Author's Note: Again, I would like to give heartfelt thanks to all of you
who took the time to leave reviews. They mean a lot to me!
Chapter 6 Among Friends
Breathing hard, Aragorn laid Sam's lifeless body on a bed in an antechamber adjacent to Elrond's rooms. The tall elven lord approached Sam and quickly removed the injured hobbit's shirt to reveal his bloodied chest. Frowning, Elrond examined the wound closely as well as Sam's injured head while the others watched anxiously.. Finally, Elrond looked up and gave a faint smile. "He has indeed lost a lot of blood," he announced, "And although he is feverish, I see no signs of poison and I believe that no vital organs have been seriously damaged. I am concerned about the severity of his head wound, but I believe our hobbit friend will recover, given the proper care and rest."
Aragorn slumped into a chair, elated but overcome with fatigue. "I was so afraid he was dead when we first came upon him," he said wearily. "Then, I worried he would die before we could reach Rivendell."
"What happened exactly?" asked Gandalf as he helped Elrond clean and dress Sam's wounds.
"We found his tracks easily enough," began Aragorn sitting up, absently brushing the hair from his face, "And followed them into the forest where he crossed the river to look at some flowers" Gandalf chuckled at this, looking down fondly at Sam's pale face. "However, in the clearing, we also found unusually large orc prints. It was obvious he had taken Sam. We followed." He frowned in thought. "It was odd though. The orc had no trouble moving in daylight. That is what made it so hard for us to catch up with him. He never seemed to stop."
Gandalf nodded slowly. "Uruk-hai." he said quietly. Aragorn and Legolas looked questioningly at him. "The goblin-men that Saruman has created. They are more powerful than any orc, able to move in daylight, resistant to pain and fatigue. They are the ultimate fighting machine. Saruman must have placed some of them in this area in hopes of capturing Frodo and the Ring."
Legolas brought forth the unusual dagger they had pulled from Sam's chest. "This was the blade the creature used on Samwise," he said, handing the blade to Gandalf.
The wizard's eyes widened in surprise. "I gave this blade to Saruman myself, a long time ago!" he exclaimed, examining it in wonder. Then his face darkened. "Obviously, it was put there as a sign to me. Mocking me and my attempts to prevent him from acquiring the Ring of Power." He looked down again at Sam. "Poor Sam had to pay the price. We must be very careful from now on and keep a more watchful eye on our hobbit friends. Two have almost been killed thus far. I would like to see them all remain alive awhile longer!"
As soon as Elrond and the another elf skilled in the arts of healing finished treating Sam, Gandalf departed for Frodo's rooms to give the anxious hobbits the news. "So he will be all right?" Frodo asked anxiously for the third or fourth time, "You are sure?" Merry and Pippin stared at the wizard avidly.
"Yes, yes, my dear Frodo!" Gandalf laughed, shaking his head in mock dismay. "You will drive me mad with your constant questions! Come, I shall take you now to see him and perhaps then you will give me some peace!"
Although Frodo was still not fully recovered himself, it was inconceivable that Gandalf could have prevented him from going to Sam. So, the three hobbits quickly followed the wizard to the chamber where Sam lay, still as death. Frodo cried out in alarm as he gazed at Sam's battered face. The gardener was very pale and drawn.
"Oh Sam!" he whispered, taking his friend's hand into his own. "I am so sorry I brought you with me on this journey! You should be safe at home, tending the gardens of Bag End!" Tears were in his eyes as guilt washed over him.
"It was not your fault, Frodo Baggins," scolded Elrond gently, placing an encouraging hand on Frodo's shoulder. "This is the work of the Enemy. In these dark days, no place is entirely safe. Samwise chose to remain at your side. You are very dear to him."
Frodo nodded reluctantly, still wishing it had not been necessary to bring his friend into such danger. Frodo gently brushed the wet curls away from Sam's hot forehead. He was determined to remain by his side until Sam woke.
Sam remained unconscious for two full days. On the morning of the third, he heard a voice, faint as if from a great distance, calling his name. "Sam!" he heard, "Come on, Sam! Wake up! Sam!" The voice wouldn't stop, wouldn't go away. He groaned softly as his eyes fluttered open. He looked up in confusion. Where was he? "Sam?" he turned his head slightly and there was Frodo staring down at him, a huge relieved grin spreading across his pale features. "Sam! Do you know who I am?"
"Frodo?" Sam's voice was raspy with disuse. "Master Frodo? Is something wrong?" Suddenly convinced he was needed, Sam struggled to sit up, but was pulled back abruptly by the sharp pains in his chest and head. He collapsed back down onto the pillows with a shocked gasp.
"You must remain quiet, Master Gamgee," said a deep voice from behind him. Lord Elrond appeared a moment later, viewing his patient gravely. "You have had a very close call, and it is important that you rest."
