Frodo and the Urukhai

by Pheriandil

Post-Quest/AU - What happens when two entirely different worlds of thoughts and emotions collide? Is it possible for an Uruk-hai to overcome his dark side to help a hobbit? This story deals with exactly this kind of possibility.

1. Part 1

Special thanks to Eowyn and Sharka, who were a really great help for me to get the English version of this story done.

Frodo and the Uruk-hai

Note of Thanks

Thanks to J.R.R. Tolkien, who introduced a world to me which is so infinitely rich in treasures that it fills my heart with bliss and makes my soul dizzy.

Thanks to Peter Jackson, whose devoted work on the movie "The Lord of the Rings" made it possible for me to perceive each single character with all my heart and senses during the creation of the story.

Thanks to Dania Dicken (Eowyn), whom I met on my journeys through Middle-earth and whose own stories inspired me, which even appeared in my dreams to get woven into new tales. I also thank her for the motivating and cheerful feedback that accompanied each single scene during the writing.

Thanks to Yvette Ulmer, who watched my first efforts of writing with never lessening enthusiasm, and who almost beat me to make me believe in my own talent when I was too stubborn.

Thanks to Luisa Francia, who helped me in many ways to take a leap, no matter what others may think about it.

Thanks to Frodo Baggins, who resolutely took my hand to lead me through this narration with gentle determination and granted me so many valuable views of his soul.

Introduction

This story was inspired by Eowyn and is based on her own story "The Abduction in the Shire," a wonderfully created sequel to Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings".

In this story Frodo, halfway on his way the West, suddenly decides to return to Middle-earth, for he is too homesick to go any farther across the sea. So the way back is still open and he is allowed to return home. Gandalf, who still feels responsible for Frodo, has decided to join him, and this is how they arrive in the Shire one evening to embrace an astonished, but overjoyed Sam.

But happiness won't last, for Frodo is excruciated by horrible visions, and some days after Gandalf left Hobbiton, some orcs break into Bag End to abduct Frodo and Sam, but for the time being their destination and purpose remain unknown.

Soon their friends are on the tracks of the abductors, but they don't manage to rescue the hobbits. Instead they learn the riddle's solution: it becomes clear that the terrible huge spider Shelob is the one behind this mean deed, for she has hired some orcs that were left after Sauron's defeat. Their leader is the cruel Uruk-hai Shagrat, who once was commander of the orcs in Cirith Ungol. After the turmoils of the War of the Ring, Shelob has now moved to Mirkwood and wants to take revenge on the two hobbits who had escaped her in Mordor.

On their way Sam defends himself against the rude treatment of the orcs and in return he gets mistreated so badly that he soon gets seriously ill. Frodo cares for him with devotion, and Shagrat notices his behaviour in wonder. The Uruk-hai, who does not understand something like friendship at all, cannot help to watch with interest how Frodo manages to overcome his own agony and hopelessness in view of a horrible fate, just to give comfort and strength to his friend. But Sam gets weaker...

And this is where my own story begins...

Sam and Frodo were dragged farther by the orcs unyieldingly, nearer to Mirkwood, where the horrible huge spider was on lair for her victims. Although Frodo supported his friend bravely, Sam could not walk alone anymore very soon and sank exhausted to the ground more an more often. Frodo was desperate. "Don't give up, Sam, come on, don't do that to me." But Sam only murmured hopelessly: "Why should I go farther, Master Frodo. Only to be killed by Shelob?" But Frodo didn't give up. "Please, Sam, just try it before they get angry and beat you again." Finally his attempt to help Sam to his feet worked out, but he knew that Sam wouldn't stand this torture very long anymore.

Shagrat grumbled unwillingly about the slow pace of the wearily stumbling hobbits. "Pull yourselves together, you weak rats, or I'll take care for a sudden end and throw you dead into Shelob's webs. Nothing more than bad luck for her if you'd croaked on the way, got that?" Frodo tried to calm him down: "It's alright, Sam just needs a short rest, and in case there is no other way, I shall carry him." But Shagrat only laughed cruelly. "No way, maggot, or we'll never reach Mirkwood. Come on now!"

Sam was very feverish again and it didn't take very long until he broke down moaning, but when Frodo desperately bent down to get him up again, he was ungently dragged away by Shagrat. "That's enough, you blockheaded halflings, I'm fed up with your games!" Frodo blinked in dismay. The Uruk growled aggressively for a moment and then looked at Frodo with a cruel expression. "But who cares if we leave this one here behind and only take you with us. I'll explain that to Shelob, and half a prey is better than nothing. This miserable maggot will croak sooner or later anyway, and to make sure of it, I'll take care for that myself now."

