5: Unwell


Disclaimer: Unwell is property of Matchbox Twenty.


I've been talkin' in my sleep,
pretty soon they'll come to get me,
yeah, they're takin' me away,
I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little unwell, I know right know you can't tell,
but stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
a different side of me,
I'm not crazy,
I'm just a little imparied, I know right now
you don't care,
but pretty soon you're gonna think of me
and how I use to be


Frodo's point of view:


The two days later, Frodo awoke when he heard the sound of Merry's voice in the hall, clearly laced with worry. The hobbit overheard Lila telling him to take a lad to Bilbo's bedroom as he climbed out of the bed. He was still exsaughted from the pain in his arm that refused to let him have a fitful sleep. Frodo figured this 'lad' was Pippin, at least hoped it was. Getting out of his bed, careful not to disturb his broken arm, he followed the voices coming from his uncle Bilbo's room.

As he traveled down the corridor he caught sight of miss Lila and Samwise rushing out of the bedroom in a hurry, he stopped at the end of the wall where he hid behind. He poked his head from around the corner watching Lila instruct Sam to fetch a healer, the gardener nodded then headed down the corridor toward the front door.

Frodo's blue eyes watched miss Lila curiously as she leaned up against the wall a grief stricken look upon her face. He stepped out from behind the wall ajusting his nightshirt. Swallowing he marched forward with a semi calm expression on his face. He began to think the creeking he heard outside his door was infact his Sam and Merry heading out to search for his youngest cousin, Peregrin.

"Ms. Lila?" He asked, placing his hand on the wall. Lila did not respond, her face remained the same, her body did not sway or anything. Frodo reached forward and tapped her on the shoulder, she jumped clearly unaware of the figure beside her. Frodo stood beside her, his face contorted with concern. She sighed holding her head down, her shoulders slumped with a hint of relief.

"Frodo, don't you sneak up on me!" She proclaimed angrily, her hand primed to slap him. Frodo blushed slightly, feeling foolish for scaring the hobbit-lass for a second time since she had come to Bag End. "Do forgive me, miss Lila, but do you know where I could find Merry?" Frodo said. Lila's head snapped up in surprise as to why the burnette would ask her. "He's in Bilbo's room. He and Sam found young Mr. Peregrin," She said, rather hesitant to mention the younger hobbit. She pointed to the door quickly. "You can go and see him if ya' like."

Frodo nodded viggerously, with a final thank you the hobbit rushed back down the corridor toward his uncle's bedroom door. His curls blinded him for a mere second as his hand shakily grabbed the doorknob. Swallowing back his fear he turned the knob and pushed the door open. Poking his head into the room with a uncertain look about him. His blue eyes fell upon Merry sat slumped in the chair, his arms on the sides of the chair hanging lifelessly.

Not wanting to wake the two sleeping hobbits, Frodo crepted into the room shuting the door softly behind him. Pippin was in bad shape; There were several major cuts and bruises on what parts of his body, Frodo could see, his lip had swollen turned purple, the side of his face was covered with an angry black bruise also. His hand was wrapped up in bandges. "Frodo?" Merry yawned his name. He raised his head to confirm his suspicion.

Frodo was amazed the blonde knew he was standing in the doorway without turning his head to see him. "Hello, Frodo," Merry spoke again, rubbing his eyes. The blonde's clothes were dirty, and covered with grass stains though it was no surprise to Frodo. The lad usually got himself dirty every single day until his mother threatened him, by saying she'd deprive him of his luncheon, if his behavior kept up.

Frodo nodded in response and sat down on the edge of the bed across from Merry. "I'm sorry," He said. Merry looked up in question, wondering what Frodo was apologizing for exactly. "I understand if you blame me for this...," Frodo's cousin stopped him short. Merry shook his head, sitting up a little more in the chair. "I don't blame you Frodo," He said. "I don't blame anyone. I just hope he gets better."

Me too Merry, The older hobbit thought grimly. He turned to Merry who was dozing off again, his head falling downward slowly, Frodo placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder rousing him out of his sleep, Merry looked up at Frodo groggily blinking. "You get some sleep Merry. I'll make sure Pippin's all right," He told him, removing his hand from the Brandybuck's shoulder. Merry nodded, getting up from the chair. "I'll be back, in the morning. G'night Frodo," Merry grumbled, barely above a whisper.

"Good-night Merry," Frodo replied with a smile. Merry nodded exiting the room. He left the door leaving slightly ajar.


Frodo waited for Samwise to return with a healer to help Pippin. He spent most of his time nodding off in the chair Merry sat in earlier, listening to the creeks in the floor. Frodo cradled his injured arm holding it against his chest. Another moment passed and the hobbit nodded off again. When Frodo awoke again, he found himself alone with Pippin still. What was taking Samwise so long? He reached out for Pippin's face, his fingers trailed across the angry black bruise on the side that extended down his chin. Pippin stirred his sleep but did not wake, which Frodo was thankful for. If his young cousin had, he wasn't too sure how'd he react to seeing his face.

"What happened, Pip?" Frodo asked, unaware Pippin was awake. The Took bit his lip sucking in a yawn that was going to come out, turning away from Frodo. However, his bedside fellow had noticed his breathing pattern had changed. "I was up on a mountain almost out of the Shire." Pippin eyes wandered around the room. "A-and I tried to find a way down, when I heard a voice whisper something about a ring. It scared me. I didn't know what to do, and then it came back again and said; 'Where is the ring halfling, tell me!'." Peregrin turned to his oldest cousin, with worn expression on his face, Frodo looked into Pippin's eyes which seemed more distant than usual. Pippin continued.

"It scared me, the voice, it didn't leave me alone. It keep pestering me about this ring, and before I knew it, something grabbed me. It was a cold feeling, I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move. I saw these horrible images of you, Merry and Sam! Terrible!" He paused taking a breather. Frodo watched his cousin try his best not to cry, tears rolled freely down his face.

"Oh, it was horrible Frodo! There were horrid creatures everywhere! An-and--- and I managed to get it's hands off of me, but I fell from the mountain! I woke up on the shore of the river." Pippin hiccupped. "I got out of the water and found it hard to crawl across the ground I was in so much pain. I can't remember much after that, just waking up to see Merry and Samwise."

Frodo nodded and gazed upon Pippin's mangled arm. It was in a horrible state, and he could see a bone sticking out of his skin, which was probably what was causing him such pain. He placed his hand on the Took's forehead feeling the warmth spread through his palms. Pippin closed his eyes awaiting sleep to claim him.

He suddenly felt a strong presence in the room. Turning his head away from Pippin, Frodo gazed upon Gandalf. His friend appeared a little more careworn than usual. "How is young Peregrin?" He asked, coming over to the bed. Frodo looked down to find Pippin sleeping peacefully, he sighed at the oblvious expression on his cousin's face. "He's all right I suppose. His arm is broken, I believe," He responded quietly. Frodo gazed up at the wizard who was giving him a worried look. "How have you've been Gandalf?"

"I'm alright Frodo," Gandalf laughed slightly. "I see our young foolish Took is quite the opposite, though. What did he do this time, to get in such a horrible state?" Frodo bit his lip unsure how to explain it to him.


TBC