Gosh, you folks are WONDERFUL. I can't thank you enough for the
encouragement and enthusiasm.
I'm so glad fanfiction.net has increased the limit of our "favorite authors" listings from 15 to 30. I've got a full 30 on my list and wish there was room for a few more.
Tathar: What an incredible compliment to be compared to Goldenwolf! I thought her story "The Heir" was one of the best ever. I'm sorry the newer authors won't have a chance to enjoy her work, as it seems to have been pulled from the site (unless she has a new penname now?). I'm honored to be mentioned in the same sentence as Goldenwolf.
Treehugger: I'm glad you enjoyed the concept of "search parties" when Merry, Sam, and Pippin disappeared. I wish someone would write a short fic about the reaction of their families when months went by without any word from them..... and how they all felt when their beloved sons returned... Anyone?
Sorry it took longer than usual to update. I got enjoyably sidetracked by a fun writing interlude ("Reunion in Minas Tirith" and "Reunion at Isengard"). I suspect I may have one more "reunion" vignette in me somewhere.
NOTE: There is no slash implied in this chapter.
DISCLAIMER: Of course. The characters don't belong to me, I just get to think about them day and night.
_________________________________
WHISPERS OF THE DRAGON
Chapter 13 --- Isildur's Heir
It was an exhausting day for all save the sturdy Dwarf. The hobbits, toiling through brush and around and over rocks with their arms full of gear, marveled at the ease with which Gimli carried his boat the entire way with no assistance while burdened with quite a heavy pack. Legolas remarked to Pippin that he had never seen the Dwarf look so pleased with himself.
The terrain proved to be even rougher and more uneven than Aragorn had described. Finally after many hours and many trips, the boats and gear were carried to the southern landing where everyone collapsed with fatigue. Or almost eveyone.
Frodo sat down next to Gimli and noticed that the Dwarf was not even breathing hard. "That was an amazing display of strength, Gimli. Truly remarkable!"
Gimli's eyes gleamed. "Indeed, I have not had much opportunity to show my usefulness to you or this Company 'ere now. It was a small thing, but a satisfying one!"
"Not much opportunity.." Frodo frowned. "Gimli, do you truly believe that? You have been a tireless defender and a loyal friend. I cannot imagine this Company without you. But more than that... I suppose I never told you..."
The Dwarf looked at him, puzzled.
Frodo looked down at the ground, embarrassed. "This journey has been so long, so difficult and frightening. Not at all like I imagined it would be. I grew up listening to Bilbo's stories, you know. About the dragon and the Dwarves.... and coming back safe and sound.... He sighed. "After we left Rivendell, at night sometimes, when I needed to, I could close my eyes and pretend I was having an adventure just like Bilbo's. I even had two companions he had --- a wizard and a Dwarf. And when Gandalf fell.." Frodo looked at him. "I still had you."
Gimli was very moved. "Master Baggins, I too spent years hearing stories of the Grand Adventure from my father and every conceivable cousin!" He chuckled. "They never tired of the tale. We are in the same tale yet, you and I. I did not realize that my presence helped you to-------" He stopped, suddenly aware that everyone was listening to them. "In any event," he said gruffly, patting Frodo on the shoulder, "It is good that we have met thus." He abruptly rose and busied himself with sorting out some of the gear.
Frodo's eyes followed Gimli as he bustled about, then took in his companions, some sitting down, some standing and talking quietly. How dear they all were to him.
"We will stay here tonight, we all need rest," said Aragorn. "Tomorrow we should pass the Argonath and reach the falls of Rauros at last, where we will.. decide our further course." Frodo raised his eyes to meet his, then looked away. He didn't notice Boromir gazing at him, as if trying to read his heart and thoughts.
*****************
"What's the Argonath, Strider?" That evening Pippin sat comfortably against Gimli, who seemed not to mind in the least.
"They are the 'stones of the king,' Pippin, statues on each side of the River which denote the northern border of Gondor. Beyond them are a vast lake, then the mighty falls of Rauros. The statues are of my ancestors, Isildur and Anárion, carved more than a thousand years ago. Our noble Dwarf may find the ancient stonemasonry to his liking!"
"We shall see," Gimli smiled.
"Isildur and his brother Anárion were the founders of Gondor and gained great renown," Aragorn continued. "I have never seen the carvings, have you, Boromir?"
The Man shook his head. "I have not, I have heard of them only in tales. Like you, I will welcome the sight."
"Isildur," murmured Frodo. He suddenly shivered as if with chill.
"Yes, Frodo, the same," said Aragorn.
A bit later Aragorn said he would take the first watch, and Frodo quickly volunteered to join him. The camp slowly quieted as the Company tried to sleep.
"Aragorn," said Frodo quietly.
"Yes?"
"At the Council, when Gandalf told us about Isildur and the Ring...." he hesitated.
