Thanx for all the reviews!!!!!!!!!! I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get you more chapters. I've been quite busy and had almost no time to type. I'm glad however that you are liking the story. Tom is a bit of a pansy, I know but his character will grow in time. Sorry about Lyell and her obsession with Legolas, too!!

And they are on their way!

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There and Back Again

The Company had begun their journey on to Rivendell for the answers only the Elf, Elrond could provide. The first thing they had done was to find the Road. It was wide and worn into the earth. Scuffed feet kicked up the dirt and made noses want to sneeze. From there they would be led to the Ford and on the Rivendell.

On this particular day the sky was overcast with a dark and gloomy gray. The menacing clouds peered down upon the Company, threatening to rain. There was a harsh and piercing breeze coming from the north out of the Ettenmore. But despite the unforgiving weather, Adorn and Ken still managed to find a way to enjoy themselves.

'Come on, Merry!' piped Ken, who had, along with Adorn, decided to call everyone by the character they had become. 'Frolic with me!'

'Okay!' agreed Adorn. 'If you say so, Pippin!'

Soon the two were bouncing with a skip down the Road, kicking up the dirt as they went.

'Wasn't it bad to be on the Road?' asked Salmas.

Tom shrugged. 'Guess not,' he said. 'We're all right. Nothing's happened…yet.'

'Come on, Frodo!' said Ken as he took hold of his cousin's arm. 'Frolic with us!'

Lars sighed and started to skip between the two pranksters, adding to the mini-dust storm behind them. Why the heck was she doing this?

A faint noise was heard in the distance but everyone ignored it…almost everyone.

Lars stopped dead and listened. 'Please don't be what I think it is,' she repeated over to herself as she closed her eyes and clenched her teeth.

'What is it, Frodo?' asked Adorn.

'Are you okay, Miss Lars?' Salmas inquired.

Lyell cocked her head to listen, for she heard the sound as well: hooves upon the Road.

'Flee!' Badall cried as five black figures appeared behind them. 'It's the Nazgûl!'

'The-the Nazgûl!?' screamed Tom as he bolted. 'I'm gonna die!'

Lyell stood and turned around to face the legendary Black Riders.

Down the Road charged five mighty horsemen cloaked in black armor. Within the hoods of their cloaks lay emptiness and it chilled Lyell. Their steeds of velvet black glided across the ground as their hooves beat like thunder. The Ringwraiths had come at last.

Lyell looked at them charging her way. 'Oh, crap.'

Lars hit her in the calf. 'Shoot! Shoot!' she cried.

'Huh?' asked the blonde, turning to her.

'Your bow and arrows! Shoot at their horses!'

Lyell nodded. 'Go! Run! It you they want!' and with that she pulled out her bow as Lars fled with the others. With Elven speed and skill she retrieved an arrow from her quiver and shot it at one of the black horses. Swiftly she strung another and let it sail after the first.

The arrow flew and hit the animal in the muzzle. The creature reared up in pain and knocked its rider off.

The bow of Lyell sang as she put her bite into the Ringwraiths' horses but they seemed to be enduring her hits more than any natural beast should. Lyell went to pull another arrow but her hand grasped at naught; her quiver had been depleted. 'Damn!' she spat and bolted after the others. She found it easy to sprint across the land and did not feel fatigued. This of course was due to her Elven build. 'They are coming!' she cried as she veered off the road and into the wood. Lyell listened carefully and went in the direction she heard her friend's footfalls.

The trees loomed over her like a pack of hungry wolves and it unsettled her as she tried to get away from the sound of painting horses.

From out of the thicket of trees a flaming arrow shot past Lyell and into the nothingness of the Ringwraith's hood. The creature screamed a sound that none of them had ever heard before and it sent chills down their spines.

Lyell burst into a small clearing where she saw Ryken loading another fire arrow into his bow. He aimed and shot another Ringwraith with the accuracy of Aragorn.

'Do you think I'd leave you by yourself?' Ryken asked with a smile.

'Stop with the arrows!' Tom wailed.

Without warning the two remaining Ringwraiths turned away from the Company and Lyell noticed Lars was missing.

'You fool!' she yelled. 'Take off the Ring! You remember what happened to Frodo! Take it off!'

The Black Rider slashed the empty air and Lyell knew it was Lars who was there.

'No!' she cried and unsheathed an Elven dagger from her belt. With as much speed and force as she could muster, she rammed the blade into the black cloaked creature and it cried in pain Only Elven weapons could truly hurt such an unnatural creature, for they made the keenest of blades. 'The Ring!' Lyell screamed. 'Lars, take off the Ring!'

Being the only creature of the Dark Lord left, the last of the Nazgûl turned and fled into the night.

