Disclaimer: I own nothing Tolkien created no matter how much I want to.
Thanks to my only reviewer Katy. If there are any others out there reading this please just let me know. There are only 2 chapters left after this and I want to know whether to keep writing or not.
Ch 12 Destructive Force
Frodo and Sam waited at the Black Gates to get into Mordor. It seemed as though they had been going a lifetime to get there, and it hadn't helped that they had no guide. For a few moments they had thought they had seen something following them, stalking them but it always turned out to be nothing more than a shadow. They had seen no trace of Gollum since they had left that other world. Although Bob and Ned hadn't said exactly what was going to happen they had implied that Gollum had an important part to play in the future, as had Gandalf before they left him at Amun Hen.
If only they had told them more, it would have saved a lot of trouble. They probably even knew a direct route to Mordor. That would have been useful but they had said nothing, Ned had told them some things, occasional cryptic hints about what they would encounter and what would happen to them but nothing concrete.
Now they were looking at the huge gates wondering what to do next. Just then the gates opened as a group of almost three hundred Eastorlings marched up. Frodo knew this was his only chance; he prepared to go through the gates hoping they could get into Mordor that way.
"I do not ask you to come." He said to Sam, keeping a watchful eye on the gate.
"I know." Sam replied in a frightened yet determined voice.
They ran down the hill towards the gate but something suddenly stopped them, a feeling that something was following them. Frodo stopped dead in his tracks as did Sam, it was calling for them not to go. Frodo's mind rationalised that it was a trick of Saruman or some other evil force but he couldn't bring himself to move from that spot.
Then as if from thin air a figure approached, they didn't know what it was and secretly Sam was too terrified to even think about it. It was like a giant black shadow, menacing even though there was no way it could have been real.
It stopped when it reached them, as if waiting for them to do something but it suddenly started to speak. As much as they wanted to they couldn't run from it, its stare, which was invisible to them, froze them to the spot where they were standing.
"I know who you are. Hobbits." It said in an icy voice. "I know what you have done." Frodo and Sam didn't understand this but they weren't going to argue with or question it. "You cannot hide anything from me young Hobbits, I know your darkest fears and nightmares, I can make them all come true young Frodo Baggins." It said emotionlessly.
"Who are you and how do you know my name?" Frodo said summoning up as much courage as possible.
The thing laughed but it wasn't musical like the Elves or merry like the Hobbits but cold and heartless.
"I know everything about you Frodo Baggins. And your little friend here." It said as coldly as before.
"How..." Frodo began but the creature cut him off.
"Do not ask questions. You are only wasting time." It shouted.
"What..." Frodo began but quickly remembered the warning. He stood still next to Sam who was reaching for his sword slowly.
"That would not be wise Master Gamgee. There is nothing on Middle Earth that can stop me."
"If this is about the Ring, there's nothing you can do or say that will make us change our minds, we're taking it to be destroyed." Sam said defiantly, unconsciously removing his hand from his sword.
"Foolish Hobbit. I am not looking for the Ring of Power although that does intrigue me. There is something far greater that I am looking for. Far more important than a Ring."
"More important than the Ring?" Frodo said surprised, this was the first evil creature they had met that didn't want to take the Ring for itself. In fact, it didn't seem to be at all affected by it. It didn't care.
"I am afraid that I cannot let you enter Mordor. Not whilst you have something of mine." The creature snarled. "But the Ring of Power would be a nice gift for my Master. It laughed that terrifying laugh again and it sent a chill down Frodo and Sam's spines.
**
Bob, Fred, Ned and David walked into the camp, Fred pulling Gollum along on the rope behind her. Although he still snarled and whined every now and then he was quieter than when she had first caught him. David stopped in his tracks when he had seen the destruction at the camp. Everything was destroyed, all their camping things were scattered across the clearing. The fire had been stamped on so putting it out. There was very little grass left, even that log that they used as a 'thinking seat' had been smashed to little pieces.
There was nothing left. David put his hand up to stop the others who wanted to get over there and do something, recover their belongings. Bob was trying to push past him and Ned was saying something about keeping a watchful eye on the camp from now on but Fred was just staring at the scene in front of her. Even when the camp was attacked last time it hadn't been that bad but now there was nothing left, no signs of life.
In fact the only indication that animals used to live there were the few dead animals lying on the floor. It was as if all the birds had just fallen dead from the trees at the sight of whatever did this. Bob was looking down at the small animal graveyard, she was trying to understand what she was seeing but she couldn't believe it. Then she saw something that made her run forward to where the animals lay dead.
