Author's Note: Thank you all for the patience and reviews! :) Yes, Minx.
. .our little one needs IV fluids and crushed ice, but since it's Middle-
Earth. . .he is indeed about to get the closest one can come to it,
including a bit of force-feeding from Bilbo. :) Thus far, Bilbo's
attempts to get a spoonful in every now and then have been what's kept him
from getting past help. But the lad's going to need more than that to get
better. . . .
A special thanks to the many who've praised my detail and research! That REALLY means a great deal to me, since I pride myself on such matters. . .detail is everything. :) Most of the herbalist information I knew already from extensive reading and research; however, I always do some confirmation reading and such when writing a new chapter or fic, and this time was no exception. :)
Eryniell, if you do hear of other sick Frodo fics, please do let me know as well. . .obviously I enjoy them. :) The ones I can recall offhand would be many of our other dear revewiers': Arien, Rufferto, GoldenWolf, Epona, darthmorgana, LilyBaggins (slash of varying degrees - I do love her "Come Back to the Light". . . . :) I collaborate with the lovely Rufferto in some of the Frodo work for "Of Dreams and Rings," and GoldenWolf and I do plan to continue "Fear of Leaving" as well. But check out those authors and the items in my Favorite Stories section if you haven't already. . .and bring TONS of tissues!
Everyone. . .thank you all so much for bringing so much joy to my life. It is an honour to write for you. :) Please keep reading and reviewing. :) I'll be addressing some additional questions and comments in my Chapter 11 Author's Notes, so please stay tuned! :)
For permission to reproduce, please contact frodobaggins@frodo.com
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.
SHADOWS IN THE DARKNESS
Chapter Eleven: The Comfort of Friends
Bilbo turned toward the door, smiling a little through his tired expression. "Come in, Sam. . .don't stand in the hall like a miniature hobgoblin! I'm sorry if your Gaffer didn't tell you; I can't do your lesson this evening. Frodo's still very sick, and needs me taking care of him."
The door opened a bit more, tentatively. . .and a small hobbit-lad stepped shyly inside, his coppery chestnut curls shining in the dim light. He looked around the room with wide brown eyes, and one might have guessed from the plain, well-mended green and yellow trousers and shirt that he has rarely seen such extravagance. Remembering his manners, he bowed to Gandalf and Bilbo, glancing to the wizard with eyes large as saucers.
"Beggin' your pardon, Mr. Bilbo, sir, I didn't mean to disturb. . .my Gaffer only wanted to know if you'd like him to run any errands tomorrow, since we're all done for the week but a bit o'weeding, and I can do that. He said if Mr. Frodo was still so sick, you might have things that wanted doing that usually wouldn't."
"That's very kind of him." Smiling, Bilbo stroked Frodo's curls a bit more as the lad stirred again, the blue eyes open and alert now. . .and gazing curiously in the direction of the small visitor. "Frodo. . .this is Samwise Gamgee, the Gaffer's young son I was telling you about not long ago. Sam, this is Frodo. . .of course you've heard all about him."
Frodo mustered a weak smile, raising his hand in greeting. Sam's eyes widened further, if that was possible, and he looked from Frodo back to Bilbo, then back to Frodo again.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir! Samwise Gamgee, at your service. My Da takes care of the gardens and I help him. . .though I 'spect you know that. . . ." He blushed furiously, shuffling one foot.
"Yes. . .he's very nice. I like talking with him." A slight smile warmed Frodo's expression, and Bilbo took advantage of his young charge's distraction to check his other hand for the easy indenting Dr. Boffin had shown him. Anxiously he looked up at Gandalf, then back to the sick child.
"Frodo, my lad. . .I need to make a list of what I'd like the Gaffer to get from market for me in the morning, and you need something to drink. I've some broth on cooking, and I can make you some toast-water. . . ."
"My stomach. . . ."
"This will be easy on your stomach, dear boy. I promise." Bilbo took up the bottle and spoon nearest the edge of the bedside table, pouring a tablespoonful of peppermint-raspberry leaf syrup and touching it to the lad's lips. "There now. . .swallow that down, just a bit more medicine, and you should feel better by the time I have it ready."
