Chapter15

When I opened my eyes, it was about a half-hour later. Someone, (probably Aragorn) had moved me back onto my bedroll.

Feeling foolish at my dramatic episode just minutes before, I decided not to attract more attention to myself, and re-closed my eyes.

Then I became aware of another fact, I could smell food. My stomach growled unforgivably and I heard someone whisper "she's awake!" I groaned, (my cover blown) and looked around.

The first person I saw was Pippin, who looked away quickly. I searched for the others and found Sam back by Frodo, tying to convince him to eat, and Merry seated by Strider, eating himself.

I stood up, and got a major head-rush. I wobbled for a couple of seconds, before heading over. None of my fellow hobbits, save Frodo, would meet my gaze. And I felt once again, the weight of what I had done.

So, I took a deep breath, and apologized. First, I turned to Aragorn, "Aragorn, I am sorry that I refused your help and guidance, even when you probably knew best. I was foolish." He looked at me, and nodded. I felt my face redden.

"To the rest of you, I am sorry that I made such a scene. I thought I knew best. I am also sorry for giving you all such insults. It was childish of me. And to Frodo, I am deeply sorry that I riled you up, even with the fore-knowledge of your burdens, and injuries." I finished, my face a brilliant scarlet.

Then they all nodded to me. Pippin and Merry still looked a little hurt though; I had been most hard on them I think.

Then, suddenly as if remembering something, Sam nodded to me, "Merna, please; have something to eat. You must be hungry."

I smiled widely at him. "Thank you, Sam. If anything, the way to a girl's heart is through her stomach," I added with a wink. He blushed, and I heard someone chuckle.

I grabbed a tin plate, and took a small helping of what I believed was rabbit and something else that looked like a potato.

I polished it off quickly. When I was finished, I went over and rolled up my bed. I was re-packing my things as well, when Aragorn started talking.

"I think we should set out at once. We should not waste more daylight than we already have. I hope to reach the ford within the week (a seven day one)."

And so we set off. We transferred most of the baggage from Clenna, to Bill and ourselves, and put Frodo atop her. The going was hard after that, and most of us were bowed under our burdens. But Frodo was none the better. He was growing worse by the day, though he barely spoke of it.

And we walked. And we climbed. It was rough, but we managed. I knew then, that the cut I had received from the Witch King's sword was starting to have an effect. As I was growing colder by the day, and my eyesight worsened much in the dusk. I could barely see at all.

One of the bright spots in an otherwise tiring journey was the day that we came about three stone trolls. After figuring out that the trio was one and the same with the one old Bilbo ran into, Sam gave us a little song, of his own creation.

We walked for some time after that, sticking closer to the road. When suddenly the sound of hoofs drew near. The rider was going fast. I brightened considerably, knowing in advance just who was coming, but didn't utter his name aloud, thinking to let the others find out for themselves.

"That does not sound like a black rider's horse," said Frodo. And the other hobbits agreed, thought they remained full of suspicion.

Suddenly into the view below us came a white horse. There were bells on its tack, and they made a merry sound. The rider's hood was thrown back, and his golden hair gleamed and was blown back with his speed.

Then Aragorn sprang swiftly down out of hiding, and dashed towards the road.

The rider had already reined and halted his horse, before Aragorn had even moved. And now he called a greeting in his elf-tongue. You could hear clearly a note of fear or urgency to his call.

After conversing swiftly and quietly, so that not even Sam's ears picked up the words, Aragorn beckoned to us, and setting an example, I took hold of Bill's reins from Sam (who had insisted upon still holding the two ponies) and headed down the embankment.

When we were all gathered, Aragorn introduced us saying, "This is Glorfindel, who dwells in the house of Elrond."

"Hail, and well met at last!" The Elf lord cried joyfully to Frodo. "I was sent from Rivendell to look for you. We feared you were in danger upon the road."

"Then Gandalf has reached Rivendell?" Frodo asked merrily.

"No, he had not when I had departed. But that was nine days ago..."Said Glorfindel, and he launched in to the telling.

All the while I stood there in awe. It was the first elf I had ever seen. And though I knew somewhat what they looked like, a description can't even begin to compare to the real thing.

While Glorfindel was speaking, the shades of evening grew deeper, and the night began to creep upon us. And as I looked to Frodo, I saw that he was much worse than he had been that morning. He began to sway, and clutched Sam's arm.

"My master is sick and wounded," Sam said angrily. "He can't go on riding after nightfall. He needs rest."

Glorfindel bent swiftly, and caught Frodo as he sank to the ground, then he took him into his arms. He looked at Aragorn gravely, and swiftly he told the tale of the attack. Not sparing any details. (He had been filled in by Pippin and Merry about my attempt, and told Glorfindel about that as well.) Aragorn went to retrieve the hilt of the wraith's sword.

And it seemed then, that Glorfindel noticed me. He looked at my face, as if he hadn't seen me standing there before. "A maiden?" I heard him mutter, just before Aragorn returned.

After intently studying the object at hand for a few minutes, Glorfindel told us that it was evil (duh) and told Aragorn not to handle it unless he must.

