Disclaimer- Things I don't own: LOTR. Things I claim: This story and all characters in it that Tolkien did not mention.
A/N- I'm really sorry that I couldn't get this chapter out before today, but between the new TTT trailer (yeah!), midterms (boo), my computer not working for a few days, and all the other things I had to do, I couldn't get it out any faster. Enjoy!
This chapter is for Evan, because he's a Superstar.
Chapter 7- Poor Theo
Dandelion nearly threw a plate onto the table, all the while muttering angrily. "What does he mean, 'girls don't fish'? I taught Theo how to fish!"
Poppy more sedately set down the utensils for the evening meal. The two were helping get the dining room ready for supper. She raised an eyebrow as she turned to face her friend. "Dandy, you're blowing this out of proportion. Theo didn't mean anything by it, not really. He's just at that awkward age in a young hobbit's life when he doesn't know how to still be friends with girls when all he wants to do is boy things with other boys."
Dandelion sat on a chair, pushing her golden hair out of her face. "You're right, Poppy. It's just that Theo and I have been friends all of his life, and I guess I'm too used to him treating lads and lasses the same. He's just growing up."
"Exactly," Poppy began, and then stopped and turned to one of the doors in the dining room that faced west toward the Brandywine.
"What is it?"
"I- I'm not sure. I thought I heard something, like someone yelling, almost." She turned away from the door. "Probably just the wind, or some little ones playing."
* * *
"Theo!!" Tru and Cousin Tunneler shouted. Almost without thinking, Tru grabbed one of the mooring lines of the Ferry and plunged into the water. It seemed icy-cold after the heat of the afternoon and he quickly surfaced, gasping for air. He submerged again and peered about in the darkness of the water for the other hobbit. He felt something hit his shoulder and he spun around, his breath coming out in an underwater shout. Then, he was pulled to the top of the water, finally able to see the other. It was Theo.
"Theo!" Tru shouted in his face. The young Brandybuck was soaking and his curls were plastered to his forehead, but he seemed to be in no great discomfort. "How-what?"
"What's wrong, Tru?" asked Theo uncertainly. The whole thing was no big deal to him, but Tru seemed shaken.
"I thought you were- I mean, weren't you drowning? You fell in!" Tru said accusingly. He was beginning to feel rather foolish.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Theo replied sheepishly. "Mum always says I should be more careful around the Ferry, but I--" He suddenly realized what Tru had first said. "'Drowning'? You thought I was drowning?" He laughed. "Silly hobbit, we Brandybucks live near a river! We know how to swim before our teens!"
Tru suddenly realized that Theo was, indeed, swimming, and that he had been pulling the rope and Tru back to Bucklebury Ferry. "No, I didn't, er, know that." He laughed suddenly as well. "I'm glad you do, because I don't!"
"Really? Could've fooled me, the way you jumped right in, nearly on my head. Thanks for 'saving' me," Theo replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Cousin Tunneler pulled them out of the water, smiling. He had been quite nervous when Theo had fallen in, been no less than astounded when he came back up again, and was now wholly relieved. "Aye, an' that's a lesson for you, Tru- never try and save someone who's drowning by jumpin' in after them! If Theo hadn't have known how to swim, what good would have you have done, m'boy?"
Tru shrugged. "Eh, you're right, Pa." He shivered- the warm afternoon had turned cold in his wet clothes. Theo sneezed.
The oldest hobbit looked at them in sudden concern. "You two best be getting off to the Hall so you don't catch a chill. Run along, I'll bring in the fish."
"Yes, Pa," Tru replied as they raced away.
Tunneler turned to his fishing pole and grabbed it as it suddenly jumped. He pulled in the line and chuckled at the sight of the large hooked fish. "Well, maybe hobbit lads should go leaping in the water every time I fish."
* * *
No sooner had Theo, Tru, and Scamp gotten inside one of the front doors of Brandy Hall than one of Theo's least liked cousins ran into them. "Well, well, what in the name of hobbits happened to you two?" sneered Thornton Burrows, called 'Thorn' by those who did not like him- which was quite a lot, considering the hobbit's tendency to bully those younger than him.
Scamp growled. "We had an accident," said Theo shortly, not caring to explain.
