Chapter 9

The adrenaline of battle was fading quickly as the two parties went their separate ways. One further east the other towards the west. Instead it was replaced by concern, exhaustion and loneliness.

 The day slipped away, night began to spread across the sky and the temperature began to fall. Shivering in their cloaks Aragorn, Legolas and Sam halted for the night and huddled together. They had agreed it was still to dangerous to light a fire despite the nights cold fingers that tickled their skin through their clothing. But after sharing several pieces of food one by one the company began to fall asleep. Even the watchful eyes of the watchmen began to droop with wariness.

Sam had drawn first watch that night and as he gazed around himself he found his eyes drawn to Aragorn as he slept.  Was it out of fascination? Or was it the early withdrawal symptom?

He could not answer honestly. "I'm just concerned over a friend, that's all." He whispered quietly, "Nothing more." He wanted to convince himself that it was nothing more then just plain concern and care, but somewhere in the depths of his mind a small voice told him otherwise.

He knew exactly what it was like to bear the Ring. What it was like to watch another fade away.

The movements when Frodo was not himself when he carried the Ring could still make him tremble with fear. It was frightening to see his friend and master become delusional and crazed. The Ring was truly evil and bought only ill-luck to those who carried it forcing greed filled enemies upon them to make the path more difficult and dangerous then already before. In Moria they believed the Ringbearer to be lost in battle in the tomb of Balin, then Gandalf fell followed by Boromir and the capture of Merry and Pippin. Events began to happen in a chain reaction due to the Ring; armies of darkness were moving and gathering in the east, shadows were gathering and the people were rioting.

In the stillness of the night he chewed over the chances of Aragorn remaining as strong as his words but secretly Sam doubted he would not be able to follow them to the letter without stumbling. The Ring was treacherous and its final stages of its journey it would fight madly against the bearer. As he gazed at Aragorn's still peaceful sleeping form Sam began to pity him as he would soon under go the changes that the bearers before had gone through changing them forever. The friend he knew was going to die, to be replaced by something unnatural always living as if something was missing within him.

 Their chances of success were thinning by each passing moment Sam began to realise. If the enemy came back… they would stand no chance, yet the Rohirrim, the Gondorians and Gandalf had let them go alone. Did he know something they did not? The Ring would put the three of them against each other, Sam was sure. Twisting and testing their minds into conflict with one another. The journey in their already exhausted state was asking a lot of them, but to keep vigilant and mentally sharp against the Ring was asking too much from their battered and near broken bodies.

 Alone in the darkness Sam began to fear the path ahead, fearing Aragorn would crumple under the burden or the enemy would return… but then what? What would happen to the Ring? Sauron could not be reborn to reclaim his jewel this early. Would it forever pass from person to person until the time was right for Sauron to rise again? Or would it vanish from all memory and sight, only to be re discovered in the next Age?

 The prospect of history reciting itself again was not an idea Sam wanted to repeat. Already the people and the soil had seen too much bloodshed over the Ring, any more should be avoided.

 Slowly with many unanswered questions passing through his mind Sam' post ended and with unwillingly woke Legolas for the next watch before falling asleep with dead exhaustion.

Sam woke shivering in his blanket with the sun's head just rising over the horizon. Something moved beside him followed by a faint crack and a muted groan. Slightly alarmed Sam rolled over and raised himself onto his elbows watching the silhouette move again. The middle built shape of Aragorn stretching and testing his suspected broken shoulder soothed him slightly but could not make him sleep again. Slowly and rather sorry filled Sam crawled out from underneath his blanket and sat beside Aragorn.

 The King tilted his head towards the hobbit handing him his water skin in silence. Drinking deeply Sam watched the sun creep over the horizon, "Seems strange that the sun rises here as if does in the Shire. Yet the two places are very opposite" he said.

Aragorn noticed the hidden message, "I'm sure they are just waiting to throw a party for you, Merry and Pippin when you go back" he said gently. "And Rose will be there to greet you"

A smile played across Sam' face, but it faded quickly when something caught his eye. Something shone upon Aragorn's breast caught in the rise sunlight. Only when he turned his head a fraction did he realise what it was and a shiver rippled down his spine.

