Chapter 24: The Ring Goes South
In a glade beneath an old stone arch, the Fellowship gathered to bid farewell to Rivendell.
Sensei Kanoi said to the Fellowship, "the Ringbearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose.
"May the blessings of Elves and Men and all free folk go with you," Elrond finished, spreading his arms.
Dustin and Trent bow their heads, hands upon hearts.
Tommy then interjected, "the Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer."
Ethan then turned and walked forward, uncertainly, reluctantly leading them out of Rivendell. Before him… the path winds away to either side.
Ethan and Tommy whisper to each other…
Mordor, Tommy, Is it left or right?"
"Left," replied Tommy.
The Fellowship departs beneath an old arch of lichen-encrusted stone. Yet Trent remains where he stands, and turns to Kira. Kira and Trent looked at each other one last time before departing.
Kira's face was sorrowful… Trent smiled faintly, and nods a farewell. He walked out afterwards, in great sorrow and reluctance. Kira broke off her gaze, looking down… solemn… alone. This was because there was a chance… that Kira would never see Trent again.
And so… everyone in the Fellowship, from both worlds… began this perilous journey through Middle-Earth towards the desolate, treacherous land of Mordor. The Fellowship left Rivendell, as the sun's rays pierce the valley. Leaving the Elven refuge behind…
The Fellowship wandered past ruins…
Over the mountains and hillsides…
Travailing through the green, luscious fields and forests that they came across. Tommy was in the lead…
Followed by Dustin...
Max...
Ethan...
Hunter...
Blake...
Conner tending with Bill, the pony...
Shane...
...And Trent.
Continuing the journey… Tommy announced his planned road…
"We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east, to Mordor."
The company stopped on a hillside of rocks, having lunch. Conner cooked the food. He prepared a plate for Ethan. Ethan, and Conner watch Shane practicing sparring techniques with Hunter and Blake with their swords.
"Two, one, five," said Shane, "good! Very good."
"Move your feet," interjected Trent.
That's good, Blake," said Hunter.
"Thanks," replied Blake.
"Faster!" Shane instructed to the hobbits.
Tommy sits by himself as well as Dustin kept an open watch for any incoming dangers that may befall them. Max, however, became a little uncomfortable of Tommy's choice of road.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion," intoned Max, "which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way 'round. Tommy, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Joel would give us a royal welcome!"
"No Max," refused Tommy, "I would not take the road through Moria unless I have no other choice."
Dustin suddenly notice something on the horizon. Tommy notice it as well.
Then in the middle of the practice… Shane accidentally cuts Blake.
"Ahhh!" Blake muttered in pain
"Sorry," apologized Shane…
But Blake kicks him in the leg and Hunter stroke his other leg with his sword.
"Get him!" cried Hunter. Moments later…
Shane found himself at the mercy of the playful Hobbits in a mock battle, laughing away.
"For the shire!" Blake cried out, "hold him! Hold him down, Hunter!"
Both the Hobbits and Shane continued in their mock battle, laughing away their cares. Trent smiled and laughed along with them.
Then, Trent stood up and walked towards the playful trio. "Gentlemen," he said, laying his hand on either Hobbit's shoulder, "that's enough." But…
Blake and Hunter grabbed his legs, pulling him down on his back, immediately involving Trent into the mock battle also.
"What is that?" asked Conner as he noticed the anomaly. Everyone sees it as well.
"Nothing," Max said in a dismissive tone, "it's just a wisp of cloud."
"It's moving fast," said Shane, picking himself off the ground, "…against the wind."
Dustin catched on to it…
"Crebain, from Dunland!" he cried out.
"HIDE!" cried Trent.
"Hunter!" cried Shane to the Hobbits,!
"Ethan, Conner!" Trent called to Ethan and Conner, Take cover!"
Conner immediately put out the fire as everyone grabbed their belongings and hid under the rock outcroppings and under the bushes surrounding the hillside…
They wait…
A few frightening moments later…
In a burst of darkness against the light of day…
The crebain, a flock of black birds… rushed in swiftly as they flew overhead, cawing loudly. Everyone, one by one, watched them fly like locusts… or a plague on the land that has come to them…
The Crebain circled round the hill, checking to see if they could spot anybody. Clearly, this journey wasn't going to be easy as they thought…
After frightening moment of watching the threatening, ominous flight of the crebain…
The birds turned around to fly back southward once more, leaving the hillside. The Fellowship, one by one, came out of their hiding places.
"Spies of Saruman," said Tommy with disgust, "the passage south has been watched."
Ethan was filled with fear… knowing that he and the Fellowship now had more trouble on their hands.
"We must take the pass of Caradhras!" Tommy gestured, turning his head towards a snowy mountain trail…
