Reunion Chapter 7
Frodoís breathing was easing a bit. His breaths were not so
labored and the squeal was quieter. "Raytheon" Aragorn
said. "remove the towel from Frodos head and lets see what we
have." Raytheon did as Aragorn asked. Frodos eyes were closed
but his face bore a grimace as if he were in pain. Raytheon recounted
all this to Aragorn and added "the blue discoloration is still
evident around the little ones mouth and eyes."
"Aragorn..." Frodo whispered "hard to breath, chest
hurts, hand hurts." Frodo weakly lifted his bandaged hand off
the bed and settled it on his lap.
"Hush Frodo" Aragorn said softly. "Donít try to
talk. Save your strength." Gandalf entered the room just then.
"Raytheon, Ioreth needs your help with a most difficult patient
down the hall." Raytheon looked to Aragorn, "Go, Gandalf
can assist me here." Raytheon bowed, "Thank you my lord. I
will return as soon as I can." "G....Gandalf? Is it really
you?" can a weak whisper from the bed. "No, it canít
be, he is dead. Am I dead too Gandalf?" Aragorn and Gandalf
exchanged glances. "No Frodo Baggins" Gandalf said.
"You are not dead and neither am I. We are both very much
alive." Frodo tried to smile but grimaced in pain as a whimper
escaped his lips. "Gandalf, on that table is a potion for pain,
bring it here please." Aragorn said. Gandalf brought the bottle
over to the bedside, poured some into a clean cup and handed it to
Aragorn. Aragorn gently shifted so Frodo was settled into the crook
of his arm. "Here Frodo" Aragorn gently prodded,
"drink this, it will help ease your pain." Gandalf helped
support Frodo as Aragorn placed the cup to Frodos lips and poured
some of the medicine into Frodos mouth.
Frodo took a few sips then stopped. His eyes went wide with terror
and he tightly gripped Aragorns arm with his uninjured hand.
Frodo tried to swallow what Aragorn had given him but was unable. His
tongue felt thick and his throat was on fire. Suddenly he felt his
throat close. he felt panic rising in him. He gripped Aragorns arm as
his mind screamed. "I canít breath! Aragorn help me! I
canít breath!!" "Heís choking!" Frodo
heard Aragorn cry. Frodo felt himself being thrust forward and
someone hitting him on his back. "help me" was Frodos last
thought before darkness overtook him and he knew no more.
When Aragorn cried out, Gandalf acted quickly, he thrust Frodo
forward and firmly hit him between the shoulder blades. A small
amount of the potion trickled out of Frodos mouth but he still could
not breath. Aragorn felt Frodo go limp in his arms. He quickly laid
Frodo on his side and tried to stick his finger into Frodos mouth. He
meant to clear out whatever it was blocking Fordos air. Aragorn
looked up at Gandalf, "his tongue is swollen! That is why he
cannot breath!!"
Gandalf went to the table where the medicines were kept. After a very
short search he found what he was looking for. He knew what had to be
done. He had seen it done once before a very long time ago in
Osgilaith, though he had never done it himself. Gandalf turned back
to the bed and stopped short. Frodos face was ghostly white and he
had stopped struggling to breath. Gandalfs heart sank as he
approached the bed. "Hang on Frodo" he said.
