Disclaimer: I wish I owned them but I don't I have to be satisfied with
just writing about them.
Ch 24 The Plan
Bob and Ned finally stopped running. They were sure that they were no longer being chased by the Wraith. Ned was on the verge of collapse so Bob had forced herself to stop running even though she knew she could never be far enough away from the Wraith. They were now trying to catch their breath and sitting down on a fallen tree. Bob heard something from the bushes and was instantly on alert. She signalled for Ned to be quiet and stood up silently. She looked at the bushes hoping it wasn't a Wraith that was still stalking them. Something emerged but it wasn't a Wraith. It was two trembling and out of breathes Hobbits.
Bob breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down on the tree. The Hobbits came over to her without saying anything, they were too tired. They sat that way for almost ten minutes before Bob finally broke the silence.
"That Wraith really wanted to capture us." She said, stating the obvious.
Frodo, Sam and Ned didn't say anything just gave her a confused and sarcastic look.
"How did you work that out?" Ned said sarcastically.
"Where do you suppose they would take us if they did capture us?"
"To Middle Earth I guess."
"True, but where exactly."
"I suppose to Isenguard." Ned said not really understanding what Bob was getting at. Bob realised this and continued trying to make her understand.
"And where do we need to go?"
"Home." All three said in unison.
"No. Isenguard. To Orthanc."
Ned and the Hobbits gave her a confused look.
"That's where Fred is." She said enthusiastically.
It finally dawned on the others what Bob was thinking.
"So what, you're just going to stroll up to one of them and ask for a ride to Middle Earth?" Ned said.
"No. I let one of them capture me. It takes me to Isenguard and I get into Orthanc. I rescue Fred we find a way to come home and we are all fine."
Bob's idea was met with nothing but a stunned silence. None of them could believe what they were hearing. Each of them knew that there was a possibility that the plan might work but they also knew the dangers of what she was proposing. They couldn't believe that Bob would even think about doing something so crazy.
"So how do you plan to get captured by a Wraith without it killing you?" Ned finally broke the silence.
"Easy. I wait for one to come and get me. It shouldn't be hard there are a few around."
"Alright and what's to say that when it sees you it won't kill you right away?"
"It took Fred didn't it? And the one that attacked us earlier on had no intention of killing us. They want us alive."
"So you're just going to wait until one finds you and hope it doesn't kill you? That doesn't sound like a very good plan to me."
"Do you have a better idea? Look, Fred needs our help. I can feel it, she's in pain and she needs to get out of there. You can't feel it; you can't feel what they're doing to her. Do you want me to just sit here and wait until they kill her? I won't do that."
"I know you want to help Fred but what happens if you die?"
"Then you'll have to think of another way of helping her. I have to know that I at least tried and I will not sit here and listen to her screaming in my head any more. Please, you have to trust me that this will work."
"Then let me go. I have more knowledge about Middle Earth than you."
"No. You're hurt and besides the reason they took Fred in the first place was because they thought she knew things about Middle Earth, with your knowledge it would make it worse."
"Then let me come with you."
"No. Someone needs to look after the Hobbits and make sure nothing happens."
"I can't believe we're even considering this." Ned said in disbelief.
"We're not considering it. I'm going. You're staying and that's that."
Ned couldn't believe what she was hearing. Bob had never been so insistent on anything before and it almost scared Ned that she was so adamant.
"Alright. We'll go along with your plan." Ned said in defeat.
Bob smiled pleased that she had won the fight. Although she was terrified about what she was suggesting. What did she know about rescuing people and fighting battles? She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into all she knew was that Fred's calls still echoed in her head and she had to help her friend. Ned could see in Bob's eyes that she was scared but she didn't mention anything.
"What about Gollum?" Frodo asked.
"I don't think he can cause much damage yet, he's far away from anything out here and he was probably so terrified by the Wraith that he has gone into hiding. Besides if Bob's plan works and she figures out what's going on here Gollum should be back in Middle Earth pretty soon." Ned answered. "Plus you have me to protect you." She smiled trying to lighten the mood.
"That's reassuring." Frodo said under his breath.
Ned pretended not to hear this remark and turned her attention back to Bob who was staring off into the distance. Ned knew she was thinking about what she was going to do and the look on Bob's face betrayed how afraid she was.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ned asked.
Bob snapped out of her staring and concentrated on Ned.
"I don't have much choice. I can feel Fred getting weaker. I don't think she can last much longer in that place. Besides we don't know what we'll have a chance like this again so we should make the most of it." She said trying to hide the fear in her voice. She said all this whilst at the same time trying to convince herself that it was a good idea.
