Disclaimer: I do not own anything. It belongs to Tolkien and New Line. But you all knew that.
Author's Note: This is my take on the scene in the ROTK trailer where Gandalf asks Aragorn concerning Frodo still being alive. I am uncertain if I wrote Gandalf that well regarding his characterization. So please let me know what you think.
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Deep in My Heart
I sense him next to me, though I do not acknowledge his presence. I continue gazing out at the night sky. I am here at the celebration of the Rohirrim. They are merry; there is laughter and singing in the air. But my mood is far from relief and relaxation. My mind is leagues away, searching for the one on whom the fate of the world rests. He is never far from my thoughts, even when other things claim my attention. My heart and mind are filled with wonderings.
"Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor," Aragorn says softly.
I sigh. So he, too, wonders where in the wilderness Frodo and Sam are, what has befallen them. I realize that whatever hope I have for the two hobbits is starting to fade. Has the burden of the Ring actually been too much for Frodo? Has the Ring fallen into the wrong hands? Has Gollum still tracked them? Have they fallen into company with those who would keep them from going on their desired way? Are they…?
At last I turn to Aragorn. And for once I do not hide my growing worry and doubts from him. But I see similar emotions in his face.
"How do we know Frodo is alive?" I ask what I have hardly dared dwell on.
Aragorn averts his gaze from me and seems to gaze through time and space. He looks me in the eyes again. "What does your heart tell you?" he asks in return.
I am surprised by this statement. My lips form something of a thoughtful smile, though the doubts and fears are still foremost in my mind. I now turn away from the ranger's piercing eyes. My gaze pierces the mantle woven with twinkling lights. I travel far beyond them, into blackness. A huge shape far darker than the blackness rises up. Suddenly a white light stabs the dark and black. It glows, not to be destroyed by the colors of doubts and worry which surround it yet.
I blink and realize I am still here at Edoras, with Aragorn silently watching me. I let out a long silent sigh. In the deepest part of my heart, I do not feel grief; I feel Frodo is still trying to get to Mordor. The doubts and worry slowing dim from my mind.
I meet Aragorn's gaze and smile, a plain smile of thanks. For now I do not fear Frodo is dead. He returns my smile and nods before he leaves and rejoins the celebration. I continue gazing at the sky, my thoughts with Frodo. Only now I do so with a lighter heart.
THE END