Chapter Three

A/N: My deepest apologies for the length of time it took to update this chapter. I got busy with Simple and Clean, and the end of school. But now is the summer holiday, and I shall have more time to write. This chapter gave me headaches. I think a few of the characters (particularly Aragorn....grr...) may be a little out of character, something that I hate. Still, you must trust me! There will be something later on where this attitude will come into play in a helpful way (believe it or not.)

I must tell you that Galadriel's vision in her mirror is very important. ::coughforeshadowingcough::. But that's all I will say about that now. (Mwahahahaha....^_^)

Quote of the day: "What's another word for 'thesaurus'?" -Billy Boyd

To the reviewers:

aelfgifu: Why thank you! I, too, enjoy reviews, and I did take a look at your fic! I daresay its rather addicting. For a while I couldn't get "evil Merry" out of this story....

endymion: Well, so far everything is essentially the same (besides Merry going with Frodo and Sam going with Pip or course) but that may change soon. This is an AU after all. Don't worry, I won't do something TOO drastic. ::shifty eyes::

Ash: Wee!! What a lovely long review! Oh, and you can be sure that Merry's sense of justice will cause problems in the future. Keep this in mind: Merry is not as bound with love to Frodo as Sam is. Sam and Merry are very different in many ways. Ex: Sam is quite subservient and Merry is more of a leader. He's not quite the outdoorsmen Sam is, nor does he have that "maternal flair" to him that Frodo will need later on as the Ring wears on him.

EloraCooper4: You're right in thinking that Merry and Gollum won't get along, to say the least. ::waves flag since it made EloraCooper4 laugh. This one says "send food and money."

Natta: Hmm. I'd much like to read your story! Is it on ff.net? And thank you for the kind compliment.

Violet Raven: I'm very glad you liked Gimli's part. I think he's underrated, poor lamb. ::runs from Gimli who does not like to be called a 'lamb':: Oops......Haldir didn't make it into this chapter ::sob:: I tried, but I ran out of time/space/opportunities. ::ducks::

Bookworm2000: Oooh, another long review! Will Sam undo the Nazgul? Hmmm....I'll tell you this. Merry pledges his loyalty to Theoden and thus becomes a warrior of Rohan. Can you see Sam pledging loyalty to anyone but Frodo? Will he defeat the Nazgul? Hmm....that is the question, isn't it? ::evil grin:: Oh, and you are quite right about the temptation of the Ring bit. Merry is going to have problems, and Frodo is not going to help......

Of Food and Hard Choices

Sam was lost in a dizzying maze of rock and stone. Tunnels turned this way and that. Each time he tried to follow a path he would come to a dead end and each time he tried to retrace his steps backwards the walls seemed to shift, never remaining as they were when Sam first passed them. It was cold in this maze, cold and lonely. Where had everyone gone? Where were Strider and Boromir? What of Legolas and Gimli? Where under the stars were Merry and Pippin, and Mr. Frodo?

Stumbling against one of the walls, the little hobbit rubbed at his temples wearily then gathered his breath and called as loudly as he could manage "Mr. Frodo? Mr. Frodo where are you?" His voice echoed on the stone paths but none answered him. After waiting a moment he tried again, only to have his voice echo once more and then fly away on the wind.

Worried, afraid, and becoming panicked, Samwise pressed on. A dull throbbing pain began to grow in his skull. Every step he took it intensified until it became so great that his vision began to blur and he sat down where he stood, unable to go on any longer. Then somewhere off in the distance a bell began to toll. Over and over it rang, causing Sam's headache to swell even more. *Dong.......dong.......* Over and over it went. Sam closed his eyes and covered his poor ears with his hands, calling for Frodo again as the world swam around him......

A sharp jolt shocked Sam awake. Groaning he tried to open his eyes but the migraine that held him refused to allow it. The second Sam's eyelids started to life, the harsh light of day stung them and made his head scream in anguish. Wincing, the hobbit quickly shut his eyes again. Where was he? What had happened? Where was Frodo? At the moment the gardener could come up with no answers for any of these questions. His mind was cloudy and dizzied still; he had trouble deciphering weather or not he was in fact really awake. Oh how his head throbbed!

