Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. I just like to write about them.

He's Not Alone

Chapter 2

The night had brought more rain, and the scouting party was hard pressed to follow Frodo's footprints, if he left any at all. Hobbits, like Elves are very light footed as much as sure footed. That is what makes them so hard to track and hide easily from the "Big Folk". As the tracks had seemed to be going uphill, the horses were having a hard time with each step they took, their hooves slipping in the mud. Soaked to the bone and cold, Aragorn reluctantly decided to stop. Pulling his horse's reins to a stop, he leaped off and Legolas, Elladan, and Elrohir followed suit.

"The horses will not make it up there in this mud," Aragorn pointed up the steep hill. "I do not want to push them. We can camp here."

"I know of a trail a mile back that will bring us on the other side of this hill," Elladan offered. "Do you not remember, brother?"

Aragorn was taken aback. Of course he did not remember. It had been ages since he had visited Rivendell. He was always north, duties with the Rangers, and protecting the borders of the Shire.

"You may be blessed with the longevity of the Numenor, but your memory is short as this stick," Elladan teased picking up a short branch from the forest floor. "Remember we used to hide and seek in these hills. You could never find myself or Elrohir. There are caves in these hillsides. Probably overgrown by now, but maybe the Ring-bearer found one and is out of the weather," he suggested, trying to sound optimistic.

"Yes, I do remember, but as I recall, I was the one who always won. The both of you had stayed out late one night and when Lord Elrond found out, well, let's just say the Ford overflowed its banks that night," Aragorn teased back, Elladan's face turning a crimson red.

"Those trees will give us shelter," Legolas interrupted. "I have tethered the horses," he pointed to the trees overgrown with wild vines offering shelter. Once the search party entered the trees, the falling rain became but a drizzle as the vines deflected most of it and they set up camp.

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Bilbo sat in the Hall of Fire listening to the harmony of instruments and voice, relaxing most of the audience. However, the Dwarves, were not so intuned to the harmonious tunes being strung by the quartet. That did not stop Bilbo from enjoying himself as well as his other two cousins, whom seemed to have found the kitchens and brought the snack to the Hall.

This was where Lord Elrond and Sam found his masters' cousins. He dreaded what he had to tell them, but he knew the sooner he told them, the better he would feel. He hoped. He approached the trio of cousins happily enjoying the music and meal.

"Why, Sam, my boy. Where is Frodo? He is missing such a good time. Is he abed again? I must have a talk with him. This is most un-Baggins like," Bilbo paused and Sam found his opportunity to butt in.

"Mr. Bilbo, sir, I have some news. I need to tell you somethin' about Mr. Frodo," he sputtered out. Bilbo, opened mouth, eyes imploring, stared intently at his former gardner.

"What's happened?" Merry asked as he realized that Lord Elrond had been standing beside Sam all along. If the Lord of Imladris was here, then something was very wrong. "Sam, where's Frodo?"

"He's...He went for a walk after luncheon and..." Sam stammered, look of worry showing in his face. "Missing," he whispered.

"What did he say?" Pippin asked Merry chewing on one of the breads that he picked up from the buffet.

"Shh, Pippin," Merry said a little too harshly. Pippin frowned, but when Merry squeezed his hands, he knew his cousin did not mean it.

"If I may, Samwise?" Lord Elrond asked. Sam nodded relieved for the moment. "It seems, as though I do not know how, but your cousin, Frodo, has escaped the watchful eyes of Rivendell and has yet to return," he explained before Bilbo, Merry, and Pippin could explode with questions which was sure to unravel Sam.

"Oh,my," Bilbo whispered, gripping his walking stick tight, his knuckles white. He knew Middle-Earth was now in his beloved Frodo's hands, taking it upon himself to destroy the One Ring. How in the world could he had been so careless in his youth. "It has been raining for quite sometime. Has someone gone out to look for him, my Lord?"

"Yes, my sons and Legolas have accompanied Aragorn. They left a little bit ago," he assured them.