Frodo obeyed, swallowing weakly. "All right. . . ."
Glancing knowingly at Gandalf, Bilbo nodded to the smaller lad. "Frodo, would you mind Sam sitting with you while Gandalf and I tend to things in the kitchen? Sam, do you think you could stay here with Frodo for a little time while I make him something to drink and make the list for your father? I'm doing it in pictures for him, of course, with words beside it for you to practise." He smiled, ruffling Frodo's curls lovingly. "I need some special things for my boy, since he's been so sick. . .Frodo, is there anything you think you might especially like? Anything at all that sounds pleasant to you?"
The younger Baggins pondered for a moment. "I like applesauce. . .and toast. . .but I'm not hungry. . .maybe later. . .I'm tired of throwing everything back up. . . ."
"You've got to keep taking a little something, though, to make sure you don't," Bilbo prodded, attempting to reassure him. "I'll tell you what, my boy: I'll plan some surprises for you, and you can try them if you feel up to it. Liquids mostly, but when you want something more, just say the word and your uncle Bilbo will fix it for you."
Frodo smiled. "Thank you. . .I'll. . .let you know. . .I promise. . . . I don't mind Sam staying, either. . .I just want to lie still. . . ."
Sam nodded eagerly. "I can sit here with him, Mr. Bilbo, sir! I'll be quiet if he wants, and if he even so much as blinks for wantin' you I'll run right to the kitchen and fetch you at once; I promise."
"Good! I'll be back soon, Frodo. . . ." Gently Bilbo bent over the lad, kissing his forehead between replacing cool compresses before departing the room, motioning for Gandalf to follow, leaving the two boys alone.
Sam smiled nervously, wringing his hands as he steps closer to the bed. Clearly the boy couldn't be more than eight or nine, and Frodo smiled. . .it brought back memories of younger cousins at Brandy Hall.
"I'm sorry I haven't met you, sooner, sir, but you were so busy, and then my Da says you've been real sick with th' tummyache and had to stay in bed."
Frodo nodded weakly, still resting against his pillows. "It's all right. . .it couldn't be helped."
"Is your belly still hurtin' sir? You look like you're feelin' awful, if I could say so - "
"Mmm-hmm." Nodding, Frodo huddled miserably beneath the covers. "Uncle Bilbo's been giving me medicine, but the hot water-bottles help more than anything else."
Samwise nodded sagely, climbing onto Bilbo's vacated stool beside the bed. "There's nothin' helps a bad tummyache so much as somethin' warm." He fidgetted shyly. "Sir, is there anythin' I can do for you? Your uncle's goin' to bring you somethin' to drink that'll settle your stomach a bit, just like he said, and he'll be back real soon, I'm sure. . . ." His eyes widened a little. "You've not eaten anything since this started?"
Shaking his head, Frodo shuddered. "No. . .just herb drinks and things like that. . .I've not been well enough for anything else. Just the thought. . . ." He made a slight face, wrinkling his nose.
The younger boy gasped in shock. "But. . .I didn't think a body could GO that long without eatin' somethin'. . .that's unnatural! Not good for you!"
"Neither is throwing up all the time, which is what keeps happening." Frodo lies quietly for a moment. "I'm a little thirsty, though. . .is there anything to drink? Bilbo keeps things on the table there by my bed. . . ."
Sam looked, evaluating the array carefully. "Here we are! I think this is it, Mr. Frodo. . .would you rather have a drink o'water or a few sups of this tea? I think it's ginger, smells like candy. Which do you want?"
"Just water, please. . .not very much." Frodo pushed himself up on his arm, nodding for the younger child to help by holding the glass to his lips. As it turned out, Sam seemed to have little difficulty with this, balancing the container expertly and supporting Frodo with his other arm before removing the glass when the patient finished. "Thank you. . . ."
"Oh, 'tweren't nothin', Mr. Frodo!" Sam set the glass aside, looking genuinely delighted. "Now, anythin' else I can do for you? Maybe a bit of talk about the garden, or another warm blanket?"
**************************************************************************** *********
"He's got to take a little something soon, Gandalf! Hobbits weren't meant to live like this; a young hobbit his age can't go like this for long without it affecting him badly."
