Disclaimer: I wish I owned them but I don't so I have to write about them
instead. I do own the characters Fred, Bob, Ned and David and a few Orcs
but not the Fellowship or anything from LOTR. So sad.
Ch 26 Arrival
Bob was walking through the woods closely followed by Ned and the two Hobbits. All of them new what was going to happen and they were all getting more and more anxious about it. They had been walking around for a few hours and they had not come across a Ring Wraith yet, Bob was starting to wonder if her plan would work. Before they left to find a Wraith to kidnap Bob they had discussed what was going to happen. Bob was going to Isengard to rescue Fred. Ned was going to stay hidden whilst the snatch was going on and then she was going to wait where she was and try and stay out of the way of the Wraiths. When Bob had completed her mission she would come back to that same place and hopefully take Ned and Fred home.
Another of Bob's aims for her 'trip' to Middle Earth was to break the spell somehow although she had no figured out how she was going to do that and she was sure that it wouldn't be easy. She tried to reassure herself that Fred would know something about the spell and hopefully help her break it.
Unfortunately no one had any idea what Bob would be faced with when she reached Middle Earth and she had no real plan for getting Fred out of Orthanc. One thing that Bob knew for certain was that Fred was alive, only just, but she was still alive and Bob knew she had to help her. The thought of her friend being locked up in some cell with no one to keep her company or help her made Bob even more determined to carry out her mission.
They walked for some time without talking when Ned stopped suddenly. Bob too stopped when she realised Ned was no longer following her.
"Bob. I can feel something. I can't explain it; I think it might be Fred. She's in pain; they're doing such awful things to her. Make them stop." Ned seemed to be in a dream world but Bob could tell that what she was feeling or seeing was frightening her.
"Is Fred still alive?" Bob asked, panic evident in her voice.
There was silence whilst Ned tried to figure out the answer to the question. "Yes. But she is fading. They're torturing her and they won't let her go. She's trying to be brave but she doesn't know how long she can keep it up. Bob we have to move fast."
Ned stood up straight, her head hurt. She was certain that what she saw was real, she guessed that Bob had seen the same things earlier on and she suddenly regretted not believing that they were as bad as Bob claimed they were. She shook her head to try and rid it of the awful images that remained there.
"Do you want to sit down and rest for a while?" Bob asked sympathetically knowing what Ned was going through.
"No. We have to keep going." Ned said walking in front of Bob. Bob said nothing but followed Ned through the trees.
After what seemed like hours of walking they finally heard something in the bushes, they couldn't see what was making the noise but they knew that it was a Wraith. They crouched low so as not to be caught too quickly.
"Are you ready?" Ned whispered.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Bob said. Ned could detect the fear in Bob's voice and she didn't blame her, being carried to another world by a Wraith must have been terrifying. She wished she could go instead and save Bob the trouble but she knew that there was no way she could fight Orcs.
"Do you know what to do? Remember stay out of everyone's way and do as you're told. Do not challenge Saruman and don't tell him anything about the Ring. Don't tell him where you're from and don't mention Fred's name. Remember he'll probably try and hurt you but no matter what happens don not mention Frodo or where he is. Understand? Your main priority is to find Fred and get out of there. Don't trust anyone, especially not the Orcs. As soon as you find Fred get out of there, and try and find a way of breaking the spell. Bob. Please be careful. Fred needs you but try not to get yourself killed.
"The cells should be near the top of the tower, Saruman should put you up there anyway. It won't be nice but just ignore everything else and remember why you are there."
Bob nodded every so often knowing that they had already been through this but she was pleased that Ned was reminding her of what she had to do. She just hoped she could remember it all.
"Bob, you have to hurry, Fred is not doing so well anymore and she needs your help but if you get into trouble and you can escape do it. Don't do anything stupid otherwise you're no help to anyone."
"You don't think I'll fail do you?" Bob asked.
"No. I don't think you'll fail. Please come back alive."
