febobe

WARNING: this is a VERY rough draft and lacks my usual array of header notes, but I thought some of you might enjoy seeing what I've been up to lately.... :)



Here's what inspired this fic, and my notes on it...

This week's challenge is jail. Yeah, you knew that was coming from me eventually. :D

BUT for those of you who can't bear to literally put Frodo in jail, *wink, wink*, just remember that jail can be metaphorical, too...*nods* And I bet someone could come up with a fluffy fic with the theme jail in it. :D

Claudia, you are on my mind this stormy Sunday afternoon, and so I thought I'd take one of your FFFC prompts and run with it! I hope you (and perhaps others as well) enjoy this. :) LB, I've even included Strider turning caregiver for you. :) And Claudia, I thought you'd like that too, with your penchant for Rangers! ;)

IMPRISONED

Chapter One: Welcome to Bree

Frodo shivered as he waited at the Bree gate, looking over his shoulder anxiously. They had knocked, and received a stern look from the gate-keeper, who had said only, "Just a moment!" - but it had been at least five minutes' wait already, and Frodo felt increasingly anxious that they might be in greater and greater danger the longer they remained outside the gate. He felt as if he were being followed, somehow, and the Ring stirred uneasily in his pocket.

Put it on....

No. Frodo did his best to resist the Ring's siren call. He wished desperately that the gate-keeper would let them in and on their way without any further challenge. He was weary, and he would have liked nothing more than to reach the Prancing Pony and, hopefully, Gandalf. Gandalf had promised to meet them there, though Frodo could not imagine why he had not returned to the Shire as he had promised. It did not bear thinking about. He could only hope that Gandalf would be at the Pony, where perhaps they could find soft, warm beds, mugs of beer, and some good bread and mugs of hot stew. He was hungry, and no doubt his companions felt the same. They had not dared to stop for food in some time.

"Reckon he's coming back?" asked Sam nervously.

"I hope so," said Frodo, shifting to let the rain roll off his hood. Rain was still falling steadily, a veritable downpour. He sniffled, trying to stifle the urge to sneeze. His throat felt scratchy. It had felt scratchy since before the rain began, but he had attributed it to thirst. Now, half a bottle of water later, it only seemed worse. He hoped he was not coming down with something.

Suddenly the hobbit-height panel in the door swung open, and a man's face peered out - not the gate-keeper's.

"These them?" he turned to ask.

"Indeed," said the gate-keeper. "Four hobbits."

The gate swung open, and for one wonderful moment Frodo thought they were going to get through.

But the strange man reached for him, and pulled him close. Frodo fought, but he could not pull away, even though the other hobbits pulled at his other arm, trying to free him. The stranger lifted him up, throwing Frodo over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Frodo pounded both fists upon his shoulder.

"Let me go! I have done nothing wrong!"

"Oh, we'll see about that, lad."

Merry and Pippin and Sam followed, running along after them.

"Where are you taking him?" cried Merry.

"Bree jail-house," said the man gruffly. "He fits the description of a burglar who's been robbing us blind."

"I come from the Shire!" insisted Frodo.

"He's never even been to Bree!" cried Merry.

"You have the wrong hobbit!" called Sam.

"Put him down!" shouted Pippin.

Frodo felt a cold thread of panic tightening around his throat. If they found the Ring -

Wait.

If he put it on -

- and managed to run -

No. Gandalf said not to use it!

"Run!" he called to the others. "Run to the Prancing Pony. Find Gandalf. He can help us."

"I ain't leaving you, Mr. Frodo!" Sam cried, but Merry and Pippin caught him by the arm.

"We have to go get Gandalf," said Merry. "He's the only one who can help us now. Let's go!"

Reluctantly Sam sighed. "We'll bring Mr. Gandalf to you at once, Mr. Frodo, and get you out of this!" he called, and let Merry pull him off toward a shop, where Pippin was already asking directions.

Frodo swallowed against an aching throat.

What would become of him, if Gandalf were not there?

What would become of the perilous Ring?

And what would be his fate?

-to be continued-