Captain of the Rings
Chapter 1- A Vision at Sea
The world was quiet around the Xandiar. As if the sea was not the greatest body of water but a vacuum sucking the sound and expelling silence like a liquid coating around its contents. The Sky was an azure lit with the fire of the coming dawn. Frodo was uneasy in sleep and now peeked above deck.
There was no one to be seen. He wondered at that but stepped quietly up on deck. The wind whistled through the sails and the rigging clamored in rhythm against the masts. The timbers creaked and yet all was silent. He wrinkled his brow and looked out over the sea.
"Beautiful," he mouthed. The sun was just peeking over head the whitecaps and sent her rays like a blanket of blush over the spray. The light collected and pooled in the valleys beneath and lightly tipped the crests like delicate flowers. This was what he had come to. What a place to run to. There was nothing but endless sky and sea every direction he looked. There was no life except his own to be seen; even the gulls were missing. Then something happened that surprised him. The ship turned. Turned to the left and started to come about away from the light. They were heading- West! Frodo leaped on top of the gunwale and grabbed a stay to steady him. The wind ripped through his dark hair and the light caught his eyes and set the sparkling like jewels. He knew he should go find out the plans, the reason they were heading away from his mission and into his desires but he dared not move, he dared not question this turn of fate, this turn of the wheel.
But his mind did question it.
"Elanor..." why were they not going east- surely she had been taken east. Frodo looked ominously toward the forecastle. The sun, now to their rudder edged Jack Sparrow in gold. His entire form shining like a light of the West itself. His Head scarf caught in the wind whipped like flag of royalty and his hair flew up like a lions mane in the heat of the chase. His eyes were dark and omniscient. Frodo walked toward him.
"Captain, I don't mean to question you, not on our first day at sea," Jack seemed to pay him little mind.
"But I am concerned as," The sun cause him squint " Elanor is east." For the first time Jack made it clear that he knew the hobbit was present. His lips curled in a smile and he looked down at him.
"Leave the girl to me," he said curtly.
"But I-," Frodo protested. Jack cut him off by letting go of the wheel with one hand and turning toward him, his free hand falling subconsciously to his sword.
"The wind would be astern," Jack said matter-of-factually. Frodo's brow crinkled in confusion.
"Surely you're not telling me that we truly go where the wind takes us, I know-," Jack cut him off again with a look of 'knowing'.
"Hold your advice, the sun hasn't even cleared me deck," he said without looking behind him. Frodo's eyes teared. He wasn't sure if it was the light in his eyes or his desperation. His mind kept racing to Sam. What would he think? Frodo felt the familiar pangs of discord growing between them. Familiar, only in that he had felt it before with another.
"I know what I'm doing." Jack interrupted his memories. Frodo looked up at him. Now the sun had risen over the deck and spilling onto the forecastle like a tipped decanter of wine. Frodo realized Jack had been serious about not speaking until the sun had ceremoniously filled the deck with light.
"Will you tell me then," Frodo began strongly and then backing off as Jack's eyes fell on him "What we're doing?" Jack grinned.
"You're not doing anything, don't think I haven't noticed. A fine first mate you've turned out to be- and as for your questions, it's not so much as what we're doing, but where we're going that should interest you, on this fine morning," Jack said sweeping his hand over his sea. Frodo thought about this.
"Captain," he began with noted formality "where are we going?" Jack didn't answer. The sun rose now behind his head like a crown. Steps where heard below deck and a high voice ripped through the air.
"Captain!" Lorna shouted as she raced up the stairs to the forecastle and planted herself between Jack and the helm. She pointed her finger in his face. Jack looked confused, and immediately feined innocence for whatever the trouble might be.
"Why was I not notified that we were making for Numenor? Frodo's ears pricked up. Jack's eyes widened and he brought his hand off the wheel and put it around her moving her away from earshot.
"Watch the short one, ey- I've got to go," he pecked her cheek and started down the stairs. Both Frodo and Lorna called after him and looked at each other wildly. He disappeared under the deck and Lorna put a rope on the wheel to keep the course he had set. She sighed.
" Did you mean the lost isle of Numenor?" Frodo asked in a hushed, frantic voice. She was elegant in form but her clothes hid it. She was dressed in men's britches and shirt- apparently stolen and her silver hair had been pulled back into a knot behind her head. She had one gold ring in he ear and always a look of annoyance on her face.
