The dawn breaks against the black shadow of the Tower of Orthanc, fires roaring angrily beneath its towering doom. Millions of orcs and goblins work their skillful, but dirty hands with the sound of metal, along with the pangs of flame, rebirthing Uruk-hais from the mud, and preparing the threat of war. These were all according to the order of the White Wizard, who was inspecting the domain itself, satisfied with the process of bringing gloom and terror upon Middle Earth.
Along with the breaking of the dark dawn…
A bleak menacing shadow appeared against the mountains, brightened ever so slightly by the dawn. A tall Nazgul rode alone, guiding its steed fast down the plain, looking menacing and gangly as ever. With all superiority, it looked down upon the orcs and goblins standing in its way, and trampled those who stood against it. It surveyed the domain with its own red eyes, despite the emptiness of the face within its hood… as it looked for the one whom it calls its master.
This Nazgul does not take orders from Sauron, although its own master worships the Dark Lord.
The Nazgul dismounted its blood hungry steed. Hard, clad metal boots clanged its way up into Orthanc, its gauntleted hand, stained with blood, straying to the hilt of its Morgul Sword. Orcs and goblins jeered at the Nazgul, recognizing its loyalty, not to Sauron, but to Saruman alone, despite the fact that Saruman is now their master, and they are working for him in behalf of the Dark Lord, to create an army worthy of Mordor.
Like a ghost, it floated into the main chamber, its head swiveling around slightly, looking for an unusual prescence of the one whom it serves.
"The Uruk-hai are ready, my Living Nazgul."
A deep voice, scarred by evil and great hatred answered the Nazgul's confusion. Red eyes glowered towards its master, stepping up closely. To Saruman, it seems as if this Nazgul is a child… in fact it is a child… a child with no face, no past, no future.
And its entire destiny is dedicated only to Saruman and the Dark Lord alone. But this Nazgul, still had a heart, and it is not what its heart really wishes to pursue.
"They are ready to strike war upon the free peoples of Middle Earth…" Saruman said with much satisfaction, pleasure on his face. "But where were you?" Its cold evil eyes hidden slightly in the wizard's snow-white hair glanced at the Nazgul.
Lothlorien. My master.
Saruman looked closely at his Nazgul. The child Cliffhanger he had snatched from the nosy clutches of Gandalf the Grey… who has finally departed into the arms of doom… the Balrog. She has grown evil… but resistant. She… a part of her old self seemed to have returned. She doesn't seem to be so aggressive anymore. She no longer has the thirst for innocent blood.
"My ally has need for you in Rohan," Saruman said icily, surveying his apprentice with much displeasure. "You must be sent for reinforcements in Rohan immediately… the King's advice needs very much of your help…" He laughed silently, feeling that his plans are finally coming into motion. But then, his face was suddenly twisted in anger. "But where were you? Loathing in Lothlorien against your old Cliffhanger friend…"
She is becoming fragile, my master. The Book and her mind would be easily twisted with her lack of faith.
"But she, is no tool for war!!!" Saruman roared, his nostrils flaring. "You're getting too obsessed with watching this Cliffhanger unfold the doom of Middle Earth before her eyes!" The Nazgul frowned slightly in disagreement, hidden beneath her transparent hood.
Saruman sensed the twitching of carefully hidden anger in his apprentice. With a sense of flourish, he whispered, "Have no care for her, she will die." Eyes within the hood rose like fire beneath the darkened room.
This is not part of our agreement!
Saruman ignored the Nazgul's screech behind him. After all, she was just a child, an unexperienced Nazgul. He looked out in the open, outside his roughly carved, stone balcony. An army of Uruk-Hais and Orcs were gathered before him, geared up for disaster. Leading them all was an ugly brute of horror, named Lurtz. The firstborn.
Saruman looked with pleasure… and opened his mouth…
HUNT THEM DOWN. DO NOT STOP UNTIL THEY ARE FOUND. YOU DO NOT KNOW PAIN. YOU DO NOT KNOW FEAR. YOU WILL TASTE MAN FLESH!!!
The jeering cheers of the army cut like a sharp knife to the Nazgul's ear. Saruman laughed with pleasure, to the aggression of his army. Swiftly, his cloaks bellowing, he turned to another towering figure before him… much to the Living Nazgul's horror, Lurtz the firstborn, has ascended the stairs and come face to face with Saruman. Sternly looking over his servant, Saruman whispered…
ONE OF THE HALFLINGS CARRIES SOMETHING WITH GREAT VALUE. BRING THEM TO ME ALIVE AND UNSPOILED. KILL THE OTHERS.
Like a final boom, his speech closed with the angry jeering of the army, as they all ran like thunder towards the gates of Orthanc. The Nazgul looked away in resentment and hidden anger, as its mentor turned to reprimand her. "The halflings you hate so much will die… the Cliffhanger with them."
