A/N: I do not own Final Fantasy or Lord of the Rings. Also, I apologize for not updating sooner. I got to go to Japan for the month of January, and I didn't bring my computer with—nor did I have complete access to a computer there.
Chapter 4
The gatekeeper was sitting in the gatehouse smoking his pipe when he heard the snort of a horse. Grumbling to himself, he stood up and walked over to the gate. Opening the top window, his eyes went wide as he gasped. Before he had a chance to even yell, the gate was knocked down by four Black Riders. They rode into Bree and stopped at the Inn. The riders walked into the Inn, swords drawn to their sides. The Barliman was hiding behind the bar, frightened and praying that they wouldn't see him.
Meanwhile the hobbits slept peacefully in their beds. Quietly, the Riders entered into the room, their swords held upright in front of them. They each stood next to a bed and held their swords high, poised to strike. Sam snorted as he tossed restlessly in his sleep. Suddenly the Riders stabbed the beds as their horses paw the air outside. Convinced their victims were dead, the Riders pulled back the covers only to see the feathers of the pillows that have been put there in place of the hobbits. They gave a loud screech and turn the beds upside down in anger.
In an inn across from the Prancing Pony, Strider was watching the angered Riders from the window. Lightning was leaning against the wall with Yuna sitting on a chair by her side. The screams of the Riders woke Pippin and Merry with a start and all four hobbits looked at Strider.
"What are they?" Frodo asked after a moment.
"They were once men, Great Kings of Men," Strider explained, "Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question. One by one falling into darkness." He looked outside to see the Riders mount their horses. "Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgûl. Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring. Drawn to the power of the One," he looked at Frodo, "They will never stop hunting you."
"Is the Ring really that powerful?" Yuna asked.
"The fact that Sauron still exists is enough proof," Lightning told the summoner.
Yuna was silent. She wanted to ask Lightning many questions, and at the same time, tell her everything Cosmos has said. "Lightning…"
"Get some rest, Yuna. We'll have time to talk tomorrow." She gave the younger girl a reassuring smile.
"O-ok," Yuna went over to an unoccupied bed and laid down on it, sleep coming to her sooner than she had expected.
"What's our next move?" Lightning asked Strider.
"We must get them to the House of Lord Elrond in Rivendell. The Nazgûl will not venture into the land of the Elves."
"And then what? What of the Ring?"
Strider turned to look at the ex-Pulse soldier. "We will seek the council of Lord Elrond, along with the elves of Mirkwood and the dwarves from the House of Durin. I will suspect that Lord Elrond will want the Ring destroyed, as it should have been long ago."
Lightning let out an unlady-like snort. "Dwarves and elves? I still don't believe any of this…magic stuff. It's as if I jumped into a fairytale."
Strider gave her a small smile. "Well, you are no ordinary warrior either, especially with that weapon of yours. What did you say it was called?"
"A gunblade."
"Of course. You mentioned it was a mix between a blade and a…gun?" Lightning gave a nod. "What exactly is a gun, if I may ask?"
Lightning pushed herself off the wall. She crossed her arms as she stood in front of the ranger. "You seriously have never heard of a gun?"
"Just as you don't believe in wizards, elves, and dwarves," Strider replied calmly.
Lightning let out a deep sigh of defeath. "And…what happens to me?" Her pale blue eyes met his grey ones.
"I guess its up to you. You could ask for Lord Elrond's advise."
"On how to get home? How to save my sister?" Her voice was harsh. "How would he know how to get back to Pulse? I don't belong here, Aragorn." His eyes flashed to the hobbits as she stepped closer to him. "My sister's life is on the line. I need to get back so I can save her."
Silence filled the air as Aragorn regarded her with calm eyes. He took out his pipe and began smoking.
"What's her name?" Aragorn asked.
"What?"
"Your sister. What is her name?"
Lightning's eyes softened. "Serah."
Aragorn nodded absentmindedly as he observed Yuna's sleeping form. "You know this girl?" he gestured to the summoner.
Lightning's eyes rested on Yuna's form and nodded. "Yuna and I were brought into a battle between Cosmos, the goddess of Harmony, and Chaos, the god of discord. There were others as well but, I don't know what happened to them." Her eyes closed. "I don't even know if I'll ever be able to get back home."
