-I do not own LOTR or any of its characters. But Thelin, Aron, and Elomier
are mine. Don't use them for anything.-
~*~
Aron and Elomier stared after Thelin long after he was out of sight, musing on things. Elomier finally sat, pulling Aron down with him. They both silently took food out of their packs for lunch, munching on the food thoughtfully. Aron broke the silence once more.
"We should've kept 'im. Twas a beautiful hobbit." He said, his voice muffled by a mouth full of cheese.
"Yah, but think of all the money we'll get from 'im! Men who would never have thought about getting in bed with another man would be tempted!"
Aron looked at his companion ruefully. "Which is why we should 'ave kept 'im!"
"We aren't going to keep him, and that's that! 'Sides, we need the money!"
"But-" Aron was cut off by Elomier.
"No, Aron. We aren't going to keep him." Elomier said this firmly, with a dangerous hint in his voice. Aron backed off, knowing how short a temper Elomier had. They boh continued their meal in silence.
They went the whole day in silence, going on into the night too. They went to bed in silence, their stomachs full of rabbit. Aron waited in his bedroll until his companion's breathing became slow and even, his mind made up. When he was absolutely sure Elomier was asleep, he got slowly out of his bedroll, and rolled it up and strapped it to his pack. He gathered his weapons as quietly as he could and strapped them to his bealt. He gathered some food out of Elomier's pack, and put it into his own. He slung his pack onto his back, tightening the straps slowly.
With one last look at his companion, he walked off into the night, being as quiet as a man could be in the dark night of the woods.
~*~
Of course when Frodo did not return after many hours of absence at Brandy Hall, Merry went into a panic. *He said he would be back soon! And it's now near time for bed! What do I do? What do I do!?*
Of course not one other hobbit had noticed the absence of the young hobbit, them being so busy, and them not really paying much attention to him anyway.
Merry ran outside and into the woods, looking frantically about. "Frodo! Frodo! Where are you!?" He yelled into the darkness. The only answer was the deathly stillness of the night, not even the chirp of the crickets answering him.
Merry searched the woods for about five more minutes, but his search was in vain. He could find Frodo nowhere. He ran back to Brandy Hall, and was making his way to his father's room. He eventually got there, though it seemed to take him years, but in reality it only took him about a minute.
He pounded on the door fretfully, wondering if the door would ever open. It finally did, and the concerned and tired face of his father and master of Brandy Hall poked out.
"What is it, Merry?" He immediately opened the door and let Merry in. He looked down at his young son Merry, worried at the panic stricken look on his face.
"Frodo is gone! I can't find him anywhere!" Merry said, tears springing to his grey eyes. Saradoc Brandybuck immediately froze and stood looking at his boy in horror. What would Frodo's parents say if they knew he had lost their only son!? What would he do?! They had to find him straight away!
"Ok, Merry, ok." Sara said, trying to stay composed. "Calm down, Merry, calm down. We're going to look for Frodo."
And that's just what they did. Sara immediately got a search party of hobbits to go look for Frodo. He himself went out to look for Frodo, after first getting his pony from the stables. His creamy colored pony, named Ada after his best friend from childhood. Ada seemed to understand the importance of this, and stayed still while Sara was adjusting the saddle on her back to his liking.
"Daddy!" A small but loud voice came from right behind him. Sara started and looked behind himself. There stood Merry, trembling but determined. "I'm going with you!"
"No, Merry, you can't. Just leave this to the adults, we know how to handle this." Sara said firmly to his only son.
"I'm coming, Da. And there is nothing you can do to stop me. I'll follow you, you know I will." Seeing the look on his father's face, he continued, "Besides, I saw Frodo last, and I know where he likes to go. I can help more than any of the other grown-ups can." And with that, he moved to stand next to his father, awaiting his approval.
Saradoc sighed and groaned inwardly. "Fine, Merry. You can come, I know you won't take no for an answer." He lifted the small lad onto the saddle of the horse, and climbed up behind him. "Ok then, let's go."
He kicked the ponie's sides, making the pony neigh and move into a trot. Saradoc guided the pony onto the trail and into the woods. Ghaslty shadows appeared on every side of them, making the trees look like they were moving. They rode on through the forest for a very long time, every few minutes calling out Frodo's name.
Suddenly Merry saw a light up ahead, glowing peacefully and sending the terrible shadows away where it fell.
