Chapter 18 Flight to the Ford
The Hobbits and Strider and Glorifindel Traveled as fast as they could follow, and in the same path that Arwen had just left. Glorifindel bright child of the elder Race he who had been here, left this world and came again. There were not many of his like left in Middle Earth and it heartened me to see him helping the travelers. He was one of the few that could stand up to a Ringwraith and battle it and win. Strider knew him and felt much of the stress of the last few weeks leave him, for a time. The only lingering feeling was of the worry for Arwen and her gentle burden Frodo. Glorifindel knew that Strider was troubled over that and put a hand on his shoulder "It is alright Aragorn, she will reach the ford and she will get her burden to safety. She has a bright spirit and a spirit that rivals your own" Strider Looked at him and Smiled " She is a part of my heart" Glorifindel continued "Let us halt for a small space of time, our little comrades are weary. I will give them some of this" He took out a small silver flask covered with leather " its warmth will give them renewed strength". He took the flask and went over to where Sam Stood " Here Little one take a bit of this it will give strength to your weary limbs and will aid you on your journey" Sam looked at the elf and took a small drink form the flask. A warmth spread all through his body and the weariness of the night and indeed of the last few days left his body and leaving in its place a renewed vigor. Sam felt as if he had the strength again inside of himself and that he could do anything that needed to be done. After Sam had handed the flask back, Glorifindel went to Merry and Pippin and let them share of the warmth from the flask to. Then he gave it to Strider and then took a bit for himself He then turned to the companions and said, "Let us be off"
Arwen clutched Frodo to her and rode swiftly through the night. She could feel the dark things around her but they were still too far to worry about at the moment, though she knew that she would not get much of a respite from the danger that was before her and behind her. Frodo was very weak when he was placed on Asfoloth, but being in Arwen's arms gave him warmth that was spreading throughout his body with the exception of his shoulder. He became more conscious but it was consciousness in a world that seemed distant and hazy. It was just a shadow of the real world. He could feel the wraiths getting closer. Arwen rounded a bend in the road and they were there before her. She signaled her horse to run faster and they dodged the black riders and somehow the Wraiths were behind her and oh so close. I knew that there was a part of Arwen that was afraid, but it was not for herself it was for Frodo and the burden that he carried. She rode like the wind. At one point they were so close to her that she could almost feel their breath. Nine black riders arrayed as if they were death incarnate chasing one lone elf woman and a wounded spirit. Such brave Kings reduced to be the minions of a dark and evil Lord, that could not even do his dirty work by himself. How the mighty had fallen. One of the wraiths reached out a gloved hand towards Frodo and Arwen yelled to Asfaloth "Noro Lim Asfaloth Noro Lim" and with a renewed bout of strength this mighty horse of a great elven lord went faster than the wind, dodging first one wraith and then another until with one mighty spring flew over a log that was in its path. There before them was the ford Of Bruinen, down the path and across the water they flew to the safety that was afforded by the side that was closest to Rivendell. Arwen could feel the strength of her people arrayed all around her and at her back. She turned and saw the black riders. They were about to sully the clean waters of the river. The witch King was angry and he actually dained to let words pass where his mouth should be. It was an ugly rasping voice strained with disuse "Give up the Halfling She Elf" Arwen almost laughed at that. She took out her sword and challenged the witch King " If you want him come and claim Him" The Wraiths urged their horses to step into the water. Arwen saw this and called out to the waters of the Bruinen in elvish to rise up and drown these evil invaders "Waters of the Misty Mountains listen to the great word, flow waters of the Loudwater against the Ringwraiths". She could hear her father and the voices of her people joining with hers, and the waters started to rise. Frodo was conscious at this time and he could see the Wraiths as they truly looked and all of their thought was bent on him *come with us, we will take you to our Lord and you will wish for death puny mortal give us the ring" Frodo was weak unto death but something inside of him still resisted and with the last of his strength he said in his thoughts *By Elbereth and Lúthien the fair, you shall have neither the ring nor me* The waters of the Bruinen rose with a roar and the waves of the bright water looked like many white horses. The Ringwraiths realized their danger and started to run, but running did them no good. The horses of the Ringwraiths were inundated by the waters and drowned. The Black riders were unhorsed and taken many miles down the river canyon. Arwen smiled when she saw that but her smile instantly turned to one of deep concern as she felt Frodo slipping from her horse. Frodo had no more will left after the battle of the minds with those evil minions of Sauron. He was slipping into a place of Blackness. He found that the blackness was a place that his spirit wanted to embrace, the blackness held no pain. He was slipping closer and closer to that wall of death. He felt Arwen take him in her arms, as she realized she was losing him, this could not be, he was so close to a place of healing. She cried out 'No Frodo don't give up, Please don't give up don't go, not now" she clutched him to her heart and her tears fell and then in desperation she lifted up a prayer and sent it winging it way on the four winds " What grace is given to me, let it pass to him, let him be spared, Please save him" Frodo felt Arwen's tears fall upon his face and he heard Arwen as if she were crying from a great distance. And across the distance so did I