Disclaimer: Everything we write about is the truth, however we own none of it. Darn it!

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Chapter 4

Nazgul and Life's Grace

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Barbie's POV

We all froze for a second, then everything happened fast. The screams just kept getting louder, and Frodo had already slumped into that odd, half conscious state. The guys had grabbed all their weapons, and were stationed at the doors and windows.

I thought" This is really insane. We're never going to hold the fort in this house." Apparently Boromir was thinking the same thing, because he turned to Emily and I, holding Frodo in his arms.

"Is there anywhere I can take him?" he asked, half shouting over the screams. The Nazgul were getting very, very close. "Uh, yeah, but you guys are going to have to cover our backs," I said hastily, I had an idea.

It was risky, but it could work. "Follow me," I said, shoving open the sliding back door. I could hear Emily shouting something, but I couldn't stop. Speed was essential.

As we ran through the back yard, we had to duck our way through the crowds of crows that were whirling and diving through the air like flies. I did not look back. I had to trust the others to stall them long enough for us to hide.

I lead the way between our neighbors fences, and lost the crows by suddenly turning into someone's yard. The oddest thing was, was that no one was around. The whole neighborhood seemed empty, deserted. So, I tried their back door, also unlocked. I dashed through the house to the front door, and we were on the next street.

I was heading for the woods, and now we were only separated by a large field and the creek. "Just a little bit further," I told myself, my breath was coming in hot, painful jerks.

"Where are we going?" called Boromir as we crossed the field.

"Just follow me ok," I gasped, we were so close.

Then we reached the creek, and I had to skid to a halt. Our normally placid little creek was now a roaring torrent, tearing its way down its banks. Something was terribly wrong, and I had led Boromir to a dead end.

He turned to me, and slung Frodo onto his shoulders. "We can cross," he said "Look!"

My eyes widened as I realized what he was about to do. A thin, sagging wire was stretched from our side of the bank to the other, the ends embedded in two trees. Without further hesitation, Boromir grabbed onto it, slowly making his way across.

I took a deep breath. "I can do this." I thought, and swung onto it. The wire dug painfully into my hands, and it was all I could do not to look down. When I reached the other bank, Boromir had to give me a hand up, and we landed in a breathless heap. "Thanks." was all I could say before we had to continue. I was going to take them to our kid's fort in the woods, not as protection (after all, it wasn't exactly a walled fortress) just to hide in.

We ran down the path that led to it, and a bat out of hell had nothing on us. You see, we had heard the Nazgul again, and it was much closer, tracking us down like animals.

The fort wasn't much further, just a bend in the trail, and a hard run from there. I could almost see it, and was beginning to hope we might actually survive, when we heard a terrifying scream directly behind us. I turned, and froze. It was the Witch-King himself, on a enormous Fell Beast.

"Oh no!" I had to distract him! "Boromir," I whispered "Keep going down the path. You'll find a hiding place just off the side of the path. I'll try and distract him!"

He hesitated and I said fiercely "You can come back for me later. He's more important!"

I turned back to the Witch-King, hoping that Boromir would listen for once. "Hi!" I said pleasantly" Lovely day isn't it?"

The Witch-King ignored me, and for one awful moment, I thought he was just going to take off after Frodo. I had to stop him!

"Hey, where are you going in such a hurry? Didn't you know there's a speed limit?" I said in a pert manner.

The Witch-King turned to me, and I swallowed. This was the real thing, and Peter Jackson hadn't caught half of the real evil of a Nazgul, the suffocating atmosphere it carries with it. Nonetheless, I said to myself "This is just a movie, and the camera men are just around the corner. Yeah, right."

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Emily's POV

I froze where I was standing when the scream filled the air. My worst fear had come true, they really were here and that meant they could kill us. I was called out of my shock by a cry of pain from Frodo, he lay holding his shoulder and crying.

Boromir ran over and scooped him up, as the rest of the Fellowship snapped into Battle mode. Legolas was scanning the sky and Aragorn pulled out the Sword of the King. At that moment he looked every inch the king. Gandalf whipped out his sword and his staff came into play.

I grabbed the nearest thing that could be used as a weapon a large kitchen knife and the hedge clippers. I felt stupid, but not when the Nazgul came flying over head. Huge, black serpentine creatures blocked the sun and my heart turned to water.

They screamed again and I thought my ear drums were going to pop, they landed on the roof of our neighbors house and than I saw them.

Over ten feet in height and clad in ragged black were the unloving and undead kings of men. They began surrounding us daggers and swords in plain view. My first thought wasn't of Frodo, but my sister.

