Ch 9 visions and torture
Fred was curled up in her corner once again trying to fall asleep, if only she could just close her eyes and shut out this terrible experience. She had tried not to look up too much, the sight of the bodies still made her feel scared. Just as she was thinking about getting up and looking around the room again, just in case she had missed something the first time, she thought it was a long shot but it was worth it. A soldier dressed in the most uncomfortable looking clothes Fred had ever seen. He didn't really look quite as scary as the others but he still made her feel very nervous, he was carrying a bowl in his right hand and a glass in his left. At first Fred didn't know what he was going to do, she retreated further into her corner afraid he might be there to hurt her. Last time an orc had come in he had grabbed her and hit her hard in the stomach, every time she tried to escape from his grip he hit her harder. Fred was still in pain and didn't want it to happen again, she didn't think she could handle that.
The orc didn't go anywhere near her, he seemed quite nervous about being in the same cell as her, he walked in a little way and slowly put the bowl and cup on the floor, he noticed that Fred was cowering on the floor in the corner. He looked at her for a while and was just about to take a step forward to check she wasn't too badly hurt when she led out a little squeal. He stopped and turned away from her, he slammed the door behind him. Fred jumped at this. She didn't know what had happened but she was glad that the orc had left her alone.
Fred moved towards the food that the orc had left her on the floor, she wasn't sure what it was but if it was food she was grateful, she hadn't eaten since the night before and she was starving. She reached the food and drink and looked at the stuff that was on her plate. It looked vile, like discoloured mash potato, she didn't like the look of it but she was hungry. She decided that she should start off with the drink, she was thirsty as well. She took the drink and smelled it wondering what it was. It didn't smell very nice at all, like mud; in fact, it might well have been mud for all Fred knew. She took a small sip and spat it out just as quickly. It tasted awful, she wished it were water; she could just drink a glass of cool water.
Fred knew that there wasn't much she could do about her diet at the moment so she decided that she should just eat the food the orc had left her, at least it was food and she presumed it was edible. Fred wondered if the stuff would taste nice, it certainly didn't look nice but at least it was food. She didn't know when she would next get the chance to eat anything so she picked some of the mash-looking food in the wooden spoon the orc had provided for her. She raised it slowly to her mouth.
It smelled even worse that it looked but looked tasteless, which to Fred was a good thing. She put it in her mouth and swallowed it trying not to taste it. As soon as she did she felt sick, it did taste of something but Fred wasn't sure what. Suddenly she felt a wave of sickness run through her. Her head started to hurt once more and then she had to fight with herself to try and stay conscious. She felt like she was slipping away. Fred collapsed to the floor and curled into a ball hoping that it would somehow take away the pain. She turned to her side and vomited, she couldn't help but letting out a scream when she saw blood. Whatever was in that food must have been a poison of some kind. At that moment she didn't really care a whole lot, all she could think about was the pain, it was so intense, she had never felt anything like it ever. Fred closed her eyes for just a second and the most terrible images flashed through her mind, awful things that she had never seen before, images of her friends, dead. There were all kinds of terrible things such as monsters, goblins, orcs and worst of all bodies, thousands of them. They were the most dominant things in her mind. Some were of friends and family and others were just so mutilated that she couldn't tell who they were. Fred cried out wishing the images would fade, trying to tell herself that they were just in her imagination and that there was nothing real about them but this just didn't work, they seemed so real. Fred's whole body shook uncontrollably, she felt so cold but in actual fact her fever was strong.
Outside the cell two orcs were listening from the other side of the door, they had known exactly what had been put in there with her. It was an old torture method not used very much any more because it was too terrifying for most creatures to handle. They laughed when they heard her crying out in pain, they knew of the kinds of terrible things the mind conjured up and they were enjoying it. They only wished they could see the things this pathetic little child was thinking of, that would have been the most pleasing thing for them.
Fred was now screaming at what she was seeing, her mind was on nothing else but the images, she had never experienced anything like it. It was as if they were in the room with her but she couldn't escape them. She called out her parents' names and then Bob and Ned's. She wished they were there with her; they might be able to stop the images.