Aragorn just placed the pipe back into his mouth, pondering. "We'll have a while until we arrive at Rivendell. Perhaps you and Yuna can discuss your predicament." He took the pipe out. "Rest now. Get some sleep."
()()()()()()
They were up and on the road, early in the morning. Aragorn took them deep into the woods, Lightning and Yuna bringing up the rear.
"Where are you taking us?" Frodo called out to him.
"Into the wild," Aragorn replied as he looked for his pathway.
Merry walked up to Frodo, his eyes trained on the man. "How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?"
Frodo looked at Aragorn. "I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer, but feel fouler."
"He's foul enough," Merry commented.
Aragorn looked over his shoulder at the comment, but did not stop.
"But Miss Lightning is fair enough," Pippin piped up. All three hobbits turned to see the female soldier speaking to Yuna.
"Yes, but she is a friend of Yuna," Frodo replied as he turned to look at Aragorn, "We have no choice but to trust him."
"But where is he leading us?" Sam asked aloud.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee. To the House of Elrond," Aragorn replied, having enough of the questions.
Sam had to hold back a squeal. "D'you hear that? Rivendell! We're going to see the elves!"
Meanwhile, Yuna and Lightning were in deep conversation.
"So, Cosmos came to you, too? In your dreams that is," Lightning asked the summoner.
"Yes," Yuna nodded, "She said that we came here to Middle Earth by mistake. Shinryu, the god who fought for neither Chaos nor Cosmos, put us in this world by accident when we all fought that last battle in the Rift."
Lightning listened with great intensity. "I wonder if our battle was worth it, if we were any help at all."
Yuna could only shake her head. "I'm…not sure."
"So, how do we get home? Can Shinryu bring us back?" Yuna's silence was her answer. "Can he? He's the one who brought us here!"
"I don't know, Lightning," Yuna answered calmly, "Cosmos said that Shinryu remains in World B, where the battles continue."
Lightning's eyes filled with anger. "So there is no way out from this world?"
They stopped and noticed that they were now in a land of snow. Yuna watched with some interest as Sam brought out his pan as the other three hobbits hovered over him.
They had continued to walk through the woodland, through rain, until they reach the top of the hills. Snow covered the ground in the next area. Strider paused and looked around. He turned to look at the hobbits who, were getting out frying pans and cooking utensils.
"What are they doing?" Lightning asked her.
"Gentleman," Aragorn called out to them, "We do not stop 'till nightfall!"
"What about breakfast?" Pippin called back.
Aragorn gave him a confused look. "You've already had it."
Pippin gave him a smug look. "We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?"
"Second breakfast?" Lightning frowned, and turned to look at Yuna who only shrugged her shoulders.
Aragorn just gave him a look, before turning around and walking through some trees.
Merry turned to look at his close friend. "Don't know if he knows about second breakfast, Pip." He turned his attention forward just in time to catch an apple that was tossed his way. Looking from the apple to Pippin, he gave his partner a pat on the shoulder before following Aragorn. Frodo and Sam followed, along with Lightning, and Yuna who gave Pippin a smile and a pat on the shoulder. Another apple was thrown, sailing into the air and hitting Pippin on the forehead.
"Pippin!" Merry's irritated shout was heard.
They came upon a marshland, stumbling through the water and hillocks. Flies and gnats were everywhere, biting the hobbits. Yuna had summoned Valefor at the edge of the marshes, and rode the aeon across. Bill the pony had almost bolted had it not been for Aragorn's ability to speak elvish, calming the pony.
"What creature is that?" Aragorn asked with wonder.
"An Eidolon," Lightning answered.
"An aeon," Frodo corrected, "Lady Yuna prays to the fayth and they come to aid her in the form of a majestic beast. The aeon." He turned around and smiled proudly at the summoner, who laughed and nodded.
"The…Fayth?"
"Souls and spirits of those who'd given their lives to protect the people of Spira," Yuna answered.
And Aragorn left it at that. He was still too surprised at the creature, but deeming it not a threat, was fascinated with it. Lightning didn't tell him much about her life, likewise, he didn't tell her much of his life either. It came with being a lone dog. He allowed Lightning to come with him because of her skill as a warrior, and his desire to help her find her way. He was certain that Lord Elrond would be of some help to both her and Yuna, whatever form help came in.
