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Ring Around the Merry	By : emma Category: -Multi-Age > General Views: 1731 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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�I�m so sorry, dear, dear, Master!� sobbed Sam. �So sorry that I must do this--but there is no choice anymore! No hope if I let things be!�
AN: A big thanks goes out to Celandine and Ariel for helping me out so much on this chapter! Celandine again, graciously assisted with inner Frodo, while Ariel took my Estella and whipped her into a believable female character. I hope you enjoy this effort.
Chapter 52: A Shadow and a Threat

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Merry stood gazing into the fire; his back turned away from the three astonished faces behind him. Pippin turned to Sam, his face written in terror but Sam made no expression, concluding that if Pippin had any idea who �they� were, he was hiding it very well. Estella, meanwhile, glanced at Merry then Pip and finally turned her attention to Sam, who was the only hobbit reacting in anything resembling a sane manner. Long moments crawled by, with the only disturbance, the crackle of the fire and the sound of their own breathing, now magnified beyond comfort in their ears.

Merry returned his attention to the seated hobbits, his face , bu, but otherwise serene, as someone who has come to and accepted a difficult decision. The three stared up at Merry, but only Estella gasped in surprise. Merry�s eyes had taken on a stony coldness that she�d never seen there before, or indeed, in any other hobbit's eyes. A dread chill was mounting inside her. This was not her Merry, the cheery, resourceful lad she had grown up with. This was not anyone�s Merry. Estella stared into the eyes of a stranger and a breathless thrill ran up her spine.

�Pippin, please teo tho the dishes,� said Merry in a voice far too calm for the situation. �Sam, please come with me to check on Frodo. Estella---"

�I will help Pippin with the dishes,� she said quickly.

�No,� countered Merry, his voice neither angry nor kind. �You shall stay right here and relax by the fire until I return. Pippin will brew you some fresh tea, if you like. But I ask and desire no assistance. Furthermore, I will take it ill if you do not accept your proper place as our guest and let us serve you.�

Estella opened her mouth to speak but then carefully shut it again. The request sounded nothing like the famed Brandybuck courtesy. It sounded like an order. Nevertheless, courtesy demanded she obey. She took a feigned sip of her tepid tea as the other hobbits abandoned her to her wretched �relaxation.�

* * *

Frodo had gone still in the interim, not sleeping, but with his moon-wide eyes gazing unblinking into the fire. He had rolled to an awkward angle, as his bonds would not allow him to lay full on his side and face the bright object of his attraction, the beckoning hearth. Sam�s heart sunk to his feet seeing his Frodo bound again, but somehow he preferred this to seeing Frodo in the throes of distress, beyond the comfort of even his own gentling. Sam knelt by Frodo�s bedside, and carefully removed the gag. Frodo did not respond, aside from exhaling an unobstructed trail of breath. Sam Sam sighed as his ever-hopeful eyes stared at his master's blue orbs. As a thousand times before, he was again disappointed. Frodo's eyes were empty and unyielding, either unable or unwilling to communicate even the slightest feeling to the outside world.

Sam had busied himself running his fingers through Frodo�s damp curls when he heard Merry�s hesitant footsteps approach from behind.

* * *

He indulged himself, diving deeper into his private agony. He hadightight to grieve�and�and to be angry. Yes, angry. He stared into the blackness, feeling himself grow distant again, driving his comforting thoughts and any feelings of love far away. If you want nothing...if you truly want nothing, then you can't be hurt.

But the lie didn't work. He did want something. More than his soul, he wanted It�

And someone had taken It away. The hurting voice�and someone else�

* * *

�Stay there,� said Merry. �Don�t turn.�

Sam felt the tip of Merry�s knife at the back of his neck and he grit his teeth. He knew what was coming. And he was right. He felt an iron band close around his ankle and the snick of a lock.

Merry lowered his knife. �Please stand, Sam.�

Sam stood to face his gaoler and in memory of the afternoon, he unexpectedly and unwisely began to snicker.

�Seems you made quite an impression on our guest,� quipped Sam, needing a verbal jab to redress the humiliation of the shackle.

