A bad dream
By Firniswin

It was a cold fall morning in the shire; all were awake and ready to start the day. The sun shown out beautiful streams of light on the farmlands then disappeared as the clouds stood menacing. The wind started to howl and the trees swayed. Al the leaves rustled up and down the hill near Bag End.
Sam looked out the window as he got his coat and mittens on.
“Stupid clouds.” He mumbled to himself as Rosie put the kettle on the fire for tea.
“Sam dear, have you had anything to eat?” She asked walking over and helping him with his scarf. “Yes.” Sam said as he kissed her on the cheek.
“I will only be outside, if Mister Frodo or you needs anything you holler.”
He said kissing her hand. “Oh Sam I will don’t you worry about a thing.” She kissed Sam on the cheek. “I will be back in as soon as I get cold.” Sam said with a laugh. “Alright.” Rosie smiled a bit
As he opened the door leaves came in and papers blew all over the room. Rosie let out a sigh as she desperately tried to catch the papers as the blew around the room. When Sam shut the door the papers fell to the ground and the leaves sat still and motionless.
Rosie finished making the tea and the breakfast, and then sat down to rest a moment. She sighed happily as she thought of what to name their baby.
A few moments later Frodo staggered out his face was red and his eyes frantic. “What is wrong Frodo?” she said as she sipped a cup of tea. He said nothing instead he collapsed face to the ground. “Frodo wake up!” she screeched. She ran hurriedly to the door and tried to open it. But the wind was pushing against the door and she could not open the large round door.
She saw that she could not open it so she ran for the back door.
“Hold on Mister Frodo, I’ll find Sam.” She said beneath frantic tears.
She ran to the back door and easily opened it.
“SAM!!!” She screamed out into the gray fog and darkness. She screamed even louder, her tears falling to the dirty ground.
“What?” He yelled above the howling wind. “Its Mr. Frodo.” she screamed to him. He ran quickly inside and threw off his jacket and gloves. He turned Frodo over onto his back. Frodo’s eyes were shut, sweat dripping down his face.
“Sam help.” Frodo whispered. “Please Sam.” Frodo shook.
Sam felt Frodo’s left arm. “Oh it is happening again.” he said in disbelief.
“Rosie go get a healer.” Sam said to Rosie. “Please Rosie.” he pleaded.
“Alright.” She said as she went to get her winter clothes on.
Sam struggled to carry Frodo to bed. Frodo was not heavy but Sam was not strong. Actually Frodo was quite light considering that he had not been feeling all that great that week, and he had not eaten much.
Sam carried Frodo to his bed. And as careful as he could had set Frodo down on his bed. “Oh wake up Mister Frodo, please.” Sam cried as he put a loose hair behind Frodo’s ear. Sam felt for a pulse and felt one but it was not going at normal speed. “Oh Rosie please hurry.” Sam said through sobs.

Rosie was going as fast as she could in the strong wind, her red hair blowing.
Finally she made it to the doctor’s hole. She knocked on the door and waited. Minutes later a maid came to the door and opened it. The door swung open almost crushing the maid. Rosie walked in quickly. “I must see the doctor, where is he?” Rosie asked looking around. “He is in the den with company. Can’t it wait?” the maid asked. “No! Sam is struggling to keep Mr. Frodo alive. It cannot wait.” she said walking towards the den.
The maid tried to stop her but Rosie was determined and she kept going.
“Doctor.” she said when she reached the den.
An old hobbit stood up his spectacles on and he held a book aloft in one hand.
“What is wrong Rosie?” He said kindly. “Sam is alone at Bag End, Mr. Frodo has fainted he is near death. Please! You must come.” She said as she wiped tears from her red eyes. “Oh dear!” the doctor set down his book and walked towards the door. “I will come.” he said picking up his bag. “Excuse me sirs.” He bowed to the other gentlemen then followed Rosie. They went out the door into the cold freezing wind. They held hands so hey would not loose each other as they went quick as they could to Bag End.

“Frodo.” Sam whispered in Frodo’s ear. “Please Frodo don’t leave me.” Sam’s tears dripped onto Frodo’s sheets.

