Disclaimer: I don't own 'Lord of the Rings' or any of its characters, only any of my OCs. This goes for the whole story.
The Nazgul were closing in on the hobbit and the elf that attempted to keep him out of their reach. They had a good chance of reaching her before she was able to reach the sanctuary of her home and then they would have the hobbit in their possession but more importantly the Ring.
The black horses would soon overtake the lone white horse. Victory was close. However nobody noticed that there was an extra black horse and therefore an extra black rider. They made their presence apparent once a ring wraith extended his hand towards the injured hobbit. A flash of a sword and a shriek of a wraith was all that was needed for the white horse and elleth to renew their efforts for escape.
The new black rider caused the Nazgul to back up slightly but they were still not about to give up their goal. An elven rider, followed by a single black rider, chased by a group of Nazgul. Whenever a ring wraith closed in on the black rider they would fend them off. It continued like this through forests and across plains with the white horse getting further and further ahead of the group of black horses.
Because she did not have to keep looking over her shoulder, the elf was able to focus on the injured hobbit and eventually made it to the river that would lead them to her people and grant them protection from the evil that still determinedly chased them. When the lone black rider reached the edge of the water they stopped. The hooded figure looked across at the elleth, then the hobbit and back to the elleth. But the elleth was not going to continue on while her saviour was left to the non-existent mercy of the Nazgul.
"Come across! Quickly!"
The elleth issued the invitation that the saviour had been waiting for and as the Nazgul closed in on the rider they rushed through the water to the elleth's side. The Nazgul paused also at the water's edge as the other black rider had done but this time attempted to cross the water without an invitation after exchanging words with the elf.
"If you want him, come claim him,"
The challenge from the elf was enough to draw them into the water and after summoning the power of her people the river itself protected the elf, hobbit and hooded rider from the advancements of the Nazgul. Victory was thought to have been achieved but was short lived as the hobbit suddenly got worse. Both riders dismounted and with the assistance of the hooded rider the elf was able to lay the hobbit on the ground, begging the little one to hang on. While the elleth muttered more things in order to help the hobbit in her arms the hooded rider knelt beside the hobbit. The elleth flinched and paused slightly but as the rider merely rubbed the hobbits head and appeared to be of no threat she continued with her prayer.
The hobbit's will was failing and he was gradually slipping into the darkness brought on by the injury sustained by the Nazgul but he recognised the hooded rider and while he couldn't speak he was able to grab the rider's hand. They squeezed each other's hand and as the hobbit still couldn't seem to say what he wanted to so desperately he merely guided the rider's hand to his neck and to the chain that held a ring. The sound of approaching elves diverted the elleth's attention and caused her to stop her muttering once more. With the elf no longer watching them the rider took the chain off from around the hobbit's neck.
"I will give this back to you when you are better. I will allow no one else to have it,"
The rider muttered this to the hobbit as they placed a kiss on the hobbit's forehead. The hobbit seemed almost relieved by this and was relaxed as elves came to take him the rest of the way to their city for treatment.
The elleth from before looked back at the rider who had not moved to follow after them.
"Come,"
A half shake of the head before a pause.
"Will Frodo be alright?"
The elleth was shocked when the rider spoke and even more so by the feminine voice that drifted from said rider's mouth. After a pause she also replied.
"My father will heal him. I promise,"
A nod.
The rider turned to leave and this caused the elleth to gasp.
"You must come with us quickly!"
The group who had taken the hobbit had gone out of sight by now and so it was only the elleth and rider at the edge of the river. The elleth had looked behind herself to discover this but was not about to leave the injured rider. Her exclamation was because the rider before her had a great gash along her back, horizontally across the bottom of her shoulder blades, and if this was caused by a Nazgul weapon then the rider needed instant attention from the elves. This exclamation also caused the rider to turn back around and from the shadows of the hood a slight smile was visible.
"I will be fine. I am much stronger than I appear,"
With this the rider mounted her black horse and went back the way the pair had just come but just before they were out of sight the elleth put her fear into words.
"Was it a Nazgul?"
However the elleth would not get her answer now but would instead have to wait until they met again and hope that she remembered this question. All the elleth could do was hope her fear was misplaced and that she would see this rider again soon.
The black rider knew exactly what she wanted and had to do and her determination was not going to be stopped by anyone or anything. She knew it was dangerous to leave the safety of the elves with the ring wraiths still at large especially with her own injuries but she had to make sure they were alright. She wouldn't be able to rest until she knew for sure, possibly not even until they were all guarded by the protection of the elves.
