Author's Note : This chapter is -sad-. Cute but -sad-. If you don't like Angst….well..I would suggest not reading it. I'll summarize what happened in the end so you can skip it if need be. This is a description of the kind of thing Gailethil does for Frodo when he's ill and why he loves her so much. Frodo Baggins of Bag End wrote for the part of Frodo. I recommend visiting her site on fan fiction.net.J
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CHAPTER 20 -- A tender moment
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It is late, and even Bilbo was already in bed for the night. The evening air was still warm with summer, but this seemed little comfort to one tiny hobbit curled up in his window-seat. . .Frodo, looked positively miserable, his small nose reddened with irritation. He seemed mildly flushed, as if he might have been running a slight fever, and looked close to tears, sitting wrapped in blankets and quilts as he clutched a pocket-hankerchief, gazing out at the night sky. . .at the stars.
The candle flickered and a warm light breeze flooded through the room. A little sigh accompanies it, and she leaned on the bedpost of Frodo's large featherbed. She was dressed in a robe, silvery and fine with long sleeves, and her hair was down and whisped in the breeze. She rubbed her eyes wearily and looked confused when she does not see him in bed. There was a soft glow about her for a brief moment.
He turned suddenly. . .and his eyes brighted a little. "Gailethil. . . ." As he blinked back tears, he put out his arms hopefully.
She straightened and walked over to him, her movements a little slower than usual. Once she is at his side she wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, and kissed his cheek. "Frodo. What are you doing out of bed when your sick?" Her words were slow and careful and she raised her hand to check his cheeks and forehead as she smiled gently.
His eyes flew at once to her wrist…and he sighed with relief when he did not see the bracelet there. He promptly folded into her arms as she embraces him. "I. . .I couldn't sleep. . .I caught cold, and I don't feel at all well. . . ."
Indeed, he was warm to the touch. . .not burning hot as he had been during some of his gravest illnesses, but he was a little too warm. . .and he seemed listless save for his interest in her. He clung tightly to her, as if anxious not to let her go.
She nodded gently and lifted him up slowly, as though he might be heavier than he used to be., her smile ever soft and pleasant. "I was thinking about you just now." She carried him over to the bed and drew down the sheets. "Have you taken any medicine for it? Where is your Uncle?" Around her wrist there Is a hint of a shadow where the bracelet might have been, as though perhaps she had been wearing it but had recently taken it off.
He sniffled, pouting a little. "No. . .but I feel awful. . . . He's asleep. . .it's not long until the party. . .I couldn't bear to let him know really. . . . He's hardly seen me, anyhow. Always busy with all the preparations; he leaves me to myself. I haven't had any medicine. . . ." Her effort at starting to put him to bed seemed to console him a little, and he quieted down a bit.
She rummaged in the small table by his bed where Bilbo usually kept things handy. Since Bilbo had become aware of her, he had made sure that things were prepared just in case. In Rivendell, Arwen had been slowly instructing her in the healing ways. She smiled a little, remembering a note he'd left her once. "You should have told someone, Frodo. AND you should have taken some medicine…its right here after all." she shook her head softly. "You cannot keep taking everything upon yourself. Let people take care of you. Its okay to need help. I know you're older now, but you don't have to do everything yourself." she eventually found what she was looking for, a bottle of elderberry-chamomile syrup specially made for Frodo. She still held one of his hands while doing so.
He clutched her hand miserably, and whimpered a little as he watched her search and discovery of the bottle. "It tastes awful….I'm trying to be an adult. . .I'm almost an adult, but. . .honestly, Gailethil. . .I don't feel like one. . .the only good thing is that maybe now I can come and see you, once I come of. . .ah-ah-ah-CHOO!. . .of age. . . ." The sneeze provoked a small bout of coughing, and he made a slight face.
She smiled, and poured a bit of the syrup. "This will help. Will you? I would like that...I wish I could be here for your birthday. Daddy is having a party for me too. I know how you feel. I mean...I'm no longer a child, and yet...I feel younger than everyone. Tis how everyone is taking care of me I think. They hardly let me out of site. I rarely get any privacy you know..." She edged closer on the bed to attempt to coax him to drink the concoction. And she studied him for just a moment. "You look older now....and you are very handsome...even when you have a cold."
