Chapter Seven

The long trip was hardly enough to make Aragorn weary, but constant murmuring and whining of the hobbits was quite enough.

The distrust, not to mention the stab of pain every once in a while of his battered leg sent his days into an endless nightmare.

For a while, Frodo had been watching, trying to take a step forward into semi-leadership so that Strider could rest easier and maybe even sleep some.

But try as he might, nothing could make the human slow down. Often as not they would stop and the hobbit would watch the human as he sat in a trance, the faraway wraith's cries a constant throb in his mind. And though Frodo could hear them most of the time, the sounds were nowhere near as intensified as the way Aragorn heard them.

"How can you trust him, Frodo?" Merry asked one night as the ranger took his watch on a rock a good ways away. "He's not even been decent; sleeping in the cold wilderness, not even looking for a town, and keeping us going on at this wretched pace- by golly- he won't even get us all a fresh meal." The younger hobbit motioned toward the hunting gear, or what he assumed to be hunting gear.

"He's leading us to Rivendell, Merry," the older hobbit whispered, knowing that the ranger could easily hear them- even when he sat so far away.

Stepping forward, the younger questioned Frodo and frowned, "How do you know he's taking us to that elf land? What if he's a liar?! What if he's a spy for the black riders? Or a smugler, lookin' for loot?! Hmmm, what then?"

"I know, he's not-"

"Tell us how you 'know'," Sam came in to join the two, his words soft-spoken, but Frodo could hear the hurt behind them. "Why can't we be trusted with this secret, if it is a secret at all?"

"I promised, and I swear-" Frodo waved his hands wildly, weariness lacing his motions. He was so tired of fighting these two and their retorts that he cared not anymore how frantic he seemed. All Frodo wanted was to get away from all the questions.

Strider was a good man, was he not? He would take care of them, wouldn't he? He would take them to the elf haven wouldn't he?! Were they really going there?

All the doubts in his mind clouded suddenly together, and one large lump that made its way down the back of his throat made it awfully difficult to speak or to swallow the saliva that was gathering.

" I promised…" he whispered thickly, staring at the two with an indignant glare. He stretched his neck so he could look behind them at Pippin, hoping desperately that the younger hobbit would help him.

He spied the small form against the starlit sky, Strider's figure highlighted in the moonlight. Both were now sitting upon the rock and Pippin seemed to be chatting, just talking quietly to the man.

He wanted desperately to hear what they were saying, but the fact that Merry and Sam were still there came back quickly when Merry continued to speak.

"Well, I want you to think about this hard, Frodo. Maybe tonight we could lose him if you finally understand our motives. We could easily dash into the woods, he wouldn't hear us- not if we didn't want to be heard."

Sam was beside him, now looking a bit forlorn. He turned his eyes up to Frodo, the green depths sparkling with confusion.

As Merry turned around, the hesitant hobbit looked up and Frodo saw concern in his eyes. "We're just tryin' to 'elp," he whispered. "You understand, Mr. Frodo?"

"Yes, Sam." He patted the younger hobbit and tried to smile. Sam grinned and pointed back to the small fire that was blazing in the corner of their tiny camp.

"I'll get you some dinner, all right? It's soup, no meat. But it's better than nothin'," the gardener shrugged sadly and chuckled as he turned to watched the younger hobbit and the ranger. "It looks like Longshanks is even eating somethin'."

Frodo's eyes drifted up to see human and hobbit sitting side by side. Pippin was talking, but the older hobbit could not hear what he was whispering. Only the gentle murmur was heard and the dark-haired hobbit chuckled as Sam smiled a little sadly.

He didn't know whether to laugh, smile, or whine. He wanted to trust Strider- but when his master's life was on the line, he could not risk so much.

"I suppose he's somewhat decent," the younger of the two mumbled, a little hesitantly. "But I still can't fully trust his sort."

With those words he stalked, worriedly, back to the fireplace where Merry was slipping into under his blanket and readjusting again and again. The Bucklander eyed Frodo once more before cuddling into the blankets and pulling them over his shoulders.

Frodo sat down on his own sleeping blanket and sighed as he rubbed his muscles. This trip was taking all his energy. He had walked before in Hobbiton, and he had done so more than most of his kin did- but never like this!

Frodo groaned quietly and tried to ease the ache from his own feet; they were tough and leathery, yes. But not indestructible.

Looking up, he was surprised when he saw no sign of Strider; Pippin sat alone on the rock, a small bowl in his hands and his eyes gazing thoughtfully up at the sparkling stars.

The plains lowered before them and day after day the trees seemed to span out, thinning more, and more often.

As the days of traveling wore on, Strider began to tire a bit. It was not that he was weak, for he was not so. But that little rest in Bree could hardly count for four days on the road, not to mention that they had rested maybe three times in those four days.

At least, that was how many Pippin had counted. He pulled at his fingers again, silently doing the math in his head.

He was not as smart as Frodo or Merry- but he could do math when need be.

"Frodo?" He looked to his cousin as he sighed irritably- annoyed that the math was not working out.

The dark-haired hobbit turned to look at his younger friend. "Yes, Pip?"

Pippin pursed his lip and cocked his head as he came up along side Frodo, he pressed his palms together and smiled a little. "I was wondering-" he stopped, a little worried, the glance in his eyes making it plain to see that he was a little more jittery than normal. "I was, well, I was thinkin'- about Longshanks- I um? I want-" the younger hobbit stopped and sighed. "I was talkin' with him the other night, and I was- well just… er-"

Why wouldn't the words come, he had planned them for a day and a half now. He tried looking into his brain, but the only thing that made possible was the ache that came a few seconds after.

