Ring Around the Merry (non-slash version)
by Aelfgifu
A dark AU tale (bookverse) in which Merry holds Frodo captive at Crickhollow "for the salvation of the Shire." Merry will be corrupted, Frodo will begin to break, Sam will fight to save him, Pippin will be forced to choose sides, and all four hobbits will be challenged in unexpected ways. Though the ending will be hopeful, this story travels dark roads. Warning: angst, some violence, more angst. Second Place "My Precious Award" for hobbit fic/ Runner Up for Golden Mushroom Award "Most Dramatic Use of Near Drowning" Co-conspirators! (Betas and sometime co-authors!) Aratlithiel (beta first half - guest wrote 2 chapters) Ariel and Celandine G (second half) Eykar (various chapters)
R
· Complete
· Updated 25 November 2005
Characters: Frodo Baggins, Merry, Pippin, Samwise Gamgee
Chapters
- 0. Prelude 4: Farewell Feast (2,445 words)
- 0. Prelude 5. To Crickhollow! (6,898 words)
- 0. Prelude 3. A Conspiracy Formed (2,090 words)
- 0. Aelfgifu's author notes and FAQ (1,205 words)
- 0. Prelude 1: Goodbye Little Master (1,673 words)
- 0. Prelude 2: Coming of Age (1,899 words)
- 1. Chapter 1: A Conspiracy Unmasked (7,018 words)
- 2. Chapter 2: Tea and Dissonance (4,631 words)
- 3. Chapter 3: Slumber (3,737 words)
- 4. Chapter 4: Part of Merry (2,500 words)
- 5. Chapter 5: Second Breakfasts and Just Desserts (2,017 words)
- 6. Chapter 6: The Awakening (1,586 words)
- 7. Chapter 7: Lies and Crumpets (3,175 words)
- 8. Chapter 8: The Council of Meriadoc (2,300 words)
- 9. Chapter 9 - The Ring Goes Nowhere (2,537 words)
- 10. Chapter 10: The Way Out is the Way Through (2,249 words)
- 11. Chapter 11 – The Oak Door is Closed (814 words)
- 12. Chapter 12 – Hope and Humiliation (3,782 words)
- 13. Chapter 13 - Affection and Protection (2,190 words)
- 14. Chapter 14 - Out of the Darkness (1,098 words)
- 15. Chapter 15 - In the House of Meriadoc Brandybuck (3,354 words)
- 16. Chapter 16- Samwise the Stouthearted (3,031 words)
- 17. Chapter 17: There’s Something about Merry (4,080 words)
- 18. Chapter 18 - Two is Company (2,760 words)
- 19. Chapter 19: The Old Forest (2,011 words)
- 20. Chapter 20 – A Shortcut to Misery (3,954 words)
- 21. Chapter 21 - Return, Retribution, and Redemption (4,729 words)
- 22. Chapter 22 -The Shadow of the Present (3,787 words)
- 23. Chapter 23: Inside and Out (5,151 words)
- 24. Chapter 24: So It Begins (6,938 words)
- 25. Chapter 25: Marked and Claimed (3,409 words)
- 26. Chapter 26: Waking Dream (5,553 words)
- 27. Chapter 27: A Journey in the Dark (4,859 words)
- 28. Chapter 28: Drowning in Memories (4,990 words)
- 29. Chapter 29: Presence of Mind (3,942 words)
- 30. Chapter 30 – On the Edge (4,166 words)
- 31. Chapter 31 - Brothers in Misery (3,345 words)
- 32. Chapter 32 - The Sounds of Silence (2,978 words)
- 33. Chapter 33 - The Cave and the Divided Line (6,514 words)
- 34. Chapter 34 - Many Meetings (2,861 words)
- 35. Chapter 35 - Haunted Homecoming (5,122 words)
- 36. Chapter 36 - The Choices of Master Samwise (5,013 words)
- 37. Chapter 37 - Reaping and Sowing (4,419 words)
- 38. Chapter 38 - Food for the Soul (3,975 words)
- 39. Chapter 39 - Coming and Going (3,507 words)
- 40. Chapter 40 - Temptation (5,455 words)
- 41. Chapter 41 - Voluntas (4,218 words)
- 42. Chapter 42 - The Taming of Frodo (Parts One and Two) (13,705 words)
- 43. Chapter 43 - Lustration (7,181 words)
- 44. Chapter 44: On the Inside Looking Out (8,299 words)
- 45. Chapter 45 - Be Careful What You Wish For (7,116 words)
- 46. Chapter 46 - Leverage (7,083 words)
- 47. Chapter 47 - Realignment (5,203 words)
- 48. Chapter 48 -- Dark Decisions (7,843 words)
- 49. Chapter 49 - A Least Expected Party (7,458 words)
- 50. Chapter 50: The Vanished (5,882 words)
- 51. Chapter 51: A Shadow and a Threat (5,196 words)
- 52. Chapter 52 – The Fury of the Scorned (7,297 words)
- 53. Chapter 53: Dies Irae (7,057 words)
- 54. Chapter 54: Talking in Circles (6,645 words)
- 55. Chapter 55: A Knife in the Dark (6,229 words)
- 56. Chapter 56: The Choices of Master Peregrin (7,173 words)