In the kitchen, Bilbo stood at the counter-top, cutting crusts from two slices of bread, putting them on to toast as he turns back to a large pot, removing bits of chicken with a slotted spoon and setting them into a small bowl. Gandalf sat on a stool close by, slightly hunched over to avoid the ceiling.
"He'll manage, Bilbo. I know you're worried, and so am I. He's very ill. But you can't rush his recovery. . .just settle for trying to get him to drink a little something. The rest will follow if you keep doing that."
Bilbo sighed, removing the now-golden brown toast and setting a slice into a small mixing-bowl, carefully pouring a cup of boiling water over it and setting that to cool a moment. "If you wouldn't mind helping me gather my thoughts, I'd appreciate it. . .it's the only thing that helps. We'll have to draw for the Gaffer, though Sam can help him a bit with reading it. Let's see. . . ." He took up the bowl, straining the water into a teacup and cutting the second toast-slice into tiny cubes, sprinkling them atop the water in the teacup. "A couple loaves of bread from the Muffin Tin. . .one slightly stale if they have it; better for dishes like this, strange as that sounds. . .hrm. . . ." The elder Baggins sighed and turned to set the teacup on a small saucer and put it on the waiting tray, arranging a tiny pitcher of milk and bowl of sugar beside it. Ladling broth into a small mug, he glanced toward the wizard, his expression tense.
"I didn't really feel I wanted children about, you know, save to tell them stories and spoil them a bit and send them off home to their parents after. But then. . .Drogo and Primmy had that child, and. . .well, he was special, I suppose. Particularly after they were gone, the poor boy. But I'm not the sort that's good for a small child, Gandalf; I haven't the patience or inclination with the young ones all the time. Angeline had the patience to deal with a child growing up, bless her, but I couldn't get him out of my head just the same. We got to be very close. And now. . . ."
Bilbo paused, checking everything over and reaching for a pitcher, pouring a tiny juice-glassful of apple juice.
"Well, I must admit I rather enjoy having the boy around. . .he's excellent company, old enough for that now, but still young enough he looks at me and I see the same shine as I do in the eyes of the smallest ones. It's. . .almost like having a son of my own."
Swallowing quickly, he lifted the tray, nodding firmly.
"The list can wait a few minutes. I want to get back to him."
~To Be Continued~
A special thanks to the many who've praised my detail and research! That REALLY means a great deal to me, since I pride myself on such matters. . .detail is everything. :) Most of the herbalist information I knew already from extensive reading and research; however, I always do some confirmation reading and such when writing a new chapter or fic, and this time was no exception. :)
Eryniell, if you do hear of other sick Frodo fics, please do let me know as well. . .obviously I enjoy them. :) The ones I can recall offhand would be many of our other dear revewiers': Arien, Rufferto, GoldenWolf, Epona, darthmorgana, LilyBaggins (slash of varying degrees - I do love her "Come Back to the Light". . . . :) I collaborate with the lovely Rufferto in some of the Frodo work for "Of Dreams and Rings," and GoldenWolf and I do plan to continue "Fear of Leaving" as well. But check out those authors and the items in my Favorite Stories section if you haven't already. . .and bring TONS of tissues!
Everyone. . .thank you all so much for bringing so much joy to my life. It is an honour to write for you. :) Please keep reading and reviewing. :) I'll be addressing some additional questions and comments in my Chapter 11 Author's Notes, so please stay tuned! :)
For permission to reproduce, please contact frodobaggins@frodo.com
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.
SHADOWS IN THE DARKNESS
Chapter Eleven: The Comfort of Friends
Bilbo turned toward the door, smiling a little through his tired expression. "Come in, Sam. . .don't stand in the hall like a miniature hobgoblin! I'm sorry if your Gaffer didn't tell you; I can't do your lesson this evening. Frodo's still very sick, and needs me taking care of him."
The door opened a bit more, tentatively. . .and a small hobbit-lad stepped shyly inside, his coppery chestnut curls shining in the dim light. He looked around the room with wide brown eyes, and one might have guessed from the plain, well-mended green and yellow trousers and shirt that he has rarely seen such extravagance. Remembering his manners, he bowed to Gandalf and Bilbo, glancing to the wizard with eyes large as saucers.