Merry punched Sam hard in the gut and watched with satisfaction as he doubled over in pain. But Sam soon straightened himself and Merry glared into eyes prepared to give as well as they got.

�Temper, temper, Sam,� said Merry as he raised his knife. �You know that you more than earned that from your attempts at humor out there. Did you think there would be nothing to pay for your ten seconds of fun? You underestimate my charity, and that, dear Samwise, is a dangerous oversight. �

Sam�s gut swam with pain, yet he returned Merry�s threat with a wry smile. He knew this reaction would cut Merry deeper than his anger. But he smiled inwardly for another reason that Merry could not have suspected. This had been the first time Merry had struck Sam since they had fought upon their return to Crickhollow from the Old Forest. From that point on, Merry had punished Frodo for Sam�s transgressions � and it had worked all too well.

But things had altered after the cellar. Merry could no longer torment Frodo for Sam�s actions; in fact, he seemed mentally unable to do so. Frodo had become like a sacred object, a thing beyond pain, beyond punishment, beyond Merry even. Sam guessed that even Merry himself did not recognize this change, but Sam saw it, and for him, it was crucial. And now, for the first time in weeks, Merry had gone back to his old ways, had taken retribution on Sam directly. It seemed that Frodo, the Frodo cleaved from his identity of Ringbearer, might now be safe from Merry. But if Merry's cousin was safe, �the Ringbearer� had never been in greater peril.

�That didn�t hurt so bad, Merry,� said Sam, hoping to test his theory again--although at some cost to himself. �In your charity, I reckon, you punched me no harder than one of my sisters.�

The agony of another punch exploded into Sam�s gut. Sam doubled over, but inwardly he rejoiced.

�You should know better when our guest is still not free from peril!� snarled Merry, eyes blazing. �So have a care, Master Samwise!�

Sam raised himself, aware of the danger. �You don�t mean to hurt her, Merry!� he cried in what he hoped was an apologetic tone. �Because that ain�t fair and it wouldn�t do you nothing but harm!�

�No,� answered Merry, softening. �Not at present. Of course, that will ultimately depend on how I hear you conducted yourself out there, which shall be gotten out of her.�

As Merry spoke, he stuck his knife back in his belt. Sam noted his scabbard was empty, but did not hazard a guess on why that might be.

�She don�t know nothing, and I didn't tell her nothing,� said Sam, now in true distress. �She�s just trying to help.�

�And so she has.� Merry smiled grimly, giving Sam a discordant pat on the back. �And soon she shall help yet more.�

Merry saw the glint in Sam�s eye and raised his palm. �You need not fear for her. I will not need to harm her, I think. She may actually do me a great service, while yet remaining in blissful ignorance of our�situation.�

Sam nodded, strangely comforted.

�I will let you stay with Frodo,� said Merry briskly. �Though you don�t deserve it. I do it for his sake, not yours. Comfort him if he needs it. And if you can find your needle again, we shall sew up his shirt so we can unbind him. Being forced to truss him up again after all our progress together pains me but I will speak with him later and help him understand. Samwise," Merry stood with his arms akimbo. "I want to talk with my Frodo unbound, understand?�

Sam offered no resistance to Merry�s line of argument. It was what he would have wanted.

�Frodo and I are depending on you to find the needle, Sam,� said Merry in an almost friendly tone as he made for the door. �I have other matters to tend to and will not have time to seek out another at present. Take good care of my Frodo until I return.�

�Merry,� called Sam from across the room.

Merry turned, reaching for the doorknob.

�Ad ofd of advice, if you�ll have it,� continued Sam in what he hoped was an adequately supplicative tone.

Merry�s face was a cross between curiosity and bemusement.

�Yes, Samwise?�

�Don�t try to explain nothing else to Estella,� said Sam. �It ain�t your strength.�

* * *

The hairs on the back of Estella�s neck prickled as she heard Merry�s footsteps plodding up the hall and into the parlor.

