Title: Despair (10/16)
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!
"They are still alive but both have grievous injuries."
"What about you. Are you injured Legolas?" Aragorn asked.
"I am uninjured Aragorn" Legolas said looking down at his clothing.
"It's Frodo.." Legolas began but Aragorn was already kneeling beside the hobbit assessing his injuries.
Boromir was assessing Pippins injury.
Both men had seen many battles in their lifetime and so were adept in the assessing and treating of battle wounds.
"Legolas" Boromir spoke "Locate our packs and bring them to us."
Legolas looked to Aragorn reluctant to leave the hobbits sides.
Aragorn nodded.
"We need some things that are in them."
Legolas gave a slight nod and left.
"Aragorn" Boromir said as soon as Legolas left "The arrow does not appear to have penetrated deeply. I think it was stopped by his ribs. I do not think it punctured his lung. He has bled a lot though."
Aragorn nodded completing his assessment of Frodo. "His left arm has been pierced by something. Blade or arrow I don't know. He also has a severe bump on his head that is bleeding quite a bit."
Legolas had returned with the packs and Aragorn was laying out the supplies he and Boromir would need when he heard Gimli give a shout. The three of them looked up and saw Sam and Merry running toward them. They had somehow outsmarted the dwarf and gotten away from him. Sam reached them first.
Breathing heavily he stated,
"Begging...your pardon...Mr. Strider...Sir." "Mr. Frodo needs me...that's a fact...and...there'll be no...keeping me....from him!"
Merry arrived and said "The same goes for Pippin!" He knelt down and took his young cousins hand in his own. He looked up at Boromir, "Pippins hand is cold! Is he....dead?" The last word a barely audible whisper.
Boromir placed a hand on Merry's shoulder "No Merry, they are both still with us but we must care for their wounds quickly or that soon won't be the case."
Merry's mouth dropped open and Sam collapsed at Frodo's head. Tears once again streaming down their faces.
"I'm Sorry Mr. Frodo" Sam sobbed. I shouldn't have left
you. I should have stayed
by your side!" He brushed a damp curl off Frodo's forehead.
Aragorn placed a clean cloth in Sam's hand, "You can help me Sam" he said. "Hold this over the cut on Frodo's head just firm enough to stop the bleeding." Sam nodded.
"Why does he look so pale?" he asked.
"He has lost a lot of blood Sam" Aragorn replied firmly placing Sam's hand with the cloth over Frodo's head wound. He then turned his attention to the wound on Frodo's arm.
Boromir was working with Pippin. He gave Merry a cloth and said. "I am going to pull this arrow out. I want you to apply pressure to the wound as soon as I do. You understand?"
Merry nodded not taking his eyes off Pippin.
"Boromir" Aragorn said quickly. "Be sure the barb comes out with it!"
Boromir nodded and grabbed the shaft of the arrow. "Ready Merry?" he asked and without waiting for a reply, he pulled. The arrow came out with a soft wet 'pop'. Merry was immediately over Pippin applying pressure. Boromir inspected the arrow. Relief on his face. "The barb is out." He said.
Aragorn turned his attention back to Frodo's arm. "This must have been made by an arrow. It went straight through. The bleeding appears to have stopped." He carefully cleansed the arm and wrapped a clean bandage around it.
"Now Sam, let me have a look at that wound on his head."
Sam carefully removed the cloth and moved out of Aragorn's way.
"Good, the bleeding has slowed down considerably. I don't think he will need stitches." Aragorn said. He grabbed a clean bandage and wrapped it around Frodo's head. He looked up.
"Boromir how is Pippin?"
"He is no longer bleeding. I think he will be all right once his strength returns to him. But what are we going to do about tonight? Surely these two cannot be moved!" Boromir stated.
Aragorn nodded. "That is true. Gimli, gather up some firewood and get a fire started, then join Legolas for first watch." Legolas started to protest standing watch with a dwarf but under the circumstances he decided to keep quiet.
"Merry and Sam you two set up the rest of the camp. Boromir you and Merry will stand second watch and Sam and I will take third watch.
Boromir and Aragorn kept watch on their small patients. It
was going to be a long sleepless night.
TBC