Zorra: Thanks for coming back. Keep on reading, Zorra. You might find your
answers in later chapters. ^_^
Endymion: Er, why does Saruman need Frodo? Why? I'm also in the dark here. Well, it seems like in the movie. He only said that he wanted the halfling without revealing what he actually needed, to the uruk hais. He didn't want the uruk hais to keep the ring for themselves, perhaps? And, yes. I completely agree with you about the resuscitation technique, though it's not really clear about the time frame in Middle Earth. During the middle age? Was it why Tolkien named the place 'Middle' Earth?
Aelfgifu: Your ideas are interesting! But isn't it Merry supposed to be punished after what he's done?
Alisaundre: Mm, I don't own the ring so I'm more or les the same with you, not knowing exactly how it works. I just see that it has its own wants. If it wants to stay, it will stay. And if it wants to go, it will go. Sequel? As this is getting harder for me to write, what about if we just finish it here and go directly to the sequel? :)
Krista: Okay. Hope you're still there when this chapter comes up. Sorry for the waiting!
QTPie: Wow! Bravo! Congratulations and thank you for keeping on reading!
John Lennon Across the Universe: Lovely Frodo is here, babe.
AN: And wow! Now I feel that writing here is like taking a writing course itself. Your precious comments really help me shape and reshape my thoughts. And please, if you have any comments on my grammar or diction, feel free to let me know. Because, although it is going to be betaed by emma, I'm often too lazy (!) to update with the revised versions. (Sorry, emma!)
Warning: AU, changing of POVs
Chapter 43
"I can't! I can't do it!" shouted Merry after several minutes pumping at Frodo's chest. No, hitting it was more likely. He had actually been doing fine after some point a moment ago until Frodo suddenly jolted and seemed to breathe again. Merry almost jump in joy.
But then it stopped - the movement from the chest. Frodo didn't move anymore. Or had he actually never done that? Was it only Merry's imagination - for Frodo now looked more dead than before. And more peaceful.
Merry howled in rage. He resumed his effort, but he did nothing the same as before. Blinded with angry tears, Merry grew impatient and his pumping turned to pumping.
___________________________________________________________________
I didn't know what came into Pippin's mind. His grip on my shoulder shot an excruciating pain, weakening me. He, on the other hand, seemed to have become much stronger.
Yet I still tried to run away again when I managed to free myself. But he then kicked me hard on the small of my back, sending me lying face down in the river. The next thing I knew was he was twisting my left hand behind my back.
I couldn't stand it. I screamed in agony. But instead of releasing me, he grabbed my hair, yanked it backward, and pushed me down to the water. I didn't have to guess what he was going to do. I whimpered horrifiedly but my whimper was soon muffled when my head was shoved into the water.
Streams of liquid flooded into my mouth and nose though I tried hard to close the mouth and hold my breath. I almost lost my senses if not because of the sting inside my nose and down my throat. I didn't know if I was still gasping. That would bring me more pain.
And right when my lungs felt like going to burst out, the harsh grip pulled my head up, away from the water.
Elbereth! It was now the air that pained me so as it speeded up into my system. Tears flowed down as I panted miserably.
But it all had been nothing compared to how I felt when Pippin, once more, drowned me. I felt like the world exploded before my eyes and the sudden attack by the water into my open mouth left me with an acid taste. Had it been bleeding profusely inside my mouth and throat?
My body went limp, but I still didn't want to give up. My free hand - the right one - was doing something I didn't even know. But that was the last thing I realized doing. Slowly tiredness came over me. I was tired. That was all I could feel. I was too tired to try to push my head up. I was tired to gasp for air, which seemed to prefer to hide away from me, to do something with my hand, to struggle. I didn't care about what was happening anymore.
Unconsciously I closed my eyes. I started to feel warm and I saw a light flashing in my mind. The light got stronger and I felt no more pain or fear. It was very nice, safe, and peaceful.
Yet, when I was about to enter the white light, I felt something strong push on my chest. Then all of a sudden all came back, the pain, the need to reach for air, the despair.
But something inside myself pulled me back to the light and once more, I felt safe.
___________________________________________________________________
Merry looked up at the man angrily. He had finally stopped trying to make Frodo breathe again.
"I have failed. YOU have failed. Your technique didn't help at all to bring Frodo back alive!"
The man opened his mouth wanting to give his objection, but Merry got there faster.
"Be silent! I don't want to hear your excuses! Do you realize that you have jeopardized my plan? You have to do something or you will get nothing either!"