And with a final sharp note, he whispered. "And you, shall go to Rohan."
An angry screech escaped its lungs, and glared at Saruman. The wizard turned its back angrily at the Nazgul, and roared, "I will not tolerate your stubbornness. My order will not be disobeyed."
Despite Ash's angry screeching, she just flew out of Orthanc with much aggression on her steed, and rode off against the darkness of the dawn.
***
GASP.The Cliffhanger awoke with a start, her head swollen with all the angry whirring inside her ears. Opening her eyes, still sensitive to the light, the first sight that greeted her… was water, masses of water. Everywhere she looked, she could see water. Somehow, this truth made her sick to her stomach.
Cleff then realized that she was seasick.
"Goodmorning, dear Clibereth," Legolas greeted her cheerfully, with a splash of an oar upon the river. "You seem to have fallen asleep during the entire ride –" Looking at Cleff's nauseated face, he frowned. Without any warning, something exploded in Cleff's mouth, making the sides of her cheek inflate. Quickly scrambling to the side of the small boat, the girl ducked her head and started vomiting down the water.
Gimli wrinkled his nose at the Cliffhanger. "Our friend, dear elf…" he motioned gruffly at the elf who was still looking at Cleff with jaws dropped. "Is seasick. Nevertheless, who knows if she is going to outlast this Fellowship?"
Cleff, having sharp ears heard this, but did not use Gimli's ax to clatter him down in all anger. Despite the angry whirring in her ear, and her vision getting distorted with her headache, she managed to look across the side of the river, and saw someone… most likely from the other boat… having a hard time on the seasickness too.
On the other boat, with the stern man of Gondor with the large oar and the two mischevious hobbits… was Shea The Mary Sue, who is unbelievably having a sick stomach over the river too, much to Pippin and Merry's dismay. "Gross…" Merry echoed, trying to take his eyes off the Mary Sue. "Just great," Pippin moaned in his clipped Scottish accent. "Just how are we going to swim in the river now?"
Cleff shook her head in disbelief, as she wiped her mouth clean. The sea must be getting too hard on Daddy's Princess… what would you call living in your beloved Middle Earth now, Shea? The girl from the other boat, looked back at her, dishelved, her blonde hair uncombed, and was pestered by two of the most annoying little pests in the entire Middle Earth. Somehow, the exhaustion in her eyes, Cleff felt a little bit of pity for Shea.
"Calm down now, Clibereth," Legolas gave the Cliffhanger a little pat on the back, as she collapsed completely inside the boat, laying on her back, to hide the view of the water form her sight. "We have a long way to go." The elf smiled down at the child, and continued rowing with his oar. Suddenly, looking upon the shore to his right, the smile left the elf as sudden as his keen eyes would have seen them.
Orcs. Uruk-hais. Approaching the western shore.
Heart greatly troubled, Legolas looked far ahead at the first boat leading the entire Fellowship… He felt the need to alert Aragorn fast, as he quickly paddled his oar, ignoring Gimli's grunts and snorts about the Cliffhanger sleeping lazily beside him.
***
Frodo had been silent during the entire ride, calmly assured by the fact that Aragorn was just behind him, rowing their boat. Zephyr, who was sitting beside him, was nodding frequently, as if she lacked sleep from Lothlorien the night before. Sam, on his front, however, was sternly watching the boat on their rear, wrinkling his nose in disgust over Shea who was pelting her sickness over the clean waters of the river.
The hobbit felt sick too… sick with the fact that the One Ring burdens his heart he desperately wanted to diminish. But something inside him doesn't seem to destroy the Ring… voices had been calling out to him, loathing him, mocking him… But still, he dared to take control of himself. Still, he knew the fact that someday, this battle will come to an end. If it would ever comes to an end.
Suddenly, his mere reflections we're abruptly disturbed by a tap on his shoulder.
It was Aragorn. They had reached a high, rocky canyon, where two looming figures stand watch. "Frodo," Aragorn exclaimed in awe, and delight. "The Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old," Zephyr was shaken awake, as the hobbit absent-mindly leaned back so his eyes could scale the height of the towering structure. "My kin." Aragorn answered Sam's awed look of both wonder and curiosity.
The Fellowship looked in awe of the two towering sculptures, standing side by side, stone-carved right into both the sides of the Anduin. Their arms are held aloft, palms spread open in a gesture of warning. Legolas felt the fear desert his heart, as he looked up the canyon. Cleff, now wide-awake, kiddingly did the gesture behind the watchful elf, moving her arms in motion, as the dwarf beside her follows in complete awe… Stop in the name of love; let's do the Argonath, both sang, clowning around, as a pebble suddenly hit the Cliffhanger on the forhead. It was Pippin, ordered sportingly by Shea, to stop Cleff from turning into big nuisance.
