Chapter Four
“We can’t do anything about it here…” Boromir watched Aragorn as he cradled Frodo in his arms, applying pressure to his head wound and cleaning it as best he could. It had stopped bleeding for the moment, but would need stitches. Frodo was still unconscious however…and that was a bad sign. “We need to get to over this hill, there’s a valley just beyond it and it would be a good place to tend him.”
“Boromir’s right…you’re going to have to carry him until we can find a place where we can safely tend him.” Gandalf nodded.
Sam was helping Aragorn, desperately trying to coax his master to open his eyes. “He‘s looking so pale…and feels cold to the touch…” Sam touched his hand to Frodo’s cheek tenderly.
“Why won’t he wake up?” Pippin whimpered, clinging to Boromir, who was doing his best to comfort Merry and Pippin.
“Its best if he -doesn’t- wake up, Master Peregrin.” Legolas put in as he returned with a full cantina of water. “Boromir’s right…there is a valley nearby, I went scouting.” He seemed a lot calmer than before and completely impassive as ever. “There’s a river…not very deep…but I think I saw a hut there…it might be just the place.”
Aragorn exchanged a look with Legolas, frowning a bit at the elf, but he nodded grimly, his fingers laced through Frodo’s thick curls…caked with blood and sweat. “Hold on, Frodo…” He whispered gently and lifted him carefully while he rose, “If someone could just put Frodo’s pack on Bill…we can get a move on and be there by dark…”
“I’ve got it.” Sam nodded, hefting the smaller pack up on the passive pony. Merry helped Sam strap it down and they pressed onward.
Aragorn for the first time…did not lead the way, Legolas did. Gandalf helped the ranger as he cautiously moved through the treacherous hilltop. The ranger banished away all thoughts of Frodo as he carefully held the hobbit, his heart in tangles the man prayed they would get there in time. He didn’t want Frodo waking up…not in this state…not now.
As always he marveled at how easy it was to hold him. Frodo was limp in his arms, but nestled quite securely against his shoulder. Once or twice the ranger stumbled a bit under the loose stones, but Gandalf was there to balance him. All in all…the fellowship was glad when they finally made it off the hill and descended into a less encumber some countryside.
Following along a river they eventually came to the spot described by the elf. An abandoned hut, certainly for the roof had been in disrepair for many a year. It was obviously…some kind of fisherman’s hole once…perhaps in the days when the land was not quite so barren and dangerous. There were two rooms in the hut, a bedroom and a common room, not nearly enough room for everyone, but there was a raised bench in the small bedroom where the mattress obviously used to be. Dust was everywhere…and the hobbits were soon put to work cleaning up.
Gandalf and Boromir worked to create a small comfortable bedding of loose straw and leaves…laying a blanket over it. Frodo was eased gently down and Aragorn looked to the wizard. By now it was nightfall, and the only lights were from the fireplace and a torch that Boromir had stuck into a candle holder in the wall. Frodo had stirred every now and again…but had yet to wake up. Now though…as he lay comfortably on the makeshift bed his eyes fluttered open and he tried to look around but couldn’t move his head…he whimpered and Aragorn was immediately at his side.
“Frodo…Frodo its alright…you’re safe.” He stroked Frodo’s hair gently as the hobbit gazed at him.
Gandalf looked over at Sam, “Sam…I’m going to need water…take that bucket and fill it. There are some cloths in my pack, We’ll need those too. I know there’s not much light…but I can’t wait too much longer to stitch the wound. It might break open again.”
Frodo went a shade paler…”Stitching..S-strider….?” he clutched weakly at the ranger’s hand, “What happened? I feel…my body aches…and…” he reached his other hand up to start scratching at his neck…where red patch had begun to form underneath the chain. “Uhhgh…”
“Don’t scratch Frodo…” Aragorn took both of his hands and held them.
The hobbit whimpered again…”But…it itches…” he squirmed…and one of his feet moved to rub at the top of his other foot.
“You fell into … Poison Ivy, Frodo…” Aragorn tried to explain…”And hit your head on a the rock…Gandalf is going to have to stitch the wound before we can do anything else. Do you understand?”
Frodo moaned, opening his dry lips in fear, his eyes wide. “I don’t l-like needles…Strider…strider… don’t leave me…”
“I’ll be right here, Frodo. I promise.” he reassured him softly.
“Aragorn, you’re going to have to hold him steady.” Gandalf was doing the best he could to sterilize a needle and thread.
“N-no…no please…not without something…” Frodo shrunk away.
The wizard looked at the elf as Legolas was in the doorway, he was about to shoo everyone from the room but Aragorn shortly. “No, what did you find?”
