And so they walked. It had been an interesting night; Strider was starting
to wonder about the girl that was accompanying the hobbits. The first thing
he had noticed about her, was her outlandish clothes. They were strange;
everything from the fabric to the fact she wore pants like a man. Also, she
had something on her wrist that she hid from him and the hobbits (what it
was, he had yet to see). The girl was quiet, only speaking to the hobbits
in his presence, though she would glance at him every few seconds, but
would never meet his eyes.
Faith did not feel comfortable with the man. It had nothing to do with him, not at all, she just didn't feel relaxed, one of the many things her father had done to her. He had destroyed anything she had been or could be. Any of her friends, if you asked, would say that she was no longer as open as she once was. She was quiet and withdrawn; it had happened just a few months after her mother and father got divorced. It had broken her heart, or so they assumed. It wasn't their fault, they would never think or dream that the man they had met at Faith's birthday parties would ever touch her. Then again, how many times had she refused to go swimming? Why did she wear jeans and long-sleeved shirts in the middle of summer? No one ever thought what that might mean. Faith didn't care, she hated her life, so many times she thought of ending the torture of it, but thought better of it: suicide was a selfish act.
They walked for a while, then the hobbits stopped and started to unpack something, "Gentlemen, we do not stop 'til nightfall."
Pippin look slightly horrified, "What about breakfast?"
"You've already had it."
Faith looked at the two with deep curiosity.
"We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?"
Strider walked off.
"Second breakfast? Why do you need two breakfasts? I barely have one!" Faith asked, looking at the hobbits blankly.
"I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip."
"What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?"
"I wouldn't count on it."
Strider threw an apple to Merry, who caught it and gave it to Pippin and started walking off. When Strider threw an apple to Pippin it hit him in the middle of the forehead. Faith covered her mouth and held back a giggle as she walked past Pippin, patting him on the head.
They walked a while longer until they made it to a marsh (the hobbits and Faith tripped several times).
"What do they eat when they can't get hobbit?" Merry asked no one. Who are 'they?'
Faith leaned over, "Maybe people bring hobbits here just so they can eat them."
Strider glanced at the girl, who was smirking at the hobbits, all of whom looked pale. Faith cracked up: "I was kidding, it was a joke. You take me too seriously." With the laughter her shoulders seemed to feel lighter, like something heavy was lifted off, but it part of it was still there.
"That was not funny!" Pippin said, looking around.
"Speak for yourself." Faith said through mad giggles.
"I am." Pippin told her, frowning.
Faith just smiled at him, "Whatever you say Pippin."
"Well I did say it," Pippin said, puffing up slightly.
"Quiet while you're ~only~ a ~few~ feet behind Pippin," Faith told him, shaking her head, though her smile had yet to totally disappear just mostly.
They camped for the night and at dawn they started the journey again, and Faith was forced to wonder if Strider had been a slave driver in a past life. They crossed harsh lands. When a great um right crosses their view.
'This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul. We shall rest here tonight." Strider told them, and they started to climb. They stopped about halfway up and set up camp. Strider dropped a bundle to the ground and it clanged. Faith looked between Strider and the bundle with curiosity.
Strider unwrapped five swords and them to the hobbits and Faith. Faith turned the blade over and looked at Strider and wondered if he was crazy, not only give ~her~ a sword, but Pippin also. He just struck her as the type that ran with knives. Scary thought.
"These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here." Strider told them, the walked away.
Faith leaned back on one of the stone walls, falling asleep, worn out from walking. Frodo lay down also, falling asleep.
The other, however, were more hungry than tired. "Oh, my tomato's burst," Merry complained.
"Could I have some bacon?" Sam asked.
"Okay, want a tomato?"
Frodo woke up, "What are you doing?"
"Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon."
"We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo," Sam told him, holding out a plate.
"Put it out, you fools, put it out!" Frodo yelled, stomping out the flames.
Faith stands up and look over the edge, "Guys!" She yelled, motioning for them to look. They peer over and see six black riders coming towards the tower.