**
Bob and Ned had been walking for hours and it was beginning to get dark again. Despite the fact they felt they had been walking forever it seemed that they had covered very little ground. Bob knew this was mainly because of the hobbits, they couldn't walk very fast and she sympathised with them but she also wished they would move faster. Ever since Fred had been kidnapped she had a strong feeling that she was in great pain and danger. It was what drove her on and what made her so impatient. She didn't think Ned could feel the same thing but she understood that something bad was happening and she respected Bob's feelings of fear.
The sun was going down and it was almost getting too dark to see where they were going. Ned wished they had a proper torch with them but she also knew that was impossible. All they had were a few small candles which were fading fast, they wouldn't last very long. Ned didn't like walking in the dark, she knew it was dangerous despite all the night treks she had done. Ned had gotten into trouble too many times; there were many stories about electric fences and hospitals. But this wasn't the main fear this time, there was a black rider out there somewhere and that was far more dangerous than an electric fence.
Reluctantly they agreed that they should find a clearing and make a shelter as they had done the night before. At first Bob hadn't agreed, she was so eager to find her friend. On the other hand Bob knew that she would be little use to Fred if she couldn't walk through exhaustion so she agreed with Ned and they went to find a clearing as they had done the night before.
On their way to find a suitable place to camp Bob had one of her strong feelings, she was used to these by now but this one was far stronger than ever before. At first she didn't mention it, she knew what Ned thought of these. She carried on walking, suddenly feeling very tired. Ned was far out in front urging the hobbits to keep up. Bob suddenly stopped in her tracks, the feeling was getting stronger, it was fear, so much fear. She had never sensed anything like it before. Sam and Frodo came up behind her, wondering why she had stopped. Frodo came alongside her and looked up at her concerned. She didn't say anything to him at first, she was just trying to figure out what this feeling was. She couldn't understand it, at first she thought it was pain but not physical pain, mental anguish. It was so strong she was worried it might take over her.
Up ahead, Ned was now talking to herself about how they should build the shelter, she turned around to see if Bob was listening and was startled to find that she was no longer there. Ned looked around her and saw Bob a way back. Ned stared at her for a while not understanding why she had stopped when she felt like there was something wrong, it was no where near as strong as Bob was feeling but it was upsetting enough. Bob turned to face Ned and looked her right in the eye; she had a look about her that Ned had never seen in her friend before. Bob closed her eyes and pressed her head into her hands as if trying to get what she was seeing out of her head. Tears were now streaming down her face, the images were so strong. Far away she heard Frodo's voice calling to her but it was so distant that it hardly seemed real.
Suddenly and unexpectedly Bob spoke.
"She's seeing all the bad things in the world, but not our world. There's death, so much death. She's in so much pain. Hold on Fred, I'm coming." At the mention of Fred's name Ned walked towards her but stopped as if something held her back. "She's so scared, they're doing terrible things to her. She's begging for our help why won't they leave her alone? I don't know what they're doing to her. She's crying out for our help. We're coming Fred, it's going to be okay." Bob shouted this last part as if she was talking to some unseen force. "I can see her, oh God we have to help her. Leave her alone. You're going to be alright Fred, we're going to help you." Bob repeated this last part several times in a soft voice, it was almost as if she was talking directly to Fred.
The voices that had plagued Bob's head were suddenly gone and she opened her eyes and looked despairingly at Ned and fell to the ground. Frodo had tried to catch her and help her fall but he was of little use. Ned rushed over and looked over Bob, she had never seen her friend like this before. Something had obviously upset her; Bob was shaking all over and whispering Fred's name over and over again. Ned wondered what she had seen but knew Bob was in no state to tell her.
Ned shouted at Sam to get a blanket out of his bag and put it over Bob. Ned was worried by now, she knew how powerful Bob's powers could be and they sometimes scared even her but never before had Bob been afraid of herself. Sam brought the blanket over and handed it absently to Ned, she grabbed it off him impatiently and put it carefully over Bob. Ned knew they were vulnerable out in the open like this but she also knew it might be dangerous to move Bob in a state of shock. The sun had now almost completely disappeared and this was starting to worry Ned, she knew that Wraiths were far better at tracking in the dark; she didn't want to take the chance of getting caught.