"Daddy! Look, a light! Let's go see what it is!" Merry said excitedly.
Sara agreed, and earged Ada forward, but inwardly he wondered if he really should. They neared it, Ada seemingly moving faster with every step, wanting to be near the warm light.
They finally got near enough to it to see what it was. Saradoc gasped, and tried to move the pony back, but Merry stopped him and slid off the pony, running into the small clearing. The clearing contained a small fire, it's warmth washing over everyone who was near it. But that was not what had made Merry's father gasp.
The clearing contained another thing, resting snuggly by the fire, his chest rising and falling slowly, his eyes shut. Sara got off of Ada and tied her to a tree quickly, and ran after Merry, wondering if his son had gone mad. He stayed a few feet away, and watched with wide eyes as his son shook the man's big shoulder.
The man's grey eyes opened immediately, and looked around to see who it was that had awoken him from his slumber. His eyes settled upon Merry, and he sat up and smiled at him.
"Hullo Merry!" Then, seeing the panic that shone clearly in the lad's eyes, he added concernedly, "What is it?" He looked around and his eyes found Merry's father, standing uncertainly a few feet away. Saradoc backed away a few more steps at the man's piercing gaze. The man watched his movements, but only for a second, because Merry's reply hit him hard and he looked back at Merry with wide surprised eyes.
"Frodo's missing! We can't find him!" Merry said, the words spilling out like a book falling from clumsy hands.
"What!?" Estel cried. Frodo gone!? How could this be!?
"We've sent out a search party to look for him, but we've had no luck! He didn't come back to Brandy Hall all day!" Merry said.
Estel stood up and started to gather his things together. "I'm going to look for him." He said, more to himself than anyone else. *I'm going to find him, no matter what it takes!* He strapped his sword to his belt and slung his pack onto his back.
"Can I come with you?" Merry asked.
"No. You go with your father and look for him." Estel replied, glancing at him.
Saradoc went forward and stood squarely, looking at the man critically. "Why would you want to look for Frodo?" He asked.
Estel turned around, and looked the hobbit over for a moment. "Because I am a ranger, and it is my job to protect you hobbits at all costs." He turned around and walked off, pausing at the bushes that lined the clearing. He turned around and gave the hobbit a critical look. "Besides, Frodo is a very special hobbit and my friend. I would hate to not see him again. And I know you would too." And with that, he turned around and marched off into the darkness of the woods, leaving Saradoc a bit stunned, and Merry grinning from ear to leaf-shaped ear.
Merry knew in his heart that if anyone could find his dear cousin, it had to be Estel. He walked back to the pony and waited for his father to help him on, so they could continue to look for Frodo.
~*~
Thelin was becoming concerned. The little halfling in his arms had not moved or spoken at all since thay had been in the clearing with Thelin's companions. Thelin was beginning to wonder if he had hurt him in the struggle.
Frodo's large morning-glory eyes were wide open, staring ahead deep in silence.
*What is going on? Sell me? What does that mean? Is selling a hobbit legal? To who? For what? Is anyone looking for me? Does anyone care?* These questions and many more raced through his head. The last was answered by a small and sad voice in his head; *No.*
Tears sprang to Frodo's eyes, and they slipped down his cheeks once more. Tears of sorrow, fear, worry, and exhuastion. Thelin was starting to feel a bit tired, and no doubt the halfling in his arms was, and as these thoughts were going through his head, they suddenly stopped when he heard a faint sniffle from the small form in his arms. He stopped walking, and looked down at the small face of the poor hobbit.
His eyes were full and overflowing with silent tears, and he was sniffling every few seconds. Thelin sighed and sat down under a large oak tree, settling the halfling on his lap, and leaning aginst the tree. He started rubbing the small back, rithmically and soothingly, though it seemed to do nothing.
The hobbit shook his hand off, and got off of his lap, crawling over to another tree about three feet away, and sat under it at the tree's roots, tucking his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them, putting his chin on them. But he was determined not to look at Thelin, turning his head away and staring off into the distance.
Thelin sighed and watched the hobbit with a sinking heart. What was he to do? This hobbit would never trust him, not after what he and his companions had done. But he had to try to get him to trust him, had to try his hardest.
