Frodo groaned as he slowly awoke, mouth as dry as sand and head as
heavy as a boulder. He blearily opened his eyes and looked around confused.
He was back in the room he shared with Uncle Bilbo at the inn! How had that
happened? The last thing he could remember.were some Elves! Elves, yes..!
He sat up with that and winced as he pulled at the stitches. He put a hand to the bandage and then remembered the elf lord's eyes and his kindly smile.but after that..He felt the bandage again. It was sort of tight feeling underneath it. Something to do with his stomach pain.
"Frodo! Oh my, it is so good to see you awake! How do you feel!" Bilbo, turned from the table when he heard Frodo sit up. Rushing over to his side, he took the smaller hobbit's hand in his and smiled. "My dear boy, you gave me such a fright..."
"But, but Bilbo.I heard you say I was "diseased" last night and you were going to return me to Brandy Hall!"
"'Diseased"? Oh Frodo, I was taking about some chickens I was going to have taken to Bag End by Farmer Bastian! It turns out the hens do not lay good eggs!
Bilbo leaned over and enveloped Frodo in a big hug. "Oh my sweet lad, I was so worried! I don't know what I would have done had you not had the good fortune to run into Lord Elrond! I would have never forgiven myself!"
Frodo felt hot tears prickle his eyes as he returned Bilbo's hug. Oh, he was so lucky to have Uncle Bilbo!! If only he could stay with him forever and ever!
Bilbo released him slowly and then turned to the teapot on the hob, which was steaming merrily. "Lord Elrond said to give you some willow bark tea straight away when you awoke, as your head would be fuzzy."
"Yes, my head hurts!" Frodo looked up at his uncle worried. "Wha-what happened? Why do I have this bandage here?" Frodo looked down at it. "My tummy isn't broken is it? How will I eat?"
"Now, now Frodo, your tummy is right where it is supposed to be. Lord Elrond, he is the Lord of Rivendell my boy and a great healer. He just had to do a minor bit of surgery, that's all. Everything is right as rain now. He says you'll be up and about in about oh, 10 days or so!"
"I guess that means I won't be able to go to the Mathom Sale." Frodo slumped into his coverlet. "And I really wanted to find a copy of "Berley's Guide to Dragons and Other Fiercesome Beasts."
"Well I will certainly keep an eye out for it when I go wandering!' Let me just get you that tea."
Frodo slumped back into the pillows, moving in slight discomfort. The stitches itched and the incision though uninfected, began to ache deeply.
Moaning, the little hobbit child felt tears prickle at the corner of his eyes. It really hurt now! And his head too!
"Uncle Bilbo, I hurt!! Ooh my tummy!!"
Instantly concerned, Bilbo rushed to his nephews side and offered him the willow bark and chamomile tea. But he could see immediately that he would have to use some of Lord Elrond's sleeping draught tincture. It would not do to have Frodo cause himself any further injury.
Coming up to the miserable child, he held his head up with one hand and brought the warm glass of tea to his mouth getting him to drink the concoction in small sips until it was gone. Frodo did not fight him, even though the medicine was strong because he was so thirsty.
Satisfied by Frodo's eagerness to finish the tea, Bilbo went and swiftly mixed a sleeping draught for Frodo. Poor little tyke, he was going to be miserable for quite sometime!
Frodo turned his head toward the window and the brightening day, and slow tears ran down his face because he knew he would not be able to go and enjoy the colorful throngs of fair goers and all the wonders the many booths and itinerant sellers offered. The balloons! The toys! And oh, especially the books!
He would not even think about the food and the sweets. More tears rolled down his face as he moved uncomfortably. He placed a hand on his bandaged side. Oh, if it only would stop aching! Why did this have to happen now, of all times! Who knew when he would ever have a chance to enjoy a fair like this!
He could not help himself and Frodo began to cry in earnest.
