CHAPTER 2: THE JOURNEY REBORN
His eyes slid open slowly to see a deep darkness, lit only by a small fireplace that decorated the wall and reached up through the roof of the Prancing Pony. Frodo recognized it right away and sat up quickly trying to understand what or how exactly he managed to be in Bree. His head rolled on to the side and he saw Amelia in a bed next to his, breathing deeply as though she was trying to breathe in life from her sleep. But he still didn't understand, and he turned the other way.
A boy was standing with his back against the door, face pale and grim. He was as tall as most men, clad in a long black coat with hair of three colors all mixed together, dirty blonde, white, and brown. "Who!?" "Rest." He said simply. "For I have seen you have a long journey ahead, and that you haven't enough experience to survive on you're own yet. Nor does she." He said signaling Amelia. "A new witch, but she seems to need more practice if she knocked herself nearly to death taking you from Hobbiton. Not that I know of what plight you faced before."
"What of Gandalf?" Frodo asked quickly. "I do not know." He responded. "But as I said already, you must now rest. You will have a journey, for I have seen that it will come, although my reach goes no farther." "What journey?" "Sshhhh... rest I say again Frodo. You cannot cross a bridge you have yet reached, and you will reach that bridge when the time comes. Until then, be at peace." The young man had his hand around something stuck in the floor, a sword of Frodo's height. He watched as the boy slid the sword from the ground ...higher ...higher ...and then it was the boys height ... higher... until the sword was completely out, a quarter of his height above his head. "I shall sleep if peace reaches me, but for now I shall put out the light in case it is that which has woken you. Good night Mr. Baggins, or if you're memory serves you, Mr. Underhill."
And the boy covered the fire with iron so that it would die out faster and it did. And Frodo fell back into sleep while the boy lay out just under the window and closed his eyes. When Amelia, and Frodo woke the next morning, the fire was burning again, and over it sat a pot of water. The boy was asleep under the window, although now in the light Frodo could see dark circles that collected over his eyes.
"Should we wake him?" Frodo asked. "Who is him?" Amelia responded lifting herself from the cot. "And where is... have we reached Bree?" "Yes." said Frodo. "I remember this style. It is the Prancing Pony. And I have many questions that need answers, I don't even remember exactly what you're name is." "I am Amelia, a new witch of the Council Of Magic. And we are here because Gandalf instructed it." "Where is Sam?" "He..." Amelia hesitated. "Is safe, left with Gandalf. You're condition was too terrible. I had to take our only chance, and attempted to lokat to Bree. I guess I wasn't strong enough, I'm not sure how close I got."
"A mile from the gate leading to the East Road. I collected you off the road." Both Frodo and Amelia turned to see the boy staring out the window, with his sword sheathed at his side beyond. Amelia's eyes slid down the length of it." "A big weapon for a mere young stranger." She glared at him in an unkind manner. "Size matters not, tis not the sword, but the swords man." His gaze left the window and to Frodo and then Amelia. "You realize what you guard, what you must guard." Amelia nodded. "I must gaurd Frodo the bearer." "And much more." Said the boy. "And what is you're name, boy?" Frodo asked.
"My name is Joden. And if you wish to leave Bree unnoticed, our young Frodo is a very sick Brandybuck." "But won't they be attracted to the name, for Brandybuck is the name of one of the Hobbits!" Joden smiled. "A lie is best told with truth. If Frodo guards his face well, then he will pass for a Brandybuck. Amelia, you and I shall make as escorts for the sick Hobbit out of Bree. We follow the East Road for a time, at least until we get out of sight across the Brandywine. Then we head north, towards quarry, crossing the water. I own a home there and we may rest for a time." Amelia looked at him. "Do you take my job for a joke? A man like you is no match for a witch, why do you try to take over what I was told to do? Plus I have to wait for Gandalf."
"You need not know of my cautious behavior, I have left a message for Gandalf already." Joden responded calmly. "What do you mean? How do you know he is to come?" "I cannot tell you, take my word for it that he will come, receive the cryptic message, and then reach us at my home. Although I must say he won't like you being so trusting of me." "Who is to say that I shall trust you, not even close friends of mine have my trust." "But if you don't now, I know you shall be waiting, for before Gandalf arrives, another will, and another and another all at once."