He blushed, beaming. . .but sniffled as he drinks the syrup down. "No one takes care of me any more, except you, when you're here. . .and I'm too old to ask for my auntie. . .Bilbo feels I'm old enough to be on my own now, so he leaves me to it. . .I didn't eat anything at supper and he didn't even notice. He used to."
"He's got a lot on his mind, I think, Frodo. I know he loves you." She poured one more spoonful and nodded, her movements were a little slower than normal. It was not as though she did not want to be doing what she's was doing, but its was just a tiny bit different. Her eyes were bright still…glittering with the constellations reflected within, and she was still as warm as she ever was. Though perhaps a little paler than normal.. "Perhaps next year we'll spend our birthdays together…"
He swallowed the medicine and shivered a little as he waited to be tucked in and cuddled. "I hope so. . .I'm lonely. . .and I know he's got a lot on his mind, but. . . ." The tweenager sighed. "It's not that I want people always hovering; I don't. . .but. . ."
"I understand Frodo…Are you worried about him? He's a fine hobbit, Frodo. Uncle says he's far more energy than any hobbit that he's ever met. I think…You do want someone here though, don't you…to pay attention to you. Its okay to want to be taken care of, to want to have someone nearby that you can depend on. " she takes a small jar out of the drawer, ".I'm going to put some of this ointment on your chest, just to be sure so that your cough does not get worse, alright? Can you open your shirt, please?"
He nodded, and unbuttoned his nightshirt, pulling it open to expose his tiny chest. . .frail and slender as ever. "Yes. . .I'm worried about him; he seems. . .I don't know. . . ." He struggled for a moment. "There's something not right, and I can't put my finger on it. . .ah-ah-CHOO!. . .'scuse me. . .but at the same time, I'm scared. . .and lonely, too. . .especially right now. . . ."
She smiled, no longer embarrassed to see him as she had been in the past. She took a bit of the ointment on her fingers and began to rub his chest with it. "I think some hot tea and soup…the steam might clear up your sinuses.." Just then she winced just a little. It was barely perceptible but a wince nonetheless. Her fingers continue to work their way over his chest thoroughly. "I'm sure that he is alright, Frodo….and I'm here now…there's no need to feel lonely."
He smiled gratefully. . .and nodded. "Soup I'm not sure 'bout; Bilbo put some on for me, but everything tastes funny with this cold. . . ." Her touch seemed to comfort him, but he was also aware of the slight wince. "Are you all right, Gailethil?"
She buttoned up his shirt and touched his cheek fondly once done with the ointment. "I'm fine, Frodo….just a little headache is all." she reassured him gently and gathered him in her arms as she curled up at his side.
He nestled against her, nodding. "I'll try if you want me to. . .I can't really taste anything. . .I don't like to eat when I can't taste and I'm not hungry. . .but if you think I should, I could try a little. . . ."
She simply held him in her arms, "We need to let the medication work. In a moment…I'll get you some tea and soup in just a bit. Frodo...Will you be okay for a little bit while I go to the kitchen?" she looked at him and smiles, "I missed you..."
"I missed you too. . . ." He smiled also as he snuggled into her arms in a tiny bundle, and nodded. "There's cinnamon-ginger tea, I think; Bilbo keeps it around for when I catch a chill. . .and honey, too. . .I might be able to taste that. . . ." He curled up snugly. "I don't mind waiting like this. . .it makes me feel better having you here. . . ."
She kissed his forehead and then released him. Before she rose from the bed she tucked the covers around him. "I'll be back." It did not take her long and she returns with a tray of tea, left-over mushroom soup from the previous upper, and a couple of ginger cookies. She filled a tea-cup for Frodo and coaxed him to drink some.
Obediently he sipped, drinking eagerly. . .her presence seemed to comfort him, and he took the tea with reassuring interest. "Mmmmm. . .that's better. . .thank you. . . ." he managed between sips as he gazed up at her. He diddn't seem interested in the soup yet.
"Why don't you try one of those ? Perhaps….well…Daddy likes to dunk them in his tea…Maybe they will go down easier that way." she glanced back at him and smiled, her own special smile that was reserved for him alone.
"All right. . ." He smiled back a little and tried dunking one of the cookies. He swirled it in the tea a little before taking a tiny bite and munching quietly, snuggling into the covers with a small shiver.
"I'm glad I'm here, Frodo…" She smiled at him, resting on the edge of the bed.
