Chapter 6
Illusions
A/N: I do appreciate all of your helpful suggestions. I didn't want to make Frodo come down with Scarlet Fever because I already delt with that in "Like my Own". I agree w/ my reviewer Arabella Thorne that it would be too boring if I created another epedemic. Any ideas on how to make this more interesting are welcome.just no flaming, please. Flames are yucky. ( Keep reading & reviewing! Thanks bunches!
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That evening Frodo's temperature rose and Bilbo went out to get Dr. Narmadoc, leaving Drogo and Primula to sit with their son. "But." Drogo started to protest as Bilbo put on his cloak and gloves.
"Frodo needs you, Drogo. I'll not be gone but more than a half hour."
The couple watched as Bilbo opened the door to Bag-End, grimacing as a ghust of cold air blew in. When the old hobbit was gone, Drogo returned to Frodo's bedroom and watched as Primula sponged the lad's face with a soft wash rag. "Did he go?" she asked when she heard the door to the room shut quietly.
"Yes, Primula. He left. How is our little one?"
"The poor darling is suffering.oh Drogo.I couldn't bare it if I lost him." Primula dropped the rag and covered her face with her hands, crying softly. Drogo immediately embraced his wife, hugging her tight as she sobbed, watching his son sleep under the covers. Frodo had always been a sickly child.much thinner and paler than the rest of his Brandy Hall cousins. The only comfort was that the lad ate just as much as any normal hobbit and just did not gain the weight.
"Mama." Frodo whimpered causing Primula to turn. Frodo tossed and turned in bed for a moment or two before relaxing. "I don't want to go."
"Don't want to go where, my precious baby?" Primula asked, sitting back down in her chair. "Please, dear Frodo.you must get well."
Frodo's eyes opened and he suddenly let out a yell. "Get away!" He cried, trying to back all the way up against the headboard. "Get away." Primula made to put a hand on his arm but he thrust a foot out before slipping and falling right off of the bed and onto the floor with a THUD.
"Frodo!" Primula cried as he scrambled to get back to his feet and made for the parlor.
"Quick, Primula.after him.he's delirious and has no idea where he is!" Drogo yelled, standing up quickly. They dashed after their son and watched as he reached the front door to Bag-End and was tugging on the locked knob.
"Let me out! Let me out!" he yelled.
Primula hurried over and attempted to lift him but he let out a blood curtling scream and fought her grasp. "Get off of me.let me go.BILBO!" He sobbed as she picked him up.
"Frodo! It's all right.it's Mama."
"BILBO!" Frodo screamed as he tried to escape from Primula's grasp, arching his back and trying to go forward.
"Stop it!" Primula had to force him to the ground as he was starting to get a bit vicious, trying to scratch and kick her. His sobs broke her heart and she looked up at Drogo who stood in motionless shock. "Get a glass of water.we have to get him out of it!" she ordered as she tried to keep Frodo still.
"BILBO! BILBO!!!!!" Frodo screamed in the midst of his tears and tried to crawl to the door. Suddenly the lad convulsed a few times before his eyes rolled back into his head and he went slack on the floor.
"Oh sweet Elbreth." Primula sobbed as Drogo came back into the living room with the glass of water. "Drogo.he's fainted." she had never been more terrified in her life. Drogo got down on his knees beside his son who lay on his stomach, his arms stretched out.
"Frodo."
No reply came.
"Quickly.get him into bed before he wakes. The poor dear is delirious.he didn't even recognize me." Primula sobbed and Drogo lifted Frodo's limp body into his arms. They carried him back to the guestroom and put him under the covers-a sheet only as he was very hot, and set the glass of water on the nightstand.
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"Oh Bilbo.thank goodness you're home." Said Primula when the old hobbit and the doctor entered the room about an hour later. "Dear Frodo had a fever fit.he tried to leave and the fact that the door was locked maddened him."
Dr. Narmadoc hurried over to Frodo's bedside and placed a hand against the lad's forehead. "He is burning up. Did you give him a dose of Beneset?" he asked as Bilbo took off his cloak, sniffling a bit, his nose red from the cold.