Bob nodded and turned to the Hobbits. She didn't say anything but they knew what she was thinking.
"Thank you for risking so much to help us. We can never repay you. Good luck in finding your friend and try not to get killed."
Bob smiled at them. "Good luck to you too. I have a feeling you're going to need it. And Frodo, don't trust anyone with the Ring. There are traitors all around you, even where you least expect it." Bob kissed Frodo and Sam on the cheek and turned back to Ned.
"I'll see you when you get back." Ned said.
Bob nodded and looked back to the Ring Wraith who was trying to work out where the smell of human came from. It was turning its head from side to side. Bob knew that she had to go now before it figured out where they were and they were all prisoners.
"Goodbye." Bob said trying not to cry.
"Goodbye." They all replied at once.
Before Bob could leave Ned grabbed her and gave her something. Bob looked at it and realised that it was Ned's penknife. She nodded her thank you. She was sure it would come in handy in a place as dangerous as Isengard. She hoped it would be enough.
Bob looked back to the Wraith and took a deep breath in preparation for what she was about to do. She had never been so scared but also had never been so determined to do the thing that would save her best friend. She took one last look back at the Hobbits and walked out of the trees.
She went cautiously at first but soon sped up into a fast walk. She hadn't realised the Wraith would be so terrifying, no wonder everyone in the movie hated them. It towered above her and she imagined what it would look like for a small Hobbit to come across one of these. She held her head high and strolled towards the Wraith, she wanted to shout at it and somehow get its attention, at least that would make it faster. Suddenly she realised how stupid her plan had been and she wished she could turn back.
Before she could even think about this the Wraith turned around. It had seen her. There was no going back now. She stopped suddenly no longer being able to control her legs, she wanted to run away form it but she forced herself to stay. This would have looked so stupid, a young girl who knew nothing about Orthanc or battle or anything else standing in front of a Ring Wraith waiting for it to take her to a tower she knew nothing about to help a person who could already be dead.
It sounded crazy when she had first thought of the idea but now she was actually doing it she knew that it was a big mistake. Bob didn't know anything about rescue or fighting. As close as she had come to escaping from prison was watching 'Escape from Alcatraz'. She knew that what she was doing was insane and she regretted ever coming up with the idea.
The Wraith came rushing towards her on his great black horse, she wanted to run away from the terrifying creature but she knew there was no way she could escape now. So she waited and eventually managed to stand up straight and wait until the Wraith came and grabbed her.
It swept past her and picked her roughly up by the neck. She could breathe and she tried to claw at its hand but nothing happened. It was so strong. She felt all the air draining from her body, she wondered how long she could survive without air. It was so cold with the Wraith. Almost like she had been thrown into a freezer she felt a chill run through her body and she felt like she was going to fall into darkness. Just as she thought this the Wraith pulled her up and swung her in front of him onto his horse. It was only them that she realised that they were no longer on the ground but somewhere above the Earth.
Bob imagined how scared Fred would have been at this, it was no secret that Fred was terrified of heights and this must have been hell for her, if she was conscious through the journey. If she wasn't Bob felt like she was the lucky one.
She closed her eyes against the wind that was whipping at her face, she hoped it wouldn't take them long to get to Isengard, she didn't want to be up there for too long. It was so uncomfortable on the horse she could also fell the Wraith's strong hand gripping her waist keeping her form falling off. Not that it matter much she was clinging on so tightly there was little hope of her falling off. The grip was a little too tight though; it was almost cutting off her circulation.
She wanted to be on the ground, somewhere safe, somewhere the Wraith's weren't but there was no turning back now. All she could think about was what was going to happen to her when she finally reached Isengard, if that was where they were going. What if it was taking her back to its true master Sauron? She would have no hope of survival if that happened.
Bob tried to concentrate on what she was meant to be doing, he mission was to find Fred and get her out of there. She had tried to prepare herself before all of this happened but she now realised that nothing she did could possibly prepare her for any of this. For a second she wondered if her friend was really worth all this but she quickly regretted thinking it and put it out of her mind. How could she think that? Bob felt herself crying both out of fear and of frustration. If only she had planned this better she might have been more prepared.
