COPYRIGHTED STUFF:

Naeniver Bunce

Sahkar Kloubniki

Beone Andomedriel

Flynn

Thírowin Níworith

Celia

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Book: The Fellowship's Journey

Chapter: 3

Chapter name: Down the River and Beyond

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In the morning, the fellowship gathered their belongings and stood, waiting for the elven boats that Galadriel had given them for their journey down the Anduin River. The boats were packed with supplies that will last for days. Food, clothing, and other things were put in it. Then, Galadriel came to them. "Here, our paths must part. I have prepared gifts for you all." She turned to Sahkar. "I give you rope. Elven rope made only here in Lothlorien. Although it is small and light weight, it is the strongest of all rope. It cuts the enemy, makes them suffer. Yet will hold the weight of you all and much more."

Sahkar took the rope in her hands. "Thank-you."

"And for you, Radagast, Murovir, the wizards drink. May it help you in needy times. And you, Ceria, a mithriel coat, given to me by the dwarven kings, when they still cared for the elves. For you, Boene, I give to you an elven shield. It is stronger than any you will find in all of Middle Earth. May it keep you safe in battle." She turned to Flynn. "Flynn, to you, a sword. Made by my father, Finarfin, many ages ago. And you, Naeniver, a dagger, made this last evening to fit you hand. It may be light, but no shield will block it. Frodo. I give you the light of Galadriel, our most precious stone. May it be a light to you, when all other lights go out." She leaned down to him. "Even the smallest person, can change the paths of the future." She stood and looked at the Fellowship. "And for you all. Elven cloaks. They will hide you where ever you lay." The Fellowship thanked her and said good-bye, then stepped into the boats. As they paddled away, they heard The Lady's voice. "Farewell. May you finish your task."

Along with the fellowship, Galadriel sent along Thírowin Níworith, a Dúnedain friend of a long time.

Later, when they landed for the night, Frodo struck up a conversation. "The Lady was very hospitable. After our quest is over, I am personally going to return to her lands and thank her. Where shall we go next? Over Emyn Muil, or continue down this river and stop at Minas Tirith before we goto Mordor?"

"I say over Emyn Muil. Going to Minas Tirith will just take up time. Time we don't have." Naeniver turned to Frodo and said. "And I agree with you, The Lady was hospitable. Her gift to me, the dagger will be very useful. It is beautiful. Strong, too. She told me that it glows when we near orcs or other fowl creatures. Like the sword that Bilbo gave you, Frodo."

Beone, was silent for a moment... then said, "I agree with Flynn, and Naeniver, it would be the safest to go through Emyn Muil, than to risk the openness of Minis Tirith. I have heard many stories of the White Lady. Some good, and some of evil...but I would say that She is very kind and good, for the shield, hospitality, and everything else that she most willingly provided for our quest." She then brushed her hand across her shield and said, "This is by farthest the best shield I have ever seen. Far better than even what my people could ever make!"

"I say we go to Emyn Muil." Sakhar added. Picking up her rope that Galadriel gave her she said, "This will help us through the mountains!"

"I, however, should say that we should go around the Emyn Muil," spoke Flynn. "I do not like the idea of risking being seen by the Enemy on a mountain without anywhere to hide. Heading towards Minas Tirith would be a safer route and we can stock up on supplies if we should run low. For our journey shouldn't be in haste, but in secrecy." Looking at his new sword, Flynn said excitedly, "This new sword is very sturdy. It gives a burning in my arm to slay some orcs, or even a troll if one should challenge me!" Flynn, laughed at his last comment as he put the sword back into its sheath.

"Well, the vote is decided. Emyn Muil it is." Frodo said. "Personally, I agree with Flynn. The extra supplies WOULD be helpful. Then again, Naeniver, Sahkar and Beone also have a good point. Emyn Muil is probably the safest, seeing how going to Minas Tirith would make us go past Osgilieth, and that is terribly close to Mordor and in plain sight. Therefore, putting us all in great danger."

"Yes, you are right, Frodo" Naeniver said.

The next morning, after a quick luncheon of Lambas bread, given to them by Galadriel, they set across the river Anduin, to the north of Gondor, and began the day with bright spirits. However, as the day progressed, they found themselves going in circles. The sun had gone behind the clouds earlier and it had started to rain. Now they were cold, and their spirits were no longer high.

"I'm tired." Complained Naeniver.

"I'm hungry" Flynn said.

"I'm wet." Sighed Beone.

"Well, I suppose I'm cold." Sahkar put in.

"We all are." Frodo said. "Look, let rest over there." He pointed to an overhang in the cliff ahead. "It is late anyhow."

All this time, Thírowin was silent. She was not the type to speak, at least, not until she had learned to know her companions better.

As they rested, Sahkar began to get the feeling of someone watching her. "I hate to make the day worse, but I feel as if we are being watched."

"We are." Frodo said. "In Lothlorien, The Lady warned me that the creature GOLLUM," he spat at the thought of that. "has been following us sense Rivendell. She warned Flynn, Radagast and I of Gollum, us being the only males in the fellowship. She thought we should just keep a eye out for the creature." He shuddered.

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That night, Naeniver stayed up for the first watch, but sleep overcame her.

"It came to me, my love, my, presssoussss. Hahaha. They stole it from us. Now we pounssse out dair eyessessss. Make dem crawle on all, foursssses. Mwahhahasss."

