A/N: Shock horror, chapter ten is up within a week of me posting chapter nine. I have to say that is a new record for me. Lol. Don't expect chapter eleven to be up super fast however, as I am afraid today was just a fluke. My daughter was at her Gran's for a few hours and I decided to abandon all housework and post this up. How kind am I? Lol. Anyways, please READ and REVIEW! Inspires me so it does! :] Enjoy, bit of action, if you want to call it that, in this one! :S
Chapter Ten: By the Grace of the Valor
The nights seemed to pass by in a blur. It had been maybe three, four days since we had left the walled environment of civilization and ventured into the wild unknown. It was fast becoming like a routine to me; wake up at first light of dawn, travel rough country all day and then collapse on to a hard bed of rocks at night only to wake the next morning and do it all over again. My body was slowly but surely getting used to the lack of meals; two measly meals a day was hardly enough to keep up my stamina usually, but I was surprisingly coping quite well with it now. Most likely the realisation that we could in fact be left to eat nothing but breakfast each day if Strider had his way! I felt extremely lucky at that thought. By my calculations, it was now the fourth night of our little adventure when Strider informed us that we were still a good week from Rivendell, if not slightly more. My legs burned, and seemed to ache the more he spoke. They were not used to this sort of exertion all the time. I was used to running around back home yes, but not for prolonged periods of time with no comfortable rest in between. We had been trekking for days on end with no real pit stops of somewhere relaxing to rest my aching limbs for more than a few hours. I was really starting to regret not staying at home the day of Farmer Maggots. I would be bored to tears no doubt by now though from Amelia Chubb's nonchalant droning instead of beyond exhausted and at unease from over running from cloaked supernatural beings. Now that I thought about it, I would choose this every time. Amelia was just far too annoyingly nosy and her voice was deafening to my sensitive ears. That would most definitely be the worst of the choices I concluded. It was almost laughable when I viewed it like that!
"This was the great watch tower of Amon Sûl, Weathertop in the common tongue" Strider said as he pointed to some exquisite ruins on top of a nearby hill, "we shall rest there tonight"
"Great, a mountain to climb now!" I hissed under my breath as we continued onwards and upwards. The walking was getting rather tedious now and getting on my last nerve, which was extremely short. It had been what, six maybe seven days since we had left the Shire and I was feeling rather sick of travelling. My heart panged at the mention of home as it reminded me of my Father and my pregnant Mother. I wonder if she has welcomed my sibling into the world yet? I was slightly downhearted that she would no doubt give birth before I got back to help her. I never thought I would miss the simple things until now.
"Oh stop moaning Clara!" Merry laughed bringing me out of my depressing thoughts and back to the less than happy reality. He shook his head at me as he continued, "It's only a little teensy hill!"
"Little? Teensy?" I scoffed back at him as we began to climb more up the grassy sides of what was to me a vertical drop, "Yeah right!"
He just laughed even harder as I heard snickers from some of the others. I even caught a small smile on Frodo and Striders faces as I turned round to glare at them all. I really was extremely childish, I thought. Their smug faces will be wiped clean if I tire and they have to carry me up the rest of the way. I smirked evilly as that thought came to pass. Merry was getting quite the little witty male on this trip I noticed. I turned to watch him next to me as he helped Sam with Bill the pony. He was always full of smart comments, but they seemed to be aimed at me more than ever in recent times than before. I was most likely just over thinking matters and being over tired wasn't exactly helping me clear through my thoughts of nonsense.
In all honesty the mountain, I mean hill, wasn't too much of an effort to climb; even in my dead beat state. It was complete darkness however by the time we reached the top ledge of the watchtower ruins. Strider told us this would be the place we would be setting up camp for the night. I was more than grateful at them words and almost immediately collapsed on to the gravel floor beneath me.
"These are for you, keep them close" Strider spoke as he handed out what looked like worn long daggers to my four companions, "unfortunately I could only haggle four in Bree, so keep Clara safe", he shot me a serious look that I was tempted to roll my eyes at. He was bragging about my courage a few nights ago and was now slating my ability to defend myself! I couldn't blame him however, I had no ability to protect myself and by the sight of my 'protectors' fumbling their swords awkwardly, neither did they. Fantastic! "I'm going to have a look around. Stay here and keep hidden" and he disappeared into a shroud of darkness leaving me alone with four naive hobbits with sharp blades. Very wise Strider, oh clever Ranger of the North! As if to prove my point, Pippin decided to open his mouth.