Bob was pulling the blanket away from her and trying to hit out at Ned. Frodo put a hand on her forehead hoping it might calm her down slightly but it did little good but show him that she had a fever. He still had no idea what had happened but he knew it was serious enough to make Ned worried. Sam was just stood up in front of them all looking nervously around him.
From somewhere in the forest a noise came, it sounded like a squeal but they couldn't be sure, Bob suddenly stopped kicking out and laid absolutely still as if she was aware of what was going on. They all stopped and froze wondering what was out there, they hoped it wasn't a Wraith, that was the last thing they needed. Bob started whimpering as though she knew what was going to happen. A wave of exhaustion had taken over her and she felt completely weak. She was relieved that the blurriness that had taken over her when she saw those things was beginning to fade, she was so glad that the feeling had passed, now however, she was beginning to see the visions much more clearly and that was the worst thing. She noticed Ned leaning over her with a look of concern on her face. She also saw Frodo, it was like a dream (apart from the Ned bit).
Sam shouted out,
"We should leave, we have no idea what that is out there, we could be in danger. Mr Frodo, we need to go, I don't feel safe here."
"I know Sam, and we will just wait a minute. We can't leave without Bob." Frodo replied almost impatiently.
"It's okay, I think I'm okay now." Came the small and tired voice of Bob from underneath the blanket.
Ned looked unconvinced at Bob's confidence, although it was dark Ned knew that she was still very pale and probably still had a fever. She could also tell from her voice that she was tired. However, she knew that Sam was right, it was dangerous to stay out her in the open, they needed to find somewhere where the Wraith wasn't going to find them. Ned knew that that meant getting Bob to walk and she knew that it would probably be hard for her, she could tell that her friend was still weak and upset from what had happened to her.
Bob saw the concerned look on Ned's face and tried to reassure her with a smile but it was wasted not just because of the dark but also because she knew that Ned would be able to see through it. Bob still felt that fear inside her, she still felt the pain and could still see the awful images. Just thinking about them brought them back, she closed her eyes to block them out but they only became more vivid. Ned could see the anguish in her friend's face but decided that they should leave.
"Can you walk Bob?" Bob opened her eyes and nodded unsurely.
Ned nodded back and pulled the blanket off of her, she saw her friend shiver at the sudden burst of cold. Bob tried to sit up but the tiredness seemed to have drained all her strength from her body and she laid back down. Ned looked at her for a second and let her rest, she wished she knew what was happening to her friend and wished there was something she could do to help. Bob closed her eyes. She was now filled with embarrassment as well as fear. She opened her eyes and had a determined look on her face; she knew she was putting the others in danger. She started to sit up once more, just as she felt herself once again falling she felt herself being supported by Ned. Ned held her arm; she smiled understandingly at Bob and helped pull her to her feet. Sam was packing his blanket away, for some reason he looked very angry about what was happening. Frodo held on to Bob's arm even though he could do very little to support her he figured it might make her feel more balanced.
Ned bent down to pick up the bag she had been carrying for Frodo. She never let go of Bob's arm afraid that her friend might fall. Bob was putting a surprising amount of weight on her friend, Ned knew that whatever had happened to her had disturbed her and weakened her. She had never seen anyone like this before and her friend's vulnerability scared her, Bob had always been the strong one and hated feeling so helpless.
Bob pulled her arm away from Ned's and tried to stand on her own for a second, immediately she felt weak, she felt like she was going to fall. Ned realised that Bob had pulled away from her and saw the tiredness on her face. Ned quickly put her arm around Bob's back and held her upright. Bob had no choice she leaned against Ned wishing she could do something for herself but knowing that something was holding her back. When Ned felt Bob straighten slightly she knew she was ready to stand with minimal support. Ned knew how much her friend hated relying on people so much but also knew that she was ill, although it puzzled her how this was happening. Even though Ned knew how angry Bob would be that she couldn't stand on her own she kept supporting her and was surprised when Bob didn't fight back. She seemed completely helpless, her head was on her chest as though she had no strength at all.
Frodo still held on to her arm wishing he was taller and could do more to help, he knew what it was like to feel so helpless, he himself had experienced the same feeling at Weathertop when he was stabbed. He lay helpless in Strider's arms. He could sympathise with Bob now. Frodo saw Ned struggling to help Bob and hold the fairly heavy bag. He quickly let go of Bob's arm and walked around to help Ned, at first she insisted that she was all right but when Bob leaned even further onto her she handed the bag over to Frodo being careful not to let go of Bob.
