Quintessence
A/n: I don't own squat
Title: Long irritating journey and New people
Needless to say, in the morning, due to his lack of sleep Spike was irritable. His restlessness last night made him annoyed by everything that was going on around him. To Sam's incessant coughing, to Pippins constant questions, everything bothered him. He felt a little guilty when he snapped at the two dunderheads when they complained about the lack of food. He couldn't help feel bad because Merry and Pippin were really the only two of the group who he really gotten to know pretty well. But that guilt soon faded when they kept on annoying him.
The days passed by very slowly. Strider still kept on trudging along, only stopping at night for rest. The two most boisterous Hobbits whined, as did Buffy. The long hard days of the trip weren't bothering her that much, she was the slayer after all, and she just didn't like not having any food in her stomach for an extended amount of time.
Finally on the third day of walking, Buffy got fed up. She wanted food, she wanted lunch, a big one. Just something so she could keep her energy up. She just wanted something to eat, something with some tasty goodness, something that tasted like Mcdonalds. By her calculations (which were NOT accurate) her and Spike had been here for a little over a week now. She was dirty, tired, hungry AND pmsing. Not a good thing in her opinion
"That's it" She muttered as she walked faster, heading toward striders place in the line.
"Hey!" She yelled
She had to yell a couple more times before he took notice. He turned around, his eyes questioning in what this woman wanted.
"Yes?" He asked in a very even tone. For some reason this got Buffy even more irritated.
"I need a break. NOW!" She said the last bit with a little more emphasis giving him her resolve face (Willows teachings.) Apparently though it didn't work, it never did really.
"I'm sorry lady, but –"He was cut off.
"Hey, hey bucko, none of that lady crap! I'm Buffy to you, Bu-ff-y! And as I said before, I need a break! In fact I think we all do!" As Buffy yelled at the flabbergasted man, she could feel her cheeks burning. Never had she yelled at anybody with this much intensity before.
"How dare you talk to me with such a tone. No woman should ever talk to a man like that. NONE! Never in all my years of traveling have a seen such a wench among people! "
"Wench! Oh Buddy I'm worse than a wench." Buffy didn't exactly know what a wench was, but it sounded bad. But she said equally as evil " – I'm pmsing."
Strider didn't know exactly what she was going on about, but by her icy tone he could tell that it was bad.
"And I may be pmsing, but hey it seems like I'm not the only one. You've been pretty pissy too. Ever since we met you you've been like this!" This confused Strider. " Now I'm not going to say this again. WE NEED A BREAK!" And at that she turned on her heel and walked off.
"Do you want to get home, where ever that is? Do you want to get to Rivendell in time so we can meet Gandalf and get you home? Well if you do, keep on walking, you insufferable –" He watched as Buffy sat down in the dirt cross-legged, her eyes glaring at him. Never had he met a woman with this much defiance. Strider never hit a woman, and had strict intentions in never doing so. But he was close to it now.
He strode over to Buffy and grabbed her arm and tried to pull her up. He thought she was going to be light, but the tiny woman just grabbed his forearm and kicked his legs out from underneath him. Strider hit the ground hard, he looked up at her, and she smirked down triumphantly. He got up quickly and stalked away.
"So I guess this means yes then?" Buffy asked in an innocent tone.
The break was only about a half hour long, but the group was happy to have it to rest their tired feet. They didn't eat lunch though, which disappointed everyone very greatly, but they still had a day and a half of traveling ahead of them. So they had to ration the food for tomorrow and the next.
But soon they had to get up and keep on going. Strider made the pace much faster than before, to make up for lost time. The day passed by slowly, as the tired and annoyed group walked behind the ranger. Finally the sun started to set, creating a dark silhouette across the land. It was at this time that they came upon a mountain.
"This is weathertop ( sp? ) We will stay here for the night." Strider said in a gruff tone.
They started to ascend onto the mountain. Climbing until they found a spot big enough where all of them could rest. Once they found a place and ate dinner, Strider went off to check if the place was safe. Frodo, the most tired out of the bunch, set up his bed and fell asleep.
Buffy, whom wasn't very tired at all, stayed and watched the antics of the Hobbits along with Spike. Merry and Pippin entertained the two with their tales and songs, trying to sing as quietly as possible so Frodo could sleep. It wasn't long before the Hobbits were hungry again. It was just when Sam had started the fire, Frodo awoke, very much distressed.
"Put out the fire you fool!" He yelled covering the flames with his cloak. Very much confused, the five of them asked Frodo what was the matter. But their questions were postponed by an eerie screeching heard in the distance. A screech that was very familiar to them.
"Shit!" Spike Yelled making his way up to the top of the mountain followed by the Hobbits.
