Just another repost. I had to clean up the grammar a little so people might want to read *and* understand it.

Smoke and Mirrors Chapter 5

As Aragorn and Gandalf walked down the hall, they stopped to check on
Merry, Pippin and Sam's progress. What greeted their eyes caused them to step back in shock. All three hobbits were dressing while a healer stood by trying desperately to get them back into their beds. Pippin was a gray shade of white and was struggling with a shirt. Sam seemed most unsteady, but
they were obviously, not to be deterred.

"What is going on? You all need your rest and are in no shape to be
out of bed", spoke Aragorn sternly.
Sam turned, staggering, but he quickly recovered. He looked up at
Aragorn and Gandalf, his hazel eyes blazing with anger.

"You...you...you were goin' ta leave us outta this. Don't deny it!
He's my best friend and me master, and without a word or by
your leave, you leave us in the dark!," stammered Sam with tears of
frustration in his eyes.

"Sam, calm yourself. Sit down before you fall down, "Aragorn spoke
softly.

"No sir! I'll not be sittin' or sleepin' not till Mr. Frodo is back
safe!" Sam declared, setting his jaw.

"Sam, I am the King and you, Merry and Pippin will now SIT unless you
wish me to call a guard," Aragorn said with mock
irritation.
Sam sank to the floor. Aragorn could not tell if he *meant* to do
that, or if his legs had simply given out on him. Merry gently
helped Pippin over to Sam's side. The healer carefully lifted all
three to the bed and with a nod from Aragorn bowed and left the
room. All three looked down at their hands. Finally Aragorn spoke.

"Sam, you, Merry and Pip are still recovering from your wounds. I
did not speak of Frodo to you because you were unconscious, as were Merry and Pip, when all of this occurred. You haven't even eaten a decent meal. You're very weak...too weak to start another quest. Merry, you are still recovering from a near fatal conflict with the Witch King. Pippin, oh Pippin. I am still in awe that you live and breath , after being crushed by
that troll. How could I possibly consider further endangering
your well being by bringing you such grim news of Frodo?" Aragorn
asked softly.

Sam looked up into the eyes of the new King. "My question to you King
Strider, sir, is how could you not?" The anger was still
there, but along with it now was a pleading look in Sam's damp eyes.
"Mr. Gandalf told me 'Don't you leave him, Samwise
Gamgee' and I don't mean too ever leave his side. He is my Master and
my friend. To think that he's out there, all alone without
his Sam, sick and hurt and maybe dyin'", Sam's voice cracked on the
last word and tears fell freely as he sobbed openly.
"I open me eyes and Mr. Frodo's bed is empty. I turn and see Mr.
Merry and Mr. Pippin are wakin' and I asked them where
was Mr. Frodo? But they didn't know. They told me he was right sick
and I got pretty near crazy wonderin' if he'd died or
somethin'. So I gets outta bed and goes to the hallway and I hears a
huge commotion goin' on. A healer is speakin' with a hurt
healer that's sittin' on the floor and he says..." and here Sam gulps
convulsively,..." he says Mr. Frodo attacked him and the
Captain Faramir and that he's gone...escaped like. He says Mr.
Frodo's in a da-leer-e-um," Sam trys to say the word and then
continues. "....and that he's outta his mind in pain and if they
don't find him soon he's gonna die," Sam inhales with a shuddering
sob, fresh tears track down his once pudgy cheeks. His chest is
hitching and he can hardly speak, but continues on speaking
faster and faster. "He says he thinks he's still got that foul ring
and is trying to get to the mountain of Fire, like he's relivin' the
worst part all over again, " and here Sam's voice rises in dismay, "
but he aint got his Sam to help 'em this time."
Sam is slumped over now, exhausted from this emotional outburst, he
reaches up and wipes his nose on his sleeve.

He stops talking and suddenly seems very small in Aragorn's eyes.
Aragorn had watched Sam, Merry and Pippin throughout
Sam's speech. Merry and Pip had nodded with agreement and looked back
and forth between Aragorn and Gandalf to Sam
checking for weaknesses in the men, and consoling their poor friend.
Sam had needed to speak his mind and Aragorn knew
once this was done, it would be easier to reason with the hobbits.

As he looked at Sam, Aragorn was again struck with how devoted and
loyal he was to Frodo but not a devotion borne through
some antiquated Master-Servant relationship. No, these two were far
past Master and Servant and had a deep brotherly
affection that bound them together. Merry and Pippin were devoted to
their favorite cousin and had a deep love for him, yet
Sam and Frodo had been through Sauron's purgatory together which had
weld them together, until it seemed they were almost
of one soul and mind now. Aragorn felt great compassion for the three
hobbits and moved to sit beside them, pulling them to
him. He looked up at Gandalf and with a slight nod towards the
doorway, indicated he wished to speak with him in the hallway.

"I must consider my course of action, gentlemen. Let me speak with
Gandalf and I will return shortly. Please take your rest and
some food and then we shall speak again," Aragorn said softly. He
rose to leave.

"Beggin' your pardon, your Regalness sir, but me and the 'gentlemen'
have made *our* decision and won't be put off, if you
take my meanin' , your Kingship," murmured Sam.

