Disclaimer: In this story, I do not own the characters created by J.R.R
Tolkien. There you happy now! I know there not mine :::sobs:::
Summary:
A friendship where you would lay your life down for your friends, is the type of friendship that Sam, Merry, and Pippin have with Frodo. A friendship such as this doesn't start just anywhere. This pre-LotR story shows how friendship and sacrifice go hand. This story takes place five years after Bilbo's departure from the Shire.
A/N: h/c, angst, no slash.
Chapter 16: Ch.16 is up! After leaving Dora's office, Frodo frustration adds to some unnecessary conflict. Dr. Bunce makes her entrance and delivers some frightening news regarding Merry's situation. While grief ensues, the race to Bywater begins.
Author Notes: I was listening to The Return of the King Soundtrack while I wrote this chapter. For those who have it: Do you like it? And for those who don't have it: Shame on you! Go buy it. I personally really like it especially when Billy Boyd's sings :::heheh:::. But I have to say that it will take some time for me to like the last song, 'Into the West'. I think it is pretty good, but the chorus ruins it for me. The chorus sounds like a western folk song. I almost feel like getting out a banjo to play along with it. But oh well, I am probably being too critical and the movie is going to be awesome, that is all that is important.
Author Notes (More story related): This will probably be the last Update before my Christmas break. I have wicked and tricksy finals coming up so I actually have to study :::sigh::: The worst thing is that my finals are on the Dec 18th and 19th, so I can't see RotK till Friday evening. :::sighs again::: Life is so bitter!
Aemilia Rose- Dr. Bunce will do her best to help our hobbits, considering the circumstances. I agree I would not want to get on Frodo's bad side after all he has been through. The silver spoon bit just randomly came to me when I was writing this and I think it fits perfectly. Who knows the silver spoon gag could re-emerge later on. (note to self- add silver spoon gag in later chapters for Aemilia)
Bookworm2000- The best way to describe chapter 15 is, 'a comedy of errors'. That is what I wrote it to be. When I sat down to write it I said to myself, "Everything that could go wrong, should go wrong". I agree, Dora deserved what she got; there is nothing shallow about it.
FrodoBaggins87- Here is next chapter. Enjoy.
Yahiko- You're not alone with spelling errors. That is why I have a beta to correct my errors. Otherwise, I would spend half of my time working on these chapters, reading and editing them. I would still probably manage to make mistakes.
Kaewi- Welcome! Thanks for taking time to review. It is encouraging when lurkers come out of the shadows to review. Hey, I was a lurker for three months before I started reviewing. It is the first step to becoming an author. You like Frodo angst do you? Hmmm.well make sure you stick around for I have planned :::smirks evilly:::
Iorhael- It is important to me that all the characters in this story are as multi-dimensional as possible. Good question about what was in the jar, hmmm.I am as clueless about that as Frodo and Merry were. That can be left up to the imagination.
Ailsa Joy- I give you full permission to pressure me to update, it works. For instance, a lot of people were looking forward to the Dora scenes awhile back. So I actually went back and re-wrote chapter 14, and the rewrite turned into both chapters 14 and 15 and was a lot funnier than it was originally. I know, poor Frodo tries to be strong all the time, but everyone has a breaking point. Get used to the cliffhangers, there only going to get worst!
Birch tree- Yes, I am a fairly normal 16 year old and writing fan fiction is a side of me that only my best friend knows about. Most of my friends know that I love LotR, but my best friend is the only one who knows to what extent I love it. Here is the chapter; I hope it was worth the wait.
EloraCooper4- You are right about the drama/angst meter rising. I am glad you like my character moments. I believe that as it always is with Tolkien, the characters are the heart of the story. The only thing that really disappointed me about the movies was the lack of relationship between Frodo and Merry, because their relationship was so much stronger in the books. So I really wanted to focus on that in this fic. All the comedic moments I add are based on my personality and my experiences. The door bit from the last for insistence actually happened to me, when I was eavesdropping on my friend. She opened the door and I fell on her, but unlike Dora she thought it was funny and laughed at me.
Obelia medusa- I cannot wait to read the new chapter of Anchored! I will give a review soon. Omg! That is hilarious about the breakdown you had. Your poor friends! I completely sympathize with you. I have had to stay up a few nights a week recently writing English papers and doing homework. Caffeine was how I stayed up also. Last week I drank a big cup of tea with sugar, a cappuccino, and a coke or two in the same night. It was terrible I could not fall asleep even after I was done with everything. I was extremely hyper and ADD. It was a scary sight, because I could not sit still or stop talking.
Ch.16
Revelations and Realizations
"Frodo, what in Middle Earth are you doing?" Pippin said as Frodo furiously stormed down the road.