Frodo and Sam walked ahead, pleased that they were going at a far slower pace than before but also wary because they knew that if they were attacked nothing could help them. Every step was exhausting for Bob she was trying desperately to help Ned but not doing very well at all, she was just so tired and it got worse when she thought of the things she'd seen. As soon as her mind wandered she felt herself slipping but was glad that Ned was there to offer support. Bob knew that it must be hard for Ned as well, they had been walking all day and Ned was obviously tired as well. She was also trying to navigate and find a safe path through the forest, if they fell they could easily attract attention to whatever was out there. Bob also knew that Ned was worried about what was hunting them, she was sure there was something out there.
It was now completely black in the forest, they couldn't see where they were going but they also couldn't hear the same squealing they had heard before which was a good thing. Bob seemed to be getting slower and Ned was convinced that she couldn't go much further. She knew they had to find shelter, she was unsure of the time but she knew it was very late. This whole thing was starting to become more dangerous than she could imagine.
Even with everything that was going on Ned was still very much aware that Fred was out there and quite possibly injured, she was sure that Bob's sudden illness had something to do with Fred. She had been wanting to ask Bob what she saw but she decided that now was not the time. Whilst her mind was on other things Bob was getting more and more tired, she didn't feel the same support coming from Ned as she had before. Bob felt herself slipping away once again and although she fought against it she couldn't hold it back any longer.
Bob felt herself falling to the floor, she could have just drifted off to sleep but once again the images came and stunned her back to consciousness. Ned's grip was hardly there anymore and that frightened Bob, she felt like she was slipping. Her legs buckled beneath her and she almost fell. Ned grabbed her quickly and almost fell with her. Instead she grabbed her and held her still for a moment. Bob was almost unconscious, Ned knew they needed a break but she was reluctant to stop now, she also knew her friend couldn't go any further without a rest and she herself was starting to feel the tiredness. Ned looked around her, not seeing anything but the outlines and occasional movement of the resident wild life around her. Her eyes came across a large log that was laying on the ground. Ned called out to Frodo and Sam and they stopped and moved back to the place where Ned and Bob had stopped.
Ned dragged Bob over to the log and sat her down, still holding her in case she fell off. Ned sat down herself and beckoned to Frodo to hand the bag over. Frodo did as he was told, knowing that Ned was very concerned about her friend and also that the pair were very tired. Ned reached into the bag and took out the water bottle, she handed it to Bob and she gladly accepted it. Bob knew how hard this was for Ned and was about to apologise when there came a rustling sound from a bush near-by.
Ned was suddenly alert and trying to figure out what was lurking around there, she was worried that whatever it was was dangerous, she knew they couldn't handle an attack now.
Ned quickly put the bottle back into the bag and silently looked at Bob, Bob nodded understandingly, although she was tried she knew they had to get out of this place and find shelter. Ned grabbed her hand and helped her up. This time Bob was far more helpful, she still leaned against Ned but something drove her on, maybe it was the thought of dying, whatever it was at that moment in time it didn't matter a whole lot to either of them. Frodo grabbed the bag and moved silently away, Sam was already moving forwards, eager to get away from whatever was stalking them.
They moved fairly rapidly through the forest now, Bob's breathing was heavy but she seemed to understand that she had to move quickly and she did. Ned was surprised at the sudden burst of strength but pleased they could finally move quickly. Ned didn't feel at all tired any more, she just had the feeling of needing to escape and she did. When she found that she didn't need to help Bob as much any more she was filled with a new hope that they were going to be all right. She smiled when she saw a suitable clearing ahead of them and breathed a sigh of relief when she could no longer hear the sound of rustling behind her.
They stopped and Ned carefully sat Bob down on the floor. All of them sat down relieved that the journey was over for the night. Bob was now laid down and breathing heavily and once again saying Fred's name over and over again, this time in a less distressed voice.
**
The images still flashed through Fred's mind but they were no longer as strong, it was as if she were sharing them with someone. Another thing was that she no longer felt alone, she felt someone else's presence just for a few moments but that feeling stayed with her. She didn't know what it was but she was pleased it had happened.
