bloom

[bronwe]

Who: Frodo and YOU!
What: fail gardening
When: morning of April 4
Where: by the orchard
Rating: PG

It is warm enough now that Frodo can walk about barefooted without worrying that he might lose both legs to the frost. He remembers how Sam would start his planting at around this time of the year, just when the seasons turn and the sweet smell of spring is almost here. But not quite.

There is a tin bucket of flower bulbs some ways from the apple tree, set beside the small crouched figure digging little holes into the ground with his hands. He has a pile of pulled weeds and rocks on his other side, having cleared a small patch there for his makeshift garden. Planting the bulbs confuses him though. Which way is up and how deep should it go?

Times like these, more than ever, makes him wish Sam were here to give him all sorts of wise advice, and not only for gardening. He can already imagine one hundred and one quips from the hobbit. But his friend isn't here, yet, so Frodo just keeps squinting at the bulb, hoping some revelation will miraculously come to him eventually.

Comments

[willrememberthat]

While in her crouch, she scoots a little closer to Frodo, watching what he does attentively. He might not know how to garden, but he's older, so maybe he has a better idea of what to do than he thinks.

"If I could have thought of something, yes." She smiles. Does Lee like gardening? She has no idea. He's never mentioned it before.

[bronwe]

Older isn't smarter! He would follow her suggestion if she has any, seeing as he probably knows the least about this despite his many hours of absently watching Sam at his work.

"Do you know what he enjoys doing most of all? Or what he values the most?"

[willrememberthat]

It's a good question, one Clem isn't entirely sure of how to answer.

"He likes helping people..." But even that sounds lame. They've spent so much time trying to survive day to day that she doesn't know what he did for fun before things changed.

[bronwe]

That is a terrible sort of life. Frodo knows he likes reading and good food and pipeweed before but more and more those things lose their joy. He isn't sure if it is because he indulged in them too often or too rarely or if it is his fault at all.

"Then you have already done something similar, when you helped me, remember?"

[willrememberthat]

She smiles at that.

"I didn't forget." She'd never forget.

[bronwe]

"I told him a little about it," he turns to watch her to gauge her reaction. "He said he would rather stay here with you than ever go back."

[willrememberthat]

Her reaction is excitement.

"You talked to Lee? Really?" The words and their meaning are a little lost to her--of course he'd want to stay here, with her. There was never any doubt. "Do you like him?"

[bronwe]

"I did and I do!" He is chuckling a little, more at her reaction. "He cares greatly about you, so I have every reason to like him."

[willrememberthat]

She seems pleased with that. "I'm sure he likes you, too."

[bronwe]

"I hope so," he stands and goes to stretch a little. Is he getting old... "I said nice things about you, maybe that would have him like me more!"

[willrememberthat]

"You did? What did you say?"

[bronwe]

Frodo laughs. "That's not for you to hear! Maybe Lee will tell you."

[willrememberthat]

Clem looks surprised that Frodo doesn't tell her immediately! Her surprise turns into a pout.

"That's not fair! It's about me."

[bronwe]

"I don't want your head to grow so big you might be forced to sleep on the stairs!"

[willrememberthat]

It's hard to pout and laugh at the same time.

"Huh? That won't happen!"

[bronwe]

"Well, alright, I suppose I can tell you the harmless parts, but you have to promise not to tell Lee I told you."

[willrememberthat]

"Cross my heart," she says, drawing a little x over her heart. No hope to die here. "I won't tell!"

[bronwe]

He grins, sitting down and crossing his legs as if preparing for a long story. "I said you are important to me," if not most. "Then he said you are special, but you can't tell him I told you!"

[willrememberthat]

It's a mistake, Frodo, because it makes you easily accessible for an enthusiastic little girl hug!

"I won't! I knew you'd say something like that, anyway."

And she knows she's special to Lee.

[bronwe]

Aww but he loves little girl hugs, carefully wrapping one arm around her to pat the small of her back as if a tighter grip might break her. He really isn't sure.

"You did feed me, that goes straight to a old hobbit's heart, I tell you!"