Frodo stared out at the stars for most of the night. He tried to take the ring off his mind but only managed to bring back memories that seemed so long ago. He thought of the first journey. It seemed so long ago. His mind drifted back to when he sailed off across those misty seas to the Grey Havens. He thought of Bilbo. He remembered returning to Hobbiton and the cheerful grassy fields of the Shire. He remembered meeting Shrell.
Frodo smiled a little. "Shrell...." Frodo shook his head.
"Don't be ridiculous. She's from the Northern Waste. She probably considers you some weak Hobbit with no strength in battle and for all you know she could be a traitor" Frodo said to himself, just realizing he said it out loud.
"I resent that" came a voice from behind him. Frodo looked over his shoulder to see Shrell leaning up against a tree with her arms crossed.
"Oh, I meant nothing by it!" Frodo said standing up.
"I know you didn't" she said walking over to him.
"What are you doing out here?" Frodo asked.
"Me? I'd like to know what you were doing! You've been gone for hours!"
"Uh..."
"And I think that Arwen is up to something" Shrell continued.
"What makes you think that?" Frodo asked.
"You were tossing and turning, probably having a dream but you looked very frightened. I got up to see if you were alright, if you know what I mean, and she bashed me on the head! I'm not sure how long it took me to regain my senses but when I did I heard a lot of screaming and you and Arwen were both gone" she said, seeming perplexed but intense about the matter.
"I think I can explain" Frodo answered, taking a deep breath.
Frodo told her the whole story, starting with the dream. Shrell was frowning through the whole thing, sometimes looking quite sorry for Frodo. By the end of the tale she had bitten her lip and was staring at the ground.
"I'm sorry. I truly am" she said, looking up at Frodo.
"For what?"
Frodo realized the space between their mouths was only inches. He felt a chill run up his spine as he slowly leaned forward. Shrell did the same. Their lips were about to meet when there was a crackle of leaves behind them.
Shrell spun around, only brushing Frodo lips lightly with hers. She seemed very alarmed.
"Frodo, run" she whispered.
Frodo had no time to look and see what was behind him or think of the kiss he had almost gotten when she grabbed him by the arm and began to run. He followed without hesitation.
They ran for a long time without a clue where they were going and Frodo still not knowing what they were running from. It seemed like they went on for ages but Shrell did finally stop.
"So, why did we run?" Frodo asked, out of breath and very disappointed.
"You didn't see her?! Arwen! It's best to stay clear of her, if we can. Until we find the others" Shrell answered.
"Yes, I can understand that but I'm getting quite weary. Could we rest?" He asked.
"I'm not the one to decide that, you are. If you wish to rest then you shall" she answered with a bit of a laugh.
They found a small cave in the rocks, which would serve well for hiding from Orcs and they could also see the stars from inside. After hour of star gazing they both fell fast asleep and this time pleasant dreams filled Frodo's mind, such as the Shire......................to be continued.