Chapter 32: The Escape

Diamond thought for a moment, wondering what to tell them. It was a rather long story and she didn't particularly want to tell them all of it because it was so hard to recall. For a moment she considered telling them she did not want to retell it because of all of the pain, but then Diamond said to herself, "I have caused them so much pain. They have a right to know."

Suddenly she remembered that she had written it all down in the journal she had begun in Isengard and she rushed off down a pathway to get it. When Diamond returned she handed the journal to Pippin who sat down on the bed to read it. He opened it and scanned through the pages reading the depressing feelings she had described at Isengard and then the pain she had felt when she remembered his eyes but couldn't place them. He tightened his grip on her hand. Then at last he reached the pages that had been newly written and began to read aloud:

When I saw Chrysie fall I couldn't withold my emotions any longer and I ran towards her. With her last words running through my head I stood up in sudden rage and challenged Horro Boffin to a duel, but before we began Bill Ferny came forward with Estella as his prisoner and told me that I was no longer loyal to him and to choose my form of death.

It was either sudden death by the sword for both of us, or a life sentencing to the Lockholes with no food until we starved. I rationed that if I fought at least I could have avenged Chrysie's death, and so I did. We fought over the entire grounds surrounding the storehouses, and the battle was intense as our skills were both rather evenly matched. Then, just as my strength was beginning to leave me a perfect solution presented itself and a Hobbit walked down the road towards us. I screamed out "Pippin" and Horro turned just long enough for me to take advantage of his hesitation and drive my sword into his back. I was glad, but at the same time I felt as though I had turned into the very evil I was trying to defeat, but I had no time to dwell on the matter for as soon as I had bested him two guards dragged both Estella and I off to Lockholes.

The last thing I remember from that night was taking the engagement ring that I found out of Horro's pocket and giving it to Estella. I don't know how I associated it with her, but I did. I still did not remember everything, but talking with Estella helped a good deal. Then suddenly we heard footsteps coming down the corridor and grew afraid that it was someone brought to kill us. It was indeed a guard, and a Shirriff nonetheless, but Estella seemed to know him. "Merthian," she shouted when he walked up, but he motioned for her to be silent.

Then he knelt down in front of our cell and said, "I heard what you did for my Chrysie, and if an oppurtunity presents itself I will help you in any way I can. I am in charge of guarding the Lockholes, and I promise that you shall not be starved if possible. Now I must go before I am discovered, good luck, and thank you once more."

We remained in the Lockholes with barely enough food for several days, staying alive with his help, and focussing our thoughts on the hope that someone would answer our prayers and rescue us from that horrid place. Then, six days after our imprisonment, our prayers of hope were answered. Merthian came down to our cell like he did every other night, but this time he was not alone. He led a girl down with him, and from the height difference between them I knew that she was either human or elf-kind. When the light shed finally on the girls face I knew I recognized her at once, and I almost forgot to contain my excitement as I called out her name in a whisper, "Aleathiel!"

She smiled and said, "I knew you weren't all bad you know. I knew that there was some past you didn't remember and I came to help you find it. It seems I came just in time."

I returned the smile, and said, "You were right my friend, and I thank you. How did you come here, and why? What happened to your search for, Fengel I think it was?"

"I did find my love, and he is safely at home now. The war is over in the world beyond, but here it still seems to rage. How odd that is..."

"I am glad you found your happiness, my friend," I replied.

"As am I," Aleathiel said back to me. "And now to help you escape from this horrid place. We cannot simply release you in the night for Bill Ferny would search for you and not accept the fact that you escaped on your own. People would begin to wonder. No, no...you must completely convince him not to search for you, and what better way to do that then to kill you both.

"Kill?" asked Estella, speaking for the first time.

"Did I never tell you that I am a healer?" replied Aleathiel, and I shook my head.

"Well, I am, and I know how to make an herb that will make the body appear dead for two days. Breathing becomes to shallow to detect and the body goes into temporary paralysis. It is a dangerous substance to make, but I can do it. Do you trust me?" she asked.

Did I trust her, I wondered. But by that time I had become too weak for any other option to work, and I reasoned that she was my friend and would not decieve me. I agreed. She returned the following night with two drafts of the potion and I took mine immediatly, but bid Estella wait until morning as they might become suspicious if we both died of unknown causes at the same time. When I took the draft I immediatly felt its power growing and soon my world went black and I knew no more for two days.

When I awoke, it was to a gentle tapping on my shoulder and I looked up to see Aleathiel dabbing my forehead with a damp cloth. I told her that I couldn't move my legs or arms and she told me that the paralysis was still in effect.

"Is Estella alright?" I asked suddenly, remembering that she had taken the draft the next morning. Aleathiel then motioned for me to look at the bed beside mine, and I saw my friend sleeping soundly.

"Thank you for helping me. You are truly a wonderful friend," I said to her.

"You helped me, and I am simply returning the favor," she replied happily.

By the next day I was able to walk on my own, and I realized that we were in Estella's hidden cellar room. When I stood up for the first time and turned around I saw something amazing. The mural was there on the wall and I saw myself, and Pippin dancing and I saw Estella and Merry dancing as well. Then suddenly, as if everything important to me had been reawakened I fell to floor and watched as every memory I had ever had passed before my eyes. Everything came flooding back, but this time it was different. I was able to remember why I had forgotten and I knew that Saruamn had tricked me into thinking that they were dead, and reformed my mind. I knew there was no way to get at him, but the anger in my heart was incredible.

I stayed in the cellar until I was sure that Estella would be alright. That was when I began to make my daily trips to the tree on the edge of Farmer Maggot's fields under the cover of darkness and in a disguise. It was what kept me sane in those times of waiting, and though it was only a week that we were kept inside the cellar I slowly began to think that Merry and Pippin would never come back and it darkened my heart. Aleathiel left after staying with us for five days, and promised to return in a fortnight to help once more.

Now I do not know what to do, except leave to see the initials once more. I will leave a note for Estella telling her that I shall return ere the sun rises and be off to see them again, for I cannot bear to not be near something that reminds me of Pippin. I hope that this tale is far from over, but for today there is no more to add.

When Pippin stopped reading he realized that the entire room had gone completely silent, and there were tears in Diamond's eyes. He leaned closer to her and pulled her into a tight hug. "It wasn't your fault, and because you helped this girl she helped you," he whispered. "You saved Estella and yourself. It was because of the good that was left inside of you, and I am proud of you."

She looked at him thankfully and thought to herself, "This is why I love him so much."

"Come, we should probably get back to Hobbiton and help with the cleanup as we have been gone a full three days and they did not know where or why we left," said Merry suddenly. "Everyone must be wondering why the leaders of the battle suddenly abandoned their duties!"

"Yes, they are probably worried, Sam and Frodo especially!" added Pippin.

With that the four of them set out for Hobbiton, each one's spirits higher than ever before. The Shire would need time to regrow and become as beautiful and serene as it had once been, but knowing that they still had each other and that things would return to the way that they had once been was a reassuring thought.

"It took longer than I had ever imagined, but I think that I am finally home for good," said Diamond as they slowly walked down the now deserted road.

"Let's hope so," replied Estella, "as I don't think I can stand being away from the three of you any longer!"