"I can see that," Thorn said, eyeing their general bedraggled appearance. "What did you do? Try an' fly off the Ferry?" He snickered.
Theo's face reddened and he stepped towards Thorn, but Tru got between them. "It's none o' your business, Thorn-in-my-side."
The red-haired hobbit narrowed his eyes and things might have gone ill had an older hobbit woman not come upon them at that moment. Her name was Holly Chubb, and at the sight of two soaking wet hobbits dripping on the wooden floors of the Hall, she screamed loudly. "What on Middle-earth have you done, Theoden Brandybuck?!"
This had both the effect of making all three of the younger hobbits jump and causing many others to drop whatever they were doing and rush towards the entranceway, creating an enormous crowd of talking hobbits, all eager to learn what had been the reason of such an outburst.
Even though they had been fairly far away, Dandelion and Poppy quickly arrived on the scene. Taking in the situation at a glance, Dandelion pushed her way through the throng, Poppy following closely. They each grabbed one of the boys' hands and made their way out and into a small hallway.
Theo sneezed. "Thanks, Dandy and Poppy."
The two girls looked them over, noticing how freshly damp their clothes and hair were. Poppy unknowingly repeated the question, "What happened to you two?"
Tru explained the 'drowning' and his attempted rescue, wincing slightly as Theo sneezed again. Dandelion laughed. "I must agree with your father, Tru. Never try to jump in after someone if you can't swim yourself, and that goes double if they're a Brandybuck!"
"Because Brandybucks- or most of us, anyway- can swim," Theo added.
"Right. And now, I think it's best if you two get out of those drenched clothes. You might catch a chill." As they went down the hall and Theo sneezed again, she whispered to Poppy, "If he hasn't already."
Since he knew the fastest way to their rooms, Theo led the other three through the twists and turns of Brandy Hall. Dandelion and Poppy were starting to grow concerned about him, since he had sneezed at least four times since they had left the drove of hobbits. And the walk had taken only a couple of minutes, Dandelion thought. She and Poppy exchanged glances as Theo stopped at a door.
"There's your room, Tru," Theo said. "Mine is right down the hall."
As the boys entered their respective doors, Poppy turned to her friend. "I think you're right, Dandy. Theo is definitely catching something."
The golden-haired hobbit frowned as she looked at his door. "Theo has always been one to catch colds easily, and a dip in the cold waters of the Brandywine in early autumn is just what he doesn't need. I think I'd better tell his parents in case they want to get the healer or something. Poppy, will you stay here and tell them where I've gone?"
"Of course. And I'll tell Tru about our guess."
"Thanks. Oh, and don't let Theo go running around. Make him lie down. Sit on him if you have to."
Poppy giggled as her friend raced off, not realizing this measure would be unnecessary.
* * *
Theo grabbed a freshly washed towel off of his dresser and rubbed his flushed face. He was feeling strangely sleepy, and for some reason this made him irritated. He knew he should change out of his wet clothes soon, but just the thought made him yawn. Instead, he sat down on the edge of his bed. Scamp, whom he hadn't noticed follow him in, curled up at his feet, looking at his master. Theo sneezed again. He stretched and lost his balance, falling onto his back on the bed. Seeing no reason why he should get back up, he closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep.
* * *
Dandelion turned a corner and collided with another hobbit, sending them both crashing to the floor. "Sorry, sir," she said, embarrassed, as she helped him up. It was only then that she noticed who she had run into. "Uncle Eomer!"
Eomer brushed himself off. "What's all the hurry, Dandelion? And where has your friend and my rascal of a son gotten to? We were looking for you, because we heard the strangest commotion in the hall--"
"Uncle Eomer!" Dandelion repeated, not caring that she had interrupted him. "Theo fell in the Brandywine- but he's okay," she added, as his face suddenly paled. "It's just, he and Tru- Truman Boffin- were fishing with Cousin Tunneler, and Theo fell in, then Tru jumped after him but Theo was swimming perfectly fine. When they came in, Mrs. Holly screamed at the sight of them," she omitted the incident with Thorn, seeing as how it wasn't important, "and that started your commotion, sir. Poppy and I got them out of the excitement, but Theo keeps sneezing and his face has become quite red. We thought he might have a cold or something, so we thought it best to tell you or Aunt June."
