Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in getting this posted. Life keeps
getting in the way! I'm sad to say, there is but one more chapter after
this. I'm always sad when it comes to an end, but things are so busy now, I
guess it is just as well!
IFF: You are right, I really should have put some little asterisks or something between the different sections. Normally, I have chapters finished several days before I post them so I can try and avoid things like that. However, caught up with myself and kind of rushed those last couple of chapters. I will file that thought away for future reference.
Thank you again, for all the reviews!
Chapter 17 Friends and Foes
Gandalf sat by the fire with Gimli, watching as the dwarf stirred a pot of stew. He then glanced over to where Merry and Frodo lay wrapped in blankets, fast asleep. He had given them a potion to make them sleep. Both were in dire need of rest, but given their anxiety about Sam, Gandalf felt it was necessary to administer something to help them relax. Next he looked up to where Pippin sat, high atop a tree, watching for any sign of Aragorn and Legolas' return. Boromir was out searching for more firewood and keeping watch.
"I hope for their sakes," said Gimli nodding towards the sleeping hobbits, "Aragorn is able to find poor Master Gamgee alive and well. If not, the guilt will eat them alive."
Gandalf stared at Gimli with mild surprise. The dwarf was rarely that observant when it came to the emotions of hobbits. "Yes, you are quite correct, Gimli," he sighed worriedly. "I feel that if Sam dies, Frodo's quest may end before it really gets started. I don't think even Frodo fully understands how important Sam is to him. I have been watching them. Frodo is turning more and more inwards as the Ring's hold on him grows. Sam is the only one who truly sees that and may be able to help Frodo in that battle. To be honest, if Frodo could take but one companion with him to Mordor, I would choose Samwise Gamgee."
Now it was Gimli's turn to look surprised, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Pippin's voice rang out from his post, "I see them!" he cried excitedly, "They're coming and I think they have Sam!".
Gandalf and Gimli stood up and a few moments later, Boromir returned, his arms full of wood. Pippin scrambled down the tree and ran to join them. "Shouldn't we wake Frodo and Merry?" he panted. "They would want to be awake when Aragorn and Legolas arrive!" Gandalf hesitated. He hated to rouse them when they so desperately needed the rest, yet he knew, they would never forgive him if he didn't.
So, with a sigh, Gandalf walked over to Frodo and gently shook him. "Frodo." he said quietly, "Frodo, wake up. Aragorn is coming." Frodo's eyes slowly opened as he regarded the wizard sleepily, but when Gandalf's words finally sunk in, he sat up abruptly.
He inhaled sharply from the pain in his head, but turned eagerly towards the trail. "Where is he?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Does he have Sam?" Merry was also awake now and Pippin sat beside him.
"I think so!" said Pippin eagerly, "I saw Strider carrying what looked like a hobbit sized bundle. What else could it be, if not Sam?"
They all got to their feet now and stood watching anxiously it. It seemed like hours before Aragorn and Legolas appeared around the bend of the trail. Aragorn slowed to halt, regarding the gathered members of the Fellowship watching him expectantly. "He is alive." he announced hesitantly looking down at the bundle he carried He would have said more, but Frodo, Merry, and Pippin were upon him with cries of joy and concern.
"Where is he?" cried Frodo unsteadily, "I must see him" Frodo's face beneath his bandage was pale with worry. He had to know if Sam would be alright.
"Frodo, wait!" cried Aragorn stepping back, tightening his grip on Sam, "Listen to me!" The hobbits backed off a step staring at Aragorn in alarm, while Gandalf and the others gathered round. Aragorn sighed, then gazed intently at Frodo. "Frodo," he began grimly, "Yes, Sam is alive, but just barely. He is ill and injured, but worst of all, Boromir was right. The Black Shadow is upon him."
"NO!" cried Frodo, his eyes wide in horror and disbelief, "It can't be! Can't you do anything for him?" Gandalf quickly grabbed Frodo's arm to support him as the hobbit's knees went weak. Merry had buried his face in his hands, sobbing quietly. Pippin tenderly put his arm around his cousin's shoulder, his own face pinched with sorrow.
Aragorn walked over to the fire and gently lay Sam near its warmth. Frodo sank to the ground and cradled Sam's head in his lap. Tears were running down his face as he realized he barely recognized his dearest friend. "Oh Sam!" he whispered shaking his throbbing head, "What have they done to you?"