Aragorn raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Are all hobbits so stubborn,
Master Gardner? My conference with Gandalf shall be
brief, fear not." He made to leave, gently placing his had on each
small curly head as he did so. He walked out into the hallway
and spied the healer that had been in the room with the hobbits.
"Please bring food for three famished hobbits--broth, bread,
fruit and perhaps some wine," said Aragorn.

"Would you like me to bring sleeping tonics as well, my Lord?" asked
the healer.

"Not as yet. I fear they would never forgive me if I did not at least
*consider* their request," Aragorn replied.

"As you wish, my Lord," said the healer and left to gather the meal.
A few moments later he re-entered the hobbits sick room
and spread what looked like a huge feast, in Sam's eyes, on the table
pulling it closer to the bed. Sam's eyes lit up. He hadn't
eaten naught but lembas and that had been so long ago, he thought.
His stomach growled. Pippin was delighted and rubbed his
small hands together. Merry grabbed at an apple before the meal was
even in place. The healer smiled and left the room.

"So much food," murmured Sam.

"Actually, I was just thinking it was a bit meager fare for a
hobbit," said Pip.

" Oh, Pippin! Some things will never change with you, I suppose,"
Merry said smiling.

They all agreed it was delicious in the end, however. Pippin had
three servings of soup with rolls and jam, and then there were
the oranges. These were his personal favorites. He couldn't get
enough of the sweet juice as it squirted and flowed down his
chin. Too bad they didn't have these in the Shire, he thought.
Merry kept up, but seemed to be relishing every bite and enjoying the
wine especially. Sam ate slowly. He was very hungry but his eyes continuously darted to the doorway and then back to his bowl of soup. He
found he could not eat as much as he used to and was almost ashamed
that he ate only half a bowl of soup and a roll. Most
unseemly for a hobbit, he thought, his stomach groaning at the
unexpected occurrence of food in abundance.

"All we need now are pipes," said Merry. Pippin nodded in agreement.

"Don't know as I could tolerate a pipe after goin' without for so
long. Might make me right woozy or even sick," said Sam.
They all sat back and groaned as the meal settled in. Sam continued
to watch the doorway.

"You don't think they'd leave without lettin' us know, do ya?" he
thought out loud.

"Sam, Aragorn's good to his word. What we've asked deserves careful
thought. I am sure he'll be back soon," said Merry.
His appetite sated, Pippin was drowsing, curled up against Merry.
Merry's hand rested on his curly head.

"I am so awful worried about Mr. Frodo. If they say no, I don't know
rightly what I'd do," Sam said. Then a look of fierce
determination filled his eyes. Merry could tell by the set of his
jaw, there would be no stopping the gardner. Before Sam even
opened his mouth, Merry knew what he would say.

"Mr. Merry, I'll go whether or no they say I can ."

"I know Sam, " said Merry calmly.

"If push comes to shove, and only one of us can go, what would you
do?" asked Sam, his eyes flicking cautiously to Merry.

Merry smiled slightly. "Sam, I love my cousin very, very much but
Pippin won't be able to go, it's clear. At least three of his ribs
are broken, and his right leg was crushed by that troll. I couldn't
bear to leave him behind knowing how hurt he would be."
He gently ran his fingers through his young cousin's hair as he
slept.
"I'm not stupid. If they take anyone it would be you, Sam.
You have my backing on this, as much as it hurts me to be left behind
to worry," said Merry gently.

A huge sigh escaped Sam's lips. He hadn't realized he was holding
his breath, until Merry had finished. Sam looked gratefully at
Merry. "I am surely thankful you feel the same way as I, Mr. Merry.
I know it's puttin' the cart ahead of the mule and all, but if
they decide we can help, I know Mr. Pippin couldn't be moved and I
knows Mr. Frodo best, if you don't mind me sayin' so, Sir."

Merry smiled. "No indeed, Sam. You have been with him, by his side, I
think you probably know Frodo better than he does
himself. You clearly would be the best to help find him. Plus, he may
listen to you and come to his senses, if he's not too far
gone," Merry's voice trailed off.

"Oh, don't talk such..." sobbed Sam.

"I am sorry Sam, but you must prepare yourself, just in case," said
Merry.

"I know, Mr. Merry and no offense to you sir, I hope you're dead
wrong on this,"whispered Sam.

"Me too, Sam. Me too," murmured Merry.

*****
Aragorn and Gandalf stood just outside the hobbits doorway, talking
quietly about the new problem they now faced.

"This night just gets better and better," groused Aragorn.

"Indeed, I am very thankful I am not the King of this great land but
simply an innocent bystander," Gandalf said with a viscous grin.

"Innocent! You are many remarkable things, my friend, but *innocent*
has never been one of them!" said Aragorn with a grin.
"Sam could be very useful in finding Frodo," he continued more
thoughtfully. "I feel he knows Frodo better than he knows
himself. Pippin should not be moved, his bones are still setting. Did
you see how he paled when Merry practically carried him to
the other bed?" he asked.

"Yes, it would be very hard on him should he be left behind alone,"
mused Gandalf.