Pippin had been clutching Merry's arm as they were told and relaxed his knuckles when he heard who was leading the search party. He had liked the Ranger, especially after saving them from the Nazgul. Aragorn did everything in his power to save Frodo. When they had brought him to Rivendell, they were all certain that he would not make it. It was Strider who had held them together during the many agonizing days it took to get Frodo to a healer. When his cousin finally woke, his faith and trust increased. But what earned his respect was that he was the heir of Gondor, a most prestigious position. He knew if anyone could find Frodo, Strider could.

"Is what I heard correct, Elrond? Frodo is missing?" a flurry of grey robes flowed into the room as Gandalf spoke hoarsely, facing off with the Lord of Imladris.

"Everything will be fine, Gandalf. Aragorn is out looking for him as we speak. Please, let's go to my chambers where we can converse in private. There is no need to alert anyone else about this," he said urgently, trying to usher out the wizard before their guests were alerted that anything was wrong.

"Samwise, I think that Bilbo and his cousins should retire to their rooms. We will let you know as soon as they come back. Hopefully that will not be too long," Lord Elrond said as he and Gandalf exited the Hall, walking gracefully, with robes in tow, back to his chambers.

The Grey Pilgrim stood with his staff in hand taking out the pipe that was stowed in the hollow of it and started to chew on its end. It was a habit that seemed to relax and calm his nerves. He waited as Lord Elrond poured them both a drink, then handed it to him before he spoke taking a seat beside him.

"How long has he been gone? What happened to your sentries?" Gandalf queried taking a sip.

"According to his gardner, about four hours. I sent Aragorn off as soon as we found out. He has taken Legolas and my sons."

"Good. Very good trackers," he said then added,"It has been only a couple days since he woke, he is healing, but is his wound sound?"

"I checked him this morning. He was slightly warm, but I could not keep him abed any longer. He is such a stubborn creature. He assurred me that he would not overtax himself," Elrond shook his head as he tsked. "I should not have believed him."

"If he is not back by morning, and word of this spreads that the Ring-bearer is lost, I am afraid of the problems that we may have because he did not want to stay abed. Most stubborn," Gandalf sighed taking another sip. "If anyone can track him, Aragorn can. He did once before, he will do it again." Lord Elrond sipped his drink as well, nodding his head in agreement. And there they both sat, contemplating who would carry the Ring if Frodo should not return alive.

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He scooted back in fear. It was storming. A black figure looming over him. He wanted to run, but couldn't. The black figure suddenly turned white, coming at him with a sword. He was being stabbed. Reflexively reaching for his injured shoulder, he screamed out "GANDALF!" and found himself sitting up, his hand still on his shoulder.

He recovered his breathing, careful of his aching shoulder. "Gandalf?" he said outloud. "Who is Gandalf?" he questioned himself as he looked about. The scenary was not familiar to him. He remembered a hole at the top of the cave, but it was not there. He slowly got up, feeling around the wall, when he felt a breeze on his face. He concluded that where there was wind there is an entrace, so he followed it just a few feet when he saw sunlight. There it was, a small hole, an escape route. Excitedly he began to climb the slight incline when all of a sudden, the sun disappeared. Darkness surrounded him. He stopped in his tracks when the light had disappeared and heard a familiar clicking of toenails against the rocks. Fear encapsulated him as the events from the previous night came flooding back. He was in the lair of an animal. He heard the animal coming in, getting closer to him. He backed up against the wall, trying to push himself into it if he could. The sunlight illuminated the cave once more as the animal entered its lair. He prayed that it would pass him by. Then he could sneak out the cave. The clicking getting closer, closer. He dared not breathe. Then it stopped right in front of him. He cringed at the thought of being bitten. He squinted eyes tightly waiting for the inevitable.

He felt a wet tongue against his cheek, then a nudge on his head. Too stunned at what just happened, he let go of the breath he was holding and slid to the floor.