Aragorn crouched down, again staring into Frodo's eyes. "Frodo," he began, "I have tried to help Sam, to recall him from the dark valley, but he will not come. He has lost all hope and believes you to be dead." Frodo closed his eyes in pain and buried his face in Sam's hair. "But," continued Aragorn, touching Frodo's arm, "I think there is still hope."
Frodo raised his anguished face to stare at Aragorn with a longing born of the deepest desperation. "There is hope? What can we do?"
Aragorn glanced over towards Legolas who had just taken a pot of steaming water off the fire, then looked back at Frodo. "I cannot call him back," replied Aragorn fervently, again gripping Frodo's arm, "But I think you can."
Frodo gently stroked Sam's head as he stared at Aragorn . He glanced down at his friend's haggard face then said, "What must I do?"
Aragorn took the water and again immersed some of his dried athelas to produce the invigorating scent, fresh as the first day of spring. Then he turned to Frodo. "While I attempt to bring him back, you must call him. Do not stop. I believe that if he hears your voice, he will regain his will to live. It is our only hope. Do you understand?"
Frodo chewed his lip nervously and nodded. Aragorn gave him an encouraging smile, then closing his eyes, laid his hands on Sam's brow. Frodo looked down at Sam again, his eyes brimming with fresh tears, then taking Sam's cold hand he called softly, longingly "Sam! Sam! Do you hear me? Please don't leave me, Sam! I need you! I can't finish the quest without you. Do you hear me, Samwise Gamgee? You must come back!"
No one else spoke. Gandalf had placed supporting hands on both Merry and Pippin as they sobbed beside him. Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas looked on, their faces heavy with grief and apprehension. The minutes dragged on. Still Sam did not respond. But Frodo would not give up. Over and over he called Sam's name, begging him to come back, demanding he do so. Then slowly, almost imperceptibly, Sam's breathing became a little deeper, a little stronger. At first, Frodo wouldn't allow himself to believe it was actually happening, but then, Sam gave a short cough. Then another. In a few moments, his eyes slid open and his coughing renewed.
"Sam!" cried Frodo joyfully, hugging the gardener to his breast, "Sam! You're alive!"
"Mr. Frodo!?" choked Sam in disbelief. His sunken eyes stared at Frodo, barely able comprehend what he saw. Here before him was his own beloved master, alive! Sam weakly grasped Frodo with his good arm and rasped, "You're, you're not dead? I..I didn't kill you?" His face was filled with hope. He so wanted to believe this was real and not some hallucination.
"No, Sam!" laughed Frodo through his tears, "I'm very much alive! Just like you!" The others began to laugh in relief as they all gathered around to greet the newly revived Sam. For the first time in days, the Fellowship felt lighthearted and almost giddy to be all together again.
Sam lay in Frodo's arms, still confused. It still hadn't completely sunk in that Frodo was undoubtedly alive. He had no idea how he managed to find himself safe and sound in the arms of his friends but he couldn't have been happier to be there. . It was then he became aware of the throbbing in his arm and ribs. In fact, whenever he moved, his whole body felt badly bruised. He was about to mention this when abruptly, unexpectedly his head exploded in fierce, blinding pain and all went black.
Frodo was smiling up at Merry and Pippin, feeling so happy and his heart light, when without warning and with strength none could have suspected, Sam sprang from Frodo's arms. He grabbed Frodo around the neck with his broken arm, the makeshift split Aragorn had applied on the trail pressed firmly against the astonished Frodo's throat. In his other hand, he held his dagger, pulled from its sheath. Its sharp tip digging into Frodo, just below his ribs. Sam's eyes were black and glittering.
The others leapt back in shock. Only Gandalf seemed unsurprised. "Saruman." his voice low and dangerous. "Let him go!"
Sam's glittering eyes narrowed, his mouth curling into a amused sneer. "So Gandalf. Do you honestly believe that I would allow your meddling to go unpunished? What better revenge than to kill your sniveling little ring- bearer and what better joke than for it to be at the hands of his dear, little friend!"
The others all stared in confusion. The voice coming from Sam's mouth was deep and full of malice, nothing like Sam's own normal quiet one. "Sam?" choked Frodo, trying to look back at his friend, to catch his eye. He felt certain he could stop this if he could just get Sam to look at him, but Sam refused. His only response was to press harder on Frodo's throat.
