OMG so sorry this has taken so long, but I promise to give ya'll and extra
long chappie! I went to Chicago for 3 days and spent most of the time
mulling over this chapter and listening to Josh Groban or my Tolkien
Ensemble cd! Sorry, forgive me! Please say you still love me!! :-/
Disclaimer: I would have told you by now if I owned LOTR or not, but I haven't now have I? That's what I thought! So there! :-P
Chapter 10: A Wright Time For Everything
They had been traveling through the old forest for about 4 hours now. Jericho's bottom was feeling really sore and she was getting drowsy. She hadn't slept at all that night after she awoke from her dream. It was strange; she had the habit of just laying down and breathing very very slow. That was probably why Merry had thought she was asleep. She had seen his lay his head down with her block.
Sandy. The name reverberated throughout her mind. It creaked and shrieked inside her body. She felt as if she had been branded with the name, right on the softest spot of her heart. She didn't know the whole story though. She knew that she shouldn't jump to conclusions. But, she couldn't help it.
The block Tom had given her was hitting against her leg with every step of her pony. It lay quiet in a pocket on the side of her dress. It now seemed like a good as time as ever to look and see what was up.
Cautiously she felt towards her pocket, trying to stay balanced on the pony, and finally she grasped it in her hand. As she pulled it out she waited expecting the sight of her hand grasped around if, but nothing happened. She tapped on the horse. Still nothing. 'Maybe I have to concentrate on it, that's how it is in books,' she thought.
Jericho tried to picture the block in her mind. The more she focused the more it became real. She imagined the etched sides, and the dark wood. Soon it was real.
She looked at the etchings and noticed them to be elvish immediately. 'What I would do for Iris!' she thought remembering her friend who was fluent in the Quenya tongue. She decided to focus on the writing. Her mind focused on the beauty of the handwriting, and the marvelous black letters. Jericho gasped.
She saw the trees! She was looking from the side of the block that she had been concentrating on! It was amazing! She was seeing. She turned it to see a pony's head and a rope leading to another pony. Sitting on top was a young hobbit in a green traveling cloak. She quickly changed her focus of mind and went back into the darkness.
()
Merry turned around to see Jericho stuffing something in her pocket. He couldn't make out what but by the shocked/blank look on her face it was something that had bothered her.
He slowed his horse so that it rode beside her.
"Hello Merry," she greeted not turning or smiling at him.
"How did you know it was me?"
"In my spare time I try to sort out who is who by your distinct scents," she explained shrugging her shoulders.
"You mean you smelt me?" he asked shocked and slightly amused.
"Yes," she replied simply continuing to stare off into the distance. He grunted in approval and sat in an awkward silence for a moment.
"So..." he began, "Do I smell bad?" She smiled.
"No," she began to chuckle.
"You're lying!" he teased.
"No, honestly. You smell quite nice! Not as nice as Frodo, but very nice!"
"Oh so you think Frodo's better than me?" he asked. She now was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face.
"No," she gasped finally turning towards him, "I just mean," gasp, "That I prefer the smell of thick wool to pipe weed."
"I smell like pipe weed?"
"Yes, I quite like it, it's just..."
"What?"
"My grandfather died thanks to smoking," Jericho turned her head away from him again. He leaned forward to try and see her face. He could see that tears were now falling for a different reason.
"I miss them all terribly," she sobbed wiping her face with the back of her hand. He didn't know what to say. All he could think of was to place a hand upon hers. He reached between the ponies and placed his hand gently on hers. He heard her take a sharp breath.
"Merry?" she asked quietly.
"Yes?" he answered his voice heavy laden with his concern.
"Why are you doing this?"
"What?"
"This. Being so kind, so charming, making me... making me your... friend?" she asked choking on her tears that were still streaming down.
"Because..." he paused looking for the right words, "Because you mean very much to me." Jericho didn't answer. He listened, as her breath was short then long, once gasping then barely there.
"No I don't Merry," she whispered.
"What do you mean?" he asked not understanding what she meant.
"You don't really give a rats ass about me," she cooed pulling her hand away from his.
"But I do, Jericho! Can't you tell?"
"Yes, I can tell that you care for the idea of me! But you have no idea who I really am! You don't know what I've done in my past or whom I've loved before, who has broken my heart. For all you know I may have another love back home!"
"Do you?"
"Well... no! But you didn't know that!"
"Why should your past matter?"
"Because your past makes you who you are!" she was now shrieking. The others turned and watched her rant.