'Arrr' another lick to the face.

He put his hand up cautiously to catch the snout as it licked him in the face again. The animal stopped, but did not attempt to bite him. She let him feel her. He could tell that it had a large mouth, sharp teeth feeling along its snout. It was very furry, a little bristly. His hands followed the bristly nose until they reached the somewhat small ears. It did have a large head. He concluded that if this animal thought him a threat, he would not be alive. He would have been dinner for this beast the night before. He stood up slowly, following the snout as it had grabbed hold of his shirt sleeve, leading him to the center of the cave. He could see the outline of this animal getting bigger and once in the light he could make out what it was. It was a huge bear. By the dim light he could tell that its fur was brownish black.

"Well, hello there," he talked softly. "Um,bear? I guess you were the furry blanket that kept me warm? I guess I should thank you,"

'Arrr' as if answering his question, licking his hand this time.

"Well, I would tell you my name, but you see, I cannot remember my name. I do not know where I am. I do not..." he said, starting to tear. "I..." he stopped rubbing the bear's fur and collapsed to the floor in a heap.

The bear, not knowing why this creature had stopped rubbing its fur and fell to the floor, suddenly left the cave and was back in a moment with a fish in its mouth. Perhaps the creature was hungry. It definitely was hungry and had just finished fishing for its meal when he had heard the creature start to come out of the cave.

When the bear dropped the fish in his lap, he could not help but laugh. It was a happy laugh. He sniffed and dried his face with his shirt sleeve and rubbed the bears fur again. "I think I shall call you Sam. I do not know why that name popped up in my head, but it seems like it should suit you?"

The bear shook its head side to side. The creature looked beneathe the bear's large belly and said, "Oh, excuse me, Samantha."

Samantha shook her head nodded and gave a small growl as it tore the fish up, pushing a piece to the small creature to eat.

He took the piece of raw fish and gave it a try. He was hungry and if it was good for the bear, then it was good for him.

After their meal of fish, he was lead by Samantha to the stream where it had caught the fish earlier. He took refuge in the clean cool water hitting his body, able to clean his filthy hands and face. He was curious as to who he was or what he was when he saw his reflection in the water. He had dark curly hair, and pointy ears. He looked down at his huge hairy feet as well. He noticed where his shirt had been torn was a small scar, its edges ragged and angry red. He winced when he splashed the cool water on his wound, feeling the heat rise from it. He remembered the nightmare he woke from, holding his shoulder. He had been injured and it was recent. As he dunked his hands into the water for one more splash, he heard Samantha growl fiercly, then come running at him. Before he realized what had hit him, the bear had grabbed hold of his wrist, not enough to sink her teeth into, but to give him the message to follow her. Samantha lead them behind some tall bushes near the bank of the river. Settling down, the bear's brown eyes focused on the den it knew as home.

Two tall figures emerged from the other side of the hill, both armed with bows, arrows knocked, entering the den. A few moments later, they emerged, their arrows back in their pouches. One of them was tall, with dark hair. Scraggly looking beard covering its entire face. He wore a black tunic with matching leggings, brown boots, all covered with a shabby black coat. It had seen better days, mud splattered on its hem. The other man was just as tall, dressed in the same manner. They both bore swords, hung about their hips. They were walking towards the bushes that hid the inhabitants of the cave, but halted halfway when one of them started talking.

"I'm tellin ya, I overheard that Gondorian say the Ranger headed out of Rivendell, lookin' for 'im last night. Took along a couple of them Elves," Halabrad said.

"Well, he ain't here. Probably some scam to put us off the scent. There ain't nothin' in these caves except where animals lay at night. This one probably scattered soon as it sniffed your stinkin' weed. Where in the world you got that stuff anyways?" Westin asked.

"Off one of those half men," he replied as he refilled his pipe and set his pouch down beside him taking a leisurely puff, "Dwarf I think, snuck it right out his pocket. Then another of them half men appeared. He was smaller, but with pointed ears. He..." Halabrad was cut off.

