A/N: From this point on I have added new conversations and have rearranged some things. I also took the time to put all the chapters into a format which you could really read since I can't do Italics and other things like I can on Microsoft Word. Well I hope you enjoy reading! I also continuously add and change things so updates are frequent.
*Meg*
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In the bruised even sky the stars shined brightly from the heavens, pouring its light down upon the brave fellowship where they camped. The fire they had lit before was finally dying, only a small flame remained quickly dying from the calm wind from the north. The crickets and frogs filled the night with solemn sounds soothing to ones ears. The soft snore from Sam Gamgee echoed throughout the heavily wooded area, just a couple of hours away from Rivendell. All was well as the Fellowship slept peacefully in their wake after a long hard day.
The moon shined in its brilliance giving off enough light to see any strange movement in the night. Paddamill had worried all day long about her secret power and how she was going to go along on the task without having to worry about touching someone. An impossible thing to do if one of the Fellowship were harmed. It had bothered her all day and all night. She couldn't sleep. Not just because of the hard ground but because she felt a strong urge to take the ring from Frodo. She had imagined it calling her name. Begging for her to touch it and even just look at it. She was frightened when she had found herself looking at the gold ring through Frodo's shirt as they rested earlier in the day. She was trying her best to take her mind off of it by occupying her mind with her family. The peaceful sound of the night soothed Legolas' senses as he sat up, leaning against a tall tree looking out into the forest. His chest rising slowly then falling suddenly. His eyes drifting over the shadows of the night and his mind far away from their journey.
Paddamill had been watching him for the past hour. His face showing that he was in deep thought. She frowned as he looked around with a sudden frown on his face. She turned on her side seeing him better.
"What are you thinking about?" She whispered softly to him as she propped her head up on the palm of her hand. For a moment he just sat there with the moon shining on the right side of his face. She watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. He leaned his head back.
"Home," he said not looking at her "My family and how I miss them." Paddamill nodded slightly as she crawled out from under her cloak and off the bed of pine needles. She crawled over to him and sat across leaning on her own tree.
"Yeah. Me too." Paddamill said looking down at her legs stretching out in front of her. She didn't care if Legolas was wanting her to add something. She just wanted to tell someone how much she thought about her family. She laughed lightly and looked up at Legolas watching her.
"You know I always silently wished that my family would just shut up and go away. I mean, I was always getting into trouble. Sneaking out, bringing complete strangers into my house like Frodo. I was so bad. And I'd always get caught. Never once did I not get caught. I always wished that they would just...disappear and never come back. But now..." She shook her head as she looked down at her feet "now...I wish I never would have thought such things." After a moment of just watching her booted feet she looked up to see Legolas still watching her. "Never would I have wanted them to really disappear." She wiped away a tear that had fallen down her cheek. It felt so nice to tell someone how bad she felt.
"I am sorry about your family." Legolas spoke in a serious yet gentle tone. She sniffed and shrugged trying to feel fine with the fact she was now an orphan. "As hard as it may seem, you didn't cause your family to die. You didn't wish for something like that." That was all Paddamill needed to hear. She felt better already. "Evil killed your family." He looked away again feasting his eyes onto the darkness. "The Fellowship will not fail to condemn it. I promise."
"Don't make a promise like that. From what I have heard, Sauron and Saruman are very powerful figures and will stop at nothing to make sure that the existence of good is destroyed."
"We will destroy evil, before it destroys us." Legolas stood by his word.
That was one thing Paddamill liked about Legolas. Although he never spoke much it was easy to see he wanted this to end, like everyone else. It shined through in the way he moved, in the way he fought. It was as if he was in a different world when he was fighting something. And the look he had whenever he was concentrating. It was pure and real. Something good hearted people glowed with. Paddamill knew not to argue with him. She just grinned and looked down at her dirty hands. It was a cold night and her hands were freezing. She rubbed her palms together and looked up at the sleeping men.
"Here," She looked to Legolas "Take these. They'll keep your hands warm." Paddamill saw he held out a pair of gray wool gloves. She smiled and took them and placed them on her hands. She sighed out leaning back on the trunk of the tree.
"Do you always come prepared?" She joked giving him a slight grin. He smiled at her and looked around. When a fallen branch snapped he was up to his feet concentrated on the sudden noise. Paddamill looked up at him and then got up. She walked to his side and looked at the empty forest in front of them.
"Do you see anything?" She dared to ask after a moment had past.
"No. But I do hear something." He frowned and ducked low swiftly walking behind another tree. He looked back at Paddamill who stood scared. "Come here!" He whispered to her reaching for her left arm. She toppled to her left as he pulled her close.
The two scrunched down low looking over towards the right. Paddamill placed her right hand on his shoulder to stable herself from toppling over from the uneven ground. She squeezed lightly as they saw something dash rather quickly behind a tree as she and Legolas did. He moved back quickly pushing Paddamill's back onto the tree. He had her pinned to the tree as he held her shoulders and leaned back out to the right to see anything. He quickly sat back straight looking at Paddamill. Another loud snap echoed throughout the night.
"Oh my-" Legolas pushed his right hand over her mouth.
"Don't say anything. Don't even move. We have to be very quiet." He watched her frightened face as she looked around trying to see anything while her head was pushed back to the tree. Legolas' breath condensed into the night air as he quickly breathed. He leaned slowly to the right. Right in front of him was Pippin. The two screamed loudly as they both ducked back behind the trees. Legolas was accidentally tripped by Paddamill's legs and the two toppled onto the ground.
Quickly the Fellowship awoke running to their aid holding weapons ready to fight. Strider ran over with his sword and sighed out when he saw Pippin scrunched on the ground with his hands over his head.
"Please don't hurt me dear sir." Strider sighed and put his sword back into his sheathe. He bent down and sighed.
"What are you doing away from the fellowship." He asked as Pippin lifted his head.
"Aragorn!" He said with relief in his voice. "I was just hungry and I remember I saw berries a few feet away and so I went to get some." It was obvious he had pigged out since his face had been covered in blue.
"You should've let someone know! Before traipsing off into the night. We could've fled away while you were gone. Then what would you be? A lost hobbit."
"I'm sorry sir. But I was hungry." Paddamill looked over at Frodo. He held onto his ring looking at it with mysterious eyes. She squinted getting a bad feeling about the way he watched it.
"Frodo." Paddamill called out. He gasped closing his hand over the ring and looking up with wide eyes. Gandalf turned and looked at him.
"We must go." He said seeing that the sting was blue. Paddamill looked over her left shoulder to see the worried faces of Gimli and Sam. Within an instant everyone packed and on the move towards the Misty Mountains.
The sun shined brightly over everyone who had obviously taken a moments rest. They had been traveling West and now was their only place to rest before continuing towards Rohan. Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin how to become good with the sword while Sam and Frodo cooked some sausage glancing periodically at the three fighting.
"Two, one, five. Good! Very good" Boromir said at every beat of Pippin's sword against his. Aragorn gave a slight grin as he smoked on his pipe. Paddamill sat watching the clouds almost lost in a day dream.
"Move your feet." She heard Aragorn say.
"You look good, Pippin." Merry complimented his friend.
"Thanks."
"Faster." Boromir suggested continuing with the sword play. Paddamill sat up from leaning on the hard rocks. Looking behind her at Aragorn, Boromir, Merry and Pippin. She sighed and looked up at Gandalf and Gimli.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf! We could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome." Gandalf didn't give him a passing glance but simply refused.
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Paddamill yawned watching everyone. Legolas had been keeping his eye out the whole day and honestly it was beginning to worry Paddamill. She smiled when she looked back to see Boromir being attacked by the two hobbits.
"You've got my arm! You've got my arm!" Merry yelled out.
"What is that?" Everyone looked back over to Sam who stood looking up at the sky. Legolas was on his feet and Aragorn, along with everyone else, went to go see. Heading their way they saw a group of clouds moving.
"Nothing. It's just a wisp of cloud." Gimli replied looking away.
"No. It's moving too fast. Against the wind." Boromir said glancing at Legolas. Paddamill looked over at Frodo who had a harsh frown. The wind suddenly blew and it was cold and empty. A sign heavy in everyone's heart saying that it wasn't just a wisp of cloud.
"Crebain from Duneland!" He said quickly turning. "Hide!" Aragorn yelled grabbing his cloak and other items, along with everyone else. Sam quickly put out the small fire then grabbed his pan of sausages and quickly ran behind the rocks.
"Hurry!" Gandalf called out rushing behind a brush alongside of Gimli. Paddamill squeezed into a small crack in the rocks along with Merry. Everyone laid still in their hiding places until the Crebain flew over them scanning the area quickly as they passed overhead.
Once everyone knew the coast was clear they climbed out revealing themselves. Frodo looked over at Gandalf who watched the Crebain fly off into the distance.
"Spies...of Saruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras." He claimed squinting his eyes at the fleeing spies. He looked over his right shoulder to see everyone watching them leave. Merry looked up at Paddamill.
"Caradhras?"
