off. Ah well. He is the King, after all. And it was good of him to stop by for breakfast." Frodo said.

Merry slapped a hand to his head. "The time!" he cried. "I completely forgot. I am supposed to attend King Eomer in twenty minutes! Sorry Frodo, and Sam. I have to prepare right now!" So saying, he raced off in the direction of his room. Frodo and Sam made their way to the room they shared.

Frodo curled up on his bed, and Sam sat himself down in the chair by the window with a book of songs and poetry. Most of it was in Elvish, but at length he found a long, elaborate ballad in Westron and began to sing it softly under his breath. "You’d best learn that, Sam," Frodo murmured. "Rosie will like to hear it."

"Aye, Mr. Frodo, that I will," said the gardener. And back to the beginning he went, and sang it over again. It was a counting song, going all the way up to twelve, each verse being more elaborate than the last.

Sam thought with a smile and a sigh that it would put one to sleep, and by the time he had sung it once through, it had. He looked Frodo, who was curled on his sideunder a light quilt. Sam smiled to see that his friend was sleeping peacefully, and then rummaged in the desk drawer for a quill and paper to copy the words of the song.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Frodo stretched luxuriously. It felt so good to take a nap and not be plagued with nightmares. Just a few minutes more wouldn't hurt… All of a sudden, he felt a figure leap onto his feet and heft its weight onto his body.

A moment later the former Ringbearer felt warm breath on his cheek and could feel someone looking at him. Slowly he opened his eye, and saw a pair of large brown eyes only inches from his own.

"Good morning, Frodo! Come on, we let you sleep long enough. Let's go and camp-in! Pleeeeease!"

Frodo groaned and said, "We?"

Halmir scooted off him to let Frodo wake up and see Merry and Pippin standing about his bed, wearing mischievous grins.

"Where's Sam?" Frodo asked.

"Oh," Pippin stammered, "When Merry got home, we told him that he had a tall order of biscuits to fill. He’s busy baking. We assured him that we would keep an eye on you."

"Right! We just didn't tell him that you'd ‘wake up’." Frodo's other mischievous cousin said with a note of triumph in his voice.

"You rascals! It's just as well. We'd best be getting started."

Just then, Sam came into the room. "Watch Mr. Frodo indeed! I knew what you were up to, though. But I let you wake him anyway. He's been sleepin' for almost three hours, and at this rate, he'll be keepin' *us* awake!"

Everyone laughed.

"Have I really been sleeping that long?" Frodo asked, surprised.

"Yes. It's hard to wait that long, too." Halmir said.

"Well, it surely is pleasant to sleep that long!"

"Well, nap time is over, Cousin, so come along!" Pippin caroled.

Frodo rose from the bed with a grunt. "Right, then. Halmir, would you get some…blankets?"

"Yes, Frodo. Er, what kinds and how many?"

"Oh, you know, fairly large, light ones. And about…I'd say five should be enough. Just to be safe." Halmir slightly limped off to find blankets.

"Alright, Merry and Pippin, you must get chairs. Say about eight of them. This simply must be a grand tent for Halmir's first camp-in."

"You’re absolutely right, cousin!" Pippin agreed.

"And what will you be doing, Frodo B?" asked Merry.

"I will be procuring bedding and pillows."

"Sam, would mind securing the snacks and firewood. It's no camp without a fire, right?"

The other three Hobbits exchanged a glance. They were slightly surprised such a thing came from him after being so close to the inferno of Mount Doom. He had always been a little bit uneasy around fires.

"Well?" said Frodo. "Why are you all looking at me that way, if you please?"

"No reason, Mr. Frodo. Come on, you two!" said Sam, seizing Merry and Pippin each by an arm and pulling them out of the room.

Frodo stared after them, surprised. Sam rarely showed such a commanding air, but when he did, everyone knew he meant business. What was the matter with the three of them? Frodo hadn’t done or said anything out of the ordinary. They always had fires when they had camp-ins at home. He shrugged, deciding it didn’t matter, and made for the bedrooms and storage closets.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC....

Copyright 2006 Frodo Baggins

Several minutes later four Hobbits and a boy gathered with the supplies in the large room that was to be the campsite. "All right, Frodo, we have all the supplies. What next?" Halmir queried.

"Merry, you tell him. You know as well as I," replied Frodo.

"All right, Frodo. Master Halmir, first what we will do is get a fire started.

Sam, would you mind seeing to that? Your fires are the only ones that last long." Sam smiled and complied. "Right then, the rest of us will start with the tent. And, Frodo, it will not be right unless you direct this operation. Would you instruct us?"

Frodo sighed and resumed his position as Chief of the Campers. He and the other Hobbits created a gigantic circle of chairs. The largest blanket served as a roof, with smaller blankets hanging to the ground in between each chair, making walls. The "wall" that was closest to the large fireplace was tied to the side. A very thick "floor" was made of blankets and pillows so that each and every camper would have a comfortable night's sleep.

"What now?" asked Halmir, stretching himself out on the wonderfully soft floor of the indoor tent.

"Food!" cried Pippin.

Sam hid a chuckle.

"Not so soon, Pip, surely!" laughed Frodo.

"But of course!" Merry chimed in. "I’m hungry!"

At that moment there was a knock at the front door, and Sam hurried out of the Great Room to answer it.

A courier stood. Upon seeing Sam, he bowed low and held out a brown paper parcel. "From the King Elessar, he sends this to the Ringbearers, Sirs Meriadoc and Peregrine and Master Halmir."

"Thank you." Sam said, returning the courier’s bow. He trotted back to the camp-in, parcel in hand.

"What is it?" Frodo asked.

"Open it!" Halmir cried.

Frodo carefully opened the parcel. "It’s...seeds! Lots of them! But...what’s this?" Frodo pulled out a note written in the King’s hand.

"In the Common Tongue, the seeds are called popcorn. The Rangers often take it with them on their travels. It is light and filling and can be prepared quickly in a covered pan over an open fire. It is delicious with butter melted on it and salt. Enjoy your camp in. King Elessar."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked Pippin. "Let’s prepare the popcorn!"

"All right," Frodo said with a sigh. "As we are all as eager to taste it as you are, I see, we shall have it now. Who shall be in charge of cooking?"

"Not you!" cried Merry. "We all know what happens when *you* try and cook!"

"Merry, how could you?" cried Frodo in a tone of mock hurt, puckering his lower lip in a feigned pout that caused everyone to laugh.

"Oh, Frodo, that does look funny!" laughed Halmir.

"He’s a very good actor," observed Pippin.

"Aye, that he is!" exclaimed Sam.

"Do I hear the beginnings of a story?" asked Halmir.

Sam looked at Frodo as if to ask, ‘May I?’ and Frodo gave a nod of acquiescence. Sam cleared his throat and began. "Well, young master, the first winter Mr. Frodo was at Bag End Mr. Merry came for a visit around Yule. I’d done all my work that day, so Mr. Frodo asked me up to Bag End and we three lads went out to play in the snow. We got to fightin’ with some wooden swords Mr. Bilbo’d made for us…just pretending, you understand, and Mr. Merry came within an inch of landin’ a blow that would have cut off Mr. Frodo’s head if the sword had a-been real. Well, Mr. Frodo fell down moanin’ and groanin’, actin’ like he were wounded. I was scared. I thought he’d really been hurt. So I ran over and got down on my knees beside him and took his head in my lap. I didn’t see no blood, but I weren’t thinkin’, I reckon. Then Mr. Frodo pretended to die." A gasp from Halmir. "Then I was real frightened," Sam continued, "and so was Mr. Merry. We couldn’t get him to wake up, and he weren’t even breathin’. He didn’t even move when Mr. Merry tickled him. So Mr. Merry went runnin’ for Mr. Bilbo, and I stayed right by him, tryin’ to coax him awake. But when he didn’t come round I thought he was dead for sure, and by the time Mr. Merry got out there with Mr. Bilbo, I was blubbin’ like a baby. Then Mr. Frodo sat right up, laughin’, and hugged me till I got myself together, and kept sayin ‘I’m so sorry, Sam!’ Mr. Bilbo scolded him a bit for such a naughty prank, but as soon as it was over I thought it was funny."

Halmir laughed. "Oh, Frodo, you didn’t!"

"Yes, he did!" cried Merry. "And we lads only seven and nine years old! He frightened us out of our wits!"

"I said I was sorry!" Frodo pleaded.

"Are you going to talk for the rest of the evening, or are we going to make the popcorn?" asked Pippin.

"All right, all right!" laughed Merry. "But we still haven’t decided on a cook."

"Let Sam, if he will," suggested Frodo. "He’s a wonderful cook, and I seem to recall his having made a delightful coney stew at one time."

Sam blushed. "If you like, sirs."

"We would like, sir," Merry returned cheekily, handing Sam a pan and the popcorn.

Sam, finding himself appointed head cook, poured the strange-looking kernels into the pan with some butter and salt, covered it, and held it over the fire. The others sat in a semi-circle around the fireplace. For a while nothing happened, and then pops could be heard with growing frequency.

"Do you think it’s supposed to do that?" asked Pippin.

"Of course it is, you silly Took!" said Merry, giving his cousin a playful thump on the head. "It’s called popcorn, after all."

"Oh, right!" said Pippin, causing everyone to laugh.

"Oh, look!" cried Sam on removing the lid to peep at the corn. "That don’t look like any corn as I’ve ever seen."

Four pairs of eyes peered over his shoulder, and four voices exclaimed in wonder.

