A Matter of When
The Ring Goes East

Through the mischief of two Hobbits Rick discovers his family line travels further back than he could have imagined.

~~~~~~~

Rivendell was now two days away. By night they traveled, unseen as shadows and unheard as whispers in the dark and by day they sought whatever secret shelter they could find within the forest. Bearing his burden alone, Ardeth stayed close to the rear of the Company and mingled his sight with the trees as they walked. O'Connell was ahead, speaking with Gandalf—the wizard. Wizards and Elves. He had just strayed into an Englishman's fantasy. O'Connell, though he seemed to be having trouble believing in any of this, seemed to be taking everything in stride. He was like a man who truly believed he walked in a dream and was expecting to wake up soon, but Ardeth wasn't so sure that was the case.

Dreams weren't so vivid. They could be just as fantastical, but this place felt very real. It was peaceful, but there was something just on the edge of the horizon that was reminiscent of his long vigil over Hamunaptra. The sense of something evil waiting around the corner, all too ready to emerge. They spoke nothing of their quest to either he or Rick, but he could feel it sure enough. A trained warrior would.

Four little beings—Hobbits as they called themselves, wandered in the center of the company with another being who was small, but referred to himself as a Dwarf and beside him walked the only person in this strange place he felt he understood. A warrior would also recognize one of his own. The auburn-haired man had said very little during the supper at Elrond's, but he had been paying attention sure enough. Watching, weighing, assessing. Ardeth wasn't sure whether to take comfort in someone with whom he could identify or be suspicious and silent. Still, this Boromir seemed to recognize some of the same traits in him and seemed ready to at last delve further into his learning. "We were told very little of you and your friend. You have the look of a man that comes from the east."

That, at least, was accurate enough. Ardeth nodded once and made the decision not to volunteer anything. "You could say that."

Boromir furrowed his brow and looked ahead with thoughtful, hazel eyes. "An Easterling." His tone was distrustful. "It was believed Elrond the Halfelven was wise, but…answer me truly. Are you not a servant of Sauron? I will see the lie in your eyes if you answer me falsely." His gaze was troubled and Ardeth could see no reason to blame him. If the ones they were replacing had arrived within the sight of the Med-Jai…

"Boromir," called the voice of Gandalf from ahead and they both looked up to see the old man glance back. "He is not an enemy of Gondor. He does not come from the place that you think."

That silenced the man beside Ardeth well enough, but he could still see the distrust written in his eyes. A logical opinion to keep, if groundless. They could have been friends in another time and place, perhaps. Then again, it seemed this would prove to be that time and place. "I am from a place called Egypt," he offered with a friendly, if wary smile. "It sandy and hot and holds some of the darkest secrets of the world. It is my duty to stop those secrets from awakening and causing terror."

"You speak of duty," the other replied, that edge decreasing slightly, giving the benefit of the doubt. "That can attest that you have some honor. I do not mean to be rude by my words, but you must understand that the people of my home have suffered by the creatures of Sauron and the wild men of the east." He exhaled and stepped over a fallen branch, waiting while Ardeth did the same. "This trip has been filled with strange turns, but I will do as I have said I will. I will follow the counsel of Elrond."

Ardeth shared a look with the warrior and may have spoken more, but something caught his attention. Something in the distance behind them. Hooves. It was said if they took the so-called 'High Pass' they were making for, that it would prove to be the more dangerous road where stealth would be difficult, but also the shorter way to Lothlorien. Now the danger would make its face known. "Hold," Boromir called to the rest of the Fellowship and all froze to listen. The sound strengthened and the fair warrior looked up at Ardeth. "I hear it also." Quietly, he slipped away and to where Gandalf and Rick was. They whispered softly and the Hobbits spoke amongst themselves, but all voices stopped soon enough.

He was thankful they had chosen to travel off road. A sound echoed through the wind suddenly, chilling and shrill. It reminded him of the screams that had issued from Hamunaptra, only worse. More startling and ear-piercing. The hooves thundered closer and Gandalf hissed, "Nazgûl! Down!"

They dropped and listened again, and Ardeth wondered what this Nazgûl was, to cause such fear. Was it something akin to Imhotep; unstoppable, immortal and death itself? In his own world he knew it could be and even more so in this one. Yet the instinct to defend made him uneasy with waiting. "Ardeth," Rick whispered into the night air, making him wince with its high seeming volume. "Boogie man." He gave a thumbs up, then frowned when the wizard sternly tapped his head with his staff.

The hoof beats slowed and came to a stop on the road not forty feet away, and the air crackled with that horrible, high-pitched call. Other hooves in the distance could be heard. Nearby he could see the Hobbits were frightened, but held knowing expressions in their eyes as if they had seen this terror before. So, could it be escaped? Using overgrown grasses and trees for cover, Ardeth crawled slowly and silently closer and opened his mouth, but could speak no words. The other horse could be heard stopping on the road as well.