"What's troubling you, Frodo?"
"Why...." Frodo took a deep breath. "Why didn't you take it? You seem to have no interest in the Ring. It is yours by right, you could have taken it from me more times than I can count, yet you have not."
Startled, Aragorn was silent for a long time. "I do not truly know why the One Ring does not tempt me, Frodo. If I were its bearer it is possible that my strength and will would not be equal to what yours have been." The Ranger's voice grew quiet as he thought of many things. "You carry a heavy burden, and have embarked on a nearly impossible quest. I, too, have learned over many years to endure great burdens, to attempt the impossible. We are much alike, and our destinies seem joined." He shook his head. "It does not belong to me; it does not belong to anyone. You are the Bearer, and I pledged my life and death to you that night in Bree. That is all I know."
"I understand," Frodo whispered. He leaned against the Ranger and looked out over the water. The sound of the rapids, now upstream, seemed loud in his ears.
"It was a tiring day, Frodo. Why don't you try to get some sleep? I'm sure Legolas wouldn't mind trading watches with you."
"I will stay with you," Frodo said quietly.
Aragorn put his arm around him. "And I with you."
*****************
Despite the previous sleepless night, Frodo lay awake well after his watch ended, unable to stop his spinning thoughts. Aragorn advised leaving the River above Rauros, striking out either east and then south, through nearly impassible country until they reached the Black Gate; or west and then south, to Minas Tirith. The Nazgûl knew they were on the River, obviously they had to leave it soon.
Boromir is right, Frodo thought, remembering their conversation from days ago. We need supplies, we need rest. But Minas Tirith.. a city of Men, so many Men. Gandalf said Men were always corrupted by the Ring, I fear if we go there we may never leave. Yet the Men I have met have been so kind. Butterbur... Aragorn.. perhaps not Bill Ferny, Frodo thought with a smile. Aragorn seems to have no desire for the Ring. Boromir has not tried to take it. Perhaps I worry needlessly?
If I choose the eastern way will Gimli and Legolas go with us? I've never even asked them, yet I have no doubt they will see it though. I am honored to have such companions. Aragorn will come, although he longs to go to Minas Tirith with Boromir. I know it.
Merry, Pippin. Sam. I cannot bear to take them into further danger. I should go alone. No, that is folly. Surely I cannot do this alone. I do not know the way. I do not have the courage.
Oh Gandalf, how am I to decide this? You never told me, perhaps you didn't know. I always thought you knew everything.
What am I to do?
** TBC **
I'm so glad fanfiction.net has increased the limit of our "favorite authors" listings from 15 to 30. I've got a full 30 on my list and wish there was room for a few more.
Tathar: What an incredible compliment to be compared to Goldenwolf! I thought her story "The Heir" was one of the best ever. I'm sorry the newer authors won't have a chance to enjoy her work, as it seems to have been pulled from the site (unless she has a new penname now?). I'm honored to be mentioned in the same sentence as Goldenwolf.
Treehugger: I'm glad you enjoyed the concept of "search parties" when Merry, Sam, and Pippin disappeared. I wish someone would write a short fic about the reaction of their families when months went by without any word from them..... and how they all felt when their beloved sons returned... Anyone?
Sorry it took longer than usual to update. I got enjoyably sidetracked by a fun writing interlude ("Reunion in Minas Tirith" and "Reunion at Isengard"). I suspect I may have one more "reunion" vignette in me somewhere.
NOTE: There is no slash implied in this chapter.
DISCLAIMER: Of course. The characters don't belong to me, I just get to think about them day and night.
_________________________________
WHISPERS OF THE DRAGON
Chapter 13 --- Isildur's Heir
It was an exhausting day for all save the sturdy Dwarf. The hobbits, toiling through brush and around and over rocks with their arms full of gear, marveled at the ease with which Gimli carried his boat the entire way with no assistance while burdened with quite a heavy pack. Legolas remarked to Pippin that he had never seen the Dwarf look so pleased with himself.
The terrain proved to be even rougher and more uneven than Aragorn had described. Finally after many hours and many trips, the boats and gear were carried to the southern landing where everyone collapsed with fatigue. Or almost eveyone.
Frodo sat down next to Gimli and noticed that the Dwarf was not even breathing hard. "That was an amazing display of strength, Gimli. Truly remarkable!"
Gimli's eyes gleamed. "Indeed, I have not had much opportunity to show my usefulness to you or this Company 'ere now. It was a small thing, but a satisfying one!"
"Not much opportunity.." Frodo frowned. "Gimli, do you truly believe that? You have been a tireless defender and a loyal friend. I cannot imagine this Company without you. But more than that... I suppose I never told you..."
The Dwarf looked at him, puzzled.