Legolas tore his eyes from the Argonath… finally realizing its message of warning. Looking ahead, he saw the foot of Amon Hen, the Hill of Sight. Quickly as he can, he rowed his boat towards the shore… warning cannot wait.
The Fellowship disembarks on Parth Galen, looking much troublesome and weary as ever. The hobbits weren't feeling that good either, Sam sending disgusted glances at Shea… some sort of hidden anger disguised by silence, unable to be read by the mind, as they both sat down. Cleff's mind was clouded, she didn't have time to turn and observe Frodo's distorted will, etched upon his weary face, as he climbed out of their boat. The Cliffhanger skidded her feet grogilly over the gravel beach, almost colliding with a disturbingly cranky Boromir… who seemed to be as troubled as the Ringbearer himself, fighting some sort of war inside his conscience.
Cliff collapses near a rock, and slightly falls asleep, resuming her rest shaken by the river-ride, not even feeling, that on this beach, upon the rock her head lies upon… the Fellowship shall finally drift apart.
***
"You're incompetent. Where were you when Mr. Frodo and I needed you the most? Haven't you even glimpsed his face? He looked sea sick…"
Cleff has barely drifted to sleep, when a disturbing echo of a quarrel brought her back to her consciousness. "I just switched boats, I wanted to keep an eye on Pippin and Merry…" Shea's unmistakable soft voice whispered far away from Cleff's ears. "That's what you all care about! Hobbit lads and their youth! Their undying innocence you want to take advantage of!" The hard voice was deep and accusing. Cleff winced a bit, straining to name it… unrecognizable it is, as she opened her eyes and glimpsed the hardened glare of Samwise Gamgee.
"You sound jealous…" Shea silently, rummaged through her package, as Sam's face turned bright pink.
Ignoring the accusation, Sam tried to divert the topic. "You said, 'I devote my life to you and Mr. Frodo, Samwise Gamgee. Let me be your humble servant.' You could have sworn an oath to the Brandybuck and the Took if you wanted to be loyal to them!" Shea looked back at Sam with slightly watery eyes. "I meant my oath to you, Samwise Gamgee…" a trace of a broken voice came from her lips, as Sam angrily looked away. "Women," he growled.
Cleff's eyes, still blinded by the rays of the sun, watched her colleague and her hobbit friend quarrel. Loyalty is an enormous belief for Sam, her awakening mind concluded. Indeed, what the book displayed is true… I could not doubt Tolkien with this. Tearing her eyes away from the couple, Cleff surveyed the beach of Palen Garth. Aragorn just came from the shore, dropping his belongings on the gravel sand, and then raising his head to look at the scattered Fellowship.
"We cross the lake at nightfall," Aragorn announced, catching everyone else's attention. "Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North."
Gimli, and Pippin, who was busy munching Lembas beside him, exchanged glances. Disagreeing, the dwarf rose and exclaimed, "Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil?" Pippin seemed to have nodded, till Zephyr beside him snatched his pack of Lembas. "An impossible labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see!" The Dwarf exaggerated, his voice as rough as it seems.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and replied casually. "That is our road." Gimli dropped his jaw like a puzzled hairy monkey. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." Pippin and Zephyr exchanged unbelieving glances over Gimli, silently chuckling to theirselves. However, the Dwarf wasn't pleased. "Recover my-?!!" He said unbelievingly. Annoyed, he growled back, sitting down. "No dwarf needs to recover his strength…"
Legolas, out of nowhere, broke out of the clearing and quickly went to Aragorn's side. "We must leave now." He whispered in the Strider's ear. This caught Cleff's attention, and sent a raise of alarm in her head. Caught off guard, she shoved the Book near Zephyr's things, and sat up, tying the laces on her boots. "No," Aragorn said quickly. "Orcs patrol the eastern shores. We must wait for the cover of darkness." But this cannot measure to the danger in the elf's eyes.
"It's not the eastern shore that worries me," The warning in the eyes of the elf was true. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind…" Cleff raised an eyebrow. This elf is maddened. Is he gay? Cleff shook the delusions off her head, and looked around, something wrong pounding in her chest. She could relate with Legolas. Something is wrong.
"Something draws near, I feel it." His eyes lingered to the Cliffhanger. Cleff, in return, gazed back at him with much alarm. Something is missing.
Their musings were disrupted, when Merry came, bringing firewood, dropping it into a pile where Gimli, Zephyr and Legolas were gathered around. The young hobbit looked around, puzzled and slightly worried, seeming to be looking for something. Then the next thing he spoke, made Cleff jump up her feet in answer of the troubles in her mind.
"Where is Frodo?"
This almost sent the entire Fellowship into panic. Shea and Sam jumped up too, in much worry. "This is all your fault," Sam whispered under his breath, as he walked away from Shea and into the forest. Aragorn and Legolas exchanged glances, as their eyes suddenly fell on Boromir's lone shield, abandoned upon a boulder. Aragorn's eyes quickly darted to the place where Cleff was sitting… abandoned too. "The Cliffhanger?"