"Beggin' your pardon, Mr. Bilbo, sir, I didn't mean to disturb. . .my Gaffer only wanted to know if you'd like him to run any errands tomorrow, since we're all done for the week but a bit o'weeding, and I can do that. He said if Mr. Frodo was still so sick, you might have things that wanted doing that usually wouldn't."
"That's very kind of him." Smiling, Bilbo stroked Frodo's curls a bit more as the lad stirred again, the blue eyes open and alert now. . .and gazing curiously in the direction of the small visitor. "Frodo. . .this is Samwise Gamgee, the Gaffer's young son I was telling you about not long ago. Sam, this is Frodo. . .of course you've heard all about him."
Frodo mustered a weak smile, raising his hand in greeting. Sam's eyes widened further, if that was possible, and he looked from Frodo back to Bilbo, then back to Frodo again.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir! Samwise Gamgee, at your service. My Da takes care of the gardens and I help him. . .though I 'spect you know that. . . ." He blushed furiously, shuffling one foot.
"Yes. . .he's very nice. I like talking with him." A slight smile warmed Frodo's expression, and Bilbo took advantage of his young charge's distraction to check his other hand for the easy indenting Dr. Boffin had shown him. Anxiously he looked up at Gandalf, then back to the sick child.
"Frodo, my lad. . .I need to make a list of what I'd like the Gaffer to get from market for me in the morning, and you need something to drink. I've some broth on cooking, and I can make you some toast-water. . . ."
"My stomach. . . ."
"This will be easy on your stomach, dear boy. I promise." Bilbo took up the bottle and spoon nearest the edge of the bedside table, pouring a tablespoonful of peppermint-raspberry leaf syrup and touching it to the lad's lips. "There now. . .swallow that down, just a bit more medicine, and you should feel better by the time I have it ready."
Frodo obeyed, swallowing weakly. "All right. . . ."
Glancing knowingly at Gandalf, Bilbo nodded to the smaller lad. "Frodo, would you mind Sam sitting with you while Gandalf and I tend to things in the kitchen? Sam, do you think you could stay here with Frodo for a little time while I make him something to drink and make the list for your father? I'm doing it in pictures for him, of course, with words beside it for you to practise." He smiled, ruffling Frodo's curls lovingly. "I need some special things for my boy, since he's been so sick. . .Frodo, is there anything you think you might especially like? Anything at all that sounds pleasant to you?"
The younger Baggins pondered for a moment. "I like applesauce. . .and toast. . .but I'm not hungry. . .maybe later. . .I'm tired of throwing everything back up. . . ."
"You've got to keep taking a little something, though, to make sure you don't," Bilbo prodded, attempting to reassure him. "I'll tell you what, my boy: I'll plan some surprises for you, and you can try them if you feel up to it. Liquids mostly, but when you want something more, just say the word and your uncle Bilbo will fix it for you."
Frodo smiled. "Thank you. . .I'll. . .let you know. . .I promise. . . . I don't mind Sam staying, either. . .I just want to lie still. . . ."
Sam nodded eagerly. "I can sit here with him, Mr. Bilbo, sir! I'll be quiet if he wants, and if he even so much as blinks for wantin' you I'll run right to the kitchen and fetch you at once; I promise."
"Good! I'll be back soon, Frodo. . . ." Gently Bilbo bent over the lad, kissing his forehead between replacing cool compresses before departing the room, motioning for Gandalf to follow, leaving the two boys alone.
Sam smiled nervously, wringing his hands as he steps closer to the bed. Clearly the boy couldn't be more than eight or nine, and Frodo smiled. . .it brought back memories of younger cousins at Brandy Hall.
"I'm sorry I haven't met you, sooner, sir, but you were so busy, and then my Da says you've been real sick with th' tummyache and had to stay in bed."
Frodo nodded weakly, still resting against his pillows. "It's all right. . .it couldn't be helped."
"Is your belly still hurtin' sir? You look like you're feelin' awful, if I could say so - "
"Mmm-hmm." Nodding, Frodo huddled miserably beneath the covers. "Uncle Bilbo's been giving me medicine, but the hot water-bottles help more than anything else."
