Disclaimer: In this story, I do not own the characters created by J.R.R
Tolkien.
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.
Bookworm2000-I am glad you liked the flashback. There is another flashback in this chapter, but there is nothing comical about this one. It is not light-hearted in the least. I am really excited to hear what you think about this chapter.
Harper's Pixie- Dr. Bolger is pretty conniving. He will get less likable as the story continues. If you love the drama, then this is the perfect chapter for you. It is incredibly intense and climactic.
EloraCooper4- It is an absolutely terrible problem that is not going to be easy to figure out. The flashback was one of those last minute additions that I think helped boost the drama and add some more character development. Pippin and Sam are in a terrible situation, that's why I am glad that I am writing the story and not living it. The contents of the antidote will be described later in the story, because at this time the characters know as much as about it as you do.
Birch tree- Thanks once again for following my little story and I hope that you continue to do so. Here is ch.19 Enjoy!
Ailsa Joy- I turned green with envy, when I read that you went to New Zealand. How was it? Anyway back to the story. Yes it is getting tenser with every chapter, but I think this chapter has more tension than any of my previous chapters. Thank you again for your compliments! Trust me they are very much appreciated.
Short A/N: My computer's been acting weird so if any of you sent me a review and did not receive an answer it is for that reason. Thank you to all send me reviews it truly keeps me energized to keep writing.
Ch. 19 The Gift
"One of them will die."
Frodo felt his body fall to the floor as the weight of Dr. Bolger's words struck him. His vision swam as images and voices of years past raced around him. He felt sensations and emotions that he thought he had let go of many years ago. He was being dragged back to that scene, the scene by the riverbank.
~*~Brandywine 23 years ago~*~
The air was cold and still as he made his way through the crowds of shocked and horror-stricken faces. The young lad felt a dread and fear that he had never known, an almost unearthly gut feeling that all was not well. The sound of his panting hit his ears and seemed to trickle through the crowd, almost breaking the stifling silence. Time seemed to almost stop as he kept walking through the throng.
The bewildered young hobbit began to look up at the faces in the crowd. He saw rivulets of tears falling down some of the hobbits' faces, while others just seemed to stare in to nothingness. Whispers would occasionally emerge once his presence was noticed. Searching for answers he looked up at the hobbits' faces, but none could he find. Whatever eye contact he would make was quickly broken by the other hobbits.
The density of the crowd seemed to lessen as he made his way closer to the riverbank. He felt the sound of his beating heart throbbing in his head. With every step he made, the cold and dampness of the ground sent shivers up his spine. He felt chilly and numb as the icy wind swirled around his body, which was in naught but nightclothes.
Once the crowd seemed to open, he saw his Aunt Esmeralda weeping bitterly as the icy winds bit at her face.
"Aunt Esme?" came his small voice.
Esmeralda looked as though her heart had stopped. She turned towards him and a brokenhearted pity came across her face.
"Frodo you...you should back to bed. You should... not be here." She said trying to keep her voice from breaking.
"What's wrong? What is happening?"
Esmeralda closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Frodo there has been an accident."
~*~Back to Present~*~
The vision cleared from Frodo's sight and he was left alone and in bitter shock on the cold stone floor. Time seemed like a never-ending sea; deep and boundless it never stopped ticking away. He lay like a lifeless heap on ground, as the bitterness of his reality seemed to mock him. The conversation inside continued on, but it seem like nothing could change Frodo's shaken state. Tears started forming in his eyes as he continued lying on the floor. For a while it seemed as though all of his strength was drained, but then Dr. Bunce and Dr. Bolger spoke of something that caught his attention.
"Do you have it here?"
"Yes, it is in the cellar."
"Is it safe there?"
"It is in a safely hidden in a box under my wine cabinet."
~*~*~*~*~
Sam woke abruptly out of his unintended sleep. He chastised himself for sleeping, when he should be watching over his master. He tried to rub the sleep from his eyes as he turned his face towards the bed. A cry escaped his lips when he saw that the bed where Frodo should be was empty.
Pippin was immediately startled out of his sleep at the sound of Sam's cry. Disoriented and tired the tweenager spoke almost unintelligibly, "What's wrong?"
"He's gone! Mr. Frodo's gone!" Sam said in panic.
All color drained from Pippin's face, "You mean he's—he's..."