He started to crawl over to the hobbit, being cautious and trying to show that he proposed no threat to him. But when he got a foot away from the young lad, he heard a sound he had never heard anyone make before. The hobbit was growling low in his throat at him, glaring at the trees in front of him, warning Thelin to stay away from him. Actually growling at him. Though the hobbit never looked at him, Thelin got the message and moved back, staying close enough so that he could watch the hobbit's movements closely, but far away enough to show that he posed no threat.
The hobbit kept growling until he was sure Thelin would make no move toward him, and after that he watched the man wearily out of the corner of his eye, monitering his every movement.
Thelin was aware of this, noting the hobbit's protectiveness of himself. He decided to start a conversation, wondering if he could coax the lad to talk.
"Little One, are you ok?" Thelin asked quietly.
The hobbit turned his head to stare at him incredulously, though Thelin could see a hint of curiousity hidden beneath that. The hobbit didn't make a sound. Thelin could tell that the hobbit's mind was racing, wondering if he should speak, and a few other things Thelin couldn't identify.
"Little One?" Thelin whispered.
The hobbit's eyes flashed. "Do not call me that." He said angrily, glaring at the man.
Thelin was taken aback, wondering why the halfling didn't like him calling him that.
"Why not?" Thelin asked.
The hobbit turned full toward him and got to his hands and knees, staring fully at Thelin, his eyes flashing angrily.
"Only one man has called me that before. He was the first man I'd ever seen, and so far the nicest. I do not want that name soiled by my kidnapper." He turned away angrily and put his forehead on his knees.
Thelin was stunned, utterly stunned. He had met another man before, that man had called him Little One, like he had just done, and had been very kind to this hobbit, unlike him and his other two companions.
Thelin looked down shamedly for a moment, and crawled closer, about a foot, so that he was about six inches away from the small figure. This started a new eruption of low growling from the hobbit, and a hard glare, but this time he did not back off. He crawled right up to him, and gathered him into his arms, holding him tightly.
The hobbit's eyes widened and he gasped in surprise, then cried out in fright and surprise. He threw himself against the man's arms, struggling to get out of his grasp.
He caught the man by surprise, and by this, he quickly got out of the large arms that held him, and backed up slowly, a look of disbelief on his face, his eyes getting even wider, if that was possible.
He backed up until his back hit the base of a tree, and he stopped there, utterly trapped and at the mercy of this evil man. Thelin sighed slowly and crawled toward the hobbit, making the hobbit back into the tree more, trying to get away. The hobbit started shaking all over, utterly terrified.
But Thelin would not give up, he kept crawling toward the hobbit, whispering words of comfort, trying to calm him. But when his hand landed on the hobbit's foot, he knew that would never happen.
The hobbit jumped up in sheer fright, kicked Thelin's hand away, and ran off.
"Gah! Come back here!" Thelin yelled, and jumped up and ran after him.
His long strides were only matched by the quick and silent feet of Frodo. Frodo ran as quick and silently as he could, hoping to loose the man, but his hope was in vain. A quick shadow jumped out of the bushes beside him, and crashed into him, pinning him to the ground, his arms under the large hands of Thelin.
"What did you do that for!?" Thelin asked exasperatedly.
Frodo struggled hard, kicking and yelling, scratching at the man's long arms. He finally got the man to let go, kicking him hard and effectively on the calf. The man doubled back, leaning over, clutching at his calf in pain. Darn, those hobbit feet hurt.
Frodo siezed his chance and jumped up. He looked around quickly, and got an idea. He climbed onto the low branch of a tree, grabbing the next branch and climbing onto it, and he did that until he reached a large wide branch, barely in the reach of Thelin, he sat on it, keeping a weary eye on the man.
When Thelin finally got his breathing under control, he looked up at the hobbit above him with disbelief in his eyes. Frodo glared at him and stuck out his tongue, a very childish thing to do. Frodo might not have run away, and might have been a bit nicer, and would have trusted Thelin, if he had not been treated so harshly and heard the words spoken in the clearing.
Thelin stood up and reached for the hobbit, his hand brushing Frodo's foot. Frodo gasped and moved his foot higher up, glaring hard at the man.
But a sudden sound halted everything. Frodo looked around wildly, wondering with dread what else could possibly go wrong.
A yelp brought his eyes down to the ground, on Thelin. He now lay on the gorund rubbing the back of his head, stunned. A man stood over him, holding the hilt of a sword tightly, the hilt facing downwards. He must have hit Thelin with it.