David wasn't quick enough to catch her before she ran into the clearing. She raced over to where a dead squirrel lay. She knelt down beside it and stared at it as though she had never seen anything like it before.
Fred and David stood still whilst Ned ran towards Bob with the intention of bringing her back to the safety of the forest. When she reached her friend she stopped to see what she was crying at, on the floor was a dead grey squirrel.
"What's wrong?" Ned said nervously looking around her.
"It's Percy." She said picking up the tiny creature.
Ned looked down at the squirrel. "How do you know, they all look the same." She said a little coldly.
"I just know. I would never forget Percy." Bob said sharply. "It killed him." She said, suddenly angry.
"What killed him? We don't even know who did this." Ned insisted.
"Come on I think it's pretty obvious what did this. It was one of those shadow things. They killed Percy."
"Yeah and they're going to kill us in a minute it we don't hurry up and get out of here." Ned said grabbing Bob's arm and pulling her away from the squirrel she had now placed on the floor.
"No." Bob shouted standing up and pushing Ned away from her. "You don't even care."
"Bob, it's just a squirrel." Ned said trying to grab her arm again.
At this Bob froze, Percy had been her friend, they had first met in Frank's hut and they had become instant friends. Now Ned was saying he was just another animal for those things to kill.
"How can you say that?" She whispered angrily.
"Bob I'm sorry but right now our lives are far more important than a squirrel who you names and called a friend. Now lets get out of here before we end up slaughtered like these animals. Bob please come on. There's nothing we can do now." Ned's voice had a hint of desperation in it, which made Bob listen to her; she started to walk back to the forest.
At the sight of them coming back towards them David sighed. He looked over at Fred who, so far had not taken her eyes off the clearing. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Fred are you alright?" He asked.
Nothing happened, she didn't even move.
"Fred." He said shaking her shoulder slightly. This did wake her; she looked up suddenly at David and smiled.
"I'm fine." She said a little too quickly.
"Fred what's wrong, you look pale." He asked worry creasing his face. "Are you well?"
"I told you I'm fine." She insisted brushing his hand away when he reached up to check her temperature.
"You don't..." He was cut off by Ned and Bob returning, Bob more reluctantly than Ned.
When they reached them Bob sat down. Fred knew there was something wrong and knelt next to her friend.
"Bob, what happened, what was out there?"
"Percy." She said looking into the clearing.
Fred had heard about Percy but she didn't know a whole lot, just that he was a squirrel and yet another animal that Bob had insisted on naming. He had something to do with Frank but she couldn't remember everything.
"Oh." Was all she said, not really understanding what was so upsetting about one dead squirrel when there were hundreds of other dead animals lying in the clearing.
"We should leave before those shadows come back." David said looking down at Fred and Bob who both looked up at him when he spoke. "It could be dangerous to just stay here and wait for them."
"But they've already searched this place, they're not likely to come back are they?" Bob reasoned even though there was anger in her voice.
"They might have the same idea and know we'll fool them by doing that. I agree with David, we should get as far away from here as possible. At least we have the protection of the forest, we can always hide." Ned said.
"Okay but we should collect some of our things first, we can't go into the forest with absolutely nothing." Fred looked over to the clearing, watching as if something was going to happen.
Just then Bob shouted loudly, something the others didn't understand. She fell to the floor, gripping at the first thing she could find, David's arm. She held tightly whilst the images flew past her, it was amazing, she had had visions before but never anything like this, it was all so real. Fred was shouting at her trying to make some sense of what she was saying.
One word froze Fred's heart, something she never wanted to hear again.
"Dead!!" Although it had little significance to the others Fred knew exactly what it meant. Luckily the ramblings continued and no one paid much attention to what she was saying, partly because they didn't understand much of it, a word here and there but nothing that really made sense to them.
Finally Bob sat up rubbing her head and mumbling something about it being unfair that she was always the one to suffer.
"Bob what did you see?" Fred asked, helping her friend to stand.
"Do you think you could remove your friend from me?" David asked cheerfully, pointing to Bob's hand, which was still wrapped firmly around his arm.
"Sorry." Bob said a little uncomfortably. David smiled as she removed her hand and let him loose.
"Bob..."
"I saw Middle Earth but it was different, something was wrong there. It was dark and cold, not like the place we know. Something was wrong, I could feel it. It was like a cloud was covering it and making it a bad place. I can't describe it but there was no happiness there. No grass, no trees, no people. It was completely deserted. Then I saw us, dead in the forest. Me and Fred, I'm not sure about Ned she wasn't there."