Eomer's fear about his son drowning was alleviated, but at this news it reappeared, though slightly lessened. "Thank you, Dandelion," he said in a sudden businesslike manner. "Tell me where they've gone, and you run to get Mrs. Hazelwood." Mrs. Hazelwood was Brandy Hall's leading authority on illnesses and remedies. Dandelion told him where to find the others, and they set off in different directions.
Eomer used all the shortcuts he had learned from being both a teen and a tween living at Brandy Hall- and a mischievous one, at that- to get to his son's room. He was often accused of being overprotective of his son, but the young hobbit had health that was routinely poor. So, Eomer told himself, he had a good reason.
Meanwhile, Poppy paced her way between the two doors of the boys' rooms. Suddenly, a door opened and Tru stepped out in a new pair of clothes, drying his hair with a handtowel. "Tru! What's taking you two so long?"
"Huh?"
"You and Theo have been in your rooms for at least fifteen minutes, and Theo still hasn't come out yet! And he won't answer me when I call him, but I can't go in there because he might be getting dressed."
"Why are you so worried about Theo, Poppy? And where's Dandelion gone?"
Poppy explained the girls' worry about the youngest hobbit, and that Dandelion had gone to look for the Master of the Hall or his wife. Tru looked blank as he took in this information. "I didn't even hardly notice that he sneezed a lot- I didn't think much of it. D'you really think he could be sick?"
Poppy nodded unhappily. "Probably. From what Dandelion told me, Theo gets sick from colds and such often. I remember when he visited the Smials one winter, he was very little, and it was very cold, and he got a cold just by going outside for a short while."
They both looked at the closed door of Theo's room. Tru knocked on it, calling, "Theo?" He turned to Poppy. "D'you think I should go check on him?"
At this moment, Eomer came running down the corridor, panting heavily. "Mr. Eomer!" the two younger hobbits cried in surprise.
"Is he in his room?" Without waiting for a reply, Eomer opened the door and went inside.
Tru and Poppy looked at each other, then Tru looked around the corner of the door. He could see Theo lying on the bed, with Eomer above him, shaking his arm and saying his name. Theo stirred. "Not right now, Mum. Five more minutes." He rolled over and fell back asleep.
"What's going on? What's he saying?" asked Poppy from Tru's side.'
"I dunno. He looks like he's asleep, but he said something I couldn't hear very well. Mr. Eomer's trying to wake him up. He's still wearing his wet clothes, too."
Poppy grew more alarmed. "If he's got a cold, he shouldn't be sleeping in those drenched clothes. He could get pneumonia!"
Tru called quietly into the room. "Mr. Eomer? Poppy thinks you shouldn't leave him in his soaking wet clothes, sir, because he might catch something worse than a cold."
Eomer nodded to him. "Thank you, Truman. Please shut the door and let Mrs. Hazelwood or June in when they come. But no one else."
"Yessir." Tru complied with his wish and turned to the anxious Cotton beside him.
"Well?"
"Mr. Eomer said to let only Mrs. Hazelwood or Mrs. June in when they come. I think he's going to try to get Theo out of his damp clothes, though."
"Who's Mrs. Hazelwood?"
"She's the healer at the Hall. I think he must have sent Dandelion to find her or Mrs. June."
Poppy resumed her pacing. "Oh, I hope Dandy hurries."
* * *
Dandelion, for her part, was hurrying through the maze of Brandy Hall as fast as she could. Unfortunately, she had no idea where the healer might be. She had tried the dining hall, the entranceway (where a large crowd of hobbits still gathered), and many other places besides. The only place she could think of where she hadn't checked and the healer might be was the library, and it was to there that she now made her way.
Once she reached it, she pushed the door and breathed in the dusty smell of most Shire libraries. The library had been a favorite place of hers and Dandelion would have liked to stay and look at some of the books there, but this was an urgent situation. She walked between the shelves of books, saying loudly, "Mrs. Hazelwood? Are you here?"
The gray head of an old hobbit woman appeared around one of the bookshelves. "Yes? Who's calling?" She adjusted the glasses on her nose and peered at the hobbit lass before her. "Ah. Dandelion Took. What do you need?"