"Who the hell knows," she shot and looked off into the distance. Apparently she had decided to keep a tighter lip now. Frodo shifted uneasily and recognized her stubbornness. He slipped off.
The lower deck was now bristling with activity. The crew- what there was of them was awake and moving cargo and other things (such as passed out crewmembers) around. Frodo looked frantically for the rest of the fellowship. It had been late when they had all gone below for their first night at sea. Frodo's mind felt hazy, as if he couldn't even remember where he was when he had woken up this morning and further more where it might have been that Imbalech and Sam had slept the night. He wanted to call out for them, he wanted to scream their names but his voice wouldn't come. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to find Sam Gamgee staring back at him admirably.
"Begging your pardon, Frodo but you look lost." Frodo smiled warmly, all fear leaving him at the sight of perhaps the most loving face he knew.
"I was," Frodo thought but said, "Well you've found me," In jest. Sam tipped his head. He had learned a lot through their journey together. Frodo was no longer that closed book on the shelf. A year of agony and despair had aged him, ripped him apart, but more than anything had made him readable- to Sam anyway. He had watched his friend, this person who had been the shining light in his life give that all up, sacrifice his very soul to the fires. You don't watch that without learning how to read between the lines.
"Imbalech's been up in the Captain's cabin, apparently they're going over some maps or somethin-," before Sam could finish Frodo had burst passed him.
"Where you going?" he called out after his master. Frodo rushed to the captain's cabin and was about to bust in when Sam caught his hand. Frodo looked at him slowly. He didn't say anything but Sam released his grasp and Frodo slumped to the floor by the door. Sam kneeled.
"What is it?" He wondered. What was it that had him so worried? He felt taken right back to the very brink of their departure from Bag-end. On the eve of their journey Frodo would rush around and whisper of secrets. Always he had a frantic look in his eye, very much like the one now staring back at him. Sam put his hand to Frodo's. Frodo looked up slightly and then resumed doing what he had been- listening through the wall. Sam stood agape. Frodo wasn't quite the same hobbit he had remembered. He wasn't quite so consumed by his despair. He was- eavesdropping!
Sam didn't say anything but just dropped to Frodo's side and tried to his best not to let his excited breathing cloud any of the conversation wafting over from the next room.
"I can't allow it!" came the boom of Imbalech's noble voice.
"You dot have much choice, you can either help me, or hinder me- either way- I'm breaking through that restriction," Jack Sparrow said calmly but tightly. Suddenly the door opened and Imbalech of Mirkwood stormed out. She was in a rage but when she caught the sight of her two friends with ears to the door she softened. The two hobbits looked up at her with wide eyes. They stood up quickly as Jack Sparrow came out from his cabin. He moved past the elf and ignored the hobbits. He was shouting orders and crewmembers were popping their heads out of doors and slowly moving toward the upper deck. Jack Sparrow met Imbalech's eyes as he rounded the stairs and then disappeared.
"What's happening?" Frodo asked Imbalech. She looked at him sadly.
"I'm afraid I've cut our fellowship short,"
"Why? What's he doing?" Frodo demanded. She swallowed.
"He intends on raising Numenor."
"The land of the dunedain?" Sam asked.
"The same, Sam," Imbalech sighed. "He thinks that with the simaril of the sea it can be raised,"
"He has the simaril?" Frodo gasped.
"That I don't know, it would seem so," She said sadly then she grabbed Frodo by the shoulders "but that's the least of our problems. The valar condemned Numenor to the sea- there it must stay!" she released her grip and looked away "He asked me to grant him passage.... To the West," Frodo's eyes widened. He put his hand to his throat. He felt as though the air was being sucked out of his body, like he was drowning. His eyes started to dim.