�Estella,� said Merry. She felt his warm hand descend upon her shoulder from behind. �Before we speak, may I get you anything? Are you comfortable?�

�I�m fine, Merry,� said Estella graciously. She looked up at his still hard face and frowned with concern. �Please, Merry, how is Frodo? I should like to see him before I go. The fact that you did not bring him out to bid me good-bye concerns me greatly. Is he�all right?�

Merry sat himself down in a chair across from Estella, his back to the fire. �Frodo fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, poor lad!�

Estella dropped her gaze but the worry did not leave her face. She sighed.

�I did not press you, Merry, as I was so anxious to deliver my news, but� I heard those cries....� She looked back at him, her dark eyes glittering imploringly. �Dear Merry, I have known you since childhood, and I would hope that you would trust me enough to tell me if you needed assistance, or, at least, confide in me when it comes to a hobbit I hold so dear.�

Estella�s gentle bluntness disarmed him. Merry felt a surge of warmth run down his spine. It seemed she honestly did care for him and for Frodo. But she was skirting on perilous ground. With Sam�s warning wriggling at the back of his head, Merry tried to explain in the most lack-luster or at least probable terms possible.

�Frodo is not all right, Estella,�� sighed Merry. �As you well guessed. But he is as well as he can be at present. He has nightmares when he sleeps, and it takes all tI haI have to calm him. That is what you heard, I think. You could not have assisted, Stelhen hen he is in this state, he will only respond to me. All you would have succeeded in doing is upsetting yourself to see Frodo as I see him every night.�

�Oh, Merry�.� sreatreathed. A single tear fell from her eye but she held his gaze with tender empathy. �I am so sorry.�

A strange euphoria filled Merry, emboldening him. He rejoiced that his story had seemed to be doing the trick. Perhaps some flattery might be thrown in for good measure.

Merry leaned forward and gathered Estella�s hands in his own. �I think seeing you made Frodo happy, somehow,� he said. �You are a small window into the outside world. Something�� Merry paused to consider his words carefully, �You are something familiar to him, Estella. Something that helps make him feel normal again.� As Merry spoke, he realized that he was expressing something closer to his own thoughts than anything Frodo was presently capable of feeling.

Estella drew in a trembling breath and smiled, though sadly. �I am sorry to be the bearer of such news,� she said. �At such a time as this, when you are engaged in such a selfless and noble calling. It grieves me to take anything away from your devotion and care of your poor sick cousin.�

Merry smiled at her warmly.

�It is not for you to apologize, Stel. I am heartily glad you have come. You were brave to come, and this house has been too long without a lass' touch.�

Estella�s face warmed instantly. She felt the firm grip of Merry�s hands on hers and was acutely aware of his hard , searching gaze. The little thrill of fear returned to charge her frame and she was suddenly very aware of how alone the two of them were. It was not a thought that would have concerned her with her old Merry, but as she was quickly learning, this was not her old Merry. Flustered by the sudden weight of the silence, she gathered her wits and spoke.

�Did you wish to discuss something more with me?� she asked, breathing a bit more rapidly than she might have. �Your manner suggested you had more questions��

�I do,� said Merry. �Questions best answered without others around who might be unduly distressed.� Merry indicated the kitchen with his head, where the souf spf splashing water and clanking dishes could be heard.

�I understand,� answered Estella, lowering her voice. �Though, I must tell you that we, meaning your ma, an sus suspected what that letter to �the heir of Buckland� might have contained, that is if it followed the foul speech of those�� Estella grimaced distastefully, �men.� She spat out the word as if it were a vile thing.

Merry raised his eyebrow.

Estella shifted, feeling like a busybody. �I wouldn�t poke my nose in--wouldn�t deign to give advice, Merry, if it were not at your ma�s request�

Merry did not respond, his face now growing serious. �Go on,� he said, newly stern.

�We suspected the letter asked you to meet them, or someone they work for and bring /something/�something of great value to them that they seem to think you have. Something they wish to have � or,� Estella hesitated, �something they think they�ve been promised.�

Merry made no reply, but his eyes bored hard into her and his grip tightened on her hands. She could not tell if he was angry, or if she hit nearer to the mark than was comfortable for him, or if he was simply shocked into silence. All she knew was that the air suddenly seemed thick, heavy and dangerous. She wished he�d respond, somehow, to break the oppressive silence.