'Lyell!' cried a voice in pain as Lars came back from the realm of the Ring. The little hobbit breathed heavily as she looked up to her friend with glossy eyes and Lyell dashed to her side.

'You complete and utter fool!' Lyell spat as she searched for the wound. 'Of all the stupid, irresponsible things to do! And what's worse? You go and do it right in front of the Nine!'

'Only five came,' said Badall. 'I do not know where the other four are, nor do I wish to find out.'

Salmas came running up, full of concern. Adorn and Ken closely followed him with the same look of fear pouring from their eyes.

Ryken came, took Lars and picked her up. 'Take all the supplies off Bill. He will have to be a riding pony until we reach Rivendell.'

'There was some sort of plant that helped heal Frodo, was there not?' asked Roseran, the dwarf.

Ryken nodded as Salmas began to relieve Bill of his burdens. 'Athelas,' he said. 'You shall continue on to Rivendell until I have found it. Stay off the Road. Badall, I leave you in charge until my return.'

The old wizard nodded in agreement.

Ryken placed Lars on Bill and turned to Lyell. 'Keep an eye on her.,' he said and kissed the blonde lightly on the cheek. He took a step back and looked at the Company. 'I shan't delay any longer. Go! Off to Rivendell!' and with that he disappeared into the darkness of the wood.

'Can't wee eat before we go?' asked Ken as he rubbed his round little belly.

'Look, Pippin,' Lyell said and then caught herself with a growl. 'Now you've got me doing it!' Look, Ken, now is not a time to be eating. Now is a time for walking. We need to get Lars to Rivendell; to Elrond. I may be an Elf but I do not know how to tap into their magic.'

Ken snorted but made no other protests.

Badall gave a slight smile and soon they were on their way the Elven haven of Rivendell.

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Time passes and Lars did not improve. The Company wondered eastwards through the wood, away from the Road, as they had been instructed. Badall lead the way with Salmas and Bill, who bore Lars, not far behind. Ken and Adorn followed the pony and close behind walked the Elf, Lyell. Taking up the rear was Tom, walking tall and proud as Boromir would.

The light faded from the wood as night crept forth to engulf them. The trees crowded close together around the Company as they walked, making their going slow. Badall made a lantern of his staff and they could see clearer. Ken and Adorn's feet dragged heavily as they longed for hot meals and a mug of ale, while Salmas snacked on an apple he had found in his pack.

Lars lay like a pale heap on the pony, bill and moaned loudly as her arm lay limp and useless to the side. She did, however seem conscious and held on tightly to Bill's mane with her functional hand. Her eyes were only glossy slits and she heaved the air in and out with great labor.

Lyell looked sadly to her small friend. How many times had Lars read those books and still she put the accursed thing on her finger? The Elf sighed. Some temptations just could not be resisted. The Ring was one such temptation.

'You know,' said Tom after a time. 'I've been doing some thinking as we were walking. I seem to be thinking a lot since I knew I was going to die, but any-'

'You're not going to die,' Lyell said curtly. 'None of us are.' She glanced fearfully at Lars.

Tom sighed. 'I've been thinking,' he repeated. 'And I do not recall Boromir ever meeting the Dark Lord's lakies.'

Roseran shook his head. ' He did not but the story is already a mess. Not Gimli, nor Gandalf, nor Legolas or Boromir were present when this happened to Frodo, but we seem to be here with Lars now.'

Tom nodded.

A rustle was heard in the not so distant brush and the Company jumped hut to their relief, Ryken strode out from the darkness of the forest.

'I have found it,' said he and rushed over to the little hobbit astride Bill. 'Build a fire and boil some water. Hurry! We have little time!'

Adorn and Ken nodded and hastily gathered together some twigs to begin the blaze as Salmas fumbled in his pack for his canteen.

Badall lowered his staff into the center of the wooden pile and spoke the words of command, hauar an edraith ammen! At once a great sprout of green and blue flame caught and crackled on the wood.

Roseran searched through a pack on Bill's side for a bowl in which to boil the water, while Lyell picked up Lars and laid her beside the fire on the soft forest floor.

The Elf shivered, for Lars was cold like ice and needed the heat the melt the cold and darkness that held on like an unwelcome visitor.

Soon the water was boiled and Tom brought it to Ryken, who sat beside the wounded hobbit.

The Rover crushed the long leaves of the Athelas plant between his fingers and dropped them into the bowl. He carefully bathed Lars' shoulder in the liquid, where she had been caught by the Ringwraith's deadly weapon. The fragrance of the steam was refreshing and those who were unhurt felt their minds calmed and cleared.

Warmth returned to the Ring-bearer and her eyes lost some of their haze and fog.

