Disclaimer: I don't own them so I have to entertain myself.
Ch 29 Advice
The door to the box finally opened and light steamed into where Fred lay completely still. Most of the bugs were now sleeping under her keeping away from possible harm, now the box was filled with bright sunlight the bugs that had remained on top of her ran away into the corners looking for the darkness they loved.
Fred couldn't see what was happening but she had noticed the slight change in light through her sack. She waited for it to leave again but it didn't and she felt something breathing against her, something very close. She thought she should have been scared but she wasn't there was something comforting about the presence that made her calm and almost forget the situation she was in. She heard a soft voice talking to her trying to reassure her but she could hardly catch the words because they were so muffled through the sack on her head.
She wanted to try and get the sack off but knew that by moving she would disturb many creatures that were beneath her. Before she could even think about doing so the figure near her did it for her. A hand came down and gently removed the sack. Fred was almost blinded by the light but when she opened her eyes she could see through both of them. She realised then that this must be a dream and sighed in disappointment.
Fred tried to focus on the form that was standing over her. She instantly recognised him as the man who had been stood in the doorway a few days ago, her guardian angel.
"Do not fear young one, everything will turn out alright. You are not alone." The voice was soft and kindly, Fred didn't want it to stop talking to her as she felt relaxed and could no longer feel the creatures crawling under or over her.
"Who are you?" She didn't think she'd be able to talk but her voice was strong.
"That is not important. I am here to help you. I can give you this advice. No matter what happens or how hard it gets you must say nothing about the Ring bearer or the Ring. Do not be deceived he will not let you go no matter what you tell him. You must be strong and keep your word to Frodo. Your friend will help you I know but it will take time. As long as hope remains and you stick to your word everything will work out right even in the most desperate situation."
Fred didn't understand what was going on but the words seemed to make complete sense. She thought for a moment that this could be a deception by Saruman but quickly thought that he could never be so pure. No this was real, she knew it.
"How will it be alright? Who are you? Is this a dream?" She said noticing the image beginning to fade slightly.
"There is no time for questions. The whole of Middle Earth depends that you keep that secret. Good luck and remember that there is always hope and a person can survive on it."
Fred nodded knowing that she could ask no more questions.
"Thank you." She said as the image faded into nothing.
**
Bob lay sleeping in the cell; she had finally given in when she had felt at least a little safe in her armour. She knew that she would need all her strength if she would later have to fight the Orcs. What was she thinking? She had never fought anything before. She had watched people do judo and things but had no experience at it at all. There was no way she could take on a whole army of Orcs with just a mithruil vest.
Bob sat up knowing that she would not get any more sleep and was pleased to find that light was already beginning to fill the dark prison. She looked around checking to see if anything had changed. It was all exactly as she remembered it. Even the rat could be heard chewing at something but she didn't want to think about what it was.
The collapsed bones of the Dwarf in the corner remained where they were and Bob had kept a close eye on them throughout the night just in case some of those horror movies came true. Just the thought that that had once been a living, breathing thing made Bob concerned. During the night she wondered whether she would end up like that, they surely wouldn't just leave her in there to rot away like him. The thought frightened her and she put it to the back of her mind.
She got up and went to the door and pressed her ear up against it. She could hear the sound of people speaking and occasionally shouting but she guessed that was most likely the prisoners than the Orc guards.
She went to the bed and sat back down, she needed to think of something to get them out of there. They couldn't stay there forever, they would never get to see The Return of the King movie. She sighed and laid back down knowing there was nothing she could do. She thought of several possibilities but none would work in this particular place. She even thought about some of the fanfics Ned had written but that didn't help either. This was hopeless.
She cursed herself for thinking that, something told her that she shouldn't lose hope although she didn't know why she suddenly thought of that. Maybe it was Fred again, since this whole thing had begun their psychic link had gotten stronger. Bob wondered if the Orcs were ever coming back or whether they were just going to leave her in there to rot away like the Dwarf that had once been in the cell. She hoped not, she couldn't handle staying in this place for too long and was amazed that Fred hadn't gone completely mad.
For some reason Bob suddenly thought of Ned, she wondered if she was okay. Ned had been stabbed and hadn't looked particularly well when Bob had left. Was it a good idea to leave her in charge of the Hobbits? Bob hoped she had done the right thing. They were the most important things right then and needed to be safe and looked after. Bob was trying to convince herself that everything would be alright and that Ned would do everything she could to keep the Hobbits safe and away from Ring Wraiths. She had to believe it. She just hoped she hadn't made a big mistake.