"You will achieve nothing!" snapped Gandalf angrily, "The Ring will still be out of your reach regardless of who carries it. Killing Frodo is the act of a coward!"
Sam laughed derisively, his glittering, hate-filled eyes never leaving Gandalf's face. "Maybe it is." he agreed matter-of-factly, "But it will cause you pain and I will be content with that."
Gandalf stared at Sam, studying his eyes. It was there he had his first inkling that Sam was fighting against Saruman's possession. For the merest fraction of a second, the glittering would disappear. If one was not watching for it, it would have gone unnoticed. But Gandalf understood its meaning. Saruman may not be in total control.
"I grow weary of this farce," said Sam suddenly, his voice harsh and forbidding. "It is time to end this!" And then, several things happened at once. Saruman, controlling Sam's dagger, thrust it towards Frodo, but at the same time, that part of Sam that refused to submit , shoved Frodo away as hard as he could. Propelled forward, Frodo sprawled into Aragorn's arms. The knife, instead of connecting with Frodo, plunged in Sam's exposed side. Sam staggered forward, his eyes wide in shock. He slowly sank his knees, gasping in pain, a bright red stain of blood surrounding the knife's hilt blossomed across Sam's tattered shirt. For just a moment, it was Sam again, but then, the black glittering eyes, filled with deepest loathing, returned.
Gandalf now approached Sam and raising is staff high he pronounced in his thunderous voice, "You will now leave Saruman! You shall release this hobbit or you will die with him!"
Still gasping, Sam laughed again, roughly pulled the knife from his side and raised in again, preparing to administer a fatal blow. "At least I can take this one!" he rasped.
"Noooo!" cried Frodo and pushing himself out of Aragorn's arms, the desperate hobbit threw himself onto Sam, seizing the knife from his startled grasp and hurled it away. Aragorn and Boromir rushed forward, pulled Frodo away, then seized the struggling Sam. Gandalf approached, his staff held at the ready and in a low voice, he began chanting in a language so ancient, none there recognized it. None, save Saruman. Saruman screamed in fury and frustration as he felt himself being cast out from Sam's mind and barred from it forever.
Sam's body convulsed once as Saruman fled, then collapsed. No one moved for a moment, then Frodo crawled to Sam's side. "Sam?" he whispered, his voice rough with despair. "Sam?'
Aragorn moved to Sam's side and tore open his bloodstained shirt. Boromir joined him. Both had had much experience dealing with battlefield wounds. Sam was bleeding badly and his body rocked by violent shudders. Aragorn looked at Sam's pale face and was dismayed to see it bathed in a clammy sweat. If they could not stop the bleeding quickly, he woud die. Gandalf knelt by Sam's head and lifting it, gently, poured a small amount of golden liquid from a small, square bottle between the hobbit's bluish lips. Sam's labored breathing eased slightly.
"Is he.will he be alright?" asked Frodo watching anxiously as Boromir gently cleaned the deep gash in Sam's side with the fragrant athelas water. Aragorn was preparing to stitch the wound closed.
"I hope so, Frodo." replied Aragorn carefully examining the still- bleeding wound. "Sam has been through a lot, but he's a fighter. Now that he knows you are alive, he will not give up easily."
Aragorn worked feverishly to save Sam's life. He and Boromir were able to stop the bleeding and after stitching and bandaging the wound, Aragorn resplinted Sam's arm and wrapped his injured ribs. Boromir sat back, shaking his head in wonder. "I still do not understand why this halfling is not dead!" he said, watching Aragorn, "I have seen many a soldier die from injuries and maladies far less dangerous than those this little fellow has sustained. Yet, he does not give up!"
Aragorn gave a small smile, and gazing fondly as Sam's ashen face, nodded "Yes, they are an amazing people!" As soon as the Ranger had finished tending Sam's injuries, he wrapped Sam in a warm blanket, then lay his hand on Sam's head for a few moments. Frodo, Merry, and Pippin sat close by, waiting, a mixture of hope and fear reflected in their faces.
Aragorn, wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to them. "I have put Sam into a healing sleep," he said. "He is close to death, but he is fighting hard now." He closed his eyes wearily for a moment, sighed, then looked at Frodo. "Stay close to him, Frodo. Talk to him, let him know you are near. Your voice, more than any other, is the one he needs to hear."