It was obvious who he was talking about-the kings of old. But how could a man know such things when they had yet to come to pass. "You shall see, but I shall not leave without you. For my protection will be of high regard. Until you have realized how trustworthy I am, I will be watching this room, for Frodo should never leave it else he is noticed." "Your protection may be of help, but it is my duty to take care of Frodo and I will not be taken a fool of and kept someplace that is against my will." Amelia nor Frodo liked the situation they were being put in. But Amelia stayed headstrong, for she wanted dearly to follow her instructions from Gandalf and Frodo too did not trust this boy, Joden, who looked quite young "And how old may you be Master Joden." Amelia asked switching the conversation and attempting to learn more about this person. "Sixteen."
Amelia looked at him awkwardly now. He was but a year younger than her and now that she looked into his eyes she still could not see it. His eyes were black rather than of color. "Look I understand that you don't trust me, nor should you, but if we stay for the entire day rather than leave immediately. I beg your return before sun falls." "And why should we have a curfew such as this?" Amelia asked. "Because once the sun has slid under the horizon, the riders will knock the gate down as they have before, and try to take Frodo." Amelia nodded. "I see..." Even though she wasn't all that trusting of this man who knew too much yet. "Yes, and if Frodo losses his life..." "Then all is lost for Sauron." Joden finished, and Amelia and Frodo were both very, very confused about this boy and his wonderings into things not meant to be wondered into.
Amelia stared out the window looking down at the cobble stoned streets of the Inn. Folks of different sorts were smiling as the sun shone on their round faces. They did not know what Joden the boy knew, and if they did, they would be locked in their cozy apartments waiting for the riders to come upon them. "Tis nearly noon and I have not had a sign yet that those riders are coming." Amelia did not trust this boy, how could he know such a thing before her? Joden stared at her. "Remember, it is merely daylight true evil shows when the sun falls." Her hazel green eyes glared at him. "You know such things, yet you do not tell what powers you have." She walked closer to him as he sat in the chair beside the fire.
"Your heart holds such trouble, and your mind is full of hatred." Joden gave a slight smile. "May I ask why you feel that way about me?" He stood up, he was much taller than Amelia who was 4'5 just a little above Hobbit size, he was 5'8. "I see it in you soul." She turned away and went to sit next to Frodo. "Feeling better, Master Baggins?" She brushed his hair out of his blue eyes. He smiled. "Yes, but I am quite hungry." "Well you gained your appetite back... that's a start." Said Joden. "I will go get you some food from downstairs." "No need." Amelia waved her hands and 3 plates of food appeared by the bed side. She gave a slight smile at Joden.
"Clever." He said. Frodo took his plate of warm mashed potatoes, roasted chicken and a biscuit and placed it over his lap. "But what are we to drink?" "Your wish is my command Master Baggins." She rose her arms and snapped her fingers. Ale' appeared. "How intelligent." Said Joden with a look that made Amelia dislike him even more. After they finished eating they all took a slight nap, except for Joden who stayed up waiting for the wraiths and protecting the Witch and the Hobbit all the same. Amelia heard hoof beats getting closer. The icy cold sound of the riders calling the Hobbits name. They made their way through the gates of the Inn pushing their horses towards the Prancing Pony. Sweat dripped down her forehead as the riders slayed the bartender and his customers just below them.
The clanging of their armor echoed up the stairs. The door crashed open and the 9 kings all held up their swords. Amelia gasped. "Are you alright?" Joden stood up staring at her with a look of worry on his face. She was having a dream, but she looked so disturbed. She looked at him, her lip quivering. "Their on there way, the riders have left Bag End and are heading towards us ...their just outside of Bree." She stood up grabbing her cloak, and taking Frodo by the hand.
"Where do you thing your going?" Joden walked over to her blocking the door. "Your dare to go out there when evil is trying to get to you? I cannot let you go." "I must go with Frodo, I saw them coming here in this very room, do I dare stay here!?" Joden still stood tall blocking the entrance. "You may stay here if you like, but I will not be a witness to your death." She waved her hand and flung him out onto the bed. They ran down the stairs as fast as they could. Joden got up shaking his head. "She has strong power, though not strong enough for what is about to come." He grabbed his sword and headed after them. Amelia stopped on the stairs. "What's the matter?" Asked Frodo. "Sshhhh." "I don't hear anything." "Neither do I."