"It's Theo, Mrs. Hazelwood. We think he might have come down with a cold or something. He's been sneezing a lot and- oh, he fell in the Brandywine, but--"
Mrs. Hazelwood cut her off. "No time for explanations. Just take me to wherever he is. I don't want him to catch pneumonia or something worse from falling in that river while we're talking."
For her age, Mrs. Hazelwood kept up with Dandelion's quick pace. It had been only half an hour since the boys had come back to the Hall, but it seemed like ages to Dandelion, and she worried that Theo might be worsening.
When they reached the hall with the boys' rooms, it was to be greeted by the sight of Poppy, still pacing back and forth, and Tru, sitting on the floor and looking at the ceiling. As soon as Poppy and Tru saw them, he leapt to his feet as she ran towards them.
"Where?" asked Mrs. Hazelwood. Poppy pointed, and she entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"Any change?" asked Dandelion hopefully.
Poppy shook her head. "Not that we know of."
"When Mr. Eomer came he immediately went to see Theo. He was asleep and he hadn't changed his clothes. Mr. Eomer said not to let anyone but Mrs. Hazelwood and Mrs. June in," Tru explained.
Dandelion sat on the floor, trying to catch her breath. She had been running for a long time under stressful conditions, and it was beginning to take its toll on her. "Oh, I do hope he'll be all right."
* * *
A/N (again)- Hopefully, the fact that this chapter was longer than the others made up for the fact that it's out late. And, unfortunately, it's going to take a while for the next chapter, too, because I'm going on vacation this week. The earliest it could come is Friday, but it'll probably be the weekend. As always, please review and tell me what you thought! :-)
acorngirl- Dandelion doesn't remember them too much, but she will have some flashback-type things later. I'm glad you liked it.
cheerleader15- Too many compliments! ;) It was no problem about the e-mail, I figured since I had posted it late few people would have seen it. If you want, I could e-mail you every time I update. I know how hard it is to keep track of all the stories on this site!
GreyLadyBast- I've been tired lately, too, so don't feel bad. Any review is better than none! I hope you liked this chapter, as well.
A/N- I'm really sorry that I couldn't get this chapter out before today, but between the new TTT trailer (yeah!), midterms (boo), my computer not working for a few days, and all the other things I had to do, I couldn't get it out any faster. Enjoy!
This chapter is for Evan, because he's a Superstar.
Chapter 7- Poor Theo
Dandelion nearly threw a plate onto the table, all the while muttering angrily. "What does he mean, 'girls don't fish'? I taught Theo how to fish!"
Poppy more sedately set down the utensils for the evening meal. The two were helping get the dining room ready for supper. She raised an eyebrow as she turned to face her friend. "Dandy, you're blowing this out of proportion. Theo didn't mean anything by it, not really. He's just at that awkward age in a young hobbit's life when he doesn't know how to still be friends with girls when all he wants to do is boy things with other boys."
Dandelion sat on a chair, pushing her golden hair out of her face. "You're right, Poppy. It's just that Theo and I have been friends all of his life, and I guess I'm too used to him treating lads and lasses the same. He's just growing up."
"Exactly," Poppy began, and then stopped and turned to one of the doors in the dining room that faced west toward the Brandywine.
"What is it?"
"I- I'm not sure. I thought I heard something, like someone yelling, almost." She turned away from the door. "Probably just the wind, or some little ones playing."
* * *
"Theo!!" Tru and Cousin Tunneler shouted. Almost without thinking, Tru grabbed one of the mooring lines of the Ferry and plunged into the water. It seemed icy-cold after the heat of the afternoon and he quickly surfaced, gasping for air. He submerged again and peered about in the darkness of the water for the other hobbit. He felt something hit his shoulder and he spun around, his breath coming out in an underwater shout. Then, he was pulled to the top of the water, finally able to see the other. It was Theo.
"Theo!" Tru shouted in his face. The young Brandybuck was soaking and his curls were plastered to his forehead, but he seemed to be in no great discomfort. "How-what?"
"What's wrong, Tru?" asked Theo uncertainly. The whole thing was no big deal to him, but Tru seemed shaken.
