Title: Despair (15/16)
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 15

With Gimli's help Aragorn had fashioned a liter to carry me on. He thought I would travel better lying down than being carried on someone's hip. I agreed with him as just sitting up to drink the tea brought on waves of dizziness.

Legolas had just returned. "There is a good place to make camp about a days walk from here." He told Aragorn.

"I had hoped we would make Lothlorien by tonight." Aragorn said. Legolas shook his head.

"Perhaps if we were to travel through the night but the injured ones will not be able to travel fast or far."

"You are right my friend." Aragorn agreed.

As Aragorn and Legolas were talking Sam and Merry were helping Pippin and myself get ready to travel. I laid back on the liter with Sams help.

"Are you comfortable Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked.

I nodded.

"Do you want a blanket?"

"No thank you." I replied. I was feeling quite warm at that particular moment and put it down to embarrassment at having to be carried. I hated being a burden and it seemed that the further into this quest we went the more of a burden I became.

My worries were made worse when Sam said, "Me and Mr. Merry will be carrying you today."

It was one thing to be carried by Aragorn or Boromir. They were big men. I hardly weighed more than a human child I supposed. But to my friends I would be quite heavy. As if reading my thoughts Sam said, "Don't you worry none Mr. Frodo, you'll be up and on your own two feet soon enough." I smiled.

Aragorn came up to us just then.

"How are things going here?" He asked.

"Almost ready" Said Merry.

"Just got Mr. Frodo settled. "Said Sam.

"Good, we will be setting out soon." He turned to Pippin.

"Are you sure your able to walk?"

"Yes I'm sure." Pippin Stated.

"All right but you tell me if your chest starts to bother you at all." Aragorn said remembering what happened to Frodo.

"Ok" Aragorn said turning around. "Lets head out."

Merry and Sam slowly lifted me up off the ground. Pippin walked slowly beside us. With the gentle bouncing of the liter and the droan of my friends chatter I soon found my self getting sleepy. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

I awoke to my name being called.

"Mr. Frodo, it's time for your medicine." Sam repeated. I opened my eyes to see not one but two Sams. I closed my eyes tight and opened them again.

Still two Sams.

"What's wrong Frodo?" Sam asked concern rising in his voice.

"Two." I said.

"Two?" questioned Sam. "What do you mean two. Two what?"

"Two...You." I said closing my eyes again.

"Two of me? You see two of me?" Sam asked. I nodded.

"Aragorn!" Sam called out "Something's wrong with Frodo!"

Aragorn came over "What is it Sam?"

"Frodo says he sees two of me!" Aragorn kneeled down and placed his hand on my arm.

"Frodo open your eyes."

I did blinking several times before looking at him.

"Frodo can you see me?" He asked.

"Two." I said. He sighed.

"Close your eyes again."

I did.

"Now open only one. What do you see?"

I looked around "You...Sam."

"Ok, now close that eye and open the other one. What do you see?"

"Same." I said.

"Good now slowly open your other eye so both eyes are open." Aragorn said.

I slowly opened my other eye and waited a few moments before looking at either one.

"Frodo?" Aragorn said. I looked at him. "What do you see?"

"One." I said relieved.

Sam let out a breath he had been holding.

"Ok" Aragorn said "you'll be just fine. How does the head feel? Any pain?"

"Little...Better." I said. "Any dizziness?" he asked. "Some" I replied.

Aragorn just nodded. "Sam make sure Frodo drinks all that tea."

"I will" replied Sam "but what is wrong with Frodo?"

Aragorn looked at him. "It sometimes happens when there has been a head injury such as what Frodo received. It cleared up right away so there is nothing to worry about."

With that Aragorn walked off to help the others. Sam helped me sit up slowly and fed me the tea.

TBC…