She put her foot on the floor and the creak echoed through the pub. Frodo walked slowly behind. It was pitch black so Amelia shaped her hand into a ball and light illuminated the room. Her eyes widened at the horrid sight. Blood, and bodies littered the floor, her vision had started to happen. "We are to late." She said turning to Frodo. "They are already here." A tall figure rose up from behind her and stabbed her from the back. "Nooooo!!!!" Frodo's screams sounded through the Inn as 8 more riders turned around the corner. Amelia fell to the floor but there was no blood. "Nooo!" Frodo's eyes filled with terror and tears as they started towards him but Joden jumped down the stairs, his sword held tightly in his hands.
"Frodo stand back!" He said brandishing his sword. He saw Amelia laying face down panting. All nine seemed to look through Joden and Frodo. "You shall have no more blood on this night or any other!" Joden faked a stab at the nearest wraith, accepted the block and spun. He brought his sword through the cloak, gashing it in half. He wasted no time throwing his sword down on the head of another then he spun to the back at the next ones legs. "Frodo back further away!" The wraiths some how continued to close in. Joden and Frodo slid back another step. The wraiths came to a stop in a semi circle around the two. They slid a single hand into their belts and with drew small, sharp daggers.
"Frodo drop." Joden said calmly preparing his own sword for battle. "When I say so." The riders raised the daggers blade above their shoulders. They paused there for a second then pulled their hands back. "Fall!" Joden yelled and the riders through their daggers. Joden whipped his sword up, nearly at once there was a clang as each weapon hit each other-deflected at the waist of each wraith, Joden fell back nearly tripping over Frodo. His sword fell behind him, ready to strike. The riders hissed and were screaming for blood. They lunged at Joden. "Bagggiiiinnnnnssss!" Their war cry erupted.
Amelia raised her head quickly holding onto her stomach with one hand and stretching out the other. "AMUSICOST SUMULI!!" A great big blast of fire shot out of her arms. The wraiths screamed and wailed as the flames crawled up their cloaks. "Hurry, we must leave now!" Amelia helped Frodo up and led them out of the pub down the cobble streets and out of the Inn into the dark forest. Frodo stopped trying to catch his breath. Amelia turned around and saw the Hobbit bending over the large oak. She walked calmly over to him and placed a hand on his chest giving him air. He looked up his blue eyes glimmering. "I thought your magic didn't use spells?" Amelia smiled lightly. "Only the harder things include words." "How did you know they were coming? Finally learned to trust me have you?" Joden asked.
"I do not trust you, nor do I think I ever will. But I had the vision which you once did, but I saw them entering when you just saw them coming ...I nearly just finished the dream of what you saw." She looked up at the sky and saw the sun rising over the trees. "We should be going, tis almost daylight it's better to start early." The three of them rushed off into the wood hoping the riders would not follow.
Their path was long and hard. They crossed rolling hills that seemed to never go down. Streams with waters which burned their skin as the stepped across, and forests in which seemed to go on forever in circles. But they kept on, only stopping for water, short naps, and a quick bite. The enemies eyes always seemed to be watching them, kept in the shadows. But Amelia knew they were watching and kept close guard of Frodo never letting him leave her sight. The sun was barely visible now. They had been moving all day and now it was night fall once again.
The three stopped by the water taking a quick drink. "We should reach Quarry in a few days. If we are lucky and don't stop tomorrow we might reach it by night fall." "We cannot keep a steady pace for that long. We have been going all day, stopping even, and me and Frodo can barely go on." Amelia sat beside the Hobbit under a tree while Joden gathered some sticks for the fire.
"Our road will be longer if we do stop. Don't you want to reach safety as soon as possible?" Asked Joden who was now looking at Amelia and trying to light the fire. "Oh, would you just stop!" She walked over to him and grabbed the sticks out of his hands. She placed them in a teepee sort of fashion and blew on them ,creating warm, red and orange, flames. Joden sighed now grabbing his sword. "I'm going to get some food, we will need it for tomorrow." He said looking at her and heading off into the darkness.
Amelia's eyes glimmered as the fire light licked her face. Frodo stood behind her, looking at what she might do, but she didn't do anything except stare at the burning wood. "What do you see?" Asked Frodo. She stood silent for a minute. "The evil grows ever closer and stronger than before." The Hobbit stood puzzled not knowing exactly what the evil was. "You wonder what I speak of, your mind doesn't understand of which evil it is. But your heart, Frodo Baggins, is quite aware." "Yes, but I have destroyed the ring, why does the enemy still want me?" Amelia shook her head now turning to look at him. "I really can't tell you that, no matter how much I want to. I just don't know." "And what about Gandalf? Does he?" "I assume so, that's why we make this journey and if Joden is right, Gandalf will meet us at the end of our road."
