Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR and am making no money
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Frodo huddled into his elven cloak desperately trying to rid himself of the images he had seen in Galadriel's mirror. They had haunted him since leaving Lothlorien two days ago. All of Middle-earth under a shadow, the shire burnt up and destroyed, his friend's dead or imprisoned. All these would happen if he failed. He felt very lost and alone. Not for the first time he was glad he was travelling with Aragorn. The ranger was allowing him to come to terms with this on his own, although Frodo did not doubt if asked or if this state went on for to long, Strider would ask him about it. But for now he respected Frodo's desire to deal with it by himself without taking offense. He was deep in his own thoughts and seemed content to be. The silence between them was comfortable and, in a strange way, comforting.
The contented silence lasted for almost a week. At night they set up camp with little discussion and by the third night that was not even necessary. Aragorn woke him to leave just as the sun began to rise and did not stop until the sun was fully set and night had limited vision almost completely. The moon and stars were not bright enough to guide them.
On the seventh day it was Aragorn who broke their silence. "We need to talk," he said, coming over to sit beside Frodo. "Tomorrow we will reach the Emyn Muil and our jouney will grow more arduous and dangerous."
"I trust you to guide us safely," Frodo stated, no doubt in his voice.
The ranger smiled softly at the vote of confidence. "And I am more grateful for that then you can possibly know, but we still have to talk." He looked into their small fire. "I do not think we will meet many of the enemy during the first two legs of our journy through Mordor." Looking back he caught Frodo's eyes. "The Emyn Muil is a labrynth. I know a path through but few orcs or others travel that one. One can be lost there forever," his eyes held a haunted knowledge. "After that we must travel through the dead marshed, the Battlefield of Dagoloth, where Sauron was defeated at the end of the second age."
Frodo swallowed hard, trying to disappear into his cloak. He had known this time would come, but had dreaded it. Swallowing hard he forced himself to straighten. "What do I need to know?" Much as he hated and dreaded the idea he was going to have to start taking part in the decision- making. Like it or not he was the ringbearer.
For a moment Aragorn was silent. "First we have to be completely honest with each other."
Frodo's eyes shot up to meet his. "Does the ring still call to you?" he made himself ask. The thought had caused a back of the mind fear that he had refused to aknowledge, even to himself.
After a moment Aragorn dropped to a sitting position on the ground, which put him eye level with Frodo still perched on the log. "Yes, but it is not tempting." His gaze drifted back to the fire. "I met its challenge already and denied it. Unless something drastic happens I am in no danger from it." He looked back at Frodo. "I am more concerned about what will happen when we get beyond the dead marshes. I do not know if the black gate is a reasonable entrance point, at least not for both of us."
His eyes widening with a dreadful guess Frodo shook his head violently. "No! I will not let you sacrifice yourself for me. Sauron will kill you!"
Not backing down Aragorn laid a hand on Frodo's shaking shoulder. "It is not your choice to make. It is also not my first option. But the important thing is that the ring be destroyed. I know there must be another way into Mordor, but I do not know where it is. I also do not know how strong the ring will affect either of us. We must keep all our options open. I am telling you this now so we can think about our options and contingency plans."
Afraid to read Aragorn's face as he admitted softly. "I can not do this alone. I am going to need your help." Looking up he met Aragorn's eyes, not bothering to hide his tears. "I trust you to see me through this."
Swallowing hard Aragorn squeezed his shoulder. "I will not fail you, but I do not think we will be alone for long."
Eyes widening Frodo looked fearfully at the river. "Who?"
"Relax. Sam and Legolas pursue us."
Wildly Frodo shook his head. "No! I do not want to take anyone else with me on this death trip. Sam needs to return to the Shire safe and whole. We must leave."
Aragorn's hand on his shoulder held him still when he tried to leap up. "No. If they catch us, they catch us. I am fairly sure I can hide our trail from Legolas when we reach the Emyn Muil, but that does not guaruntee that they will not catch us somehow."