She summoned up the courage to look down but instantly wished she hadn't, all she could see was a thick grey mist and she wasn't sure what it was. She wondered where they were. They could have either been in Middle Earth or on Earth but there was no way she could know. At least she would find out soon enough. It was only a matter of time before they reached their destination. All she had to do was wait, she only wished that the wait wouldn't be long. She just wanted to get this over and done with and she didn't like not knowing where she was or when she's get to Isengard.
**
In Orthanc Fred finally woke up, the first thing she saw was David asleep on the floor. He was tied to something but she couldn't see what. It was unusually dark in the cell, although that could have been her imagination. She shifted her position slightly to get a batter look at David and as soon as she did she felt a sharp burning pain shoot down her back. She couldn't stop herself from gasping from the new pain. Suddenly she remembered what had happened. They had been so close to escaping and had been stopped when they had walked out the front door. She wondered what they had done to David.
Fred forced herself to move even though she was in pain. She looked over at David who was sleeping, she could see the gentle and regular rise and fall of his chest, that made her feel better at least he wasn't dead. She didn't want to think what they'd done to him, she wondered if he was in as much pain as she was. His breathing was steady though which probably meant that he wasn't seriously hurt. She hoped not. If he was it would be all her fault, she was the one who had persuaded him to come after all, he had disagreed. She now wished she had listened to him. She heard a whimper escape her lips. She wanted to get out of these chains they were making the pain worse.
Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her head. She tried to shake it off but soon it became so intense that she couldn't get rid of it, she didn't remembered eating any poisoned food like before and she certainly hadn't taken anything. She saw a flash of light and a faded image of a Ring Wraith; she didn't understand it all she felt was a great fear. It was so clear although the images were blurred the feeling was strong. Too strong. She heard herself cry out but she wasn't aware that David had heard it and was pulling desperately on his chains to try and get closer to her.
The images left as suddenly as they had arrived. The cell came back into focus and she felt herself lean into the chains that were holding her up, this just made the pain on her back worse and she wished she could make it go away. David had reached across and grabbed her hand for support. She gripped it and tried to regain her balance.
"Are you alright?" David asked, his voice was full of concern.
"I.I don't know what happened. I saw something. I can't explain it. I saw a Ring Wraith and I felt fear, really strong fear."
"I'm not surprised, you were quite badly hurt."
"No, it wasn't my fear it was someone else's and I don't know whose. Am I going mad?"
"Quite possibly." David said jokily.
Fred smiled at him and finally managed to stand up straight and stop the chains hurting her more. She looked at David who didn't appear to be hurt at all apart from a small cut on his head. There was a little blood but nothing to be too worried about. Fred wondered what had caused it but before she could ask she was interrupted by David saying something.
"Are you okay? I wish I could do something to help you but this chain seems pretty solid."
"I know the feeling, these chains aren't comfortable either. It is not nice when you can't take your back off the wall. But I guess you know that."
David laughed but said nothing.
Fred continued, "David, I'm so sorry. I really thought we could get out of here and all I did was get us into even more trouble. I should have listened to you."
"Don't worry about it. People always try to escape from this place and very few actually do. I did exactly the same thing when I first came here and I got pretty much the same treatment as you."
"But you didn't drag your cellmate along with you did you?"
"Actually yes I did and he got the same treatment as me. Unfortunately he wasn't strong enough to stand the punishment. He died because I had forced him to escape with me. It was my fault. But luckily I'm not dead. Or tortured any more than usual."
"But still, you wouldn't be chained up if it wasn't for me."
"Do you really think that I haven't been chained up before? I'm glad we tried to escape, we got so close and if it hadn't been for the Orcs behind that door we would probably have gotten away with it. I don't blame you for wanting to escape. You saw a chance and took it, it is more than some people would do."