Bob sighed, there was nothing she could do about it when she was locked in a cell in Orthanc. She just wished that the Hobbits would be safe and that everything would work out as planned.
**
This time Fred knew it was real, she saw the bright light but it wasn't a friendly voice that greeted her it was the gruff voice of an Orc. The sack over her head was roughly pulled off and she was almost blinded by the light even though it was still quite dim. She focused her eyes on the ceiling of the hall trying not to look down and see the numerous bugs that she could still feel crawling on her.
The Orc grabbed a tool of some kind and without any real thought pulled the jagged pieces of metal from Fred's hands. She screamed at the pain but the Orc just moved onto the other one without even listening to her. Finally the pins were out and she moved her hands, she could feel something with many legs crawling across her hand but she shook it off ignoring the pain it caused. The Orc grabbed her arm and pulled her into a sitting position. He quickly scraped off some of the insects that were clinging to Fred.
Rough hands pulled her up and out of the box but she did not complain although because she had been in the same position for so long she could hardly move. The Orc must have noticed this and threw her over his shoulder. Again she didn't say anything even though she wasn't being treated nicely she was just pleased to be out of that box.
The Orc took her to a room and stripped off her clothes until she had very little on, he then held up a bucket of water and tipped the freezing liquid over her head. The bugs that had been on her feel to the floor when hit with the cold water. She shivered but was grateful that they were no longer crawling on her. Finally the Orc finished and shook out her clothes. She didn't really understand why he was being so nice. She would have thought Saruman would have wanted her to suffer more.
Her clothes were thrown at her and she shakily put them on. She was still so paranoid that there was something still in them but the cold forced her to put them on quickly.
Soon she was dressed and walking slowly and painfully through the halls of Orthanc, she realised that she was not being taken back to Saruman's room but back to the cellblock. She sighed in relief that she wouldn't have to go through any more torture that day, she could hardly stand as it was.
They finally reached her cell and the Orc opened the door and threw her in so she hit the floor. The Orc quickly looked around the cell and said something in the filthy language that Fred now hated. She felt the world spinning and thought that any minute she would lose consciousness. It was then that she felt that familiar comfortable presence by her side. She glanced across and saw the concerned face of David looking back at her. She saw his lips move but couldn't make out what he was saying. She closed her eyes to block out the pounding in her head and then all she saw was blackness but she could still feel that deep relief that she was now safe and with David.
**
Aragorn and Fred's father had set off looking for Fred and her friends. They were now heading in the car towards the New Forest, exactly where the three friends had originally gone. Aragorn had guessed that if the girls wanted to hide out somewhere it would have to be fairly close by but also far enough away from the town.
The Forest was the perfect place. It had plenty of cover and was secluded enough to hide. Aragorn just hoped that they were all right and that the Hobbits were safe with the three girls. He was an experienced tracker and was almost sure that he would be able to find them, however, the Forest was very big and it had been fairly dry the past few days. The two men had taken camping gear with them and enough food to last a while in case it took a long time to find what they were looking for.
Aragorn saw the sign telling them they were in the New Forest, he instantly felt nervous and after years of being a ranger and growing up among the Elves he had learned to listen to his instincts.
"From now on go slowly and as quietly as possible. We know not what may be chasing our targets." He said.
"I don't think there are any dangerous wild animals in the New Forest Aragorn."
"It is not the wild animals that concern me. There are things far more dangerous."
"Like what?"
"If we were brought here then it is probably a trick by Saruman, that means that he wants Frodo and the Ring. He would send more than us here if he wanted to catch us. Ring Wraiths would be the obvious ones. They work for Sauron but if Mordor and Isengard are working together the Wraiths might well be here. They do not take kindly to being hunted and would do anything to get to the Ring and please their Master."
"You think they'd kill Fred?"
"No. I think if they found her they would take her straight to either Mordor or Isengard. A far worse fate than death."
Fred's father looked at over him concern etched on his face.
"Do not worry. From what you have told me the three girls are sensible and would try not to get caught by Wraiths. I am sure they are safe and we will find them. Let us look for a place to begin our search."
Even though Aragorn had tried to convince Fred's father that the girls would not have been hurt by the Ring Wraiths he could not help thinking that they were in trouble and wanted to get looking for them as soon as possible. Something was wrong about this Forest and he could feel it.