The Ring lay, presented upon Aragorn's breast for all to see.

"I am very grateful of your company Sam" Aragorn said not noticing Sam's gaze, "No one else would have the courage to go other then you, Legolas or maybe Merry, Pippin or Gimli. No one else would understand."

Sam nodded, "They have not seen what could happen, where we have."
"It takes great courage to be this close to something that could easily destroy everything we know. Yet so many people see it as a toy or a tool, but it can only do evil" Aragorn shook his head slowly thinking of Boromir, son of Denethor the late Steward of Gondor. The Ring had driven Boromir mad to the point where he was a threat to the Ring bearer's life. But heroically Boromir reclaimed himself and died defending the company like he would have wanted. And for that they honoured him.

"But I don't want to be like them, Sam" Aragorn turned to him, "I want to be strong enough to bear this burden on the final path. I don't want to stumble and fall along the way like others before have. I feel it's my duty to take this and beat the past"

Sam slid closer and stared into Aragorn's face, "Hold onto that, what ever you do. Don't let go of that dream, if you do things will begin to slip away along with your self control." He said seriously. "That was the only reason why when I carried the Ring when I thought Frodo was dead in Mordor I was able to remain myself. Because I was able to hold onto my love for the Shire and the dream returning there to live a normal life again, it stopped me for falling apart."

In the dull morning light Aragorn's eyes sparkled with new respect and he smiled politely, "I will Sam, I will do"

Over the barren rock pitted land the trio trod, footsore and weary. Hours slipped away, their eyes focused upon the mountain that did not appear to be any closer no matter how far they travelled. The uneventful hikes were dull, over the same non-stimulating ground that seemed to stretch on for miles. The only thing that kept their sprits up was the thoughts and conversations of home and happier times.

Sam explained to Legolas and Aragorn of the battle of Bywater and how the countryside was recovering from the death and decease Saruman cursed them with: "After Saruman fell everyone felt the instant change in the air, his words were as chilling and the breeze when it blew moaned as if it were spilling its own tears. Most of the other hobbits were in tears or could not understand the situation," Sam said, "But Mr Frodo; he just seemed to take it all in his stride. Of course he was upset and disappointed more so in Saruman' cruelty then anything else and that the final blow of the war had come to the Shire. Everything was burnt out and ruined, everything that was once green and bright was gone, the trees had been cut down, the clear rivers were black with pollution and the once clean air was thick with smoke." Sam shook his head sadly, "But the very next morning we began to start all over again, by pulling down the horrid buildings Saruman had ordered to be put up and many new plants were being planted.

"I was in charge of the gardening and when we were starting out I discovered my present from Lady Galderial. It occurred to me suddenly that I didn't even know what it was as the Lady had said to me: "It will not keep you on your road, nor defend you against any peril; but if you keep it and see your home again at last, then perhaps it may reward you."  And so I opened the little box she bestowed me and inside was a rich, dark, dry sample of soil" Sam paused and turned his gaze to his companions walking slowly so he could keep up. A strange look had appeared in their eyes as Sam spoke of the Lady of the Wood so warmly and gently. Behind their distant look Sam could see unshed tears grieving for the loss of the Lady and Lord of the woods and their people.

"Each plant I oversaw being placed into the soil I sprinkled several grains over their roots and did not think of it again." Sam continued, "Then Spring and Summer came, and oh my! The young plants had grown and bloomed beyond my wildest dreams, the words of the Lady were indeed true, and by Winter the Shire looked like the woods of Lothlórien shimmering beautifully in the morning drew and frosts."  

At last Legolas found his voice: "You should treasure your home and countryside Sam," he said, "For none can every see, only recall the beauty Lothlórien possessed year long. Take great care and pleasure with your passion and may it continue to blossom and bloom for many years to come, shinning with the lost sprit of the elves of the Golden Wood."

Aragorn nodded slightly, "The Lady would have been proud of what the Shire has now become. I hope one day I can journey there and see it for myself"

Sam smiled and inclined his head polity "Of course you will and you will be most welcome, my friends"

 Returning his gaze to the front Sam continued to smile imagining Aragorn's arrival in the Shire, to be showered with petals and cheers, horns blowing in the clear air and banners waving. In the crowd he could see himself with one arm around Rose's shoulder and the other cupped in the hand of one of his children.