Finished with the tincture, Bilbo came back to his distraught nephew and put the cup down on the night stand and carefully gathered the little hobbit up in his arms and began to rock him back and forth slowly. "There, there my lad, do not fret so! Your Uncle Bilbo is here and will take care of you. Shh, little one. Drink one more thing for me Frodo lad, and I will see what I can do about getting you some hot broth. You need to keep up your strength if you are to get better soon!"
Frodo nodded against Bilbo's soft velvet weskit and let the rocking lull him into calmness. When Bilbo carefully set him back, he again helped him drink the tincture, which he had put a little honey in. Frodo complied silently and drank it all. He smiled at his uncle as he placed the now empty tea cup aside. "I am glad you are with me Uncle Bilbo. If I had had a hurt tummy in Brandy Hall, nobody but Merry would probably have noticed!"
"Shh now! That is not true, you know your auntie and uncle are very concerned about you. They would not let you lie there sick and all alone." Bilbo bent and kissed his nephew on the forehead. "Sleep now little one. Rest."
And in a few minutes, the sleeping draught took affect, and Frodo closed his eyes.
Bilbo sat back in the wooden chair and sighed deeply, bringing a hand to his forehead. My word! Dealing with this was going to be as hard as Lord Elrond had said!
Glad the draught would keep Frodo asleep for quite some time, Bilbo decided he needed to go out and find Frodo some toys and books to entertain him through his convalescence. Having told Dilly the upstairs maid to keep an eye on Frodo while he went out, Bilbo joined the throngs attending the fair.
Wandering towards the booths full of bright wooden toys, Bilbo bought several wooden puzzles, a chess set and a book of fairy tales.
Hurrying back to the Inn, Bilbo stopped and talked to the head cook , asking that some chicken broth be brought up in an hour or so and custard as well.
Letting himself in, it was with relief that Bilbo saw his nephew was still asleep. Carefully arranging his packages on the bureau, he went and placed a hand on Frodo's forehead. It was only slightly warm, and Frodo was sleeping comfortably.
Bilbo glanced over at the elegant stoppered bottle that held the sleeping draught. He hoped there would be enough to last through Frodo's convalescence. He went through the supplies again left by the elf lord and was content to see there was enough pain relieving tea as well. Just to be on the safe side, Bilbo brewed the tea and left it on the table to cool. He then went back downstairs to talk to the cook about his meals and to answer a note form an old book dealer who had come to the Inn to see him with his latest acquisitions.
Later as Bilbo wrote in his journal about the day's events, he heard his nephew stir. Moaning, Frodo, called out "Uncle Bilbo? My tummy really hurts!"
Bilbo sprang up from the small desk by the window and rushed over to his nephew's side. 'Oh, Frodo my lad, it's going to hurt for awhile I am afraid." Bilbo brushed his hand across the child's forehead and kissed him. Going over to the cheery fire, he got the waiting tea with the pain relieving herbs in it.
Adding a generous dollop of honey, Bilbo brought over the mug and sitting on the bed, but an arm around the little one and helped him drink the tea.
But Frodo, after a few sips, grimaced and feebly pushed the tea away. "No more Uncle! It tastes yucky!"
"But Lord Elrond left it for you special lad. It will make the pain go away and you want that don't you?"
Frodo glanced up at his uncle, his eyes full of tears. "But-but it tastes so bad!"
"I'll go add more honey then, shall I?"
Bilbo went back to the bureau and added another spoonful and stirring it, brought it back, helping the hobbit child again.
Frodo sipped more, but still refused to drink further after a few swallows.
Bilbo, sighing, left the mug to the side and then cuddled his nephew to him. He had not had a lot of practice dealing with the sickness. And that this traumatic event should be his first his first exposure to a sick and injured hobbit child! He began to sing a song he remembered from his own childhood, rocking Frodo gently. He glanced down, and saw his nephew's eyes were half-lidded and he smiled. Good, the tea was working!
