Goodness!! What a delay! I had such a hard time writing this chapter. Got stuck you could say. Well, here it is. ^_^;;

The embers from the dying fire, glowed dimly in the twilight air. Poking the charred wood, smudged face glum, Dolly sighed and glanced over at her cousin. They'd just reached the Brandywine River, the soothing sound of running water just yards away. Upon seeing Bramblerose's white face, and glazed eyes, Dolly had firmly decided to set up camp for the night. Ever since they'd left home, the fox-maiden had been sleeping less and less. She seemed to prefer sitting up all night, gazing up at the sky in quiet contemplation. Once, she'd even engaged in an unusual conversation.

"Do you think there are others?"

"Hm? Others?"

"Like…my father"

Pausing in her stride, the young lass turned and gazed thoughtfully at her elder.

"I never really thought about it. Most likely."

"Mm. I wonder if I'll ever meet any." Bramblerose mused, starting to walk again. Dolly watched her go and shrugged.

"Who knows? Maybe this Tom character knows."

The fox-maiden had perked at this notion and the rest of their journey had been spent in comfortable silence. Until that night.

A soft whimper roused Dolly from slumber, blinking in the darkness. Under the moon light, her eyes fell upon the shuddering form of her cousin. Bramblerose's tail had worked loose of her blanket and was thrashing wildly.

"Bramble?"

Shrugging off her cloak, the hobbitess crawled over to her, and placed a tentative hand on the quivering shoulder. Suddenly, Bramblerose rolled over and grabbed her wrist tightly. And Dolly found herself staring into wild amber eyes, which were wide and filled with fear.

"Bramblerose?" came her frightened query. At the mention of her name, the fox-maiden's eyes dimmed into her normal hazel and she slumped back into sleep, leaving the hobbitess holding her. After a brief moment, Dolly stroked the girl's hair and whispered.

"What's happening to you?"

After that night, Bramblerose didn't seem to recall the nightmare she'd been having, and the two had continued on their way.

Now, they were on the brink of the Old Forest, and Dolly was in a foul humor.

"What was Gandalf thinking…" she muttered bitterly, hugging her knees close.

Sleep gradually came over her, and the hobbitess was soon snoring softly.

The next morning, the two awoke to a wet mist that seemed to cling to their very clothing. Glancing about her, Bramblerose slung on her satchel and turned to watch Dolly douse out the fire they'd used to cook breakfast. Smiling weakly, she turned back to face the looming forest, and felt Dolly's hand on her shoulder.

"Well, lets hope we find him." came her warm voice, and the fox-maiden nodded.

"Right. Lets get moving"

With that said, the two hobbits cautiously made their way into the trees, and were lost in the murky depths.

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The air was so close in here, so close and damp. Dolly patted her brow with a handkerchief, glancing around. The dark trees around them seemed to stare back, causing the little hobbit to shudder. It was so quiet! Hefting her bag closer, she scuttled after her cousin who was trying to pinpoint the way to go.

"Wish Gandalf had been more specific.." Dolly grumbled helpfully, before jumping at the sound of branches creaking. There was no wind to disturb them, so why did they creak on their own?! Brown eyes wide, she inched closer

"Queer place…feels like we shouldn't be here"

"We shouldn't" came the soft reply.

Sharply looking at Bramblerose, Dolly kept silent at the look on the fox-maiden's fair face.

"They're angry, Dolly. So very angry" Those hazel eyes were wide and uneasy. Swallowing, the plump hobbitess shrank a little.

"Um…tell them we're sorry?"

Red hair shook loosely from the braid, as Bramblerose sauntered deeper into the woods, her young cousin clung to her tightly.

"Dolly?"

"Aye?"

"Would you kindly let go of my tail?"

"Oh! Um…no?"

Bramblerose sighed deeply, and looked down at her bare feet, which was sank into the soft, damp moss. They'd been traveling for a few hours, and it was slowly dawning on her. How on earth were they to find this Tom Bombadil? This forest held an underlying mood of resentment, that she could not keep out. It rang in her ears, burned her eyes and scraped with every branch that raked her skin. The only noise that she could hear, besides the endless silence, was Dolly's shallow breathing.

Carefully picking their way through the forest, the land seemed to slope downwards at times, causing the two girls to stumble and whisper in the silence. At times, Bramblerose's senses would kick in and the fox-maiden would whip around, hearing something or sensing eyes watching their every move. Finally, Bramblerose broke into a job, hissing for Dolly to speed up.

"What's happening?!" Dolly cried, panicking. The fox-maiden seized her hand, and they began to run, dodging through the trees.

Branches began to sway in malicious earnest, as dead leaves swirled around the air, tangling in hair and blinding their eyes. Suddenly, the roots of the trees seems to rip up from the very ground. The world quickly turned upside down, as Dolly's foot caught on a root and she slipped from Bramblerose's grasp.

Thrown to the ground, the hobbitess had time to shriek in horror, before the earth started to swallow her.

Startled, Bramblerose spun round and nearly fell into the looming pit also.

"DOLLY!!"

The roots crashed and the trees groaned, as Dolly desperately clawed at the soil, trying to hold on. Trying to keep her footing, the fox-maiden reached out with one hand, the other flailing to hold onto something. Her tail helped keeping balance, but sadly for Bramblerose, she didn't see the branch swung in her direction.

