Don't be Afraid

Sam woke up one morning to find Frodo staring out the window in his study in a trance, silent tears of sadness and despair pouring down his face. Sam's heart ached to see his master in such pain. Sam entered Frodo's room slowly as to not frighten him, and gently placed a hand on his master's shoulder to try and bring his master back into reality.

Frodo jumped a little, and lingered his head in Sam's direction. His master looked dazed, his magnificent bright blue eyes were clouded over, dark circles rested beneath them. Although it looked as if he was gazing at Sam, Sam could tell Frodo was seeing right threw him. His eyes were fixed on something only he could see.

"Mr. Frodo?" Sam said with worry and anxiety in his voice, his hand still gently but firmly placed on his master's shoulder. Frodo did not respond, instead he rose to his feet, still gazing straight ahead of him.

"Mr. Frodo, what's the matter, what's wrong?" Sam asked, growing even more worried and impatient.

Frodo began to take a step forward, but stopped abruptly and let out an unearthly scream, as he fell forward and lay limp in Sam's arms.

"Mr. Frodo! Mr. Frodo what happened, wake up me dear, wake up for your Sam! Oh please wake up." Sam felt as though he was in the spider's lair all over again, his heart pounding as he checked for some sign of life in his pale master. Sam gently put his ear to Frodo's chest to check for a faint beating of the heart. Sam strained to here that sound, the faint pitter-patter and alas Sam heard it, very faint, but beating. Sam breathed a soft sigh of some relief. "Thank the stars your still alive." Sam said to himself as he gently cradled his master in his arms and carried him off to bed.

Frodo remained unconscious the whole day. Sam sat by his bedside, holding his hand, stroking his curls and singing softly to him. But Frodo did not stir, he remained motionless and pale, his breathing shallow.

As evening deepened and the sun began to set, Sam became beside himself with worry.

"What happened Frodo, what caused you so much pain?" Sam said as he stroked his master's cold stiff hand. But as he spoke Frodo let out a soft moan and started tossing his head as if in a dream. He began to mumble something that Sam could not understand. Frodo began to toss and turn in his delirium, and began crying out as if in pain.

"What is it Mr. Frodo, what is hurting you so? Please tell your Sam."

Frodo writhed in agony tears began streaming down his pale cheeks. Sam could not bear to see his master so tormented. Tears of his own began to pour down his own cheeks, as he scooped his frail master up into his arms, blankets and all.

Frodo suddenly clutched at Sam's shirt and buried his head into Sam's chest. "It…." Frodo began in an hours whisper trying to speak. Sam clutched his master closer to him and took his cold hand into his own.

"It, hurts." Frodo whimpered. "It …it hurts…"

"Where dear." Sam asked trying to sound soothing. "Where is the pain? Please try and tell me."

Frodo took his shaking hand away from Sam's and clasped it to his chest. Sam felt his own heart sink as he began to understand what Frodo was trying to tell him.

"Oh, Frodo…" Sam began lost for words.

Frodo continued to writhe in Sam's arms, and began to scream and cry out from the pain in his chest. Sam held his master closer to him, to try and keep him still. Frodo's breathing started coming in great gasps, he began arching his back, as if his lungs could not take in enough air. Sam laid Frodo down gently on the covers, and put one hand gently but firmly on Frodo's shoulder, and with his other hand he clasped over Frodo's.

"It's going to be all right dear." Sam crooned to him. "I'll find a healer." Sam called for Rose, and began to slowly move away from the bed.

"No!" Frodo gasped the tears falling harder down his face. "Don't…don't…leave…me!" He gasped arching his back.

"I'll be back dear, you know I will never leave your side, but I need to fetch a healer, I won't let you continue being in such pain. You won't be alone, Rosie will be with you."

Rosie came running as soon as she had heard her husbands frantic call. She stood in the doorway a horrified look upon her face.

"Rosie, Frodo is very ill and is in severe pain, I need to fetch a healer will you stay with him until I return, please Rosie love?"

"Of course!" Rosie replied rushing to Frodo's bedside. Sam kissed Rosie on the cheek and rose from the bed slowly as to not jostle Frodo. But he did not get very far, for Frodo clutched his hand tightly.

"No…Sam…please…don't …leave …me…please!" Frodo begged.

"I'll be back dear, alright, I'll be right back."

"No…please…I am…so…afraid!" Frodo gasped.

"You won't…" Sam began but Rosie stopped him.

"He wants you love. I'll go fetch the healer, you stay with him, he needs you."

Sam hugged his wife tightly then kissed her on the cheek. Thanks love."

Rosie smiled at him, and then quickly left the room.

"Sam…" Frodo breathed.

Sam ran to his master and once again took him firmly into his arms. "I'm here dear, I'm here I wont leave you."

"So…scared." Frodo's voice was faint and week now, as the tears continued to flow.

Sam wiped gently at his tears. " Shhh don't be afraid, I'm right here dear…right here.

"Sam…" Frodo cried in a panic breath as his breathing became erratic and was no longer able to take in any air, he kept gasping trying to speak, but could not, He continued to writhe and arch his back, as his eyes slowly began to close.

"No hang on Frodo you'll be all right, your Sam is here. Hold on Frodo!" Frodo's eyes continued to close as his breathing grew even more erratic as he began to go limp in Sam's arms.

"No! Hold on Frodo dear; hold I've got you. Oh please hang on."

Frodo gave one last breath and then went deadly still.

"No Frodo hang on, I'm here…FRODO!"

TBC