Disclaimer: i do not own lotr but I ma having plenty of fun taking the fellowship for a walk.

Distraught Mage

Amanda

I felt horrible Frodo's life hung in the balance along with our journey. I hadn't moved from the spot where Frodo had lain gasping for life. Strider decided we would sleep among the trolls that night but I doubted that I would be able to sleep at all. No one talked nor laughed they jus tall went to sleep and I stayed watch that night since I couldn't sleep at all. They found me in the exact same spot as they left me last night. I wouldn't eat breakfast, everyone else did so in silence. Pippin actually came over and sat in front of me trying to get me to eat off of his plate. I just kept refusing with a shake of my head. We started off right after breakfast and we did not stop until night fell. I had remained quiet the whole day not talking to anyone. Pippin stuck close by my side during the brisk walk Strider had set. Every so often Pippin would reach for my limp hand, I'd squeeze his hand back in reassurance and offer him a smile to let him know that I was still there, my mind hadn't ventured off just yet. He would smile back and we would walk that way for awhile. Then Pippin would scamper off to talk with Merry who walked with Sam and Laurelin. Sam and Laurelin had become constant companions since last night, I couldn't think of becoming close to anyone right this moment. I was only interested in getting to Rivendell and seeing Frodo again alive and safe. Arwen would die before letting anything happen to him. When night fell we stopped in the confines of a small dense wood. A small fire was made as Strider set about the task of finding fresh game for the evening meal.

"Miss Mage," said a small uncertain voice. It was Sam Gamgee. "Begging your pardon Miss but I wanted to see if you were okay? Being that you and Mr. Frodo got close well I hope that you understand that pulling away from us, not eating, nor sleeping is not going to make Mr. Frodo better if you take my meaning Ma'am."

"I take your meaning Sam and I appreciate the your concern for both me and your Mr. Frodo," I said speaking for the first time that day. Sam smiled brightly at my comment and settled down near me. Laurelin then came and sat on the opposite side of Sam. Pippin and Merry had already set up theri bedrolls and were sitting in them whispering to each other. Normally I would have wondered what mischief they were planning but I was too tired to care at this point wishing for sleep and knowing that it wouldn't come easily. Bitter silence ensued and stayed even when Strider came back with his fresh kill which tonight happened to be a handful of rabbits. He cleaned them with the usual preciseness of a ranger. Before long they were neatly tucked on a stick roasting over the fire. It wouldn't be much split between all of us but some food was better than no food at all. By now Pippin and Merry had joined us at the fire and were enjoying a pipe before supper. I suppose if they couldn't have a much food as they'd like, they might as well smoke to their hearts content. I wouldn't complain I was too sick at my own heart to even think of voicing any such complaint. My rather dreary mood was cut short when Strider shoved a plate of food before my face.

"Eat it!" growled Strider standing in front of me a brotherly look adorning his features. I looked to the side to see Laurelin glaring at me from beside Sam. The Hobbits were also looking at me expectantly from all sides. Reluctantly I took the plate and began eating it though I hardly tasted it past what was on my mind. I finished quickly just to make them happy.

"Did you eat all of it?" asked Laurelin in a motherly fashion. I nodded forcing back a yawn. "Good!" she commented. Over the next few minutes I sat there pondering but by the minute I was getting more and more sleepy. My eyelids literally felt like stones weighing down. I was about to plunge backwards when I was caught by strong arms. I pried my eyes open and looked up into the face of Strider and said,

"Aw Shaggy I'm so sorry but I'm so sleepy!"

"I know you are and you'll sleep well tonight," he answered and understanding dawned through my fuzzy brain.

"What did you do?" I asked.

"I put some sleeping herbs in your food," said Strider simply.

"Shaggy you're a bastard," I said very slowly so that each word was pronounced clearly.

"Bastard I may be btu sleep you will get, Laurelin is just laying down your bedroll," he answered.

"I should be contrary and not fall asleep," I responded.

"I don't think you could stay awake if you tried!" he retorted.

"Wanna bet," I said groggily as the herbs began to hit me harder than before, I sounded as if I had drank entirely too much ale.

"You'd lose," he answered. All of a sudden I was laid down into my bedroll and my blankets were pulled over me. Within seconds my eyes snapped shut and I fell fast asleep.

Aragorn

"She asleep?" asked Laurelin when I came back.

"Yes but she fought it as well as she was able the Herbs won out in the end," I told her.

"She needs to sleep more than she has been lately," commented Laurelin.

"She's only worried for poor Frodo, she cares for him," he answered. "Though she might wish she didn't before the end of it."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"The ringbearer is destined to die, if Frodo continues as the ringbearer it is almost certain that he will not come back," I explained. Laurelin glanced over at Amanda's sleeping form.

"Don't tell her of that," said Laurelin suddenly. "We knew always that it would bring misfortune upon the bearer and death if they were human but for Frodo to die I don't think Amanda should know until it actually happens."

"It's like a lamb to the slaughter isn't it Laurelin?"

"Aye only less cruel on the victims more cruel on the ones who love them," responded Laurelin sadly knowing it was her would suffer most of all of them.

"She's a strong girl, she'll make it through. After all she made it through her father didn't she?" I asked.

"Yes but she didn't lover her father at all if she had it would have nearly killed her. All of the things he put her through," she stated.

"That's true but she still has that inner strength from the ordeal," I replied trying to giver her some hope.