DISCLAIMER: again, I own nothing.
Yay!! Finally you guys get to learn a little bit about Kaye's past!! Unfortunately, I can only give you a little taste of it since my family and I are going on a road trip tomorrow
Sorry!!
Oh, and for all you Book-obsessed people, I did add a little dialogue sequence that was sorta from the tFotR, even though someone else says it in this fanfic. But I did it to make you guys happy since you can't live without reading a fic about the book . . .
:: The Open Diary::
Frodo's spasms were getting worse and we were forced to stop. Ironically, we had settled down beneath the stone trolls Bilbo had spoken of in his stories. The giants towered above our heads, but enclosed the sounds of the hobbit's moans and cries.
He began to perspire rapidly as the poison of the Morgul Blade seeped further into his blood.
Sam had nearly glued himself to Frodo's side and tried to comfort him through his pains.
"Look, Mr. Frodo!" he said trying to sound enthusiastic, "It's Mr. Bilbo's trolls!"
But the hobbit was beyond hearing the gardener speak. His blue eyes had gotten even paler if that was even possible. I had ripped the clothing around his wound to get a better look at it. A green film had started to grow around the open flesh. Frodo gasped for air and his body jerked violently.
"Sam!" Strider beckoned the hobbit to him, "Do you know the Athelas plant?"
"Athelas?" he repeated in confusion.
"King's Wood."
"King's Wood, aye, it's but a weed!" the hobbit pointed out.
". . . It may help to slow the poison . . . Kaye! Watch after the hobbits!"
I nodded and took Sam's place next to Frodo as the two made their way into the forest. Gently, I pushed the hobbit's curly hair away from his face. He choked and wrestled with himself along the ground.
"Frodo . . ." I cooed, "Hang in there . . ."
"He'll be alright, won't he?" Pippin asked worriedly.
I didn't reply, for I had no answer that would ease his heart. Silently, I clasped Frodo's hand in mine and rubbed it gently. His hands were cold and he was fading fast . . .
"Brei te nin," I murmured quietly, "Stay strong . . ."
We should really continue moving towards Rivendell; Frodo would not last more than another day in his condition . . . and it was still a sic day journey on horseback let alone on foot. Bill was too small of a pony to last a six day gallop to the elves. But I couldn't let Frodo perish; I couldn't let my friend die.
"Merry, hand me that flask from Bill's saddle," I commanded softly.
He nodded and quickly undid the tie on the pony's saddle. He returned with the flask in hand. I took it from him and unwrapped the cloth around my hand. I poured some of the water onto the cloth and placed the cool strap on the hobbit's forehead.
Frodo shivered and let out a cry of pain.
Where were Strider and Sam?
I stared down at Narulin sadly. Why hadn't the elves put the power of healing into it? Frodo would have been healed by now and we would have been making our way trouble-free to Rivendell. And just the sight of Frodo writhing in agony brought tears to my eyes.
Suddenly, I could hear the sound of a pair of trotting hooves behind me. I turned and noticed—atop of a gray stallion—an elfin maiden. Her deep brown hair flowed about her elegantly and her sapphire blue eyes were aged but not without beauty. I recognized her immediately as the Fair Lady Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond; my childhood friend.
Strider and Sam appeared from out of the trees as she dismounted. The ranger held the King's Wood in his hand and knelt next to the hobbit while placing bits and pieces of the weed onto the wound.
"He's fading . . ." Arwen whispered just as another cry of agony erupted from Frodo's lips.
"Arwen, he needs to get to Rivendell!" I told her, "He will not last long here in the wild!"
She nodded and stood as Strider lifted Frodo onto her horse's back. The two of them spoke quickly in elfish as the hobbit began to sway dangerously on the steed's back. Finally, Arwen nodded and mounted the horse.
"Arwen!" I called and raced to the horse's side, "I will come with you."
Aragorn shook his head, "You will only hinder our haste, Kaye . . ."
I scoffed irritably, "You forget what I carry, Elessar," I said while briefly holding up my hand, "With Narulin, anything can be accomplished—and what if something happens and Arwen isn't able to help Frodo? Aragon, whether you like it or not, I'm going; I will stay with my friend until the end!"
