The greatest Maia Middle Earth could ever have, has fallen into Shadow, plunging to his death with a phantom of fire. Thus, leaving a crushed Fellowship of Eight burdening upon an innocent halfling that carries the apocalyptic armor of an unseen enemy. In search of a sanctuary, a Cliffhanger and the guardians of the Realm, risk the perils of a mighty forest… and the threats of a cold royal welcome waiting for them.

Manic Depressive Chapter 21: Reflections

He has fallen into Shadow.

Threatening shadows of high green oaks, shrouded the Cliffhanger's mind with darkness, as she hesitantly followed the trailing footsteps of arrogant men, who thought they knew the way, into the woods. Despite the soft feel of autumn, the trees and greeneries glowing slight golden… cold, hostile winds lashed against Clefe's battle-scared cheeks, touching the delicate edges of her newly slashed hair, the tips of the dark-brownish feminine crown stained with rust and metal.

Ever since the fall of Gandalf the Grey into the darkness beneath the Bridge of Khazad Dum in Moria, what is left of the Fellowship of the Ring has fallen into some sort of a mourning cult, refusing to dye their faces with courage and determination, as they approached the claws of the enemy within bare feet.

Frodo the hobbit wasn't doing well either. Even if he is surrounded by his dearest friends, who came all the way from the Shire, and protected by the wisdom of a Child Cliffhanger… a hobbit burdened with a tiny golden ring of unknown power, wouldn't know better of the meaning of death coming right in his way. And with the loss of an old wizard friend… all hope has failed him.

Torpor sunk into the surrounding, as the Fellowship ventured deeper into the forest, led by a Ranger and an Elf. Despite the gloomy masks on their faces, someone else is unmasking other plans.

"He has fallen into Shadow. Aren't you supposed to rescue him?"

"I can't."

Shea Sandman rolled her eyes. "What do you mean you can't?"

"I can't."

"He appointed you Cliffhanger, and you won't even do a thing, even save him?"

Cleff returned Shea a blank look, and shook her head.

"He should have chosen me instead! I would have been responsible!" the hormonally frustrated, eventually disappointed Mary-Sue roared, getting disapproving looks from the rugged face of Aragorn.

Cleff continued to throw her eyes downwards, despite Shea's burning glares… and Frodo's anxious stare. She is Cliffhanger… but she can't control what fate has decided to happen. After all, Clefe knows what is to happen yet, and Gandalf's fall would serve better to the fate of the Fellowship… and the fate of Middle Earth.

"Fate has decided. Face the fact, Shea. I am Cliffhanger, but Gandalf chose to fall into Shadow." Cleff answered firmly, finally dragging her eyes up from the ground. The hobbits whimpered silently, hearing the Istari's name, and huddled much closely together. Seeing Frodo's broken gaze, Shea comforted him adoringly, by running a hand through his dark brown curls.

"Then you should have left the fate of the hobbits to me instead… if you won't chose to save the Fellowship." The love-struck girl spoke softly, lost in Frodo's blue tainted, broken eyes.

Fury lashed right through Cleff. She knew it, Shea wanted to control fate just for the sake of being a Mary-Sue. Shea didn't care about the fate of the Fellowship… all the she wanted was the hobbits. The Cliffhanger halted, stopping her trail of following the dwarf Gimli, and glared right into her colleague's eyes:

"Definitely not, Shea."

The hobbits gasped, as Shea narrowed her eyes. Frodo, Merry, Sam and Pippin backed off, colliding with Zephyr, who just simply rolled her eyes and ignored the two. Feeling the heat and anger glowing inside the Cliffhanger, who didn't trust nor believe in the maiden Shea… the hobbits huddled together in fear, as the rest of the Fellowship skidded to a halt.

"Cliffhanger! We do not need to make haste!"

