Story Title: Cricket

Disclaimer: all of the characters names and places belong to J.R.R.

Tolkien. I am merely borrowing them for my own personal pleasure ;)

evil me, eh? lol. no, im not canadian. ;)

Rating: C for cuteness!



The next morning, the healer returned to Bag-End, looking quite

pleased with himself. In one hand he held an old, leatherbound book

and in the other a paper bag.

"Did you find anything?" Bilbo asked hopefully as he let Dr.

Burrows into the smial and shut the door behind him.

"In deed I did, but there is good news and bad news associated

with it."

Bilbo sighed with relief--at least Frodo's current illness was

heard of. He led the doctor to Frodo's room, where the lad sat in bed

blowing his runny nose on a hanky.

"Shut the window, Bilbo, and have a seat--then I will explain

to you what the problem is."

Bilbo obeyed and took a seat next to Frodo on the bed and

watched as the healer set his things down on the desk and sit down

himself. Both Baggins's anxiously awaited the news.

"Frodo is suffering from "allergic rhinitis"," Dr. Burrows

began.

Bilbo gasped. "That doesn't sound good at all!" he cried.

The healer chuckled. " "Allergic Rhinitis" is just a big name

for "Hay Fever". Frodo is suffering from allergies, Bilbo."

"Allergies?"

"Yes. Now what I have brought with me here are a few common

allergy triggers...dust, pollen, animal fur and mold spores. Before I

begin the tests, let me tell you the good news and bad news, since

you obviously wish to hear that first. Allergies are not life-

threatening, but they can be either seasonal--happening during

certain times of the year--or all year round."

Bilbo hugged Frodo tightly. "Is there a cure?"

"Unfortunately there is not, Bilbo. The best cure--at least

this is what the medical book says--is avoidance of the trigger. Now.

I am going to run some allergy tests on you, Frodo. I am going to

take each of these things out of this bag individually and hold them

under your nose. Whichever makes you sneeze is the culprit."

Frodo nodded. "All right." He agreed.

Bilbo stood up and watched the doctor reach into his bag. The

first thing he pulled out was a bit of cat fur, and he went over to

Frodo's bedside, and held it under Frodo's small, pointed nose. Bilbo

held his breath as Frodo's nose crinkled, but thank the Shire, he

didn't sneeze.

"Mmm mmm." Frodo sniffled.

"So you're not allergic to cats. All right--next--let me try

some plain road dust." He took another plastic bag from the paper one

and brought it over to Frodo. He held the open bag under the lad's

nose just as he had with the cat fur, and both of the elder hobbits

waited anxiously for a result. Still, Frodo didn't sneeze.

"Not allergic to dust either. That's a good thing, however--

because I am sure there is dust around this place." Dr. Burrows

winked at Bilbo, who scowled.

"I'll tell you, sir, that I keep this place perfectly tidy."

The healer chortled. "Now for the mold. This is an indoor

trigger as well, but can also be found on trees outdoors. Looks quite

like dust, but a bit thicker."

He repeated the process with this, and still Frodo didn't

sneeze. The tweenager was slightly relieved that three out of four

things weren't bothering him, but the fourth--a handful of plants

from the backyard garden of Bag-End.

"Now if this isn't the trigger, I'm at a complete loss, lad."

Bilbo laughed.

Dr. Burrows smiled as he placed the flowers on Frodo's

bedcovers. Suddenly, Frodo's nose crinkled up and he felt the

familiar prickling inside of his nose. "That's it," he gasped as he

sneezed loudly, not once, not twice, but three times in a row. "I'm

allergic to pollen."

"Oh dear," said Bilbo.

"Let me get these away from you." Dr. Burrows took the flowers

off of the bed and brought them back to their original spot in the

bag. "There now. We've found the trigger for Frodo's allergies.

Pollen is the most common allergy trigger, I'd hate to say, and with

your large garden in the back, Frodo will have a rough time."

"You're not suggesting I chop it down, are you?" Bilbo asked in

horror. Frodo's mouth fell open at the very idea.

"Oh Bilbo--" he cried. "We CAN'T do that! Mr. Gamgee--he won't

have a job and then his family will starve!"

Dr. Burrows raised an eyebrow. "Ah--Mr. Gamgee from number 3

Bagshot row?"

Frodo nodded, running his handkerchief under his nose once

again. "My best friend is his youngest son Sam and Sam helps his dad

in the garden all of the time. I like to go out and visit them on

nice days."

"I see. Well I obviously won't ask you to do such a thing.

However, I do advise you to be weary of your allergies, Frodo. You

will be very tired as a result of them, and I would suggest that you

keep the doors and windows shut at all times if possible--especially

the window to this room, as it overlooks the garden."

Frodo smiled with relief. At least he could still go on with his

life and not worry about having to remain bed-ridden for weeks at a

time, as was usually the diagnosis when the healer came to the smial.

"So. Any further questions or do you need more of an explination

for anything in particular that I told you?" Dr. Burrows asked.

Frodo and Bilbo looked at each other. "Is there anything I can do

to help ease the sneezing? Any deconjestants?"

"Just grin and bear it." Dr. Burrows replied. "I really wish

there was more I can do, but allergies have not really been worked

with that much. We're still finding cures for the common cold for

heaven's sake."

Bilbo laughed at the comment. "Yes. I had quite a nasty cold

this past winter and poor Frodo had to take care of me." Bilbo gave

Frodo a kiss and the tweenager hugged him back.

"I do remember that. You were rather ill. Well--if you have no

further questions, I must be off. I have to start on my rounds, and

Mistress Proudfoot just broke her ankle yesterday tripping over her

poodle, so I have to see to that."

Frodo burst into giggles.

"Frodo!" Bilbo gasped. "That was not funny."

"I'm sorry, but the idea of anyone tripping over a poodle is

funny." Frodo sniggered.

Dr. Burrows chuckled as well, before ruffling his young

patient's hair. "Let me know if you have any problems. I would advise

that you get plenty of rest but still, continue your old routine as

you normally wood. Keep reminding yourself that allergies are NOT

life-threatening. Good day." He put on his hat and took his book,

briefcase and bag of allergants out of Bag-End. When the healer was

gone, Bilbo gave Frodo another big bear hug.

"Thank goodness you're all right, Frodo my dear. We can get

through your allergies with no trouble."

Frodo nodded. "I think I can manage. But I'd like to sleep--I'm

exhausted."

"Of course. Would you like anything for second breakfast? I was

so worried about you that I almost forgot about eating!"

"So did I!" Frodo cried. "I'd like some oat meal with honey and

jam swirled in and toast with butter and cinammon."

Bilbo grinned, very pleased. "Then you shall have just that,

cricket." With a final kiss, the old hobbit headed for the kitchen.