"Come on, let's head back. We'll circle round and try to catch the Ring-bearer's trail that way. I want that bounty," he commented then they both disappeared back the way they had come.

When it was safe, the bear and the Ring-bearer came out of their hiding place. "Well, I guess I came from that place Rivendell they spoke of. He seemed to be describing others like me," the half man said as he felt his ears, remembering the reflection he saw in the river.

The sun was hot, and the Ring-bearer's headache was coming back. He lifted his hand to head to try and stop the pounding, shocked at how hot he felt. "I need to go lie down, Samantha. I do not feel very well," he barely got out before collapsing onto his knees.

Samantha, sensing this creature could not make it back to the cave on its own accord, laid down, nuzzling it to get on her back.

Somehow he managed to hold on during the short trek back to the cave, his body cooling down as they entered the cave. Once there, he slid off her back pressing his body to the dirt floor to stay cool. He felt her lay down beside him, and nestling against her warm fur, he fell into darkness.

The bear would get up a little while later, letting the creature sleep. She knew that he needed more help than she could give and only knew of one other that she could trust. She just hoped that he was out there when she went to hunt.

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"Well, how are you, my lady?" the man in brown robes asked the bear as he had observed her hunting in the river.

As she heard the familiar voice, she lifted her snout out of the water, giving a bellow of 'hello'.

"I see you've been fishing," he observed the fish laying on the bank. "It is not time for you to hibernate, who are you feeding, my lady?" he asked looking into her big brown soulful eyes. After a few moments, he replied,"I understand. There are three good folk looking for him. They are not that far away from your den. Lure them their. They will follow. Now, I will leave you. I shall not be unreachable if you should need me again," the brown robed figure concluded, leaving the bear to accomplish her task.

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The sun was setting and twenty-four hours later, Frodo still had not been found. The search party was running out of light and hope. Aragorn was hard put to make a decision to either go back empty-handed or camp for the night when he heard his name being called.

"Aragorn! I have found something," Legolas said as he crouched low to the ground, his bow in his left hand, while his right hand held a piece of fabric.

Aragorn, elated that they may have gotten their first break in hours, got off his horse landing softly on his feet beside the Elf. Upon closer inspection, he recognized the fine linen fabric of being from Frodo's shirt. It was raveling on all edges, like it had been ripped, and right in the center was a dark red spot. "Blood," he stated flatly. "This is from Frodo's shirt," he concluded.

"I am sure the Ring-bearer is safe," Elladan said offering his assurances. "He has probably taken refuge in one of the caves."

"Look over here," Elrohir called out, standing on top of the steep hill looking down at something.

Elladan, Legolas, and Aragorn approached the fourth member of their search party to see what he had discovered. Elrohir was standing over a small patch of overgrown vines. "What is it?" Aragorn questioned impatiently.

"Take a closer look, brother," Elrohir teased, taking one of his hands and brushing the vines back revealing a cave in, just big enough for a hobbit to slip through. It was just a guess, but what cinched that Frodo had fallen through was another piece of fabric, matching the one they had just found, entangled in the vine roots.

"Who wants to go first?" Elladan asked.

"I will go. I am smallest," Legolas volunteered handing his bow and quiver to Aragorn. Then he put his long legs through the opening and sliding his thin body down until he was hanging from one of the strong root vines, dropping softly to the ground below. Aragorn dropped Legolas' bow and quiver to him, catching them with ease even in the limited light.

Then Aragorn stuck his legs through when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "I know you want to find him, but do you think you can actually fit?" Elladan queried.

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The Ring-bearer's fever had spiked, experiencing the familiar hot and cold temperatures that came along with being sick. He wondered where his friend was.

"Sam..." his throat was parched. He could not finish the name. But the shortened name seemed familiar to him somehow. He felt someone's presence in the cave with him. He called out again, "Sam?"

Something grabbed his injured shoulder, causing it to bleed again. "There you are."

