Disclaimer: AU Story. Why don't I own Lord of the Rings? *sigh* Well, until
maybe the Tolkien family takes pity on me, I do not own any of the
characters or places mentioned in this story. Please don't sue me! I know I
am cruel to them but I swear I will try to save them. Hope you enjoy!
Luichien Greenleaf: *runs away* ARG! No, shaky person! I'll tell you that he is OK.. but that would be a lie cos he's stopped breathing. MWAHA!
Truefan: Goldo. Gollum and Frodo merged together. Frolum. Cool! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I can't resist torturing them. MWAHA!
MagicalRachel: Eek! Save us, precious! Meanie me. Meanie me. I kill Frodo! I will, I will! MWAHA!
Fool of a Took: I want a 'shroom! But I guess I don't deserve one for trying to kill Frodo. I've been spending my day jumping up, mauling furniture, waiting for the 18th. I am very disturbed. Need TTT. NEED IT! I think I'll feel guilty when I see Frodo on screen.
Lakergurl13: I told my Mum last night: "Pray for Frodo." It may have worked. Let's hope I heard your prayers. Almighty me! MWAHA!
Elf of Rivendell: Yes, yes, yes! Glad you liked the dream sequence. I enjoyed writing that. Surrealism.
Frodofan: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, BALIN! It isn't actually him who's so mean, it's just me. *hides under sofa with Balin* But happy it's making you, er, mad!
Barmy_the_elf: Yay, another person liked Frodo's dream. Queen of Torture- that should be my screen name. Oh, me and my cliffies. Hehe, 'I only do it to annoy because I know it teases' So I kill Frodo. I updated so quickly yesterday because I had a whole day to myself and I really wanted to "help" the Fellowship. Ahem. MWAHA!
Ackarg! What am I going to do? :o() IT'S FLUFFY!
~ Chapter Eighteen ~
"There is nothing we can do! I have used all the herbs," cried Aragorn. He flung the empty pouch on the floor then put his head in his hands. Gandalf stormed over to where Frodo was lying. His face was blotched red and white from some inner turmoil within. He was soaked in perspiration. The wizard was lost for words. He had never seen anything like this before in all his years. Nothing so unfair. Frodo had offered to take the Ring and now all the perils of the world were upon him. Even when he slept he could not escape the nightmares, vivid and black, streaked with flame. All the suffering, all the pain, all the unfairness went to him. Gandalf wondered how anyone so small and as defenceless as a hobbit could manage. Then he looked to Sam and Legolas, still desperately calling their friend. Still shaking him, trying to awaken him. If others help bear the load then anything can be done. He walked slowly across and put a hand on Aragorn's shoulder.
"I do not think that any medicines we have here will save Frodo now. Let us trust to a friendship once again. Maybe something stronger than the poison can overcome it."
The ranger looked doubtfully up at him.
"Frodo is not going to make it. The poison has spread now. We are going to lose him, Gandalf. I do not see how Sam could bring him back; or any of us," he said, bowing his head. The wizard was angry at him but he understood. How hard it is for all of us, he thought, to watch a friend just waste away.
Sam was sobbing his master's name. Over and over again. He refused to give in. Not after that struggle. Not after everything! All that strain and toil to get him this far only to lose the Ringbearer. Sam felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Not now," he growled, giving Frodo another shake. Gandalf leant down and said, close to his ear.
"Try and call him home, Sam. Bring him back."
"Oh, Gandalf, I can't do it alone! Mister Frodo- he's- he's too far gone now.. We need med'cines and the like-"
"If you cannot do it alone then ask for help. Ask Legolas," the wizard persisted. The little hobbit glanced up at his friend opposite Frodo. He caught his eye.
"Master Legolas," he said stoutly, "We have to call Frodo back."
In his wild dreams of terror, Frodo was walking towards a black forest. He felt so heavy and yet empty. Behind him there were vague impressions of faces and voices but he no longer saw them. The forest loomed closer but as it did so, he sensed something pulling him back. Trying to save him. The ghost of a hand appeared on his shoulder, the faded outline gripping tight. He clutched at it and a voice rang out clear.
"Frodo! Frodo, wake up! Wake up! Mister Frodo, please!"
"Who is that?" he cried in alarm, "Why are you helping me?"
Then another hand came to his other side, the fingers encircling his shirt collar, dragging him back. With his other hand he took hold of that too. A different voice came clearly to him.
"Frodo, hear me now. Listen to me! Frodo!"
"Who are you?" he shouted again but there was no reply only more frantic calls. Slowly, Frodo was drawn away from the forest of shadows and back into the rays of sunlight. A tall pillar jutted up on one side and on the other was grey stone floor. The hands pushed him to the ground and the voices grew louder and more real. The memories Frodo felt he had owned for years seemed to melt away. Gimli and Boromir were still alive. Gandalf and Aragorn, both with him. Merry, Pippin and Legolas were all there. Safe and well. And Samwise flooded into his mind, filling his every thought, crushing every doubt. Then Legolas' face hove into view, his bright blue eyes shining with fear. At Frodo's awakening, the elf lunged down and hugged him close.
