Lost Souls

By Summer

Class: Gen (Drabble)

Beta read by: Anonymous

Time and place: Fellowship, Rivendell.

Crossover with Doctor Who (The New Series

Frodo wandered the many halls and corridors of Elrond's house. He had just that morning been allowed to leave his bed. Frodo was grateful to the elves for all they had done for him, including Elrond's kindness. But right now, all Frodo could feel was a great emptiness in his soul, and a deep restlessness settling over him. He couldn't explain it to anyone, not even to Gandalf. He felt as if he were standing on the very edge of a knife. One false step, and he would fall into darkness.

His cousins, and even Sam, did not seem to understand that though Frodo had been saved from the wound given to him by the Witch King, but he was never going to be truly healed. Frodo could still feel the coldness in his shoulder. The pain still throbbed every now and again. He also felt weak , and everything seemed so dark and hopeless, as though it were the end of everything.

Not able to sleep and barely able to eat, Frodo needed to get his thoughts out of this deep depression. A walk around the Elvish kingdom was probably what he needed.

Wandering the halls, Frodo had seen many beautiful things, such as paintings, statutes, and flowers. Rivendell was surely a place of tranquility, of peace. A sanctuary, Gandalf had called it. A place for all beings to come who are in pain. A place for lost souls to find themselves again. It was during Frodo's walk, that he stumbled upon a long spiraling staircase.

Not sure where this led to, Frodo slowly walked down the many stairs. At the bottom, another long hallway awaited him. Frodo felt drawn down the corridor, towards a closed wooden door. Hesitating only a moment, Frodo opened the door and discovered that it led into a huge library. Elrond's library!

Gandalf had mentioned it a few hours ago, just after elevenses. Stepping into the room, Frodo was drawn in by the many books. There had to be thousands of them everywhere, and many of them were piled on shelves and tables. Surely this would help him out of his melancholy!

Frodo stopped when he spotted a lone figure on the other side of the room. He was hunched over, and seemed to be staring out towards a large archway that led into one of Elrond's vast gardens. He was a tall man, but he wasn't an Elf. His round ears told Frodo that much. He was also dressed strangely. He wore black, tight fitting clothes, and his hair was short and neatly trimmed.

Frodo was about to greet the stranger, but paused when he heard a sob. The stranger's body was shaking, and his left hand was covering his mouth as if trying to stop the sobs from escaping his throat.

Frodo felt his heart go out to this creature. Whoever he was, he certainly was in a lot of pain. Frodo thought it might be best to turn and leave, to let this man be alone at such an emotional time. The last thing Frodo wanted to do was to interrupt his privacy, but even so, Frodo couldn't bring himself to turn and leave. The man was in distress, and Frodo felt his heart fill with compassion for this poor soul.

Slowly walking up to the man, Frodo reached up and took the man's dangling right hand into his own and squeezed it gently. The man abruptly turned and glanced down at Frodo . He straightened to his full height, and though tears still glistened in his dark eyes, the man's composure changed. He appeared calmer, and even forced a smile to his lips.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to intrude. I was just passing by. Are you alright, Sir?"

The man shrugged. He looked as if he was about to pull his hand away from Frodo's, but instead he squeezed Frodo's hand in return.

"You must be Frodo the Ringbearer! Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!"

Frodo nodded, confused by the man's enthusiasm at meeting him, a simple Hobbit of the Shire. "I am Frodo. Please, just call me Frodo and you are?"

"You may call me, The Doctor. My friends call me that."

"Are you a healer?" Asked Frodo.

He smiled sadly, and Frodo watched as a tear slipped past his left eye, and slowly made its way down his cheek.

"Not exactly. I travel. I have never met a hobbit before, though I have read much about them. A fascinating lot, but you most of all. It is a great pleasure that the first Hobbit I should meet is Frodo of the Shire."

