"SAM!!!"
"Sam without you being here I can't go on…"
"Sam…I'm not alone…Sam…?"
"Sam…"
*******************
Silence
It seemed to smother everything, it had been minutes since the fires had gone out.
Nothing moved, almost as if they were waiting.
This time the fight was beyond them.
No swords or arrows would change the outcome.
All they could do was wait.
The fires were slowly relit.
The guard changed at the same time.
The clouds moved above, black heavy, blocking the light of the stars and moon.
No light shone through the windows in the House of Healing.
Everyone that could have been moved had been.
The halls were silent.
The stairwells black.
The doors were closed.
In Frodo's room the inky blackness began to take shape.
******************
For the first time in many millennia He began to return, not insubstantial, without form as before. The power denied by the destruction of the One Ring began to return.
Turning slowly to face the bed He looked down on his prize. Whole. Untouched.
Lying buried beneath the coverlet Frodo lay still, only the sound of his breathing breaking the silence. His face troubled, arms lying over the top, fists clenched. Yet, he seemed to give off his own light, stronger now than before, his right arm almost glowing in the gloom, like a glass filled with pure light.
Reaching down He looked at His left arm now almost fully formed, and moved to touch the light.
As the clawed hand touched Frodo's flesh He screamed.
An agony worse than anything he had ever experienced shot through the limb. Pulling away he looked at the hand. The flesh was cracked, burned and bleeding.
Maybe he had tried too soon, his body was not ready to handle the living world again. It had been many years since his body had perished and He realised that he had forgotten what it was like to feel.
He was Weak.
Mortal.
His body could die again, he could be cast out, back to blackness.
His Master would be angry.
It was His job to prepare the way.
Looking down again at the Ring bearer He realised that Frodo would feel the pain.
They were joined.
What He felt Frodo would feel.
Looking again into Frodo's face he saw pain, expecting to see blood seeping in to the fabric he leaned closer to the clenched hand and saw nothing.
The transparent skin was clear, no burns or marks upon it.
But the face…The eyes were open.
Large blue orbs stared at the ceiling, a single tear slid down his cheek but he did not move.
He felt the pull, a voice gentle in the back of His mind began to call to him, draw him closer.
Frodo knew Him, and felt no fear.
Moving back in to the shadows He allowed himself to answer the call.
Silently he found himself drawn in to the dark place within, where Frodo waited.
************
"Sam…"
"I know now why you don't answer…"
"I would leave myself to this fate…but now you"
"I know what I face…I am not afraid…Maybe Strider would call me a fool…"
"It seems that once again I must take up the task of sending Him back…"
"Sam…I cannot speak His name…I'm calling him now and I know I must fight him…"
"But Sam I don't know how…"
"If I send him back will they let you go?"
"Are you even still there?"
"Sam if I must chance my soul to send him back I will, not for Middle Earth, but for you"
"You alone have seen me as no other and still call me your friend…For that I would risk anything."
"It is time…"
************
Wheeewww! I am so sorry that this has taken so long, I know it is still really long and drawn out, but the next chapter is gonna be the biggie.
I'd say this has got about another three chapters left, so if there is anyone still out there that remembers and still likes me and my little fic, it won't be long now.
I decided to post two chapters because I have been so bad, but I promise that it will all be done by next weekend.
And as for the symbolic bits, they just seem to spring out of nowhere now.
Huge thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed, and to everyone who hasn't reviewed…I'm hurt but I guess that as long as you're still there that is all that matters.
Oh and if anyone is interested in Beta'ing for me, I'd be really grateful. Thanx, Mel.
"Sam without you being here I can't go on…"
"Sam…I'm not alone…Sam…?"
"Sam…"
*******************
Silence
It seemed to smother everything, it had been minutes since the fires had gone out.
Nothing moved, almost as if they were waiting.
This time the fight was beyond them.
No swords or arrows would change the outcome.
All they could do was wait.
The fires were slowly relit.
The guard changed at the same time.
The clouds moved above, black heavy, blocking the light of the stars and moon.
No light shone through the windows in the House of Healing.
Everyone that could have been moved had been.
The halls were silent.
The stairwells black.
The doors were closed.
In Frodo's room the inky blackness began to take shape.
******************
For the first time in many millennia He began to return, not insubstantial, without form as before. The power denied by the destruction of the One Ring began to return.
Turning slowly to face the bed He looked down on his prize. Whole. Untouched.
Lying buried beneath the coverlet Frodo lay still, only the sound of his breathing breaking the silence. His face troubled, arms lying over the top, fists clenched. Yet, he seemed to give off his own light, stronger now than before, his right arm almost glowing in the gloom, like a glass filled with pure light.
Reaching down He looked at His left arm now almost fully formed, and moved to touch the light.
As the clawed hand touched Frodo's flesh He screamed.
An agony worse than anything he had ever experienced shot through the limb. Pulling away he looked at the hand. The flesh was cracked, burned and bleeding.
Maybe he had tried too soon, his body was not ready to handle the living world again. It had been many years since his body had perished and He realised that he had forgotten what it was like to feel.
He was Weak.
Mortal.
His body could die again, he could be cast out, back to blackness.
His Master would be angry.
It was His job to prepare the way.
Looking down again at the Ring bearer He realised that Frodo would feel the pain.
They were joined.
What He felt Frodo would feel.
Looking again into Frodo's face he saw pain, expecting to see blood seeping in to the fabric he leaned closer to the clenched hand and saw nothing.
The transparent skin was clear, no burns or marks upon it.
But the face…The eyes were open.
Large blue orbs stared at the ceiling, a single tear slid down his cheek but he did not move.
He felt the pull, a voice gentle in the back of His mind began to call to him, draw him closer.
Frodo knew Him, and felt no fear.
Moving back in to the shadows He allowed himself to answer the call.
Silently he found himself drawn in to the dark place within, where Frodo waited.
************
"Sam…"
"I know now why you don't answer…"
"I would leave myself to this fate…but now you"
"I know what I face…I am not afraid…Maybe Strider would call me a fool…"
"It seems that once again I must take up the task of sending Him back…"
"Sam…I cannot speak His name…I'm calling him now and I know I must fight him…"
"But Sam I don't know how…"
"If I send him back will they let you go?"
"Are you even still there?"
"Sam if I must chance my soul to send him back I will, not for Middle Earth, but for you"
"You alone have seen me as no other and still call me your friend…For that I would risk anything."
"It is time…"
************
Wheeewww! I am so sorry that this has taken so long, I know it is still really long and drawn out, but the next chapter is gonna be the biggie.
I'd say this has got about another three chapters left, so if there is anyone still out there that remembers and still likes me and my little fic, it won't be long now.
I decided to post two chapters because I have been so bad, but I promise that it will all be done by next weekend.
And as for the symbolic bits, they just seem to spring out of nowhere now.
Huge thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed, and to everyone who hasn't reviewed…I'm hurt but I guess that as long as you're still there that is all that matters.
Oh and if anyone is interested in Beta'ing for me, I'd be really grateful. Thanx, Mel.