He drew his dagger and slowly walked towards Sam, but Frodo desperately planted himself up in Shagrat's way,. "Please, you mustn't do that..." But the Uruk brutally pushed him to the ground and resolutely grabbed Sam who barely defended himself because of his weakness. "No!" Frodo screamed in terror and grabbed the giant's leg in panic. He meant to go insane because of fear for Sam's life and could only beg sobbingly: "Shagrat, please, don't do that, don't kill him, please..." For a moment the Uruk was taken aback by Frodo's behaviour, but then he pushed him away with a snarl and shouted at him in a threatening tone: "What game are you playing here? Tell me at once why you're behaving this strange instead of being glad about me intending to kill him and not you." Frodo swallowed and only could simply explain: "Because he is my friend."
Obviously Shagrat was flung into a rage by this answer, for he dragged Frodo up, right to his furiously distorted face and roared: "That's nonsense, don't take me for a ride, you disgusting little rat!" Then he let the hobbit roughly drop to the ground where he remained lying, sobbing and trembling.

The other orcs were giggling until Shagrat snapped at them: "Shut up, you maggots, or I'll feed you to Shelob, too!" He turned about and irresolutely growled for a moment. Then suddenly he turned back to Frodo to announce: "This sick halfling is a burden, we'll leave him behind and take only you with us. We won't kill him 'cause he'll doubtlessly be dead within a few hours anyway." Frodo was absolutely shattered, though he felt a flicker of hope that Sam might have a chance this way. Pretending to say goodbye to his friend, Frodo secretly managed to put some soothing athelas under Sam's shirt before the orcs dragged him away.

The toilsome journey went on, and to suppress his mortal agony, Frodo desperately clasped to the thought of the others hopefully being close enough to find Sam in time. Only this bright vision gave strength to him and kept him calm. Shagrat could not figure this puzzling halfling out, and every thought he wasted on him angered him. Finally he lost his patience and growled: "Why are you so quiet, tiny thing? Are you not scared at all?" Frodo answered calmly: "Indeed, I'm scared to death, for I have horrible memories of Shelob. There is only one comforting thought: Sam could escape from her. If Shelob is to be my doom, then I will endure it, no matter how much I fear it." Shagrat just growled reluctantly about this nonsense. "I don't know what you're up to, half-pint, and I'm enormously annoyed at this. Don't go too far! To tell you the truth, if you were not to be delivered to Shelob, I would prefer to devour you myself! Did you get that?" Frodo fearfully nodded and went silent.

When the hobbit could finally take a short rest, he wearily sank down to the ground and soon fell asleep. Meanwhile the orcs had a bloody meal and devoured everything they had found on their way, and so Frodo was lucky not to watch their horrible feasting. Soon Shagrat wanted to urge Frodo up again, but hesitated confusedly, when he saw Frodo smile in his sleep. When he finally kicked the hobbit roughly, he winced and the smile disappeared. "Now come on, little rat." Frodo scrambled to his feet and started to tremble, for his courage seemed to be leaving him at last and agony had returned to claim him. But he was pushed forward again.

After another day Shagrat finally had enough of the hobbit's slow pace. "I'm just fed up, lame snail! You don't really want Shelob to starve in the meantime, do you?" He roared with laughter about his own joke and grabbed the hobbit to place him on his shoulder like a killed beast. Frodo didn't struggle, for he would not have a chance to defend himself against the power of the orcs. While Shagrat carried him, Frodo gave in to a paralyzing helplessness which at least helped him to ignore his agony and despair.

That way the next days passed by, while Frodo seemed to accept his fate more and more. There was no sign of his friends around. Possibly they had been held up somewhere, maybe they had found Sam and were too slow... But actually Frodo didn't believe in that anymore, he had given in to hopelessness too much. At least the orcs did not pick on him anymore. Indeed they had stopped to push him around whenever they desired to do so. But the hobbit did not know the reason why, since he knew that it was part of their nature to gloat over their victims' fear. Had Shagrat forbidden it? But Frodo let go of this thought at once again, for it seemed pretty absurd to him.

Finally the orcs reached the depths of Mirkwood and now hurried on without any further break to reach Shelob's cave. Shagrat let his captive down in front of the cave entrance to better bind him before delivering him to Her. But Frodo just needed to become aware of the black opening in the rock to lose all his composure, as he was overrun by the horrible recollections of his first encounter with the monster. Panic-stricken, he tried to run away, but it was just useless, for Shagrat had a strong grip on him. But the hobbit started to scream on top of his voice instead, and he kicked around him with all his might. Of course he wasn't able to free himself from the huge creature who had grabbed his arms now, but his outburst was enough to baffle Shagrat for a moment. The Uruk seemed to ponder how to deal with this frantic creature.

