Disclaimer: AU Story. My third large LOTR fic. I can't stop! None of the
characters or settings are mine. They all belong to Tolkien. I wish I were
related to Tolkien, don't you? It would be so cool! Oh, and the plot here
is derived from my own imagination. Hope you enjoy.
Jeva: Hehe- I'm pleased you like the Sammy part and I'm very happy that the chapter fell under the 'good' category. Sorry- I just got a little uptight about that song. For such a terrible and frightening quest, I just thought that the lyrics seemed a little well, meek compared. Sorry, no offence intended. But when sung in Memories of Home, it will be my own version. Nonsense! Your story is the best! I found it so hard to believe that anyone could possibly get that idea down into words, but you have. Not only that, but incredibly well too. Mirror Reply: ...loord...seye eulb gib s'odorF/hajilE yllaicepse -oot yxes eb nac stibboh nokcer I ,wonk t'nod I !aT
Bookworm2000: Ssss...precious...the nasty Bagginses will be 'pearing in thiss very chapter...torture him, precious! Torture him, we do, my love! We is glad that precious is intrigued... (there are 2000 bookworms?!) :-)
Alatariel: *blush* Ta- I am really pleased you're enjoying this so much. And, by the way, you are one of the best inspirations I have ever had. This chapter is dedicated to you!
Koko Kung: Yay! You return! Have a good holiday? Thank goodness you found Yum-Yum. I was getting worried! Yes- keep chanting that and hopefully we might raise Boromir from the grave!
Shirebound: I can write the best worst chapters in the world! Yes, good for Gimli! I still haven't worked out what's exactly wrong with him yet!
TrueFan: So did I but I still remember the Muppets! As for the LOTR cartoon, I thought it was quite sweet! The RotK one was the one to avoid. I'm sorry! Frodo will get his angst very soon indeed. But if you even suggest that he has an afro, I'll hunt you down! Gimli with an afro *shudders* A thing of nightmares, man! D'aw, thank you! *returns hugs*
ViNguyen: 'Course I haven't forgotten you! You leave funky reviews! Ah, Leggy and Frodsi will meet again soon, my friend. Ying yang...
BIGGEST FRODO/ELIJAH WOOD FAN: Yarg! You are just so scary! No, I will not write more! I'm going on strike! *cringes under the lash* Sorry, master...
Sniffles and sobs. But 164 reviews to brighten my day! Thank you!
~ Chapter Twenty-Four ~
Emáten struggled to his feet, Frodo draped across his arms. The storm had died a little and the company were able to make out the frozen river stretching from horizon to horizon.
"It's Sarn Ford," Merry said, "If we head downstream for a bit, we'll find the crossing."
The man nodded and began the dangerous journey along the rutted pathway. There were great slashes of frost rippling off from the Brandywine, like fallen, silver pine trees. Snow still dappled the air and there was still the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. Everything was drenched and walking was treacherous. They all slipped many times but gritted their teeth and went stolidly on. They tried to fill the uneasy silence with chatter. Trying to piece together the occurrences that must have taken place while they slept.
It had been Pippin who discovered it. He had woken from a deep and drowsy sleep to find that he could not wake Frodo. Still breathing, heart beating and all seemingly well, but for the fact that he remained in a coma-like state. Not only that but...
Sam had gone.
And though they had called and Merry and Pippin had gone out a way looking for him, Sam was no where to be found.
So now their only hope was to find him down-river. But they longed to know what had happened. It was all far too frightening. Emáten felt that he was in some way to blame for this; in taking an opinion in the matter. The reason he had become so shy was that he had learnt many times that taking an interest or opinion always landed you in trouble. He saw this in war; people taking sides so violently that they would kill each other over beliefs or differences. And now Emáten had been there to give voice to his thoughts to Lord Samwise himself. Fool, he scolded himself. But now there's nothing you can do but to do your best to mend it.
Merry and Pippin were engaged in thoughtful conversation.
"But Sam would never leave Frodo," Pippin cried, "Not for anything. And especially if Frodo was hurt!"
"Yes, I know! He would have been at Frodo's side in an instant if he knew he was hurt!" Merry replied.
"But what if he could not?" Emáten said softly. The hobbits looked up, startled. The man stopped and turned round to face them, chewing his lip, eyes lowered. Nervously, he looked up and went on, "What if Sam could not get to his master?"
"I can't think of anything that could keep Sam away from Frodo," Pippin answered resolutely, "He defeated that enormous spider! And why on earth would that come creeping up to Sarn Ford?"
Merry had gone a little pale. His friends gave him some worried looks.
"Sir?" Emáten ventured. The hobbit seemed to snap out of a trance.
"I'll be back in a minute."