Pain exploded through the hobbit as she was sent flying a few yards, the ground still rippling and moving, as the very trees seemed to close in around them. She connected hard against a tree trunk and crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Dolly meanwhile, coughed and shrieked as earth slowly began to pour in, burying her alive!!

Roots snaked their way round her legs and arms, holding her tight and cutting off her breathing, as the dim light slowly began to disappear. The dark-haired hobbitess felt her breathing hitch, as a rough root began squeezing her throat, and some soil began to tumble into her face, causing her to hack some more.

"BRAMBLEROSE!!" she screamed, kicking feebly, as the last shreds of daylight faded and Dolly disappeared underground.

Slowly, the landscape settled, and was silent. It was as if nothing had happened. It was a few seconds later, that the fox-maiden came to and painfully got up, eyes glazed.

"Dolly?"

Silence was her answer, as she took a step forward. The trees were still, mocking her, as Bramblerose began to get frantic.

"Dolly?! Dolly?!!" Pale eyes tearful, she ran around, attempting to pinpoint her dear cousin's location. Finally, the foxling's delicate hearing picked up a muffled yell, causing her to stop and drop to her knees.

Slender hands began to scrap at the dirt, digging down to where Dolly was buried.

"HOLD ON DOLLY!" Bramblerose yelled, her eyes blazing and teeth bared.

The trees began to stir again, angered at this little creature's impertinence. Ignoring the furious rumbles and groans, she continued to dig, brambles and hidden roots cutting at her trembling fingers.

"Please Dolly…please hold on!"

Damp hair fell into her eyes, as her body shook with effort. Dolly must be several feet down!! Weeping, she continued to claw fruitlessly at the unrelenting soil, as the branches and roots reached for her.

Suddenly, Bramblerose was cruelly yanked back, her arms and torso wrapped in the slender branches of an ancient willow tree. Feet uselessly trying to keep a grip, she was hoisted into the air, choking as the branches tightened mercilessly.

"H-help…" she croaked, as her vision dimmed

What about Dolly?! Sweetpea?…Frodo?

"Let…Go…of…ME!!" the last part came out as a snarl, as Bramblerose began to wriggle and strain against the rough wood.

Then, a deep merry voice could be heard approaching the doomed hobbits.

"Hey dol! Merry dol! Ring a dong dillo!"

Confusion swept over the fox-maiden, as she continued to struggle. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a stout man dressed in a blue coat and cheerful yellow boots. She could tell, even from her perilous position, that his eyes were a brilliant blue, and his face was as merry as a fellow could be.

Not even breaking his stride, he hopped up to where Bramblerose was slowly being choked to death and seemed to stop short


"What's this? What's this? Old Man Willow caught himself a strange miss? Can't have that, can we? Hold fast m'lady, Tom Bombadil will set this right."

He then stomped from view, leaving Bramblerose reeling. She had to save Dolly!! She heard the one they'd been looking for, starting to sing in a soft voice. She didn't understand it really, but it seemed to make sense to the fox-maiden. Finally, the branches loosened, and she collapsed to the forest floor, gasping.

Tom Bombadil helped her up and patted her shoulder

"There, young miss, don't you be worrying about Old Man Willow now." he spoke jovially, but to his surprise, the little hobbit shoved past him and began digging at the dirt.

"They took my friend!! Please help!!" she cried, cheeks wet with tears. Tom's face hardened as he shook a fist at the surrounding trees

"Give her back you lot. Come on now! Tom Bombadil speaks!!"

To Bramblerose's shock, (and relief), the trees seemed to oblige after a moment, and the ground seemed to spit Dolly out like an apple pip. Rolling her cousin over, the fox-maiden's heart hammered at the sight of the plump hobbitess. She was covered in soil, and her face was pale, eyes closed.

"Dolly! Wake up!" she shook her gently, as Tom Bombadil leaned over to inspect the hobbitess.

"Hm. This should do the trick" Suddenly, he hit Dolly hard between her shoulder blades. Her brown eyes shot open and she coughed up some dirt and drew in a wheezing breath.

"Thought….I…was…done….for…"

Tom laughed, a deep booming laugh.

"Never in these woods. Come now, my table is waiting with yellow cream and honey! You may stay with me and recover from this wearisome ordeal!"

He then helped the weak Dolly to her feet and like a gentleman, held the crook of her arm as they walked through the forest, Bramblerose meekly following suite.

Tom sang now and then, in a glad voice, nonsense lyrics that made the two hobbits smile weakly after their ordeal.

As they came upon the unusual man's house, Bramblerose couldn't help but glance up at the stars peeking through the trees. Her thoughts returned to the Shire, and what dear Sweetpea was up to right now. Unbidden, Frodo and Sam came to mind, causing the fox-maiden to sigh sadly. One could only imagine where they were…and if they were on the right path.

As they were led to safety, meanwhile, in the fair haven of Rivendell, the elf-maiden Arwen gazed into her love's eyes and felt his burdens wear down on him. Raising a pale hand to his cheek, the daughter of Elrond whispered for him to hold true to his heart…and his path.

For all of them stood on the verge, ready to face the challenges ahead….