"I'm going to find a healer that knows what they are talking about! Then once I find the healer, I will bring a cart back to pick up you, Merry, and Sam!"
"Frodo come back. You're being silly." Merry pleaded.
Frodo stopped and turned to Merry. "It's for your own good, Merry. You will thank me one of these days." He turned back around and continued down the road at a brisk pace.
Sam started to follow Frodo. "Mr. Frodo, remember you could have a concussion. You're going to make yerself pass out if you keep going on like this."
"Sam, if you are so concerned for my welfare, then why don't you help me instead of hindering me!" Frodo retorted.
"Frodo we are trying to help you and Merry. Please come back." Pippin begged.
"Mr. Frodo, we can stay 'ere till someone comes, then we can get help from them. Were bound to meet up with a healer." Sam reasoned.
Frodo stopped and turned back again. "Sam, healers with carts don't just fall out of the sky!" Frodo remarked sarcastically as he again continued on his way.
Sam's concern for his for his master suddenly outweighed what was 'proper', and he rushed forward to reach for Frodo. In the midst of this action Frodo stopped in pure shock as Dr. Bunce made her way down the road in a cart. Frodo was too focused on the advancing cart to even notice the pull of gravity that suddenly overtook him. Sam's sixth sense prodded him and he rushed forward to catch Frodo as he fell backwards.
Frodo quickly collected himself and thanked Sam. Despite Frodo's renewed sense of balance, Sam stood protectively close to Frodo.
"You were saying?" Pippin commented as Dr. Bunce brought the cart to a halt.
Dr. Bunce stepped out of the cart and turned to Frodo, "Master Baggins, where is your cousin Meriadoc?"
"He is down the road with my other cousin Peregrin." Frodo answered almost breathlessly.
When Dr. Bunce turned to Merry, it seemed as if the whole world stilled. Her movements seemed to become more difficult as a shadow of fear and dread coursed through her. 'What if he really has the disease? And what will happen if I am to late to stop this disease from spreading further? What then? Hope is all that I have left at this point, but I fear that hope will not be enough.' Her resolve quickly conquered her fear. She leaned down by Merry with a face filled with grim determination.
"You must remove your shirt!" She said a little more sternly than she intended.
Merry quirked his eyebrows and a grin spread slowly across his face.
Frodo, on the other hand, was not quite so amused. "What is the meaning of this?"
"There is no time to argue, for time is something we have little of."
Pippin turned and whispered in Merry's ear, "I think she likes you."
"Master Meriadoc, I must see if there is a rash your shoulder."
Merry answered, "Well I can tell you that much, but if you insist upon it I- "
"Are you saying that you do have a rash on your shoulder?"
"Yes, but I hardly see what is so important about it. I got some poison ivy on my arms from the garden. You can ask Sam."
"Begin' your pardon miss, but I saw 'im get the poison ivy." Sam announced timidly.
"I assure you, Master Meriadoc, that this is a matter of utmost importance. I must see the rash this instant." Dr. Bunce said insistently.
All traces of amusement had left Merry's voice as he spoke. "All right, I am taking it off."
He removed his shirt and Dr. Bunce began to inspect the poison ivy rash. She began to breathe a sigh of relief noting that the rash on Merry's right shoulder was merely what he said it to be. The sigh suddenly became trapped in her throat as his left shoulder caught her attention. Upon further inspection of the rash, a cold wave of fear overcame her.
"You must all come with me immediately," she said briskly.
Frodo walked toward Dr. Bunce and faced her. "Where must we go and why must we go there?"
"We must go to Bywater, because Meriadoc has Ramora Fever."
Pippin's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "What in Eru's name is Ramora Fever?"
"I will explain further once we are on the road, Master Peregrin, but it is a very serious disease and I fear that time is against us."
"How serious?" Frodo questioned.
Dr. Bunce felt the weight of Frodo's strikingly blue eyes piercing her, seeking the truth. "It is serious enough that if we do not get him help soon, he will not survive," Dr. Bunce said solemnly.
Her words struck Frodo's heart like a jagged dagger tearing away at his hope and composure, while Sam visibly tensed in shock. Merry leaned deathly still against Pippin as the full meaning of her words hit him.
"You mean he could die?" Pippin asked as tears started flooding down is now pale cheek.
"I did not wish to frighten you so, but there is hope as long as we get to Bywater."
"Then let us hurry," said Frodo, struggling to sound strong and confident to the others, all the while wanting to break down. A new strength began to rise in him as he got in the cart and looked at Merry. The promise that he had made all those years ago started resounding in his head louder and louder, until his will was set. Merry would survive as long as Frodo was there to see him through.
~*TBC*~
Next Chapter: The stakes rise as Merry's condition deteriorates and Frodo seeks the truth from Dr. Bunce. "I am worried that .or what will happen, if there is another."
