Chapter 14 Taken worse

Merry awoke late that night to the sound of footseps running down the corridor. Little Pip lay beside him in the overlarge featherbed, snoring quietly. "What could be going on, I wonder?" the near-tweenager asked no one in particular. Then his heart sunk. "Papa." He slid out of bed and hurried to the door of his bedroom, opening it quickly and shutting it quietly behind him.

"Mum!" he called just before Esmerelda turned to go down another corridor. She looked over her shoulder.

"Merry! What are you doing out of bed at this hour?" she asked harshly.

"I heard you running. Is Papa.is Papa worse?" Merry asked in a shaky voice.

Esmerelda started down the hallway towards her son, her eyes filled with tears and her skin pale. "Yes, Merry. Your father is worse.he is running a very high fever. I was hoping he just had a bit of a cold."

Merry's lower lip trembled. "He'll be all right, won't he?" he asked hopefully. Esmerelda smiled.

"Would you like to come and see him? Since you're awake anyway I mean."

Merry nodded and she lifted him into her arms, heading down in the opposite direction towards the master bedroom. When they got to the doorway, Merry felt his eyes widen. His father lay in bed asleep, but from the light Merry could tell that his face was flushed from the fever and his bangs were soaked with sweat. "Was Merella here?" Merry whispered. Merella Proudfoot was the healer of Brandy Hall, hired by Saradoc when Merry had come down with a nasty case of chicken pox the year before.

"I've sent for her but she hasn't arrived yet."

Merry had never seen his father look so awful before. Even outside Merry was sure that the Master of Brandy Hall clearly wasn't well-the sneezing and coughing-Merry shuddered. "Can I sit up with him for a bit?" Merry asked. "At least with you until Merella comes?"

Esmerelda kissed her son on the cheek and cuddled him. "Dear Merry." She sobbed.

"I'm here, Mama." Merry promised as they went to sit down beside the bed. Merry saw his father's hand resting on the quilt and touched it with his own. That seemed to stir the older hobbit whose eyes opened and his head turned.

"Merry, sweetheart.what are you doing up?" he whispered hoarsley.

"Mama woke me up.by mistake of course." Merry replied with a smile. "She told me you were sick."

Saradoc stroked Merry's cheek with his free hand. "I'll be all right, honey. I just need to rest a while."

When Merella arrived she was startled by Saradoc's state. "You should have contacted me yesterday." she told Esmerelda. "What were his symptoms earlier?" she took out her stethescope and pulled down the comforter.

"Sneezing.coughing.a headache.your basic symptoms for a cold. He just came down with the fever tonight."

"I see. So perhaps it is nothing more than a nasty case of the flu." She listened to Saradoc's breathing and looked into his eyes, ears, nose and throat. "Just as I thought. The flu it is. Cases are starting to go around.as the weather changes from cold to warm. Here is what I want you to do for it.make sure he gets plenty of rest, fluids-preferably teas and apple juice. Chicken broth is all right too as he needs to get his protein."

"Fresh air and sunshine?" asked Esmerelda. "Should I keep a window open or keep them closed?"

"I would suggest keeping the windows closed and the blinds drawn. Often bright light will hurt his eyes.but when he starts to feel better then yes. At least one window would be just fine."

Saradoc laughed. "At least I'm not going to die.I feel as though I might."

Merella gave him a look. "Oh shush now. The flu is nothing to fret over and it is not life threatening either."

Merry giggled. "Now this little one I would keep away as the flu is contagious. Or at least bits of it are. He is all right now, though." Merella insisted as Esmerelda started to stand. Saradoc sneezed loudly causing the others to jump.

"And I would suggest steam baths to clear your nose." Merella added with a smirk as Saradoc wiped his nose with his handkerchief.

"Well.we'll make sure we do what needs to be done, Merella." Esmerelda replied with a kind smile. "You are always such a great help."

The healer blushed. "Oh well.thank you very much, Esme. Saradoc.I hope you feel better soon."

"Oh.my little cousin Pippin is staying here for a week," Merry told the healer as she packed up her bag.

"Is he! How is the little one?"

Esmerelda laughed. "He will be a wild one I can assure you. Get the two of them together and it's wildfire."

Merry smiled as Merella patted him on the head before leaving. "Good night, everyone. Let me know if you need anything else."

"We will."

When Merella was gone, Esmerelda hoisted Merry up into her arms. "And for you, young man, it is time for bed."

"But."

"Listen to your mother, Merry. I would hate to make you sick."

"Oh all right. I'll see you in the morning, Da'."

"Good night, Merry."

Esmerelda carried Merry out of the room promising Saradoc that she would return in a few moments. "I ought to write a letter to Paladin and Eglatine.or at least send a message to the girls letting them know about your father." Esmerelda said but when she turned she realized Merry had fallen sound asleep against her shoulder. "You little imp." She teased.