Sam frowned in confusion. It had taken him another moment before he realized he was not in his own bed or even Frodo's room. "What happened?" he whispered hesitantly, looking around in bewilderment at his friend and master.
"What is the last thing you remember, Samwise?" asked Elrond as he stood beside Frodo.
Sam closed his eyes, trying to think back. "Well," he said slowly, "I seem to remember going to look at the gardens." He thought some more. It was making his head ache. "And. I remember.. A clearing. Yes, that's right! There was a clearing across a river and it had beautiful red and gold flowers. I crossed the river to look at them, but as I was about to leave, I saw this.this monster! I didn't know what it was! But it was huge and ugly and it grabbed me when I tried to run. It was tyin' up my hands and." he frowned, trying hard to recall what came next. "That's all I remember. Next thing I know, I'm right here!"
"You remember nothing of the days the Uruk-hai carried you through the woods or when it tried to kill you?" Sam stared at Elrond in horror, the meaning of his words sinking in. He gingerly touched the bandages encircling his chest.
"It. it tried to kill me?" he gasped in wonder.
"Yes!" Frodo leaned forward, looking distressed. "It stabbed you right through the chest, Sam! It just missed your heart! You should have been killed! Aragorn and an elf by the name of Legolas followed you for almost three days before they found you." Sam blinked, completely bewildered. How could all of this have happened and him having no memory of it?
Elrond laid a reassuring hand on Sam's arm. "Have no fear, Master Gamgee," he smiled. "Aragorn and Legolas were able to get you here in time and you should make a full recovery. If you rest!" He cast an accusing eye on Frodo, who blushed, but grinned apologetically.
"I'll make sure he gets plenty of rest!" he assured the elf as Elrond turned to leave. Sam continued to look dismayed. He didn't like this one bit. How could he not remember any of this? Frodo gazed at his friend in concern. "It's all right, Sam" he said, "Elrond said your head injury probably would have affected your memory. You've been unconscious for the two days you've been back. You probably were unconscious the entire time that Uruk-hai or whatever Gandalf called it, had you. I don't think it's anything you would want to remember!"
Sam nodded slowly. Frodo was probably right, but still, something bothered him. Although he couldn't remember anything, he had the odd feeling that perhaps he hadn't been insensible the entire time. He felt as if he were missing something, some important piece to the puzzle. However, he was too weary to spend much time thinking about it, and soon he had drifted off into a normal, restful sleep.
Chapter 6 Among Friends
Breathing hard, Aragorn laid Sam's lifeless body on a bed in an antechamber adjacent to Elrond's rooms. The tall elven lord approached Sam and quickly removed the injured hobbit's shirt to reveal his bloodied chest. Frowning, Elrond examined the wound closely as well as Sam's injured head while the others watched anxiously.. Finally, Elrond looked up and gave a faint smile. "He has indeed lost a lot of blood," he announced, "And although he is feverish, I see no signs of poison and I believe that no vital organs have been seriously damaged. I am concerned about the severity of his head wound, but I believe our hobbit friend will recover, given the proper care and rest."
Aragorn slumped into a chair, elated but overcome with fatigue. "I was so afraid he was dead when we first came upon him," he said wearily. "Then, I worried he would die before we could reach Rivendell."
"What happened exactly?" asked Gandalf as he helped Elrond clean and dress Sam's wounds.
"We found his tracks easily enough," began Aragorn sitting up, absently brushing the hair from his face, "And followed them into the forest where he crossed the river to look at some flowers" Gandalf chuckled at this, looking down fondly at Sam's pale face. "However, in the clearing, we also found unusually large orc prints. It was obvious he had taken Sam. We followed." He frowned in thought. "It was odd though. The orc had no trouble moving in daylight. That is what made it so hard for us to catch up with him. He never seemed to stop."
Gandalf nodded slowly. "Uruk-hai." he said quietly. Aragorn and Legolas looked questioningly at him. "The goblin-men that Saruman has created. They are more powerful than any orc, able to move in daylight, resistant to pain and fatigue. They are the ultimate fighting machine. Saruman must have placed some of them in this area in hopes of capturing Frodo and the Ring."
Legolas brought forth the unusual dagger they had pulled from Sam's chest. "This was the blade the creature used on Samwise," he said, handing the blade to Gandalf.
The wizard's eyes widened in surprise. "I gave this blade to Saruman myself, a long time ago!" he exclaimed, examining it in wonder. Then his face darkened. "Obviously, it was put there as a sign to me. Mocking me and my attempts to prevent him from acquiring the Ring of Power." He looked down again at Sam. "Poor Sam had to pay the price. We must be very careful from now on and keep a more watchful eye on our hobbit friends. Two have almost been killed thus far. I would like to see them all remain alive awhile longer!"