Frodo pulled out his sword, "Come on!" He said, starting to run to the top.
They reached the center and Faith swallowed, gripping her sword tighter.
The Nazgul approached them. Faith held her sword in front of her.
"Back, you devils" Sam shouted, trying to attack, but was quickly thrown aside. Merry and Pippin stood now, but were quickly thrown. Faith braced herself and was quickly thrown to the side.
"Oh, that was my favorite spine." She moaned, trying to get up.
Frodo backs away and put on the ring. He could see what the Nazgul once were, ghosts and misty white. They tried to take the ring from Frodo, but he regained control. Enraged, one of the Nazgul stabbed him in the shoulder.
Strider got to the top, attacking the Nazgul using a torch. The Nazgul finally fled.
Frodo, using some of his last energy, took off the ring. Sam crawled over to him, now that he could see him. "Frodo! Frodo!" He said.
"Oh Sam." Frodo murmured.
Faith struggled to get up and crawled over, back still hurting badly where she had been thrown into a wall, "Frodo?" She asked, worried about the hobbit.
"Strider! Help him, Strider!" Sam pleaded. Faith looked at Strider; hoping whatever was wrong with Frodo, Strider could stop.
Strider picks up the dagger, but it turns to dust and is caught by the wind, "He's been stabbed with a Morgul blade. This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs elven medicine. Hurry!"
"We're six days from Rivendell! He'll never make it!
"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted through his pain.
Faith softly put her hand on Sam's shoulder, "Have hope. We'll make it. Frodo will be alright."
Sam didn't answer.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~Bilbo's Trolls ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Frodo stared at the trolls. Bilbo had often told stories about them. Faith herself brushed them off as normal statues.
"Look, Frodo. It's Mr. Bilbo's trolls. Mr. Frodo?" Sam asks. He touched Frodo's skin and panics, "He's going cold!" He told Strider.
Faith bit her lip, greatly worried about Frodo.
"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked.
"He is passing into the shadow world. He will soon become a wraith like them." Strider told them, making Faith shudder at the though of Frodo, her friend, turning into a monster like those things (for lack of a better word).
"They're close!" Merry said.
"Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?" Strider asked, glancing at the hobbit.
"Athelas?" Sam asked, confused.
"Kingsfoil." Strider explained.
"Kingsfoil? Aye, it's a weed." Sam said, nodding.
"It may help to slow the poison." Strider said, and he and Sam went to search for it. Faith took Sam's seat next to Frodo, stroking his face, murmuring comforting words. It hurt her to see her friend in this pain, and she prayed, even though she believed in no God, that he would be all right. She heard footsteps near them and before three people entered the clearing, an elf, man, and hobbit, she kissed his forehead.
The elf, a lady, spoke to Frodo in the most beautiful language Faith ever heard. She had only understood a few of hear words, among them where Frodo, and I'm, but that was about all.
"Frodo," The elf woman said softly.
Faith felt a small bit of envy towards the woman. She was beautiful, more than Faith could even dream to be. She held a grace that put Faith deeply to shame, she herself could never walk like that in a dress, even when she wore pants she did not walk with that grace, just with greater ease.
"She's an elf!" Sam declared with great excitement.
"Elf?" Faith asked, confused. 'As Santa's Little Helpers?' she thought.
That drew the woman's attention to her for a moment. She said something that Faith couldn't understand, but it seemed to make Strider smile, and he replied in the same language.
"He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get him to my father." The elf woman told Strider. Strider chewed up some of the Kingsfoil and pressed it into the wound.
"I've been looking for you for two days. There are five wraiths behind you. Where the other four are I do not know." Arwen told Strider.
Strider lifted Frodo onto Arwen's horse. They got into an argument, Faith could guess only that it was over who would take Frodo. Arwen won in the end, much to Faith's disappointment. Faith knew Strider didn't like her, and hardly even bother hiding it.