"LOOK OUT!" Cried Frodo. "It's him!" Gollum jumped on to Frodo and started searching for the Ring. Thírowin jumped up and pulled out a sword and began to go for Gollum.

'Frodo!' Flynn immediately thought as he sprang to his feet and unsheathed his sword. As he saw the two tossing and struggling, he tossed his sword aside and tried to grab and restrain Gollum with all of his strength.

Sakhar quickly pulled out her elvish whip and yelled at Frodo to hide. She tried to help Flynn hold down Gollum but hit her head during the struggle.

When Naeniver saw what had happened, she felt guilty. But guilty or not, she was going to help Flynn. She pulled out her dagger and rushed at Gollum. "NO! MY PRESSOUSSES." She slashed at him but missed. Then she picked up a large stone and threw it at him. It hit his head and he was momentarily stunned.

"AAHHHH!"

"Get him down! Hold him?" Flynn commanded.

"NOOO! YOU CAN'T HAVE DE PRESSSOUSSESSSS!" Gollum cried.

"Sakhar, your rope! Quick!"Naeniver said as she struggled to hold Gollum.

Sakhar threw the elven rope around Gollum and tied him by the hands. "There." She panted.

"NOooo. MWAAAAAHH! Let us GO!"

"NEVER! You wretch!" Frodo said.

"We can't keep him. He'll wake every orc from Isengard to Mordor. We should tie him up and leave him." Flynn said.

"No." Frodo said quietly. "Look around. Does not this place seem vaguely familiar? The cliff, the rock formation?"

"He is right!" Naeniver said as horror spread across her face.

"You mean," Sakhar said "We're going in CIRCLES?"

"Yes. Last morn, I thought that overhang we crossed looked familiar." Ceria said.

"I say we kill the wretch where he stands!" Thírowin said.

"What shall we do then?" Radagast asked.

"Oh! TO MORDOR YOUSSA WANTSSSS! YES! I KNOW THE WAYSSSS! I'VE BEEN THAERESSS! I WILL TAKE YOUSSSAES THAERSS IF YOU, RELEASSSESSSS USSSESSSS. MY PRESSSOUSSESS.GOLLUM, GOLLUM." Gollum choked out.

"What! You will leave us, then come back another time to try and take the Ring. NEVER!" Sakhar retorted.

"Wait!" Frodo said. "He DOES know the way. He can lead us out of here."

"YESSSS! WE SSSSWEARESSESSS ON DE PRESSSOUSSESS. YES! ON DE PRESSOUSSESS!"

"Quiet! You whelp!" Flynn said.

"I agree with Frodo." Naeniver said.

"Well, I suppose your right." Flynn said.

"It is a good idea, I suppose. But if he tries to escape, on goes the rope." Sakhar said.

"Then it's decided. He will go with us." Ceria said.

Later, Gollum lead them out of Emyn Muil.

"EEEKK!" Naeniver started to fall into some mud. Sakhar grabbed her back.

"IT'S A BOG!" Frodo cried.

"He's lead us into a bog to drown us. LET ME AT HIM!" Sakhar cried, and rushed at Gollum.

"NO! WAIT!" Frodo said. "We would have walked into this bog anyhow, if we ever got out of Emyn Muil."

"Don't fooollow the ligghtes," Gollum gargled to the fellowship. Sakhar was a bit confused over what he was saying, but walked on anyway. She looked over into the water, seeing dead faces that appeared cold and lifeless. "Who are they?" she asked, waiting for a reply.

"Dead peoplessss. Fromssss great battle." Gollum gargled.

Naeniver looked at the faces and studied them closely The pale expressionless looks on their faces gave her the creeps. "Lets hurry." She gulped.

"Is anyone wondering if we should take another path?" Flynn asked.

"It is a hard path, this bog is. But i think it will be the safest." Naeniver replied.

Upon walking through the bog, keeping a close eye on Gollum, Flynn noticed small flames around them. "What is this place?" Flynn asked after seeing a body in the water.

"It'sss where the greeat battle wasss," hissed Gollum. "Don't look into the flamesss, or you will fall in and light little candlesss of your ooown."

Horrified by the pale, expressionless faces in the water, Flynn tried to block his line of sight and focused just on where he was walking. Concerned for the safety of the rest of the group, he decided to follow behind in case anyone were to start wandering away or fall into the filthy muck. "Is anyone else thinking we should've taken a different path?" asked Flynn, wondering if they would ever make it out alive.

"Nay, another path would prove fatal to all. We must brave the bog." Radagast gave his wisdom.

And so they walked on, Gollum leading them through the bog.

Later that evening, somewhere around the middle of the bog, the fellowship were sitting for the night. Sakhar was elected to stay up for half the night as a watch guard. As the fellowship sat, a piercing cry came through the air.

"NAZGUL!" Flynn shouted.

"Oohhh." Frodo moaned as he held the Ring in his left hand.

"No Mister Frodo." Naeniver grabbed his hand. "It's all right."

The fellowship sat like sitting ducks as a Nazgul landed the monstrous beast it rode. The Nazgul unmounted. The evil beast cried a piercing cry. The Nazgul drew his evil Morgul blade with one hand and drew his regular sword with the other hand. The Nazgul stepped toward the fellowship.