"It looks like snow!" cried Halmir. "I’ve heard of popcorn, of course, but I’ve never seen."

"The pan looks a bit full," said Sam. "Mr. Frodo, do you think as I ought to pour some off into a bowl to keep it from spilling?"

"I don’t know, Sam," replied Frodo, turning thoughtful. "Perhaps it’s supposed to look full? Aragorn didn’t say anything about pouring it off. Maybe we’d better leave it be."

Sam replaced the cover and waited, not voicing his own misgivings. The popping continued, and Merry and Pippin grew bored waiting for it to be ready. "How long do you suppose it takes?" Merry asked.

Sam turned to him. "Till all the kernels have…"

"Sam! Look to the corn!" cried Frodo, lunging forward.

But he was too late. The lid seemed to fly off the pan, and suddenly popcorn was in the air, in the fire, all about the tent-a veritable snowstorm. There were gasps of astonishment, cries of dismay, and a wail of "Oh dear!" from Sam, and then the storm subsided, settling onto the floor.

"Oh, I’m so sorry! It’s my fault!" cried Sam, fetching a bowl and beginning to clean up the mess.

"No, it isn’t, Sam," said Frodo. "I shouldn’t have told you not to pour it off. We ought to have listened to your good sense."

"Oh well, it’s still good anyway," said Pippin, picking a fluffy kernel off the floor and popping it into his mouth. "Mmmm! It’s delicious! Wish we had it in the Shire!"

"Stop eating and help us clean up!" Merry ordered.

"But it’s good! Why not just eat it off the floor?"

At that moment a small, furry body flew into the circle, the little mouth snatching at the corn.

"Oh no!" Frodo and Halmir cried at once. "Quick!" And the five campers all snatched up bowls and began scrambling to get the corn out of the path of the ferocious mad wolf, who promptly began to beg.

"Oh Frodo! What are we going to do with....." Pippin asked gesturing to the puppy who seemed to be everywhere at once, begging for food. She seemed to enjoy letting the Hobbits and lad get within a hair's breadth of her before hopping out of reach. Finally, Halmir got a hold of his puppy.

"Oh Frodo, can she stay with us tonight?" Halmir asked when they had all settled into a circle inside the tent.

"I, uh, suppose so." Frodo answered. "She might enjoy the stories."

"Stories?" Halmir queried.

"Oh yes! It's when we sit around and tell stories by the firelight. Mr. Frodo tells the best. But I think tonight we'll be telling some memories, so's you can get to know us and we can get to know you. Right, Mr. Frodo?" Frodo nodded.

"So, who goes first Frodo?"Halmir asked, stroking the now calm Ana’s back.

"We usually do youngest to oldest, but you're the youngest and we don't want to put you on the spot. So, Pip will go next and then we'll go in clockwise order, which would be Merry, then me, then you, Halmir, and last will be Sam, as our grand finale." Sam blushed at this. In the half light, Frodo could not tell for sure, but he fancied he noted some anxiety in young Halmir's face. When the boy realized he had fallen under Frodo’s shrewd gaze, he flashed Frodo a smile. Frodo returned it but did not stop worrying about him.

"Well, Pip, we're all waiting very patiently." Pippin sighed at his older cousin before proceeding.

"I remember a night when I went to stay at Brandy Hall. Frodo was there, too. And, I don't remember why we were all there, but it was in the spring time. Maybe some cousin or other was getting married, anyway..."

"Don't remember why? It was my birthday!" Merry interrupted indignantly.

"Oh, yes. Give me mercy. I was very young, remember? Besides, that's not what this story is about. As I was saying, Merry here, as the future head of Brandy Hall, was swept in the currents of relatives, letting Frodo get me all to himself." An exasperated sigh from both of his elder cousins. Pippin loved teasing them in such ways. "Anyway, Frodo was taking me on a tour of the grounds. When we came to the vineyards, we decided to explore them. It was very much fun. But then, we heard this barking and this *huge* dog was bounding towards us!" Pippin paused, his green eyes dancing. He had captured his audience. Frodo knew what was going to happen, of course, but he still loved to hear his cousin recount their adventures. Pippin continued, "Frodo took me in his arms and he ran as fast as could."

"And Pippin was no feather, I might ad!" Frodo commented.

"You can’t blame me, Fro. So we were running from this big dog, when Frodo fell." A gasp from Halmir. "The dog came right up to us, and...he took my biscuit!" Halmir and Merry laughed. "It wasn’t funny to me. But don’t worry, this story has a good ending. The dog ran away because all he had wanted was the biscuit. Frodo, who was very shaken, I might ad, took me home and then (this is the best part) I got *three* biscuits! Well, that’s my story."

"That was funny, Pippin. Storytelling must run in your family." Halmir said.

"Thank you, Halmir. But now, I believe it is our good Merry’s turn."

"Alright, alright. Let me think for half a moment. Hmm." Merry grew very serious as he searched his memory for a good story to tell Halmir. "I have one!" he exclaimed at length.

The other campers leaned forward to hear.

"It was before Bilbo left, and Frodo had Pippin and I over for a while. We decided to go exploring one day, and we took the that small forest just behind the Water. Frodo said he knew where we were going and how to get home, but I wasn’t so sure. So I decided to tie a piece of string to a branch right in front of the way we were supposed to get home; the road forked in that place. And sure enough, on our way home, Frodo says, ‘I...think...we are supposed to go...that way.’ I keep telling Frodo that I told him that he would get lost, and he kept denying that we were lost. Finally we came to the fork in the road, and I saw my piece of string. We made it home safely."

"And I will have all of you know, I could have found my own way home without Merry’s string." Frodo said. "Well, now I suppose it’s my turn." Everyone was by now munching happily on popcorn. All eyes were turned expectantly on Frodo. "Let’s see now. Ah! I’ve got an excellent one. My chore at Bag End has always been mowing the lawn. It was soon after Bilbo had left and Merry and Pippin were staying with me for a while. I assumed they could behave themselves for as long as it took to mow the lawn. When I was half way through, Sam comes over to me and informs me that Merry has disappeared. Sam is certainly not one to panic over nothing, and I didn’t see any fun in his face. Moments later, Pippin came running out and he was sobbing, ‘Merry’s gone! Merry’s gone!’ And this wasn’t just one of Pippin’s tricks, either, I could tell. By now I was very worried. We all looked for him, and could not find him anywhere. Just as I was about to march down the Shirrif’s office, here comes Merry walking up the road from Hobbiton. Sam and Pippin, but especially I, was very angry with him. He had gone on a walk without telling anybody."

"Oh Frodo! You had to tell *that* story." Merry cried. "There are so many others...why that one?"

"Because that was the only one I could think of just then." Frodo remarked. He smiled innocently at his cousin; Merry only frowned at Frodo.

"Halmir, it’s your turn, lad." Sam said gently.

"But I like listening to your stories." Halmir protested.

"We need to be fair, Halmir. Besides, I would love to hear a story from you. I hardly know you." Frodo said gently.

"I remember one time when my dad took me to work with him. He was a member of the Rohirrim, see. He let me ride the horse my sister and I shared. It was a small reddish-brown with white patches named Cloudfire. So I rode Cloudfire and my dad rode his big black horse called Midnight. Captain Eomer said that I could ride with my father when me father went to patrol the Western borders. I think that was the most fun I had with my father. We got to talk and mess around with him. He was always a wonderful father, and when he was home, he would play with me and Halwyn, my sister. But he was away a lot, helping fend off the orcs. The time I went with my father we ran into no orcs, for which I was very grateful." Halmir paused. Tears were in his eyes and he sat staring at his hands for a few moments. Frodo placed a comforting hand on the lad’s shoulder.

"That was good story, Halmir. I am sure your father would be very proud of you right now. He sounds like a wonderful man."

Halmir sniffed and nodded. He smiled gratefully at Frodo. "Well, Sam, I believe you are next in line to tell a story."

"I suppose so, Halmir." Sam agreed. "I’m goin’ to tell a story that no one’s heard. Maybe not even Mr. Frodo."

Frodo arched his eyebrows. He was surprised that Sam would do that. But then, Sam had been very surprising on the Quest.

"It was on the Quest when we were in the Emyn Muil. Mr. Frodo and myself had put up camp for the night under an overhanging rock. I was first watch. So I set myself up and tried to keep a lookout in all directions. I heard a funny noise from beside me, and I looked over and jumped. Mr. Frodo’s face was only inches from my own. ‘Mr. Frodo, it’s only been a couple of minutes, you should try to sleep.’ But Mr. Frodo didn’t seem to hear. ‘Where’s Merry?’ he asked, all frantic like. I looked at him funny, and then realized he was more than likely having a waking dream. ‘He’s with Strider.’ I answered carefully. ‘He stole my good tea and he knows I want it.’" Sam paused until everyone’s laughter died down. "I tried not to laugh in his face, of course, but it did sound rather absurd. So I just said, ‘I’m sure he’ll return it, Mr. Frodo.’ But he wouldn’t be appeased that easily. No! He said, ‘No, he’s going to toss it into the Brandywine.’ ‘I doubt that, Mr. Frodo. More likely if he uses it for himself.’ says I. But before I was done sayin’ that, Mr. Frodo was back sleeping again!" Everyone howled with laughter. Even Ana was howling, which only caused everyone to laugh all the harder.

By now the fire had died down to glowing embers. Halmir yawned, followed by Frodo, and then Sam and Merry and Pippin.

Frodo laughed, "My goodness, yawns are contagious!"