�We suspected,� she said in a tight voice. �The point is, though we were not certain, we felt the attack on your da wasnt ant as a warning to you � a way to flush you out of your hiding place.�

Estella freed her hands and grasped Merry�s impulsively. �I don�t know if that is part of the reason you are here, but I hope so! So few know you are here! It is a good place to stay hidden!�

Merry did not withdraw his hands, but he did not answer either. Estella felt them tense under her touch, and if possible grow harder.

�Please!� she implored. �Say something!�

�It is not my part to speak yet,� said Merry flatly. �Not until you finish your tale.�

The shiver skittered up her spine again, and she straightened, instinctively withdrawing her hands and tucking them in the folds of her dress as if to warm them.

�Merry,� she said, more firmly. �I do not mean to pry. But I must beg and plead, on behalf of both your mother and myself that you do not let yourself be dragged into this trap, for we do believe it is a trap! There is nothing you will gain, and nothing you can do by returning now and letting them take you�or worse. Please! Stay hidden, stay safe! The Hall is not unguarded anymore. It won�t be attacked unawares. Stout lads from the Hall have put up an iron door and are building a wall around the whole smial. Paladin has come and brought some Tooks to help defend the hall. He assumes his Pip is with you, and knows better than to call him back. They rightly understand that he would be in more danger at home or on the road where he might be caught and questioned. They know he is safer in hiding with you. Don�t you see? All of these efforts will be for naught if you come back to the Hall and are taken! Esmeralda pleaded with me to bring her the assurance that you will use your head and stay where you are hidden. I promised her I would and would not be proved faithless. If I can get your vow, I�ll have fulfilled my task and will slip away with any message you might have for your family, and any Pip might have for his folks. I am sure his family would be comforted if I could pass on some word of him. May I have your promise, Merry? What say you?�

Merry stood, grim and solid, framed in light, and magnificent.

�I will promise nothing until I get the information that I require,� he said with a nearly imperious air. �You are a careful messenger,� he continued sternly. �Careful, but not careful enough for me. You betray the truth with your silence. You have told me that my father fares well, yet you give me no words directly from him and neglect to describe his decisions behind the Hall�s preparations. I believe this is so because he gave no words to you, and has not helped in the preparations, not because he did not wish to, but because he could not.�

Merry swooped down, his hands gripping the arms of Estella�s chair, his face coming to within mere inches of her own. Estella was taken aback and pressed herself into the seat�s padding. She could feel his breath hot against her skin and could see his eyes glittering though with no hint of the merry sparkle she had once known.

�Now tell me lass, and do not lie! How does my father really fare?�

Estella swallowed, stunned, and suddenly fearful that the naked truth would bring a baleful action on Merry�s part. She summoned up her courage and looked him directly in the eye, grieving for the pain she was sure the news would cause him and hoping her carefully chosen words would lead him to respond with reason rather than his rage.

�He is as well as can be expected!� she said softly and with deep pity. It struck her as ironic that she seemed to be echoing Merry�s own evasive words concerning Frodo.

A spark came into Merry�s eyes and for a split second, she had the absurd fear Merry would strike her.

Instead, Merry stood. �That won�t do! I am his son! I have the right to know and as good as be expected want to!�

Estella blinked, feeling breathless. Whatever reaction she had expected from him, this was not it.

�It is all the answer I dare give!� she cried. �You have done the same to me, have you not?� She stood and faced him eye to eye. �For love of Frodo, you have kept me in the dark of the seriousness of his condition! Can you not see it is for love that your mother and I keep this news from you? There is nothing you can do, and by all that is fair and right, we will save you from your own folly even if I have to latch onto your coattails to do it!�

�He is MY father!� yelled Merry, and then, softening, he repeated, �He is my father. I must know. Tell me the truth and I will not ask rashly. I must know. He is my father.�

Estella�s lip trembled and she shook her head desperately trying to deny him.

�Speak,� ordered Merry. �I will not throw away all you have bravely risked to protect, but I must know the truth. I give you no choice but to answer me.�

Estella sighed miserably and sunk back into her chair.