IFF: You are right, I really should have put some little asterisks or something between the different sections. Normally, I have chapters finished several days before I post them so I can try and avoid things like that. However, caught up with myself and kind of rushed those last couple of chapters. I will file that thought away for future reference.
Thank you again, for all the reviews!
Chapter 17 Friends and Foes
Gandalf sat by the fire with Gimli, watching as the dwarf stirred a pot of stew. He then glanced over to where Merry and Frodo lay wrapped in blankets, fast asleep. He had given them a potion to make them sleep. Both were in dire need of rest, but given their anxiety about Sam, Gandalf felt it was necessary to administer something to help them relax. Next he looked up to where Pippin sat, high atop a tree, watching for any sign of Aragorn and Legolas' return. Boromir was out searching for more firewood and keeping watch.
"I hope for their sakes," said Gimli nodding towards the sleeping hobbits, "Aragorn is able to find poor Master Gamgee alive and well. If not, the guilt will eat them alive."
Gandalf stared at Gimli with mild surprise. The dwarf was rarely that observant when it came to the emotions of hobbits. "Yes, you are quite correct, Gimli," he sighed worriedly. "I feel that if Sam dies, Frodo's quest may end before it really gets started. I don't think even Frodo fully understands how important Sam is to him. I have been watching them. Frodo is turning more and more inwards as the Ring's hold on him grows. Sam is the only one who truly sees that and may be able to help Frodo in that battle. To be honest, if Frodo could take but one companion with him to Mordor, I would choose Samwise Gamgee."
Now it was Gimli's turn to look surprised, but as he opened his mouth to speak, Pippin's voice rang out from his post, "I see them!" he cried excitedly, "They're coming and I think they have Sam!".
Gandalf and Gimli stood up and a few moments later, Boromir returned, his arms full of wood. Pippin scrambled down the tree and ran to join them. "Shouldn't we wake Frodo and Merry?" he panted. "They would want to be awake when Aragorn and Legolas arrive!" Gandalf hesitated. He hated to rouse them when they so desperately needed the rest, yet he knew, they would never forgive him if he didn't.
So, with a sigh, Gandalf walked over to Frodo and gently shook him. "Frodo." he said quietly, "Frodo, wake up. Aragorn is coming." Frodo's eyes slowly opened as he regarded the wizard sleepily, but when Gandalf's words finally sunk in, he sat up abruptly.
He inhaled sharply from the pain in his head, but turned eagerly towards the trail. "Where is he?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Does he have Sam?" Merry was also awake now and Pippin sat beside him.
"I think so!" said Pippin eagerly, "I saw Strider carrying what looked like a hobbit sized bundle. What else could it be, if not Sam?"
They all got to their feet now and stood watching anxiously it. It seemed like hours before Aragorn and Legolas appeared around the bend of the trail. Aragorn slowed to halt, regarding the gathered members of the Fellowship watching him expectantly. "He is alive." he announced hesitantly looking down at the bundle he carried He would have said more, but Frodo, Merry, and Pippin were upon him with cries of joy and concern.
"Where is he?" cried Frodo unsteadily, "I must see him" Frodo's face beneath his bandage was pale with worry. He had to know if Sam would be alright.
"Frodo, wait!" cried Aragorn stepping back, tightening his grip on Sam, "Listen to me!" The hobbits backed off a step staring at Aragorn in alarm, while Gandalf and the others gathered round. Aragorn sighed, then gazed intently at Frodo. "Frodo," he began grimly, "Yes, Sam is alive, but just barely. He is ill and injured, but worst of all, Boromir was right. The Black Shadow is upon him."
"NO!" cried Frodo, his eyes wide in horror and disbelief, "It can't be! Can't you do anything for him?" Gandalf quickly grabbed Frodo's arm to support him as the hobbit's knees went weak. Merry had buried his face in his hands, sobbing quietly. Pippin tenderly put his arm around his cousin's shoulder, his own face pinched with sorrow.
Aragorn walked over to the fire and gently lay Sam near its warmth. Frodo sank to the ground and cradled Sam's head in his lap. Tears were running down his face as he realized he barely recognized his dearest friend. "Oh Sam!" he whispered shaking his throbbing head, "What have they done to you?"