Yes, he thought. That would be the way of it.

Night was the most dangerous time of all. The changes of an ambush were far greater in the dark, the desert like temperatures would fall to near freezing and dead tired the company would battle to stay awake on watch. But far more dangerous then any mortal battle was the battle for Aragorn' mind and control, alone, tired and cold he was valuable to the Ring's every present callings.

 Its surface was comfortingly warm, tempting him to embrace the jewel so it could work its way through his defences. Slowly night after night he found himself becoming more aware of the Ring's temptation and only be recalling his promise he made to his men and to Sam could he restrain himself from embracing the deadly jewel.

He was starting to fall apart. 

Turning to his sleeping friends he knew he could not risk telling them the truth nor give up the Ring to one of them. This was his task, his test, his –

Aragorn tensed suddenly and stared down at the chain around his neck and felt ice slipping down his insides. The words nearly slipped out of his mouth. Turning stubbornly away he denied he had even close to saying it, to embracing it.

No, he thought. I am strong enough to not allow this to happen. I am strong and I will conquer this.

"Aragorn… Aragorn" the Ring called his name, "You lie, you cannot win. You will not win"

Fearfully he turned to see if the other had heard any of this. But they slept on, undisturbed.

Turning back again he lowered his eyes again to the Ring and quickly shot to his feet as if he had been burnt and looked at his hands in disgusted.

They had been grasping the Ring…

He was losing the battle for his mind.

On their path returning West the party of Men, Elves and Dwarves travelled in a convoy, tried but somehow lifted from the battle. They had bested the greatest threat in an Age, the threat of forever darkness and the personal threat on their friends and family was over. In a drunken state they moved westwards, a grin plastered upon their weary faces and their hearts light.

 Only a handful was not sharing their joy.

At the front of the line Faramir, Éomer, Gandalf, Thranduil, walked followed by Gimli, Merry and Pippin each feeling heavy with guilt and anxious for their friends they had left behind to tread the final steps of the journey alone and in the most hostile position they could be in, carrying the greatest threat of all time.   

Merry gently rubbed Pippin's shoulder, "Don't worry Pip, Strider and the others will be all right. They'll strong enough to cope with what ever is out there" he said softy.

Pippin nodded, "I know. But I can't help but wonder and worry about them"

"They'll come back Pip, I know they will"

Under his breath Faramir turned to Gandalf and asked him, "Will they, Mirthrandir? Will they come back alive?"

The wizard shook his head slightly, "Who knows. I can not see into the future that is still clouded in doubt and mystery," he said, "Mordor is still filled with many dangers. I cannot tell what the outcome maybe"

"Aragorn is strong as the halflings say; do you not have any confidence in Gondor's King?" Faramir asked.

"Aragorn has proved he has the strength above all I have ever seen in battle. But this is a completely different fight. It is a battle for his mind and soul against the most slippery and fiendish enemy. Who will win, I cannot tell" Gandalf sighed, "Yes Aragorn is strong and I have confidence in him, but… no matter how much we believe in him it makes little difference. This is his personal battle in which none of us can understand nor interrupt."

  "I know how the Ring works after finding myself in a position where I could have simply taken it from Frodo. I know how hard it is to battle such a strong urge to take hold of the all the power you have ever dreamed of." Faramir spoke personally and Gandalf listened sympathetically, "Even in that short moment I knew I could not trust myself to allow much more contact with it, especially after hearing what it had done to Boromir. Out of fear should the same fate fall upon me I kept away but even then the Ring was tempting me."

"Your brother's loss was a tragedy, of which could have been the first of many if the Fellowship had not been broken and its members scattered."

"Who would have fallen next do you think if the Fellowship had remained to together?" Faramir asked quickly, dreading the answer.

Gandalf's blue eyes flashed, "Aragorn would have gone to the very end with Frodo if that is who you accuse."

"Then would it have been one of the hobbits, or someone else?"

"You ask if it would have been Sam or Legolas?" Gandalf raised his eyebrows and sighed, "Eight years ago I would have said no straight away, but now after certain circumstances I cannot say.