"Yeah and look what happened." Fred laughed. She instantly regretted it when it sent a wave of pain through her body.
David held her hand tighter as she tried to make it go away. "We'll be alright. I know we will." He smiled at her and she felt almost comfortable despite the pain.
The mystery of whom she saw earlier on was almost gone and she no longer cared what she saw. She just hoped that whoever it was was all right and was not coming to Orthanc. Right now all she could think about was the aching in her arms and how uncomfortable the chains were. She wished her back wasn't pressed up against the wall; it was just making the painful wounds worse.
Fred wondered if David was really alright about what she had done. She decided to make sure that he was alright as well. After all it was something she needed to do if she was going to feel better about what she had done.
"Did they hurt you?" She asked pointing at the cut on his forehead.
"No, when they threw me in the cell I banged my head on the floor but its nothing. It doesn't even hurt."
"You know head wounds can be dangerous. Are you sure you didn't black out?"
"I am sure. You should worry about yourself rather than me. They seemed to be content in me watching you suffer. I must admit it was the worst torture I've suffered so far." He smiled at the surprise on Fred's face. "Don't look so surprised. I love you." This made Fred even more surprised. She knew they had feelings for each other but love, she hadn't expected that.
"I.I didn't know you felt that way."
"Of course. Don't you?" David asked, suddenly concerned that she didn't feel the same way.
"Yes. I just hadn't thought of it before. I didn't know you."
"Well I do." They smiled at each other and David bent down and kissed her hand.
**
Bob had been with the Wraith for so long that she couldn't remember when she left, she was sure she hadn't been gone too long but it still felt like a long time. The Wraith hadn't loosened its grip at all since they had started. She wondered how much longer they would be travelling. This must have terrified Fred even more than her, she knew her friend was terrified of heights and she had never flown before especially not on a flying horse with a Ring Wraith. Now that she thought about that it sounded very funny only she was in no mood to laugh.
Just as she thought the journey would never end she felt herself going down. It was a strange sensation and one that she would never be able to describe to anyone who asked. She braced herself for the landing but was distracted by the sight that met her when they emerged from the grey mist. It was a huge tower, far bigger than she expected. Even from a height she could see that it was very threatening and could understand why someone would be scared to see it. She could see the grey bare ground that covered it and there seemed to be no signs of life below. It looked empty. And deserted but the thought that Fred was so close to her willed her to remember why she was doing all this.
She felt almost excited at the thought of seeing her friend again she was also pleased to find that she could feel her friend close by and she was not dead, in fact at the moment she seemed almost happy. In pain still but no longer quite as scared.
The downward movement reminded her that they still had to land. The horse swept down quickly and landed heavily on the dull ground. Bob felt the small jerk as she realised they had landed. She was just beginning to realise what she was doing and everything she had planned was coming into effect. She was frightened at what she might find but also optimistic that it would all work out. She tried not to think about what had happened to her friend and what may happen to her, her main priority was to get them out of there and break the spell. Then everything would go back to normal and they would go back to their chemistry and English lessons.
Bob couldn't believe it, she was in Middle Earth, one of the scariest parts of Middle Earth but still this was a dream come true for her even though she knew she was probably going to die very soon.
The Wraith jumped off the horse with Bob still in his arms. She held on tightly as it carried her up the never-ending steps of Orthanc. He strode purposefully up them knowing that Saruman was expecting them and not caring whether her hurt Bob or not.
Bob didn't get the same welcome as Fred, Saruman was not waiting for her outside the tower, he was far more interested in other things and did not have time to greet one more prisoner. However, the Orcs that followed Saruman did. They met the Wraith and Bob. It dropped her roughly on the ground banging her arm against the hard stone floor. The Orcs roughly picked her up as the Wraith walked away. Bob was inside Orthanc and it wasn't quite the arrival she was expecting but that didn't matter, she knew it was only a matter of time before they took her to the cells. Then her plan would work. She smiled to herself as she was pushed down the corridor towards Saruman's room.
