A White Coverlet to Cool a Hobbit's Toes 2

[claudia603]

Title: A White Coverlet to Cool a Hobbit’s Toes
Author: Claudia
Pairing: N/A
Rating: G
Summary: After the quest, Frodo observes snow on the top of the mountain. He remembers Caradhras and wants to experience it under better circumstances.
A/N: For shirebound




Frodo woke to a room bathed in golden sunlight. A fresh breeze, fragrant with roses newly bloomed, rustled the curtains. Frodo sniffed it in, reveling in the sweet scent, and it made his heart swell with joy. Ever since he had awakened after the quest, he noticed so much for which he was grateful – a feather pillow under his head, a firm mattress, sunlight, the song of birds, the beauty of morning dew on grass, the scent of roses, and a kind, loving glance from a friend. He treasured the feel of the cotton sheet between his fingers. He watched a tiny spider build a web in the corner of the window. The sunlight made the web shimmer like Elvish thread.

The door creaked open, and Sam stuck his head inside, cautious until he saw that Frodo was awake.

Frodo smiled at him. “Come in, dear Sam.”

Sam came into the room and closed the door behind him. “How are you feeling? I was worried all night, even though Mr. Strid— the king said you were all right.”

“Much better,” Frodo said. “I do think it was only the heat.” He touched his cheeks. “I feel burned.”

Sam bustled over to him, scooting a stool so that he could sit beside him. “Yes, sir, your cheeks are a little chapped and red. Are you sure you’re not feverish?” He felt Frodo’s brow, frowning.

“No, I do not have a fever,” Frodo said. “It was only the sun.” He smiled, turning toward the window. “And I am ever grateful for it. I shall never take it for granted again.”

“No, me neither,” Sam said, standing and opening the curtains. “I’ve a message from Strider…er…the king - confound it, I’m not sure when I’m ever going to get used to him as not Strider.”

“He will be ever honored to have you call him Strider,” Frodo laughed.

“Anyway, I’ve a message from him and he says you’re to stay in bed today and that you’d know why.” Sam looked at Frodo suspiciously. “What did you two talk about last night?”

“Nothing much,” Frodo said, trying to hide a smile. “Well, perhaps we did talk some about snow and the tops of tall mountains.”

“Humph, green hills and gardens is better for me,” Sam said, settling on the stool again.

Frodo’s smile faded and he took Sam’s hand in his. “You miss home, don’t you?”

“Well, of course I do. Don’t you?”

Frodo’s smile faded. Even now that the Ring was gone and he was safe and he could feel the warmth of the sun again, he still struggled to remember all the details of home in the late spring. He knew that strawberries would be growing and flowers and that the grass must be emerald green from the spring rains. But he could not see it clearly in his mind. Instead he saw a world full of mist and shadow.

“I do miss the Shire,” Frodo said. “And we will go home soon. This I promise you.”

Frodo heard a sudden clattering and reckless laughter from outside the door and before he had time to even look at Sam in puzzlement, the door burst open and Merry and Pippin entered, carrying a large tray laden with food.

“Good gracious!” Frodo said in delight. “Something smells marvelous!”

“Breakfast in bed,” Pippin said. “As ordered by the King.”

Sam adjusted the pillows behind Frodo’s back so that he could sit up comfortably.

Pippin and Merry balanced the tray on the bed so that Frodo could eat without having to move from his comfortable position. Frodo could now see that the tray was filled with delectable delights, such as fresh strawberries and cream, porridge, fluffy pancakes with melted butter, eggs and sausage, bread rolls, and freshly brewed tea.

“I had no idea they even served such food here in the city,” Frodo marveled.

“Well they did when we were in charge,” Pippin said, tapping his feet.

“Thank you, dear friends,” Frodo said, laughing. “This is a feast worth staying in bed for. But what about you? What will you eat?”