"There's nothing like this in Spira," Yuna said as she observed the marshes, atop of Valefor's back.
"Disgusting," Lightning commented as she scrunched up her nose. Her boots were going to need a thorough cleaning once they got on dryer land. She held her gunblade in her arms as she continued on.
Merry smacked his face, hard, when a bug landed on his face. "What are they eating when they can't get hobbit?" he said. Pippin fell into a particular deep and dirty puddle. he sputtered and shook his head.
Nightfall had come, and Aragorn had announced that it was time for a rest. Aragorn went out hunting and brought back a nice big buck, to which Sam, Merry, and Pippin hurriedly cleaned, skinned, and cooked. Once everyone was fed, they all laid down to sleep, Aragorn taking the first watch. He took out his pipe to smoke, and after a while, began to sing.
Tinúviel elvanui,
Frodo, awaken by the soothing song, woke up and looked at Aragorn. He propped himself up on his elbows to listen.
Elleth alfirin ethelhael
O hon ring finnil fuinui
A renc gelebrin thiliol.
"Who is she?" Frodo asked as Aragorn looked over his shoulder.
"Tis the Lady of Lúthien. The Elf Maiden who gave her love to Beren ... a mortal," Aragorn replied as he put his pipe back in his mouth.
"What happened to her?" Lightning asked, startling the two. She was sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest. She'd been awake the whole time. War back at Pulse and Cocoon had made her a light sleeper.
Aragorn shook his head. "She died." He turned around to face the hobbit. "Get some sleep, Frodo." The hobbit did as he was told, and Aragorn turned to Lightning.
"I'm a light sleeper. I'm fine now."
Respecting her wishes, Aragorn looked into the night air and sighed while Lightning watched over Yuna's form, protectively.
()()()()()()
Again, they were up and on the move the next morning. They managed to trudge their way out of the marshes and onto actual land.
"Cosmos had told me that the only way we can leave this world, is if we fight for the light," Yuna said to Lightning, continuing their previous conversation.
"Fight for the light?" Lightning gave her a puzzled look.
"Did Strider tell you the story about the One Ring? The Ring of Power, which has power over all the other rings of power. Three were given to the elves, seven to the dwarves, and nine to the men. Each one of them bending to the will of the One Ring, which is owned by the Dark Lord Sauron."
"Sauron?"
Yuna nodded. "The Dark Lord who had tried to cover Middle Earth, this land we are in, in darkness."
"Yeah, I know who he is, Aragorn's told me. I just…don't believe it," Lightning muttered, "Stuff like that: elves, dwarves, magic rings, they all happen in fairytales."
Yuna gave her a sad smile. "Sauron waged war with the men, who had allied with the elves, and a great battle was fought. The men and the elves won, and there was a chance to end everything but—"
"Someone was selfish and took the Ring for his own," Lightning finished. Even if she didn't know the story, she knew how they ended. Selfishness always won in the end.
"You don't understand," Yuna protested, "The Ring has a mind of it's own. Slowly it corrupts its holder. I've seen the Ring, Lightning. It made me want to do…evil things."
Lightning's eyes widened. "You've seen this ring?"
Yuna looked at Frodo. "This is why I am with Frodo. The Ring came to him by his uncle, who found it in his younger days. It is my job to make sure he gets to Rivendell unharmed."
"Until I see this ring for myself, it doesn't exist. It's bad enough that I'm here in this world," Lightning stated, and walked ahead.
"But Lightning!" Yuna protested, but the soldier wasn't hearing any of it. They soon stopped on top of a hill and saw the top of the ruins of an old temple.
"This was the great watch tower of Amon Sûl," Aragorn turned to the group, "We shall rest here tonight."
They all headed up the tower into a small area that was roof by a large rock. The hobbits dropped their bags and dropped to the ground, worn out. Aragorn walked over to them with a bundle.
"These are for you," he said as he unraveled the bundle to reveal four small, hobbit-sized swords. "Keep them close, I'm going to have a look around." Each hobbit unsheathed his sword with awe. "Stay here," he ordered the hobbits.
"I'll go with you, if you don't mind," Yuna offered. She had wanted to talk to Strider for a while.