He then looked at Frodo's wound, searching it with his fingers, and his face grew graver. Taking hold of my wrist gently, he passed his hand over my palm. Startled, he looked into my eyes, but I do not know what he saw there, for suddenly he sprang up and said,

"These two shall ride my horse. I will shorten the stirrups to the saddle skirts, you both must sit as tight as you can. But you need not fear, my horses gait is smooth, and he will not let you fall. And in case of danger, he will bear you away at a speed not even the black riders can manage."

But Frodo resisted saying, "No, I will not. I shall not ride him, if I am to be carried off to Rivendell or anywhere else, leaving my friends behind in danger."

"Glorfindel smiled, and glancing quickly at me continued, "I doubt very much, if your friends would be in danger, if you were not with them."

And to that, Frodo had no answer, so he was persuaded to mount Glorfindel's horse. I was seated behind him. And in my hands were the reins, my arms wrapped securely around Frodo's middle.

The rest transferred their burdens to the vacated pony, so they could march the lighter. And Glorfindel gave the whole company a drink from his silver flask, and afterwards, much of my strength and vigor returned, and the other's did as well.

We were urged on anxiously by our guides. But after a time, the hobbits grew weary, and they stumbled. The night came on swiftly, and the rest it offered was accepted gratefully.

But Merry, Pippin and Sam were no better in the morning, and there were many miles yet to go.

Frodo had slept badly, thrashing, and calling out in the night. And knowing that I would be riding the next day, I gave him my blankets, and kept awake. Hoping to ease his shivering at least a bit. Glorfindel looked worried, but he could not push the hobbits any harder.

"Our peril will be greatest by the ford," Glorfindel forewarned, "I fear a great evil is waiting for us there."

We reached the river soon after that. But suddenly, Glorfindel stopped and listened, as the sounds of following feet grew very near, and at once he shouted, "Fly! Fly! The enemy is upon us!"

The white horse sprang forward, and the hobbits began to run, and Glorfindel and Aragorn followed as rear guards. Suddenly, we heard the sound of galloping hoofs, and a black rider appeared.

I urged the horse on, using elven words I had read from the book, "Naro lim, Naro lim, Asfaloth!" He ran harder.

But Frodo grabbed the reins in front of him, and pulling hard, reined the horse in. "Frodo! ....." I started to say. He had begun to sway in the saddle, and I held onto him tighter with one arm.

"Ride forward! Ride!" Glorfindel called urgently to us. Frodo, reins still in his hands, did not allow me to obey at once. Checking the horse to a walk, he looked behind us at the riders.

Suddenly, Frodo drew his sword, leaving the bridle and reins back in my control. But I did not spur the horse on, wishing to let Frodo finish what he had started.

The riders came on swiftly, and two veered around in front towards the ford to cut off our escape.

"Ride on! Ride on!" Cried Glorfindel, then in elf-tongue he cried to his horse "Naro lim! Naro lim! Asfaloth!"

The white horse sprang across the river swiftly, and as we passed close by the foremost rider, I felt a blast of icy cold. But just barely could I hear the ghostly voices of the Riders calling to Frodo.

The ring bearer sagged against me, and I was glad that I was there to keep him a-horse.

The foremost rider spurred his horse forwards suddenly, but it reared and checked at the water's edge. With a great effort, Frodo sat upright again, and brandishing his sword shouted:

"Go back! Go back to the land of Mordor, and follow me no more!" Even to me, Frodo sounded weak, and shrill. And I wondered how much more THEY would have to do before his will was broken to their cause.

The riders halted and laughed. "Come back! Come back!" They called, "To Mordor we will take you!"

As the last of his strength waned, they laughed again. But I had had enough...

"You shall never have him!" I shouted with hatred and anger behind every word.

But then the leader, who was now half way across the ford, stood up menacing in his stirrups and raised up his hand...

And suddenly, I heard Frodo gasp for breath, as if it was hard to breathe the air, and my own breathing became labored. It felt an effort for my heart just to beat, and my tongue was heavy in my mouth. I couldn't utter a sound. Frodo's sword broke, and it fell from his hand.

At that moment there came a roaring and a rushing: a noise of loud waters rolling many stones. Dimly, I registered the river's rise, and down along it's course plumed a Calvary of waves, and it looked as though there were white horses among them, with shining white fire as manes.

The riders that were still in the mists of the ford were overwhelmed, and disappeared beneath the foam.

Then suddenly, it felt as if we were falling, and joining our enemies in the roaring confusion. I was losing conciseness fast, and I could feel that Frodo was already gone.

But before I blacked out again entirely, I tried to urge on the horse, (mayhap he would still carry us to Rivendell....) "Naro lim, Naro lim! Asfaloth!"

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Author: Once again, I was using the book. Most of the dialogue from Glorfindel came from it. I hope you all liked it. I was trying to make up a bit for her being so dramatic.

Sorry to leave you hanging, but I promise in the next chap, they will be in Rivendell and it should be interesting. I am contemplating right now what Merna will be doing while Frodo is out. (For 4 days remember!)

Send me an email or a review with suggestions!

Thanx, Pippinsgal011890