"So am I…" He smiled a tiny bit. "This is never the same with anyone else. . .I don't have a good answer when people ask me who's my best friend, because it's you. . . ." The cough came on again. . .but easier this time, less harsh and painful.
"And you've always been mine. I have friends in Rivendell, but everyone is so much older than me. Those who I am acquainted with. Most people...avoid me because...because of mamma...and me. " she sighed a little. "But you never did…You always want me to be with you. Well...I have friends...but not really. My only real friends are my brothers friends." she shrugged..."No one understands what...what I was going through except Arwen and Elrond. Arwen...Arwen is my friend. She's teaching me about healing…You would like her I think. And Daddy. He's wonderful. He and Bilbo talked for days on end, you know. I think...I think they talked about us."
"It sounds wonderful. . . ." He sighed contentedly and nodded as he rested against her, eyes closed once more. He seemed to really not be interested in the soup. "I would love to go there. . .maybe soon; it's almost time Bilbo can't use my age as an excuse any longer. . . ."
"They kept telling me that too...that you were not strong enough...and too young. But you're not young to me. You've been through a lot...we've been through a lot together. Why can't they just let us be together...I know...I know that we're different..." a tear fell down her cheek and she blinked it away. Had she also been having the same worries? "Uncle keeps saying that it is because of my destiny. I think they are all afraid of something...I'm starting to feel it more and more. Sometimes...Frodo...sometimes I'm so afraid…I can't breathe…"
"So am I. . ." he murmured. . .but began coughing again, this time with more difficulty in his breathing.
"I think something happened that they're not telling us about Frodo...try to relax...Please..." She gently rubbed his back and let him curl up next to her. "When I'm with you....I feel safe. Like you will make everything right...like you will make sure that nothing will ever hurt me...I can't explain..." she smiled "But I love you...and I know that someday...someday we'll be together...for always. I believe that you're my destiny Frodo...and I don't care what anyone says..."
He nodded weakly, and looked as if he wanted to say more. . .but the cough was too severe and though he tried to relax, he still seemed to have difficulty getting it stopped. "I love you too - " he whispered, but managed no more.
Gailethil reached over for the tea and tried to get him to drink some more of it to ease his coughing. "Just a little, Muin…" she frowned, trying to figure out what it was she should do by his condition. Trying to remember Arwen's teaching. She continues to rub his back to ease the cough.
He sipped a little of the warm drink as she coaxes before he manged to speak. "It's helping. . That…feels good. . .just the cough's bothering me. . . ."
"I'll look for more medicine when we get out...can you tell me what your Uncle usually gives you?" She had an Idea that he needed more than one type of medication…for his symptoms were a combination.
"Uh-huh. . .he gives me the medicine you did earlier. . .and something else when I have a bad cough. . .tastes sort of cherry. . .with thyme. . .it should be in my night-table with the other. . . . The first one is elderberry and peppermint and chamomile to help a cold and bring down fever and help me sleep. . .the cherry one helps coughing. . . ." He snuggled into a little bundle against her.
She rose, tucking him in, and searched in the table drawer and finally found a note from Bilbo with instructions on which bottle to use. She smiled. "I think I've found it." she drew the bottle out from the back of the drawer.
He smiles up at her, a positively adorable bundle of curls and big blue eyes. Snuggled into the covers, he nodded, watched her with interest.
"That's it. . .Bilbo always gives me that when I have a bad cough. . . . Would you mind. . .do you think I could have some more covers, please?."
She found another quilt and drew it over him, tucking it securely about him and poured a spoonful. "Now…I know it tastes nasty… but have to get some of this down...and then eat something in the morning okay? Did you finish the cookies?"
He opend his tiny mouth and took the medicine obediently. . He nodded, smiling a little. "I ate one. . .I could probably drink some more tea. . .or soup. . .whatever's ready and easier. . .if you don't mind?" He sniffled, little red nose threatening to go drippy again, and quickly poked about for a pocket-handkerchief beneath his pillows.
As the tea was still warm she pours him another cupful, stirring a bit of milk and cream into it.. She frowned a little at his sniffling. "I hope that medication works soon so you can get a good nights rest."
He offers another little smile as he took the tea carefully. "Usually it takes a couple of doses for the elder thing to help my nose. . .but the cough medicine usually helps quickly. . . ." He sighed, "I don't really feel like the soup after all…" He snuggle into the warm covers, seeming a little better. . .still a bit feverish, still ill, but a cute little bundle nestled cosily into a comfortable bed. "Thank you for taking care of me, Gailethil. . . ."