And he ran back towards the dead tree. Pippin and Emáten looked at each other then quickly followed behind. They reached the spot to find Merry bent over the frozen ground, eyes shifting back and forth. He let out a loud cry, making his companions jump, and slammed a finger down onto the ground. They all bent closer to see. It was a print- stamped into the earth and twinkling with frosty stars- of three claws and a heel. Merry crawled a way behind it and sat back with a hand over his mouth. There was another mark on the riverbank. Long scratches raked down the sides and a little broken ice at the water edge.
Emáten knelt down and gently laid Frodo down. He did not understand. Though he fought with his mind and searched every possible reason, he did not begin to understand. He looked desperately towards Merry. The hobbit was shaking his head, brushing his fingers in the giant impression.
"What is it?" Emáten asked hoarsely.
"Don't you know?" Merry snapped, "Surely with all your learning of our journey, you know more than us!"
The man cringed and said no more. But Pippin got up behind his cousin and gave him a quick tap on the shoulder.
"Merry, Emáten is as worried as we are. There is no need to get angry."
"I know. I'm sorry. But you do see...we know what lurks out there. We've seen a lot of darkness and danger in our time. And if anything should happen to Sam, well..."
Emáten rested a hand on the hobbit's back and nodded. But when Merry looked up, he did not smile and there was no change in his expression. There was the cackle of lightning nearby. The snow became sleet, cutting hard into their faces.
"What is it, Sir Merry?" Emáten persisted. He fixed his eyes on Merry's, trying to prove his point. "I really want to help Sam."
The hobbit got to his feet and gazed down at the two marks before him. Soaking in every part of that scene and letting his mind fumble uselessly around the clues. What was there to believe? Frodo and Sam would never be parted twice. Not like this. And there was only one thing that would keep Sam away from his master.
"In the Shire, after the quest," he said haltingly, "Folk wrote songs. Lots of them. We hobbits believe it's the best way to preserve history. And- there was one song that told...Well, there was one verse that everyone said shouldn't be allowed:
First on beasts, born of night; Maimed by water's wrath. Then on beasts, death in flight; From this story- lost."
Pippin did not speak. He was too crammed with hate and fear to even open his mouth. Merry stood silently by the river, still looking down, unable to say more. Emáten knelt by Frodo, not believing. He put his hands to his ears. No! They had been destroyed! That was how the tale ended! Why would they come back now? No! No! At last, he let out a shout that echoed about the landscape and seemed to make the whole sky shudder and send the world into deeper silence. The man leapt to his feet, tears pouring down his face. No! The tale could not go on like this! No more death. No more pain.
"No!" he screamed, his voice cracking, "No! The Nazgûl must be dead!"
Jeva: Hehe- I'm pleased you like the Sammy part and I'm very happy that the chapter fell under the 'good' category. Sorry- I just got a little uptight about that song. For such a terrible and frightening quest, I just thought that the lyrics seemed a little well, meek compared. Sorry, no offence intended. But when sung in Memories of Home, it will be my own version. Nonsense! Your story is the best! I found it so hard to believe that anyone could possibly get that idea down into words, but you have. Not only that, but incredibly well too. Mirror Reply: ...loord...seye eulb gib s'odorF/hajilE yllaicepse -oot yxes eb nac stibboh nokcer I ,wonk t'nod I !aT
Bookworm2000: Ssss...precious...the nasty Bagginses will be 'pearing in thiss very chapter...torture him, precious! Torture him, we do, my love! We is glad that precious is intrigued... (there are 2000 bookworms?!) :-)
Alatariel: *blush* Ta- I am really pleased you're enjoying this so much. And, by the way, you are one of the best inspirations I have ever had. This chapter is dedicated to you!
Koko Kung: Yay! You return! Have a good holiday? Thank goodness you found Yum-Yum. I was getting worried! Yes- keep chanting that and hopefully we might raise Boromir from the grave!
Shirebound: I can write the best worst chapters in the world! Yes, good for Gimli! I still haven't worked out what's exactly wrong with him yet!
TrueFan: So did I but I still remember the Muppets! As for the LOTR cartoon, I thought it was quite sweet! The RotK one was the one to avoid. I'm sorry! Frodo will get his angst very soon indeed. But if you even suggest that he has an afro, I'll hunt you down! Gimli with an afro *shudders* A thing of nightmares, man! D'aw, thank you! *returns hugs*
ViNguyen: 'Course I haven't forgotten you! You leave funky reviews! Ah, Leggy and Frodsi will meet again soon, my friend. Ying yang...
BIGGEST FRODO/ELIJAH WOOD FAN: Yarg! You are just so scary! No, I will not write more! I'm going on strike! *cringes under the lash* Sorry, master...
Sniffles and sobs. But 164 reviews to brighten my day! Thank you!
~ Chapter Twenty-Four ~
Emáten struggled to his feet, Frodo draped across his arms. The storm had died a little and the company were able to make out the frozen river stretching from horizon to horizon.
