Title: Despair (4/16)
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!
When next I became aware it was full night. The camp was quiet except for the pop and crackle of the wood on the fire someone had made. I could hear the quiet sounds of night birds searching for their prey. The breeze blowing through the leaves above my head was calming.
I moaned. The pain had not let up.
Sam was there instantly wiping my face with athelas water. It felt good against my hot cheeks. He was asking me something but I could not understand him. It was as if he were a great distance from me. I closed my eyes.
My thoughts went to Gandalf. I saw him confront the Balrog again. I saw him fall. Why did he have to die? I will be lost without him. It's as if everyone I care about leaves me.
My parents.
Bilbo.
Gandalf.
My thoughts were interrupted. Someone was lifting me into a sitting position. I opened my eyes.
It was Aragorn.
"Here Frodo, Drink this." He placed a cup to my lips. Whatever it was it smelled horrible. I turned my head refusing to drink it.
"It will help ease your pain Frodo" Aragorn said.
I could hear concern in his voice. I turned toward him. He would understand.
My parents were dead.
Gandalf was dead.
Bilbo had left me.
"Just let me die." I said and closed my eyes.
Sam gasped in horror. I gave him an apologetic smile, as near as I could manage anyway. Aragorn firmly grasped my shoulders and shook me. The pain was instantaneous! I flung my head around and glared at him.
"I will NOT just let you die!!" Aragorn yelled at me. "We all loved Gandalf; we are all grieving his loss! I will not let you give up Frodo!"
Tears welled up in my eyes, from the pain or his anger I don't know.
"Frodo" he said his voice softer this time, "I cannot let you die. You are my friend; I care about what happens to you."
I closed my eyes. The tears streamed down my cheeks. I thought he would understand. I was wrong. The cup was brought to my lips once again.
It was Sam this time.
"Please Mr. Frodo; you must take your medicine." I stubbornly kept my mouth and eyes closed. No Sam I thought to myself. No medicine this time. Nothing could take away the hurt I was feeling.
"Come Samwise." I heard Aragorn say. "Let's let him alone for now."
"But his medicine!" Sam protested. "Why won't he listen to us?"
"He is grieving Sam, let him be for a while." I heard them walk away. I lay there alone listening to the night sounds. I don't know when I fell asleep but I must have. When I opened my eyes it was morning. The sun was shining brightly and the cool breeze remained.
I could hear conversation and the clattering of pans. I smelled breakfast cooking. Bacon and sausage and roasted vegetables.
My stomach lurched and threatened to spill what little was left in it.
The thought of food was unappealing. I tried to sit up and was greeted with a white hot pain. The world dimmed around me and I heard myself scream.
"Lay back little one. Easy now, you should not have tried to get up."
"L..Legolas?" I asked weakly.
"Yes." replied the elf. "You really must take it easy. Now try to slow down your breathing. Take slow deep breaths."
I tried to take a deep breath. It caught in my throat and sent me into a coughing spasm. The pain! I could not catch my breath. I could not stop coughing. Legolas pushed me up into a sitting position and was patting my back. It wasn't helping though. I felt myself falling into a dark abyss. I didn't try to fight it. I just let the darkness take me.
Sam's POVI was helping Merry and Pippin with breakfast when I heard Frodo scream. I dropped my pan and turned just in time to see Legolas helping him to lie back down. I grabbed a cloth and some cool water and was running toward them when Frodo started coughing. It sounded terrible. It was weak and his lungs sounded as if they were full of water! Before I could reach them Frodo slumped over and stopped coughing."Legolas! Is he...." I gulped unable to finish.
"Its all right Sam" He replied. "He just passed out again. He is very weak." The elf was so calm it helped calm the panic I felt rising in me.
"I wish he would have taken that medicine that Aragorn prepared for him last night." I said.
Aragorn said he was just grieving. But we all were. It just seems as if Frodo is giving up. I cannot let that happen. I WILL NOT let that happen.
TBC