Merry and Pippin glanced at each other. “Don’t worry, cousin,” Merry said. “We’ve eaten enough for an army while we were helping in the kitchen. But I’m sure there’s plenty for Sam, too.”

“Oh, no thank you,” Sam said, blushing. “I’ve eaten already. Although I might take a few of those strawberries, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not,” Frodo said. “Take anything you like.”

The hobbits settled on the bed at Frodo’s feet while Frodo ate. Frodo did not realize just how hungry he had been until he started eating and could not seem to stop.

“I want to hear about the Ents again,” Frodo said between mouthfuls. “Come now, you only told me that tale in brief that first night after we awakened in Ithilien. Every time I look at you two, I can’t believe how big you’ve gotten.”

“Poor Frodo,” Pippin said, nudging Merry. “Doesn’t like not being the tallest anymore.”

“He was never the tallest,” Merry said, stealing a strawberry and popping it in his mouth. “I was.”

“That’s simply not true,” Frodo said, laughing. “Even Gandalf said I was taller than most.”

“Most, but not all,” Merry said.

“Doesn’t matter now,” Pippin said, snagging some jam from Frodo’s tray with his thumb. “Merry and I are both about a head taller than either of you.”

“Go on then,” Frodo said. “About the Ents…”

And so Merry and Pippin chattered on and on about the Ents, interrupting one another, giving every detail that they could think of, until it was apparent that Frodo had fallen into a blissful nap, his lips still turned up in an amused smile. Merry and Pippin took the tray, and Sam adjusted the blankets around Frodo’s chin once more before they all crept out of the room, leaving Frodo alone.

The sun was high in the sky by the time Frodo woke again to the sound of knocking on his door.

“Come in,” Frodo said, rubbing his eyes and trying to sit up.

Faramir came in, and Frodo gasped with delight. He had not seen Faramir since the coronation and had not had a chance to speak to him since they had parted at Henneth Annun.

Faramir looked a little embarrassed. “I do not wish to disturb your rest. I hope I have not awakened you.”

“Oh, no, please do come in!”

Faramir closed the door behind him and sat on the same stool that Sam had used earlier. “I was alarmed when I heard that the Ringbearer had collapsed during the feast. Just seeing you now has eased my fears a lot. You look well.”

“Thank you,” Frodo said. “I did not collapse as rumored, but grew sick to my stomach from the heat yesterday. But I’ve been well taken care of. It’s wonderful to see you again, Faramir! When we parted last…well, I did not have high hopes that I would see any of my companions again.”

Faramir nodded. “When I heard that Gandalf had brought back the Ringbearers and that they still lived, I must admit that I sat against the wall and wept with open relief.”

Frodo blushed. “That is kind to say.”

Faramir smiled. “I’d only met you for a time, but you and Samwise taught me much about true courage and hope beyond endurance. It was a lesson I carried with me into battle, even when the shadows seemed their darkest my despair at its peak.”

Frodo clasped Faramir’s hand in his smaller hands and squeezed. “I’m glad beyond belief that we’re able to talk again, this time in peace and leisure. Thank you for visiting me.”

They fell into talking as if they had been dear friends for years. It seemed they might talk for days on end and never run out of topics. Faramir told Frodo tales from his childhood in Minas Tirith, of meeting Mithrandir and listening to his tales, of amusing anecdotes that involved Boromir. Frodo in turn told about the Shire, about his adventures in mushroom thieving and other pranks, and also about Merry and Pippin. And he spoke of his time when he had come to live with Bilbo, the best years of his life.

Aragorn entered, grinning when he saw Faramir and Frodo in such deep, enthusiastic conversation.

“How do you feel, Frodo.”

“I hope I’ve not kept him from needed rest,” Faramir said, standing. “I’m afraid we’ve talked the afternoon away.”

“Nonsense,” Frodo said. “You’ve kept me from itching to get out of bed again.”

“That’s no small matter,” Aragorn said, nodding at Faramir in approval.