Just about time when Shea and Cleff were about to mock fight with each other, Gimli the dwarf came straddling down towards them smugly, gathering Zephyr and the huddled hobbits to pass ahead the two quarrelling girls. "We don't need catfight, Clefe," Zephyr whispered as she passed by, grabbing Cleff away from Shea by the arm. "Looks like the Mary-Sue Cat Queen got her claws sharpened."

Gimli snorted, as he ushered Frodo to hurry. "Stay close young hobbits!" the all-knowing dwarf warned. "They say there's a great sorceress who lives in these woods…" The hobbits gathered closer to listen to his story, as the Cliffhanger and the two Guardians (Cleff and Zephyr) walked past them. "…An elf-witch of terrible power! All who look upon her, fall under her spell…" Merry shuddered, as the hobbits become anticipated of what is to come in the forest they were venturing in. Cleff, and Zephyr still clinging to her arm, could only whisper in unison, "Galadriel" and nod their heads.

"Mister Frodo?" Sam whispered anxiously, as unknown to the girls, Frodo anxiously swiveled his head around in fear, feeling an unknown presence surround him. The kind of presence he wanted to run away from.

Conceited as he is, the dwarf tried to keep the hobbits down with a little reassurance that the Fellowship would be safe from this certain elf-witch. "Well," Gimli said smugly. "Here is one dwarf she won't ensnare so easily! I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!" Sudden rustling from nearby bushes, made the Fellowship halt. Cleff suddenly gripped her sword, as Zephyr fiddled around her armor, fitting a piece of an arrow to her Dark Morgul Bow, when… skilled elven archers appeared on the clearing, threatingly pointing arrows on each member of the Fellowship… especially Gimli.

"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."

Shea gasped. Zephyr was about to retort, when the elf that pointed his arrows at her… turned out to be her mentor Legolas. "Your Highness, what are you doing?!!" Zephyr reasoned out to the Prince of Mirkwood, standing in front of this commanding, tall elf, when Legolas snorted, telling Zephyr to keep her head down.

"Haldir o Lórien. Henion aníron, boe amen I dulu lîn. Boe amen veriad lîn."

Aragron, begs for mercy before the ruthless Haldir of Lorien, as Gimli, who is mercilessly intimidated by the towering arrows all angrily pointed at him, draws him back. "Aragorn, these woods are perilous! We should go back." cries Gimli. "Haldir of Lorien…" Cleff mustered, looking up at the elf in wonder, as Zephyr, who stands guard, and is threatened by her own mentor's arrow, grunts angrily.

Looming over Gimli, with a voice as smooth as bells ringing, Haldir speaks coldly, "You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back." Pausing slightly, Haldir sets his sights on a brown-headed mortal child, with stunning eyes of blue. Cleff shrinks back from his look of authority, hiding in Zephyr's shadow. "So," Haldir turns coldly to Aragorn, his eyes gesturing toward the mortal child with the Book Of The One Ring. "Indeed the Cliffhangers had come to claim the legend of Middle Earth. This Fellowship must be more perilous as we have perceived."

Comically, Zephyr bumbles past Legolas's pointed arrow, receiving looks of demise from her mentor. She smugly stares up at Haldir and mutters… "You're not an elf."

Shea gasps again, as Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas brace theirselves for a tidal wave of fury. Eyes bulging in intimidation, Haldir steps up to the brunette mortal archer, with Legolas stuck in the middle. "What do you mean… mortal?" Zephyr looks Haldir disgustingly from head to foot and says, "You're not an elf. You have the voice of an utterly ugly Alien Jedi Master from Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones. I'm sure that elven face is just a dastardly camouflage, and there's a much brutally looking creature beneath you." Zephyr turns her nose up at a reddening Haldir disgustingly. "You're no elf."

Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli exchange glances. Not making anything out of what Zephyr said.

Legolas and the other elves, dropped their jaws… nobody talked to Haldir like that before.

Cleff had to slap her forehead in disgrace. They're in trouble.

