Nightmares
After already settling Sam into a larger bed the assistants went to
get Frodo. As he was lifted from the bed Frodo cried out in pain and
fear. He was locked in a nightmare. The wraiths had found him and
were taking him back to Mordor. Back to the fiery Mt. Doom. "You
have destroyed the ring" screeched the Witch King "now we
will destroy you!"
"NO!!" gasped Frodo. His breathing coming in short harsh
gasps. "I wonít go back there, I wonít!" He
flailed his arms and kicked his feet, his blue eyes wide with fright.
No one could get near him.
"Move away from the bed" Aragorn told everyone. "Do
not try to restrain him, you will harm the burns." Frodo watched
in fear as the wraiths, Ioreth and the others, backed away. Then his
eyes went wide with terror as the Witch King approached.
"Frodo" Aragorn said as he approached the bed "lasto
beth nin, we are here to help you." Frodo became confused, it
looked like a wraith but sounded like.... "A...Aragorn?"
Frodo wheezed his vision clearing a little. "Aragorn I.....the
wraiths......" Frodo fell back against the pillows exhausted,
his breathing becoming more labored.
Aragorn reached out and gently placed a hand on Frodoís
shoulder. "Its all right little one, you are safe now. The
wraiths are gone forever."
Frodo closed his eyes but he didnít relax. Every breath he
took was a struggle. A harsh squeal could be heard with each breath.
Frodo broke out into a cold sweat. His face paled and then began to
turn a slight bluish color.
Aragorn became alarmed. He immediately slid behind Frodo on the bed
and supported Frodos head on his chest. "Raytheon" Aragorn
called out "bring me that leather pouch from the table and some
boiling water." Aragorn placed his thumbs behind Frodos jaw and
gently pushed it forward. Frodos breathing eased slightly.
"Aragorn, Whats going on?" Demanded Merry from the doorway.
He and Pippin had heard Frodo scream and had come to see what was
happening. "Its as I feared" Aragorn said. "Frodos
throat is swelling and he cannot breath right. If we cannot reduce
the swelling he will suffocate."
Raytheon returned with a cup, some boiling water and the leather
pouch Aragorn had asked for. "Good, now put some of those herbs
into the cup and pour the water in" Aragorn instructed Raytheon.
"Then put a towel over Frodos head and hold the cup underneath
it."
Merry and Pippin watched in silent horror as Frodo continued to
struggle for breath and his face became increasingly bluer. As the
healer place the towel over Frodos head and held the cup underneath
it Pippin turned and buried his face in Merryís shoulder
sobbing. Gandalf came up to the hobbits and silently ushered them out
of the room. He feared, as did Aragorn, that Frodo was lost.