Fred was curled up in her corner once again trying to fall asleep, if only she could just close her eyes and shut out this terrible experience. She had tried not to look up too much, the sight of the bodies still made her feel scared. Just as she was thinking about getting up and looking around the room again, just in case she had missed something the first time, she thought it was a long shot but it was worth it. A soldier dressed in the most uncomfortable looking clothes Fred had ever seen. He didn't really look quite as scary as the others but he still made her feel very nervous, he was carrying a bowl in his right hand and a glass in his left. At first Fred didn't know what he was going to do, she retreated further into her corner afraid he might be there to hurt her. Last time an orc had come in he had grabbed her and hit her hard in the stomach, every time she tried to escape from his grip he hit her harder. Fred was still in pain and didn't want it to happen again, she didn't think she could handle that.
The orc didn't go anywhere near her, he seemed quite nervous about being in the same cell as her, he walked in a little way and slowly put the bowl and cup on the floor, he noticed that Fred was cowering on the floor in the corner. He looked at her for a while and was just about to take a step forward to check she wasn't too badly hurt when she led out a little squeal. He stopped and turned away from her, he slammed the door behind him. Fred jumped at this. She didn't know what had happened but she was glad that the orc had left her alone.
Fred moved towards the food that the orc had left her on the floor, she wasn't sure what it was but if it was food she was grateful, she hadn't eaten since the night before and she was starving. She reached the food and drink and looked at the stuff that was on her plate. It looked vile, like discoloured mash potato, she didn't like the look of it but she was hungry. She decided that she should start off with the drink, she was thirsty as well. She took the drink and smelled it wondering what it was. It didn't smell very nice at all, like mud; in fact, it might well have been mud for all Fred knew. She took a small sip and spat it out just as quickly. It tasted awful, she wished it were water; she could just drink a glass of cool water.
Fred knew that there wasn't much she could do about her diet at the moment so she decided that she should just eat the food the orc had left her, at least it was food and she presumed it was edible. Fred wondered if the stuff would taste nice, it certainly didn't look nice but at least it was food. She didn't know when she would next get the chance to eat anything so she picked some of the mash-looking food in the wooden spoon the orc had provided for her. She raised it slowly to her mouth.
It smelled even worse that it looked but looked tasteless, which to Fred was a good thing. She put it in her mouth and swallowed it trying not to taste it. As soon as she did she felt sick, it did taste of something but Fred wasn't sure what. Suddenly she felt a wave of sickness run through her. Her head started to hurt once more and then she had to fight with herself to try and stay conscious. She felt like she was slipping away. Fred collapsed to the floor and curled into a ball hoping that it would somehow take away the pain. She turned to her side and vomited, she couldn't help but letting out a scream when she saw blood. Whatever was in that food must have been a poison of some kind. At that moment she didn't really care a whole lot, all she could think about was the pain, it was so intense, she had never felt anything like it ever. Fred closed her eyes for just a second and the most terrible images flashed through her mind, awful things that she had never seen before, images of her friends, dead. There were all kinds of terrible things such as monsters, goblins, orcs and worst of all bodies, thousands of them. They were the most dominant things in her mind. Some were of friends and family and others were just so mutilated that she couldn't tell who they were. Fred cried out wishing the images would fade, trying to tell herself that they were just in her imagination and that there was nothing real about them but this just didn't work, they seemed so real. Fred's whole body shook uncontrollably, she felt so cold but in actual fact her fever was strong.
Outside the cell two orcs were listening from the other side of the door, they had known exactly what had been put in there with her. It was an old torture method not used very much any more because it was too terrifying for most creatures to handle. They laughed when they heard her crying out in pain, they knew of the kinds of terrible things the mind conjured up and they were enjoying it. They only wished they could see the things this pathetic little child was thinking of, that would have been the most pleasing thing for them.
Fred was now screaming at what she was seeing, her mind was on nothing else but the images, she had never experienced anything like it. It was as if they were in the room with her but she couldn't escape them. She called out her parents' names and then Bob and Ned's. She wished they were there with her; they might be able to stop the images.