The ones she wanted to protect so fiercely were the other hobbits she knew would have been journeying with Frodo. There were a couple of possible combinations of who would have been with Frodo but either way she was not about to let them be wandering around in such danger. This drove her to ride even faster, not wanting another second to roll by without knowing if they were uninjured or even alive.
It took a long time to find the small group, especially with the forest slowing her progression, and took her until the next day to reach them. When she finally saw three small figures in the distance she was overjoyed. She may have raced to them that instant if it weren't for the larger shadow that led her beloved hobbits through the dense forest of trees. She was still unseen and so dismounted her loyal horse to let him return free to the land, knowing he would stay close and come again if called. Hidden in the shadows she was able to deduce that the hobbits were unafraid of this man but that did little to ease her intrust, something that had built up over many years for the race that man represented; Men. But her need to see the hobbits meant that she did not draw further away but simply waited for them to approach.
"Mr Strider, Sir, do you think Mr Frodo will be alright? Those black riders didn't get him did they? The elves will help him, won't they?"
"There is no need to worry Master Gamgee. That elleth you saw will get your friend to Lord Elrond and then he will be safe and healed,"
"Sam, Merry, Pippin,"
Said hobbits jumped and went for their weapons at the sudden voice while the man drew his blade and aimed it at her, ready for a fight. He would have had to cut through the hobbits to get to her though as they quickly rushed to her side upon discovering her identity.
"Katelynn!"
A gentle laugh came forth as said woman received crushing hugs as she knelt down to her friends' heights. Her hood finally fell away from her face revealing nothing particularly special or memorable about her features. Dark brown hair was in a messy bun and matching coloured eyes were only focused on the three hobbits in her arms and didn't even acknowledge the still raised blade directed at her. Her face wouldn't be described as ugly, especially with a beaming smile currently upon it, but it wasn't definitively beautiful either. It was puzzling to most but more importantly assisted Katelynn in remaining mostly undetectable through the ease it took most to forget her face.
"Who is this woman?"
Strider demanded to know who this new person was, especially as her sudden appearance had caught him off guard. Her obvious familiarity and trust with the hobbits put him slightly at ease but he was still going to be cautious. It was his nature.
"Oh, Strider. This is Katelynn. She's a good friend of ours and would sometimes travel with Gandalf and come visit us in the Shire,"
"Hey, how long as it been since your last visit?"
Merry and Pippin answered Strider's question and asked one of their own, respectively, which earned responses from both humans present.
"Gandalf never mentioned her, nor have I seen her while traveling with Gandalf myself,"
Strider's suspicion was clear but promptly ignored.
"I know it has been a while Pip but I was coming to visit but then I received a message from Gandalf informing me of the situation, so here I am,"
"Frodo is – was with us as well but-"
"Don't worry Sam. I found Frodo and the elleth and escorted them to Rivendell. The black riders didn't lay a hand on them, I assure you,"
"What about you?"
"Merry. It's me we're talking about,"
"…"
"…"
"…"
The three hobbits released Katelynn and stood silent, staring at her very accusingly.
"Of course I got hurt. Only a little bit. A scratch or two,"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Nothing changed.
"What?"
The hobbits exchanged glances and after a synchronised nod it was Pippin who spoke up.
"Show us,"
"What?"
"You said you only got a few scratches. So show us. Prove it,"
"What? Prove they were only scratches?"
"Yes!"
The continual synchronisation was disheartening the woman as she felt that her dear hobbits were ganging up on her and not believing her. They were correct to not believe her about something like this. Still.
"It is only one scratch,"
"Katelynn,"
"Okay, it may be more than a scratch. But still only one!"
"Katelynn!"
"What? It's nothing. I promise... Look. The sooner we get to Rivendell the sooner I will get healed. Okay? There is nothing we can do here. Come on,"
With this finality Katelynn stood and turned, allowing the hobbits to view the gash on her back but not listening to any of the protests they began to emit, before leading the way through the trees towards Rivendell. Still not acknowledging the present of the forgotten man who, though had sheathed his weapon, still kept his hand on its hilt; ready. The hobbits promptly followed and began questioning their new leader about the experiences she had had in the year that had passed. This particular group of hobbits had always been the more curious and inquisitive amongst the other inhabitants of the Shire. A reason why both Katelynn and Gandalf were especially fond of them.
It was getting late and Katelynn insisted on setting up a small camp while still in the shelter of the forest instead out on the open plain that they were soon approaching. They would be able to reach Rivendell within the next couple of days and she had to once again assure her small companions that her wound would be fine until then. Strider may have started to protest about some of things Katelynn spoke but, as he was distinctly ignored, his opinion was not taken into account by the stubborn and rude woman.