Frodo still screamed and struggled to escape the Uruk's grip, but Shagrat dragged Frodo behind a dense thicket, to get them away from the eyes of the maliciously giggling orcs. He shook him to make him come round and roared: "Will you shut up now, you cursed rat!" But at the same time he slipped a small bottle with a black fluid into the hobbit's hand. Suddenly Frodo fell silent and gazed at him in dismay. Shagrat quietly snarled: "This might help you. It will be over faster and you don't need to suffer as long as she'd probably like it. This is everything I can do for you. So if you ask me, you better drink it!" In his confusion, Frodo swallowed a good amount and had to cough immediately. But at the same time he was falling into a state of apathy, and suddenly nothing mattered anymore.

Shagrat dragged the hobbit, who did not defend himself anymore, deep into Shelob's cave. He followed many winding tunnels until he reached a huge hall-like room, lighted by a ray of sunlight, which was fighting its way through a tiny opening in the ceiling. Frodo perceived some blurred shapes. Shagrat laid him down on the cold ground in the middle of the cave, and meanwhile the hobbit had reached so deep an apathy that he didn't care about anything and did not stir anymore. He saw Shagrat bowing low and heard him call: "I have fulfilled your order. The other one died, but this one should be alright. It is the one who escaped you once. You already had him in your claws back then."

A horrible rustling and cracking was the answer and the huge spider-like monster came creeping out of a nearby tunnel. There she was, Shelob, ruler of the darkness in this cave, so huge and terrifying that even Shagrat felt a shiver running down his spine. One of her eight hairy legs she couldn't move properly anymore, obviously because of Sam's attack in Cirith Ungol long ago. She hissed sharply in obvious rage about the other prey having slipped from her claws forever. But there was still this one left whom she had already woven in sticky threads in the past, and who had been able to escape nevertheless. She crept towards Frodo and stood right above him, for she wanted to have a closer look at her defenceless prey.

Frightened by her hiss, Frodo came out of his daze and tried to crawl away in panic. But Shelob put one of her claws on his chest and pressed him to the ground without an effort. Slowly she drove her poisonous sting closer to Frodo's neck. Although the gesture was futile, Frodo raised his right arm to protect himself from the sting. With another claw Shelob tore his arm open. The pain was not as bad as he had expected it to be, because the orcish fluid obviously had an immense effect on his senses. But he could not shape any clear thought, so finally he gave in to his exhaustion and helplessly closed his eyes in expectation of a hopefully painless end. But at this moment he heard Shagrat's roaring scream, followed by Shelob's threatening hiss. Frodo felt himself being dragged up and then nothing more. He had lost consciousness…

***********

When he woke up again, deepest night was around him. He found himself lying under a tree, wrapped in some rags. The hobbit suffered from a terrible headache, obviously caused by the orcish fluid. Suddenly someone grabbed his arm in the dark, and he recognized the huge Uruk beside him. Frodo screamed in fear, but Shagrat immediately put his paw over the hobbit's mouth, and his eyes were glittering dangerously…

"Don't even dare to give a sound, maggot, or it will be the last time!" Frodo nodded quickly and the Uruk let go of him with a growl to have a closer look at his arm. Frodo watched in confusion how Shagrat soaked a dirty cloth with a black fluid and then placed it on the wound that Shelob had caused. The burning pain startled Frodo, but he tried to keep still. But when the Uruk awkwardly bandaged the arm with some rags, Frodo couldn't bear the silence any longer.

"What happened, where is Shelob, where am I?" "Shut up!" Shagrat hissed without looking at Frodo and continued with his activity. Then Frodo noticed that Shagrat himself was wounded. His left shoulder was full of encrusted blood. But he did not seem to feel any pain.

The hobbit was more confused than ever and could not take his eyes off Shagrat. The Uruk noticed the questioning gaze and stared at Frodo furiously. "Why do ogle me, little rat?" But this time Frodo did not let himself to be put off. "Why have you saved me from Shelob? Please, tell me." But Shagrat's snarling had increased to a dangerous fierceness again, and instead of an answer he hit Frodo's face so hard that the hobbit was sent back to unconsciousness at once. Shagrat jumped to his feet with a furious roar and began to rip off branches from nearby trees as if he was going insane. Then he grabbed the limp hobbit, raised him above his head to let him crash down on the nearest rock and... stopped in the middle of his movement.