"Arwen, ride hard. Don't look back." Strider ordered the woman.
Arwen said something to the horse, that once again Faith couldn't understand."
"What are you doing? The wraiths are still out there!" Sam said, upset that he could not be by Frodo's side. Faith put her hand on his shoulder.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~In Rivendell (Later)~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
The girl whimpered as she leaned against a tree in the clearing, that thing had thrown her harder into that wall then she had thought at first. Frodo hadn't woken up and she had yet to get a straight answer about his condition from anyone. Not only that, but Strider, much to Faith's dislike, was everywhere she went, lurking behind every corner Faith turned.
Sliding down the tree she closed her eyes and thought about every thing that had happened She had fallen into this strange world, had met the hobbits, helped them escape a Nazgul, missed the Ferry by inches, went to the Prancing Pony with them, met Strider, they started toward Rivendell, they made it to Amos Sul, and were attacked by Nazgul. Frodo had been stabbed. Then everything seemed to blur together; she remembered meeting Arwen, but as for the rest journey to Rivendell, that hardly mattered.
She heard someone enter the clearing and nearly growled, thinking it was Strider. Opening her eyes she saw one of Elrond's sons (which one, she had no clue).
"Yes?"
"My father wishes you to know that Frodo has awoken and is ready to see visitors other than Gandalf."
Faith jumped up and her foot caught in the hem of the dress Arwen had insisted she wear, and fell very ungracefully forward.
Elrohir stopped her from falling, or him of the ground. He held onto her elbows gently and fought a smile, not wanting to hurt the child's feelings. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, sorry. Um, which of the twins are you?"
He frowned softly, "Elrohir." He reminded her.
Faith looked up and saw his frown. Without think the words flew out of her mouth, "Please don't hit me!"
Elrohir was shocked and his frown deepened. The girl realized her mistake and ran, praying he was too shocked and surprised to chase after her, she knew she couldn't out run him, in pants or a dress. She made it out of the woods and didn't notice someone in front of her and ran into someone at top speed, panting.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~ Back with Elrohir ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
He still stood in shock, but had vowed to talk with his father, he wonder if it had been something he did, or.He started to walk towards his father's house, hoping to speak with him as soon as possible.
Faith did not feel comfortable with the man. It had nothing to do with him, not at all, she just didn't feel relaxed, one of the many things her father had done to her. He had destroyed anything she had been or could be. Any of her friends, if you asked, would say that she was no longer as open as she once was. She was quiet and withdrawn; it had happened just a few months after her mother and father got divorced. It had broken her heart, or so they assumed. It wasn't their fault, they would never think or dream that the man they had met at Faith's birthday parties would ever touch her. Then again, how many times had she refused to go swimming? Why did she wear jeans and long-sleeved shirts in the middle of summer? No one ever thought what that might mean. Faith didn't care, she hated her life, so many times she thought of ending the torture of it, but thought better of it: suicide was a selfish act.
They walked for a while, then the hobbits stopped and started to unpack something, "Gentlemen, we do not stop 'til nightfall."
Pippin look slightly horrified, "What about breakfast?"
"You've already had it."
Faith looked at the two with deep curiosity.
"We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?"
Strider walked off.
"Second breakfast? Why do you need two breakfasts? I barely have one!" Faith asked, looking at the hobbits blankly.
"I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip."
"What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?"
"I wouldn't count on it."
Strider threw an apple to Merry, who caught it and gave it to Pippin and started walking off. When Strider threw an apple to Pippin it hit him in the middle of the forehead. Faith covered her mouth and held back a giggle as she walked past Pippin, patting him on the head.
They walked a while longer until they made it to a marsh (the hobbits and Faith tripped several times).
"What do they eat when they can't get hobbit?" Merry asked no one. Who are 'they?'
Faith leaned over, "Maybe people bring hobbits here just so they can eat them."