Samantha bore her way through the den opening when she heard the halfling call out. Her planned had worked and the ones that were looking for him should be here in a little while to tend him. She would be very sad to see him go, but she knew he had a journey to complete. Her friend at the river told her as much.

She sniffed the air and caught the familiar copper scent. The halfling was bleeding again. Walking slowly down to where she left the Ring-bearer, she felt something terribly wrong. She stood still and sniffed the air again. She smelled the blood, then there was something almost sweet lacing the air. She did not like that smell. Her eyes already adjusted to the dark, she made her way down the slope as quietly as a bear could. There, sitting beside the halfling, was a figure smoking a pipe.

'VRRRRRR, VRRRRRR!' she roared out as loud as she could. She saw the figure jump up away from the Ring-bearer, startled.

"Wh...Wh...Wh...BEAR! WESTIN! BEAR!" Halagrad yelled out to his partner, scrambling to fing his bow and quivers.

He was not fast enough. The bear came upon him fast, grabbing his wrist that managed to hold the bow, clamping down on it tight until she heard a 'crack'.

"ARGH, OWW. WESTIN!" he yelled out, muttering under his breath as the bear circled around for a second attack. Halagrad kept an eye on the bear while holding his injured wrist under his left armpit,looking behind him for the exit. He was getting closer, then in one quick move, leapt out of the den.

Samantha was backing the stranger out of her den. He was injured and could do her no harm. She let him get clear of the entrance before she went after him. As she stepped clear of the entrance she let out a weak high pitched yelp.

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The Ring-bearer had been overcome by the stranger easily, his illness hendering his ability to fight back. He felt a hand across his face, then saw nothing but blackness. He came to when the bear attacked the stranger, breaking his wrist. His breathing increasing ten fold as he seen the bear exit the den, hearing her cry out in pain.

"SAM! Sam!" he cried out, trying to turn his head towards the entrance of the cave. Sweat blended with tears pouring down his face, pain searing in his shoulder. He closed his eyes to clear the blurry images, wiping his tear streaked face with his sleeve. When he opened his eyes again, he saw something large coming towards him. Unable to focus he prayed it was not the men coming back after him.

'Arr...Arr'

"Sam..." he whispered, raising his good hand up in the air grabbing a fistful of fur. "I was so worried. I..." he stopped as he felt a wetness on the fur. He knew what it was. It was her blood. "Oh, what happened?" he asked as she flopped beside him, panting heavily. His hands traveled down her snout, to her throat, then he felt it. The arrow had pierced her in her chest.

'Arrr...' the bear nuzzled against the halfling's head, her breathing slowing, closing her tired brown eyes.

"Oh,Sam, do not go," he coughed rubbing Samantha around her neck, tears streaming down his cheeks, burying his face into her fur. "I am so sorry," he sighed closing his eyes, falling into darkness.

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tbc....

To those who reviewed. Thank you very much. I had tried to update an revised version of Chapter 1, but it did not take. So, I decided to erase the first chapter, resulting in erasing my previous reviews. Sorry guys. I hope I thanked everyone below, but if I forgot someone, please accept this as my thanks and gratitude for taking the time to read my fiction.

Kaewi--I bet you did not expect me to update so soon. I have about 3 or 4 chapters. This one is really long and had to be cut down. I hope you enjoyed it.

Agent Pip--Hopefully this one answered your questions

Iorhael--I finally listed you as friend. One day when I have time, I will truly explore the functions of LJ. To answer your question, remember I said he found blood on his forehead and the only opening he found was the hole above him. He had fallen and hit his head and now has amnesia.

Breon Briarwood---I hope the above thanks to all answers your questions of why you could not find your previous reply. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

Frodo-lovers-- I am glad you love it. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter...

FrodoBaggins87--Nope, not a wolf. Did I surprise you as to who the caregiver was?

Leia Wood--A mothering animal can be so protective of their cubs!!!