The trip from Fornost to Bree was just over 100 miles and took a good
five days. Along the way, I did see several advantages that I had been the
one sacrificed - I had been given several traits of a goddess i.e. I could
go for periods of time and still keep up my strength.
Arriving at Bree, Butterbur, the innkeeper, looked rather surprised when
he saw me.
"You see," he explained, "We don't see many hobbits in this area at one
time and there are already four other hobbits staying here as well." He
directed me over to where they were staying.
He left me there, and I had nothing better to do than to introduce
myself, "Hi, my name is Alephel," I said finally. "Butterbur suggested I
get to know you."
There were four hobbits sitting there and the one with the darkest hair
spoke up first, "I'm Frodo, and this is Sam, Merry, and Pippin." He smiled
but looked somewhat distressed.
Though I did not know it then, looking back now, I have to say that
meeting Frodo was the first time I'd ever come even close to loving someone
because from my old world, all I'd known were anger, hatred, jealousy, ect.
Meeting Frodo, though, triggered a new feeling in me, one completely
foreign to me.
Frodo and I had engaged in a hearty conversation. Meanwhile Pippin had
run off to get another drink. Suddenly, something aroused Frodo and he ran
over to where Pippin was sitting. On the way over though, he tripped and I
saw something fly in the air, but I couldn't think about that because the
next thing I knew, he had disappeared. I was dumb stricken. Never before
had I seen someone disappear. It was not until later, though, that I
learned his secret.
The next 15 minutes were a jumble of events and the next thing I knew, I
was following Merry, Pippin, and Sam up a circular staircase. Frodo was up
in the room with a taller man who introduced himself as Strider.
Strider glanced around the room nervously. Laying eyes on me he asked,
"Who are you and where did you come from?"
When I finished, he switched his gaze to Frodo and asked, "Does she
know?"
"No."
"Well Alephel, since you have no where else to go I will tell you these
hobbits' story; though, after you hear it, you are sworn to secrecy and are
not to discuss it with anyone unless you have my permission. Is that
clear?"
"Yes."
Strider proceeded to tell me about the ring, how it came to Frodo, and
what he was trying to do with it.
Suddenly there was a loud screech outside the window. Strider ran over
to it and seeing the black riders, told me about them too.
~ ~ ~
The next morning we got an early start. Strider led the way closely followed by Merry and Pippin who loudly chattered amongst themselves. Because Sam took up the rear with his newly bought pony, Bill; Frodo and I were left in the middle. We talked quietly all day getting to know each other better, but after a while, we grew quiet and listened to Merry and Pippin. Later that evening, we came to Weathertop. Strider left us swords and after we each selected one we laid down exhausted from the day's journey. I tend to be a light sleeper and woke up not long later hearing voices. Frodo apparently had woken up too. Sam, Pippin, and Merry were sitting around a fire roasting sausages. Frodo immediately ran over to them and stomped on it to put it out although it was too late. The black rider had seen us and was making his way towards us along with five others. Throughout this I had hung back not sure what to do, but at this I drew my sword. By some miracle I was able to use it - back home I had always been afraid of even touching a sword much less using one. As the fight went on, however, I imagined that this one of the traits I had gained upon entering this world although, in the end, I was defeated and Frodo was stabbed in his shoulder. Strider came and helped us scare the rest of the riders off and then looked to help Frodo. Strider had gone off looking for Athelas for Frodo's wound. When he came back someone was with him. She was tell, even taller than Strider, and had long, brown, wavy hair. She took Frodo with her - I was devastated to see him go. I later learned that we were headed toward Rivendell. The trip there was quiet - even Merry and Pippin, and I was a long trip there.
~ ~ ~
The next morning we got an early start. Strider led the way closely followed by Merry and Pippin who loudly chattered amongst themselves. Because Sam took up the rear with his newly bought pony, Bill; Frodo and I were left in the middle. We talked quietly all day getting to know each other better, but after a while, we grew quiet and listened to Merry and Pippin. Later that evening, we came to Weathertop. Strider left us swords and after we each selected one we laid down exhausted from the day's journey. I tend to be a light sleeper and woke up not long later hearing voices. Frodo apparently had woken up too. Sam, Pippin, and Merry were sitting around a fire roasting sausages. Frodo immediately ran over to them and stomped on it to put it out although it was too late. The black rider had seen us and was making his way towards us along with five others. Throughout this I had hung back not sure what to do, but at this I drew my sword. By some miracle I was able to use it - back home I had always been afraid of even touching a sword much less using one. As the fight went on, however, I imagined that this one of the traits I had gained upon entering this world although, in the end, I was defeated and Frodo was stabbed in his shoulder. Strider came and helped us scare the rest of the riders off and then looked to help Frodo. Strider had gone off looking for Athelas for Frodo's wound. When he came back someone was with him. She was tell, even taller than Strider, and had long, brown, wavy hair. She took Frodo with her - I was devastated to see him go. I later learned that we were headed toward Rivendell. The trip there was quiet - even Merry and Pippin, and I was a long trip there.