"Wow, we have swords!" he sighed in awe as he ran his hand down the blade and almost cut himself. I felt suddenly very uneasy in the dark without Strider near me. A most strange and uncomfortable thought.
"You better learn to use it fast or else I will be the one with the sword and you will be the one with a missing hand!" I glared at him as he just shook his head at me and continued his dangerous examinations of his new toy. I didn't want to show it, but that just furthered my fear even more. If something came how were we going to protect ourselves? I didn't even have a weapon, not that I had skills to utilise one if I did. One thing was certain though; none of us had any skills. Merry and Pippin were now attempting to have a sword fight that looked more like two children brandishing sticks than anything fearful. Sam had closed the distance between him and Frodo and had a slight look of awe and pride on his face and Frodo was still eyeing his weapon with a look of disbelief and fear while shooting me looks every so often. I sighed deeply as I tried to think what Strider was thinking to give four unqualified idiots weapons. We were Hobbits! Hobbits didn't know how to fight, didn't like to fight. We were creatures of comfort and mostly a friendly and timid race. Wars and fighting was extremely rare in our lands and the five of us would no doubt be a perfect example of that if ever in battle. Especially me, I was definitely the runt when it came to fighting. Past experiences had proved that.
"Don't worry Clara we can share swords so no one is left unprotected" smiled Merry as he came towards me and touched my arm reassuringly. He was always touching me nowadays it seemed. It made me slightly uncomfortable and I cast a look at Frodo for some unknown reason. He was talking to Sam and ignoring me and Merry it seemed.
"Hmm, yes thanks" I managed to mutter as I backed away from him while shooting a timid smile in his direction. I was still slightly apprehensive. I didn't feel that sharing the weapon should make much difference if the need to use them ever came about. We were all less than four foot tall and not particularly useful in the mind of war. Nevertheless, I found myself soon cheered up at the sound of Pippin and Sam laughing nearby.
"We won't let anything happen to you, I promise" Frodo spoke from behind me, making me jump slightly as I didn't hear him approach, "Nothing will happen for us to use them I feel. You know how Strider is" He placed a hand on my shoulder from behind and I felt the hairs on my neck stand on end as a shiver ran down my spine. I didn't dare look back at him to gauge his expression. I didn't need to though to know he was telling the truth. I felt more than a little relieved at Frodo's loyalty to protect me and felt almost safe again. He was fast becoming what Sam was to him, my loyal protector. I couldn't help shake the thought though that Strider, as over protecting as he had become of us, wouldn't just hand out weapons for no reason. He had left us on our own before and didn't feel the need to give us swords. I pushed all my worrying thoughts aside and left Frodo to go and see what Sam and Pippin were talking about. Frodo was right, nothing would happen; my worries were just silly.
"I am hungry!" I sighed. It turned out that Sam and Pippin's exchange was not as interesting as I had hoped. The discussion of long bottom leaf, although good to keep my mind occupied, was mind-numbingly boring and I soon found my thoughts drifting from topic and to other things, more important things, like food.
"You are always hungry. You will be turning into Pippin soon enough!"
"Well I would much rather turn into him than you any day. You're no fun!" I laughed at the look on Merry's face as he scowled at me in a very childish manner. I pouted then added, "someone make me food"
"Yes Miss Clara right away all mighty one!" drawled Pippin in an amusing voice before he laughed, "do we look like your kitchen help?"
I sighed dramatically before uttering, "Please kind gentlemen of the shire?" hoping that would smooth at least one of them over. I had no energy to argue, but I hated cooking, female or not and it was one of my least favourite chores of back home. I resisted the urge to let my thought linger on home again as I turned back to look at my fellow friends with puppy eyes hoping to quell the fight before it dragged on any further. I was indeed ravenous!
"No!" Pippin almost squealed as I saw his eyes twinkle, "You are the only female here which means you should be cooking for us!" I was faintly aware of Merry and Sam drifting back slightly hoping to go unnoticed in the shadows as not to get caught in the crossfire of my anger when I erupted.
I turned to glare Pippin in the eye and made sure to hold my gaze until the smile was wiped completely from his face and replaced with a look of fear before coughing and replying, in a tone which was the sweetest I could muster, "hmm, you are right Pippin. Could someone light me a small fire please and I will make us something. What do we have to cook?" I stood up slowly, and as graceful as I could, from my spot besides a sleeping Frodo and walked towards Sam, completely ignoring the dumbfounded look on Pippins face as I passed, "Sam will you do me the honours of lighting a fire please?" it took him a few minutes to collect himself before he smiled and began busying himself with the task at hand.