"Yes.he spit out the first teaspoon but he willingly took it the second time." Drogo explained. "However he did vomit."
Dr. Narmadoc nodded. "Yes.unfortunately vomiting is a side effect from that medicine. I have a bad feeling that when he threw up he threw up the medicine too.so we may have to try something else. I brought numerous bottles with me that I have tried on earlier patients and have seemed to work." The doctor opened his leather briefcase on the nightstand and began reading the lables on the bottles. "Was the fit random or did you say something that may have upset him?"
Primula stared. "Why would we say something to upset him, Doctor? He woke up and when I went to feel his forehead he panicked."
"I see. Well.that is not unusual.clearly he was imagining things. Perhaps he had a bad dream during sleep.fevers can bring them on, you know. At times just play along with him.it will help the panic. If he tries to do something drastic then I would suggest pouring a bit of luke warm water on his face.just as you would do when someone has fainted. That should jolt him out of it." Narmadoc pulled out a bottle filled with a yellowish liquid. "Let's see here.ah yes.this IS liquid ginger.very soothing for the stomach and should help bring down his temperature. Give Frodo one teaspoon every four hours and I would also suggest administiring ginger tea.he needs to keep taking plenty of fluids, even though I am sure he will say he does not want anything."
Frodo suddenly began coughing and Narmadoc eased the lad into a sitting position once again, rubbing his back in a circular motion. "There there, Frodo. That's a good lad."
When Frodo managed to take a breath, he looked up and saw his mother, father and Bilbo watching him with alarm. "Bilbo." Frodo whispered hoarsley. Bilbo hurried over and sat down on the bed beside his nephew (technically cousin but Bilbo always referrs to Frodo as his favorite "nephew" so I am going to use that) and stroked his cheek.
"I'm here, dear boy. Just try and relax now.everything's going to be all right."
"They were chasing me, Uncle.I tried to get away but I couldn't.I'm so tired."
"I know, lad. You're safe now.lay down and rest."
"Here? In the middle of the forest?" Frodo asked. Clearly he was still not in the right state of mind. "I was HOPING to wait till we at least got to Rivendell."
Drogo and Primula glanced at each other worridly. "What is he talking about? Have you been putting those ideas into his head again? You know he is not strong enough to travel by foot all the way to Rivendell!" Primula gasped.
"Play along," Narmadoc whispered and Primula nodded.
"You're going to be perfectly all right here, Frodo." Bilbo promised, letting the little hobbit lean against his chest. "I am with you and won't let anything happen."
"But the wolves.they were." Frodo coughed and closed his eyes. "So tired." He slumped down a little and Bilbo eased him back under the covers.
"My dear Frodo." Bilbo choked.
"Yes.those are symptoms of delirium," said Narmadoc with a passionate shake of his head. "Keep sponging him down and try not to do anything drastic that may startle him. Even a simple kiss on the cheek may cause a panic.just let nature take its course. And give him the medicine like I told you every what?"
"Four hours," Drogo and Primula replied in unison.
Narmadoc laughed heartily. "Just making sure you were listening. Well.I'd best be off. I am always around if you need me, but I have a family of my own to feed. Good evening."
"I'll walk you to the door." Drogo led the doctor out of the room and left Primula and Bilbo alone.
"Oh Bilbo.I am so sorry about all of this." Primula apologized.
Bilbo smiled. "Nonsense, Primula. Frodo couldn't help it. The three of you are free to stay here as long as you like. Mind you.I DO enjoy the company."
Primula laughed. "Oh Bilbo," she teased. "You are quite the hobbit, aren't you?"
"And proud of it." Bilbo replied.
A/N: Another chapter completed. So we have dear Frodo becoming delirious with fever. Any suggestions or ideas for further chapters? I am thinking of foreshadowing the Quest for the ring but I'm not sure. Anyway.I forgot to add this in my last authors note. For al of my fellow Frodo/angst authors out there-here is a GREAT site for that: http://bagend.fateback.com and it is an archieve for Frodo Baggins of Bag End's "FrodoHealers" group on Yahoo.com. It gives excellent medical advice for sick hobbit fics & ideas of illnesses. Definitely check it out if you are into that kind of thing like I am. Haha. Please read and review!
