Lament - by Cunien

Summary: Good luck Sam!' said he. Many have received worse than this in payment for the slaying of their first orc. The cut is not poisoned, as the wounds of orc-blades too often are.' - Aragorn, The Fellowship of the Ring. But what if things had been different?

Disclaimer:
Things I Would Do If I Owned Lord Of The Rings,
1. - Give a complimentary Samwise Gamgee to all the very fine fellows who are kind enough to review this fic.
(Thanks everyone !)

P.S - Don't you think, when you read the books, that Sam has a tendency to talk to himself? Whoa Sam!', Back to the boats Sam...' etc.
I think it's rather sweet.

Chapter 2 - Payment for the slaying'

If Sam would have been able to think at that moment, his thoughts may have been something along the lines of Blast it, Samwise Gamgee! Of all the Orcs in Moria you have to get cut by the one with the poisoned blade!
-which would have been unfair, seeming as many Orcs tip their weapons in poison.

Orc poison is not a pretty thing.
And neither is someone infected by it.
These substances, refined over centuries, are designed to create the maximum amount of pain and suffering, before a terrible and frightening death.

Fever, hallucinations, nausea, intense pain.

An Orcs worst enemy is an Elf. They hate them so, because they came from them, in the beginning. Orc poison is designed to bring down an Elf - and a thousand year old fully-grown Elf is something entirely different to a small Hobbit from Hobbiton.

*
The fire crackled merrily, though it did nothing to lighten the spirits of those sitting around it.

Frodo and Aragorn were either side of Sam, nearest the fire, while the others sat around in various states of gloom and depression. To lose Gandalf, and Sam fall ill so soon after.
It seemed to them that whatever powers had been watching over the Fellowship till now - that saved Frodo from the Ringwraiths, saved them all from Caradhras, the Wargs, the Orcs in Balin's Tomb - those powers had abandoned them now.

Legolas sat, an expression of utter disbelief clouding his fair, otherwise serene features. The fragility of life was a strange concept to an immortal.

Pippin sat away from the others - the fire could not warm him. He was utterly lost in guilt and fear.

Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!'

It had all happened so fast!
Why couldn't it have been different?
Pippin couldn't believe that it had to be this way, that there was nothing he could do to change things.

Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed.'

Oh why did I come along in the first place?! I've been nothing but trouble since we left the Shire!' Pippin whispered to himself.

None of the Company were talking to him.
They weren't talking to each other either, but through Pippin's guilty fog he could see only that they were avoiding him. He imagined they stole glances at him while he was not looking, that they whispered amongst themselves.

Fool of a Took!'

If only they would come and speak to him. He tried to will Merry with his mind - Come and sit with me Merry - please - I can't bear being alone - please, just come and sit near me - you don't have to say anything - please Merry..

But Merry could not hear him, and no one came to sit by Pippin.

*

By the time night had fallen, Sam was not doing well.

Aragorn had sent Frodo to rest a while, but he refused to go far from his friend, and lay down nearby.

Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn knelt near Sam, watching him with worry and fear. The young Hobbit was lying still now, though every now and then he would be overcome with great pain and scream out to them. But there was not much they could do to help him now.

Boromir sighed. What a cruel thing! I would not bestow a death like this on even an Orc!'
I have not seen the like of this before. thought Aragorn out loud.

I have.

They turned to look at Legolas, whose eyes were closed in pain as his mind strayed back to some distant memory.

Nólaquen. A .. a friend, an elf of Mirkwood was shot with an arrow tipped in this poison, or something like it. He lasted but an hour.
I do not...
But Legolas trailed off as Aragorn shot him a look of warning. Looking behind him, the elf noticed Frodo had awoken and was listening fearfully to their conversation.

But it was hours ago that Sam was poisoned, and he's...he's still alive.
The despair in Frodo's voice was enough to make Aragorn's heart break.
Sitting around here with nothing to do and no way to help was crushing the hobbit - the Ranger could see that. Frodo needed something to set his mind too.

Come Frodo, let us look for some Athelas, it may perhaps ease his pain. Aragorn crossed over to the worried hobbit and helped him stand. Along with Legolas, they made ready to leave the circle of light cast by the little fire, and venture off into the darkness in search of the tiny herb on which so much hope rested.

Frodo knelt near Sam a moment.
We are going to find something to help you Sam. Don't worry - we'll be back soon. Strider will help you.
Sam was more conscious now, and his glazed and fevered eyes focused on his friend bending over him.
Mr..Mr Frodo? You're going.? don't -don't go, don't!

Aragorn noticed the tears of guilt and hopelessness that were threatening to spill down Frodo's face, and answered for him.
Don't worry Sam, we won't be long - Frodo won't be gone long. Merry and Pippin are still here, and Gimli and Boromir. Here, Pippin. the Ranger brought Pippin over towards his ill friend, and sat him down next to him.
Pippin is here. Can you see? He will stay here with you.

And so Frodo, Aragorn and Legolas left the little camp, a day away from the borders of Lothlorien, in search of a plant that, at best, would only ease their companions pain.

TBC ......

Oooh poor Sam! He's not one to make a fuss, so seeing him ill like this is breaking my heart! How will it end? Nobody knows...

You know, this is really strange - this story is nothing like my normal style - I don't know if that's for better or worse. It's very sparse. It's because I've not felt well recently.
So if, by some freak chance, you are enjoying this story now, then when I'm feeling better I'll write something far better. I'm sorry! Bear with me!