[Nurumaiel]

Ferny looked roughly down at the young hobbit, who glared back up at him defiantly. The former felt a thrill of delight when he saw that there was no proud, haughty, superior shine in that look. Just plain defiance and anger. No more dealing with Fosco-brats... until they went back to the hideout.

Ferny hesitated for a moment, trying to work out just how to make his approach. The ransom note right away? Or should he ascertain that this child knew Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee? No time to think it over. Ferny spoke in a sharp voice. "All right, speak up. Do you know Frodo Baggins?"

Frodo-lad glared at him stubbornly, his lips pressed tightly together and everything about him saying that they would get no answer from him. Ferny leaned forward, his foul breath blowing into the lad's face. He repeated the question, but his voice had changed. Rather than speaking in a scolding voice like you might use to threaten a child, his voice was low, menacing, dangerous.

The boy shook his head obstinately, saying in a growl, "What business have you knowing?"

Ferny, feeling his patience and calm dropping rapidly, struck the child on the cheek and snarled the question once more. But, to his surprise, the lad still didn't answer. His eyes rose and looked evenly into Ferny's, smoldering with anger. Ferny suddenly realized with a shock that his hand was covering his nose, and suddenly it was all clear to him. He knew where he had seen a look like that before.

"You're one of Samwise Gamgee's children, aren't you?" he snarled angrily, the memory of that apple coming at his face now clear and vivid. He laughed cruelly. "No need to deny it, because I know it's true." He glared down at the lad and took his hand away from his nose. "You need to deliver a message to Frodo Baggins," he said. "Tell him that he needs to come to the the deserted area a little ways north of Bywater Pond tonight, without any Shirriffs or friends, not even that faithful pet of his, Samwise Gamgee, or the three brats don't have a chance at life."

A flicker of concern shone briefly in the boy's eyes, but he spoke in the same tone of voice. "What three brats?"

"Just tell him that," Ferny said. "He'll know what I mean." He hesitated, then added, "Remember, if he doesn't come they die, and if he doesn't come alone they die." He shifted his eyes to Mithadan and said, "All right, let 'im go."

As soon as Mithadan released him, Frodo-lad scrambled a distance off, in the direction of Bag-End. He stopped at one point and, turning, glared at Ferny. The ruffian called up to him, "You'd better get going now or they'll be killed! Go quickly!" The hobbit lad turned and began to run towards Bag-End. His father and Frodo would know what to do about this.

[ July 02, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]