"I thought you were- I mean, weren't you drowning? You fell in!" Tru said accusingly. He was beginning to feel rather foolish.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Theo replied sheepishly. "Mum always says I should be more careful around the Ferry, but I--" He suddenly realized what Tru had first said. "'Drowning'? You thought I was drowning?" He laughed. "Silly hobbit, we Brandybucks live near a river! We know how to swim before our teens!"
Tru suddenly realized that Theo was, indeed, swimming, and that he had been pulling the rope and Tru back to Bucklebury Ferry. "No, I didn't, er, know that." He laughed suddenly as well. "I'm glad you do, because I don't!"
"Really? Could've fooled me, the way you jumped right in, nearly on my head. Thanks for 'saving' me," Theo replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Cousin Tunneler pulled them out of the water, smiling. He had been quite nervous when Theo had fallen in, been no less than astounded when he came back up again, and was now wholly relieved. "Aye, an' that's a lesson for you, Tru- never try and save someone who's drowning by jumpin' in after them! If Theo hadn't have known how to swim, what good would have you have done, m'boy?"
Tru shrugged. "Eh, you're right, Pa." He shivered- the warm afternoon had turned cold in his wet clothes. Theo sneezed.
The oldest hobbit looked at them in sudden concern. "You two best be getting off to the Hall so you don't catch a chill. Run along, I'll bring in the fish."
"Yes, Pa," Tru replied as they raced away.
Tunneler turned to his fishing pole and grabbed it as it suddenly jumped. He pulled in the line and chuckled at the sight of the large hooked fish. "Well, maybe hobbit lads should go leaping in the water every time I fish."
* * *
No sooner had Theo, Tru, and Scamp gotten inside one of the front doors of Brandy Hall than one of Theo's least liked cousins ran into them. "Well, well, what in the name of hobbits happened to you two?" sneered Thornton Burrows, called 'Thorn' by those who did not like him- which was quite a lot, considering the hobbit's tendency to bully those younger than him.
Scamp growled. "We had an accident," said Theo shortly, not caring to explain.
"I can see that," Thorn said, eyeing their general bedraggled appearance. "What did you do? Try an' fly off the Ferry?" He snickered.
Theo's face reddened and he stepped towards Thorn, but Tru got between them. "It's none o' your business, Thorn-in-my-side."
The red-haired hobbit narrowed his eyes and things might have gone ill had an older hobbit woman not come upon them at that moment. Her name was Holly Chubb, and at the sight of two soaking wet hobbits dripping on the wooden floors of the Hall, she screamed loudly. "What on Middle-earth have you done, Theoden Brandybuck?!"
This had both the effect of making all three of the younger hobbits jump and causing many others to drop whatever they were doing and rush towards the entranceway, creating an enormous crowd of talking hobbits, all eager to learn what had been the reason of such an outburst.
Even though they had been fairly far away, Dandelion and Poppy quickly arrived on the scene. Taking in the situation at a glance, Dandelion pushed her way through the throng, Poppy following closely. They each grabbed one of the boys' hands and made their way out and into a small hallway.
Theo sneezed. "Thanks, Dandy and Poppy."
The two girls looked them over, noticing how freshly damp their clothes and hair were. Poppy unknowingly repeated the question, "What happened to you two?"
Tru explained the 'drowning' and his attempted rescue, wincing slightly as Theo sneezed again. Dandelion laughed. "I must agree with your father, Tru. Never try to jump in after someone if you can't swim yourself, and that goes double if they're a Brandybuck!"
"Because Brandybucks- or most of us, anyway- can swim," Theo added.
"Right. And now, I think it's best if you two get out of those drenched clothes. You might catch a chill." As they went down the hall and Theo sneezed again, she whispered to Poppy, "If he hasn't already."
Since he knew the fastest way to their rooms, Theo led the other three through the twists and turns of Brandy Hall. Dandelion and Poppy were starting to grow concerned about him, since he had sneezed at least four times since they had left the drove of hobbits. And the walk had taken only a couple of minutes, Dandelion thought. She and Poppy exchanged glances as Theo stopped at a door.
"There's your room, Tru," Theo said. "Mine is right down the hall."
As the boys entered their respective doors, Poppy turned to her friend. "I think you're right, Dandy. Theo is definitely catching something."
