So, this was the idea of healing Frodo. Gandalf sighed, half in annoyance and half in joy.

The small figure, clad in a too long white nightgown, had already awoken and was now running around the room, screaming and laughing and trying desperately to avoid being captured by three bigger hobbits.

The large blue eyes were now even larger, the skin softer and more new. Frodo Baggins let out a joyous squeal as Samwise Gamgee snatched him up off the floor and gathered him protectively in his arms. It was then that they all turned to him, Gandalf. Each of them looking for the answer as to why Frodo, who was well in his fifties, was now barely five years old.

Gandalf could only smile as the blue eyes fastened themselves onto the white wizard and let out another loud cry. “GANDALF!”

And then Frodo was stuggling to get free from Samwise Gamgee’s grasp. Finally, managing one good push, Frodo was free and leaping into the wizards arms. Gandalf couldn’t help smiling, as he received a kiss on his cheek and pure laughter drifted into his ears.

Ever since rescuing Sam and Frodo from the fires of Mount Doom, he had prayed for a miracle. That somehow, someway Frodo could be saved as his life force slowly drifted away to a plain that not even Aragorn could call back.

Than, in the morning, as the sunlight drifted into the room, Gandalf opened his eyes to hear the sound of a small child’s voice giggling. When he looked to the bed, Gandalf was completely taken back to see a familiar form. It was Frodo Baggins, but not the Master of Bag End or the Ringbearer. No, Frodo Baggins of the way he was as a child. It was as if time had been reversed.

The wounds were gone of course. The hand had been healed, though Frodo still had a missing finger, the stump looked completely mended and not even a scar was evident. It was almost as if Frodo had been born that way.

“Gandalf, what do we do?” asked Samwise Gamgee. Real fear was in his eyes, he had entered the room a few moments ago with Merry and Pippin close behind. They had all been quite shocked at the small child sitting up in his bed, giggling as if he had never known a day of sadness or pain in his life.

It was obvious that Sam, Merry and Pippin were afraid that some evil from Sauron was at work.

Gandalf gently placed Frodo back into Sam’s arms. “Be thankful for the gift. They have given Frodo back his innocence and another chance for a happy life. The powers that be. This is no revenge cast from Mordor. Frodo is as he once was as a child.”

Sam swallowed and looked on at Merry and Pippin. Both of them stood taller and Merry reached for his cousin. Little hands reached out in return. “Mer, Mer! Merrrrry!” It was clear that Frodo was overwhelmed with glee at seeing his cousin Merry Brandybuck.

“He still knows us?” asked Sam. His concern still in his eyes staring at Gandalf and back to Frodo.

“Apparently.” Gandalf started to speak, but was cut off when a child’s voice rang out reassuringly.

Frodo turned his head and clicked his tongue at the gardener. “Sam! Wuv my Sam!” And quickly blew him a kiss before throwing himself completely into Merry’s waiting arms.

Merry couldn’t keep the smile off his face, he had never seen Frodo as a lad, though he had been told he was quite the handful. They never said Frodo had looked like a little elf angel. “Hello, my dearest cousin.” What amazed Merry was lack of pain in Frodo’s eyes. That lost and sad look that tore the heart out of those that loved Frodo was no longer present.

Frodo just smiled right back at him.

“But, his parents are dead,” cried Pippin, his face full of distress at the twist of fate. “Who is going to look after him?”

Sam and Merry together glared at Pippin. As if that even had to be asked. Merry and Sam would die for Frodo and if need be, they would care for him the rest of there lives.

Seeing their faces, Pippin looked back apologetically. It was Frodo that broke the silence with him clapping his hands and calling for Pip. “Pip, Pip. My Pip.” and blew Pippin a kiss from his hand.

“Does he remember the ring? Mater Bilbo? Anything about the Quest?” Sam’s still unsure what was happening. What did Frodo remember?

Gandalf could only shake his head. “He probably remembers certain things, as he seems to know the three of you and myself. The quest, I fear, and the ring have been removed from his memory. Another gift bestowed upon Frodo. They have given back what was taken. They returned Frodo to the days of innocence, of days without sadness-grief-and longing. I sense no despair or the fate of Sauron’s ring upon his spirit. It has been wiped away.”