Before the ranger could respond, Arwen had already hauled me up onto the horse behind her.
"We're wasting time. Kaye will come with me . . . I will need any help I can get," the elfin lady confirmed as she gripped the reins.
Elessar sighed heavily before patting the steed's mane, "Ride hard," he said, "Don't look back."
Arwen nodded and looked on to the road ahead. Her boots spurred into the horse's sides and the steed galloped off into the night. I could hear Sam's fading cries calling after us. I only prayed that Frodo would make it to Rivendell.
"How are you able to keep the horse from being weighed down?" Arwen asked in awe over her shoulder.
"Narulin!" I replied and paused as she jerked the horse in a new direction, "Don't you remember?"
She nodded, "But I didn't believe that it could perform a feat such as this!"
The horse raced on through the forest and trampled the ferns and weeds that grew below. In front of me, Frodo continued to wheeze as the poison's effect grew steadily worse. A film had already begun to form at the corners of his mouth.
Arwen's steep broke through the forest wall and flew into an open plain. As we rode on, the sun behind us began to rise with the beginning of a new day. I felt the warmth of its rays against my back, but they were quickly wiped away.
Then, I heard it. The sound of what seemed like dozens of horses galloping after us. I turned and caught my breath in my throat. The nine Ringwraiths were back and raced across the field like nine black shadows.
"Arwen--!"
"Don't look back!" she cried and spurred the horse faster, "Keep your eyes to the East! Rivendell is our goal!"
I did as I was told and gripped on tighter to her cloak. I clenched my eyes shut hoping above anything that the Nazgul would disappear. But their horrible cries lingered with me.
Their horses grew closer and from the corner of my eye I was able to see the back shadows creeping up behind us. I could feel their iron gloves reaching for the hem of my cloak.
"Hurry!" I cried and snatched my cloak away from the demon's claws.
But the Nazgul continued to swarm us; some had even ridden around Arwen and me so that they rode neck and neck with us. One of the Riders reached out his hand towards the dying hobbit in front of us.
"No!" I screamed.
I raised my hand towards the Rider and watched as Narulin burst forth in a ray of light. The Nazgul screeched and backed off. Arwen took this moment to get ahead of the Ringwraiths. She dodged into a small wood of evergreens and back out again; trying to shake off the Riders around us.
"Hold on!" she yelled over the thundering of our horses as she swerved down a new path. The terrain grew rockier and we were sent stumbling down a hillside. The rushing of a nearby river filled my ears as we came down the slope. The Bruinen River flowed into the Ford that we cam across. In a spray of the river's water, the she-elf galloped across to the land on the other side. The Riders, however, followed until the reached the water's edge.
Frodo wheezed and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He gasped for breath and struggled to stay alive. Noticing this, I quickly jumped off of the steed and raced to the riverbank.
"What are you doing?!" Arwen cried out in despair.
"Take Frodo across the Ford!" I told her, "Take him to your father!"
She stood there, confused before nodding. She turned and galloped off, leaving me in the midst of these nightmares. I saw the Ringwraiths watch as the elf raced off towards Rivendell. I felt them itching to race after her and the hobbit . . .
But I would not let them.
"Let us pass, half-breed!" The Riders hissed.
I raised my hand out in front of me, "Go back to the shadows of Mordor!" I called over the Ford, "For you will have neither the Ring nor Frodo! As long as I stand or live for that matter, you will not pass into the safety of this elfin haven!" I felt the earth tremble beneath me.
"Then stand down, Light Bearer!" They were now beginning to cross, "For you will not stand before the Nazgul and their prey!"
But I did not answer. My lips were already moving to the chant of an elfin tongue.
Water began to rise over the stones at the base of the Ford and a deafening roar resounded in my ears. Then, suddenly, a wave like no other I had ever seen crashed around the bend. The Ringwraiths turned and watched in silent horror as the towering wave raced towards them. What seemed like white riders atop of white steeds with frothing manes crashed over the Nazgul and sent them tumbling down stream.