Not standing the humiliation anymore, Haldir bursts out, grabs a set of bow and arrows, and tries to shoot Zephyr (still standing proud and tall), if it weren't for Legolas, who held him back before his own student got shot down. Cleff drags Zephyr back and mutters to Haldir, "Forgive me, I am afraid my friend here has mental instability after our tragic journey."

Composing himself, Haldir shrugs himself out of Legolas's grip, as Zephyr shot the sheepish Cliffhanger a Dark Look. "Very well then," he says, taking heed of the Cliffhanger's words. "Come, she is waiting."

***

The Fellowship descends deeper within Carras Galadhon, as the hobbits and the mortals fascinate themselves with the bright lights of Lothlorien. Accompanied by the same elves from the near encounter, with their arms lowered, they tend to be great acquaintances for the Fellowship. Having reconciled, Cleff, Zephyr and Shea, with her Sam trudging close, look up at the wonders of Lothlorien, as they ascend an earthial staircase that reminded Cleff, of an exaggerated tree house from back home.

"I like these lighted trees," Shea whispered softly. "Want me to snag one for you to take back home?" Zephyr grunted softly, as she and Cleff erupted into silent laughter. "Don't try anything, Zephyr." Cleff warned. "Having a strike two with Haldir is a bad opportunity," she whispered cautiously, avoiding the suspicious looks of the elves around them.

Having ascended the winding staircase, on the top of it waits an unusual couple, clothed in white and bright light. They have come to meet the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, as Celeborn, held Lady Galadriel's hand while the descended to meet the Fellowship.

"Eleven that are here yet twelve there were set out from Rivendell." The Lord of Lothlorien spoke, looking deliberately at what was left of the Fellowship. "Tell me where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him." He turns to his spouse, the mind seeking Galadriel.

The Lady eyes each and everyone, as she seeks the answer in Aragorn's eyes. "He has fallen into Shadow." The fair, slender, wise elf maiden spoke.

"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife." She announces, as she sets her eyes on Boromir's rugged, and tanned face. "Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." With her eyes glaring deep against the Steward of Gondor, he begins to shake in fear, as he finally casts his eyes downward. Zephyr and Cleff quickly drew their gaze away from Boromir, in pity.

"Yet hope remains…" Galadriel smiles upon the hobbit Sam, with the blonde mortal child standing next to him. "While the company is true." The Lady steadies her gaze upon the two mortal children clinging to each other, standing at the back of the line, believed as the most insignificant of all. The Cliffhanger, and the child Archer from Mirkwood.

Galadriel looks upon Cleff's soft bruised face and comforts her with these words: "Life shall not end, until the story would be finished. Keep trust in your inner vision, and depend upon your company." Cleff nodds slightly, as her words reminds her of Gandalf's advice… making her heart sink deeper within agony of losing even more company.

Seeing her distraught vision, Galadriel comforts the broken hopes of the Fellowship. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace." The Fellowship exchanged glances in relief, as new hope brewed in their souls. However, the Lady of Lothlorien has something else to say – in Frodo's mind.

Welcome, Frodo of the Shire. The One who has seen the Eye!

Wincing in fear, Frodo tore his eyes away from Galadriel's piercing ones, and hurried with the others as they were escorted to their resting place by the now hospitable elves. He slightly brushed past Cleff and Zephyr, who was still stunned, as they silently descended the staircase.

"I smell something," Zephyr whispered, looking demise. "Something stinks within my soul, and I swear it with all my heart." Cleff nodded and whispered, "I bet this feeling is on you too, dear friend. Something really smells foul."

The two friends crossed eyes, looked each other up and down and said in unison, "You need to take a bath."

***

Frodo emerged from one of the tents set up in Carras Galadhon for the members of the Fellowship. Armed with dry, crisp, clean clothes, he journeys on a quest to cleanse himself. The hobbits were nowhere to be found, except for Shea and Sam, who decided to fall asleep in each others arms out of exhaustion.

