Disclaimers: I do not own The Simarillion and The Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings and other Middle-earth works belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers, Turbine and Standing Stones Games. All other canon material belongs to their respected owners. All original material—original characters, original locations, etc.—belongs to me, the authoress of this fanfiction story.
Inspiration Theme Music for Fanfic: Disney's film, "Prince of Persia" song, "I Remain".
Inspiration for Chapter 7: The movie, "The Purple Rose of Cairo".
Warning! This chapter is Rated M for sensual content and intense images.
*.*.*
The citadel of Minas Tirith was garnished in black marble floors and white stone walls. Statues of the Kings of Gondor lined the hallway on either side. The windows were narrow and rectangular, giving the impression, with its high ceiling, this was a sacred place, where the King of Gondor kept watch.
A golden crown hung yards above the three thrones, present in the room. The centermost throne was where the king sat, while the throne to the left was for the Steward of Gondor. The throne to the right was where the queen sat. All three thrones represented royalty and they certainly kept it that way. Aragorn was to start preparing for his coronation, if anything else he was.
As Aragorn, dressed in royal clothes, observed Faramir's pleas for peace and hope, it was then that Frodo burst into the throne room, with Sam on his trail.
"Mr. Frodo, you need to rest!" Sam inquired.
Frodo collapsed on the floor, inches away from Aragorn. The poor hobbit stood up, thinking better of himself. But Frodo didn't care. He simply addressed Aragorn and Faramir, as Sam tried to pull him back:
"Sam, I've got this!" Frodo cried, forcing Sam to stop his pratting. Sam released Frodo, a hotly expression on his face. Frodo turned to Aragorn and Faramir, just as Gandalf entered the throne room, saying to the group, "I know where we are! We're in the Second and Third Timelines! We're not even fully home, back in our original timelines!"
Aragorn stared at Frodo, quizzical and hotly, "And you know this how?"
"I know because of this!" Frodo brandished the One Ring out from his shirt. It was still on a silver chain, wrapped around his neck. Frodo admitted, "It was Smeagol who destroyed the Ring. Somehow, the Ring is still here. I must not have destroyed it during the original timeline, not truly. Someone interfered with that, and I know who it is. She's the one who said, 'yes', to Sauron! She's the one who led me not to destroy the Ring. Sauron's still out there!"
Frodo was grabbed by a soldier who hoisted him up into the air. Frodo screeched for all to hear, "Please! I'm telling the truth! There's more to it than you know!"
Aragorn gestured to the soldier carrying Frodo, "Put him down! Please, put him down," he said with confidence and concern.
The soldier inquired, setting Frodo down, "As you wish. It's better than assuming we're in the same timeline."
"Thank you," Frodo said, once the soldier put him down.
"You're welcome. Good lord!" the soldier gasped, walking away.
Frodo inquired, "You see what I mean? I'm telling you, whoever brought us to the Second and Third Timelines knows that I would fail." He closed his eyes, pointing out Sam. "It was you, Sam. You brought us to this timeline, and now I have to finish the story." He faced Sam, telling him, "You do realize what's going to happen if the Ring winds up in the Undying Lands? It's not coming with me."
"No," Aragorn said, admitting freely, "The Ring goes with you. The Valar need to see for themselves that something's happened."
"Don't!" Eru said. He appeared before the group, telling them, "Leave the Ring with Sam in the Shire. We'll take Frodo to the Undying Lands, to Tol Eressëa. We have much to discuss, before Frodo comes back to Middle-earth with me."
"We?" Sam asked, concerned.
Eru smiled. "Why yes, he does. You didn't think your plan would work out, did you?"
Frodo glowered at Sam, pointing to him, "When the story's done and I'm back, we'll talk. For now, don't talk to me like you don't know anything. My memories are resurfacing. I knew it was you that was causing this."
Sam lowered his head. "But Mr. Frodo, I just wanted to help, to be the hero of this story."
Frodo shook his head. "Sometimes, we can't have everything."
Eru sighed, groaning as he said, "I think we can. What?" Frodo faced Eru, looking confused. Eru told him, "Did you think we all wouldn't get what we want and need? Sam clearly wants this story to play out, so he can have his happy ending. Let him have it. We'll work on yours after we leave the Second and Third Timelines." He shrugged, "It's up to you now."