'This is all I can do for the time being,' Ryken said. 'But she needs Elven healing.' He turned to Lyell. 'Are you sure you can not help her?'

The Elf shook her head. 'There is nothing I can do. We must find Glorfindel. He will guide us safely to Rivendell.'

'Where was it they met him?' asked Tom.

'I believe it was just beyond Troll Country,' Roseran replied. 'Though I am not sure.'

Badall nodded, remembering that this was true.

Ryken nodded as well. 'Let us rest here. We will head for that land tomorrow, when we are refreshed and ready.'

'T-t-t-t-t-trolls?' stuttered Tom.

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The Company had awoken early and started on their way. They had been walking long now and the feet of the pranksters dragged heavily.

The sun was now high and it shone down through the cracks in the canopy, lighting ahead where the trees thinned and a path was found. The Company followed the track for some time and Adorn was getting anxious.

'Well,' said Adorn as he walked with a growling belly. 'I could do with a song about now to lighten the walk. 'He turned to the curly haired blonde, leading the pony. 'What do you say, Sam? Give us a jolly good ol' song.'

'Be happy there's daylight,' said Lyell. 'Or you wouldn't be able to sing any songs. We're in Troll Country now.'

In the back Tom whimpered.

Salmas smiled. 'I believe I recall a very appropriate song,' said he as they trudged on. 'Mind you it's a lot of gibberish but the tune's a good one.' The little hobbit took a deep breath and began to sing.

Troll sat alone on his seat of stone,

And munched and mumbled on a bare old bone;

For many a year he had gnawed it near,

For meat was hard to come by

Done by! Gum by!

Up came Tom with his big boots on.

Said he to Troll: 'Pray what is yon?

For it looks like the shin o' me nuncle Tim.

As should be a-lyin' in a graveyard.

Caveyard! Paveyard!

This many a year Tim been gone

And I thought he were lyin' in graveyard.'

'My lad,' said Troll, 'This bone I stole.

But what be bones that lie in a hole?

Thy nuncle was dead as a lump o' lead,

Afore I found his shinbone.

Tinbone! Thinbone!

He can spare a share for a poor old troll

For he don't need his shinbone.'

Said Tom: 'I don't see why the likes o' thee

Without axin' leave should go makin' free

With the shank or the shin o' my father's kin

So hand the old bone over!

Rover! Tover!

Though dead he be, it belongs to he;

So hand the old bone over!

'For a couple o' pins,' says Troll and grins,

'I'll eat thee too, and gnaw thy shins.

A bit o' fresh meat will go down sweet!

I'll try my teeth on thee now.

Hee now! See now!

I'm tired o' gnawing old bones and skins

I've made my mind to dine on thee now.'

But just as he thought his dinner was caught,

He found his hands had hold of naught.

Before he could mind, Tom slipped behind

And gave him the boot to larn him.

Warn him! Darn him!

A bump o' the boot on the seat, Tom though

Would be the way to larn him.

But harder than stone is the flesh and bone

Of a troll that sits in the hills alone.

As well set your boot to the mountain's root

For the seat of a troll don't feel it.

Peel it! Heal it!

Old Troll laughed, when he heard Tom groan,

And knew his toes could feel it.

Tom's leg is game, since home he came,

And his bootless foot is lasting lame,

But Troll don't care, and he's still there

With the bone he boned from its owner.

Doner! Boner!

Troll's old seat is still the same

And the bone he boned from its owner!

'Well, that's a warning to us all!' laughed Adorn.

'Fun song, Sam,' said Lars since the Athelas plant had revived her some.

'I don't much like being in the back anymore,' said Tom softly.

Badall smiled and came around behind him. 'There,' said he. 'I am the back end now.'

Tom gave an unsure smile and looked up to Salmas, who was in the front of the line with Ryken, who was leading the way. 'Did his name have to be Tom?'

Salmas chuckled lightly with a smile.

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The sun sank low and the Fellowship dared to venture near the Road. Adorn and Ken complained loudly of empty bellies and so the Company agreed to rest by the Road for the night. There was no one upon it and the stars twinkled brightly in the night sky.

Soon there was a fire blazing and food was cooking as the mischievous hobbits licked their lips in anticipation. When they began their meal a faint sound was heard that filled their harts with fear: hooves upon the Road. Swiftly the Company stamped out the fire, scattered the evidence of camp and fled further into the wood. They stopped and hid, looking down upon the Road. They could see it clearly in the dim light. The sound of hooves grew closer and Tom whimpered in fear.

Lars wearily sat up and listened as the sound grew near and as it did so another sound joined that of hooves; bells. 'That does not sound like a Black Rider,' she said faintly.