Ned reached into her pocket and took out the small penknife she always carried around with her.
"Take this. I know it's not much of a weapon but it's the best thing we've got right now and I think you're going to need it far more than me."
"Thanks." Bob said not knowing whether that was good or bad.
Bob could imagine what to expect if it was like the movie but what she didn't want to think about was what if it was like the book. She had only read it once and certainly didn't know all the details off by heart. In a way she wished Ned was going with her, at least she knew some of what went on in Middle Earth.
The image of Fred in that small cell being tortured by hideous Orcs was enough to persuade Bob that this needed to be done. She had promised that she would find her friend and she would not give up now. She nodded to Ned and they began walking looking for the Wraith that was going to take her to Isengard to rescue Fred.
**
In that small cell in Orthanc Fred and David were talking once more about their previous lives before the nightmare had begun. David had let Fred do most of the talking only asking a few questions here and there. He had never once mentioned his own family and although Fred was eager to find out more about him she didn't want to push him into saying something he didn't want to. Every so often he would look like he was going to say something but changed him mind and shut his mouth before he was tempted.
David picked up his ration of water and dipped a small cloth in it, he ringed it out so as not to waste any precious water that they might later need. He motioned for Fred to come closer to him and she did as he instructed. He gently placed the wet cloth onto her face where she had been hurt during the brutal removal of her eye. She winced when she felt a small rush of pain go through her face but he did not retreat and she trusted that he knew what he was doing. In fact he seemed to know something about healing and she remembered that many people in Gondor knew at least something about healing. She made the most of it and let him help her.
"You really shouldn't use your own water you know. You should use mine." She said to him.
"I would never ask you to do that. You are not well, Fred." He said in almost a whisper as if it hurt him to admit it. Fred merely smiled at him and he seemed visibly relived that she said nothing else about it.
"You too are hurt. Would you like me to take a look at you.at your wounds." She corrected herself quickly although she was sure he didn't notice.
"Thank you Fred but I am alright. I did not know you were a healer."
"I wouldn't say a healer exactly. More like a handy person to have around if you're hurt. I study health at my school. I am well trained in first aid I promise. You have done so much for me this is my way of saying thank you." She smiled.
After a minute of though he nodded and smiled back at her. He carefully drew the cloth away from her eye and watched her for a few seconds.
"Okay, where were you hurt?" She asked.
He laughed when she said this and soon realised why. Everyone who was tortured in this place was probably hurt all over including her.
"I believe there is quite a large cut on my side." He said seriously.
She nodded and wished she didn't have to ask this next question.
"Can you take your shirt off please?"
He didn't seem to notice her discomfort and did what she said straight away. She gasped when she saw the long red mark that ran along his stomach. He noticed this and held up her hand to touch it as if to prove that it was nothing but a scar.
"It happened when I was first caught. I tried to kill some of them and they did this to me. It happened a long time ago and the pain is no longer there."
She nodded knowing he would say no more on the subject.
"Where are you hurt?" She asked and he pointed to a gash in his side.
Fred almost regretted saying she'd help him, the wound looked quite severe and she had never really treated anything other than a cut finger she hoped she could look after this although she doubted she could do much without a proper first aid kit. She examined the wound silently knowing David was watching her every move. She tried to concentrate on what she was doing but the thought of him watching her and the pain that she still felt from her eye was almost too distracting.
"I think I can do a little to help. I'm sorry it won't be much but I'll try."
He nodded as she reached to the floor to pick up her own tin of water that the Orc guards had left them several hours ago. She decided to use her own even though she knew David would protest, he had done enough to help him that this was the least she could do.
"You should not use your own water. Please use mine." He handed the tin to her but she took it and put it carefully back on the floor and ripped a bit of cloth off David's old cloak which was already useless for it's true purpose.
Fred dipped the cloth carefully into her own water and placed it gently onto the wound that was on David's side. He flinched a little but did not cry out or complain. She looked at his face and the same blank expression she was used to was still on there as if nothing was happening even though it must have been painful.
"So tell me some more about your family. I have told you almost everything about me but the only thing I know about you is your name."
"Maybe that is all you need to know." He said but there was no anger in his voice. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
"Who were your parents?"
"They are dead."
"Okay. Where did you grow up?"
"In Gondor." He searched her face and knew she wanted more, he had never told anyone about his youth but something about Fred made him want to tell her everything about himself. There were some things that she just didn't need to know though. "I grew up in a very lovely place. It was huge, the biggest grounds in the city, my father was a great man who inherited a lot of money and spent it well. We lived in a big house in the best part of Gondor. My growing up was very much like every other rich person. Boring but nice."
