After 3 days of nonstop running, it was obvious that they wouldn't make it to Rivendell in time. Aside from Carolyn's constant complaining that she was getting a stomach cramp, Frodo was clearly getting worse. His eyes were glazed over, his breathing had turned into short gasps, and he couldn't move. Finally Aragorn stopped.

"Damn! He's not going to make it!" He set Frodo down on the ground.

"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked frantically.

"The poison from the sword is taking effect," Aragorn whispered, "He'll soon become a wraith like them." Carolyn had a fleeting image of Frodo wearing a hooded cloak and shuddered. Suddenly everyone heard a Ringwraith's screech.

"They're close." Merry whispered.

"Sam!" Aragorn said suddenly, "Do you know the athelas plant?"

"Athelas?"

"Kingsfoil."

"Kingsfoil? Ah that's a weed!"

"It may help to slow the poison, hurry!"

They took off into the woods with their torches. After a few minutes of searching, Aragorn found some of the plant. As he crouched down to cut off a sprig, he felt a blade being pressed against his throat.

"What's this?" A familiar voice asked. "A Ranger, caught off his guard?"

While Aragorn and the hobbits were out looking for Kingsfoil, Carolyn, Caitlin, and Katie were back in the clearing, guarding Frodo.

"Shit, shit, shit, SHIT!" Caitlin swore as she paced back and forth. "Where are they?"

Carolyn jumped as she heard another Ringwraith. She whimpered in terror and anxiety. Katie was sitting on the ground, hugging her knees, rocking back and forth whimpering, "Gonna die, gonna die, gonna die, gonna die…"

Suddenly Aragorn, Sam, Merry, and Pippin reappeared. They were accompanied by a female elf. She had long brown hair and unearthly blue eyes.

"It's Arwen…" Carolyn thought.

Arwen knelt down and began to speak to Frodo in elvish. "(Frodo, I am Arwen. I come to help you. Hear my voice, come back to the light.)"

"Who is she?" Merry asked in awe.

"She's an elf…" Sam whispered.

"He's fading." Arwen said in normal human language. "He's not going to last, we must get him to my father."

Aragorn picked up Frodo carried him to Arwen's horse.

"I've been looking for you for two days." Arwen said addressing Aragorn, "There are five wraiths behind you. Where the other four are…I do not know."

Aragorn and Arwen began to speak in elvish, so no one but the three girls knew what they were saying.

"(Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses for you.)" Aragorn instructed her.

"(I will take him, I am the swifter rider.)"

"(The road is very dangerous.)"

"(Frodo is dying. If I can get him across the river, then the power of my people will protect him.)" She smiled slightly, "(I do not fear them.)"

Aragorn nodded. "(According to your wish.)" As Arwen climbed onto her horse along with Frodo, Aragorn called out in normal language. "Ride hard! Don't look back!"

She nodded and took off down the path.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Sam screamed. "THOSE WRAITHS ARE STILL OUT THERE!"