As if under a spell he laid Frodo back into the grass, almost gently, and covered him with rags again. Then he cared for his own wound, and at the same time he remembered that he had looked after the injured hobbit first - a useless rat from the Shire which was not even big enough for a decent Uruk breakfast. The thought made him furious again, and he took Frodo's head in his big paw and mused: "It does not matter: only a little turn and a crack; over and out. But what about the fun if the mite would not even feel anything of it? So maybe later..." Instead of killing him, he lifted the hobbit again and set out to march in a direction that would take them farther away from Shelob's cave and the other orcs...

When Frodo woke up the next time, he moaned with pain for Shagrat's strike had been much more than a simple slap on the face. The Uruk did not care about it, but stretched out his hand to the hobbit, holding a piece of raw meat. Frodo's stomach cramped up at once, but he shook his head with endless care, trying not to make the choleric Uruk angry again. "Please, I can't eat that..." But this time Shagrat stayed calm. "Well, then it's more for me, and I don't care if you starve." Indeed Frodo was starving, so he cautiously went on: "I didn't mean to be ungrateful, it's just..., I am not able to eat such food, but surely there are some mushrooms and berries to find nearby, so if I were allowed to seek some..." Shagrat pulled a disgusted face. "You're enormously getting on my nerves - like a damned flea. So toddle off and look for your rat grub, but spare me your babbling." Slowly Frodo rose. "I'll surely not run away..." Shagrat laughed maliciously. "As far as I'm concerned, you can even return home. I don't care, 'cause I don't have any use for you, and we're about to go back to the Shire anyway."

Frodo stiffened in the middle of the movement and abruptly forgot about his hunger. "We're on our way to the Shire?" he exclaimed, but right at that moment the Uruk jumped to his feet like a predator and was about to stoop down on Frodo again. The hobbit raised his hands to appease him and whispered in panic: "Alright, I'm sorry." Shagrat sat down on the ground again, but the glow in his eyes told Frodo that he would risk another headache or even broken bones with every further word.

But he had to put everything on one card now. He slowly walked towards Shagrat, proving his hobbit-typical courage, even if it was born out of despair. The Uruk was watching him in obvious confusion. The hobbit stopped close to Shagrat and cautiously placed a hand on his arm. Shagrat winced as if Frodo had touched him with glowing lava and bared his teeth with a growl. Frodo was trembling with fear, but he left his hand on Shagrat's arm and firmly looked the Uruk in the eye. Shagrat met his gaze, but in his eyes a dark fire was glowing; a volcano that was about to erupt any second. The tension grew until it became unbearable.

Frodo's voice was only a begging whisper, trying to calm down the volcano. "Why are you doing this? Please, I only wish to understand you..." "There's nothing to understand, leave me alone!" Shagrat grunted and pushed Frodo's hand away. "You are in pain," Frodo said softly, "and I would like to help you if I can." Shagrat shook his head and seemed to be almost amused. "You're babbling nonsense, poor little mite. The Uruk-hai don't feel any pain when wounded. We're not such wimps as you and your softened race!" Frodo tried another approach: "I didn't mean the wound that Shelob caused. It's your soul that is suffering..."

He didn't know what it was this time, but the injured giant was too quick - even for a hobbit. Like a flash he grabbed Frodo, pulled him to the ground, placed a knee on his chest and laid his paw around his neck. The hobbit could not breathe anymore and he felt like he was being crushed. He only managed a troubled pant while he had some breath left. The Uruk above him had taken a huge stone from the ground and raised the hand in a threatening gesture. Time was ticking away.

Frodo found himself in a life-and-death-struggle, for Shagrat was unpredictable in his untamed wildness. Frodo could hardly speak with pain and breathlessness. "If you want to kill me, do it now... but then? Will you go back and explain it? Do you believe Shelob and your orcs would understand what you have done? Please, Shagrat, I can't breathe anymore!" The Uruk loosened his grip around Frodo's throat, but still took aim at his head with the stone. Frodo looked tormented. "You're crushing me..." But Shagrat did not listen. "Say what you have to say, you filthy rat of a halfling, and if I crush you before you've finished: too bad!"

Frodo felt panic rise inside, for he had not the slightest chance against the enormous strength of an Uruk-hai. He felt sick with pain. Shagrat's weight on his chest would squash him every moment. The worst thing was that he could not think clearly in this state… "Frodo, my name is Frodo," he started to talk away. A touch of uncertainty was reflected in the Uruk's face. "What? What are you up to?" Frodo was panting in pain. "It's simple. My name isn't little rat or maggot or half-pint, just try Frodo, that would be nice for a start..." At least he managed to confuse Shagrat for a moment, but this bought him only a little bit of time.

