CHAPTER 7
As Bilbo had suspected he would, when Frodo arrived at the breakfast table the next morning he looked miserable. His eyes and nose were running and he had a nasty tickly cough. The young hobbit made some attempt to appear cheerful but he spent half an hour pushing his food around on his plate, his throat too sore to deal with bacon.
"Well, Frodo. I think we'd better postpone our first lesson for a few days. I don't think you're going to be able to concentrate with that runny nose."
Dabbing at his nose, Frodo tried to sit up and look healthier but the attempt only made Bilbo chuckle. "Don't worry, lad. I won't forget my promise. But for now, I think you aught to take yourself back to bed. Go and make yourself comfortable and I'll bring you something to eat that will be a bit softer on your throat." When Frodo made to protest Bilbo just shooed him off down the hall to his bedroom.
Once he had undressed and snuggled back in to bed Frodo had to admit that he felt a bit better. He wiped his nose on a fresh hanky and opened his book, preparing to read.
A little while later Bilbo brought him a breakfast tray. There was smooth oatmeal with honey and a cup of warm milk with butter and honey to soothe his raw throat.
When Bilbo came back for the empty tray he found that Frodo had fallen asleep, his book open upon his lap. Bilbo settled the tweenager down among the pillows and blankets and left with the tray, pleased to see that it had been emptied. Then he slipped on his cloak and left for the apothecary in Hobbiton. From the sound of the cough he would need some syrup and, possibly, pastilles for the sore throat. Some extra hankies would not come amiss either.
When he returned, a couple of hours later, he found Frodo was still sleeping. He put a hand to the lad's forehead. It felt a little hot but, given the severity of the cold, that was nothing to worry about. It was obvious that the lad's sinuses were blocked too for he was breathing through his mouth, which would do nothing to ease his sore throat. Still, thought Bilbo, at least he may sleep through the worst of the symptoms. Summer colds tended to be severe but short lived. He tiptoed out of the room.
It was lunch time before a loud bout of coughing, interspersed with several sneezes, announced that Frodo had woken up. Bilbo set some water to boil and went in to see how his nephew was doing. When he entered the room he found him lying on his side, blowing his nose into another fresh hanky. Although the room was not overly warm, he could see that Frodo's hair was plastered to his brow and his face looked rather flushed.
The simple act of blowing his nose seemed to exhaust the hobbit and he lay down again, only to struggle upright as he was seized by another bout of coughing. Bilbo listened with growing alarm as he heard Frodo's chest rattle but the cough itself was dry and did not seem to be helping him clear the congestion. By the time he had got it under control all the little hobbit could do was curl up against the headboard with his eyes closed. Bilbo could see that he was shaking.
When he had looked in earlier Bilbo had set out all his purchases from the apothecary, plus some other bits and pieces that he thought may be needed, on the bedside table. He selected a small tub of ointment and turned to Frodo with as bright a smile as he could muster.
"That's a nasty cough, lad. Let's see if I can help you."
Frodo opened his eyes and smiled, weakly. "I'm sorry to be a nuisance, Bilbo. It's only a cold. I'll probably be alright tomorrow. There's no need to fuss."
Bilbo batted away Frodo's hands when he tried to prevent his uncle unbuttoning his nightshirt. "Don't be silly, now, Frodo. There's no point suffering if you can have a little help." He unscrewed the pot and dipped his fingers into the strong smelling ointment and then began to rub it on to Frodo's chest, growing a little more worried when he felt the heat there. He was relieved, though, when he felt Frodo's breathing deepen with the application of the peppermint and lavender ointment.
"Thank you, Bilbo."
"Think nothing of it. Now let's just wrap this blanket around your shoulders to keep you warm……..and a couple of extra pillows so that you're not lying flat. That will help you breathe a little better. You just relax there and I'll come back with some tea. Would you like a pastille to soothe your throat? I slipped out to the apothecary while you were asleep."
Frodo nodded and Bilbo offered a little paper bag. Frodo took one of the tiny sweets and popped it in his mouth. It tasted of peppermint and honey.
Once out of the room, Bilbo closed the door and leaned against it, running a hand over his face. This was more than just a cold and he had never had to nurse anyone in his life. He would make the nettle tea and run down to the Gamgee's while it was infusing. Surely Bel would know what to do.
He seemed to be staggering from one disaster to another with this boy.