Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

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They say that time passes either slowly or quickly. I couldn't tell which it was after the Dead Marshes and confronting Gollum. Frodo seemed to trust him right away, and in spite of me wanting to object as quickly as Sam did, I had to go along with Frodo, but it was hard. Not only was Gollum watching Frodo and the Ring, but he snickered whenever I was around. I wondered if he remembered me.

It turned out that, on the Dead Marshes, there was a flicker in Gollum's eyes. He did remember me and he slunk away in terror, as if I were a ghost or someone that could do him harm. I remembered what happened, but I wouldn't dare tell how it happened. Just that I, in my anger, shooed him away.

"What does the girl want, precious?" Gollum grumbled in vain. Sméagol chimed in a second later. "Sméagol doesn't know. Sméagol only thought to come near her." Gollum chimed in again. "NO! We can'ts trust the girl."

"If you can't trust her, then…" Frodo's voice faltered. He tried again. "Listen, Sméagol, if you can't trust her, then you have to trust what I say. She won't hurt you."

"Sméagol doesn't understand. What's she doing here, precious?" Sméagol asked, distraught with worry.

"I've been askin' myself the same question," Sam said, annoyed. I looked at Sam, about ready to spat something to him, but I gave up. I couldn't hurt him, not in that way, maybe not ever.

"Sam!" Frodo spoke, a little loud. "We need to trust her. She's here for a reason."

"You're puttin' a lot of faith in her, Mr. Frodo," Sam told him, unconvinced. "Why are they here anyway?"

"Oh, cruel hobbit doesn't understand," Sméagol said, pleading. His gaze met that of Frodo's a second later. I could feel the Ring drawing near. I shook my head in an effort to snap out of it. I couldn't go through that, not again.

.

Our journey led us to the Black Gate, where Frodo was convinced by Gollum to take the road south, straight to Shelob's lair. We weren't there yet, but the thought of confronting the great spider terrified me. I knew I would be a burden then and there. I just knew it.

Well, anyway, our journey soon led us to North Ithilien. Perfect. Just when I thought I was out of danger, there was Frodo and Sam arguing over Gollum. I couldn't stand it, but then I watched Frodo wander off through the bushes and the opening. I looked at Sam briefly before following after Frodo. I had to find him and see if I could help him. The Ring couldn't take him. Not now. At last I found him, but he seemed so distant. I nearly departed when he called me over.

"It's too late to turn back," he said, gruffly. "We aren't coming back."

"I knew on this journey that I wouldn't come back," I said, feeling his pain. "I just knew it."

"Then why did you come?" he said, his words hurtful.

"This isn't you talking. It's the Ring talking," I said, hoping my words would help, at least, sort out the truth. "Can't you get rid of it?" That sent him straight towards me, his expression haughty. "Frodo! Frodo—" He grabbed my arm, pulling me in. He wanted me this badly? This wasn't even him, by the looks of it. It was the Ring. Maybe Sam was right about the Ring. Fortunately, he released me, but I still worried about him, even as I massaged my arm.

"I'm sorry, Aria," he said, sounding more like himself. "I don't know why I brought you here, to see me like this." I could hardly say anything. He stepped in and said the things he needed to say. "I knew this would happen. I love you." His words were forced. "But…"

"It's the Ring, isn't it?" I asked, worried. "That explains why you're behaving like this."

"You don't understand. Neither of you do," he walked away without another word spoken.

"Maybe I can help you! Frodo!" I called, but to no avail, for Frodo walked away, leaving me alone with Sam. I huffed, already frustrated, "What do you want?"

"Aria, it's that Ring. It has to be destroyed. If it isn't, we might lose him," Sam said, worried. I looked at Sam now, hardly believing I was speaking to him. "You came here for a reason."

"Now you care about me!" I asked, gruffly. "Where was that weeks ago?"