�I betray you mother by telling you this�� she looked up, and he could see it pained her heart to break that trust.�

�You will be forgiven, my dear, but I must know how my father fares.�

His form and manner were iron and Estella knew she would not win. She bowed her head, defeated and choked back b.
b.

�Saradoc has not woken since the attack,� Estella wept. �He is not dead. But he remains senseless. Your ma made me swear to keep it secret as she knew what you would do. And now that you know, I beg you not to break your ma�s heart. Stay here where you are safe! Stay here where you are needed and where those men won�t ever find you! �W �Who, then,� asked Merry brusquely, �is Master of the Hall with Saradoc indisposed?�

Estella blinked, startled again by a response she could not have foreseen and did not answer.

�Who?�

�The only one who can be!� cried Estella. �But your ma is a strong lady and with Paladin�s help she will protect the hall as well as any could!�

�It is not right that she must do that,� said Merry gravely. �Though she takes it on willingly and is most competent. A Mistress of the Hall has a multitude of other cares. It is not fair that she should have to take this on, not while I draw breath! It is not right that I stay hid like a rabbit in a warren when my family, my people are in peril!�

�Have you heard nothing I have said? Your mother bids you stay hidden! I have come here at great risk to tell you this! You are the one they search for and your reappearance would only serve to entice them to attack again. Why would you risk it? Is your damn title so important that you would risk running needlessly into the arms of your enemies in order to claim it? It is just a title, not your doom!�

�It is not just a title!� exclaimed Merry. �It is a responsibility, a burden, a bane, perhaps, but it is my bane! And what should my future subjects think of me if I hid like a mouse when they needed me most?�

�They�re your family, Merry�� Estella�s words came softly but shock and reproach in them were palatable. �Subjects? Merry! What are you thinking? These are people who love and respect you! They would think you were being very wise keeping yourself out of harms way!�

�I think not,� answered Merry coldly.

Estella looked at him and shook her head in disbelief. �Merry, I saw the hall after those� men came. The doors were stove in. Your father was�� She paused and drew a breath. �If they take you, or things go ill, where would Buckland be? You are the only heir, and you have no son. You would leave Buckland with no master. Is that the legacy you wish?�

Merry quieted for a moment, considering these last words. He stood staring into some unfocused distance, deep in thought. Estella stared up at him, feeling at a loss but still desperately trying to think of something she could do or say to keep him protected. He looked like Merry Brandybuck, and she might once have known what to say to that lad to make him see reason but there was something different about him now. She could not quite put her finger on it, but the change was definite. She didn�t know the hobbit he had become and had no idea what he was planning to do with the information he had gleaned.

�Merry?� she asked when she could no longer bear the silence.

�I promise you I shall not act rashly,� he muttered. �This is too important. But some action is required. No, I can make no mistakes. We�ve come too far to be undone by mistakes.�

Estella shoulve bve been assured, but something about Merry�s fixed gaze, his self absorbed demeanor, made her uncomfortable. She did not know where his mind was roaming, nor what debates he was having with himself, and again she wished she had not acquiesced. Perhaps the news had been too much for him to bear..

�You have some time, Merry,� said Estella, coming up behind him and placing a gentle hand upon his shoulder. �I know my news was a shock, but things are not so immediate as they seem. The men were seen to the Bree road, and will be there for a while I should think. Your mother is doing better than you give her credit for with keeping the Hall in order. And your family has many friends.�

�And many enemies,� said Merry as he turned. �More that they know.�

�Please,� said Estella, �that is all the more reason not to be rash! Be wary!�

�When have I been hasty or unwary, who have waited and prepared for so many long years?� said Merry. �No--but you are right. I must take time to make a proper plan. I need to take counsel with he whom this touches most deeply.�

�Counsel?� asked Estella, blinking in surprise. �With whom?�

�Stay here, Estella,� ordered Merry, turning and giving her a hasty peck on the cheek. �I must talk to someone. You shall have a message for my family when you return--upon my honour. But what it shall be has yet to be determined. I must discuss this.�

�Merry?� asked Estella.

But Merry had already turned and had disappeared into the darkness of the corridor.