Aragorn crouched down, again staring into Frodo's eyes. "Frodo," he began, "I have tried to help Sam, to recall him from the dark valley, but he will not come. He has lost all hope and believes you to be dead." Frodo closed his eyes in pain and buried his face in Sam's hair. "But," continued Aragorn, touching Frodo's arm, "I think there is still hope."
Frodo raised his anguished face to stare at Aragorn with a longing born of the deepest desperation. "There is hope? What can we do?"
Aragorn glanced over towards Legolas who had just taken a pot of steaming water off the fire, then looked back at Frodo. "I cannot call him back," replied Aragorn fervently, again gripping Frodo's arm, "But I think you can."
Frodo gently stroked Sam's head as he stared at Aragorn . He glanced down at his friend's haggard face then said, "What must I do?"
Aragorn took the water and again immersed some of his dried athelas to produce the invigorating scent, fresh as the first day of spring. Then he turned to Frodo. "While I attempt to bring him back, you must call him. Do not stop. I believe that if he hears your voice, he will regain his will to live. It is our only hope. Do you understand?"
Frodo chewed his lip nervously and nodded. Aragorn gave him an encouraging smile, then closing his eyes, laid his hands on Sam's brow. Frodo looked down at Sam again, his eyes brimming with fresh tears, then taking Sam's cold hand he called softly, longingly "Sam! Sam! Do you hear me? Please don't leave me, Sam! I need you! I can't finish the quest without you. Do you hear me, Samwise Gamgee? You must come back!"
No one else spoke. Gandalf had placed supporting hands on both Merry and Pippin as they sobbed beside him. Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas looked on, their faces heavy with grief and apprehension. The minutes dragged on. Still Sam did not respond. But Frodo would not give up. Over and over he called Sam's name, begging him to come back, demanding he do so. Then slowly, almost imperceptibly, Sam's breathing became a little deeper, a little stronger. At first, Frodo wouldn't allow himself to believe it was actually happening, but then, Sam gave a short cough. Then another. In a few moments, his eyes slid open and his coughing renewed.
"Sam!" cried Frodo joyfully, hugging the gardener to his breast, "Sam! You're alive!"
"Mr. Frodo!?" choked Sam in disbelief. His sunken eyes stared at Frodo, barely able comprehend what he saw. Here before him was his own beloved master, alive! Sam weakly grasped Frodo with his good arm and rasped, "You're, you're not dead? I..I didn't kill you?" His face was filled with hope. He so wanted to believe this was real and not some hallucination.
"No, Sam!" laughed Frodo through his tears, "I'm very much alive! Just like you!" The others began to laugh in relief as they all gathered around to greet the newly revived Sam. For the first time in days, the Fellowship felt lighthearted and almost giddy to be all together again.
Sam lay in Frodo's arms, still confused. It still hadn't completely sunk in that Frodo was undoubtedly alive. He had no idea how he managed to find himself safe and sound in the arms of his friends but he couldn't have been happier to be there. . It was then he became aware of the throbbing in his arm and ribs. In fact, whenever he moved, his whole body felt badly bruised. He was about to mention this when abruptly, unexpectedly his head exploded in fierce, blinding pain and all went black.
Frodo was smiling up at Merry and Pippin, feeling so happy and his heart light, when without warning and with strength none could have suspected, Sam sprang from Frodo's arms. He grabbed Frodo around the neck with his broken arm, the makeshift split Aragorn had applied on the trail pressed firmly against the astonished Frodo's throat. In his other hand, he held his dagger, pulled from its sheath. Its sharp tip digging into Frodo, just below his ribs. Sam's eyes were black and glittering.
The others leapt back in shock. Only Gandalf seemed unsurprised. "Saruman." his voice low and dangerous. "Let him go!"
Sam's glittering eyes narrowed, his mouth curling into a amused sneer. "So Gandalf. Do you honestly believe that I would allow your meddling to go unpunished? What better revenge than to kill your sniveling little ring- bearer and what better joke than for it to be at the hands of his dear, little friend!"
The others all stared in confusion. The voice coming from Sam's mouth was deep and full of malice, nothing like Sam's own normal quiet one. "Sam?" choked Frodo, trying to look back at his friend, to catch his eye. He felt certain he could stop this if he could just get Sam to look at him, but Sam refused. His only response was to press harder on Frodo's throat.