Frodo screamed to Strider, finally reaching to the flat top of the mountain. It wasn't long before the riders were seen, their black figures blending in with the night sky. They made their way towards the Hobbits, who all were circled around Frodo, with their swords out. But once the riders approached, Merry and Pippin fell flat on their stomachs in terror; and Sam shrank to Frodos side.
For Frodo the overwhelming feeling to put the ring on was consuming him. It felt like it had total control over him. He did not forget the barrow; or the message from Gandalf; but something seemed to be compelling him to disregard all warnings. Slowly he extended his index finger, and slipped the ring on his finger. Thinking that this action would make him invisible to the riders, his choice was proven wrong when the biggest rider, who seemingly sensed it, turned to him. Frodo tried to get away, but his feet felt like lead. The riders face was deformed, his cheekbones prominent and sharp. His skin was taunt and grey. The man truly looked dead.
In one swift movement, the rider stuck his sword into Frodo, the cold blade slicing his skin, searing it. Frodo watched as a blurry figure moved in front of the rider with fire in his hands. In swift movements he drew the rider away from Frodo making it go over the edge of the cliff, giving Frodo the chance to take the ring off his finger.
"Mr. Frodo! Mr. Frodo are you alright?" Sam asked urgently. All Frodo could do was squeak a reply, for the pain intensified. Seeing that all the other riders were gone, Strider threw his torch over the edge and made his way over to Frodo.
Meanwhile, Buffy and Spike were having a hard time with the riders they were fighting. Spike had vamped out a couple of times out of frustration. The rider's strength and ability seemed to have matched their own. But nothing spectacular and Buffy couldn't understand why she wasn't making a kill.
With their rapid movements while fighting, Buffy and Spike found themselves in the area where they had set up camp. It wasn't until when Buffy grabbed a torch that fell from the sky that the riders abruptly left.
Making their way towards the top, Buffy and Spike came upon a terrible scene. Strider was making his way towards them with Frodo in his arms. With a deep cut in his skin, Frodo limp body was swaying back and forth along with Striders movements. But most terrifying of all was Frodo's eyes, they were bloodshot and rolling back into his head.
"I thought I told you not to leave them." Strider said acidly.
"We never did."
"Then where were you while he was being stabbed. I know that you two have no fighting skills, but you could have at least protected them, instead of running for your own lives." Strider said angrily.
"We were protecting them, where were you? You should have been here all along, not wanking off you bloody idiot." Spike did an dirty gesture with his hands "Did you not just see us fight, or are you bloody blind!"
"We NEED to stop fighting, Frodo needs help!" Sam broke off the comeback from Strider." How much longer is Rivendell?"
"Not for another two weeks or so."
"Better get moving then" Said Buffy quietly.
They descended the mountain and retrieved bill and placed Frodo on him, not caring whether or not if the pony could carry his weight.
They had to move quickly, trying not to draw so much attention to themselves, knowing that the riders were still out there looking for them. Strider led the pony, with Sam beside him. Merry and Pippin were behind the pony, trying to keep up. Buffy and Spike were in back. Spike was still fuming over before.
"Bloody tosser." He said through gritted teeth.
"Oh grow up."
"What! He offended you too! Said you couldn't fight and that we were cowards. Doesn't that get you mad?"
"Yes, but we have a injured person and your anger will do nothing to help him. Only hurt him"
Spike would never admit this but he knew she was right. They all started walking faster when they heard a screeching noise. They all thought it was the screech made by the riders, but it was just a bird.
It was starting to get light once they reached a forest. They all fled into the protection of the trees. Sure there was protection, but it wasn't by all means safe. It was still dark, only a little bit of light was making way through the branches, anything could be hiding in the brush.
Strider laid Frodo down on the ground gently. His wound had gotten bigger. His skin was cold and color was fading from his cheeks. His eyes were like glass, clouded with tears.
His breathing was shallow and his heartbeat was faint.
"My medicine will do nothing for him. We need Elvish care."
"What's going to happen to him?" Sam asked, his voice crackling with fear for his friend.
"He was stabbed with a nazgul blade. He will soon pass into shadows and become like them." Strider said darkly. He ordered the others to watch him while he left. Sam immediately started having doubts about Strider again.
When Strider finally came back from the brush, Sam drew out his sword to protect him and Frodo. But Strider knelt down swiftly by his side.
"I am not a Black rider Sam," He said gently, "nor in league with them. I have been trying to discover something of their movements; but I have found nothing. I simply do not understand why they would have gone and not attack again. But there is no feeling of their presence anywhere at hand"
"Well we better get moving then. If you don't want this kid to die, we should start marching our asses up to that Rivendoyle place!" Buffy said suddenly.