She smiled warmly. "You are welcome, Muin." she seemed a little better herself…though she was still…a little pale. She looked him over gently. "I think some more of the cough syrup and then…you should be able to sleep."
He mad a tiny face. "Please. . .I don't want to wake up coughing. . .but I do think I could go to sleep with you rubbing the stuff on my chest. . .though I. . .I'm scared you'll be gone again when I wake. . . ."
She let him have another spoonful of the syrup, then smiled gently and gazed at him with a little sigh. "Frodo…Frodo I can't stay long…it hurts…a lot lately…Don't be sad. Please don't be sad. I don't want you to get worse. Please…please promise me you won't be sad…that you'll get better, even if I'm not here? You know that I love you. You know that this is real. Its only a matter of time…" To an elf…time did not mean as much as it did to a Hobbit.
He began to cry nonetheless. . .the medicine seemed of little use to ease him with this news, and he promptly sat up, and reached over to cling to her. "I love you too. . .I don't want you to hurt, but. . .I don't want you to leave me. . .please. . .*please*, Gailethil. . . ." And the tiny hobbit sobbed as if his heart would break.
"Frodo...my melleth...my tinw muin. I love you so much..." she held him in her arms...letting him cry. Tears fell from her own eyes as she buried her head on his shoulder. "I can't stop it..." she gulped back a sob. "I can't...I'm sorry. .You have to be brave. Its only for a little while...You'll be of age soon...Whatever you do...I'll be there....waiting for you. I promise..."
And he sobbed on her shoulder, cuddled in her arms. . .until he cries himself to sleep.
And as always…in the morning she was gone. But Bilbo had noticed him coughing during the night and came in to check on him…so he had someone to make sure he got well.
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Author's Note : They both complain that their families are holding them apart. Frodo says Bilbo is using his age against him as an excuse to keep him here, and Gailethil says that Elrond is refusing to let her leave Rivendell and her family is stifling her with constant surveillance. She takes care of him just before the party (about a month before the party) because he has not told Bilbo he's ill as he's trying to 'be an adult' and prove to his Uncle that he's capable of taking care of himself. Gailethil premonitions that Frodo will 'save them all' in this chapter. It also says how Bilbo left 'notes' for Gailethil because he began to accept her presence and how Arwen is teaching her about healing.
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CHAPTER 20 -- A tender moment
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It is late, and even Bilbo was already in bed for the night. The evening air was still warm with summer, but this seemed little comfort to one tiny hobbit curled up in his window-seat. . .Frodo, looked positively miserable, his small nose reddened with irritation. He seemed mildly flushed, as if he might have been running a slight fever, and looked close to tears, sitting wrapped in blankets and quilts as he clutched a pocket-hankerchief, gazing out at the night sky. . .at the stars.
The candle flickered and a warm light breeze flooded through the room. A little sigh accompanies it, and she leaned on the bedpost of Frodo's large featherbed. She was dressed in a robe, silvery and fine with long sleeves, and her hair was down and whisped in the breeze. She rubbed her eyes wearily and looked confused when she does not see him in bed. There was a soft glow about her for a brief moment.
He turned suddenly. . .and his eyes brighted a little. "Gailethil. . . ." As he blinked back tears, he put out his arms hopefully.
She straightened and walked over to him, her movements a little slower than usual. Once she is at his side she wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace, and kissed his cheek. "Frodo. What are you doing out of bed when your sick?" Her words were slow and careful and she raised her hand to check his cheeks and forehead as she smiled gently.
His eyes flew at once to her wrist…and he sighed with relief when he did not see the bracelet there. He promptly folded into her arms as she embraces him. "I. . .I couldn't sleep. . .I caught cold, and I don't feel at all well. . . ."
Indeed, he was warm to the touch. . .not burning hot as he had been during some of his gravest illnesses, but he was a little too warm. . .and he seemed listless save for his interest in her. He clung tightly to her, as if anxious not to let her go.
She nodded gently and lifted him up slowly, as though he might be heavier than he used to be., her smile ever soft and pleasant. "I was thinking about you just now." She carried him over to the bed and drew down the sheets. "Have you taken any medicine for it? Where is your Uncle?" Around her wrist there Is a hint of a shadow where the bracelet might have been, as though perhaps she had been wearing it but had recently taken it off.