The cold wind blew harshly as they all climbed up the snowy slope. Nobody knew for certain how deep the snow was so careful steps had to be taken, obviously losing time. Leading was Gandalf followed by Legolas and Gimli. Paddamill walked beside Merry and Pippin talking with them about how good a freshly cooked bird would be right now, since they all lacked a little on food. It didn't do a bit of good to be talking about it since all it did was make the three more hungered.
"...glaze that is thick as dripping down the side of the well rounded duck. Vegetables surrounding it like servants saluting a king." Paddamill happily said licking her lips in hunger.
"Bread! Oh we can't forget about bread!" Merry said surprised.
"And malt beer!" Pippin sung with happiness as he grabbed Paddamill's. She gave out a small laugh and put her arms around the hobbits.
"Yes, freshly baked bread that steamed at the opening and fresh malt beer that ran smoothly down the throat."
Aragorn watched everyone taking slow cautious steps trying to shield themselves from the cold. The thought was broken when Frodo fell forward starting to tumble slightly down the slope.
"Frodo!" Aragorn called out reaching down for him and helping him up. Everyone came to a stand still looking back to be filled with relief of him standing up and brushing off the snow. Paddamill looked at the snow seeing something shine. Her eyes grew big and she started to walk towards it. Frodo began to frantically search for the missing ring. She looked at Boromir reach down and pick up it's silver chain.
The gold shimmered so brilliantly in the bright sun. It roundness and smooth surface. It sparkled gold into Paddamill's eyes, slightly blinding her. Aragorn took his hands off of Frodo's shoulders and placed it on the hilt of his sword.
"Boromir..." He said lowly watching his face as it gleamed at the sight of the swaying ring.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." He announced slowly bringing up his left hand to touch the golden ring.
"Boromir! Give Frodo the ring." Boromir snapped out of it and looked at the two worried faces, not even noticing the other seven behind him. He smiled and handed it over to Frodo.
"As you wish." Frodo snatched it out form his hand and quickly put it around his neck still giving Boromir an evil glance. "I care not." He continued rubbing Frodo's head and turning back towards the others. Paddamill watched him pass her then back to Frodo who ran his fingers over the ring before tucking it away under his shirt. Merry and Pippin sighed turning back to continue their walking.
Little did the Fellowship know that the spies had already made their way back to Saruman, telling him that they were heading over the mountains of Caradhras. Saruman had laughed it off and spoke to himself.
"So Gandalf, you try to lead them over Caradhras. And if that fails, where then will you go?" Everyone squinted heavily from the sudden harsh snow storm blindly making their way up to the top in hopes of getting off the mountain. Paddamill tripped forward from the hard snow, bumping into Sam. He turned and saved her from falling.
"Sorry." She replied standing straight. He smiled.
"It's alright ma'am." Aragorn and Frodo stood close behind her since they couldn't see anything around them.
"If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road?" Saruman asked thinking to himself.
"Shit..." Gimli said finding it quite hard to walk in the heavy and deep snow. Legolas walked slightly ahead of everyone with obvious ease, while the others found walking on the mountain quite difficult. Suddenly he stopped and looked around. Boromir and Aragorn held onto two hobbits each, otherwise they would have been swept off the mountain by the cruel winds.
"There is a fell voice in the air." Legolas called out looking back at Gandalf.
"It's Saruman!" He yelled back. Paddamill looked up to see boulders beginning to fall. Her eyes grew wide when she was pushed by Boromir. She stumbled forward to avoid being hit.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn shouted looking around the mountain.
"NO!" Gandalf screamed. He looked up at the sky and started yelling something in Elvish. Nobody could honestly make out the words due to the harsh wind that blew heavily. After a moment the mountain was hit by lighting. Legolas stumbled out of the way and looked over at everyone. But then suddenly rock and snow came tumbling down over everyone and then there was nothing but cold, silence, and darkness.
Aragorn burst out of the snow followed by everyone else. Legolas stood up and walked over to Gimli and helped him out of the snow. The two then helped get Gandalf out of the snow.
"We must go!" Paddamill said as Aragorn helped her out of the pit.
"Paddamill's right! We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan! Or take the west road to my city!" Boromir said as he tried to dust off the cold snow. Merry stood shaking along with Pippin. Paddamill walked over to them and rubbed their clothed arms in hope to keep them warm. Legolas soon stood beside her rubbing the shoulders of Pippin.
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard." Aragorn said keeping Frodo close.
"Then what do you suggest!" Paddamill called out in a anger feeling tired of the excuses as she hugged the shaking Merry.
"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria." Gimli said in hopes of changing the Wizard's mind. Legolas and Paddamill glanced at one another.
"Please! It would be for the best! We shall all freeze if we don't." Merry said in a shaky voice. Paddamill frowned rubbing her fingers through his hair to comb out the snow.
As Paddamill rubbed Pippin's shoulders she looked around at the miserable company. The moment of silence while Gandalf thought was long enough to make you sick to your stomach.
"No more of your Liquor from Rivendell, Gandalf. We will all be walking zombies if we drink another drop. Our feet already feel as if they were weighed down by lead. At least let us make fire. Even if it is a flame." She bit her tongue. Not only was she tired of the excuses she was tired in general. The walk to the mountain was hard and with the snow storm purposely trying to harm them it was no good either way. Even hugging the cliff didn't stop the harsh winds and stinging snow. Gandalf looked at her with wide eyes, almost as if she were the enemy. Paddamill quickly broke the stare and looked back to Pippin. His teeth chattered like a tray of overflowing glass cups being held by an unsteady hand. It was torture for her to watch, but worse for the little hobbit's who couldn't take the cold very well. Even the stubborn Gimli was giving in to the cold, which to Paddamill was saying something.
"Little ones, come here." Paddamill whispered waving over Frodo and Sam. Slowly they trotted over to her stopping beside Legolas and Merry. In one quick movement Paddamill swung her cloak over their small shoulders and pushed Merry into the small group. She quickly tied the string together connecting the neck and in hopes of keeping them warm, pulled them close to her. They held onto her willingly as she glanced over at Gandalf with a stern look.
"Very well. If you think you can manage to make fire in such harsh winds then I gladly agree with you." He sighed and looked around continuing to speak "it doesn't matter now if the spies see us. We are going to be caught whether we want to or not. It is a matter of life or death."
"Or freezing." Frodo proclaimed in a whisper.
Gandalf sighed looking at everyone in their misery. Gimli's face and beard were covered in snow, along with Boromir and Aragorn. Paddamill and Legolas' clothes were covered in pure white along with their hair and the poor hobbits...they were like icicles.
"Moria. You fear to go into those mines. The Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke there in the darkness of Khazad-dum: Shadow and flame." Saruman's voice was deep in Gandalf's head. They all watched in eagerness waiting for a reply.
"Please Gandalf." Pippin said with his teeth chattering. They knew in these kinds of conditions that a fire was hopeless. He looked over the faces of everyone who were practically in agony of the cold. He sighed
"We'll let the ring bearer decide." Gandalf retorted looking back at the bundled up hobbit. Paddamill looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"The mines. We shall go through the mines." Gimli looked back to Gandalf who hesitated for a moment.
"So be it." He said looking down at the Dwarf.
Outside the frogs were silent and no night creatures stirred. The night was dark as the waters and the day had gone by so slow. The large stone wall gave everyone a glance of hopelessness, up until they came upon the Walls of Moria. Gandalf pressed on the wall in hopes of opening some passage.
"It mirrors only moonlight and starlight." A sigh filled the air but luckily the clouds drifted away from covering the moon and a large door appeared mysteriously. Paddamill's eyes lit up.
"Look.." she whispered walking towards it.
"It reads: "The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.'" Paddamill frowned looking at the etchings in the wall alongside Gandalf.
"What do you suppose that means?" Pippin curiously asked looking up at the tall wall.
"It's quite simple really. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open. Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!" Gate of the Elves open now for me! Everyone stood watching the door and then to Gandalf. It seemed to not be working.
"Maybe try something else." Gimli suggested glancing up at the wall.
"Uh...let's see..." Gandalf thought then looking back up "Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!" Gate of Elves listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves! Paddamill stood up and walked around feeling restless. She looked over to the right at Aragorn and Sam, talking to Bill the horse. They were obviously letting it go since Aragorn was taking the baggage off of him.
"Mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn spoke rubbing his mare. He looked over at Sam who sighed rubbing his nose.
"Bye bye, Bill." Paddamill smiled weakly at the scene. She sighed turning her attention back to Gandalf.
"Speak friend and enter..." Paddamill said to herself.
"Go on, Bill. Go on. Don't worry Sam. He knows the way home." Aragorn patted Sam's shoulder as he looked over at Merry and Pippin tossing rocks.
"Do not disturb the water." He said placing his hand over Pippin's that held a rock. Frodo frowned and walked over to the small group who were pondering the door.
"It's a riddle. Speak 'friend', and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" Paddamill looked at Legolas.
"Millen? Mallen?" She said frowning.
