Just as the
nightmare reached its peak, Frodo found the strength to wrench the
ring from his finger. Instantly the world reappeared again. Before he
could find his bearings, however, he was grabbed from behind by the
scruff of his neck.
He fought furiously but his assailant was
man sized and strong with it. He was thrust towards the stairs, the
iron hand still on his collar, and hurried on his way with a sharp
smack to his backside.
Bracing his feet against the stairs,
Frodo tried again to block his lightening fast kidnapper but again
his assailant was having no part of it. Grabbing the hobbit by his
shoulders he lifted the kicking bundle up the first flight of stairs
and sent him on around the corner with another hard swat to his seat.
Further swats kept him moving up the stairs and down the landing
until they reached they hobbits' room. Yet still the man had said
nothing and Frodo had no idea who or what had captured him.
As
he opened the door the man sent Frodo stumbling inside with a final,
almighty smack and then, having entered the room himself, he shut and
locked the door behind him.
"Who are you?" Frodo
demanded, scrambling to his feet and turning towards the man, keeping
his vulnerable and by now rather sore backside firmly up against the
chimneybreast. "What do you want with me?"
"Round
here I'm known as Strider and I've been sent to help you." The
man responded, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against
the door, a forbidding frown on his face. "Though it would be
better if you would help yourself!"
"Sent by who?"
Frodo demanded, by no means sure he wanted anything to do with this
dark, angry man. "We don't need your help. We're managing just
fine on our own!" He declared finally
"I know what
hunts you, " the man answered quietly. He saw Frodo's eyes widen
in fear and continued, " Yes. You're frightened of them but not
nearly frightened enough! I can help you. I can lead you through
un-used paths away from this place to Rivendell. But you must help
yourself. You must be discreet."
"Who are you? What
do you want?" Frodo was getting angry on his own behalf at the
stranger's interference.
"I've told you who I am and
that I was sent to help you. Now come. We have much to do."
"I've told you to leave me be. We need no help from
strangers." Frodo was adamant. Although, deep down, he felt he
could trust this man, he was still angry at his treatment and he was
allowing his pride to interfere with his judgement.
Turning
away from the man, he thought to slip on the ring and disappear just
long enough to escape this dark Strider person. However he hadn't
bargained for Strider's sharp eyesight and long insight into the ways
of young men and hobbits.
Seeing Frodo's intent he reacted
instantly, furious that the boy would try to use the ring in spite of
everything he had been told and terrified of what would happen to the
band of hobbits if they succeeded in losing the ranger.
Frodo
was once again grabbed from behind. One moment he was standing,
considering the possibilities of using the ring, the next, a large
hand had grabbed his arm and swung him around and he found himself
hanging over Strider's lap as he sat on the stool beside the
fireplace.
Even given the height of the stool, this man's
legs were long and Frodo could reach the ground with neither his
hands nor his feet. He hung there for a moment, stunned and silent,
but, as a hand undid the back buttons of his braces and yanked down
his trousers, baring his bottom, he started to both struggle and
yell.
"What are you doing? How dare you? I'm not a
child!" he yelled and struggled to get off this terrifying man's
lap.
It did him no good whatsoever. The man just tightened
his hold on the bundle across his knee and brought his hand down hard
on the small bottom facing him.
"If you choose to behave
as a child, then as a child you will be treated. What Did Gandalf
Tell You To Do With The Ring?" Strider demanded, punctuating
each word with a hard smack.
Frodo howled and fought but
didn't really take in what was being said to him.
Ignoring
the struggle, Strider merely repeated himself. "What Did Gandalf
Tell You To Do With It?" He asked, repeating both word and
action.
"Keep it safe. Keep in secret." Frodo
gasped as it looked as though Strider was going to ask the question a
third time, together with another round of punctuation. The answer
didn't help him much though.
"Keep It Safe. Keep It
Secret." Strider repeated, once again emphasising each point
with his hand.
"And What Were You Not to Do?" he
continued, his hand still keeping pace with his mouth.
"Use
it" Use it!" wailed Frodo, his pride having long since
departed, his only concern now being convincing this man that he
would never ever again disobey Gandalf like this.
Apparently
convinced, Strider set the hobbit on his feet and set his clothes to
rights. He opened his mouth to continue his stern lecture but the
bedraggled, pitiful little face looking up at him was more that he
could bear.
"Come here little one." he said,
opening his arms and drawing the hobbit towards him. "Gandalf
sent me to help you and help you I shall but you must be sensible
yourself. Now no more childish tantrums. There is too much at stake.
Not least your life and the lives of your companions."
Finding
himself wrapped in warm comforting arms Frodo allowed his instincts
to kick in at last and he relaxed against the man's chest, knowing he
could trust him.
"I'll be sensible." he promised.
He was allowed a moment's more comfort before being once
again set back on his feet, at arms length this time, the man's hands
firmly on his shoulders
"Now dry your eyes my little
friend. We have much to do this night."
Looking up into
the dark face, Frodo could see the warmth behind the eyes and he
smiled in response, even as his hands went to his poor abused behind.
Seeing the action, the twinkle in Strider's eyes spread across his
face and, grinning broadly, he reached out to ruffle Frodo's hair
saying
"You will not again consider using the ring in
such a way I think."
Frodo found himself ruefully
agreeing.
End