Passing by a solemn gathering of elves, small enough to be unnoticed, Frodo listened to their council. Indeed it is not a council… it was a lament. A lament for Gandalf. The hobbit saw the elf Legolas step away in mourning, as he trudged back to the Fellowship's camp, as the elves began to sing:

A Olorin i yaresse

Mentaner i Numeherui

Tirien i Romenori

Maiaron i Oiosaila

Mana elye etevanne

Norie i melanelye?

The elf spotted the hobbit, on his way to a bath and whispered, "Ah, Master Frodo, how glad is it to see you this late at night. Must you be asleep?" With a sigh, Frodo shook his head. "I was awakened by my cuts and bruises… and a broken heart. Tell me, is this a council of mourning for elves?" Legolas shook his head with a heavy heart. "No, dear halfling. It's a lament for Gandalf." Hearing this, Frodo cast his eyes down heavily. "What… do they say about him?" Frodo whispered. Legolas shook his head, as he laid a hand upon Frodo's shoulder. "I have not the heart to tell you, dear Frodo." With a heavy sigh he replied. "For me, the grief is still too near." With a sad smile, Legolas departed back to the tents, leaving Frodo alone once more.

Cold wind lashed upon his face, as Frodo looked slightly around Lothlorien for a safe bathing place. He had not to tell Cleff how scared he became, back in Tom Bombadil's home (This scene was not included.) when his cousin Peregrin and Merry pestered him to take a group bath with them, and Sam. Now he seeked privacy, so that he could tend to his cuts and bruises sworn overnight during the battle in Moria.

With heavy footsteps, he searched for a lake… passing by a small clearing, hearing soft bell-like laughter of elven maiden and… children. A soft voice rose above them all, narrating some sort of a story that seemed utterly familiar to the hobbit. In inquisitivity, the hobbit stepped aside, to peek on a discussion, and could not behold what he saw.

Beautiful elves… all crowned with golden hair, and clothed in stunning white. Their feminine actions seemed to intimidate Frodo, and their sweet ringing laughter filled his mind like a soothing song. They seemed to be preoccupied, gathered round a particular couple. Frodo tiptoed closer, making not to be noticed, for he knows that a hobbit is unusual in Lothlorien. He finds out, that what the elves were so inquisitive about… were a pair of mortal children, brightly dressed in lighter elven fashion, as one with brunette hair stood out of the crowned golden elven glory, with her blue eyes shining in excitement…

"And then, dear maidens, you should have seen how the beast fell. With one strike on the bridge, the Maia blew the fire away…" The elves smiled, a bit of mourning in their eyes, as Cleff related their story to the elves of Lothlorien, with Zephyr looking on by her side. Frodo stood in awe, how the Cliffhanger and her Keeper stood out along with the elves, now clean and their wounds healed, their hair shining and their faces bright. "Oh that is so wonderful, Clibereth…" One pretty elf maiden spoke, her eyes glittering in wonder. "How a child Cliffhanger could go through this all, and save the entire Fellowship in one piece... however, the fate of the Maia was not in your hands…" Silence sank among the council, as they mourned the loss of Gandalf. Frodo's heart fell too… but in awe he whispered Cleff's name in elvish, unbelieving. "Clibereth…"

Suddenly, the unexpected happened. "There you are!"

Frodo almost jumped a mile, as two hobbit hands fell down his back. He turned around and saw the mischevious faces of Pippin and Merry, etched with some kind of evil plan. "Ah, taking a bath, shall we, Frodo?" both spied the clothes Frodo was bringing under a hand. Patting him on the back, Merry narrowed his eyes evilly and said out loud for everyone else to hear, "Why don't we all take a bath, Frodo? Looks like you could use one."

The elves heard him, and gave out their sweet bell-like laughter. Cleff closed her mouth abruptly, and gave a small grin. Turning to Zephyr she mustered, "Zeph, you take over." Her archer-elvish friend, nodded smugly, as the Cliffhanger came to Frodo's rescue.