"No," he shushed, "Your past is just something behind you. Your future is what makes you, you."
"But I don't know what the future holds!"
"No one does, that's what makes it remarkable." There was a long silence as they rode onward.
()
"Let us rest here," Frodo declared trying to change the mood. Jericho jumped at his voice. She knew where they were. She knew that soon they would all fall asleep until nightfall. She wouldn't though. She would never be able to.
'Because you mean very much to me,' Merry's voice rang through her head. She wondered if Sandy had often heard those same words. She could not understand what drew her to him. She usually hated the smell of smoke, she couldn't stand being lied to, and on top of that they had completely different beliefs! Your past is your guide. You can never escape it, if you screw up you'll regret your past forever. He thought that you should not worry about past faults and concentrate on something you don't even know about yet. Was he crazy?
Was she crazy?
She laid her head back on the cool rock. There was a soft and gentle humming coming from it. She wondered if the barrow under was creating the soothing sound? She felt herself slip off into a fitful dream.
She stood again in a field sitting on an old worn stump with a fallen log facing her. The sun was setting behind the log and she saw a figure come out of the woods behind the trees. She was a bit more prepared for the figure this time. It's empty bloody sockets were no less frightening, but not as alarming. The blood that dripped from its mouth was making a lovely pool on her smock. It was checkered with yellow and black, or blood she couldn't tell. The figure came and stood on the log facing towards Jericho. It raised its arms toward Jericho as if reaching for her. It opened its disgusting mouth wide and then screamed.
Jericho sat bolt upright to hear the scream of a fellow companion.
"Aaahh!!! Where am I?" he cried.
"What? Who is it?" she asked feeling around her for anyone. She found that she was no longer near the stone.
"Jericho?"
"Yes! Who are you I can't see a thing!"
"Well, of course, but it's Pippin where are you, I can't see either," he cried.
Jericho had to let things process slowly before she found out what was the matter.
"Pippin," she soothed, "its nightfall wake the others we must get moving!"
"How do you know it's night?"
"I have my ways now wake them, I shall try and help if I can to find a body to grasp," she grunted crawling in a random direction.
As Pippin found their companions one by one Jericho felt around the ground for anything that might be alive. She quickly found Pippins foot when he trod on her hand. She gave a loud piercing scream that soon awoke Frodo and Sam.
"It sounded like one of those nasty riders," Sam moaned standing up.
"At least we are awake," Frodo answered, "Where is Merry?"
"You would have thought that I'd have awoken him by now," Jericho whispered. She frantically searched the ground feeling for anything that felt like flesh. At last she grasped a foot that had a distinct smell that she knew and... She pinched the flesh of the ankle. No movement. She quickly felt along his body pinching as she went along. Soon she came to his face. Her hands searched his face and found and ear. As she rolled his head over she took a deep breath. When she exhaled out with the air came a loud deafening squeal. It would have been enough to wake the dead.
Luckily Merry finally awoke.
()
Sandy's scream reverberated through out his head as she fell into the gully. Soon he realized it was not Sandy, but Jericho screaming. He sat up and accidentally slapped Jericho in face. She fell backwards clutching her nose. When she fell away she was out of his range of vision. The fog was so thick upon the land that he could hardly see his nose.
"Jericho?" he asked.
"M' kay!" she mumbled her voice muffled by her hands. He stood up and quickly found her with a blood soaked hand over her nose.
"Goodness, Jericho, I'm sorry!" he gushed.
"Mo 'ime," she answered as he helped her up. She felt for her dress and ripped a piece of cloth from it and quickly stuffed it up her nose.
"We must be off," Frodo exclaimed, "I had not meant for us to pass over the downs in nightfall, but we must now." Merry shook his head vigorously and grasped for Jericho's hand but found it to be busy in her pocket.
When they had finally set off he was very anxious and wary of the whole excursion, but they had no choice. It was either to stay where they were and be found by a Wright or try and run away from the Wrights. Either way it was not very promising. He turned checking the rope between his and Jericho's ponies making sure it was intact. He quietly prayed for her safety.
()
Jericho had made sure that she had her seeing block before they set out. She tried to see if it was of any use for her, but alas she doubted she'd have much of an advantage with a small square of sight than none in the dark mist.