"Mellon!" Gandalf called out. Suddenly the doors opened leading them into the mines. Gimli smiled as he was the first to walk in.
"Very good Frodo!" Paddamill said winking at him as she walked in behind Gandalf and Boromir.
"Let me tell you what!" Gimli stated "Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A MINE!"
"A mine?" Paddamill said looking at the dirty ground she stepped on curious as to what terrain it was. Paddamill tripped on a long stick, only to be saved by the wall. She frowned pulling her hand back. The moon enabled her to see that she had stuck her hand into a large cobweb filled with dirt and dust.
"Mine..." She whispered looking around. Frodo, Aragorn, and Boromir saw the new mine. It was overflowing with dead bodies, dust, cobweb's, and stained blood. Paddamill gasped when she bumped into a skeletal remain of a miner causing it to fall its bones clanked together slightly echoing the sound of dust and dirt falling off it.
"This isn't a mine! It is a tomb!" Boromir called out looking back. Legolas pulled out an arrow from a skeleton.
"Goblins..." He whispered loud enough for everyone in ear reach could hear.
"What?" Merry said beginning to become panicked.
"They should be dead by now, right?" Paddamill asked anyone who could answer. Aragorn looked around then specifically at Gandalf.
"We shouldn't have come here! We should make for the gates of Rohan! Come! We must go! NOW!" He said pushing for everyone to leave. Slowly, everyone walked out keeping their eyes open for anything unusual. Nobody paid attention to the moving waters behind them, and the tentacle's that were lurking on land.
"When did this happen?" Gimli cried as they walked outside.
Frodo frowned when he felt something wrapping around his ankle. When he looked down he saw a black slimed and wet tentacle grip his foot.
"HELP!" He cried as he was pulled into the water.
"FRODO!" Merry screamed out quickly grabbing a few rocks and tossing it at the many tentacle's.
"STRIDER HELP!" Frodo screamed out. Paddamill withdrew her sword and jumped into the water slashing the tentacles.
"HELP!" The cries of Frodo echoed throughout the night along with the sounds of splashing waters. They all tried to slay the creature with swords, axes, and arrows but once they were back on dry land they didn't realize the many other tentacles that were under the waters surface. One wrapped around Frodo's ankle once more throwing him high into the air.
"Oh no! Frodo!" Merry screamed out
"Strider!" Paddamill screamed warning him of a large tentacle flying his way. Quickly he ducked and cut off an unharmed tentacle. Boromir ran into the water to help as Legolas shot arrows at the creature, hopefully delaying it from harming Frodo.
"HELP!" Frodo kept calling out. Aragorn got one good slash at a tentacle freeing Frodo. Boromir watched him fall and quickly he caught him and raced up to the shore.
"We need to get into the mines! QUICKLY!" Gandalf warned. Paddamill grabbed Merry and drug him inside breaking his glance at the horrible scene. Boromir, Gimli and Aragorn were inside looking around.
"Legolas!" Paddamill screamed. He jumped off a rock and ran inside the cave just before the creature jumped out of the water and crumbled the doors, blocking their light and their way out.
In the darkness they could hear everyone breathing and the water dripping off of their clothes.
"What now?" Frodo asked breathlessly. But just as soon as he answered Gandalf stuck a stone into the end of his staff creating a source of light. Legolas looked around counting everyone.
"We have but one choice." Gandalf said looking over his shoulder. "We now must face the long mines of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world. Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed." Legolas stood next to Pippin who kicked some rocks onto Merry's head.
"Pippin!" Paddamill looked at the two.
"Come on..." She said pushing their backs lightly with a slight grin on her face. How silly they were.
The Fellowship walked for almost two hours before being faced with yet another challenge. Paddamill was out of breath along with everyone else over their harsh climbing and balancing over the patchwork of dead dwarves. Gimli barely spoke since the grief of his fellow people were slued by some unknown creature. Legolas helped the hobbits get over larger objects for their legs were too short and along with Paddamill. By the time they had gotten to the three passage ways they all needed a moment to rest. Thankfully Gandalf had forgotten of such a place.
"We're lost?" Frodo asked causing Merry and Pippin to panic.
"No, no, no! We're not lost." He assured them. "I just have no recollection of this place."
"So, we're lost?" Pippin asked Merry.
"No."
"I think we are."
"Shhh. Gandalf's thinking."
"Merry..."
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
Paddamill sat down rubbing her tired eyes. This had been by far the worst of their travels. She had never been so hungry in her life and she knew exactly how Pippin felt. Legolas sat down beside her and looked around.
"Do you know of any other creatures besides Orcs and Uruk-Hai?" Paddamill asked hoping he'd say he didn't.
"I know of one." She sighed out.
"You may as well tell me."
"There's something down there." Frodo's words cut off Legolas. Paddamill's heart began to race feeling scared.
"Gollum." Gandalf replied. Paddamill stood and walked over to where he and Frodo stood.
"Gollum?" Paddamill asked breathless.
"He's been following us for three days."
"He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dur?" Paddamill put her hands on her hips looking down at them.
"Yes. Well either Escaped. Or set loose. He hates and loves the Ring. As he hates and loves himself. He will never be rid of his need for it." Paddamill looked at Frodo.
"It's a pity." He said looking down at the ground. "That Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance."
Paddamill didn't need to listen to this. She walked over to Gimli who sat in silence.
"I'm sorry." She said looking at his sour puss face.
"Humph." Was all he said before standing up and moving away. She frowned and looked at him sit across from her.
"Don't worry about him." Sam said as he plopped down beside her. "He's just upset, like all dwarves."
"Now Sam, we mustn't be mean." He sighed and shrugged
"It's true. Most dwarves are very hard to make friends with." Paddamill grinned "
I know they don't make friends easily. But you should lighten up on your sense of Dwarves." Sam smiled at Paddamill.
"I know. I usually don't talk about people this way." Paddamill frowned.
"I know what you mean."
"It's the ring." Sam and Paddamill looked up at Aragorn. "It can do things like that. You must avoid it." Paddamill looked down at the ground trying to figure that our for herself. She had been hearing it once again. Calling her name. Wishing for her to come and claim it. Frodo couldn't handle a ring like that. Nobody could. Only a female. After all they were the ones who lavished over jewels and gems. It was their own pride and joy to take care of such possessions. Not some man. Especially a careless hobbit!
"Stop it!" She said rather loudly. She looked at Sam and Aragorn. They looked at her with surprise. She stood up and walked away.
"Eh - it's that way."
"He's remembered!" Merry said standing up with a smile on his face. Paddamill looked at everyone gather around.
"No, it's the air. It doesn't smell so foul down here. When in doubt, always follow your nose Meriadoc. Now," Gandalf said "Let me risk a little more light." After a moment the staff shined brighter allowing them all to see rows of pillars and great columns as far as the eye could see. Everyone had open mouths surprised at such a cave.
"Now, there's an eye opener." Sam said looking back. Paddamill smiled as they all began to walk forward. For a little while everyone walked in silence as they did once before. Nobody was to speak and nobody was to touch anything, all in fear of waking whatever had killed the orcs and dwarves. Out of no where Gimli ran off towards an open door.
"Oh! NO! OH NO!" He ran out of sight leaving only behind the echo's of his cries.
"Gimli!" Gandalf called out. Paddamill followed Gimli into the room and frowned when she saw a white tomb. Once the room was filled they all glanced at the tomb that was magically lit up. Gandalf brushed away the dust that had formed and read aloud the inscription
"'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.' He is dead then. It's as I feared." Paddamill frowned looking around the room feeling it's eeriness and it's death. She walked over towards Legolas
"I don't feel so good." She whispered into his ear as they glanced at the room.
"I know. Neither do I." Aragorn walked beside the two. "We must move on, we cannot linger." Legolas quickly whispered to Aragorn giving him a serious glance.
"'...We cannot get out. They are coming.'" Gandalf finished reading the journal and looked through the other pages that were left unfilled. Pippin wondered around looking up at the high ceilings. He turned and saw a skeleton by a well. Without hesitation he touched it, accidentally causing it to fall. Paddamill gasped grabbing onto Legolas' arm hearing the loud noise echo throughout the great halls.
It scared them all. Their hearts all jumped at the sound of the skeleton falling. After the worst was over Gandalf ran over to him
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!"
"Gandalf!" Paddamill called out walking over by him.
"He didn't mean to-" Paddamill paused in her sentence and frowned. Drums were becoming louder and fear was taking over everyone.
"Frodo!" Sam said lightly
"The sword!" Aragorn adverted everyone's attention to Frodo's sword that was glowing a bright blue. "Orcs." Legolas whispered beginning to hear drumming noises.
"We must bar the doors!' Boromir said rushing over to the doors along with Paddamill. Two arrows flew past their heads.
"Shhhhit." Paddamill said pushing the heavy door. Aragorn ran up behind her and helped her close it. They grabbed swords and bows in hopes of keeping them away.
