Chapter 4: More explanations and The Old Forest
Disclaimer: I own none of the Lord of the Rings characters in this story, they belong to the genius that is J.R.R. Tolkien
The creature was soaring above them. Frodo could almost feel it smelling for him, well, smelling for her. He realized this time was going to be different, He was so used to the same routine of being protected, but this time he was protecting her ! It eventually flew away, without landing. Frodo looked over at the poor huddling form that was Mystic. He helped her get to her feet. She looked how Frodo felt, though she wasn't as good at hiding it.
" What was that, that thing ?" She asked him, shaking.
" That was a Nazgul, the foul beast of Mordor, There looking for you-that necklace." He said. He felt guilty looking at her, she was so terrified from this, then how will she make it to Mordor? She sat down on the ground and Frodo followed suit.
" Tell me Frodo, What was it like the first time?' She asked him. Frodo blinked, seeing in the back of his mind pain, anguish, sorrow.
" Oh, uh, it was pretty bad, but don't you worry! I'm here and I know all the tricks with these beasts." He once again helped her back to her feet. They gathered up there lunch things and set off again. It was almost nightfall when they reached the Brandywine. The water was dark, but calm and the water looked like glass reflecting the bright full moon. They stopped at the beginning the Old Forest and made camp against a giant oak tree. It was very late, but Mystic wanted to hear about all the adventures that Frodo had ever been on, and that was quite a lot!
" Tell me, is there anything that is exciting in this old forest?" Mystic asked him, looking up at the high limbs of the tree they where camped by.
" Oh my! I know for a fact that there are many adventure that remained unknown in this Old Forest," Frodo answered looking into Mystic's eyes, the fire glistened vividly in there reflection,
" Many of them good though, like old Tom, maybe he will come out?" He laughed at Mystic's worried expression.
" Oh don't worry about him, he's quite nice, well if we want to get an early start, we best be getting a good night sleep."
" Yes, I'm am a bit tired my self." She pulled her blanket over her legs. " Good night Frodo."
" Good night Mystic." They slept soundly, so soundly that hey didn't even here the forest's creature talking in hush tones about the famous ringbearer and the mysterious girl that was with him. The next morning, Frodo was greeted by Mystic, who had made him breakfast. They set out again, Frodo carefully led her away from the road and into the forest.
" You know Frodo, it would probably be better if we went on the road, don't you think?" Mystic asked him as Frodo led the way, deeper into the forest.
" That's another thing that I'll have to teach you Mystic, the common sense way is always the wrong way, My cousin Pippin once told me, the closer we are to danger the farther we are from harm. Makes no sense but its very true." he said to her. She looked confused and was about ready to reply, but she was cut short. From the depths of the forest, Frodo could here it, he knew that sound.
Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!
Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow!
Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!
Frodo and Mystic looked up at a clearing and out popped a familiar face, to Frodo. Mystic hid behind Frodo. There he was, skipping down the path. Tom Bombadil, same old battered hat, same long brown beard, same skin of a tomatoes, he looked a little more skinny, so his hobbit-like features shown more brightly. He stopped and looked up at them and a big smile spread across his face.
" I wondered when I might be seeing you again Mr. Baggins!" He said. Frodo smiled at him.
" Will you be coming down to my house for a bit of lunch?" he asked Frodo. Frodo nudged Mystic to move. Tom's eyes widened as he saw her, but it wasn't the megalomaniac ( Power hungry) look, it was a surprised look.
" Frodo! Is this your new wife?" Tom asked. They both turned bright red.
" uh... No Tom, she's well, I'm taking her to Rivendell, because of her necklace, Have you heard anything about this matter?' Frodo asked him. Tom nodded his head, knowingly.
" Yes I know all about it my young hobbit, now both of you must come for lunch, I insist, Goldberry would love to meet you, sorry I didn't catch your name." He said. Mystic looked up at him
" My names Mystic sir." She said, very timidly.
" Well come on down then, Mystic." He said, and he waved them toward a cleared out path. Down many bends and hills they reached it, a cottage that was small, but magical. Tom led them inside to a small warm kitchen where a lady with long yellow hair was washing dishes. She looked up and leaped in surprise.
" Frodo Baggins!" She ran over and gave him a hug. She put a kind eye on Mystic
" And who is this lovely young lady?" She asked.
" My name is Mystic Erebor." She replied. Goldberry smiled at them.
" Yes, I've been thinking of you Frodo, why just yesterday I saw old Gandalf the White on the way to my errands, he told me the awful story, but, He told me to tell you to meet him at the Prancing Pony and NOT to go to Weathertop, for the Nazgul are waiting." Frodo nodded his head but had to laugh silently, why would he go back to Weathertop? She had made boiled mushrooms and salmon, with cheese and buttered bread for lunch, so they sat down and ate. Tom had become very talkative since there last meeting, but he hadn't seemed to age a bit. His talking helped Mystic a great deal, for he explained all the treacheries and how to overcome them.
" Oh Frodo, be careful of the Barrow-downs, Do not walk on the road, but to the left side of the forest." He said. Frodo knew some of his advice could be lifesaving. The mushroom that where served where heavenly, so good they made Mystic and Frodo feel magically energized, though they doubted that was a myth. When they finished, they knew they had to leave.
" Thank you so much.' Mystic said as they stood up. Goldberry followed suit and made them a basket, for the next days meals. They bid Tom good bye and set off again. It was about four, to the sun had started to sag, and eventually it set, leaving the sky with shades of bright orange, light blue, pink and red. Mystic and Frodo had to travel very carefully so even though it was only seven o'clock, they had to take advantage of a high abandoned tree blat, no doubly made by the elves. hey where still quite full from there lunch and let the cool breeze and the fluttering of the trees drift them into a deep sleep.
Frodo had a very odd dream. Sauron was sitting on top of a bird cage and talking like a bird. Frodo found this quite funny, until the cheerful clucks of the Sauron bird was changed to a dark and chilling language, the black speech. Frodo had never known any black speech, he wasn't much of a scholar, but he knew ever word.
" Frodo Baggins, I know you, know who you are, I know what's amongst you. You have no companies to save you this time, have fun, I'll be waiting." He started to laugh and Frodo awoke with a start. He looked over at Mystic's empty blanket and let out a silent scream.
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