He sniffled, pouting a little. "No. . .but I feel awful. . . . He's asleep. . .it's not long until the party. . .I couldn't bear to let him know really. . . . He's hardly seen me, anyhow. Always busy with all the preparations; he leaves me to myself. I haven't had any medicine. . . ." Her effort at starting to put him to bed seemed to console him a little, and he quieted down a bit.
She rummaged in the small table by his bed where Bilbo usually kept things handy. Since Bilbo had become aware of her, he had made sure that things were prepared just in case. In Rivendell, Arwen had been slowly instructing her in the healing ways. She smiled a little, remembering a note he'd left her once. "You should have told someone, Frodo. AND you should have taken some medicine…its right here after all." she shook her head softly. "You cannot keep taking everything upon yourself. Let people take care of you. Its okay to need help. I know you're older now, but you don't have to do everything yourself." she eventually found what she was looking for, a bottle of elderberry-chamomile syrup specially made for Frodo. She still held one of his hands while doing so.
He clutched her hand miserably, and whimpered a little as he watched her search and discovery of the bottle. "It tastes awful….I'm trying to be an adult. . .I'm almost an adult, but. . .honestly, Gailethil. . .I don't feel like one. . .the only good thing is that maybe now I can come and see you, once I come of. . .ah-ah-ah-CHOO!. . .of age. . . ." The sneeze provoked a small bout of coughing, and he made a slight face.
She smiled, and poured a bit of the syrup. "This will help. Will you? I would like that...I wish I could be here for your birthday. Daddy is having a party for me too. I know how you feel. I mean...I'm no longer a child, and yet...I feel younger than everyone. Tis how everyone is taking care of me I think. They hardly let me out of site. I rarely get any privacy you know..." She edged closer on the bed to attempt to coax him to drink the concoction. And she studied him for just a moment. "You look older now....and you are very handsome...even when you have a cold."
He blushed, beaming. . .but sniffled as he drinks the syrup down. "No one takes care of me any more, except you, when you're here. . .and I'm too old to ask for my auntie. . .Bilbo feels I'm old enough to be on my own now, so he leaves me to it. . .I didn't eat anything at supper and he didn't even notice. He used to."
"He's got a lot on his mind, I think, Frodo. I know he loves you." She poured one more spoonful and nodded, her movements were a little slower than normal. It was not as though she did not want to be doing what she's was doing, but its was just a tiny bit different. Her eyes were bright still…glittering with the constellations reflected within, and she was still as warm as she ever was. Though perhaps a little paler than normal.. "Perhaps next year we'll spend our birthdays together…"
He swallowed the medicine and shivered a little as he waited to be tucked in and cuddled. "I hope so. . .I'm lonely. . .and I know he's got a lot on his mind, but. . . ." The tweenager sighed. "It's not that I want people always hovering; I don't. . .but. . ."
"I understand Frodo…Are you worried about him? He's a fine hobbit, Frodo. Uncle says he's far more energy than any hobbit that he's ever met. I think…You do want someone here though, don't you…to pay attention to you. Its okay to want to be taken care of, to want to have someone nearby that you can depend on. " she takes a small jar out of the drawer, ".I'm going to put some of this ointment on your chest, just to be sure so that your cough does not get worse, alright? Can you open your shirt, please?"
He nodded, and unbuttoned his nightshirt, pulling it open to expose his tiny chest. . .frail and slender as ever. "Yes. . .I'm worried about him; he seems. . .I don't know. . . ." He struggled for a moment. "There's something not right, and I can't put my finger on it. . .ah-ah-CHOO!. . .'scuse me. . .but at the same time, I'm scared. . .and lonely, too. . .especially right now. . . ."
She smiled, no longer embarrassed to see him as she had been in the past. She took a bit of the ointment on her fingers and began to rub his chest with it. "I think some hot tea and soup…the steam might clear up your sinuses.." Just then she winced just a little. It was barely perceptible but a wince nonetheless. Her fingers continue to work their way over his chest thoroughly. "I'm sure that he is alright, Frodo….and I'm here now…there's no need to feel lonely."
He smiled gratefully. . .and nodded. "Soup I'm not sure 'bout; Bilbo put some on for me, but everything tastes funny with this cold. . . ." Her touch seemed to comfort him, but he was also aware of the slight wince. "Are you all right, Gailethil?"
