** Chapter 8 **



Frodo looked about the land they traveled, staring in silent awe at the crumbling towers of ancient civilization that used to inhabit the area. He sat, weary, upon Bill, the pony Sam had lovingly named. He had protested against it, but the vote had been five against his own word, so he ended up having to ride the small steed. It was raining miserably, and the wind was blowing the rain right on them.

They were traveling through a thin, narrow valley, with tall cliffs on each side. Gnarled, scraggly trees littered the hillside.

Each companion carried a even share of the equipment, and Azura had argued until she was blue in the face that she could carry the same amount as the other men could, and so she did, but she slowly lagged behind them, keeping pace, a step behind.

Azura's golden locks were bound behind her ears, in a scarlet thin sash. Her clothes she had been wearing the past week were well dirty, so she had changed in the morning, into a pair of blue pants, the same style the ones she had been wearing, and wore a spare jacket of Sam's. It was baggy, and loose, and very warm. It kept the rain of her, but the rain still stung her eyes and blurred her vision. The weight on her back wasn't as bad as the dull ache in her shoulder, nor the pain in her knees from walking up the slow incline. They had been walking for hours, and it was starting to wear on her joints.

She stepped over the rocky ground, barely keeping pace and almost beginning to drag her feet. She hadn't slept well the night before. She had laid down and slept for a short while, but grew restless. She couldn't get up, or she would have woken Frodo, so she stayed, lying there, thinking and growing anxious. Now, the lack of sleep had caught up to her. She took another step, and her foot stepped upon the edge of a loose rock, and it slipped from beneath her. She fell forward, but Sam and Merry caught her arms, and helped her up, before she fell flat.

"Thank you." She said, looking up at them as they helped her up, feeling too weak to stand on her own.

"Are you ill?" Sam asked, slipping his arm around her waist and helping Merry keep her from falling, and helping her walk.

"I.." Azura started, and stifled a yawn by burying her mouth in her shoulder, then answered softly, "I didn't sleep well…"

Strider slowed his pace, and the others began to stop.

"Take off your pack," Sam said, taking off his own, and tying it to the saddle that Frodo sat on. He looked down upon them, blinking wearily.

Azura slipped off her pack, and Strider took it, and tied it to his own pack, which in comparison, her pack was only half the size of his.

Sam turned and crouched, "Get on my back, I shall carry you until we camp."

"I'm too heavy." Azura remarked, hesitating, not wanting to be such a burden.

"Nonsense, I carried you when you were ill, and you weren't heavy, not as much as my pack." Sam said, laughing lightly, still crouched and waiting for her to get on his back.

Azura hesitantly climbed onto his back, and he took hold of her legs, and she held his shoulders as he rose. She smiled, and laughed lightly, "This is the second time you have acted as a trusty steed. I fear you will make Bill quite jealous."

Sam laughed, "I trust he will understand. Why is it you didn't sleep well?"

Azura stifled another yawn, and shook her head, trying to rid off her sleepiness. "Thoughts…nightmares…old memories…Things I thought I would forget…."

Strider and her companions had begun to walk again, and her lower legs bobbed up and down as Sam walked. For a long while, the Company were quiet, and sullen as the rain fell softly.

[I] Ho! To the land of unknown we go!
Hey! Across the river we wade
And through our journey we flow
And as cheery as our hearts do bade!

Ho! Across the glade we wander
Hey! And our voices do sing!
And our courage won't squander
And to the heaven's, our spirits do fling! [/I]

Each, in turn, smiled as Azura sung loudly, an old traveling song. She faltered at the last lyric, unable to remember the rest.

Frodo spoke up, and sang clearly;

[I] Ho! To my fairest, a kiss!
Hey! Our bodies do part, for this journey
But our hearts remain, forever together, in bliss!
And one day soon, together we shall be! [/I]

Pippin, Merry, and Sam spoke up, and sang;

[I]Ho! In to the heart of the wild we go!
Hey! Past the towering trees and green dells
Through the ancient ruins our spirits tow
With a smile we'll bid our farewells![/I]

Azura laughed loudly, and released Sam's shoulders and clapped loudly.

Pippin laughed and said, "We are a great bunch of singers, are we not?"

"Yes, we are! My mother used to tell me stories of make-believe, and of many things. It's kind of like one of my mother's tales. We are a band, on a perilous, heroic journey! And we sing…yes…we are great singers…" Azura mumbled, almost incohereantly, and she rested her chin on Sam's left shoulder, and her eyes slid close. Soon, she was asleep, and every now and then, mumbled softly in her sleep.

"This ground is steeply rising." Pippin remarked, stepping up a fairly steep curve.

"Yes…It keeps getting this way." Strider called, from further up the slope.

"We can not head back! We must press onward!" Sam called, somewhat dismayed.

Frodo clung to the mane of the pony, feeling himself begin to fall back as the horse climbed slowly upward.