"Sam has carried the Ring from Lothlórien where it was revealed to us to and into Mordor, the burden becoming heavier and more powerful with each stride. And now that a great number of the elves have lost their immortality and part of their self control I cannot say how the Ring will affect Legolas." Gandalf explained, "He travelled with us to Mordor with Sam carrying the Ring and with the original Fellowship he was not affected in anyway by the Ring. But I fear an unseen hand plays against them now, what will happen I cannot say, nor do I wish to even guess" 

Faramir did not reply to the wizard but shivered knowing that the battle thy just thought and died in could have been all in vain should something happen to the other party.

"They'll journey will not be uneventful for the Ring draws ill to the bearer" Gandalf said.

"They could be ambushed!" Faramir gasped his face paling.

"It was the risk they took. The threat would have been greater should we have all gone with him. The fewer that went would increase the chances of secrecy" 

"Then you are a fool!" Faramir cried causing many heads to turn, "Everything we have battled for, everyone who had scarified their lives, everything –" 

"Will live on" Gandalf cut across him, his voice soothing. "Aragorn will not fail"

"But you just said you could not –"

"I said I could not tell if they would come back alive, I did not say that they would not succeed" the wizard said patiently. "It will be his greatest test of his life but he will not let fail us"

"You speak too confidently Mirthrandir" Faramir replied heavily.

"Confidently? Where is your confidence in you King and friend?" Gandalf hissed, "Look around you! The people have no fear of Aragorn failing nor have they even thought of it. Why have you become suddenly so negative? What happened to your love and respect for your King? You act as if he is already dead"

"No! How can you believe that?" Faramir whispered, "I would never…"

"Then stop this petty argument and listen to facts." Gandalf snapped. "Ever since Aragorn became aware of his ancestry he swore upon his mother's grave that he would never allow himself to become as Isildur, a coward, selfish, cold ruler. He will honour that promise and forever hold it to the day he dies. Even on the verge of death he will deny the power of Ring, never would he allow himself to be devoured by its corruption."    

In the early hours of night the army of the west set camp and soon fell silent, sleeping peacefully.

"Tell, me young hobbit. What has extinguished your cheery personality?" the soft voice of Nymane whispered just over the sound of gently snoring.

 Merry turned to her, watching her search him with her green eyes that reflected the shinning stars like lanterns in the night. Her lean frame was silhouetted in the pale light still captured in the sky, and with a fluid movement causing her long blond hair to fall about her shoulders she knelt beside him.

"I am worried for my friends. I know how treacherous the Ring can be, I have seen it destroy more then just one life." Merry whispered. "The final blow of the War fell in my homeland of the Shire. A peaceful, pleasant, green and cheerful place which became spoilt and ruined by death and pollution by the Ring and by those it had changed. It broke my heart to see it in such a state"

Nymane made a movement as if to place a hand upon his shoulder but decided not to, "You must remember, little one that you are not the only one affected by the descent and evil the Ring has bought. My brothers and sister both of old and young have been killed and mutated for no just cause. The sprit of Sauron is dark and horrid, truly only capable of death and corruption."

Merry nodded, "Forgive me," he said, "I did not know how much the Ring had damaged your race and life"

Nymane's eyes flickered, "It has not just damaged my race or my life but has ended the time of the elves. There are very few of us left now, and for what? Greed, money and power. Why spill so much innocent blood of something near impossible to claim?"

"The Ring has the power to change a person completely from their normal self into something twisted and paranoid." Merry replied quietly.

"Is what became to your kin, Frodo?" she asked delicately.

Merry's brow frowned, "If Sam had not gone with Frodo things would have been much different, but even to the day he sailed away West he was never going to be the hobbit we all remembered. He was changed, he no longer shared then same deep passion he had once in the Shire." Merry said. "He like nearly all hobbit were born and grew up in the Shire and knew nothing else. Before we left on the long journey we were all innocent, young, and fool hearted. The quest changed us, made us wiser and more aware. But to Frodo it made him pale, sick and constantly afraid of his own shadow. He became jumpy as if on edge all the time and he never settled even after he had destroyed it."