I watched as the Black Riders were swept along the river. The trance was suddenly broken, however, when my thoughts returned to Frodo. So without taking another glance back, I raced up the hill towards Rivendell.
N/O PoV
The girl's soft breathing drifted peacefully around the silent bedchamber. Beside the bedside, Kaye slept wearily next to Frodo's resting figure. Her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. The book she had been reading had fallen open on the floor to the page she was last on . . .
--'This will be my final entry in this old tome of mine . . . Rivendell is so peaceful, why would Gandalf want to leave to go to the Shire? I know it's safe there too, but why couldn't I stay with my family and friends? Though, I do have to admit that it would be nice to see how much Frodo has grown over the years . . . he was so young the last time I saw him!
'Elrond says it's for my own safety that I'm leaving, but I cannot help but wonder why I am not safe here in Rivendell . . .
'Later, I am to speak with him in any case. Maybe I should bring up my controversy to his attention? Yet, there have been so many troubles in the world lately; I would hate to trouble him with mine. Narulin has caused many quarrels with both the men and elves. Many, however, do not know that it is I who is its bearer. Could that be why Elrond is sending me away?
'I should like to say goodbye to all my favorite places, especially those that are secret to all but me. Such as the old corridor that led to the very place where the waterfall cascaded into the river. Or event he library—I might even ask Elrond if I might borrow a few old stories fro the road, just as reminders of home. I probably should say goodbye to Arwen and her brothers too. But oh! There are so many people to see for one final time!
'I will miss them horribly, though.
'Mother would be proud of me, though, for being this strong. She would know how much it pains me so to say goodbye . . .
'"Goodbye isn't forever, my daughter," is what she would say. And right about now I hope that she was right because the longings in my heart are aching even now.
'I hope that she can see me now; that she can see what I'm doing in her stead . . .
'But I do have a confession:
'Narulin is such a burden even if the elves say that it is the Ring of Light. Something about it brings me down, as if there is something other than elfish magic within—
'But what am I saying? I am talking nonsense aren't I? Narulin is supposed to be filled with the hope of Middle Earth! I am probably just imagining things with these changes and all . . .
'What would Papa say about my foolishness? He'd probably just laugh and pat my head while telling me not to worry about such things. It's just that I cannot shake the feeling that's always with me whenever I put Narulin on my finger.
'That brings me to another subject . . .
'It wasn't until just recently that we learned that Papa has disappeared. He was with some of his fellow soldiers of Rohan when they were traveling through the pass near Isengard. King Theoden of Edoras waited for days, but they did not reach the other side. Nor did he or any of his friends appear anywhere else. I only hope that they are merely lost and they aren't harmed in any way. Maybe we should ask Saruman to keep and eye out for them? I might have to ask Gandalf before we leave—
'Someone is calling my name. I guess I must leave to speak with Elrond now. I will miss Rivendell and I do wish that I can come again. Well, until my return then . . .'--
The wind blew gently through the quiet room, rustling the pages of the old journal. All the other pieces of parchment were blank; left undone by the half-elf's gentle hand.
The wooden door on the side of the chamber slowly creaked open and a bearded man stepped nimbly into the room. His gray cloak swished along the tile flooring as he made his way over to Kaye. He noticed the journal lying open on the floor and quickly closed it and picked it up.
Gandalf gently nudged the girl's shoulder, "Kaye . . ." he whispered.
She moaned softly and rubbed her eyes. Smiling wearily, she yawned and looked back over to the hobbit.
"How is he?" she asked.
He shook his head, "Frodo is fine for the time being . . . Come, you have watched over him long enough, and this time I won't take 'no' for an answer."
Kaye sighed heavily and stood to leave, "Don't let anything happen to him, Gandalf," she warned less than scolding as she made her way out through the door.
The wizard smiled and nodded, "Nothing will happen to him, Kaye, I promise . . ."
------
yay!! Okay, you guys got a brief look into Kaye's past, and I promise that when I get back, I'll have more of an explanation in the chapters I bring back.
Ja'ne!