She buttoned up his shirt and touched his cheek fondly once done with the ointment. "I'm fine, Frodo….just a little headache is all." she reassured him gently and gathered him in her arms as she curled up at his side.
He nestled against her, nodding. "I'll try if you want me to. . .I can't really taste anything. . .I don't like to eat when I can't taste and I'm not hungry. . .but if you think I should, I could try a little. . . ."
She simply held him in her arms, "We need to let the medication work. In a moment…I'll get you some tea and soup in just a bit. Frodo...Will you be okay for a little bit while I go to the kitchen?" she looked at him and smiles, "I missed you..."
"I missed you too. . . ." He smiled also as he snuggled into her arms in a tiny bundle, and nodded. "There's cinnamon-ginger tea, I think; Bilbo keeps it around for when I catch a chill. . .and honey, too. . .I might be able to taste that. . . ." He curled up snugly. "I don't mind waiting like this. . .it makes me feel better having you here. . . ."
She kissed his forehead and then released him. Before she rose from the bed she tucked the covers around him. "I'll be back." It did not take her long and she returns with a tray of tea, left-over mushroom soup from the previous upper, and a couple of ginger cookies. She filled a tea-cup for Frodo and coaxed him to drink some.
Obediently he sipped, drinking eagerly. . .her presence seemed to comfort him, and he took the tea with reassuring interest. "Mmmmm. . .that's better. . .thank you. . . ." he managed between sips as he gazed up at her. He diddn't seem interested in the soup yet.
"Why don't you try one of those ? Perhaps….well…Daddy likes to dunk them in his tea…Maybe they will go down easier that way." she glanced back at him and smiled, her own special smile that was reserved for him alone.
"All right. . ." He smiled back a little and tried dunking one of the cookies. He swirled it in the tea a little before taking a tiny bite and munching quietly, snuggling into the covers with a small shiver.
"I'm glad I'm here, Frodo…" She smiled at him, resting on the edge of the bed.
"So am I…" He smiled a tiny bit. "This is never the same with anyone else. . .I don't have a good answer when people ask me who's my best friend, because it's you. . . ." The cough came on again. . .but easier this time, less harsh and painful.
"And you've always been mine. I have friends in Rivendell, but everyone is so much older than me. Those who I am acquainted with. Most people...avoid me because...because of mamma...and me. " she sighed a little. "But you never did…You always want me to be with you. Well...I have friends...but not really. My only real friends are my brothers friends." she shrugged..."No one understands what...what I was going through except Arwen and Elrond. Arwen...Arwen is my friend. She's teaching me about healing…You would like her I think. And Daddy. He's wonderful. He and Bilbo talked for days on end, you know. I think...I think they talked about us."
"It sounds wonderful. . . ." He sighed contentedly and nodded as he rested against her, eyes closed once more. He seemed to really not be interested in the soup. "I would love to go there. . .maybe soon; it's almost time Bilbo can't use my age as an excuse any longer. . . ."
"They kept telling me that too...that you were not strong enough...and too young. But you're not young to me. You've been through a lot...we've been through a lot together. Why can't they just let us be together...I know...I know that we're different..." a tear fell down her cheek and she blinked it away. Had she also been having the same worries? "Uncle keeps saying that it is because of my destiny. I think they are all afraid of something...I'm starting to feel it more and more. Sometimes...Frodo...sometimes I'm so afraid…I can't breathe…"
"So am I. . ." he murmured. . .but began coughing again, this time with more difficulty in his breathing.
"I think something happened that they're not telling us about Frodo...try to relax...Please..." She gently rubbed his back and let him curl up next to her. "When I'm with you....I feel safe. Like you will make everything right...like you will make sure that nothing will ever hurt me...I can't explain..." she smiled "But I love you...and I know that someday...someday we'll be together...for always. I believe that you're my destiny Frodo...and I don't care what anyone says..."
He nodded weakly, and looked as if he wanted to say more. . .but the cough was too severe and though he tried to relax, he still seemed to have difficulty getting it stopped. "I love you too - " he whispered, but managed no more.
Gailethil reached over for the tea and tried to get him to drink some more of it to ease his coughing. "Just a little, Muin…" she frowned, trying to figure out what it was she should do by his condition. Trying to remember Arwen's teaching. She continues to rub his back to ease the cough.
He sipped a little of the warm drink as she coaxes before he manged to speak. "It's helping. . That…feels good. . .just the cough's bothering me. . . ."
