Chapter

The Hobbits and Aragon…

As the fire began to crackle, Aragon went back to check on Frodo; they needed to get to Rivendell as fast as they could. He could get him there quickly, however he refused to abandon the other hobbits.

"Strider!"

Aragon turned to see Samwise Gamgee rushing up to him, the pots and pans on his pack clattering loudly, "His fever is getting worse."

Aragon blinked before dashing to where they had laid Frodo to rest; the other two hobbits were crowding around Frodo whom he noticed was beginning to thrash around.

"Back!" he commanded.

Not waiting for a response the Ranger grabbed the back of the two hobbits cloaks and pulled them back before quickly getting a closer look at the hobbit.

His wound had probably gotten to the next stage where they began to feel excruciating pain, the next stage after would be where the victim begins to cross over, soon to become a Wraith.

"What's happening to him?" asked Peregrin Took.

"He is beginning to change, soon he will stop thrashing but he will begin to lose his soul and cease to become the person you knew."

"Wha' does that mean?" the hobbit asked.

"It means whatever that thing did to him, it's not making him himself anymore," answered Meriadoc Brandybuck.

Aragorn tuned out the hobbits as he heard a name being uttered.

"Calder…"

Who?

Aragorn frowned as he wetted a rag and draped it over Frodo's forehead. Perhaps this person was someone Frodo knew back in the Shire.

"meet…trolls."

Aragorn froze, the only known area of trolls would be where Bilbo Baggins along with the company of Thorin Oakenshield, and with this mysterious name and location…

This 'Calder' was planning on meeting him there.

'Well let's not disappoint,' Argon thought as he came up with a plan.


Calder POV…

Riding through the woods, I bring out Meghan's journal before opening to the page I had marked. It had been a few days since I had conversed with Frodo and made our meeting place.

Trolls…

I never expected to fight trolls, nor did I expect to see that they were susceptible to sunlight like vampires.

It was very ingenious of Bilbo to stall the trolls until Gandalf showed, pretending as if he knew how to properly serve dwarves; I was glad I managed to get out the stuff about parasites to stop them from eating Bombur. Not soon after all of us were shouting on our lungs about-

"Watch out!"

I look up only to lean back to dodge a branch, my back pressing against the edge of the saddle and the branches barely missing my face, leaning back up I look at Arwen and shout, "Thanks!"

"Just focus on the path Calder."

-parasites. I thought we were screwed when they started to catch on, however that's when Gandalf came out before splitting the rock with his staff which was awesome! After we got out of the sacks and back into our clothes we then saw that we were near a troll cave-

I flip through some pages before glancing back at the path; Arwen was still leading the way as she rushed her horse onward.

It had been several days since I talked to Frodo; I just hurried as fast as I could onwards to the area with the trolls. After asking some questions about the trolls, Arwen knew where to look and so we went onwards, I checked back to the journal occasionally for reference.

However I started to learn a bit more about my sister, she seemed…a bit less responsible then she was when I last saw her. I wondered why, however we did not have the time to ponder about my sister.

"How far until we get there?" I asked.

"Not until the sun drops I'm afraid," Arwen said over her shoulder, "By then we must be more carefully in our search for Frodo."

I nodded, while I wasn't that afraid of the Nazgûl it didn't mean that I shouldn't be wary; five of them chased Frodo down and since we had no idea on the location of the other four, which left us with some pretty big questions and even bigger worries.

Where were they and were they hunting us? Or Frodo?

I continued to ride until I kept pace with Arwen.

"So…what exactly is a Morgul Blade?" I asked.

Arwen sighed, "Back in the Second Age, there was a tyrannical monster known as the Witch King of Angmar; not much is known, however he was seen along with his fellow Ringwraith's as they served Sauron. They had remained his closest servants and aided him in his rise to power."

"Are they…actually alive?"

Arwen shook her head, "No. They are neither living nor dead, I believe that they are just corpses forced to follow his will."

"Oh," I exclaim, "Sort of like zombies."

Arwen blinked, "Zombies?"

"Long story."


Night had fallen and we were still riding through the woods, however we were close to our destination as I could feel the ring in my pocket beginning to warm. I just had a feeling I really needed to get to Frodo fast…so I urged my horse onward and hurried to get to the area.