Sam chortled with Frodo. "It's for the best. I get what I want, right?"
Frodo sighed. There was no denying this was what Sam wanted. "If you're sure about this. You know what will happen if I leave here, if I leave you."
"No, I don't, but I wouldn't want you to miss your way out of Middle-earth either." Sam sighed in grief. It really did come to that. He extended his hand, telling Frodo, "Are we still friends?"
Frodo took it, shaking his hand, "Don't make me regret this."
Sam smirked, wickedly. "Oh, I doubt we will. When these timelines get done, I will be the best hobbit ever."
Frodo released his hand, telling him, "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Aragorn sighed, shaking his head. He looked at Faramir, telling him, "So, where were we?"
Frodo looked at Sam with disdain. Frodo knew that Sam did not trust Smeagol. It was the only reason why Frodo witnessed Sam attack Smeagol on the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. Was there no way Frodo could convince Sam that Smeagol could be redeemed? There was only one way to find out.
.
Frodo remembered his journey on the Stairs of Cirith Ungol.
Frodo had fallen asleep on the Stairs' ledge, dreaming of nothing but the sweet-smelling sound of sleep. It had been too long since he'd gotten enough rest. He was exhausted, with no intentions of stopping to get a little bit more rest.
But this wasn't his only reason. By the time Sam woke him up, Frodo could tell something was wrong. Something was missing. It was the lembas bread and it was gone! Frodo could have suspected it was Smeagol's doing, and maybe it was, but Smeagol clearly showed him that there were bread crumbs over Sam's cloak and shirt.
In spite of his better intentions, the Ring drove him to question Sam, to question his friendship with him. And it didn't stop there. Sam punched Smeagol more than once, harsh and cruel. Frodo dived in to stop Sam from attacking Smeagol, if his exhaustion hadn't taken over.
The Ring was responsible for breaking up his friendship with Sam, but somehow, Frodo was able to reconcile with his best friend, who found no fault in him.
They were friends. That much was clear. What could possibly separate them again?
Frodo smirked, as he gazed out from Minas Tirith's prow, "What indeed." Now, things were different. The Ring's chain was still around his neck, Frodo's beloved Beatrice had said, "yes", to Sauron and not even the Ring's doing had anything to do with it… unless, there was another Ring. Frodo remembered it on Beatrice's finger! Perhaps that's what drove her to say "yes" to Sauron!
No. She did that without the Ring's influence over her. Frodo snarled, realizing his beloved had made a mistake that day. Then there was Sam, who practically wanted Frodo to forget this. Instead, it became a mission to make Sam popular and strong, just as he wanted. And Frodo did nothing.
Oh, they were both flawed! They were all flawed, for all Frodo knew. So, why was he constantly seeing images of Aragorn's coronation moving right before his eyes? Frodo didn't know. All he knew was, as soon as he entered his room, that it was time to head out.
Frodo looked last at his room one last time, deciding then to take a trip to the screen, where he witnessed Beatrice sitting there in the theater by herself.
.
Beatrice looked at the screen. There was a scene in Frodo's room. No one else was seeing this, but her! That left her confused. She just witnessed Frodo and Sam in Frodo's room sharing a pleasant moment. And now, Frodo was in his guest room, facing her.
"You!" Frodo smiled at her. He waved his hands, telling her, "Well, there's no sense in hiding it! I'm coming over." He moved closer to the screen, making his way through it. He materialized into the theater, approaching Beatrice with ease.
Only, Beatrice didn't move. She didn't say anything. She simply stared at the screen. Frodo sighed, his stomach grumbling. He couldn't reach her. Did she know he was there with her? He tried grabbing her hand, but he couldn't. She was glued to her seat, not paying attention to him.
Frodo sighed in grief. Now, he knew what it felt like to be on one side of the screen. Frodo shook his head. He took one last look at the crowd, departing through the screen and back to his room. His stomach grumbled. He wanted to eat something other than liquid food. He looked up, spotting the scenery change from his room at Minas Tirith to his room in Rivendell, where there was an open balcony and birds singing.