To Honor The Dead

By

Summer

Fandom: LOTR

Rating: PG

Class: Gen

Holiday Celebration of Halloween
Beta read by: Kathryn Ramage

1

Brandy Hall 2985

He stared sadly outside his window, his eyes trying to see into the darkness. But there was nothing to see on such a dark night as this. The moon and stars were covered by a gray dark mist.

The lights had all been extinguished, the guests all tucked into their beds, and the left over food put away to be prepared in the morning tosend out to poor folks near Brandy Hall.

Hearing a soft snore beside him, Frodo turned and saw little Merry curled up in his bed, still dressed in his costume. He had worn a mask and his father's cloak, pretending to be a bandit. Now that the party was over with, the brave one had decided the best sleeping bed to be found in the Hall was his beloved older cousins bed, Frodo Baggins.

Frodo found he seldom slept alone these days. He had decided that was not such a bad thing.

All had gone well at the Festival to Honor the dead. It came once a year and now like all the others it was over.

Gathering his courage, Frodo put on his cloak and crept out of the room. He made his way quickly to the doorway that would lead him out to the garden.

It was now or never. Clutching a mysterious box in his hand, Frodo took up a lantern always left near the cloak room and after lighting it with a wood stick, he opened the door and headed out into the night.

In the distance something moved, and a deep hooting noise was heard, causing the young hobbit to stop in his tracks. He waited a moment and then quickly started down the long narrow path. It was just an owl.

He could hear the crickets in the fields, and the frogs croaking in the nearby pond. Each noise set him on alert and yet still Frodo pushed back his fears and made his way quickly down a hill and over another.

The moon slipped free from the dark clouds and finally light showed Frodo that he was indeed heading in the right direction.

A shadow moved to his left and Frodo pulled back with a cry. Then he smiled when he realized it was just old man willow its branches swinging in the breeze.

Turning to his left, Frodo paused when the two gravestones came into view.

Frodo could smell the flowers that had been laid out by his Aunt Esme just a few hours before. Stepping closer, Frodo could see the markers clearly written with the names Drogo and Primula Baggins.

His parents. They had been dead now for over five years. Had it been that long? It, it had seemed only days for Frodo.

The pain had never left him; the emptiness was always there and the tears just hidden behind his expressive blue eyes. Frodo could still see his father's smile, and hear his mother's laughter. They were gone now, gone forever.

Oh, how he had wished since that night and many others that he had gone with them into the darkness of the cold waters that took their lives. But, fate had decreed that he would live on. For what reason he did not know.

Tonight, however, he did not come to wish death to claim him. For it was today, that Frodo was beginning to realize that life did go on.

Uncle Bilbo was visiting Brandy Hall this year, The Festival of the dead and had brought with him lovely stories and his undivided attention that was always sprinkled on him the most.

Aunt Esme had gone out of her way to make some of his own favorite treats and there was little Merry. His little brother, a long desired wish to have family. That and his friends and cousins had all given Frodo, at last, a reason to go on living.

And that was why Frodo had to come.

Stepping forward, Frodo placed the box down gently at the gravestones and slowly opened it to reveal inside was a beautiful golden heart shaped locket. It was his mother's and had been given to him shortly after his parents burial. Aunt

Esme kept it in her own bedroom, a gift that Frodo would get back when he came of age and would give to the lady of his choice to wed. Someday.

Of course, Frodo already knew their would be no lady. He would be like Bilbo and live his life free of such encumbrances; he would instead live a life of adventure and quests. He would be just like Uncle Bilbo and come back with treasures and stories.

"Mama...Papa." Frodo whispered softly, as a gentle but cold breeze rustled the blades of grass and lifted his brown curls slightly. Frodo shivered, it was indeed quite cold for this time of year. Glancing upwards and seeing the dark clouds in the sky, Frodo knew a rain storm would be coming.

"Mama, I love you. I have never stopped thinking about you and Papa. You know, I have longed to join you on that other side. Where ever it may be...but, please don't be angry with me. I have decided I would like to stay awhile. Aunt Esme...she needs me, you know. I mean, she finally has a little one now and his name is Merry. He is so sweet and loves to be with me. He is like a brother to me. I love him so, and I want to help her take care of him. I also had found a real friend in Uncle Bilbo...he comes to visit me often, he even writes to me. This Yule I will be going to stay with him. He says that he would like to show me Hobbiton, the place where you and father lived before I was born. I know you loved Uncle Bilbo dearly

and I know you would not mind me visiting him.

It may yet even prove to be permanent. He is thinking of adopting me. I was suppose to be in bed, but I had gone to get a drink of water and over heard Uncle Sara and Aunt Esme that he wanted to. I could not contain myself with the news. You do not mind, do you? I mean if Uncle Bilbo was to adopt me?"

The wind seemed to gentle and the silence seemed to hang in the air. All the world seemed hushed.

"I have become quite fond of him. Anyway, I know you gave this to Aunt Esme to give to me when I get older and to the one I choose to wed. But, Mama...I wish only you to have this locket. It belonged to you and I could not desire anyone else to have it. So, I bring this to you, so not only that you may know that no matter what happens I will always love you and Papa the most in all of the Shire. I shall never forget you. goodbye Mama--Papa...until we see each other again."

Closing the box, He bent down on his knees and began to dig. After making a big enough hole, Frodo lay the box into it and then slowly buried it back up with the dirt. With his task complete, he got to his feet and took a step back. Taking a deep breath Frodo turned and hurried for home. He never looked back.