Ch 29 Advice
The door to the box finally opened and light steamed into where Fred lay completely still. Most of the bugs were now sleeping under her keeping away from possible harm, now the box was filled with bright sunlight the bugs that had remained on top of her ran away into the corners looking for the darkness they loved.
Fred couldn't see what was happening but she had noticed the slight change in light through her sack. She waited for it to leave again but it didn't and she felt something breathing against her, something very close. She thought she should have been scared but she wasn't there was something comforting about the presence that made her calm and almost forget the situation she was in. She heard a soft voice talking to her trying to reassure her but she could hardly catch the words because they were so muffled through the sack on her head.
She wanted to try and get the sack off but knew that by moving she would disturb many creatures that were beneath her. Before she could even think about doing so the figure near her did it for her. A hand came down and gently removed the sack. Fred was almost blinded by the light but when she opened her eyes she could see through both of them. She realised then that this must be a dream and sighed in disappointment.
Fred tried to focus on the form that was standing over her. She instantly recognised him as the man who had been stood in the doorway a few days ago, her guardian angel.
"Do not fear young one, everything will turn out alright. You are not alone." The voice was soft and kindly, Fred didn't want it to stop talking to her as she felt relaxed and could no longer feel the creatures crawling under or over her.
"Who are you?" She didn't think she'd be able to talk but her voice was strong.
"That is not important. I am here to help you. I can give you this advice. No matter what happens or how hard it gets you must say nothing about the Ring bearer or the Ring. Do not be deceived he will not let you go no matter what you tell him. You must be strong and keep your word to Frodo. Your friend will help you I know but it will take time. As long as hope remains and you stick to your word everything will work out right even in the most desperate situation."
Fred didn't understand what was going on but the words seemed to make complete sense. She thought for a moment that this could be a deception by Saruman but quickly thought that he could never be so pure. No this was real, she knew it.
"How will it be alright? Who are you? Is this a dream?" She said noticing the image beginning to fade slightly.
"There is no time for questions. The whole of Middle Earth depends that you keep that secret. Good luck and remember that there is always hope and a person can survive on it."
Fred nodded knowing that she could ask no more questions.
"Thank you." She said as the image faded into nothing.
**
Bob lay sleeping in the cell; she had finally given in when she had felt at least a little safe in her armour. She knew that she would need all her strength if she would later have to fight the Orcs. What was she thinking? She had never fought anything before. She had watched people do judo and things but had no experience at it at all. There was no way she could take on a whole army of Orcs with just a mithruil vest.
Bob sat up knowing that she would not get any more sleep and was pleased to find that light was already beginning to fill the dark prison. She looked around checking to see if anything had changed. It was all exactly as she remembered it. Even the rat could be heard chewing at something but she didn't want to think about what it was.
The collapsed bones of the Dwarf in the corner remained where they were and Bob had kept a close eye on them throughout the night just in case some of those horror movies came true. Just the thought that that had once been a living, breathing thing made Bob concerned. During the night she wondered whether she would end up like that, they surely wouldn't just leave her in there to rot away like him. The thought frightened her and she put it to the back of her mind.
She got up and went to the door and pressed her ear up against it. She could hear the sound of people speaking and occasionally shouting but she guessed that was most likely the prisoners than the Orc guards.
She went to the bed and sat back down, she needed to think of something to get them out of there. They couldn't stay there forever, they would never get to see The Return of the King movie. She sighed and laid back down knowing there was nothing she could do. She thought of several possibilities but none would work in this particular place. She even thought about some of the fanfics Ned had written but that didn't help either. This was hopeless.
She cursed herself for thinking that, something told her that she shouldn't lose hope although she didn't know why she suddenly thought of that. Maybe it was Fred again, since this whole thing had begun their psychic link had gotten stronger. Bob wondered if the Orcs were ever coming back or whether they were just going to leave her in there to rot away like the Dwarf that had once been in the cell. She hoped not, she couldn't handle staying in this place for too long and was amazed that Fred hadn't gone completely mad.
For some reason Bob suddenly thought of Ned, she wondered if she was okay. Ned had been stabbed and hadn't looked particularly well when Bob had left. Was it a good idea to leave her in charge of the Hobbits? Bob hoped she had done the right thing. They were the most important things right then and needed to be safe and looked after. Bob was trying to convince herself that everything would be alright and that Ned would do everything she could to keep the Hobbits safe and away from Ring Wraiths. She had to believe it. She just hoped she hadn't made a big mistake.