Frodo’s dreams were not as peaceful as he was. His dreams were frightening and remember able.
He was in a forest, alone and forgotten. He was running from something. Panic in his eyes and his heart pounding he raced forward.
Without warning he ran into something. Before him stood a large menacing cloaked black shape. Taller than he but shorter than an elf. A shiver went down his spine as he backed away slowly.
“No, please!” He cried and then tripping over a log. “No please, please let me be.” He whimpered.
The figure let out an ear-splitting scream and advanced towards Frodo. “Give me the Ring.” it hissed cruelly at Frodo. “I do not have it.” Frodo cried.
The figure screamed again. Frodo felt himself bump into something else.
It was another cloaked black figure. Then others came from each side as they advanced towards Frodo. All of them held the same blade that had stabbed Frodo the year before. “Sam help!” Frodo screamed as the figures came close until there was no escape. “Help someone.” Frodo cried.
Simultaneously the figures stabbed Frodo, he let out a cry of pain as tears fell down his cheeks. His cries echoed through the forest.

Frodo cried out loudly as Sam tried to bring his fever down. “Sam!” Frodo cried in a pain-inflicted tone. Sam tried to comfort Frodo, he was shaking and shivering. Sam tried to make a fire but it did not help, He felt Frodo’s arm.
It was still cold as ice.

Frodo was now alone his arm ached he was cold and hungry. He shivered in the woods lying on his right side curled up in a ball. He was forgotten alone in the middle of nowhere.

Rosie and the doctor reached the hill and came in when a silence-breaking scream was heard. The to covered their ears and ran into the room. Sam was by Frodo’s side and he also had his ears covered. He uncovered his ears to see Rosie and the doctor standing in the door.
“He has been screaming like that for a while now.” Sam said wiping his masters head with a wet cloth. “Well let me take a look.” the doctor said coming closer.
The doctor felt Frodo’s wet brow then took a pulse. “Here Rosie boil these.” Said the doctor handing Rosie some herbs. Rosie took the herbs and went to the kitchen. The doctor stoked the fire and put another blanket on Frodo. His eyes twinkled as he rembered the first time he had tended the rascal.

“Oh now what is wrong with that cousin of yours Bilbo?” the doctor asked.
“I think he has a bit of a cold.” Bilbo said worriedly. He went into Frodo’s room to see young Frodo in a coughing fit. His eyes watered as he yawned and settled down in the sheets. “Well hullo, Now what is wrong with you my boy?” the doctor asked smiling at Frodo. “I am not feeling all that great.” Frodo said as he wiped his nose on his bed shirtsleeve. ” I see.” the doctor smiled.

The memory faded and the doctor frowned as he looked at Frodo. He shook his head and went back to a chair were he might get some rest till Rosie came back.
Minutes later she came with a pot full of boiling water. She gave it and a cloth to the doctor. He started wiping Frodo’s brow with the wet cloth.