"Frodo.... Frodo!" he heard the echo of Imbalech's voice as he slipped farther away. He blinked and when he opened his eyes he was before the court of the Valar. There in the circle of doom the entire array of the Hands and Feet of Eru himself stood at attendance. The air was a mist and he breathed it in like an elixir. The sound of running water could be heard and the wind of the undying land whipped across his face. The council was seated in a court that had been chiseled out of the mountainside. The sea gnashed its teeth below. Frodo realized he could see 360 degrees around him. His circular vision focused ahead on the King and Queen of the Valar seated in majesty. His vision was drawn to the Elentari, her skin like snow and her locks- indescribable. His eyes locked with hers the delicacy of her features made his head swim, but her pierceing glance awoke the power of his mind. She stood and a light moved about her. She didn't say anything but held her hand aloft. A small bird came down from the wind and settled on her hand. Beneath the dark feathers Frodo saw Mall'elen glint.
"Frodo!" Sam said shaking him. Still nothing. He touched Frodo's cheek
"He's gone cold, Imbalech! Sam looked up to Imbalech who was muttering some elvish words, her eyes closed and her brow creased. His mind raced. This was just like on Weathertop. Frodo lay helpless and he watched even more helplessly. The life seemed to have drained from Frodo's body.
"His mind and heart are else where..." A clamor on the stairs told of Jack's approach. Sam and Imbalech looked up.
"Move!" They backed away as Jack knelt next to Frodo and touched his chest. Imbalech watched him then open each of Frodo's eyes and study them as though he could see what Frodo saw. He then gathered Frodo up into his arms and headed for the stairs. Sam called out as Jack reached the deck. He almost thought he recognized the roguish form of Strider carrying Frodo into the Wilderness but that left in a flourish as Jack threw Frodo overboard. Imbalech grabbed for Sam but it was too late. He was down on top of the pirate beating him with his fists, the tears streaming down his cheeks.
"I didn't make it through all that only to lose him now!" was the only discernable thing he said. Imbalech ripped the hobbit off Jack as he stood up. He completely ignored Sam's outburst and leaned intently over the gunwale. His eyes darted from side to side. He was waiting for Frodo to come up. Sam was watching him, as he couldn't move. The shock had gone through his body and paralyzed it. Imbalech held him to her, she didn't know that if she released him he would fall, limp. He didn't know that holding on to him was all that kept her standing as well. Sam felt his stomach drop as he saw a look of confusion, no he had seen that before, this was something else- fear flash through Jack's eyes. Sam shook off Imbalech's grip and rushed toward the gunwale just as Jack dived off the ship.
The water was cold and the color reflected the temperature. Deep blue and almost black water rushed past Jack as he swam down, down into the depths. Then something caught his eye; a small shaft of sunlight caught the Lothlorien broach on Frodo's cloak and sent up a signal. Jack acknowledged it and flew towards it. He grasped the small body and turned toward the surface.
Sam's knuckles went white as he gripped the gunwale waiting for something, anything, just a sign of life in the rolling water. Imbalech stood beside him her eyes narrowed as she looked deep within the sea. She smiled. Up came Jack with a gasp and then Frodo. Frodo was gasping for breath but he was alive. He looked at Jack for a second. He wanted to say something, but he only smiled. Jack helped him toward the ship. A rope was lowered and soon Captain and hobbit were hoisted onto the deck.
Frodo was taken to the Galley.
"Warmest place on board, to be sure," said Vim. He had Sam boil water and Roux fetched blankets. Frodo's wet clothes were stripped off, Roux wrapped him in an elvish looking cloth and soon he had good mint tea to warm his throat. Jack stood by in the doorway dripping, giving orders. Everyone was moving frantically around them and yet Frodo felt totally alone with Jack. They just seemed to look at one another interminably.
"That's the second time," Jack said softly, speaking as though there was absolute silence. Strangely Frodo heard him clearly.
"I know," he said smiling. Neither took their eyes of the other. "You know what I saw," Frodo continued softly, but then Sam, Imbalech and Lorna stopped what they were doing and began to watch the scene unfold.
"I know what you saw," Jack smiled.
"Then you know I'll help you," Frodo said. Their eyes were locked in a warmness. Sam looked from Jack to Frodo. The muscles in Imbalech's face tensed.
"Captain?" Lorna asked. He didn't answer. He didn't even move he only smiled at Frodo flashing golden teeth. Then something glinted in Frodo's eye.
"I'll grant your passage to the West," Frodo said and looked to Sam "If you help us rescue Elanor." Jack's eyes darkened for a second and then came up shining. Jack turned to Lorna.
"This calls for some rum!"
