Chapter 11
The Crebain brought a new air of unease over the Fellowship, hindering whatever calm had finally been restored. It seemed we had only just gotten back to being at ease with one another to only have it ripped back out from under our feet. Alas, I trudged on vowing to keep my head up for the future. After all the Crebain were nothing in comparison to what we were going to face in the future.
Speaking of future, I lifted my head to survey Gandalf. The wizard held his head aloft, blue eyes constantly alert analyzing the surrounding area. Ever since the Crebain, Gandalf had pushed us harder, making us cover larger amounts of ground with shorter breaks. It had everyone feeling and looking lousy, even Aragorn was beginning to look worn out, but we all understood it was out of necessity. After taking a look at the ugly horde of mutant birds, I understood exactly why Gandalf wished to push them far behind us.
Our quickened pace had us arriving at the base of Caradhras faster than I expected. Looking up at mountain I couldn't help but feel a slight tremble course its way through my body, I was looking at the very thing that would set the Fellowship into a downward spiral. I angled my head so I could catch a glimpse of the grey wizard out of the corner of my eye. What if I did tell him of the future, of what was to come? He was far wiser than me, if he knew perhaps he could figure a way to avoid the pain the Fellowship would endure and still have us come out on top. Yet I knew what the wizard would say, he already told me once to keep my mouth shut, but that time felt so long ago.
Closing my eyes I could almost see myself standing before Gandalf and Elrond upon our first meeting. I could feel the gentle breeze caressing my cheek as it quietly passed through Elrond's study. But most of all I could feel their penetrating gazes explaining to me what words could not.
"You must promise to encage this information in your mind. Let no one know that the future resides within you."
Snapping my eyes open I turned to view Caradhras with a grim expression, I knew what Gandalf would say and he would knowingly sacrifice himself for the good of the Fellowship.
"Maya!" Snapping out of it, I looked to Frodo who held a worried expression upon his face. "You mustn't fall behind, I fear Gandalf would leave you behind in the state he is in."
I jogged to catch up to the waiting hobbit, "It's quite alright Frodo," I mussed the hobbit's dark chocolate locks while matching his pace, "Gandalf wouldn't be able to leave me behind even if he wanted to." I gave him a small smile hoping that some he would mirror the look, instead the gesture only seemed to make deepen the furrow of his brows. The sight gave me a pang in my chest.
Frodo had gone mute after the Crebain appeared. Sam, Frodo's ever loyal friend, would constantly be at his side speaking quietly with him trying to coax some sort of response, but the blue eyed hobbit only seemed to respond in nods or tentative smiles that weren't fooling anyone. It worried me seeing Frodo looking so distraught so soon, to see and to feel for myself just how much power the Ring had over my friends. It made me fear what the Ring was whispering to him after the appearance of those foul creatures and it scare me to imagine what the future will hold for Frodo's sanity.
Since the hobbit had gone temporary mute, I was surprised that he had spoken to me at all. Not wanting to take his words for granted, I turned to the hobbit and gave him a brilliant smile. "How are you feeling?" The hobbit open his mouth a fake smile plastered onto his childlike features, "The truth Frodo, I don't want any lies. You can trust me with the truth." The hobbit let his face drop down to his bare hairy feet for a moment, seemingly mulling over my words.
After a moment of silent walking the hobbit lifted his head to reveal a solemn look. "Conflicted, I feel very conflicted." He seemed once more lost in his thoughts, looking for the words that would best describe his mental state. I remained silent, patiently giving him time to form his words, "I-I want to be happy. Our journey so far has been relatively quiet, we haven't crossed many dangers. I should feel grateful, yet I feel like this unbearable weight has found a place upon my chest as if the Ring is trying to slowly suffocate me for daring to contain it, hindering it from its true master." Frodo sighed and ran a trembling hand through his curly locks, "Every so often I hear the Ring, it whispers to me trying to slither its dark words into my mind. Usually I'm able to ignore it, but since the Crebain…it feels excited. Those creatures gave it some sort of boost, it's grown…more bold." He paused taking a shuddering gulp of air, "It's started talking more and I find it harder to ignore."
