Chapter Nine
The days after became long and tiresome for the small company.
Aragorn kept them on a steady pace and only allowed them one small stop each day. This kept the two suspicious hobbits on edge and when Frodo confronted the ranger, Strider simply stated that the wraiths were not far behind.
"How do you know?" Frodo asked, a little more abruptly than he meant.
He meant no offense, but he, as the rest of the group, was tired and hungry. And he knew that Aragorn would only listen to him and Pippin.
"There pace quickens, Master Halfling, I listened last night. They can feel it." the serenity in the human's voice seemed a bit awkward to Frodo, but he quickly shrugged off the fear as best he could and hurried to keep up with Aragorn.
"I don't suppose you have any friends near by that could help us; just with you being a ranger I assumed you have many allies."
"Friends, you mean?" Aragorn's tone seemed sad, almost longing, but he quickly sucked it back in and shook his head. "No, I have allies. Not friends."
"But-"
"As I said before," he stated coldly, the cold wind curling round his worn cape and flapping it. "Problems such as mine break friendships."
"Why, when you and Pippin came back the other night from your talk he seemed quite sociable towards you. By the stars, he's even been talking with you more than us." Frodo reminded as the memories of that night sailed forth in his bright mind. "Pippin does not have many friends, Strider. But he's a mighty good one when you take the time." he paused and smiled a little coolly. "I am sure it's the same with you."
Aragorn laughed then sobered quickly, "Why don't you ask Legolas about that? I am sure he could tell you a few things about what he thinks of me!"
As he felt the ire rise within him, the man sighed, trying to let the pain go. "Nobody takes the time anymore, Frodo. Once they see something strange about someone, they immediately break off ties, pretend they never knew you…"
"And you've had this happen before? That's the name you mentioned before, is it not? Legolas?" the dark haired hobbit queried persistently, hoping to maybe see into the ranger's life a little more.
"Yes it is, and yes, also, though it has not happened much. After about the first time, I stopped trying to get close to people. I became a shadow in the night, a man that knew everyone, yet no one knew about him."
"Why do you hate this Legolas so much, I am sure he did not mean to hurt you. Maybe you misunderstood?"
Aragorn scoffed, "Well, had you been in my place… you might have realize why I feel so betrayed."
The hobbit, a little taken back, bit his lip and hurried forward, trying to catch up with the human as he rounded a large boulder.
He watched as the man traced along the rock's edge, feeling his way forward and… sniffing?
Turning to look back at the hobbits he sighed to see that Merry and Sam were behind Pippin and all three were a good ways down the incline, shivering inside their cloaks and gazing wearily at the overcast sky.
He cupped his hands round his mouth and shouted down to them. "Hurry, you three!"
Sam and Merry looked up with raised brows and disapproving looks, while Pippin on the other hand hurried after his older cousin with a warm smile.
He was amazed how much trust had been gained in a single night of talk between hobbit and ranger.
Pippin, noting that he heard only grunts behind him, stopped and turned, looking back to see both hobbits with an annoyed snarl on their faces. He waved at them, "Come on! Maybe, Longshanks has found a resting spot?"
Sam looked up, rolling his eyes as he more tightly grabbed Bill's halter with a hesitant hand. "I doubt that very much." he hissed to Merry who laughed and looked to him.
"Oh, Sam…" he said, mockingly. "Have you no faith in Longshanks?" he chuckled as the strawberry blond hobbit raised his eyes brows and huffed as they trekked up the hill, Bill in tow.
"No, as a matter 'o fact." he followed Frodo's form which was now on the edge of the great hill top. "I wouldn't trust his leadership, not now, not never."
The Brandybuck nodded fitfully and smiled at Sam. "I'm with you there, Master Gamgee." he sighed. "I am with you there…"
Frodo nearly gasped as he rounded the boulder, just the same as Strider had moments before.
His eyes connected easily with the huge, rock fortress before him. Or, at least, that was probably what it was before age and time had caught up.
Moss and white flowers tangled round the large, black stones and many of the bricks that it was built with seemed burnt and aged. Some were nearly crumbling to the ground, while others looked quite new.
But all this was, of course from a distance. It was sitting like a crown on the horizon, a patient shadow waiting to welcome them.