The wizard ventured a look in the direction of the now quiet riders, then shook his head gravely. "They know we are hiding here. They…" He stopped short when the grasses stirred. Ardeth lifted himself just barely enough to see and froze, seeing movement in the forest. Through the thick trees he could just barely see it, though it was barely more than a shadow atop a great, black horse. A hooded head turned from side to side and Ardeth crouched back down.

"They don't know," he mouthed, too leery to make a sound.

What the wizard mouthed back made him swallow. "They will."

The Hobbit Ardeth remembered as Frodo gave a pained expression, clutching a pendant on a chain around his neck. "Gandalf…"

Another sound filtered to the ears of the Fellowship as they cowered in the shadows and as the Nazgûl came closer and closer to where they were hidden. Sniffing and hissing. A sound that filled Ardeth with an unwholesome disquiet. They were getting too close and soon there would be no hiding from these things. Boromir thought this too and breathed, "We have no choice but to run!"

What small choice there may have been ended with that statement. With startling speed the horses bearing these black riders took flight towards the group and there was no time to spare for thought. Ardeth bolted from the path of a horse and stumbled back as he looked up into the faceless hood of his foe. The malevolent, howling screech of laughter gave him chills. This was certainly not like any enemy he had ever fought. A loud metallic sound scraped through the tense atmosphere as the black-caped rider drew a long sword and yanked the reigns of his horse, drawing it in chase after the Med-Jai.

A hand to his shoulder drew him back and urged him into the forest. "Fire!" he could hear one of the Hobbits crying out in some unknown direction. "Strider used fire to drive them off!"

He and his running companion—Boromir, he saw, would not be able to outrun the horse, natural or not. He could feel it practically breathing down his neck in chase and just the vision of these monsters inspired loathing terror in him. Ardeth had never felt anything close to what he was feeling now, not once in his life. He was never one to outrun a single enemy, but somehow he got the feeling were he to turn and face this being, it would surely lead to some vile end. Yet the Fellowship was in danger. "The others," he managed breathlessly, turning and zigzagging with Boromir into the night.

"We will go around," he replied quickly and Ardeth could see he was leading him into a circle back to where the others had run.

But they didn't stay together long. The rider behind them grew tired of the game and drove his horse between them, separating them. The horse cried out as its rider tugged the reigns and stopped it. Now alone, Ardeth whipped around to see what was going to befall him. The Nazgûl dismounted with a great thud as it hit the earth and began to advance with a confident grace. The Med-Jai drew his scimitar and prepared for battle. "The Rrrinnng," it hissed darkly, a sound that seemed to echo against the trees. "Wherrre is the Rrrinng?"

"I know nothing of what you speak!" Ardeth shot, defending as an experimental blow came his way. It seemed to laugh at is threw another and another. He had few choices. Even if he managed to get in a blow, would this being falter? If his blade caused no pain and got stuck within this thing's grasp, he would be open to attack.

He backed away, nearly stumbling on the tall grass as he moved and knew real fear when his back hit a tree. This was an opportunity the black being would take full advantage of. With a screech the Nazgûl darted a black gauntlet towards Ardeth and ripped his scimitar away, tossing into the darkness beyond them. Bay tried to slip away to the side, but his enemy caught his shirt and slammed him back into place. Its sword dropped and was replaced by a smaller blade, which was lifted to the base of his throat and driven to nick his flesh. "Wherrre is it?" the thing demanded in its whispery, terrible voice.

It was answered by a sword shoving away the short blade and smart-tongued voice. "Take that you…foul…thing!" Ardeth whipped away from the Nazgûl as it fell back with a powerful kick.

"Run," Boromir warned both he and the speaker, Merry. He tossed Ardeth his scimitar before taking off towards the north, expecting to be followed. Med-Jai and Hobbit followed without needing to be told twice. The Nazgûl screamed its anger and gave chase immediately, following them into the night.

The Hobbit kept up remarkably well, given his stature and Ardeth refrained from the urge to aide him because of that fact. "What about the others?" he called to the man running ahead, sounding winded.

Boromir echoed his very thoughts as he sprinted. "We will find them! We have not the…" His voice was cut off suddenly and replaced by muffled groaning and gasps. He hadn't been too far ahead, which puzzled both Ardeth and Merry, who suddenly saw nothing ahead. Boromir had disappeared, or seemed to, except for his pained mutters echoing from a little bit away.

They skidded to a halt when they saw it—a sudden drop in ground level. Boromir had tumbled down a steep hill and was now cursing from the bottom. But they had no time to ask if he were all right. Their foe forgotten mere seconds too long came up behind and as that terrible hissing laughter found Ardeth's ears he realized he and his little friend were done for. The Nazgûl shoved them down to join their companion and began to follow until another screech rang out in the distance.

As he fell he had the sensation of evil wandering away, but he spent very little time thinking on it. Hitting the forest floor below Ardeth groaned in relief that he was still alive and the last thing he perceived before succumbing to the sudden weariness settling into his body was the sounds of wraith calls filling the dark.