I looked around just in time to see her run away with Boromir and Frodo in tow. I didn't know what she thought she was doing and tried to call her back, she didn't hear me.

Than they struck at us, and for the next few seconds we were busy holding them off. All I could do was hack at them, and I don't think I ever made connect. I could see Aragorn out of the corner of my eye and all around was the sound of metal on metal.

I heard Gandalf and Gimli shouting at the creatures and Legolas, he was calling on the Valar for strength. Every time he said one of their names the Nuzgul would wheel away as if in fear.

I fought with the hobbits and we were doing pretty well, until I was flung against the house by a blow from one the nine. I fell down in shock and was too dazed to see for a minute. When my vision cleared I saw that the Nuzgul were leaving, they were heading toward the woods!

I scrambled to my feet and called after the Fellowship who were ready to fellow the creatures.

"Wait, I have an idea!"

00000

We reached the stream and Legolas ran across the wire without a thought. I watched as Aragon and Gandalf threw the hobbits across to the waiting arms of the elf. Gimli was already halfway across on the wire and than Gandalf jumped across himself.

I looked up at Aragorn and nodded, he grabbed me under my arms and with a hop, skip and jump I was flung across the stream and was caught by Legolas.

I was on my own for the time being and leaving the rest of the group went forward until I was the Witch-King he had just cornered my sister against a tree.

"Where isss the ring?" it hissed.

"I'd rather die than tell you anything scumbag!" she yelled back.

"Ssso be it"

And before my very eyes he stabbed her plunging his blade deep into her side. I saw her eyes go wide, and over flow with tears.

I had to act now!

"Hey jerk. Mister I-wish-I-had-the-ring, look what I have!" I called holding out a band gold wedding band on a silver chain. You'd better come get it before I put it onnn!" I tried to sound brave, but I don't think it was working.

The Witch-King turned from my sister freeing his sword with a sickening twist and she slumped to the ground. He faced me and I saw (or rather didn't see) where his face should have been.

He stalked forward and said " Do you think you can taunt the Nuzgul and survive? Give us the ring and I may let you live."

"I'm not that dumb" I said "You'll have to come and get the ring yourself."

I backed away as fast as I could, and the Witch-King followed like a lamb, perfect! We reached the clearing, and I turned: and saw yes, there he was right behind me. I felt his steel clad fingers close around my throat and pulled the ring out of my hand. He saw that is was a fake and lifting me off the ground, he said "Foolissssh maid, now you will die. And sslowly."

I was blacking out because of the lack of oxygen, than the Fellowship burst out of hiding and Gandalf came forward.

"Go back to the hell from which you came, you have no power over a daughter of the Edain. I command you go!"

He thrust his staff into the air, and a blinding light shone forth. The Witch-King screamed and disappeared! I hit the ground hard but was up in a second and ran to Barbara. Her skin was a deadly shade of white tinged with green.

"Barb! Barb are you okay?" I cried as I shook her limp body. No blood flowed from her side, and I knew that was very bad.

I was shoved aside by Gandalf who quickly examined her, his face was grave when he turned to me. "We must get her back to the house immediately, we have maybe a few hours to save her."

I watched as Legolas tenderly picked her up, while Boromir and Frodo came out of hiding. The look on their faces was horrible when they saw Barbie's limp form. We nearly ran back and crossed the now quiet trickling creek.

Before I knew it, we were home and we laid Barbie on the bed in my parents room. Gandalf cleared us all out for a time to wok on her without me crying over her. I wished Lord Elrond was here, could he (Gandalf) do anything to save her?

I went about seeing to the others and helping bind up any wounds they had. The only serious hurt were Boromir's hands. They were deeply cut by the wire and were stiff with dried blood and mud. I can still see him sitting there: head bowed, and shoulders slumped looking at his hands, and not seeing them.

I can see Frodo holding on to his own shoulder and whispering to Sam "It's all my fault if she dies, Sam. All my fault!"

I went to Boromir and said "My Lord let me tend to your hands before infection sets in. I am no healer, but I can use Band-aids" To my surprise he let me, and I as gently as I could washed away the dirt and mud from the gashes. I applied some antibacterial cream to the cuts, and bound them up with gaze.

"Thank my lady" he said looking at me for the first time without hate.

"You're welcome." I said and turned to go. He caught my hand and said " that was a brave thing you did, you could have been killed."

"I did nothing, and if Barbie dies I will wish that I had been too." I replied.

As I finished Gandalf came out of my parents room and sat looking at the company. I was afraid to ask him how Barbie was, I didn't want to hear that Barbie was dead or on her way to becoming a wraith.