Ryken nodded, hearing the sound as well and leaned to hear better. Suddenly a look of joy spread across his face. 'It is an Elven horse!' he said. He ran down to meet him calling, 'Ai na vedui Dúnadan! Mae govannen!' He stopped dead in his tracks. 'Hey! I know Elvish! Cool!'

Lyell smacked him over the head. 'And so do I.'

The tall Elf paused his horse and looked over to the Company. 'I have found you at last!' He dismounted his snow-white steed and walked to Lyell. 'Princess Legolen, I did not know you were to come with them,' he said in the silvian language of his people. 'Is not Mirkwood the other way?'

'I did not know I would be coming, either,' she replied in the same tongue.

Adorn stepped out from his hiding place. 'You are who?'

The Elf bowed with a smile. 'I am Glorfindel, here to direct you to Rivendell under Lord Elrond's wishes,' he replied in the language of Men.

'Glorfindel,' said Lars softly. 'Do you not see that something is amiss?'

The Elf looked to her oddly. 'Do you mean the Ring? Or the fact that you are injured?'

She shook her head. 'No. I am a girl and so is she,' the hobbit said, pointing at Lyell.

Glorfindel wrinkled his brow. 'You are supposed to be and Legolen has always been.' He walked up to Lars who sat upon the pony. 'You are not well, Lady Frodan.'

'Bit in the book..,' she trailed off.

'What book?' Glorfindel asked. He turned to the others. 'I see she has been affected badly.'

The Company smiled a little and Lyell giggled.

'Close your eyes, Lady Frodan,' said Glorfindel.

'My name is Lars,' she said.

The High Elf looked at her sideways. 'I do recall being told it was Frodan. You are the Ring-bearer, are you not?'

She nodded. 'But my name is Lars. L-a-r-s.'

Glorfindel shrugged. 'We have not much time. The Nine are on the move.' He placed a slender hand on Lars' wounded shoulder. 'Please, Lady Lars, close your eyes.'

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Lars let her eyelids slowly fall and she felt warmth in her arm. Some strength returned and she gripped Glorfindel's arm tightly. 'I thank you,' she said and let go as she opened her eyes. 'I know this is all you can do.'

The High Elf nodded as hooves were heard once more in the distance. 'They come!' he cried and lifted Lars off the pony. Swiftly he placed her on his own white steed. 'Asfaloth will bear you to the Ford and swiftly. Now go!' He uttered a word in Elvish and the animal bolted.

Lars looked back upon her friends. Ryken stood ready to fight as Tom fearfully held up his shield. Both Lyell and Glorfindel had bows drawn and ready. Roseran held his axe in defiance; no trace of fear outlined his expression. The tree hobbits, no more than spots to her now, drew their swords fearfully but ready for battle.

The Ring-bearer held on tightly to Asfaloth's mane as he increased his pace. The sound of many hooves was heard behind and fear gripped Lars like ice. She would make it, right? After all Frodo did. But things, as Roseran had pointed out, already swerved off the path of the books. Perhaps she would not live to see the Ford.

The Nine galloped close but the white horse kept in front; outrunning them. The black creatures howled as they rode on, feeling the Ring and the one who would soon join them in their dark realm, not far ahead.

Lars felt faint as the animal's hooves beat the ground and she felt water on her feet. 'The river!' she thought with joy. 'We have made it to the Ford!'

Quickly Asfaloth crossed the river and faced the Black Riders.

They came up forcefully but swiftly halted on the shore.

'What say you now?' Lars jeered. 'O mightiest of the Dark Lord's lakies.'

'And what say you?' they replied in her mind. 'Why not cross the river and tell us again?'

'If it is the Ring you wish then you must cross yourself and take it from me! I shall not hand it to you!'

The first stepped into the water and the others followed close behind.

Lars looked down the crystal lake and into the gorge but no water came but the steady ripples of the river. Fear rose up in her as the Nazgûl slowly made their way across the river.

Suddenly, loud as thunder came the sound of rushing water.

Relief overcame Lars as the leader of the Black Riders lifted his hand and the hobbit was stricken dumb. She could not move and she felt faint.

Swiftly the water of stampeding horses came down upon the black creatures. The water beasts' frothing hooves crashed upon them and strangled cries were torn from them.

White flame appeared in the corner of Lars' vision, driving the darkness away. It was strong and intense and nothing compared to it in her mind for the rest of her days.

The water seemed to rise with the roar of confusion and engulf Lars together with her enemies. She heard and saw no more.

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Wow! Got that chapter done! Friggin' long thing to type!

Next chapter's gonna be so much fun!

Complements to Mr. Tolkien for writing such an exquisite song on Trolls.

-Aredhen-