Title: Despair (3/16)
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!
I heard a buzzing sound in my ears.
Then pieces of conversation; I couldn't quite make it out."...tell you..."
"...seemed dizzy..."
"...so pale..."
I felt my shirt being lifted up.
"...bruise.."
"...cave troll..."
"...should have checked..."
I opened my eyes and groaned at the pain. Merry, Pippin and Sam were kneeling beside me. My head was resting in someone's lap. I looked back.
Legolas.
Nausea hit me all at once, I tried to react but the pain stopped me. Legolas must have seen the look on my face and guessed what was about to happen. He quickly turned me onto my side just as I vomited. Merry and Pippin jumped back so as not to get soiled.
The heaving and gasping for breath sent new waves of pain through me. I felt myself break out in a cold sweat. As Legolas turned me over onto my back once more I muttered a weak 'Thank you'.
Sam brought up a cloth and wiped my face.
"Aragorn..?" I said weakly. Where was he anyway? Surely he would not abandon us here!
"I found a small stream up ahead" Gimli said looking around. "Hasn't Aragorn returned yet?"
"Just now Master Dwarf." Aragorn said. Everyone looked up startled by his sudden quiet reappearance.
"Athelas is scarce in these parts. Did you get the water?"
I couldn't follow the conversation any longer. The dizziness was back. I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate on something else. All I could see, though, was Gandalf falling. I opened my eyes again and the dizziness was there waiting for me.
"Frodo why didn't you say something earlier?" Aragorn had seen my eyes open.
I just turned my head and didn't answer. Aragorn sighed. He was wiping my chest with warm water. I could smell the athelas that was in it. I felt my breathing ease a little though I knew I was still breathing too fast and too shallow. It hurt to take a deeper breath.
"What's wrong with him?" Merry asked.
"He has a chest wound. That cave troll did some damage after all it seems."
"Will he be all right?" Sam asked.
"I will do what I can. He should have said something sooner though." I heard Aragorn reply.
I felt myself slipping into darkness again. "Aragorn...help me...please." I begged weakly "d..don't leave..."
He bent over me and smiled sadly. "I won't leave you Frodo, ever."
I looked into his eyes then. I saw grief and concern for a loved one. I had been wrong. He was grieving just like the rest of us.
"S...sorry" I heard myself say.
"It's not your fault little one" Aragorn said "I should have checked you more thoroughly before we set off again."
He didn't understand me. I thought to explain but I was so tired and the pain was still too much. I closed my eyes.
Aragorn placed his hand briefly on my cheek and said "It's all right Frodo. Try to sleep."
I let the darkness envelope me once again.
(Aragorn and Sam's POV)
"Aragorn, what's happening?" Sam demanded to know. Aragorn quietly led Sam away from Frodo. "He has some fractured ribs from that cave troll attack." He whispered. "I'm afraid his chest is filling with fluid. His body is trying to protect the lungs by placing fluid between them and the damaged ribs."
"Is that why he is having such a hard time breathing?" Sam asked.
Aragorn nodded.
"Is there anything we can do?" Sam asked with growing desperation in his voice.
"If it gets any worse there is something I can do, but for now we just watch him."
TBC