So Close
Rubble scudded down the ash-coated mountainside as the pair of weary travellers, every inch of exposed skin smeared with sweat, blood, and dust, stumbled towards their fiery destination.
Foot before bruised foot, legs twinging with agonizing pains as the abused muscles protested, the never-ending cycle repeated itself hundreds – perhaps thousands – of times. At last one of the companions, who had fallen a short distance behind his comrade, staggered a final step before crumpling to the rocky ground in a despairing heap. His friend was at his side in an instant.
'Frodo? Come on, Frodo, we've got to keep going. We're so close, see?'
The exhausted traveller shook his head, barely finding the strength to lift his face from the volcano's slope. 'It's too far, Sam. It's too much. I can't do it any longer.'
Sam shook his head, even knowing that Frodo wouldn't be able to see the gesture. 'We've come this far, Mr. Frodo. Have hope. It's like what I said when we were with the Captain Faramir. There's always hope. And it's always worth fighting for.'
TBC...
A/N: This is dedicated to a dear friend of mine (you know who you are). Don't give up! *hugs*