He got up carefully to set Frodo back. The little one reached out a small hand and whimpered "Don't go Uncle, I loved that song! My ma-mamma used to sing that to me." His eyes filled with tears at the memory and Frodo turned his face into the soft velveteen weskit his uncle wore and Bilbo, carefully rubbing his back, felt his own eyes getting moist. Ahh, poor Primula and Drogo!
He looked down at the mass of dark shiny curls tucked under his chin. Poor lad, to be so bereft and lost in the sea of his Brandybuck cousins. Wasn't much of a life for such a sensitive lad.
The two hobbits, wrapped in their sad thoughts, took comfort from the other.
At last, Bilbo stirred himself and smiled, wiping his eyes. Young Frodo had fallen asleep at last. Getting up off the mattress, he rang the room service bell.
The next hurdle to be gotten over was getting the young one to eat!
In a few minutes Dilly knocked on the door and came in, hands wrapped in her apron. "What can I do for you Mr. Baggins?" she peered around his comfortable girth. "How's the wee lad then?" "He is sleeping, thankfully. Could you bring up some chicken broth for him. And some dry toast and a soft boiled egg?" "Certainly sir. Would you be wishing anything for yourself?' "Ohh, just a pot of tea.and some of those excellent cakes I had yesterday, and---" "I'm afraid they're all gone sir, but cook made some nice apple jam tarts." "Splendid! Those will do nicely. And perhaps some stuffed mushrooms?" "Of course. Anything else?" "No, that will be all." Bobbing a curtsy, the hobbit lass left quickly and closed the door quietly behind her. Once the food was brought out and laid out on the table, Bilbo looked thoughtfully at the chicken broth, steaming on the table and then glanced over at Frodo who was still asleep. Perhaps it would keep better closer to the fire. He brought the bowl over and put it near the coals and then surveyed the rest of the food. The custard would probably keep closer to the window as it had turned into a coolish day, with the likelihood of rain later. Moving the custard to the windowsill, Bilbo stepped back and looked at the rest of the food. Well that should do. He sat down and poured himself a cup of tea and popped a stuffed mushroom into his mouth.
He sat up with that and winced as he pulled at the stitches. He put a hand to the bandage and then remembered the elf lord's eyes and his kindly smile.but after that..He felt the bandage again. It was sort of tight feeling underneath it. Something to do with his stomach pain.
"Frodo! Oh my, it is so good to see you awake! How do you feel!" Bilbo, turned from the table when he heard Frodo sit up. Rushing over to his side, he took the smaller hobbit's hand in his and smiled. "My dear boy, you gave me such a fright..."
"But, but Bilbo.I heard you say I was "diseased" last night and you were going to return me to Brandy Hall!"
"'Diseased"? Oh Frodo, I was taking about some chickens I was going to have taken to Bag End by Farmer Bastian! It turns out the hens do not lay good eggs!
Bilbo leaned over and enveloped Frodo in a big hug. "Oh my sweet lad, I was so worried! I don't know what I would have done had you not had the good fortune to run into Lord Elrond! I would have never forgiven myself!"
Frodo felt hot tears prickle his eyes as he returned Bilbo's hug. Oh, he was so lucky to have Uncle Bilbo!! If only he could stay with him forever and ever!
Bilbo released him slowly and then turned to the teapot on the hob, which was steaming merrily. "Lord Elrond said to give you some willow bark tea straight away when you awoke, as your head would be fuzzy."
"Yes, my head hurts!" Frodo looked up at his uncle worried. "Wha-what happened? Why do I have this bandage here?" Frodo looked down at it. "My tummy isn't broken is it? How will I eat?"
"Now, now Frodo, your tummy is right where it is supposed to be. Lord Elrond, he is the Lord of Rivendell my boy and a great healer. He just had to do a minor bit of surgery, that's all. Everything is right as rain now. He says you'll be up and about in about oh, 10 days or so!"
