"How'd you make her do it, then?" Sam asked, while Frodo sat under a hill, wondering what in the world had persuaded Taryn into deciding to go.

"I don't know, I didn't say anything really."

"Maybe she can sense that something's going to happen," Sam suggested.

"Hmm?" Frodo asked, his mind in another place.

"Maybe she knows shes going ta go anyway, even if she refuses," Sam repeated, looking blankly at the evening sky.

"Yea, maybe."

But while they were talking, they didn't know that Taryn was right behind them, hiding behind a tree, tears silently streaming down her face.

********

"Strider, can I come in?" Taryn whispered to the door facing her.

"What is it?" Strider said, sensing the fear in her voice and her eyes as she opened the door.

"My father," she said, her eyes watering up, "he's done it."

"So soon?" Strider demanded.

Taryn nodded and burst into tears. Strider knelt down and embraced her.

********

The next morning, Frodo could not find Taryn anywhere. She didn't come to breakfast and he didn't see her make her usual rounds about the village. At lunch she didn't show up either, and Frodo soon got worried. What if something had happened to her? He decided to find Strider and see if he could guess Taryn's whereabouts. But just as he was scouting the territory, he stumbled upon a clearing, with large rose bushes and oak trees bordering it into a circle. In the middle of the circle were two thrones, one made with golden thorns, decked with ruby berries, and decorated with emerald leaves. In it sat a man, with silver robes flowing behind him and a huge golden crown on the top of his head. He was large in stature and horrible in the boat (or as you Americans call it, the face). His eyes were black, no not dark brown, but black and Frodo couldn't bear to gaze upon him for more than a second. The next throne was smaller, made of just regular wood, and Frodo assumed this was Taryn's throne, as she would not accept anything more graceful other than what was in nature.

In front of the king knelt Strider.

"Stand up," the king commanded, and Strider did so.

"This for which you request is not granted. For tomorrow, Taryn is married to Sir Aryorn of Shroud and though I am certain you disagree with this deal, I do not care for your opinion. I demand now that you leave my sight."

Taryn? Married? This could not be so! Frodo had never admitted it to himself before, but now he knew, he loved Taryn. Not just a friend, as Strider had, but as someone whom he could not bear to live without. Who was this man she was marrying? They must take her away!

As Strider was leaving the clearing, he spotted the eavesdropping Frodo.