*Come on Sam, * he thought to himself. *Won't do nobody any good laying here. They're all probably lookin' for you, and here you are sleepin'....*

This was another puzzle. Had he fallen asleep on watch? Had he fallen while walking or........

Deciding that he would think better sitting up, Sam moved to push himself up with his hands only to find that he could not. Something held them together; something coarse and thick, he could feel now. Upon trying to move his legs he found that he could not move those as well. Sam's stomach sank. He knew this was definitely not a good sign. He had to see what was going on around him, and where he was. Bracing himself for the inevitable blinding pain, Sam forced one eye to open. As he expected the light was painful but he forced himself to bear it and after a few seconds the pain lessened and the glare subsided a bit, allowing him to see. Immediately he wished he hadn't. Orcs. Orcs all around.

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Aragorn studied the short blade in Gimli's outstretched hand. The dwarf was still panting heavily from the run back to the clearing where Aragorn waited. He had made it back at an astonishing rate; no doubt even Legolas would have to compliment the time when he returned from his scouting trip.

"Is it...is it...." Gimli tried in between heavy breaths. "Is it...blast it all...." Straightening up and handing the blade to the ranger all together the dwarf took in a large breath, held it for a moment, then let it all out in a slow whoosh. "Does it belong to Master Samwise?" Gimli said quickly.

Aragorn held the dagger in his calloused hands and gazed at the workmanship. It was unmistakable that it was indeed one of the swords of Westernesse that the hobbits had carried so far. Judging from where Gimli had said he had found it, the ranger could guess that it could only be Sam's. With a darkened heart Aragorn nodded.

"Well then we've got the sword," Gimli said, taking in a final strained breath and tightening his belt. "But where's the hobbit that goes with it?"

Frowning, Aragorn stuck the blade under his belt alongside Pippin's. Then, regarding the dwarf, he said, "Taken, along with Peregrin, I would assume. I have thought long, sitting here. If indeed Frodo has left for Mount Doom alone, then there is little we can do to aid him. The orcs move swift, but we may catch them yet and reclaim those stolen from us. We cannot help Frodo, but we may help his kin. And, though it may be thought a lesser reason, I promised Boromir ere he passed that I would not let the White City fall. I must hold to that promise. I must go to Gondor, after we rescue our friends or the pursuit proves useless."

Aragorn cast his eyes to the ground briefly and muttered something like a prayer before looking back at Gimli who stood stoically and sadly, hand absently gripping the handle of his axe. "As for Legolas and yourself, friend Gimli, I hold neither of you to accompany me, nor Merry either if he is found. You may go where you choose, to follow the orcs or to pursue Frodo to whatever end he may come."

Now Gimli's eyes raised up to meet the ranger's. "Is it all in vain then? The dark lord has not won and yet you speak as if there's no hope left."

"I speak only what I feel in my heart," Aragorn said, voice raising slightly. "If Frodo has gone on alone then what hope do we have that he should come to the mountain of fire, that he will not succumb to the will of the Ring and become corrupted? Elrond sent with the ring bearer nine companions so that the errand would not fail; the nine walkers have been scattered and it is as if the council had never met. Frodo began with one companion. Now he is left with none. He is worse off than when he started."

"Is that truly how you feel?" a soft voice said from behind Gimli. The dwarf turned as Legolas emerged from the trees silently, a look of subtle anger etched on his face.

"You have returned!" Gimli exclaimed then fell grimly silent as no hobbit emerged after the elf.

"Do you wait until the path turns foul to wander from it?" Legolas said, impolitely ignoring the dwarf and coming to stand before Aragorn. "Do you hope when the sky is bright but despair when the darkness comes? Do you surrender when the fight grows hardest?"

"I have surrendered nothing," Aragorn said, turning from the elf and walking back towards the body of Boromir. "I have surrendered nothing because all has been taken!" The ranger exclaimed with a flourish of a callused hand.

"All has not been taken!" Legolas cried indignantly. "You live. Gimli lives. I live. Not all of the nine walkers have been scattered; this alone should give you reason for hope. But if it does not, I tell you this: the ring bearer lives as well, for I have seen a boat on the eastern shore. I do not think he was alone."