Summary:
A friendship where you would lay your life down for your friends, is the type of friendship that Sam, Merry, and Pippin have with Frodo. A friendship such as this doesn't start just anywhere. This pre-LotR story shows how friendship and sacrifice go hand. This story takes place five years after Bilbo's departure from the Shire.
A/N: h/c, angst, no slash.
Chapter 16: Ch.16 is up! After leaving Dora's office, Frodo frustration adds to some unnecessary conflict. Dr. Bunce makes her entrance and delivers some frightening news regarding Merry's situation. While grief ensues, the race to Bywater begins.
Author Notes: I was listening to The Return of the King Soundtrack while I wrote this chapter. For those who have it: Do you like it? And for those who don't have it: Shame on you! Go buy it. I personally really like it especially when Billy Boyd's sings :::heheh:::. But I have to say that it will take some time for me to like the last song, 'Into the West'. I think it is pretty good, but the chorus ruins it for me. The chorus sounds like a western folk song. I almost feel like getting out a banjo to play along with it. But oh well, I am probably being too critical and the movie is going to be awesome, that is all that is important.
Author Notes (More story related): This will probably be the last Update before my Christmas break. I have wicked and tricksy finals coming up so I actually have to study :::sigh::: The worst thing is that my finals are on the Dec 18th and 19th, so I can't see RotK till Friday evening. :::sighs again::: Life is so bitter!
Aemilia Rose- Dr. Bunce will do her best to help our hobbits, considering the circumstances. I agree I would not want to get on Frodo's bad side after all he has been through. The silver spoon bit just randomly came to me when I was writing this and I think it fits perfectly. Who knows the silver spoon gag could re-emerge later on. (note to self- add silver spoon gag in later chapters for Aemilia)
Bookworm2000- The best way to describe chapter 15 is, 'a comedy of errors'. That is what I wrote it to be. When I sat down to write it I said to myself, "Everything that could go wrong, should go wrong". I agree, Dora deserved what she got; there is nothing shallow about it.
FrodoBaggins87- Here is next chapter. Enjoy.
Yahiko- You're not alone with spelling errors. That is why I have a beta to correct my errors. Otherwise, I would spend half of my time working on these chapters, reading and editing them. I would still probably manage to make mistakes.
Kaewi- Welcome! Thanks for taking time to review. It is encouraging when lurkers come out of the shadows to review. Hey, I was a lurker for three months before I started reviewing. It is the first step to becoming an author. You like Frodo angst do you? Hmmm.well make sure you stick around for I have planned :::smirks evilly:::
Iorhael- It is important to me that all the characters in this story are as multi-dimensional as possible. Good question about what was in the jar, hmmm.I am as clueless about that as Frodo and Merry were. That can be left up to the imagination.
Ailsa Joy- I give you full permission to pressure me to update, it works. For instance, a lot of people were looking forward to the Dora scenes awhile back. So I actually went back and re-wrote chapter 14, and the rewrite turned into both chapters 14 and 15 and was a lot funnier than it was originally. I know, poor Frodo tries to be strong all the time, but everyone has a breaking point. Get used to the cliffhangers, there only going to get worst!
Birch tree- Yes, I am a fairly normal 16 year old and writing fan fiction is a side of me that only my best friend knows about. Most of my friends know that I love LotR, but my best friend is the only one who knows to what extent I love it. Here is the chapter; I hope it was worth the wait.
EloraCooper4- You are right about the drama/angst meter rising. I am glad you like my character moments. I believe that as it always is with Tolkien, the characters are the heart of the story. The only thing that really disappointed me about the movies was the lack of relationship between Frodo and Merry, because their relationship was so much stronger in the books. So I really wanted to focus on that in this fic. All the comedic moments I add are based on my personality and my experiences. The door bit from the last for insistence actually happened to me, when I was eavesdropping on my friend. She opened the door and I fell on her, but unlike Dora she thought it was funny and laughed at me.
Obelia medusa- I cannot wait to read the new chapter of Anchored! I will give a review soon. Omg! That is hilarious about the breakdown you had. Your poor friends! I completely sympathize with you. I have had to stay up a few nights a week recently writing English papers and doing homework. Caffeine was how I stayed up also. Last week I drank a big cup of tea with sugar, a cappuccino, and a coke or two in the same night. It was terrible I could not fall asleep even after I was done with everything. I was extremely hyper and ADD. It was a scary sight, because I could not sit still or stop talking.
Ch.16
Revelations and Realizations
"Frodo, what in Middle Earth are you doing?" Pippin said as Frodo furiously stormed down the road.
"I'm going to find a healer that knows what they are talking about! Then once I find the healer, I will bring a cart back to pick up you, Merry, and Sam!"
