paradisa | (no subject)

No, it wasn't that. Dead people come back now, and they become walkers. If they bite you, you get really sick and turn into one, too. But... even if you don't get bitten, and you die, you turn into one unless your brain is destroyed.

[These are facts. Sad, but facts, and Clem is used to them by now. She looks sad, but it's definitely an under-reaction for something like this.]

It's horrible.

[ Frodo grimaces at the thought, then tries to hide it for her. He wonders what orcs would do to them when captured, eat them too? But even then they would not be anyone he knows chasing him down for his flesh.

He sighs and moves to pull up a chair next to her. He climbs up and just watches her, keeping her hand in his. ]

You are very brave, Clementine. Though I wish you did not need to suffer such horrors to become so.

[A tiny smile. She doesn't know how brave she is, because Lee had been there for so much. She wouldn't have lasted very long in that treehouse. But she appreciates his kindness.]

It's why I didn't mind that you smelled. Walkers smell worse.

[ Frodo chuckles. ]

You've learned at a young age what I've only just realized, dear one.

What are you talking about?

That some things may appear foul when they're not. And pity may yet rule the lives of many.

[She's quiet, thinking about that. Pity was kind of scary, now. Pity was killing someone before they turned, or ending someone's life so that they didn't have to suffer being torn apart or being so miserable and sick before dying, and then turning.

Something like that, anyway. She looks at Frodo.]

Mmm. That's a grown up thing, then?

Perhaps. [ He takes his hand back and just bows his head. ] But adults may think mercy for an enemy is folly while children may be wiser.

[She puts her hands on her lap, thumbing the hem of her jacket. She wants to ask if killing makes her bad, then, but decides not to because she doesn't want to potentially lose a friend. Frodo is nice.

(Did Lee ever feel like this?)

Clem closes her eyes and does her best not to think about too many things at once.]

Do you have enemies, Frodo?

[ Frodo keeps his gaze on her hands, patiently waiting for her to speak up. ]

I have not made any -- at least, I would not wish to, but there are those who would harm my home and those whom I love. So I must stop them.

With Sam? And Legolas?

[Being alone is the worst.]

[ He gives her a simple smile. ]

Yes. They both wanted to help me. Sam, I think, would follow me until the very end.

[She smiles back.]

Can you tell me more about him?

Since you asked. [ He says that like a warning! ]

Sam is my gardener at Bag End, as his father was for my uncle Bilbo for all of forty years. Bilbo taught him to read and write and I helped too. But he is fonder of language of flowers than whatever you can write in books. He did grow the loveliest blooms in all the Shire, I can tell you that!

I like flowers. [An easier smile, now.] I want to meet him.

You must. He is the bravest and kindest hobbit yet, and he makes me laugh.

Braver and kinder than you? [She thinks Frodo is a lot of both!]

Twice as brave and infinitely kinder! [ Okay so he may be biased. ]

You're lucky. I really hope I can meet him... I want to hear what he has to say about you.

[ Frodo laughs, freely for once. ]

What about you, Clementine? Who is your best friend?

[Best friend? Hmm. One comes to mind.]

His name is Lee. When everything changed, he found me and took me with him. He protects me. He's strong, smart, and brave. The bravest. He's the nicest person I've ever met, and he always tries to help people.

I am glad you found him. [ He won't even ask about her parents. He figures there must be a reason she hasn't mentioned them, like he wouldn't. ]

It is difficult to be generous during hard times.

I'm glad I found him, too. And I'm glad you have Sam.

[A pause.] I don't think either of them are here, though. I didn't hear anyone named Sam on the journal after you got here. [She checked, just in case, but it was just like with Lee--one showed up, only.]

But I'll be your friend and keep you company until he shows up.

[ Frodo grants her his brightest smile yet! She's the sweetest thing. ]

Who looks after you here, Clementine? Is it Arthur?

Yeah. Him, and Dany, mostly. I live with Arthur, though.