A/N: another chappy, read and review. I own no lotr stuff.
Chapter 13: The Death Marshes
It was around the beginning of January when the Anduin started to thin out and the sight of he death marshes lay before them. The murky gray swamp and the glowing torches brought back painful memories for Frodo. They knew that they had to get through these, so they had to help each other not to fall into the death under the water. They waited until the morning, so that they'd be lived with the sun for a safe crossing : though the sunlight had started to fade. The morning of, Frodo regretfully awoke Mystic.
" Mystic," He nudged her gently " Mystic, we've got to wake up." He said. She moved a little.
" All right." he said, her voice had slowly started to get softer as there journey progressed. Frodo smiled at her.
" I'm sorry I had to wake you.' He said. She smiled back.
" Its alright." She said with a yawn. There stock of Lembas bread was at an okay average, but they rationed every crumb. After they all had woken fully, they started their walk. Frodo knew that Gollum had been a menace, but he sure was help across the Death Marshes. By 11 o'clock, they had both fallen in once. Frodo was terrified that he wouldn't see her fall in, so he was shaking with fear all the time. They reached the half way mark, which was a 9 foot patch of earth. They ate very quickly and treacked on again. The farther they went, the darker the sky got. Not with the night approaching dark, but a creepy dark, the kind that makes you feel there's something in the air. It was pitch black when they finished the last half mile. Frodo's theory was, hold Mystic as close to you as possible, that way he could feel her fall, and if they both fall in, at least they'd go together.
Luckily, they crossed safely, though they were both soaken wet and shaking. The prospects of what lay before where so lived in Frodo's mind, he wanted to scream. the Drimell stair, Shelob's lair, Cirath Ungle... The blankets where still wet, but they got the driest and draped it over 2 tree stumps, so they both sat under it, and here breathe made the little tent warmer. They both slept, though their nightmares where shared equally. Late at night, when both of them where awake, Mystic began to cry
" I wish I hadn't gone on this Frodo, I wish that none of us had to go." She sobbed into Frodo's shoulder, making it more wet, if possible. She cried for a good 2 hours, frodo tried to comfort her, but how could he when he felt the same way. She eventually fell asleep on his shoulder and after a while, Frodo followed suit. she might not have gotten her wishes, but they both slept like babies for the rest of the night. Frodo was the first to wake up in the morning, frodo was still drooling on his shoulder. He laid her down on the blanket and went outside the little tent to see what they would face. When he stepped out, a familiar sight came to view, scaring the daylights out of Frodo. The dark gray sky on the horizon was now splashing with a red fire. Mordor was close and Sauron's eye was a lit again! He ran back into the tent, to scared to look again. Now Frodo was a brave hobbit, but it brought him pain just to think of it. He let Mystic sleep for a while, but when she awoke, there was a difference about her. She was giddy, but not her normal giddy. Sauron could feel her, and she could feel Sauron. Sauron had almost completely taken her over. Frodo didn't know how exactly he knew this, but it was true, and it had happened just the other night. On the top of Minas Mourgal, 20 orcs had Gandalf and Sauroman captive. Standing so close to the eye was killing them both.
" Do as we say, and you'll live to see tomorrow." Said one of the orcs with a chortled laugh. Gandalf's face contoured with anger.
" NEVER!" He said. Sauroman had already agreed. With a wave of his staff, the eye started to shrink. Gandalf's eyes lit up, was Sauroman really resisting all the temptations that he had so easily given into before? The eye was completely gone, but Gandalf could still feel its presence. The brief moment of deathly silence was broken at last. From the shadows arose a dark figure, small at first, but cowered in height after a moment. It started to laugh.
" Oh my, it is good to be back." The voice said with a bone-clenching chuckle. The figure stepped forward. There, standing before them was Sauron, tall and dark, The masked face smiled at Gandalf.
" Oh my dear friend, the white wizard Gandalf. You have made a terrible mistake." He said with another chuckle. He walked closer to Gandalf. Gandalf could feel himself getting weaker with every step that Sauron took. He pushed out his hand and Gandalf flew backwards, only his feet where holding him up. Sauron knelt down.
" Evil always wins." He pushed his hand out farther and Gandalf fell. He was never seen in form again.
Frodo's mind was racing and cold sweat covered his forehead. He turned to Mystic.
" We must go... though we have to be on our guard." he said. She nodded.
" I'm scared of the future Frodo." Frodo nodded. He was too.
a/n: Thanks for reading! Review and read on!