"Stay close by! We mustn't lose one another!" Aragorn called out as everyone grouped. "The doors are too old! They won't hold them for very long!" Paddamill said getting out her sword and glancing over to everyone. They watched the doors and saw what she meant. They were too old and too flimsy. Frodo looked up at the tomb where Gimli stood.
"Let them come!" He yelled "There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath." Paddamill breathed out the last bit of fright she had and turned it all into energy. Once the banging on the doors started everything was a blur.
They smashed the door open revealing many Orcs with their weapons drawn and willing to fight. But the worst was yet to come. As the last Orc fled away everyone was left in confusion and terror.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this!" Sam said breathing heavily holding a pan.
"What...what is that?" Merry asked in a frightened sentence.
"Oh my...." Paddamill trailed off as a large troll came. After a moment of running and hiding nothing could escape the hideous beast. Orcs were still coming after them while the troll fought.
"Aragorn!"
"FRODO!" Paddamill screamed when she saw the troll had gotten him. Paddamill was pushed back by an Orc. Her sword was knocked out of her hand as she slid a few inches.
"Help!" She screamed as her only defense as two ran towards her. Seeing her predicament, Boromir jumped in front of her quickly running his sword through an orc while the other was struck by an arrow. Paddamill leaned up as Boromir reach down and grabbed her hand.
Instantly he was in another place. He looked up seeing everyone outside crying, with Pippin on the ground and Paddamill hugging her legs. He couldn't see Frodo anywhere and his heart became heavy and a pin in his stomach burned with worry. Within seconds a loud clap of thunder and a flash of light brought him back into the cave. Everyone had seen the light but didn't pay too much attention. Only Boromir and Paddamill saw it.
"What the....what the hell-"
"Watch out!" Paddamill screamed grabbing her sword. Boromir quickly turned and fought with an Orc. Paddamill jumped behind Boromir and stabbed it in the neck. Boromir froze in fright for a sharp blade was right by his neck an inch away from harming him. He looked at its long silver blade all the way into the neck of the orc that spilled black blood. He jumped when she took it out of his neck causing it to fall lifeless onto the ground.
"Come on!" She said running off. He let out a nervous laugh and ran behind her.
Aragorn had freed Frodo away from the Troll allowing him to fight. He quickly thrashed a spear into its chest, but it didn't pierce it's thick hide. The troll hit Aragorn, sending him into the air and tossing him aside as if he were dirty laundry. Frodo ran over to Aragorn's side, seeing he was knocked out. He turned slowly after a moment to be faced with the ugly beast. The troll hurled a spear at Frodo, and he pinned him against the wall.
As he let out cries of pain and death everyone looked. Without thinking Merry and Pippin threw themselves onto the trolls back trying to help their friend. Sam ran over to his aid
"No! Frodo!" He called out fearing the worst that his friend was dead. Legolas fought with the troll trying to kill it.
"Watch out!" Boromir called out. Legolas stood and quickly gasped. He ducked quickly dodging the fact that he could've been decapitated by a low part of the ceiling. Paddamill screamed loudly when she grabbed daggers from dead orcs and threw them at the monsters stomach and head. Without another thing Legolas shot arrows into the Trolls throat. After a moment of struggle it collapsed. Legolas got up and ran over to the crowd.
"Frodo..." Paddamill whispered feeling his chest for any wounds.
"He's okay. He's okay!" Aragorn declared after pushing him over.
"I'm okay." Frodo said a little out of breath but nothing serious.
"You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar." Paddamill sighed out with relief.
"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf declared as Frodo opened his shirt slightly to allow everyone to see the Mithril coat. 'light as a feather, and as hard as dragons scales.' Bilbo's voice said in Frodo's mind. He smiled as they helped him stand. Gimli smiled letting out a slight laugh
"Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins!" Their attention was cut short when they heard more Orcs coming their way.
"Oh no." Paddamill said looking at Gandalf.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" He said looking at her then standing up.
They all ran out into the dark halls and down the corridors towards the bridge. They must've ran for three miles but it only felt like an inch. More and more Orcs were coming and they were beginning to surround them. Coming from cracks in the mines, from the walls and even worse the ceilings.
"Where are they all coming from!" Paddamill questioned to anyone who had an answer. Legolas looked up and then behind him.
Pretty soon the only space they had were the small space in the middle of the circle they had formed by pushing their backs together. Orcs surrounded them and forced them into a circle like sheep being lead by their Shepard's. Legolas stretched out his bow but quickly lowered it. The Orcs ran off quickly as the walls shined red.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked holding onto his sword.
"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" With that being said the only thing they did was run. Never looking back only looking at what was ahead of them. Once they reached the stone steps leading to the bridge they didn't notice the large gap. Paddamill stopped quickly behind Legolas, but was bumped by Pippin. She gasped as she grabbed Legolas' shoulders.
"Quickly!" Gandalf said.
"Gandalf," Aragorn turned.
"Lead them on Aragorn, the bridge is near!" He pushed Aragorn away from him as he turned to see the Balrog. "Do as I say! Swords have no more use here!" Aragorn looked at the group rushing down stairs to get away from the beast. They all stopped once they found a major staircase with a gap. Without another thought Legolas quickly jumped the gap as more stones began to break.
"It's okay! I'll catch you!" Legolas said holding out his arms for Paddamill and the others. She stepped back once and then took a jump. She landed safely and looked at Gandalf. Without hesitation he quickly jumped as the two caught each arm stabling him. Boromir.
"Come on!" Paddamill called out while arrows flew by her.
"Hurry! Merry, Pippin!" Boromir grabbed each one and quickly jumped. Paddamill grabbed Merry out of Boromir's arms and stepped down a few steps to allow the men do the work. Sam frowned looking down at the long fall.
"Don't look down Sam! Hurry! It's coming!" He hesitated for a moment "Sam." Aragorn said picking him up and tossing him over to Legolas and Boromir. He turned to see Gimli. He held up his hands
"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" He stood back then made a quick dash but his jump fell short. Legolas gasped and grabbed a hold of his beard. "Not the beard!" Gimli cried out in obvious pain. But he was thankful later when he was safe.
"Frodo!" Everyone called out for him.
"The stairs..." Paddamill said seeing them beginning to break and sway.
"Hold on." Aragorn said balancing himself. "Hold on!" He called out when the stones began to sway more violently. It shifted backwards, sideways, and even forward. He looked at Frodo. "Steady....steady...Frodo lean forward." The rocks broke and the stairs began to go forward. Everyone stepped back slightly allowing them to land. Once the stairs were stable they took no time to jump over to them.
"OVER THE BRIDGE! FLY!" Gandalf screamed as they all quickly ran across the small strip. Everyone periodically glanced back in hopes of not seeing anything, but they always saw the Balrog quickly gaining.
"You can not pass!" Paddamill looked back to see him standing in front of the fiery Balrog.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried out. They all stopped and looked back.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Arrghh! Go back to the Shadow!! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" Seconds later Gandalf broke the bridge, purposely causing the Balrog to fall.
After a moment Gandalf sighed and quickly turned around to go with the others, but as he did so, the whip of the Balrog caught onto his ankle pulling him down. Paddamill and everyone else gasped feeling pains in their stomachs.
"Gandalf!" Merry screamed trying to run over to him, but Paddamill grabbed onto his arm keeping him back. Gandalf grabbed onto the edge of the bridge, trying to keep his grip.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried out trying to help, but Boromir was holding onto him keeping him away from Gandalf.
"No! We can't !" He said praying he'd get up and run to them. After a moment Gandalf stopped struggling and looked at them all
"Fly you fools!" Merry's eyes grew wide.
"What!"
"GANDALF," He let go falling after the Balrog. "GANDALF!" Frodo cried out
"NOOOO!" Pippin screamed along with the others. He kicked and screamed trying to get out of Paddamill's grip but she forced him to stay still. After a moment they all turned to go. Aragorn stood looking out into the abyss. Boromir had to get his attention
"Aragorn. We must go." He said to him, quickly turning to rush out.
Pippin, Merry, Sam, Boromir, Legolas, and Frodo cried. Letting out their sadness in many ways. Boromir frowned looking up to see a familiar scene. Pippin was on the ground crying and Paddamill sat alone on a rock holding her knees up to her chest staring blankly ahead.
"Legolas," Aragorn looked at him "get them up." Aragorn finished in a less dominate tone. Legolas frowned at his orders but soon turned to see them.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir called out standing up. The two stared at one another for a moment before going on.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir. Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn walked over to Sam and helped him up. He then walked over to where Paddamill sat and bent down to look at her
"Come on. We must go." She looked up at him with red eyes. He gave her a sorrowful look as he lifted his right hand and rubbed her head lightly as if a sign that she was going to be okay. He then stood once more
"Frodo! Frodo!" He called out Sam walked over to Paddamill and rubbed her back.
"Come on." He said helping her off the ground.
"Frodo!" Aragorn let his worry set aside when Frodo turned around with tears falling freely down his face. "Come on, Frodo." Aragorn said sadly walking to him.
