Title: Despair (5/16)
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 opened my eyes again and Aragorn and Gimli were standing over me.
"Sam.. where is Sam." I whispered.
"Sam is packing, we are moving out again soon" Aragorn said. "How are you feeling?"
"Pain" was my only reply.
Aragorn lifted me into a sitting position,
"Aaaahhhh!!" The pain was almost too much!
"Drink this" Aragorn said placing a cup to my lips.
I turned my head. I didn't want any medicine. I didn't want to get better this time. Aragorn turned my head so I was facing him again. "Drink this!" he said harshly.
I shook my head and made to push the cup away.
"This is why I asked you to join me Gimli, I knew that he would give me trouble."
I opened my eyes a little wider. What was Aragorn going to do? With a nod to Aragorn, Gimli grabbed my hands and straddled my legs effectively pinning me! How dare he! I opened my mouth to protest but Aragorn poured something into it. I quickly spit it out.
"NO!!" I said hoarsely.
"You have no choice in the matter" said Aragorn. He pinched my nose and tilted my head back. I had to open my mouth to breath. After a few breaths Aragorn again poured something into my mouth and quickly pushed my chin up so I could not spit it back out. I tried to struggle but Gimli held me fast.
"SWALLOW IT!!!" Aragorn yelled. I was quickly losing my air, I had no choice. I swallowed it. Aragorn let go and I gasped for air; glaring at both Aragorn and Gimli for such undignified treatment. Aragorn brought the cup up again. I shook my head. Aragorn pinched my nose again.
I heard Sam yell "HEY!, What are you doing?" Good old Sam, he would save me from this!
"Master Gamgee!" Gimli grunted. "It seems that Master Baggins is refusing to take his medicine." He nodded at Aragorn, "We are just helping him change his mind."
Sam looked at me and my heart sank. "Now Mr. Frodo, you know you need this medicine to get better."
"NO SAM!" I spat at him. I saw hurt and confusion cross his face. Then something else was there, indignant determination. He squared his shoulders and looked at Aragorn.
"Proceed Mr. Strider, sir." And Sam turned around and walked away.
"Sam!" I yelled in disbelief.
"Are you going to take this now?" Aragorn asked.
I shook my head. Why couldn't they just leave me alone?! Aragorn pinched my nose again. I held out for as long as I could before having to gasp for air. Aragorn poured more of that vile stuff into my mouth as soon as I opened it.
I swallowed quickly, I had no choice. I would have choked on it if I hadn't.
Aragorn waited for me to catch my breath and then repeated the process a third time. "There, that's the last of it." he said with some satisfaction in his voice.
Gimli released my hands and stood up. "You are more stubborn than any Dwarf I know!" he stated and walked off.
"Now" Aragorn said, "We will give you this medicine every couple of hours. You can take it willingly or we can do it the hard way again."
I turned my head away from him. He sighed and walked away muttering something about hobbits and mules. I was seething inside! How dare they treat me that way! They had no right! Hot tears streamed down my face. A few moments later Sam came back with a cup of water and a bowl of soup.
"Not a right proper breakfast but it is one, I reckon, that your stomach can handle."
"I'm not hungry." I said angrily not looking at him. "Just leave me alone!" Sam let out an exasperated sigh.
"Mr. Frodo," The tone in his voice caused me to look up at him. "I know you are grieving, we all are. I loved Gandalf too you know!" He set the cup and bowl down beside me and turned his back to me. "I'm sorry you got hurt an' all. And I'm sorry Gandalf....left us. But you have to snap out of it. I couldn't bear to lose you too!" Having said that Sam walked off.
My anger disappeared at that moment. It was replaced by the realization that I have been nothing less than selfish. What had I done? In my own grief I hadn't even stopped to think that they were grieving too. I wanted to apologize to them but they were all busy taking down the camp. I did the next best thing. I picked up the cup and bowl, with some difficulty, and finished off every last drop. The warm soup felt good in my stomach and the cool water was just what my parched throat was screaming for.
The medicine that Aragorn had forced into me seemed to be working. The pain in my chest had eased and I found it easier to breath; though the pain in my heart was as strong as ever.
I felt myself drifting toward the darkness. But this time it was different. This time it was a peaceful, restful darkness I headed toward. I was drifting off to sleep.
TBC