Walking forward, but not taking his eyes from the magnificent structure, he found Aragorn, kneeling in the dirt and cream and yellow streaked grass. In his bare hand was soil from the ground.
He felt it as his blank eyes stared onward; Frodo approached quietly, trying no to disturb his methods, whatever they may be for.
"Frodo,"
Looking back, the older hobbit saw Pippin jogging forward, he grabbed Frodo's arm and looked to Strider, confusion creasing his brow.
"Shhh…" the elder hobbit whispered as Strider rose to his feet, dropping the dirt in the process and smelling the wind that had picked up.
Both waited quietly as the human turned and brushed off his fingers on his breeches and overcoat. "Frodo, Pippin," he stopped and brushed his hood up over his head with a swipe before continuing on. "What lies ahead of us?" he asked, not actually wanting to ask, but knowing that he could not afford to get them all lost. "Hurry-" he hissed as he listened, Merry and Sam gaining on the three companions.
Pippin licked dry lips and whispered. "A structure." he looked to Frodo for help.
The hobbit just shrugged and smiled, the younger hobbit rolled his eyes. "It's quite large, and looks like a missing crown. It's dark with wear and seems older than anything I've seen in my days." Pippin cocked his head in a sort of small motion.
It seemed that his information greatly helped, for the ranger smiled broadly and sighed. "That is relief to my ears, master Pippin." he nodded gratefully and chuckled. "It was quite poetic too; a lady charmer are you?"
Laughing heartily, Frodo pulled his arm away and slapped the younger hobbit. "Pippin?" he asked accusingly. "A lady charmer!" he broke into a fit of laughter and the younger hobbit frowned contemptuously.
"Oh," he retorted. "I haven't seen you hangin' 'bout any fillies, Frodo?"
Now it was Aragorn's turn to laugh and he reached forward carefully, ruefully rubbing Pippin's head, his curly hair wrapping round the man's fingers.
He hooted low and smiled, shaking his dark head in amazement. "Master Pippin, you will have to meet my brothers when we make it to Rivendell; I swear, they will get along with you quite well!"
Smirking in agreement, the younger hobbit straightened his back and eyed the ranger. "Well, then. It's official. I must meet these men." he laughed as Strider smiled widely and turned towards the looming structure.
"Elves, actually."
Frodo and Pippin's eyes narrowed and both stared at him. "Excuse me?"
Sam and Merry had come up behind the rest of the hobbits, Bill standing nearby chewing up some of the greener grass.
"My brothers are elves, Mister Baggins."
The two new coming hobbits raised their eyebrows and Merry spoke up, a piece of grass sticking nonchalantly from the side of his mouth. "Well, that was an interesting piece of information…" he murmured and Sam shook his head as he petted the white streak on his pony's head.
"I was talking to Master Baggins and Master Took of my family, Master Brandybuck." he announced, turning back to the crown that sat quietly on top of the looming hill.
The greenery around it was much more common than before, and as they advanced, Bill had an easier time picking out the grass that surrounded the large hill.
Sam looked upon the structure scornfully, his eyes noting the darkness and the overcast sky. "What is this place?" he asked as Strider knelt down besides the blackened steps, brushing aside the dirt and grime, feeling it beneath his sensitive fingers.
"'Tis the great watch tower of Amon Sul…" he breathed deep and sniffed the dust, not really paying attention to the hobbits behind him.
As it went deep, he coughed a little. It had a smell, a familiar sort of odor. One he was quite accustomed to-
"Gandalf…" the whisper was not lost on Frodo who stood but a foot behind. To the other three, it was a mere sigh.
Straightening, he listened as the wind toyed with his hooded cloak, blowing inside and them seeping back out again. It whistled softly between the grasses and gave the entire area a fell atmosphere.
He did not know what the feeling was, but he could hear nothing suspicious, nor dangerous, for miles. "Well," he breathed and shrugged slightly, standing fully up and out of the way.
Aragorn turned to Frodo on hearing the hobbits recognizable breathing patterns. "Take the others up to the third rock edge, let them rest and relax a bit. I feel we are safe here, but I am going to take a look around, just incase." he paused and brushed the dirt off his fingers. "Leave Bill at the bottom, just around the bend. There should be a small cavern that he can reside in for the time."