Cleff was nowhere to be found.
***
That was it! Clef''s heart pounded angrily. I knew something is wrong. Frodo, where are you?! Her mind was screaming that name once again, and she was looking for that one hobbit that always made her life miserable. She rummaged into the forest, going past boulder and trees, ducking vines and going around huge trunks. And Boromir… She held her head in much distress. He will surely try to do it… take the ring.
The girl looked around. Nothing. No one. She couldn't find him. What if he slipped on that dratted ring? Squinting her eyes shut in frustration, she kicked a nearby tree with her sturdy boot. However, pain grew on her toe, as she howled in anger, jumping on one foot. Stupid… stupid…stupid…
She bounced behind one tree, leaning behind it for balance… when she heard a familiar voice just behind her, in the forest.
"Why do you recoil? I am no thief." No one could mistake the tone of the man of Gondor. A slightly higher voice, with much courage answered him back. "You are not yourself."
Cleff slammed the back of her head against the hard corked bark of the tree she was leaning on. There you are, you nasty little…with Boromir. "What chance do you think you have? They will find you! They will take the ring and you will beg for death before the end!" Slightly peering from her hiding place, Cleff saw a small figure flee from Boromir, as the bigger man growled, "Fool!" and gave chase.
"It is not yours save by unhappy chance! It could have been mine! Give it to me!" Borromir roared, pawing at the hobbit sprawled helplessly on the ground. "No!" Frodo screamed back, still struggling to fight with his small arms. "Give me…" Boromir growled through gritted teeth. "Give it to me!" With a scream of anger, Frodo suddenly gave a mighty shove… and disappeared. Cleff squinted her eyes slightly, trying to conceal herself in the sanctuary of the tree, but she could see no one… but Boromir alone. I can't believe he wore it.
Boromir suddenly recoiled in pain, howling, as if kicked, as Cleff heard sounds of soft footsteps circle the man. The Steward of Gondor raised his head in much pity of himself, whispering, "I see your mind. You will take the ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You go to your death and the death of us all! Curse you! Curse you! And all the halflings!"
Cleff had enough. She tried to tiptoe towards another tree that would serve her hiding place… but when she crossed the clearing, silence resumed like a ghost still in its place.
"You…" Boromir's eyes lashed like two angry slits at a helpless Cleff, caught off guard, standing alone in the gap between two trees. "You spying, meddling Cliffhangers!" Boromir's motive was evil, as he got up on his feet, forgetting the hobbit he was chasing. He was going towards Cleff's direction, and his mission was simple… harm the Cliffhanger. "You've been a pain on my neck for so long a day…"
Cleff's eyes widened in fear, she tried to budge her legs, but they won't even move. Boromir was clenching his fingers in a strangling motion, his eyes bleak with anger. Fear consumed Cleff… and an invisible soul standing behind Boromir. Frodo stood, in the darkness of the Ring, watching the terror unfold before his eyes. Pitied by the look on Cleff's face… he realized he must do something… after all the pain Cleff has caused for him.
"You don't have the right to the Fellowship of the Ring…" Boromir growled. He was getting close towards the girl. Finally, Cleff's legs began to move backward, slightly backward. "What are you saying," Cleff growled through clenched teeth. Just when Boromir was about to lunge at Cleff, arms outstretched, hands clenched, an invisble forced pulled him backwards, as the man, who is much bigger than Cleff, slipped.
Cleff just stood there in shock. How on Middle Earth – She did nothing.
Suddenly, she felt a gust of wind, a driving force, slammed against her body, pulling her backwards. She felt two small hands, insistently pulling at her arms, causing her to run, despite the shock. Boromir, who was left face on the ground, finally came to his senses… and the man was last heard by the Cliffhanger, whimpering.
Cleff was drawn off to a clearing, far away from Boromir, by an invisible force she couldn't even see. Just like wind, she felt arms leave her, and soft footsteps stop and turn a few inches away from her. Her heart pounding faster than she could ever imagined; she sharpened her eyes towards that spot… where she felt someone stood. Someone she couldn't see… but she could feel that was there.
Face distorted with both fear and gratitude, she smiled at thin air, wishing she would be answered by it. "Thank you," she felt herself whisper. "I know I owe you one, Frodo." She could tell he was there, who else would pull her off a possessed Boromir, in times of haste? She knew he was there.
In fact, Frodo stood there in the exact spot, heart pounding as well, wondering how on earth Cleff could see him. Could she see through the ring? After all, she is Cliffhanger… His view was distorted by the darkness of the Ring, and he felt it's call. He tried to ignore it, try to run away from it, and forever bask in Cleff's gratifying gaze. But he couldn't. At one moment, he looked last at the Cliffhanger who saved his life a dozen times, and fled.
