Frodo Encounters Writers Block
by Onone
Frodo sat, pen poised over the page. But nothing came. Nothing. Writer’s block. Big time.
And he had been there. He was only telling his tale. And yet… the words refused to come.
Sam brought in a cup of tea and some biscuits. “Thought you might need
a snack before tea, Mr. Frodo. You’ve been in here so much today, I
suppose you’ve made some real progress. How far are you now?”
“No farther than before, Sam! I’m stuck. I can’t do this, Sam. It’s
hopeless!” The pen dropped from his hand and his shoulders sagged.
“No need to worry, Mr. Frodo. Your Sam’s here. We’ll do this together,
if we must. Just tell me where you are and I’ll see what I can
remember.”
“I’m at the Gates of Moria. Gandalf couldn’t get the doors to budge, and I can’t budge my brain.”
Sam sat thoughtfully, munching on a biscuit. “Are you starting a new chapter here?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Well, I was kinda thinkin’ :
It was a dark and stormy night. Nine travelers huddled on the rocks at
the edge of pool so black you could have used it’s water to shine
shoes. The wizard, tall, but stooped as though he’d suddenly tired of
peering out from under his bushy eyebrows as he had for centuries,
faced the rock wall, so smooth it might have been the Lady Galadriel’s
mirror. He spoke, first quietly, then commandingly, and struck the
wall. The other eight skipped rocks in the pool, shifted their packs
restlessly and played paper, rock, scissors till their hands cramped
up.”
Sam looked up at the sound of pen scratching on paper. “Has that given you an idea, Mr. Frodo?”
“Yes, Sam. Once again you’ve gotten me out of a tight place.”
“You know,” said Sam, thoughtfully, “When I said I wondered if we’d be
in stories and tales, I didn’t ever imagine we’d be writing them
ourselves!”
“Me neither, Sam. Me neither.”
Frodo finished his line and set the pen down. “I think that’s enough for the day. Let’s take a ramble, Sam.”
The two walked out the door, arm in arm, singing one of Bilbo’s old walking songs.
The afternoon sun poured in the window and shone on Frodo’s words:
WANTED: ghost-writer for incredible tale of adventure and friendship. No price too high.