"Aye, captain."
Chapter 1- A Vision at Sea
The world was quiet around the Xandiar. As if the sea was not the greatest body of water but a vacuum sucking the sound and expelling silence like a liquid coating around its contents. The Sky was an azure lit with the fire of the coming dawn. Frodo was uneasy in sleep and now peeked above deck.
There was no one to be seen. He wondered at that but stepped quietly up on deck. The wind whistled through the sails and the rigging clamored in rhythm against the masts. The timbers creaked and yet all was silent. He wrinkled his brow and looked out over the sea.
"Beautiful," he mouthed. The sun was just peeking over head the whitecaps and sent her rays like a blanket of blush over the spray. The light collected and pooled in the valleys beneath and lightly tipped the crests like delicate flowers. This was what he had come to. What a place to run to. There was nothing but endless sky and sea every direction he looked. There was no life except his own to be seen; even the gulls were missing. Then something happened that surprised him. The ship turned. Turned to the left and started to come about away from the light. They were heading- West! Frodo leaped on top of the gunwale and grabbed a stay to steady him. The wind ripped through his dark hair and the light caught his eyes and set the sparkling like jewels. He knew he should go find out the plans, the reason they were heading away from his mission and into his desires but he dared not move, he dared not question this turn of fate, this turn of the wheel.
But his mind did question it.
"Elanor..." why were they not going east- surely she had been taken east. Frodo looked ominously toward the forecastle. The sun, now to their rudder edged Jack Sparrow in gold. His entire form shining like a light of the West itself. His Head scarf caught in the wind whipped like flag of royalty and his hair flew up like a lions mane in the heat of the chase. His eyes were dark and omniscient. Frodo walked toward him.
"Captain, I don't mean to question you, not on our first day at sea," Jack seemed to pay him little mind.
"But I am concerned as," The sun cause him squint " Elanor is east." For the first time Jack made it clear that he knew the hobbit was present. His lips curled in a smile and he looked down at him.
"Leave the girl to me," he said curtly.
"But I-," Frodo protested. Jack cut him off by letting go of the wheel with one hand and turning toward him, his free hand falling subconsciously to his sword.
"The wind would be astern," Jack said matter-of-factually. Frodo's brow crinkled in confusion.
"Surely you're not telling me that we truly go where the wind takes us, I know-," Jack cut him off again with a look of 'knowing'.
"Hold your advice, the sun hasn't even cleared me deck," he said without looking behind him. Frodo's eyes teared. He wasn't sure if it was the light in his eyes or his desperation. His mind kept racing to Sam. What would he think? Frodo felt the familiar pangs of discord growing between them. Familiar, only in that he had felt it before with another.
"I know what I'm doing." Jack interrupted his memories. Frodo looked up at him. Now the sun had risen over the deck and spilling onto the forecastle like a tipped decanter of wine. Frodo realized Jack had been serious about not speaking until the sun had ceremoniously filled the deck with light.
"Will you tell me then," Frodo began strongly and then backing off as Jack's eyes fell on him "What we're doing?" Jack grinned.
"You're not doing anything, don't think I haven't noticed. A fine first mate you've turned out to be- and as for your questions, it's not so much as what we're doing, but where we're going that should interest you, on this fine morning," Jack said sweeping his hand over his sea. Frodo thought about this.
"Captain," he began with noted formality "where are we going?" Jack didn't answer. The sun rose now behind his head like a crown. Steps where heard below deck and a high voice ripped through the air.
"Captain!" Lorna shouted as she raced up the stairs to the forecastle and planted herself between Jack and the helm. She pointed her finger in his face. Jack looked confused, and immediately feined innocence for whatever the trouble might be.
"Why was I not notified that we were making for Numenor? Frodo's ears pricked up. Jack's eyes widened and he brought his hand off the wheel and put it around her moving her away from earshot.
"Watch the short one, ey- I've got to go," he pecked her cheek and started down the stairs. Both Frodo and Lorna called after him and looked at each other wildly. He disappeared under the deck and Lorna put a rope on the wheel to keep the course he had set. She sighed.
" Did you mean the lost isle of Numenor?" Frodo asked in a hushed, frantic voice. She was elegant in form but her clothes hid it. She was dressed in men's britches and shirt- apparently stolen and her silver hair had been pulled back into a knot behind her head. She had one gold ring in he ear and always a look of annoyance on her face.