Aragon…

Focusing, the Ranger heard the hoof beats of horses approaching…approximately a few miles away ad one was gaining speed.

Quickly rising to his feet, Aragon went back to the campsite; Sam was tending to Frodo as the other two hobbits were looking at the trolls.

Sam noticed the return of the Ranger and quickly got to his feet, "His skin's gone cold!"

Aragon frowned before a noise sounded, turning around he placed a hand on his sword; between the possible new threat and the Nazgûl, Aragon didn't know which was worse.

"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked.

Aragon turned, hand still on his sword hilt, "He's passing into the Shadow-Realm; he will soon become a Wraith like them."

Thinking quickly, Aragon turned to Sam, "Sam, do you know of the Athelas plant?"

Sam blinked in confusion, "Athelas?"

Aragon thought for a moment, "Kingsoil."

"Kingsoil ah…it's a weed."

"It can slow down the poison, go find some quickly."

With that Aragorn quickly began to head to his vantage point.

"Why? Wait, where are you going?!" Sam shouted.

"To greet some visitors," was all Aragon said.


Calder's POV…

I had just seen a grotto when something knocked me off my horse, grunting I quickly get to my feet before whatever attacked me managed to grab me and we fell onto the ground. Scrambling for my dagger with one hand, the other I use to grab the persons hand which was trying to wrap around my throat, snatching the wrist with one hand, I managed to pull out the dagger before swiping at the person; however he grabbed my wrist and forced it down as the dagger clattered onto the ground.

"Who are you?" the man growled.

I got a better look at the man, he had long dark hair with grey streaks in it, along with a beard; his clothing was mainly leather as well as his fingerless gloves and a sword was clipped on his side.

I didn't say anything; it was then that he began to reach for my hood; however that was when a sword entered my field of vision before sliding underneath his throat.

"What's this? A Ranger caught off his guard?"

Arwen.

The Ranger tilted his head back and got a better look at Arwen, "Why do the elves leave the comfort of Rivendell and walk along with us lesser man?"

Arwen cocked an eyebrow before removing her blade, "That is my brother you're straddling Aragon."

Wait…what?!

Aragon blinked, "I believe your brothers are much taller than him," he stated.

I rolled my eyes, "I am right here you know!"

Aragon frowned, "He does not sound like an elf."

He gets off and I quickly get to my feet and after brushing myself off I grab my dagger and return it to the sheath on my thigh before pulling off my hood, "That's because I'm a man; I don't have pointy ears Aragon."

The Ranger blinked, "A man? As your brother?"

"He is a Cooper."

Aragon looked at me, "I see."

How did Arwen know about…Aragon; and right now I think that could wait.

"I believe we have a hobbit to help," I point out.

Arwen nodded, "We can continue this later."

With that, Arwen mounted her horse while I grabbed the reins on my horse and pulled it along while Aragon walks along with me.

"So I guess your Calder then?" he asked.

I nodded my head, "Yeah…how did you know my name?" I asked.

"Frodo was murdering your name," Aragon stated as he was looking at the ground for some reason, "I assumed that it was someone we needed to watch out for; and I am not going to try and reconcile our first meeting."

I shrugged, "No problem and I would have done the same, so ditto."

Aragon blinked, "Ditto?" What is di-to?" he asked.

I sighed, "I keep forgetting about different cultures," I mutter, "it means the same thing, as in I mean the same thing."

Aragon blinked, "I don't think I understand."

I shrugged, "I think it's better if you don't get it actually."

With that we continue onwards into the grotto, where a sandy haired person was handing Arwen something; crushing it in her hands she speaks in Elvish before pressing the substance in her hands into Frodo's shoulder, who promptly convulsed twice and took in a wheezing gasp.

"He's fading too fast," Arwen stated.

I rush forward, two other small people exclaimed while I kneeled by Frodo, his eyes were bloodshot and seemed to be covered by a milky film.

"What do we do?" I ask hurriedly.

"We must take him to father," Arwen stated.

Aragon picked up Frodo before taking him to Arwen's horse, "Take care of the hobbits, I can take him to Rivendell."

It took me a moment to realize that it was in Elvish; who was Aragon exactly?

Arwen blinked before saying in Elvish, "I am a better rider, I can get there faster."

