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Smoke and Mirrors Chapter 19
Sam was pacing. He had been placed, unceremoniously, in the room with And now those healers wanted Sam to just let Mr. Frodo be cared for by others, who didn't know him and his ways like Sam did. It was too much to stand for, it was. Sam knew only that *he* would know what Frodo needed or wanted, usually before even Frodo did.
So he paced, waiting until they finally allowed him access to his
friend. He watched Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin while he fumed. They
were carrying on a lively conversation comparing Elven cuisine with "I don't understand. He should'a been grateful for all Mr. Strider did for 'em." Sam had said.
"Sam, maybe Frodo's in so much pain and been through so much,
that...well, maybe he didn't *want* to live," Merry had said
hesitantly. Pippin's eyes had teared up just trying to imagine what "Not Mr. Frodo. He'd never give up after all we've been through together, an all. He wouldn't wanna die, would he?" Tears flowed down Sam's anguished face as he thought of his poor Master being in so much pain and carrying such a burden on his mind that he would sink into such depths of despair.
"Sometimes, Sam, when people feel such a deep, empty ache like what
Frodo must be feeling, they give up hope," whispered Merry. "Our job
is to make sure he doesn't give up and knows how very much we love
Sam looked up a Merry, then Pip. Both had determined looks on their
faces. He set his jaw, "You're right, Mr. Merry. Mr. Frodo's not
alone long as he's got us. He needs to know we're in this all "Ahh...Master Samwise, You have a most determined set to your body. I wonder where you could be going," said Aragorn with a smile. "You know very well where I'm off to...to see Mr. Frodo," he said.
"Sam, sit down first with Merry and Pippin, and let me tell you a few
things," said Aragorn as he guided the gardener back to the bed.
"Frodo is much improved today." Smiles of hope were exchanged between "My poor Master. Is there nothin' you can do?" asked Sam
"Sam, we are doing all we can to help your master, you must believe
that," said Aragorn. "With his friends' help, I believe he will make a
full recovery. When Frodo first became aware that he had been brought
back from whatever awaits us in the next realm, he was very bitter."
The hobbits looked saddened, Aragorn noted, but still an air of hope
seemed to linger. He smiled at them. "Other people I have known have
felt this same way. It must be a wondrous place for so many to
struggle against being returned to this world," Aragorn murmured
looking thoughtful. "Each day he will draw further and further from
his memories of that blessed place. As he does so, he will be more
and more receptive to the beauty of this world, but it will take time.
First, we need to get him well." He looked into Merry and Pippin's
"Strider, how can I visit Frodo if I'm attached to this monstrosity?”
asked Pippin. He looked worriedly at Merry, fearing he would miss out
on the adventure and have to remain behind. Merry gave him a "Well, since Pippin can not be moved for a good long while, I thought that if Frodo was feeling up to it, we might bring him here," said Aragorn. "Oh, that would be wonderful," cried Pippin. "We could tell him all about the things we've seen and done, Merry. The Ents, Isengard and the great battle and ...." he said in a rush.
"Whoa..Pippin, first, you need to realize Frodo is only awake for
small periods of time and that he is very weak and that he can not speak because his throat is badly abraded. You will have to be calm and "Strider we will do whatever you tell us to make him well again," said Merry. Pippin nodded, although he was disappointed at having to hold off on his tale.
"I need to go see how Frodo fares this morning. If he seems to be
improving and if the bleeding has slowed, I will bring him down for a
*brief* visit. Sam, you may come with me and stay by Frodo's side if
"I was headin' that way when you came in, if you take my meanin', King
Strider. I weren't gonna letcha stop me from seein' me Master, no
how," he said firmly. Strider raised an eyebrow, and Sam squirmed
Aragorn placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, "Samwise, I think you may be
the best medicine yet to cure your Master of what ails him. Let us go
and see if a visit is in order, shall we?" Aragorn rose and said his "Tell him we're thinking of him, all right Sam?" "That I will Mr. Merry, that I will," Sam said. Pippin was beginning to look very tired and as Aragorn and Sam left the room, Valin entered, bearing medicine for the battered hobbit. "You'll stay with me, won't you, Merry?" murmured Pippin as his eyes slipped slowly closed. "Yes my dear, always," said Merry as he caressed Pippin's locks. Nevertheless, he looked longingly after Aragorn and Sam, he very much wanted to see his older cousin but did not want to leave Pippin alone. He sighed and curled up next to Pip, gradually relaxing, his arm lying across his small cousin.
Sam moved as swiftly as his short legs would carry him, down the
corridor. Aragorn caught him in two strides. "Slow down, Sam. You
are still recovering yourself. Your feet are badly lacerated still
"I'm sorry, Mr. Strider, sir. I wouldn't let the healers touch them,
in case you came for me whilst they were workin' on 'em. They weren't
real pleased with me neither, with me not takin' their medicines and
Aragorn's expression turned to one of concern. "Sam, you can not
continue to neglect your health. It would not bode well for Frodo if
you became ill yourself." The King said this carefully, his eyes "I *am* a ninny hammer! I guess I just weren't thinkin', me bein' so worried about him and all," Sam exclaimed. Aragorn smiled slightly as they walked into Frodo's room.
Frodo was curled up on his left side, his right hand held against his
chest. Although his eyes were closed, his breaths were coming in
rapid pants and his face wore the distinct expression of someone in "Saleth, is there a problem?" he queried. "No, my Lord. The bleeding has lessened but not completely stopped. I was about to insert another bolus."