Fred looked over at David and knew that he was thinking the same thing.
"After that everything went black as a thing raced towards me and nearly hit me, then I was back here."
"Odd." Ned said looking around as if the answer would just appear from the trees.
"Odd? That's all you're going to say? That it was a little odd. I know one thing it scared me and I'll bet it had something to do with those shadows." Bob was sitting down again but David reached down and pulled her back up.
"We have to get out of this place. If what you saw is going to come true I want to go out with a fight, or not at all."
"I like the last one better." Bob said as they quickly moved forwards towards the old camp, they all agreed that they would be much better off with their camping things, at least they would have food.
After picking up their things they made ready to go into the forest. Before David could move away Fred grabbed him and held him back whilst the others walked on into the forest, Ned still holding tightly to the rope, which held Gollum.
"You're not going to tell them?" Fred whispered.
"Tell them what?"
"You know what. Bob saw it; it's only a matter of time before she figures it out. The dead figures in the wood. David please."
"No Fred. You know we can't."
"But..."
"No. It's too dangerous. I need them, like I need you, to be strong but they can't be strong when they're wondering what's happening to them." David insisted keeping his voice low so he didn't alert Bob and Ned who were waiting for them at the edge of the forest.
"David. I can't keep lying to them. Bob is beginning to see it. It's only a matter of time, what if she figures it out?"
"Then we'll deal with it. Fred you promised me, you told me you'd keep it secret. If Bob figures it out she won't believe it anyway, we'll just put it down to the fact that these visions she's getting are confusing."
"She's not going to believe that David, not forever."
"Fred please, we've talked about this before, please don't make it harder for me, or your friends."
"No. I won't lie to them any more. David they have to know." Fred pleaded walking towards Bob and Ned who were watching curiously wishing they could hear the conversation between the two.
"If you tell them they'll die. I promise you that." David had to restrain himself from shouting. Fred turned sharply around and faced him.
"Don't say that. I'll never let that happen." She whispered fiercely.
"Fred, you trust me right? I've never let you down before have I? All that time in Orthanc you trusted me, trust me now. Just wait a little longer, it's for their own good."
"Then, when all this is over, we can tell them right?"
"Right."
"Okay." "Fred, I love you, don't ever forget that." David said pulling her close.
"As if I ever could." She smiled back at him.
With that they walked back into the forest, Bob and Ned walking behind as David and Fred walked hand in hand in front of them. Gollum was still tied up being dragged along by Ned who was quite enjoying being in charge of the creature.
They wandered through the woods looking for somewhere to shelter for a while, it was almost light by now and last night's adventures were beginning to take their toll on the group, especially David who was holding his arm tightly trying to take the pain away although it wasn't working well. Fred had noticed a while ago and had passed him the occasional worried glance, which he tried to ignore, not succeeding well most of the time.
"Are you alright? That arm must hurt." She asked him gently as they sat on a fallen log intending to rest for a while.
"It's fine, just a little sore that's all." David reassured her taking some food out of the pack he was carrying. He looked back to Fred who had that determined look on her face. "Honestly it's fine, besides there's nothing you can do about it. Not here anyway."
"Ah, but you forget, I'm a nurse in training."
"In training? That's no good, I want a fully qualified nurse." He laughed pulling her closer and kissing her lightly. "We had better get going soon. We can't stop for long." He said when they had pulled away.
"Why? It's daylight, those things probably aren't going to come after us in the light." Bob said taking a drink from her bag and looking at its contents.
"No but we should try and put as much distance between us and them whilst we have the chance. The more we travel in the day the more chance we have of getting out of here alive." David reasoned.
Bob nodded although a little reluctantly. She would have been quite happy to curl up on her blanket and go to sleep whether something was hunting them or not. However, she knew he was right, they were still in danger and that couldn't be ignored. Besides she liked the thought of putting distance between herself and those things, they had freaked her out enough the first time and she wasn't looking forward to the next confrontation.
After almost half an hour they packed their things away making sure they left nothing behind that might give away their presence. The last thing they wanted to do was leave clues for the monsters hunting them, they may as well leave arrows for them to follow.
David led the way back into the thick forest. Ned had left Bob to pull the unwilling Gollum along, who by now was making shouting noises of protest at being dragged across the ground no matter how many people shouted at him to keep quiet. More than one David had shouted at Bob to keep him quiet although he knew there was nothing she could do to stop him.
