Title: Despair (2/16)
Author: Niphrandl
Rating: PG13
Characters: Gandalf, Frodo, Boromir, Aragorn, Pippin,
Merry, Sam, Legolas, Gimli
Summary: This story takes place after Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the Bridge
of Khazad-dûm and before the fellowship reaches Lothlorien. It is told from
Frodo's POV initially.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I make no money nor do I
receive any public recognition for writing this. This is just my bit of fan
fiction. Thanks Easterlily!
"Frodo we must keep moving. We cannot stay here." Aragorn said.
I gave him a blank stare. Keep moving? How could he even think about continuing the quest now! Didn't he care! He must have known Gandalf for as long, if not longer, than I! If being a ranger meant not caring about your friends I wanted nothing to do with it or them!
He was taking over. Anger boiled within me. Gandalf was the leader of this fellowship, not Aragorn! I turned so as to confront him but he had already moved back to the others. Legolas and Gimli were helping Merry, Pippin and Sam to their feet. I took a deep breath to yell after Aragorn but was stopped by a searing pain in my chest.
The mine.
The cave troll.
The spear.
His weapon did not pierce me because of Bilbo's mithril shirt but I knew that it had at least left a bruise; maybe even a few cracked ribs. I took another deep breath, slower this time.
The pain was horrible.
Maybe I should say something to Aragorn?
No.
Gandalf died right before our eyes and he hadn't shed a tear! Why should he care about me? He was probably in a hurry to get to Lothlorien so he could be rid of us. Well I wouldn't hold him back! I steeled myself against the pain and lightheadedness I was feeling and joined the others just as they were leaving.
"Ah Frodo, good, come along". Aragorn said and patted my shoulder. I pulled away. He didn't seem to notice.
"We must move quickly. It will be night soon and we must find a safe place to set up camp." My anger flared again. Why did we have to leave? Why couldn't we have gone back and at least TRIED to save Gandalf?
The tears threatened to spill again, I could not believe Gandalf was really gone.
Aragorn took the lead with Legolas behind him, then us four hobbits with Gimli behind us and Boromir brought up the rear. We walked on in this order for a while in utter silence. Each of us lost in our own thoughts I suppose. I looked over at Sam who was walking next to me. Dear Sam. I could still see tears in his eyes. Merry and Pippin were in front of us. Merry had his arm around Pippins shoulders. Pippin was still sobbing softly.
I thought back to Bilbo's 111th birthday party. The fireworks that Gandalf had brought along were the most awesome ones I had ever seen. The old wizard was in his prime. He was laughing right along with the lads and lasses as he lit one after the other and when he was done with that he joined us in dance.
Pain brought me back to the present. The landscape was as desolate as I was feeling inside. Utter hopelessness was setting in. I did not see anywhere that would make a good place to rest. Let alone set up camp! Nothing around us except snow covered rock and a few hardy trees.
A wave of dizziness hit me. The pain in my chest was increasing and it was getting harder to breath. Sam steadied me. Loyal, helpful Sam. What could I tell him though? It would only worry him and slow us down if we had to stop just to take care of a few bruised ribs. I just smiled and said nothing.
A few moments later I heard Gimli rush forward. I must have been stumbling because Sam had his arm around me supporting me.
"Are you all right Master Hobbit?" Gimli asked.
I turned and nodded. "Just a little tired is all." I lied.
Sam gave me one of those looks that said he knew I was lying but he said nothing. I gave him another grateful albeit sad smile. I looked up to see Aragorn looking back at us. His expression was unreadable. I quickly looked away. He turned and continued the trek.
We kept walking for what seemed to be an eternity. The landscape was slowly changing to open grassland. The pain in my chest had become as a red hot poker jabbing me with every breath I took. I could hardly breathe as it was and the dizziness was becoming impossible to fight off.
I felt Sam take my arm. "Are you all right Mr. Frodo?" he asked me.
I turned slightly toward him to answer but found I couldn't. Darkness was surrounding me and I felt myself falling.
"Frodo!!" Sam yelled.
"Strider!!!" was the last thing I heard before a pain free
blackness overtook me.
TBC