"I guess that means I won't be able to go to the Mathom Sale." Frodo slumped into his coverlet. "And I really wanted to find a copy of "Berley's Guide to Dragons and Other Fiercesome Beasts."
"Well I will certainly keep an eye out for it when I go wandering!' Let me just get you that tea."
Frodo slumped back into the pillows, moving in slight discomfort. The stitches itched and the incision though uninfected, began to ache deeply.
Moaning, the little hobbit child felt tears prickle at the corner of his eyes. It really hurt now! And his head too!
"Uncle Bilbo, I hurt!! Ooh my tummy!!"
Instantly concerned, Bilbo rushed to his nephews side and offered him the willow bark and chamomile tea. But he could see immediately that he would have to use some of Lord Elrond's sleeping draught tincture. It would not do to have Frodo cause himself any further injury.
Coming up to the miserable child, he held his head up with one hand and brought the warm glass of tea to his mouth getting him to drink the concoction in small sips until it was gone. Frodo did not fight him, even though the medicine was strong because he was so thirsty.
Satisfied by Frodo's eagerness to finish the tea, Bilbo went and swiftly mixed a sleeping draught for Frodo. Poor little tyke, he was going to be miserable for quite sometime!
Frodo turned his head toward the window and the brightening day, and slow tears ran down his face because he knew he would not be able to go and enjoy the colorful throngs of fair goers and all the wonders the many booths and itinerant sellers offered. The balloons! The toys! And oh, especially the books!
He would not even think about the food and the sweets. More tears rolled down his face as he moved uncomfortably. He placed a hand on his bandaged side. Oh, if it only would stop aching! Why did this have to happen now, of all times! Who knew when he would ever have a chance to enjoy a fair like this!
He could not help himself and Frodo began to cry in earnest.
Finished with the tincture, Bilbo came back to his distraught nephew and put the cup down on the night stand and carefully gathered the little hobbit up in his arms and began to rock him back and forth slowly. "There, there my lad, do not fret so! Your Uncle Bilbo is here and will take care of you. Shh, little one. Drink one more thing for me Frodo lad, and I will see what I can do about getting you some hot broth. You need to keep up your strength if you are to get better soon!"
Frodo nodded against Bilbo's soft velvet weskit and let the rocking lull him into calmness. When Bilbo carefully set him back, he again helped him drink the tincture, which he had put a little honey in. Frodo complied silently and drank it all. He smiled at his uncle as he placed the now empty tea cup aside. "I am glad you are with me Uncle Bilbo. If I had had a hurt tummy in Brandy Hall, nobody but Merry would probably have noticed!"
"Shh now! That is not true, you know your auntie and uncle are very concerned about you. They would not let you lie there sick and all alone." Bilbo bent and kissed his nephew on the forehead. "Sleep now little one. Rest."
And in a few minutes, the sleeping draught took affect, and Frodo closed his eyes.
Bilbo sat back in the wooden chair and sighed deeply, bringing a hand to his forehead. My word! Dealing with this was going to be as hard as Lord Elrond had said!
Glad the draught would keep Frodo asleep for quite some time, Bilbo decided he needed to go out and find Frodo some toys and books to entertain him through his convalescence. Having told Dilly the upstairs maid to keep an eye on Frodo while he went out, Bilbo joined the throngs attending the fair.
Wandering towards the booths full of bright wooden toys, Bilbo bought several wooden puzzles, a chess set and a book of fairy tales.
Hurrying back to the Inn, Bilbo stopped and talked to the head cook , asking that some chicken broth be brought up in an hour or so and custard as well.
Letting himself in, it was with relief that Bilbo saw his nephew was still asleep. Carefully arranging his packages on the bureau, he went and placed a hand on Frodo's forehead. It was only slightly warm, and Frodo was sleeping comfortably.