"Ehm, sure Miss Clara. No problem" he managed to mutter before lighting a fire and collecting some food out of his overflowing pack. I bit back the urge to laugh at everyone's reactions to me being so nice. It wasn't like I was horrible usually; I just always argued my point till I was blue in the face. Besides, everyone knows I don't like sexist comments, especially from Pippin who took advantage of that to push my buttons. He was nowhere near sexist in the slightest. I thought I would just bite my tongue this time however and get on with things. I would be able to eat quicker that way and I could get them back with my rubbish cooking. Time went by in silence as I cooked. The others just sat quietly, staring at me and the food in the pan, patiently waiting for it to be ready for their consumption. Which would properly be never by the look of the burnt food, I was a terrible cook. One of the reasons why I detested cooking.
"Can I have some bacon? Please...?" Pippin cautiously asked beside me as if afraid my new found politeness would disappear with the smallest wrong word.
"Of course" I smiled as I handed him some, trying my best not to scold myself on the roasting pan in the process, "want a tomato Sam?"
There was a scuffle behind me before a voice hissed, "what are you doing?"
I turned to see Frodo behind us fully awake and annoyed it seemed.
Merry pointed to the fire, "tomatoes, sausages and nice crispy bacon" this seemed to just aggravate Frodo even more as he scrambled closer to us, his face etched in utter shock and disbelief.
I signalled to a plate beside me, "we saved some for you" I even flashed him a larger than necessary smile for good measure.
"Put it out you fools!" he hissed as he attempted to stop out the flames of the fire with his bare hairy feet, "put it out!"
"Alright! Just stop ruining the food will you! It is ruined enough without you adding to it!" I exclaimed as I tried to salvage some ash covered sausages. What the hell what wrong with him?
"Well that's nice! Ash on my tomatoes!" Pippin huffed beside me. I looked at him and started laughing. We were arguing about burnt food in the middle of the night in baron land. Any food, no matter what condition it was in, was a luxury out here. My laughter stopped instantly however when I heard a loud unnatural screech from the fields bellow. It couldn't be I thought desperately. My eyes popped out of their sockets nearly as I gazed harder into the darkness bellow, trying my best to distinguish the shapes more clearly, make out figures if I could. I was aware of my hands trembling as I turned to look at Frodo, who had somehow found his way over next to me and was perched looking over the edge also. He looked up and our eyes locked as we shared the same look of fear at what we recognised approaching the base of the hill. He shoved me harshly behind him towards Pippin and the others shouting one singular word "GO!"
I ran faster than I had ever run before. Faster than the first night I had encountered the riders. I knew what they were now, what they were capable of. I was scared, petrified even. Merry, Sam and Pippin were running with me. Frodo was lagging behind and is struggling with the ability to run. It was then that I realised how tired he look compared to the rest of us; his face was starting to look slightly ashen instead of the glowing fair complexion I was so used to. He had heavy bags under his eyes that had a slight tint of blue to them. I tried to slow down slightly so I could fall in line with him and help him run, but Merry and the others pushed me forward clearly taking Striders words to protect me very seriously.
We reached the ruins of the watchtower faster than I anticipated. I noticed Frodo had caught up with us, with the help of Sam no doubt. Ever the loyal friend was Sam. We stood huddled in the centre of the ruins, craning for any noise or sighting of the beings in black around us. The pillars of the tower offered little coverage and protection from all seeing eyes as they were decayed beyond belief. I searched frantically for Strider, hoping he was on his way back by now and had noticed trouble with his almighty senses. I felt Frodo tense behind me as I reached out and searched for his hand, grabbing it in urgency as I dared to chance a glance at where he was looking. I wish I hadn't as I felt my face whiten even more than It was already at the sight of a black rider approaching us through two weather beaten pillars, sword drawn and ready for battle. If he had a face it would be full of joy and excitement at finding us, five Hobbits all huddled together and useless to any of his advances. I knew this. I feared this.
The rest of the nightly creatures where now behind whom I guessed were their leader. Six of them in total, towering over all of us and advancing slowly as if teasing us almost. I could feel my nails digging into Frodo's hand, no doubt breaking skin as I felt his hand tighten around mines. I was faintly aware of the others tentatively backing up towards a large almost wall like block of stone opposite from the advancing cloaked men of death.