They slowly went on, David in the lead; followed by Ned who was going into a lot of detail about previous expeditions she had been on involving the forest. David just walked quickly through the trees trying his best to ignore her and focus on what he was doing. He almost wished it was just him and Fred there, at least things would be quieter. He kept silent though, drowning out her words by thinking about what the shadows would do next.
It was almost twelve o'clock when David finally stopped after many protests from the others, except Ned who was quite willing to go on talking and walking all day. He stopped and moved towards a small rock, he found the others followed him without question, not wanting to get lost. This part of the forest was particularly dark and close and they didn't want to get separated. Despite the coldness of the place David could feel the heat of this particular part. It reminded him of the forests back home, the dark ones no one ever ventured into, now he understood why, although he guessed there weren't giant spiders living in this part of the forest.
Fred seemed to sense him unease.
"What's wrong?" She asked looking around her. She turned to Bob. "Do you sense anything?"
Bob also looked around. "No, not any danger anyway. There is something though, a fear maybe. I don't know. I think we're safe now. These trees will protect us." Bob said again looking around her.
"Oh my God." Fred exclaimed suddenly.
"What?" Bob asked looking around her for danger or trouble.
"Do you have any idea how much you sounded like Legolas just then?" Fred laughed. Bob, and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't do that, you frightened me for a moment there. I thought there was something wrong."
Fred laughed again although none of the others found it funny so she kept quiet whilst they sat on the leaf-covered floor. She stood still for a moment looking around her. This place seemed so familiar. She's never been there before, of that she was sure but still something made her think she knew it.
"Do you hear that?" David suddenly asked.
"What?" They all asked together.
"Water. I think there must be a stream near by." He went to go but Fred grabbed his arm and stopped him. "I'll be fine." He said.
"I'll go." Fred said firmly making sure he couldn't argue. "Don't worry. I promise I won't lose my way." She shot a look over at Ned who was laughing at the memory of Fred being frightened of a horse.
"Be careful." David called after her but she had already gone taking with her two bottles to fill up.
The others went about getting lunch and enjoying their much-needed break. David began bandaging his aching arm. Bob was tying Gollum's rope to a tree making sure he couldn't escape.
Fred walked towards the sound of the stream, making sure she made a mental note of where she was, she had been serious when she said she wasn't going to get lost again, she didn't want to spend the night in the forest, it was creepy enough during the day. She made sure she made marks that wouldn't be hard to find, David undoubtedly would find her but there was always that fear that she would be alone again. She pulled her long coat tighter around her hoping it would keep the rising chill at bay, she couldn't suppress the shudder from the cold feeling that swept over her.
Finally, she came to the stream. It was fast flowing, she remembered seeing somewhere that fast flowing water was usually safe to drink and that was what was important to her. She reached down and put her hand in the water and drew it back when it almost froze her hand. She smiled and put the bottle in the water, allowing it to fill with the water before pulling it away and putting the other one in. She watched the fast moving water for a moment, sitting down she looked at the peaceful scene. Birds went about their usual business, singing and collecting food. The fish bopped to the surface every now and then. Everything was normal. Just like it should be in a forest at that time of year. It was as if everything that had happened was in another world and had left this part of the forest unaffected by the frightening events.
Fred was disturbed by something moving behind her. She whirled around and was faced with Bob holding another bottle.
"You forgot one." She smiled as Fred stood up and took the bottle. She filled it with water and stood again.
"Is everything alright?" Fred asked cautiously, seeing the look on Bob's face, like she was trying to figure something out.
"It's quiet here isn't it?" She said looking over the stream at a pair of birds dancing close to the water.
"Yeah. So still. It's almost as if nothing's happening." Fred sighed.
"You remember what happened last time. Nothing was changed. Let's hope it was the same in Middle Earth." Fred nodded knowing exactly what she was talking about. Although they were confident everything was the same they couldn't be sure. After all Gollum wasn't there any more, which had to change things. After everything that had would be destroyed by Frodo without the help of Gollum. It would probably be an advantage, not having him around.
**
"Things are different." The white Elf whispered in Elrond's sleep. "You know it, you see it. Things are changing. This is not what I predicted. Something dark takes over the Ring bearer and his companion. I know you have felt it too. We must make sure everything remains the same. You know what must be done, do not be afraid to do it for fear of interfering. Our time is running out." The voice drifted away leaving only the heavy impact of the words on Elrond's mind.
He woke looking around him, knowing what he must do no matter how hard it would be. He would have to go to Earth...
TBC.
A/N: Finally some Middle Earth stuff. Keep reading. And reviewing of course.
