The day was as dark as night yet the air had a heavy humidity about it that hung like a think blanket. Frodo and Shrell had started back to look for Sam and the others. Frodo had told Shrell of Aquarius and that Smeagol had found them. She listened quite intently to Frodo's every word and seemed to like the thought of the small, black creature who seemed to understand one's every word.

Soon both hobbits fell silent.They trudged along slowly, Frodo just ahead of Shrell. Sometimes there was a scuffling sound from behind the rocks and if they looked closely they could see a shadow of an unknown beast crawl away. Frodo could hardly keep his mind focused on taking one step then another, his mind was racing. Unable to stand the silence, he spoke.

"What if our quest fails?"

Frodo turned to Shrell. She gave a sort of side ways shrug.

"Just think of all the things we've worked for and how quickly they could be gone" Frodo continued, he looked as though he wanted to let it all go and give up.

"Hmm" Shrell grunted in response, hardly looking at him.

"Why are we even continuing, it could never work." Frodo let his shoulders fall as he hung in a defeated way. Shrell did not respond. She continued up a rock in an aloof way, her back turned as if everything were irrelevant.

"Damn it, Shrell! Are you even listening to me?" Frodo spat. Shrell spun around, her face hooded but visible.

"I hardly wish to listen to what you are saying now" She responded, her voice cold.

"Why don't you just listen to me for a minute, it might give you something to think about, rather then what you conjure up in that desolate and grim mind you have. Your complexion is as dark as your cloak!" Frodo hissed in return.

"Perhaps you should watch your tongue! I have not wronged you, I have only blocked out what I did not need to hear. We all have our doubts Frodo but giving in will solve nothing. I'm sure if Sam were in danger and you stood no chance of saving him I believe you would still try. Well, now all of Middle-Earth is in danger, you might not stand a chance but will you let it fall without a fight, Give up when defeat has not yet reached you? You are strong, Frodo, though you may not realize it. I will listen to any advice but I will not listen to cries of defeat, your's at the least. We have a journey to complete so I suggest you straiten up."

Shrell turned away and continued over the rocks but Frodo stuck fast to where his feet were placed. His mind repeated Shrell's every word.

"I'm sorry" Frodo whispered.

"We all have our burdens to bear, everyone does. Some small, some great, but each just as difficult for the one who carries it bear. This is what makes you so strong. Such a small creature with such a great burden to bear. You are strong, stronger than I could ever be."

"I will no longer crush faith, never again. I will remain strong, I promise. I will not doubt our quest again" Frodo murmured, drawing himself up.

"Those are strong words and ones hard to follow. I admire that" She answered, placing a cold hand on his shoulder and giving him a soft smile.

"You have shown greater strength. My vow is not nearly as hard to follow as a promise to live, a promise to return."

"A promise is of spoken words. To keep that promise is great strength, no matter how small it seems."

~~

As the dark morning turned into a dark afternoon, Frodo reached the camp site. Sam was still there, his knees hugged to his chest as he sat on the rocks. Smeagol was chasing Aquarius, though he couldn't catch the little beast. Sam watched them with a sad smile, a tear rolling down his cheek.

Frodo ran towards them.

"Samwise!" he called.

"Mr. Frodo!" Sam called, over joyed as he ran towards Frodo and embraced him.

Shrell smiled as she walked towards them. Sam let go of Frodo and saw her.

"Your alive!" he gasped.

"You didn't believe I died, Samwise?"

Sam ran towards her, lifted her off her feet and spun her around. Frodo burst into laughter as he watched Shrell's eyes get wider.

"Put me down this instant, Samwise!" she shouted, closing her eyes as to not see the spinning scenery. Sam smiled and set her on her feet.

"Don't ever try that again....or...I'll have to do the same to you" Shrell stuttered, at a loss for words.

"Now that is quite hard to picture" Frodo laughed.

"Watch your mouth or I'll be spinning you both around"

~~

They spent the day traveling, not many words shared. The rocks grew steeper and the weather cooler. By night they had reached a high view that looked out over the bare land below. They stopped there unable to travel any further.

Shrell was the only one on her feet, her hood over her face as she looked over the landscape.

Frodo stood and placed a hand on her shoulder. He felt her touch his hand lightly.

"I didn't dare look back....." she murmured.

"What were you afraid to see?" Frodo asked in a whisper.

"See? I was not afraid of anything I would see. I was afraid of what I would feel."

"You fear of whom we left behind?"

"I could not live with myself if something happened to Pippin or Merry...."

"They are not in your hands."

Frodo looked over the dead lands as well, a song came to his lips which he hummed softly. Shrell turned to him, recognizing her song. She let her head fall on his shoulder as he hummed softly.

'They are not in your hands'

To be continued.