*Meg*
------------------------
In the bruised even sky the stars shined brightly from the heavens, pouring its light down upon the brave fellowship where they camped. The fire they had lit before was finally dying, only a small flame remained quickly dying from the calm wind from the north. The crickets and frogs filled the night with solemn sounds soothing to ones ears. The soft snore from Sam Gamgee echoed throughout the heavily wooded area, just a couple of hours away from Rivendell. All was well as the Fellowship slept peacefully in their wake after a long hard day.
The moon shined in its brilliance giving off enough light to see any strange movement in the night. Paddamill had worried all day long about her secret power and how she was going to go along on the task without having to worry about touching someone. An impossible thing to do if one of the Fellowship were harmed. It had bothered her all day and all night. She couldn't sleep. Not just because of the hard ground but because she felt a strong urge to take the ring from Frodo. She had imagined it calling her name. Begging for her to touch it and even just look at it. She was frightened when she had found herself looking at the gold ring through Frodo's shirt as they rested earlier in the day. She was trying her best to take her mind off of it by occupying her mind with her family. The peaceful sound of the night soothed Legolas' senses as he sat up, leaning against a tall tree looking out into the forest. His chest rising slowly then falling suddenly. His eyes drifting over the shadows of the night and his mind far away from their journey.
Paddamill had been watching him for the past hour. His face showing that he was in deep thought. She frowned as he looked around with a sudden frown on his face. She turned on her side seeing him better.
"What are you thinking about?" She whispered softly to him as she propped her head up on the palm of her hand. For a moment he just sat there with the moon shining on the right side of his face. She watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. He leaned his head back.
"Home," he said not looking at her "My family and how I miss them." Paddamill nodded slightly as she crawled out from under her cloak and off the bed of pine needles. She crawled over to him and sat across leaning on her own tree.
"Yeah. Me too." Paddamill said looking down at her legs stretching out in front of her. She didn't care if Legolas was wanting her to add something. She just wanted to tell someone how much she thought about her family. She laughed lightly and looked up at Legolas watching her.
"You know I always silently wished that my family would just shut up and go away. I mean, I was always getting into trouble. Sneaking out, bringing complete strangers into my house like Frodo. I was so bad. And I'd always get caught. Never once did I not get caught. I always wished that they would just...disappear and never come back. But now..." She shook her head as she looked down at her feet "now...I wish I never would have thought such things." After a moment of just watching her booted feet she looked up to see Legolas still watching her. "Never would I have wanted them to really disappear." She wiped away a tear that had fallen down her cheek. It felt so nice to tell someone how bad she felt.
"I am sorry about your family." Legolas spoke in a serious yet gentle tone. She sniffed and shrugged trying to feel fine with the fact she was now an orphan. "As hard as it may seem, you didn't cause your family to die. You didn't wish for something like that." That was all Paddamill needed to hear. She felt better already. "Evil killed your family." He looked away again feasting his eyes onto the darkness. "The Fellowship will not fail to condemn it. I promise."
"Don't make a promise like that. From what I have heard, Sauron and Saruman are very powerful figures and will stop at nothing to make sure that the existence of good is destroyed."
"We will destroy evil, before it destroys us." Legolas stood by his word.
That was one thing Paddamill liked about Legolas. Although he never spoke much it was easy to see he wanted this to end, like everyone else. It shined through in the way he moved, in the way he fought. It was as if he was in a different world when he was fighting something. And the look he had whenever he was concentrating. It was pure and real. Something good hearted people glowed with. Paddamill knew not to argue with him. She just grinned and looked down at her dirty hands. It was a cold night and her hands were freezing. She rubbed her palms together and looked up at the sleeping men.
"Here," She looked to Legolas "Take these. They'll keep your hands warm." Paddamill saw he held out a pair of gray wool gloves. She smiled and took them and placed them on her hands. She sighed out leaning back on the trunk of the tree.
"Do you always come prepared?" She joked giving him a slight grin. He smiled at her and looked around. When a fallen branch snapped he was up to his feet concentrated on the sudden noise. Paddamill looked up at him and then got up. She walked to his side and looked at the empty forest in front of them.
"Do you see anything?" She dared to ask after a moment had past.
"No. But I do hear something." He frowned and ducked low swiftly walking behind another tree. He looked back at Paddamill who stood scared. "Come here!" He whispered to her reaching for her left arm. She toppled to her left as he pulled her close.
The two scrunched down low looking over towards the right. Paddamill placed her right hand on his shoulder to stable herself from toppling over from the uneven ground. She squeezed lightly as they saw something dash rather quickly behind a tree as she and Legolas did. He moved back quickly pushing Paddamill's back onto the tree. He had her pinned to the tree as he held her shoulders and leaned back out to the right to see anything. He quickly sat back straight looking at Paddamill. Another loud snap echoed throughout the night.
"Oh my-" Legolas pushed his right hand over her mouth.
"Don't say anything. Don't even move. We have to be very quiet." He watched her frightened face as she looked around trying to see anything while her head was pushed back to the tree. Legolas' breath condensed into the night air as he quickly breathed. He leaned slowly to the right. Right in front of him was Pippin. The two screamed loudly as they both ducked back behind the trees. Legolas was accidentally tripped by Paddamill's legs and the two toppled onto the ground.
Quickly the Fellowship awoke running to their aid holding weapons ready to fight. Strider ran over with his sword and sighed out when he saw Pippin scrunched on the ground with his hands over his head.
"Please don't hurt me dear sir." Strider sighed and put his sword back into his sheathe. He bent down and sighed.
"What are you doing away from the fellowship." He asked as Pippin lifted his head.
"Aragorn!" He said with relief in his voice. "I was just hungry and I remember I saw berries a few feet away and so I went to get some." It was obvious he had pigged out since his face had been covered in blue.
"You should've let someone know! Before traipsing off into the night. We could've fled away while you were gone. Then what would you be? A lost hobbit."
"I'm sorry sir. But I was hungry." Paddamill looked over at Frodo. He held onto his ring looking at it with mysterious eyes. She squinted getting a bad feeling about the way he watched it.
"Frodo." Paddamill called out. He gasped closing his hand over the ring and looking up with wide eyes. Gandalf turned and looked at him.
"We must go." He said seeing that the sting was blue. Paddamill looked over her left shoulder to see the worried faces of Gimli and Sam. Within an instant everyone packed and on the move towards the Misty Mountains.
The sun shined brightly over everyone who had obviously taken a moments rest. They had been traveling West and now was their only place to rest before continuing towards Rohan. Boromir was teaching Merry and Pippin how to become good with the sword while Sam and Frodo cooked some sausage glancing periodically at the three fighting.
"Two, one, five. Good! Very good" Boromir said at every beat of Pippin's sword against his. Aragorn gave a slight grin as he smoked on his pipe. Paddamill sat watching the clouds almost lost in a day dream.
"Move your feet." She heard Aragorn say.
"You look good, Pippin." Merry complimented his friend.
"Thanks."
"Faster." Boromir suggested continuing with the sword play. Paddamill sat up from leaning on the hard rocks. Looking behind her at Aragorn, Boromir, Merry and Pippin. She sighed and looked up at Gandalf and Gimli.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf! We could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome." Gandalf didn't give him a passing glance but simply refused.
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Paddamill yawned watching everyone. Legolas had been keeping his eye out the whole day and honestly it was beginning to worry Paddamill. She smiled when she looked back to see Boromir being attacked by the two hobbits.
"You've got my arm! You've got my arm!" Merry yelled out.
"What is that?" Everyone looked back over to Sam who stood looking up at the sky. Legolas was on his feet and Aragorn, along with everyone else, went to go see. Heading their way they saw a group of clouds moving.
"Nothing. It's just a wisp of cloud." Gimli replied looking away.
"No. It's moving too fast. Against the wind." Boromir said glancing at Legolas. Paddamill looked over at Frodo who had a harsh frown. The wind suddenly blew and it was cold and empty. A sign heavy in everyone's heart saying that it wasn't just a wisp of cloud.
"Crebain from Duneland!" He said quickly turning. "Hide!" Aragorn yelled grabbing his cloak and other items, along with everyone else. Sam quickly put out the small fire then grabbed his pan of sausages and quickly ran behind the rocks.
"Hurry!" Gandalf called out rushing behind a brush alongside of Gimli. Paddamill squeezed into a small crack in the rocks along with Merry. Everyone laid still in their hiding places until the Crebain flew over them scanning the area quickly as they passed overhead.
Once everyone knew the coast was clear they climbed out revealing themselves. Frodo looked over at Gandalf who watched the Crebain fly off into the distance.
"Spies...of Saruman. The passage south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras." He claimed squinting his eyes at the fleeing spies. He looked over his right shoulder to see everyone watching them leave. Merry looked up at Paddamill.
"Caradhras?"
The cold wind blew harshly as they all climbed up the snowy slope. Nobody knew for certain how deep the snow was so careful steps had to be taken, obviously losing time. Leading was Gandalf followed by Legolas and Gimli. Paddamill walked beside Merry and Pippin talking with them about how good a freshly cooked bird would be right now, since they all lacked a little on food. It didn't do a bit of good to be talking about it since all it did was make the three more hungered.