They ate and the hobbits settled in for the night after a quick story from their friend about some of her more exciting travels of recent.
"I'll take the first watch,"
Strider did his best to gain a few words from the newly appeared woman but as no reply came he decided to keep watch all night. He was skilled enough to go a couple of nights without sleep, the simple rest would be plenty. Apparently so was the woman as not once through the night did her eyes droop or her muscles relax. The beginning of the next day brought a quick breakfast and a snack for the road for the hobbits. Katelynn was determined to cross the plain that day as to hopefully not be caught unprepared by the black riders if they still lurked around and the elleth had not been able to disperse them as far as they all hoped.
Rivendell was still a couple of days away and while this journey had only taken Katelynn a single day it would take longer for the group without the speed of horses and the same sense of urgency. However the woman still held a certain amount of urgency for this trip as she desperately wanted to know if Frodo was alright and she couldn't stand the man's presence a moment longer than necessary. She loved the hobbits dearly and if it wasn't for their innocence and kind hearts she would have already slain the man to rid herself of his foul existence but for the hobbit's sake she resisted the instinct and merely stayed as far away from him as possible. Her hate for men was known by the handful of beings that knew her and so if the hobbits asked to spare him she would for the time being.
"Katelynn! Where have you been for the past year?"
"Yeah! You said you would come for the birthday party!"
"Merry, Pip, hush. I assure you I didn't mean to miss it. I got a bit tangled up in something I was doing for Gandalf and lost track of time. When I did finally finish I started on my way back but received a letter from Gandalf telling me what was happening with your little group. So, I made for Rivendell and came across Frodo and the elleth and you know the rest,"
"What were you doing for Gandalf?"
"Sam! When did you get so inquisitive about these things?"
Katelynn's remark caused said hobbit to blush profusely to the laughter of all but the still cautious Strider.
"I'm only playing Sam. I went to visit some dwarves; old friends of Gandalf and myself. And they have partied like hobbits so I couldn't leave for quite a while. I would have been rude. And they may have stolen my cloak so I couldn't sneak out,"
The story was getting more and more laughter as it went on and the mood was lifted dramatically; possibly the best it had been since the journey from the Shire began. The only one who had lost cheer, if it was possible, was Strider. The sudden appearance of the woman had put him on edge from the very beginning with no sign that it was going to ease. He didn't know why but he was going to trust his instincts.
They crossed the plains in good time and would be able to journey through the forest a distance before stopping for another night of attempted rest. There was still no sign of any Wraiths and this news relieved everybody. The hobbits continued to talk with their spirits raised and Katelynn would answer their questions as best she could without disheartening them and destroying the mood.
The sun was beginning to set now after travelling about an hour on the final leg of their journey to Rivendell. Strider had become more and more tense as the time he spent with the woman increased. Whenever he spoke she became quiet. Whenever he asked a question she didn't acknowledge it, let alone answer it. If it wasn't for the stress and worry of the Wraiths then he would have been fine but he was becoming exceedingly frustrated at her behaviour. All he wanted was answers.
"Katelynnnnnnnnnnn,"
"Yes Pippin?"
"Can we stopppp?"
"Soon. A saw a good camping spot on my way through last time. It isn't too far little one. Don't worry,"
"Katelynnnnnn!"
"Just think of it as a step closer to Rivendell and Frodo. Think of the food if you have to,"
This conversation went on in a similar fashion with Merry joining in and Sam speaking up now and then. The four were so preoccupied with each other that they hadn't noticed Strider quickly advancing on Katelynn. He wanted answers. He reached a hand out to grab her shoulder but never reached it. In a blink of an eye she had spun around and grabbed his extended arm by the wrist. Her grip was deathly but not nearly as much as her stare.
"Never touch me,"
Her grip tightened further and her gaze didn't waver.
"Katelynn!"
"Don't!"
"He didn't mean it!"
The hobbits quickly started yelling, hoping to stop whatever she may do to him. The panicked expressions of the hobbits was enough to stop her. She loosened her hold on Strider's arm, turned to the hobbits and smiled.
"What do I have to keep telling you lot. Don't worry,"
The hobbits looked relieved and turned to continue on their way. Katelynn still held onto Strider's arm and waited for the hobbits to be out of hearing range before finally turning to the offending man.
"Touch me again and I'll kill you. Hobbits or not. Men are just disgusting and vile,"
The threat of gently whispered in Strider's ear before she finally let go and walked forward as if nothing had happened. As she passed them she gave the hobbits affectionate head rubs to cause even greater smiles on their faces and to reinforce that she wasn't going to kill Strider yet.
However a few steps later she tripped. This caused the three hobbits to rush to her side and for Strider to look on in more curiosity.