"Wow. So you're rich?"
"No my parents were rich. They lost all their money to gambling. A particularly nice man who took everything including our home away from us. After that I never saw my parents again and I went to live with my uncle. I never looked back."
"So how do you know that your parents are dead?" She asked cleaning around the wound.
"With the amount of trouble they used to get themselves into I doubt they lasted very long."
"That's awful."
"Not really. I had a good life after that. My uncle was a good man and I never regretted leaving."
"What was life with your uncle like? And don't just say good."
"Quiet. Nowhere near as extravagant just normal. He had a small house and he taught me everything I know about healing and fighting."
"You mentioned you had a brother the other day."
"Yes. I never really knew him. He went to train as a warrior when I was young and only returned several times."
"You must have missed him."
"You cannot miss someone you don't know Fred."
"True. But still weren't you lonely with your uncle?"
"It was quiet but not lonely. I had uncle to keep me company and my horse of course, we were good friends. And then there was the girl."
Fred's face dropped. She had never even considered that David might already have a girlfriend. She couldn't believe that she was so upset about it. No doubt that she was attracted to him but she hadn't realised that she would be that effected by it.
"Fred, are you alright?"
"Yes fine. I think I've done all I can to clean this wound up." She put the now damp piece of cloth on the floor and inspected her work. It looked a little better although she wished she had a bandage.
"I left her you know. The girl, I left her." He had obviously noticed her face.
She nodded at him as if not caring. He pulled her closer and kissed her gently. She was a little surprised but soon found that she was kissing him back. They held each other tightly both pleased to have something else to think about than just the cell they were in.
**
In a room in Orthanc Saruman was watching them through some form of magic. He had listened to their conversation. Much to his surprise Fred had given nothing away even when talking to someone she apparently trusted.
An Orc came and stood next to him and looked over his shoulder at David and Fred.
"I will stop them at once master." The Orc said turning to leave.
"No. Let them have their fun, it will al be over soon. And no more rations for them, I think they've had enough."
The Orc nodded and turned towards his colleagues. Saruman smiled. It was only a matter of time before he found out what he wanted to know. The girl couldn't keep quiet forever.
Ch 24 The Plan
Bob and Ned finally stopped running. They were sure that they were no longer being chased by the Wraith. Ned was on the verge of collapse so Bob had forced herself to stop running even though she knew she could never be far enough away from the Wraith. They were now trying to catch their breath and sitting down on a fallen tree. Bob heard something from the bushes and was instantly on alert. She signalled for Ned to be quiet and stood up silently. She looked at the bushes hoping it wasn't a Wraith that was still stalking them. Something emerged but it wasn't a Wraith. It was two trembling and out of breathes Hobbits.
Bob breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down on the tree. The Hobbits came over to her without saying anything, they were too tired. They sat that way for almost ten minutes before Bob finally broke the silence.
"That Wraith really wanted to capture us." She said, stating the obvious.
Frodo, Sam and Ned didn't say anything just gave her a confused and sarcastic look.
"How did you work that out?" Ned said sarcastically.
"Where do you suppose they would take us if they did capture us?"
"To Middle Earth I guess."
"True, but where exactly."
"I suppose to Isenguard." Ned said not really understanding what Bob was getting at. Bob realised this and continued trying to make her understand.
"And where do we need to go?"
"Home." All three said in unison.
"No. Isenguard. To Orthanc."
Ned and the Hobbits gave her a confused look.
"That's where Fred is." She said enthusiastically.
It finally dawned on the others what Bob was thinking.
"So what, you're just going to stroll up to one of them and ask for a ride to Middle Earth?" Ned said.
"No. I let one of them capture me. It takes me to Isenguard and I get into Orthanc. I rescue Fred we find a way to come home and we are all fine."
Bob's idea was met with nothing but a stunned silence. None of them could believe what they were hearing. Each of them knew that there was a possibility that the plan might work but they also knew the dangers of what she was proposing. They couldn't believe that Bob would even think about doing something so crazy.
"So how do you plan to get captured by a Wraith without it killing you?" Ned finally broke the silence.
"Easy. I wait for one to come and get me. It shouldn't be hard there are a few around."
"Alright and what's to say that when it sees you it won't kill you right away?"
"It took Fred didn't it? And the one that attacked us earlier on had no intention of killing us. They want us alive."