***

Months later, Yule

Frodo awoke to find the first sprinkle of snow this Yule happening all outside his window. Smiling, Frodo quickly

pulled on his robe and headed for the kitchen to see what his Uncle had planned for the big day. Frodo was washed away with surprise and delight when he entered the kitchen to the smells of pancakes and bacon. His Uncle was quite busy attending to breakfast, all the while singing to an old tune Frodo had heard him sing many times before.

"Good morning my lad. Happy Yule!"

Frodo grinned and gave his Uncle a warm hug. "Happy Yule, Uncle Bilbo."

"While I tend to first breakfast, my lad, why don't you go in the parlor and see what other surprises await you?"

Stealing a piece of bacon on a plate, Frodo quickly did as his Uncle ordered. To his delight, Frodo found many wrapped boxes all surrounding the fireplace. Frodo was filled with wonder and delight at the sight and turned to see his Uncle smiling at the entranceway.

"Are these all for me, Uncle Bilbo?" He had never received so many gifts before.

"Most of them. I hope you don't mind but I also got some presents for the Gamgee family. I was hoping you and I could go down and visit the Gaffer and his lovely family this afternoon."

Frodo laughed happily. "Can I hold baby Sam?"

Bell, the Gaffer's wife, had given birth three months ago to their youngest son. Frodo had gotten a chance to see the new baby when he arrived at Bag End a week ago. Since then, Frodo had been down to the Gamgee household running errands for Bell and loving every moment he got to spend holding the baby. It was love at first sight.

Another brother, Frodo had whispered when he had thought no one had been listening. But, Bilbo had fine-tuned ears even at his age...and Bilbo knew in time these two would become the best of friends. He even was sure, that someday, Samwise would hold Frodo as Frodo holds him now. Samwise was more than just a gift to the Gamgee family, he would be a gift to Frodo when dark days came.

"I am sure, Mrs. Gamgee will be glad to. Now, come lets have breakfast."

After a lovely breakfast, Frodo and Bilbo entered the parlor and began to open presents. Frodo was a bit shy and embarrassed at first, as he had only gotten Bilbo one gift. But, Bilbo took the handmade pipe in his hand and looked it over with great delight.

"Do you like it, Uncle?"

"No," replied Bilbo, who then added, as Frodo's face turned to sadness and dismay. "I love it."

After all the presents were opened, they prepared to indeed venture down to the Gamgee household, Frodo hurried back to his room to fetch his gift to the baby, and stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted something on his bed.

Frodo recognized that box and swallowed. It couldn't be.

Stepping closer, Frodo took a step back in fear as he saw the initials PB written in gold on the top of the box. It was impossible.

Frodo looked up at the window sill and could still see the snow coming down gently, and a frost had appeared on the window. On the frost clearly seen was a beautiful heart, with the word Love.

Moving to the window, Frodo looked out into garden. He did not see a ghost or even footprints. Only a garden that lay asleep now that winter had come.

Frodo turned back to his bed. He slowly picked up the box and opened it. Inside was the golden heart shaped locket. Looking back at the window, Frodo was not surprised to see that the heart and the word love on the window had vanished.

It had come back to him. Frodo paused for a moment in thought,

Wondering why this had been returned to him? Perhaps someday he would know the answer, but the most simplest explanation was... the locket had been returned to him by his parents. They wanted him to have this. And so, he knew he would keep it this time.

Of course, the most important question later, to a weeping Frodo hugging his bewildered Uncle Bilbo was the fact that Frodo now knew his parents still existed, just in another place, and someday they would be together again.

For in honoring the dead, one must also honor the living.

***

To honor the dead....Frodo smiled and watched as baby Elanor slept in her crib. Frodo had sent Sam and Rosie off to spend this special night at her parents' farm. Alone with Elanor, Frodo was delighted to have this quiet time with the pride and joy of Bag End.

All had not gone well in all the years he lived at Bag End, and Frodo wished a few things could be forgotten. He glanced at his hand and stared at the missing finger and shook his head clearing the ghostly images away.

Now was not the time to be sad. He could do that later. When he was on the ship and heading into the west. No, today was still today and it was a day to be remembered.

He had a gift to give and now could give it freely. He finished

Wrapping the box and tied it with a simple blue ribbon. The locket had been cleaned and polished as if new. Once the package was wrapped to his satisfaction, Frodo wrote out the note to Sam. To be given to Elanor on her sixteenth birthday.

A special locket that would be given to a special lady that had

captured his heart the day she was born. Elanor was the daughter he had always longed for, Rose a sister, as Sam had always been the brother and friend he could ever have wished for. Family.

If only he didn't feel so empty inside, so--so dead.

Although tragedy and pain had followed him throughout his life, so had joy, hope and love. But that was all fading now. Nothing was left to give. He was nothing but a shell, a corpse walking among the living. It was time to move on.

He would go into the West and fade.

"To remember me by, Sweet Elanor."

and to honor the living, one must also honor the dead.

***

“She told me to give this to you. To remember her by.”

Sam had come off the ship, old and tired-- but happy. Frodo was also old, but time in the West flowed much more slower than in Middle-Earth.

Frodo was there to welcome Sam home, and they had embraced each other in love and happiness. Now, Sam stood back and held out a small wrapped package. Frodo took the present, to be given to Frodo when Sam arrived by Elanor…now a grandmother and happily married hobbittess.

Frodo unwrapped the gift, and smiled when he saw what had been given back to him. Somehow, he had known it would be returned to him. Even after all these years. Sam smiled and lifted the heart shaped locket from the box and placed it lovingly around Frodo’s neck. His master, his friend, his brother.

To Remember…

And sometimes, when you honor the dead, you honor the living.

The end.