"Well, well, well… what do we have here?" Cleff said sheepishly, as Merry and Pippin flashed her innocent grins. Only Frodo looked up at her intently, begging her to whisk him away from his pervert friends. "Frodo, do you need to cleanse yourself?" Cleff questioned, spying his bundle of clothes. "My tired joints and bruises needs nursing…" he answered, biting his lip. "And I wish to do these in privacy." Cleff smiled a-matter-of-factly at Merry and Pippin, who began to back off and said, "You heard him, Merry, Pip. Would you, leave him in peace?"

Merry and Pippin quickly nodded and ran away, with the last words of "Sure, Master Clibereth, as long as you don't turn us into anything… unnatural!" Cleff rolled her eyes, as she laid a hand on Frodo, and looked back to see if Zephyr is doing fine with the elves. Turns out, that Pippin has sneaked back, and was now disturbingly clinging to Zephyr's arm again, with the elves shaking with abrupt laughter. "Now this… is a breed for hairy clawed halfling… more known as hobytla…"

Cleff shook her head in disbelief, hiding a smile as she led Frodo to the nearest lake, surrounded by hanging trees and orchids, serving as a curtain from prying eyes of perverts. "I believe this is the safest place on Lothlorien, Frodo." Cleff adviced, as she ushered the hobbit to take a dip in the pool. Frodo nodded sheepishly, when to Cleff's alarm, she saw his cheeks turn bright red. "What, is somebody watching?" Quickly taking words into action, Cleff peeked out of the inclosed lake, by drawing back hanging vines – to find Merry and Pippin peeking.

"EEEP."

Narrowing her eyes, Cleff firmly mustered, "I thought I told you two that Frodo wants his privacy, have I?" Both nodded quickly and whispered, "Yes you did… but we were curious if you're taking a dip with him." Raising an eyebrow, Cleff retorted, "But I just took a bath-" Behind her, she heard garments fall to the ground, a jacket and a blouse slipping off silently from smooth skin. Slowly turning around, (with the other hobbits scampering away) she heard a splash, as Frodo emerged his head from the water, his curly hair flat, and wet. "Don't you want to join me Cleff? A girl's soft fingers could help nurse my wounds."

Cleff felt her ears heat up, as she saw drops of water slide off Frodo's shoulders. She turned around quick, and walked out of the enclosure muttering loudly for the wet little hobbit to hear. "I don't know what are you talking about, Frodo Baggins," she said loudly, her hands tucked deep into her pockets. "But don't expect me to jump into the water with you. You won't find me awake after your bath, Frodo. I need my beauty sleep."

As she walked out, she heard the hobbit giggle softly. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Cleff just walked away.

***


Thirst.

She was thirsty. She awoke with a start, sprawled along the dust of the earth, hands inches away from a lake. But the lake was empty. Desperate for a drop of water, the itchiness of her parched throat led her towards an empty garden, growing with numerous of glowing flowers. But that is not what she was looking for. In the middle of it, stood her treasure – a deep well.

Cleff clutched her throat in infamy, the pain starting to grow. She started to approach the well, her tongue drying, her head shaking violently. But something made her stop.

"This is Galadriel's mirror. I cannot drink." Her own voice spoke, without her lips moving.

Water taunted her from within, glittering like gems inside the well, beckoning the young Cliffhanger to come closer. But as she came close, the terror struck, and the shimmer blinded her. To keep it safe, Cleff became aloof, and just stood her ground, vowing to fight her thirst, and just stay rooted to the ground.

That's when she appeared.

Galadriel stepped out of the darkness, carrying a silver elven jug, with a pointed nuzzle. She slowly drifted toward her, walking as if she was floating on thin air. Hearing the soft splashing of the water on the sides of the jug, Cleff's throat itched, even if she tried hard to keep her thirst under control. Stopping inches from the well, and bearing her eyes deep against the Cliffhanger, Galadriel raised the water jug.