Wearily slumping down Frodo slowly nodded. "I know." His eyes again met Aragorn's. "I just do not want to pull any more into this than I have to."
"We all make our own choices," Aragorn reminded him. "For good or ill, we are where we choose to be."
Standing next to Legolas Sam stared miserably into the woods that lined the edge of the Anduin River. In the distance he could hear Rauros Falls. They were too late. All that remained to tell the two determined followers that Frodo and Aragorn had been here the faint track the hull of their elven boat had made. "Can you follow them?" he asked.
Legolas shrugged. "Possibly. At least through these woods. When they reach the Emyn Muil though I do not know."
"Does it matter what path we take, as long as we reach them before they reach Mordor?"
Glancing down at him Legolas shook his head. "Yes. The Emyn Muil is like a maze, or so Aragorn and others who have travelled it had told me. If you do not know the way it is easy to become lost for days, weeks, or even months."
Wearily Sam slumped to the ground. "Then what do we do?"
Legolas was silent for several moments. When Sam looked up at him he was surprised to see that the elf was not looking into the woods, but rather back at the Anduin, the way they had come. "We go to bed," he announced.
Sam looked at him in puzzlement. "Won't they get farther away?"
"We can pursue them better in the morning." Bending down to spread out his bedroll he whispered in Sam's ear. "Gollum is pursuing them as well. If we can catch him he can lead us to Aragorn and Frodo."
Not quite sure of this plan Sam never the less set up his own bedding and reluctantly lay down. At least he did not have to get back on that boat. It took the strongest effort on Sam's part to keep his eyes closed and his breathing even in feigned sleep. He was petrified. More and more the gardener was coming to the conclusion that adventuring was not for him. If they got out of this he would never voluntarily leave the shire again. The sounds of a struggle to his left caused him to roll over and sit up fast, one hand grabbing for his sword. Legolas and a small bent creature he guessed was Gollum were rolling around. He rose, wanting to help, but feared he would only get in the way. After what felt like forever Legolas had the evil creature pinned. Sam quickly handed him the elven rope that he had retrieved when he realized he could not help Legolas any other way.
As soon as he was bound the creature started caterwauling something awful. Legolas quickly tore a strip from his spare shirt and stuffed in Gollum's mouth as a gag. "You," he announced, "are going to help us."
Slowly waking up Frodo immediately looked about for Aragorn. He was positioned just under an overhang near the top of the last ridge they had crossed. The ranger's eyes were scanning the way behind them he knew without even looking closer. "They follow, right?"
Aragorn only nodded. Turning he descended to stand beside Frodo. "Do you want to wait for them to catch up?"
Closing his eyes Frodo thought about it. He did not want to drag Sam to Mordor. But he is coming whether you want him to or not, he argued with himself. Slowly he rose and backed his bedding, still arguing internally with himself. Desperately he wanted to ask the ranger's opinion, but knew this was a decision he had to make himself. "No," he spoke after several moments. "If they catch up with us, we will handle it then. Can we move faster? Leave less of a trail?"
"Faster, yes, although we do not want to expend too much energy too soon. It is a long way to Mordor." He looked back the way they had come from. "As for tracks, we are not really leaving any. They must have a guide."
Frodo spun to face the ranger, shocked. "A guide." But gradually the answer came to him. "Gollum."
Aragorn nodded. "That would be my guess." Reaching down he settled his travel pack. "If we want to gain some ground we had better get moving."
Saying nothing Frodo grabbed his own pack and slung it too his back. "Lets go."
A/N: Sorry about the delay, this story is not writing easily. I am going to try to update at least once a week, but it may be a bit longer, at least until this story hits its stride. Once I get past the dead marshes the story should pick up and flow smoother. Only one or possibly two more chapters to reach that point. I hope you enjoy and any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I am not sure how this fic is going. Unfortunately I am an awful judge of my own writing. Thanks for reading.
