A Hundred Random Drabbles

by LadyLindariel

COMPLETE (NOW COMPLETELY REVISED)This is my attempt to tackle the 100 Drabble Challenge given by NirCele. I will place warnings only if needed and they will contain most of the LotR characters and characters from the Silmarillion. Enjoy Rated K-T. If any of you are interested please PM me as NirCele has passed the torch to me while she is on hiatus.

58. Cold

#54 Cold

Strider shuddered violently as he tried to pull his cloak around his shoulders even more. His whole body ached as if two cave trolls took turns beating him back and forth with their clubs. His nose was stuffed and try as he may he could not blow it enough to allow him to breathe properly. He felt the fever wracking his body with every passing moment and every step he took he felt himself falling further into darkness.

Making his way home from a six-week patrol to visit his father and adopted brothers he fell through some thin ice. Fortunately, the water underneath was not very deep and he had been able to pull himself out without much difficulty, but the damage had already been done. It started out as only a small cold but quickly spread to his lungs, and now the young ranger was nursing full blown pneumonia. He knew if he did not make it home soon, he would eventually succumb to the deadly illness.

Home was the only thing keeping him going. That and the fact he would be fussed over by his father and brothers. Around anyone else, the ranger would put on a front and act like a stubborn male but when he was sick and at home, the act would drop, and he found himself acting like a small child once again. Strider smiled at the thought of his father covering him up, caressing his dark tresses and his brothers taking turns staying with him making sure he had everything he needed. The only thing he did not look forward to was the horrid tasting medicine his father put together which tasted like orc pee.

Strider juddered at the thought of having to drink that. He was brought out of his thoughts as he passed over the Bruinen bridge and into his father's realm. As he made his way the last mile, the Ranger sighed in relief as he noticed in the distance the gates which would welcome him home. He knew his father was already waiting for him and he trudged on until he felt like he could go no more. When he forced himself to walk through the gates, he was greeted by the worried expression of his adopted father and brothers who hurriedly ran over to him before he finally collapsed into the arms of Elrond.

"Oh, my Estel, what have you done to yourself this time, my son?" Elrond whispered to his son, but Estel was already in the land of unconsciousness and heard or felt nothing from then on.