"Will you look into the mirror?"

Cleff found it hard to swallow, as she tried to consume the lump in her throat. Her blue eyes passive and steady on Galadriel, she answered, "What will I see?" after darting a slight sharp look into the well. Galadriel smiled firmly, as she let the gleaming water from the jug stream into the well, filling Cleff's ears with the juicy splosh of liquid. "Even the wisest cannot tell. For the mirror shows many things."

The water continued to pour and fill the deep well. The lump in Cleff's throat grew bigger, as her voice started to dry up, and thirst began to choke her. Luckily, if it wasn't for the amount of wetness in her mouth, she must have lost her voice, and slowly she began to swallow… as the water finally filled up the empty well.

"Things that were, things that are, and some things…" Galadriel gave Clefe a sharp look. "That have not yet come to pass." Tall that she was, growing an inch everyday, ever since they left Rivendell, Cleff had to do nothing but to peer over the mirror, and looked right at her reflection.

Her reflection.

An image of a frail child. A respective student, who befriended a wholesome girl, who would turn out to be the worst attitude of another. An image of an immortal, who would live forever in Middle Earth, till the story has broken… a child who has no life, no perspective, no personality, no name. But as she looked at the creases and folds rippling on the water, reflecting her plain face, the image Cleff was seeing began to change.

Her reflection was suddenly replaced by the greens and visions of Middle Earth. That was all she was… nameless, useless and lifeless, the perfect Cliffhanger who could hold no emotion to rule out the fate of this growing world. The fate of the cities, the creatures and the population thriving in this world is in her hands… her skills… her words. Middle Earth is Cleff's responsibility as well.

"These things, are all in your hands, Cliffhanger, and could be destroyed, if it weren't for your choice of words." Galadriel's words echoed beneath the vast images that were flashing in the mirror, and was satisfying Cleff's thirst… the child was finally amused, and the mirror she was afraid of, she stayed with, and became her ally to seeing what could come to pass. Then, the images changed.

Before her eyes, Middle Earth was engulfed by darkness, spreading from the East, The West, The South, and finally from the North. From the center, A Great Eye appeared… Mordor. And with a giant explotion, false flame spread throughout Middle Earth, burning everything in its path, leaving every living thing scarred, as the Great Red Eye ruled all… Middle Earth was consumed.

"I can't let this happen." Cleff gripped the edges of the well angrily, tears suddenly brimming in her eyes. "If this is what is about to come to pass… I can't let this happen." Her throat, began to burn, much fury than before, as if she swallowed flame right from the start.

"Can't let this happen? But you already have!"

Galadriel's voice changed. Her tear-stained face, distorted with shock, and confusion, suddenly bolted up to glare at the elf. But it wasn't the Lady of Lothlorien who was standing in front of her.

The One Ring in hand, and three feet smaller, in Galadriel's place, stood Frodo Baggins.

His face reflected exactly the emotions sketched upon Cleff's face. Distorted, in shock, infamy and confusion, Frodo held the Ring in one hand, and dangled it above the mirror, his fingers delicately clutching the metal string. "You don't care about the fate of Middle Earth, you don't care about this Ring at all…" Frodo spoke, his voice cracking.

Cleff knew this, he was lying. He was bluffing, he wasn't telling the truth. The Fellowship will not be Breaking, and Cleff swore, she wouldn't let this happen. "You liar…" her dry voice tried to cry out. Frodo bitterly smiled back at her, as-a-matter-of-factly. "You don't care about this Ring at all…" he whispered, obviously choking on his words, because of the tears falling down from his own intense blue eyes, and the same lump on his throat. "Might as well destroy it."

And with that, Cleff's mouth still hanging open… Frodo Baggins dropped the One Ring in Galadriel's Mirror.

