Don't be Afraid-Part 3

Frodo closed his eyes and buried his head in Sam's chest. He was still very pail, but his breathing was normal. As Sam held his master he whispered "Thank you…thank you so much!" As he realized his prayer had been answered.

Sam stayed by Frodo's side, for the rest of the day, trying to make Frodo as comfortable as possible. Frodo still had tears of despair running down his face. Sam ached to see such pain in his master's face. Frodo had not spoken to him, since he had first awoken. He would just lay there often with his back to Sam, staring off into the distance. Sam would wipe at Frodo's tears and try to understand his pain. "Are you feeling alright dear? Do you still feel pain in your chest?" Sam would often ask every time tears welled from Frodo's eyes. But Frodo would not answer. Sam held his hand, stroked his curls and sang to him, but Frodo did not seem to be aware of Sam's actions, for he just continued to stare right through Sam, letting his tears fall down his cheeks.

The evening deepened and still Sam stayed by him, holding his hand gently, and still Frodo did not stir or show any sign of acknowledgement. Rose came into the doorway to check on them both. "How is he?" She whispered. Sam stood up from his place by his master's side, and took his wife into his arms. They stepped out into the hall so Frodo couldn't here their conversation.

"He's still the same." Sam said with sorrow in his voice.

"He's been through so much pain, and fear Sam. Why don't you let him be for a while, he'll talk when he's

ready."

Sam turned a nervous face towards Frodo's bedroom; he did not want to leave Frodo alone for one moment.

"He'll be all right love." Rosie said gently. "He just needs some time alone." She kissed Sam's cheek softly. Sam smiled at her, and then taking one last look at his friend, they left the hallway.

Sam held Eleanor on his lap, while Rosie bustled around the kitchen. Sam smiled as Eleanor began to fall asleep on his lap. Sam got up slowly and placed her in the crib, where she slept soundly. Sam had not checked on Frodo for hours, and began to wonder if he should. Quietly he tip-toad down the hallway, and poked his head into Frodo's room. Frodo was sitting up in bed, propped up against many pillows. Sam's heart sank as he watched Frodo wiping at tears that seemed to fall. Sam walked in quietly, sat next to him and took his hand. Frodo turned a tear-streaked face to him. Sam took Frodo's slight form into his arms as Frodo leaned trustfully on his shoulder.

"Are you still in pain dear?" He asked gently, stroking Frodo's curls as he spoke.

"No." Frodo whispered.

"Are you scared?"

"Yes." Said Frodo beginning to whimper.

"Oh don't be scared dear. It's all over now, your pain is gone, and your Sam is here to take good care of you."

"I was taken away Sam."

Sam looked down at his master giving him a look of confusion.

"They came for me Sam…my parents.

Sam was startled, Frodo's parents died, long ago when Frodo was still quite young. Sam kept his voice calm and steady, to try and hide the surprise in his voice.

"They came for you dear?"

"Yes Sam, to set me free from the pain. They asked me to come with them on a journey, to where there is no pain, or hatred, just everlasting peace."

Tears welled from Sam's eyes. He had prayed that he wanted Frodo to be happy, and in no pain, no matter what that meant. And now he had taken his master away from it. He was going to be at peace with his family, "What have I done." Sam said to himself.

"I miss them." Frodo said as he cried into Sam's chest.

"I know dear, I know." Sam said, as he began to cry anew. He had caused his master more pain.

"I'm tired Sam." Frodo said, in a weak voice.

"Then sleep, dear." Sam laid Frodo down onto the covers, and tucked the coverlet up to his chin, then kissed the top of his master's head. "Try and sleep Frodo, things will be better in the morning, you'll see. You've just been through a rough time is all sleep now." Sam took Frodo's hand, and began to sing to him.

"Sleep my loved one, Sleep

Softly are the shadows creping,

All around us night is deep.

But lie you still now, hush your weeping,

Sleep, my loved one sleep.

Night has fallen, day is dying.

The sun has set in the west,

Close your eyes and cease your crying,

Sleep my loved one, sleep,

Slumber now until the morning,

Sleep and may your dreams be blest.

I'll be here till day is dawning,

Rest my loved one, rest.

All the long night I'll be near ye,

Ever-wakeful watch to keep.

Rest and have no fear my darling,

Sleep my loved one, sleep."

Slowly Frodo's eyes began to close, and soon fell into a deep sleep. Sam squeezed his hand gently and kissed him lightly on the head. "Good night Frodo, sleep well."

Sam was awoken from sleep, instantly when he heard screaming coming from his masters bedroom. Sam ran down the hall, his heart pounding. As he burst into the room, what he saw made him gasp as well as break his heart in two. Frodo lay in bed writhing in pain, tangling himself in his sheets. Sam rushed to him and put his hand gently but firmly on Frodo's shoulder to try and keep him still.

"Sssam…" Frodo breathed. "It…hurts…it …HURTS…Sam!" Frodo cried, tears of pain poring down his face blinding him.

Sam scooped Frodo up in his arms, and held him tight. "Shhh, shhh, it's all right dear, I'm here…I'm here."

Frodo continued to writhe and arch his back as he lay in Sam's arms. "My…Chest…" He gasped.

"I know dear, I'm right here. Try and relax and let your Sam take care of you." Sam replied tears welling down his own cheeks.

"Sam…!" Frodo cried as the pain in his chest worsened. "Sam it…hurts!"

"I know dear, I know, but I'm here…I'm right here." Sam said over and over to try and comfort his ailing master. Frodo began to sweat from the pain. His breaths kept coming in great gasps. Sam laid him down ever so gently, and clasped his hand. Rosie rushed in and stood in the doorway, fear in her eyes. She came in and placed a cool cloth over Frodo's forehead. Frodo took no notice of it as he continued to writhe and scream as the pain progressed.

"I'll fetch a healer." Said Rosie.

"There's no time for that now." Sam whispered. "It's to late…we have to let him go."

"What!" Rosie cried. "No Sam we can't, there has to be something we can do for him!"

"There isn't" Said Sam, whimpering slightly. Sam took a breath, and squeezing Frodo's hand said softly, "Frodo, dear…you can let go now."

Frodo tried to turn his pain-glazed eyes in Sam's direction, but the pain was to great. He continued to writhe, and cry out.

"Just let go dear. You won't feel anymore pain after, I promise, you'll be at peace…forever."

Frodo clutched at Sam's hand tighter. "Don't…leave…me." He whimpered.

"I'll be right here, I won't leave your side."

Frodo tried to relax and imagine the peaceful haven's that awaited him. But the pain continued to torture him, he could no longer breathe through the pain. He writhed and gasped uncontrollably.

"Let go dear, let go." Sam said, calmly, his voice crackling from unsheds tears. "You don't have to fight the pain for me anymore, let go…I won't let you suffer this way."

Frodo turned his clouded blue eyes to him, looking horrified and full of pain. "Oh don't be afraid Frodo, I'll be right here with you, all the way until the end. All you have to do is let go…your parents are waiting for you."

Frodo tightened his hold on Sam as the pain continued to assail him. But slowly, Frodo began to grow limp, his breathing became erratic. Then it came…his last breath was just like all the others…he breathed in, he breathed out…then he didn't breath at all anymore.

Sam took his still master in his arms and sobbed over his master's body. By the time he stooped crying, the sun had already begun to rise. Slowly Sam laid his master down on the covers, and touched his face and curls. "There now Frodo." He said. "Be at peace, I pray that you are in no more pain. Until we meet again, dear friend.

Fin