"Now I understand the look of apprehension on Frodo's face," Aragorn
said with a grimace. He whispered to Sam. "Sam, Frodo does not yet
know that you are here, perhaps if you would hold his hand and comfort
"Oh, I see what yer sayin'. Don't you worry none, I'll see to me
Master”, said Sam. Aragorn set him down and he slowly walked over to
Frodo's bedside and took the clenched fist in his own small hand. "Sam, oh...Sam, I have missed you so," he whispered, his voice cracking. Tears now ran down his face and onto his pillow. "Frodo, absolutely no talking”, admonished Aragorn with a look at Saleth. "He yearns to express himself, my Lord”, Saleth smiled. "It would be hard indeed to see your loved ones and not be able to speak with them," he continued. "Yes, I understand. But we must curtail all use of his throat until the bleeding is fully stopped, or risk another tear”, said Aragorn sadly.
Frodo continued to smile at Sam and Sam was more than happy to return
the favor. He spoke to Frodo softly and caressed his arm. Saleth
moved to the bed and pulled back the counterpane revealing only
"There, there, Mr. Frodo. These healers are tryin' ta make you
better. They don't mean no harm. I know about them boluses. Me mum
used to give them to me when I was a wee lad. It's a might
humiliatin' and uncomfortable but it sure does the trick, if you see
my point, Master Frodo. It'll make you right as rain, it will. So
you just relax and I'll not leave your side, maybe a little song would Saleth slowly inserted the bolus into Frodo's tiny bottom. Frodo's eyes opened wide and a small gasp escaped his lips. He whimpered and then his eyes slid shut. "See now, Master, it's all done and no one's the worse for it," said Sam soothingly. Aragorn took Saleth aside to speak out of earshot of the hobbits. "How fares he, truly, Saleth?" asked the King. "He improves each day. The bleeding and swelling in his throat has receded." He hesitated, a troubled look on his face. "What troubles you so then, Master Healer?" asked Aragorn.
"We have been feeding him the cream with honey, comfrey, Echinacea,
myrrh and poppy extract about every hour," he hesitated. Aragorn
nodded for him to continue. "I noticed at each dose he becomes more "Is he in much pain?" asked Aragorn, alarmed at this news. "Yes, I am sorry to say he still is. Otherwise, I would have reduced the dose to wean him from it." "Perhaps the pain is a phantom one, as it becomes closer to the time of his next dosing the addictive nature of the drug could possibly have created the illusion of pain," prompted Aragorn. "Perhaps. Yet when he becomes stressed or excited he begins to fever and retch, so I have not tested this theory as yet," replied Saleth. "When is his next dosing?" asked Aragorn.
"I was about to give it to him now, my King. But first I wished to
speak with you and give him a thick soup with pureed vegetables in a
heavy meat base." Aragorn nodded. Saleth approached the bed and "I can do that, Mr. Saleth. I'd like to take care of me Master, no offense intended to you," Sam said softly. "None taken, Master Samwise. Why don't you support Frodo and I will feed him. Would that be acceptable?" Sam grinned and said "Aye, sir. I'd be delighted." Saleth lifted Sam to the head of the bed and settled Frodo so that his head rested against Sam's left shoulder. "Thank....you....Sam," came a whispered voice. A small smile formed on Frodo's pale face. "I will not mention this again, Master Baggins, you will not speak. Each time you do so, it risks further bleeding. Do we understand each other?" Saleth said sternly. Frodo nodded, but had a twinkle in his eye that neither Saleth nor Aragorn had seen for a long time.
The cream mixture was brought and placed on the bedside table.
Frodo's eyes followed the orderly as he brought the poppy mixture in and placed it within reach of the healer. Aragorn noted Frodo's eyes
Saleth retrieved the broth mixture. At first, Frodo refused, not
really wanting the broth but the other mixture in its stead. Aragorn
went to the side table, took the milk mixture, and made to exit the
"It's all right, Frodo. I will return with your medicine as soon as
you have finished your broth," Aragorn said slowly. Frodo turned back
to Saleth and opened his mouth, allowing Saleth to slowly begin "I would like this mixture re-made with half of the poppy extract it normally has," he said.
"Very well, my Lord," said the healer. The mixture was made ready
and Aragorn took it back to Frodo's room. Frodo's eyes had not left
the doorway, and when Aragorn returned, he issued an audible sigh of
"All right, let's get you your medicine and let you rest a bit," said
Saleth. He reached over, taking the cup from Aragorn's hand. They
exchanged a brief glance, and Aragorn nodded. Frodo now looked "Easy, Mr. Frodo, Saleth will take care of you, but you have ta take your medicine," Sam cajoled, completely misinterpreting the tenseness he now felt in his master's thin frame.
Saleth brought the cup to Frodo's lips and he gulped greedily.
"Master Baggins," he said pulling the cup away, eliciting a panicked
look on the Ringbearer's thin face. Aragorn winced as he watched. "Sam, why don't you rest with him," Aragorn murmured in a somewhat sad voice.
"Thank you, Strider. I'll just curl up here against him so he knows
I'm here for 'em," said Sam happily. Frodo's eyes had closed, his
body totally relaxed. Sam climbed under the covers, curling up around
Aragorn turned to Saleth and said quietly, "I believe we have a
problem with our small patient, but we will not know for sure until
the half hour has passed”, he said grimly. Aragorn and Saleth gazed If what was happening to Frodo was what Aragorn suspected, the next few days would be very difficult. He's been through so much, he thought, more than any other. I pray he will be spared further torture, he thought.
TBC
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