At once the Uruk got furious again, and he pulled Frodo's hair so brutally that everything went black before the hobbit's eyes. Shagrat moved his face close to Frodo's and grumbled with threatening calmness: "Stop these games now. Time is up. If you can give me just one good reason why you wanna help me, I might not tear you into pieces. If you can't, I'm gonna smash your head and rid myself of this nuisance forever. And don't get on my nerves with gratitude just because Shelob hasn't feasted on you, for I don't believe in gratitude. I'll only give you one more single chance, so think carefully about what to say now. Why do you want to help me?" Frodo was deadly pale when he whispered with a last effort: "Because the Uruk-hai once were Elves; the most beautiful and brightest of all living beings..."

***********

Shagrat slowly lowered his paw. He removed his knee from Frodo's chest and roughly shook him from his daze, trying to make him breathe again. Frodo took a greedy breath and rubbed his painfully crushed ribs. When the flicker before his eyes faded, he noticed that the Uruk was still sitting beside him on the ground, but did not look at him. Indeed he seemed to be deep in thoughts. Frodo did not dare to talk to him or even move, for he was afraid of catching the Uruk's attention. Finally Shagrat turned in his direction again. No rage, no wrath and no wildness were reflected in his face, only great fatigue, Frodo found. "You can't help me, halfling, 'cause I'm doomed!" Then he turned away and rose, but for a moment all his strength seemed to have left him, and he stood on weary feet. "Wait, Shagrat," Frodo called and scrambled to his feet. The Uruk kept his back turned to him. Frodo's voice sounded soft, but forceful: "You're not doomed. That's not true, Shagrat, as I feel there is still something Elvish left in you. Why else should you have helped me? Don't let yourself be destroyed by what Sauron made you. You might be given a different life, if you'd only believe..."

But the peaceful moment was gone. The Uruk spun around quickly and roared like a beast again. "You damned little monster, what are you up to? What spell have you put on me? Everything that happened since you have crossed my path, I have done against my will and nature, you disgusting little devil..."

At this moment Frodo lost his patience and composure as well, and unnervedly shouted at him: "Of course you have done that against your will, you blockheaded monster, for you don't even have a will of your own! You have always served other powers! How about eventually making up your mind? You want to have power? You can't even decide whether you prefer to beat me to death, to tear me into pieces, to devour me or let me live on! May I tell you something: I am sick of fearing your next outburst! Yes, I am afraid of you, because my life is always in danger as long as you're near, utterly depending on your unpredictable moods. I can't stand that any longer, so please, would you simply tell me if you finally decided what..." He interrupted himself in the middle of his speech when he watched Shagrat take up his huge sword and walk slowly towards him. Eyes wide with terror, Frodo stared at him like a rabbit at a snake. Fright paralyzed his limbs, and he could not move even a single inch. But the Uruk stopped three steps in front of him and only growled: "I'll go hunting. Maybe I'm lucky and you have disappeared by the time I return." He vanished into the gloom of the forest and left Frodo behind.

Frodo was trembling all over and his heart beat wildly. Suddenly feeling weak from the fright he had just suffered, he sank to the ground and cried out of exhaustion and hopelessness. It had simply been insane to provoke an Uruk this way. He just hadn't pondered that because he had simply lost control. Or was it not insanity? Frodo tried to think clearly. Had his instinct led him to do the right thing? At least Shagrat had not beheaded him with his sword. With a sigh, Frodo recognized that maybe this meant nothing. Maybe Shagrat did not even understand what he had told him. Sometimes he really doubted that an Uruk would ever understand anything. On the other hand Shagrat had just given him a second chance to escape. What kept him from simply leaving this place? Even if Shagrat would change his mind in the meantime, a single Uruk would barely have a chance to catch a quick hobbit in the dense thicket. With a little luck he would get to Rivendell in about a week, for the roads were not as dangerous anymore as in those times when Sauron had sent his dark messengers. If there was someone who possibly knew something about Sam's fate, it would be in Rivendell. And the others had to be near and already on his track. Frodo rose determinedly… and sat down again.

