Frodo jerked up to a sitting position, one hand still clasping upon the other, curly ruffles falling haphazardly to his face hiding his wil eyes.
"What say you now, hobbits?" Gollum sneered. "Who do you call; thiefss, thiefss?!"
"I'm not a thief." Frodo's shaking voice was thinner than air.
"Gollum, gollum! Thief, thief, thief! We hates it, we hates it, we hates it forever!"
Chapter 4 – Uninvited GuestsFrodo's claiming of the Ring had diverted the Lord of the Black Land's deliberation back to his own place. He had been concentrating on what was happening outside the Black Gates and had sent all his multitude there to drive off those who were trying to intrude. Now apparently he had been deceived. The real intruder had been inside all this time, just as he had surmised.
The Eye whipped around and its blasting light was now scorching through the doorway leading to the passage to the cracks of Doom.
That anyone had dared to take his Ring! Even death would be too good for him!
The Dark Lord's wordless summons had sent those under His command home. The bevy of leaderless winged Nazgul were the first to answer, flapping their gigantic wings with deafening shrieks, heading straight toward Mount Doom to where the light of the Eye pointed the way. The wraiths had sensed that too – someone other than their master had laid claim to the Ring. That could mean they would have a new master – but that could also mean, and this was what they felt certain of, their rightful master, Sauron, was in indescribable wrath. Then it would only mean one thing – secure the Ring, snatch the fool who dared challenge Sauron, and take him before the Great Master for his punishment.
"We hates all Bagginses!" Gollum's eyes turned into slits, his lips curving full of threats, and Sam's blood froze at the sight of the creature's claw tightening at the collar of Frodo's shirt. Gollum had started to pull the insensible hobbit toward the opening of the mountain when Sam came to realize he might lose Frodo forever, should he not do anything to stop it.
"Then what --" His voice was weaker than he ever imagined, "should you need my master for? You hate him. You got the Ring, so go now! Away from him." Sam crept forward, unavoidably flinching every time he noticed how Frodo's body bounced on the uneven ground as Gollum dragged him away.
The deformed hobbit merely smirked at the gardener's plea and continued plodding forward. He hated Frodo – and Bilbo – yes, but he also needed him. Having even unwilling company would be so much better than not having anyone to talk to at all. Besides, glancing down at Frodo, Gollum felt sure they would have much more to do than simply talking. Frodo was an extraordinary hobbit. Gollum knew he could make use of the hobbit for his entertainment. And if the hobbit refused, Gollum had the Ring to force him to comply.
"G – Gol – Smeagol, please!" Sam was drowning in his despair. He fell on his knees, tears cascading down his filthy cheeks. "Please release my master." He thought he heard Gollum snort, followed by his triumphant croak.
"It's too late to be nice with us, now, isn't it, preciousss?" A cracking chuckle tore the air. Gollum was getting closer to the doorway while Sam's bravery had evaporated away. The creature had never threatened to murder Frodo but it was the thing he would most likely do if Sam decided to go after him and snatch Frodo up. Gollum would rather have Frodo dead than not in his clutches. On the other hand, Sam almost regretted that Frodo himself did not…
wait!
Sam held his breath. He might be mistaken but –
yes!
Sam squinted to get clearer view of his master, and…
yes, Frodo!
Sam was not mistaken. Frodo was beginning to regain consciousness. Sam could easily see now how Frodo was kicking out his legs and flailing his hands.
But…
Oh, no!
Sam clamped both of his hands over his mouth to stop himself from whooping. The movement looked so familiar. The lifting of the right hand and bringing it to his left shoulder. And the writhing. Writhing and moaning. Full of pain.
Mr. Frodo!
Sam had got to his feet and started to lurch forward when he realized one thing: Gollum had also halted now, mouth and eyes gaping wide. He shrieked and voluntarily let go of Frodo, caring not at how the hobbit bumped down hard. Frodo seemed unaware of this, though. He kept squirming on the ground, his left shoulder burning hot. The memory of the Morgul-blade was searing through his mind. Once he opened his eyes, Frodo let out a blood-curdling scream.
On the passage way, stepping in menacingly, were eight black-hooded, towering Nazgul.
TBC
AN: I should thank YOU, YOU, YOU for encouraging me to go on. It's not much, I know, this chapter 4, but you see, I managed to come up with one! I'm sorry. I honestly admit that I have difficulty in continuing this. I shouldn't have started it. I really hope I can continue this, so help me God. My gratitude also goes to Aratlithiel, whose patience I really admire. I know it's difficult for her to deal with this. It's so plain compared to the magnitude of her writing.
Nimrodel of Meneltama: Here I am. I wish you're still here…
No smile: Gollum goes into a rant about a new precious? How interesting!
Frodo Baggins 88: Thank you for reading! Your questions are my questions, too!
Lucky Larue: Thank you for coming over. It got the fourth chapter, yes, but I have to struggle for the next.
Aratlithiel1: Thank you very much!
endymion2: The Ringwraiths have come. They are there under Sauron's order, I guess.
aelfgifu: I hope you won't have to wait so long to see that. Thanks for reading!
Trust No One: I'm not worthy of your nice words, TNO. I can't promise about the update but I'll try!