There was a small rustle in the trees near her left flank. She turned and thought she had seen some figure in the darkness. Shaking it off she felt for her horse's bridle and made sure that the rope was securely tied to it. She could not be separated from Merry. Some how she knew she would have to save him. Some how she would have to keep the wrights from him. She knew it would be very unwise to change the books, but... she couldn't allow those... things to take him. She couldn't help her own care for him.
()
Merry felt her hand on the other end of the rope. She was making sure they wouldn't lose each other also. He smiled knowing she knew not that he saw, but he smiled.
"I think I see the Westward gate!" Frodo exclaimed as the moon went behind the dark clouds. Merry watched as he rode off into the mist.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam yelped chasing after him.
"No, wait for me!" Pippin yelled following. Merry turned toward Jericho who knew not of what was happening.
"HOLD ON JERICHO," he yelled back at her and pushed his own pony to following his companions. As they pushed through the mist he did not see the figures of Frodo, Sam, or Pippin.
"Ack!" Jericho yelped her pony rearing back and tossing her off.
"Jericho!" Merry screamed as his own pony spooked and ran off away from her. He watched as she faded into the mist.
()
"Merry!" she yelled the darkness enfolding her. "MERRY!!" she screamed. There was no response just the black emptiness that was her life.
Suddenly a white figure with many jewels and a long sword passed by her not seeing her. It had back eyes and white shimmering clothes that drug the ground behind him. Jericho knew right away that this was a Wright, and if she were to ever find her companions again she would either be taken by him or follow. She chose the latter.
()
He finally stopped his pony and quickly dismounted running away back the way he had come searching for Jericho. He heard his name being called and quickly ran to his right. It sounded again from his left. He changed course, as it led him farther and farther into the mist. Faintly he thought he heard Frodo yell something to Sam, but he could not tell. He suddenly felt a cold hand grasp his shoulder but turned to see nothing.
()
The Wright had stopped and grasped something. She could not tell what but she guessed it was one of her companions. It slowly turned carrying a now visible limp body in its arms. It was Merry! The Wright looked at her and glowered, or so it seemed. His face seemed to shimmer in and out of focus, but it quickly grabbed her shoulder and she felt the world go completely dark.
Hope this was good enough for ya. I really really really am getting into the spooky stuffs! I love it. This the not my first fic dealing with the dead, but I have never used it this much! I love this! Okay if you're bored of my stories, then read Pyschopanda's cause she's my good buddy and I'm goin to her house tomorrow. So neh! :-P Luvs ya!-DB:D
Disclaimer: I would have told you by now if I owned LOTR or not, but I haven't now have I? That's what I thought! So there! :-P
Chapter 10: A Wright Time For Everything
They had been traveling through the old forest for about 4 hours now. Jericho's bottom was feeling really sore and she was getting drowsy. She hadn't slept at all that night after she awoke from her dream. It was strange; she had the habit of just laying down and breathing very very slow. That was probably why Merry had thought she was asleep. She had seen his lay his head down with her block.
Sandy. The name reverberated throughout her mind. It creaked and shrieked inside her body. She felt as if she had been branded with the name, right on the softest spot of her heart. She didn't know the whole story though. She knew that she shouldn't jump to conclusions. But, she couldn't help it.
The block Tom had given her was hitting against her leg with every step of her pony. It lay quiet in a pocket on the side of her dress. It now seemed like a good as time as ever to look and see what was up.
Cautiously she felt towards her pocket, trying to stay balanced on the pony, and finally she grasped it in her hand. As she pulled it out she waited expecting the sight of her hand grasped around if, but nothing happened. She tapped on the horse. Still nothing. 'Maybe I have to concentrate on it, that's how it is in books,' she thought.
Jericho tried to picture the block in her mind. The more she focused the more it became real. She imagined the etched sides, and the dark wood. Soon it was real.
She looked at the etchings and noticed them to be elvish immediately. 'What I would do for Iris!' she thought remembering her friend who was fluent in the Quenya tongue. She decided to focus on the writing. Her mind focused on the beauty of the handwriting, and the marvelous black letters. Jericho gasped.
She saw the trees! She was looking from the side of the block that she had been concentrating on! It was amazing! She was seeing. She turned it to see a pony's head and a rope leading to another pony. Sitting on top was a young hobbit in a green traveling cloak. She quickly changed her focus of mind and went back into the darkness.
()
Merry turned around to see Jericho stuffing something in her pocket. He couldn't make out what but by the shocked/blank look on her face it was something that had bothered her.
He slowed his horse so that it rode beside her.
"Hello Merry," she greeted not turning or smiling at him.