"...glaze that is thick as dripping down the side of the well rounded duck. Vegetables surrounding it like servants saluting a king." Paddamill happily said licking her lips in hunger.
"Bread! Oh we can't forget about bread!" Merry said surprised.
"And malt beer!" Pippin sung with happiness as he grabbed Paddamill's. She gave out a small laugh and put her arms around the hobbits.
"Yes, freshly baked bread that steamed at the opening and fresh malt beer that ran smoothly down the throat."
Aragorn watched everyone taking slow cautious steps trying to shield themselves from the cold. The thought was broken when Frodo fell forward starting to tumble slightly down the slope.
"Frodo!" Aragorn called out reaching down for him and helping him up. Everyone came to a stand still looking back to be filled with relief of him standing up and brushing off the snow. Paddamill looked at the snow seeing something shine. Her eyes grew big and she started to walk towards it. Frodo began to frantically search for the missing ring. She looked at Boromir reach down and pick up it's silver chain.
The gold shimmered so brilliantly in the bright sun. It roundness and smooth surface. It sparkled gold into Paddamill's eyes, slightly blinding her. Aragorn took his hands off of Frodo's shoulders and placed it on the hilt of his sword.
"Boromir..." He said lowly watching his face as it gleamed at the sight of the swaying ring.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing." He announced slowly bringing up his left hand to touch the golden ring.
"Boromir! Give Frodo the ring." Boromir snapped out of it and looked at the two worried faces, not even noticing the other seven behind him. He smiled and handed it over to Frodo.
"As you wish." Frodo snatched it out form his hand and quickly put it around his neck still giving Boromir an evil glance. "I care not." He continued rubbing Frodo's head and turning back towards the others. Paddamill watched him pass her then back to Frodo who ran his fingers over the ring before tucking it away under his shirt. Merry and Pippin sighed turning back to continue their walking.
Little did the Fellowship know that the spies had already made their way back to Saruman, telling him that they were heading over the mountains of Caradhras. Saruman had laughed it off and spoke to himself.
"So Gandalf, you try to lead them over Caradhras. And if that fails, where then will you go?" Everyone squinted heavily from the sudden harsh snow storm blindly making their way up to the top in hopes of getting off the mountain. Paddamill tripped forward from the hard snow, bumping into Sam. He turned and saved her from falling.
"Sorry." She replied standing straight. He smiled.
"It's alright ma'am." Aragorn and Frodo stood close behind her since they couldn't see anything around them.
"If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road?" Saruman asked thinking to himself.
"Shit..." Gimli said finding it quite hard to walk in the heavy and deep snow. Legolas walked slightly ahead of everyone with obvious ease, while the others found walking on the mountain quite difficult. Suddenly he stopped and looked around. Boromir and Aragorn held onto two hobbits each, otherwise they would have been swept off the mountain by the cruel winds.
"There is a fell voice in the air." Legolas called out looking back at Gandalf.
"It's Saruman!" He yelled back. Paddamill looked up to see boulders beginning to fall. Her eyes grew wide when she was pushed by Boromir. She stumbled forward to avoid being hit.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf, we must turn back!" Aragorn shouted looking around the mountain.
"NO!" Gandalf screamed. He looked up at the sky and started yelling something in Elvish. Nobody could honestly make out the words due to the harsh wind that blew heavily. After a moment the mountain was hit by lighting. Legolas stumbled out of the way and looked over at everyone. But then suddenly rock and snow came tumbling down over everyone and then there was nothing but cold, silence, and darkness.
Aragorn burst out of the snow followed by everyone else. Legolas stood up and walked over to Gimli and helped him out of the snow. The two then helped get Gandalf out of the snow.
"We must go!" Paddamill said as Aragorn helped her out of the pit.
"Paddamill's right! We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan! Or take the west road to my city!" Boromir said as he tried to dust off the cold snow. Merry stood shaking along with Pippin. Paddamill walked over to them and rubbed their clothed arms in hope to keep them warm. Legolas soon stood beside her rubbing the shoulders of Pippin.
"The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard." Aragorn said keeping Frodo close.
"Then what do you suggest!" Paddamill called out in a anger feeling tired of the excuses as she hugged the shaking Merry.
"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria." Gimli said in hopes of changing the Wizard's mind. Legolas and Paddamill glanced at one another.
"Please! It would be for the best! We shall all freeze if we don't." Merry said in a shaky voice. Paddamill frowned rubbing her fingers through his hair to comb out the snow.
As Paddamill rubbed Pippin's shoulders she looked around at the miserable company. The moment of silence while Gandalf thought was long enough to make you sick to your stomach.
"No more of your Liquor from Rivendell, Gandalf. We will all be walking zombies if we drink another drop. Our feet already feel as if they were weighed down by lead. At least let us make fire. Even if it is a flame." She bit her tongue. Not only was she tired of the excuses she was tired in general. The walk to the mountain was hard and with the snow storm purposely trying to harm them it was no good either way. Even hugging the cliff didn't stop the harsh winds and stinging snow. Gandalf looked at her with wide eyes, almost as if she were the enemy. Paddamill quickly broke the stare and looked back to Pippin. His teeth chattered like a tray of overflowing glass cups being held by an unsteady hand. It was torture for her to watch, but worse for the little hobbit's who couldn't take the cold very well. Even the stubborn Gimli was giving in to the cold, which to Paddamill was saying something.
"Little ones, come here." Paddamill whispered waving over Frodo and Sam. Slowly they trotted over to her stopping beside Legolas and Merry. In one quick movement Paddamill swung her cloak over their small shoulders and pushed Merry into the small group. She quickly tied the string together connecting the neck and in hopes of keeping them warm, pulled them close to her. They held onto her willingly as she glanced over at Gandalf with a stern look.
"Very well. If you think you can manage to make fire in such harsh winds then I gladly agree with you." He sighed and looked around continuing to speak "it doesn't matter now if the spies see us. We are going to be caught whether we want to or not. It is a matter of life or death."
"Or freezing." Frodo proclaimed in a whisper.
Gandalf sighed looking at everyone in their misery. Gimli's face and beard were covered in snow, along with Boromir and Aragorn. Paddamill and Legolas' clothes were covered in pure white along with their hair and the poor hobbits...they were like icicles.
"Moria. You fear to go into those mines. The Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke there in the darkness of Khazad-dum: Shadow and flame." Saruman's voice was deep in Gandalf's head. They all watched in eagerness waiting for a reply.
"Please Gandalf." Pippin said with his teeth chattering. They knew in these kinds of conditions that a fire was hopeless. He looked over the faces of everyone who were practically in agony of the cold. He sighed
"We'll let the ring bearer decide." Gandalf retorted looking back at the bundled up hobbit. Paddamill looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"The mines. We shall go through the mines." Gimli looked back to Gandalf who hesitated for a moment.
"So be it." He said looking down at the Dwarf.
Outside the frogs were silent and no night creatures stirred. The night was dark as the waters and the day had gone by so slow. The large stone wall gave everyone a glance of hopelessness, up until they came upon the Walls of Moria. Gandalf pressed on the wall in hopes of opening some passage.
"It mirrors only moonlight and starlight." A sigh filled the air but luckily the clouds drifted away from covering the moon and a large door appeared mysteriously. Paddamill's eyes lit up.
"Look.." she whispered walking towards it.
"It reads: "The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.'" Paddamill frowned looking at the etchings in the wall alongside Gandalf.
"What do you suppose that means?" Pippin curiously asked looking up at the tall wall.
"It's quite simple really. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open. Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!" Gate of the Elves open now for me! Everyone stood watching the door and then to Gandalf. It seemed to not be working.
"Maybe try something else." Gimli suggested glancing up at the wall.
"Uh...let's see..." Gandalf thought then looking back up "Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinwa!" Gate of Elves listen to my word, Threshold of Dwarves! Paddamill stood up and walked around feeling restless. She looked over to the right at Aragorn and Sam, talking to Bill the horse. They were obviously letting it go since Aragorn was taking the baggage off of him.
"Mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill." Aragorn spoke rubbing his mare. He looked over at Sam who sighed rubbing his nose.
"Bye bye, Bill." Paddamill smiled weakly at the scene. She sighed turning her attention back to Gandalf.
"Speak friend and enter..." Paddamill said to herself.
"Go on, Bill. Go on. Don't worry Sam. He knows the way home." Aragorn patted Sam's shoulder as he looked over at Merry and Pippin tossing rocks.
"Do not disturb the water." He said placing his hand over Pippin's that held a rock. Frodo frowned and walked over to the small group who were pondering the door.
"It's a riddle. Speak 'friend', and enter. What's the Elvish word for friend?" Paddamill looked at Legolas.
"Millen? Mallen?" She said frowning.
"Mellon!" Gandalf called out. Suddenly the doors opened leading them into the mines. Gimli smiled as he was the first to walk in.
"Very good Frodo!" Paddamill said winking at him as she walked in behind Gandalf and Boromir.
