The Road Goes Ever On And On

Disclaimer: I don't own LotR!

Chapter 15: Trapped!

Tithenwen and Aragorn slipped away before first light had fallen upon the White City. No one knew where they were headed, but their closest friends knew that they were leaving so they wouldn't panic. But when they were leaving was supposed to be a secret, so they quietly slipped out of the city on horseback. Once outside the city, they rode swiftly to the Wild.

But Saruman wasn't about to be outwitted so easily by the old Ranger and his daughter. He managed to enter Tithenwen's mind and was waiting for them along with his troops. As the two riders entered a clearing, several hours from Gondor, Saruman and his troops appeared and ambushed the two. ES Brego, Tithenwen's trusty horse, spooked at the sight of the orcs and threw Tithenwen to the ground after rearing. Aragorn quickly dismounted so he could stand next to her. Together they drew swords.

Saruman laughed at the pair and suddenly several bows appeared, held by some of the Wild Men who had surrounded them.

"Put your weapons away for they are of no use here!" called Saruman. "If you don't, they'll shoot the girl."

A nasty smile came across Saruman's face as well as twisted smiles on the faces of the Wild Men and orcs. Tithenwen looked at Aragorn and he nodded and they sheathed their swords. Once their swords were in their sheaths, Saruman walked over to them and stood a few feet in front of them. Grima Wormtongue followed his master and Tithenwen shot him a nasty look and then he sneered at her and she jumped at him, knocking him to the ground and she proceeded to beat his face in. But Saruman whacked her in the back of the head, which knocked her to the ground. Grima then yanked her off the ground by her hair and pressed a dagger into her throat.

"Your lovely daughter here," Saruman said, pointing to Tithenwen who was struggling with Grima, trying to reach her dagger or sword. "Led you right to us."

"Let her go!" yelled Aragorn, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"It's all her fault that you are even here, Elessar. She's a traitor. She wants you dead."

"Liar!" hissed Tithenwen. "You tricked me! I thought you were Nicholas, but you weren't! You killed him! You KILLED him! You bastard! You killed the only person I loved!"

"No, my dear, you killed him."

"Let me at him! I'll kill you for this! I will kill you!"

"What is it you want?" asked Aragorn, looking at his daughter, with a pained look on his face.

"Give up Gondor…" said Saruman. "Or else she dies!"

"Don't you dare touch her!" yelled Aragorn as Saruman stepped closer to Tithenwen.

"Too late!" he said as he nodded to Grima who plunged the dagger into her chest and released her.

"Ada!" she cried, crumbling to the ground face first.

Aragorn tried to go to her but two Wild Men restrained him. He was forced to watch silently as Grima kicked Tithenwen's unmoving body several times before speaking.

"The bitch is dead," he proclaimed, spitting on the ground beside Tithenwen. "And good riddance!"

Aragorn opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out as he was hit over the head and everything went black.

Arwen received a letter from Saruman the minute it was given to the guards. After reading it, Arwen raced into the Citadel with it and shoved it into Faramir's hand before running off, tears streaking her face. Confused, Faramir read the letter.

To Whom It May Concern:

Tithenwen, daughter of the King Elessar, has passed on. She died in a skirmish with my troops. She was warned but she got herself killed. Now the King Elessar is my prisoner and will die unless my demands are met. I want Gondor vacated of all family and friends who hold power. Gondor is to be handed over to me or the King will die, just like his daughter.

Saruman, Lord of Middle-earth

Tithenwen woke much later, feeling sharp pain in her chest. She looked down and pulled the dagger out. She took her shirt off to see the bodice made of mithril, which had been a parting gift from Arwen. Sure enough, the dagger had just missed cutting her and had become lodged in the mithril but the impact had still hurt her and the fall and her beating by Grima had knocked her out. She slipped her shirt back on and surveyed the scene around her.

Lots of the tracks surrounded her along with some blood. Bending down to see the blood, she realized that it was fresh and was most likely none other than Aragorn's.

"Stubborn human," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "One of these days you are going to get yourself killed."

Tithenwen stood up and called out, "Mellon nin! Mellon nin, ES Brego!"

A loud snort came from behind her, startling the girl as she turned around to face her horse. Hugging her horse, she scolding him, shaking her finger at him while telling him, "Don't you dare ever sneak up on me like that ever again!"

ES Brego snorted and tossed his head, while rolling his eyes. Tithenwen laughed and hugged her horse again. ES Brego stamped his hoof and motioned towards his back. Tithenwen quickly swung up into her saddle.

"Chill! You don't have to be so pushy, ya know?" Tithenwen said to the horse as ES Brego took off. Tithenwen leaned forward as ES Brego raced through the trees and around the bushes. Where they were headed, Tithenwen didn't know.

"Arwen you must leave Gondor," said Faramir, after sending a guard to get Arwen.

"Why must I leave when Aragorn could be dead this very moment and my daughter is already dead? Answer me!" yelled Arwen, distraught.

Faramir shuddered and then he gulped and trying to remain calm, said, "You must stay safe. I promised Aragorn…"

"What? That you'd stand by and let him get killed? That's no excuse!"

"I promised him that no matter what, I would keep you and Tess safe…"

"Well it is sure a little too late for that!"

"I know, and I'm sorry…"

"Don't bother! I don't want to hear it! Just find him and get him back, no matter what it takes!" cried Arwen as left, trying to wipe the steady stream of tears. Elves weren't supposed to show emotion.

"Damn it!" cursed Faramir as he slammed his fist into a stone pillar. "Owwww!" he cried as he felt the pain in his fist. "Mary!"

Mary came up to Faramir, rolling her eyes as Faramir's hand changed colors. "I could have told you that slamming your fist into something such as stone, was a bad idea…" she said with a smirk.