Yay!! Finally you guys get to learn a little bit about Kaye's past!! Unfortunately, I can only give you a little taste of it since my family and I are going on a road trip tomorrow
Sorry!!
Oh, and for all you Book-obsessed people, I did add a little dialogue sequence that was sorta from the tFotR, even though someone else says it in this fanfic. But I did it to make you guys happy since you can't live without reading a fic about the book . . .
:: The Open Diary::
Frodo's spasms were getting worse and we were forced to stop. Ironically, we had settled down beneath the stone trolls Bilbo had spoken of in his stories. The giants towered above our heads, but enclosed the sounds of the hobbit's moans and cries.
He began to perspire rapidly as the poison of the Morgul Blade seeped further into his blood.
Sam had nearly glued himself to Frodo's side and tried to comfort him through his pains.
"Look, Mr. Frodo!" he said trying to sound enthusiastic, "It's Mr. Bilbo's trolls!"
But the hobbit was beyond hearing the gardener speak. His blue eyes had gotten even paler if that was even possible. I had ripped the clothing around his wound to get a better look at it. A green film had started to grow around the open flesh. Frodo gasped for air and his body jerked violently.
"Sam!" Strider beckoned the hobbit to him, "Do you know the Athelas plant?"
"Athelas?" he repeated in confusion.
"King's Wood."
"King's Wood, aye, it's but a weed!" the hobbit pointed out.
". . . It may help to slow the poison . . . Kaye! Watch after the hobbits!"
I nodded and took Sam's place next to Frodo as the two made their way into the forest. Gently, I pushed the hobbit's curly hair away from his face. He choked and wrestled with himself along the ground.
"Frodo . . ." I cooed, "Hang in there . . ."
"He'll be alright, won't he?" Pippin asked worriedly.
I didn't reply, for I had no answer that would ease his heart. Silently, I clasped Frodo's hand in mine and rubbed it gently. His hands were cold and he was fading fast . . .
"Brei te nin," I murmured quietly, "Stay strong . . ."
We should really continue moving towards Rivendell; Frodo would not last more than another day in his condition . . . and it was still a sic day journey on horseback let alone on foot. Bill was too small of a pony to last a six day gallop to the elves. But I couldn't let Frodo perish; I couldn't let my friend die.
"Merry, hand me that flask from Bill's saddle," I commanded softly.
He nodded and quickly undid the tie on the pony's saddle. He returned with the flask in hand. I took it from him and unwrapped the cloth around my hand. I poured some of the water onto the cloth and placed the cool strap on the hobbit's forehead.
Frodo shivered and let out a cry of pain.
Where were Strider and Sam?
I stared down at Narulin sadly. Why hadn't the elves put the power of healing into it? Frodo would have been healed by now and we would have been making our way trouble-free to Rivendell. And just the sight of Frodo writhing in agony brought tears to my eyes.
Suddenly, I could hear the sound of a pair of trotting hooves behind me. I turned and noticed—atop of a gray stallion—an elfin maiden. Her deep brown hair flowed about her elegantly and her sapphire blue eyes were aged but not without beauty. I recognized her immediately as the Fair Lady Arwen, daughter of Lord Elrond; my childhood friend.
Strider and Sam appeared from out of the trees as she dismounted. The ranger held the King's Wood in his hand and knelt next to the hobbit while placing bits and pieces of the weed onto the wound.
"He's fading . . ." Arwen whispered just as another cry of agony erupted from Frodo's lips.
"Arwen, he needs to get to Rivendell!" I told her, "He will not last long here in the wild!"
She nodded and stood as Strider lifted Frodo onto her horse's back. The two of them spoke quickly in elfish as the hobbit began to sway dangerously on the steed's back. Finally, Arwen nodded and mounted the horse.
"Arwen!" I called and raced to the horse's side, "I will come with you."
Aragorn shook his head, "You will only hinder our haste, Kaye . . ."
I scoffed irritably, "You forget what I carry, Elessar," I said while briefly holding up my hand, "With Narulin, anything can be accomplished—and what if something happens and Arwen isn't able to help Frodo? Aragon, whether you like it or not, I'm going; I will stay with my friend until the end!"
