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The Road to Edoras  by Dreamflower

CHAPTER 20

It was a somewhat subdued group that sat about the campfire and had the soup and griddlebread that had been prepared. Bergil still slept restlessly, with Targon at his side. The others could hear the child’s occasional cough.

Poppy frowned to herself, and glancing up, saw an anxious look on Viola’s face as well. The sound of the coughs was worrisome. Targon came out of the tent.

“He is stirring, and beginning to wake. I thought I would take him a mug of soup?” He looked at Poppy.

She nodded. “Mostly broth,” she said. “Viola, will you take him another cup of the willow-bark tea? And add a bit of cherry-bark and horehound as well.”

The apprentice nodded, and quickly rose to obey her mistress’ instructions. She and Targon went into the tent, and the others could hear the murmurs, as they coaxed the child into drinking the broth and the medicine. After a few moments, she returned with the empty cup.

Leodwald, who had been standing watch, came over to the fire, and Artamir rose to take his place without a word.

The others began to stir as well. There seemed no point in sitting about the fire this night. There would be no songs or stories as long as all were so worried about Bergil.

But before they could get ready to go their ways to their bedrolls, Berilac gave Freddy a look from under lowered brows, and cleared his throat.

Freddy gave him a sharp look, and sighed. Beri was right. “Just a moment. Before we go to bed, there is something I wish to say to all the hobbits.”

The rest of the Men looked curious, but politely rose and went on their own way, prodding the prisoners ahead of them. They already knew that the prisoners did not count. But Freddy said “Wait a minute. Leave them here.”

The Men looked surprised, and turned them back to their places by the fire. Éothain said “Master Fredegar, do you wish one of us to remain here?”

He shook his head. “They’re tied up. You can take them away in a few minutes.”

Legolas and Gimli had also started to leave, but Legolas now thought to linger--his curiosity was aroused.

Gimli yanked on his sleeve. “Come along, Master Elf. It’s none of our business.”

“But Gimli--”

“Do I have to remind you what happened the last time you meddled with hobbits’ business?”

“That was entirely different!” Nevertheless, he allowed the Dwarf to lead him away.

“What is all this about, Captain Freddy?” asked Jolly, after a moment of uncomfortable silence.

Freddy cleared his throat. “Erm, it has been brought to my attention that what happened today could have had a much worse outcome than it did. There are any number of bodies of water between here and our destination. Therefore, as soon as is practical, we, uh, we’re going to learn how to--swim.” He glanced over at the prisoners. “*All* of us, who do not already know.”

There was an immediate clamor, Mosco and Jolly objecting, Clovis yelling “You can’t make us!” while Rolly and Denny laughingly tried to say that it wasn’t all that bad.

Berilac stood up. “That’s enough!” There was a sudden silence. “I am going to tell you what I told Fredegar this afternoon: if you do not know how to swim and you go into the water, your only choice is to drown or be rescued. And if no one is near enough, then you have no choice at all. I know most hobbits don’t like the idea. But most Bucklanders do know how to swim, and it not only makes life safer, but it *can* be fun. At any rate, I know how; Rolly and Denny know how. And I am quite sure that we will have some help from the Men.”

The four bound hobbits looked pale and frightened. Clovis looked belligerent. He glared. “You’d just love the chance to drown us, wouldn’t you, Brandybuck?” he sneered.

The hobbits all stared, dumbstruck at this statement. Finally, Beri burst out into laughter. “I’ve never heard anything funnier! As if any of you were worth the trouble. But you will at least learn how *not* to drown.”

Freddy looked disgusted. “Borondir!” he called, “you can take them away now.”

Amused, for the Man had heard some of the exchange, he came and led the four off.

The others looked at one another. Finally Poppy said, “Well, it does make sense. I do not know that I could ever find something so unnatural *fun*, but it is as well to be prepared for danger.”

Viola’s eyes were huge. She would do as her mistress did, but--*swim*? Then she looked at Beri, as he grinned and joked with Rolly and Denny. It was clear that *he* at least would enjoy this thoroughly. That was part of being one of those “wild Brandybucks” she had heard about all her life. She had never really believed it before. *Swim*? She shuddered.

Poppy patted her on the back. “It will be all right, dear. Just think of it as medicine.”

She gulped. Yes, like medicine, something that was good for you, even if it tasted nasty.

Just then Targon came out of the tent. “Mistress Poppy? I am worried about Bergil.”

Moving quickly, healer and apprentice went into the tent.

Bergil was coughing again, and his skin was clammy. Poppy felt his brow. “He’s been running a fever, and it has broken. We need to make sure he doesn’t chill.” She took off her pendulum, and began to hold it over the child, studying the way it moved with a scowl.  It looked like the water in his lungs was having its effects.

He started to cough again, and then to cry. “I want my father,” he sobbed, and then was wracked by more coughing, interspersed with whimpers of pain.

Targon shook his head sadly, and sat down by the bedroll. “Bergil, I know you miss your father,” he began to stroke the dark hair. “Mistress Poppy, will he be all right? I do not know how I would face Beregond if--”

Poppy spoke up briskly. “We shall do all we can,” she said. “I certainly would not care to return to the Shire and tell Peregrin Took that I had allowed his dear friend to slip through my fingers. And I’m not about to. But we may be in for a rough few days.”





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