Thanks to my only reviewer Katy. If there are any others out there reading this please just let me know. There are only 2 chapters left after this and I want to know whether to keep writing or not.
Ch 12 Destructive Force
Frodo and Sam waited at the Black Gates to get into Mordor. It seemed as though they had been going a lifetime to get there, and it hadn't helped that they had no guide. For a few moments they had thought they had seen something following them, stalking them but it always turned out to be nothing more than a shadow. They had seen no trace of Gollum since they had left that other world. Although Bob and Ned hadn't said exactly what was going to happen they had implied that Gollum had an important part to play in the future, as had Gandalf before they left him at Amun Hen.
If only they had told them more, it would have saved a lot of trouble. They probably even knew a direct route to Mordor. That would have been useful but they had said nothing, Ned had told them some things, occasional cryptic hints about what they would encounter and what would happen to them but nothing concrete.
Now they were looking at the huge gates wondering what to do next. Just then the gates opened as a group of almost three hundred Eastorlings marched up. Frodo knew this was his only chance; he prepared to go through the gates hoping they could get into Mordor that way.
"I do not ask you to come." He said to Sam, keeping a watchful eye on the gate.
"I know." Sam replied in a frightened yet determined voice.
They ran down the hill towards the gate but something suddenly stopped them, a feeling that something was following them. Frodo stopped dead in his tracks as did Sam, it was calling for them not to go. Frodo's mind rationalised that it was a trick of Saruman or some other evil force but he couldn't bring himself to move from that spot.
Then as if from thin air a figure approached, they didn't know what it was and secretly Sam was too terrified to even think about it. It was like a giant black shadow, menacing even though there was no way it could have been real.
It stopped when it reached them, as if waiting for them to do something but it suddenly started to speak. As much as they wanted to they couldn't run from it, its stare, which was invisible to them, froze them to the spot where they were standing.
"I know who you are. Hobbits." It said in an icy voice. "I know what you have done." Frodo and Sam didn't understand this but they weren't going to argue with or question it. "You cannot hide anything from me young Hobbits, I know your darkest fears and nightmares, I can make them all come true young Frodo Baggins." It said emotionlessly.
"Who are you and how do you know my name?" Frodo said summoning up as much courage as possible.
The thing laughed but it wasn't musical like the Elves or merry like the Hobbits but cold and heartless.
"I know everything about you Frodo Baggins. And your little friend here." It said as coldly as before.
"How..." Frodo began but the creature cut him off.
"Do not ask questions. You are only wasting time." It shouted.
"What..." Frodo began but quickly remembered the warning. He stood still next to Sam who was reaching for his sword slowly.
"That would not be wise Master Gamgee. There is nothing on Middle Earth that can stop me."
"If this is about the Ring, there's nothing you can do or say that will make us change our minds, we're taking it to be destroyed." Sam said defiantly, unconsciously removing his hand from his sword.
"Foolish Hobbit. I am not looking for the Ring of Power although that does intrigue me. There is something far greater that I am looking for. Far more important than a Ring."
"More important than the Ring?" Frodo said surprised, this was the first evil creature they had met that didn't want to take the Ring for itself. In fact, it didn't seem to be at all affected by it. It didn't care.
"I am afraid that I cannot let you enter Mordor. Not whilst you have something of mine." The creature snarled. "But the Ring of Power would be a nice gift for my Master. It laughed that terrifying laugh again and it sent a chill down Frodo and Sam's spines.
**
Bob, Fred, Ned and David walked into the camp, Fred pulling Gollum along on the rope behind her. Although he still snarled and whined every now and then he was quieter than when she had first caught him. David stopped in his tracks when he had seen the destruction at the camp. Everything was destroyed, all their camping things were scattered across the clearing. The fire had been stamped on so putting it out. There was very little grass left, even that log that they used as a 'thinking seat' had been smashed to little pieces.
There was nothing left. David put his hand up to stop the others who wanted to get over there and do something, recover their belongings. Bob was trying to push past him and Ned was saying something about keeping a watchful eye on the camp from now on but Fred was just staring at the scene in front of her. Even when the camp was attacked last time it hadn't been that bad but now there was nothing left, no signs of life.
In fact the only indication that animals used to live there were the few dead animals lying on the floor. It was as if all the birds had just fallen dead from the trees at the sight of whatever did this. Bob was looking down at the small animal graveyard, she was trying to understand what she was seeing but she couldn't believe it. Then she saw something that made her run forward to where the animals lay dead.