"What?" Gimli cried. Aragorn halted his step and urged the elven prince to continue.

"Long I walked along the shore, searching with eyes and ears for any sign of Meriadoc. I found none and upon reaching the camp, I too despaired. But I did not give up hope, for our camp had not been touched save by friendly hands. I waded into the water and looked across the river and saw, pulled up onto the eastern bank, one of our boats. And off in the distance I saw the shapes of two small persons. I believe Merry may have gone with Frodo, though how the little one managed to avoid the falls escapes me. No doubt more of the halflings' luck," Legolas finished with a slight smile on his fair face.

Gimli gave a shout of joy and raised his axe in the air in triumph, but Aragorn remained thoughtfully silent.

Legolas' smile grew and he glided over to the man to place a thin hand on the ranger's shoulder. "I stood long in the shadows, letting you say what you would. You shall not go alone either, my friend. I shall accompany you, and we shall reclaim our friends. Your friends are with you Aragorn."

With a turn of his head Aragorn caught the bright eyes of the elven prince and saw there hope and courage. Once more his hand sought the pendant of the Evenstar that hung always round his neck. Clutching the gem, the man closed his eyes and tried to draw strength from she who had bestowed the pendant upon him. It was a while before he reopened his eyes and in the meantime his two companions stood quietly; Legolas patiently waiting for his friend to regain his peace and Gimli thoughtfully thinking.

At length the ranger nodded and the smallest of smiles graced his lips. " Indeed your story restores some hope, though it may not be much. Still..." He clasped Legolas's shoulder. "I gratefully accept your offer, friend elf."

Now Gimli stepped forward, saying good naturedly, "Well then, I suppose I can't leave a man and an elf to their own devices in the wilderness. You will not rid yourselves of this dwarf that easily."

Legolas laughed and Aragorn's small smile grew. He was much reminded of the day the council had first met when Legolas and Gimli had first laid down their arms for the Ringbearer. A sudden strong feeling came over the ranger, a knowledge that though Frodo may be beyond his reach there was still some greater good that he could accomplish. The wind blew through his tangled mane, and Aragorn felt that this new knowledge was sent by his beloved Undomiel.

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"Frodo?" Merry queried, slowing his pace down a bit to walk alongside his elder cousin. Frodo did not answer; in fact, he was gazing ahead, biting his lower lip and did not even appear to have heard.

"Frodo?" Merry asked again, this time louder.

Frodo blinked, then hummed and looked at his companion. "I'm sorry, Merry. Did you ask me something?"

"No I haven't, not yet anyway," Merry said, deciding to ignore Frodo's vacant daydreaming for the moment. "I was just wondering if you knew exactly where it is we're heading for. Other than the obvious, I mean."

Frodo sighed loudly and readjusted his pack. "We shall continue east. Gandalf showed me maps of this area when we were staying in Rivendell, but that was so very long ago....I can no longer remember what was on those maps, and even if I could I doubt if they would be a great help to us. They were drawn more than a few years ago, and I suspect the land has changed since then."

"If you had only let me go retrieve my belongings," Merry said, stepping over a large rock. "I stowed one of those maps in there. I was fascinated by it and thought it may be useful. Though a lot of good it will do now."

"You know you could not go back," Frodo said shortly, now stepping over the rock in his turn.

"Yes, yes, I know." Now it was Merry who sighed. "It would have bee useful though. And not just the map, either. I don't suppose you thought about food for two, have you?"

"I have several weeks worth of lembas."

"Good. And after that?" Merry quipped, looking over his shoulder at Frodo, who had fallen behind again.

Frodo's eyes were downcast. "I do not expect the journey to take longer than that."

Merry turned his eyes back ahead, trying to think of a way to raise his cousin's spirits. "I can set snares fairly well. Boromir....." Merry trailed off thinking of the brave man and wondering what had befallen him and Pippin as well. Pippin had screamed as Merry fell; was it for his cousin or because an orc had...had...