The golden-haired hobbit frowned as she looked at his door. "Theo has always been one to catch colds easily, and a dip in the cold waters of the Brandywine in early autumn is just what he doesn't need. I think I'd better tell his parents in case they want to get the healer or something. Poppy, will you stay here and tell them where I've gone?"
"Of course. And I'll tell Tru about our guess."
"Thanks. Oh, and don't let Theo go running around. Make him lie down. Sit on him if you have to."
Poppy giggled as her friend raced off, not realizing this measure would be unnecessary.
* * *
Theo grabbed a freshly washed towel off of his dresser and rubbed his flushed face. He was feeling strangely sleepy, and for some reason this made him irritated. He knew he should change out of his wet clothes soon, but just the thought made him yawn. Instead, he sat down on the edge of his bed. Scamp, whom he hadn't noticed follow him in, curled up at his feet, looking at his master. Theo sneezed again. He stretched and lost his balance, falling onto his back on the bed. Seeing no reason why he should get back up, he closed his eyes and promptly fell asleep.
* * *
Dandelion turned a corner and collided with another hobbit, sending them both crashing to the floor. "Sorry, sir," she said, embarrassed, as she helped him up. It was only then that she noticed who she had run into. "Uncle Eomer!"
Eomer brushed himself off. "What's all the hurry, Dandelion? And where has your friend and my rascal of a son gotten to? We were looking for you, because we heard the strangest commotion in the hall--"
"Uncle Eomer!" Dandelion repeated, not caring that she had interrupted him. "Theo fell in the Brandywine- but he's okay," she added, as his face suddenly paled. "It's just, he and Tru- Truman Boffin- were fishing with Cousin Tunneler, and Theo fell in, then Tru jumped after him but Theo was swimming perfectly fine. When they came in, Mrs. Holly screamed at the sight of them," she omitted the incident with Thorn, seeing as how it wasn't important, "and that started your commotion, sir. Poppy and I got them out of the excitement, but Theo keeps sneezing and his face has become quite red. We thought he might have a cold or something, so we thought it best to tell you or Aunt June."
Eomer's fear about his son drowning was alleviated, but at this news it reappeared, though slightly lessened. "Thank you, Dandelion," he said in a sudden businesslike manner. "Tell me where they've gone, and you run to get Mrs. Hazelwood." Mrs. Hazelwood was Brandy Hall's leading authority on illnesses and remedies. Dandelion told him where to find the others, and they set off in different directions.
Eomer used all the shortcuts he had learned from being both a teen and a tween living at Brandy Hall- and a mischievous one, at that- to get to his son's room. He was often accused of being overprotective of his son, but the young hobbit had health that was routinely poor. So, Eomer told himself, he had a good reason.
Meanwhile, Poppy paced her way between the two doors of the boys' rooms. Suddenly, a door opened and Tru stepped out in a new pair of clothes, drying his hair with a handtowel. "Tru! What's taking you two so long?"
"Huh?"
"You and Theo have been in your rooms for at least fifteen minutes, and Theo still hasn't come out yet! And he won't answer me when I call him, but I can't go in there because he might be getting dressed."
"Why are you so worried about Theo, Poppy? And where's Dandelion gone?"
Poppy explained the girls' worry about the youngest hobbit, and that Dandelion had gone to look for the Master of the Hall or his wife. Tru looked blank as he took in this information. "I didn't even hardly notice that he sneezed a lot- I didn't think much of it. D'you really think he could be sick?"
Poppy nodded unhappily. "Probably. From what Dandelion told me, Theo gets sick from colds and such often. I remember when he visited the Smials one winter, he was very little, and it was very cold, and he got a cold just by going outside for a short while."
They both looked at the closed door of Theo's room. Tru knocked on it, calling, "Theo?" He turned to Poppy. "D'you think I should go check on him?"
At this moment, Eomer came running down the corridor, panting heavily. "Mr. Eomer!" the two younger hobbits cried in surprise.
"Is he in his room?" Without waiting for a reply, Eomer opened the door and went inside.
