KT SHY: Ahhhh, The Two Towers. It's quite an accomplishment for a film to satisfy 365 days of anticipation. Good job cast and crew. I enjoyed the film muchly…too bad it felt the need to destroy my bladder and make me wait another entire painful year for the next one to come out. Grrr. Thanks again to Starbrat for reviewing and Sam for winning the Summary contest…

Shagster: Being the only entry that's quite an accomplishment.

KT SHY: … and SpamWarrior for the kind, kind compliments! Later you sassy things!

Shagster: Be fruitful and multiply! Mmmm… fruit salad.

More KT SHY: While surfing FF.net for fanfics based on some of my favourite shows I noticed something curious. The fics with the most reviews contained slashes in them. What is up with this? I asked myself. But being a very open person when it comes to good marketability and publicity I decided to incorporate this into my own story. Enjoy.

L/e/g/o/l/a/s/////w/e/n/t///f/o/r////a///w/a/l/k////t/o////b/u/y///P/O/P/C/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/o/r/n//////!!!!

Okay, that ought to be enough slashes to sustain you. NOW BACK TO THE STORY!

Eye on the Prize

Act VI: The Small Troop

Let us jump forward a bit…

Sam plummeted to a grisly death. But as this was the Ralph Bakshi version of Sam – who gave a resounding and very hearty "Whoooopaaayy!" all the way down - and not the Sam we all know and love, we can get back to the story.

Exhausted, disillusioned, and broken hearted Samwise Gamgee plodded on at the rear of the group. They had all stopped talking to one another days ago. There wasn't much to say and there wasn't even any point in encouraging one another anymore because they had all pretty much lost hope.

They were lost.

The silent and relentless march left Sam with nothing but the thoughts and worries and sorrows of his mind. He couldn't help but feel that he'd failed his part in the quest, and that he'd failed Gandalf's expectations in him. "Don't you loose him Samwise Gamgee" the kind yet strangely terrifying wizard's words buzzed around and around his head.

'But I have,' he whispered sadly to himself, 'I have.'

'Hold up hobbits!' called Gimli from the front of the line cutting into Sam's depression, 'Time for a rest.'

They all gave a sigh of relief to get off their hugely swollen feet and sit down for a change. Pippin put his face in his hands and Merry, though so very tired himself, set about trying to comfort his younger cousin. Gimli walked about doing Gimli things while Sam began to pull out his pots and pans. He then decided it time to break their "vocal-fasting".

'We've been traveling for so very many, many, many chapters – I MEAN MILES!'

'If you have to shout please don't feel it has to be in my ear, Sam.' Merry rubbed at said offended ear.

'I'm one big pain.' Pippin muttered, then looked up sharply. 'And don't say anything Merry I saw that grin.'

Merry chuckled 'Then I don't need to say anything.'

'Oh what I wouldn't give for a decent meal.' Sam lamented. What with four starve crazed members in their little expedition it was a wonder the food packs had even lasted the first couple weeks like they had. After that they had to resorts to rocks.

'Alright then,' said Sam, 'I think tonight's menu calls for some rock-casserole, couple o' rock-dumplings and… maybe some nice crispy rocks.'

'Ah!' smiled Pippin who's spirits returned instantly, 'Sounds good Sam. But could you maybe take it easy on the portions of rock you put in everything? They literally go straight to m' hips.'

Gimli returned from his Gimli-doings looking as disgruntled as ever. "Rocks again? GAAHRGH. What I wouldn't give for another taste of flesh!'

Sam looked up from his pans through narrow eyes, 'If you remember, mister Gimli, that's what got us driven out of the marshes with all those dead people in it a couple weeks back.'

'All I wanted was a nibble,' Gimli defended, 'How was I supposed to know they'd rise from the grave and chase us!?'

'Got us out of there fast enough, make no mistake.' reminisced Merry, 'Got us hopelessly lost though. How many days has it been since we've seen anything green?'

'Too long.' Sam who loved such things gave a sad little smile then stood up to go gather some rocks for their meal.

Sam crawled about a little way off from the rest of the Small Troop looking for choice morsels but his mind wasn't entirely on the task. Poor mister Frodo, he thought to himself, is he really out here somewhere all by himself? I hope not, maybe Strider and the others found him, and that would be good. But then… what're we doing in this horrible nightmarish country? What've we been suffering for? No… he's out here, somehow I just know it, maybe already at the Black Gates and… ooh what is that frightful stench!?

Sam stood up and pressed the elvish cloak to his nose. The source of the putrid scent came from up ahead… from a cave. Torech Ungol, a place full of nightmares; but of course Sam didn't know this, standing at the entrance of the tunnel, eyes squinting into the darkness. He turned quickly and ran to rejoin his friends, telling them of the cave. Soon four small figures stood huddled at the entrance peering into the shadowy depths… well, three of the figures huddled, the fourth stood at the front tapping his monster axe against one hand and wearing a thoughtful expression.

'I reckon we take a peek.'

Merry gaped at Gimli, 'Are you mad!? Even if you ignore that wretched smell, the darkness would surely kill you. It's black as pitch it is! There could be holes and cracks that fall to sharp rocks, or even to nothing at all!'

'Besides,' added Pippin from behind Merry's shoulder, 'Who knows what could be livin' in there.'

The other three paused at this. Thus far the only living things they had encountered in their search was each other. Other living things suggested…

'Red meat.' said Gimli.

'Oh that's just sick!' cried Pippin.

'Food.' said Merry.

'No Merry, not in there!'

'Alright then Pippin,' Sam sighed, 'guess I'd better go gather up some more rocks for dinner.' But before he had even turned around he felt a hand grip his cloak. He glanced back to see Pippin, jaw set, and wooly scarf flapping resolutely in the odious breeze coming from the cave.

'We're goin' in.'

Had they not already passed through the bowels of Moria, such a darkness that now engulfed the travelers would have been considered impossible. But even Moria paled in comparison to the black, fetid world they had entered. Occasionally an angry mutter or a squirming, disheveled noise would come from one of the hobbits as ghostly tendrils touched at their hands and faces.

'Some beastly trappings I should think,' Sam growled as he tried to untangle some of the stuff from his hair. An amusing pun in its irony yet Sam wasn't even aware he'd made one. What he thought of as trappings - decaying ornamental wall hangings in what may have once been an orc home - were in fact devices that were used for trapping. And the hunter that dwelt deep in Torech Ungol was aware of exactly where her prey was by the movements from their touches that vibrated along the soft tendrils and back to her nest. It was time. Oh yes it was time. It was time for her to feast.

To be continued…

KT SHY: I'm back! For good or ill. I've also gone and revamped the chapters, fixed errors, and gotten rid of my "excuses" and things that waste space. Yay! I do hope people are still reading this as I've become re-inspired and have so much in store for you! Oh, and the problem with my name not showing up in Author search has happened again. I can take a hint. If I don't update I loose my author-ness. Well, I just guess I'll have to update more often then! OH! And I'm very sorry to fans of the Ralph Bakshi Sam. I apologize for offending you… but its just that THAT particular Sam terrifies the heck out of me. Brrr!