Young Frodo
by Overlithe
1368
1 A labor of love
“It was too early!” Primula Baggins thought to her self as the
first labor pains took hold of her in the early hours of September
22. She didn’t bother to awaken Drogo there was nothing to be
done if the child was ready to come then come she would. Primula
worried over her unborn child as she had repeatedly through the long
hot summer. She felt a growing fear for the baby and perhaps the
early delivery was enough to explain it. But somehow she thought
that there was more.
She tossed and turned until before dawn when the pains became severe
and she was finally forced to awaken her husband to go off in search of
the midwife. She pondered the names she had chosen for the babe
if it were a girl as she suspected, she would be Primrose. The
boy’s name she had left up to Drogo, the child should have a name
fitting a Baggins. Any offspring of theirs was sure to be an
interesting combination. It was not a usual pairing; her
self-being half Took and half Brandybuck and her husband a
Baggins. All three families were known for their own oddities and
individuality and adventuresome ways. And that also was reason
for worry and concern for her child.
“OHH! Do hurry Drogo!” She thought aloud as another more severe pain
gripped her abdomen. Then she soothingly spoke to her
child. “Now, now baby what is your hurry,” then to her self,
“relax, you must relax.” She drew in a deep breath and blew it
out slowly. Primula smiled sweetly thinking about the baby.
She had waited a long time to become a proper Hobbit Mum. She was
48 years old still young but almost she had begun to think she would
never have children. Just when she had given up hope it had
happened. Was it only just last winter that she had realized that
she was finally to have the child that she longed for?
Drogo had taken long to speak for her and they had been married now for
10 years. Her beloved husband was now 60 years old and in the
prime of his adult life. For years Primula had turned away
suitors in hopes of snaring the elusive Baggins. For a while she
thought he would follow his Cousin Bilbo’s example and declare himself
a bachelor forever. Bilbo had done so when he had returned from
his adventures he showed no interest in settling down or taking a wife
and Drogo adored him. Sixteen years passed from the time Bilbo
returned and their marriage. It had been Bilbo who finally
convinced Drogo that he should indeed marry. “Drogo my friend,”
he had said, “Someone must carry on the Baggins name besides those
blasted Sackville Bagginses! You had best set to courting that
fine Primula before she tires of your games.”
Primula chuckled deeply even now thinking about it. She wondered if
Drogo would have ever gotten around to it had Bilbo not given him that
first nudge out of the door so to speak. Suddenly; she was
gripped with another labor pain and she felt the soft pop and the
liquid saturating her undergarments and dress. “Well I guess
that’s that she thought no turning back now the baby would come now too
early or not. Odd that this should happen today of all days, on
Bilbo’s birthday she shook her head. He would try and lay claim
on the child, she knew how strange he was about his birthday. She
decided she wasn’t going to fight it worse things could happen to her
child than to be favored by a rich eccentric cousin. She would
have Drogo send word to “Uncle Bilbo” as soon as possible.
part2 A Tragic Loss
Drogo returned to find his beloved in bed and coated with a fine sheen
of sweat. Her breath panting and her eyes were fearful.
“Where is the midwife?” She managed when the pain had subsided.
“She is on her way she had a few things she was in the middle
of.” Primula glared at him, “I’ll give her in the middle
of…..OHHH… Blast that hobbit I knew she was undependable. Wait
until I see her that ridiculous May Burrows does she think I would send
for her too early?”
Drogo stood by helplessly listening to his wife. From what he had
been told she was probably close to delivering. He had heard that
females became irritable at such times. “ Drogo!” she screamed his name
snapping his attention to her fully. He knelt at her side.
“Yes Prim what do you want me to do? Shall I go and drag the
midwife here?” “No, she took several breaths, no time for that you’re
going to have to do it.”
The
room suddenly became very small and hot. Were the walls moving?
He felt the color drain from his face. “Drogo, help me!” Primula
gasped. “How, what do I do?”
Primula suddenly laughed at her husband, “How do I know!” She
gasped. “Just make sure the babe doesn’t fall. The mid wife says
you just have to catch the baby.”
Drogo Baggins was beside himself and in near panic. But somehow
he managed to steel himself and pull back the covers and attempt to do
what his wife asked him. Another pain wracked her body and she
screamed his name. Drogo had never seen such a thing and hoped to
heaven above he never had to again. No wonder lasses screamed
during child birth he thought. Just as he was about to lose his
battle and pass out the midwife arrived. May quickly took stock of the
situation and gently pushed Drogo away from the scene. He gave
way easily and landed on the floor next to the bed with a thud.
“All
right mistress Baggins, I see I have delayed a bit over long your babe
will come in just a few good pushes. Are you alright lass?”
“I think so.” Primula panted.
“Good then dear as soon as the next pain comes you hold your breath and
push hard but listen to me talk to ye.” Primula nodded as she
already felt the next onslaught of agony begin. And so she
pushed, hard she had been trying not to push before and it was a relief
to have the midwifes trained hands there. “One more Primula dear
and your babe will be here come on now push! She obeyed and gave
one last push with all her strength and she felt the infant pass from
her body.
Primula held her breath waiting for the crying but none came. She
braced herself for what the midwife would tell her. It was too
early the child had died. She watched as May lifted the limp blue
form up and turned away from her and she knew her baby was gone.
She shed silent tears and waited…..
“I
am sorry Primula”. She knew what words would follow and she looked at
May as she approached. It was a maid child. That was it
that was all she had to say. Sorry! Sorry! Her baby was dead and
she was sorry! Drogo remained sitting stunned but recovering to
support his wife. “What happened May is their something wrong
with her?” “Twas the cord master Baggins it was tight on her
neck. There was nothing I could do for her.”
“Give her to me!” It was Primula’s grief stricken voice that cried
out. May handed the infant wrapped in a blanket. “She is so
perfect, so beautiful, Look at her Drogo.” They looked and they
wept and held her. The after pains began and they were
severe. Primula handed the bundle to Drogo still weeping.
“Say goodbye to our daughter Primrose, Drogo. I am sorry.” Primula
passed out from the pain and the grief.
Drogo gently took the little bundle and stared at her. She had
golden hair and a tiny straight nose. Indeed she looked to be asleep
and peaceful yet her color gave the truth weight. His daughter
was gone. He kissed her little head and wept, Goodbye Primrose, goodbye.
He placed her in the cradle for he did not know what else to do. As he
did so his heart was pierced with fear. “Mr. Baggins! Come
quickly!