Turning to Sam he watched as the Gamgee nodded firmly and began to walk away, a bit hesitantly, Bill's halter in his grasp.
Looking back up at the ranger, he noted the pained look on the man's face and felt himself breath inwardly.
"Should any suspicious thing come upon Weathertop, run the first way that you can find clear. I shall not be far and my sword will be in hand." the Baggins had no doubt that Strider spoke his words true.
Merry blew out his breath in a huff. "Ya, I am sure you'll come runnin' with sword in hand. I have no doubts about that, Longshanks."
Ignoring the Brandybuck, Strider smiled and nodded brightly. "If you need help, I am sure master Took will have no objections."
The hobbit in question smiled so broad, Frodo was afraid his teeth would crack. "No, sir!"
"Good, I will be but minutes away. Do not hesitate to call upon me if you have need."
With the swiftness that amazed Frodo to the core of his mind, the ranger was gone like a flash. In the darkening sky he could hardly see the human as he cut quickly into the woods through the foliage.
TBC
IwishChan- I take it you have not read "The Blind Can Not See What the Mute Can Not Say"? (Gosh! The length of that title never ceases to amaze me!) Actually, that story comes right before this one and it has a bit more information on the subject. hint, hint But, if you would like to wait, I will be re-writing it in a different point of view. smiles excitedly But to answer your other question, no. He did not. The letter was never sent and no, Elrond did not actually have anything to do with loosing the letter, that was all Aragorn's doing. Not that he meant to loose it of coursebut anyway. I hope that all made sense. God bless!
Elven Kitten- LOL! Ya, well, we know it's only gonna get worse. Frodo still does have to get stabbed by the Witch-King. sigh I feel bad for Estel. He's gonna have a lot of work to do.
Linchi- Sorry, no wraiths yet. Maybe in the next chapter.
Marbienl- Yes, I was. I am still working on that, but it might actually be finished by the time this one is. smiles happily And it should be interesting- what with Boromir joining the group.
MSL- LOL! That's alright! I do that too, in truth, I probably have a worse memory than you, since I forgot to update this story. gulps Yes, I truly did forget. FORGIVE ME! yelps
Aranna Undomiel- I replied! Are you happy? grins LOL! Ya, well Strider's one incredible guy. swoons I love Strider! I think you all know that by now though, not to mention that I just totally got of subject. Don't worry, he's still got time to get it back. wink, wink
Kirsten- LOL! Sorry! I really was going to update like a week or two ago, but my beta hasn't sent me back that chapter I sent her yet, sobut yes, it was my fault, I forgot to update! I actually forgot! Ack! I am sorry, life got extremely busy and with the Fine Arts Competition in only a little more than a week, I have a lot to do before that comes. (Finish my website, work with my drama team, write the explanation for my paintintg…) But I will try to update quicker. Thanks so much for the wake-up call! It really did help.
Lovethosehobbits- Awwww, blushes thanks! I am glad you like it so much! beams with pride
Larner- Well, I am glad it is somewhat realistic then. smiles And I am glad you like it. Of course I am still working on this, I plan to finish this story.
Catmint- Wow! Thanks! I am glad you like the interaction!
Nessa ar-feiniel- Oh, yes. I think you are right.
Well, thanks guys, I tried to get to all of you and I am sorry if I did not reply to you, I would have done everyone, but I am so busy. And yes, I am terribly sorry that I actually forgot to update. You would not believe what all the things that I am doing right now. sigh
Anyway, and I also wanted to tell those people who emailed me about GOH (Generation of Hatred) if you are reading this, that I will try to finish it. I know I promised, but I am human and I do make mistakes. And lets just say I am not at all proud of that particular piece of fiction, I was writing it for selfish reasons and I would rather not finish it. I would like to save the ideas I have for better stories. I know, I did at first like GoH, and had every intention of finishing it, but as I said before, I really have no more inspiration for it and I am terribly sorry that I lead you all on. I made a promise that I didn't intend to keep and I want to ask forgiveness for it.
Now, before you review to say that this had awful, horrible grammar and the spelling was horrific, please remember that my beta never emailed it back. I waited and never got it. So, I decided to just post this since you would probably all rather have it now that wait for another, who knows how long… Forgive the mistakes it has and just enjoy.
God bless you all and I will try to update as soon as I can!