Bob sighed, there was nothing she could do about it when she was locked in a cell in Orthanc. She just wished that the Hobbits would be safe and that everything would work out as planned.
**
This time Fred knew it was real, she saw the bright light but it wasn't a friendly voice that greeted her it was the gruff voice of an Orc. The sack over her head was roughly pulled off and she was almost blinded by the light even though it was still quite dim. She focused her eyes on the ceiling of the hall trying not to look down and see the numerous bugs that she could still feel crawling on her.
The Orc grabbed a tool of some kind and without any real thought pulled the jagged pieces of metal from Fred's hands. She screamed at the pain but the Orc just moved onto the other one without even listening to her. Finally the pins were out and she moved her hands, she could feel something with many legs crawling across her hand but she shook it off ignoring the pain it caused. The Orc grabbed her arm and pulled her into a sitting position. He quickly scraped off some of the insects that were clinging to Fred.
Rough hands pulled her up and out of the box but she did not complain although because she had been in the same position for so long she could hardly move. The Orc must have noticed this and threw her over his shoulder. Again she didn't say anything even though she wasn't being treated nicely she was just pleased to be out of that box.
The Orc took her to a room and stripped off her clothes until she had very little on, he then held up a bucket of water and tipped the freezing liquid over her head. The bugs that had been on her feel to the floor when hit with the cold water. She shivered but was grateful that they were no longer crawling on her. Finally the Orc finished and shook out her clothes. She didn't really understand why he was being so nice. She would have thought Saruman would have wanted her to suffer more.
Her clothes were thrown at her and she shakily put them on. She was still so paranoid that there was something still in them but the cold forced her to put them on quickly.
Soon she was dressed and walking slowly and painfully through the halls of Orthanc, she realised that she was not being taken back to Saruman's room but back to the cellblock. She sighed in relief that she wouldn't have to go through any more torture that day, she could hardly stand as it was.
They finally reached her cell and the Orc opened the door and threw her in so she hit the floor. The Orc quickly looked around the cell and said something in the filthy language that Fred now hated. She felt the world spinning and thought that any minute she would lose consciousness. It was then that she felt that familiar comfortable presence by her side. She glanced across and saw the concerned face of David looking back at her. She saw his lips move but couldn't make out what he was saying. She closed her eyes to block out the pounding in her head and then all she saw was blackness but she could still feel that deep relief that she was now safe and with David.
**
Aragorn and Fred's father had set off looking for Fred and her friends. They were now heading in the car towards the New Forest, exactly where the three friends had originally gone. Aragorn had guessed that if the girls wanted to hide out somewhere it would have to be fairly close by but also far enough away from the town.
The Forest was the perfect place. It had plenty of cover and was secluded enough to hide. Aragorn just hoped that they were all right and that the Hobbits were safe with the three girls. He was an experienced tracker and was almost sure that he would be able to find them, however, the Forest was very big and it had been fairly dry the past few days. The two men had taken camping gear with them and enough food to last a while in case it took a long time to find what they were looking for.
Aragorn saw the sign telling them they were in the New Forest, he instantly felt nervous and after years of being a ranger and growing up among the Elves he had learned to listen to his instincts.
"From now on go slowly and as quietly as possible. We know not what may be chasing our targets." He said.
"I don't think there are any dangerous wild animals in the New Forest Aragorn."
"It is not the wild animals that concern me. There are things far more dangerous."
"Like what?"
"If we were brought here then it is probably a trick by Saruman, that means that he wants Frodo and the Ring. He would send more than us here if he wanted to catch us. Ring Wraiths would be the obvious ones. They work for Sauron but if Mordor and Isengard are working together the Wraiths might well be here. They do not take kindly to being hunted and would do anything to get to the Ring and please their Master."
"You think they'd kill Fred?"
"No. I think if they found her they would take her straight to either Mordor or Isengard. A far worse fate than death."
Fred's father looked at over him concern etched on his face.
"Do not worry. From what you have told me the three girls are sensible and would try not to get caught by Wraiths. I am sure they are safe and we will find them. Let us look for a place to begin our search."
Even though Aragorn had tried to convince Fred's father that the girls would not have been hurt by the Ring Wraiths he could not help thinking that they were in trouble and wanted to get looking for them as soon as possible. Something was wrong about this Forest and he could feel it.