Half an hour, they found themselves, slowly climbing up a cliff. There was no choice in heading back, they had traveled a full day through the valley, and going back would seriously set them back. But climbing was wearing hard on Frodo, and Sam was no better, and was straggling behind because climbing and holding Azura was much harder than it would seem.

"We should find a ledge and camp for the night. The sun is sinking, and the air grows cold. Climbing in this wet weather will prove deadly." Strider said, pulling himself up onto a flat ledge. On the ledge, the wall curved in, providing a bit of shelter. He slid his pack off, as well as Azura's, and tossed them under inside the small cave-like hollow. He turned on heel and shout a hand down and helped Merry up, and the Pippin.

They collapsed inside the hollow and didn't even bother to take their packs off.

Strider grabbed the reins of the pony, and pulled it up onto the ledge. He took care, making sure Frodo was steady, and did not fall.

Frodo was slumped against the pony's neck, his eyes closed, but he was not asleep.

"Tell me, do you feel ill?" Strider asked, after he steadied the pony , and helped Frodo off, and toward his exhausted companions.

"I am tired…and in pain…but I shall be fine in the morning." Frodo lied, as he sat, slowly.

Strider helped Sam up, whom stumbled, and to Strider's surprise, Azura didn't even stir.

Sam moved toward the small shelter, and before he sat, He let Strider pluck Azura off his back. Strider moved Azura on a blanket Merry had prepared for her, and laid her on it, in which Sam sat on one side, and the others, on the other side.

"This rain is miserable. I am wet, cold, and a fire is impossible to start." Pippin grumbled, pulling a blanket about himself, shivering lightly.

"Rest, for night is upon us, and soon, the morning will come. "Strider said, sitting, and getting comfortable.

Pippin and Merry huddled in a corner, and wrapped blankets around themselves. Sam sat near, wrapped in a blanket, and already nodding off.

Strider's soft snores came, a few minutes later, as he nodded off.

Frodo sat, his back propped against the cold stone wall, which he could feel through his coat and shirt, much to his annoyance. He pulled a blanket up around him, but thought, what the bother? The blanket was damp, as was his clothes, what warmth could a soaked blanket bring? Minutes or hours past, either he could not be sure of, time seemed to crawl by, at the same time, he wondered if it really had been a long time since they came upon the cave.

He cast his eyes down, seeing his companion's shapes in the dark. A few beams of light shone through the storm clouds, and lit places here and there. He looked beside him, where Azura lay. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was deep and slow. Her blonde hair was matted to her head, and a few long strands strayed from her ponytail, and were draped upon her cheek.

He idly reached down and brushed them from her cheek. Her skin was cold, due to the cold and wet weather. His fingers lingered upon her cheek, and his face was set in a soft, confused expression. No thoughts seemed to pass through his mind, his fingers seemed to have frozen to her, he didn't have the strength to pull them away.

Azura shifted in her sleep and grasped his hand with her own hand, and buried her cheek against it, and mumbled in her sleep, "Please…don't…leave…again.."

Frodo awoke from his dazed state, and softly pulled his hand free, and leaned back against the stone wall, wondering why he had been so compelled to keep his hand upon her cheek.

Azura shifted a few minutes later, and sat abruptly, and looked about. She turned, and scooted around until she faced him, then got a relieved look, "I had the oddest dream that I had been left by you all…I am relieved it wasn't true..I am growing very fond of you all." She said, and Frodo saw a tear brim her eye, and slowly slide down her cheek.

He reached forward and brushed it off her cheek with his thumb, and smiled, "I would not leave you, Azura, as the same with the others." Again his hand lingered at her cheek, but he quickly pulled his hand away, a blush growing on his cheeks.

"…Do….do you promise?" She asked, a strange, sad light in her eyes.

He looked again at her, and nodded, "I do promise."

The soft snores of Sam and Strider were the only noise besides Frodo and Azura's light voices.

She was looking at him, surprised, and also seemed slightly confused. She moved to sit closer to him, and was staring down at her lap, a slight blush upon her cheeks. She then looked up at him, and smiled lightly, "May I speak freely to you, Frodo?"

He stared at her for a moment, then replied, "Yes, of course."

"When I first came upon you all, I felt distanced and unable to be friends with you. But, you all welcomed my presence. Also…." She said lightly, but a blush grew upon her cheeks, and she grew silent.

"Also?" Frodo questioned, frowning lightly.

"Merry said I should be honest…but…it's hard…" Azura mumbled, almost not completely heard by Frodo.

"You are not honest to me? I have always assumed you were." Frodo remarked, a thoughtful look playing his features, but, then he groaned, as a sudden ache grew over his shoulder.

"Are you still in pain?" Azura asked, relieved that the subject had swiftly changed. She leaned close to him, her fingertips lightly touching his shoulder.

"Y-yes.." Frodo faltered, wincing in pain.

Azura pulled off his coat, and unbuttoned his shirt, so his shoulder was bare. The cut on his shoulder was no worse, and no better healed, than when she had cured him. She frowned, "It should be healing…I shall ease the pain for you." She said, and placed her hand over his shoulder, and mumbled something. Her touch grew warm, and tingly, and her hand glowed softly white, and faded.