***
Frodo moved painfully in the shadows, after having fled from Boromir, almost taking Cleff along with him. But with the fear that the Ring would affect her more than it would entoxicate him, he fled again, running away from everything he held dearly. Tear-stained by the pain he feels inside, running away from his friend, he absent-mindedly ascended the Seat of Seeing atop Amon Hen. Like a small gullible creature hiding away from its hunter, he looked over the seat of stone, and glimpses the Dark Tower from afar.
Suddenly, the vision rushes towards him, in full horror, and it rises up to the pinnacle, coming face to face with the Eye of Sauron. Taken aback, the hobbit tries to fidget off the Ring, and falls backwards – about ten feet, from the Seat of Seeing, and lands on the grass on his back. Finally in the brightness of the sun, Frodo gets up and tries to catch his breath.
"Frodo?" It was Aragorn.
Overcome by the phobia of men's greed over the Ring, he jumps up to his feet, and backs away. "It has taken Boromir." Suddenly, an unusual flame of undefiable anger (or greed?) came into Aragorn's eyes. "Where is the Ring?!" He demanded. This was too much for the hobbit. "Stay away!" Frodo backs, off and tries to flee again.
"Frodo!" Aragorn called out, hot at his heels. Sensing the change of tone in Strider's voice, Frodo halts. "I swore to protect you!" Aragorn exclaims, as Frodo turns around to face him. "Can you protect me from yourself?" He breathed, as he slowly opens his palm… to unveil the Ring. It began to whisper… began to call… Aragorn…Aragorn…Elessar… It began to draw Aragorn closer and closer to his doom, as he approached the helpless hobbit, arms outstretched, palms wide open.
"Or would you destroy it?"
A soft voice from afar, drew Aragorn back to himself, as the Ranger came face to face with Frodo's wilted face, etched with much pain and fear. Coming to his senses in the nick of time, Aragorn rejects the opportunity, and with his hands, closes Frodo's hand around the ring, and pushes it away. "I would have gone with you to the end, into the very fires of Mordor." He whispered, slightly feeling rejected.
Frodo's eyes were starting to water. "Look after the others, especially Sam…" Visions of his friends drifted into his head. All of them, who offered their life to protect him and the Ring, after all that they have been through. And Cleff… she changed her mind twice to accompany him on this Fellowship. It might have been safer for the Cliffhanger, if he hadn't dragged her along insistently. Wincing his eyes, tears began to fall, as Aragorn watched pitifully. "He will not understand."
Aragorn, looked down pitifully, as he let go off Frodo's hand. Suddenly, sudden noises disturbed his conscience… the sound of marching feet.
Frodo was troubled too, as he quickly unsheathed his Sting… glowing blue!!! "Go on Frodo, run," Aragorn ushered the hobbit away. Frodo was still being insistent, rooted on his feet. He wouldn't leave Aragorn. "Run!" The Ranger demanded, as the halfling finally came to his senses, and fled away from the scene. Aragorn turned around, and stepped out of the shadow of the seat of seeing…
He unsheathed his sword, approached the clearing with a half-smile… and was facing a horde of Orcs and Uruk-Hais. The fight has begun.
***
Sam had been in the woods, for so long, running around in circles, muttering to himself. He was burdened, he was angry. He was apparently annoyed by Shea's actions, a headache coming… but he knew what he must do. He must find Frodo. "Mr Frodo!!!" He called out… only to be answered by the unsheathing of swords and the sound of war. Terrified, he hid in some bushes, hearing screamings… and cries…
"Find the halfling! Find the halfling!" A rough, scary voice screamed. "Elendil!" Aragorn unmistakable voice replied out in a cry, as the fight continued.
Sam shivered, as he continued to bury himself deeper in the thicket, slightly fidgeting and scratching. Suddenly, a hand landed hardly on his shoulder. "ARRGGHHH!" He screamed, in fear of an enemy. He silently and slowly turned around… expecting an ugly face of an orc… when he came face to face with the Cliffhanger.
"Sam?!! What on freaking earth are you doing here!"
Sam eyes were still wide open in shock and terror, unbelieving that the Cliffhanger has come to rescue him. They stood there frozen and shocked from a few minutes… until an orc fell dead a few inches away from them. "Run!!!" Cleff screamed, as she roughly tugged at Sam's small arms, pulling him away from the rumble, and deeper into the woods. "Cleff," Sam's shaken voice echoed behind her, as she ran farther away from the scene of carnage, deeper into a clearing. "Where are you taking me?"