"You will achieve nothing!" snapped Gandalf angrily, "The Ring will still be out of your reach regardless of who carries it. Killing Frodo is the act of a coward!"
Sam laughed derisively, his glittering, hate-filled eyes never leaving Gandalf's face. "Maybe it is." he agreed matter-of-factly, "But it will cause you pain and I will be content with that."
Gandalf stared at Sam, studying his eyes. It was there he had his first inkling that Sam was fighting against Saruman's possession. For the merest fraction of a second, the glittering would disappear. If one was not watching for it, it would have gone unnoticed. But Gandalf understood its meaning. Saruman may not be in total control.
"I grow weary of this farce," said Sam suddenly, his voice harsh and forbidding. "It is time to end this!" And then, several things happened at once. Saruman, controlling Sam's dagger, thrust it towards Frodo, but at the same time, that part of Sam that refused to submit , shoved Frodo away as hard as he could. Propelled forward, Frodo sprawled into Aragorn's arms. The knife, instead of connecting with Frodo, plunged in Sam's exposed side. Sam staggered forward, his eyes wide in shock. He slowly sank his knees, gasping in pain, a bright red stain of blood surrounding the knife's hilt blossomed across Sam's tattered shirt. For just a moment, it was Sam again, but then, the black glittering eyes, filled with deepest loathing, returned.
Gandalf now approached Sam and raising is staff high he pronounced in his thunderous voice, "You will now leave Saruman! You shall release this hobbit or you will die with him!"
Still gasping, Sam laughed again, roughly pulled the knife from his side and raised in again, preparing to administer a fatal blow. "At least I can take this one!" he rasped.
"Noooo!" cried Frodo and pushing himself out of Aragorn's arms, the desperate hobbit threw himself onto Sam, seizing the knife from his startled grasp and hurled it away. Aragorn and Boromir rushed forward, pulled Frodo away, then seized the struggling Sam. Gandalf approached, his staff held at the ready and in a low voice, he began chanting in a language so ancient, none there recognized it. None, save Saruman. Saruman screamed in fury and frustration as he felt himself being cast out from Sam's mind and barred from it forever.
Sam's body convulsed once as Saruman fled, then collapsed. No one moved for a moment, then Frodo crawled to Sam's side. "Sam?" he whispered, his voice rough with despair. "Sam?'
Aragorn moved to Sam's side and tore open his bloodstained shirt. Boromir joined him. Both had had much experience dealing with battlefield wounds. Sam was bleeding badly and his body rocked by violent shudders. Aragorn looked at Sam's pale face and was dismayed to see it bathed in a clammy sweat. If they could not stop the bleeding quickly, he woud die. Gandalf knelt by Sam's head and lifting it, gently, poured a small amount of golden liquid from a small, square bottle between the hobbit's bluish lips. Sam's labored breathing eased slightly.
"Is he.will he be alright?" asked Frodo watching anxiously as Boromir gently cleaned the deep gash in Sam's side with the fragrant athelas water. Aragorn was preparing to stitch the wound closed.
"I hope so, Frodo." replied Aragorn carefully examining the still- bleeding wound. "Sam has been through a lot, but he's a fighter. Now that he knows you are alive, he will not give up easily."
Aragorn worked feverishly to save Sam's life. He and Boromir were able to stop the bleeding and after stitching and bandaging the wound, Aragorn resplinted Sam's arm and wrapped his injured ribs. Boromir sat back, shaking his head in wonder. "I still do not understand why this halfling is not dead!" he said, watching Aragorn, "I have seen many a soldier die from injuries and maladies far less dangerous than those this little fellow has sustained. Yet, he does not give up!"
Aragorn gave a small smile, and gazing fondly as Sam's ashen face, nodded "Yes, they are an amazing people!" As soon as the Ranger had finished tending Sam's injuries, he wrapped Sam in a warm blanket, then lay his hand on Sam's head for a few moments. Frodo, Merry, and Pippin sat close by, waiting, a mixture of hope and fear reflected in their faces.
Aragorn, wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to them. "I have put Sam into a healing sleep," he said. "He is close to death, but he is fighting hard now." He closed his eyes wearily for a moment, sighed, then looked at Frodo. "Stay close to him, Frodo. Talk to him, let him know you are near. Your voice, more than any other, is the one he needs to hear."