Tru and Poppy looked at each other, then Tru looked around the corner of the door. He could see Theo lying on the bed, with Eomer above him, shaking his arm and saying his name. Theo stirred. "Not right now, Mum. Five more minutes." He rolled over and fell back asleep.
"What's going on? What's he saying?" asked Poppy from Tru's side.'
"I dunno. He looks like he's asleep, but he said something I couldn't hear very well. Mr. Eomer's trying to wake him up. He's still wearing his wet clothes, too."
Poppy grew more alarmed. "If he's got a cold, he shouldn't be sleeping in those drenched clothes. He could get pneumonia!"
Tru called quietly into the room. "Mr. Eomer? Poppy thinks you shouldn't leave him in his soaking wet clothes, sir, because he might catch something worse than a cold."
Eomer nodded to him. "Thank you, Truman. Please shut the door and let Mrs. Hazelwood or June in when they come. But no one else."
"Yessir." Tru complied with his wish and turned to the anxious Cotton beside him.
"Well?"
"Mr. Eomer said to let only Mrs. Hazelwood or Mrs. June in when they come. I think he's going to try to get Theo out of his damp clothes, though."
"Who's Mrs. Hazelwood?"
"She's the healer at the Hall. I think he must have sent Dandelion to find her or Mrs. June."
Poppy resumed her pacing. "Oh, I hope Dandy hurries."
* * *
Dandelion, for her part, was hurrying through the maze of Brandy Hall as fast as she could. Unfortunately, she had no idea where the healer might be. She had tried the dining hall, the entranceway (where a large crowd of hobbits still gathered), and many other places besides. The only place she could think of where she hadn't checked and the healer might be was the library, and it was to there that she now made her way.
Once she reached it, she pushed the door and breathed in the dusty smell of most Shire libraries. The library had been a favorite place of hers and Dandelion would have liked to stay and look at some of the books there, but this was an urgent situation. She walked between the shelves of books, saying loudly, "Mrs. Hazelwood? Are you here?"
The gray head of an old hobbit woman appeared around one of the bookshelves. "Yes? Who's calling?" She adjusted the glasses on her nose and peered at the hobbit lass before her. "Ah. Dandelion Took. What do you need?"
"It's Theo, Mrs. Hazelwood. We think he might have come down with a cold or something. He's been sneezing a lot and- oh, he fell in the Brandywine, but--"
Mrs. Hazelwood cut her off. "No time for explanations. Just take me to wherever he is. I don't want him to catch pneumonia or something worse from falling in that river while we're talking."
For her age, Mrs. Hazelwood kept up with Dandelion's quick pace. It had been only half an hour since the boys had come back to the Hall, but it seemed like ages to Dandelion, and she worried that Theo might be worsening.
When they reached the hall with the boys' rooms, it was to be greeted by the sight of Poppy, still pacing back and forth, and Tru, sitting on the floor and looking at the ceiling. As soon as Poppy and Tru saw them, he leapt to his feet as she ran towards them.
"Where?" asked Mrs. Hazelwood. Poppy pointed, and she entered the room, closing the door behind her.
"Any change?" asked Dandelion hopefully.
Poppy shook her head. "Not that we know of."
"When Mr. Eomer came he immediately went to see Theo. He was asleep and he hadn't changed his clothes. Mr. Eomer said not to let anyone but Mrs. Hazelwood and Mrs. June in," Tru explained.
Dandelion sat on the floor, trying to catch her breath. She had been running for a long time under stressful conditions, and it was beginning to take its toll on her. "Oh, I do hope he'll be all right."
* * *
A/N (again)- Hopefully, the fact that this chapter was longer than the others made up for the fact that it's out late. And, unfortunately, it's going to take a while for the next chapter, too, because I'm going on vacation this week. The earliest it could come is Friday, but it'll probably be the weekend. As always, please review and tell me what you thought! :-)
acorngirl- Dandelion doesn't remember them too much, but she will have some flashback-type things later. I'm glad you liked it.
cheerleader15- Too many compliments! ;) It was no problem about the e-mail, I figured since I had posted it late few people would have seen it. If you want, I could e-mail you every time I update. I know how hard it is to keep track of all the stories on this site!
GreyLadyBast- I've been tired lately, too, so don't feel bad. Any review is better than none! I hope you liked this chapter, as well.