As soon as Elrond and the another elf skilled in the arts of healing finished treating Sam, Gandalf departed for Frodo's rooms to give the anxious hobbits the news. "So he will be all right?" Frodo asked anxiously for the third or fourth time, "You are sure?" Merry and Pippin stared at the wizard avidly.
"Yes, yes, my dear Frodo!" Gandalf laughed, shaking his head in mock dismay. "You will drive me mad with your constant questions! Come, I shall take you now to see him and perhaps then you will give me some peace!"
Although Frodo was still not fully recovered himself, it was inconceivable that Gandalf could have prevented him from going to Sam. So, the three hobbits quickly followed the wizard to the chamber where Sam lay, still as death. Frodo cried out in alarm as he gazed at Sam's battered face. The gardener was very pale and drawn.
"Oh Sam!" he whispered, taking his friend's hand into his own. "I am so sorry I brought you with me on this journey! You should be safe at home, tending the gardens of Bag End!" Tears were in his eyes as guilt washed over him.
"It was not your fault, Frodo Baggins," scolded Elrond gently, placing an encouraging hand on Frodo's shoulder. "This is the work of the Enemy. In these dark days, no place is entirely safe. Samwise chose to remain at your side. You are very dear to him."
Frodo nodded reluctantly, still wishing it had not been necessary to bring his friend into such danger. Frodo gently brushed the wet curls away from Sam's hot forehead. He was determined to remain by his side until Sam woke.
Sam remained unconscious for two full days. On the morning of the third, he heard a voice, faint as if from a great distance, calling his name. "Sam!" he heard, "Come on, Sam! Wake up! Sam!" The voice wouldn't stop, wouldn't go away. He groaned softly as his eyes fluttered open. He looked up in confusion. Where was he? "Sam?" he turned his head slightly and there was Frodo staring down at him, a huge relieved grin spreading across his pale features. "Sam! Do you know who I am?"
"Frodo?" Sam's voice was raspy with disuse. "Master Frodo? Is something wrong?" Suddenly convinced he was needed, Sam struggled to sit up, but was pulled back abruptly by the sharp pains in his chest and head. He collapsed back down onto the pillows with a shocked gasp.
"You must remain quiet, Master Gamgee," said a deep voice from behind him. Lord Elrond appeared a moment later, viewing his patient gravely. "You have had a very close call, and it is important that you rest."
Sam frowned in confusion. It had taken him another moment before he realized he was not in his own bed or even Frodo's room. "What happened?" he whispered hesitantly, looking around in bewilderment at his friend and master.
"What is the last thing you remember, Samwise?" asked Elrond as he stood beside Frodo.
Sam closed his eyes, trying to think back. "Well," he said slowly, "I seem to remember going to look at the gardens." He thought some more. It was making his head ache. "And. I remember.. A clearing. Yes, that's right! There was a clearing across a river and it had beautiful red and gold flowers. I crossed the river to look at them, but as I was about to leave, I saw this.this monster! I didn't know what it was! But it was huge and ugly and it grabbed me when I tried to run. It was tyin' up my hands and." he frowned, trying hard to recall what came next. "That's all I remember. Next thing I know, I'm right here!"
"You remember nothing of the days the Uruk-hai carried you through the woods or when it tried to kill you?" Sam stared at Elrond in horror, the meaning of his words sinking in. He gingerly touched the bandages encircling his chest.
"It. it tried to kill me?" he gasped in wonder.
"Yes!" Frodo leaned forward, looking distressed. "It stabbed you right through the chest, Sam! It just missed your heart! You should have been killed! Aragorn and an elf by the name of Legolas followed you for almost three days before they found you." Sam blinked, completely bewildered. How could all of this have happened and him having no memory of it?
Elrond laid a reassuring hand on Sam's arm. "Have no fear, Master Gamgee," he smiled. "Aragorn and Legolas were able to get you here in time and you should make a full recovery. If you rest!" He cast an accusing eye on Frodo, who blushed, but grinned apologetically.
"I'll make sure he gets plenty of rest!" he assured the elf as Elrond turned to leave. Sam continued to look dismayed. He didn't like this one bit. How could he not remember any of this? Frodo gazed at his friend in concern. "It's all right, Sam" he said, "Elrond said your head injury probably would have affected your memory. You've been unconscious for the two days you've been back. You probably were unconscious the entire time that Uruk-hai or whatever Gandalf called it, had you. I don't think it's anything you would want to remember!"
Sam nodded slowly. Frodo was probably right, but still, something bothered him. Although he couldn't remember anything, he had the odd feeling that perhaps he hadn't been insensible the entire time. He felt as if he were missing something, some important piece to the puzzle. However, he was too weary to spend much time thinking about it, and soon he had drifted off into a normal, restful sleep.