Title: Despair (8/16)
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!

Despair Chapter 8

Aragorn and Legolas returned just as we finished our lunch of mushroom soup, bread and dried fruit. Aragorn stopped short when he saw me sitting up.

"Well" he said. "I see I needn't have worried, you appear to be doing well."

I gave him a weak smile. "I was hungry and it is quite impossible to eat lying down." I said apologetically.

Aragorn laughed as he sat down and helped himself to some soup. "No need to apologize Frodo. It is a good sign that you are up let alone hungry! So how does the chest feel?"

"Still a little sore and this," I said pointing to my side "is becoming quite bothersome."

Aragorn nodded but said nothing. When he finished his lunch he turned to me and said "Shall we?"

I gave him a puzzled look. He smiled and pointed at my side.

"Oh!" I said "are you going to take it out now?"

"That remains to be seen. I need to examine you first." Aragorn said carefully lifting me to my feet.

"Sam prepare some warm water and bring us some clean clothes."

"Right away Aragorn." Sam said jumping up.

As I settled down against the packs Aragorn again asked me how I was feeling. "Is the pain in your chest better?"

"Yes."

Any trouble breathing?"

"No."

"Any pain in your side?"

"No."

"Any burning around the tube?"

"NO! Aragorn, what is this? Are you going to remove this or not!" I was getting quiet frustrated.

Aragorn removed the cloth Sam had wrapped around it to hold it still and inspected the skin around it.

"Doesn't appear to be infected. No swelling or anything..."

Just then Sam can over. "Here's the water and clean clothes you wanted."

"Good, thank you Sam. I need your help here."

"I'll do whatever it is that needs doing." Sam replied.

Aragorn had started washing the area around the tube. He spoke as he continued. "Frodo lift your left arm up over your head. Sam, sit beside Frodo and wrap your arms around him. Clasp your hands just under his arm." Aragorn watched as we did as he instructed.

"Good, now I am going to pull this out. Frodo I need you to take three deep breaths. On the third one I will pull this out. Sam, I want you to hold him still."

I turned my head toward Sam and gave him a worried look. I was anticipating the pain.

"Ok Frodo, take those deep breaths now."

I took the first one, Aragorn grabbed the tube.

I took the second one, he pulled.

I took the third one and he said "All done!"

I swung my head around "That's it?" I asked incredulously.

"It's out?"

Aragorn smiled as he placed padding over the site and wrapped a bandage around me.

"I hardly felt a thing! No pain or anything!" I said.

"I never said you would now did I." Aragorn said and gave me a playful soc on the chin.

I laughed when I realized he was having fun with me.

"As soon as you're up to it we need to get moving." Aragorn stated taking care of his things.

"We won't make Lothlorien by tonight like I had hoped and we cannot stay out in the open.

I looked away ashamed.

Aragorn gently placed his hand on my shoulder. "Nothing to be ashamed about Frodo" he said, "it wasn't your fault!"

"Legolas and I found a good place to make camp tonight but we must hurry if we are to make it by nightfall."

As Aragorn walked away I felt a cold chill go down my spine and shuddered. I looked up and saw Boromir staring at me.

"What is it Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked.

"That man, Boromir." I said. "I get an uneasy feeling about him, I can't quite place."

"Now Mr. Frodo, There's naught to worry about." Sam said helping me into a clean shirt. "I'll wager it's just because he is a warrior."

"Perhaps" I said to Sam. 'Perhaps not' I thought to myself.

We set out a half hour later. I insisted on walking; mainly because I did not care to be close to Boromir at all. The uneasy feeling remained. I kept it to myself though. I made the excuse that I did not want to be a burden to anyone. Aragorn agreed to let me walk on the condition that my pack be divided up and I not carry anything.

I agreed.

As the afternoon wore on into dusk I was beginning to regret my decision to walk. I was growing quite weary. I caught up to Aragorn, "how much further?" I asked.

"Not much farther" he replied. "Are you ge...."

"SHHHHH!" Legolas had stopped and was setting his bow.

Aragorn drew his sword, "What?" he whispered.

"YRCH!!" Legolas cried and let lose an arrow. A cry could be heard as the arrow hit its mark.

Boromir turned with sword dawn just as an orc came up on him. The orc never knew what hit him.

Us four hobbits also drew our swords ready to face whatever came at us.

Memories of the Mines went through my mind.

Suddenly arrows were raining down on us. I heard Pippin cry out. I looked over and saw him fall.

Just as I turned to run to him a sharp pain in my arm stopped me. The force of whatever it was that hit me knocked me off balance.

I was falling.

Explosion of pain in my head.

Bright lights.

Then, Nothing.

TBC…