"Merry would not allow that. If Pip were left behind, we both know
Merry could not bear him being distraught and would linger
with him. That leads us back to Sam," said Aragorn.

"I am in agreement, although I am loathe to bring Sam, as he is still
very weak," commented Gandalf.

"Let us adjourn and see what the hobbits think." Aragorn said as he
turned towards the doorway. They walked back into the
hobbits room and saw Pippin asleep against Merry, Sam looked up
hopefully at Aragorn and Gandalf. Merry looked up from
Pippin and locked eyes with the King. Merry had a calmness about
him, and his eyes were full of understanding. He smiled
slightly and gave the King a nod.
So, he knows already, thought Aragorn. He was grateful this would not
turn into a debate with the hobbits, as time was growing
short. He turned to Sam and locked eyes with the gardner.

"We have decided to take Sam with us. Sam sighed in audible relief.
Merry, you must remain here as Pippin should not be
moved under any circumstances." Merry nodded. "In fact, the bed he
now lies on, he will stay in. I do not want you helping him
to move as it could set his recovery back many weeks. The small trip
from his bed to this one may have already done so."
Merry looked at Strider in alarm.

"Strider, I did not realize..." he started. "Will he be alright?"

"I will re-examine him and we shall determine if there was any damage
done. Don't worry, Merry, I'm sure he will be fine. He
heals very fast." Aragorn moved to the bed and Merry gently extracted
himself from his sleeping cousin. Pippin whimpered from
the sudden loss of comforting warmth. Aragorn unwrapped the splint
from Pippin's leg and began feeling up and down the
bones. Pippin's eyes flew open and he gave a small gasp.

"It's all right Pippin, I just want to make sure you are still in one
piece." Merry crooned a litany of soft sounds in Pip's ear as he
combed the soft curls with his fingers. Satisfied that the leg was
healing well, and had suffered no damage from the move,
Aragorn resplinted it and wrapped it in clean bandages. Next he
lifted the nightshirt and unwrapped the small chest to inspect
Pippin's ribs. The skin was glorious shades of yellow and purple that
would have been attractive if on anything except a hobbit.
He gently probed the ribcage causing Pippin to inhale and sob.

"You are healing well, Master Took. I'm sorry if I'm causing you
discomfort. He had Merry hold Pippin up in a sitting position
and firmly rewrapped the setting ribcage. Tears silently flowed down
Pippin's face. They slowly lay him back down and covered
him. Aragorn called for the healer and murmured something in his ear.
The healer left and returned shortly with two glasses of
cordial. Merry quickly looked up at Aragorn.

" You don't mean one of those for me, do you Strider?" he set his jaw.

"One is a sleeping draught for Pippin , the other is a less potent
version of the first. Merry, you still need your rest." Aragorn said
softly. Merry was shaking his head emphatically. " If you drink this,
I promise I will be able to awaken you when Frodo is
found. Otherwise I think we both know that you will sit here and
worry yourself sick. I give you my word, Merry, I *will* wake
you." Merry observed the cordial skeptically.

"You give me your solemn oath as King?", he asked.

"I do, my friend," said Aragorn.

"Very well, I will drink it," he said. They again lifted Pippin into
a sitting position. His eyes had slitted while they spoke and now
they opned and he looked disorientedly around him. "Here Pip, drink
this, " said Merry.

"No Mer...Frodo," he whimpered.

"It's ok, my sweet. We will see Frodo again soon," Merry said
glancing at Aragorn. Aragorn winced at this last statement.

"Will you stay with me, Mer?" sighed Pippin.

"Of course, Pipsqueak. I will never leave you, you silly Took." Merry
smiled weakly. Pippin drank the cordial and then Merry
drank his. He lay down next to Pippin in the huge bed and Aragorn
covered them both with a blanket. He looked down at
Merry. "Remember your oath, Strider," he said as his eyes began to
close. "...Save Frodo..wake me..." and then he lost the
battle and fell asleep. Aragorn smiled and kissed Merry's curly
head, "stubborn breed, these hobbits, but quite endearing." he
whispered.

He turned to Sam. "Sam, we will be going now. There are just two
things I will ask of you that you must do or we will have to
sedate you and leave you behind," Aragorn said grimly.

"Anything, Strider sir," Sam said desperate to be gone and willing to
do anything to start the search.

"You will be carried on my hip like a child and I'll hear no
complaints about it. And you will rest against me as much as possible
while we walk," Strider said softly.

"Yes sir. Can we go now?" Sam was swinging his legs over the edge of
the bed. Aragorn smiled and lifted Sam up to his left hip
easily. He was surprised at how little the hobbit weighed. When he
had met them in Bree, Sam had been 'stout' even for a
hobbit. As he looked at him now he could see how thin he had become.
The little belly was gone, his face had none of the
chubbiness it had before. Aragorn grimaced as he felt Sam's bones in
his back and hips jutting out under his clothing, which
hung on him loosely. Again, he sighed at how much these small people
had endured. He looked at Gandalf. Gandalf too had
noticed the difference in Sam, and they shared a small worried glance.

Finally, they set out. They had been delayed much too long at the
Houses of Healing and now sought to make up for this in an
aggressive search for their friend.