After a short while, the Doctor released Frodo's hand and walked over to a nearby chair, where he sat quietly. Unable to help himself, Frodo moved to his side and continued to stare at the stranger. Overwhelmed with curiosity, he was unable to resist asking the stranger another question.

"Are you a human?"

"No."

"I am sorry. I shouldn't be asking you so many questions. I am being rude."

The Doctor only shook his head. He reached up, as if he were about to touch Frodo's cheek, but then his hand fell back, and he looked away from Frodo. It seemed as if just looking at the hobbit was bringing him great pain and sorrow.

"Hardly rude. If anything, I am the one who is being rude. I'm afraid I'm not quite myself at the moment, having just regenerated… and the War, of course. Never mind, it's not important. Please, enjoy yourself. The Library of Elrond is very extensive, and I am sure you will find many things of interest."

But Frodo could see that the Doctor was once again on the verge of an emotional outburst. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, and his hands shook noticeably.

"Did you lose someone you loved?" Frodo couldn't help asking. The man shuddered.

"Yes I did, but please do not burden yourself with me. You have far greater troubles facing you. I will be alright . I am always all right. I am, after all, the Doctor." The man seemed to smile in an almost bitter, angry way. He then lowered his eyes, and stared at his hands.

"My journey is at an end actually, now that I am here in Rivendell." Frodo paused, not sure if he should talk about the ring. "Soon, I will be going home. And you?"

The Doctor only replied softly. "I have no home, not anymore."

Frodo's hand reached out again, and lightly touched the Doctor's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

The Doctor looked up, and smiled at the hobbit before him. "Thank you, Frodo Baggins."

Frodo nodded once, and then decided now was the best time to leave the man at peace. Giving the Doctor one last long look, Frodo turned and walked out of the room. Outside , Frodo was not surprised to see Gandalf.

"Who is he, Gandalf?"

"The last of a great race."

"Sauron? Is he responsible for his pain?"

"A part of his dominions, yes. There was a great war, and sadly his people lost."

"He is so very forlorn and sad. Will he be all right?"

"In time. He has plenty of that, and perhaps someday, time will mend his wounds."

"He blames himself for the death of his people?"

"Yes."

"Gandalf, I think I'm ready to go home now."

"The Council will begin tomorrow. By the end of the week I am sure you will be on your way home, and all of this will just be a terrible memory."

Frodo paused once as he reached for the staircase. He looked back at the door, and then at Gandalf.

"Some things are never just a memory, Gandalf. Some things never let go. Some wounds never heal. No matter how much time has passed. "

Gandalf placed his hand gently on the hobbit's shoulder. This time the wizard had no words that could bring comfort.

***

The Elf lord gently pulled the Doctor into his arms, and held him in a comforting embrace as the Doctor wept. After what seemed like a long time, the Doctor broke the hold. He turned away from the Elf, and appeared to have come to a decision.

"I must go! Thank you for your hospitality Lord Elrond."

"You have only been here a few days, Doctor. You have not given yourself sufficient time to grieve, to heal. You have lost much. Your world, your people. Stay a bit longer and rest."

The Doctor looked up at the Elf and smiled. "It is time to move on. I have grieved enough. You are mistaken; I still have my world. A whole universe. That is my home. That, and the TARDIS."

Elrond sighed, and nodded reluctantly. "As you wish. But feel free to return. We will always welcome you, Timelord. Here, you may always find rest when you need it."

"Thank you." As the Doctor was about to leave, he paused and turned to Elrond. "Oh, and Lord Elrond. At the Council tomorrow, remember this. Even the smallest creatures can change the course of the future. Do not allow yourself to be clouded by height. Instead, let your heart guide you."

Lord Elrond watched as the Doctor headed out into the garden, and entered a small thicket of leaves. Beyond the thicket, Elrond could see the barest hint of the color blue. A moment later a low whirring sound was heard, and then the blue was gone. And so was the Doctor.

Elrond turned to see Gandalf entering the room. "Gandalf. Tell me what news you bring me of Isengard and Saruman."

THE END or just the beginning?