“So, what happens now?” asked Pippin.

Merry quickly spoke out. “I’ll look after him. I will take responsibility for Frodo.”

Sam at once took Frodo back into his arms, his face already narrowing in stubborn determination. “Now see here, Mr. Meriadoc. If anyone is going to be taken care of Mr. Frodo it will be me.”

“Why you? Why not me? He’s my cousin!”

“He’s my Master!” Sam replied. “And I love him.”

“I loved him first!” Shouted Merry.

“I love him more!” Snarled Sam right back.

Before Gandalf could intervene another presence entered the room.

It was a large figure. A man finely dressed and wearing a crown. He had been informed what had occurred and had come to see for himself. That was when Frodo let out a loud cry of terror and began to point at the being in panic.

“CAVE TROLL! CAVE TROLL!”

Diving from Sam’s arms, Frodo literally ran under the bed, hiding for his life. Aragorn blinked and stared at the whole lot of them. It was a few seconds later that a dwarf and an elf, with weapons drawn, came into the room.

“Where, where is the Cave Troll?” Shouted Gimli, ready to do battle.

It was then a small quivering voice spoke and a small hand pointed from under the bed at the King. “There, there Gimli, Legolas-- Cave Troll.”

Legolas and Gimli lowered their weapons and without knowing why started to laugh. Aragorn was not amused.

“Not funny! Gimli, Legolas.“ But then everyone else started laughing making Aragorn feel most put out.

It took some time, Gandalf came up with the idea, eventually Frodo came out from under the bed and even went to Aragorn‘s side. Holding a bowl of mushrooms was the perfect lure. Frodo gingerly looked up at the big man and then stared at the bowl of mushrooms. After debating for quite some time, he finally lifted his hands. Picked up carefully by Gimli, Frodo was lowered into Aragorn’s lap and quickly began to eat the mushrooms all the while eyeing Aragorn suspiciously.

“I don’t understand,” replied Aragorn. “He remembers everyone, but me.”

When the mushrooms were gone, Frodo finally spoke to the big human. “Nice Cave Troll. Nice. No eat Frodo. Nice!” Then proceeded to pat Aragorn’s arm. “We be friends. I like you! Pretty eyes for a Cave Toll.”

Aragorn smiled despite his concerns. He had literally torn at his chest in despair, when he carried Frodo from the Eagles in his arms. The Hobbit he had met at Bree was gone. It had been completely burned away thanks to Sauron. Now, all of that was gone. Frodo was young again, innocent, free from the suffering of The Ring. How could Aragorn not feel some bit of happiness in that. Even though Frodo did not remember him.

Frodo looked up at Aragorn and smiled again. “Yes, we be friends. Call me Fro’o.”

Aragorn smiled and took the bait. They could start over, couldn’t they? “Call me, Strider.”

Giving Aragorn a kiss on the cheek, Frodo grinned all the more. “My friend Strider, even if you are a Cave Troll.”

It was about an hour later, with two stories, more mushrooms and two glasses of water, a trip to the privy and many hugs and kisses from everyone, including from the Cave Troll, Frodo finally settled down for a nap.

“How are we ever going to explain this to Master Bilbo in Rivendell?”

Gandalf smiled and closed his eyes When he reopened them, he chuckled. “You won’t have to. It appears Frodo Baggins is not the only one granted healing. Well, one cannot grant one healing without offering it to the other. Although, Bilbo was not returned to the age of five as Frodo was. A youthful fifty I believe. Just before the ring wound up in his possession. His memory however was not wiped away as Frodo’s. Only the memory of the Ring and its effect. He does still remember Smaug and the Dwarves--and of course Frodo. I think you need not worry so, my hobbits and friends. I think Frodo’s destiny will be placed back where it belongs. Into the custody of a burglar thief. The greatest joy of all, is that we can all get to know him once again and become a Fellowship--of family.”

And a sigh of relief flooded the room and a lingering darkness that had surrounded them vanished. For all was right in Middle-Earth again. The King had returned and Frodo had been healed.

The end?