The tear awakens

Mist surrounded them on either side, making it hard for any to see, but they could just make out the stars glittering above them. The river of Isen was back, moaning, whispering, and hissing at their feet as it floated past, filling up the bare bed. It passed quickly, yet there was so much water that was contained there; the time seemed to grow on. The noise seemed endless and it was really starting to irritate Rhia. All the men of the Mark present with them were afraid, as were the girls companions. Demi just sat there, taking in the sweet smell of water whilst Rhia paced back and forth. She was no fool, and very little ever seemed to scare her. She was a modern girl after all.

Finally Rhia stopped and opened her mouth to shout, "Are you done already?" She got many weird looks for that. "What?" she asked them all. "Now I have to go to the bathroom! I hate running water like that. It doesn't help a full bladder!" the men looked at her in shock whilst all those who were used to her dismissed this.

"That isn't very becoming for a future queen." One man said to his friend sitting beside him.

"No, what will the kingdom she rules be like? I shudder the thought." Replied the friend

Rhia, feeling very bold by this point looked them Men Square in the eyes and said, "listen here buddy, if I gotta pee, I'll broadcast the message and enough about me being a queen. I don't want to rule!" she said and stormed off. Demi ran after her friend. It wasn't safe to walk off alone in these dark days.

"Rhia! Hold up there!" Demi called after her friend.

"I can't stop!" Rhia shouted, "I gotta go! Wait there, I'll be done soon." Demi stopped still and waited for her friend to finish. Rhia came back out from behind a tree and walked up to Demi.

"What's up girl?" Demi asked.

"Oh, nothing much." Rhia said, avoiding an obvious discussion.

"Oh, come of Rhia! You know what I'm talking about, I thought you wanted to be a queen."

"No, I never said that. I like the idea, but we both know I couldn't rule. I've been thinking about it for a long time. I don't want to." Rhia said, a little dejectedly.

"That's not true. You would do great. Look, you were head of the school council and you led that moratorium march at school in 8th grade. You're a leader Rhia!"

"No I'm not. I wanted to help the 7th graders in junior high from being beet up all the time. It wasn't fair for them. They didn't stand a chance. Arnor stands a chance without me, it has Aragorn. I'm not going to be a joke and try my hand at this. I know I can't do it, so why bother. There are other things I want to do anyway."

"Like what?" Demi asked with sympathy.

"I want to see the world I never got to grow up in. I want to see all I missed out on. Its so beautiful here, I don't want to miss a moment of it."

"That's not all is it?"

"Well, sort of. The point is, I'm not cut out to be a queen."

"YOU don't know that."

"Yeah I do. Now DON'T push it buddy. Lets get back to the men before they freak out anymore" Rhia said with a smirk as she led the way back to camp.

When they got back to camp, the girls found that the river had settled and was bubbling away as it should. They found they could no longer sleep, so they stayed up and waited for sunrise. When it came they packed up and got ready for another long days journey.

They rode slowly as there was a deep fog. Boromir and Demi rode together today, as Boromir was keen to learn what was wrong with Rhia.

"It was rash the way she acted and something does not seem right. Why would she want to set aside such an honour?" the man of Gondor asked.

"If she has to go, then don't stand in her way Boromir and those men had to learn it the hard way. Don't mess with her, that's the key. But, she doesn't think she could rule. She has no faith in herself. That is the problem." Demi explained.

"Oh." Was all Boromir could say. He looked ahead, although his thoughts were elsewhere. Demi looked at his focused face.

"What is it?" Demi asked, rousing Boromir.

"Oh, it is nothing. Do not worry over it fair lady." He said smiling. Demi just shrugged it off.

'Men'. She thought, 'they are probably the strangest creatures. Especially ones from middle earth.'

The land they entered shown that it had been farmed by Saruman's slaves, but still most of it was thorns, weeds and other pest plants. It was such a gloomy area, making the hearts of men doubt if there was anything left so pure and untouched. Such a thing was highly unlikely.

A pillar stood before them holding what looked like a white hand pointing north. They followed the path on with heavy hearts, leading them to the gates of Isengard they lay beyond the mists.

A ring of stone stood before them like a giant wall reaching high into the sky like skyscrapers and it held only one entrance.

"At least we will be able to catch Saruman." Rhia offered.

"Yes, but the white wizard is cunning. We cannot trust that he will find another way out." Boromir said.

"Unless he is Spiderman." Rhia muttered.

"Yeah, right Rhia. I don't think he has web blasters in his arms at all, do you?" Demi jested.

"I wouldn't rule anything out." The blonde teen replied.

"His powers are far lesser than they have ever been, Aure, do not fear such things." Aragorn said.

Rhia put her questions to rest and continued to ride in silence.

On either side sat many houses and buildings of a like. But rather than alive and bustling as most dwellings in middle earth, this place seemed dead. Everything was still and silent, biding it's time.

They followed the road further still until they saw a tall black ominous tower before them.

Demi felt a chill run down her spine. You could see the evil created here. Without thinking she moved her hand up to her necklace and held the tear-shaped pendant. Beneath her finger she felt it grow painfully hot, as though it was on fire.

"Ouch!" she said, pulling the necklace off her and holding it by the chain at arms length.

"What is it Vaira?" Boromir asked worriedly. The whole horde stopped and Gandalf made his way over, taking Demi aside.

"It was the necklace, wasn't it Vaira? What did it do?" he asked with great concern.

"I don't know, I was holding it and it just got really hot, burning my hand." She replied, looking at all who were now staring at the two.

"I see, this is strange tidings indeed." Gandalf said, pondering for a moment, off in his own little world.

"Gandalf?" Demi asked.

"Hum?" the wizard said, snapping back to reality. "I am sorry. I cannot answer this riddle as yet. Things will be explained in time for us all." He said, rejoining the group, Demi reluctantly behind him.

They all rode on silently, taking in the wonder of the black tower. Boromir took it as his duty to ride with Demi, and keep a close watch over her as they rode on towards the tower.

"What is that?" Demi asked no one in particular, feeling the evil that lived there, and the malice that never seemed to have faded.

"That is the stronghold of Saruman, Orthanc it is called. Mount Fang by the elves and Cunning mind by those in the Riddermark. It is our destination if we are to confront the corrupt wizard."

Demi cast her eyes upon the building. Her heart froze. There was something in that tower. Not just a being that was a potential of both good and evil.

"Do you fear it? I promise that no harm shall come to you." Boromir said, taking Demi's hand from the rein upon which it was resting.

"I do not fear it. Rather that what lies within." She said, her eyes glazing over, revealing the black tower in her eyes.

"And what would that be? The wizard is nothing to worry of. We have Gandalf, who far surpasses Saruman in ability." Boromir reasoned.

Demi stayed silent. She did not know exactly what it was that she felt a need of caution for, but knew it had something to do with a close friend.

AE: Well, how was that chapter? Spiderman? What was I thinking? Anyway...

Thank you very much Leva for your review. I honestly don't think my writing style is all that crash hot but thank you very much! Writing is my joy and I'm glad that you like it.

Please, please, please...if you read this then drop me a line and tell me what you think. I have to admit I have been having writers block lately, and I really need your help. I have an overall plan but the nitty gritty stuff is causing me grief! Any help is most welcome.