Both collapsed, as they reached a safe spot, with Cleff quickly jumping back on her feet, trying to catch her breath. "Master Cleff," Sam breathed. "We must find Mr. Frodo…"
Clutching a stitch on her chest, Cleff held a hand out to Sam, pulling him up to his feet. "We must leave him as it is. I couldn't find him anywhere." A voice that unmistakably belongs to the Cliffhanger rushed in Sam's mind, as Cleff spoke. He couldn't believe what he just heard.
"What do you mean, leave it as it is?" Sam exclaimed, pushing Cleff's hand away from his, as he was stable on his feet. "We can't leave Mr. Frodo with a racket going on out there!" The girl, much taller and bigger than Sam, tried to compose herself and her breathing, so that her words would come out smoothly. She looked at the hobbit. His hair was ruffled, his clothes where crumpled and dusty, and a look of both determination and confusion was etched on his face.
"Frodo said he'd go on his own," Cleff whispered, as she turned her back on Sam, ready to return to Palen Garth, where the rest of the Fellowship would be waiting. "That is what it had to be." She continued walking, away from Sam, expecting him to follow her, when she halted. She turned around to see the hobbit still standing there, bruised, disgraced and hurt, with much disbelief in his face. "He can't go without me!" Sam exclaimed in anger.
Cleff rolled her eyes. The typical Samwise Gamgee, she stated. "Leave him be, Samwise," Cleff groaned. "He's better off on his quest alone, with that dratted Ring." The child was becoming weary; her words were true, but sharp. They speak of the truth, but this truth was meant to hurt others.
"You're just like everyone else. Just like Boromir. Just like Shea." A voice swelling with hopelessness and anger echoed behind Cleff, as Samwise followed her. "You don't care about Mr. Frodo and the fate of Middle Earth at all. You'ld leave him to die!" By this time, Cleff had lost her temper.
Turning around Cleff has morphed into something just like Boromir a few minutes ago, grabbing Sam painfully by the arms, drawing his face closer to hers, to scream hatefully like a banshee. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I DON'T CARE?!!" What was once the protective Cliffhanger is now roaring at the meek hobbit. Sam shivered fearfully under Cleff's hot, angry gaze. "After all I did for this Fellowship, leaving my place at home for the fate of Middle Earth, YOU'LD SAY I DON'T CARE?"
Sam was close to whimpering. His arms were hurting, and Cleff, the person much believed to be the softest in the Fellowship next to Shea, has turned into a wailing banshee monster. "But you hated Mr. Frodo…" The hobbit whimpered. This sent Cleff back to her senses. Taking both Sam's hands forcefully, drawing him nearer, she glowered at him and said, "Sam, listen to me- LISTEN TO ME!"
The hobbit stopped struggling and looked up at her fiery blue eyes, full of determination to win him over her side, but lacks patience. "I told Mr. Frodo this before, and I am telling you now," her tone suddenly went soft. "I will always be there, whenever you will need me. In whatever part of Middle Earth you may be, you can call out my name and I will hear you. Now Frodo has his own part to pursue. And he left you with me, with the Fellowship. Now trust his claim and leave him be."
Sam's eyes began to water, his lip slightly quivering. This shocked Cleff, for her words were supposed to comfort him… as she softly loosened her clutch on him. "Your words, Cliffhanger are not enough to comfort me. For you, are just like everyone else. Everyone else who can't feel and is mortal."
With these words, Sam tore his eyes from Cleff, and fled deep into the forest, where it would be hard for her to follow. Sam's words struck Cleff hard like a knife, leaving her numb and frozen for a few seconds, when she realized what had just happened.
"Shoot. Lost another one."
***
Tears stinging his eyes, Frodo made his way back to Palen Garth, where the boats were docked. Clutching the Ring with much frustration and loss of hope, he stared off into the distance, as tears began to fall down his frail cheeks. I lost everything… He looked and still saw all he needed to make it to the opposite shore. I will lose everything…
Determined, despite the look of despair upon his face, he recalled the words of the Istari that fell in Moria of what seems to be so long ago… All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you. The blue in the hobbit's eyes turned into fire, as he understood what he is to do. He placed the Ring safely into his pocket, and made his way to shore towards the only boat mobile… when he looked around and felt that he wasn't alone.
There… near the final boat, stood Shea,
tear-stained as he is, packing her things, as if she was to go home, and break
her pact with the Fellowship. "What are you doing," Frodo asked weakly, his
voice drowning with pity. She looked back at him, with the same tear-stained
blue eyes almost mirroring his, and smiled sadly. "There you are. The rest of
the Fellowship is looking for you…" But with this, she ignored him, and
continued loading her belongings into the boat Frodo wished to row alone.
"Where are you going?" Almost ignoring his questions, because of her extreme depression, she sighed. "Samwise thinks I am useless, having no care for you," she whispered, receiving looks of disbelief from the adorable young hobbit she also loves. "I decided to pack my bags and walk my way home, alone." Frodo felt his heart sink with her words. With this, he made his efforts to comfort her, despite that they were both burdened.