"So you're just going to wait until one finds you and hope it doesn't kill you? That doesn't sound like a very good plan to me."
"Do you have a better idea? Look, Fred needs our help. I can feel it, she's in pain and she needs to get out of there. You can't feel it; you can't feel what they're doing to her. Do you want me to just sit here and wait until they kill her? I won't do that."
"I know you want to help Fred but what happens if you die?"
"Then you'll have to think of another way of helping her. I have to know that I at least tried and I will not sit here and listen to her screaming in my head any more. Please, you have to trust me that this will work."
"Then let me go. I have more knowledge about Middle Earth than you."
"No. You're hurt and besides the reason they took Fred in the first place was because they thought she knew things about Middle Earth, with your knowledge it would make it worse."
"Then let me come with you."
"No. Someone needs to look after the Hobbits and make sure nothing happens."
"I can't believe we're even considering this." Ned said in disbelief.
"We're not considering it. I'm going. You're staying and that's that."
Ned couldn't believe what she was hearing. Bob had never been so insistent on anything before and it almost scared Ned that she was so adamant.
"Alright. We'll go along with your plan." Ned said in defeat.
Bob smiled pleased that she had won the fight. Although she was terrified about what she was suggesting. What did she know about rescuing people and fighting battles? She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into all she knew was that Fred's calls still echoed in her head and she had to help her friend. Ned could see in Bob's eyes that she was scared but she didn't mention anything.
"What about Gollum?" Frodo asked.
"I don't think he can cause much damage yet, he's far away from anything out here and he was probably so terrified by the Wraith that he has gone into hiding. Besides if Bob's plan works and she figures out what's going on here Gollum should be back in Middle Earth pretty soon." Ned answered. "Plus you have me to protect you." She smiled trying to lighten the mood.
"That's reassuring." Frodo said under his breath.
Ned pretended not to hear this remark and turned her attention back to Bob who was staring off into the distance. Ned knew she was thinking about what she was going to do and the look on Bob's face betrayed how afraid she was.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ned asked.
Bob snapped out of her staring and concentrated on Ned.
"I don't have much choice. I can feel Fred getting weaker. I don't think she can last much longer in that place. Besides we don't know what we'll have a chance like this again so we should make the most of it." She said trying to hide the fear in her voice. She said all this whilst at the same time trying to convince herself that it was a good idea.
Ned reached into her pocket and took out the small penknife she always carried around with her.
"Take this. I know it's not much of a weapon but it's the best thing we've got right now and I think you're going to need it far more than me."
"Thanks." Bob said not knowing whether that was good or bad.
Bob could imagine what to expect if it was like the movie but what she didn't want to think about was what if it was like the book. She had only read it once and certainly didn't know all the details off by heart. In a way she wished Ned was going with her, at least she knew some of what went on in Middle Earth.
The image of Fred in that small cell being tortured by hideous Orcs was enough to persuade Bob that this needed to be done. She had promised that she would find her friend and she would not give up now. She nodded to Ned and they began walking looking for the Wraith that was going to take her to Isengard to rescue Fred.
**
In that small cell in Orthanc Fred and David were talking once more about their previous lives before the nightmare had begun. David had let Fred do most of the talking only asking a few questions here and there. He had never once mentioned his own family and although Fred was eager to find out more about him she didn't want to push him into saying something he didn't want to. Every so often he would look like he was going to say something but changed him mind and shut his mouth before he was tempted.
David picked up his ration of water and dipped a small cloth in it, he ringed it out so as not to waste any precious water that they might later need. He motioned for Fred to come closer to him and she did as he instructed. He gently placed the wet cloth onto her face where she had been hurt during the brutal removal of her eye. She winced when she felt a small rush of pain go through her face but he did not retreat and she trusted that he knew what he was doing. In fact he seemed to know something about healing and she remembered that many people in Gondor knew at least something about healing. She made the most of it and let him help her.
"You really shouldn't use your own water you know. You should use mine." She said to him.
"I would never ask you to do that. You are not well, Fred." He said in almost a whisper as if it hurt him to admit it. Fred merely smiled at him and he seemed visibly relived that she said nothing else about it.
"You too are hurt. Would you like me to take a look at you.at your wounds." She corrected herself quickly although she was sure he didn't notice.
"Thank you Fred but I am alright. I did not know you were a healer."
"I wouldn't say a healer exactly. More like a handy person to have around if you're hurt. I study health at my school. I am well trained in first aid I promise. You have done so much for me this is my way of saying thank you." She smiled.