"Who the hell knows," she shot and looked off into the distance. Apparently she had decided to keep a tighter lip now. Frodo shifted uneasily and recognized her stubbornness. He slipped off.
The lower deck was now bristling with activity. The crew- what there was of them was awake and moving cargo and other things (such as passed out crewmembers) around. Frodo looked frantically for the rest of the fellowship. It had been late when they had all gone below for their first night at sea. Frodo's mind felt hazy, as if he couldn't even remember where he was when he had woken up this morning and further more where it might have been that Imbalech and Sam had slept the night. He wanted to call out for them, he wanted to scream their names but his voice wouldn't come. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to find Sam Gamgee staring back at him admirably.
"Begging your pardon, Frodo but you look lost." Frodo smiled warmly, all fear leaving him at the sight of perhaps the most loving face he knew.
"I was," Frodo thought but said, "Well you've found me," In jest. Sam tipped his head. He had learned a lot through their journey together. Frodo was no longer that closed book on the shelf. A year of agony and despair had aged him, ripped him apart, but more than anything had made him readable- to Sam anyway. He had watched his friend, this person who had been the shining light in his life give that all up, sacrifice his very soul to the fires. You don't watch that without learning how to read between the lines.
"Imbalech's been up in the Captain's cabin, apparently they're going over some maps or somethin-," before Sam could finish Frodo had burst passed him.
"Where you going?" he called out after his master. Frodo rushed to the captain's cabin and was about to bust in when Sam caught his hand. Frodo looked at him slowly. He didn't say anything but Sam released his grasp and Frodo slumped to the floor by the door. Sam kneeled.
"What is it?" He wondered. What was it that had him so worried? He felt taken right back to the very brink of their departure from Bag-end. On the eve of their journey Frodo would rush around and whisper of secrets. Always he had a frantic look in his eye, very much like the one now staring back at him. Sam put his hand to Frodo's. Frodo looked up slightly and then resumed doing what he had been- listening through the wall. Sam stood agape. Frodo wasn't quite the same hobbit he had remembered. He wasn't quite so consumed by his despair. He was- eavesdropping!
Sam didn't say anything but just dropped to Frodo's side and tried to his best not to let his excited breathing cloud any of the conversation wafting over from the next room.
"I can't allow it!" came the boom of Imbalech's noble voice.
"You dot have much choice, you can either help me, or hinder me- either way- I'm breaking through that restriction," Jack Sparrow said calmly but tightly. Suddenly the door opened and Imbalech of Mirkwood stormed out. She was in a rage but when she caught the sight of her two friends with ears to the door she softened. The two hobbits looked up at her with wide eyes. They stood up quickly as Jack Sparrow came out from his cabin. He moved past the elf and ignored the hobbits. He was shouting orders and crewmembers were popping their heads out of doors and slowly moving toward the upper deck. Jack Sparrow met Imbalech's eyes as he rounded the stairs and then disappeared.
"What's happening?" Frodo asked Imbalech. She looked at him sadly.
"I'm afraid I've cut our fellowship short,"
"Why? What's he doing?" Frodo demanded. She swallowed.
"He intends on raising Numenor."
"The land of the dunedain?" Sam asked.
"The same, Sam," Imbalech sighed. "He thinks that with the simaril of the sea it can be raised,"
"He has the simaril?" Frodo gasped.
"That I don't know, it would seem so," She said sadly then she grabbed Frodo by the shoulders "but that's the least of our problems. The valar condemned Numenor to the sea- there it must stay!" she released her grip and looked away "He asked me to grant him passage.... To the West," Frodo's eyes widened. He put his hand to his throat. He felt as though the air was being sucked out of his body, like he was drowning. His eyes started to dim.