"Frodo come back. You're being silly." Merry pleaded.
Frodo stopped and turned to Merry. "It's for your own good, Merry. You will thank me one of these days." He turned back around and continued down the road at a brisk pace.
Sam started to follow Frodo. "Mr. Frodo, remember you could have a concussion. You're going to make yerself pass out if you keep going on like this."
"Sam, if you are so concerned for my welfare, then why don't you help me instead of hindering me!" Frodo retorted.
"Frodo we are trying to help you and Merry. Please come back." Pippin begged.
"Mr. Frodo, we can stay 'ere till someone comes, then we can get help from them. Were bound to meet up with a healer." Sam reasoned.
Frodo stopped and turned back again. "Sam, healers with carts don't just fall out of the sky!" Frodo remarked sarcastically as he again continued on his way.
Sam's concern for his for his master suddenly outweighed what was 'proper', and he rushed forward to reach for Frodo. In the midst of this action Frodo stopped in pure shock as Dr. Bunce made her way down the road in a cart. Frodo was too focused on the advancing cart to even notice the pull of gravity that suddenly overtook him. Sam's sixth sense prodded him and he rushed forward to catch Frodo as he fell backwards.
Frodo quickly collected himself and thanked Sam. Despite Frodo's renewed sense of balance, Sam stood protectively close to Frodo.
"You were saying?" Pippin commented as Dr. Bunce brought the cart to a halt.
Dr. Bunce stepped out of the cart and turned to Frodo, "Master Baggins, where is your cousin Meriadoc?"
"He is down the road with my other cousin Peregrin." Frodo answered almost breathlessly.
When Dr. Bunce turned to Merry, it seemed as if the whole world stilled. Her movements seemed to become more difficult as a shadow of fear and dread coursed through her. 'What if he really has the disease? And what will happen if I am to late to stop this disease from spreading further? What then? Hope is all that I have left at this point, but I fear that hope will not be enough.' Her resolve quickly conquered her fear. She leaned down by Merry with a face filled with grim determination.
"You must remove your shirt!" She said a little more sternly than she intended.
Merry quirked his eyebrows and a grin spread slowly across his face.
Frodo, on the other hand, was not quite so amused. "What is the meaning of this?"
"There is no time to argue, for time is something we have little of."
Pippin turned and whispered in Merry's ear, "I think she likes you."
"Master Meriadoc, I must see if there is a rash your shoulder."
Merry answered, "Well I can tell you that much, but if you insist upon it I- "
"Are you saying that you do have a rash on your shoulder?"
"Yes, but I hardly see what is so important about it. I got some poison ivy on my arms from the garden. You can ask Sam."
"Begin' your pardon miss, but I saw 'im get the poison ivy." Sam announced timidly.
"I assure you, Master Meriadoc, that this is a matter of utmost importance. I must see the rash this instant." Dr. Bunce said insistently.
All traces of amusement had left Merry's voice as he spoke. "All right, I am taking it off."
He removed his shirt and Dr. Bunce began to inspect the poison ivy rash. She began to breathe a sigh of relief noting that the rash on Merry's right shoulder was merely what he said it to be. The sigh suddenly became trapped in her throat as his left shoulder caught her attention. Upon further inspection of the rash, a cold wave of fear overcame her.
"You must all come with me immediately," she said briskly.
Frodo walked toward Dr. Bunce and faced her. "Where must we go and why must we go there?"
"We must go to Bywater, because Meriadoc has Ramora Fever."
Pippin's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "What in Eru's name is Ramora Fever?"
"I will explain further once we are on the road, Master Peregrin, but it is a very serious disease and I fear that time is against us."
"How serious?" Frodo questioned.
Dr. Bunce felt the weight of Frodo's strikingly blue eyes piercing her, seeking the truth. "It is serious enough that if we do not get him help soon, he will not survive," Dr. Bunce said solemnly.
Her words struck Frodo's heart like a jagged dagger tearing away at his hope and composure, while Sam visibly tensed in shock. Merry leaned deathly still against Pippin as the full meaning of her words hit him.
"You mean he could die?" Pippin asked as tears started flooding down is now pale cheek.
"I did not wish to frighten you so, but there is hope as long as we get to Bywater."
"Then let us hurry," said Frodo, struggling to sound strong and confident to the others, all the while wanting to break down. A new strength began to rise in him as he got in the cart and looked at Merry. The promise that he had made all those years ago started resounding in his head louder and louder, until his will was set. Merry would survive as long as Frodo was there to see him through.
~*TBC*~
Next Chapter: The stakes rise as Merry's condition deteriorates and Frodo seeks the truth from Dr. Bunce. "I am worried that .or what will happen, if there is another."