Aragorn, knowing that the girl possessed a much stronger power, gave her a nod of his head. He turned to look at Lightning.
"You don't need three people to look around. I'll stay here and look after them," Lightning told him.
Aragorn nodded, and lit a torch before he and Yuna walked away. Lightning leaned up against the rock wall, contemplating on what Yuna had told her. She eyed Frodo who was lying down to go to sleep. So he had the "ring of power," or so Yuna told her. She knew Yuna had nothing to gain by lying, even if she had been, Lightning trusted her. After all, they were comrades in the fight between harmony and discord. Yuna had a good heart.
But she couldn't bring herself up to believe such a tale. Even if she trusted Yuna, the tale seemed too great to believe. Lightning shook her head and crossed her arms, putting more weight against the rock. Her eyelids were getting heavy, her focus slacking slightly. She didn't notice the fire that Sam and Merry had made in order to cook food.
"My tomato's burst!" Merry cried.
"Can I have some bacon?" Pippin asked as he looked over Sam's shoulder and breathed in the smell of fried food.
"Ok, want a tomato, Sam?" Merry offered.
It wasn't until she heard the shout of Frodo that Lightning realized she had dozed off.
"What are you doing?" Frodo cried in a panic.
Merry pointed to the campfire and pan. "Tomatoes, sausages, and some nice crispy bacon."
Sam held out a plate for him. "We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo."
"You idiots! Put the fire out! You'll give our position away!" Lightning hissed to the three.
Frodo rushed over to them, stamping on the fire. "Put it out, you fools! Put it out!" Just as they managed to put the fire out, they heard the screams of the Nazgûl in the distance. Lightning and Frodo looked over the edge to see four black hooded figures striding towards the watchtower. Frodo gave a frightened look at Lightning, who narrowed her eyes and drew her gunblade.
"You and the others go up, now!" she ordered him.
Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Frodo, all drew their swords that Strider had given them.
"Go," Frodo told the three as he looked back down. They hesitated. "Go!" Frodo cried as he followed them up the stairs. They ran up to the top of the tower and stood in the middle of the circle of pillars back to back, looking around frantically.
"Lightning!" Frodo called out when he realized that she wasn't with them. He stopped and looked between two pillars. A Nazgûl came out from the shadow as Frodo looked on in horror. The black-rider drew its sword, and held it in front of its face. Four more Nazgûl appeared, their swords drawn as well, and were now walking slowly towards the hobbits. As they got closer they held their swords out pointed towards the group of hobbits who were walking backwards.
Sam, trembling in fright, went to take a stab. "Back you devils!" he shouted as he pulled his sword back. He stopped as a sudden sound was heard, and two of the black-riders screamed and clutched at themselves. A figure landed in front of Sam.
It was Lightning, with her gunblade in front of her.
"And here I thought you could fight," she told the hobbits behind her.
Quickly sheathing her gunblade, she lifted her arms in the air. A flash of lightning appeared, and a giant sword with blades on both ends appeared in her hands. Giving the double-ended sword a twirl, she launched it at the Nazgûls like a boomerang. With a gust, the sword knocked the black-riders back as they parried the sword, which was caught by Lightning at the end of its course. She threw the sword back up in the air while whipping out the gunblade, and the giant sword disappeared in another bolt of lightning.
"Protect Frodo," She ordered Sam, Merry and Pippin, before charging at the black-riders.
The hobbits watched in awe as they watched the young woman hold her own, even overpowering some of them. But it wasn't enough. There were too many enemies, and she could only maintain her focus on a few. One of them, which she wasn't fighting, approached the four hobbits. Sam let out a cry and lunged, but the rider knocked him away. Merry and Pippin clumped in front Frodo, but the rider just pulled them apart.
Seeing as he was on his own, Frodo's eyes widened, and he dropped his sword. He back up and fell to the ground, trying in vain to get away from the advancing Nazgûl.
"Frodo!" Lightning shouted as she looked over at the fallen hobbit. She had heard his sword fall. "Get up, you idiot! Fight! Fight!" This minor distraction allowed the Nazgûl she was fighting to stab its sword into her. She grunted and clutched her wound as she was thrown into a pillar. The rest of the riders approached Frodo who was frantically groping his pocket.