"It's Sarn Ford," Merry said, "If we head downstream for a bit, we'll find the crossing."
The man nodded and began the dangerous journey along the rutted pathway. There were great slashes of frost rippling off from the Brandywine, like fallen, silver pine trees. Snow still dappled the air and there was still the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. Everything was drenched and walking was treacherous. They all slipped many times but gritted their teeth and went stolidly on. They tried to fill the uneasy silence with chatter. Trying to piece together the occurrences that must have taken place while they slept.
It had been Pippin who discovered it. He had woken from a deep and drowsy sleep to find that he could not wake Frodo. Still breathing, heart beating and all seemingly well, but for the fact that he remained in a coma-like state. Not only that but...
Sam had gone.
And though they had called and Merry and Pippin had gone out a way looking for him, Sam was no where to be found.
So now their only hope was to find him down-river. But they longed to know what had happened. It was all far too frightening. Emáten felt that he was in some way to blame for this; in taking an opinion in the matter. The reason he had become so shy was that he had learnt many times that taking an interest or opinion always landed you in trouble. He saw this in war; people taking sides so violently that they would kill each other over beliefs or differences. And now Emáten had been there to give voice to his thoughts to Lord Samwise himself. Fool, he scolded himself. But now there's nothing you can do but to do your best to mend it.
Merry and Pippin were engaged in thoughtful conversation.
"But Sam would never leave Frodo," Pippin cried, "Not for anything. And especially if Frodo was hurt!"
"Yes, I know! He would have been at Frodo's side in an instant if he knew he was hurt!" Merry replied.
"But what if he could not?" Emáten said softly. The hobbits looked up, startled. The man stopped and turned round to face them, chewing his lip, eyes lowered. Nervously, he looked up and went on, "What if Sam could not get to his master?"
"I can't think of anything that could keep Sam away from Frodo," Pippin answered resolutely, "He defeated that enormous spider! And why on earth would that come creeping up to Sarn Ford?"
Merry had gone a little pale. His friends gave him some worried looks.
"Sir?" Emáten ventured. The hobbit seemed to snap out of a trance.
"I'll be back in a minute."
And he ran back towards the dead tree. Pippin and Emáten looked at each other then quickly followed behind. They reached the spot to find Merry bent over the frozen ground, eyes shifting back and forth. He let out a loud cry, making his companions jump, and slammed a finger down onto the ground. They all bent closer to see. It was a print- stamped into the earth and twinkling with frosty stars- of three claws and a heel. Merry crawled a way behind it and sat back with a hand over his mouth. There was another mark on the riverbank. Long scratches raked down the sides and a little broken ice at the water edge.
Emáten knelt down and gently laid Frodo down. He did not understand. Though he fought with his mind and searched every possible reason, he did not begin to understand. He looked desperately towards Merry. The hobbit was shaking his head, brushing his fingers in the giant impression.
"What is it?" Emáten asked hoarsely.
"Don't you know?" Merry snapped, "Surely with all your learning of our journey, you know more than us!"
The man cringed and said no more. But Pippin got up behind his cousin and gave him a quick tap on the shoulder.
"Merry, Emáten is as worried as we are. There is no need to get angry."
"I know. I'm sorry. But you do see...we know what lurks out there. We've seen a lot of darkness and danger in our time. And if anything should happen to Sam, well..."
Emáten rested a hand on the hobbit's back and nodded. But when Merry looked up, he did not smile and there was no change in his expression. There was the cackle of lightning nearby. The snow became sleet, cutting hard into their faces.
"What is it, Sir Merry?" Emáten persisted. He fixed his eyes on Merry's, trying to prove his point. "I really want to help Sam."
The hobbit got to his feet and gazed down at the two marks before him. Soaking in every part of that scene and letting his mind fumble uselessly around the clues. What was there to believe? Frodo and Sam would never be parted twice. Not like this. And there was only one thing that would keep Sam away from his master.
"In the Shire, after the quest," he said haltingly, "Folk wrote songs. Lots of them. We hobbits believe it's the best way to preserve history. And- there was one song that told...Well, there was one verse that everyone said shouldn't be allowed:
First on beasts, born of night; Maimed by water's wrath. Then on beasts, death in flight; From this story- lost."
Pippin did not speak. He was too crammed with hate and fear to even open his mouth. Merry stood silently by the river, still looking down, unable to say more. Emáten knelt by Frodo, not believing. He put his hands to his ears. No! They had been destroyed! That was how the tale ended! Why would they come back now? No! No! At last, he let out a shout that echoed about the landscape and seemed to make the whole sky shudder and send the world into deeper silence. The man leapt to his feet, tears pouring down his face. No! The tale could not go on like this! No more death. No more pain.
"No!" he screamed, his voice cracking, "No! The Nazgûl must be dead!"
