Disclaimer: I'm still just a fan writing a fic. I don't own LOTR or its characters and places. I don't even really own the character Homer. I'm just using certain peoples and places as I like to tell a story. Enjoy the new chapter!



Chapter 7:

Into the Depths

Of the Inferno

As the fires grew, everyone on the gray ship knew that they would not win. At last, Gandalf cried to the crew, "The ship is lost! Save the books! To the life-boats!" Everyone grabbed a trunk and put them into the small silvery boats. When ever a boat was full, those in the boat would cut the ropes, and drop into the water. As Elves hurried to and fro from boat to boat, Carole knew that the time to act was now or never.

"Gimli, Tor! Bring your Dwarves! We're boarding the Fire Ship!" she cried.

With Tor and company, Carole secured a boat, and borrowing an axe from Gem, she started hacking at the ropes. Suddenly, Frodo and Legolas jumped in with them, both carrying swords.

"I said that would not abandon you," Frodo said, "I hold true to that oath."

"And I always fight by my friends' sides," Legolas added. The Elf then handed to Carole the second sword he carried. "You may need this, Lady Carole."

Without another word, Thain and Gwain took up the oars and began rowing to meet the opposition. While on the gray ship,. Sam ran to catch up with Frodo, but was too late. His master was in the water, heading for near certain doom.

"Do not fear for your friend, Samwise," Gandalf called. "He is safer than you know. Now help us with these crates."

Sam knew that Gandalf was right; always was. He left the side of the ship and started helping save the books. Meanwhile, Carole and the other seven in the boat rowed closer and closer to the Fire Ship. They devised a simple plan of action. Break up the oars in the hull of the ship, and find a way to disable the oil-spout in the bow. Executing the plan, however would not be so simple.

As they got up right next to the boat, they searched for a way to climb up onto the deck. They were fortunate, for the ropes that had been connected to the grappling hooks from Culachquen's attempt to capture their ship were still hanging from the sides. As quietly as possible, they grabbed the ropes and started to climb. Carole knew that their luck might run out sooner or later, but for now she was thankful that no one had noticed them. Then, she looked up and saw three of Culachquen's Elves coming towards them. They were doomed! But, then Carole saw that someone was throwing, of all things, apples at the Elves! She looked back and saw Hope and Sam in a boat with Gandalf and Homer, and the girl and old Hobbit were throwing the fruit at the sentries. Smiling in spite of the danger, she continued to climb up. Then with a great war cry, The six Dwarves each flung themselves over the side of the ship and began battling with the crew. Legolas gracefully leaped over the side and joined them, and soon Carole and Frodo were also on the deck, squaring off with any who tried to stop them.

As Legolas stood beside Gimli, on the port side of the deck, he said to his old companion, "Remember, Gimli, no killing, these still my people."

"I'm offended, laddie," said the old Dwarf, "You know I would never hurt an Elf," Just at that moment, one of the red-headed Elves came rushing up behind Gimli, and without hesitation, the Dwarf threw his fist back and hit his attacker, sending him sprawling.

When all those who had been on deck were knocked out or chased overboard, Carole called to her comrades, "Now, to the hull! Gimli, you and your people must smash all the oars. Legolas, find Culachquen and do what you can to reason with him. Frodo and I will find the oil-room."

The went to the middle of the deck, found the stairwell to the lower levels, and each split up, Carole and Frodo checked on side, Legolas another, and the Dwarves went straight down to the hull. The two Hobbits searched many rooms, and two levels, before they found the room they were seeking. It was a room plated in copper, with many pipes weaving around a large boiler. From what she could guess, Carole thought that if she broke all the pipes, then that would stop the oil.

"Frodo," she said, "Guard the door, make sure we're not discovered."

He nodded, and turned back to the door, only to run into Culachquen. The furious Elf thrust Frodo aside, sending him into a stack of barrels, and grabbed Carole by her shirt collar, pulling her up to face him.

"You have tried my patience very thin, Halfling." he snarled.

Carole was more frightened than she had ever been in her life. There seemed nothing she could do now. Then, she noticed just where her feet seemed to dangle. Without another thought, she kicked Culachquen in a very sensitive spot! The Elf dropped her and fell over in pain and surprise. While the red-haired antagonist was reeling from the pain, Carole picked up her sword and went back to the boiler. She immediately started hacking at the pipes. All the while, frodo had recovered, and so had Culachquen. Frodo, trying to get up from the barrels, cried out, "Carole! Watch out!" as Culachquen rose and prepared to swing his blade at Carole's head. She turned around and ducked just in time, Culachquen's sword barely missed her head and….Went full force into the pipes! The tubes split and spurted out oil like a fountain. The floor was covered in the slippery, sticky mess. So much o that when Culachquen tried to move his feet he slipped and fell to the floor, hitting his head and losing consciousness. Carole carefully wadded through the steadily rising oil, trying to make it to the door, but she stopped and looked back at their foe. She suddenly felt great pity and mercy for him. She found that she could not hate him, even after all he had done. For he had only done what he thought was right; only tried to stand up for what he believed in, like she had. It was not his fault that they happened to believe in two opposite things. As she stood there, looking at the Elf, Frodo reached out his hand from the doorway.

"Come on, we have to leave," he said.

"We can't leave him here," she replied.

Frodo knew that she was right, so they both went back, and using all their strength, they carried the heavily armored Elf out and up the stairs. When they reached the top deck, they were met by Legolas and the Dwarves.

"I see you've found Culachquen," Legolas said.

"Yes, now help us get him off the ship," Carole replied.

"I know what you did in the boiler room," Legolas said as he took Culachquen and carried him to the side of the boat, "with nothing to stop the oil, the boiler will get too hot and explode."

"What?!" Carole exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I did not know you were going to break the pipes." the Elf prince said.

The company came to the starboard side of the ship. When the looked over, the saw that their boat was gone, but others were coming. Legolas, with Culachquen still on his arm, jumped over the side and landed in the water. Then, one by one, the dwarves jumped overboard as well. Carole and Frodo looked over the railing into the dark depths below.

"Can you swim?" Carole asked.

"Yes, Frodo replied. "You?"

"No, but I'll be alright," she answered.

Frodo looked at Carole with love, fear, and despair in his blue eyes. "But what-?"

"Listen to me," Carole said, "No matter what happens, please remember this: You are not, and have never been, to blame for the decisions others make, or the outcomes of those decisions. And in spite of what you have done or may have done in the past, you deserve happiness. You deserve peace. You deserve love. Never, ever forget that."

They looked at each other for one more minute, then they both climbed on to the rails of the side of the ship, and plunged into the water. Just as they hit the waves, the bow of the ship burst apart into millions of pieces of copper and wood, and erupted in flames.

As the ship sank, Carole trashed her arms about, trying to stay afloat, but she was no match for the combination of the raging sea and the sinking barge above her. Her last sight before the waves claimed her was of Frodo, The ring-bearer and her love, being pulled into a rowboat, and in the distance, a ship that shined silver in the moonlight coming from the darkness. Then, all was dark.

MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Another evil cliffhanger! Just want to make sure yall are paying attention. TTFN!