“There is nothing in the area that we can use save for aloe…and Valerian…Valerian may calm him quite a bit and even put him to sleep. We can apply the aloe to his skin to ease the itching. I did notice a few other herbs, but nothing that we can really use right now. I can mix it the root with some tea and I think that the fumes will help him if nothing else.”
“Do it.” Gandalf nodded, and Legolas went to work.
Frodo looked up at Aragorn anxiously. “I..I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to be so much trouble….”
“You’re not Frodo.” the ranger smiled gently, keeping a hold on the hobbit‘s hands. Frodo continued to squirm though, barely being able to control himself from itching now. Gandalf watched the two of them calmly, not making any comment at the moment. The wizard went towards the door of the bedroom and pulled the curtain made from an old moldy bedcovering they’d found, across the doorway into the room. There was a window so light from the stars was also available.
“Aragorn I can’t have him squirming around like that…you’re going to have to apply the aloe…now…we have to remove his clothing. I‘ve a blanket right here.” Gandalf indicated it and held over at the Ranger.
Frodo reddened…”Remove my…”
“Its not just going to be your neck Frodo…” Aragorn sighed a little, “Will you let me?…”
The Hobbit’s head swam again…from both pain and anguish. He’d never been so miserable in his life…Weathertop aside…to be undressed by Aragorn of all people…he shivered. “I…I…” he swallowed. “I don’t want anyone else to see…” he managed at last. “Gandalf…you…and Sam…I don’t mind.. But…please…”
“I understand Frodo. Legolas is gone now.” Indeed the elf had left Sam to bring the tea in.
“I’ve got that Valerian Tea…Mr. Frodo…Do you need my help Strider?” Sam asked, his voice soft.
“Sam.” Gandalf laid a hand on the hobbit’s shoulder. “I’m just going to be outside for a minute while Aragorn finishes his task. I think you should come with me.”
Sam glanced up at Gandalf, “What…oh…” he nodded in understanding, finally. “Mr. Frodo will feel more comfortable if he doesn’t have so many people around him…Here Strider. The tea…and a bowl of aloe….” Sam left the tea and bowl by the bed and walked out with Gandalf. The wizard shut the curtain and looked about at the rest of the fellowship.
“Why don’t we get some dinner ready?” The wizard asked.
Back in the bedroom, Frodo blinked a little at the doorway and whispered, “Why did Gandalf leave? He…he didn’t have to…”
“He’s a wise, little one. Here…Lets be careful.” Aragorn began by unbuttoning the hobbit’s shirt, as his fingers moved, Frodo stared up at him, his eyes big and round, squirming only every now and then. After the shirt was unbuttoned, Aragorn lifted him up just a little to remove the hobbit’s jacket, vest, suspenders…and then finally the shirt. “Elbereth…you wear too many layers of clothing, Frodo.” Aragorn chided attempting humor. Frodo … giggled. Aragorn’s brow furrowed and thought perhaps the fumes of the Valerian root were working a bit -too- well. At any rate he could see red patches forming on the normally beautiful skin, and sighed softly. He would do what he could to ensure that no scars remained and he would certainly not allow the hobbit to itch. He lost control of his clinical mind for a moment when he saw both Frodo’s nipples exposed at once…so perfect…round…like tiny ripe fruit.
The hobbit’s hands were free at the moment, and he moved one up to rub at a red spot near his right nipple, fingers brushing lightly. Aragorn caught the hand…and his own fingers rested now upon the area. He nearly forgot what he was doing…and why he was doing it. Frodo caught his breath. What came next…neither of them expected. The man’s fingers glided over the tiny round globe and the Ring-bearer let out his breath in a ragged moan. That particular sound…brought Aragorn back to reality and the ranger blinked several times.
He drew in his own breath and didn’t meet the hobbit’s confused stare….and so Frodo lay there while he worked off the hobbit’s breaches and under things until finally…he lay there wearing nothing but the chain around his neck. There were red patches developing all over the small creature’s body now and the Ranger sighed a little…this was not going to be easy.
Aragorn however, decided to provide Frodo with modesty…or was it himself. He drew the blanket over the hobbit and went to work with the aloe. He began with Frodo’s face, avoiding the wound that had already been cleaned. Frodo smiled, feeling just a little bit wicked, he wasn‘t sure exactly why…perhaps the fumes were muddling his brain…though even more certain his brain was already in pieces because of his situation. He‘d abandoned any hope of respect from the Ranger…knowing this latest incident only showed what a burden he was. “W…Will you put that everywhere, Aragorn?” he asked softly
Aragorn started, “Everywhere…” he nodded…finally allowing himself to meet the Hobbit’s gaze.