Why was he not able to do that? Why would he think of himself as a traitor if he left now? But he already knew the answer. The Uruk was someone lost and banished, lonesome and surrounded by foes, for the Uruk-hai were hated in all parts of Middle-earth. He could not go anywhere, for there would be no way back for him. Frodo felt pity rising inside. He sighed and sadly shook his head because he felt helpless and overburdened. This feeling was very familiar to him. Once more tears welled up in his eyes. Just why did I return to Middle Earth? he mused in despair. I would not have needed to suffer all of this. But at once he called himself a fool because he remembered that they would have caught Sam anyway. It did not matter if he had been there or not, and without him, things would have gone even worse for Sam. He felt ashamed about his egoistic thoughts. But suddenly another idea flashed through his mind: Shagrat might not even return. Why should he? But he had carried him all the way, halfway back home. Nevertheless Gollum would not be grateful, he would betray him. Frodo stirred. Why Gollum? He was frightened as he became aware of where his thoughts had led him. What did his memories stir up? Exhausted, Frodo sank down to the moist grass again, trying hard to banish these weird ideas, and he soon fell into restless sleep.

***********

He awoke in the middle of the night when he heard Shagrat return. "So you're still here, tiny thing," the Uruk stated without any interest. He threw a hunted roe deer to the ground and tried to kindle a fire. Frodo watched him in surprise. "Isn't it a bit dangerous to light a fire at night?" Shagrat growled curtly, but Frodo did not care, for he had got used to that. "Listen, maggot! Didn't you tell me you won't eat any raw meat? But if you like to, you can show me how to roast the beast without using fire, mighty wizard!" Frodo frowned because he could not clearly make out whether these words were meant as a joke, or if Shagrat was angry again. As a precaution he chose the second possibility and decided not to say anything more for the time being. But he still watched with interest how the Uruk was trying to get the fire going. Actually the Uruk-hai were not known for using fire, for they favoured raw meat anyway. But when Shagrat finally took his sword to chop the deer into bloody pieces, Frodo shivered and disgustedly turned away. With a sigh he realized that the terms "orcish" and "esthetical" did no go together - least of all concerning meals. Every hobbit would shudder at this!

"What is it? No words left, little toad?" Frodo snorted, for being a hobbit made him disapprove of any expression of impoliteness anyway. Little toad! How nice! But somehow he felt that the Uruk did not mean to offend him this time. But he wished to know for sure. So he gathered all his courage to reply: "No, big clumsy monster! But I'm starving. So hurry up to get the meal ready, if you don't mind!" He could have bit his tongue, for Shagrat would surely attack him once more or even throw him into the fire... Frodo started when he heard the Uruk burst into roaring laughter instead. "Now look at this! You can even speak normally, who'd have guessed...?" Frodo shuddered, for he had managed to break the ice for a moment by using the orcish way of speech. By the Valar, what would come next? But at least this would be the more pleasant solution for the time being. Frodo sighed in resignation.

During the next hour, the giant Uruk and the little hobbit could be seen peacefully eating and sitting together by the fire. It almost seemed to have always been that way. No one disturbed them in their peace. Of course Shagrat devoured a raw and bloody lot, but Frodo bore it calmly, for he was so hungry himself that it was of no interest to him what the Uruk did or did not do now. But when Frodo's most urgent need for food was stilled, he started to ponder again. Something had to happen, but what?

Shagrat noticed Frodo's strained expression and grunted: "Did the grub make you sick?" Frodo moaned in his mind because of the Uruk's 'sensitivity', but he pulled himself together. He would have to start anew, and he knew that it would be difficult. "Shagrat, how would you like the idea of going to Rivendell together?" The eyes of the Uruk narrowed suspiciously at once. "Of what use would that be?" Frodo went on: "Elves are dwelling there. They could possibly help you to..." Shagrat hissed like a wild cat, but this time Frodo did not let the Uruk confuse him, and his voice got a bit sharper. "Damn, will you just listen to me once without losing your temper? Can you manage that?" Shagrat still growled under his breath. But when the hobbit curtly raised his hand, he fell silent. For a moment Frodo was astonished about the effect of this simple gesture, but he did not take his time to ponder that now.

"Now at least try to think clearly, will you? What are you going to do? You have to go somewhere. Or do you want to roam the woods until your orc-brothers find you?" "I don't have any brothers, but if these blockheads should show up, I'll be able to deal with them," Shagrat interrupted him, and his eyes started to glow again. "And it's none of your business. So why do you even care?" Frodo pitifully looked at him. "I feel responsible because it's my fault that you're in this situation now..." Shagrat laughed bitterly. "You're babbling nonsense, idiot, and it seems you have forgotten that it was me who delivered you to Shelob." "No, Shagrat, I haven't forgotten that, but that's not important anymore. Everything has changed." The Uruk was irritated again. "Do you think I am that gullible? Do you think I wouldn't know that you are planning to take revenge as soon as you are around your people? Do you believe I'm that stupid?" Frodo sighed and shook his head. It was hopeless.

