A/N: Okay, so I know it's been a long time since my last update. The only excuses I can offer is a really bad case of writer's block and an evil thing called school. I must have written at least five different openings for this darn thing. To top it off, we're in the process of moving, so I don't have enough time to breathe, let alone write. But after about another week, everything will calm down, then I'll be able to devote more time to all of you, my dear fans.
Oh, and I also have a new fic up and running, so if you're a LXG fan, check it out! With any luck, I'll be updating it soon, which I know Sethoz and Clez will be happy about. I'm also in the process of building my own website that will feature my fanfiction stories as well as drawing of my original characters. Not drawn by my of course, because I have the artist capabilities of a hamster. But one of my dear friends is doing the artwork. Check in on my bio page and see if the address is up yet--if it is, then you can go see the site.
Ummm…disclaimer. Right, sooo…I don't own anything. Except Anya. I might own her…unless Tolkien returned from the dead and snuck her into the books. Sneaky zombies…so, can you tell I'm on a sugar high from Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream?
Ooo, ooo, reviews! Oh how I love my wonderful reviewers. Now for the personal response thingy.
Obelia medusa--Well, some of your wish is being granted in this chapter. I'm glad you liked the interactions, and I'll be developing various relationships throughout the story. I'm trying to read more of "Anchored" but I'm having to go back and reread it from the beginnings cause it's been awhile. I love the pic on your bio page…Elijah Wood as Huckleberry Finn was too cute…the movie was inaccurate, but he was still cute. I hope you like this chapter as much as the others. Enjoy!
Leo Cole--Glad I reached maximum Frodo cuteness. Hope you enjoy this too!
Harper's Pixie-- Glad you like it. You're right…I am going to try and go through the whole thing, though I'm probably only going to put the Fellowship in this story. Oh yes, Anya is definitely going to be stirring things up. Hope you enjoy!
Eileen-- Hey, I'm interesting! Who woulda thunk it? Hehe…do you remember what the other Frodo-has-a-sister fic was, or what it was like? I'd love to know. Glad you like it…I aim to please.
PrincessEvenstar-- So, I really hate to be asking this, but what did I review??? Sorry about your cousin annoying you…I know how you feel. But I'm glad I made you happy. You're welcome for the cookies. Hope you enjoy!
Clez-- I know you haven't made it this far yet, but I'm gonna give you a shout-out anyway. Thanks for being my beta-reader…your stories rock. All hail the master of the LXG fics! Thanks for the many reviews. Hope you get around to this soon!
There! Now, what is the lesson we've learned today, boys and girls? The longer the review you send, the bigger the response. And sadly, no one was able to give me the information I needed about how long it took the others to reach Rivendell, so the golden rubber chicken goes to Obelia medusa for taking a stab at it.
Oh, one final thing--this chapter was originally gonna go up Frodo actually waking up, but it was just getting really long, so I split it up. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 14- Waiting is torture
Strider led the hobbits all day through the wilds, directing them ever closer to Rivendell. Their pace had slackened little; though they no longer bore the burden of getting Frodo to safety, the hobbits were eager to reach their kinsmen. They hardly spoke a word; even Pippin fell silent under the tense atmosphere. Strider finally called a halt to their pace at nightfall.
"Can we not go a little further?" Sam asked, anxious to reach his friend. Anya watched Strider silently, just as eager to hear his answer. Strider looked at Sam apologetically.
"Not tonight, Sam. We can't risk travel at night while the Riders are afoot."
Sam huffed a little as he turned to unpack the food. "It's not like they're still after us anyway," he muttered under his breath. Anya's sharp ears heard the comment, and she silently agreed with him. They had not seen nor heard anything of the Riders since the night before, and she knew in her heart that they would go after Frodo…and the Ring.
Anya laid out her bedroll before perching herself on a large rock. She sat facing the direction of Rivendell, her elbows resting on her knees and her face in her hands. She stared longingly in the direction of their destination, as though she could close the gap between her and her twin just by concentrating hard enough.
After awhile Sam approached Anya carefully, not wanting to disturb his mistress. "Miss Anya?" he asked softly. Anya barely tilted her head in his direction, the only indication that she had heard him. Sam took another step toward her.
"I've gotten a bit of supper ready, if you'd like something to eat."
Anya turned her head a little further in Sam's direction, the palest of smiles on her face. "That's alright, Sam. You and the others go ahead without me. I'm not hungry." She turned back to her original position. Sam opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again quickly. He wasn't close enough to argue with Anya as he would Frodo, and besides that, he didn't want to make Anya angry. His mistress could be terrible in a temper.
Sam made his way back over to where Merry and Pippin sat, already eating the cold supper that Sam had prepared. Strider had warned them against lighting fires, but his warning was not needed. After the attack at Weathertop, the trio knew better than to pursuer such follies. Merry looked up at Sam as he sat down beside them.
"Where's Anya?" Merry asked. Sam nodded in her direction. Merry followed his gaze and then looked back at Sam as though waiting for an explanation.
"Said she wasn't hungry," Sam answered simply. Merry continued to watch his older cousin silently as they ate.
"What's the matter, Merry?" Pippin asked innocently a little while later. Merry nodded in Anya's direction.
"I'm worried about Anya," he said. "She hasn't said hardly anything to any of us since last night, and now she's not eating either. It's just not like her." The three hobbits sat in silence a moment, pondering what they could do.
"Maybe I could try talking to her," Pippin offered.
"No!" Sam and Merry exclaimed at the same time. Then they softened, lowering their voices.
"No, Pip. I don't want to risk you making things worse. I'll talk to her." With that, Merry went and walked over to where his older cousin sat.