He spoke slowly and sorrowfully " I have tried everything I know and nothing is working. She is fading so fast that I fear we are losing her"

"Do you mean that the wee lassie is going to die?" asked Gimli choking a little on his words.

"I am afraid so." Gandalf returned and than stood and slammed his staff into the floor with a crash that shook the whole house "Useless wizard " he mumbled.

I sat thinking and saying to myself " Barbie's dieing, and I can't do anything about it!"

Than Legolas came forward and pulled a thin golden chain out of his tunic, at the end hung a ring set with an opal. The light caught it and it showed shades of sky blue, clear green and sun orange.

He held it out to Gandalf and said "I beg you to use it if it can save her life."

I heard a soft gasp from Aragorn. As he accepted it, Gandalf asked " Are you sure?"

Legolas nodded and seemed to glow a little brighter as the ring and chain passed from his hand to Gandalf's. "Come with me than Prince, and you also Lady Emily." said Gandalf. And with a nod to Aragorn, he lead the way down the hallway.

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Barbie's POV

At first, all I could think was "I can't breath. I can't breath."

The pain seemed to radiate through my body like an electric shock, and it did not subside, as pain usually does, but only increased in its agony. Worse still, was the evil presence that seemed intent on taking over my very soul.

I fought that presence as I have fought nothing before, but the pain numbed my mind and a dark mist seemed to be smothering me. I was aware, vaguely, that someone was trying to reach me, but I could not reach the hand that was stretched out to me. Slowly, I could feel myself slipping away, further into that cloud.

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Gandalf's POV

I looked down at the frail form of the girl and saw that she had mere minutes left. I lifted her head and placed the chain around her neck. As the ring settled near her heart some of the green tinge to her face faded a little. That was a good sign, but it would not save her. Legolas knelt on her right and clasped her cold hand in his own, I directed her sister to do the same with her left.

I stood at the foot of the bed and knelt myself, rising my staff as I did so. I than prayed with all my heart and told the rest to do the same. I could only hope that Legolas's sacrifice would not be in vain, and that some of the elves presence would still be remembered in the earth.

I heard Lady Emily's voice choking over tears and she prayed " Oh God ! Please don't let Barbie die! Please!"

"Oh Illuvatar, look down and see us and hear my plea! See you dear daughter, how she has been harmed to save your children. Do not allow her to be pulled from the sun of your presence by the forces of evil. I give her the Grace you have given me and ask that you show mercy on her" Legolas prayed tears streamed down his fair face.

I raised my hands and added my own prays to theirs, and as I watched them I saw a light begin to shine from the ring. It spread from the ring to enveloped the tiny frame of the girl.

It soon grew, until Legolas and Lady Emily were engulfed by it also. Than the light grew stronger until I was unable to look on them any longer. I bowed my head as the others did.

And at that moment I heard a gentle voice say "Gandalf, long have we sought to find you. Worry no longer you prays are heard for more than you requested. Fear not, for child hall live for the glory and help of all."

I trembled to hear this said, and yet it soothed away the anxiety in my soul and I raised my eyes to see the light diminished and pass away. It was not all gone, however and it lingered on the three that were holding each other. I also saw that the faint blush had risen in the girl's cheek, and the green was gone for her skin. Her breathing was easy and free and the shadow lifted from her brow.

"Rise children and see the salvation of the Valar, and the mercy they have shown" I said. They looked up and saw it, Lady Emily collapsed onto the bed and hugged her sister and than kissed the elf's pale hand again and again.

"Thank you! Thank you, how can I ever let you know what this means to me?" she cried softly. He merely smoothed her tears away and said " It was the payment of a debt we all owned her, for her bravery. I did nothing that another might have done."

I shook my head at this but said nothing. I knew that what he did was a noble and costly action, I knew he would not regret it. I saw that Lady Emily was sensible of it also and she kissed his hand once more and released him.

"I'll go and tell the others" she said. I nodded and smiled at her and she returned it. I had never seen her smile and it was a lovely sight. "Go than and be joyful child"

I heard a faint stir as Lady Emily left and saw that Lady Barbara ever now was awaking from sleep.

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Authors Note: Winkle walks in to Snodgrass's office with two papers in his hand.

Winkle : Mr. Snodgrass Sir, I have some good news! We have two reviews and both are positive. They like the story we're publishing!"

Snodgrass : "Of course, I knew they would like it. We only had to give them a little time. But we will continue to reel them in as the chapters get more and more tense. I love being a Publisher!"

Winkle : "Indeed sir, I couldn't agree with you more."