"I think we should all be a gettin’ to bed, if you take me." Sam said around a yawn.

"Mmm-hmm." Pippin mumbled. He was already curled up in his spot and looked like he really was asleep. Merry plopped down next to his young cousin and drifted off with a murmured,

"G-night."

Sam helped Halmir get comfortable on Frodo’s right side, and then settled himself on Frodo’s left. Soon Sam was snoring gently.

Legolas peeked in the Great Room and saw the chairs and blankets. Beckoning Gimli, the two peered inside the makeshift tent and smiled at the pile of Hobbits and one lad and a pup, all sleeping soundly.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC....

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

Two Weeks Later....

Halmir and Frodo were sitting in the kitchen. Frodo was expanding Halmir’s Elvish vocabulary. A knock on the door interrupted them. That was strange. No one knocked except for visitors, and they were expecting none.

"Halmir, would you mind getting the door?"

"Of course, Frodo."

Upon opening the door, Halmir gave a small cry of surprise. "Miriel!" he cried as he rushed to the young healer and embraced her. "I’ve missed you so!"

Miriel hugged him back and whispered, "I’ve missed you also."

At that moment, Frodo came to the door. "Who is it...Why! Miriel! Welcome!" He bowed at his waist. "Halmir, we musn’t forget our manners. Please, come in, Miriel."

Miriel followed Frodo and a chattering Halmir to the kitchen. Frodo offered her a chair.

"Oh, and Miriel! The best news of all is...I have a dog! A puppy, really. Let me go find her. She is probably in the garden with Sam. I’ll bring him in, too. Just wait here!" Halmir limped off as fast as he possibly could.

Miriel laughed. "As if I had a choice about leaving!"

Frodo laughed as well. "He is irrepressable, as I’m sure you know. I was just preparing tea. Would you care for some?"

Miriel was about to protest that the Ringbearer should do something for *her*, but then she remembered how uncomfortable he got when he was treated like a prince. He handled the praise with such grace and dignity, Miriel thought he really would have made a fine prince. However, she could see in his eyes (and the colour of red his cheeks turned) that he did not enjoy the honour. Besides, in this instance she was his guest, and so she accepted his offer of tea.

Miriel’s grey eyes followed the former Ringbearer as he prepared the tea and chatted amiably with her. He really was the perfect gentleman....or, rather, gentlehobbit. Finally, after pouring four cups of tea, he sat down.

"Frodo, I want to thank you." the young healer began.

Frodo stiffened. He had done his best to ignore her studying him this whole time, but now she was going to thank him for all he did, like everyone else in the city. He didn’t think he could bear another ‘Thank you for all you gave speech’. But he relaxed when he heard what he was being thanked for.

"Halmir needs such care. He’s still...affected deeply by his family’s death, and from his ordeal during the war. So, thank you for taking such good care of him. He needs someone he can trust, someone that can love him all the time."

Frodo smiled. "Oh, it is no problem. I assure you. He is such a delight. And he has helped *me* more than you could ever know. Thank *you* for trusting me to take care of him. I can see that you are very fond of the lad."

Miriel could not answer for the yapping and little cries of, "Anna! Stop..oh! Don’t eat Sam!" and Sam’s chuckles coming down the hall. Soon Halmir, carrying a squirming Beagle puppy and followed closely by Sam, entered the kitchen.

"This is Anna, Miriel. She is the puppy Frodo found for me. Isn’t she a darling?"

Miriel took the offered pup in her lap and stroked the head as Frodo stood and introduced the blushing Sam.

"Miriel, I believe you have already met Sam."

Miriel smiled kindly. "How could I forget him?" Sam blushed harder.

"I assure you, Miss, no one could forget Sam the Stouthearted. But, come Sam, Halmir, join us for tea."

Sam and Halmir took their seats. The four talked together for awhile of the weather and other small matters. All too soon, Miriel rose.

"I am so sorry, milords and Halmir, but I must be going now. It was wonderful to have tea with you all. You are so kind."

"Please do come again, Miss Miriel. We enjoyed your company." Frodo said truthfully.

"Yes, do. I’ve missed you, Miriel. Farewell!" Halmir said.

"You’re welcome anytime, miss."

Miriel thanked them all once again and hurried off home.

"That was kind of her to stop in and check on you, Halmir."

"Hmm? Oh, yes, it was."

Frodo and Sam exchanged glances over the lad’s head. He was acting wistful and forlorn. They guessed that the young healer reminded Halmir of someone that was dear to him; perhaps someone who had died.

*~*~*~*~*

Three days later....

Sam was working diligently in the small patch of garden of the Guest House. He heard the laughter of Merry, Frodo and Halmir before he saw them approaching him. He stopped his work to look at them.

"Hullo, Sam!" Frodo cried jovially. His greeting was repeated by the lad and Hobbit.

"Hullo, Mr. Frodo, Mr. Merry, Halmir. And what are you all up to?" It was plain as day by the looks on all three of their faces that they were up to something. They were all too cheerful.

"Merry, Halmir and I are going out. We’re tired of being cooped up in this confounded house."

"Yes, we want to explore." Halmir stated.

"Is that so? Well, pardon me for askin’, but did Lord Strider give you permission, Halmir?"

"When he came by yesterday he said that I was free to walk on it as much as I liked, as long as I rest when it bothers me." The lad was clearly thrilled about his newly acquired freedom.

"Frodo said that it would be wise to let someone know that we’re going out for a while."

"How long’s a while?" Sam asked.

"Oh, we’ll be home around supper." Frodo stated. "Well, we’d best be off! Good..."

"Wait! Aren’t you goin’ to have a guide or something? Someone as knows the City ? And preferably someone with a sword, I might ad."

"Oh, Sam!" Frodo sighed. "We’ll be fine. It’s broad daylight. And besides, the point of this expedition is so that we can *explore* the City, not have it shown to us."

Sam had his doubts. But there were three of them going, and they could always ask directions. Least ways, he knew that Mr. Merry was right good with directions and such.

"Alright. Be sure to be back before dark."

"We promise." Frodo said with a wave of his hand. The trio set off through the garden gate and into an adventure greater than any one of them could have ever imagined.

*~*~*~*~*~*

They had been walking a long while. Frodo, Merry and Halmir had stopped to get something to eat around noon.

"Gandalf!" Merry cried. Indeed, Gandalf was striding towards them.

"My dear boys! What are you doing out alone in the City?"

"Exploring!" All three cried at once.

"We told Sam we were away, so don’t worry about us up and disappearing." Frodo explained.

"Oh, I’m not worried about that. Just be sure to be home by dark. Or at least well into inhabited parts of Minas Tirith. The unrepaired part of the City is still not completely safe at night." Gandalf said solemnly. The three nodded, and Gandalf continued. "Well, I must be off. I am going to a meeting with the King Elessar. Be safe!" And off he went.

*~*~*~*~*

Halmir leaned against an old, battered stone wall. "Whew! I’m tired. And I believe I’ve seen enough of the war-torn part of the City. It gives me chills."

Frodo leaned back next to his young friend. "I must agree with you, Halmir." He glanced at the sky. "The sun is going down. We really should be heading back. I think we have explored quite enough for one day. And remember what Gandalf said."

"Yes, I believe you’re right." Merry agreed.

"But aren’t we lost?" Halmir asked. "I thought that was the whole point of stopping, to get our bearings."

"Of course. So let me climb up on this wall, and I’ll have a look." Merry climbed up onto a part of wall. It dropped down the other side a good ten feet to the Circle below. But Merry did not know this, nor did Frodo or Halmir. "I think...I think I know where we are...AHHHH!" Merry fell screaming as the wall beneath him silently gave way. He plunged ten feet, and then with a sickening thud, all was eerily silent.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC....

A/N: This is for budgielover!! Ha! I don’t know if you’ll read this, but it serves you right. And for all of my other readers who are hanging on to the literary cliff, hang in there. I’ll just go ask Sam for a rope. :)

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

Sam hummed as he arrived at the Houses of Healing. After he had finished in his garden at the guest house, he headed to the House of Healing. He had to check on the herbs that he had helped to plant.

Miriel met him in the gardens.

"Hello, Lord Samwise. How are you doing?"

"Right fine, Miss." Sam said, acknowledgeing her with a nod of his head. "How are you?"

"I’m alright. I am ready for a change of scenery.

"How is Halmir doing?"

Sam chuckled. "Oh, he’s doing right well, Miss Miriel. He’s a handful, that one. But he’s a lot like Mr. Frodo was at that age - can’t keep him still for a moment. He’s always lookin’ for something new and exciting. He’s a blessing to us all, and that’s a fact."

Miriel laughed a clear, rich laugh. "I’m sure he is, Lord Sam."

"Yes, he and Mr. Frodo and Mr. Merry went off ‘adventuring’ today. They took a tour of the City. Should be back by the time I get home."

"Miriel!" A voice called from indoors.

"I am so sorry to be rude, Lord Samwise, but I must go. Thank you for speaking with me!"

"My pleasure!" Sam called as he finished up. Sam glanced at the sinking sun. He hoped Frodo, Merry and Halmir had made it back alright. Or, at least, were safely on their way home.

*~*~*~*~*

Sam whistled as he came in the door. It was dark now, for the sun had quickly set. "Mr. Frodo! I’m home!" he called. "How was your...adventure."Sam finished quietly. There was no one in the House. It was completely deserted. No, not deserted. Anna came bounding up to Sam, who scooped her up into his arms.