"In all accounts he was lucky to still have his life to live. The chances of him surviving were always low I am afraid to say. But as you said if Sam had not gone with him things would be very different. Sam was the turning point in the journey, without him the quest would have surely failed."

"I only hope Sam can do the same thing again" Merry sighed and shifted his gaze eastwards where Mount Doom stood on the horizon.

Over a healthy fire Gimli sat gently smoking his pipe with the small figures of Merry and Pippin sleeping just outside the fires light.

 Though they had won the victory the dwarf could still not restrain himself from thinking about Sam, Aragorn and Legolas wondering Mordor alone. He frowned at Gandalf's judgement but he did not question it either. The wizard was not the character to argue with, nor to anger. His father had learnt from that one.

But still if it was up to him he would have sent more men with them into Mordor to protect them. True the risks of being attacked by one of your own men were higher, but that was one of the things that you would expect with the Ring battling hard not to be undone.

 The wizard was confident in their successes, but Aragorn was only human and humans make mistakes, they are quick to anger and easy to offend. With Aragorn battling with the Ring constantly it would be only too easy for friction to start between the three of them and for one thing to lead to another.

 Frodo and Sam had many scuffles and scrapes on their journey, but still they remained close friends and never took offence by any harm done. But these were three of a kind and not overly use to each others presence. Anything could happen.

 His thoughts were broken by someone shifting into his eye line.

Unexpectedly Thranduil sat opposite him, his eyes lingering on him as if trying to catch his attention. Slowly, not knowing what to expect Gimli raised his head and met the elf's eyes.

"It seems I owe you an apology master dwarf," he said stiffly as if he was struggling with his conscious to talk kindly to a long foe. "I understand you saved the life of my son"

Fidgeting Gimli answered uncomfortably, "I am in no dept, sir. For Legolas was kind enough to return the favour more then once"

Thranduil smiled, "That is beside my point. At first I did not agree with the friendship between yourself and Legolas, and I am sorry for my harsh words against you in Mirkwood. I take them all back." Thranduil said, "You have helped and protected my son as I should have done. Instead I have neglected my role as his father and always have done…" his voice broke off. His eyes were low and Gimli could tell he was deeply ashamed of himself – but why was he telling him this?

"You may wonder why I am telling you this." Thranduil continued, "When I see you two together I see the deep set bond between two close friends that I should have shared with him. I only wish for you to share a long friendship with Legolas and continue to have this protective bond that I could not establish with my own son"

 Stunned into silence Gimli could only nod, his mouth moving silently.

Exhausted both physically and mentally Aragorn found himself battling more and more with himself to restrain his hold on the Ring, but like the bears before him he found himself caressing the jewel regularly, drawing his power and strength from it. He could not afford to let the others find out it had affected him so much, he was the only hope of the people and he could not afford himself to fail his test, he would not allow himself to break his promises. But with each passing hour the promises and honours were becoming far harder to obey.

"Aragorn, Aragorn" the Ring whispered, "Embrace the path of your fore bearers and becoming mighty and powerful beyond your wildest dreams"

 Running his thumb along the Ring's smooth edges Aragorn could not draw his eyes away nor could he close his ears to the sounds.

"Aragorn, Aragorn, let me lead you to the path you should follow" the Ring hissed sweetly as Aragorn fingered the Ring, turning it over in his fingers 

"It is simple, just slip me upon your fingers and I will show you the way"

He paused, flexing his fingers it rolled gently between his thumb and fore finger. Covering the Ring in his fist Aragorn forced his hands to the ground, fighting the temptation.

"Let me show you your destiny, your path"

Aragorn scraped the hard soil with his fingernails and willed himself to ignore the whisperings. He could not allow himself to fall… he just couldn't.

 His restrain was slipped, as if by an invisible hand pushing and pulling him his two hands grew closer together, the Ring held between thumb and finger in one hand, a long finger extended upon the other.

He creased his face and willed his arms to respond and his mind screaming and swearing to stop, to throw the Ring away to be rid of this curse, this burden, this danger.

But his body was embracing it, and before he could cry out to his friends the Ring had touched his outstretched finger and he vanished.