* * *

He had heard the voices from far in the distance but now it was quiet. He was glad. He hated the voices he heard from his ears. They had taken It away. Hated them.

Two voices now to hate. The hurting voice�and�and�another.

His mind went blank, not wanting to think anymore. But he could not turn it off as he had in the past. He could no longer escape into swirls of oblivion, listening to the sweet one in his head.

The thoughts came again. Another voice to hate. His tortured mind wrapped around it now.

He dove for the depths of oblivion but it did not receive him. His mind was functioning.

Sam.

* * *

Sam leaned down to the floor, hot wax from his lowered candle dripping upon the wood. He had thought that a ray of sunlight slanting from the window had revealed a small glint of metal and a hint of white thread.

�There you are!� exclaimed Sam as his meaty fingers closed around the tiny frayed edges of thread peeping from out of the wood. Slowly, he took hold of the thread and lifted it from its prison between the floorboards, exposing at its end the head of a shiny needle. Thedle dle stuck at first, but with gentle, dexterous wiggling, Sam was able to pull it free.

�If only I hadn�t dropped you,� said Sam to the needle, �We�d of spared Mr. Frodo and ourselves a barrel of trouble!�

Sam hopped to his feet, needle enclosed in his fist.

�Here it is, Mr. Frodo. Your Sam has found it.�

Just then Sam perceived the hurried padding of feet toward the room. For a reason he could not explain, Sam stuck the newfound needle deep in his pocket as the door slammed open.�

�Have you found the needle?� asked Merry hurriedly. �I must speak to Frodo on a matter of utmost importance and I would prefer he be unbound."

Sam opened his mouth to answer in the affirmative, but instead of his intended words, something else entirely came out.

�No, Merry. I have not.�

Sam could not account for his response. Did he not want Frodo unbound? Why not give Merry the thread? Yet somewhere deep inside, his instinct stirred.

Do not give it to him! Do not let him have it!

�I think,� continued Sam in what he hoped was a conversational tone, �it must have fallen clean between the boards. You�ll find another quick enough, I reckon.�

Merry growled. �No time! Well, then Frodo must suffer his binds a bit longer, though I am sorry for it. I will try to make him understand. But now other matter press. Sam, tend to the fire. It is going low, and Frodo must have it to relax. But stay near, as he may need you if he riles.�

Like I have a choice, thought Sam, and on second glance, saw that Merry was as flustered and disjointed as he had ever seen him--more on edge and, if possible, even more insane than usual. As such, thought Sam, he could be a real danger.

Sam stepped quietly toward the fire and as noiselessly as possible, put a series of small logs upon the hearth. Simultaneously, he kept his ears turned toward the �conversation� happening on the other side of the large room.

Merry had knelt down at Frodo�s bedside, his face written over with concern, speaking in low and urgent tones.

�Frodo, love,� said Merry. �Something has happened that I wish to share with you. Something important. Shall I confide in you?�

Silence.

�Good,� said Merry. �Because I need your council, Frodo. It is something that touches us both.�

Silence.

�Yes, Frodo, it does. And it is very bad.�

Silence.

�Estella has told me that the Hall has been attacked and my father has been injured.�

Sam sighed in relief. No--this was no worse than he had heard before.

�Gravely injured. Estella was loath to tell me how bad it was � but I got it out of her. I did because I knew that you would wish to know the truth.�

Sam felt his body tense. No! Please, no! Don�t give him a reason to take It!

�No,� said Merry. �Not dead. But he hasn�t awoken since the attack.�

Silence.

�Well, mother, of course, but yes, by rights it falls to me.�

Sam�s hands began to quiver. This was growing very treacherous indeed!

�No, you have guessed right," Merry continued steadily. "She does not. She wants us to stay where we are.�

Silence.

�Of course I do, as is my duty. But it is you, Frodo, who concerns me. I would not forgive myself if I let them�"

Sam's hands trembled and he dropped a large log awkwardly into the fire. It rolled to a stop past the hearth, scattering flaming embers around the floor in its wake. "Sorry," he muttered to himself, extinguishing the little flames.

But Merry paid it no mind.