Merry swallowed heavily. He would do Frodo no good by thinking of dark things. "Boromir taught Pip and I in Rivendell," the Brandybuck continued.

"Oh?" Frodo returned politely.

Merry nodded. "I daresay I was better at it that Pippin was if only because Pip became excited whenever anything would creep remotely near his trap and jumped up, frightening whatever it was away."

Frodo smiled, but said nothing. He did not have the heart to tell his cousin that they did not have the necessary items needed to set traps, nor the time. Frodo now felt forever pressured; the flowing of the hours was aggravating him. He hoped they would reach Emyn Muil soon, so that he and his ill-fated companion could begin the last leg of the journey.

"........have to do something about it," Merry was now saying. Frodo looked up. The Brandybuck was now quite a ways ahead of him and was turning around frequently to make sure Frodo was still following. His cloak whipped around him every time he turned and Frodo began to watch the movement. As Merry continued to speak the ringbearer watched to flowing of the fabric, becoming entranced with the motions. Up it went, down it went, over Merry's shoulder. It sent dancing shadows over the sunlit ground and soon Frodo began to watch those too. It was making him dreadfully tired. How long had they been walking anyway? Surely it hadn't been that long, an hour or so at the very most. Then why did his pack feel so heavy? Why did his eyelids droop?

Grief and hunger (for Frodo had resisted eating for several days, as it made him feel ill in the stomach) was beginning to take its toll on the ringbearer. The next time Merry turned around it was with a startled cry as cousin stumbled then fell over a stone.

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Grishnakh tore at his meat greedily, grateful for a brief respite from all the running, all the endless running under the wretched sun. Though he and his kind could stand the harsh rays they still bit at him and stung his eyes. The other orcs were milling around the area as well, some eating as Grishnakh was, many quarrelling, and some keeping guard (though Grishnakh himself did not think there was anything be watching for). The orcs knew they would not be stopping long, only to wait for the other goblin-party to join them, with whatever prisoners they managed to capture.

Grishnakh looked down at his party's own captive. It was a pitiful thing, lying bound and unconscious on the ground with a nasty gash on its forehead. It had roused itself a little while earlier, groaning and struggling the tiniest bit. It had opened its eyes for a moment and Grishnakh saw that they were large, brown, frightened eyes clouded by the head trauma. It hadn't stayed away long, which was lucky for the pitiful creature, for Grishnakh was its guard and he did not want his "guest" awake so soon. Now it lay still, breathing shallowly. It looked ridiculously fragile. One would wonder why it was wanted alive, this weak little thing.

One would wonder, but only if they didn't know what Grishnakh the great knew. He knew that one of these creatures carried something of extreme value, and he was sure that this one was the one. He could feel it, feel the power of this unnamed valuable. And he wanted it. He wanted it and he would get it, when the time was right. Then let those cursed Isengarders try to order him about!

Grunting, the orc finished his meat and spat. Speaking of the Isengarders, a distant horn call told him that Ologgash was coming.

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"His head so proud, his face so fair, his limbs they laid to rest;

And Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, bore him upon its breast.

O Boromir! The Tower of Guard shall ever northward gaze

To Rauros, golden Rauros-falls, until the end of days."

The funeral boat of Boromir drifted down the great river towards the mighty falls. His elven-cloak was set behind his dark head as his funeral pillow, and his hands were folded peacefully on his breast. The split horn of Gondor was laid beside him, never to sound again. On the shore of the Anduin, Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas stood watching, each sending prayers of peace in their own tongues. They watched until the boat holding the eldest Son of Denethor disappeared over the falls. Rauros roared on unchanging.

At last Aragorn spoke. "They will look for him from the White Tower, but he will not return from mountain or from sea."

"Perhaps you shall return in his stead, Aragorn," said Legolas, still looking at the falls. "Perhaps your coming will lessen Gondor's grief."

"Let us not speak of it ere we arrive at the White City," Aragorn said, gazing at his hands, which were now clad in the gauntlets of Gondor, white tree showing proudly. Aragorn had taken them from the body of Boromir, in hopes that they would lend him strength and serve as a sharp reminder that even good could be corrupted by evil.

