Authors: Easterlily & Niphrandl

Characters: Frodo, Sam, Farmer Cotton, Rosie

Summary: Frodo falls ill with an Anniversary Illness while Sam is away.

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: We don't own these characters and make no money from them. Please read and review. Thanks!

As soon as Rosie left Bag End, she was off at top speed. "Where will the healer be?" she asked herself thinking frantically. "Mrs. Hornblowers littlest was sick...maybe he is there!"

She ran toward the Hornblowers' hole. "Oh, Sam! If only you were here."

She passed a couple out for an early evening strole.

"Slow down lass!" The man said.

"Sorry! No time, need the healer!" Rosie yelled over her shoulder as she continued to run.

"Oh dear, I hope Farmer Cotton isn't ill!" commented the man's wife.

Rosie soon reached the Hornblower's place and pounded frantically on the door. Mr. Hornblower opened the door. "Rosie Cotton, what is the meaning of this?"

Gasping from her run, "I'm sorry, Mr. Hornblower. I'm looking for the healer." She took a deep breath. "Is he here?" She asked hopefully.

From inside the hole, Mrs. Hornblower asked, "Who is it dear?"

"It's Rosie Cotton. She's looking for the Doc," Mr. Hornblower called over his shoulder. He turned back to Rosie. "He was here earlier, but he had to leave."

Rosie's heart sank. "Do you know where he went?"

Mrs. Hornblower came to the door. "He left here a couple of hours ago. Mrs. Mayflower was about to deliver her first."

"Thanks so much!" Rosie called over her shoulder as she took off toward the Mayflower's hole.

The Hornflowers exchanged a concerned look and closed the door.

Rosie reached the Mayflower's hole, but had to stop at the gate to catch her breath. After a few moments she approached the door and just as she reached up to knock the door swung open.

"Rosie Cotton, what are you doing here all out of breath?"

"Dr. Thornwhistle!" Rosie gasped. "It's Fro...Mr. Baggins! I think he's dying!"

"Slow down lass. Take some deep breaths and tell me what is going on," the Doc said as he led her down the walk.

Rosie took a few deep breaths. "Sam is out of town so my Dad went to check on Mr. Baggins. He's real sick, Dr. Thornwhistle. My Dad is still with him."

"All right, Rosie. Let's go see after Mr. Baggins then shall we?"

Rosie breathed a sigh of relief and followed the Doc back to Bag End.

When they had arrived, Rosie ran into Bag End. "Da! Da I have the healer!" She stopped in the door to Frodo's room. "Is he alright?"

Farmer Cotton straightened and turned to Rosie. The look on his face said it all. He looked past his daughter to the healer. "I'm afraid you may be too late, Doc."

Rosie gasped and collasped into sobs, sliding down the wall to a sitting position with her hands covering her face.

Dr. Thornwhistle approached the bed. "Let me have a look at him."

Farmer Cotton stepped out of the way filling the Doc in on the events of the evening.

Frodo lay motionless in the bed. His pale sweatsheen face was barely visible above the pile of covers. Dr. Thornwhistle's heart sank.

"Frodo lad? Can you hear me?"

There was no response from the figure in the bed.

A sob escaped Rosie's lips. The Doctor looked to the Farmer. "Please take her out of here. Perhaps you could make some tea for us, Rosie?"

Farmer Cotton lead Rosie out of the room.

Dr. Thornwhistle turned back to Frodo and pulled the covers off the still form. Frodo's breathing was very shallow and irregular. He was surprisingly cold to the touch and the Doc checked Frodo's pulse and found it to be rapid and weak. The Doc noted that Frodo was not wearing any clothing. He proceeded to methodically exam his patient. He checked Frodo's arms and chest for signs of insect bites, but found none. He examined Frodo's legs and found nothing wrong there. He next examined Frodo's groin, but found no evidence of disease or injury there.

The Doc then carefully rolled Frodo's limp form over to examin his back. He found nothing but a slight swelling at the base of Frodo's neck.

Farmer Cotton entered the room just as the Doc was covering Frodo back up. "Well?" he asked.

The Doc shook his head. "He seems to have gone into septic shock. That usually does not happen so quickly."

"Is that why he feels so cold?"

The Doc nodded. He sighed and said. "I think it's best if word were sent to Sam." He looked at Frodo. "I don't expect Mr. Baggins will survive the day."

TBC