Gardener’s Bond Chapter 2

Disclaimer: just for the record, I don’t own it. (You knew that. This seems rather pointless, doesn’t it?)

I would like to thank you reviewers. I hope that I can write in something worthwhile to make this a bit longer. J

"What’s gotten into you, Samwise Gamgee?" Sam said to himself, "Mr. Bilbo off hungry, as likely as not. ‘Adventures ain’t good for hobbits. Home cooking will cure unhealthy wandering,’ as my Gaffer always said."

Sam searched his own modest garden for healing herbs. Finding some to reduce fever and headache and encourage sleep, he prepared for the next morning. He was no healer, and didn’t claim to be, but he knew his plants well and could prepare meals that would agree with all but the very queasiest stomachs. He was determined to do everything he could to care for Mr. Frodo.

Meanwhile, Bilbo was enjoying a delicious second dessert, courtesy of the fine cooks of Rivendell. He was surprised and delighted when his good friend Gandalf appeared.

"Solemn as usual, I see," commented Bilbo, "you never have a light heart. Even on our old adventures you were always making plans, acing mysteriously, disappearing without proper explanation, taking things too literally…"

"Bilbo!" interrupted Gandalf; "I have no time for small talk. You must return to the Shire. There have been reports of Brandywine Water Fever."

The poor old hobbit was quite startled by that news. What would happen to Frodo? Bilbo had bonded with his youthful relative. He had been the boy’s guardian for many years.

All hobbits feared epidemics of Brandywine Fever. It was highly contagious and, though typically not lethal, often had alarming effects on the sufferer. No one could predict the course of the disease. It could cause anything from a week long cold to permanent paralysis.

"Can a healer go back with me?" asked Bilbo. "Nay, it would disturb your people, and the disease is not familiar to outsiders. Only the not-so-famous (author’s note: except around here with hobbit fan’s writing stories about everything from girls turning into hobbits to Sam’s hobbit intuition LOL) hobbit compassion and ingenuity can help those with the disease."

Bilbo was concerned. He knew that Frodo had been around water in his early years more than was natural for respectable mid-Shire hobbits.

While this occurred, Frodo found that he could not fall asleep. The discomfort was too great. His body was rioting against him and his mind was spinning in more directions than the average hobbit could count. His body was fatigued, but his mind did not want to rest.

He wanted to walk around a bit and perhaps get a drink of water, but by then even sitting up caused such unbearable dizziness that he decided it was not worth the effort. His throat was violently protesting these circumstances. His mouth and throat were so dry…surely he could walk over to get a glass of water and back. He envisioned himself walking to the kitchen, getting out a glass, and pouring water into it. That did not seem too hard. He envisioned it a few more times, each time realizing at the end of his plan that he had not yet carried it out. He knew that he could be back in bed with his thirst quenched in a few minutes if he could simply move.

He sat up, steadying himself against his nightstand. Where was his candle? He groped about for it in the darkness but could not find it. He lay back down, feeling defeated. He lay restlessly for what seemed like hours before deciding he must feel his way to the kitchen. He slowly crawled out of bed, feeling the furniture and walls. The kitchen was just a couple of rooms away…

At that moment Sam entered, finding Frodo sprawled out in the hallway. Sam’s candle illuminated Frodo’s pale face.

"Oh, Sam. I knew you would take care of me. I was just trying to get a glass of water."

"Come on. I’ll get it for you." Sam practically had to carry the weakened Frodo back to bed. He easily got the water and brought it to Frodo.

Too dry mouthed to thank the gardener, Frodo sipped at the water. His body, now hydrated, immediately fell to sleep.

Sam sadly looked at his master and brought in a cot so he could make sure such a thing did not happen again. He fell asleep still anxiously watching his dear friend.