"Let me tell you what!" Gimli stated "Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A MINE!"
"A mine?" Paddamill said looking at the dirty ground she stepped on curious as to what terrain it was. Paddamill tripped on a long stick, only to be saved by the wall. She frowned pulling her hand back. The moon enabled her to see that she had stuck her hand into a large cobweb filled with dirt and dust.
"Mine..." She whispered looking around. Frodo, Aragorn, and Boromir saw the new mine. It was overflowing with dead bodies, dust, cobweb's, and stained blood. Paddamill gasped when she bumped into a skeletal remain of a miner causing it to fall its bones clanked together slightly echoing the sound of dust and dirt falling off it.
"This isn't a mine! It is a tomb!" Boromir called out looking back. Legolas pulled out an arrow from a skeleton.
"Goblins..." He whispered loud enough for everyone in ear reach could hear.
"What?" Merry said beginning to become panicked.
"They should be dead by now, right?" Paddamill asked anyone who could answer. Aragorn looked around then specifically at Gandalf.
"We shouldn't have come here! We should make for the gates of Rohan! Come! We must go! NOW!" He said pushing for everyone to leave. Slowly, everyone walked out keeping their eyes open for anything unusual. Nobody paid attention to the moving waters behind them, and the tentacle's that were lurking on land.
"When did this happen?" Gimli cried as they walked outside.
Frodo frowned when he felt something wrapping around his ankle. When he looked down he saw a black slimed and wet tentacle grip his foot.
"HELP!" He cried as he was pulled into the water.
"FRODO!" Merry screamed out quickly grabbing a few rocks and tossing it at the many tentacle's.
"STRIDER HELP!" Frodo screamed out. Paddamill withdrew her sword and jumped into the water slashing the tentacles.
"HELP!" The cries of Frodo echoed throughout the night along with the sounds of splashing waters. They all tried to slay the creature with swords, axes, and arrows but once they were back on dry land they didn't realize the many other tentacles that were under the waters surface. One wrapped around Frodo's ankle once more throwing him high into the air.
"Oh no! Frodo!" Merry screamed out
"Strider!" Paddamill screamed warning him of a large tentacle flying his way. Quickly he ducked and cut off an unharmed tentacle. Boromir ran into the water to help as Legolas shot arrows at the creature, hopefully delaying it from harming Frodo.
"HELP!" Frodo kept calling out. Aragorn got one good slash at a tentacle freeing Frodo. Boromir watched him fall and quickly he caught him and raced up to the shore.
"We need to get into the mines! QUICKLY!" Gandalf warned. Paddamill grabbed Merry and drug him inside breaking his glance at the horrible scene. Boromir, Gimli and Aragorn were inside looking around.
"Legolas!" Paddamill screamed. He jumped off a rock and ran inside the cave just before the creature jumped out of the water and crumbled the doors, blocking their light and their way out.
In the darkness they could hear everyone breathing and the water dripping off of their clothes.
"What now?" Frodo asked breathlessly. But just as soon as he answered Gandalf stuck a stone into the end of his staff creating a source of light. Legolas looked around counting everyone.
"We have but one choice." Gandalf said looking over his shoulder. "We now must face the long mines of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world. Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed." Legolas stood next to Pippin who kicked some rocks onto Merry's head.
"Pippin!" Paddamill looked at the two.
"Come on..." She said pushing their backs lightly with a slight grin on her face. How silly they were.
The Fellowship walked for almost two hours before being faced with yet another challenge. Paddamill was out of breath along with everyone else over their harsh climbing and balancing over the patchwork of dead dwarves. Gimli barely spoke since the grief of his fellow people were slued by some unknown creature. Legolas helped the hobbits get over larger objects for their legs were too short and along with Paddamill. By the time they had gotten to the three passage ways they all needed a moment to rest. Thankfully Gandalf had forgotten of such a place.
"We're lost?" Frodo asked causing Merry and Pippin to panic.
"No, no, no! We're not lost." He assured them. "I just have no recollection of this place."
"So, we're lost?" Pippin asked Merry.
"No."
"I think we are."
"Shhh. Gandalf's thinking."
"Merry..."
"What?"
"I'm hungry."
Paddamill sat down rubbing her tired eyes. This had been by far the worst of their travels. She had never been so hungry in her life and she knew exactly how Pippin felt. Legolas sat down beside her and looked around.
"Do you know of any other creatures besides Orcs and Uruk-Hai?" Paddamill asked hoping he'd say he didn't.
"I know of one." She sighed out.
"You may as well tell me."
"There's something down there." Frodo's words cut off Legolas. Paddamill's heart began to race feeling scared.
"Gollum." Gandalf replied. Paddamill stood and walked over to where he and Frodo stood.
"Gollum?" Paddamill asked breathless.
"He's been following us for three days."
"He escaped the dungeons of Barad-Dur?" Paddamill put her hands on her hips looking down at them.
"Yes. Well either Escaped. Or set loose. He hates and loves the Ring. As he hates and loves himself. He will never be rid of his need for it." Paddamill looked at Frodo.
"It's a pity." He said looking down at the ground. "That Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance."
Paddamill didn't need to listen to this. She walked over to Gimli who sat in silence.
"I'm sorry." She said looking at his sour puss face.
"Humph." Was all he said before standing up and moving away. She frowned and looked at him sit across from her.
"Don't worry about him." Sam said as he plopped down beside her. "He's just upset, like all dwarves."
"Now Sam, we mustn't be mean." He sighed and shrugged
"It's true. Most dwarves are very hard to make friends with." Paddamill grinned "
I know they don't make friends easily. But you should lighten up on your sense of Dwarves." Sam smiled at Paddamill.
"I know. I usually don't talk about people this way." Paddamill frowned.
"I know what you mean."
"It's the ring." Sam and Paddamill looked up at Aragorn. "It can do things like that. You must avoid it." Paddamill looked down at the ground trying to figure that our for herself. She had been hearing it once again. Calling her name. Wishing for her to come and claim it. Frodo couldn't handle a ring like that. Nobody could. Only a female. After all they were the ones who lavished over jewels and gems. It was their own pride and joy to take care of such possessions. Not some man. Especially a careless hobbit!
"Stop it!" She said rather loudly. She looked at Sam and Aragorn. They looked at her with surprise. She stood up and walked away.
"Eh - it's that way."
"He's remembered!" Merry said standing up with a smile on his face. Paddamill looked at everyone gather around.
"No, it's the air. It doesn't smell so foul down here. When in doubt, always follow your nose Meriadoc. Now," Gandalf said "Let me risk a little more light." After a moment the staff shined brighter allowing them all to see rows of pillars and great columns as far as the eye could see. Everyone had open mouths surprised at such a cave.
"Now, there's an eye opener." Sam said looking back. Paddamill smiled as they all began to walk forward. For a little while everyone walked in silence as they did once before. Nobody was to speak and nobody was to touch anything, all in fear of waking whatever had killed the orcs and dwarves. Out of no where Gimli ran off towards an open door.
"Oh! NO! OH NO!" He ran out of sight leaving only behind the echo's of his cries.
"Gimli!" Gandalf called out. Paddamill followed Gimli into the room and frowned when she saw a white tomb. Once the room was filled they all glanced at the tomb that was magically lit up. Gandalf brushed away the dust that had formed and read aloud the inscription
"'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.' He is dead then. It's as I feared." Paddamill frowned looking around the room feeling it's eeriness and it's death. She walked over towards Legolas
"I don't feel so good." She whispered into his ear as they glanced at the room.
"I know. Neither do I." Aragorn walked beside the two. "We must move on, we cannot linger." Legolas quickly whispered to Aragorn giving him a serious glance.
"'...We cannot get out. They are coming.'" Gandalf finished reading the journal and looked through the other pages that were left unfilled. Pippin wondered around looking up at the high ceilings. He turned and saw a skeleton by a well. Without hesitation he touched it, accidentally causing it to fall. Paddamill gasped grabbing onto Legolas' arm hearing the loud noise echo throughout the great halls.
It scared them all. Their hearts all jumped at the sound of the skeleton falling. After the worst was over Gandalf ran over to him
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity!"
"Gandalf!" Paddamill called out walking over by him.
"He didn't mean to-" Paddamill paused in her sentence and frowned. Drums were becoming louder and fear was taking over everyone.
"Frodo!" Sam said lightly
"The sword!" Aragorn adverted everyone's attention to Frodo's sword that was glowing a bright blue. "Orcs." Legolas whispered beginning to hear drumming noises.
"We must bar the doors!' Boromir said rushing over to the doors along with Paddamill. Two arrows flew past their heads.
"Shhhhit." Paddamill said pushing the heavy door. Aragorn ran up behind her and helped her close it. They grabbed swords and bows in hopes of keeping them away.
"Stay close by! We mustn't lose one another!" Aragorn called out as everyone grouped. "The doors are too old! They won't hold them for very long!" Paddamill said getting out her sword and glancing over to everyone. They watched the doors and saw what she meant. They were too old and too flimsy. Frodo looked up at the tomb where Gimli stood.
