AND….THIS Chapter is for Rowan Willow.J yes there’s detail on the stitching and pain….but…no detailed sex.J
Chapter Six
Fear…Aragorn could sense it as the small hobbit clutched his hand. Yes the dressing was secure and the Valerian was working its way into Frodo’s system, but the needle was long and sharp and the stitches would have to be close together. Frodo whimpered in vain, closing his eyes. Aragorn held his head steady while Gandalf readied the needle. Sam was nearby with a bucket of warm water and a number of folded up small cloths. Outside…Legolas sang…giving Frodo something to pay attention to. The wound was just up on the right side of Frodo’s head, an easily concealed by his hair which had to be smoothed out of the way.
Gandalf smiled gently and went to work on the first stitch, sticking the needle into the delicate skin with great skill and precision. Frodo cried out, his hand clutching Aragorn’s. Tears filled Sam’s eyes at his master’s pain and Aragorn did his best to keep the hobbit steady. “Don’t move…”
Frodo nodded, his mind swimming. He couldn’t think at all, there was nothing but the pain, even having the fleeting memories of Aragorn’s touch did nothing. He couldn’t remember ever being in such agony as the thread pulled through his skin. His lips trembled and he frantically fought against tears. He kept his head steady in Aragorn’s hand as much as he could, trying desperately not to flinch as the needle entered his skin a second time to seal the first stitch. His fingers dug into Aragorn’s other hand and looked up into his eyes. “T…tell..me…about…how…” he tried to get the words out without disturbing Gandalf’s work, “Ahhhgh..” he stifled a scream as the second stitch was now in progress. “H…ow…and when…we…can…” the hobbit didn’t care who was there. His closest friends were in the room now, everyone he loved dearly. They wouldn’t judge him. He released his hand from the Ranger’s and ran it up the man’s chest, trying desperately to distract himself. He didn’t have to speak…it was in his eyes…
Sam’s mouth dropped open a bit as he heard his master’s words and he gave Gandalf a dampened towel so that he could wipe away at the blood trickling down Frodo’s head.
But even as he reached the top of the ranger’s shirt a strange object was revealed upon a chain that he had not noticed before, blinking in the starlight. Mithril silver and pearl it gleamed before him and he touched it. “What is that…its beautiful…” Frodo murmured softly…mesmerized. Aragorn pulled the hobbit’s hand away as Gandalf frowned when he peered at what the hobbit was talking about.
“It is the symbol of the Evenstar.” Gandalf supplied while the ranger struggled for an answer.
“The Evenstar…That’s Master Elrond’s daughter…the Lady Arwen.” Sam jumped in…”I know where I’ve seen that before…she was wearing it when we were in Rivendell.”
“Yes Sam.” Gandalf worked on another stitch, “One of the most beautiful creatures in the realm of Arda. The Evenstar jewel was the light of the last Silmari…once bound to the brow of her grandfather E�rendil. The jewel it is said…can clear the way to the Undying Lands. A precious gift. And a significant one too, I might add.” Gandalf’s voice held a gentle tone to it, though clearly one that told the ranger it could not be ignored so easily.
The news was not quite taken so well by Frodo who turned his eyes away from it and looked up into the troubled ones of the ranger’s. “Why did she..” he paused and grimaced in pain as another stitch was sealed. “Why…why did she give it to you, Aragorn?”
Sam eyed the ranger as well, not liking the turn of the conversation, nor how pale it was making Frodo. He hated to see Frodo hurt…and was afraid that this was going to be one of those times in more ways than one.
And then came the words that he was dreading, though they pained him…the ranger knew there was no getting out of saying it; “She gave it to me, Frodo…because we are betrothed.” the man sighed softly and looked back at the hobbit.
“Betrothed…” Frodo’s hand fell. “I….” he swallowed, nearly shaking with embarrassment. How must it seem to the ranger? How could he possibly compete with someone so beautiful as an elf? How could even think it…after what … after what she had done for him. He wanted to scream and cry and shout in frustration…it wasn’t fair…nothing was fair to him. Everything he wanted came to naught. Most of all though…most of all he just wanted to curl up and die in a little corner. “I…see…” he said dully. “H…how nice…” Miserable.. Frodo closed his eyes, shutting away the world.
And there was nothing Aragorn could say…not with Gandalf and Sam there. Gandalf was working away as if nothing had occurred and Sam…well Sam was giving him a mighty odd look. The stocky hobbit was none too pleased, and that was obvious. But…he was also sad…disappointed almost. For Sam had thought finally… finally Frodo might find some comfort in another. Never the less, Sam would be there to protect his master and to hold him when the stitching was done. Frodo needed him now more than ever, though he would not admit it.
Frodo curled his arms around himself while he lay steady, trying not to think…or to feel. He’d been such a fool. There was nothing else but to admit that and move on. He had imagined all of it…he’d wanted it so much that he had fantasized everything.
He endured the work of the wizard throughout each and every last stitch without a sound, lying quietly, his face drained of all color. The final stitch was pulled through Frodo’s skin and sealed and the hobbit shuddered. Gandalf cut the thread and began to clean the area gently, “All done Frodo.” the wizard smiled comfortingly, touching the hobbit’s arm.
Frodo opened his eyes, still held in Aragorn’s arms, he blinked dazedly at the wizard, “Finished?” he asked miserably…”Water…please…”
Gandalf allowed the hobbit to drink as much as he wanted…which was the entire glass. Once done, Frodo took a few deep breaths and gingerly wiped the sweat from his brow..
“Frodo…?” Aragorn asked gently, he reached over to touch Frodo’s cheek, but the hobbit flinched away.
“Please…I just want to sleep now.” the Ringbearer said in a tired voice. “And…” he refused to look at Aragorn. “And I just want Sam here…please…” and he said the word that he did not want to say…but he couldn’t bear to be in the same room with the man right now…he was going to crumple at any moment. “Please leave…”
Aragorn didn’t want to leave and was just about to argue when Gandalf rose. “Its time for him to rest. Come, Aragorn…you haven’t eaten anything this night, and there is fare waiting for us.” his voice calm and stern the wizard patted Frodo’s hand and opened the curtain to leave the room.
Aragorn hesitated for a few moments, there was so much he wanted to say, but he couldn’t find the words for Frodo to understand just now, “I’m sorry, Frodo…” he sighed and rose from the bed, allowing Sam to take care to help Frodo lay his head down on the makeshift pillows.
Aragorn paused at the doorway while the gardener began to arrange things about Frodo, comfortably and secure. Frodo took one look at him…his eyes were empty…though they were full with a pain he couldn’t describe. “I’m sorry too…” the hobbit looked away again, dismissing the ranger and giving no encouragement for him to stay. And with that, Aragorn stepped into the other room, striding through it without pausing to get anything to eat…he needed a walk…
Once alone, Frodo collapsed into Sam’s arms. “Sam…” he cried softly, tears running down his cheeks, shaking in pain. “It hurts….” he sobbed quietly while his friend stroked his back gently, lending his strength for the time being…for Frodo had been quite brave for so long…it was time for everything to be let out…time for tears and pain to flow. “I’m such a fool Sam…I thought….I thought…” he cried weakly.
“There now Mr. Frodo.” Sam reassured him gently doing his best to make his master comfortable by drying his tears with a cloth damp with warm water and nestling him securely into the makeshift bed. “Sam’s here, and I’m not going to change…not ever, Frodo. I promise.” he said softly.
And Frodo finally smiled, “You’re the only one who doesn’t Sam…and I love you for that….I‘m glad you’re here.”
“I know Mr. Frodo, I know.”