In truth she had no idea what she was getting herself into but it was guaranteed that she would regret what she was doing.
Ch 26 Arrival
Bob was walking through the woods closely followed by Ned and the two Hobbits. All of them new what was going to happen and they were all getting more and more anxious about it. They had been walking around for a few hours and they had not come across a Ring Wraith yet, Bob was starting to wonder if her plan would work. Before they left to find a Wraith to kidnap Bob they had discussed what was going to happen. Bob was going to Isengard to rescue Fred. Ned was going to stay hidden whilst the snatch was going on and then she was going to wait where she was and try and stay out of the way of the Wraiths. When Bob had completed her mission she would come back to that same place and hopefully take Ned and Fred home.
Another of Bob's aims for her 'trip' to Middle Earth was to break the spell somehow although she had no figured out how she was going to do that and she was sure that it wouldn't be easy. She tried to reassure herself that Fred would know something about the spell and hopefully help her break it.
Unfortunately no one had any idea what Bob would be faced with when she reached Middle Earth and she had no real plan for getting Fred out of Orthanc. One thing that Bob knew for certain was that Fred was alive, only just, but she was still alive and Bob knew she had to help her. The thought of her friend being locked up in some cell with no one to keep her company or help her made Bob even more determined to carry out her mission.
They walked for some time without talking when Ned stopped suddenly. Bob too stopped when she realised Ned was no longer following her.
"Bob. I can feel something. I can't explain it; I think it might be Fred. She's in pain; they're doing such awful things to her. Make them stop." Ned seemed to be in a dream world but Bob could tell that what she was feeling or seeing was frightening her.
"Is Fred still alive?" Bob asked, panic evident in her voice.
There was silence whilst Ned tried to figure out the answer to the question. "Yes. But she is fading. They're torturing her and they won't let her go. She's trying to be brave but she doesn't know how long she can keep it up. Bob we have to move fast."
Ned stood up straight, her head hurt. She was certain that what she saw was real, she guessed that Bob had seen the same things earlier on and she suddenly regretted not believing that they were as bad as Bob claimed they were. She shook her head to try and rid it of the awful images that remained there.
"Do you want to sit down and rest for a while?" Bob asked sympathetically knowing what Ned was going through.
"No. We have to keep going." Ned said walking in front of Bob. Bob said nothing but followed Ned through the trees.
After what seemed like hours of walking they finally heard something in the bushes, they couldn't see what was making the noise but they knew that it was a Wraith. They crouched low so as not to be caught too quickly.
"Are you ready?" Ned whispered.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Bob said. Ned could detect the fear in Bob's voice and she didn't blame her, being carried to another world by a Wraith must have been terrifying. She wished she could go instead and save Bob the trouble but she knew that there was no way she could fight Orcs.
"Do you know what to do? Remember stay out of everyone's way and do as you're told. Do not challenge Saruman and don't tell him anything about the Ring. Don't tell him where you're from and don't mention Fred's name. Remember he'll probably try and hurt you but no matter what happens don not mention Frodo or where he is. Understand? Your main priority is to find Fred and get out of there. Don't trust anyone, especially not the Orcs. As soon as you find Fred get out of there, and try and find a way of breaking the spell. Bob. Please be careful. Fred needs you but try not to get yourself killed.
"The cells should be near the top of the tower, Saruman should put you up there anyway. It won't be nice but just ignore everything else and remember why you are there."
Bob nodded every so often knowing that they had already been through this but she was pleased that Ned was reminding her of what she had to do. She just hoped she could remember it all.
"Bob, you have to hurry, Fred is not doing so well anymore and she needs your help but if you get into trouble and you can escape do it. Don't do anything stupid otherwise you're no help to anyone."
"You don't think I'll fail do you?" Bob asked.
"No. I don't think you'll fail. Please come back alive."
Bob nodded and turned to the Hobbits. She didn't say anything but they knew what she was thinking.