"Let them come!" He yelled "There is one dwarf yet in Moria that still draws breath." Paddamill breathed out the last bit of fright she had and turned it all into energy. Once the banging on the doors started everything was a blur.
They smashed the door open revealing many Orcs with their weapons drawn and willing to fight. But the worst was yet to come. As the last Orc fled away everyone was left in confusion and terror.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this!" Sam said breathing heavily holding a pan.
"What...what is that?" Merry asked in a frightened sentence.
"Oh my...." Paddamill trailed off as a large troll came. After a moment of running and hiding nothing could escape the hideous beast. Orcs were still coming after them while the troll fought.
"Aragorn!"
"FRODO!" Paddamill screamed when she saw the troll had gotten him. Paddamill was pushed back by an Orc. Her sword was knocked out of her hand as she slid a few inches.
"Help!" She screamed as her only defense as two ran towards her. Seeing her predicament, Boromir jumped in front of her quickly running his sword through an orc while the other was struck by an arrow. Paddamill leaned up as Boromir reach down and grabbed her hand.
Instantly he was in another place. He looked up seeing everyone outside crying, with Pippin on the ground and Paddamill hugging her legs. He couldn't see Frodo anywhere and his heart became heavy and a pin in his stomach burned with worry. Within seconds a loud clap of thunder and a flash of light brought him back into the cave. Everyone had seen the light but didn't pay too much attention. Only Boromir and Paddamill saw it.
"What the....what the hell-"
"Watch out!" Paddamill screamed grabbing her sword. Boromir quickly turned and fought with an Orc. Paddamill jumped behind Boromir and stabbed it in the neck. Boromir froze in fright for a sharp blade was right by his neck an inch away from harming him. He looked at its long silver blade all the way into the neck of the orc that spilled black blood. He jumped when she took it out of his neck causing it to fall lifeless onto the ground.
"Come on!" She said running off. He let out a nervous laugh and ran behind her.
Aragorn had freed Frodo away from the Troll allowing him to fight. He quickly thrashed a spear into its chest, but it didn't pierce it's thick hide. The troll hit Aragorn, sending him into the air and tossing him aside as if he were dirty laundry. Frodo ran over to Aragorn's side, seeing he was knocked out. He turned slowly after a moment to be faced with the ugly beast. The troll hurled a spear at Frodo, and he pinned him against the wall.
As he let out cries of pain and death everyone looked. Without thinking Merry and Pippin threw themselves onto the trolls back trying to help their friend. Sam ran over to his aid
"No! Frodo!" He called out fearing the worst that his friend was dead. Legolas fought with the troll trying to kill it.
"Watch out!" Boromir called out. Legolas stood and quickly gasped. He ducked quickly dodging the fact that he could've been decapitated by a low part of the ceiling. Paddamill screamed loudly when she grabbed daggers from dead orcs and threw them at the monsters stomach and head. Without another thing Legolas shot arrows into the Trolls throat. After a moment of struggle it collapsed. Legolas got up and ran over to the crowd.
"Frodo..." Paddamill whispered feeling his chest for any wounds.
"He's okay. He's okay!" Aragorn declared after pushing him over.
"I'm okay." Frodo said a little out of breath but nothing serious.
"You should be dead. That spear would have skewered a wild boar." Paddamill sighed out with relief.
"I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye." Gandalf declared as Frodo opened his shirt slightly to allow everyone to see the Mithril coat. 'light as a feather, and as hard as dragons scales.' Bilbo's voice said in Frodo's mind. He smiled as they helped him stand. Gimli smiled letting out a slight laugh
"Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggins!" Their attention was cut short when they heard more Orcs coming their way.
"Oh no." Paddamill said looking at Gandalf.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" He said looking at her then standing up.
They all ran out into the dark halls and down the corridors towards the bridge. They must've ran for three miles but it only felt like an inch. More and more Orcs were coming and they were beginning to surround them. Coming from cracks in the mines, from the walls and even worse the ceilings.
"Where are they all coming from!" Paddamill questioned to anyone who had an answer. Legolas looked up and then behind him.
Pretty soon the only space they had were the small space in the middle of the circle they had formed by pushing their backs together. Orcs surrounded them and forced them into a circle like sheep being lead by their Shepard's. Legolas stretched out his bow but quickly lowered it. The Orcs ran off quickly as the walls shined red.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked holding onto his sword.
"A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" With that being said the only thing they did was run. Never looking back only looking at what was ahead of them. Once they reached the stone steps leading to the bridge they didn't notice the large gap. Paddamill stopped quickly behind Legolas, but was bumped by Pippin. She gasped as she grabbed Legolas' shoulders.
"Quickly!" Gandalf said.
"Gandalf," Aragorn turned.
"Lead them on Aragorn, the bridge is near!" He pushed Aragorn away from him as he turned to see the Balrog. "Do as I say! Swords have no more use here!" Aragorn looked at the group rushing down stairs to get away from the beast. They all stopped once they found a major staircase with a gap. Without another thought Legolas quickly jumped the gap as more stones began to break.
"It's okay! I'll catch you!" Legolas said holding out his arms for Paddamill and the others. She stepped back once and then took a jump. She landed safely and looked at Gandalf. Without hesitation he quickly jumped as the two caught each arm stabling him. Boromir.
"Come on!" Paddamill called out while arrows flew by her.
"Hurry! Merry, Pippin!" Boromir grabbed each one and quickly jumped. Paddamill grabbed Merry out of Boromir's arms and stepped down a few steps to allow the men do the work. Sam frowned looking down at the long fall.
"Don't look down Sam! Hurry! It's coming!" He hesitated for a moment "Sam." Aragorn said picking him up and tossing him over to Legolas and Boromir. He turned to see Gimli. He held up his hands
"Nobody tosses a dwarf!" He stood back then made a quick dash but his jump fell short. Legolas gasped and grabbed a hold of his beard. "Not the beard!" Gimli cried out in obvious pain. But he was thankful later when he was safe.
"Frodo!" Everyone called out for him.
"The stairs..." Paddamill said seeing them beginning to break and sway.
"Hold on." Aragorn said balancing himself. "Hold on!" He called out when the stones began to sway more violently. It shifted backwards, sideways, and even forward. He looked at Frodo. "Steady....steady...Frodo lean forward." The rocks broke and the stairs began to go forward. Everyone stepped back slightly allowing them to land. Once the stairs were stable they took no time to jump over to them.
"OVER THE BRIDGE! FLY!" Gandalf screamed as they all quickly ran across the small strip. Everyone periodically glanced back in hopes of not seeing anything, but they always saw the Balrog quickly gaining.
"You can not pass!" Paddamill looked back to see him standing in front of the fiery Balrog.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried out. They all stopped and looked back.
"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Arrghh! Go back to the Shadow!! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!" Seconds later Gandalf broke the bridge, purposely causing the Balrog to fall.
After a moment Gandalf sighed and quickly turned around to go with the others, but as he did so, the whip of the Balrog caught onto his ankle pulling him down. Paddamill and everyone else gasped feeling pains in their stomachs.
"Gandalf!" Merry screamed trying to run over to him, but Paddamill grabbed onto his arm keeping him back. Gandalf grabbed onto the edge of the bridge, trying to keep his grip.
"Gandalf!" Frodo cried out trying to help, but Boromir was holding onto him keeping him away from Gandalf.
"No! We can't !" He said praying he'd get up and run to them. After a moment Gandalf stopped struggling and looked at them all
"Fly you fools!" Merry's eyes grew wide.
"What!"
"GANDALF," He let go falling after the Balrog. "GANDALF!" Frodo cried out
"NOOOO!" Pippin screamed along with the others. He kicked and screamed trying to get out of Paddamill's grip but she forced him to stay still. After a moment they all turned to go. Aragorn stood looking out into the abyss. Boromir had to get his attention
"Aragorn. We must go." He said to him, quickly turning to rush out.
Pippin, Merry, Sam, Boromir, Legolas, and Frodo cried. Letting out their sadness in many ways. Boromir frowned looking up to see a familiar scene. Pippin was on the ground crying and Paddamill sat alone on a rock holding her knees up to her chest staring blankly ahead.
"Legolas," Aragorn looked at him "get them up." Aragorn finished in a less dominate tone. Legolas frowned at his orders but soon turned to see them.
"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" Boromir called out standing up. The two stared at one another for a moment before going on.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir. Legolas, Gimli, get them up." Aragorn walked over to Sam and helped him up. He then walked over to where Paddamill sat and bent down to look at her
"Come on. We must go." She looked up at him with red eyes. He gave her a sorrowful look as he lifted his right hand and rubbed her head lightly as if a sign that she was going to be okay. He then stood once more
"Frodo! Frodo!" He called out Sam walked over to Paddamill and rubbed her back.
"Come on." He said helping her off the ground.
"Frodo!" Aragorn let his worry set aside when Frodo turned around with tears falling freely down his face. "Come on, Frodo." Aragorn said sadly walking to him.