~~~~~~~

He had never been so grateful to see the light. Morning seemed to come upon them at an achingly slow rate and he couldn't have been happier when finally the skies were luminous gray instead of black. Shivering against a tree in the morning mist, Rick leaned his head back and inhaled deeply, wondering what had happened to the three missing members of their party. The Hobbits had been hard pressed to take sleep, being concerned about their missing friend and Gimli too had seemed a bit disturbed that they were going to wait in searching, but the wizard had been firm about staying in one spot until they found them. If the two separate parties wandered the massive forests together then it was entirely likely they would pass each other by—or so he had said.

He was right mostly, but what if the other group was doing the same and waiting to be found? That was the point Pippin had brought up, winning another logical reply from the wise old man. "We won't take the quest back into the direction we sent the wraiths," he had said firmly and that was an end to it. They knew whatever quest they were on was more important than the lives of their Company.

The old wizard was stirring. Rick inhaled and leaned his head back against the tree, wondering what would happen today. Would they search for Ardeth and the others? He knew the Med-Jai just about as well as he knew the red-headed warrior and the Hobbit that were also missing, but he also sympathized with how he would feel, lost and unable to get to the only hope of returning back home. For his sake Rick hoped he had found at least Boromir and Merry.

Gandalf sat up from his mat with fully alert eyes, as if he hadn't been sleeping at all, and met his vision gravely. He didn't ask if Rick had seen anything on watch and Rick would have told him if he had without being prompted. No way he would chance facing the Nazgûl alone in the dark. He could go another lifetime without ever seeing another one of those things again. The fire still played in his thoughts, Gandalf chanting in some unknown language and the wraiths fleeing in anguish. Those cries were unearthly and eerie and if Evy were facing anything like this right now…

"You're troubled," the old man assumed, stretching his hands towards the dying fire in the center of their little camp.

Rubbing a hand through his dusty brown hair, O'Connell let out a sigh and shrugged. "Yeah, I mean what the hell were those things? Ardeth says back home something's gonna attack some people I'm kinda fond of and well, if he's anything like those… I knew there was something weird at Hamunaptra. I knew it, but I just didn't want to believe, you know? And I led her there assuming everything was at least somewhat safe, or if it wasn't then at least I could take care of it, but now I don't even have that. I don't even know why I care so much. She's just a girl, right?"

