Disclaimer: See chapter one.
Silence resounded across the bitter plains as the broken company moved onwards away from the destruction of Isenguard. Aragorn halted the company when they came in view of a small child size figure sobbing brokenly into a green cloak with the Lorien breech upon it.
" Sam?" Aragorn questioned quietly as he knelt down next to the hobbit's shuddering form.
Bloodshot and puffy eyes greeted Aragorn, and the lost and empty look shook the Ranger to his core. Tear streaks flowed across his dirty and pale face marring his complexion, and now this once easy going hobbit looked nothing like the Hobbit he once was at the start of the journey. " He..... He's gone..." Sam choked in a broken sob.
Merry and Pippin stared at each other for a moment before they both rushed towards Sam and crushed him in a tight embrace. " No...." Pippin choked.
Gimli stared on the scene in silence as tears misted his eyes. Stubbornly the dwarf swiped away the tears and buried his grief inside his heart.
Aragorn stared at his father and Gandalf. " First Legolas... and now Frodo... has this quest really failed Gandalf?" He asked quietly.
Gandalf though didn't seem to hear him though as he turned to the pathetic form of Sam. " And what of the ring Samwise?"
" The elf took it.... and told me to turn back.... Mister Frodo.. he..." Sam choked.
" Can't you see he's grief stricken! Leave him alone!" Aragorn growled in a fresh wave of furry.
" Estel..." Elrond started.
Aragorn narrowed his eyes. " I know that you hide something from me Lord Elrond about Legolas, and I don't intend to let him finish this quest on his own. My sword is sworn to the ring bearer and so it shall remain!" Aragorn growled as he stormed off into the night.
" Well that went well." Gimli commented dryly.
Elrond stared after the retreating form of his foster son's back and closed his eyes. His law mother's words came back to haunt him. ' you cannot prevent the inevitable from happening....'
TBC....
Reviewers:
Pixisticks: Meh? interesting.....
Sporkgirl: I can't reveal yet who it is, but it will be revealed in due time.
skyfire11: Who knows yet who this mysterious being is.... we'll just have to wait and see Evil grin