Disclaimer: Part one, chapter one.
Chapter twenty-two: Rescue.
It was a little after dawn, and the morning mist still hung in the air.
They were, seated in the corner of the Old Guesthouse, trying to be as invisible as possible. It was difficult, since the whole town knew the small heroes from Shire. Something else seemed to occupy the minds of the inhabitants, because they were celebrating and singing.
" I have managed to have four ponies delivered by the Great Gates. I said we were feeling cramped and wanted to take a ride just outside the city wall," Pippin said proudly.
"I have managed to get supplies, although it was difficult because I had to steal them" Merry said dully "I did not like it, I hope we don't get caught" he added.
"Do not worry, they are busy with preparation for the new arrival" Frodo assured him.
"I wish we could stay and see them" Merry sighed.
"Don't fret, they will still be here when we return" Sam said, Merry looked like he did not believe him, but he sighed again and took a deep drink from his mug.
"Then let us go" Pippin said, jumped down from his chair and rushed to the door, closely followed by Sam. Frodo seemed to hesitate and so did Merry. It usually was not Merry's nature to be reasonable, he had tasted adventure and he found that he quite liked it, but right now, his stomach was full.
"You are sure about this Mister Frodo, it is still time to return," he said slowly. Frodo emptied his drink and then said. "We are a days walk from the gap of Minas Morgul, on ponies it will go faster, we should be able to make it to the tower before another night is upon us" he said as he started to walk towards the door.
"But, they burned the Bridge leading to Minas Morgul and to Morgul Road, do you want us to go through that dreadful cave you and Sam told us about?" Merry asked, disbelief written all over his face. Frodo shook his head thoughtfully.
"No, we shall find another way….if you really do not wish to come Merry, then you do not need to" he said and looked at his friend, who was almost a head taller then him.
"No, I had better follow, see that Pippin do not end in trouble" Frodo grinned.
"And that is coming from his partner in mischief?"
The Guards at the Gate wished them a safe trip and waved after them as the disappeared. They rode quickly down the slopes towards the mountains.
Just as they crossed the river and were out of the city's view, rode another company forth. First rode Erohir and Elladan with banner of silver, and then came Glorfindel and Erestor and all the household of Rivendell, and after them came the Lady Galadriel and Celeborn, Lord of Lothlòrien, riding upon white steeds, and after them came many fair folks.
The hobbits never saw Master Elrond and his daughter Arwen, Evenstar of her people. They never saw her come glimmering in the evening with stars on her brow and a sweet fragrance around her. They did not see Elrond lay the sceptre of Annùminas in the king's hands and lay his daughter's hand upon the king.
As Gandalf watched Aragorn the King Elessar, Arwen Undòmiel and Elrond walk up onto the High City, he spun around, wondering where the halflings were, and why they were not witnessing this joyous reunion.
As the sun started to descend slowly on the grey sky, clouds gathered above their heads and they could feel the rain in the air. Sam turned around in his saddle and saw that, far away, the sun was shining upon Minas Tirith, only Mordor that was doomed with this sullen rain.
"I never thought we would see these roads again….I had hoped we would never see them again" Sam muttered as the they stopped on the cross roads.
"Before us lays the road to Morannon" Frodo said, remembering Feavair's words "To our right is the road from the old Osgiliath and it passes eastward. The fourth was the road we took, and the road we must take. The bridge is burned, and we no other choice then to climb the stairs"
"Not the stairs" groaned Sam, his body aching just by the memory off it.
"We are not going through the cave. Are we?" Pippin asked as he tightened the rains on his pony as it tripped nervously from side to side.
"Not today anyway" Frodo said.
"You can not be serious, going back through those caves is suicide" Sam stuttered.
"How can we help her, if we are dead"
"You are right, I will think of something, but for now this is the only road I know. Let us walk a little while further before we rest" Frodo said and clicked his tongue.
"Do you think Gandalf and Gimli are wondering were we are?" Pippin whispered to Merry as they continued to ride.
"I believe, a search party has already been established"
"Look" Pippin exclaimed suddenly and they halted
They saw the road to Osgiliath running almost as straight as a head, down to the west far away beyond the sad Gondor, cloaked in the dull, gray weather. Once more, the sun fell with its brief glow upon a huge sitting figure.
Suddenly small rays of sun fell on the statue head and for a moment and it glittered like gold and silver.
Frodo felt a small smile tug on his lips and he said "Remember Manke eller a`me`a, eller a` estela" and then he clicked his tongue again and his pony trotted away.
"He?" Pippin asked stunned and scratched his head.
"Where there is light, there is hope" Sam translated and then he gentle pushed his heels in the pony's side and then he once again followed his master to the dark land.
They were soaked by the time they reached the top of the stairs. They had hid their ponies in the forest, knowing that they would not go anywhere, unless they were, attacked. Now they sat by the entrance to Shelob's lair, Pippin and Merry wrinkling their nose in disgust of the awful smell.
"Do you still feel it?" Sam asked, after they had shared their meal, considering of fresh baked bread stolen from the kitchen by Merry, and some apples.
"Yes" Frodo answered simply and cast a glance in the direction of the cave. He could almost hear Shelob hiss in the darkness, he could picture her glittering eyes and feel her claws grab hold of her legs.
"But how is it possible?" Pippin asked for the hundredth time.
"I can not answer" Frodo said and yawned. They had been travelling for almost a full day and night without rest. Their stay in Minas Tirith had made them used to long, restful sleep in warm comftable beds.
"Do you think Boromir and Legolas is still alive?" Sam asked and Frodo shrugged.
"But I thought Gandalf told us the mountain crumbled how can they….." Merry trailed off when he saw the deadly stare Frodo was sending him. No matter how hard Merry tried to show him the facts, neither he nor the others refused to face the truth.
There was no way Feavair was alive, and the only thing they were going to find in this dreadful land was trouble.
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