"No one asked for your consent" Strider said simply as he got up "Merry and Pippin, heat up as much water as you can keep in your kettles and bathe his wound clean. And do try to keep the fire going as well."
"Hey, what should we do?" Buffy asked, feeling useless and not liking the feeling.
"Just stay for the moment. Protect them as you should have before."
And Buffy and Spike did just that. They watched silently as the Hobbits were taking care of Frodo. Cleaning his wound and keeping the fire up. It wasn't until sometime later that Strider suddenly appeared.
"Look!" He cried loudly, "This was the stroke of Frodo's sword, the only hurt that it did to if enemy, I fear; for it is unharmed, but all blades perish that pierce the king. More deadly to him was the name of Elbereth" he said darkly "And more deadly to Frodo was this!" He held up a long thin knife with a deadly gleam to it. But before long the blade began to melt, and crumbled in his hands. " It was this knife that gave Frodo the wound. Few have the skill in healing such wounds. But I will do what I can"
Frodo was aware of everything around him, very aware. Every sound seemed to amplified. But nothing could get his mind off of the searing pain that was riddling his body. He felt strong arms lift him up onto the pony. He was very aware of Sam's fussing and Merry and Pippins constant bickering. His current condition was stressing everyone around him and he wished beyond anything that he could take that anxiety away.
They traveled, their feet walking heavily along the ground. Sam was in the front leading Frodo on the Bill. It seemed that this journey had improved the beast, for he seemed much healthier since the beginning of the trip. His weight had gone up, and his coat was much shinier and full. He was also becoming very attached to Sam and Buffy.
Strider quickened the pace, very much in haste to get Frodo to Rivendell as soon as possible. But they still had a long journey ahead of them. No one dared complain about their own needs. They all understood the reason for their quickened pace.
Spike was still pissed about Striders comments earlier, but he decided to let it go. No use in starting a fight anyways, Buffy would just bitch slap him anyways for it.
At the end of the fifth day, the ground began to rise slowly. Strider once again turned their direction north-eastward, and on the sixth day they reached the top of a long slow- climbing slope, and saw far ahead a huddle of long wooded hills. Below them they could see the road sweeping round the feet of the hills.
" I am afraid we will have to go back to the road here for a while" Said Strider " We have come to the river of Hoarwell, that the elves call Mitheithel. It flows down to the Ettenmoors, the troll-fells north of Rivendell, and joins the loudwater in the south. Some call it the Greyflood after that. It is a great water that connects to the sea. There is no other way over it below its sources in the Ettenmoores, except by the last bridge on which the road crosses."
The next day, early in the morning they came down the road again. It seemed no horsemen had passed since the as far as everyone could see, seeing as how it had just rained.
"I see no signs of the enemy, but I have found something very strange." He held in his hand a single green jewel.
"Oh pretty jewel.' Buffys eyes sparkled with desire at the sight of the pretty gem." What is it?"
"It is a beryl, an elf stone. Whether it was set here, or dropped I do not know; but it brings hope to me. I'll take it as a sign that we can pass the bridge. But beyond that I dare not keep to the road, without some clearer token."
They continued on again. They crossed the bridge in safety thankfully. . They entered upon a new land though, a country of dark trees winding down the feet of sullen hills. Buffy was happy to leave the cheerless lands and perilous lands behind them; but this new country was threatening and unfriendly.
"Is this troll country?" asked Merry
"Trolls? Holy crap you have trolls. Those buggers are strong. I Fought one once you know. Beat it to a bloody pulp." Spike lied proudly. Buffy rolled her eyes knowing very well that it was HER who kicked the crap out of Anya's ex boyfriend.
"I doubt you can even injure a troll. You're a puny and meek looking man." Strider looked at Spike judgmentally.
"Oh believe me, whelp, I am more than what meets the eye." Spike said in a dangerously low tone. He felt his inner demon screaming to come out.
"No but really, are there really trolls here?" Buffy asked quickly trying to break up this testosterone fest before it ran rampant.
"No, it is not. Trolls don't build. No one lives in this land. Men once dwelt here, but they did not remain. They became evil people, as legends tell, for they fell under shadow of Angmar."
The hobbits grew very weary they tried to pick a good route in the rocky terrain for the pony. It had been two days since they arrived in this country when it started to rain. By nightfall they were soaked and clinging onto each other to keep warm. Strider seemed to be getting anxious: they were nearly ten days out from weathertop and their provisions were running low. But they traveled on. Frodo was not getting any better. In fact, he had remained the same. His left shoulder felt lifeless and his side and his shoulder felt like a icy hand had laid upon them.
:" We can't go any further." Said
Buffy to Strider " I'm afraid this has been too much
for him. Do you think they will be able to do anything for him in Rivendell?"