Time froze. Cleff quickly jumped on the hard stone wall of Galadriel's Mirror, her hands swaying out, trying to catch the One Ring from falling. Frodo just stood on his ground, watching Cleff's attempts to catch the One Ring from destruction. And at that moment… the One Ring hit the water.

Fire exploded from the well.

A whirlpool of red flame erupted from the well, blinding both halfling and child. The girl fell back, her eyes blinded, as she tried to stand up, and save Frodo from the fire. "Frodo! Where are you?! FRODO!" Cleff screamed amidst the smoke and the heat of the flame… as sparks rose up in the air, and began to burn Lothlorien. But despite her efforts, the child could not find the hobbit.

"Cough…cough…sputter…Frodo…where are you…cough…" The smoke and fire cleared, but sparks still burned up the night air. Cleff fell back down and hid her blinded face behind the rock wall of Galadriel's mirror… her entire life passing right through her… Ash… the one whom she lost forever, to the Allegiance of Mordor and Sauron… Frodo…he betrayed her… he gave up the Ring to the well… and burned up Lothlorien… but he must not have known what he was doing… The Fellowship… they all will die too… Zephyr… Shea…the innocent hobbits…

If it wasn't for her, none of these would have happened.

Cleff rose from the rubble, ready to fix what she has done wrong. She was ready to throw her arms into Galadriel's Mirror… now a Mirror of Fire, and pluck the One Ring from it, and save Middle Earth. It was time to put things to what it is supposed to be. But it was too late.

The smoke cleared, and Cleff saw her opportunity to look for the unfortunate Hobbit. "Frodo? Frodo!" she coughed, as she fanned the smoke and fire away from her watery eyes. She looked across the well, just across where Frodo was standing, before the One Ring brought gloom to Lothlorien… when terror clutched at her heart, and fire choked up her throat.

A black armed tall figure stood there. It's eyes glowing fiery red. It had only one name. Sauron.

Fire continued to swirl out of the Mirror, announcing the rebirth of the Dark Lord of Mordor. A Cliffhanger may be immortal… but for an unarmed and bruised child who can even hardly see, this is no match and death is its final answer. Beneath the mirror, a whole new army of orcs has risen… beating drums chanting the return of their One Master…

Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul!

The Dark Lord towered over the child Cliffhanger, and raised a hand, showing off the One Ring perfectly fitted to his finger. The Dark Lord has returned to power. Cleff tried to be brave, as she stood her ground. "Where is the hobbit! Where have you taken him! Sauron, I am not afraid of you!!!"

Suddenly, the Dark Lord evilly cast his glowing red eyes down at the dwarfed Cliffhanger. Raising his black gauntleted hand, he flung it down Cleff's head. Cleff ducked with all her might, and accidentally lost her balance… and plunged headfirst into the well of fire…

Although something stopped her fall. And as fire passed her face and burned her delicate cheeks… this wasn't the kind of saviour Cleff was expecting from a fall from a Dark Lord. The one that stopped her fall, and held her roughly by the collar… was a Nazgul. Not any particular Nazgul.

Ash the Living Wraith.

"Where you can't go I will follow, and where you fall… I shall catch you! There is no place but death, for you, Cliffhanger!"

The wraith screeched in her ear, as they both plummeted down the mirror of swirling fire, engulfed by the evil of the One Ring, and haven of new born orcs. As for the Cliffhanger, there is nothing but death. As Cleff was engulfed by flame, screaming… and screaming… and screaming…

***

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Cleff awoke with a start, her entire body sweating. Her feet were in a frenzy, kicking every blanket on her body off. Fortunately, the hobbits who were sleeping beside her didn't stir even a muscle.

The child angrily clutched her chest, and took her other hand off… the Book of the One Ring. Her forehead knotted, and her temples hurting, she slammed the book closed, and breathed much softly… That was the worst nightmare Cleff could have in years. She touched her face… and felt wet traces of tears staining her cheeks. Indeed, the truth could have made her burst into tears.

