Umm... Sorry?

Chapter Four

Frodo was kept almost captive in his bed by an army of very attentive haremites. They barely gave him a moment alone, for at least one, (and often several) ladies remained in his room, ready to do his bidding at a moment’s notice. Usually, he enjoyed their attentions, but he was a relatively solitary hobbit by nature and their constant presence was beginning to grate on his nerves. He tried to remain cordial, but the ladies were becoming concerned with his increasing moodiness. During one shift that Ghyste and Cairistiona stayed with him, he seemed particularly snappish, and the ladies were obliged to sit by the fire as they mended shirts (Frodo’s always seemed to need buttons sewn back on). It wasn’t until he was fully asleep that either dared make a peep.

“I wonder if it’s because he’s still hurting,” Ghyste wondered. “He’s usually so pleasant. This current mood is so unlike him!”

Cairi nodded and looked over at his sleeping form. “I know. It worries me greatly! I wonder if perhaps he is hurt more than he has let on and doesn’t want us to know.”

Ghyste bit her lip. This was something she hadn’t considered before. “You know, that would explain a lot. But he said he felt so good after Goldenberry gave him that medicine! And when that healer came by and helped her stitch him up, they said he would suffer no lasting effects!”

“That’s true, but who would know better, the healer or the hobbit himself? I still worry that Frodo is more wounded than he lets on!” Cairi dropped the shirt she had been mending into her lap, resigned. “And I had only just gotten here too! Will I only ever be able to dream of him?” She sounded so heartbroken, Ghyste gave her hand a squeeze.

“Fear not, my dear, the elvish medicine has worked wonders so far, I think if we keep giving it to him regularly, he will be completely healed in no time! But that reminds me, I think it is time for his medicine is it not?” She stood, quietly and crept over to Frodo’s nightstand. On the table was the little vial that Goldenberry had brought along with its spoon. Ghyste took the bottle and came back to Cairi. “How much am I supposed to give him?” When Cairi didn’t answer, Ghyste looked up. Cairi stared at her blankly.

“I don’t know, don’t you?” the hobbit lass answered. “I wasn’t even aware that he would be needing a dose yet.”

“Oh, yes, every mealtime… that is what I overheard the elven healer saying. But let’s see what this thing says…” She peered at the label by the light of the fireplace. After a moment or two of intent examination, she gave out a breathy “Whoa…” and looked up at her companion. “You should read what this medication claims! It says it invigorates the blood, cures wounds, sweetens the temper and restores… ‘potency’.” She grinned. “Just what our dear Frodo needs to handle all us lasses, eh? ”

Cairi snickered. “Sounds like ‘snake oil’ if you ask me, but I can’t argue it has helped him. Does it say how much and how often to give it?”

Ghyste looked closer at the label. “Yes, it says right here, quite clearly. ‘Three generous tablespoons full at every meal’. Well, he’s had his luncheon dose, and it’s nearly tea now, so he’s going to need another, and then one at dinner and another at suppertime.” She got up, taking the medicine back to her lord. She sank next to the bed and gently touched his arm. He grumbled and frowned but did not fully waken. “It is time for your medicine again, Frodo…” she whispered, then, poured a full tablespoonful. He took it, greedily, even half asleep, as he did the next spoonful and the next. Obviously the stuff tasted pretty good too. Ghyste restoppered the bottle and Frodo, smacking his lips contentedly, settled immediately back into sleep. She noted with satisfaction how pleased he now looked. He seemed more vibrant and happy than he had been for the past several days. Ghyste nodded to herself and placed the medicine back on the table.

“Did he take his dose without a fuss?” Cairi asked as Ghyste came back to the fire.

“Yes, he seems to like it, and he didn’t even wake fully, though he looked happier as soon as he’d taken it. I think that is all he has needed this whole time!.”

“Perhaps,” agreed Cairi. “Though I can’t help wondering why Goldenberry herself never mentioned his medication to us.”

“Probably slipped her mind. But I was there when the elven healer told her ‘every mealtime’ – that I am certain of! – and the instructions on the bottle are quite clear about the amount. You heard me read them! But I’ll see Goldenberry and let her know we’ve given him his medicine so that she doesn’t give it to him twice.”

That seemed to satisfy Cairi, but the moment Ghyste told Goldenberry what she had done, the hobbit healer seemed terribly upset.

“What do you mean you gave him his medicine?!!”

Ghyste shuffled uncomfortably and looked at Talagawen who was tuning her harp. Talaqawen was pretending not to listen but she had been tuning the same string since Ghyste walked into the room. “I just came to tell you so you wouldn’t dose him twice. I was following the directions that are quite clearly written on the label.” Ghyste looked at her defensively. “I am quite good at Quenyan these days and can read it nearly as well as Frodo can, he said so.”

Goldenberry still looked worried. “Oh, dear! I never thought that anyone would be able to read those directions! That dosage is for an elf, not a hobbit! And when the elves say ‘with every meal’ they mean the three they take, not hobbit meals!”

Ghyste blanched. “Uh, oh…,” she murmured. “I didn’t mean any harm, I was just trying to help, and he’s been so fussy lately…. The medicine did calm him and he’s not suffered any side effects that we noticed.”

Goldenberry sighed and gave her a weak smile, trying to be reassuring. “Well, I suppose one dose early won’t be too bad… but mind you don’t give it to him again! I’ll check with my friend the healer to see what those ‘side effects’ he mentioned were. He never did clarify that, as I recall.”


TBC

Go to Chapter Five