"We shall see, there is only so much more you can do in the wilderness." Strider answered gravely
Buffy went and checked on his wound. It wasn't scarring or healing in any kind of way. In fact it looked the same as it did when he first got stabbed. But she did notice that his wound hadn't been cleaned sufficiently.
"Sam, give me your flask of water." Buffy commanded.
Sam handed it over to her. Strider barreled over to her, a perplexed look on his face. "What are you doing? We need that water."
"His wounds have not been cleaned right, and I'm going to do it now seeing as how it looks like it hasn't been cleaned for a while" Buffy said as she was pouring the water over Frodos wound
"Have you not noticed that we are running low on everything and that we have no idea on how long it will take us to get to our destination?" Strider yelled.
"Do you want him to live? Do you want to be carrying and dead body to Rivendell or a live one? I'm guessing the last, so I suggest you shut up and let me do my job if you want any chance of him living." Buffy said sternly. Strider kept quiet, seeing that she did have a point.
Buffy poured the water over the wound, causing Frodo to flinch. She gently scrubbed any dirt out with her hands. Finally she ripped the long sleeve off of her shirt to wrap the wound.
Buffy looked down at her handiwork proudly. She felt so bad for Frodo; the poor guy seemed to be in so much discomfort since the incident. In fact, everyone in the group seemed to be a lot of discomfort. Sam was worried to the point of sickness over Frodo. Merry and Pippin seemed depressed. Strider seemed more pissy than usual. And Spike who hadn't spoken much looked ill. Buffy knew exactly why though. Spike needed blood, and he couldn't get any because of the ever watchful eye of Strider. It scared her to see Spike so much paler than usual and so quiet.
They set up camp there. Strider decided that it wasn't doing Frodo any good if they kept on going. Frodo needed everyone to be strong. They ate their supper and went to bed. But it wasn't long before in the still of the night when they heard the terrifying sound of hoofs. They all scrambled up and gathered their things and went into the bushes, hoping not to be noticed. The sound of hoofs drew nearer. They were going fast, with a light clippety-clippety- clip. Then faintly as if blown in the breeze, they heard a light ringing of bells.
"That doesn't sound like a black rider's horse." Said Strider.
They all agreed hopefully. The light faded, and the leaves in the bushes rustled softly, Clearer and nearer the bells jingled. Suddenly in view came a white horse, gleaming in the shadows, running swiftly. In the dusk, its headstall flickered and flashed, as if it was made of gems from the moon. The rider upon its back seemed to glow in a ethereal light. His long golden hair flowed behind him.
Strider jumped from the bushes and laughed at the sight of the man. The man on the horse laughed in a beautiful voice. This left no doubt in the hobbits hearts that this man was of elven kind. Buffy and Spike gasped at the otherworldly man and his noble steed.
"They all got out of the cover of the bushes and walked over to the man and strider. "Everyone, I would like you all to meet Glorfindel" Strider said while smiling.
"I have been tracking you for two days. We should move quickly, the enemy is near." Glorfindel said quickly.
It was then that Frodo felt a searing iciness run through his shoulder. His whole body soon felt cold. He grabbed onto Sam's shoulder as he collapsed. Glofindel caught him before his body touched the ground. Strider started explaining about the attack. Glorfindel took a look at the wound. Upon seeing it, his beautiful face fell grave.
" You shall ride my horse-" He said swooping Frodo upon the beast." I will shorten the stirrups to the saddle skirt. Do not be afraid, my horse is quick and sure footed. And he will guide us away from any danger." He got on behind Frodo, grabbing the horses reins. "You will see him again at Rivendell. He needs elvish medicine" And at that he quickly turned his horse and galloped off. All were too stunned to say anything.
Except Buffy.
"Wow, I think its just me, but that guy was HOT!" She said suddenly
"Afraid I agree with you on that one luv, I may be the sexiest man alive, but that man sure does rival my beauty." Spike said quietly. Buffy snorted and rolled her eyes.
****
So, how'd you like this last installment of Quintessence? I hope you did like it. You better. It took me 3 weeks to write this damn chapter. You know how many pages this chapter was? 9 friggen pages. Longest I've ever written..
Constructive criticism welcome in my reviews. Tell me what I could improve on. Tell me if you think it's boring.
Not sure what the pairings are gonna be, so don't ask…. Shouldn't take me a long time to write the next installment cause that's when the story picks up. These last couple of chapters were kinda like fillers. Sorry if I'm making strider seem like a prick. But I wanted to be realistic here. Strider has to be suspicious of Buff and Spike. I mean come on look at spikes hair. How'd you like me putting Glorfindel in this story instead of Arwen? Well tell me……
Review!
Later love dolls