The pain in his shoulder faded to a dull twinge. He smiled in wonder at her, "You are very kind to me. Is it because you are bound… or is it friendship?" He asked, suddenly.

"I do it.. because I care for your health… and… I… care for you." She said, her eyes slowly lowering as she spoke, a deep blush growing upon her cheeks.

He stared at her, silently, for long moments. She sat, her hands in her lap, and still, staring down at her lap. He cheeks were flushed, and she seemed rather embarrassed of her confession to him.

He touched his hand to her chin, and raised her face, " I am quite fond of you, as well. I…am at loss of words at explaining my feelings though…" Frodo said. He wasn't too well around women, let alone, expressing his emotions toward Azura.

She reached up, and placed a warm hand on his cold cheek, which sent a warm shiver throughout him. She leaned forward, and her lips met softly to his.

Shocked at the sudden action, his hand slowly fell from her chin, and fell flat to the cold stone ground beneath him. He was frozen, his eyes wide, and unable to react. He was rendered helpless by her, and it confounded him.

She pulled back, flushed and drew her hand from his cheek. She dropped her eyes and looked away. "I'm sorry!" She whispered quickly, feeling quite embarrassed she had acted on her emotions.

Frodo's cheek felt suddenly cold, her touch lingered though, like a soft memory of spring in a harsh winter. He finally spoke, "No… it's alright."

Azura had turned her back to him, and leaned her shoulder against the cave wall. She was shivering lightly, the weather was exceedingly cold, and Azura felt ill. She had felt rather ill since she jumped in the river, but kept shaking it off and pressing on.

"Are you well?" Frodo asked, looking at her, worried. She was shaking lightly, and her face had been pale all day.

"I am well. Just cold and tired." Azura replied, her voice soft. She had no blanket, only her wet clothes.

Frodo raked his mind for something to say, anything of comfort, but nothing came to mind. He sighed lightly, and rested against the wall, and rested. It took him a long time to finally fall asleep.

Azura wasn't as lucky though. She stirred and shifted many times, always feeling a tight, horrible feeling inside her, and she could not find rest, in any position. Soon, the rain ceased, and soft rays of light filtered over the cliffs above the cave.

Azura stood, and quietly walked out upon the ledge. She stretched, but felt miserable. A fever had come over her after she had jumped in after Frodo in the river, and had been relentless on her senses. She always felt shaky, ill in her stomach, and her lungs burned relentlessly. She hadn't eaten in a few days, and drank rarely.

A light chirping sound caught her attention, and took her mind off of her illness. She looked upward and wondered where the sound came from. She moved to the left side of the ledge, and began to climb up a thick, gnarled root. She climbed up the tree, and came to rest above the cave and ledge. The chirping sound was closer, but still eluded her.

"Now, now, come out!" Azura called softly, not too loud, so she didn't wake her companions.

She looked about, seeing ferns growing about the tree she clung to, which grew upon the steep cliff side. She looked through the ferns, then her face lit up with a grin.

Between two ferns, rested a small, fuzzy-down hatchling. It was a Peregrine falcon, no older than a couple of days. It must have fallen from it's nest and been wandering. Azura lifted it with a slim hand, then nuzzled the soft, fuzzy baby with her nose. "You are so adorable!" She cried, giggling softly. Azura looked up and about, wondering if the bird's nest was near. "Now…where did you fall from?" The bird's small talons clung to her fingers, and it squawked lightly at her. Azura giggled loudly, then said, "Are you hungry?"

The small, fluffy bird squawked at her again, and leaned against her cheek. Azura held the bird gently, and placed it into a small bag attached to her belt, and closed it. The hatchling squawked protests. But after a few moments, grew quiet. Azura leaned against the cliff side, and wiggled her foot down, until she found footing. She moved lower, until she was back onto the ledge where her companions slept. Or so she thought, but they were awake, and stirring when she turned to them.

Strider stood, his back against a tree, and was looking at her, somewhat curiously, "Where did you run off to?"

Sam and Frodo sat, eating bread, and looking toward her.

Pippin and Merry were tying their packs to the saddle on the pony's back. They looked at her inquisitively, and Pippin spoke up, "Where did you go off to?"

Azura looked down at her bag and opened it, and lifted the small fluff of a bird out. It squawked, and settled on her hand, with it's small talons gripping her finger. She grinned broadly, "I found her just up the ridge. Isn't she beautiful?"

Sam got up, and bounded toward her, and petted the bird softly, "She's a beauty!"

Azura laughed and said, "I've a name for her to! I think…I shall name her….Faile. Faile is nice, right?"

Sam grinned, and nodded, "It's a fine name! Can I hold her?"

Azura nodded, and with a grin, handed the hatchling over.

Sam nuzzled his nose against the hatchling's side, and it squawked at him , "Are you hungry? Is that why you are crying?" Sam went and got bread and fed small strips to it.