action.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo arrives rolling and tumbling across the floor.

There was a great shadow over him then, something with a terrible stench and legs too numerous to count. And now, light. He shields himself from the brightness and scoots back until he bumps against the wall, then scrambles to find shelter behind a couch. It hurts his eyes. The air is suddenly too clear, everything too clean. He fears it is a trick.

He speaks in a hush, afraid to alert the enemies but more afraid of being alone. ]

Sam? Where are you, Sam?

Comments

[bronwe]

[ Frodo can manage a smile for her. ]

And look how clean and nice-smelling you are now.

[willrememberthat]

[A giggle.]

You'll be like me soon, too.

[She continues on.]

Your friend's name is... Sam, right?

[bronwe]

[ He skips onto the next step and tries to keep up. ]

Samwise Gamgee. The bravest hobbit of our time.

[willrememberthat]

[Right, slow! She remembers to keep the pace slow for him.]

What did he do?

[bronwe]

[ He doesn't answer for some time. Better to keep it vague then. ]

He has saved me countless times at the cost of his own life.

[willrememberthat]

[There's an alarmed look!]

His own life? Is he--[dead?]

[bronwe]

No! But he would readily give it for others.

That makes him brave, does it not?

[willrememberthat]

[Phew. Clem relaxes, and nods in understanding.]

It does. The bravest.

I hope he's here, too.

[Lee wasn't. Maybe Sam will be.]

[bronwe]

I do too. He needs rest more than I.

[ And he thinks so now more than ever. His burden isn't so heavy now. ] He insists on carrying all our packs.

[willrememberthat]

[The top of the stairs! Clem pulls Frodo along with her, but gives him a moment to rest at the top of the stairs.]

Were you going somewhere?

[bronwe]

[ Frodo's glad for the rest, dropping himself to the floor. The climb has him dizzy with fatigue. He answers after awhile. ]

Yes. We were almost there.

[willrememberthat]

[She's alarmed when he drops, and drops down next to him. She wants to ask WHERE he was going, but it doesn't seem like anyplace good with the way he looks.]

D-do you need water? I can get you water! Maybe we should have gone to the kitchen, first...

[bronwe]

[ SORRY CLEM. He's only lightheaded now, but the air is clear and even that has him in better spirits. ]

I will be all right soon. Please stay.

[willrememberthat]

[She nods.] I won't go anywhere.

[She didn't want to be left alone, either. Even now, in a sense--she doesn't stay away from Arthur's place for too long, and she's rarely without company in the castle. It's a good distraction.]

We're almost there. See? That's my room right there. [She points down the hall.]

When you take a bath, I can get you food. Are you hungry?

[bronwe]

[ Frodo turns to find the room, giving her a small smile when he sees her name there. He wants to sit for longer, but he makes an effort to stand, leaning against the wall. ]

I think I should like to sleep after I bathe, if you do not mind, Clementine.

[willrememberthat]

[She hops to her feet, eager to assist by grabbing his arm.]

You can sleep after you eat and drink some water.

[It's important to stay hydrated!]

[bronwe]

[ But he just wants to lie down and sleep forever. Frodo stands up straighter so she wouldn't have to suffer the filth on him, even the sticky webs still stuck to his cloak. ]

You might see me fall asleep on my plate!

[willrememberthat]

[Thank goodness she hasn't realized what that stuff is yet. She's not a fan of spiders.]

You can eat in bed. [She doesn't sleep here, anyway.] But you should at least have water, or else you'll get sick.

[bronwe]

[ He walks a bit faster now that they're close. ]

You are indulging me, Clementine. I might begin to grow used to it. [ That's a warning! ]

[willrememberthat]

[She lets him go just to open the door for him, and helps him through. The room is pretty bare--most of her things are at Arthur's.

She giggles at him.]

People took care of me when I got here, so it's fair that you get taken care of, too. [Frodo looks to be in worse shape than she was.] Umm... here, the bathroom's this way.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo gasps a little at the room. It looks grand and homely. He stumbles to the bed if only to touch something soft. ]

Will you let me sleep, Clementine? I do not mind the floor. [ Since, soil and all. ]

[willrememberthat]

[Clem watches, worried.]

You just need a quick bath. You'll feel better. C'mon, Frodo. Then you can sleep in the bed.

[She tugs his arm.]

[bronwe]

[ No, but he's so tired... Frodo places a hand on hers, and starts making his way to the bathroom. ]

Will you find me water?

[willrememberthat]

[She guides him into the bathroom. This is a good opportunity to run down to the kitchen and get him things, since... ew, boys. She's not sticking around for bathtime with a boy.]

I'll get you water and something tiny to eat. I'll be right back, okay?

[bronwe]

[ HAHA GOOD GIRL. He doesn't want her to be catching sight of the ring at all. He starts taking off his cloak and then his jacket, waiting for her to leave to properly close the bathroom door. ]

And I will be right here when you come back.