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Frodo huddled into his elven cloak desperately trying to rid himself of the images he had seen in Galadriel's mirror. They had haunted him since leaving Lothlorien two days ago. All of Middle-earth under a shadow, the shire burnt up and destroyed, his friend's dead or imprisoned. All these would happen if he failed. He felt very lost and alone. Not for the first time he was glad he was travelling with Aragorn. The ranger was allowing him to come to terms with this on his own, although Frodo did not doubt if asked or if this state went on for to long, Strider would ask him about it. But for now he respected Frodo's desire to deal with it by himself without taking offense. He was deep in his own thoughts and seemed content to be. The silence between them was comfortable and, in a strange way, comforting.
The contented silence lasted for almost a week. At night they set up camp with little discussion and by the third night that was not even necessary. Aragorn woke him to leave just as the sun began to rise and did not stop until the sun was fully set and night had limited vision almost completely. The moon and stars were not bright enough to guide them.
On the seventh day it was Aragorn who broke their silence. "We need to talk," he said, coming over to sit beside Frodo. "Tomorrow we will reach the Emyn Muil and our jouney will grow more arduous and dangerous."
"I trust you to guide us safely," Frodo stated, no doubt in his voice.
The ranger smiled softly at the vote of confidence. "And I am more grateful for that then you can possibly know, but we still have to talk." He looked into their small fire. "I do not think we will meet many of the enemy during the first two legs of our journy through Mordor." Looking back he caught Frodo's eyes. "The Emyn Muil is a labrynth. I know a path through but few orcs or others travel that one. One can be lost there forever," his eyes held a haunted knowledge. "After that we must travel through the dead marshed, the Battlefield of Dagoloth, where Sauron was defeated at the end of the second age."
Frodo swallowed hard, trying to disappear into his cloak. He had known this time would come, but had dreaded it. Swallowing hard he forced himself to straighten. "What do I need to know?" Much as he hated and dreaded the idea he was going to have to start taking part in the decision- making. Like it or not he was the ringbearer.
For a moment Aragorn was silent. "First we have to be completely honest with each other."
Frodo's eyes shot up to meet his. "Does the ring still call to you?" he made himself ask. The thought had caused a back of the mind fear that he had refused to aknowledge, even to himself.
After a moment Aragorn dropped to a sitting position on the ground, which put him eye level with Frodo still perched on the log. "Yes, but it is not tempting." His gaze drifted back to the fire. "I met its challenge already and denied it. Unless something drastic happens I am in no danger from it." He looked back at Frodo. "I am more concerned about what will happen when we get beyond the dead marshes. I do not know if the black gate is a reasonable entrance point, at least not for both of us."
His eyes widening with a dreadful guess Frodo shook his head violently. "No! I will not let you sacrifice yourself for me. Sauron will kill you!"
Not backing down Aragorn laid a hand on Frodo's shaking shoulder. "It is not your choice to make. It is also not my first option. But the important thing is that the ring be destroyed. I know there must be another way into Mordor, but I do not know where it is. I also do not know how strong the ring will affect either of us. We must keep all our options open. I am telling you this now so we can think about our options and contingency plans."
Afraid to read Aragorn's face as he admitted softly. "I can not do this alone. I am going to need your help." Looking up he met Aragorn's eyes, not bothering to hide his tears. "I trust you to see me through this."
Swallowing hard Aragorn squeezed his shoulder. "I will not fail you, but I do not think we will be alone for long."
Eyes widening Frodo looked fearfully at the river. "Who?"
"Relax. Sam and Legolas pursue us."
Wildly Frodo shook his head. "No! I do not want to take anyone else with me on this death trip. Sam needs to return to the Shire safe and whole. We must leave."
Aragorn's hand on his shoulder held him still when he tried to leap up. "No. If they catch us, they catch us. I am fairly sure I can hide our trail from Legolas when we reach the Emyn Muil, but that does not guaruntee that they will not catch us somehow."