"Oh, Frodo, you have been returned to us!" he sang. The hobbit drew away to speak but could only manage to vomit up what was left in his stomach. He could feel the blood pumping in his veins, his head pounding as if being slammed against the hard ground. The agony brought a scream to his lips. He threw up more and more refuse, emptying his insides and feeling the herbs sour his throat. At last, after what felt like hours, he collapsed onto his back once more, exhausted. Aragorn was near him, soaking some cloth in water to bathe his head. Frodo gasped for words.
"I am so sorry," he croaked, "I nearly- I almost gave up."
"Hush, Frodo," said Aragorn, "We understand but now you are back with us and those herbs I gave you should be able to keep you awake."
"But what now?" hissed Merry in his ear.
"What can we do to help him?" Pippin added impatiently. He was eyeing his cousin with deep concern. Aragorn opened his mouth to reply but for the life of him he could not think of anything else they could do. It was certain that Frodo had been saved but what could they do now?
"Mister Frodo, I thought I'd lost you," Sam cried, tears filling his eyes again. Frodo brought up a hand and brushed them from his cheeks.
"Yes, but you- you brought me back," he said softly, "You and Legolas. I.. owe you both my life."
He turned his head to Legolas and smiled faintly.
"Thank you.. so much, Legolas," he said. "I would.. be lost forever without you." He let out a choke of laughter. "You have brought me back from the depths of Moria.. and now.. you bring me back from the depths of my mind!"
The elf could not speak. Frodo filled his silence by saying,
"Beleg mord."
Legolas smirked.
"Telin le thaed."
The Fellowship rested by the soft glow from Gandalf's staff. Frodo stayed awake long into the night, speaking with Sam, Merry and Pippin. Boromir came over to Aragorn and sat down with him, their backs to the stone pillar. They sat without saying anything for a long while then Boromir asked slowly,
"What did they say? Legolas and Frodo. Or is that not for me to know?"
"Frodo called Legolas a 'great warrior'," Aragorn answered with a smile, "Legolas replied that he had just come to help."
They both looked at each other then laughed. But quickly, the mirth faded and the sombre mood returned. The large man questioned again.
"Aragorn, what can we do to help Frodo?" "I do not know. At this moment, I am without hope. But at least, we may get him out of Moria now. Some of the poison has been vomited from him and that will help. Awakening him to us is the best we can do for now. But he is too weak for this," the ranger said, shaking his head, "He needs the right antidote now. We need help if we are to save Frodo."
A voice came from behind them.
"Then I might be of assistance."
Luichien Greenleaf: *runs away* ARG! No, shaky person! I'll tell you that he is OK.. but that would be a lie cos he's stopped breathing. MWAHA!
Truefan: Goldo. Gollum and Frodo merged together. Frolum. Cool! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I can't resist torturing them. MWAHA!
MagicalRachel: Eek! Save us, precious! Meanie me. Meanie me. I kill Frodo! I will, I will! MWAHA!
Fool of a Took: I want a 'shroom! But I guess I don't deserve one for trying to kill Frodo. I've been spending my day jumping up, mauling furniture, waiting for the 18th. I am very disturbed. Need TTT. NEED IT! I think I'll feel guilty when I see Frodo on screen.
Lakergurl13: I told my Mum last night: "Pray for Frodo." It may have worked. Let's hope I heard your prayers. Almighty me! MWAHA!
Elf of Rivendell: Yes, yes, yes! Glad you liked the dream sequence. I enjoyed writing that. Surrealism.
Frodofan: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, BALIN! It isn't actually him who's so mean, it's just me. *hides under sofa with Balin* But happy it's making you, er, mad!
Barmy_the_elf: Yay, another person liked Frodo's dream. Queen of Torture- that should be my screen name. Oh, me and my cliffies. Hehe, 'I only do it to annoy because I know it teases' So I kill Frodo. I updated so quickly yesterday because I had a whole day to myself and I really wanted to "help" the Fellowship. Ahem. MWAHA!
Ackarg! What am I going to do? :o() IT'S FLUFFY!
~ Chapter Eighteen ~
"There is nothing we can do! I have used all the herbs," cried Aragorn. He flung the empty pouch on the floor then put his head in his hands. Gandalf stormed over to where Frodo was lying. His face was blotched red and white from some inner turmoil within. He was soaked in perspiration. The wizard was lost for words. He had never seen anything like this before in all his years. Nothing so unfair. Frodo had offered to take the Ring and now all the perils of the world were upon him. Even when he slept he could not escape the nightmares, vivid and black, streaked with flame. All the suffering, all the pain, all the unfairness went to him. Gandalf wondered how anyone so small and as defenceless as a hobbit could manage. Then he looked to Sam and Legolas, still desperately calling their friend. Still shaking him, trying to awaken him. If others help bear the load then anything can be done. He walked slowly across and put a hand on Aragorn's shoulder.