David wasn't quick enough to catch her before she ran into the clearing. She raced over to where a dead squirrel lay. She knelt down beside it and stared at it as though she had never seen anything like it before.
Fred and David stood still whilst Ned ran towards Bob with the intention of bringing her back to the safety of the forest. When she reached her friend she stopped to see what she was crying at, on the floor was a dead grey squirrel.
"What's wrong?" Ned said nervously looking around her.
"It's Percy." She said picking up the tiny creature.
Ned looked down at the squirrel. "How do you know, they all look the same." She said a little coldly.
"I just know. I would never forget Percy." Bob said sharply. "It killed him." She said, suddenly angry.
"What killed him? We don't even know who did this." Ned insisted.
"Come on I think it's pretty obvious what did this. It was one of those shadow things. They killed Percy."
"Yeah and they're going to kill us in a minute it we don't hurry up and get out of here." Ned said grabbing Bob's arm and pulling her away from the squirrel she had now placed on the floor.
"No." Bob shouted standing up and pushing Ned away from her. "You don't even care."
"Bob, it's just a squirrel." Ned said trying to grab her arm again.
At this Bob froze, Percy had been her friend, they had first met in Frank's hut and they had become instant friends. Now Ned was saying he was just another animal for those things to kill.
"How can you say that?" She whispered angrily.
"Bob I'm sorry but right now our lives are far more important than a squirrel who you names and called a friend. Now lets get out of here before we end up slaughtered like these animals. Bob please come on. There's nothing we can do now." Ned's voice had a hint of desperation in it, which made Bob listen to her; she started to walk back to the forest.
At the sight of them coming back towards them David sighed. He looked over at Fred who, so far had not taken her eyes off the clearing. He placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Fred are you alright?" He asked.
Nothing happened, she didn't even move.
"Fred." He said shaking her shoulder slightly. This did wake her; she looked up suddenly at David and smiled.
"I'm fine." She said a little too quickly.
"Fred what's wrong, you look pale." He asked worry creasing his face. "Are you well?"
"I told you I'm fine." She insisted brushing his hand away when he reached up to check her temperature.
"You don't..." He was cut off by Ned and Bob returning, Bob more reluctantly than Ned.
When they reached them Bob sat down. Fred knew there was something wrong and knelt next to her friend.
"Bob, what happened, what was out there?"
"Percy." She said looking into the clearing.
Fred had heard about Percy but she didn't know a whole lot, just that he was a squirrel and yet another animal that Bob had insisted on naming. He had something to do with Frank but she couldn't remember everything.
"Oh." Was all she said, not really understanding what was so upsetting about one dead squirrel when there were hundreds of other dead animals lying in the clearing.
"We should leave before those shadows come back." David said looking down at Fred and Bob who both looked up at him when he spoke. "It could be dangerous to just stay here and wait for them."
"But they've already searched this place, they're not likely to come back are they?" Bob reasoned even though there was anger in her voice.
"They might have the same idea and know we'll fool them by doing that. I agree with David, we should get as far away from here as possible. At least we have the protection of the forest, we can always hide." Ned said.
"Okay but we should collect some of our things first, we can't go into the forest with absolutely nothing." Fred looked over to the clearing, watching as if something was going to happen.
Just then Bob shouted loudly, something the others didn't understand. She fell to the floor, gripping at the first thing she could find, David's arm. She held tightly whilst the images flew past her, it was amazing, she had had visions before but never anything like this, it was all so real. Fred was shouting at her trying to make some sense of what she was saying.
One word froze Fred's heart, something she never wanted to hear again.
"Dead!!" Although it had little significance to the others Fred knew exactly what it meant. Luckily the ramblings continued and no one paid much attention to what she was saying, partly because they didn't understand much of it, a word here and there but nothing that really made sense to them.
Finally Bob sat up rubbing her head and mumbling something about it being unfair that she was always the one to suffer.
"Bob what did you see?" Fred asked, helping her friend to stand.
"Do you think you could remove your friend from me?" David asked cheerfully, pointing to Bob's hand, which was still wrapped firmly around his arm.
"Sorry." Bob said a little uncomfortably. David smiled as she removed her hand and let him loose.
"Bob..."
"I saw Middle Earth but it was different, something was wrong there. It was dark and cold, not like the place we know. Something was wrong, I could feel it. It was like a cloud was covering it and making it a bad place. I can't describe it but there was no happiness there. No grass, no trees, no people. It was completely deserted. Then I saw us, dead in the forest. Me and Fred, I'm not sure about Ned she wasn't there."