"Why, where’s your master, little Gift?" He asked. He set the pup down and walked into the kitchen. "Well, they’ll be home soon enough, and I’ll wager that they’ll be hungry as ever they can be." And so Sam began to make a delicious supper.

Soon, the door opened. "Mr. Frodo! I was so worried..." But it was not Frodo, nor Merry, nor Halmir. Legolas stood in the doorway, and Gimli’s voice could be heard behind him telling him that, ‘he smelled food and was hungrier than his Elven highness could imagine.’

"Sam, is Frodo not here?" Legolas asked, leaving the Dwarf’s remarks unanswered but moving all the same.

"Well, yes. He and Mr. Merry and Halmir went out to have a look at the City without a guide, see. They were getting stir crazy, I suppose, and they had to get out. They promised to be back before dark or somewhere thereabouts. They’re not back yet, and I’m beginning to worry about them."

Gimli was now paying full attention. "Could they have gotten lost?"

"No, I reckon not. Leastways, Mr. Merry’s right good with directions and such, and even if they did get themselves lost, Mr. Merry would ask someone for directions."

"They could have stayed at an inn, Samwise." Legolas guessed. He doubted the veracity of his words, but if it helped Sam stop worrying, it was worth it.

"I suppose you’re right."

Gandalf entered the room. "Right about what? You do not look very happy about whatever it is, Samwise."

"No sir. I’m not. Mr. Frodo and Mr. Merry and Halmir all went for a..."

"I know. I ran into them earlier. Are they not back yet?"

"No, and that’s what I’m worried about, if your understand me."

"I do. Frodo promised me he would return at least by dark. He would not break his promise unless he had no other choice."

"He *promised*? Oh this is a bad omen! I hope nothin’ has happened to him."

"Sam, let us give them until morning. They could have gotten lost and had to stay at an inn. I did tell them above all else not to travel in the dark, and Frodo may have deemed it wiser to stay somewhere safe until dawn."

"Oh I hope you’re right, Mr. Gandalf. I hope you’re right."

"Frodo and Merry will take care of themselves and the lad. But I smell supper. Let’s stop this worry and talk and eat. This Dwarf hungers!" Gimli said as he walked into the kitchen.

Legolas followed, more soberly, with his brow furrowed. Something was telling him that all was not right with his young friends. But then, it could just be a feeling.

As Sam served supper, he glanced out the window into the black night. All was not well, he could feel it in his bones. But he had no choice but to wait for morning. There was no helping his master if he lost in the dark too. Yet the feeling that something was wrong continued to gnaw at his stomach. His master was out there somewhere in the dark.

*~*~*~*~*

TBC...

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A/N: I know, I know, I’m naughty to keep you all hanging on this little cliff I’ve created, but...well, Sam is just dawdling somewhere with that rope. :) He,he!

Copyright 2006 Frodo Baggins

Eerie silence.

It was heavy and oppressive; it weighed upon the heart of Halmir. Screams and cries of torturous pain would have been more reassuring than this silence. It was as if everything held its breath in anticipation of...of what? Halmir didn't know and preferred not to guess.

He glanced at Frodo. Frodo had not uttered a sound since Merry had plumeted to the ground. Frodo stood, his blue eyes wide and horror filled, his mouth open as if to scream. Halmir shuddered and decided that Frodo's silence was as bad as the silence that followed Merry's fall. Frodo was dazed, staring unblinking and scarcely breathing. Worry crept over Halmir. He crept over to Frodo and laid a tentative hand on the small shoulder.

Halmir's touch seemed to jerk Frodo back to reality. For he blinked hard and then looked at Halmir with wide, frightened eyes. And suddenly without warning, Frodo dashed off. He nimbly dodged boulders and rubble. In his hurry, he fell more than once. But Frodo picked himself back up and rushed.

Halmir followed more slowly and cautiously, though he was no less anxious about his friend. His mind still couldn't grasp that Merry was dead. Dead. The word haunted him as we moved steadily on to where he suspected Merry had fallen. The sight he beheld was one to rend his heart and bring tears to his eyes.

Frodo was already kneeling on the stone street, and had his Merry's head in his lap. He was gently stroking the curls from the pale forhead. No tears came, but the look in Frodo's eyes told of a pain too deep for tears. Halmir stood in respectful silence by Frodo's side, hoping to comfort the Hobbit by his mere presence. There was nothing else he could do.

Finally, Frodo whispered in the most broken, pitiful voice Halmir had ever heard, "He's gone, Halmir. Gone. He...he won't ever return. He's been through so much. To be killed by an accident..."

The words seemed to have opened the floodgate. For before Halmir could respond, Frodo bent over his young cousin and wept bitter tears. He wept long and hard, and Halmir wept with him.

But soon Halmir noticed that the shadows had lengthened even more, and the sun was continuing her western march. Someone needed to have the presence of mind to find shelter for the long and dangerous night. Halmir stood. One look at Frodo and he knew the Hobbit would spend the night weeping in the street over his fallen cousin if no one roused him.

"Frodo. We must find shelter. Come, we will move Merry that house over there. We can spend the night there."

Frodo looked up. His expression was drained and withdrawn. "Yes, I suppose we must." The voice that came from Frodo's lips did not sound like the Frodo he knew. This voice was remote and stiff. Halmir was alarmed, but said nothing. Wordlessly, the two carefully carried the body of dear friend and cousin to the house Halmir had indicated.

Halmir laid Merry down as gently as possible. And, acting on the impulse of a quavering hope, he turned Merry's head to the side so that if he was alive, he could breath. Then he and Frodo huddled together at the door of the house to keep watch. Halmir sighed and looked up at the stars. The twinkling lights usually comforted him, but tonight they looked remote and far away.

Halmir had considered sending Frodo for help, but in the state he was in, Halmir knew Frodo would not have made it. He had considered going for help, but felt that he couldn't leave Merry's body to be found by some stray dog...Halmir shuddered as he dismissed the thought. He would not leave Frodo alone in his grief. Anyway, it would be unwise for them to be seperated at night. So, he resolved, they would wait out the night and hope either to be found or to make some progress by day.

Niether Halmir nor Frodo could sleep, but Halmir knew that Frodo had not the will to keep watch. In fact, Halmir wondered if Frodo had the will to live. Sam would help his master, Halmir knew. If only they could just reach the others in time!

Hours passed, and the boy's imagination began to get the better of him. He heard heavy breathing, felt malicious eyes on his back, could feel the presence of some night phantom that was waiting for him to nod off before the loathsome thing struck. Halmir shuddered and got so scared that he tossed the thought in his mind, "Maybe I should have Merry's sword ready?" But the very thought of a weapon made the poor lad recoil in fear. Horrific images filled his head.

And then he would imagine the Night Phantom, the nameless thing that haunted his imagination. Halmir looked from the sword to the darkness beyond the door. Halmir groaned when he glanced back at the sky. Angry clouds were gathering. He heard the rumble of thunder in the distance. It certainly would be a long night.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC...

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A/N: Sorry this was so short. It's late and I'm tired and I just can't make sense of any more. I promise that I will write more very soon. I hope that has helped ease your hanging. I know some of you thought I had forgotten about you. :)

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

"Now *that* was a meal, lads. Samwise is one of the best cooks in Middle Earth." Gimli said contentedly, pushing back his plate after three servings.

Normally Sam would have blushed and acknowledged the compliment. But his gaze remained fixed on his untouched food. This did not go unnoticed by Gandalf.

"Samwise, I believe you should rest. You do not look well." Gandalf said in a grandfatherly tone.

"Gandalf is correct, Sam, you should rest. You are weary with worry." The King was worried for his friend. For a Hobbit to not eat even one serving was a dead give away that something was wrong.

Sam did not look up, but his voice was firm, "I'd rather not, sirs. I won't sleep a wink till my master comes home and I'm assured he's safe in his bed. I can stay awake and worry in my bed or I can stay awake and worry out here. I'll be worryin' either way."

Aragorn and Gandalf exchanged glances. When a Gamgee set his will, not even the Dark Lord himself could move it.

"Very well, Sam. But promise not to overworry yourself."

Sam nodded. Legolas made to clear away the dishes, but Sam stopped him. "Let me, if you please, sir." Legolas was a little surprised, but allowed Sam to take his plate. It was an unspoken agreement to allow Sam to do all of the after dinner chores himself. Everyone knew that when Sam was anxious, his hands needed to be busy.

As Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli turned to leave, a flash of light followed by a roar of thunder stopped them all short. Sam shot a meaningful glance at Aragorn. Rain pelted Minas Tirith. Sam set to clearing and washing the dishes with energy that rivaled the summer storm raging outside.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Halmir sat and watched as the black clouds rolled closer. A flash of lightening and a deafening roar of thunder opened the flood gates of heaven. Halmir scooted a bit further away from the door - and the deluge. Halmir glanced at Frodo, who had fallen into a fitful sleep.

And then he saw them.

Two, yellow, glowing eyes staring at him from the rain. Halmir's hands trembled as he pulled Merry's sword from its sheath. Halmir prayed silently that the creature would let them alone. He heard a low sound in the animals throat. Halmir stood, sword drawn, but shaking in his hand. The lad swallowed hard. Halmir watched in terror as the eyes bounded towards him. He readied his sword. And just as he was about to strike, he stopped in shocked silence. For, bounding into the house came the biggest surprise of his life - Anna!

Halmir dropped his sword and scooped his puppy up into his arms. "Oh Anna! How did you know? Good girl, good girl." Halmir hugged the wet puppy close. What a comfort she was!

