Divided we fall by Cunien.


No flashback in this chapter I'm afraid, someohow it didn't seem appropriate, and I couldn't think of one to do the chapter justice. There will, however, be more in future chapters.

Also I'm so sorry that I haven't posted for weeks. I've got exams and deadlines, and unfortunately have had to call of a social life of any kind. *sigh* I didn't even get to go see the new X-men movie which I have been waiting for for years. I'll be really miffed if, after all this, I don't pass my exams!

So I hope you're all still with me and willing to review! Please be patient - this story *will* be finished and I've got some (what I think are) cracking ideas for later on! Also, I've officially finished school now, except for exams, and will be taking a year out to work, and eventually go travelling, so I've got the whole summer to write! yay!

Anyway, sorry again, please forgive me, and I apologise in advance for another literal cliffhanger chapter.

ahem




Lions and tigers and wargs, oh my!

Gandalf risked a little light, and the faint glow emanating from the staff was enough to reflect eerily off the countless animal eyes in the darkness.

A howl that did not sound like that of a wolf rang out, bounding from the bare stone cliffs somewhere in the distance and echoing strangely. In answer, the night air was rent with the howl of the wolves, seeming to build into a shivering crescendo, before ending abruptly. The beasts, dark shadows with shining orbs for eyes were silent as the echo chased itself across the mountain. As the last remnants of the scream faded, a single shadow detached itself from the darkness, and the first wolf pounced.

The beast met and elven arrow and fell a foot from Legolas.

As the bursting of a damn, countless wolves sprang at the Fellowship and before long there was a large pile of wolf carcasses surrounding them.

There are too many! shouted Aragorn as he slashed at the throat of a large grey and white streaked beast that was lunging at Sam. It seemed that the attack would never end, but there was no choice for the Fellowship but to keep on fighting. Before long though, the wolves seemed to pull back. And not a moment too soon, for Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir and Gandalf were beginning to tire against these great odds.

There were still many beasts prowling beyond the circle of light, but for some reason they had ceased lunging and merely skittered around them, their strange laugh-like calls mocking the Fellowship.

Aragorn turned a questioning glance towards Legolas, who was peering intently into the dark.

Larger shapes move beyond the wolves, drawing closer. Legolas turned to the Ranger, swiftly putting away his bow and unsheathing his two elven knives. A quiet confidence flickered in the elf's eyes, and Aragorn was reminded of the strength possessed by this fair creature.

The wargs are coming. he said, a small, deadly smile playing across his lips for a moment.

asked Aragorn
No , they are riderless.

This was little comfort as the hulking wargs pressed forwards, breaking the ring formed by the wolves and replacing it with one of their own. But some of Legolas's confidence seemed to pass to Aragorn. If he had to battle wolves and wargs, and, Valar protect them, die by these beasts, then there was no one else he would rather have fight beside him but Legolas, and this small Fellowship.

The fell beasts pressed ever closer, and the Company found that they were now surrounded on all sides but one. Unlike the wolves, the wargs small eyes glittered with cruel intelligence. Their drooling jaws snapped dangerously close, but they were too fast, and jumped backwards whenever one of the Fellowship swung their blades towards them.

They soon realised that the beasts were purposefully driving them back into the darkness, but there was no where else for them to turn except into the jaws of the wargs around them.

Aragorn and Gimli spread out to cover Legolas as he moved to the back, trying to make out why the wargs were driving them this way.

Aragorn! There's a cliff! Legolas shouted as he returned. Panic edged his normally calm voice.

The Ranger silently cursed himself. Of course! It was so obvious! He should have known the direction of the drop, but the beasts had disorientated him, as they forced him to dart around to fend off their attack and to protect the hobbits. In his confusion he had believed the cliff edge to be in a completely different direction.

The hobbits had drawn their swords, but there was not much that they could do. Sam and Merry had felled a wolf each, but the wargs were much bigger, and the little halflings would have no chance against such a creature. They had also tried to stay close to Frodo, who was standing clutching a weak and frightened Pippin to his side.

Frodo ..! Pippin's voice wobbled miserably as he and his cousin staggered backwards, almost losing their footing once or twice. Merry abandoned his place beside Sam and moved to be closer to Pippin. The tween-ager removed his grip from Frodo and clung to Merry instead.

Shhh Pip, it's alright. Merry whispered, stroking Pippin's curls soothingly. Hot tears were beginning to spill down Pippin's face now. His temperature was raging, and in his delirious state everything was twice as distressing. On top of that he could barely stand on his own two feet.

I'm sorry Merry, I can't be brave, I'm trying but I can't! I always thought I would be brave, I always thought I would!
We're going to be alright Pip, we really are. Merry answered, though his voice was shaking audibly now.

You're here with me Merry, that's one thing. I want you to be here with me when it happens. I don't want to be alone Merry...please, when it happens, I couldn't bare to be alone...

Sshh! Don't talk like that. We'll be alright, we will, sshhh, we'll be alright, we'll be alright. Merry whispered, over and over again, like a mantra, but he did not know if he believed it.

By now, Aragorn and the others had redoubled their efforts, and had managed to bring down two wargs. This made little difference though, as there were countless more, and the remaining beasts did not seem to care that some of their number were slain.
Every time the warriors gained some ground they would be pushed back again. It was a case of one step forward, two steps back, and as the cliff edge neared, they could not afford to move back any further.

a voice called urgently.
Gandalf was at has side, and looking at the hobbit seriously. All noise and movement seemed to fade around Frodo, so that it was only him and the wizard.

Frodo. You knew when you undertook this quest that you would have to make decisions. Hard decisions. The Ring must not be lost now Frodo, even if we are. Do you understand?

Frodo's eyes widened. But Gandalf -

No Frodo. Gandalf said sternly as the hobbits eyes filled with frustrated tears. We all vowed to protect you , and in doing so, the Ring. You owe us nothing.

But were can I go? asked Frodo.

Gandalf led Frodo quickly to the very edge of the cliff.
There is a ledge, do you see? You must try to climb to it, and along if you can, back onto the mountain. Hide where you can. Wait till the beasts have gone. They must not find you. Further up the mountain you will find a pass, go through it, then follow the river down. Keep to the river until you reach the Golden Woods. We will come to you there if we can.

And if not? Frodo asked, quietly.

Then you will go to the Lady Galadriel, and the two Ringbearers shall decide the fate of Middle Earth.

Frodo did not really understand Gandalf's words, but there was no time to ask, and as the old wizard moved away the world seemed to speed up once more, and chaos enveloped him.

Frodo took a deep breath, and sought Sam's eyes across Merry and Pippin's huddled figures. Sam saw all that he needed to in those clear blue eyes, set with a sad determination.

he shouted, but before he could go to stop his master he had to spring back from a lunging warg, and when he turned to look at the cliff edge again, there was no one there.

TBC........

More to come as soon as I can do so without jeopardising my revision time! Thankyou again, and please be patient and keep with me!


Shirebound - Ah yes, apostrophes! Further evidence of my continuing battle with grammar! (Today I expanded my list of literary enemies by declaring war on pronouns, modifiers and transient verbs) In my defence, a few of my its' and it's' are silly mistakes that I know but miss out in my eagerness. Sorry! And thanks again - I really do appreciate your help!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed. To all those who commented on the flashbacks, thankyou very much, sorry about the lack of one in this chapter, and I hope to write some more about the young hobbits when this fic is done!

love to you all.x.x.x