**
Bob and Ned had been walking for hours and it was beginning to get dark again. Despite the fact they felt they had been walking forever it seemed that they had covered very little ground. Bob knew this was mainly because of the hobbits, they couldn't walk very fast and she sympathised with them but she also wished they would move faster. Ever since Fred had been kidnapped she had a strong feeling that she was in great pain and danger. It was what drove her on and what made her so impatient. She didn't think Ned could feel the same thing but she understood that something bad was happening and she respected Bob's feelings of fear.
The sun was going down and it was almost getting too dark to see where they were going. Ned wished they had a proper torch with them but she also knew that was impossible. All they had were a few small candles which were fading fast, they wouldn't last very long. Ned didn't like walking in the dark, she knew it was dangerous despite all the night treks she had done. Ned had gotten into trouble too many times; there were many stories about electric fences and hospitals. But this wasn't the main fear this time, there was a black rider out there somewhere and that was far more dangerous than an electric fence.
Reluctantly they agreed that they should find a clearing and make a shelter as they had done the night before. At first Bob hadn't agreed, she was so eager to find her friend. On the other hand Bob knew that she would be little use to Fred if she couldn't walk through exhaustion so she agreed with Ned and they went to find a clearing as they had done the night before.
On their way to find a suitable place to camp Bob had one of her strong feelings, she was used to these by now but this one was far stronger than ever before. At first she didn't mention it, she knew what Ned thought of these. She carried on walking, suddenly feeling very tired. Ned was far out in front urging the hobbits to keep up. Bob suddenly stopped in her tracks, the feeling was getting stronger, it was fear, so much fear. She had never sensed anything like it before. Sam and Frodo came up behind her, wondering why she had stopped. Frodo came alongside her and looked up at her concerned. She didn't say anything to him at first, she was just trying to figure out what this feeling was. She couldn't understand it, at first she thought it was pain but not physical pain, mental anguish. It was so strong she was worried it might take over her.
Up ahead, Ned was now talking to herself about how they should build the shelter, she turned around to see if Bob was listening and was startled to find that she was no longer there. Ned looked around her and saw Bob a way back. Ned stared at her for a while not understanding why she had stopped when she felt like there was something wrong, it was no where near as strong as Bob was feeling but it was upsetting enough. Bob turned to face Ned and looked her right in the eye; she had a look about her that Ned had never seen in her friend before. Bob closed her eyes and pressed her head into her hands as if trying to get what she was seeing out of her head. Tears were now streaming down her face, the images were so strong. Far away she heard Frodo's voice calling to her but it was so distant that it hardly seemed real.
Suddenly and unexpectedly Bob spoke.
"She's seeing all the bad things in the world, but not our world. There's death, so much death. She's in so much pain. Hold on Fred, I'm coming." At the mention of Fred's name Ned walked towards her but stopped as if something held her back. "She's so scared, they're doing terrible things to her. She's begging for our help why won't they leave her alone? I don't know what they're doing to her. She's crying out for our help. We're coming Fred, it's going to be okay." Bob shouted this last part as if she was talking to some unseen force. "I can see her, oh God we have to help her. Leave her alone. You're going to be alright Fred, we're going to help you." Bob repeated this last part several times in a soft voice, it was almost as if she was talking directly to Fred.
The voices that had plagued Bob's head were suddenly gone and she opened her eyes and looked despairingly at Ned and fell to the ground. Frodo had tried to catch her and help her fall but he was of little use. Ned rushed over and looked over Bob, she had never seen her friend like this before. Something had obviously upset her; Bob was shaking all over and whispering Fred's name over and over again. Ned wondered what she had seen but knew Bob was in no state to tell her.
Ned shouted at Sam to get a blanket out of his bag and put it over Bob. Ned was worried by now, she knew how powerful Bob's powers could be and they sometimes scared even her but never before had Bob been afraid of herself. Sam brought the blanket over and handed it absently to Ned, she grabbed it off him impatiently and put it carefully over Bob. Ned knew they were vulnerable out in the open like this but she also knew it might be dangerous to move Bob in a state of shock. The sun had now almost completely disappeared and this was starting to worry Ned, she knew that Wraiths were far better at tracking in the dark; she didn't want to take the chance of getting caught.
Bob was pulling the blanket away from her and trying to hit out at Ned. Frodo put a hand on her forehead hoping it might calm her down slightly but it did little good but show him that she had a fever. He still had no idea what had happened but he knew it was serious enough to make Ned worried. Sam was just stood up in front of them all looking nervously around him.