"Frodo.... Frodo!" he heard the echo of Imbalech's voice as he slipped farther away. He blinked and when he opened his eyes he was before the court of the Valar. There in the circle of doom the entire array of the Hands and Feet of Eru himself stood at attendance. The air was a mist and he breathed it in like an elixir. The sound of running water could be heard and the wind of the undying land whipped across his face. The council was seated in a court that had been chiseled out of the mountainside. The sea gnashed its teeth below. Frodo realized he could see 360 degrees around him. His circular vision focused ahead on the King and Queen of the Valar seated in majesty. His vision was drawn to the Elentari, her skin like snow and her locks- indescribable. His eyes locked with hers the delicacy of her features made his head swim, but her pierceing glance awoke the power of his mind. She stood and a light moved about her. She didn't say anything but held her hand aloft. A small bird came down from the wind and settled on her hand. Beneath the dark feathers Frodo saw Mall'elen glint.
"Frodo!" Sam said shaking him. Still nothing. He touched Frodo's cheek
"He's gone cold, Imbalech! Sam looked up to Imbalech who was muttering some elvish words, her eyes closed and her brow creased. His mind raced. This was just like on Weathertop. Frodo lay helpless and he watched even more helplessly. The life seemed to have drained from Frodo's body.
"His mind and heart are else where..." A clamor on the stairs told of Jack's approach. Sam and Imbalech looked up.
"Move!" They backed away as Jack knelt next to Frodo and touched his chest. Imbalech watched him then open each of Frodo's eyes and study them as though he could see what Frodo saw. He then gathered Frodo up into his arms and headed for the stairs. Sam called out as Jack reached the deck. He almost thought he recognized the roguish form of Strider carrying Frodo into the Wilderness but that left in a flourish as Jack threw Frodo overboard. Imbalech grabbed for Sam but it was too late. He was down on top of the pirate beating him with his fists, the tears streaming down his cheeks.
"I didn't make it through all that only to lose him now!" was the only discernable thing he said. Imbalech ripped the hobbit off Jack as he stood up. He completely ignored Sam's outburst and leaned intently over the gunwale. His eyes darted from side to side. He was waiting for Frodo to come up. Sam was watching him, as he couldn't move. The shock had gone through his body and paralyzed it. Imbalech held him to her, she didn't know that if she released him he would fall, limp. He didn't know that holding on to him was all that kept her standing as well. Sam felt his stomach drop as he saw a look of confusion, no he had seen that before, this was something else- fear flash through Jack's eyes. Sam shook off Imbalech's grip and rushed toward the gunwale just as Jack dived off the ship.
The water was cold and the color reflected the temperature. Deep blue and almost black water rushed past Jack as he swam down, down into the depths. Then something caught his eye; a small shaft of sunlight caught the Lothlorien broach on Frodo's cloak and sent up a signal. Jack acknowledged it and flew towards it. He grasped the small body and turned toward the surface.
Sam's knuckles went white as he gripped the gunwale waiting for something, anything, just a sign of life in the rolling water. Imbalech stood beside him her eyes narrowed as she looked deep within the sea. She smiled. Up came Jack with a gasp and then Frodo. Frodo was gasping for breath but he was alive. He looked at Jack for a second. He wanted to say something, but he only smiled. Jack helped him toward the ship. A rope was lowered and soon Captain and hobbit were hoisted onto the deck.
Frodo was taken to the Galley.
"Warmest place on board, to be sure," said Vim. He had Sam boil water and Roux fetched blankets. Frodo's wet clothes were stripped off, Roux wrapped him in an elvish looking cloth and soon he had good mint tea to warm his throat. Jack stood by in the doorway dripping, giving orders. Everyone was moving frantically around them and yet Frodo felt totally alone with Jack. They just seemed to look at one another interminably.
"That's the second time," Jack said softly, speaking as though there was absolute silence. Strangely Frodo heard him clearly.
"I know," he said smiling. Neither took their eyes of the other. "You know what I saw," Frodo continued softly, but then Sam, Imbalech and Lorna stopped what they were doing and began to watch the scene unfold.
"I know what you saw," Jack smiled.
"Then you know I'll help you," Frodo said. Their eyes were locked in a warmness. Sam looked from Jack to Frodo. The muscles in Imbalech's face tensed.
"Captain?" Lorna asked. He didn't answer. He didn't even move he only smiled at Frodo flashing golden teeth. Then something glinted in Frodo's eye.
"I'll grant your passage to the West," Frodo said and looked to Sam "If you help us rescue Elanor." Jack's eyes darkened for a second and then came up shining. Jack turned to Lorna.
"This calls for some rum!"
"Aye, captain."