"What about Strider, Pippin? You know you can ask me anything," he whispered, looking to make sure the ranger was far away.

Aragorn wove among the bushes and few trees that were left as they carried on, his steps showing more determination than weariness. And though he seemed strong, Frodo knew well that no being, save elven, could go without sleep for too terribly long.

"I was-" the younger hobbit stopped again, grunting and tussling his curly locks in utter aggravation.

Finally breaking free of his ultimate fear, Pippin leaned to Frodo's, slightly pointed ear. "Tell me about him, please Frodo?" the younger one sighed. "I know you won't believe this, but I want to help. I need to know about him, why he's so-" Pippin looked up and around, then leaned back. "Strange…" he finished it with the perfect essence, smiling a broad grin that would make the most down-hearted being laugh heavily.

"Strange?" Frodo nearly shouted, a chuckle in his voice.

He looked up to see the ranger had not noticed much of the conversation, and even though it made him feel like a immature tweenager, half of Frodo dearly wished that the man had.

TBC

So, I wanted to thank Elerrina Olondil for being my beta! And it's because of her that you guys don't see most of my ugly mistakes, LOL!!

Ya, I make pretty bad ones!

Anyway, to the replies, thanks for being so forgiving on my awful grammar last chapter guys!!

Thanks, Arrina! I am feeling much better now! :) And, yes, Legolas will be in it- though only for one chapter. And this story ends at Rivendell, but I am working on another story that will go over the rest of the story. Should be fun! LOL!!!

Blushes Awww! Thanks, Kirsten

LOL, Larner! I feel like such an idiot when you review, always having to ask what things mean. sigh Oh well, shows how much I know on this subject! I am glad you found it correct! I know, your probably going to groan, but what are 'tactual cues'? sigh Thanks for all your reviews, they always make me smile!

Thanks, MusicDreamer! I am, indeed feeling better! Haha! Yes, poor Frodo is gonna have a hard time of it yet.

Ya, well, I did warn you, Catmint. Although, I must admit, I still do think 'piped Pippin.' is correct. If you look in the dictionary it says "to say something a a shrill tone..." (Or something of that sort.) but, anyway, enough of this. I totally understand. I am not that strict on grammatics, unfourtunately, I try to be. But of course, it is not my perosonality.Ya, I do have problems with many of the things you put down, and thankfully I know so. It's just a matter of getting out of the habbit. sheepish smirk Especially the 'two, too, to' thing. That is like a mjor downfall of mine. I ALWAYS mess that up! Ya, I really don't know what was up with "the fair, elven, and tongue" LOL! That was just my mind wandering while I typed- it happens often. Ya, at least my spelling is somewhat ok, LOL! That is the thing that REALLY gets me started. Ug, I have friends upon friend who can not even spell 'horse'! Drives me insane; and when I try to explain they just say, "Oh, well I was in a hurry...". Ya, sure. sigh Oh, dear! Sorry for the long reply. Haha! Glad you liked the chapter though, and I hope this is not too overwhelming. God bless! And thanks for the advice, it does help! :)

LOL, marbienl! Poor Pippin, all these people wanting to drop apples on his head. Unfortunately, I forgot that scene and hence it did not make it into this story. But I may add it in the fic following this one. :D Thanks, I am feeling much better! God bless!!

LOL, MSL! All I can say right now is, it WILL NOT be Arwen! Ugg! I would NEVER do that! LOL! I really don't like her all that much! What can I say, I like guys and when women take over a guys part (and a cute guy at that.) it sets me a fire with fury. I am not sure, I don't think it is. Bitterness is a word though. Mean? Hey, now. Aragorn THINKS that Legolas has 'decided against their friendship'... doesn't mean he has. smirk God bless!!!

Well, I am not sure I can answer those questions, Azla. LOL!! Just kidding. The wraiths will be coming soon, I am not sure when though. As for Legolas, he talks about him sparsely through the whole rest of the story, I think. But keep in mind, he is still bitter because Legolas never responded to his letter. :) So he will be a bit... malicious.

Haha! Yes, Linchi! He is quite bi-polar, too. LOL!

Thanks, fred! I will keep that in mind. I am, however, feeling MUCH better. smiles And ya, I think they will all be good friends by that time too, if they get there, that is...

Thanks, Teha!!! Ya, I can't believe it was that long ago that I was posted 'The Blind Can Not See What the Mute Can Not Say'. Haha! That's a flashback. Glad you liked it! I was so proud because it has now won about six awards now. Let's see- it won 3 MC Awards (1st for best AU, 1st for best Young Drama, and 2nd for best Aragorn Angs. Well, it got that nomination award too.) And for The Untainted Bonds Awards it won two. (2nd place Hurt/Comfort and 3rd place Angst.) Grins I am very proud. :) Thanks for reviewing!

I am sure he does, IwishChan. Though, probably not as much. He has had about sixty or so years to practice.Thanks!

Well, sielge, it's not just Legolas. Though he was a major part. Have you ever had a best friend that all of the sudden did not really care about you anymore? It hurts. It's happened to me near two times. Though I must say, our friendships have been restored, somewhat. :) But it is also all the trials he has had to go through. I would think he is tired of everyone testing his abilities. Thanks for reviewing!!!

Ok, so I hope I got about everyone! I try to, but of course my life, just now, got busier. The Fine Arts Competitions are coming up fast and I still have to get my piece finished and framed, my story written, my human video down, and my web site completed. Not to mention I also have work, art class, others classes, and writing and posting for you guys. LOL!

I could do with some more prayer. Prayer that I do not get sick again during this hurried time of my life.

Thanks and God bless, and I will post again as soon as is possible!!!!