From somewhere in the forest a noise came, it sounded like a squeal but they couldn't be sure, Bob suddenly stopped kicking out and laid absolutely still as if she was aware of what was going on. They all stopped and froze wondering what was out there, they hoped it wasn't a Wraith, that was the last thing they needed. Bob started whimpering as though she knew what was going to happen. A wave of exhaustion had taken over her and she felt completely weak. She was relieved that the blurriness that had taken over her when she saw those things was beginning to fade, she was so glad that the feeling had passed, now however, she was beginning to see the visions much more clearly and that was the worst thing. She noticed Ned leaning over her with a look of concern on her face. She also saw Frodo, it was like a dream (apart from the Ned bit).
Sam shouted out,
"We should leave, we have no idea what that is out there, we could be in danger. Mr Frodo, we need to go, I don't feel safe here."
"I know Sam, and we will just wait a minute. We can't leave without Bob." Frodo replied almost impatiently.
"It's okay, I think I'm okay now." Came the small and tired voice of Bob from underneath the blanket.
Ned looked unconvinced at Bob's confidence, although it was dark Ned knew that she was still very pale and probably still had a fever. She could also tell from her voice that she was tired. However, she knew that Sam was right, it was dangerous to stay out her in the open, they needed to find somewhere where the Wraith wasn't going to find them. Ned knew that that meant getting Bob to walk and she knew that it would probably be hard for her, she could tell that her friend was still weak and upset from what had happened to her.
Bob saw the concerned look on Ned's face and tried to reassure her with a smile but it was wasted not just because of the dark but also because she knew that Ned would be able to see through it. Bob still felt that fear inside her, she still felt the pain and could still see the awful images. Just thinking about them brought them back, she closed her eyes to block them out but they only became more vivid. Ned could see the anguish in her friend's face but decided that they should leave.
"Can you walk Bob?" Bob opened her eyes and nodded unsurely.
Ned nodded back and pulled the blanket off of her, she saw her friend shiver at the sudden burst of cold. Bob tried to sit up but the tiredness seemed to have drained all her strength from her body and she laid back down. Ned looked at her for a second and let her rest, she wished she knew what was happening to her friend and wished there was something she could do to help. Bob closed her eyes. She was now filled with embarrassment as well as fear. She opened her eyes and had a determined look on her face; she knew she was putting the others in danger. She started to sit up once more, just as she felt herself once again falling she felt herself being supported by Ned. Ned held her arm; she smiled understandingly at Bob and helped pull her to her feet. Sam was packing his blanket away, for some reason he looked very angry about what was happening. Frodo held on to Bob's arm even though he could do very little to support her he figured it might make her feel more balanced.
Ned bent down to pick up the bag she had been carrying for Frodo. She never let go of Bob's arm afraid that her friend might fall. Bob was putting a surprising amount of weight on her friend, Ned knew that whatever had happened to her had disturbed her and weakened her. She had never seen anyone like this before and her friend's vulnerability scared her, Bob had always been the strong one and hated feeling so helpless.
Bob pulled her arm away from Ned's and tried to stand on her own for a second, immediately she felt weak, she felt like she was going to fall. Ned realised that Bob had pulled away from her and saw the tiredness on her face. Ned quickly put her arm around Bob's back and held her upright. Bob had no choice she leaned against Ned wishing she could do something for herself but knowing that something was holding her back. When Ned felt Bob straighten slightly she knew she was ready to stand with minimal support. Ned knew how much her friend hated relying on people so much but also knew that she was ill, although it puzzled her how this was happening. Even though Ned knew how angry Bob would be that she couldn't stand on her own she kept supporting her and was surprised when Bob didn't fight back. She seemed completely helpless, her head was on her chest as though she had no strength at all.
Frodo still held on to her arm wishing he was taller and could do more to help, he knew what it was like to feel so helpless, he himself had experienced the same feeling at Weathertop when he was stabbed. He lay helpless in Strider's arms. He could sympathise with Bob now. Frodo saw Ned struggling to help Bob and hold the fairly heavy bag. He quickly let go of Bob's arm and walked around to help Ned, at first she insisted that she was all right but when Bob leaned even further onto her she handed the bag over to Frodo being careful not to let go of Bob.