�Yes, well," he continued. "I knew that is what you would say, beloved Frodo, but you are still weak. We had to go much faster than I would have wanted, much harsher, to bring you around. And though your mind is clear now, you cannot deny thou aou are not wholly recovered in body. Your emotions are still in a torrent. You still depend on me for so much, not that I resent it in the least, for I love you more than life.�

Silence.

�She is still in the parlor. Why do you ask?�

Silence.

�Yes, she is. I do not know how you guess my mind so well, Frodo, for this was another matter I wished to speak on.�

Silence.

�Yes, I suppose she could. You trust her then?�

Silence.

�Good. I had thoughe she same thing. She has an honest concern for you."

Silence.

Merry laughed. �You know me too well, dearest. But, yes, you are right. Other considerations. I am an only child and the line must survive. It is my duty.�

Silence.

�Yes, of good family, not exactly of equal standing, but who are save the Tooks? It is a respectable line, suitable stock, strong, stout, healthy to be sure, long-lived as a rule. Many children from what I�ve seen.�

Merry lad. d. �Yes, you're right! And well fed.�

Sam stared into the fire, his back turned to the bed, his ears perched on each word. By the Gods! Thought Sam. He cannot be meaning to--? If he is, he is more cracked than even I reckoned! This could turn out so very, very bad!

�Not right away, no,� said Merry thoughtfully. �That would be unwise, as you well know. Little by little, perhaps. Eventually she could be made to understand.�

Silence.

�True, but even if that would provide for the future, what of our present peril? What of them?�

Sam hazarded a glance behind him under the pretense of scratching his back. Merry had stood at some point and his eyes were glinting with an unnatural light. Frodo remained quiet, unresponsive, his eyes open and empty.

�Invincible, yes,� said Merry, staring at Frodo intently.

No! No! No! thought Sam.

�You know why, Frodo!� cried Merry. �It is one thing to bear It, quite another to wield It--on this, at least, Gandalf was right, I think.�

He was! He wasreamreamed Sam�s thoughts. Please, please let him leave now!

�No,� answered Merry as if turning down a sweet he ardently desired but was too full to eat. �No, not even now, I could not.�

Sam sucked in a nearly audible gust of air.

�But perhaps,� continued Merry, his voice going very low, �perhaps�together. At least until you are better.�

Sam concealed a cry of agony as he tugged on the chain around his ankle, trying desperately to come up with a plan. Please now now! No! By the power of all that is good in this world! NO!

�You sooth my heart, Frodo,� said Merry cheerfully. �I shall take care of the former, and then we will think seriously upon your offer. You know that I would do anything to keep you and what you bear safe. Together we will scour the Shire of these enemies. I have always known that it would be so!�

Frodo did not speak.

�Yes, Frodo,� said Merry as he gazed down at Frodo�s pale face, his own eyes swelling with love. �Our destiny.�

Merry reached his hand out to run his fingers through Frodo�s hair, but somehow he found his hand reaching lower, toward the exposed neck, the glitter of the chain peeking through the weave of the shirt.

Frodo, suddenly, bucked up, let out a screech, and rolled in the opposite direction as far as his bonds would allow. He had turned toward Sam.

Merry withdrew his hand in shock, and looked up to see Sam racing forward, dragging the heavy ball sha shackles awkwardly toward the bed.

�Mr. Frodo!� called Sam. �Are you all right, Mr. Frodo?�

* * *

Torment.

The voices had returned. The hurting voice was torturing him with so many words he didn't understand. Make it stop, he pleaded to the darkness, to the sweet, high voice in his mind. But the voice didn't answer.

They had taken it away.

They had taken It away.

He had nothing and still the hurting voice threatened him�and threatened him�and wanted something...

He could feel its evil presence, its evil, thrusting hand reaching out for him.

He screamed.

* * *

Sam gave Merry a look which he hoped would show neither suspicion nor terror. Or that he knew what Merry had nearly done. It was a look that Sam wanted to say, I�ve only come to soothe him, nothing more.

Merry did not acknowledge Sam at all; instead, he ran his eyes over Frodo�s newly thrashing body and distressed face.