"Katelynn!"
"I'm fine. I just tripped,"
"You never 'just trip',"
"Oh, shush Merry,"
"Well, it's true!"
"If the wound was from the blade of a Nazgul then it will have the same effect as it did on Frodo,"
Strider had already guessed that his suspicions were true but felt that the hobbits deserved to know the truth, that their friend was in immense pain and danger. She gave him attention this time but it was similar to last time, a few seconds earlier, it was a stare that wished he would die and have eternal pain for this comment and of he spoke any further.
"I'm fine,"
"You have been growing weaker over the short time you have been with us,"
"I'm not weak! … I'm fine,"
These last two words were defiant and left no room for argument. No matter how many times she stumbled throughout the day she wouldn't admit the pain her injury was causing her or allow anyone to help her, not even the hobbits and certainly not Strider. The pain got more intense as the night drew closer and Pippin made a comment or two that her hands were getting colder each time she went to rub his head. When the night did come it was quiet for the group with neither Katelynn nor Strider going to sleep and instead letting the hobbits rest while keeping an eye on each other and the surrounding trees.
The next day they reached Rivendell. With Katelynn barely able to stand but still refusing help. If the darkness from the wound wasn't making her weak then it was the blood loss from her still mostly open slash.
The looks on the hobbits' faces were ones of pure joy and excitement upon seeing more elves. When the group of five got to the border of Rivendell there were a couple of elves waiting for them, near where Katelynn left elleth and Frodo a few days before. The hobbits raced across the river but Katelynn stumbled again as she made her way out of the water. This time she put up a minimal struggle as the two elves came to her side to stop her from kissing the ground.
"Our sister told us about you,"
"You need to get that cut looked at,"
With this they proceeded to drag Katelynn until she stopped struggling and let of them help her to 'walk' while she told the other to look after the hobbits. Basically by the time they made it to the city of Rivendell Katelynn was being carried to her extreme annoyance. Luckily for the ellon that was currently carrying her, she didn't have the strength to try and fight him off at this point but she made a mental note to remember to punch him later for the humiliation. While she was thinking of how good it was going to be to punch him in the face the ellon began to speak and broke her violent fantasy.
"We need to take you to my father. That wound needs to be looked at immediately and-"
"Not until I see Frodo,"
The ellon stopped at her sudden stubbornness which caused Sam to walk into his legs, which had no effect on the male elf.
"He hasn't woken up yet,"
"Don't care,"
"But-"
"No. I won't let anyone even look at my injury until I see Frodo. So please, take the hobbits and myself to Frodo,"
"You are as stubborn as always Katelynn,"
"Hello Gandalf,"
Her tone went from defiant to slightly irritated once the old wizard spoke. She rolled her eyes and couldn't be bothered to look at the wizard. She also became silent.
"Silence. My true magic it would seem. Not much can cause you to hide your opinion and thoughts. Elrohir you may want to take her to see Frodo before she passes out. Come hobbits. Elladan. Aragorn. Follow me,"
With this the grey wizard walked past the group and seemed to lead the way towards the unconscious hobbit.
"Oh and don't worry Katelynn, Frodo is fine,"
"I figured that out already. If something had happened everyone would be on edge and would have undoubtedly told us by now,"
"There's the attitude,"
"Oh shush Gandalf,"
The group then made their way through the buildings, hallways and walkways of Rivendell with the hobbits gawking at the number of elves and how different everything was to the Shire. Luckily all of the questions they had were directed at Gandalf so Katelynn just smiled and rested, waiting to see one of her beloved hobbits.
Then they reached the room where Frodo was resting.
As soon as Katelynn saw the rise and fall of Frodo's chest she passed out.
It was the next day when Katelynn woke up. The first thing she thought of was the pain across the back of her shoulders and then she noticed how it hurt less than it did before. A few seconds later she remembered the hobbits and in trying to get out of bed promptly fell on her face. She took this opportunity to study the room she was in and more importantly what she was currently wearing. Now the room she was in was nice and bright with lots of light coming through the window to make it easy to see the various pieces of simple furniture dotting the space. More importantly she was wearing a dress. Katelynn hated dresses. They were completely impractical and impossible to fight in. She hated them. The feeling of the loose fabric around her arms and legs was disconcerting. Even worse it was light blue. Light colours were annoying and again impractical. They got dirty so easily. Basically this day wasn't off to a good start.
At the moment she was lying on her side as her back still hurt and she didn't want to be staring at the ground. Once her head stopped hurting and her arms started moving she would attempt to get to her feet once again and then go on a hunt for the hobbits and maybe even the wizard.