A Sweet Visit by Dreamflower

[dreamflower]

Author: Dreamflower
Title: A Sweet Visit
Rating: G
Theme: Short and sweet
Elements: 399 words
Author's Notes: This took forever to get the word-count right!
Summary: Frodo makes his first visit back to Brandy Hall after moving to Bag End
Word Count: 399

A Sweet Visit

Frodo blinked, looking about him The low-burning lamp on the bedside table was familiar, and the wardrobe and washstand were the same; the pitcher and ewer were new. His small desk and chair were gone; the blue hooked rug by his bed and his blue-and-white quilted coverlet had been replaced. Both rug and coverlet, made by his mother, had accompanied Frodo to Bag End.

The warm little body snuggled closely against him was the same. Well, not exactly the same, for Merry had done some growing in the months since they'd been apart. His cousin now came nearly to his shoulders! And he had clung very tightly to Frodo last night; it was Frodo's first visit to Brandy Hall since he had gone to live with Bilbo.

He stirred, and Merry shot up, wide awake. "Where are you going, Frodo?"

Frodo ruffled Merry's curls, saying, “I am going to go to use the water-closet, and then I am going to see if there is some breakfast around here!"

"I'm coming, too!" cried Merry, bouncing out of the bed.

A quick washing of faces and a donning of dressing-gowns and the two lads passed through the deserted room of Merry's parents to the short hallway where the water-closet was located.

After seeing to their needs, the lads wandered into the small dining room, from which delicious smells were emanating. The table was set for the four of them. Uncle Saradoc was already seated in his place, reading a letter, while Aunt Esme was placing the food on the table. .

"Good morning, Frodo," she said, giving him a little kiss on the cheek. Frodo realized that he too must have grown, since she did not bend to reach him! He was very nearly the same height as she!

"Good morning!” Frodo helped Merry into his chair, noticing that Merry was no longer using the little wooden seat that boosted him up to table height. He smiled to see his cousin still used the plate with the ponies, and his little glass mug with the etched scene of fishing hobbits.

He looked at the table. Aunt Esme had prepared his favorite breakfast-- bacon, mushrooms, eggs scrambled with cheese, bilberry scones with butter and honey. As he loaded his plate, he smiled to himself.

Bag End was home now, but it was sweet to be back in Brandy Hall for a while.

Comments

[shirebound]

He smiled to see his cousin still used the plate with the ponies, and his little glass mug with the etched scene of fishing hobbits.

Awwww. This is just lovely.

[dreamflower]

Thanks! Little Merry is very fond of his special plate and his special mug! *grin*

[pearltook1]

I'm glad Frodo was glad to be back in the place where he did his growing up. :-)

Lovely, Dreamflower.

[dreamflower]

I think he would be. I just can't agree with folks that think he was totally miserable there! I'm glad you liked it.

[clodia-metelli.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's lovely -- really captures that nostalgia-tinged niceness of getting back to where you grew up for a bit. Thank you!

[dreamflower]

Yes-- it's not "home" anymore, not really, but it was once and is still special for that reason.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Oh, a perfect visit, and Frodo has that wonderful mixture of feeling at home and yet on a visit that both causes the hair to prickle and yet to soothe the heart! Lovely!

[dreamflower]

What a nice way to put it! Thank you, Larner!

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I love how things are changed, but still familiar to Frodo, and how eager Merry is to spend every moment with him.

[dreamflower]

Yes, some of the superficial things are different, but the place and its people are still familiar and beloved. And Merry is not going to let Frodo out of his sight until it's time to go!

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

It's good that Frodo can look upon his old home with fondness, and I love all the little changes that he notices, both in himself and his Merry. :)

[dreamflower]

Yes, lots of little changes that add up to some differences. But the important thing-- the love-- is still the same!

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

Gentle comfort and a sense of peace; really lovely.

[dreamflower]

Thank you-- that's just what I hoped to convey!

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

I love how Frodo notices all the changes but also what has stayed the same, and that he can feel Bag End is home, yet enjoy the sweetness of his first visit to his old home. This was really lovely. Thank you!

[dreamflower]

Some things change, but the most important ones do not. He has two places now where he can feel loved, even though his true home is now with Bilbo.

[wormwood-7.livejournal.com]

That is lovely - Frodo returning to a place of childhood happiness.

[dreamflower]

Yes, and I do think that much of his childhood *was* happy, despite his bouts of grief and melancholy over his parents' death, which was only natural. He had times when he was very sad in Buckland, but he also had times when he was quite happy-- especially when he could be with Merry!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

What a lovely warm moment for Frodo and Merry,which helps me understand their bond later in life.

[dreamflower]

I think every moment Frodo spent with Merry, or Pippin, or Sam, as they were growing up contributed to the friendship and loyalty they had for him as adults. And especially with Merry, who had not only been his cousin, but for his first seven years of life, also Frodo's foster-brother.

[bfb.livejournal.com]

That was too sweet and adorable, but also kind of bittersweet and nostalgic. Loved it! :)

[dreamflower]

Yes, a little nostalgic, as Frodo knows he no longer lives there. And a little bittersweet, because the visit's going to end, and he will miss Merry and Merry will miss him. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[ceshaughnessy.livejournal.com]

It's always a little bittersweet when the past is revisited. This was a lovely peek into the growing cousins' lives!

[someplacetobe.livejournal.com]

What comes to mind when I read this is how homey this story is. The breakfast, Merry following him everywhere and the smaller details Frodo notices, such as the little wooden seat not being used for Merry any more, the etched glass mug, the rug that his mother had made for him not being there any more ... I could go on!

But, I won't except to say how lovely and intimate those details made this story.