Halmir hunkered down by the doorway, hope renewed. Anna lay quietly in his lap, ever guarding her master and his friends with patient, unwavering loyalty. Her brown eyes gazed out at the pouring rain. She didn't flinch when the lightening split the sky and the thunder shook the City. She would guard her master no matter what came her way.

Two hours later, Anna cocked her ears and looked towards Frodo. A moment later, the former Ringbearer stirred and mumbled fitfully in his sleep. Halmir went to his friend's side. Anna followed faithfully behind.

"Anna, Frodo is overcome with grief over Merry. I think it's making him ill." Halmir had taken to talking to the puppy. And right now, she was the only one who could listen. Anna gazed at her master with understanding brown eyes. She whined a little and layed her head against Halmir's chest. Halmir hugged the pup. "I'm so scared, Anna. I don't want to lose Frodo *and* Merry. And I'm the only one to take care of Frodo. I don't know what to do, Anna. He needs help, but I don't know *what* help he needs. I wish I could do more than just sit around and watch him fade away."

Halmir seemed to hear, or feel, rather, a gentle whisper. "Let him know that you are near. Show him that there is yet hope. Give him cause to see the dawn." Halmir lifted his head. That was the answer, and he had known it all along. Halmir had not long to wait for an oppurtunity to carry out the gentle suggestion. Frodo woke with a start and a stifled cry moments later. He looked at Halmir, and then at Merry's body. Frodo sunk back down with a groan, but Halmir was their to offer a comforting embrace. He didn't say anything. Halmir knew that in times of such great grief, words were empty and meaningless. So Halmir wrapped his arms around Frodo and held him like he would his frightened little sister. Frodo returned the embrace greatfully and silent tears slid down his hot cheeks.

*~*~*~*~*

The dishes done, Sam searched for another thing to occupy his attention, lest he burst from worry. He remembered Halmir's puppy, and realized she would be hungry and in need of food and care. He called for her, but she didn't come. Sam walked from room to room, calling the pup's name. With each failure, his voice grew more and more worried. After two full circuits of the house, he rushed into the sitting room where the Company had retired. Not one of them could sleep, so they sat about on the sofas and chairs, smoking their pipes, reading or thinking.

"Anna's gone missing!" Sam cried.

His friends did not think it odd that Sam was so worried about a dog. Normally, this would not have bothered the Hobbit. However, Anna's disapearence reminded him that his friends were out in the growing storm, probably not safe and sound, and certainly not where they should be. Sam paced back and forth for ten minutes, muttering to himself. And then he paused, clutching at the air for something to steady him. With Elven swiftness, Legolas reached Sam before the others knew what was happening. Legolas carried Sam to his bed, followed by Gimli and Gandalf. Aragorn had rushed to get a glass of water.

Sam was still recovering from the torturous journey through Mordor, and much worry and anxiety can be very taxing indeed. Sam had passed out for want of rest and peace. He woke moments later to find his friends's anxious faces gazing down at him. He blushed deeply. "I...we have to find Mr. Frodo! Something's not right, as sure as it's raining. We have to find 'em, sirs!" Sam was adament, and Aragorn placed his firm hands on the Hobbit's chest to keep him from leaping from the bed.

"Sam, you have just passed out. I am ordering you as your king to rest now." That did it, as Aragorn suspected. The mention of his title kept Sam in his place. It subdued him only momentarily, however.

"Somethin's wrong, Lord Strider. We must go find him! I suppose that's where Anna went. Slipped off as soon as she could to find her master. She must of sensed that something was wrong."

Gandalf looked at Aragorn and said, "I believe he may be right, Aragorn. That dog was very attached to her master, and often times animals can sense when something is not right. Perhaps we should not wait until morning."

A great flash of lightening and a clap of thunder seemed to foretell of some doom.

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TBC....

Copyright 2006 Frodo Baggins

Durning the clap of thunder, no one had heard the door open and shut. They did not noctice that anyone had entered the house at all until Pippin's voice came from the doorway. "I'm home!" Pippin, who was dripping wet, announced. But then he saw the expressions on the faces of those gathered in the kitchen. "Why does everyone look worried? Where are Frodo, Merry and Halmir?"

"Pippin..." Aragorn began. Something in his tone made Pippin tense.

"Where are they?" he asked again, this time his voice sharp with worry.

"Don't fret, Peregrin. We suspect they are staying at an inn. They went out today, and have not returned since." Gandalf said.

"You *suspect*?!" Pippin's voice was shrill now. "Why don't you *know*? What if..." Pippin blanched. An expression of grim determination came across his face, and it reminded Sam sharply of Frodo.

"He's right, we oughtn't to sit about while they could be in danger."Sam agreed, glad that somebody finally understood.

"And what do you plan to do, Pippin and Sam? Knock on every inn door and demand to know if the Ringbearer sleeps there? I think not." Gandalf said before Pippin could retort that he would knock on the Black Gate to find his cousins and friend."No, it is not wise to go about the City at night during a storm. Do not forget that Sam is still healing."

"That means Mr. Frodo is still recovering as well, then!" Sam cried, leaping from the bed.

"We won't decide anything until Pippin is dried and fed." Gandalf decided. As if to agree with the old wizard, Pippin's stomach growled loudly as he shivered. The sight was very comical, and caused Gandalf, Gimli, and Sam to laugh and Aragorn and Legolas to smile.

"I suppose it wouldn't be wise to search on an empty stomach." Pippin admitted, though not to his displeasure.

"Of course not, and you'll catch yer death if you don't get out of that livery and into some dry clothes." Sam steered the young Hobbit to his room. When the Hobbits had gone, Legolas turned to Gandalf.

"I am afraid that I agree with the Hobbits, Mithrandir."

"Is that so? About not searching an empty stomach?" Gandalf asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"Not about the empty stomach, but about the searching. I've had a strange feeling that all is not right with our friends."

Gandlaf sobered immediately. "That is serious, then, my friend. Though it could only be a feeling."

"Perhaps it is so, Gandalf, but I would prefer not to take chances. When the dog went missing, it only served to confirm my fears."

"I believe Legolas is right, Gandalf."Aragorn said.

"As soon as that rascal is fed, I say we go find the Hobbits and the lad! It's too bad we don't have Anna with us now."

"That would have been helpful indeed, but we will have to work without her." Aragorn said. "We should not search the inns, however. We should go to the unpopulated parts of town and search there for a few hours. If we fail to find our friends, we will simply come back and wait for morning."

"Your advice is wise, Elessar. Sam and Pippin, at least, will be at ease." Legolas felt better himself.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Frodo had fallen back to sleep for awhile, but he murmered constantly, and his brow was ever creased. At times, Halmir saw the tracks of tears streaming down his cheeks. The former Ringbearer was getting worse.

Halmir continued to sit at the door, Anna in his lap. He sometimes spoke to her, for she seemed to understand. The pup laid her head on her young master's arm, occasionally thumping her tail to show that she had heard him, or that he had found a spot where she enjoyed being scratched. She was uncommonly quiet, not uttering so much as a whimper. Halmir knew she understood the gravity of their situation. His young heart was much relieved by his companion's presence. He knew she would alert him of danger, and would defend them all if it cost her her life.

After awhile, Halmir noticed that Frodo was awake. Or at least he seemed awake. His eyes were open, but he scarecly blinked. Halmir thought he looked a little pale, and that his normally bright eyes looked glassy and dull. Halmir went to check on his hero. Frodo didn't move as Halmir approached. For a heart stopping moment, Halmir thought Frodo had died. But then the Hobbit's chest rose and fell slightly. The boy put a hand to Frodo's head and drew it back as if burned. Frodo had a raging fever. He needed medical attention.

Halmir cupped his hands and let them fill with the cool rain water. He brought what he could back to Frodo and carefully splashed the water onto Frodo's burning head. Then he noticed that Frodo was shivering. Halmir searched everywhere for a blanket, but there was nothing to be had. So Halmir sat beside Frodo and told Anna to lay in the Hobbit's lap. Halmir hoped his and Anna's body heat would be enough to keep Frodo warm. As if to spoil even this small effort, the wind whipped into the house and chilled them all.

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Sam! We've been searching for two hours. We must go back!" Aragorn called above the wind. Sam came closer, indicating he didn't understand.

"We have been searching for two hours! We must go back!" Aragorn cried louder.

"We haven't found Mr. Frodo!" Sam shouted back.

"We need to leave. Please Sam. We will look for Frodo tomorrow."

Sam nodded. Shouting was tiring. The small search party slowly began the way back. Wet, cold and disheartened, the company came to a halt when Legolas held a hand and stopped.

"I hear something on the wind!" He cried. And then the rest of the company could here it too. It was barking! Out of the darkness Anna bounded. She hopped around their feet, dancing in joy. She ran a ways down the dark street from whence she came, paused and looked back. It took Pippin no time to know what she meant, and he was followed by the others as he ran after Anna. Hope was renewed in each of their hearts.

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TBC...

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

Pippin was the first to reach the house, followed cloesly by Sam, Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli and Legolas. Halmir stood and embraced Pippin, relieved beyond words.

"Oh, you've come, you've come!" Halmir cried.

"Yes...what has happened?" Aragorn asked, kneeling beside Merry's body.

Halmir choked back a sob. "Merry's dead, and Frodo soon will be."

Both Sam and Pippin cried out in grief and rushed to the sides of their friend and cousin.