Before the ranger could respond, Arwen had already hauled me up onto the horse behind her.
"We're wasting time. Kaye will come with me . . . I will need any help I can get," the elfin lady confirmed as she gripped the reins.
Elessar sighed heavily before patting the steed's mane, "Ride hard," he said, "Don't look back."
Arwen nodded and looked on to the road ahead. Her boots spurred into the horse's sides and the steed galloped off into the night. I could hear Sam's fading cries calling after us. I only prayed that Frodo would make it to Rivendell.
"How are you able to keep the horse from being weighed down?" Arwen asked in awe over her shoulder.
"Narulin!" I replied and paused as she jerked the horse in a new direction, "Don't you remember?"
She nodded, "But I didn't believe that it could perform a feat such as this!"
The horse raced on through the forest and trampled the ferns and weeds that grew below. In front of me, Frodo continued to wheeze as the poison's effect grew steadily worse. A film had already begun to form at the corners of his mouth.
Arwen's steep broke through the forest wall and flew into an open plain. As we rode on, the sun behind us began to rise with the beginning of a new day. I felt the warmth of its rays against my back, but they were quickly wiped away.
Then, I heard it. The sound of what seemed like dozens of horses galloping after us. I turned and caught my breath in my throat. The nine Ringwraiths were back and raced across the field like nine black shadows.
"Arwen--!"
"Don't look back!" she cried and spurred the horse faster, "Keep your eyes to the East! Rivendell is our goal!"
I did as I was told and gripped on tighter to her cloak. I clenched my eyes shut hoping above anything that the Nazgul would disappear. But their horrible cries lingered with me.
Their horses grew closer and from the corner of my eye I was able to see the back shadows creeping up behind us. I could feel their iron gloves reaching for the hem of my cloak.
"Hurry!" I cried and snatched my cloak away from the demon's claws.
But the Nazgul continued to swarm us; some had even ridden around Arwen and me so that they rode neck and neck with us. One of the Riders reached out his hand towards the dying hobbit in front of us.
"No!" I screamed.
I raised my hand towards the Rider and watched as Narulin burst forth in a ray of light. The Nazgul screeched and backed off. Arwen took this moment to get ahead of the Ringwraiths. She dodged into a small wood of evergreens and back out again; trying to shake off the Riders around us.
"Hold on!" she yelled over the thundering of our horses as she swerved down a new path. The terrain grew rockier and we were sent stumbling down a hillside. The rushing of a nearby river filled my ears as we came down the slope. The Bruinen River flowed into the Ford that we cam across. In a spray of the river's water, the she-elf galloped across to the land on the other side. The Riders, however, followed until the reached the water's edge.
Frodo wheezed and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. He gasped for breath and struggled to stay alive. Noticing this, I quickly jumped off of the steed and raced to the riverbank.
"What are you doing?!" Arwen cried out in despair.
"Take Frodo across the Ford!" I told her, "Take him to your father!"
She stood there, confused before nodding. She turned and galloped off, leaving me in the midst of these nightmares. I saw the Ringwraiths watch as the elf raced off towards Rivendell. I felt them itching to race after her and the hobbit . . .
But I would not let them.
"Let us pass, half-breed!" The Riders hissed.
I raised my hand out in front of me, "Go back to the shadows of Mordor!" I called over the Ford, "For you will have neither the Ring nor Frodo! As long as I stand or live for that matter, you will not pass into the safety of this elfin haven!" I felt the earth tremble beneath me.
"Then stand down, Light Bearer!" They were now beginning to cross, "For you will not stand before the Nazgul and their prey!"
But I did not answer. My lips were already moving to the chant of an elfin tongue.
Water began to rise over the stones at the base of the Ford and a deafening roar resounded in my ears. Then, suddenly, a wave like no other I had ever seen crashed around the bend. The Ringwraiths turned and watched in silent horror as the towering wave raced towards them. What seemed like white riders atop of white steeds with frothing manes crashed over the Nazgul and sent them tumbling down stream.