Then, without a said word from anyone the three remaining members of the Fellowship left the western shore to begin their own journey.

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Galadriel stared down into the still water of the Mirror. Only moments before it had churned with visions black and violent.

~The company rested on the bank of a river, arguing. Merry sat with Pippin asleep in his lap. Sam attempted to get Frodo to eat. Then there was Boromir, once strong and proud now weeping and corrupted. Sam drove back an unseen foe. Frodo lay asleep in a dark tunnel, the ring clasped in his hand. Merry faced the leader of the Nazgul, a blonde maid beside him. Pippin knelt before a throne. Frodo and Sam lay asleep, hand in hand, at the foot of a jagged mountain. Aragorn, flaming sword in hand, ascended a staircase. Merry lay bleeding at the foot of a hill. Legolas stood weeping beside a raised mound. Sam knelt sobbing on the ground as a black form rose up behind him. Pippin sat in a chair, staring at nothing as flames engulfed the curtains behind him. Lothlorien burned. A great army poured forth from the Black Gates of Mordor. Frodo, small and afraid, wandered aimlessly over rocky terrain, his hand desperately clutching the chain around his neck.~

The Queen of Light knew that these were merely visions. They told what could be, not what was. Still she gazed into the water. It remained motionless, refusing to give anymore clues. She stood there long, knowing something unforeseen had happened in the Fellowship. How this would effect the future, even she could not tell.

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"Frodo? Frodo? Frodo!!"

A light slap to the face brought Frodo to his senses. He looked up wearily into the strained face of Merry. "Merry?" He asked. " Have I fallen?"

"Fallen?!" exclaimed Merry, confused. "You silly git, you nearly caused my death scaring me like that. What on earth happen? What is the matter?"

With his cousin's aid Frodo rose to his feet. He couldn't say what had happened for sure. He remembered feeling tired and watching Merry's cloak sway....

"Oh, its nothing," Frodo said, brushing aside Merry's helping hands. "I was just tired, and the sun made me sluggish, I suppose, and-" He was cut off by a loud growl from his stomach. Frodo winced at the loudness of it. Merry certainly heard it.

"Frodo Baggins, when was the last time you ate?" the Brandybuck demanded. "I know you ate nothing last night, and I know you did not eat this morning either."

Frodo refused to answer. He knew any answer he gave would not elicit a positive response from his young cousin.

"That's precisely what I thought," Merry said in response to Frodo's silence. He took Frodo's pack from Frodo's back and opened it with the intent of fishing out some lembas for his companion. Frodo turned on him.

"Merry, really, I am quite fine now. I really want nothing to eat, it upsets my stomach," he said.

"Nonsense," Merry said, still searching. "You have to at least try. If you try, then retch it up perhaps I'll believe you then."

Frodo sighed. "I think we should save whatever food we have. From what Gimli said there is no vegetation in Emyn Muil; we shall need the waybread then."

Merry paused for a minute, thinking, then put Frodo's pack down. Frodo closed his eyes in relief, but then reopened them as Merry said "Then I suppose I shall have to go find something for us. We are still relatively close to the river; there should be something growing around here."

"Merry, we haven't the time," Frodo said anxiously. He already felt embarrassed at his fall and did not want to waste another moment. Again he felt time pressing him.

Merry waved away Frodo's protests and slung the pack onto his own back. "I shan't be gone long. I'll only look around this area. You just sit there for a moment."

"Merry!" Frodo cried indignantly. "I am not a child! You've no right to-"

"Turn for a turn, I say. You saved me from a watery death, so I shall save you from inadvertently starving yourself. If you honestly won't have me helping you then look at it as a learning experience for me. After all, I must grow up sooner or later," said Merry, turning. Frodo called after him for a while, then gave in and sat down. He smiled slightly to himself. He was grateful that he was not alone.