"Mr. Frodo?" Sam whispered tentatively, turning Frodo to look at him. The blue eyes stared blankly ahead and he shivered violently.

"Lord Strider, he's hurt bad." Sam said, his voice soft.

"Take Frodo to the Guest House, and take Merry to the Houses of Healing. He is not dead yet."

Halmir was shocked. Not dead? How could it be? He was too relieved for words.

"Legolas, would you bear Merry to the Houses of Healing? I will be there shortly." Legolas bowed and scooped up the limp Merry. Aragorn turned to Frodo's shivering form and picked him up gently. Halmir leaned wearily on Sam's strong shoulder as they made their way to the Guest House. Poor Pippin looked dreadfully undecided between one cousin and the next. He followed his king to the Guest house, deciding that he would go where he was needed most.

Aragorn laid Frodo on his bed and turned to issue orders, but Sam and Pippin had already gathered blankets, dry clothes, and they informed him that water was being heated.

"I must go now the Houses of Healing so that I may tend Merry. His need is more pressing. I will return to help Frodo when I see that Merry is taken care of. And Miriel will arrive before I do to help you. Though I know that I leave Frodo in the best of hands. Keep him warm. I do not know what ails him, but Miriel will, and she will help you." And then the king saw how torn Pippin was, and his voice softened. "You need not chose between your cousins, Pippin. You shall come with me and tend to Merry. The two of you went through much together, and perhaps you can help me recall him. Frodo would tell you to tend Merry instead of himself."

Pippin saw a glimmer of humour and a spark of regret in the Ranger King's grey eyes. Pippin kissed Frodo's feverish forehead before hurrying after his king.

*~*~*~*~*

Merry was laid on a bed, dressed in a warm dressing gown. Pippin slipped in behind the tall Aragorn, and glimpsed Merry. He looked dead to Pippin. In a horrifying moment, Pippin was brought back to the time when Merry had been touched by the Black Breath. He had thought Merry would die then, too. The poor tween cried out in grief.

Legolas noticed the young Hobbit and ushered him out to wait in the hall.

"Pippin, what is wrong?"

"Merry...he..he looks so...dead." Pippin could barely make the words come out of his mouth.

A shadow crossed the Elf's face. "Do not fear. Elessar is the best healer in this land. Your cousin could not be in better hands." Legolas was about to add, 'Except Lord Elrond,' but he knew this would cause the young Hobbit to fear even more. "Come, sit by me. We will wait together." So saying, the elf sat upon the ground.

Pippin joined him. After a while he said, "Are you worried for Merry?"

"I am no healer, so I do not know what to expect. I know that mortals are very fragile; but then Hobbits have proven to be far more resilient than any other race of mortal." Legolas chose his words carefully. Pippin seemed satisfied, and rested his weary head against Legolas.

In truth, Legolas had no hope for the small Hobbit. No, not no hope; there was yet a flicker, though the longer Aragorn stayed in the room, the smaller it grew. Legolas was a young elf, and yet had much wisdom to gain. But he knew this much: mortal life was so delicate, that it seemed the smallest breeze could snuff it out. However, that was before he had met the Hobbits. Each one of them had proven to be far more resilient than any mortal man. They had all gone through so much more than anyone had ever expected. That was where his small hope lied. There was doubt in that hope, though. Because they had gone through so much, may it not have weakened them? Legolas shoved the thought aside. He had grown attached to these small creatures, despite his father's warnings about getting attached to mortals. The exhausted Pippin had fallen asleep on him, and Legolas watched him tenderly.

Legolas's thought then turned to Frodo. He had much less hope for Frodo than he did for Merry. Merry's wounds were physical, but Legolas perceived that Frodo was not ill from the wet and the cold. Halmir (who would be in poorer condition than Frodo) was not severly affected by that. No, Legolas knew that Frodo was suffering from severe mental depression. Frodo's mind was still recovering from the devastating Quest, and Legolas knew that whatever had caused Frodo to recede into such a state was serious indeed.

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TBC....

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

Miriel was curled up in front of the fireplace. It was late, but she couldn't sleep. It was storming outside. The wind screamed at her door, the rain pounded her windows, and the thunder shook her. The young healer sat staring at the flames. They issued forth warmth, but no comfort. Miriel shivered and wrapped her blanket closer around her shoulders.

Miriel nearly jumped out of her chair when she heard the pounding on her door. She raced to answer it. Gandalf was standing in the rain, looking worried.

"My Lord Gandalf! What...Come in, come in." Breathless, she stepped aside. "What is wrong, sir?"

"There is little time to explain. Halmir, Frodo and Merry went out today, and Merry was injured gravely. Halmir and Frodo thought he was dead, and the three of them were caught in the storm. King Elessar is tending Merry in the Houses of Healing now. He needs you to go tend Frodo at the Guest house."

"What is wrong with Frodo?"

"We don't know. Halmir is unharmed, thankfully, but it appears Frodo has some sort of fever. The King Elessar needs you to tend Frodo until he himself can come. You must leave immediately."

"Of course. Let me go grab my things." Miriel raced to her room. She swiftly dressed herself in warm clothes and gathered her things in a large basket. She hurried out to meet Gandalf, who was warming himself by the fire. Without a word, Gandalf led the way out into the stormy night. The rain whipped Miriel's cloak as she hurried behind Gandalf. They traveled swiftly through the night.

They were greeted by a worried Gimli. "Thank goodness you’re here! Frodo’s gotten worse." The three made their way swiftly to Frodo’s room. Anna hopped down from the chair next to Frodo’s bed where she had been watching. Sam looked up from his vigil by Frodo’s side and smiled in greeting. Halmir turned to them and exclaimed,

"I’m so glad you’ve come, Miriel! I am quite at a loss. I’ve tried to do what I know how, but I think Frodo’s gotten worse."

Miriel gave her lad a hug. "Let’s see what you’ve done." She looked over the Hobbit, trying to blink tears from her eyes. He was so pale and sick. His blue eyes were very feverish and didn’t seem to see anybody. His lips were dry. Despite the many blankets, the Hobbit still shivered. She found no symptoms of any physical sickness. After having Halmir explain to her in detail everything that happened, she diagnosed her friend.

"I believe that Frodo is suffering from severe depression and grief. On top of that, being out in the rain and cold in his recovering condition has brought on the fever and chills. Keep him warm and give him lots of fluids and love." As she said this last word she smiled at Sam, knowing full well that the little gardener would take the best care of his master. "Does he know that Merry is alive?"

"No, miss. Should I tell him soon as he wakes?"

"That would be wonderful, Sam. Thank you." And then, turning to Halmir, "Young man, you need your rest as well. I’ll make you some tea, and then you go to bed." She ushered him out of the room.

"But Miriel! I...I need to stay awake for Frodo. He needs me. I have to know that he’ll be alright. Please!"

Tenderly, Miriel explained, "I know you want to tend Frodo. But Sam himself will get tired soon and will need someone to watch over him. As will I, and Gandalf, and Gimli. And then you can take a turn tending him. Would you like that?"

"I could? I mean, you would let me, just a lad, tend Frodo? What if I did something wrong?"

"I think you did a wonderful job of it tonight. From what I heard, you saved Merry’s life by turning his head. How did you know about that?"

"I don’t know. I just...it just made sense to me."

Miriel smiled, "You would make a fine healer, lad. Now, go change and get into bed. I’ll be back with some tea."

Halmir shuffled off to bed. His wound hurt him, but he didn’t complain. He hadn’t even thought about it until now. Anna trotted beside him contentedly.

As Halmir pulled his warm nightshirt over his head he wondered about Frodo and about Merry. He prayed that they would be alright.

Miriel came back to find Halmir snuggled in his bed with Anna curled up beside him. "Here’s your..." but Miriel stopped. Halmir had been crying. The young healer set the cup on the table and drew Halmir to herself. "My dear Halmir! What’s wrong, lad?"

"Oh Miriel!" Halmir sobbed into her shoulder. "I was so..so scared! I thought..I thought they were dead! I didn’t know...know what to do! It was hor-hor-horrible!"

Miriel’s heart broke for the small boy in her arms. "Shh. There now, love. Fear not. There there. They’re both all right. I know it was horrible to you. Shh. Shhhh." She stroked his back and rocked him back and forth. After a while, his sobs subsided a little and she lay the boy down. Miriel thought he was asleep and made to go. But Halmir’s hand tightened around hers.

"Please don’t go, Miriel. I need you." Halmir whispered, imploring her with his eyes.

"Alright. Don’t worry, I won’t leave." So saying, she sat back on the bed. Presently, she thought of a song that her mother had sung to her when she was frightened.

"Close thine eyes, just sleep, just sleep 

Think not of the fear, the fear

Do not fear the wind the wind

Heed not storm so fierce so fierce,

Just follow the dream song

To the land of the dreams.

Take you now my hand my hand

Let your mind be free be free

From cares of this world this world

Let the wind take you, take you

And just follow the dream song

To the land of the dreams."*

By the time Miriel had sung the song twice, Halmir lay peacefully in his bed, one hand laid on Anna’s head; and the other was loosely curled around her own.

_____________________________________________________________

*: I made up that lullaby (or something like it) while singing my brother to sleep. This proves that I never was a song writer. I’ve left that to the master bard Queen Galadriel. :)

TBC....

Copyright 2006 Frodo Baggins

Pippin slept fitfully. Legolas shifted. Aragorn and Merry had been in the room some time now. Or at least it seemed so to the worried elf prince. He was about to rise to check on Merry, when the door opened and Elessar himself walked out. The king looked very worn. He also had an odd expression of puzzlement and relief on his drawn features.