Sam spoke as calmly as he could considering the circumstances, "No, no thank the stars he's not gone in that sense. He's not in his bed."
Pippin breathed in a short-lived sigh of relief and then spoke with the utmost severity, "Where could he have gone?"
Sam got up from the chair and made his way to the door. "I don't rightly know, but we 'ave to find him. Follow me!"
~*~*~*~*~
Frodo blindly groped the wall as he tried to make his way down the cellar staircase. His legs quivered under him as he tried desperately to stay conscious. Even though the disease tried desperately to stop his actions, the motivation of his heart kept him moving onward.
A sudden burst of pain coursed through his body, causing him to loosen his grip on the wall. Frodo felt even more pain as his body fell forward and met the cruel cellar floor. Tears of agony and frustration slid down his face. He was so tired, maybe just a second of rest before—.
"No," Frodo said weakly. "Not yet."
With those few words, he forced his body to rise from the floor. He looked around the dimly lit cellar and saw the wine cabinet. When he reached the cabinet, he reached under and pulled out a small but intricately carved wooden box. The box itself was quite a treasure, but the true treasure was inside; a small glass vial sealed with wax.
~*~*~*~*~
"We must get the antidote now!" Dr. Bunce shouted as she walked briskly to the door.
The elderly Dr. Bolger did his best to block her way, "No, not yet. You must understand we cannot get it yet."
"What do you mean by 'not yet'? We cannot let them both die and we most certainly cannot keep lying to them!"
Dr. Bolger spoke again, "We cannot make them choose who will live and who will die. That is a weight that one of them would have to carry for the rest of his life. Master Brandybuck will not survive much longer without the antidote. This way neither will have to make a hard situation."
"You treacherous snake! You truly mean to let him die first, then give the antidote to Master Baggins. That in it's self is despicable. Not to mention that your plan was most likely not thought up because your deep- rooted concern, but because of your cowardice. Now move aside, this can not go on!"
~*~*~*~*~
Frodo in his state could not rightly figure out what force drove him back to the room nor could he how he remember how he got there so quickly. Everything suddenly became clear as his hand touched the doorknob. His pulse quickened, but the shaking of his fevered body seemed to still. He opened the door and walked in to the room. He closed the door silently and then made his way to Merry's bedside. Once he was sat down by Merry, he gingerly placed the vial of antidote on the bedstand. Frodo could feel warm stream of tears down his cheeks as he looked at his ailing cousin.
"Merry?" He said softly.
Merry's head moved slightly as if to give Frodo some small signal that was he was listening.
"Cousin you are very sick right now, and you know this is something that I cannot bear to see. I love and care for you far too much to see you in pain. You had always been there for me, when times were dark and cold. You were always there to pick me back up when I stumbled. Now that you are stumbling, I cannot and will not let you fall. You know that you, Pippin, and Sam are the dearest friends I have and that I would do anything and everything to you all safe. Now it comes down to it. The moment which I never thought even in my darkest nightmares would happen."
Frodo took the vial off of the nightstand and broke the wax seal at the top.
~*~*~*~*~
Dr. Bunce walked briskly down the hallway with a pleading Dr. Bolger at her heels. Her steps became faster and faster as she walked towards the room, but something stopped her dead in her tracks. It was the door; the door to the cellar was open. Before her mind could comprehend the implication of this, Pippin and Sam came barging down the hallway.
"What is wrong?" Said Dr. Bunce almost dreading the answer.
"Mr. Frodo's gone." Sam said in sheer panic. "We looked everywhere and we can't find 'em."
"When did he go missing?" Dr. Bunce asked.
"About ten minutes ago." Pippin said rapidly.
Dr. Bunce tried hard to think back to what had happened ten minutes ago. She remembered that she and Dr. Bolger were arguing and that he had blurted out the truth. Before she went any further things seemed to click in her mind. Frodo's disappearance and the door that was mysteriously opened were no coincidence. She walked down into the cellar and saw the empty box under the wine cabinet.
"We must find him soon. I fear that has found the antidote and I think I know where he is going with it."
~*~*~*~*~
Frodo lifted Merry into a sitting position and spoke, "Merry you have to wake up just for a little bit then you can go back to sleep."