The men's leader knew that it was impossible for him to do what Merry did to Frodo. He was too strong. He might kill him at once instead. He looked at Frodo's pale form and wondered why this little halfling could be very important. But he didn't say anything. He just motioned to one of his men. The latter nodded and went away.
The man was back a moment later with a small phial with green liquid in it.
"What's that?" Merry frowned suspiciously. The leader shook his head.
"Nothing. Just a kind of elixir to warm yourself. Each of us brings one like this."
Merry watched, still with suspicion, as the man open the lid of the phial, put the small bottle on the ground, and reached for his knife.
"Hey!" yelled Merry. But the man ignored him. He sliced the tip of his finger, making Merry gasp with surprise. Then the man took the phial and added some drops of blood from the cut finger into it.
"You - Why---" Merry had never seen anything like this before but hope started to rise.
"I don't know if it will work. You must add the liquid with blood before you drink it. It worked wondrously at me some time ago when the temperature suddenly dropped. But I don't know if it can help your friend. I can see he is freezing. That's why it came to my mind to try this."
"Cut it out!" Merry was becoming impatient. "or it won't have any effect at all."
The man kneeled down and pinched at Frodo's chin, parting his small lips. He then pored the reddish green solution between them, and something that Merry was afraid of happened. Frodo would not swallow. It was as if his system had been shut off.
The leader tried another strategy. He squeezed Frodo's nose. Nothing happened in a moment, Merry staring at the hobbit while holding his breath. Then - thanks oh, dear Eru! A miracle came. Frodo gulped down the liquid quite smoothly.
___________________________________________________________________
I stood there looking around in disappointment. The big light had gone. Although the 'room' was not entirely dark, it got dimmer every second, until what I could sense was emptiness. Peaceful but empty. I could also feel the coldness now, instead of warmth.
Soft breeze sent me chills around and in my body. I took that as a strange sign. First it was cold. What would be the next? Pain? I hugged myself as it got more and more freezing. And that was the time when I realized that I was only wearing my breeches. I wore nothing else to protect me from the cold.
Slowly I lowered down and got crumpled on the ground. I drew my knees closer to my chin and embraced them tightly while trying hard to stop my chattering teeth. Oh, how cold it was!
Soon I felt myself lying on the icy ground, still curled up helplessly. But I still didn't get the warmth I desperately needed. So I just lay there waiting for whatever that would happen. I closed myself miserably.
The air was moving and suddenly I felt that I was not alone anymore. And to my surprise, I felt a touch on my locks. I didn't want to open my eyes but I didn't flinch either. It was as if instinctively I knew that the touch was not a threat.
Those fingers continued on stroking at my hair. I purred contentedly and felt so sleepy.
"Frodo." A voice. A woman? I stretched a little. The hand was still caressing my hair.
"Frodo. Open your eyes, dear. You're not allowed to stay here. Not just yet."
But the caress was becoming so comfortable. I wanted to protest why I was not allowed to be here. I slowly opened my eyes.
She was a beautiful hobbit. A hobbit! At this place like this. But, what place was it anyway? Her soft, dark curls and deep blue eyes reminded me of someone. Of myself! Who was she?
"Who are you?" I asked curiously. She laughed softly.
"It's always like this with you, Frodo. Always want to know everything. Why, don't tell me you're forgetting your own mama!"
Mama! I choked. But mama was --- Hmm, where was my mama?
"Don't you miss me, Frodo lad?"
I really didn't know what to say. Was I supposed to miss her? I yawned widely.
"Frodo!"
"I'm tired, mama. I feel so sleepy. Please let me sleep." Without waiting for her answer, I shut my eyes and drifted away. But something snapped me awake. My eyes fluttered open - only to find that my mama was gone.
I didn't know why. I still couldn't place my mother in my mind. I knew of course that she was 'her', but I couldn't tell why I suddenly felt very sad by her disappearance. I shut my eyes tightly, and sobbed quietly.
There was something in the corner of my eyes. Mer - Merry? I almost shouted in ecstasy. He was here too!
"Merry!" I called him out. But the figure was not facing me. In fact, he was walking away from me. I braced myself and stood up.
"Merry, don't leave me here alone!"
But it was no use. So I decided to run after him. Perhaps this would help get rid of the cold.
With another shout at Merry's name, I darted toward him. But strangely, he, too, seemed to be speeding. I didn't care. I ran and ran until my lungs felt like it was going to explode.
