Title: The Visit
Author: Frodo Baggins of Bag End (FrodoAtBagEnd/FBoBE/"Febobe")
E-mail: febobe at yahoo dot com
Characters: Frodo, Radagast, various others in cameos or secondary roles, including Samwise, Gandalf, Legolas, Thranduil, OC female elven healer (Aduial).
Rating: T for painful and vivid PTSD symptoms as well as memories of violence. Follows FrodoHealers standards - no sexual content, no slashiness, no profanity.
Warnings: Some angst and medical detail. No profanity or sexual content, slash or het. May include memories of violence. No character death or suicidal ideation.
Summary: Following the Quest, Frodo reluctantly consents to visit Legolas's home...but the planned excursion goes horribly wrong when Frodo becomes ill along the way. Appearances by Radagast, Thranduil, and others, including an OC female elven healer (who is NOT Tauriel).
Feedback: Reviews are welcome, but (a) no flaming, please – flames will be used to warm Frodo's chilled body, and (b) I do this as a hobby, for pleasure, so before you take me to task about whether something "isn't canon" or "doesn't feel thematic" or how I left out a comma in paragraph 7 or made a typo in paragraph 3, please ask yourself whether that's really helpful. I'm not interested in being a canon purist or perfect – if I were, I wouldn't write this kind of thing; I'd just leave Frodo alone. In short – if you want to tell me you liked it, by all means, tell me, but if you just want to tell me how much better you would write Frodo, then go write your own stories with Frodo. (And if they're Frodo h/c, and suitable, by all means submit them to FrodoHealers. 😉 We could use some activity over there!)
Story Notes: If you didn't like Radagast in the Peter Jackson Hobbit films, you probably won't like him here. You have been warned! ;)
For permission to reproduce any part of this fanfic, please contact Febobe.
DISCLAIMER: The characters, places, and story of The Lord of the Rings are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and consequently of the Tolkien Estate, with select rights by Tolkien Enterprises. This piece appears purely as fanfiction and is not intended to claim ownership of Tolkien's work in any way. Please e-mail me if you have concerns. Original characters, such as (but not limited to) Lossmeril, are my own work; please do not use my creations in your work. Please respect my original contributions. Furthermore, please do NOT consider any treatments or remedies within this story safe or effective for use: these are included as fictitious hobbit care, not real human medical practice, and while some can indeed be traced to actual therapeutic practices, could be dangerous. Please consult your health care professional before treating yourself or others for any condition or symptom. No slash is intended or implied in this story.
THE VISIT
Chapter 1: A Visit Goes Wrong
Frodo shivered as he trailed along beside Sam, his head aching miserably. They were behind Merry and Pippin, who were talking animatedly with Legolas. He almost regretted agreeing to come and visit King Thranduil before going home; it had been a decision made in some haste, and now he felt sorry for impulsively agreeing that they should go. Legolas had only coaxed him by promising that Lady Galadriel had cleansed the wood, and that he and Gandalf and Gimli would be more than happy to deal with any - stragglers, as he had so euphemistically put it. Frodo shuddered and hoped there would be no stragglers. The place still did not feel entirely wholesome, though perhaps it was better nearer to the wood-elves' home. But at least it did not look as bad as the Mirkwood of Bilbo's tales.
"Are you all right, Mr. Frodo?" asked Sam in a low voice. "You're awful quiet."
"I don't really have much to say. That's all." In truth, it was not exactly all. Frodo's throat felt scratchy and sore, and talking only made it feel worse. He wondered whether he was perhaps coming down with a cold. A fine time for it. Travelling was tiring enough without a stuffy nose and a sore throat.
Soon enough they reached a glen, and there Legolas stopped.
"It is rather some distance still before we reach my home," he said, "but we are less than a day away."
"Will we have to camp in the woods tonight?" asked Frodo, shivering. He had hoped that they would reach shelter sooner, but he dared not hope too much.
Legolas gave him a close look. "I think that we can reach my father's halls by night-fall," he said, "barring any unexpected events. But I am concerned for you. Are you feeling well?"