After a minute of though he nodded and smiled back at her. He carefully drew the cloth away from her eye and watched her for a few seconds.
"Okay, where were you hurt?" She asked.
He laughed when she said this and soon realised why. Everyone who was tortured in this place was probably hurt all over including her.
"I believe there is quite a large cut on my side." He said seriously.
She nodded and wished she didn't have to ask this next question.
"Can you take your shirt off please?"
He didn't seem to notice her discomfort and did what she said straight away. She gasped when she saw the long red mark that ran along his stomach. He noticed this and held up her hand to touch it as if to prove that it was nothing but a scar.
"It happened when I was first caught. I tried to kill some of them and they did this to me. It happened a long time ago and the pain is no longer there."
She nodded knowing he would say no more on the subject.
"Where are you hurt?" She asked and he pointed to a gash in his side.
Fred almost regretted saying she'd help him, the wound looked quite severe and she had never really treated anything other than a cut finger she hoped she could look after this although she doubted she could do much without a proper first aid kit. She examined the wound silently knowing David was watching her every move. She tried to concentrate on what she was doing but the thought of him watching her and the pain that she still felt from her eye was almost too distracting.
"I think I can do a little to help. I'm sorry it won't be much but I'll try."
He nodded as she reached to the floor to pick up her own tin of water that the Orc guards had left them several hours ago. She decided to use her own even though she knew David would protest, he had done enough to help him that this was the least she could do.
"You should not use your own water. Please use mine." He handed the tin to her but she took it and put it carefully back on the floor and ripped a bit of cloth off David's old cloak which was already useless for it's true purpose.
Fred dipped the cloth carefully into her own water and placed it gently onto the wound that was on David's side. He flinched a little but did not cry out or complain. She looked at his face and the same blank expression she was used to was still on there as if nothing was happening even though it must have been painful.
"So tell me some more about your family. I have told you almost everything about me but the only thing I know about you is your name."
"Maybe that is all you need to know." He said but there was no anger in his voice. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
"Who were your parents?"
"They are dead."
"Okay. Where did you grow up?"
"In Gondor." He searched her face and knew she wanted more, he had never told anyone about his youth but something about Fred made him want to tell her everything about himself. There were some things that she just didn't need to know though. "I grew up in a very lovely place. It was huge, the biggest grounds in the city, my father was a great man who inherited a lot of money and spent it well. We lived in a big house in the best part of Gondor. My growing up was very much like every other rich person. Boring but nice."
"Wow. So you're rich?"
"No my parents were rich. They lost all their money to gambling. A particularly nice man who took everything including our home away from us. After that I never saw my parents again and I went to live with my uncle. I never looked back."
"So how do you know that your parents are dead?" She asked cleaning around the wound.
"With the amount of trouble they used to get themselves into I doubt they lasted very long."
"That's awful."
"Not really. I had a good life after that. My uncle was a good man and I never regretted leaving."
"What was life with your uncle like? And don't just say good."
"Quiet. Nowhere near as extravagant just normal. He had a small house and he taught me everything I know about healing and fighting."
"You mentioned you had a brother the other day."
"Yes. I never really knew him. He went to train as a warrior when I was young and only returned several times."
"You must have missed him."
"You cannot miss someone you don't know Fred."
"True. But still weren't you lonely with your uncle?"
"It was quiet but not lonely. I had uncle to keep me company and my horse of course, we were good friends. And then there was the girl."
Fred's face dropped. She had never even considered that David might already have a girlfriend. She couldn't believe that she was so upset about it. No doubt that she was attracted to him but she hadn't realised that she would be that effected by it.
"Fred, are you alright?"
"Yes fine. I think I've done all I can to clean this wound up." She put the now damp piece of cloth on the floor and inspected her work. It looked a little better although she wished she had a bandage.
"I left her you know. The girl, I left her." He had obviously noticed her face.
She nodded at him as if not caring. He pulled her closer and kissed her gently. She was a little surprised but soon found that she was kissing him back. They held each other tightly both pleased to have something else to think about than just the cell they were in.
**
In a room in Orthanc Saruman was watching them through some form of magic. He had listened to their conversation. Much to his surprise Fred had given nothing away even when talking to someone she apparently trusted.
An Orc came and stood next to him and looked over his shoulder at David and Fred.
"I will stop them at once master." The Orc said turning to leave.
"No. Let them have their fun, it will al be over soon. And no more rations for them, I think they've had enough."
The Orc nodded and turned towards his colleagues. Saruman smiled. It was only a matter of time before he found out what he wanted to know. The girl couldn't keep quiet forever.