Frodo squinted at the man, then moved back and pressed himself aginst the tree trunk in fear and surprise. It was Aron.
Aron slid his sword into its sheath on his belt, and moved to the tree in which Frodo sat, quivering all over. He jumped up, and caught Frodo's ankle, and as the gravity pulled him down, he took Frodo with him.
Frodo came crashing to the ground, falling on top of the man, throwing him down to the ground. He lay on top of the man's chest, stunned for a moment. The man recovered first, and wrapped his arms around Frodo.
It was time for Frodo to start struggling again, and he did. He struggled as hard as he could. But he was so wary from the previous struggle, he fell limp in the man's arms barely after he had started.
Thelin suddenly rose, and kicked the man squarely on the back. The man gasped, and let Frodo go. Frodo crawled to the base of the tree he had hidden in, and fell unconciously to the ground, his energy spent.
Both men had their swords out, clashing against eachother, neither gaining better ground. They hit eachother hard, every single throw of their swords being defended against and thrown off. But finally, Aron Thelin down, and again hit him over the head with the hilt of his sword.
He leaned down over him, smiling a crooked grin. Thelin, half concious, gasped. "Aron!?" He said in desbelief. He had been so engrossed in the heat of the battle, he had not noticed it was his own older brother he was fighting.
Aron smiled even wider. "Yes, brother. I'm here, but not for you, oh no. I'm here for the halfling. I think he will make a nice little partner for a while." He strode over to where Frodo lay, picking him up with one arm. Frodo did not struggle in the least bit, laying limply in Aron's strong grasp. Aron walked over to his brother, grinning braggingly.
"Goodbye, Thelin. Have fun." He again hit his brother over the head with the hilt of his sword, and Thelin fell to the ground, eyes drooping, falling slowly into unconciousness.
Aron looked at the limp hobbit in his arms, and patted himself on the back mentally for a job well done. Sheathing his sword, he walked out of the clearing hugging his prize tightly to his chest.
~*~
Wow. Nine pages typed! That's longer than the other two chapters! *pats her own back*
Ok then, I know you liked it!
So read and review and you can have your next chapter soon! Bwa!
~*~
Aron and Elomier stared after Thelin long after he was out of sight, musing on things. Elomier finally sat, pulling Aron down with him. They both silently took food out of their packs for lunch, munching on the food thoughtfully. Aron broke the silence once more.
"We should've kept 'im. Twas a beautiful hobbit." He said, his voice muffled by a mouth full of cheese.
"Yah, but think of all the money we'll get from 'im! Men who would never have thought about getting in bed with another man would be tempted!"
Aron looked at his companion ruefully. "Which is why we should 'ave kept 'im!"
"We aren't going to keep him, and that's that! 'Sides, we need the money!"
"But-" Aron was cut off by Elomier.
"No, Aron. We aren't going to keep him." Elomier said this firmly, with a dangerous hint in his voice. Aron backed off, knowing how short a temper Elomier had. They boh continued their meal in silence.
They went the whole day in silence, going on into the night too. They went to bed in silence, their stomachs full of rabbit. Aron waited in his bedroll until his companion's breathing became slow and even, his mind made up. When he was absolutely sure Elomier was asleep, he got slowly out of his bedroll, and rolled it up and strapped it to his pack. He gathered his weapons as quietly as he could and strapped them to his bealt. He gathered some food out of Elomier's pack, and put it into his own. He slung his pack onto his back, tightening the straps slowly.
With one last look at his companion, he walked off into the night, being as quiet as a man could be in the dark night of the woods.
~*~
Of course when Frodo did not return after many hours of absence at Brandy Hall, Merry went into a panic. *He said he would be back soon! And it's now near time for bed! What do I do? What do I do!?*
Of course not one other hobbit had noticed the absence of the young hobbit, them being so busy, and them not really paying much attention to him anyway.
Merry ran outside and into the woods, looking frantically about. "Frodo! Frodo! Where are you!?" He yelled into the darkness. The only answer was the deathly stillness of the night, not even the chirp of the crickets answering him.
Merry searched the woods for about five more minutes, but his search was in vain. He could find Frodo nowhere. He ran back to Brandy Hall, and was making his way to his father's room. He eventually got there, though it seemed to take him years, but in reality it only took him about a minute.