Frodo’s dreams faded and he heard the voices of his friends. He lay still weak from fever and his bedclothes damp with perspiration. He did not open his eyes just listened for the moment.
“Oh Sam don’t worry.” Rosie said sadly “How can I not worry. We did everything together. I mean I saved him from that big old tower how can I not save him from a simple illness.” Sam said through sobs. “It is not a simple illness Sam.” Rosie said angered by her husband’s attitude.
Frodo groaned in pain he opened his eyes to see the doctor standing at his side wiping his sweaty brow. “Shhhh!” The doctor turned to Rosie and Sam. “Quite.” whispered the doctor pointing to Frodo. Sam and Rosie walked quietly over to the bedside. Frodo saw Sam and smiled. Sam knelt down and took Frodo’s hand in his; Rosie leaned on her husband’s shoulder. “Hi Frodo. I have been awful worried about ya.” Sam’s voice quaking. “Me too Sam.” Frodo said weakly. But something bothered Sam; his masters whole left arm was cold.
Frodo tried to sit up but fell back down. “Please Frodo.” The doctor said sternly. “You need to rest.” He said wiping Frodo’s head with a cloth.
Frodo lie back down and tried to hide the pain from Sam, but he could not he clenched his teeth as the doctor examined his left shoulder.
“Where did you get this?” the doctor asked touching the scar on his shoulder.
“That is what he got from them black riders on Weathertop. Was real bad, he almost turned into one.” Sam said patting Frodo’s hand.
“Black riders!” said the doctor shaking his head. “You were actually stabbed by one of those cloaked varmints.” The doctor said in amazement. “Yes.” Frodo said shaking his head. The doctor put a wet cloth on the wound and checked to look for another reason. He came to Frodo’s neck and gasped. “My Frodo, you have two tiny holes in the back of your neck, where did you get them?” The doctor asked again touching the two holes. “Stop touchin all my wounds.” Frodo growled. “Sorry lad.” the doctor said drawing his hands back to his lap. Sam began talking. “Frodo got them from Shelob the spider creature.” Sam said wiping a tear from his wet eyes. “Oh.” The doctor said who thought the two had gone nuts.
That night Frodo lay awake in bed unable to go to sleep. He was scared to go to sleep for fear that he may not awaken. He lay in bed pondering on what Elrond had said when they went to Rivendell before they returned home.
“In the forest when the leaves first begin to fall.” Frodo whispered quietly to himself. He knew that his life was what it had been before he left. In no pain and he was listened to. Now he was just crazy old Frodo who chose the way of old Bilbo. He had made it possible for everyone to enjoy Middle Earth but himself. He let out a sigh as a lonely tear trickled down his dry cheeks.
He lay down and tried hard to go to sleep, but found it was not easy. His shoulder and neck hurt and he felt suddenly quite dizzy again. The fire lit room seemed to spin round as he fell asleep.
His dreams were nothing short of frightening and odd. He dreamt he was in a tower all alone on the hard cold ground. He looked as if he had not eaten or slept in days. He shivered against the bitter cold as he tried to stand, his shaking legs barely held him. He noticed that there was no way out save a trap door that could not be opened from inside. He was trapped!
“Hello!” he yelled, his voice echoed through out the tower. He heard commotion below the trap door but he knew not what it was.
Frodo went back and sat down in a corner his eyes watering with tears. “Sam!” He whispered. “Where are you? Where am I?” He said looking round the concrete tower. His tears dripped down his cheeks as he tried to calm himself. He missed his friends; he wanted nothing more than to go back home. He lay down on his side and tried to close his eyes, but he was scared to for fear something might come out of the darkness and kill him. He kept his eyes open and alert shifting them back and forth. His sobs filled the fowl air as he tried to use the pile of rags as a bed, but they were not very comfortable. They made him itch and they scratched his skin. They felt like sand paper to his bare skin.
He let out a soft sigh then closed his eyes not falling asleep but merely acting the part so he was aware of all the sounds in the awful tower.
As he lie he heard more commotion below. He tried hard to hear what was being said but it sounded as if they were speaking another language. Suddenly
The trap door flew open and a dark figure came forward. He brandished a whip that he held in his hand and looked wickedly at Frodo his red eyes smirking.
He held also a dagger and he wore tattered clothes and a helmet.
He grabbed Frodo’s hair and pulled him up to his weary feet. “You’re in a big heap o trouble rat.” growled the orc throwing Frodo back to the ground. “Leave me alone.” Frodo yelled forgetting his position. “You got a mouth on you.” the orc said kicking Frodo in the side. “That’ll cost ya.” The orc lifted the whip and let it fall on Frodo’s back three times. “And there’s more where that came from you rat.” He said scowling at Frodo. Frodo curled up on the ground in a ball; his hand lifted high trying to shield himself from the blows.
“Frodo.” The orc seemed to be saying but it sounded like Sam. “Frodo!” said the voice again. The dream faded and Frodo opened his eyes slowly revealing Sam near his bedside shaking him vigorously. Sam stopped shaking and saw that Frodo did not look like his usual self. He looked pale and his face had a look about it, like he was sick to his stomach. “Master Frodo! You all right?” Sam wiped Frodo’s brow with a cloth. Sweat was pouring from Frodo’s brow.