Fred looked over at David and knew that he was thinking the same thing.
"After that everything went black as a thing raced towards me and nearly hit me, then I was back here."
"Odd." Ned said looking around as if the answer would just appear from the trees.
"Odd? That's all you're going to say? That it was a little odd. I know one thing it scared me and I'll bet it had something to do with those shadows." Bob was sitting down again but David reached down and pulled her back up.
"We have to get out of this place. If what you saw is going to come true I want to go out with a fight, or not at all."
"I like the last one better." Bob said as they quickly moved forwards towards the old camp, they all agreed that they would be much better off with their camping things, at least they would have food.
After picking up their things they made ready to go into the forest. Before David could move away Fred grabbed him and held him back whilst the others walked on into the forest, Ned still holding tightly to the rope, which held Gollum.
"You're not going to tell them?" Fred whispered.
"Tell them what?"
"You know what. Bob saw it; it's only a matter of time before she figures it out. The dead figures in the wood. David please."
"No Fred. You know we can't."
"But..."
"No. It's too dangerous. I need them, like I need you, to be strong but they can't be strong when they're wondering what's happening to them." David insisted keeping his voice low so he didn't alert Bob and Ned who were waiting for them at the edge of the forest.
"David. I can't keep lying to them. Bob is beginning to see it. It's only a matter of time, what if she figures it out?"
"Then we'll deal with it. Fred you promised me, you told me you'd keep it secret. If Bob figures it out she won't believe it anyway, we'll just put it down to the fact that these visions she's getting are confusing."
"She's not going to believe that David, not forever."
"Fred please, we've talked about this before, please don't make it harder for me, or your friends."
"No. I won't lie to them any more. David they have to know." Fred pleaded walking towards Bob and Ned who were watching curiously wishing they could hear the conversation between the two.
"If you tell them they'll die. I promise you that." David had to restrain himself from shouting. Fred turned sharply around and faced him.
"Don't say that. I'll never let that happen." She whispered fiercely.
"Fred, you trust me right? I've never let you down before have I? All that time in Orthanc you trusted me, trust me now. Just wait a little longer, it's for their own good."
"Then, when all this is over, we can tell them right?"
"Right."
"Okay." "Fred, I love you, don't ever forget that." David said pulling her close.
"As if I ever could." She smiled back at him.
With that they walked back into the forest, Bob and Ned walking behind as David and Fred walked hand in hand in front of them. Gollum was still tied up being dragged along by Ned who was quite enjoying being in charge of the creature.
They wandered through the woods looking for somewhere to shelter for a while, it was almost light by now and last night's adventures were beginning to take their toll on the group, especially David who was holding his arm tightly trying to take the pain away although it wasn't working well. Fred had noticed a while ago and had passed him the occasional worried glance, which he tried to ignore, not succeeding well most of the time.
"Are you alright? That arm must hurt." She asked him gently as they sat on a fallen log intending to rest for a while.
"It's fine, just a little sore that's all." David reassured her taking some food out of the pack he was carrying. He looked back to Fred who had that determined look on her face. "Honestly it's fine, besides there's nothing you can do about it. Not here anyway."
"Ah, but you forget, I'm a nurse in training."
"In training? That's no good, I want a fully qualified nurse." He laughed pulling her closer and kissing her lightly. "We had better get going soon. We can't stop for long." He said when they had pulled away.
"Why? It's daylight, those things probably aren't going to come after us in the light." Bob said taking a drink from her bag and looking at its contents.
"No but we should try and put as much distance between us and them whilst we have the chance. The more we travel in the day the more chance we have of getting out of here alive." David reasoned.
Bob nodded although a little reluctantly. She would have been quite happy to curl up on her blanket and go to sleep whether something was hunting them or not. However, she knew he was right, they were still in danger and that couldn't be ignored. Besides she liked the thought of putting distance between herself and those things, they had freaked her out enough the first time and she wasn't looking forward to the next confrontation.
After almost half an hour they packed their things away making sure they left nothing behind that might give away their presence. The last thing they wanted to do was leave clues for the monsters hunting them, they may as well leave arrows for them to follow.
David led the way back into the thick forest. Ned had left Bob to pull the unwilling Gollum along, who by now was making shouting noises of protest at being dragged across the ground no matter how many people shouted at him to keep quiet. More than one David had shouted at Bob to keep him quiet although he knew there was nothing she could do to stop him.