He pounded on the door fretfully, wondering if the door would ever open. It finally did, and the concerned and tired face of his father and master of Brandy Hall poked out.
"What is it, Merry?" He immediately opened the door and let Merry in. He looked down at his young son Merry, worried at the panic stricken look on his face.
"Frodo is gone! I can't find him anywhere!" Merry said, tears springing to his grey eyes. Saradoc Brandybuck immediately froze and stood looking at his boy in horror. What would Frodo's parents say if they knew he had lost their only son!? What would he do?! They had to find him straight away!
"Ok, Merry, ok." Sara said, trying to stay composed. "Calm down, Merry, calm down. We're going to look for Frodo."
And that's just what they did. Sara immediately got a search party of hobbits to go look for Frodo. He himself went out to look for Frodo, after first getting his pony from the stables. His creamy colored pony, named Ada after his best friend from childhood. Ada seemed to understand the importance of this, and stayed still while Sara was adjusting the saddle on her back to his liking.
"Daddy!" A small but loud voice came from right behind him. Sara started and looked behind himself. There stood Merry, trembling but determined. "I'm going with you!"
"No, Merry, you can't. Just leave this to the adults, we know how to handle this." Sara said firmly to his only son.
"I'm coming, Da. And there is nothing you can do to stop me. I'll follow you, you know I will." Seeing the look on his father's face, he continued, "Besides, I saw Frodo last, and I know where he likes to go. I can help more than any of the other grown-ups can." And with that, he moved to stand next to his father, awaiting his approval.
Saradoc sighed and groaned inwardly. "Fine, Merry. You can come, I know you won't take no for an answer." He lifted the small lad onto the saddle of the horse, and climbed up behind him. "Ok then, let's go."
He kicked the ponie's sides, making the pony neigh and move into a trot. Saradoc guided the pony onto the trail and into the woods. Ghaslty shadows appeared on every side of them, making the trees look like they were moving. They rode on through the forest for a very long time, every few minutes calling out Frodo's name.
Suddenly Merry saw a light up ahead, glowing peacefully and sending the terrible shadows away where it fell.
"Daddy! Look, a light! Let's go see what it is!" Merry said excitedly.
Sara agreed, and earged Ada forward, but inwardly he wondered if he really should. They neared it, Ada seemingly moving faster with every step, wanting to be near the warm light.
They finally got near enough to it to see what it was. Saradoc gasped, and tried to move the pony back, but Merry stopped him and slid off the pony, running into the small clearing. The clearing contained a small fire, it's warmth washing over everyone who was near it. But that was not what had made Merry's father gasp.
The clearing contained another thing, resting snuggly by the fire, his chest rising and falling slowly, his eyes shut. Sara got off of Ada and tied her to a tree quickly, and ran after Merry, wondering if his son had gone mad. He stayed a few feet away, and watched with wide eyes as his son shook the man's big shoulder.
The man's grey eyes opened immediately, and looked around to see who it was that had awoken him from his slumber. His eyes settled upon Merry, and he sat up and smiled at him.
"Hullo Merry!" Then, seeing the panic that shone clearly in the lad's eyes, he added concernedly, "What is it?" He looked around and his eyes found Merry's father, standing uncertainly a few feet away. Saradoc backed away a few more steps at the man's piercing gaze. The man watched his movements, but only for a second, because Merry's reply hit him hard and he looked back at Merry with wide surprised eyes.
"Frodo's missing! We can't find him!" Merry said, the words spilling out like a book falling from clumsy hands.
"What!?" Estel cried. Frodo gone!? How could this be!?
"We've sent out a search party to look for him, but we've had no luck! He didn't come back to Brandy Hall all day!" Merry said.
Estel stood up and started to gather his things together. "I'm going to look for him." He said, more to himself than anyone else. *I'm going to find him, no matter what it takes!* He strapped his sword to his belt and slung his pack onto his back.
"Can I come with you?" Merry asked.
"No. You go with your father and look for him." Estel replied, glancing at him.
Saradoc went forward and stood squarely, looking at the man critically. "Why would you want to look for Frodo?" He asked.