"How did you know it was me?"
"In my spare time I try to sort out who is who by your distinct scents," she explained shrugging her shoulders.
"You mean you smelt me?" he asked shocked and slightly amused.
"Yes," she replied simply continuing to stare off into the distance. He grunted in approval and sat in an awkward silence for a moment.
"So..." he began, "Do I smell bad?" She smiled.
"No," she began to chuckle.
"You're lying!" he teased.
"No, honestly. You smell quite nice! Not as nice as Frodo, but very nice!"
"Oh so you think Frodo's better than me?" he asked. She now was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face.
"No," she gasped finally turning towards him, "I just mean," gasp, "That I prefer the smell of thick wool to pipe weed."
"I smell like pipe weed?"
"Yes, I quite like it, it's just..."
"What?"
"My grandfather died thanks to smoking," Jericho turned her head away from him again. He leaned forward to try and see her face. He could see that tears were now falling for a different reason.
"I miss them all terribly," she sobbed wiping her face with the back of her hand. He didn't know what to say. All he could think of was to place a hand upon hers. He reached between the ponies and placed his hand gently on hers. He heard her take a sharp breath.
"Merry?" she asked quietly.
"Yes?" he answered his voice heavy laden with his concern.
"Why are you doing this?"
"What?"
"This. Being so kind, so charming, making me... making me your... friend?" she asked choking on her tears that were still streaming down.
"Because..." he paused looking for the right words, "Because you mean very much to me." Jericho didn't answer. He listened, as her breath was short then long, once gasping then barely there.
"No I don't Merry," she whispered.
"What do you mean?" he asked not understanding what she meant.
"You don't really give a rats ass about me," she cooed pulling her hand away from his.
"But I do, Jericho! Can't you tell?"
"Yes, I can tell that you care for the idea of me! But you have no idea who I really am! You don't know what I've done in my past or whom I've loved before, who has broken my heart. For all you know I may have another love back home!"
"Do you?"
"Well... no! But you didn't know that!"
"Why should your past matter?"
"Because your past makes you who you are!" she was now shrieking. The others turned and watched her rant.
"No," he shushed, "Your past is just something behind you. Your future is what makes you, you."
"But I don't know what the future holds!"
"No one does, that's what makes it remarkable." There was a long silence as they rode onward.
()
"Let us rest here," Frodo declared trying to change the mood. Jericho jumped at his voice. She knew where they were. She knew that soon they would all fall asleep until nightfall. She wouldn't though. She would never be able to.
'Because you mean very much to me,' Merry's voice rang through her head. She wondered if Sandy had often heard those same words. She could not understand what drew her to him. She usually hated the smell of smoke, she couldn't stand being lied to, and on top of that they had completely different beliefs! Your past is your guide. You can never escape it, if you screw up you'll regret your past forever. He thought that you should not worry about past faults and concentrate on something you don't even know about yet. Was he crazy?
Was she crazy?
She laid her head back on the cool rock. There was a soft and gentle humming coming from it. She wondered if the barrow under was creating the soothing sound? She felt herself slip off into a fitful dream.
She stood again in a field sitting on an old worn stump with a fallen log facing her. The sun was setting behind the log and she saw a figure come out of the woods behind the trees. She was a bit more prepared for the figure this time. It's empty bloody sockets were no less frightening, but not as alarming. The blood that dripped from its mouth was making a lovely pool on her smock. It was checkered with yellow and black, or blood she couldn't tell. The figure came and stood on the log facing towards Jericho. It raised its arms toward Jericho as if reaching for her. It opened its disgusting mouth wide and then screamed.
Jericho sat bolt upright to hear the scream of a fellow companion.
"Aaahh!!! Where am I?" he cried.
"What? Who is it?" she asked feeling around her for anyone. She found that she was no longer near the stone.
"Jericho?"
"Yes! Who are you I can't see a thing!"
"Well, of course, but it's Pippin where are you, I can't see either," he cried.
Jericho had to let things process slowly before she found out what was the matter.
"Pippin," she soothed, "its nightfall wake the others we must get moving!"
"How do you know it's night?"
"I have my ways now wake them, I shall try and help if I can to find a body to grasp," she grunted crawling in a random direction.
As Pippin found their companions one by one Jericho felt around the ground for anything that might be alive. She quickly found Pippins foot when he trod on her hand. She gave a loud piercing scream that soon awoke Frodo and Sam.
