Chapter four- Weathertop 2

"Protect Frodo…"

Ithil held her sword ready, just as Uranus had taught her years earlier. The wraiths were completely visible now and the darkness pounded on her defenses. The four hobbits behind her were frightened out of their minds, but three of them, Merry, Pippin, and Sam were protecting Frodo. For a second, she felt amused that they were acting just as her friends had to her, before the sadness struck. Pushing it away quickly, Ithil's eyes darted between the five wraiths. Ithil saw the wraiths draw their swords and she ran forward to attack. The front wraith met her sword and suddenly Ithil felt weak.

'Damn, what's wrong with me?'

The wraith twisted it's sword and without any trouble, knocked the sword from Ithil's grasp. It then went to strike her, but she moved, falling. She struck her head and saw stars for a moment. The wraith that had attacked her moved on to the hobbits, while another wraith came towards her. She managed somehow to get to her feet, though her head was pounding. The wraith kept coming closer and closer. A screech from the one wraith that was attacking Frodo distracted the wraith that was coming toward Ithil.

Ithil looked up and saw that Strider was attacking the wraiths. A horrible feeling washed over Ithil when she saw that Frodo was laying, holding his chest/shoulder area. Ithil clenched her hands and stood up, the pain gone. She turned her silvery eyes to the nearest wraith. She held out her hand and Saturn's glaive appeared in it. She ran forward with a cry and attacked the wraith. It fell back, as did the others. Soon, the only wraith that was still on Weathertop was the one that Ithil had attacked and had been struck down by. Strider turned and looked at it. The wraith looked between Strider and the furious lunar child. Strider threw the burning branch he had and struck the wraith, causing a horrible screech to fill the air as it ran and jumped off of Weathertop.

Ithil slumped to her knees, the pounding in her head coming back in full force. She turned and saw that Strider was by Frodo, checking his wound. She struggled to her feet and made her way over, just as Strider was picking up Frodo telling the other three hobbits to hurry.

"Strider, what happened? Is he going to be ok?" Ithil asked. To her ears her voice sounded distant, far away. A strange numbing feeling washed through her.

Strider looked at Ithil, also worried about her. She had a dazed look, and in the small light that he had, he saw that there was blood on her head. He hoped she would be able to continue on, for he had Frodo to carry.

"Frodo was stabbed by one of the wraith's blades. We have to get to Rivendell as soon as possible."

Ithil nodded, "Right." She went and grabbed her pack, feeling woosy. Soon they were on their way, going as fast as possible in the darkened night. They could still hear the cries of the wraiths. Ithil shuddered at each cry, but kept going, making sure that the hobbits kept up. Finally, Strider stopped to check Frodo's wound. The hobbit was pale, his eyes glazed over.

"What's wrong with him?" Merry asked.

Strider looked at the hobbits. "He's passing into the shadows. Sam."

Sam went over to Strider. "Yes?"

"You know the plant Athelas? Kingsfoil?"

"It's a weed…"

"Hurry, we have to find it. It might slow the poison."

The two went off, leaving the injured hobbit, Ithil and the other two hobbits alone. Ithil went over to Frodo, her eyes looking at the wound and the hobbit. Ithil touched Frodo's face gently. Her eyes filled with worry and fear at the lack of response she received. Darkness was creeping onto Frodo's soul and she gave a soft sob. She gently held him, one hand on the wound.

"Frodo…don't lose hope. Please, don't fade into shadows. Do not let the shadows win."

Merry and Pippin watched as a slight silvery violet glow appeared around the hand that was touching Frodo's face. Frodo seemed to get some color back in his face, but Ithil paled more. She pulled away, her eyes filled with sadness and turned her head.

"Miss Ithil, are you ok?" Merry asked moving a little toward her.

"I will be fine, Merry."

Right after she said that, Strider returned with another person. Sam also returned. The person turned out to be an elf, a female elf. She bent down next to Frodo, talking in elvish. Ithil stayed silent. Strider applied the blathers and picked up Frodo. He carried him over to the elf's horse. Putting Frodo on it, they discussed something and the elf maid jumped on the horse and took off.

"What are you doing sending them out there! The Wraiths are still out there!" yelled Sam.

Strider watched as they disappeared. He turned to calm the hobbits and stopped. Ithil was standing in his direct eye sight and he caught her gaze. She smiled a little, letting him know that she knew that Frodo was in safe hands. He then noticed how pale she was. Walking over, past the hobbits, he studied her. Her skin was a sickly pale color and her eyes still had a slight glazed look to them.

"Ithil, are you ok? Did the wraiths harm you also?"

Ithil smiled softly, "Their blades did not touch me, if that is what you are worried about. I was pushed out of the way, and smacked my head. Nothing to worry about."

Strider didn't listen and moved the light so he could see better. He moved some of her hair and saw a nasty gash on the back of her head that was still bleeding slightly. Pulling out some cloth, Strider bandaged the wound as best as he could at the moment. Ithil made no protest at the moment, only wincing at the throbbing that was starting to come back. He looked at her pained expression then turned to the other hobbits.

"Sam, carry this," Strider said handing the hobbit the torch. "Even though Frodo isn't here, we need to keep hurrying. Stay close."

Ithil wondered what Strider was up to. He turned to her suddenly and with an almost scary ease, he picked her up. A sense of warmth and safety flooded Ithil's system and she started to relax, at least till she realized what he was going to do.

"Strider, I can walk."

Strider shook his head, "No, not if you might pass out on us and we won't be able to tell."

Ithil looked at him with wide eyes and sighed. 'Just like Haruka…stubborn.'

They hurried through out the night and the next two days, arriving at Rivendell. Ithil managed to get Strider to leave her be and to let her walk on her own power. As they crossed the river, close to Rivendell, she smiled.

'We're almost there. Home.' she sighed happily. Her eyes turned and she saw a taller elf coming toward the group. She smiled to herself. Strider pointed at each of the group.

"This is Samwise Gamgee, Merridoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and Lady Ithil."

Ithil came forward and curtsied to the taller elf. "Lord Elrond, it's a pleasure to be back home." She held back the laughter at the surprised look on Strider's face. "And it's good to see you again, Uncle."