Bilbo glanced over at the elegant stoppered bottle that held the sleeping draught. He hoped there would be enough to last through Frodo's convalescence. He went through the supplies again left by the elf lord and was content to see there was enough pain relieving tea as well. Just to be on the safe side, Bilbo brewed the tea and left it on the table to cool. He then went back downstairs to talk to the cook about his meals and to answer a note form an old book dealer who had come to the Inn to see him with his latest acquisitions.
Later as Bilbo wrote in his journal about the day's events, he heard his nephew stir. Moaning, Frodo, called out "Uncle Bilbo? My tummy really hurts!"
Bilbo sprang up from the small desk by the window and rushed over to his nephew's side. 'Oh, Frodo my lad, it's going to hurt for awhile I am afraid." Bilbo brushed his hand across the child's forehead and kissed him. Going over to the cheery fire, he got the waiting tea with the pain relieving herbs in it.
Adding a generous dollop of honey, Bilbo brought over the mug and sitting on the bed, but an arm around the little one and helped him drink the tea.
But Frodo, after a few sips, grimaced and feebly pushed the tea away. "No more Uncle! It tastes yucky!"
"But Lord Elrond left it for you special lad. It will make the pain go away and you want that don't you?"
Frodo glanced up at his uncle, his eyes full of tears. "But-but it tastes so bad!"
"I'll go add more honey then, shall I?"
Bilbo went back to the bureau and added another spoonful and stirring it, brought it back, helping the hobbit child again.
Frodo sipped more, but still refused to drink further after a few swallows.
Bilbo, sighing, left the mug to the side and then cuddled his nephew to him. He had not had a lot of practice dealing with the sickness. And that this traumatic event should be his first his first exposure to a sick and injured hobbit child! He began to sing a song he remembered from his own childhood, rocking Frodo gently. He glanced down, and saw his nephew's eyes were half-lidded and he smiled. Good, the tea was working!
He got up carefully to set Frodo back. The little one reached out a small hand and whimpered "Don't go Uncle, I loved that song! My ma-mamma used to sing that to me." His eyes filled with tears at the memory and Frodo turned his face into the soft velveteen weskit his uncle wore and Bilbo, carefully rubbing his back, felt his own eyes getting moist. Ahh, poor Primula and Drogo!
He looked down at the mass of dark shiny curls tucked under his chin. Poor lad, to be so bereft and lost in the sea of his Brandybuck cousins. Wasn't much of a life for such a sensitive lad.
The two hobbits, wrapped in their sad thoughts, took comfort from the other.
At last, Bilbo stirred himself and smiled, wiping his eyes. Young Frodo had fallen asleep at last. Getting up off the mattress, he rang the room service bell.
The next hurdle to be gotten over was getting the young one to eat!
In a few minutes Dilly knocked on the door and came in, hands wrapped in her apron. "What can I do for you Mr. Baggins?" she peered around his comfortable girth. "How's the wee lad then?" "He is sleeping, thankfully. Could you bring up some chicken broth for him. And some dry toast and a soft boiled egg?" "Certainly sir. Would you be wishing anything for yourself?' "Ohh, just a pot of tea.and some of those excellent cakes I had yesterday, and---" "I'm afraid they're all gone sir, but cook made some nice apple jam tarts." "Splendid! Those will do nicely. And perhaps some stuffed mushrooms?" "Of course. Anything else?" "No, that will be all." Bobbing a curtsy, the hobbit lass left quickly and closed the door quietly behind her. Once the food was brought out and laid out on the table, Bilbo looked thoughtfully at the chicken broth, steaming on the table and then glanced over at Frodo who was still asleep. Perhaps it would keep better closer to the fire. He brought the bowl over and put it near the coals and then surveyed the rest of the food. The custard would probably keep closer to the window as it had turned into a coolish day, with the likelihood of rain later. Moving the custard to the windowsill, Bilbo stepped back and looked at the rest of the food. Well that should do. He sat down and poured himself a cup of tea and popped a stuffed mushroom into his mouth.