CHAPTER 14
SILHOUETTE
Elizabeth's POV
I stood in the presence of Boromir, Sam, Gandalf, Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli inside the tower hall. Gandalf was stressed and worrisome, speaking quietly. "Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening."
Aragorn spoke with his back to Gandalf, "If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it." He said.
Gandalf still looked deeply troubled, his blue eyes were dull, and he worried on, "It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping." Gandalf sighed and slumped in the seat of the steward.
"Let him stay there. Let him rot. Why should we care?"
"Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom," Gandalf replied. "I have sent Frodo to his death."
At that moment I stepped forward, for I couldn't stand to hear this, "No, you haven't." Gandalf looked solemnly at me, "What makes you think that?"
"My best friend is out there with him, she is not going to let anything happen to him…or Sam, she will protect them even if it…if it…." I choked up, "If it costs her life."
"No matter what, she will find a way, you'll see." Sam put in.
"There is still hope for them," said Aragorn, "They need time and a safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give them that."
"How?" questioned Gandalf.
"Draw out Sauron' s armies - empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate." Aragorn explained.
At this, Gimli choked on his pipe and Eomer stepped forward, "We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms." He said.
"Not for ourselves, But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron' s eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves." Aragorn replied.
"A diversion." said Legolas.
Gandalf spoke in a low tone. "Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait!"
Samantha stepped forward, "It's our only choice…our only hope." Gandalf looked a little uncertain but then slowly nodded.
"It's for the best I suppose." He said. Then Aragorn turned and looked at Sam's broken arm which was now in a sling.
"But you won't be fighting though." Aragorn said solemnly.
"What do you mean I'm not going to fight?"
"You can't, not with one arm, it's impossible."
"I fought the Witch King with one arm." She argued.
Aragorn shook his head, "I'm sorry Sam, but it is too dangerous, you are certain to die quickly. I cannot risk that."
This is not going to end well. I thought.
"Just because of my broken arm?" she protested, "It isn't fair, I want to help Millie…I don't want Lizzie in battle alone. I don't want to be a bystander! I want to fight for my friends!"
Aragorn held out his hand to silence her and said calmly, "I understand, believe me, I do, I know what it feels like to be away from my loved ones…but you must understand, it's for the best."
"But-"
"Listen to Aragorn, Samantha." Gandalf said sternly.
Sam sighed, "I suppose you're right. I'd just be a burden anyway." She started to walk away.
"Sam," I exclaimed, "Please don't go. Wait!" She stopped and turned around.
"Promise me you'll be careful, all of you." Sam said, "Especially you Lizzie."
"I'll look after her." Boromir said.
She smiled and then walked over to us and gave us a big hug. Then she walked over to Gimli, and set a hand on his shoulder, "And you, kick some orc butt out there." Gimli smiled.
I felt tears welling in my eyes as she said her goodbyes and started to leave. Before she vanished out the door though, she turned around and sang in a booming voice,
You're all soldiers now,
Fighting in a battle!
To be free once more,
Yeah, that's worth fighting for!
Then she left. Boromir set a comforting hand on my shoulder as I watched her leave. I looked up at him with my tear-stained face. He had a comforting smile on his face. I managed one back.
Samantha's POV
I made my way somewhat swiftly into the garden of the Houses of Healing. The sun was sinking over the horizon and my emotions were still being kept inside, though I thought I was going to explode any minute. I was filled with anger, hurt, and sadness at the same time. I was angry and hurt because Aragorn had told me I couldn't fight, I was full of sadness because almost everyone that I've known and loved from when I'd first arrived here were now in some sort of danger, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry, Gimli, Legolas, Lizzie, and Millie-all of them. Plus, Faramir and Eowyn felt distant because they were both lying inside the houses, not being able to do much else.
I walked through all the winding paths, my head hung, until I came to a large, shady oak tree with a wooden swing tied tightly on a branch. I sat on the swing a looked up through the oak leaves, it was night now and the stars glistened above me, the crescent moon too. The night was cool and had a slight nip in the air; it was a beautiful night…it seemed so peaceful, which made it hard to believe all the violence, war, danger, and bloodshed that was happening. I wished all of this could be over, I wished I had Millie and Lizzie here with me, and my Sam… God, I missed them all so much...I wished they were all here with me…I wished we were back in Rivendell with Elrond and them. I wished 'happily ever after' was here already, if you know what I mean by that. I began to swing slowly back and forth, still looking up at the sky. Tears welled in my eyes and fell down my cheeks slowly. I sighed deeply and cleared my voice, and started to sing a soft, solemn, slow tune.
I'm tired of waking up in tears
'Cause I can't put to bed these phobias and fears
I'm new to this grief I can't explain
But I'm no stranger to the heartache and the pain
The fire I began is burning me alive
But I know better than to leave and let it die
I'm a silhouette asking every now and then
"Is it over yet? Will I ever feel again?"
I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own
But the more I try to move on, the more I feel alone
So I watch the summer stars to lead me home
I'm sick of the past I can't erase
A jumble of footprints and hasty steps I can't retrace
The mountain of things I still regret
Is a vile reminder that I would rather just forget (no matter where I go)
The fire I began is burning me alive
But I know better than to leave and let it die
I'm a silhouette asking every now and then (now and then)
"Is it over yet? Will I ever smile again?"
I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own
But the more I try to move on, the more I feel alone
So I watch the summer stars to lead me home
'Cause I walk alone
No matter where I go
'Cause I walk alone
No matter where I go
'Cause I walk alone
No matter where I go
I'm a silhouette asking every now and then (now and then)
"Is it over yet? Will I ever love again?"
I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own
But the more I try to move on, the more I feel alone
So I watch the summer stars to lead me home
I watch the summer stars to lead me home.
I got off the swing, lie down in the grass, and fell asleep.