"I do not think that any medicines we have here will save Frodo now. Let us trust to a friendship once again. Maybe something stronger than the poison can overcome it."
The ranger looked doubtfully up at him.
"Frodo is not going to make it. The poison has spread now. We are going to lose him, Gandalf. I do not see how Sam could bring him back; or any of us," he said, bowing his head. The wizard was angry at him but he understood. How hard it is for all of us, he thought, to watch a friend just waste away.
Sam was sobbing his master's name. Over and over again. He refused to give in. Not after that struggle. Not after everything! All that strain and toil to get him this far only to lose the Ringbearer. Sam felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Not now," he growled, giving Frodo another shake. Gandalf leant down and said, close to his ear.
"Try and call him home, Sam. Bring him back."
"Oh, Gandalf, I can't do it alone! Mister Frodo- he's- he's too far gone now.. We need med'cines and the like-"
"If you cannot do it alone then ask for help. Ask Legolas," the wizard persisted. The little hobbit glanced up at his friend opposite Frodo. He caught his eye.
"Master Legolas," he said stoutly, "We have to call Frodo back."
In his wild dreams of terror, Frodo was walking towards a black forest. He felt so heavy and yet empty. Behind him there were vague impressions of faces and voices but he no longer saw them. The forest loomed closer but as it did so, he sensed something pulling him back. Trying to save him. The ghost of a hand appeared on his shoulder, the faded outline gripping tight. He clutched at it and a voice rang out clear.
"Frodo! Frodo, wake up! Wake up! Mister Frodo, please!"
"Who is that?" he cried in alarm, "Why are you helping me?"
Then another hand came to his other side, the fingers encircling his shirt collar, dragging him back. With his other hand he took hold of that too. A different voice came clearly to him.
"Frodo, hear me now. Listen to me! Frodo!"
"Who are you?" he shouted again but there was no reply only more frantic calls. Slowly, Frodo was drawn away from the forest of shadows and back into the rays of sunlight. A tall pillar jutted up on one side and on the other was grey stone floor. The hands pushed him to the ground and the voices grew louder and more real. The memories Frodo felt he had owned for years seemed to melt away. Gimli and Boromir were still alive. Gandalf and Aragorn, both with him. Merry, Pippin and Legolas were all there. Safe and well. And Samwise flooded into his mind, filling his every thought, crushing every doubt. Then Legolas' face hove into view, his bright blue eyes shining with fear. At Frodo's awakening, the elf lunged down and hugged him close.
"Oh, Frodo, you have been returned to us!" he sang. The hobbit drew away to speak but could only manage to vomit up what was left in his stomach. He could feel the blood pumping in his veins, his head pounding as if being slammed against the hard ground. The agony brought a scream to his lips. He threw up more and more refuse, emptying his insides and feeling the herbs sour his throat. At last, after what felt like hours, he collapsed onto his back once more, exhausted. Aragorn was near him, soaking some cloth in water to bathe his head. Frodo gasped for words.
"I am so sorry," he croaked, "I nearly- I almost gave up."
"Hush, Frodo," said Aragorn, "We understand but now you are back with us and those herbs I gave you should be able to keep you awake."
"But what now?" hissed Merry in his ear.
"What can we do to help him?" Pippin added impatiently. He was eyeing his cousin with deep concern. Aragorn opened his mouth to reply but for the life of him he could not think of anything else they could do. It was certain that Frodo had been saved but what could they do now?
"Mister Frodo, I thought I'd lost you," Sam cried, tears filling his eyes again. Frodo brought up a hand and brushed them from his cheeks.
"Yes, but you- you brought me back," he said softly, "You and Legolas. I.. owe you both my life."
He turned his head to Legolas and smiled faintly.
"Thank you.. so much, Legolas," he said. "I would.. be lost forever without you." He let out a choke of laughter. "You have brought me back from the depths of Moria.. and now.. you bring me back from the depths of my mind!"
The elf could not speak. Frodo filled his silence by saying,
"Beleg mord."
Legolas smirked.
"Telin le thaed."
The Fellowship rested by the soft glow from Gandalf's staff. Frodo stayed awake long into the night, speaking with Sam, Merry and Pippin. Boromir came over to Aragorn and sat down with him, their backs to the stone pillar. They sat without saying anything for a long while then Boromir asked slowly,
"What did they say? Legolas and Frodo. Or is that not for me to know?"
"Frodo called Legolas a 'great warrior'," Aragorn answered with a smile, "Legolas replied that he had just come to help."
They both looked at each other then laughed. But quickly, the mirth faded and the sombre mood returned. The large man questioned again.
"Aragorn, what can we do to help Frodo?" "I do not know. At this moment, I am without hope. But at least, we may get him out of Moria now. Some of the poison has been vomited from him and that will help. Awakening him to us is the best we can do for now. But he is too weak for this," the ranger said, shaking his head, "He needs the right antidote now. We need help if we are to save Frodo."
A voice came from behind them.
"Then I might be of assistance."