Frodo looked down at the ground, embarrassed. "This journey has been so long, so difficult and frightening. Not at all like I imagined it would be. I grew up listening to Bilbo's stories, you know. About the dragon and the Dwarves.... and coming back safe and sound.... He sighed. "After we left Rivendell, at night sometimes, when I needed to, I could close my eyes and pretend I was having an adventure just like Bilbo's. I even had two companions he had --- a wizard and a Dwarf. And when Gandalf fell.." Frodo looked at him. "I still had you."
Gimli was very moved. "Master Baggins, I too spent years hearing stories of the Grand Adventure from my father and every conceivable cousin!" He chuckled. "They never tired of the tale. We are in the same tale yet, you and I. I did not realize that my presence helped you to-------" He stopped, suddenly aware that everyone was listening to them. "In any event," he said gruffly, patting Frodo on the shoulder, "It is good that we have met thus." He abruptly rose and busied himself with sorting out some of the gear.
Frodo's eyes followed Gimli as he bustled about, then took in his companions, some sitting down, some standing and talking quietly. How dear they all were to him.
"We will stay here tonight, we all need rest," said Aragorn. "Tomorrow we should pass the Argonath and reach the falls of Rauros at last, where we will.. decide our further course." Frodo raised his eyes to meet his, then looked away. He didn't notice Boromir gazing at him, as if trying to read his heart and thoughts.
*****************
"What's the Argonath, Strider?" That evening Pippin sat comfortably against Gimli, who seemed not to mind in the least.
"They are the 'stones of the king,' Pippin, statues on each side of the River which denote the northern border of Gondor. Beyond them are a vast lake, then the mighty falls of Rauros. The statues are of my ancestors, Isildur and Anárion, carved more than a thousand years ago. Our noble Dwarf may find the ancient stonemasonry to his liking!"
"We shall see," Gimli smiled.
"Isildur and his brother Anárion were the founders of Gondor and gained great renown," Aragorn continued. "I have never seen the carvings, have you, Boromir?"
The Man shook his head. "I have not, I have heard of them only in tales. Like you, I will welcome the sight."
"Isildur," murmured Frodo. He suddenly shivered as if with chill.
"Yes, Frodo, the same," said Aragorn.
A bit later Aragorn said he would take the first watch, and Frodo quickly volunteered to join him. The camp slowly quieted as the Company tried to sleep.
"Aragorn," said Frodo quietly.
"Yes?"
"At the Council, when Gandalf told us about Isildur and the Ring...." he hesitated.
"What's troubling you, Frodo?"
"Why...." Frodo took a deep breath. "Why didn't you take it? You seem to have no interest in the Ring. It is yours by right, you could have taken it from me more times than I can count, yet you have not."
Startled, Aragorn was silent for a long time. "I do not truly know why the One Ring does not tempt me, Frodo. If I were its bearer it is possible that my strength and will would not be equal to what yours have been." The Ranger's voice grew quiet as he thought of many things. "You carry a heavy burden, and have embarked on a nearly impossible quest. I, too, have learned over many years to endure great burdens, to attempt the impossible. We are much alike, and our destinies seem joined." He shook his head. "It does not belong to me; it does not belong to anyone. You are the Bearer, and I pledged my life and death to you that night in Bree. That is all I know."
"I understand," Frodo whispered. He leaned against the Ranger and looked out over the water. The sound of the rapids, now upstream, seemed loud in his ears.
"It was a tiring day, Frodo. Why don't you try to get some sleep? I'm sure Legolas wouldn't mind trading watches with you."
"I will stay with you," Frodo said quietly.
Aragorn put his arm around him. "And I with you."
*****************
Despite the previous sleepless night, Frodo lay awake well after his watch ended, unable to stop his spinning thoughts. Aragorn advised leaving the River above Rauros, striking out either east and then south, through nearly impassible country until they reached the Black Gate; or west and then south, to Minas Tirith. The Nazgûl knew they were on the River, obviously they had to leave it soon.
Boromir is right, Frodo thought, remembering their conversation from days ago. We need supplies, we need rest. But Minas Tirith.. a city of Men, so many Men. Gandalf said Men were always corrupted by the Ring, I fear if we go there we may never leave. Yet the Men I have met have been so kind. Butterbur... Aragorn.. perhaps not Bill Ferny, Frodo thought with a smile. Aragorn seems to have no desire for the Ring. Boromir has not tried to take it. Perhaps I worry needlessly?
If I choose the eastern way will Gimli and Legolas go with us? I've never even asked them, yet I have no doubt they will see it though. I am honored to have such companions. Aragorn will come, although he longs to go to Minas Tirith with Boromir. I know it.
Merry, Pippin. Sam. I cannot bear to take them into further danger. I should go alone. No, that is folly. Surely I cannot do this alone. I do not know the way. I do not have the courage.
Oh Gandalf, how am I to decide this? You never told me, perhaps you didn't know. I always thought you knew everything.
What am I to do?
** TBC **