A/N: Okay, okay! (cowers for fear of punches from Celtic Cross) I'm updating, I'm updating!


Chapter 10: Flight to the Ford

Strider stopped the hobbits under three Troll statues who were caught by Gandalf trying to cook thirteen dwarves and one hobbit. It was a prominent piece of Bilbo's history, but at the moment Frodo could care less. He sat with Valia in his lap, her head resting on his arm.

"Frodo," she breathed, slowly opening her eyes. "I'm sorry, Frodo." Then she closed her eyes again.

"No, Valia!" He touched her cheek. "She's going cold!" He pulled her cloak tighter around her.

The hobbits looked to Strider who was watching Valia with a grim expression.

"Is she going to die?" Pippin asked.

"She is passing into the Shadow World," Strider explained. He sighed. "She will soon become a Wraith like them."

Frodo tightened his hold on her when a Nazgûl cry was heard.

Merry whirled around. "They're close."

"I'm going to look for something to help slow the poison," Strider said. He handed Sam a torch. "Stay together."

Valia opened her eyes when she heard a horse's steps. A white horse trotted gently into camp with an elf astride its back. Her hair was black, and her eyes were a piercing blue. She was Arwen Undomiel, the only daughter of Elrond Half-elven and Celebrian, daughter of Galadriel. She dismounted and knelt by Valia.

"Fear not," Arwen told Frodo gently then turned her attention to the girl. "Valia," she whispered. "Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan na ngalad." /I am Arwen. I've come to help you. Hear my voice. Come back to the light./

"Who is she?" Merry whispred.

Valia closed her eyes, and Arwen touched her arm. "Valia."

"She's an elf!" Sam murmured.

"She's fading. She's not going to last." Arwen took Valia from Frodo and stood. "We must get her to my father."

Frodo stood as well, his eyes fearfully watching Arwen take Valia from him. "Where are you taking her?"

"I've been looking for you for two days," Arwen said to Aragorn. "There are five Wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know."

"Dartho guin. Berian. Rych le ad tolthathon," Aragorn said. /Stay with the hobbits. I will send horses for you./

"Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im," Arwen replied. /I'm the faster rider. I'll take her./

"Andeler I ven." /The road is too dangerous./

"What are they saying?" Pippin asked.

"Valia fîr. Ae athradon I hir, tur gwaith nîn beriatha hon." /Valia is dying. If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect her./ Arwen set Valia upon the horse. "I do not fear them."

Aragorn sighed and gripped her hand. "Be iest lîn." /According to your wish./ Arwen mounted behind Valia. "Arwen, ride hard. Don't look back."

Arwen took the reigns. "Noro lim, Asfaloth. Noro lim!" /Ride fast, Asfaloth. Ride fast/ Arwen rode away.

"Valia!" Frodo shouted.

The Riders chased after the white horse. The Witch King reached for Valia.

"Noro lim, Asfaloth!" Arwen cried, and the horse leapt forward.

In minutes she had reached the river and crossed it. The Riders stopped on the other side.

"Give up Sauron's child, she-elf!" one Rider cried.

Arwen drew her sword. "If you want her, come and claim her!"

The Riders drew their own swords then began to cross. Valia opened her eyes and gripped her chest. Her heart labored, and she couldn't speak.

"Nîn o Chilhaeglir, lasto beth daer: Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulae!" Arwen chanted. /Waters of the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word: flow waters of Loudwater against the Ringwraiths./

The water rose and swept the Riders away.

Valia closed her eyes, her will to live diminishing. Frodo…