Shaking her head, Lightning looked up just in time to see Frodo disappear. "What?" she whispered in awe. She narrowed her eyes to see where Frodo had just been, but found nothing. But why were the Nazgûls posed as if he was still there? She watched as the leader reach down, trying to reach something. Then, as if something had burned its hand, it stabbed the air towards the ground. Feeling the pain in her wound spread through her body, she dropped to the ground.
Panting, she watched as one of the Nazgûl lit up in flames. Screaming, it ran around frantically and fell off the edge. Lightning turned to see Yuna, staff in hand, and Aragorn, sword in one hand and torch in the other.
"I got sloppy," she growled as Yuna gave her a worried look and ran over to her. She began to cast healing spells on her friend
Suddenly, Frodo reappeared in his same spot, screaming and clutching an area close to his shoulder, with the Ring in his other hand.
"Frodo!" Sam and Yuna shouted, as Sam ran to Frodo's side.
Aragorn engaged the Nazgûl in a swordfight. Using the torch as a ward, the sound of metal striking metal filled the air. But the Nazgûl had managed to overwhelm the ranger. Aragorn grunted as he was knocked to his feet, the Nazgûl advancing on him. Before they could stab the ranger, they looked up and jumped back just in time to avoid the swipe of a wide-large sword. Aragorn looked up at his savior.
It was a young man with spikey blond hair. His build was slim, yet muscles bulged at his biceps. He wore a sleeveless zipped-down turtleneck sweater with black cloth covering his left arm and leg. His boots and pauldron were black leather, and an emblem rested on his pauldron. Aragorn's eyes widened at the size of the sword, and took notice of the ridges, as if the sword was made of intricate parts that could be taken off. No normal man could ever hope to wield a sword that big. The blonde-haired man looked over his shoulder at Aragorn.
"You can count on me," he said to Aragorn as he got to his feet. Together, the strange man and Aragorn fought the Nazgûl, Aragorn using his torch as a ward. Aragorn watched with keen interest as the stranger pressed something on the hilt of his mighty sword, and pull out another blade, fighting with two swords this time.
Finally, Aragorn set most of the Nazgûl on fire. The first one he set a flame to, ran to another to pat the fire out, only for the other Nazgûl to catch on fire itself. They all fled from the scene, all but one who was creeping behind Aragorn. Aragorn swiftly turned around and chucked his torch at the Nazgûl's face. It gave a shrieking cry, and left the scene as well. Catching his breath, Aragorn sheathed his sword, giving the stranger a wary look.
"Thank you."
"No problem," the stranger replied, and quickly walked over to Lightning, who was passed out.
"Strider!" Sam shouted, "You have to help him!"
Aragorn ran over to Frodo.
"Nothing's working. I don't understand!" Yuna said with panic. Lightning wasn't healing. The wound wasn't responding to any healing magic. She suddenly noticed a man standing next to her. Her eyes widened. "You!"
"Me," the stranger said dumbly, before kneeling down next to Lightning and examining her wound.
"Cloud…b-but you…you fight for Chaos!" Yuna stuttered.
"According to Cosmos, not anymore," Cloud replied calmly.
Aragorn noticed a broken sword lying on the ground nearby. "They've been stabbed by a Morgul blade." It suddenly burned and disappeared into ash, Aragorn dropped the hilt with disgust. "This is beyond my skill to heal," he said as he picked Frodo up and gently put him over his shoulder, "They both need elvish medicine. Cloud, can you pick Lightning up?" He was talking to the stranger.
Cloud nodded. He went to pick up Lightning, but stopped as something glowed from beneath her clothes on an area right above her left breast. Yuna unzipped her turtleneck slightly to reveal a weird symbol that was glowing. Suddenly, Lightning's wound healed, leaving no trace except the slit in her clothes. Slowly, Lightning's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was the Cloud's face. Feeling something cold on her chest, she realized that her zipper had been lowered, and shoving him out of the way, she zipped it back up.
She suddenly heard the groans of pain of Frodo. "Frodo!" Lightening's eyes widened. She looked over to see Aragorn with Frodo over his shoulder. Her hand went to her own wound, which was completely healed.
"How?" Aragorn whispered. He had seen her wound. She should be in the same state as Frodo.
