The Wilderness of Ithilien

Middle Earth

After the confusion had been sorted out and Sam had apologized for hitting Harry on the head with a frying pan, Frodo explained their predicament to Harry as best he could.

"So," said Harry, relating the story back to Frodo to make sure he understood correctly. "Er ... There's a Ring, okay, and you have to go to this Mordor place over those creepy mountains and destroy it, and if this Dark Lord dude gets it, he will wreak havoc on the world and everyone will die."

"Good. And ... you say you're a Wizard?"

"Um, yeah. I'm not very good, but I've got the wand all." He reached into his robes and held forth his wand. Frodo and Sam seemed vaguely confused for a second, but accepted it as a miniature staff. They looked upon him henceforth with pity; he must not be so very powerful at all, to be issued such a tiny staff.

"Where'd that goll-durned Gollum get hisself off to?" Sam growled, eyes darting around. "We'd best hightail it off if we's to make up for tarryin' here so long." He did some revisions of his previous calculations and estimated that it would be 2:57 pm when the clouds reached the party, the intensified gust strength of the wind overriding the amount of time spent inactive.

"Oh look, there he is now. He's doing that splendid talking-to-himself act again. Sméagol!" Frodo called lovingly. "We're ready to go now, Sméagol!" Gollum glared at Frodo, gnashed his teeth, and waddled back. "Isn't he adorable?" Frodo said fondly. Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Yes. Er, adorable. Really adorable."