Estel turned around, and looked the hobbit over for a moment. "Because I am a ranger, and it is my job to protect you hobbits at all costs." He turned around and walked off, pausing at the bushes that lined the clearing. He turned around and gave the hobbit a critical look. "Besides, Frodo is a very special hobbit and my friend. I would hate to not see him again. And I know you would too." And with that, he turned around and marched off into the darkness of the woods, leaving Saradoc a bit stunned, and Merry grinning from ear to leaf-shaped ear.
Merry knew in his heart that if anyone could find his dear cousin, it had to be Estel. He walked back to the pony and waited for his father to help him on, so they could continue to look for Frodo.
~*~
Thelin was becoming concerned. The little halfling in his arms had not moved or spoken at all since thay had been in the clearing with Thelin's companions. Thelin was beginning to wonder if he had hurt him in the struggle.
Frodo's large morning-glory eyes were wide open, staring ahead deep in silence.
*What is going on? Sell me? What does that mean? Is selling a hobbit legal? To who? For what? Is anyone looking for me? Does anyone care?* These questions and many more raced through his head. The last was answered by a small and sad voice in his head; *No.*
Tears sprang to Frodo's eyes, and they slipped down his cheeks once more. Tears of sorrow, fear, worry, and exhuastion. Thelin was starting to feel a bit tired, and no doubt the halfling in his arms was, and as these thoughts were going through his head, they suddenly stopped when he heard a faint sniffle from the small form in his arms. He stopped walking, and looked down at the small face of the poor hobbit.
His eyes were full and overflowing with silent tears, and he was sniffling every few seconds. Thelin sighed and sat down under a large oak tree, settling the halfling on his lap, and leaning aginst the tree. He started rubbing the small back, rithmically and soothingly, though it seemed to do nothing.
The hobbit shook his hand off, and got off of his lap, crawling over to another tree about three feet away, and sat under it at the tree's roots, tucking his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them, putting his chin on them. But he was determined not to look at Thelin, turning his head away and staring off into the distance.
Thelin sighed and watched the hobbit with a sinking heart. What was he to do? This hobbit would never trust him, not after what he and his companions had done. But he had to try to get him to trust him, had to try his hardest.
He started to crawl over to the hobbit, being cautious and trying to show that he proposed no threat to him. But when he got a foot away from the young lad, he heard a sound he had never heard anyone make before. The hobbit was growling low in his throat at him, glaring at the trees in front of him, warning Thelin to stay away from him. Actually growling at him. Though the hobbit never looked at him, Thelin got the message and moved back, staying close enough so that he could watch the hobbit's movements closely, but far away enough to show that he posed no threat.
The hobbit kept growling until he was sure Thelin would make no move toward him, and after that he watched the man wearily out of the corner of his eye, monitering his every movement.
Thelin was aware of this, noting the hobbit's protectiveness of himself. He decided to start a conversation, wondering if he could coax the lad to talk.
"Little One, are you ok?" Thelin asked quietly.
The hobbit turned his head to stare at him incredulously, though Thelin could see a hint of curiousity hidden beneath that. The hobbit didn't make a sound. Thelin could tell that the hobbit's mind was racing, wondering if he should speak, and a few other things Thelin couldn't identify.
"Little One?" Thelin whispered.
The hobbit's eyes flashed. "Do not call me that." He said angrily, glaring at the man.
Thelin was taken aback, wondering why the halfling didn't like him calling him that.
"Why not?" Thelin asked.
The hobbit turned full toward him and got to his hands and knees, staring fully at Thelin, his eyes flashing angrily.
"Only one man has called me that before. He was the first man I'd ever seen, and so far the nicest. I do not want that name soiled by my kidnapper." He turned away angrily and put his forehead on his knees.
Thelin was stunned, utterly stunned. He had met another man before, that man had called him Little One, like he had just done, and had been very kind to this hobbit, unlike him and his other two companions.
Thelin looked down shamedly for a moment, and crawled closer, about a foot, so that he was about six inches away from the small figure. This started a new eruption of low growling from the hobbit, and a hard glare, but this time he did not back off. He crawled right up to him, and gathered him into his arms, holding him tightly.
The hobbit's eyes widened and he gasped in surprise, then cried out in fright and surprise. He threw himself against the man's arms, struggling to get out of his grasp.
He caught the man by surprise, and by this, he quickly got out of the large arms that held him, and backed up slowly, a look of disbelief on his face, his eyes getting even wider, if that was possible.