Lightning's hand went to her l'Cie mark. "The Fal'Cie…Frodo…is this my new Focus?" Lightning said softly. "It doesn't matter, we need to get Frodo some help!" she told Aragorn. She went to get up, and saw that Cloud offered his hand.
"You…" she growled, but Yuna stopped her.
"Cosmos and Chaos are not in this world. Cloud is free, as are we."
Begrudgingly, Lightning accepted the hand, and Cloud pulled her to her feet without any effort.
"Hurry!" Aragorn called to them, and the trio followed him into the woodland, the screams of the Nazgûl filled the air.
"It's six days to Rivendell!" Sam called out to Aragorn, "He'll never make it!" He started to sob.
"Hold on Frodo," Aragorn whispered as he continued to lead the group.
"Six days? Isn't there something we can do to slow whatever he has down?" Lightning asked.
Arriving at some statues in the shape of trolls, Aragorn gently set Frodo down. Sam examined the statues with great interest and went to Frodo's side.
"Look Mr. Frodo! It's Bilbo's trolls," he sad with a sad smile. Frodo only gasped, his eyes a sickly shade of blue, the whites, red and yellow. Sam gently pressed his hand against Frodo's cheek. "He's going cold!" he said to Strider.
Pippin gave Strider a worried look. "Is he going to die?"
Aragorn looked out into the trees, on the watch for the Nazgûl. "He's passing into the Shadow realm, he'll soon become a wraith like him." Yuna gasped.
"Then we can't just sit here, we need to move!" Lightning said firmly.
"There are 9 of those things still out there," Cloud argued.
As if on cue, another screech was heard.
"They're close!" Merry cried.
"Sam," Aragorn called to the hobbit, who came over. "Do you know the Athelas plant?"
"Athelas?"
"Kingsfoil."
"Kingsfoil, aye, it's a weed!"
Aragorn clasped the hobbit on the shoulder. "It may help slow the poison. Hurry!"
While Aragorn and Sam were looking for the plant, Lightning and Yuna were conversing with Cloud, their newest member.
"How are you here?" Yuna asked.
"Why are you here?" Lightning corrected, "Last I saw, you were a warrior of Chaos, not Cosmos."
"I challenged Chaos," was the simple answer.
Yuna and Lightning exchanged looks. "You challenged the god you were fighting for?" Lightning asked.
"Like it was my choice," Cloud said irritably, "I challenged him hoping I could end the war." He closed his eyes. "To save Tifa," he said in a smaller voice.
"Tifa?" Yuna echoed.
"How do you know Tifa?" Lightning asked, her eyes narrowing.
"Tifa is a childhood friend. We came from the same world," Cloud answered. He saw confusion in their eyes. "Tifa didn't remember me, but I remembered her. I didn't tell her because I wanted to spare her the pain of having to fight a friend."
Merry and Pippin watched the trio converse with each other.
"What do you suppose they're talking about?" Pippin asked.
"I don't know, but our group seems to be getting bigger," Merry said as he eyed Cloud.
Pippin smiled. "Good, the more the merrier."
"That still doesn't prove anything," Lightning told him.
"Cosmos came to me in my dreams," Cloud added, "She told the only way to get back home, was to fight for the Light in this world. She mentioned that you two were already here, as well as something others."
"The others?" Yuna said, excitedly, "They made it?"
Cloud shook his head. "She didn't specify who, but she assured me that they were here."
"This is wonderful, isn't it Lightning?" Yuna smiled at Lightning, who scoffed.
"I still don't trust you."
Cloud shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever." He crossed his arms and looked at Frodo. "So, who's the kid?" Yuna, looking over at Frodo, went over to his side and stroked his face. Her face was filled with worry.
"Frodo Baggins," Lightning replied, "We're on our way to Rivendell in order to decide what to do with this ring he has."
"A ring?"
"Yuna says that he holds this ancient ring of some sort which belonged to a dark lord, who tried to cover this land in darkness," Lightning explained.
"How am I not surprised by this," Cloud sighed.
"You believe it?" Lightning asked him.
"Sure, why not?" Cloud said as he looked at her. "We're in a place we know nothing about. And judging from those things that attacked you, and Frodo, is enough proof for me to believe it."