"It sounded like one of those nasty riders," Sam moaned standing up.
"At least we are awake," Frodo answered, "Where is Merry?"
"You would have thought that I'd have awoken him by now," Jericho whispered. She frantically searched the ground feeling for anything that felt like flesh. At last she grasped a foot that had a distinct smell that she knew and... She pinched the flesh of the ankle. No movement. She quickly felt along his body pinching as she went along. Soon she came to his face. Her hands searched his face and found and ear. As she rolled his head over she took a deep breath. When she exhaled out with the air came a loud deafening squeal. It would have been enough to wake the dead.
Luckily Merry finally awoke.
()
Sandy's scream reverberated through out his head as she fell into the gully. Soon he realized it was not Sandy, but Jericho screaming. He sat up and accidentally slapped Jericho in face. She fell backwards clutching her nose. When she fell away she was out of his range of vision. The fog was so thick upon the land that he could hardly see his nose.
"Jericho?" he asked.
"M' kay!" she mumbled her voice muffled by her hands. He stood up and quickly found her with a blood soaked hand over her nose.
"Goodness, Jericho, I'm sorry!" he gushed.
"Mo 'ime," she answered as he helped her up. She felt for her dress and ripped a piece of cloth from it and quickly stuffed it up her nose.
"We must be off," Frodo exclaimed, "I had not meant for us to pass over the downs in nightfall, but we must now." Merry shook his head vigorously and grasped for Jericho's hand but found it to be busy in her pocket.
When they had finally set off he was very anxious and wary of the whole excursion, but they had no choice. It was either to stay where they were and be found by a Wright or try and run away from the Wrights. Either way it was not very promising. He turned checking the rope between his and Jericho's ponies making sure it was intact. He quietly prayed for her safety.
()
Jericho had made sure that she had her seeing block before they set out. She tried to see if it was of any use for her, but alas she doubted she'd have much of an advantage with a small square of sight than none in the dark mist.
There was a small rustle in the trees near her left flank. She turned and thought she had seen some figure in the darkness. Shaking it off she felt for her horse's bridle and made sure that the rope was securely tied to it. She could not be separated from Merry. Some how she knew she would have to save him. Some how she would have to keep the wrights from him. She knew it would be very unwise to change the books, but... she couldn't allow those... things to take him. She couldn't help her own care for him.
()
Merry felt her hand on the other end of the rope. She was making sure they wouldn't lose each other also. He smiled knowing she knew not that he saw, but he smiled.
"I think I see the Westward gate!" Frodo exclaimed as the moon went behind the dark clouds. Merry watched as he rode off into the mist.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam yelped chasing after him.
"No, wait for me!" Pippin yelled following. Merry turned toward Jericho who knew not of what was happening.
"HOLD ON JERICHO," he yelled back at her and pushed his own pony to following his companions. As they pushed through the mist he did not see the figures of Frodo, Sam, or Pippin.
"Ack!" Jericho yelped her pony rearing back and tossing her off.
"Jericho!" Merry screamed as his own pony spooked and ran off away from her. He watched as she faded into the mist.
()
"Merry!" she yelled the darkness enfolding her. "MERRY!!" she screamed. There was no response just the black emptiness that was her life.
Suddenly a white figure with many jewels and a long sword passed by her not seeing her. It had back eyes and white shimmering clothes that drug the ground behind him. Jericho knew right away that this was a Wright, and if she were to ever find her companions again she would either be taken by him or follow. She chose the latter.
()
He finally stopped his pony and quickly dismounted running away back the way he had come searching for Jericho. He heard his name being called and quickly ran to his right. It sounded again from his left. He changed course, as it led him farther and farther into the mist. Faintly he thought he heard Frodo yell something to Sam, but he could not tell. He suddenly felt a cold hand grasp his shoulder but turned to see nothing.
()
The Wright had stopped and grasped something. She could not tell what but she guessed it was one of her companions. It slowly turned carrying a now visible limp body in its arms. It was Merry! The Wright looked at her and glowered, or so it seemed. His face seemed to shimmer in and out of focus, but it quickly grabbed her shoulder and she felt the world go completely dark.
Hope this was good enough for ya. I really really really am getting into the spooky stuffs! I love it. This the not my first fic dealing with the dead, but I have never used it this much! I love this! Okay if you're bored of my stories, then read Pyschopanda's cause she's my good buddy and I'm goin to her house tomorrow. So neh! :-P Luvs ya!-DB:D