Anya didn't look up or acknowledge Merry as he sat on the rock next to her. They sat in silence for a moment before Anya turned her head slightly to face Merry.
"Yes, Merry?" she asked softly. Merry studied her for a moment before speaking. The woman before him looked older somehow, as though last night's events were taking their toll on her pretty, youthful features.
"Are you alright, Anya?" he asked, concern welling up in his eyes. Anya gave him a pale smile.
"I'm fine," she answered, before turning back to her original position. Merry leaned forward slightly to try and see her face.
"Don't give me that, Anya. I've known you long enough to know when something's wrong." Anya turned to look at him again.
"I'm just worried, is all," she answered, trying desperately to keep the emotion out of her voice. She bit back a wave of despair that threatened to overwhelm her. No, she told herself. She was the eldest here. She had to keep up a brave face for her cousins and Sam. If she fell apart, then there would be nothing to keep them from doing the same.
Merry stared into her eyes, unconvinced of her sincerity. "Anya…" he started, unsure of what to say. She looked away from him for a moment, and he reached out to grab her arm.
Suddenly, Anya whipped her entire body around to face him. Her eyes burned with anger. "What do you want me to say, Merry?" she asked in a low, strained voice. She stopped herself, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Merry could see her choosing her words carefully before speaking.
"It is not an easy thing for me, Merry, admitting I'm afraid," Anya said, speaking slowly, looked at the ground. She looked up at him, and Merry could see the tears glistening in her eyes.
"But I am afraid, Mer," Anya turned away from her cousin and stared off into the distance again. "I can't remember a time in my life that I've ever been more afraid. He's fading, Merry. I can feel it. And the though of losing Frodo terrifies me more than anything I know of." Anya's voice softened and she fell silent as tears welled up in her eyes.
Merry stared at his cousin as she tried to blink back her tears. Finally, he put his arm around her and pulled her close. "It'll be okay, Anya," he said softly. His words made Anya smile through her tears and she shifted closer to him.
~~~
Two days later, four hobbits and a man trudged through the gates of Rivendell. Anya and Sam were too weary and heart sore to notice the beauty that surrounded them, though Merry and Pippin looked around them with wide eyes and expressions of awe. The hobbits followed Strider blindly through Rivendell as they had the past several days and he led them up a flight of stairs to a large room that reminded the hobbits of their room in Bree.
"I'm going to find Lord Elrond," Strider said. "Stay here and clean up; try to get some rest. Someone will bring you some food later." With that, Strider left, closing the door behind him.
Merry and Sam began to unpack their things, while Pippin flopped down on one of the beds. Anya glanced around the room, hands on her hips, before taking of her cloak and placing it on one of the beds. She crossed the room with bold, determined steps. Sam and Merry looked up as she started to open the door.
"Where are you going?" Merry asked. Anya turned around to face him.
"I'm going to find Frodo," she answered with determination. Merry quickly stepped towards her as she turned to wrestle with the heavy door.
"But Strider said to stay here!" he protested as she opened the door.
"I really don't care," Anya answered before turning and closing the door behind her. The three hobbits exchanged looks, debating with themselves whether or not to go after her. They silently reached a verdict and continued to unpack.
Anya moved silently through the halls of Rivendell, as only a hobbit could. There were few elves about, and those she came across said nothing to her. She didn't quite know how it was that she knew exactly where to go, but it was as though there was a silent beacon directing her. Anya didn't really think twice about it; even as children the wins had shared a special connection. One always knew how to find the other, and if one was sick or hurt, the other knew it.
Finally, Anya came to a stop outside of a room on one of the upper levels. The door was closed, but she could hear people talking inside. She raised her fist to knock on the door, but before she had the chance, it opened.
"Gandalf!" Anya exclaimed. The wizard looked down at her, a grim smile on his face.
"Anyanka," he replied. "I didn't think it would take you long to find your way here."
Anya craned her neck trying to see around him into the room. "Where is he?"
Gandalf sighed slightly. "He is safe. Frodo is in very good hands." Anya only glared up at him and crossed her arms across her chest.
"Where is he?"
"Your brother is resting, Miss Baggins," said an unfamiliar voice, coming up from behind Gandalf. A dark hared elf came out of the room, Strider walking behind him. They shut the door firmly as they came out.
"Anyanka, this is Lord Elrond, Master of Rivendell," Gandalf announced, introducing the newcomer with a sweep of his hand. Anya bowed, remembering her manners suddenly.
"My kindred and I thank you for your hospitality and kindness," she said politely. Elrond smiled at her slightly.
"You are all very welcome," he replied. Anya glanced at Strider, who was watching her with a bit of exasperation.
"I thought I told you to stay put," he said, crossing his arms across his chest. Anya raised her head somewhat defiantly.
"Did you really think I would heed such an order?" she replied. The expression on the ranger's face told her that clearly he had not. Anya turned her attention back to Elrond, concern flooding into her face again.
"When can I see him?" she asked. Elrond exchanged glances with Gandalf before answering.
"Soon. You may go and sit with him as soon as you've rested yourself." Anya sighed heavily and hung her head before looking up at the elf, her eyes saying that she was tired of making this argument.
"I seriously doubt that I will be able to rest at all until I have at least seen my brother," she said. Elrond exhaled strongly through his nose, seeing her reluctance was unmovable.
"Two hours. Not a moment sooner." Anya smiled and nodded her thanks to him. Elrond dismissed her with a wave and she turned to head back the way she came. Elrond and Gandalf exchanged another look, this one full of worry, as they turned and headed in the opposite direction, Strider following them.
A/N: So, how was that? Worth the wait? I've started chapter 15, and hope to have the council done by chapter 17. Please leave a review and then go check out my LXG fic!