Lightning seemed unconvinced. "Listen," Cloud said, "We all want to go home. But this…this is just another step for us to take in order to get there." He turned to look at Frodo. "Besides, getting grumpy and cranky won't help a thing."
They were suddenly interrupted by a bright light coming into their vision. A young woman on a white steed appeared, Aragorn and Sam coming in after her. She dismounted her horse and walked towards Frodo. Lightning and Cloud both tensed, but upon noticing Aragorn telling them to back off, they relaxed.
"Frodo Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan na galad (I have come to help you. Hear my voice. Come back to the light)," she said in a strange language. Her voice was smooth and melodious.
"Who is she?" Merry asked, entranced.
The woman felt Frodo's forehead as Aragorn put some of the plant they had found in his mouth, and chewed.
"She's an elf," Sam said with realization.
Lightning's eyes narrowed on the woman, taking in her appearance. Besides her ethereal beauty, she noticed that her ears were pointed. "An elf?" Even Cloud and Yuna looked at her with fascination.
"He's fading," the she-elf said as she pulled Frodo's shirt back to reveal the wound. Taking the chewed plant from his mouth, Aragorn pressed it against the wound, making Frodo gasp. "He's not going to last," the she-elf continued and looked at Aragorn, "We must get him to my father."
Aragorn picked Frodo up.
"I've been looking for you for two days. There are five wraiths behind you, where the other four are, I do not know," she told him as he placed Frodo up upon her horse.
"Dartho guin perian. Rych le ad tolthathon (Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses back for you)," Aragorn said in the language she spoke.
"Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im (I'm the faster rider. I'll take him)," she replied.
Pippin watched them with interest and confusion. "What are they saying?"
Elf's eyes flashed. "Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon (Frodo's dying. If I can across the river, the power of my people will protect him)" she said. She put her hand on the saddle. "I do not fear them," she told Aragorn.
Aragorn gave the elf a soft look, taking her hand into his. "Be iest lîn (As you wish)" he told her softly.
She smiled, before mounting the white horse, Frodo wheezing and gasping for air. Aragorn put a hand on her leg, getting her to look at him. "Ride hard. Don't look back," he instructed her.
The elf leaned forward and spoke to her horse. "Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim! (Ride fast, Asfaloth, ride fast!)." Heading her words, the horse backed up a couple steps before bolting.
"What are you doing?" Sam shouted at Strider, "Those wraiths are still out there!"
Aragorn only had a worried look on his face
Lightning ran over to Aragorn, and looking into the distance where the she-elf had taken Frodo. Putting a hand where her l'Cie mark was, a bright light glowed and a red sphere appeared in her hand. "Odin…let's ride!" She threw the sphere up in the air and hitting it with her gunblade.
The sphere burst, and a glowing glyph appeared. A large, strange looking figure dressed in white and gold amour rose from the glyph. As soon as its entire figure was out, it began transforming itself until it was in the form of a horse. Letting out a loud cry, the horse galloped down from the sky and in front of Lightning, who mounted him. Her giant sword appeared, this time in two, a blade in each hand.
"It's my fault Frodo got hurt. I'm gonna make sure he makes it," she said with determination.
Another giant horse, smaller that Odin, appeared next to Lightning. Yuna was atop of it, her staff in hand. "I'll come too." The two women exchanged looks, before looking at Aragorn.
"Do as you will. Don't look back," he told them, and the two rode off in the direction of the she-elf. He watched them ride off.
"Guess that leaves me," Cloud said as he walked up to Aragorn's side.
"You do not have a horse," Aragorn pointed out.
Cloud shrugged. "I don't need anything to ride on. But I'm sure your friend will be fine with those two helping her." He looked back at Sam, Merry, and Pippin. "So…are we going to the same place?"
()()()()()()
The sun was just beginning to rise as Arwen was riding through the fields and open plains. As she reached the woodlands, she noticed something black through the trees. The Ringwraiths. And they were on both sides of her. As she reached a clearing she heard the cry, and saw a black-rider appear behind her. Another rider appeared beside them, and the two arranged themselves so that would be flanking her. She looked behind her and saw that there were now five Ringwraiths, closely catching up to her.
The first two that had appeared and caught up to her, each reaching out to Frodo, who looked at the one to his left. Arwen looked in horror as the hands got closer.
