Chapter 22

"I WAS in Isengard at that time!" smiled David-turned-to Saruman

devilishly. "And it was David indeed, who set out from there with

you and --" Saruman glanced briefly, disgustedly, at Phil's dead

body. "That lustful, useless bastard. But," his grin grew

wider. "I am here now although I am still in Isengard, too."

He saw a total confusion in Ted's eyes. Saruman waved his right

hand impatiently.

"Hah! I know it is no use talking to men, especially someone like

you. You won't understand!"

Then he turned his attention to Frodo and sighed audibly.

"I can see why Phil couldn't take his eyes off you. Gandalf was

right. You do not have the looks of a normal hobbit! No other

halflings have eyes as stunning as yours!"

Frodo didn't heed Saruman's words except the word `Gandalf". He

flushed with fury.

"Gandalf?" Frodo squeaked. "Oh, I remember! He once mentioned your

name, saying that you are his superior in the world of wizards. You

know my name from him? Then what was the point of telling me to

disguise myself?!"

The outburst annoyed Saruman. He sent a stinging blow with the back

of his hand to Frodo's face, sending the hobbit to the ground.

"Watch your tongue! You hobbits are nothing compared to wizards!

Learn to respect him!"

The betrayed feeling in Frodo's heart overcame all the pains

including the one coming from the slap.

"Respect?" Frodo laughed gingerly. "For abandoning you, and worse,

for revealing your name to the enemy? Maybe he is an enemy himself -

--"

Saruman might be evil but even he was startled to hear Frodo's

bitter remarks. He made it sound as if Gandalf were an informer.

But really, who cared? If the hobbit had a problem with his old

friend and mentor, it was not something that need trouble Saruman.

"So, you think he is an enemy, eh?" Saruman shrugged. "Think what

you will. Anyway, I am not the one who is supposed to answer

questions. You are!"

He left Frodo lying there and pointed at Ted.

"This man here doesn't know anything about the thing I want. What

he cares about is bringing you back to Isengard alive and unspoiled."

Ted shifted restlessly.

"But - isn't that what you asked me to do?" stuttered him

nervously. Saruman sneered.

"Indeed! And you are doing well! I am happy you got rid of Phil.

He was such a nuisance!"

"Now Frodo," called the corrupted wizard, surprising the hobbit who

was listening intently to the exchanges between Saruman and his

servant. Frodo was hoping to just be left alone.

"You know of what I speak. No, I am not asking you to give that

thing to me right here, right now, because I realize the trinket's

desire to return to its real master. No. I just want you to show

me. You may still keep it until we arrive in Isengard. Not further

than that, of course!"

Saruman broke into laughter, this one sounding mean and even more

devilish. Frodo cowered. What, then, would happen if he told him

that he didn't have it, the Ring? Would this old powerful man

decide just to kill him? Most probably. But again, that might be

the best way out for Frodo.

"WELL, FRODO??"

Frodo was shaking at the menacing tone. Gone was the tiny bit of

courage he had mustered over his fury at Gandalf a moment ago. But

he was still trying to cover up his obvious fear.

"I - even if I have it with me, I won't let you see it, let alone

take it!" Frodo braced himself to suppress his feeling. Saruman

clicked his tongue, amused by the futile effort this weak little

creature made. He crouched beside Frodo's small frame.

"You are very brave, but foolish," stated Saruman, observing Frodo

closely.

Frodo flinched. The intimidation inflicted by the much older and

more experienced man was pure, and it left Frodo gasping for air he

felt suddenly denied of him.

"Even many of the big folks must admit their defeat to me in the

end."

Frodo felt like he was under a spell. His tongue was tied and his

mind went blank. He couldn't say anything even if he had wanted

to. The ring. He tried to think about it, to imagine it, to

picture it in his head. But nothing. Nothing came to his mind. He

just knew he had lost it somewhere but he couldn't remember. It was

all so strange.

"Is that true?!" Saruman roared. "You've lost it? You don't have

it with you anymore?!"

He reached out and gave a light pop with the heel of his hand at the

base of Frodo's nose. Such a meaningless strike but it made Frodo

gasp with surprise. The effect was almost deadly. Frodo heaved.

Tears flowed down involuntarily due to the unbearable pain. He

tried to bring his tied hands to his nose but they were held down by

the wicked wizard. Finally Frodo could only gaze at Saruman

defeatedly.

"Are you going to kill me?" he asked faintly.

Saruman didn't answer. He let go off Frodo's hands, whacked the

back of the ring bearer's head, and got up.

***

"Let's go, Sam," encouraged Strider. "Quickly."

Sam rubbed his teary eyes with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Wait for me, Strider," he said chokingly. "Don't leave me behind."

The man who had been steps ahead of Sam stopped in an instant and

turned around.

"I won't leave you behind, Sam. Don't worry," he replied.

A tone of anxiety slipped out of his words.

"Are you all right, Sam?" Strider realized that most of the time he

forgot that Sam was still very young. This whole experience might

have broken an older man since a long time ago. But not Sam. Even

if he was afraid, he rarely showed it.

"I'm fine," replied Sam quietly.

They continued to the forest, not too far, though. Strider was

still following the steps made by one of the three hobbits. He also

noticed that the grass on the right side of the path all lay flat,

as if someone - or something - had been dragged on and along them.

Suddenly the ranger halted. Sam almost bumped into him.

"What is it?" whispered Sam.

"Look!" answered Strider, also in a whisper. He directed hi gaze to

a tree standing straight from where they stood.

"There's a hobbit under the tree!" cheered Sam and he fled before

Strider had the chance to warn him not to rush. He himself still

continued his quiet paces. But then he quickened a little bit while

hoping that it would be Frodo, that the ring was with him, and that

the fair hobbit was still alive.

Vaguely he heard Sam calling.

"What's keeping you, Strider? Come on!"

TBC