Merry opened his bleary eyes and looked up at Frodo. Frodo grabbed hold of the vial once again, but his actions were interrupted by the sound of the door banging open. He looked up and saw Sam, Pippin, Dr. Bunce, and Dr. Bolger looking at him. Sam and Pippin's faces had a look of relief, while Dr. Bunce and Dr. Bolger's faces had a look of shock and fear.
Sam's muscles tensed as he readied himself to run to his master.
"Stop!" Came Frodo's voice. It was strong and authoritative and caused everyone to stop dead in his or her tracks.
"If any comes one step closer, I will drop the antidote." Frodo continued as held the vial over the stone floor.
"Mr. Frodo, you're very sick and confused. I am going ta' come over there and we'll give the antidote back to the healers, so Dr. Bolger can make enough for you and Mr. Merry."
"Sam don't you dare move any closer! This is the only dosage and there is no way to make another!"
Pippin, seeing that Frodo was getting increasingly agitated said, "Cousin, calm down, that is not true. Dr. Bolger said—"
"He lied! If you do not believe me ask him yourself!" Frodo yelled.
"Mr. Baggins, try to be reasonable, it is the fever talking." Dr. Bolger reassured.
Anger started to boil up inside of Dr. Bunce. "I will not allow you to lie to them anymore! You know he is right, Dr. Bolger, and that you are just to afraid to admit it!"
Sam let out a cry, "No that can't be true! Mr. Frodo, don't do this!
There has to be another way!"
Sweat began to collect on Frodo's brow and resolution began to waver. He looked at Sam and Pippin, and then he looked back at Merry. All power and command seemed to leave him as a bittersweet smile formed on his lips.
Frodo's voice was both calm and pained as he spoke despairingly, "I have to."
In one quick movement Frodo put the vial to Merry's lips. Pippin and Sam stood unmoving and in shock as they watched the contents of the vial slowly disappear down Merry's throat. As Frodo poured the last remnants of the antidote in Merry's mouth, he watched as Merry swallowed them. Frodo began to speak once more in bittersweet grief.
"This is my gift to you." And with those despairing words the vial fell listlessly from Frodo's hand, shattering on the ground as a broken heart, but not as a broken promise.
~*TBC*~
Next Chapter: The repercussions of Frodo's ultimate sacrifice comes back to haunt those who witnessed it and even one who did not.
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.
Bookworm2000-I am glad you liked the flashback. There is another flashback in this chapter, but there is nothing comical about this one. It is not light-hearted in the least. I am really excited to hear what you think about this chapter.
Harper's Pixie- Dr. Bolger is pretty conniving. He will get less likable as the story continues. If you love the drama, then this is the perfect chapter for you. It is incredibly intense and climactic.
EloraCooper4- It is an absolutely terrible problem that is not going to be easy to figure out. The flashback was one of those last minute additions that I think helped boost the drama and add some more character development. Pippin and Sam are in a terrible situation, that's why I am glad that I am writing the story and not living it. The contents of the antidote will be described later in the story, because at this time the characters know as much as about it as you do.
Birch tree- Thanks once again for following my little story and I hope that you continue to do so. Here is ch.19 Enjoy!
Ailsa Joy- I turned green with envy, when I read that you went to New Zealand. How was it? Anyway back to the story. Yes it is getting tenser with every chapter, but I think this chapter has more tension than any of my previous chapters. Thank you again for your compliments! Trust me they are very much appreciated.
Short A/N: My computer's been acting weird so if any of you sent me a review and did not receive an answer it is for that reason. Thank you to all send me reviews it truly keeps me energized to keep writing.
Ch. 19 The Gift
"One of them will die."
Frodo felt his body fall to the floor as the weight of Dr. Bolger's words struck him. His vision swam as images and voices of years past raced around him. He felt sensations and emotions that he thought he had let go of many years ago. He was being dragged back to that scene, the scene by the riverbank.
~*~Brandywine 23 years ago~*~
The air was cold and still as he made his way through the crowds of shocked and horror-stricken faces. The young lad felt a dread and fear that he had never known, an almost unearthly gut feeling that all was not well. The sound of his panting hit his ears and seemed to trickle through the crowd, almost breaking the stifling silence. Time seemed to almost stop as he kept walking through the throng.
The bewildered young hobbit began to look up at the faces in the crowd. He saw rivulets of tears falling down some of the hobbits' faces, while others just seemed to stare in to nothingness. Whispers would occasionally emerge once his presence was noticed. Searching for answers he looked up at the hobbits' faces, but none could he find. Whatever eye contact he would make was quickly broken by the other hobbits.