"Well it's a little late for that!"

Mary rolled her eyes once more and Faramir glared at her. She glared right back and stuck her tongue out at him. Faramir threw his hands up in defeat and Mary smiled.

"What should I do?" he asked.

"About your hand or Aragorn?"

"Both I guess…" he said with a sigh.

"Ice would be good for your hand and as for Aragorn, well, I guess nothing can be done…"

"What makes you think that?"

"It's a bad situation no matter what. Either he dies or we give up the city. Neither is a good option. I say we just let Saruman attack and destroy him once and for all!"

"And what should be done about Arwen?"

"Well she should have been put in a mental hospital along time ago, but I think sending her away would work for the time being."

"Send her where?"

"Rivendell."

Faramir nodded and then he moved his hand remembered that he'd hurt it. Mary snickered and then left to get some ice.

ES Brego took Tithenwen back to Gondor. Despite being shocked at first, Tithenwen agreed with her horse's decision to bring her there. She had to tell everyone what had happened before she could go after Aragorn. But when she reached the outer gates, a guard stopped her.

"You can not enter the city," said the guard.

"Says who?" asked Tithenwen placed her right hand on the hilt of Anduril.

"Says the Steward."

"Well, I say you'd better let me in."

"Why?"

"Because I know King Elessar, Queen Arwen, the Steward Faramir and his wife Mary along with many others."

"And how's that?"

"Cause, I fought in the War of the Ring at their sides. Now let me in!"

"Sorry, but I can't."

"Well then, I guess I'll just have to remove your head for you," said Tithenwen sweetly, drawing Anduril.

The guard gulped and backed away, into the wall. "That's not necessary," he said, shaking and smiling at the same time.

"You think?"

"Yes, I do."

Tithenwen sheathed Anduril and the guard allowed her through the gates. "Idiots," she whispered under her breath as she rode into the city.

Around and around the levels she went until she reached the very top and was stopped by a group of guards in front of the Citadel. "Not again," she hissed as she felt faint and passed out in front of them, collapsing on ES Brego's back and then falling onto the ground.

Two guards picked her up and carried her to the Houses of Healing while the others tried in vain to catch ES Brego. Brego lashed out at the guards with his hooves and his teeth and danced out of their reach. Needless to say he caused a racket that was so annoying that Faramir came to the Citadel's doors, opening them to see what the hell was going on. And as soon as the doors were open, ES Brego raced inside the Citadel, scaring Faramir half to death.

ES Brego came to a dead halt in the center and reared up, catching Arwen's eye. Arwen looked at the bay gelding and soon recognized it. She rushed over to him, but Brego wouldn't allow her to come any closer than the others had.

"Get Becca!" Arwen yelled at a nearby guard who nodded and headed down to the stables where Becca would most likely be.

A few minutes later, Becca rode up on Beauty outside the Citadel and saw the crazed horse inside. Hopping off Beauty, Becca quickly ran into the Citadel and reached her hand out toward the upset horse. Brego sniffed at her and then stepped out of her reach with practiced ease.

Becca cursed at the horse, who pinned his ears back and snorted at her. Beauty neighed from outside, which caused Brego to look towards the doors. While Brego was distracted, Becca quickly grabbed Brego's reins and Brego's attention returned to her and he snapped at her, scaring her and causing her to drop the reins and fall backwards into an empty beer keg left over from Merry, Pippin, and Emily's rule over Gondor.

Brego tossed his head and made noises that sounded like laughter.

"That was so not funny mister!" yelled Becca from the keg.

Brego snorted and trotted out of the Citadel and headed for the Houses of Healing. Beauty followed him, leaving Becca behind. Arwen helped Becca out of the keg and a very serious look was plastered on the young girl's face.

"I swear, I will kill that horse when I catch him!" hissed Becca.

"Why would you do that? He's only having a bit of fun! Right?" said Arwen, a worried tone in her voice.

"That damn horse will be the death of me…"

"What?"

"Brego's always been that way, always been the same as her. The two could read each other's minds and would do anything to help the other. Of course he was always super sensitive when it came to her. If anything happened to her, he'd freak out like this…"

Comprehension dawned on Arwen's face and she took off running after the two horses. Becca stood there, confused for a moment before following Arwen. Neither stopped running until they reached the Houses of Healing. And inside, all hell was breaking loose. Brego had broken down the door and was standing protectively beside Tithenwen.

"God damn it all to Mordor and back again!" cursed Becca as they entered the Houses of Healing.

Author's Notes:

I'm back! And here's a very long chapter! Another chapter should be up within a couple of days, possibly tomorrow, Tuesday, March 1st!

Reviewers!

(Chapter 11)

Laer4572 – How could it be a story without seeing the Hobbits and Dolly?

(Chapter 12)

Laer4572 – Glad you are enjoying seeing the old gang! And how could you forget the frilly pink apron? You just can't!

(Chapter 13)

Boromir's Curse – Frodo's always been a little queer and Gandalf's always been gay. Yay, I figured that you wouldn't wear the pink and would protest to wear black! I'm sorry to hear that your Charlie sweater!

Laer4572 – Aragorn is a twit! I'm almost afraid to think about what that group is up to!

Dark Lady Arantraneth – Yep, Frodo's gay in this story!

(Chapter 14)

Boromir's Curse – Bad feelings seem to happen at lot at this stage of the story, don't they? Don't worry, I'll leave Grima for you to deal with. I'm glad that you think I'm a good suspense writer because I enjoy writing suspense. As for your feeling, I'm not going to say anything at all.

Mr. Random – Glad you liked the chapter! Into The West is frequently stuck in my head because I'm learning to play it on guitar because I got bored one day.

Laer4572 – Hopefully, Tithenwen can handle the trouble! But not without help!