"I'll look for more medicine when we get out...can you tell me what your Uncle usually gives you?" She had an Idea that he needed more than one type of medication…for his symptoms were a combination.
"Uh-huh. . .he gives me the medicine you did earlier. . .and something else when I have a bad cough. . .tastes sort of cherry. . .with thyme. . .it should be in my night-table with the other. . . . The first one is elderberry and peppermint and chamomile to help a cold and bring down fever and help me sleep. . .the cherry one helps coughing. . . ." He snuggled into a little bundle against her.
She rose, tucking him in, and searched in the table drawer and finally found a note from Bilbo with instructions on which bottle to use. She smiled. "I think I've found it." she drew the bottle out from the back of the drawer.
He smiles up at her, a positively adorable bundle of curls and big blue eyes. Snuggled into the covers, he nodded, watched her with interest.
"That's it. . .Bilbo always gives me that when I have a bad cough. . . . Would you mind. . .do you think I could have some more covers, please?."
She found another quilt and drew it over him, tucking it securely about him and poured a spoonful. "Now…I know it tastes nasty… but have to get some of this down...and then eat something in the morning okay? Did you finish the cookies?"
He opend his tiny mouth and took the medicine obediently. . He nodded, smiling a little. "I ate one. . .I could probably drink some more tea. . .or soup. . .whatever's ready and easier. . .if you don't mind?" He sniffled, little red nose threatening to go drippy again, and quickly poked about for a pocket-handkerchief beneath his pillows.
As the tea was still warm she pours him another cupful, stirring a bit of milk and cream into it.. She frowned a little at his sniffling. "I hope that medication works soon so you can get a good nights rest."
He offers another little smile as he took the tea carefully. "Usually it takes a couple of doses for the elder thing to help my nose. . .but the cough medicine usually helps quickly. . . ." He sighed, "I don't really feel like the soup after all…" He snuggle into the warm covers, seeming a little better. . .still a bit feverish, still ill, but a cute little bundle nestled cosily into a comfortable bed. "Thank you for taking care of me, Gailethil. . . ."
She smiled warmly. "You are welcome, Muin." she seemed a little better herself…though she was still…a little pale. She looked him over gently. "I think some more of the cough syrup and then…you should be able to sleep."
He mad a tiny face. "Please. . .I don't want to wake up coughing. . .but I do think I could go to sleep with you rubbing the stuff on my chest. . .though I. . .I'm scared you'll be gone again when I wake. . . ."
She let him have another spoonful of the syrup, then smiled gently and gazed at him with a little sigh. "Frodo…Frodo I can't stay long…it hurts…a lot lately…Don't be sad. Please don't be sad. I don't want you to get worse. Please…please promise me you won't be sad…that you'll get better, even if I'm not here? You know that I love you. You know that this is real. Its only a matter of time…" To an elf…time did not mean as much as it did to a Hobbit.
He began to cry nonetheless. . .the medicine seemed of little use to ease him with this news, and he promptly sat up, and reached over to cling to her. "I love you too. . .I don't want you to hurt, but. . .I don't want you to leave me. . .please. . .*please*, Gailethil. . . ." And the tiny hobbit sobbed as if his heart would break.
"Frodo...my melleth...my tinw muin. I love you so much..." she held him in her arms...letting him cry. Tears fell from her own eyes as she buried her head on his shoulder. "I can't stop it..." she gulped back a sob. "I can't...I'm sorry. .You have to be brave. Its only for a little while...You'll be of age soon...Whatever you do...I'll be there....waiting for you. I promise..."
And he sobbed on her shoulder, cuddled in her arms. . .until he cries himself to sleep.
And as always…in the morning she was gone. But Bilbo had noticed him coughing during the night and came in to check on him…so he had someone to make sure he got well.
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Author's Note : They both complain that their families are holding them apart. Frodo says Bilbo is using his age against him as an excuse to keep him here, and Gailethil says that Elrond is refusing to let her leave Rivendell and her family is stifling her with constant surveillance. She takes care of him just before the party (about a month before the party) because he has not told Bilbo he's ill as he's trying to 'be an adult' and prove to his Uncle that he's capable of taking care of himself. Gailethil premonitions that Frodo will 'save them all' in this chapter. It also says how Bilbo left 'notes' for Gailethil because he began to accept her presence and how Arwen is teaching her about healing.