"What is wrong, Elessar?" the elf asked in Sindarin.

The king answered in the same language. "Nothing. That is what is amazing. Nothing is wrong with the Hobbit. He has very few bruises, is very weary and has a minor, clean break in his left arm, but other than that he is unharmed."

"A miracle." Legolas whispered in awe.

"Yes. I...I can’t explain it. I don’t know how. He should have been dead. Wake Pippin and send him in."

Legolas needn’t wake Pippin, for the tween had been listening intently during the whole conversation. "What..what’s wrong with Mer? Is...he...um... And why were you speaking in Elvish? You have to tell me. I don’t care how bad it is, I just want to know."

Aragorn smiled as he knelt down to Pippin’s level. "Your cousin is perfectly alright."

Pippin could hardly believe it. "What do you mean? He’s not even hurt a little bit?"

"I think he may be sore for a few days. He broke his arm, but the break was very small and should heal quickly. He is also very weak from being exposed to the cold and the rain unprotected."

Pippin still couldn’t grasp it. "But how? He...they said he fell at least ten feet. And I know that’s true because each wall is ten feet high. How could Merry have come out perfectly fine? Are you just telling me this..."

Aragorn held up a hand. "Nay, Pippin. I am not lying. The only thing I can think of that saved your cousin was the Hand of Iluvatar. Why don’t you see Merry for yourself?"

Pippin found Merry lying on a bed. He was covered in warm blankets and seemed to be sleeping. A little colour had returned to his cheeks. As Pippin approached, Merry opened his eyes.

"Hullo, Pip." He rasped.

Pippin fell to his knees at Merry’s cot and took his cousin’s hand. "Mer, you had me very worried. Don’t ever, ever do that again! Please! Oh Merry! You’re alright."

"Well...my whole body aches and I feel cold and my head hurts. And I’m starved."

Pippin laughed. "I’ll see about that, Merry dear. Just you wait." As Pippin rose to leave, Merry grabbed his hand.

"Wait! Where are Frodo and Halmir?" Merry asked. Pippin’s face fell, and Merry’s heart with it. "They don’t know, do they? They don’t know I’m alright. I have to go to them!" Merry made to rise, but Aragorn was at his side in an instant.

"No, Merry. Stay here with Pippin. I will personally tell Frodo the news. You must stay here until tomorrow morning. I want to make absolutely sure that there is nothing wrong. I will return tomorrow." Aragorn left the Houses of Healing and made his way to the Guest house.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Miriel needed some tea herself. She crept out of Halmir’s room and made her way down the hallway. As she passed Frodo’s room, she heard a cry followed by heart breaking sobs. She peeked her head in.

Sam was now on the bed with Frodo, cradling Frodo’s thrashing head against his body. "Frodo, dear. It’s only a dream. Please wake up. Please. Your Sam’s here."

This seemed to calm Frodo, for he stopped his sobbing and seemed to wake up. At first the blue eyes darted about the room. And then he looked Sam right in the face and whispered, "I killed him, Sam. Merry is dead because of me. Dead." Sam started to protest, but Frodo continued, "No. Don’t say it, Sam. You weren’t there. It was my idea to go out without a guide. I got lost. I lost track of the time. And I should have known that wall...it was...everything in this city is unstable...and...he...died!" Frodo clutched at Sam’s shirt, burying his tear washed face into Sam’s comforting embrace.

"But, Mr. Frodo, he’s not dead." Sam whispered. Frodo gradually stopped weeping as the words sunk in. Not dead?

"Impossible. He...Halmir and I saw him. I held him in my arms. He...are you sure?"

Now Sam had tears tracking down his cheeks as well. "Yes, as sure as I’m here right now. Lord Strider, he and Legolas and Gimli and Lord Gandalf and Pippin and me found you three in that house a couple of hours ago. Lord Strider said that Merry ain’t dead! He took him to the Houses of Healing."

Frodo was very quiet and still for a long time. "Is he that bad then?"

"We don’t know, yet. We’ll find out soon enough."

"Oh Sam!" Frodo cried. He embraced his brother in tears of joy. Merry was not dead! Frodo thought he would burst from the sheer ecstasy that filled his heart. Miriel crept in and waited until Frodo noticed her. He bowed his head. "Miriel. I ought to thank you, for taking care of me. And how is Halmir?" Frodo barely finished before a huge yawn took him.

"You need not thank me, Frodo. Sam and Halmir did the most for you. I just put Halmir to bed. The poor lad..." Miriel caught herself before she could say how he was so disturbed about the events of the day. She quickly covered up her slip of the tongue. "..he’s so tired after being up so long."

Nonetheless, Frodo had a feeling that Halmir had had a rough time of this whole ordeal. But he let it pass for the moment for Miriel continued.

"Frodo, I think you need your rest. The king ordered it, sir. I must say you’ve been through a lot and being out in the rain and cold in such a state has left you with a fever and chills. I was just making myself some tea, and I’ll make some for you and Sam, if it would please you."

"It would please us, thank you. And I’ll help you with it." Sam said. He stopped Frodo from rising. "You stay and rest, Mr. Frodo. Miriel’s right. And she’s a trained healer, so you’d best mind her." Sam hurried away after the young healer, trying desperately to hide a smile. Mr. Frodo always looked so comical when he got flustered! His jaw would set and he pursed his lips. He would glare at whoever was the offender and flare his nostrils, looking like he desperately wanted to say something but just couldn’t get his mouth to work. Then a racking cough sounded from down the hall that stopped Sam dead in his tracks. It was the first time Frodo had coughed, but he knew that it wouldn’t be the last.

When Sam entered the kitchen, his eyes were greeted with a welcome surprise. Besides Gandalf, Miriel, and Gimli, Aragorn and Legolas were also standing in the kitchen.

Sam asked, "What’s the news of Mr. Merry?"

"My dear boy, that rascal of a Brandybuck was saved by a miracle besides his remarkable Hobbit resilience. The worst of his is injuries is a minor break in his arm!" Gandalf said jubilantly.

"Where is he? And where’s Mr. Pipin?" Sam asked.

"I want to keep Merry at the Houses of Healing to be monitored, at least until tomorrow night. By then I will be sure that he is perfectly well. Pippin stayed to keep him company. Where is Frodo?"

"I’m right here. Did you say Merry will be alright?" Frodo asked from the doorway. Halmir and Anna were right behind him.

"Yes, is alright?" Halmir worried.

Miriel and Sam shot their patients reproachful looks, but remained silent. They hoped Aragorn would put them to rights. But the king only quirked his eyebrow at the would-be invalids. "I see nothing could keep you two abed. Since you are here, however, I will give you news of Merry. He is miraculously unharmed, save a minor break in his arm." This was stated professionally, but everyone could see the relief and awe on Elessar’s face.

"May we see him tomorrow, milord?" Halmir asked quietly.

"You possibly can, but I want Frodo to stay in the house tomorrow with as little activity as possible. It is not cruel, Frodo Baggins, because Merry is returning here tomorrow night anyway. So you will see your cousin, only not as soon as Halmir."

Frodo looked so let down that Halmir laid a comforting hand on his shoulder and said, "If Frodo’s not going, neither am I."

"You don’t have to do that, Halmir. You go and see Merry. Give..."

"No, Frodo. I’m not going without you. Besides, I shouldn’t be out either." The boy smiled wryly at Frodo, who saw that he had lost.

"Very well. I am very tired. And perhaps I don’t feel all that well. Let’s get to bed, Halmir." Frodo and Halmir, followed closely be Sam and Anna, made their way to the bedrooms.

Aragorn stifled a yawn. "Miriel, when Merry comes back he will need a residential healer. Can you be spared from the Houses?"

"I would be glad to be of service to my friends. They have plenty of help at the Houses of Healing, milord. Thank you."

"Thank *you*. I would stay, but alas, my duty as king is more pressing than my duty as healer. I will be needed elsewhere. The Hobbits can double up and you can have Pippin’s room."

"I’ll be going then, milords. Goodnight." Miriel was by now well acquainted with the house, and found Pippin’s room with ease. She was relieved that it was near Halmir’s room.

Gandalf, Gimli, and Legolas made their way to their rooms as well. It had been decided since Aragorn was so weary that he should spend the night in Merry’s bed. The Ranger found that the bed was much too short for his long legs, but he was far too tired to care. Tomorrow was a new day, but for now, Aragorn lost himself in blissful sleep.

_____________________________________________________________

TBC....

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

"Sam," Frodo whispered. Halmir had just been seen to his room. Sam softly closed the door on a touching scene of the boy curled around his faithful dog. He looked at Frodo to acknowledge he had heard.

"I think something’s wrong with Halmir." Frodo said. The two companions had stopped in the hall between their two doors, out of hearing range of most of the rooms.

"I think you’re right, Mr. Frodo. I’m that glad you said something. I thought I was over reacting. I said to myself, ‘Samwise, he’s just tired and he was put through a big ordeal today. It’s just your over worryin’.’ But now that you said something too, I don’t think it was."

"Neither do I, Sam. I think the ‘big ordeal’ as you put it, was a bit too big for him. He’s got that haunted look in his eyes again. He seems to be a bit skittish, too. Jumping at every shadow and sound. He’s...he’s remembering, Sam."