"What are they saying?" I hear a hobbit ask.

I pinch my chin, Aragon was more acquainted with these woods and Arwen was as well, however I don't think she was the better rider.

As I came to a conclusion, I sighed as it was a terrible idea.

"Let me go."

The Ranger and my sister looked at me with shock, they both were about to speak however I quickly cut them off.

"Aragon, you know these woods well and you need to get them," I gesture to the hobbits, "to safety; however my plan is for Arwen and I to ride to Rivendell but we split up in case the Nazgûl find us and try to distract them long enough to get Frodo to Rivendell."

"These Nazgûl are deadly," Aragon stated. "What makes you think you can survive them? Moreover avoid them?"

"I think I will be suitable enough for this task," I say cryptically.

Arwen nodded her head, "Trust us, he can do this."

As she placed a hand on the saddle I see Aragon place a hand over hers before saying something softly.

Did they have a thing for each other?

I quickly mount my horse as Arwen does the same, clicking my heels against the flank of the horse and we soon ride off.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! THOSE THINGS ARE STILL OUT THERE!"

I let out a breath, with someone's life on the line, the pressure was on.


The sound of hoof beats against ground was very repetitive as we went through a forest, I made sure the frame was pressed against my chest; Frodo had some yellow stuff crusting his eyes and pouring out of his mouth.

That's when I saw a flash of black.

I whistle loudly, quickly alerting Arwen who looked before nodding her head and shouting, "Go! Get him to Rivendell!"

Urging my horse onward, I make a right and down through two trees; glancing behind I see the familiar black horse before turning forward, only to veer my horse to the side as another black horse came out of nowhere along with a loud shriek.

Dashing through the trees and into a large clearing I take that opportunity to check behind me, and I was tempted to swear loudly.

All nine Nazgûl were right behind, there horses foaming at the mouth and their black eyes seemed like the pits of hell.

Yeah I will.

"Shit!"

Urging my horse faster I managed to stay slightly ahead of the Nazgûl before dashing back into the woods, I remembered that Arwen stated that this was part of a secret path to Rivendell.

A loud screech rang throughout the plain.

The horses were gaining fast as I drew my knife, in the corner of my eye I see a Nazgûl reaching outward; I slash at the hand and the Wraith drew away.

I then felt a hand grab the back of my cloak and pulling me off the horse, the small weak figure bouncing along the horse twice before falling off.

The Nazgûl weren't interested in me yet as they circled the fallen hobbit. They drew their swords before dismounting and beginning to stab downward.

I smirked.

Quickly getting to my feet I scan the plain to see my destination.

A rock formation.

A loud screech sounded again, it was like the gunshot of a race as I sprinted as fast as I could.

Quickly hopping onto the formation I turned around and as I saw the Nazgûl approaching, I counted my fingers, "Third time isn't a charm for you guys? As the French say, au revoir."

With that I leapt downward.

I slid through the rock cropping and down a slope before sliding to my feet. Smiling happily at foiling the Nazgûl I walked along the path, which took me between a sort of cramped canyons before opening up at the top of a waterfall.

Overlooking all of Rivendell.

After enjoying the view I hurried down to the Elven city. I had a friend to check up on.


I saw that Elrond was walking out of a room along with several other elves, including Arwen.

"Is he-"

"We made it in time," Arwen stated, "He would have nearly faded into the Shadow-Realm if the Nazgûl had followed me."

I grin, "All according to plan."

Arwen bit her lip before throwing herself forward and wrapping her arms around me.

As I blink in shock, she whispers into my ear, "Please do not take risks like that again please."

I swallow before hesitantly wrapping my arms around her as well, "Not sure I can promise such a thing," I say.

Arwen tightened her grip, as I felt my back crack a few times she then said, "It is strange having a younger sibling. My heart is filled with anger and relief and worry."

"I always assumed that's the sign that you love them as your family," I say.

"It is a good feeling, although mixed."

We stayed like that a few minutes longer before we separated, "Now then," Elrond stated. "Time to continue your training."

A/N: Much shorter than usual, however I had a writers block and it was soooo terrible. Anyway, I would like to hear your input about this story, helpful flames wanted.

Read, Have a Great Day and God Bless.

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