Frodo looked at Faramir. “Faramir, do you have many duties in the coming days?”

Faramir glanced from Aragorn to Frodo. “That would be determined by our king.”

Aragorn grinned, knowing what Frodo was about to ask.

Frodo smiled back. “Aragorn -- our king has been kind enough to offer to take me up to Mount Mindolluin, as soon as I am well, which will probably be tomorrow –”

“Not so fast,” Aragorn said. “That is for me to decide.”

“Possibly tomorrow,” Frodo said. “Since the King must agree that I’ve color in my cheeks, and Faramir can confirm that I’ve kept up a steady stream of chatter all afternoon, both of you can see that I feel just fine. The snow should do away with any lasting ill effects of the heat.”

“Mount Mindolluin. That is quite a hike,” Faramir said. “Are you certain you’re both strong enough for it?”

“We’ll not be hiking,” Aragorn said. “I’ve determined that we’ll ride most of the way.”

“Oh, Faramir,” Frodo broke in. “Will you join us?”

“Join you? You wish me to come up the mountain with you?”

Aragorn walked to the window and looked out toward the mountain. “Frodo wants to feel snow on his feet and to breathe the fresh mountain air.”

“The air up there is some of the most invigorating in all Middle-earth, so I’ve heard,” Faramir said. “If the King will allow it, it will be a great honor to join you.”

Frodo clapped in delight. “Thank you!”

Aragorn nodded, his lips twitching with merriment. “The King will gladly accept you as a companion. There is much we must carry up there, since we will need to camp at least one night since the paths are treacherous to travel on at night.”

“Both of you, thank you so much,” Frodo said, his eyes shining. “I’ve wanted an adventure, a real adventure.”

The men stared at him in disbelief.

“Have you not had adventure enough?” Faramir asked.

Frodo laughed. “No, I mean a real adventure, one that is exciting and different, but without the danger and heart-ache.” Frodo’s laughter faded and he became sober. “When I carried the…” He swallowed before continuing, “it, it was such an evil presence. It blocked me from enjoying and appreciating much of the journey. Especially after Weathertop, always it hung from me like a hideous burden, whispering in my ears, shadowing my vision and my feelings. Lothlorien was better, but then the grief of Gandalf’s fall in Moria shadowed everything.” He shuddered.

“Of course,” Aragorn said, swallowing. “You want an adventure that you can tell like Bilbo’s There and Back Again tales.”

“Indeed,” Frodo said, sighing. “So much of what happened on this…quest…I’d rather keep buried and untold. I want a good tale for the children in Hobbiton, not one that will have their parents come after me when their little ones wake up with nightmares.”

The men laughed.

“Well,” Aragorn said. “Perhaps another day in bed. I think we should be ready to set off the day after tomorrow.”

“Wonderful,” Frodo said, settling back under the covers. He glanced at Faramir sternly. “Do not breathe a word to anyone about this…adventure. Aside from Gandalf, nobody is to know where we’re going.”

“Certainly,” Faramir said, but then he hesitated, blushing. “Is it all right if I tell the Lady Eowyn? She will be concerned if she does not find me.”

“Oh,” Frodo said, grinning. “All right then, you may tell her…as long as she can keep a secret.”

Faramir stood beside Aragorn, near the window, looking out. “I do not like the look of those clouds developing in the west.”

“Fear not,” Aragorn said. “This time of year, the mountain rarely gets but a coverlet of snow.”

“But it is dangerous up in the mountains if a snowstorm takes us unexpectedly.”

“We shall bring enough supplies.”

Faramir nodded, still clearly fretting. “I do think we should keep our eye to the sky.”

“And we shall.” Aragorn turned to Frodo and smiled. “I’d not put us or Frodo into any unnecessary danger.”

“I trust you,” Frodo said, smiling at the two men. “And I am honored to have you both as my travel companions once again.”

Go on to next part

TBC