Strider glanced at the girl, who was smirking at the hobbits, all of whom looked pale. Faith cracked up: "I was kidding, it was a joke. You take me too seriously." With the laughter her shoulders seemed to feel lighter, like something heavy was lifted off, but it part of it was still there.
"That was not funny!" Pippin said, looking around.
"Speak for yourself." Faith said through mad giggles.
"I am." Pippin told her, frowning.
Faith just smiled at him, "Whatever you say Pippin."
"Well I did say it," Pippin said, puffing up slightly.
"Quiet while you're ~only~ a ~few~ feet behind Pippin," Faith told him, shaking her head, though her smile had yet to totally disappear just mostly.
They camped for the night and at dawn they started the journey again, and Faith was forced to wonder if Strider had been a slave driver in a past life. They crossed harsh lands. When a great um right crosses their view.
'This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul. We shall rest here tonight." Strider told them, and they started to climb. They stopped about halfway up and set up camp. Strider dropped a bundle to the ground and it clanged. Faith looked between Strider and the bundle with curiosity.
Strider unwrapped five swords and them to the hobbits and Faith. Faith turned the blade over and looked at Strider and wondered if he was crazy, not only give ~her~ a sword, but Pippin also. He just struck her as the type that ran with knives. Scary thought.
"These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here." Strider told them, the walked away.
Faith leaned back on one of the stone walls, falling asleep, worn out from walking. Frodo lay down also, falling asleep.
The other, however, were more hungry than tired. "Oh, my tomato's burst," Merry complained.
"Could I have some bacon?" Sam asked.
"Okay, want a tomato?"
Frodo woke up, "What are you doing?"
"Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon."
"We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo," Sam told him, holding out a plate.
"Put it out, you fools, put it out!" Frodo yelled, stomping out the flames.
Faith stands up and look over the edge, "Guys!" She yelled, motioning for them to look. They peer over and see six black riders coming towards the tower.
Frodo pulled out his sword, "Come on!" He said, starting to run to the top.
They reached the center and Faith swallowed, gripping her sword tighter.
The Nazgul approached them. Faith held her sword in front of her.
"Back, you devils" Sam shouted, trying to attack, but was quickly thrown aside. Merry and Pippin stood now, but were quickly thrown. Faith braced herself and was quickly thrown to the side.
"Oh, that was my favorite spine." She moaned, trying to get up.
Frodo backs away and put on the ring. He could see what the Nazgul once were, ghosts and misty white. They tried to take the ring from Frodo, but he regained control. Enraged, one of the Nazgul stabbed him in the shoulder.
Strider got to the top, attacking the Nazgul using a torch. The Nazgul finally fled.
Frodo, using some of his last energy, took off the ring. Sam crawled over to him, now that he could see him. "Frodo! Frodo!" He said.
"Oh Sam." Frodo murmured.
Faith struggled to get up and crawled over, back still hurting badly where she had been thrown into a wall, "Frodo?" She asked, worried about the hobbit.
"Strider! Help him, Strider!" Sam pleaded. Faith looked at Strider; hoping whatever was wrong with Frodo, Strider could stop.
Strider picks up the dagger, but it turns to dust and is caught by the wind, "He's been stabbed with a Morgul blade. This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs elven medicine. Hurry!"
"We're six days from Rivendell! He'll never make it!
"Gandalf!" Frodo shouted through his pain.
Faith softly put her hand on Sam's shoulder, "Have hope. We'll make it. Frodo will be alright."
Sam didn't answer.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~Bilbo's Trolls ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Frodo stared at the trolls. Bilbo had often told stories about them. Faith herself brushed them off as normal statues.
"Look, Frodo. It's Mr. Bilbo's trolls. Mr. Frodo?" Sam asks. He touched Frodo's skin and panics, "He's going cold!" He told Strider.
Faith bit her lip, greatly worried about Frodo.
"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked.
"He is passing into the shadow world. He will soon become a wraith like them." Strider told them, making Faith shudder at the though of Frodo, her friend, turning into a monster like those things (for lack of a better word).
"They're close!" Merry said.
"Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?" Strider asked, glancing at the hobbit.
"Athelas?" Sam asked, confused.
"Kingsfoil." Strider explained.
"Kingsfoil? Aye, it's a weed." Sam said, nodding.
"It may help to slow the poison." Strider said, and he and Sam went to search for it. Faith took Sam's seat next to Frodo, stroking his face, murmuring comforting words. It hurt her to see her friend in this pain, and she prayed, even though she believed in no God, that he would be all right. She heard footsteps near them and before three people entered the clearing, an elf, man, and hobbit, she kissed his forehead.
The elf, a lady, spoke to Frodo in the most beautiful language Faith ever heard. She had only understood a few of hear words, among them where Frodo, and I'm, but that was about all.
"Frodo," The elf woman said softly.
Faith felt a small bit of envy towards the woman. She was beautiful, more than Faith could even dream to be. She held a grace that put Faith deeply to shame, she herself could never walk like that in a dress, even when she wore pants she did not walk with that grace, just with greater ease.
"She's an elf!" Sam declared with great excitement.
"Elf?" Faith asked, confused. 'As Santa's Little Helpers?' she thought.
That drew the woman's attention to her for a moment. She said something that Faith couldn't understand, but it seemed to make Strider smile, and he replied in the same language.
"He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get him to my father." The elf woman told Strider. Strider chewed up some of the Kingsfoil and pressed it into the wound.
"I've been looking for you for two days. There are five wraiths behind you. Where the other four are I do not know." Arwen told Strider.
Strider lifted Frodo onto Arwen's horse. They got into an argument, Faith could guess only that it was over who would take Frodo. Arwen won in the end, much to Faith's disappointment. Faith knew Strider didn't like her, and hardly even bother hiding it.
"Arwen, ride hard. Don't look back." Strider ordered the woman.
Arwen said something to the horse, that once again Faith couldn't understand."
"What are you doing? The wraiths are still out there!" Sam said, upset that he could not be by Frodo's side. Faith put her hand on his shoulder.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~In Rivendell (Later)~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
The girl whimpered as she leaned against a tree in the clearing, that thing had thrown her harder into that wall then she had thought at first. Frodo hadn't woken up and she had yet to get a straight answer about his condition from anyone. Not only that, but Strider, much to Faith's dislike, was everywhere she went, lurking behind every corner Faith turned.
Sliding down the tree she closed her eyes and thought about every thing that had happened She had fallen into this strange world, had met the hobbits, helped them escape a Nazgul, missed the Ferry by inches, went to the Prancing Pony with them, met Strider, they started toward Rivendell, they made it to Amos Sul, and were attacked by Nazgul. Frodo had been stabbed. Then everything seemed to blur together; she remembered meeting Arwen, but as for the rest journey to Rivendell, that hardly mattered.
She heard someone enter the clearing and nearly growled, thinking it was Strider. Opening her eyes she saw one of Elrond's sons (which one, she had no clue).
"Yes?"
"My father wishes you to know that Frodo has awoken and is ready to see visitors other than Gandalf."
Faith jumped up and her foot caught in the hem of the dress Arwen had insisted she wear, and fell very ungracefully forward.
Elrohir stopped her from falling, or him of the ground. He held onto her elbows gently and fought a smile, not wanting to hurt the child's feelings. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, sorry. Um, which of the twins are you?"
He frowned softly, "Elrohir." He reminded her.
Faith looked up and saw his frown. Without think the words flew out of her mouth, "Please don't hit me!"
Elrohir was shocked and his frown deepened. The girl realized her mistake and ran, praying he was too shocked and surprised to chase after her, she knew she couldn't out run him, in pants or a dress. She made it out of the woods and didn't notice someone in front of her and ran into someone at top speed, panting.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~ Back with Elrohir ~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
He still stood in shock, but had vowed to talk with his father, he wonder if it had been something he did, or.He started to walk towards his father's house, hoping to speak with him as soon as possible.