The density of the crowd seemed to lessen as he made his way closer to the riverbank. He felt the sound of his beating heart throbbing in his head. With every step he made, the cold and dampness of the ground sent shivers up his spine. He felt chilly and numb as the icy wind swirled around his body, which was in naught but nightclothes.
Once the crowd seemed to open, he saw his Aunt Esmeralda weeping bitterly as the icy winds bit at her face.
"Aunt Esme?" came his small voice.
Esmeralda looked as though her heart had stopped. She turned towards him and a brokenhearted pity came across her face.
"Frodo you...you should back to bed. You should... not be here." She said trying to keep her voice from breaking.
"What's wrong? What is happening?"
Esmeralda closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "Frodo there has been an accident."
~*~Back to Present~*~
The vision cleared from Frodo's sight and he was left alone and in bitter shock on the cold stone floor. Time seemed like a never-ending sea; deep and boundless it never stopped ticking away. He lay like a lifeless heap on ground, as the bitterness of his reality seemed to mock him. The conversation inside continued on, but it seem like nothing could change Frodo's shaken state. Tears started forming in his eyes as he continued lying on the floor. For a while it seemed as though all of his strength was drained, but then Dr. Bunce and Dr. Bolger spoke of something that caught his attention.
"Do you have it here?"
"Yes, it is in the cellar."
"Is it safe there?"
"It is in a safely hidden in a box under my wine cabinet."
~*~*~*~*~
Sam woke abruptly out of his unintended sleep. He chastised himself for sleeping, when he should be watching over his master. He tried to rub the sleep from his eyes as he turned his face towards the bed. A cry escaped his lips when he saw that the bed where Frodo should be was empty.
Pippin was immediately startled out of his sleep at the sound of Sam's cry. Disoriented and tired the tweenager spoke almost unintelligibly, "What's wrong?"
"He's gone! Mr. Frodo's gone!" Sam said in panic.
All color drained from Pippin's face, "You mean he's—he's..."
Sam spoke as calmly as he could considering the circumstances, "No, no thank the stars he's not gone in that sense. He's not in his bed."
Pippin breathed in a short-lived sigh of relief and then spoke with the utmost severity, "Where could he have gone?"
Sam got up from the chair and made his way to the door. "I don't rightly know, but we 'ave to find him. Follow me!"
~*~*~*~*~
Frodo blindly groped the wall as he tried to make his way down the cellar staircase. His legs quivered under him as he tried desperately to stay conscious. Even though the disease tried desperately to stop his actions, the motivation of his heart kept him moving onward.
A sudden burst of pain coursed through his body, causing him to loosen his grip on the wall. Frodo felt even more pain as his body fell forward and met the cruel cellar floor. Tears of agony and frustration slid down his face. He was so tired, maybe just a second of rest before—.
"No," Frodo said weakly. "Not yet."
With those few words, he forced his body to rise from the floor. He looked around the dimly lit cellar and saw the wine cabinet. When he reached the cabinet, he reached under and pulled out a small but intricately carved wooden box. The box itself was quite a treasure, but the true treasure was inside; a small glass vial sealed with wax.
~*~*~*~*~
"We must get the antidote now!" Dr. Bunce shouted as she walked briskly to the door.
The elderly Dr. Bolger did his best to block her way, "No, not yet. You must understand we cannot get it yet."
"What do you mean by 'not yet'? We cannot let them both die and we most certainly cannot keep lying to them!"
Dr. Bolger spoke again, "We cannot make them choose who will live and who will die. That is a weight that one of them would have to carry for the rest of his life. Master Brandybuck will not survive much longer without the antidote. This way neither will have to make a hard situation."
"You treacherous snake! You truly mean to let him die first, then give the antidote to Master Baggins. That in it's self is despicable. Not to mention that your plan was most likely not thought up because your deep- rooted concern, but because of your cowardice. Now move aside, this can not go on!"
~*~*~*~*~
Frodo in his state could not rightly figure out what force drove him back to the room nor could he how he remember how he got there so quickly. Everything suddenly became clear as his hand touched the doorknob. His pulse quickened, but the shaking of his fevered body seemed to still. He opened the door and walked in to the room. He closed the door silently and then made his way to Merry's bedside. Once he was sat down by Merry, he gingerly placed the vial of antidote on the bedstand. Frodo could feel warm stream of tears down his cheeks as he looked at his ailing cousin.