I watched as the Black Riders were swept along the river. The trance was suddenly broken, however, when my thoughts returned to Frodo. So without taking another glance back, I raced up the hill towards Rivendell.
N/O PoV
The girl's soft breathing drifted peacefully around the silent bedchamber. Beside the bedside, Kaye slept wearily next to Frodo's resting figure. Her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. The book she had been reading had fallen open on the floor to the page she was last on . . .
--'This will be my final entry in this old tome of mine . . . Rivendell is so peaceful, why would Gandalf want to leave to go to the Shire? I know it's safe there too, but why couldn't I stay with my family and friends? Though, I do have to admit that it would be nice to see how much Frodo has grown over the years . . . he was so young the last time I saw him!
'Elrond says it's for my own safety that I'm leaving, but I cannot help but wonder why I am not safe here in Rivendell . . .
'Later, I am to speak with him in any case. Maybe I should bring up my controversy to his attention? Yet, there have been so many troubles in the world lately; I would hate to trouble him with mine. Narulin has caused many quarrels with both the men and elves. Many, however, do not know that it is I who is its bearer. Could that be why Elrond is sending me away?
'I should like to say goodbye to all my favorite places, especially those that are secret to all but me. Such as the old corridor that led to the very place where the waterfall cascaded into the river. Or event he library—I might even ask Elrond if I might borrow a few old stories fro the road, just as reminders of home. I probably should say goodbye to Arwen and her brothers too. But oh! There are so many people to see for one final time!
'I will miss them horribly, though.
'Mother would be proud of me, though, for being this strong. She would know how much it pains me so to say goodbye . . .
'"Goodbye isn't forever, my daughter," is what she would say. And right about now I hope that she was right because the longings in my heart are aching even now.
'I hope that she can see me now; that she can see what I'm doing in her stead . . .
'But I do have a confession:
'Narulin is such a burden even if the elves say that it is the Ring of Light. Something about it brings me down, as if there is something other than elfish magic within—
'But what am I saying? I am talking nonsense aren't I? Narulin is supposed to be filled with the hope of Middle Earth! I am probably just imagining things with these changes and all . . .
'What would Papa say about my foolishness? He'd probably just laugh and pat my head while telling me not to worry about such things. It's just that I cannot shake the feeling that's always with me whenever I put Narulin on my finger.
'That brings me to another subject . . .
'It wasn't until just recently that we learned that Papa has disappeared. He was with some of his fellow soldiers of Rohan when they were traveling through the pass near Isengard. King Theoden of Edoras waited for days, but they did not reach the other side. Nor did he or any of his friends appear anywhere else. I only hope that they are merely lost and they aren't harmed in any way. Maybe we should ask Saruman to keep and eye out for them? I might have to ask Gandalf before we leave—
'Someone is calling my name. I guess I must leave to speak with Elrond now. I will miss Rivendell and I do wish that I can come again. Well, until my return then . . .'--
The wind blew gently through the quiet room, rustling the pages of the old journal. All the other pieces of parchment were blank; left undone by the half-elf's gentle hand.
The wooden door on the side of the chamber slowly creaked open and a bearded man stepped nimbly into the room. His gray cloak swished along the tile flooring as he made his way over to Kaye. He noticed the journal lying open on the floor and quickly closed it and picked it up.
Gandalf gently nudged the girl's shoulder, "Kaye . . ." he whispered.
She moaned softly and rubbed her eyes. Smiling wearily, she yawned and looked back over to the hobbit.
"How is he?" she asked.
He shook his head, "Frodo is fine for the time being . . . Come, you have watched over him long enough, and this time I won't take 'no' for an answer."
Kaye sighed heavily and stood to leave, "Don't let anything happen to him, Gandalf," she warned less than scolding as she made her way out through the door.
The wizard smiled and nodded, "Nothing will happen to him, Kaye, I promise . . ."
------
yay!! Okay, you guys got a brief look into Kaye's past, and I promise that when I get back, I'll have more of an explanation in the chapters I bring back.
Ja'ne!