Gandalf studied the flames quietly a moment, then glanced up. "Some things are more than they seem at first. And often new hope is born where there seemed to be none. I do not know what part you will play in our quest, or what part Aragorn will play in yours back home, but there is always hope. Only when we lose sight of that fact does it become untrue."

"Yeah," Rick replied, biting the inside of his cheek. He scratched his arm and looked into the old man's eyes. "So what's on the list today? Aside from repairing frayed nerves? We gonna look for the others?"

The expression on the wizard's face told him that hope sometimes did not exist in certain situations. He looked regretful and grave, just like any leader who had a grim choice to make. "Those creatures cannot be destroyed and my power will drive them back for only so long. We must go the path I had chosen before. We must go south. I fear we have no time to waste, for the creatures of Sauron will stop at nothing. We…we cannot go back. This quest surpasses all else in priority."

Rick nodded and looked at the fire a little sullenly. This wasn't turning out to be one of his more promising adventures. "Yeah. I figured something like that. Look, what we faced last night was pretty…I mean that was unlike I've ever come against. I know I'm the new guy, but if I'm gonna risk my neck like this, couldn't you at least tell me what I'm fighting for? I heard one of those things say something about a ring?"

"What you are fighting for is to reach Lothlorien in the hope that Lady Galadriel will be able to help you get home," Gandalf replied quick enough, but after a long look he sighed and conceded. "But Elrond could have brought you, yet I insisted you come with us against all the reasons you should not. Perhaps I do owe you an explanation at that." The old man grunted and reached for a bag nearby, pulling out a long pipe and some wrapped up weed. He remained silent, Rick noticed and just when the ex-Legionnaire was about to prod for further information, Gandalf looked up. "The quest involves a dangerous artifact, this Ring you heard talk of." He nodded towards the sleeping Frodo Baggins. "He has it and must destroy it before Sauron finds it. If the Dark Lord gets his Ring then all Middle-earth will be lost. That is the Fellowship's task. Aiding Frodo to Mount Doom where he can destroy it."

His token reaction to hearing such grave news was the same every little stint he went on. Rick absently pulled a gun from his holster and started checking it. His ammo was limited in this place, he feared. The Lord of Imladris had offered him a bow and arrow—a weapon he had absolutely no training in, but nothing matched having a colt at his side. He had already wasted two bullets already in shooting at one of those robed creatures. "And those things?"

The wizard blew a smoke ring and watched it float away as if his mind were on other things, perhaps an easier time. "They were men once, powerful and easily won over by flattery. They were given nine rings of power, nine rings for nine riders, and through the One Ring that Frodo has they were controlled and changed into what you see now. They serve the darkness and have no hope of return. They are wraiths, undying and unstoppable. As I said, my power will only keep them afar for too short a time. There is still hope for our companions. The Son of Gondor knows the way to Lorien, in a general manner at any rate. Galadriel is wise and will know to admit them if they arrive." Gandalf took a breath, then got up and regretfully began to rouse the sleeping Hobbits and the Dwarf.

Out of curiousity Rick found his eyes traveling to the one Gandalf had pointed out. To Frodo who held the Ring. There was something different about him, that was certain. He looked like he bore the weight of such a heavy task, sort of the way Bay had when they had last spoken of Hamunaptra and the dread priest that lay within the City of the Dead. But he was no fighter.

There was a chain around his neck, a chain Rick had noticed before and which drew his attention again as the Hobbit tiredly sat up and waited for his friends to awaken as well. Would that be were the Ring was? It seemed strange to Rick that such a small thing as a piece of jewelry could cause such trouble, but then again, he had heard the screams emanating from Hamunaptra after Evelyn had read the Book of the Dead. Rick had wanted nothing to do with that Book, but a sudden morbid curiousity made him want to see this Ring for himself. A strong curiousity.

Taking a breath, Rick shook his head and forced his eyes away from the chain. But his interest had not gone unnoticed. Sharp blue eyes watched him in silence with a kind of wary dread that made the ex-Legionnaire exhale. He offered the Hobbit a smile as he began to gather his pack together. "Gandalf told me a little about our job."

Frodo relaxed a little at the friendly tone and looked to his own belongings. "Will you turn back now? Now that you know what you've gotten yourself into?"