"Thank you for risking so much to help us. We can never repay you. Good luck in finding your friend and try not to get killed."
Bob smiled at them. "Good luck to you too. I have a feeling you're going to need it. And Frodo, don't trust anyone with the Ring. There are traitors all around you, even where you least expect it." Bob kissed Frodo and Sam on the cheek and turned back to Ned.
"I'll see you when you get back." Ned said.
Bob nodded and looked back to the Ring Wraith who was trying to work out where the smell of human came from. It was turning its head from side to side. Bob knew that she had to go now before it figured out where they were and they were all prisoners.
"Goodbye." Bob said trying not to cry.
"Goodbye." They all replied at once.
Before Bob could leave Ned grabbed her and gave her something. Bob looked at it and realised that it was Ned's penknife. She nodded her thank you. She was sure it would come in handy in a place as dangerous as Isengard. She hoped it would be enough.
Bob looked back to the Wraith and took a deep breath in preparation for what she was about to do. She had never been so scared but also had never been so determined to do the thing that would save her best friend. She took one last look back at the Hobbits and walked out of the trees.
She went cautiously at first but soon sped up into a fast walk. She hadn't realised the Wraith would be so terrifying, no wonder everyone in the movie hated them. It towered above her and she imagined what it would look like for a small Hobbit to come across one of these. She held her head high and strolled towards the Wraith, she wanted to shout at it and somehow get its attention, at least that would make it faster. Suddenly she realised how stupid her plan had been and she wished she could turn back.
Before she could even think about this the Wraith turned around. It had seen her. There was no going back now. She stopped suddenly no longer being able to control her legs, she wanted to run away form it but she forced herself to stay. This would have looked so stupid, a young girl who knew nothing about Orthanc or battle or anything else standing in front of a Ring Wraith waiting for it to take her to a tower she knew nothing about to help a person who could already be dead.
It sounded crazy when she had first thought of the idea but now she was actually doing it she knew that it was a big mistake. Bob didn't know anything about rescue or fighting. As close as she had come to escaping from prison was watching 'Escape from Alcatraz'. She knew that what she was doing was insane and she regretted ever coming up with the idea.
The Wraith came rushing towards her on his great black horse, she wanted to run away from the terrifying creature but she knew there was no way she could escape now. So she waited and eventually managed to stand up straight and wait until the Wraith came and grabbed her.
It swept past her and picked her roughly up by the neck. She could breathe and she tried to claw at its hand but nothing happened. It was so strong. She felt all the air draining from her body, she wondered how long she could survive without air. It was so cold with the Wraith. Almost like she had been thrown into a freezer she felt a chill run through her body and she felt like she was going to fall into darkness. Just as she thought this the Wraith pulled her up and swung her in front of him onto his horse. It was only them that she realised that they were no longer on the ground but somewhere above the Earth.
Bob imagined how scared Fred would have been at this, it was no secret that Fred was terrified of heights and this must have been hell for her, if she was conscious through the journey. If she wasn't Bob felt like she was the lucky one.
She closed her eyes against the wind that was whipping at her face, she hoped it wouldn't take them long to get to Isengard, she didn't want to be up there for too long. It was so uncomfortable on the horse she could also fell the Wraith's strong hand gripping her waist keeping her form falling off. Not that it matter much she was clinging on so tightly there was little hope of her falling off. The grip was a little too tight though; it was almost cutting off her circulation.
She wanted to be on the ground, somewhere safe, somewhere the Wraith's weren't but there was no turning back now. All she could think about was what was going to happen to her when she finally reached Isengard, if that was where they were going. What if it was taking her back to its true master Sauron? She would have no hope of survival if that happened.
Bob tried to concentrate on what she was meant to be doing, he mission was to find Fred and get her out of there. She had tried to prepare herself before all of this happened but she now realised that nothing she did could possibly prepare her for any of this. For a second she wondered if her friend was really worth all this but she quickly regretted thinking it and put it out of her mind. How could she think that? Bob felt herself crying both out of fear and of frustration. If only she had planned this better she might have been more prepared.