�Poor Frodo!� cried Merry. �When shall you be whole?�

Merry did not attempt to touch Frodo again, but promised to return �when I have done as you bid.�

Merry then turned to Sam.

�Comfort him,� ordered Merry. �Gag him if you cannot quiet him, for I cannot be disturbed for the next hour. That is upon Frodo�s own direction, though his body may take it ill. Frodo does not think we should unbind him until the thread is found, or until I find another. I shall return, and when I do, I expect to find a calm and docile Frodo. That is your purpose today if you wish all to proceed without mishap. Do you understand, Master Gamgee?�

Sam nodded, and even threw in a �Yes, Mr. Merry� for good measure--so anxious was he to get Merry out of the room.

Merry smiled, pleased it seemed, by the return of Sam�s long-lost sense of deference. He went out the door, and when it closed, Sam at last dared to breathe.

Sam stared down at Frodo, thrashing and crying below him, and felt tears stream down his own face.

You know what�s got to be done, Sam. Now you�ve got to screw yourself up to do it!

* * *

He did have It, yes. Yesss.

He could feel Its soft warmth on his chest calling for him�but it seemed so far away. He tried to grab for It. Must put it on! But he couldn't reach It, his arms wouldn't move for some reason. It was torture to be so close yet so far from his precious, precious Love.

The hurtful voice droned on and on. But now another voice was there...the other one who had taken It away, who had grabbed his hand and ripped It off�he tried again to stop thinking but it was no use.

The other one�Sam.

Oh, please, no.

He could hear the sweet high voice again inside his head. "Yes, yes, beloved. I told you this would happen. You are alone, my child, save for me.�

Through his ears he could hear the hurting voice�and the other�Sam�yes, SAM�in a cacophony of sounds--so hateful and threatening. He longed for the oblivion of the sweet, high voice, he longed for his family, sitting across the table, he longed for his mother's soft touch. What had happened? Where had they gone?

Rage.

* * *

Sam at first did not move, but stood and wrung his hands, crying silently. At last his shaking hand grasped around the hated piece of cloth that had been Frodo�s gag, and fastened it back around Frodo�s mouth, muffling his cries.

�I�m so sorry, dear, dear, Master!� sobbed Sam. �So sorry that I must do this--but there is no choice anymore! No hope if I let gs bgs be!�

Frodo continued to tug at his bonds and moan, seeming, on some level, to sense his peril. For Sam, this fear made what he was about to do all the worse.

�This is gonna hurt me so much more thou!�ou!� Sam cried. �But can�t you understand? Oh, Master, I hope you�ll understand! Because there ain�t no more options, Mr. Frodo. Your Sam, he�s run out of time! I may not get another chance, and that�s a fact!�

The tears came out of Sam�s eyes so thick and fast that he nearly cried himself to blindness. �I�m sorry, me love!� muttered Sam, moving closer. Sam gave his eyes one more sloppy wipe with the back of his sleeve, and, moving his trembling hand down, reached for the malevolent bump under Frodo�s collar.

TBC

_____________________________________________________________________________Author�s note- Here is a message from Ariel tose ose of you who mentioned that you liked what she did with Estella -� tell them I am thrilled they liked the way I am taking her and I will endeavor to make her more interesting! But she will be gone someday so not to worry!�

If you liked this chapter, you should definitely check out Ariel�s work on the Frodo�s Harem site! Right now she is hard at work updating a great general angst piece called �Fear.� Celandine has been the author of many alternate slash chapters for this story, and those, of course, are linked to my website. Finally, Aratlithiel, though still locked in the cellar, has managed to finish yet more fics, and a new one with a rambunctious li�l Pip which I was fortunate enough to preview. Everything on her site is amazing, so check out Aratlithiel�s incredible site (also linked to my webpage).

I had, BTW, a wonderful time at the TORN party, was in the front row when the cast and crew came on stage, and was vaguely tempted to get Dom to sign an evil!Merry pie. e. Thank god I have some semblance of self control! Big congrats to all the LOTR movie cast on all your Oscars. If you get tired of them, you could turn them into pieces of a really expensive chess set!
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Ring Around the Merry