But before giving up, he remembered his still unanswered question, or - put differently - Frodo pretty exactly remembered the forceful answer of the Uruk. The memory sent a shiver down his spine. But tough as the hobbit was, he finally dared to continue: "Would you mind telling me now why you did save me from Shelob?" The Uruk clenched his fists and bared his teeth, making a horrible grimace. Frodo crouched in expectation of a terrible blow, but Shagrat jumped to his feet instead, roaring loudly, and, like a wild beast, started to tear out nearby bushes. Frodo went pale while watching him. He could not explain it to himself, but obviously the Uruk was really suffering whenever this question came up. Maybe it had been bred by Sauron that any - however tiny - thought of pity caused Shagrat terrible torment. Worst of all, he probably did not even realize that he felt pain, that he could not even understand what they had done to him. He had been brought to life for only one single purpose: to fight and to kill for The Dark Lord. Frodo suddenly was overwhelmed by pity for this disturbed creature. But at the same time he was suffering from infinite helplessness, for he had not the slightest idea what to do.

Right at this moment the Uruk remembered Frodo, and he came towards him, charging like a bull. Frodo blinked in panic and tried to back away. Shagrat did not seize him, but only yelled: "What is it? Why do you ogle me, you cursed little dung beetle?" Frodo desperately tried to appease the raging Uruk. "Shagrat, I'm sorry, I won't ask you again, I promise. Please, don't be mad at me anymore..." As if under a spell, the outburst of the Uruk subsided. Frodo sighed in relief, although his composure was noticeably shattered. All this cost him too much strength. Once more he felt small and weak, helpless against the power of evil. But he could still leave if he wanted to. But Frodo immediately pushed this futile thought away. He would not be able to, he knew that. Both their fates were already too closely knit together…

***********

When Frodo woke up the next morning, he learned that the Uruk had carried him another good long distance during the night. It seemed as if those creatures did not ever really sleep - just like the Elves. But the hobbit could not explain why he had not felt anything of it, for it seemed rather odd to him that he would sleep that well in so unsafe a situation. Was this a special ability of these huge fighting orcs: to put one out of action and into trance? If this was true, it meant they were more like the Elves than the smaller cave orcs. Nevertheless the idea of a gift like this caused the hobbit to feel rather uncomfortable, since he still was at Shagrat's mercy altogether, though he found some comfort in believing that it could be different. Perhaps his Elvish roots were claiming the Uruk, spreading slowly... Frodo hung on to this believe with a sigh.

Suddenly the Uruk disturbed him by proclaiming that he would go hunting again. Frodo thoughtfully nodded and was glad to escape his company for a while. Again his heart doubted that this would ever lead to something useful. Still he had no idea how to go on with Shagrat. At the same time he was blaming himself for not having thought of Sam more often during the past days. If he only knew whether his true friend had survived! It could not go on like that. He urgently had to act. Shagrat returned with another bloody prey, and Frodo preferred not to inquire what kind of beast it was this time, for Uruks would like any kind of meat. Faced with his overwhelming hunger, the hobbit decided that compromising was inevitable, and he bravely suppressed his impulse to retch.

When the fire was burning, he resolutely turned to the Uruk. "Shagrat, I have considered something. I wish to reach Rivendell as soon as possible. So if you really do not want to come with me, it is best to separate at the next crossing. It is only there that I can learn anything about my friends' fate. This is important to me, whether you understand it or not. I can not stand this lasting uncertainty any longer..." "Keep calm, little worm," the Uruk interrupted him with a growl. "In my opinion you're much faster this way than by walking on your own strange feet, or did I get that wrong?" Frodo did not want to enrage him anew and hurried to say: "It's not because of you, but I thought that going to Rivendell would not seem to be such a good idea to you. Furthermore I do not know whether my people are already near, and meeting them might be dangerous for you, for they cannot know that...," he sought for a suitable expression, "that you might have become less hostile toward me in the meantime." "What makes you think that way?" Shagrat asked sharply.