"I'm fine," said Frodo, but without thinking he sniffled, causing everyone to turn and look at him.
"You don't seem fine," declared Sam, lifting a hand to touch Frodo's forehead. "There now - you're taking fever, unless I miss my guess, Master."
Gandalf was at Frodo's side in an instant, touching Frodo's brow as well. He frowned. "How are you feeling?"
"My throat hurts," Frodo admitted at last. "And my head aches. I think I'm catching cold."
Gandalf looked at Legolas. "It will take us some hours to reach Thranduil's halls," he said. "But it would take us less time to reach Rhosgobel, don't you think?"
Legolas nodded. "I can go on ahead, if you like," he said, "and take some of our party along. Father can send back an escort. Frodo would fare better with us, I think, but I agree that he must have shelter sooner rather than later."
"I do not know that Frodo ought to be walking until he is better," said Merry. "He's not been the same since - everything. We ought to be careful."
"Father can send a litter," said Legolas. "He would not even have to sit up, and the weather is warm. With furs to comfort him, it should not be too unpleasant a journey."
"I agree," said Gandalf. "But Radagast may be able to provide some help in the meantime." He stretched out his arms and crouched. "Come, Frodo. I shall carry you to Rhosgobel."
"I couldn't let you," insisted Frodo, sniffling and fidgeting for a pocket-handkerchief, which Sam produced for him.
"And why not?" asked Gandalf gently.
"You're - you're - well, *old*," said Frodo. "I ought to be helping *you*."
Gandalf threw back his head and laughed, a merry sound in a place still too quiet for Frodo's taste. "Frodo, I do not feel the pains of walking long upon the earth as I did when I was Gandalf the Grey. Let me carry you. You can put your arms round my neck, and I shall support you with one arm, and use the other to steady us with my staff."
"What about - you know?" asked Frodo, reluctantly slipping his arms and legs around Gandalf, who gathered him up with ease. "What if we are attacked?"
"We can stay together as far as Rhosgobel," said Legolas, "and there you should be safe. I cannot imagine the orc or spider to stand against *two* wizards at once."
"I hope you're right," said Frodo, and sniffled. His head felt heavy, and he longed to lay it against Gandalf's shoulder. And somehow Gandalf seemed to divine his thoughts.
"Legolas," he said suddenly, "why don't you take my staff? That will leave both arms free to carry Frodo, and I think he may need the help now."
Legolas took Gandalf's staff, and the wizard eased Frodo down a little, allowing the hobbit's head to rest against Gandalf's chest.
"There you are, my friend," Gandalf said softly. "Rest as well as you can, and soon we shall find hearth and bed for you, and something hot to drink."
"Thank you," said Frodo, closing his eyes. It felt a little warmer resting against Gandalf, but still he felt chilly, and his limbs and back were beginning to ache, not only his head. He wished for nothing more than bed.
Why, he wondered, didn't I stay in Minas Tirith, or Rohan? Why did I agree to come?
#
They walked and walked, stopping now and then to rest for a few minutes. When they stopped, Gandalf would set Frodo down, and Sam would encourage him to drink a little water, and try to get him to eat a little dried fruit or a slip of cured meat, but Frodo only shook his head; his throat felt too sore. His nose felt stuffy, too, and blowing it seemed of no avail. His head felt heavy with the ache in it. He thought of Bilbo's tale of Radagast, the strange wizard, and his sled pulled by large rabbits. What would Rhosgobel be like, he wondered?
Within another hour, they came in sight of a cottage which looked at once perfect and entirely out of place. It seemed to fit perfectly, a little cottage in the wood, and yet there was something odd about it, though Frodo could not have said what. It seemed perhaps that it had grown out of the forest floor, though that could not be possible - or was it? Radagast *was* a wizard, Frodo reminded himself, if a rather strange one. In any event, there was smoke rising from the chimney, and that was some comfort. He had hoped there would be a fire going.
"Let us wait to see whether Radagast is home," said Legolas, "and whether he will help. If he will take you in, Gimli and I can go ahead, and Merry and Pippin can come with us."