Frodo looked up with such a look of despair, I actually lost my breath. Slowly I came to a stop to fix Frodo with a stern look, "You absolutely cannot keep something like that bottled up, Frodo! You-you have to at least tell someone what you're feeling, especially when you feel the Ring whispering to you like that. Maybe someone can break its hold on you if you would just let them. I've seen Sam trying to talk to you Frodo, he's trying his best to help but you won't let him." Frodo came to a stop a few feet away from me. I calmly closed the space between us and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Just, let him try."
"I can't let him be affected by this." Frodo whispered, "I can't let the Ring hurt him, I won't let it happen."
"I don't think you can stop him from trying to help you. Sam is…headstrong but he has a good heart. The only think I think you can do is decide whether you're going to accept his help."
Frodo only nodded his head in response, the elf seemed to be at a loss of words. We continued our strenuous trek up the mountain with little words exchanged amongst the group. As the winds picked up and the temperature dropped, what little energy we had left was reserved for the continuous climb. The chill in the air increased as snow fell from the heavens making the pathways slick and slippery. The Fellowship formed a nonverbal agreement to protect the hobbits, huddling the shorter fellows in the center of the group much like penguins huddling their young from the artic blasts.
As snow fall grew heavier and hiking up the mountain became more like trudging through the snow, we pushed the hobbits to the front of the pack with the exception of Gandalf, who continuously led the group. The rest of the group served as extra hands in case the hobbits slipped or needed an extra hand to push them forward out of the snow.
Every few hours or so I would call upon fire to warm the group and shield the Fellowship from the upmost chill. A continuous heat source would have drained me of complete energy, but shielding the group from some of the chill every once in a while allowed me control, however even my play with magic could only help for so long.
The winds surrounding the mountain grew harsher, letting out a fierce battle cry as it battered against us ripping at our very bones. Visibility was so low that if you extended your hand you'd lose it to the harsh snow storm. I scowled at the elf as he gracefully walked atop the snow as if it were nothing, although truthfully it was nothing to him. My own body, however, was tiring from trudging in the snow. I had no idea how much longer I could last. I cast a glance to my wolf and mare who were struggling just as hard as I was. Don't get me wrong, Montana had some harsh winters, but this mountain had a vengeance.
I was shocked from my thoughts by a sudden "oof" escaping the dark haired hobbit's lips. Frodo tumbled backwards, only saved by the ranger's fast movements pulling him from the snow drift. Adrenaline pumped through my body as I awkwardly ran through the knee high snow to the hobbits side, immediately knowing the ring was gone. "Frodo, are you alright?" I questioned. His shocked blue eyes made contact with my own as his hand automatically reached towards his neck. His eyes dropped to the snow in fear, but I knew it was useless my eyes were already trained on the Gondorian who was holding the Ring aloft in the air.
"Boromir." Aragorn called, every ounce of authority he could muster was in his voice. I turned to face the warrior. His face was inches from a gold ring, like it was whispering sweet promises to him. In all honestly it probably was. My eyes moved down the chain and found the Ring on their own. I could feel the dark magic reaching out to me and I was struck with the rush of magic. Using ounce of energy left in my body I ripped my eyes from the ring. I heard Boromir mutter something to the group and I could feel the black haired hobbit reclaim his grasp on the Ring. I refused to look at it again for fear of another episode. Instead I focused my eyes on the sharp incline and the long hike ahead of us.
Legola's panicked voice broke the silence in what fell like hours later, "There is a fell voice on the air!" Panic settled in the pit of my stomach for I knew what was going to happen next and I could not do much about it.
"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yelled. A quick flash of lightening caught my attention. The strike sent snow and rock towards the Fellowship.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn shouted, his panic was palatable.
"NO!" Gandalf rushed past us and raised his arms and staff. His chant seemed lost to the wind. "Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!" (Sleep, Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!). Another crack of lightening sounded above our heads and snow and rock rushed towards our heads. Instinct had me flinging my hands above my head. Heat flooded my chest and flooded from my shoulders to my arms to the very tips of my finger. Fire rushed out of me melting the snow before it could reach my head. Rime slowed, every minute detail of every flake of snow was discernable to my eyes. With a flick of my wrist the snow that covered the rest of the Fellowship melted and with it my energy dissipated.
With a cry my knees gave out and my vision blurred. Before I could hit the ground warm hands enveloped me in their hold.