"We must be going the same road," the hobbit whispered, trying not to sound cheerful. "We could row the boat together and make it to shore," Listening slightly, Shea nodded. She didn't seem to care for Frodo now, and all her hopes were lost. She surely won't nag him to bring her with him to Mordor, if that what it seems to Frodo. "I will let you go with me," she whispered, sniffling softly. "If you forgive me for breaking all my promises of love and loyalty which I can never to true to."
Frodo slightly closed his eyes. "You were always forgiven," he muttered. "But I advise you not to follow me on the road I am going. I must do this alone." With much comfort, Shea agreed with him, as both made it into the boat, and started to row across the still water.
They both rowed in silence, without even looking at each other. But just about they were halfway across the river, a cry came from the shore where they were from. "Frodo!" It was Sam. Seeing that he was fleeing across the river, Sam's expression turned into despair. "No! Mr Frodo!!!" he cried out. Shea closed her eyes, despite the tears that were flowing for she didn't want to see her dear Sam, as she was leaving. Frodo, having the guts to look back, screamed out, "Go back Sam!!! Im going to Mordor alone!"
Sam looked incredulous. "No fair! If you're taking her with you," he gasped, as he started to wade into the cold water. "Then I am coming with you!" Shea's hopes seemed to have arisen with Sam's words. But as she looked up, she realized the danger her Sam was walking into. "Sam! You can't swim!!!" Frodo shouted in alarm, as Sam began to swim deeper into the water, after them.
In all desperation, Sam tried to wade towards them, to no avail. Frodo began to shed even more tears, seeing his most loyal friend drown in the place he hated the most. Suddenly, a voice cried out from the shore. A very familiar voice.
"Sam?!! Sam!!! But you can't swim!!!" It was Cleff.
Sam struggles to swim, and tries to breathe. But to much frustration, water began to enter his eyes, nose and mouth. Cleff stood frustratingly ashore, obvious that she couldn't swim either. Or is afraid of water. Sam was drowning… Frodo had no time to comfort Shea who has burst into tears after trying to tip the boat over to grab her Sam.
Just when Sam has drunk too much seawater, Frodo's hand shot down the river and grabbed his friend by the wrist. Frodo pulled a coughing and sputtering Sam in the boat, with Shea's help. Frodo's eyes were already red from crying, despite that he still had the courage to take the hobbit in. "Oh Sam, why do you do this? Why?" Frodo whispered, his voice choked by the tears.
"I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise! 'Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee,' And I don't mean to. I don't mean to." Frodo breaks into tears after hearing these words, and pulls Sam into a hug. Shea sat beside them, muchly hurt as ever, for she has not reconciled yet. She was about to pic up an oar to row ashore, when Sam grabbed her into the group hug.
"I didn't want to mean to you, dear Shea," Sam whispered. "So do I." The girl answered back, amidst tears of joy. Frodo smiled slightly, a burden lightened in his heart. He dared not to look ashore… till Sam spoke… "She was right all along, Mr. Frodo. She said she'd take care of things. And always be there for us."
Shea and Frodo exchanged glances… Shea said nothing, in fact she was crying… That is, until Frodo's look lingered towards the Shore, where Cleff stood. There she was, her face blank, surveying them from a far. The face that always wished him luck, and often brought him hope. She seemed to be shaking her head, almost saying, Just like what I told you, Frodo Baggins, but in fact, she was saying nothing. As if she was letting him go.
Tears fell down Frodo's face, as if a part of him wanted to burst, just looking at his friend ashore. He picked up an oar and thought to himself… "Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked his Master softly, laying a hand on his shoulder, and looking back gratefully at Clef, ashore.
Without any question or reason, Frodo rowed the boat back to Palen Garth, much to Cleff's surprise. He quickly jumped out of the boat, and ran towards Cleff's arms. The Cliffhanger knelt, (with much confusion) and took the hobbit in her arms, as Frodo burst into tears again. "I thought I have already let you go, Frodo?" Cleff's choked voice spoke from beside Frodo's ear, as the hobbit buried itself in her arms.
"I don't want to leave you… I can't leave you… I don't want to do this on my own!" Frodo whimpered against her shoulder. Shea and Sam exchanged grateful glances, having climbed out of the boat. Cleff tried to think, Frodo still crying in her arms, of what to say to comfort him and send him off to where he is supposed to be going.
"Won't you come with me to Mordor? I need you." Frodo said, as he went face to face with Cleff, disengaging from her embrace. Her face was grave, and her answer was simple. "My place is here. I cannot bring much more burden to you, Frodo Baggins." The hobbit sniffled slightly, and gave enough space for her to breathe. "After all, you're lucky to have two loyal well-wishers who would go anywhere with you." Cleff smiled. Shea seemed aghast, despite Sam's soft blushings. "I am not supposed to go with –" she was pointing to Sam. "That is an order," Cleff said sternly. Shea could only sigh. After all, she wanted to go to Mordor.
