The two orcs came at exactly the time when the first rays of sunshine appeared over the horizon every morning. They brung bread and water for Tanth'Quiel: a pityfull and small share, intended only for her survival for the rest of the day, until the next dawn. Frodo never got anything: he did not seem to mind, either, it seemed, his strength was kept up by his own dreams and hopes.

He watched her eat sometimes, but spent most of the time gazing outside, muttering things under his breath and waiting for words that never came.

Tanth'Quiel had finally relented and spoke to him on occasions. She had tried to figure out his past: but he seemed not to remember, and just got angry. They, however, sat together every day, watching the sun set, a good distance apart, yet each thinking their own depressed thoughts.

Darkness came swiftly: their view of the sun was dimmed, since it was indeed fading over Middle-Earth. They would go to their own side of the cavern and sleep. Or atleast, Tanth'Quiel would, she wasn't sure if Frodo ever slept.

It was on such a juncture, when Frodo was getting up to brood in nighttime, whence his companion spoke. 'Frodo?'

'Yes?' he turned his head and looked at her gravely, standing in the fading sunlight, bare footed and in tattered remains of clothes. Her hair was in knots and her face crestfallen. Weakness, he decided.

'I was wondering,' a carefully-timed pause. 'Do you ever, miss freedom?'

His face dawned. 'No. I have all I want here. I live in wait of bigger things.'

'But fields green and wide, hot sunshine, cool waters..'

Tanth'Quiel wasn't sure what she wanted to achieve: but stood in fragile delay, until he chose to answer.

'Well, maybe a little.' His own weakness forced him to look down. 'But only when the last rays of light fade, and I wonder, what the new day will bring.'

'But it never brings anything new?'

'No, I suppose not. But the time will come.'

Tanth'Quiel was sure he looked uncertain. It was then, whence darkness was finally taking over, she saw sorrow and greif, guilt and consience in the Hobbit. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but was forced back into the curves of her face. [So he does feel something] she thought to herself.

From then on their communication changed all together. Tanth'Quiel developed a feeling so strong for him, it was un-imaginable. She felt that there was a way to get him back from the black caverns of his existance that he had fallen into. Sauron had forgetten the Hobbit: and it left every path clear for her to steer the young mind back to goodness. Maybe, Middle- Earth's destructor, could also be it's rescurer.

She was young herself, but felt she had taken on the role of carer for her companion. Often, she would sit him before the lookout, and tell him stories of Middle-Earth, legends she had heard and made up. Sunlight would flood the two, and the darkness in Frodo's eyes would stand stark against skin pale and ghostly. He would look upon her with a silent way that was his own thankyou, however, and warmth would flood a heart long since pained and greifed. All she was doing felt like it was worth it.

At other times, she would not let him go into the shadows of their cavern, holding his hand, making him look into whatever chaste and peace she could still find in the world. Sometimes, it was the world outside, on a good day free of the settling gloom. Sometimes, she lifted his chin so that he was looking into her eyes: and hoped that he would find ataraxis in them, so that he would be brought back to light.

Within a few days Frodo dawned. He talked more, smiled, even laughed sometimes. He spent his time mostly in the sunshine, rather then the shadows. Tanth'Quiel now shared her food with him, and color started to flood back to his face.

'Tanth'Quiel?' they sat side by side right on the edge of the cavern lookout, watching a new horde of marching orcs flood the grey, sullen ground.

She turned to face him. 'Yes?'

'Have you.. have you ever been in the Shire?' his clear, summer-blue eyes were brought downward, and he seemed lost in thought.

'No. I'm sorry. I can't help you remember the Shire. I've never been outside of Gondor, let alone anywhere that far.' A smile creeped onto her face. 'Until now, anyway.'

The sun was lost behind clouds, and Tanth'Quiel gave a shudder.

Un-expecedly her companion rose, and his figure was framed by the darkness outside in a strange way. He looked down upon her. 'I think it is time we prepare plans for escape.'

'We are not held,' she answered, sweeping her hand to the sky outside. 'All we must do is descend these rocks..'

Frodo's face dawned grim. 'It is not that easy, Tanth. Sauron is more clever then you can imagine. He knows you would try to escape, would not leave you in an open prison. I can only imagine if we so much as step onto the rocks outside we would be noticed and killed, or perhaps, it's not even possible..' He paused. 'Why didn't you try it earlier?'

'What?'

'Leaving.'

She averted her eyes in thought. 'I pretty much expected it would not be that easy.'

'Really?'

'Yes.'

'Well,' he shifted uncomfortably. 'Thankyou for staying, and, well, helping me.'

'I did the best I could, the rest is up to you.'

'I shall never be healed truly.'

'I know.'

He sat back down, looked at her. 'I cannot live with myself, I think. Now that I know what I have done.. I deserve death.'

'Do not say that.'

'I cannot help it.' A sad smile.