He backed up until his back hit the base of a tree, and he stopped there, utterly trapped and at the mercy of this evil man. Thelin sighed slowly and crawled toward the hobbit, making the hobbit back into the tree more, trying to get away. The hobbit started shaking all over, utterly terrified.
But Thelin would not give up, he kept crawling toward the hobbit, whispering words of comfort, trying to calm him. But when his hand landed on the hobbit's foot, he knew that would never happen.
The hobbit jumped up in sheer fright, kicked Thelin's hand away, and ran off.
"Gah! Come back here!" Thelin yelled, and jumped up and ran after him.
His long strides were only matched by the quick and silent feet of Frodo. Frodo ran as quick and silently as he could, hoping to loose the man, but his hope was in vain. A quick shadow jumped out of the bushes beside him, and crashed into him, pinning him to the ground, his arms under the large hands of Thelin.
"What did you do that for!?" Thelin asked exasperatedly.
Frodo struggled hard, kicking and yelling, scratching at the man's long arms. He finally got the man to let go, kicking him hard and effectively on the calf. The man doubled back, leaning over, clutching at his calf in pain. Darn, those hobbit feet hurt.
Frodo siezed his chance and jumped up. He looked around quickly, and got an idea. He climbed onto the low branch of a tree, grabbing the next branch and climbing onto it, and he did that until he reached a large wide branch, barely in the reach of Thelin, he sat on it, keeping a weary eye on the man.
When Thelin finally got his breathing under control, he looked up at the hobbit above him with disbelief in his eyes. Frodo glared at him and stuck out his tongue, a very childish thing to do. Frodo might not have run away, and might have been a bit nicer, and would have trusted Thelin, if he had not been treated so harshly and heard the words spoken in the clearing.
Thelin stood up and reached for the hobbit, his hand brushing Frodo's foot. Frodo gasped and moved his foot higher up, glaring hard at the man.
But a sudden sound halted everything. Frodo looked around wildly, wondering with dread what else could possibly go wrong.
A yelp brought his eyes down to the ground, on Thelin. He now lay on the gorund rubbing the back of his head, stunned. A man stood over him, holding the hilt of a sword tightly, the hilt facing downwards. He must have hit Thelin with it.
Frodo squinted at the man, then moved back and pressed himself aginst the tree trunk in fear and surprise. It was Aron.
Aron slid his sword into its sheath on his belt, and moved to the tree in which Frodo sat, quivering all over. He jumped up, and caught Frodo's ankle, and as the gravity pulled him down, he took Frodo with him.
Frodo came crashing to the ground, falling on top of the man, throwing him down to the ground. He lay on top of the man's chest, stunned for a moment. The man recovered first, and wrapped his arms around Frodo.
It was time for Frodo to start struggling again, and he did. He struggled as hard as he could. But he was so wary from the previous struggle, he fell limp in the man's arms barely after he had started.
Thelin suddenly rose, and kicked the man squarely on the back. The man gasped, and let Frodo go. Frodo crawled to the base of the tree he had hidden in, and fell unconciously to the ground, his energy spent.
Both men had their swords out, clashing against eachother, neither gaining better ground. They hit eachother hard, every single throw of their swords being defended against and thrown off. But finally, Aron Thelin down, and again hit him over the head with the hilt of his sword.
He leaned down over him, smiling a crooked grin. Thelin, half concious, gasped. "Aron!?" He said in desbelief. He had been so engrossed in the heat of the battle, he had not noticed it was his own older brother he was fighting.
Aron smiled even wider. "Yes, brother. I'm here, but not for you, oh no. I'm here for the halfling. I think he will make a nice little partner for a while." He strode over to where Frodo lay, picking him up with one arm. Frodo did not struggle in the least bit, laying limply in Aron's strong grasp. Aron walked over to his brother, grinning braggingly.
"Goodbye, Thelin. Have fun." He again hit his brother over the head with the hilt of his sword, and Thelin fell to the ground, eyes drooping, falling slowly into unconciousness.
Aron looked at the limp hobbit in his arms, and patted himself on the back mentally for a job well done. Sheathing his sword, he walked out of the clearing hugging his prize tightly to his chest.
~*~
Wow. Nine pages typed! That's longer than the other two chapters! *pats her own back*
Ok then, I know you liked it!
So read and review and you can have your next chapter soon! Bwa!