She summoned up the courage to look down but instantly wished she hadn't, all she could see was a thick grey mist and she wasn't sure what it was. She wondered where they were. They could have either been in Middle Earth or on Earth but there was no way she could know. At least she would find out soon enough. It was only a matter of time before they reached their destination. All she had to do was wait, she only wished that the wait wouldn't be long. She just wanted to get this over and done with and she didn't like not knowing where she was or when she's get to Isengard.
**
In Orthanc Fred finally woke up, the first thing she saw was David asleep on the floor. He was tied to something but she couldn't see what. It was unusually dark in the cell, although that could have been her imagination. She shifted her position slightly to get a batter look at David and as soon as she did she felt a sharp burning pain shoot down her back. She couldn't stop herself from gasping from the new pain. Suddenly she remembered what had happened. They had been so close to escaping and had been stopped when they had walked out the front door. She wondered what they had done to David.
Fred forced herself to move even though she was in pain. She looked over at David who was sleeping, she could see the gentle and regular rise and fall of his chest, that made her feel better at least he wasn't dead. She didn't want to think what they'd done to him, she wondered if he was in as much pain as she was. His breathing was steady though which probably meant that he wasn't seriously hurt. She hoped not. If he was it would be all her fault, she was the one who had persuaded him to come after all, he had disagreed. She now wished she had listened to him. She heard a whimper escape her lips. She wanted to get out of these chains they were making the pain worse.
Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her head. She tried to shake it off but soon it became so intense that she couldn't get rid of it, she didn't remembered eating any poisoned food like before and she certainly hadn't taken anything. She saw a flash of light and a faded image of a Ring Wraith; she didn't understand it all she felt was a great fear. It was so clear although the images were blurred the feeling was strong. Too strong. She heard herself cry out but she wasn't aware that David had heard it and was pulling desperately on his chains to try and get closer to her.
The images left as suddenly as they had arrived. The cell came back into focus and she felt herself lean into the chains that were holding her up, this just made the pain on her back worse and she wished she could make it go away. David had reached across and grabbed her hand for support. She gripped it and tried to regain her balance.
"Are you alright?" David asked, his voice was full of concern.
"I.I don't know what happened. I saw something. I can't explain it. I saw a Ring Wraith and I felt fear, really strong fear."
"I'm not surprised, you were quite badly hurt."
"No, it wasn't my fear it was someone else's and I don't know whose. Am I going mad?"
"Quite possibly." David said jokily.
Fred smiled at him and finally managed to stand up straight and stop the chains hurting her more. She looked at David who didn't appear to be hurt at all apart from a small cut on his head. There was a little blood but nothing to be too worried about. Fred wondered what had caused it but before she could ask she was interrupted by David saying something.
"Are you okay? I wish I could do something to help you but this chain seems pretty solid."
"I know the feeling, these chains aren't comfortable either. It is not nice when you can't take your back off the wall. But I guess you know that."
David laughed but said nothing.
Fred continued, "David, I'm so sorry. I really thought we could get out of here and all I did was get us into even more trouble. I should have listened to you."
"Don't worry about it. People always try to escape from this place and very few actually do. I did exactly the same thing when I first came here and I got pretty much the same treatment as you."
"But you didn't drag your cellmate along with you did you?"
"Actually yes I did and he got the same treatment as me. Unfortunately he wasn't strong enough to stand the punishment. He died because I had forced him to escape with me. It was my fault. But luckily I'm not dead. Or tortured any more than usual."
"But still, you wouldn't be chained up if it wasn't for me."
"Do you really think that I haven't been chained up before? I'm glad we tried to escape, we got so close and if it hadn't been for the Orcs behind that door we would probably have gotten away with it. I don't blame you for wanting to escape. You saw a chance and took it, it is more than some people would do."
"Yeah and look what happened." Fred laughed. She instantly regretted it when it sent a wave of pain through her body.