Sam, the ever brave Sam, leapt in front of the rest of us shouting, "back you Devils!" as he frantically swiped his sword, which was a mere carving knife compared to the weapons the cloaked beings had. The front one merely pushed Sam out the way with little effort. I closed my eyes at the sound of flesh and bone contacting solid stone and ground.
I felt us huddle closer together as Merry and Pippin stood banded together in front of Frodo and I, shaking but trying their best to be brave. I admired their courage greatly at this moment and took back everything I ever thought about them being useless. They were my brave Hobbits. The same rider who tossed Sam aside so easily approached the rest of us and did the same with Merry and Pippin. It was only me left between him and Frodo now. Weapon less and so scared I thought I might actually pass out from fear.
Frodo's grip loosened greatly on my hand and I struggled to hold on to him in fear of losing him. I felt him falter behind me and drop his sword, utterly over come with fear and scramble backwards closer to the wall behind us. I could almost feel the cold non-existent breath of the being in front of me and decided to grab the sword at my feet and offer my feeble attempts of trying to protect Frodo. He needed my help and I was not about to let him down when everyone else had been there for him, for us. Protected us and risked their lives. I got as far as gripping the hilt of the blade before I felt cold hard arms like steel, pick me up and toss me aside. I screamed in pain as I felt my body connect with a rock not far from where I was. I looked back to Frodo just in time to see him disappear as the creature stabbed its blade of hell into the dark nothingness that was Frodo's form a moment ago.
I felt arms grab me as a human voice shouted, words I couldn't quite make out in my current state of confusion. I looked up and was more than relieved to see it was Strider who was gripping my arm and dragging me to my feet as he brandished a flame to the riders, their squeals ringing through my head like a deafening wail. I noticed Merry and Pippin not far and decided to leave the safety of Striders side to go help them up, he would not be much help with me round his feet I thought.
"Come on! Get up!" I called to Pippin as I tried to heave him to his feet, Merry joining me suddenly.
"Are you okay" he asked as he appeared at my side. I noticed his head had a slight cut on it but apart from that he was the picture of health.
"I am fine" I mumbled as Pippin finally stood up, woundless and unharmed. Thank the Valor!
"Strider! Help him Strider!" Sam's voice shouted from the side of us, the side which I was crouching with Frodo only moments ago. Oh no what has happened to him!
We ran up behind Striders crouching form as he held a broken blade in his hand, "he has been stabbed by a Morgul blade" he hissed as the sword turned to ash and he dropped it to the beaten ground beneath us, "this is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elven medicine" he solemnly said as he scooped Frodo into his arms and began to walk off calling for us to keep close.
I didn't know what had happened. Hadn't Frodo disappeared? How did he get stabbed? I couldn't see him as Striders rushed form hid him from my view, but from Striders words, he wasn't looking good. I quickened my paced as we reached a clearing in the woods not far from Amon Sûl. The screeching of the infuriated riders echoed around us, we ran deeper into the woods trying our best to put as much distance as possible between us and them deathly riders.
"Hurry!" Striders worried voice called behind to us as I grabbed onto Pippin to help quicken my pace, he was faster than me. He gratefully clasped my hand in his and pulled me forward, quickening my pace but not by much.
"Its six days from Rivendell!" cried Sam as he panted from attempting to keep up with Striders long treads so to be closer to Frodo. He added in a quieter and solemn voice, "he will never make it..."
I felt Pippins hand clasp tighter onto mine as we ran even faster than what I thought was possible. He cannot die! I will not let him die! I could feel tears flying from the corners of my eyes as we rushed forward, a desperate attempt to do something, anything to help Frodo. This is my entire fault! I knew deep down that I wouldn't have made much difference, but I hesitated to long and didn't even protect him. Maybe even if I had acted quicker, grabbed the dagger faster then I would have held them vile creatures off just long enough for Strider to show up and help us. Save us. I felt so ashamed. So...so guilty. I shouldn't be on this journey. I was not helping the cause, only adding more distress. I may have killed Fr... My thoughts trailed off. I couldn't even think that never mind say it aloud. It was not true! It would not happen!
"Frodo! Frodo!" Striders frantic words brought me back to my senses, as I watched in horror as he began shaking Frodo's lifeless form in his arms. This could not be it! It just couldn't be! I let go of Pippins hand and urged myself to go faster, to reach the front where Strider and Frodo were. It seemed my feet listened to my brain, my heart for once in my life as I neared Sam who was at Striders side. I could make out Frodo's seating pale form almost as a chilling sound bellowed into the air which froze my heart.
"GANDALF!" shrieked the outline in the Rangers tight embrace before he went limp. What have I done!