In her dream, everything was destroyed, and Sauron came to claim back what is his. And Frodo… the hobbit was being a complete burden to her in the dream… letting go of the One Ring just like that. Cleff held her head in shock, vowing never to fall asleep again, for she may never wake up.

That's when she felt soft footsteps coming from the outside. Accompanied by the sound of tears… falling.

Footsteps lowered, and breathing silenced, Frodo Baggins emerged from the outside, his eyes cast downwards. He appeared much cleaner than what Cleff has last seen of him… despite his face tear-stained with guilt, anger and fear. He fell down his knees as he approached the Fellowship's camp, holding on to a root for dear life, as he covered his face with another hand, sobbing.

Pity engulfed Cleff's conscience, despite the anger that was flowing in her heart, in the dream earlier. Placing the Book away, Cleff called out to the hobbit, keeping her voice down.

"Frodo Baggins, stop your miseries and tell me what is wrong."

From tear-stained hands emerged a childish face, an emotion of fear and confusion, Cleff swore she has seen from somewhere else. Frodo quietly wiped his tears away, and trudge towards Cleff, collapsing in her open arms. "Tell me, what is wrong?" Cleff shushed silently, to the hobbit whimpering.

Clutching the One Ring in his left hand, with his other hand on Cleff's chest, Frodo looked up and whispered to the child, "I cannot do this alone."

Cleff remembered the feeling of fear and discontent in her dream, as she frantically searched for the same hobbit in her arms, in an inferno of fire and rubble. Tears suddenly falling from her eyes, Cleff whispered, "I don't know if I could carry on too, Frodo." Her heart has befallen, and she doesn't know how to get up again. "This burden is too much for me, as it is to you."

Frodo tried to cure his worries, by relaxing in Cleff's arms. "How are we to carry on? Middle Earth is too much great for a responsibility. You are just a child… and I… I am just a hobbit."

Cleff wiped away her tears, and tightened her arms around the disheartened halfling. "I promise, I would always be here for whatever you burden in your arms. I promise, I'll always be there." Comforted by the Cliffhanger's words, the hobbit stopped crying, and fell asleep in much restlessness in her arms.

Cleff swore she would never fall asleep again.

***

As the Fellowship prepares to depart from Lothlorien, Frodo was the last to climb in the boat, where Zephyr, Cleff and Sam awaited him. Zephyr was toying with her new arrows which she had received from the elves, as Sam gazed adoringly at the rope and the dirt Galadriel had gifted to him. As for Cleff, her head emerged from the Book of the One Ring, testing her new quill, as Frodo climbed in to sit beside her.

Frodo looked up at her, and opened his hands up for Cleff to see. "The Light of Earendil, star of Lothlorien. May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out." The Cliffhanger spoke. As a sign of thanks, Frodo just lit his restless face up in a smile. "I hope you feel better now," Cleff spoke, patting her hobbit friend at the back.

As Cleff turned to close her book, and wave at Galadriel bidding them goodbye… on the other edge of the dock, hidden by trees, a dark figure on horseback awaited their departure. Despite the gloom in her heart of knowing what this dark creature is, Cleff just ignored it.

Ash the Living Wraith stood alone on the other border, as she watched the Ranger called Strider, canoe the Cliffhanger, and the Ringbearer, along with their friends out of Lothlorien. She steered her horse to go in the opposite direction, following the same trail the boats may be going.

"That, Clefe my friend, is not a dream," the wraith hissed beneath its hood, as it rode off into the gloom of the dark forest.

A/N: This dratted chapter is such a burden. ONE LAST CHAPPIE before Manic Depressive goes boom. Clefe and Ash still hibernation mode. And once I catch a glimpse (a FULL glimpse perhaps) of The Two Towers, the sequel of Manic Depressive will be in motion. Title? Still uncovered. XD