Frodo and Sam walked ahead, pleased that they were going at a far slower pace than before but also wary because they knew that if they were attacked nothing could help them. Every step was exhausting for Bob she was trying desperately to help Ned but not doing very well at all, she was just so tired and it got worse when she thought of the things she'd seen. As soon as her mind wandered she felt herself slipping but was glad that Ned was there to offer support. Bob knew that it must be hard for Ned as well, they had been walking all day and Ned was obviously tired as well. She was also trying to navigate and find a safe path through the forest, if they fell they could easily attract attention to whatever was out there. Bob also knew that Ned was worried about what was hunting them, she was sure there was something out there.
It was now completely black in the forest, they couldn't see where they were going but they also couldn't hear the same squealing they had heard before which was a good thing. Bob seemed to be getting slower and Ned was convinced that she couldn't go much further. She knew they had to find shelter, she was unsure of the time but she knew it was very late. This whole thing was starting to become more dangerous than she could imagine.
Even with everything that was going on Ned was still very much aware that Fred was out there and quite possibly injured, she was sure that Bob's sudden illness had something to do with Fred. She had been wanting to ask Bob what she saw but she decided that now was not the time. Whilst her mind was on other things Bob was getting more and more tired, she didn't feel the same support coming from Ned as she had before. Bob felt herself slipping away once again and although she fought against it she couldn't hold it back any longer.
Bob felt herself falling to the floor, she could have just drifted off to sleep but once again the images came and stunned her back to consciousness. Ned's grip was hardly there anymore and that frightened Bob, she felt like she was slipping. Her legs buckled beneath her and she almost fell. Ned grabbed her quickly and almost fell with her. Instead she grabbed her and held her still for a moment. Bob was almost unconscious, Ned knew they needed a break but she was reluctant to stop now, she also knew her friend couldn't go any further without a rest and she herself was starting to feel the tiredness. Ned looked around her, not seeing anything but the outlines and occasional movement of the resident wild life around her. Her eyes came across a large log that was laying on the ground. Ned called out to Frodo and Sam and they stopped and moved back to the place where Ned and Bob had stopped.
Ned dragged Bob over to the log and sat her down, still holding her in case she fell off. Ned sat down herself and beckoned to Frodo to hand the bag over. Frodo did as he was told, knowing that Ned was very concerned about her friend and also that the pair were very tired. Ned reached into the bag and took out the water bottle, she handed it to Bob and she gladly accepted it. Bob knew how hard this was for Ned and was about to apologise when there came a rustling sound from a bush near-by.
Ned was suddenly alert and trying to figure out what was lurking around there, she was worried that whatever it was was dangerous, she knew they couldn't handle an attack now.
Ned quickly put the bottle back into the bag and silently looked at Bob, Bob nodded understandingly, although she was tried she knew they had to get out of this place and find shelter. Ned grabbed her hand and helped her up. This time Bob was far more helpful, she still leaned against Ned but something drove her on, maybe it was the thought of dying, whatever it was at that moment in time it didn't matter a whole lot to either of them. Frodo grabbed the bag and moved silently away, Sam was already moving forwards, eager to get away from whatever was stalking them.
They moved fairly rapidly through the forest now, Bob's breathing was heavy but she seemed to understand that she had to move quickly and she did. Ned was surprised at the sudden burst of strength but pleased they could finally move quickly. Ned didn't feel at all tired any more, she just had the feeling of needing to escape and she did. When she found that she didn't need to help Bob as much any more she was filled with a new hope that they were going to be all right. She smiled when she saw a suitable clearing ahead of them and breathed a sigh of relief when she could no longer hear the sound of rustling behind her.
They stopped and Ned carefully sat Bob down on the floor. All of them sat down relieved that the journey was over for the night. Bob was now laid down and breathing heavily and once again saying Fred's name over and over again, this time in a less distressed voice.
**
The images still flashed through Fred's mind but they were no longer as strong, it was as if she were sharing them with someone. Another thing was that she no longer felt alone, she felt someone else's presence just for a few moments but that feeling stayed with her. She didn't know what it was but she was pleased it had happened.