TBC
Endymion: Er, why does Saruman need Frodo? Why? I'm also in the dark here. Well, it seems like in the movie. He only said that he wanted the halfling without revealing what he actually needed, to the uruk hais. He didn't want the uruk hais to keep the ring for themselves, perhaps? And, yes. I completely agree with you about the resuscitation technique, though it's not really clear about the time frame in Middle Earth. During the middle age? Was it why Tolkien named the place 'Middle' Earth?
Aelfgifu: Your ideas are interesting! But isn't it Merry supposed to be punished after what he's done?
Alisaundre: Mm, I don't own the ring so I'm more or les the same with you, not knowing exactly how it works. I just see that it has its own wants. If it wants to stay, it will stay. And if it wants to go, it will go. Sequel? As this is getting harder for me to write, what about if we just finish it here and go directly to the sequel? :)
Krista: Okay. Hope you're still there when this chapter comes up. Sorry for the waiting!
QTPie: Wow! Bravo! Congratulations and thank you for keeping on reading!
John Lennon Across the Universe: Lovely Frodo is here, babe.
AN: And wow! Now I feel that writing here is like taking a writing course itself. Your precious comments really help me shape and reshape my thoughts. And please, if you have any comments on my grammar or diction, feel free to let me know. Because, although it is going to be betaed by emma, I'm often too lazy (!) to update with the revised versions. (Sorry, emma!)
Warning: AU, changing of POVs
Chapter 43
"I can't! I can't do it!" shouted Merry after several minutes pumping at Frodo's chest. No, hitting it was more likely. He had actually been doing fine after some point a moment ago until Frodo suddenly jolted and seemed to breathe again. Merry almost jump in joy.
But then it stopped - the movement from the chest. Frodo didn't move anymore. Or had he actually never done that? Was it only Merry's imagination - for Frodo now looked more dead than before. And more peaceful.
Merry howled in rage. He resumed his effort, but he did nothing the same as before. Blinded with angry tears, Merry grew impatient and his pumping turned to pumping.
___________________________________________________________________
I didn't know what came into Pippin's mind. His grip on my shoulder shot an excruciating pain, weakening me. He, on the other hand, seemed to have become much stronger.
Yet I still tried to run away again when I managed to free myself. But he then kicked me hard on the small of my back, sending me lying face down in the river. The next thing I knew was he was twisting my left hand behind my back.
I couldn't stand it. I screamed in agony. But instead of releasing me, he grabbed my hair, yanked it backward, and pushed me down to the water. I didn't have to guess what he was going to do. I whimpered horrifiedly but my whimper was soon muffled when my head was shoved into the water.
Streams of liquid flooded into my mouth and nose though I tried hard to close the mouth and hold my breath. I almost lost my senses if not because of the sting inside my nose and down my throat. I didn't know if I was still gasping. That would bring me more pain.
And right when my lungs felt like going to burst out, the harsh grip pulled my head up, away from the water.
Elbereth! It was now the air that pained me so as it speeded up into my system. Tears flowed down as I panted miserably.
But it all had been nothing compared to how I felt when Pippin, once more, drowned me. I felt like the world exploded before my eyes and the sudden attack by the water into my open mouth left me with an acid taste. Had it been bleeding profusely inside my mouth and throat?
My body went limp, but I still didn't want to give up. My free hand - the right one - was doing something I didn't even know. But that was the last thing I realized doing. Slowly tiredness came over me. I was tired. That was all I could feel. I was too tired to try to push my head up. I was tired to gasp for air, which seemed to prefer to hide away from me, to do something with my hand, to struggle. I didn't care about what was happening anymore.
Unconsciously I closed my eyes. I started to feel warm and I saw a light flashing in my mind. The light got stronger and I felt no more pain or fear. It was very nice, safe, and peaceful.
Yet, when I was about to enter the white light, I felt something strong push on my chest. Then all of a sudden all came back, the pain, the need to reach for air, the despair.
But something inside myself pulled me back to the light and once more, I felt safe.
___________________________________________________________________
Merry looked up at the man angrily. He had finally stopped trying to make Frodo breathe again.
"I have failed. YOU have failed. Your technique didn't help at all to bring Frodo back alive!"
The man opened his mouth wanting to give his objection, but Merry got there faster.
"Be silent! I don't want to hear your excuses! Do you realize that you have jeopardized my plan? You have to do something or you will get nothing either!"