Wearily slumping down Frodo slowly nodded. "I know." His eyes again met Aragorn's. "I just do not want to pull any more into this than I have to."
"We all make our own choices," Aragorn reminded him. "For good or ill, we are where we choose to be."
Standing next to Legolas Sam stared miserably into the woods that lined the edge of the Anduin River. In the distance he could hear Rauros Falls. They were too late. All that remained to tell the two determined followers that Frodo and Aragorn had been here the faint track the hull of their elven boat had made. "Can you follow them?" he asked.
Legolas shrugged. "Possibly. At least through these woods. When they reach the Emyn Muil though I do not know."
"Does it matter what path we take, as long as we reach them before they reach Mordor?"
Glancing down at him Legolas shook his head. "Yes. The Emyn Muil is like a maze, or so Aragorn and others who have travelled it had told me. If you do not know the way it is easy to become lost for days, weeks, or even months."
Wearily Sam slumped to the ground. "Then what do we do?"
Legolas was silent for several moments. When Sam looked up at him he was surprised to see that the elf was not looking into the woods, but rather back at the Anduin, the way they had come. "We go to bed," he announced.
Sam looked at him in puzzlement. "Won't they get farther away?"
"We can pursue them better in the morning." Bending down to spread out his bedroll he whispered in Sam's ear. "Gollum is pursuing them as well. If we can catch him he can lead us to Aragorn and Frodo."
Not quite sure of this plan Sam never the less set up his own bedding and reluctantly lay down. At least he did not have to get back on that boat. It took the strongest effort on Sam's part to keep his eyes closed and his breathing even in feigned sleep. He was petrified. More and more the gardener was coming to the conclusion that adventuring was not for him. If they got out of this he would never voluntarily leave the shire again. The sounds of a struggle to his left caused him to roll over and sit up fast, one hand grabbing for his sword. Legolas and a small bent creature he guessed was Gollum were rolling around. He rose, wanting to help, but feared he would only get in the way. After what felt like forever Legolas had the evil creature pinned. Sam quickly handed him the elven rope that he had retrieved when he realized he could not help Legolas any other way.
As soon as he was bound the creature started caterwauling something awful. Legolas quickly tore a strip from his spare shirt and stuffed in Gollum's mouth as a gag. "You," he announced, "are going to help us."
Slowly waking up Frodo immediately looked about for Aragorn. He was positioned just under an overhang near the top of the last ridge they had crossed. The ranger's eyes were scanning the way behind them he knew without even looking closer. "They follow, right?"
Aragorn only nodded. Turning he descended to stand beside Frodo. "Do you want to wait for them to catch up?"
Closing his eyes Frodo thought about it. He did not want to drag Sam to Mordor. But he is coming whether you want him to or not, he argued with himself. Slowly he rose and backed his bedding, still arguing internally with himself. Desperately he wanted to ask the ranger's opinion, but knew this was a decision he had to make himself. "No," he spoke after several moments. "If they catch up with us, we will handle it then. Can we move faster? Leave less of a trail?"
"Faster, yes, although we do not want to expend too much energy too soon. It is a long way to Mordor." He looked back the way they had come from. "As for tracks, we are not really leaving any. They must have a guide."
Frodo spun to face the ranger, shocked. "A guide." But gradually the answer came to him. "Gollum."
Aragorn nodded. "That would be my guess." Reaching down he settled his travel pack. "If we want to gain some ground we had better get moving."
Saying nothing Frodo grabbed his own pack and slung it too his back. "Lets go."
A/N: Sorry about the delay, this story is not writing easily. I am going to try to update at least once a week, but it may be a bit longer, at least until this story hits its stride. Once I get past the dead marshes the story should pick up and flow smoother. Only one or possibly two more chapters to reach that point. I hope you enjoy and any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated. I am not sure how this fic is going. Unfortunately I am an awful judge of my own writing. Thanks for reading.