Frodo didn’t have to explain. They both knew of the boy’s past. How his father was killed in battle by orcs. When the orcs attacked his village, his mother and sister had been ruthlessly murdered in front of him. He himself had been rescued in the nick of time by the Rhorrim. He was one of three survivors. And then he had joined the Rhohirrim, having no where else to go. The battles also served to traumatize the poor boy. When he was wounded, he would have given up on life, if not for Merry, and then Pippin as well. Living with the remaining Fellowship (but especially the Hobbits) had given Halmir life and love again. And now Frodo feared that all that was shattered.

"I’ll keep my ears open. That’s the best we can do for tonight, if you know what I mean. You don’t look so well, yourself, begging your pardon. But you do look a sight better since you heard of Mr. Merry’s being alight." Sam whispered. Frodo smiled at him and whispered,

"Goodnight, Sam."

"Goodnight, Mr. Frodo." They went their separate ways into their rooms, where they were lost in soft, warm blankets and welcomed sleep.

*~*~*~*~*

Frodo sighed and rolled over in his cocoon of warm blankets. He didn’t want to wake up. He wanted to sleep. But his body wouldn’t sleep again. He had smelled mushrooms. His stomach growled and he realized he hadn’t eaten since yesterday at luncheon. Frodo swung his feet to the floor and instantly regretted it. The room swayed a bit, and his head felt heavy and felt like a troll was trying to bash his brains out. After a moment, the feeling dimmed, and then passed. Frodo slowly stood, and was rewarded with another onslaught. But when that fit passed as well, he carefully made his way to the kitchen.

"Mornin’, Mr. Frodo!" Sam chirped. "Lord Strider’s up and left for the palace, Gandalf with him. Legolas and Gimli both ate and left. Miss Miriel went to fetch more of her things and Halmir is still asleep." When Sam had finished his customary briefing, he heard that ominous cough and glanced at his master. "Why, Mr. Frodo! You look terrible! Are you feeling all right?"

Frodo did look terrible. Indeed, he felt terrible. His body ached all over. His limbs felt stiff and his eyes had that fever burn. Frodo’s brown curls stuck any which way they wanted to (and they each had a different opinion) and his eyes looked glassy and tired. He looked sick.

"I’m alright, Sam." It was an overstatement, and Sam knew it. Sam was about to protest even allowing Frodo to eat, if it weren’t for Frodo’s stomach growling.

"I’ll bring you breakfast in bed." Frodo didn’t even protest, rose slowly and shuffled back to his room. ‘That settles it.’ Sam thought to himself. ‘He’s most definitely not feeling well.’

When Sam brought the tray to Frodo’s room, he was surprised to find that Frodo was not in his bed. He set the tray down and knocked on the privy door. But then Sam’s ears caught a sound from down the hall. It was a strange sound, though one Sam was far too accustomed to hearing: muffled sobs. Sam followed the sound to Halmir’s room. Frodo was perched on the lad’s bed. Halmir was sobbing into Frodo’s shoulder. The hobbit looked over the boy’s head at Sam. The gardener couldn’t tell wether Frodo’s eyes were bright from the fever or from withheld tears. Or both.

Frodo comforted the weeping child and rocked him back and forth. This was difficult for Halmir was a bit bigger than Frodo. But Frodo didn’t mind in the least. He simply continued to comfort the boy with his mere presence.

Sam sat down in a chair by the bed. Halmir didn’t notice. After a while, the sobbing subsided. Wiping his nose, Halmir pulled away from Frodo. "Thanks." he said sheepishly.

"Anytime, Halmir."

And then Halmir noticed Sam. "How long have you been here?" The question wasn’t accusatory in the least, merely curious.

"A few minutes. You must be hungry. I can bring your breakfast in here. I can’t let Mr. Frodo eat in here, as he’s sick and I don’t want you catchin’ nothing. So how about if I eat with you?"

Halmir gladly agreed to the company.

Sam and Halmir enjoyed a quiet meal together. No mention was made of the tears. Sam let it pass, knowing that Frodo would tell him later. And if he chose not to, that was Frodo’s business, not his.

___________________________________________________

TBC...

Copyright Frodo Baggins 2006

When Halmir had fallen asleep, Sam went to check on Frodo. His master was reading in his bed. He was so intent on the book in front of him he didn’t even noticed Sam. Sam noticed with relief that, though Frodo looked sick, he looked a sight better than last night. He shuddered as he pictured again Frodo’s eyes staring unresponsively ahead. He heard a small sound like a sigh and looked to see Frodo was now staring at him.

"Something wrong, Sam?" Frodo asked pointedly. Concern creased his brow.

"Oh. No, sir. Well, leastways, not with me. Halmir..."

At the mention of the lad’s name, Frodo closed the book (making sure the bookmark was in place, though) and beckoned Sam over. "I’d be a fool if I thought you haven’t been wondering about what was bothering the lad."

Sam blushed a bit. "Well, now that you mention it, I was curious."

"Oh Sam, the poor lad. I was going back to my room when I heard him sniffling. I went in to comfort him. He tried to hide it, but I think my presence disappointed him or something. No, maybe not disappoint...brought some unpleasant memory was more like it. At any rate, he did let me comfort him. I couldn’t get anything from him, but the incident only served to confirm our fears. I held out my arms to him and he just started sobbing." Frodo had hardly finished the last word before he was attacked by a racking cough. He was left gasping. "Sam, it’s...it’s not that bad." He wheezed, looking pleadingly at Sam.

Sam studied the very red face and shook his head. "I’m telling Lord Strider, sir. Or perhaps Miriel."

"Tell Miriel about what, Sam?" A feminine voice sounded from the doorway. Frodo glanced down at his nightshirt and blushed. "The cough I just heard from you, L...Frodo?"

Frodo, still blushing, stubbornly looked out the window.

"Yes, Miss Miriel." Sam said pointedly. "If you heard it, you know what I mean. It rattles a bit in the chest, it does."

This brought concern to Miriel’s face. "That’s not good a’tall. Especially since you were out in the rain."

"It’s nothing." Frodo’s arguments were growing weaker.

"Let me listen to your chest, Frodo."

The poor Hobbit shot a look at Sam that clearly said, ‘I’ll take any medicine, but please save me from this!’ Sam just shook his head. Looking from his gardener to the young healer before him, Frodo wondered if he could run. His notion was quickly dispelled by the looks on both of the faces before him. So he meekly let the healer listen to him breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out. When she was done, Miriel looked relieved.

"It hasn’t developed into congestion of the lungs yet. Thankfully. But you need to drink lots of fluids. I have an expectorant that you should take every four hours. Sam, if you would follow me to the kitchen, I can show you how to administer it."

"Thank you, Miss." Sam followed her out.

Manners wouldn’t let Frodo go without at least a mumbled thanks before he buried his head under the covers.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Chink!

Frodo looked immensely pleased with himself. He took Halmir’s Queen piece with a "Check Mate!" as he placed the piece into the box with a bunch of other stone peasants, a soldier, a guard and both bards.

Out of five games, this was Frodo’s second time winning. It took him a while to get used to the Gondorian version of the Hobbit game. And it had been so long since he last played the Hobbit game, the similarities hardly helped him. But once he did get the hang of it, he was doing quite well.

"Play again?" He asked eagerly.

Halmir’s brown eyes shone with defeated pride. "Are you ready to be defeated?"

Frodo’s blue eyes shone with fun. "I believe the question is, are *you* ready for defeat?"

Eagerly, the two set there stone figures onto the chequered board. It was decided between them that the loser got the first move, so Halmir moved his peasant two spaces. Frodo moved his one. Just as Halmir was about to attack Frodo’s piece, the door opened and they heard Pippin cry, "Sam! Frodo! Halmir! Merry’s come home!" Frodo and Halmir jumped up and raced to the door to greet their cousin and comrade.

"Merry!" They cried together. For the second time in twenty four hours, Sam and Miriel gave their charges a reprimanding look. And also for the second time, the would-be invalids took no heed.

Merry was leaning on Pippin’s arm, but returned the welcoming hugs with equal fervor.

Frodo lingered the longest in his embrace, "Oh, Mer! I’m so glad you’re alright. I was...I’m just glad you’re not hurt!"

"Me, too!" Merry said with feeling. "And you look...not too good."

Frodo sighed and lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "I’m fine. If I hear that I don’t look well one more time..."

Aragorn popped his head in the door. "I cannot stay. I have pressing matters to attend. Merry, you need your rest. And so do you Frodo. You don’t look well." To the King’s bafflement, all gathered burst into laughter. But as his matters were pressing indeed, he merely shook his head and left the Hobbits, lad and healer to their seemingly unfounded laughter.

Pippin and Merry were shown to Merry’s room, which had the bigger bed. Though Merry was far better than any could have hoped for, the rain and wind did it’s work on him and he had a case of the sniffles. He was also weakened and so the long walk (he had refused the litter or being carried) from the Houses of Healing to the Guest House was especially tiring. Frodo, Pippin and Halmir gathered onto Merry’s bed. Sam was in the kitchen preparing tea. None of the four dared mention the night before. The conversation was steered artfully clear of the subject, if only for Halmir’s sake. By the time Sam came in with a tray of steaming mugs, the group was laughing at some memory of the cousins’s or other.

"There now, lads. My mum used to say, ‘Samwise, there’s nothing better than a cuppa tea when yer under the weather.’" This elicited much laughter, as Sam had put on a comical imitation of his mother, keeping in mind that she also said cheer was a an even better remedy than tea.

*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC...

______________________________________________________________

A/N: Sorry if the ending was...abrupt. Sam has a broken leg in my other universe. I have to see to him. :)