The men's leader knew that it was impossible for him to do what Merry did to Frodo. He was too strong. He might kill him at once instead. He looked at Frodo's pale form and wondered why this little halfling could be very important. But he didn't say anything. He just motioned to one of his men. The latter nodded and went away.
The man was back a moment later with a small phial with green liquid in it.
"What's that?" Merry frowned suspiciously. The leader shook his head.
"Nothing. Just a kind of elixir to warm yourself. Each of us brings one like this."
Merry watched, still with suspicion, as the man open the lid of the phial, put the small bottle on the ground, and reached for his knife.
"Hey!" yelled Merry. But the man ignored him. He sliced the tip of his finger, making Merry gasp with surprise. Then the man took the phial and added some drops of blood from the cut finger into it.
"You - Why---" Merry had never seen anything like this before but hope started to rise.
"I don't know if it will work. You must add the liquid with blood before you drink it. It worked wondrously at me some time ago when the temperature suddenly dropped. But I don't know if it can help your friend. I can see he is freezing. That's why it came to my mind to try this."
"Cut it out!" Merry was becoming impatient. "or it won't have any effect at all."
The man kneeled down and pinched at Frodo's chin, parting his small lips. He then pored the reddish green solution between them, and something that Merry was afraid of happened. Frodo would not swallow. It was as if his system had been shut off.
The leader tried another strategy. He squeezed Frodo's nose. Nothing happened in a moment, Merry staring at the hobbit while holding his breath. Then - thanks oh, dear Eru! A miracle came. Frodo gulped down the liquid quite smoothly.
___________________________________________________________________
I stood there looking around in disappointment. The big light had gone. Although the 'room' was not entirely dark, it got dimmer every second, until what I could sense was emptiness. Peaceful but empty. I could also feel the coldness now, instead of warmth.
Soft breeze sent me chills around and in my body. I took that as a strange sign. First it was cold. What would be the next? Pain? I hugged myself as it got more and more freezing. And that was the time when I realized that I was only wearing my breeches. I wore nothing else to protect me from the cold.
Slowly I lowered down and got crumpled on the ground. I drew my knees closer to my chin and embraced them tightly while trying hard to stop my chattering teeth. Oh, how cold it was!
Soon I felt myself lying on the icy ground, still curled up helplessly. But I still didn't get the warmth I desperately needed. So I just lay there waiting for whatever that would happen. I closed myself miserably.
The air was moving and suddenly I felt that I was not alone anymore. And to my surprise, I felt a touch on my locks. I didn't want to open my eyes but I didn't flinch either. It was as if instinctively I knew that the touch was not a threat.
Those fingers continued on stroking at my hair. I purred contentedly and felt so sleepy.
"Frodo." A voice. A woman? I stretched a little. The hand was still caressing my hair.
"Frodo. Open your eyes, dear. You're not allowed to stay here. Not just yet."
But the caress was becoming so comfortable. I wanted to protest why I was not allowed to be here. I slowly opened my eyes.
She was a beautiful hobbit. A hobbit! At this place like this. But, what place was it anyway? Her soft, dark curls and deep blue eyes reminded me of someone. Of myself! Who was she?
"Who are you?" I asked curiously. She laughed softly.
"It's always like this with you, Frodo. Always want to know everything. Why, don't tell me you're forgetting your own mama!"
Mama! I choked. But mama was --- Hmm, where was my mama?
"Don't you miss me, Frodo lad?"
I really didn't know what to say. Was I supposed to miss her? I yawned widely.
"Frodo!"
"I'm tired, mama. I feel so sleepy. Please let me sleep." Without waiting for her answer, I shut my eyes and drifted away. But something snapped me awake. My eyes fluttered open - only to find that my mama was gone.
I didn't know why. I still couldn't place my mother in my mind. I knew of course that she was 'her', but I couldn't tell why I suddenly felt very sad by her disappearance. I shut my eyes tightly, and sobbed quietly.
There was something in the corner of my eyes. Mer - Merry? I almost shouted in ecstasy. He was here too!
"Merry!" I called him out. But the figure was not facing me. In fact, he was walking away from me. I braced myself and stood up.
"Merry, don't leave me here alone!"
But it was no use. So I decided to run after him. Perhaps this would help get rid of the cold.
With another shout at Merry's name, I darted toward him. But strangely, he, too, seemed to be speeding. I didn't care. I ran and ran until my lungs felt like it was going to explode.
TBC