A/N: I do appreciate all of your helpful suggestions. I didn't want to make Frodo come down with Scarlet Fever because I already delt with that in "Like my Own". I agree w/ my reviewer Arabella Thorne that it would be too boring if I created another epedemic. Any ideas on how to make this more interesting are welcome.just no flaming, please. Flames are yucky. ( Keep reading & reviewing! Thanks bunches!
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That evening Frodo's temperature rose and Bilbo went out to get Dr. Narmadoc, leaving Drogo and Primula to sit with their son. "But." Drogo started to protest as Bilbo put on his cloak and gloves.
"Frodo needs you, Drogo. I'll not be gone but more than a half hour."
The couple watched as Bilbo opened the door to Bag-End, grimacing as a ghust of cold air blew in. When the old hobbit was gone, Drogo returned to Frodo's bedroom and watched as Primula sponged the lad's face with a soft wash rag. "Did he go?" she asked when she heard the door to the room shut quietly.
"Yes, Primula. He left. How is our little one?"
"The poor darling is suffering.oh Drogo.I couldn't bare it if I lost him." Primula dropped the rag and covered her face with her hands, crying softly. Drogo immediately embraced his wife, hugging her tight as she sobbed, watching his son sleep under the covers. Frodo had always been a sickly child.much thinner and paler than the rest of his Brandy Hall cousins. The only comfort was that the lad ate just as much as any normal hobbit and just did not gain the weight.
"Mama." Frodo whimpered causing Primula to turn. Frodo tossed and turned in bed for a moment or two before relaxing. "I don't want to go."
"Don't want to go where, my precious baby?" Primula asked, sitting back down in her chair. "Please, dear Frodo.you must get well."
Frodo's eyes opened and he suddenly let out a yell. "Get away!" He cried, trying to back all the way up against the headboard. "Get away." Primula made to put a hand on his arm but he thrust a foot out before slipping and falling right off of the bed and onto the floor with a THUD.
"Frodo!" Primula cried as he scrambled to get back to his feet and made for the parlor.
"Quick, Primula.after him.he's delirious and has no idea where he is!" Drogo yelled, standing up quickly. They dashed after their son and watched as he reached the front door to Bag-End and was tugging on the locked knob.
"Let me out! Let me out!" he yelled.
Primula hurried over and attempted to lift him but he let out a blood curtling scream and fought her grasp. "Get off of me.let me go.BILBO!" He sobbed as she picked him up.
"Frodo! It's all right.it's Mama."
"BILBO!" Frodo screamed as he tried to escape from Primula's grasp, arching his back and trying to go forward.
"Stop it!" Primula had to force him to the ground as he was starting to get a bit vicious, trying to scratch and kick her. His sobs broke her heart and she looked up at Drogo who stood in motionless shock. "Get a glass of water.we have to get him out of it!" she ordered as she tried to keep Frodo still.
"BILBO! BILBO!!!!!" Frodo screamed in the midst of his tears and tried to crawl to the door. Suddenly the lad convulsed a few times before his eyes rolled back into his head and he went slack on the floor.
"Oh sweet Elbreth." Primula sobbed as Drogo came back into the living room with the glass of water. "Drogo.he's fainted." she had never been more terrified in her life. Drogo got down on his knees beside his son who lay on his stomach, his arms stretched out.
"Frodo."
No reply came.
"Quickly.get him into bed before he wakes. The poor dear is delirious.he didn't even recognize me." Primula sobbed and Drogo lifted Frodo's limp body into his arms. They carried him back to the guestroom and put him under the covers-a sheet only as he was very hot, and set the glass of water on the nightstand.
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"Oh Bilbo.thank goodness you're home." Said Primula when the old hobbit and the doctor entered the room about an hour later. "Dear Frodo had a fever fit.he tried to leave and the fact that the door was locked maddened him."
Dr. Narmadoc hurried over to Frodo's bedside and placed a hand against the lad's forehead. "He is burning up. Did you give him a dose of Beneset?" he asked as Bilbo took off his cloak, sniffling a bit, his nose red from the cold.
"Yes.he spit out the first teaspoon but he willingly took it the second time." Drogo explained. "However he did vomit."