"Nah." Rick shook his head and stood up straight, taking in their surroundings. Of course he wanted to turn back—he wouldn't have been too keen on facing that mummy Bay had talked about, either—but something told him not to back down now. He glanced at the Hobbit's chain momentarily, then back into his eyes. "I mean, yeah, a part of me says Rivendell wasn't that bad of a place to settle down at and that Arwen was pretty, but hey. I'm already out this far and I've risked my ass for less than the fate of the world."

The Hobbit gave him a wan smile, but it didn't last as the wizard began informing them of their situation. The Hobbits looked disheartened and Gimli grave. "Not a fair step from Rivendell and already we have lost near to half our number," he commented, looking up. "With the wraiths to the east we have little choice but to turn back or go south."

O'Connell grunted as the others also got to their feet, one by one, taking fruit as it was given by the wizard. Accepting an apple, he rubbed it against his shirt and shared a look with Gandalf. "What about that, anyway? I'm not saying abandon the quest, but couldn't Elrond come with us or at least…?"

"This trip was not meant for him," the old man replied with a distant expression that suggested he might still be considering otherwise. "Already he has fought in the first war and done much more than most. He has people to care for and I can ask no more than his wisdom in this." He turned to the final member of the Company—the solemn Pippin, and shook his head. "No. We will continue on. Things are grim, but not hopeless."

With that the wizard turned south and O'Connell allowed the others ahead of him, taking the rear with his thoughts. Again his eyes rested upon Frodo as he wondered what hopeless would be like. He didn't want to know.

~~~~~~~

Author: Ruse – jedinineofnine@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: No infringement intended. Naseen and Salih are mine.
Feedback: Yes! By all means, my precioussss, lemme know how I'm doing!
Archive: Sure, just please let me know if you will, so I can stop by and see your site.

A/N: Hmmm…well, despite my misgivings about this chapter, I'll throw it out and see what you all think. :-/

Reviewers:

Patty – Thanks for the review…yeah, the relationship between the Med-Jai and the Middle-earthians is a tentative one, eh? :-)

Lady Dragon – Thanks!! :-) I'm glad you're liking this!

Lula – Hehehe…when you catch up…thanks! :-D Hope you don't get too lost in the LOTR mythology…lol.

Marxbros – Thanks! I'm glad you liked the battle. Romance for Evy…hmm. ;-) Will it be Aragorn or Legolas? :-O I hope you enjoyed Two Towers as much as I did…I saw it 5 times. *blush* I can't help it…I keep going back for that scene of Aragorn at the beginning where he's laying on the rock. Very nice close-up. Not to mention how HOT Legolas looks when he's mad. ;-D As for Buff, I won't abandon it. *sniff* I just lost my Buffy vibe somewhere. :-O Gotta recapture it.

Marcher – Hehehe…yeah, I just can't leave those ears alone. ;-D And yeah…Aragorn is such a king…so perfect. *swoon* I loooove him. ;-) Anyway, about Imhotep…well, see it's always irked me about TM that Imhotep thought she was Ancksunamun…I mean I guess we attribute that to stolen nearsighted eyes, huh? But I figure by now he's figured out that she's not Ancksunamun, but really Nefertiri and well, Neffy did scream against them killing Seti, eh? That had to have irked Imhotep over the years. ;-D And we all know (I assume we do) how sexy an irked Imhotep can be. ;-D Mmmm. Thankie! As for the resurrection, I assume he'll try. ;-) Not sure how far he'll get, though. :-O

Karri – Thanks…yeah, as I told Marcher, I can't leave those ears alone. ;-) They're so cute. Thanks muchly for your continued reading! :-D

Lady Foxfire – I'm not sure when exactly Aragorn will understand his relation, but I know when Rickybug will. :-D I've got a few choice lines to go with that too. Hehehe. Soonish. :-D Sorta. Thanks for reading!

Deana – Lol…I'm glad you're enjoying this story so much, my friend. :-) I'm actually surprised you do, somewhat. :-O Thanks for reading and compliments! Next chapter Ardeth'll be accosted by insane Hobbits…oh wait, that was just a dream…:-D