A bolt of lightning suddenly hit one of the riders, briefly stunning its black horse. Arwen looked to find a large, exotically dark colored horse with a long sharp horn on its head. Its rider was a woman with a staff in her hand. "We're here to help!" she told Arwen.
The rider on Arwen's other side looked up, and pulled back on its horse just in time to dodge the swipe of two blades. Arwen looked to her other side to find a gold and white horse, with a woman holding a might blade in each hand. "Go! We'll slow these guys down!"
Arwen didn't know whether to trust these two women or not, but she remembered seeing them with Aragorn. "Noro lim Asfaloth!" Arwen cried to her horse, who began to thump his hooves on the ground. With a great heave, the white horse pushed forth and created some distance with the Ringwraiths.
While Lightning and Yuna did their best to distract the Nazgûl, the black-riders did not relent in their chase. All they were able to do is give the she-elf enough time to make it across the river, after going to and fro, going in and out of trees. The two women found themselves behind the she-elf, looking at the Nazgûl who were standing on the other side of a river. Their black steeds would not budge, and reared in frustration.
"Give up the Halfling she-elf!" one of the wraiths growled. Its voice was a low, guttural sound. Terrifying for Yuna.
Arwen drew her sword, her eyes daring. "If you want him, come and claim him!"
The three women looked on in worry as the wraiths slowly urged their steeds into the water. Arwen closed her eyes, concentrating, and began to chant.
Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer,
Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!
Lightning and Yuna watched as the water started flowing faster.
Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer,
Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!
The water began to rise, and suddenly, a great wave was seen coming from upriver. The wraiths atop their horses, suddenly found their horses unwilling to go any further, and began to back up. Yuna and Lightning also saw the wave, their eyes wide at the site. White horses were seen within the wave, like a herd ready to stampede through.
"What the hell is that?" Lightning whispered. They all watched as the wave overwhelmed the wraiths and their black steeds; the water cleansing the impurities that had polluted it. It was mesmerizing to the summoner and ex Pulse soldier, but they were soon snapped out of their daze from the cry of the she-elf.
"No! Frodo, no!"
"Frodo!" Yuna breathed, as she rushed to his side.
Arwen gently shook him. "Frodo, don't give in, not now!" The hobbit was choking, gasping, as the she gently laid him upon the ground. Tears sprung into her eyes when the hobbit made no response.
Lightning just stood there, unable to do anything. Her eyes were closed. They were too late. Everything was doomed.
"Oh Fayths of Spira, please hear my prayer!" Yuna chanted, tears sliding down her own cheeks. But nothing happened. The powers of the Fayth cannot combat the dark magic of the Morgul blade.
Arwen took the young hobbit in her arms, cradling him. "What grace has given me," she whispered, "let it pass to him. Let him be spared." She closed her eyes, tears dropping like raindrops. "Save him."
Lightning was about to sheath her gunblade, when movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She pointed her blade at the intruder, Yuna taking up her staff. They were met by the point of an arrow, it holders were tall, handsome, blonde and brunette-haired elves. Another elf, with long blond-hair approached Arwen.
"My Lady, are you hurt?"
Arwen opened her eyes. "Glorfindel," she breathed.
The older elf gave a sad smile before sweeping Frodo up in his arms like a child. "Come, we must take the hobbit to your father. I fear if we delay any longer, he will be out of our reach."
"Hey, do you know these people?" Lightning called out to Arwen, her eyes never leaving the intruders. The point of an arrow was thrust in her face.
"Do not speak to Lady Undomiel in that tone," an elf guard said.
"Stay your hand, they are friends," Arwen ordered the guard, "They protected me from the wraiths."
"These humans?"
Arwen looked back at the two women, who were giving her wary glances. "Humans they may seem, but they fight like no warrior, witch, or sorceress that I've met."
Yuna let out a frustrated sound. "I am a friend of Frodo Baggins, my name is Yuna. Gandalf the Grey has appointed me as his guardian. Please, can you help him?"
Glorfindel looked over his shoulder. "We can, but we must get him to Lord Elrond," he mounted his horse that was nearby, "Follow me!"
The summoner and the ex-soldier followed the elves to the House of Elrond, Frodo's life draining into the Shadow realm with every second.