Young Frodo
by Overlithe
Chapter 35
Frodo awoke it was the morning of September 22, 1380. It was his
birthday; he lay awake looking up at the rich beamed ceilings of HIS
room. His own room in Bag End; he found he needed to repeat it
over and over to believe it was indeed true. It was a dream yet
one that felt right. He knew that Bag End was not his home, at
least not now but he wondered if one day he would spend more than just
birthdays and a few days a year in this place.
The lad looked around the room again. It was thoughtfully and
lovingly arranged, Bilbo must have spent hours he thought. It was
just past dawn and he could hear the stirrings of the adults.
They no doubt were preparing breakfast and would be expecting him
soon. Esme would be checking to be sure he was up any
moment.
They had arrived while he was in the bath the previous night. He
heard them speaking in the room down the hall. They spoke in
hushed tones yet Frodo's keen ears had heard them. They were
concerned for him; their worry was a shadow over him. He did not
like to think that they would worry over him all day today. And
yet there was reason to worry he was sure of it. If he were left
to sit and sulk he would no doubt fall into despair. It was after
all his first birthday with out … 'them'. It also angered him, a
feeling he was unaccustomed to until this summer. It angered him
that he would not be 'allowed' to spend the day as he saw fit.
Was it not his right to grieve his parents? He knew the answer
already Saradoc had pointed it out to him, the difference between
nostalgic remembrance and self-pity. He struggled with it the
understanding of it was difficult but he tried. He knew his
parents would not want him to sink into despair.
Daily he was reminded of the love that surrounded him. It was not
a replacement for his parents love for it had existed before they were
gone. It was simply the gentle reminder that he required that he
was not alone nor would he be ever.
Frodo sighed and smiled to himself. He tried to live and enjoy
each day. "But its so hard sometimes Mother", he spoke his
thoughts aloud. He closed his eyes against the burning that had
begun there. Most everyday began this way it was rather a ritual
for him he would remember his loss then place it aside and go on.
It was more difficult today but he would do it as he did yesterday and
would do again tomorrow.
He sat up and pulled his knees up to his chest and looked at his
surroundings again. He was glad for the loving touches, the
mixture of memories mingled with the promises of the future. They
spoke of his life and whispered excitement and learning and
adventure. Indeed he would find it hard to be sad this day.
His parents would understand and he knew they would have it no other
way. His mum had never been happier than when he was
joyous.
Frodo suddenly sat very straight as if he had been prodded in his back.
The thought occurred to him that he should indeed be prepared to give
his parents a gift for his birthday. His smile reached to his
eyes and his face lit with an inner light. He would give his Mum
the greatest gift of all; he would be completely joyful all day.
It would be his gift to her and his Da. He hugged his knees in
closely and laughed. Such a joy had indeed entered his heart he
could not contain it. The giggle echoed through Bag End a sound
of pure mirth and unconcealed happiness. Frodo hopped out of bed
and grabbed his dressing gown and headed off to wash. He sprang
down the hall ready for the day to begin.
Esme and Bilbo had heard the sounds from Frodo's room and at first had
thought the worst. " The lad will have troubles today" they
thought. They had discussed it the previous night but they could
come to no real way to prevent it. They in the end just decided
to keep him as busy as possible. Moments later they heard
him. The distinct sound of Frodo laughing it was not just a
chuckle but a full rich sound. The two looked at each other and
wondered. They listened further and looked to the door to the
kitchen as Saradoc entered. No one spoke they knew by his face he
heard it also they sat down and listened no greater gift could Frodo
have given any of them. The high clear voice they heard from the
washroom sang a familiar tune. It was full of happiness and
joy. They heard snatches of the words, but they did not need to
hear to know that the singer was a very happy hobbit Lad. Bilbo
shrugged and poured the tea and sat down across from Esmeralda and
Saradoc. Esme closed her eyes and listened.
*~~~~Hey, ho to the bottle I go…
To heal my heart and drown my woes…~~~~*
Esmeralda laughed as she realized that Frodo was singing the old
drinking song that his Da used to sing in the Hall. The tune was
common but Drogo Baggins love to make up words and this was a
particular favorite. She had no idea Frodo knew it and it sounded
odd coming from his clear high voice. Bilbo and Saradoc looked at
her and joined her in her laughter.
The tune continued sometime and then got louder as Frodo returned to
his room. He had stopped singing by the time he reached the
kitchen but he hummed and was beaming.