“I feel fine.” said Frodo trying to hide his illness. “You better stay in bed, you don’t look at all well.” Sam said getting up and walking towards the door.
“Sam please don’t leave!” Frodo said in a panicky voice grabbing hold of Sam’s hand. “Please! I don’t want to lose you again.” Frodo said in a panic.
“Alright Mr. Frodo, calm down or you will give yourself a heart attack.” Sam said sitting back down taking his masters hand. Frodo closed his eyes now knowing that Sam was there and that he would not leave him.
It had been three days since Frodo’s illness and he was feeling better. His thoughts consumed by how he was going to tell Sam the sad news. He felt he could no longer stay in the Shire or Middle Earth for that matter. He sat in his bed thinking. Sam would come in and out asking Frodo if he needed anything, but Frodo always said “No Sam.” Sam began to get worried, Frodo did not eat nor sleep, he sat in bed night after night with what seemed to be little want of either. Sam grew tired of the madness and finally approached Frodo.
“Mr. Frodo, You must have something to eat or at least a bit of sleep.” Sam got down on his knees and looked as if to be pleading. “Oh alright Sam, I will have some tea.” Frodo said scratching his head in thought.
Sam brought the tea in and set it next to Frodo’s bed, Frodo picked up the tea and drank a bit so that Sam would not worry. “Good?” Sam asked eyeing him. “Yes, thank you Sam.” Frodo put the teacup down and yawned.
Frodo slumped down in the bed and yawned then closed his eyes. He tried to open them but sleep overtook him as all thoughts left his mind and he drifted off into a dreamless slumber.
Sam smiled happily then took the teacup. “Now maybe he will get some rest.” Sam said as he left the room. He met the doctor out in the front room.
“Is he asleep?” asked the doctor. “It worked perfect, did not even know of the sleep powder in his drink.” Sam said looking unworried. “Oh good.” The doctor said.
Frodo slept for hours calm and peaceful, the sunlight splayed through the window onto his bed warming his cold feet. He smiled happily and made no sound save his soft breathing.
He awoke the next day, stretching and yawning in the warm sun as he looked about. He was the only one in the room and he smelt the fresh smell of eggs and toast. He got up and looked out the window, the sun was bright and not a cloud in the sky. He saw the green grass littered with orange, red, and brown leaves. He heard the doorknob turning and layed back down in the bed he shut his eyes.
“He sure has slept a long while.” Sam’s voice was clear to him. “Yes I did not know it would last this long.” the doctor said. Frodo felt fingers on his pulse and a hand on his cheek. “His pulse is normal and he has no fever.” Said the doctor slowly. Frodo stretched again, it felt good to his restless limbs. He let out a yawn then opened his eyes to see the doctor looking for the shoulder wound. “Of Frodo my lad.” He said still looking. “How do you feel?” Sam asked curiously. “Great.” Frodo said smiling. “Good, I am glad to hear that.” the doctor smiled. “Well I should be getting home then.” The doctor walked to the door. “Good bye doctor. And thank you.” Frodo said trying to stand. Sam aided him and they walked together out the door.
Frodo looked for Rosie but could not find her. “Where is Rosie?” he asked looking at the doctor then Sam. Sam looked sheepishly at the doctor then to Frodo. “Well you see. While you were asleep Rosie had our child. We were going to name em Frodo after you, but it turned out to be a girl.” Sam looked at Frodo then hugged him tight. “I am a father Frodo.” He said crying as he hugged Frodo. “That is great Sam.” Frodo said patting him on the back. “What is her name?” Frodo asked. “Well we named her Elanor.” Sam said smiling as he led Frodo down the hall to Rosie.
When Frodo went in Rosie was holding the tiny child, she saw Frodo and smiled. “Do you want to hold her Frodo?” She asked as Frodo came near.
“If you don’t mind.” Frodo said as he picked up the small child and cradled her gently. “She is beautiful Rosie.” He smiled at Rosie and then Sam. “Then he repeated her name. “Elanor Gamgee.” Sam came up behind Frodo and kissed Elanor’s brow. “She is beautiful ain’t she.” Sam said happily looking at his wife.
It had been about six months since Frodo had been ill. Elanor was six months old and she was quiet the little lass. Frodo would sit by the fire and tell her stories and play games with her. He loved her so dearly; she was the thing that made it harder for Frodo to leave. Frodo knew that unless he went with the elves, his pain would continue and he would die. Frodo knew his decision.
The next morning Frodo asked Sam to accompany him to Rivendell, he claimed he wanted to see Bilbo. They left together, Sam not knowing he would be the only one to return. They went into the forest and meet Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo and the rest of the elves.
They came to the where it was time for Frodo to say goodbye. “Sam.” Frodo said a tear coming down his cheek. “What is going on Mr.Frodo?” Sam asked frowning looking at the ship. “I have to go to the havens Sam.” Frodo said with a sigh. “And I can’t come.” Sam said a lonely tear streaming down his cheek.
“No Sam, not yet.” Frodo sighed. “But I will miss you.” Sam burst into tears.
” I will miss you Sam.” Frodo hugged his friend. “Take the red book.” Frodo said handing the book to Sam. Frodo said goodbye to Merry and Pippin. “Goodbye Middle earth.” He yelled out so all could hear. Sam’s tears wet the ground as he waved to Frodo who was now on the ship. The ship departed and Merry and Pippin comforted Sam as he wept.
Late the next night they arrived home, Sam went to Rosie and Elanor and hugged them both. “Well I’m back!” He said at long last.
Finis