"Now," Cleff continued, once Frodo has dried his tears. "Go on your way, and you have my word with you. And my promise." Frodo's face was filled with much gratefulness and emotion; that he wanted to run to Cleff's arms again… when suddenly, Sam cried out. "Orcs!!!"
Quickly unsheathing her sword, Cleff looked back and was surprised when a blow suddenly hit her sword. She had only minutes to parry it, next thing; she was struggling with three Orcs. "Go! Row towards the next shore!!!" She screamed at Shea and the hobbits. "No!" Frodo screamed, trying to unsheathe his Sting too, but was pulled by Sam right into the boat. "No, Frodo! Go!!!" Cleff screamed back, as she stabbed an orc who tried to go after the boat rowing ashore.
Frodo looked terribly worried, as they left shore, seeing more Orcs piling up on Cleff. Trusting her promises he only whispered far away, "Take care of yourself, Clibereth."
Cleff, ashore, was losing strength, and hope. An orc has bruised her cheek and thigh, and one is about to slit her throat. Pinned flat on the gravel sand of Palen Garth, Cleff felt that she is about to meet her doom, amidst the hazy, odor of the orc's breath… when a arrow came flying out of nowhere, killing the orc.
"Ewww," Cleff groaned, brushing the stench off her sleeves, she came face to face with Zephyr, who came out of the clearing, carrying a large sack over her back. "You!" Zephyr said loathingly. "Never leave the Book with me again, you fleeing morsel!" Throwing the sack, to Cleff, both smiled gratefully at each other, and looked towards the eastern shore, which Frodo, Sam and Shea has finally reached.
"So, I sent the Mordor squad off," Cleff said softly, still weakened by Frodo's tight embrace and the fatigue the Orcs gave her. "I hope you bring good news."
Zephyr shook her head. "Boromir's dead. And the two other hobbits are nowere to be found." Cleff sighed miserably. "Just as I thought."
***
Cleff and Zephyr watch as a dead Boromir is laid into another boat, along with his prized possessions that he brought with the Fellowship. The boat is slipped into the river, and slips over the falls of Rauros, Son of Gondor gone for good. Aragorn watches Legolas shove another boat into the water in attempt to go after Frodo and Sam, as he wears Boromir's vambraces for honor.
"Hurry!" Legolas exclaimed. "Frodo and Sam wouldn't have gone far from the eastern shore!"
Cleff, Zephyr and Aragorn stood there, and just exchanged glances. "I let them go." The Cliffhanger whispered. Legolas looked back at her with confusion. "Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." Aragorn answered silently. "Then it has all been in vain!" Gimli exclaimed disappointingly. "The Fellowship has failed."
Cleff leaves Zephyr's side, and steps towards the entrance of the forest, thinking of how much all ended in vain. But Aragorn was not to lose hope. "Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment to death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind." The heir of Isildur spoke. "We will travel light," Legolas added.
Aragorn looked behind him, to see the Cliffhanger walk away, in much despair and sadness. "Clefe," he called out. "Where are you going?" What was left of the Fellowship turned to look in her direction, about to be sucked into her vacuum of misery. The Cliffhanger turned around with a new light in her eyes.
"Going to hunt some orc. You with me?"
PROLOGUE
Frodo, Sam and Shea stand upon Emyn Muil, on the light of a new day. Not far ahead, the Dead Marshes linger beneath the Shadow of Mordor. "At last, Mordor." Shea whispered. "I hope the others find a safer route." Frodo added. Sam looked into Frodo's eyes, still seeing the worry over the friends whom he left. "Strider will take care of them. Most of all, Cleff." said Sam.
The thought of what was left of the Fellowship, made Frodo's heart sink slightly. "I don't suppose… I'll ever see them again." He said in a tone of sadness. Shea laid a hand on Frodo's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "We may yet." Sam nodded. "We may, Mr. Frodo."
Comforted, Frodo was ready to face the new day with a smile. "Im glad you two are with me." She and Sam returned him with a smile of gratitude.
And may the Valars bless Cleff's soul. Frodo thought, silently.
And that she'd protect herself, and the fate of Middle Earth.
END
A/N: Follow Cleff's quest to complete the Book of The One Ring and to save her best friend from the clutches of Isengard, in the next Two Towers fiction, entitled Unbreakable. Along with the other members of the Fellowship, will the Cliffhanger save the captive hobbits, Merry and Pippin from the evil fisted Uruk Hai and bring peace to Rohan? Will Ash the Nazgul ever stop screeching like a bat? When will Gandalf ever learn to bleach his hair? And will Saruman have ordered nail clippers from Mordor Pay Per view by the time the next sequel comes?