"Good Morning Frodo, and Happy Birthday!" Bilbo greeted
him. Esme ushered him to a seat with a gentle hand and a kiss on
his cheek. She placed his breakfast before him. He was
still grinning as he devoured his meal. Another gift for his Mum
and for Esme…they all loved it when he ate well. The day was
planned out ahead of him and it had begun beautifully. He
wondered if he would see the little Gamgee Lad today. He hoped so
the little lad with the dirty hands was so…He found he was at a loss to
describe what he felt. He shrugged to himself and thought about
the day ahead. The music began again…he hummed a little tune as
he finished eating. Surprised at the quiet in the room and he
looked at the adults who sat staring raptly at him smiling. Frodo
favored them with his crooked grin, a smirk that threatening to break
into a laugh. "What"? He asked giggling anew.
"Nothing lad, nothing. I guess we'd best get the day started then."
Bilbo said. Esme and Saradoc were up and off to run some errands the
fears they had earlier erased.
Bilbo and Frodo had plans; it was after all their birthday.
Chapter 36
Frodo found himself in the garden, again. It seemed he ended up
there whenever he visited BagEnd. The two days following his
birthday had been unseasonably hot and the moist gardens on the hill
were cool and inviting. He sat and watched the Gaffer weeding and
planting bulbs for hours. He was fascinated by the things
required to keep the place so perfect so beautiful. He supposed
it was such with all things; things that lasted and that were beautiful
took work. The Shire was simply peaceful and wondrous and the
inhabitants all did their parts to keep their own little portions
picture perfect. Frodo sighed and rolled over onto his back
looking up at the bright blue of the sky. He blinked back a few
tears of sadness. His Mum and Da had both loved gardens and
sitting looking at the beauty for so long reminded him of them.
It was, however; a good reminder happy summer days and lovely picnics
came to mind and he grinned as he blinked in the warm sun.
"What in tarnation"! Frodo was startled by the Gaffers sudden
outburst. "Samwise what are you up to now?" Frodo at first
thought the Gaffer angry but as he sought out his face he saw he looked
amused, perhaps proud. Frodo turned to his left where the
gaffer looked and there sat little Samwise. He was covered in
soil as he sat in the middle of a flowerbed. Frodo chuckled and
wondered if the child was ever clean. He certainly had never seen
him not covered in dirt. He wondered what the lad was up to and watched
for a moment before he realized.
He stared in amazement as it sank in what it was that the toddler was
doing. He watched as this small lad who could not even yet speak
and barely walk was pulling up plants in the garden. Not just any
plants he was selecting only the weeds that had managed to escape his
gaffer's eye. He did not touch a single blooming plant. The
gaffer knelt beside him speaking quietly to him. Frodo heard the pride
and praise in his voice as Sam's Da instilled into him the love of all
things green and good and the joy of a hard days work and a job well
done. "One day Samwise my Lad all of this will be yours to tend."
It was true… he knew it to be so. Indeed it should be no surprise
Sam would most likely follow his Da in his work. But it seemed so
right so perfect. Frodo saw it to be true in a sudden vision. He
saw Sam working the Gardens at BagEnd for a very long time…a very long
time. He rose and went to stand nearer the Gaffer and Sam.
Sam looked up and smiled a silly grimy grin and Frodo smiled and looked
deeply into his eyes. Yes, he thought, yes. He closed his
eyes frowning his brow creased in concentration. But the feeling
was gone for a moment he thought he could see himself and Sam and a
connection between them. It was gone but a strange feeling stayed
with him and ever after he knew Sam would be someone whom he could
trust in.
Frodo shook himself from his thoughts the Gaffer was speaking to him
again. "He will be a fine gardener someday Master Baggins, all
the best gardeners love to play in the dirt." Then he
laughed. Frodo nodded smiling at the lad as he continued his
task. He sat down to watch him for a while longer until finally
the Gaffer collected him and took him back to his home across the field
and down the hill.
Frodo looked at the sun westering and wondered where the time had
gone. He had missed at least one meal perhaps 3. He was
ravenous and as if in response he heard Bilbo call to him "Frodo… Come
on lad it's supper." Frodo hopped up and headed for the door it
was his last night at Bag End and he and Bilbo had some lessons to do
before bed. But for now the delectable smell of mushrooms wafted
through the air. He ran he couldn't wait to get started.
This is the end of "Frodo" ~~1380 One Summer~~ so
ends the recounting of the passing of Primula and Drogo
Baggins. The Frodo tales are TBC however a new year and a
new slant….Frodo 1382 A long awaited friend…