"I don't want to leave Frodo," insisted Pippin.
"Nor do I," said Merry.
Legolas smiled. "I know, my friends," he said, "but Radagast has one cottage, and if Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf stay, then it will be a full house indeed. My father's people will show you great hospitality, and soon enough they will bring Frodo."
"Go with him," Frodo said. "I'll be all right."
"Indeed," said Gandalf, "but let us first make certain that he is here!" Balancing Frodo on his hip with one arm, he raised his fist and knocked loudly upon the door. "Radagast, my friend!" he called. "I have someone here in need of your aid."
There was no answer at first, but then came a rustling sound from inside, as of robes brushing the floor, or leaves. Suddenly the door opened with a POP!, and a bedraggled-looking figure peered out. He had long grey hair, like Gandalf, and a wrinkled face, and in it were set two merry brown eyes. At the sight of Gandalf, he flung the door wide and stepped back.
"Gandalf!" he cried. "And what have we here? A little rabbit, come in search of Radagast's help?"
"Not quite a rabbit," said Gandalf, stepping inside, "but a hobbit. The Ring-bearer himself; I believe you have had word from Lady Galadriel of his deeds."
"Ah! ah! the Ring-bearer!" cried Radagast, and reached out his arms. "Let me see. What troubles you, little one, and do you have a name, or shall I call you Ring-bearer instead?"
Frodo shuddered. He still found the use of the name painful, though he could not bear to say so to Gandalf. "I am Frodo," he said, "and I believe my uncle met you once. Bilbo Baggins, who travelled with Thorin and his company of dwarves many years ago."
"Oh, yes, Bilbo! Funny little fellow, quite out of place," said Radagast, gathering Frodo into his arms gently. "There now, little one. Tell old Radagast what is the matter."
"I feel chilly," said Frodo as Radagast set him upon a work-table, so high up that his legs dangled a long way above the floor, "and my head and body ache. And my throat hurts." He sniffled, dabbing at his nose with his pocket-handkerchief.
"And the snuffles, too, I see! Well, well!" Radagast peered at him, ignoring the others as they crowded inside. He laid a hand to Frodo's brow and tsked loudly. "Feverish, yes. Open your mouth and say 'Ahh,' lad."
Frodo complied. More tsking ensued. Radagast took Frodo's wrist between his fingers, waited for a moment, then shook his head and turned to Gandalf.
"I had better put this little fellow to bed at once; he's sickening for something. Perhaps a cold. More likely pneumonia. I can give him herbs to comfort him, but - where were the lot of you going, here in these woods?" Suddenly he noticed Legolas. "Ah, the prince! Perhaps you were headed to your home, with guests?"
"Indeed," said Legolas, "and some of us at least will go on, though I believe Sam wishes to stay with Frodo and Gandalf. He is Frodo's devoted companion, and will do all he can to help you. My father will no doubt send back a party with a litter."
Radagast snorted. "I can manage him here," he said, "and they are most welcome in my house. But I will not deny that this little one might fare better with elven-folk. I sense he has taken great hurt, and that shadows him even now, though he be considered healed by many." He turned back to Frodo. "You will rest here," he said, "in bed, for a while. At least until tomorrow, for there will not be time to send a party back before dark, and I think you had better not travel farther today, litter or no. But don't I recall Gandalf saying hobbits are most fond of mushrooms?"
"We are," said Frodo, "though I am not hungry, nor do I feel like eating with my throat thus. Sam may feel otherwise, though, and Gandalf too."
"You may feel a little differently after I give you some medicine," said Radagast, and bowed to Legolas. "A pleasure to see you again, young prince! Give my regards to your worthy father."
Legolas bowed, and nodded to Gandalf. "Some of my people will return, and likely I with them," he said. "Come, Merry, Pippin, Gimli - we must hurry."
Merry and Pippin said their good-byes and followed, and Gimli as well, leaving Frodo alone with Radagast, Sam, and Gandalf.
-to be continued-