A Dark and Looming Fear

Summary: Have you ever wondered why Frodo chose to go to the Undying Lands? Or what the members of the Fellowship did or feared after the War of the Ring? This story should answer these questions

Lightning flashed against the dark grey sky. Thunder boomed faintly in the distance across the vast waste land. A tree stood proudly in the midst of the misery and gloom. Although it was old and covered with peeling bark and soot blown from afar, it still bore some comfort for way faring travelers. Under its thick, stout and barren branches a small dark figure swathed in grey and green sat staring wearily at a tall dark Mountain. Mount Doom spouted a few angry puffs of sulfurous gas heralding its awakening after two long years of dormancy.

"Why am I tormented once again by this sight" wailed the figure"I have done my duty; cast It to its undoing. Have the Shadows of what It once was brought me here? Or have I come to find out something a want deep inside of me" And with that final thought Frodo sank to the ground in despair and cried himself to sleep.

Frodo woke up suddenly and found that he was not where he thought he was.

Sunlight streamed into his room and the familiar sights, sounds and smells of home calmed his racing heart. "Why, I must have been having a nightmare! It was all so real." His door opened and a cheery face popped inside the frame"Good morning Mr. Frodo! I have brought you some breakfast. Eat up while it is still warm." said Sam. But when he saw him Sam saw that Frodo was drenched with sweat and knew he must have had a terrible dream. He set the tray down on a table and gently sat on Frodo's bed. "What sort of dream did you dream last night? It must have been frightening."

"Sam, I have to go back. Something is calling me, this is the third time this week I have had a dream about Mordor and Mount Doom" Frodo said quietly. Sam sat quietly and thought about this. In his former master's and friend's eyes he say a look of fear but also a look of pure determination and knew that he could not be swayed out of going.

"Alright if you insist on going I can' let you go alone. I will make sure that Fatty looks after Rosie and Elanor. Don't worry Mr. Frodo, I wouldn't' let you go alone last time and I don't aim to now."

Outside of Bag End, the sun shined brightly and a slight spring breeze blew gently against the new leaves. Sam walked briskly over to a quaint little hobbit hole across town and down a ways. On the porch smoking two finely crafted pipes sat two troublesome hobbits. "Sam" cried Merry"We haven't seen you in a while. Is everything all right"

"I must speak to you both about a very important matter concerning Mr. Frodo. May we go inside to talk" said Sam.

Pippin lead the way into a room right off of the entry way. A small room with plenty of comfortable seating and an adequate fire place. Merry and Pippin sat down but Sam remained standing looking worried and distraught.

Then he said" He wants to go back to where Mordor used to be. He has been having nightmares and thinks that something is drawing him there. I am going and I was wondering if you two wanted to go too."

At the mention of Mordor they each stiffened a bit but gave no reply. After a brief silence though it was Merry who spoke first"At the mention of that Black Land, my blood runs cold but I will go."

"As will I" Pip said voice quivering" Even though my feet have never treaded on those still cursed lands I will do it for Frodo. For the Shire once more."

And as if a great burden had been lifted from Sam he stood up straighter and laughed. "I thought that is what you would say! It is good to have friends as dear as you two. Let's get ready! We must go with all haste."

The three hobbits sprinted out the door with a new found purpose, each going his separate way. In a few hours they all assembled at Frodo's door.

Frodo on the other hand had picked at his breakfast that Sam had made on that special day. It was the anniversary of the day he and his fellow hobbits had come back and saved the Shire from Sharkey and Grima. "It seems so long ago" he thought to himself" and even though it has only been a few short years I feel so much older. I need adventure. Change. And yet that is what

I am afraid of, change that I do not want or understand."

Slowly he made his way to his wardrobe and pulled out of the back leather bound box. Out of it he drew a long grey, elven-made cloak, a mithril mail coat and a sword inscribed with Elvin runes. He put them on along with every day hobbit garb, fastened his cloak closed with a green leaf and strode to the door just as he heard a knock. There at the door stood his trio of friends all ready to go. Of course Frodo was surprised and tried not to show it, but he did not do a good job.

Sam stepped forward and said"I did say that I was not going to let you go alone. Did I not, Mr.

Frodo" With that they started off on their long journey without another word.