They slowly went on, David in the lead; followed by Ned who was going into a lot of detail about previous expeditions she had been on involving the forest. David just walked quickly through the trees trying his best to ignore her and focus on what he was doing. He almost wished it was just him and Fred there, at least things would be quieter. He kept silent though, drowning out her words by thinking about what the shadows would do next.
It was almost twelve o'clock when David finally stopped after many protests from the others, except Ned who was quite willing to go on talking and walking all day. He stopped and moved towards a small rock, he found the others followed him without question, not wanting to get lost. This part of the forest was particularly dark and close and they didn't want to get separated. Despite the coldness of the place David could feel the heat of this particular part. It reminded him of the forests back home, the dark ones no one ever ventured into, now he understood why, although he guessed there weren't giant spiders living in this part of the forest.
Fred seemed to sense him unease.
"What's wrong?" She asked looking around her. She turned to Bob. "Do you sense anything?"
Bob also looked around. "No, not any danger anyway. There is something though, a fear maybe. I don't know. I think we're safe now. These trees will protect us." Bob said again looking around her.
"Oh my God." Fred exclaimed suddenly.
"What?" Bob asked looking around her for danger or trouble.
"Do you have any idea how much you sounded like Legolas just then?" Fred laughed. Bob, and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't do that, you frightened me for a moment there. I thought there was something wrong."
Fred laughed again although none of the others found it funny so she kept quiet whilst they sat on the leaf-covered floor. She stood still for a moment looking around her. This place seemed so familiar. She's never been there before, of that she was sure but still something made her think she knew it.
"Do you hear that?" David suddenly asked.
"What?" They all asked together.
"Water. I think there must be a stream near by." He went to go but Fred grabbed his arm and stopped him. "I'll be fine." He said.
"I'll go." Fred said firmly making sure he couldn't argue. "Don't worry. I promise I won't lose my way." She shot a look over at Ned who was laughing at the memory of Fred being frightened of a horse.
"Be careful." David called after her but she had already gone taking with her two bottles to fill up.
The others went about getting lunch and enjoying their much-needed break. David began bandaging his aching arm. Bob was tying Gollum's rope to a tree making sure he couldn't escape.
Fred walked towards the sound of the stream, making sure she made a mental note of where she was, she had been serious when she said she wasn't going to get lost again, she didn't want to spend the night in the forest, it was creepy enough during the day. She made sure she made marks that wouldn't be hard to find, David undoubtedly would find her but there was always that fear that she would be alone again. She pulled her long coat tighter around her hoping it would keep the rising chill at bay, she couldn't suppress the shudder from the cold feeling that swept over her.
Finally, she came to the stream. It was fast flowing, she remembered seeing somewhere that fast flowing water was usually safe to drink and that was what was important to her. She reached down and put her hand in the water and drew it back when it almost froze her hand. She smiled and put the bottle in the water, allowing it to fill with the water before pulling it away and putting the other one in. She watched the fast moving water for a moment, sitting down she looked at the peaceful scene. Birds went about their usual business, singing and collecting food. The fish bopped to the surface every now and then. Everything was normal. Just like it should be in a forest at that time of year. It was as if everything that had happened was in another world and had left this part of the forest unaffected by the frightening events.
Fred was disturbed by something moving behind her. She whirled around and was faced with Bob holding another bottle.
"You forgot one." She smiled as Fred stood up and took the bottle. She filled it with water and stood again.
"Is everything alright?" Fred asked cautiously, seeing the look on Bob's face, like she was trying to figure something out.
"It's quiet here isn't it?" She said looking over the stream at a pair of birds dancing close to the water.
"Yeah. So still. It's almost as if nothing's happening." Fred sighed.
"You remember what happened last time. Nothing was changed. Let's hope it was the same in Middle Earth." Fred nodded knowing exactly what she was talking about. Although they were confident everything was the same they couldn't be sure. After all Gollum wasn't there any more, which had to change things. After everything that had would be destroyed by Frodo without the help of Gollum. It would probably be an advantage, not having him around.
**
"Things are different." The white Elf whispered in Elrond's sleep. "You know it, you see it. Things are changing. This is not what I predicted. Something dark takes over the Ring bearer and his companion. I know you have felt it too. We must make sure everything remains the same. You know what must be done, do not be afraid to do it for fear of interfering. Our time is running out." The voice drifted away leaving only the heavy impact of the words on Elrond's mind.
He woke looking around him, knowing what he must do no matter how hard it would be. He would have to go to Earth...
TBC.
A/N: Finally some Middle Earth stuff. Keep reading. And reviewing of course.