A tear slide down Frodo's cheek. He feared what was inside of him but he kept strong, until he could make it through this continuing nightmare that will seem to follow him forever. The fire crackled and sparked as it kept burning. From the bush emerged Joden carrying two large rabbits by the ears. "Eat up, you will both need energy for tomorrow" Joden said while tossing the food into the fire. "I don't eat live animals" said Amelia getting up. "I'll go fetch myself some berries." She took a few steps out towards the trees. "Why don't you just conjure some up?" Joden asked giving her a smart look. She stared at him. "You have to do something's yourself." She turned on her heel and stormed off.
Joden sat down by the fire and moved the rabbits with a stick. "You feeling well Frodo?" His eyes darted to the Hobbit who looked vaguely pale and paralyzed. "I'm fine" Frodo said, but he didn't turn his head or blink, he just stared off into the wood. Joden didn't know what to say and he was glad for the first time to see Amelia come back to the campsite, her hand full of red berries and leaves. She kneeled down and dug a hole into the ground . She took a rock and crushed the berries and scattered them in into the hole along with the leaves. "Sectusum!" She said while waving her hands over the ground. Water seemed to pour out of her finger tips. She stirred it with a stick and then mumbled something under her breath. The water became a blood red and Joden stared at it wonderingly. She took 3 glasses and poured some in each.
"No, I never drink..... wine." He pushed the goblet away and Amelia knew something was strange about his character. She vanished away the extra cup and ate some berries she saved for herself. "Aren't you going to eat Joden?" Said Frodo while gnawing on his rabbit meat. He turned his head to the Hobbit and gave a slight smile. "No thank you I'm not hungry." Amelia took a sip of her drink and covered the hole with dirt again. "I haven't seen you eat or drink at all Master Joden, how do you go without food for so long?" Her eyes pierced in his, he could sense she knew something about his disturbing behavior. "I manage." He answered in a low muffled voice.
"We should rest," he added trying to change the subject. "Day break hits in a few hours." They laid down among the leaves and dirt. "Polisver" Amelia whispered and 3 blankets appeared. She got up and rested each one on top of the 2 of them and herself. Frodo was fast asleep and Joden kept his eyes open watching the darkness creep over them as it blew out the fire and night passed to day.
The group was slow to wake, except Joden who never grew weary until now. His hood was drawn and his skin pale, he looked beat. "We have but a day of walking if we break only thrice." Amelia rose and stretched. "And we must hurry?" "Yes" Said Joden. Frodo rolled up and stretched his own muscles. The three set off minutes later and only broke stride once. And so it was that the trio reached the Quarry just before sunset.
Quarry wasn't as Amelia and Frodo thought. It was a lot with nothing but leaves and occasional trees. Just outside Quarry was a real town with tall stone walls and wooden gates. The inside couldn't be seen and so Joden told them "Go in they are welcoming, night is falling and so crowds are thinning, I will find you and take you to where I live then." "Could you lead us there now? I'm weary." Frodo said. "Yes". "Well then I'd like to see this new place anyway." Said Amelia.
At that time the sun fell and the moon rose. Joden peeled his hood back and he looked ghostly. "You look terrible." Frodo stared at Joden's face. "It's weariness no more." Amelia didn't agree. She saw something different, dark about the boy. She sensed it hidden, but now was not the time to move. Patience was the key to revealing what ever secret he held.
The town wasn't lively. It seemed as though a permanent cloud hung over the people. As the company walked in, the people spared them nervous glances. They held their loved ones close-too close. Like the town was being ravaged by a plague. "This ... is Quarry?" Asked Frodo. Joden's face had gone sour. "This is- though one could have fooled me." He answered. The people started to leave, the crowds thinned quickly. In minutes, Frodo, Amelia and Joden stood alone on the cobble stone street.
"This is more like a ghost town." Said Amelia. "I do not like this, let us go to my house" said Joden. The three started down the street and to as to the mood the sun disappeared behind a thick cloud throwing bolts of lightening towards the earth. "This is like the journey I once took." Said Frodo. " When we reached the end." He was reminded of the darkness of Mordor. A thick blanket of rain fell on their heads. The trio was making fast.
Then, there was a shadowy figure ahead of them, with gleaming red eyes and a grin spread across its face.