Frodo let go of this thought and headed another way. "It's just... it's torturing me that I do not know what have happened to Sam..." "Who's Sam?" Frodo rolled his eyes, but patiently explained: "My friend, the other halfling you had carried off..." The Uruk threw a small stone in Frodo's direction, but obviously not to hurt him. It was rather his way of getting Frodo's full attention. "Your head is full of muck again! That other rat has croaked long ago, did you forget about that?" Suddenly Frodo could only reluctantly go on: "You can't know for sure. Maybe he had been found and given the right medicine in time." "Nonsense!" the Uruk snarled again, "he's dead and rotten and the worms have already feasted on him. Do you get that?" Frodo went pale at the Uruk's hard and cruel statement, and he fought to keep his composure. He quietly replied: "But I still hope..." Shagrat bared his teeth. "Hope? What's that?"

Frodo gave up and lowered his head in resignation. He had no strength left to fight against the dark power which seemed to squeeze any bright spark out of him. He covered his face with his hands to see or hear nothing more, but darkness had suddenly claimed him. It would not release him from its claws. He felt like falling into a gaping abyss. Dizziness and nausea overcame him. He was shivering, and cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He felt his heart being crushed by an icy pair of tongs. He could not breathe anymore and felt like he was going to drown, for he was dragged down inevitably. Creepy and wildly hissing voices stormed in on him. Filthy thief, Baggins! Glowing eyes and cobwebs all around him. He could not move anymore. Black wings soaring above him, horrible screams out of the past seemed to pierce his brain. He remembered that noise, those faceless black figures, trying to grab him with skeleton-like fingers. Leave me alone! I do not have it anymore... But the claws clutched him unyieldingly. Frodo screamed and cried while desperately trying to free himself, but he was continously shaken and would surely get sick any moment... Another voice from afar, again and again: "Wake up, damn, come round!"

Suddenly he managed to breathe again and he felt being lifted. He squinted wearily, trying to penetrate the mist shadowing his sight. Slowly he realized that Shagrat had seized him, staring at him with an unrecognizable expression. "What is it? Is anything wrong with you?" Frodo remembered where he was, but right now the memories did not help to calm him down. He did not want to be here and grimly tried to rid himself of the Uruk's grip. "Leave me alone!" he screamed in panic. Distractedly Shagrat let go of him and returned to the fire with a grumble. Frodo for his part grabbed a filthy hide that lay nearby to cower underneath it, sobbing.

He was panting heavily, and his heart still beat wildly. Nevertheless Frodo felt some relief, for the nightmare was gone. Slowly he calmed down. And suddenly the hobbit remembered what Shagrat had asked him, and he held his breath, though he did not even dare to hope that the Uruk might just have shown some concern. Frodo cautiously turned his head to the fire and noticed Shagrat motionless sitting there, but the Uruk's expression was darker than ever. Frodo was shivering with cold and pulled the hide tightly about himself. Finally exhaustion overwhelmed him, and he fell asleep.

He awoke when he felt the Uruk's huge paw on his forehead. Frodo squinted in confusion and sat up. Shagrat was kneeling beside him. "Finally finished sleeping, little worm?" But without waiting for an answer, Shagrat opened his other hand to drop something before the hobbit's feet: mushrooms! Frodo looked up in astonishment and - as a precaution - gave Shagrat a questioning gaze at first. "So what are you staring at me like a rabbit? After all you must be hungry. Haven't eaten anything since your fuss yesterday. And - in case I got it right - you're utterly crazy about this snail food, aren't you?" Frodo carefully smiled. "Thank you, Shagrat," he said quietly. But the Uruk only curtly grumbled. Indeed, what else was he supposed to do, Frodo thought, for he would have no business with gratitude. Nevertheless the hobbit gave in to the warm feeling spreading inside him.

Shagrat had already turned away, but Frodo quickly rose and called after him: "Just wait, for I want to tell you something." "Wanna get on my nerves again?" the giant growled, but he turned about to listen to him. "I am sorry for shouting at you yesterday, but indeed, I didn't feel well," the hobbit simply explained. "So what! Who cares?" "You did..." Shagrat was baffled for a moment and about to bluster again: "Once more you're babbling..." "... nonsense, little toad - I know," Frodo interrupted him, finishing the sentence. Now the Uruk was utterly put off his stroke, for he did not know what to answer. So he simply picked up his sword. But this time Frodo was not startled. "I am gonna go hunting, for I can't possibly live on snail food," Shagrat stated and rushed off. He almost looked like being on the run, but before vanishing in the dense wood, he turned around once more to see the hobbit standing there: with legs apart, arms folded and an unmistakably mischievous expression on his face. The Uruk was even more confused by this sight. Shaking his head in bewilderment, he disappeared into the thicket.

Frodo was still smiling when the Uruk was out of sight. Suddenly he had recalled the meaning of hope...

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