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Pippin was thrown roughly to the ground. A choked cry emitted from his small body and the orcs around him laughed. Wincing, the hobbit opened his eyes. An assembly of Uruk-hai had circled him and now glared down at him. Averting his eyes, Pippin looked past them to the area surrounding him, hoping to gain some clue as to where they were. A small, smokeless fire burned a little ways away, and more orcs, some smaller than the Uruk-hai, milled around, making loud aggressive noises. The stink of the place was nearly overwhelming and Pippin struggled not to gag. More and more orcs joined the throng around the little hobbit. One stepped close to him and knelt down close to his face. Pippin tried not to gasp at the sight of the thing's face; the demon was missing one eye and scars ran heavily across its nose and mouth.

"Ugly little mite, ain't it?" the uruk said, blinking its remaining eye. Pippin was overwhelmed with the desire to get away and started struggling in an attempt to move backwards. The orcs only laughed.

"Got a lot 'o more energy than that other one," jeered one. "Look at it squirm!"

Pippin's ears perked up. Other one? There was another one they had caught? Could it be Merry? Had one of the foul creatures gone after him in the river and taken him captive as well? Despite the horrible situation Pippin's heart leapt. If Merry had been captured at least he was alive and they would be together. Perhaps then they could escape, the two of them. Pippin couldn't help but hope.....

"What's this li'll thing worth anyway? Can't eat it; too scrawny. Can't be to strong neither; make a lousy slave, it would," the one-eyed orc said, reaching for Pippin's cloak.

"BACK!" A harsh, loud voice screamed. The one-eyed orc backed away quickly and rejoined the group. Pippin looked towards the voice. It was a huge orc, red-eyed and monstrous. It growled deeply in its throat as it approached poor Pippin, glaring at all the other (and smaller) orcs.

"We go now!" the orc shouted, bending down and snatching Pippin up. Frightened, Pip cried out and struggled again, but the Uruk tossed him over its shoulder like a light sack. They passed the fire, passed more orcs readying to leave. They were going to set out again and get even farther from any help. Pippin bucked frantically and did his best to kick with bound legs, but it did no good. The burly orc paid no attention to his fighting prisoner.

"Pick up that captive!" the red-eyed orc barked at a lone goblin that was sitting next to a small, prone figure. The other orc rose to his feet and shooting an angry glare at his red-eyed companion picked up the being from the ground. Pippin strained to see who or what it was. Was it Merry? Who......

Pippin's eyes caught a glimpse of sandy colored curls and sun tanned skin, of eyes closed tight under a bleeding cut on the forehead. Pippin knew then who it was.

"Oh Sam..." he whispered, his heart sinking.

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Whew. Not my best chapter, I would say. I had a heck of a time with the orc scenes; I must have rewritten them at least seven times. I realize that Aragorn is acting a little moody, but this is going to be important later on in the fic for undisclosed reasons. ^_^

Again, make sure you read Galadriel's "vision" carefully. There are hints as to later events in the story and this vision will later prove very important.

Next chapter: We switch to one story line per chapter. (Yeah! Less confusing!) Now, I would like your opinion. Which storyline should I start with first? Here's the plots for each storyline's next chapter:

Aragorn and Co: Following the orcs proves harder than expected, and the riders of Rohan aren't making it any easier. Eomer must make hard judgments, and Eowyn makes her first appearance (though not to our three heroes just yet.) Guest appearances by Theodred, Theoden, and Grima Wormtounge.

Sam and Pippin: Sam finally awakes and is none too pleased. The orcs move on briefly but an escape attempt by one of the hobbits leads to a fight amongst the two different tribes. Sam and Pippin escape more by luck than a good plan, and come across a rather strange creature (hoom hoom ^_^) Guest appearances by Haldir of Lorien. (I promise I'll get him in there this time!!) and the Witch King.

Frodo and Merry: Merry accidentally drops Frodo's pack over a steep (but relatively low) cliff in Emyn Muil. Problems are posed as how to get it back and get down the cliff face. Frodo makes a foolish decision and ends up doing something which puts he and Merry at a disadvantage, something that is not good due to a certain hissing creature following them. Who's that muttering "My Precious?" Is it Gollum......or Frodo? Guest appearances by The Mouth of Sauron, Elrond Halfelven, and Bilbo Baggins.

This is your story, guys! Let me know which one you'd like to see first and I'll go with whichever get the most "votes."

I will sincerely try to update sooner, too. Thank you all!!