Title: Despair (14/16)
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 14

When I woke up I saw Aragorn and Sam leaning over me.

"Wh..what?" I asked, I didn't understand why they were looking at me like that. I tried to sit up but found I was too weak.

"Just lie still Frodo. We'll get these wet things off you." Aragorn said.

"Wet?" I asked, I didn't remember getting wet.

"Raining?" I asked confused.


Aragorn smiled.

"No, Mr. Frodo" Sam said, "its not raining. You've been sick. Now just let me and Mr. Aragorn get you into some dry clothes."

I let them do what they needed to do. I was still confused though. I lay there trying to piece together the fragments of memory that were floating through my head.

The orc attack, Pippin getting hit with an arrow, Laughing when Pippin choked on the taste of the medicine I have had to endure so many times.

But there seemed to be gaps. So many gaps of time missing. I looked at Aragorn "Time...gone" I said.

He looked at me confused at first and then said "Don't worry Frodo, your memories will come back."

I nodded and closed my eyes. I did feel better in the new change of clothes. I felt a light tap on my shoulder, I must have dozed off. It was Sam.

"Mr. Frodo, Mr. Aragorn says you are to drink this." I closed my eyes and screwed up my nose.

"Now don't be actin' like that Frodo." Sam said. "You have to take your medicine or Aragorn says you will have more of them seizures."

"Seizures?" I asked "Why...can't...remember?" Sam nodded his head "I think so. Now drink your medicine." Sam helped me sit up a little.

I closed my eyes and gripped Sam's arm tightly as a wave of dizziness and pain washed through my head.

"Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. "What is it?"

"Head hurts and dizzy" I replied.

"That's to be expected" Aragorn said walking up to us. "You hit your head pretty hard when you fell. Now take your medicine and let's have a look at that arm."

Sam held the cup for me while I drank. I was surprised! It tasted kind of sweet, not bitter like the other stuff I had to take. After Sam laid me back down Aragorn took the bandages off my arm. I flinched at the pain as they were sticking to the wound.

"Sam, go get some hot water for me please?" Aragorn said. Sam left.

"Well Frodo, your eyes seem a little brighter today. How are you feeling?" Aragorn asked.

"Pain in head and dizzy" I repeated.

"Yes you said that. Can you move?" I looked up at him confused and tried to get up.

"No Frodo, don't try to get up just move your legs and feet for me."

I did.

"Good now open and close your hands."

I did.

"Good, now follow my finger with just your eyes. Don't move your head." Aragorn said as he held up a finger and moved it slowly from side to side in front of my face.

I followed it.

"Good" he said again.

"Here's your water Mr. Aragorn" Sam said setting a pot down beside him, "Mr. Gimli had already set a pot on to boil."

"Thank you Sam" Aragorn said dipping a cloth into the hot water and wrapping it around the bandages on my arm. "That should loosen them up a little." he said.

After a few moments he took the cloth and bandages off and looked at the wound. He lifted up my arm to look at the other side. "How does your arm feel?" he asked.

"Sore" I replied. He nodded his head.

"Looks all right so far. But we will still need to keep an eye on it." He wrapped a clean bandage around it. "Do you feel like you could travel?"

I shook my head, "Weak" I said.

"What if someone were to carry you?" Aragorn asked.

I thought about this for a while. I did not want to be a burden on anyone but I knew we could not stay here any longer. "All right" I said.

He nodded and went over to check on Pippin. I lay there trying to piece together the fragments of memory that were in my head when I heard Pippin cry rather indignantly.

"I CAN WALK!"

I smiled to myself. Pippin always did hate being babied! Aragorn laughed and bowed to Pippin.

"As you wish Master Took" he said. He turned toward camp.

"Boromir, Merry, Gimli, Sam lets get it packed up. We've been here too long. I want to be ready to move as soon as Legolas returns from scouting!" he said.

I fell into a light doze while the others were getting things packed up.

TBC