Samwise nodded sagely, climbing onto Bilbo's vacated stool beside the bed. "There's nothin' helps a bad tummyache so much as somethin' warm." He fidgetted shyly. "Sir, is there anythin' I can do for you? Your uncle's goin' to bring you somethin' to drink that'll settle your stomach a bit, just like he said, and he'll be back real soon, I'm sure. . . ." His eyes widened a little. "You've not eaten anything since this started?"
Shaking his head, Frodo shuddered. "No. . .just herb drinks and things like that. . .I've not been well enough for anything else. Just the thought. . . ." He made a slight face, wrinkling his nose.
The younger boy gasped in shock. "But. . .I didn't think a body could GO that long without eatin' somethin'. . .that's unnatural! Not good for you!"
"Neither is throwing up all the time, which is what keeps happening." Frodo lies quietly for a moment. "I'm a little thirsty, though. . .is there anything to drink? Bilbo keeps things on the table there by my bed. . . ."
Sam looked, evaluating the array carefully. "Here we are! I think this is it, Mr. Frodo. . .would you rather have a drink o'water or a few sups of this tea? I think it's ginger, smells like candy. Which do you want?"
"Just water, please. . .not very much." Frodo pushed himself up on his arm, nodding for the younger child to help by holding the glass to his lips. As it turned out, Sam seemed to have little difficulty with this, balancing the container expertly and supporting Frodo with his other arm before removing the glass when the patient finished. "Thank you. . . ."
"Oh, 'tweren't nothin', Mr. Frodo!" Sam set the glass aside, looking genuinely delighted. "Now, anythin' else I can do for you? Maybe a bit of talk about the garden, or another warm blanket?"
**************************************************************************** *********
"He's got to take a little something soon, Gandalf! Hobbits weren't meant to live like this; a young hobbit his age can't go like this for long without it affecting him badly."
In the kitchen, Bilbo stood at the counter-top, cutting crusts from two slices of bread, putting them on to toast as he turns back to a large pot, removing bits of chicken with a slotted spoon and setting them into a small bowl. Gandalf sat on a stool close by, slightly hunched over to avoid the ceiling.
"He'll manage, Bilbo. I know you're worried, and so am I. He's very ill. But you can't rush his recovery. . .just settle for trying to get him to drink a little something. The rest will follow if you keep doing that."
Bilbo sighed, removing the now-golden brown toast and setting a slice into a small mixing-bowl, carefully pouring a cup of boiling water over it and setting that to cool a moment. "If you wouldn't mind helping me gather my thoughts, I'd appreciate it. . .it's the only thing that helps. We'll have to draw for the Gaffer, though Sam can help him a bit with reading it. Let's see. . . ." He took up the bowl, straining the water into a teacup and cutting the second toast-slice into tiny cubes, sprinkling them atop the water in the teacup. "A couple loaves of bread from the Muffin Tin. . .one slightly stale if they have it; better for dishes like this, strange as that sounds. . .hrm. . . ." The elder Baggins sighed and turned to set the teacup on a small saucer and put it on the waiting tray, arranging a tiny pitcher of milk and bowl of sugar beside it. Ladling broth into a small mug, he glanced toward the wizard, his expression tense.
"I didn't really feel I wanted children about, you know, save to tell them stories and spoil them a bit and send them off home to their parents after. But then. . .Drogo and Primmy had that child, and. . .well, he was special, I suppose. Particularly after they were gone, the poor boy. But I'm not the sort that's good for a small child, Gandalf; I haven't the patience or inclination with the young ones all the time. Angeline had the patience to deal with a child growing up, bless her, but I couldn't get him out of my head just the same. We got to be very close. And now. . . ."
Bilbo paused, checking everything over and reaching for a pitcher, pouring a tiny juice-glassful of apple juice.
"Well, I must admit I rather enjoy having the boy around. . .he's excellent company, old enough for that now, but still young enough he looks at me and I see the same shine as I do in the eyes of the smallest ones. It's. . .almost like having a son of my own."
Swallowing quickly, he lifted the tray, nodding firmly.
"The list can wait a few minutes. I want to get back to him."
~To Be Continued~