Dr. Narmadoc nodded. "Yes.unfortunately vomiting is a side effect from that medicine. I have a bad feeling that when he threw up he threw up the medicine too.so we may have to try something else. I brought numerous bottles with me that I have tried on earlier patients and have seemed to work." The doctor opened his leather briefcase on the nightstand and began reading the lables on the bottles. "Was the fit random or did you say something that may have upset him?"
Primula stared. "Why would we say something to upset him, Doctor? He woke up and when I went to feel his forehead he panicked."
"I see. Well.that is not unusual.clearly he was imagining things. Perhaps he had a bad dream during sleep.fevers can bring them on, you know. At times just play along with him.it will help the panic. If he tries to do something drastic then I would suggest pouring a bit of luke warm water on his face.just as you would do when someone has fainted. That should jolt him out of it." Narmadoc pulled out a bottle filled with a yellowish liquid. "Let's see here.ah yes.this IS liquid ginger.very soothing for the stomach and should help bring down his temperature. Give Frodo one teaspoon every four hours and I would also suggest administiring ginger tea.he needs to keep taking plenty of fluids, even though I am sure he will say he does not want anything."
Frodo suddenly began coughing and Narmadoc eased the lad into a sitting position once again, rubbing his back in a circular motion. "There there, Frodo. That's a good lad."
When Frodo managed to take a breath, he looked up and saw his mother, father and Bilbo watching him with alarm. "Bilbo." Frodo whispered hoarsley. Bilbo hurried over and sat down on the bed beside his nephew (technically cousin but Bilbo always referrs to Frodo as his favorite "nephew" so I am going to use that) and stroked his cheek.
"I'm here, dear boy. Just try and relax now.everything's going to be all right."
"They were chasing me, Uncle.I tried to get away but I couldn't.I'm so tired."
"I know, lad. You're safe now.lay down and rest."
"Here? In the middle of the forest?" Frodo asked. Clearly he was still not in the right state of mind. "I was HOPING to wait till we at least got to Rivendell."
Drogo and Primula glanced at each other worridly. "What is he talking about? Have you been putting those ideas into his head again? You know he is not strong enough to travel by foot all the way to Rivendell!" Primula gasped.
"Play along," Narmadoc whispered and Primula nodded.
"You're going to be perfectly all right here, Frodo." Bilbo promised, letting the little hobbit lean against his chest. "I am with you and won't let anything happen."
"But the wolves.they were." Frodo coughed and closed his eyes. "So tired." He slumped down a little and Bilbo eased him back under the covers.
"My dear Frodo." Bilbo choked.
"Yes.those are symptoms of delirium," said Narmadoc with a passionate shake of his head. "Keep sponging him down and try not to do anything drastic that may startle him. Even a simple kiss on the cheek may cause a panic.just let nature take its course. And give him the medicine like I told you every what?"
"Four hours," Drogo and Primula replied in unison.
Narmadoc laughed heartily. "Just making sure you were listening. Well.I'd best be off. I am always around if you need me, but I have a family of my own to feed. Good evening."
"I'll walk you to the door." Drogo led the doctor out of the room and left Primula and Bilbo alone.
"Oh Bilbo.I am so sorry about all of this." Primula apologized.
Bilbo smiled. "Nonsense, Primula. Frodo couldn't help it. The three of you are free to stay here as long as you like. Mind you.I DO enjoy the company."
Primula laughed. "Oh Bilbo," she teased. "You are quite the hobbit, aren't you?"
"And proud of it." Bilbo replied.
A/N: Another chapter completed. So we have dear Frodo becoming delirious with fever. Any suggestions or ideas for further chapters? I am thinking of foreshadowing the Quest for the ring but I'm not sure. Anyway.I forgot to add this in my last authors note. For al of my fellow Frodo/angst authors out there-here is a GREAT site for that: http://bagend.fateback.com and it is an archieve for Frodo Baggins of Bag End's "FrodoHealers" group on Yahoo.com. It gives excellent medical advice for sick hobbit fics & ideas of illnesses. Definitely check it out if you are into that kind of thing like I am. Haha. Please read and review!