"Look, I'm just sayin' that you need to remember where you are. You're not from around here. You're a burden." Sam inquired. "You don't even fit into this story. You're just here so Mr. Frodo looks good." A tear slipped down his cheek. "I don't want to put you through this situation, but you are better off back in your world and let Mr. Frodo find a wife in the Shire. That's where he truly belongs. Not here, not with you." He said last, "Excuse me, but Mr. Frodo, I'm sure, needs me. You wander off and do what you want. We'll be havin' lembas bread later." He walked away, leaving me alone. I could see in the near distance Sam following Frodo. I had to follow them because I had nowhere else to go and I would end up lost. Eventually, I managed to meet up with Frodo, Sam and Gollum in their campsite, but already Sam was with Frodo, checking on him.

This was awful. Sam was treating me nearly as bad as he was Gollum. Wasn't there any chance of sticking by Frodo, without Sam interfering? I would have liked to speak with Gollum, but he was too busy avoiding me and speaking amongst himself. Frodo did gesture to me to come over and see him, but I was too afraid that Sam would say something and he'd win that battle, as usual. Why couldn't I do this? Sam knew me, didn't he? Or was he still this suspicious of me? This was a nightmare in the making.

.

Things got a bit more comforting when we came to the Ranger's Hideout somewhere in the North Ithilien. Faramir was nice and Frodo calmed down, although I think Sam was still suspicious of me… yup. He was. Gollum had disappeared, but it was me that Faramir took a keen interest in. Honestly, this was becoming annoying. Why was I important?

"She came from another time," Frodo announced to Faramir. Oh, that's why I was important. "Personally, Sam and Aria have gotten into their fights, but they're both needed on my quest."

"I see," Faramir agreed. "I will lead you as far as to the Crossroads. I'm sure you'll find your way to Mordor then, if that is your route."

The surprising thing: Faramir refused to be tempted by the Ring, which was surprising to me since his brother Boromir fell to its grasp. As for Faramir being interested in me, it was just because I time-traveled. After that, his attention returned to Frodo, who had plenty to say to the Ranger. I chose then to be quiet and, after having a good meal, retired to the bedroll I was given. I jumped the second Frodo approached me.

"I thought the Ring got to you," I asked him.

"It does, but it doesn't feel so bad now," he admitted to me. He sat down next to me. "You all right? What is it?"

I looked at him, doing my best to keep calm. "I'm a burden to this quest. I can't seem to do anything, and Sam seems to know you better than me. He also said that maybe a hobbit lass in the Shire might be willing to take care of you than me, maybe even marry."

"He said all of that?" he asked, concerned.

"Maybe not like that, but yes. He wants you to marry a hobbit lass that's not me. I mean, what have I done on this quest, except get in the way," I told him, also concerned and scared. "Maybe I shouldn't have come. You were right. You both are. I don't mean anything to this quest and I came along with you and am probably going to die after this."

"Aria," he said, getting my attention.

"NO!" I spat out. "There's a lot braver women than me that can take on this quest. I'm not that brave."

"Aria," he said, pitying me and rubbing the back of my neck, "you're braver than you look. I won't stop you from…" but could he say it? Those words I dreaded hearing? He tried again, "…Aria, I'm not going to force you to go on, but I need you to go on and help me complete this quest."

"Why?" I asked, feeling the pain spread through me. "I don't know if I can."

"Aria, we made it this far. Surely, you can complete the journey." He said, calmly. He added with certainty and love, "I love you. I always will love you. That's not going to change." He rested his head on mine. "Do you think you can go on and complete the task with me? You have my heart and I yours, right?"

I looked at him now, feeling my heart pounding. "Yes." I closed my eyes, feeling his soft lips touch mine. In a few kisses, I was hooked. I wanted to be his, but something inside me stopped. I released him, but dove my head into his chest, burying it there. I didn't want this to end, but I knew there was no turning back from the quest. I would have to go on. I couldn't give up on Frodo now, but I wondered how Sam was taking it. Probably not good, but I didn't care.

This moment was too perfect to let go of now. We stayed like that for a while, before I followed Frodo into the dining room. There was Faramir and there was Frodo, holding my hand again. It was going to be a long night.

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Thanks for reading. :)