David held her hand tighter as she tried to make it go away. "We'll be alright. I know we will." He smiled at her and she felt almost comfortable despite the pain.
The mystery of whom she saw earlier on was almost gone and she no longer cared what she saw. She just hoped that whoever it was was all right and was not coming to Orthanc. Right now all she could think about was the aching in her arms and how uncomfortable the chains were. She wished her back wasn't pressed up against the wall; it was just making the painful wounds worse.
Fred wondered if David was really alright about what she had done. She decided to make sure that he was alright as well. After all it was something she needed to do if she was going to feel better about what she had done.
"Did they hurt you?" She asked pointing at the cut on his forehead.
"No, when they threw me in the cell I banged my head on the floor but its nothing. It doesn't even hurt."
"You know head wounds can be dangerous. Are you sure you didn't black out?"
"I am sure. You should worry about yourself rather than me. They seemed to be content in me watching you suffer. I must admit it was the worst torture I've suffered so far." He smiled at the surprise on Fred's face. "Don't look so surprised. I love you." This made Fred even more surprised. She knew they had feelings for each other but love, she hadn't expected that.
"I.I didn't know you felt that way."
"Of course. Don't you?" David asked, suddenly concerned that she didn't feel the same way.
"Yes. I just hadn't thought of it before. I didn't know you."
"Well I do." They smiled at each other and David bent down and kissed her hand.
**
Bob had been with the Wraith for so long that she couldn't remember when she left, she was sure she hadn't been gone too long but it still felt like a long time. The Wraith hadn't loosened its grip at all since they had started. She wondered how much longer they would be travelling. This must have terrified Fred even more than her, she knew her friend was terrified of heights and she had never flown before especially not on a flying horse with a Ring Wraith. Now that she thought about that it sounded very funny only she was in no mood to laugh.
Just as she thought the journey would never end she felt herself going down. It was a strange sensation and one that she would never be able to describe to anyone who asked. She braced herself for the landing but was distracted by the sight that met her when they emerged from the grey mist. It was a huge tower, far bigger than she expected. Even from a height she could see that it was very threatening and could understand why someone would be scared to see it. She could see the grey bare ground that covered it and there seemed to be no signs of life below. It looked empty. And deserted but the thought that Fred was so close to her willed her to remember why she was doing all this.
She felt almost excited at the thought of seeing her friend again she was also pleased to find that she could feel her friend close by and she was not dead, in fact at the moment she seemed almost happy. In pain still but no longer quite as scared.
The downward movement reminded her that they still had to land. The horse swept down quickly and landed heavily on the dull ground. Bob felt the small jerk as she realised they had landed. She was just beginning to realise what she was doing and everything she had planned was coming into effect. She was frightened at what she might find but also optimistic that it would all work out. She tried not to think about what had happened to her friend and what may happen to her, her main priority was to get them out of there and break the spell. Then everything would go back to normal and they would go back to their chemistry and English lessons.
Bob couldn't believe it, she was in Middle Earth, one of the scariest parts of Middle Earth but still this was a dream come true for her even though she knew she was probably going to die very soon.
The Wraith jumped off the horse with Bob still in his arms. She held on tightly as it carried her up the never-ending steps of Orthanc. He strode purposefully up them knowing that Saruman was expecting them and not caring whether her hurt Bob or not.
Bob didn't get the same welcome as Fred, Saruman was not waiting for her outside the tower, he was far more interested in other things and did not have time to greet one more prisoner. However, the Orcs that followed Saruman did. They met the Wraith and Bob. It dropped her roughly on the ground banging her arm against the hard stone floor. The Orcs roughly picked her up as the Wraith walked away. Bob was inside Orthanc and it wasn't quite the arrival she was expecting but that didn't matter, she knew it was only a matter of time before they took her to the cells. Then her plan would work. She smiled to herself as she was pushed down the corridor towards Saruman's room.
In truth she had no idea what she was getting herself into but it was guaranteed that she would regret what she was doing.