Disclaimer - Not mine. Don't sue.
A/N - Written for Shirebound's birthday - 28th March 2004.
Take what you will
"You do not have to do this, Sam." Frodo muttered as a damp cloth washed over his back.
"I know, Mr Frodo, but we can't expect to go all through Mordor before we get you patched up. Now, hold still: this might sting."
The cloth was taken away, and Frodo felt a chill as the night air rushed over his moist skin. Although much of the immediate redness had faded from the weals and scratches on his back, the mistreatment he had suffered at the hands and whips of the orcs while imprisoned was still very much evident. Sam winced inwardly as he looked at the broken and damaged skin of his companion, and removed a small jar from his pack, grateful that it had survived the hardships of the journey. He unscrewed the tight lid and breathed in the fresh smell that emitted from the contents.
"And just where did you get that, Samwise Gamgee?" said Frodo, an amused smile playing on his lips. "You didn't raid our dear ranger's supplies, did you?"
"Now look here, Mr Frodo..." said Sam as he spread a fingerful of the ointment onto Frodo's reddened back, "I didn't go stealin' anything if that's what you're suggestin'. It's just, well, he knew you was goin' to be goin' off sometime, and he knew I would follow you whether or no, an', well, there's no denyin' that you can fend for yourself, Mr Frodo, but well, you do tend to be.... you know...."
"I tend to be what, Sam?" Frodo's smile had spread now, and he was beginning to shake with laughter at Sam's ruminations.
"... well, it's nothin' much, really. Nothin' to be truly worried about, if you take my meanin'...." Sam massaged the cream into the aching muscles of Frodo's back. "But you are rather accident prone sometimes, Sir..."
"Oh Sam! My dear Sam...."
"... an' so Strider thought it best that I be prepared. Just in case, you understand, and so he gave me the athelas paste. Said it could help just about anythin'."
"And I'll have to remember to thank him when we are done with the task," said Frodo.
"When we are done...." whispered Sam, pulling Frodo's shirt back down, covering the bare skin.
Frodo stood up and turned to face his friend, pulling him into an embrace.
"Thank you, Sam."
"It was nothin', Mr Frodo."
"That's not what I meant, Sam. You made me smile and you make me feel comforted.... even in this black place."
Sam pulled away from Frodo and smiled at him.
"Just don't you be forgettin' to thank old Strider for that kingsfoil..."
"When we are done," said Frodo.
~~::~~
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