"Merry?" He said softly.
Merry's head moved slightly as if to give Frodo some small signal that was he was listening.
"Cousin you are very sick right now, and you know this is something that I cannot bear to see. I love and care for you far too much to see you in pain. You had always been there for me, when times were dark and cold. You were always there to pick me back up when I stumbled. Now that you are stumbling, I cannot and will not let you fall. You know that you, Pippin, and Sam are the dearest friends I have and that I would do anything and everything to you all safe. Now it comes down to it. The moment which I never thought even in my darkest nightmares would happen."
Frodo took the vial off of the nightstand and broke the wax seal at the top.
~*~*~*~*~
Dr. Bunce walked briskly down the hallway with a pleading Dr. Bolger at her heels. Her steps became faster and faster as she walked towards the room, but something stopped her dead in her tracks. It was the door; the door to the cellar was open. Before her mind could comprehend the implication of this, Pippin and Sam came barging down the hallway.
"What is wrong?" Said Dr. Bunce almost dreading the answer.
"Mr. Frodo's gone." Sam said in sheer panic. "We looked everywhere and we can't find 'em."
"When did he go missing?" Dr. Bunce asked.
"About ten minutes ago." Pippin said rapidly.
Dr. Bunce tried hard to think back to what had happened ten minutes ago. She remembered that she and Dr. Bolger were arguing and that he had blurted out the truth. Before she went any further things seemed to click in her mind. Frodo's disappearance and the door that was mysteriously opened were no coincidence. She walked down into the cellar and saw the empty box under the wine cabinet.
"We must find him soon. I fear that has found the antidote and I think I know where he is going with it."
~*~*~*~*~
Frodo lifted Merry into a sitting position and spoke, "Merry you have to wake up just for a little bit then you can go back to sleep."
Merry opened his bleary eyes and looked up at Frodo. Frodo grabbed hold of the vial once again, but his actions were interrupted by the sound of the door banging open. He looked up and saw Sam, Pippin, Dr. Bunce, and Dr. Bolger looking at him. Sam and Pippin's faces had a look of relief, while Dr. Bunce and Dr. Bolger's faces had a look of shock and fear.
Sam's muscles tensed as he readied himself to run to his master.
"Stop!" Came Frodo's voice. It was strong and authoritative and caused everyone to stop dead in his or her tracks.
"If any comes one step closer, I will drop the antidote." Frodo continued as held the vial over the stone floor.
"Mr. Frodo, you're very sick and confused. I am going ta' come over there and we'll give the antidote back to the healers, so Dr. Bolger can make enough for you and Mr. Merry."
"Sam don't you dare move any closer! This is the only dosage and there is no way to make another!"
Pippin, seeing that Frodo was getting increasingly agitated said, "Cousin, calm down, that is not true. Dr. Bolger said—"
"He lied! If you do not believe me ask him yourself!" Frodo yelled.
"Mr. Baggins, try to be reasonable, it is the fever talking." Dr. Bolger reassured.
Anger started to boil up inside of Dr. Bunce. "I will not allow you to lie to them anymore! You know he is right, Dr. Bolger, and that you are just to afraid to admit it!"
Sam let out a cry, "No that can't be true! Mr. Frodo, don't do this!
There has to be another way!"
Sweat began to collect on Frodo's brow and resolution began to waver. He looked at Sam and Pippin, and then he looked back at Merry. All power and command seemed to leave him as a bittersweet smile formed on his lips.
Frodo's voice was both calm and pained as he spoke despairingly, "I have to."
In one quick movement Frodo put the vial to Merry's lips. Pippin and Sam stood unmoving and in shock as they watched the contents of the vial slowly disappear down Merry's throat. As Frodo poured the last remnants of the antidote in Merry's mouth, he watched as Merry swallowed them. Frodo began to speak once more in bittersweet grief.
"This is my gift to you." And with those despairing words the vial fell listlessly from Frodo's hand, shattering on the ground as a broken heart, but not as a broken promise.
~*TBC*~
Next Chapter: The repercussions of Frodo's ultimate sacrifice comes back to haunt those who witnessed it and even one who did not.