Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Note: the song and some of the lines near the end are from the book.

Chapter 14

The weeks passed slowly, no matter how much I enjoyed being away from my father. I grew afraid of Frodo as his temperament seemed to fall into shadow. The days grew longer and I became restless as my chores turned into drudgery. There was no relief, no one to talk to. Rosie and Sam tried to talk to me, but it was different.

February brought in a few storms that the earth drank up heartily. One evening in the middle of the month, Everard showed up at Bag End and tried to get me to come home, but I returned him home and visited with Lily a little bit before going back to Bag End and retiring for the night. Sam insisted from then on that I go home every once in a while to visit with my family. And so February passed with little excitement.

A very non-special day in March, I entered the study to bring Frodo his breakfast, but I found it empty. Confused, I went to his room, knowing that his room was the only other place he could be. I opened the door into his dark room and peered in, finding a lump in the bed. Slowly, I neared it. As I came closer, I found in Frodo lying in his bed, pale and in a troubled sleep. His body wracked with shivers and cold sweat. I laid a hand over his forehead, finding his forehead as cold as ice. He did not stir when I tried to wake him. Instead, he mumbled something over and over in a tongue that I had not heard before.

As I was about to leave to bring Rosie to him, he reached for my arm.

"Mira?" he whispered, flickering his eyes open and turning them to me.

"Frodo?" I said, returning to his side and nearing him. "Are you ill? Please tell me so I can get you some help."

"I'll be fine, just don't tell Sam or Rosie. They worry too much." I could hear the pain in his voice, see the sorrow in his eyes as he turned his gaze from me. "But please stay by my side…." His voice trailed off as his eyes closed and his breath became softer.

"I'll go to the kitchen momentarily, but I will be back." I moved towards the door and left him lying there. I finished washing dishes quickly and then made for Frodo's room. When I reached the hall, Rosie stopped me.

"Mira, why, you finished up in the kitchen quickly today." Her voice was cheery as usual and her eyes were filled with warmth.

"I needed a change."

"Well, you've been working awfully hard these days." It was true. As Rosie's child grew, I took over more of the chores and now when she was in her final weeks, I was running the house entirely myself.

"It's the least I can do."

"As long as you don't tire yourself out…"

"I won't be doing that anytime soon. Besides, I was about to take a break and read," I lied, remembering what Frodo had asked.

"You deserve to have some time to yourself and I'm sorry we can't give you more time off. Have some fun before second breakfast." She turned around and moved to the sitting room where she began sewing some new clothes for the baby.

I made my way back to Frodo's room. Opening the door as quietly as I could, I entered the room. The same quiet atmosphere lingered in the room as when I had left it. Nearing Frodo's bed, I pulled a chair next to his bed and sat down. My gaze ran over his fine features, his pale skin seemed to have a sickly tone to it. As I looked down upon his slowly rising chest, his hand ran up to his chest and grasped onto something beneath his shirt. His right hand laid on top of the covers nearest me. I reached over and took it in mine, stroking it softly. Frodo's head turned and he blinked at me, a faint smile crossing his lips.

"Thank you," he mouthed before nodding off to sleep.

I continued to sit with him until it was time for second breakfast where I managed to put it together quickly, hoping to return to Frodo's side. Rosie stopped me a couple times and told me to slow down, that there was no rush. So, I slowed my actions, hoping that Frodo would not mind my absence.

After lunch, Frodo was slightly more awake and coherent. I sat by his side in silence for a while before he spoke up.

"Mira?" he said, his voice soft, "could retrieve a book for me?"

"Which one?" I asked, standing up from my seat.

"It doesn't matter, but one with a happy ending."

I walked to the study, trying to go through the many books that I had read to find a good one. My mind fell to a conversation we had had in January about the book he had given me. I ran to my room, finding the book and returning to Frodo's room with it safely cradled in my arms.

Frodo had not moved when I returned to his room. I sat down next to his bed and opened up my book to the next song. I offered it to him, but he held up his hand.

"If you wouldn't mind, could you read it. I'm afraid I am too weary to focus on the words."

"If you wish."

He nodded, and I saw the exhaustion in his face. Staring down at the page, I cleared my throat and began to read.

The Road goes ever on and on

Out from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

Let others follow it who can!

Let them a journey new begin,

But I at last with weary feet

Will turn towards the lighted inn,

My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

After finishing, I glanced over at him to see a sense of peace course through his features.

"Please, continue," he said with a sigh. "It helps."

"With what?" I inquired.

"The memories…" he trailed off.

And so I continued to read to him that afternoon. When it came time for dinner, I left him sleeping soundly on his bed, his temperature still cold to the touch. My mind wandered back to him throughout the meal, but I did not want to give any sign to Sam or Rosie of Frodo's sudden illness. It was unbearable. Time passed slowly and my concern for him grew. A sigh of relief came over me as I set the last dish in its cupboard.

Approaching Frodo's room, I heard muffled noises from within. Rushing to open it, I entered with haste, seeing Frodo tossing furiously in his bed.

"Aiya Earendil Elenion Ancalima!" I heard him cry out in a loud whisper. I rushed to his side, seeing sweat cover his face. Pain and anguish seeped through his features as he struggled from whatever memory ran through his mind. His hand was tightly clutched onto his shirt, holding onto the pendant of a necklace. He rolled over and his breaths became short and deep. I put my hands on his shoulders and rolled him onto his back then I placed my hands on either side of his face.

"Frodo," I called, trying to wake him without catching the attention of Sam and Rosie. Frodo still tossed mindlessly, repeating the foreign phrase over and over again. "Frodo!" I said louder. "Please wake up. It is just a dream." I put my hands back on his shoulders and shook him, trying to wake him. His body relaxed, his arm fell to his side, revealing a beautiful clear jewel hanging on the end of the fine chain. With weary turns of his head, he looked at me, his eyes first focusing on some distant object and then finally seeing me.

"Mira?" he asked, his breaths softening. "Is that you?"

"Aye. You were having a nightmare and I couldn't let you go on like that."

He paused for a while before saying, "Thank you."

Sam burst into the room at that moment. "What's going on here?" he asked coming to where Frodo and I were. "I heard you yell Mr. Frodo's name and some rustling about. Is everything alright?"

I turned my attention back to Frodo. He swallowed and then spoke softly. "Yes, I'm alright."

"Then what's the matter, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked, coming closer to Frodo's bed.

"I am wounded," he answered, "wounded; it will never really heal."

I looked at Sam. He nodded slowly and turned his gaze to me. "It's best if we leave him alone for the rest of the evening. Why don't you go get some rest."

"If you wish." I stood up and took one final gaze at Frodo. He nodded slightly and then closed his eyes. Sam followed me out of the room and returned to the sitting room with Rosie.

I retreated to my room, wondering what Frodo had meant by a wound that would never really heal.