Chapter 6: Rosietook
Frodo sighed and turned to look at Pippin, as if asking him for advice on what should be done. Early on in their travels, when it was made clear that Pippin would not soon be returning to Tuckborough, Frodo had promised himself that he would make sure the youngest and only male child of the Thain would make it home healthy and in one piece. He'd made this promise not only because Pippin was his cousin, but for the reason that the entire Baggins family would never be forgiven for the actions of the one who managed to get the Thain's heir killed or injured in such a manner that would prevent the family line continuing. Saying no to the treatment Aragorn had in mind would be as bad as if he had fed Pippin to a warg or left him behind in the snows on Caradhras (Pippin had never much liked the cold and the mountain had thus been the bane of the young hobbit's existence).
However, there was still the possibility that the belladonna would not have the desired effect and Pippin would die. It would effectively be Frodo's fault and he would have to be the one to deliver the news to Eglantine and Paladin. The thought of poor Eglantine, who had in her own right been a very motherly figure in Frodo's younger days, weeping over the loss of her youngest child, and Paladin, both sad at the loss of a child and angry with Frodo, made Frodo shudder and shut his eyes tightly.
'Frodo,' Merry said, clinging ever tighter to his cousin's side. 'I don't want Pip to die.'
Frodo opened his eyes and wrapped his arms around Merry, squeezing gently. 'And he won't, not with hands of a king ministering to him. Aragorn,' Frodo said softly, trying to sound strong for Merry's sake. 'Do what you must. If I can trust you with my own life, I can trust you with that of one of my relatives and dearest friends. Please help him.'
Aragorn nodded. 'I will do all that I can. But do not set your hopes so high that they cannot be touched. I suggest you prepare yourselves for the best, the worst, and everything in between. I do not say this to be cruel, only to save you from utter despair should the worst happen. I hope it does not and your words, Frodo, mean more than I can express.' Nodding an acknowledgement to the healers who had brought the water, athelas leaves, and tincture of belladonna, Aragorn then turned his attention to Gandalf, who had separated himself from the hobbits somewhat after realizing that this was not something he should be intruding on and yet wanting to be there to comfort them should they ask for it.
'Gandalf, if I might ask a favour of you once more, stay with the hobbits and try to calm them as best you can while I and the other healers are working with Pippin. I think the stress of worrying over their cousin's health has already begun breaking their hearts and minds.' Leaning in a little closer so that only the wizard and he could hear, Aragorn whispered, 'If you can, try to calm Merry enough so he will sleep. The rest would do him much good right now.'
'I can only try, Elessar. May the Valar protect you and aid you in saving Peregrin's life.' Gandalf nodded respectfully, then quietly ushered the three solemn hobbits out of the chamber, shutting the door quietly behind him.
*****
Even after all the years he had associated with them, it still amazed Gandalf that, through their grief, hobbits could find a part of their stomach still able to hold in food and drink. The small meal had been Sam's idea, being ever trying to make those around him as comfortable as possible, and had consisted of bread, cheese, fruit, and water (Merry had started crying when Sam suggested ale, but Gandalf had saved Sam from the troublesome situation by bringing in a pitcher of water to replace the 'vile drink' as Merry had called it). It was a simple meal, even with the apples, which were still quite valuable in Gondor as the growing of apple trees had not been too successful in most parts of the kingdom, save for a small area near the sea, and yet it seemed to comfort the worried hobbits more than any words from the wise wizard ever could.
After clearing the cups, plates, and bits of cheese rind from the table, Merry decided that perhaps a bit of sleep would in fact be a good idea, even though he insisted on being woken the second any news at all was brought regarding Pippin. This of course followed some gentle prodding from both Gandalf and Frodo, who was probably the more eager of the two to see Merry get some rest. Sam offered whatever help Merry may need, which Merry readily accepted. He was unsure of his ability to do anything more than fall onto the bed, being both mentally and physically exhausted. After the two hobbits had stumbled out of the room, Frodo sighed wearily and slumped down in the chair he'd climbed onto a moment before.
'Oh, Gandalf, I don't know what to do. I feel somehow responsible for all of this. It's my fault that Pippin even joined me on the Quest and in a way, that makes me responsible for what is happening with him now. I never should have left Pippin come with me. He's far too young.'
Gandalf gestured with his free hand as he puffed on his long-stemmed pipe for a moment, then removed the stem from his lips and blew a soft ring of smoke into the air above his head. 'My dear Frodo, however good your intentions, nothing can change what has happened to Peregrin on this journey. He is young, but he is not as naive as you would think. There were times on our ride to the White City, as well as our first few days here, that I became the only person Peregrin felt he could talk to. He confided in me with secrets darker than even you could ever imagine.'
Frodo frowned and cocked his head to the side. 'I don't understand. What do you mean 'secrets darker than I could imagine'?'
'I would tell you, Frodo, but you knowing is not something I can decide. If you wish to know, you will have to ask Peregrin to explain. But I would wait and not put too much stress on him, not just yet anyway.'
Gandalf continued with their conversation on a different thread for a while longer, mostly reminiscing about the past, something both of them were quite good at. Sam never rejoined them, but the reason was soon clear when a high-pitched sound somewhere between a snort and a whistle drifted from the hobbits' sleeping chamber. The fire had died down, been re-built, and begun dying again by the time Gandalf and Frodo decided it was time to retire to their own beds.
But even as they both stood and moved slowly toward their own rooms, a swift knock on the door sent Frodo, who was in the middle of a jaw- cracking yawn, rushing over to hear whatever news was being delivered.