Here's the thing about being me. I love planning, the general plot of the stories, and then reach blanks when I try to make details. This will be my "excuse" for slow updates. As much as I want to post ASAP, sometimes my creativity blows a fuse once in a while. I hope you guys can understand that.

Oh, and you really need to trust me on the whole "getting her memory back" thing. IT WILL HAPPEN! And it won't be the last minute surprise at the very end, or anything. I have my reasons, as much as they annoy you. Okay, let's get started.

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Lord of the Rings, comprendo?

Chapter 17 Recap:

"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath, nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."

'Wonder how long it took him to think of that,' Abigail thought.

As they went out, she heard Frodo whisper,

"Mordor, Gandalf, is it right or left?" since he was in the lead.

"Left," Gandalf replied.

Abigail grinned to herself. 'And we're off like a herd of turtles."

And from far away, the lone captain said,

"Namárië," hoping it would reach her ears.

Chapter 18:

It's funny how 10 people can't think of anything to talk about. They had been traveling for almost a day, an only the hobbits had whispered something now and then.

About mid-afternoon, the company stopped and it was apparent a discussion was going to be arranged. Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf sort of gathered near each other, with Frodo right behind Gandalf. The other three hobbits took this as their cue to have a little rest. Abigail started walking towards the men, but Aragorn cast her a warning glare. She scowled, but decided she wasn't in the mod more arguing.

"Fine, keep me in the dark. I'll just go fill my water pouch," she muttered. But she slowly inched closer to them, until she could hear their conversation.

"Should we not be crossing the river soon, Aragorn?" asked Legolas. "Soon the water will be too deep to ford."

They were still technically in Rivendell territory, because they never crossed the River Loudwater. Abigail too had wondered what the wait was for.

Aragorn replied, "I am making sure there are no signs of Nazgul on the other side before we cross."

Abigail almost dropped he bottle in the river.

'Nazgûl? I thought they wouldn't stray this close to a city.' She glanced at Frodo. 'Then again, they have all the reason to come here.'

"The river should have carried them far, my spell made sure of that," Gandalf said.

"I trust your magic, Gandalf. But there were only, what, five or six riders chasing Haldir? That means the others could still be close by," Aragorn explained.

"Possible, but most likely they would have-"

"Spying?"

A voice interrupted her focus. Abigail looked around.

"I don't believe we have been properly introduced." She held out her hand. "The name's Abigail, or Abby if you please."

The hobbit shook her hand slowly.

"Samwise, but preferably Sam, Gamgee," he replied.

"You're the one attached to Frodo?"

"More like I have a duty to Mister Frodo, miss."

She smiled, grimly. "Don't we all." She stood up, done filling up her bottle.

"You must be a nutter for coming," commented Sam.

"Don't tell me you're like the rest of them. You think I can't do this either?"

"Now, I believe I have a fair good respect for women. In all honesty, though, the hardest take I've seen them do is clean a babe."

"And a difficult job that can be no doubt," Abigail looked into the distance. "But I was trained for more."

Sam just shrugged his shoulder a bit, and went to join Frodo, for both now noticed the meeting was over.

"We need to cross the river now." Aragorn said. "Hobbits, you may need to grab onto someone. While the current is fairly calm here, the level is about waist high."

'Super,' Abigail thought.

"Merry, Pippin, let me talk your packs so they don't get wet," she offered.

"Right, thanks," Merry said, and they did as she asked.

Aragorn took Frodo and Sam's packs. As they began to cross, Sam stood by Aragorn, Frodo stood by Gandalf, Merry stood by Legolas and Pippin stood by Boromir. Gimli was next, and then Abigail was last like always.

'Good thing I opted against the white blouse,' Abby thought.

They crossed the river, checked the equipment, and waited a second, almost expecting something horrible to come out of the woods now. Nothing happened, so

"It would be quickest to cut through the trees than to trudge along the shore," said Boromir.

Aragorn nodded in agreement, and they were off walking again.

Night came, and no one and seen or heard anything so they decided it would be safe to make camp.

Aragorn and Legolas went off to see if they could find some meat for a meal, while the rest of you set up camp. With Aragorn gone, it was now mainly Boromir who kept glaring at you. Gimli, thankfully, seemed rather indifferent. He pretty much ignored you, but not in a mean way. He still seemed uneasy with the fact of traveling with an elf.

Moments later, Abigail spoke.

"As much as I love sitting and waiting-"

"It's all you're good for," muttered Boromir.

Again, she held her tongue. Her wit could be funny around Authion, but here it could get her smacked.

"Why don't I just get some firewood?" she suggested. Without awaiting answer, she got up and left, just as Aragorn and Legolas got back.

"Where is she off to?" asked Legolas.

"She's going to attempt to find firewood," Boromir answered bitterly.

Gandalf sighed, "It would not kill you to be kinder, Lord Boromir. She's not going anywhere soon."

"Says you," he said. "First little bruise she gets, she's going home crying."

"Why not give the lassie a chance," Gimli spoke up. "She obviously had some courage to come along in the first place, not to mention hold her own at a council."

"Or she could just be insane for joining," said Legolas.

"So everyone says," chuckled Gandalf, "But an open mind never hurt anyone."

"Except for maybe us, when she runs away during a fight. I have been taught that women have no place in war, and I am not about to change that opinion," Boromir seethed. He was obviously the one who was most disturbed by this situation.

"What do you think Aragorn?" questioned Legolas.

"I do not doubt her training, Lorien elves are known for fierce warriors," he pondered. "But this is still a new experience for her. As my sources say, she hasn't been out of Lorien until Rivendell. I don't know how much we can rely on her in the real world. Boromir is right, it is possible she might panic." He sat down and continued.

"But I also agree with Gimli, that we need to give her a chance. Let us see how she fights and how she reacts, only time will show what she really is capable of." He took a breath, "I know I'm in no position to order you around, but we could try to be more open to everyone in this fellowship. We have a long road ahead, and we need to trust each other."

Now Gandalf stepped in.

"It will take some adjusting, even for me, but the idea is to have us all be united. We are a picture of hope for all of Middle Earth."

Everyone seemed to be able to agree somewhat, even if a little doubtful.

Meanwhile

When Abigail was a safe distance away from a camp, she gave a little yell of frustration and kicked a tree very hard, happily imagining it to be Boromir's head.

"Bloody high and mighty men!" she screamed (but not to loud mind you).

After she calmed down a bit, she did what she was supposed to and started gathering some firewood. Not too much was on the ground, and a lot was wet. Finally she found some near a pile of boulders. Some sticks were on top, but some were wedged in-between. She tried to pull off the rocks, but they were too heavy. She was about to give up when she thought,

'Wait, this would be helpful time to use telekinetic powers. Which I do have.'

After making sure no one was close, she focused on the boulders, and moved them out of the way. While she was using her powers, though, she felt something. Or rather she felt nothing. Her powers allowed her to feel presences, since she could feel, their heart, mind, soul etc. Currently, she could faintly sense an object, but here was nothing inside of it. Nothing she could grasp.

'This feeling, it's…familiar."

She racked through her mind, trying to think of some evidence. Suddenly, it came to her. She didn't know how she knew, but the name screamed in her head.

"Oh shit!" she yelled. She dropped the wood and ran as fast as she could back to camp.

Pippin looked up, and saw Abigail charging towards them.

"What's up with her?" he asked out loud. The rest of the company turned to see the girl running for her life.

"Abigail?" said Gandalf.

She ignored him, and instead went straight towards her pack, and pulled out both of her long daggers. Now everyone was alert.

"Abigail, what is it?" Aragorn demanded.

She looked up, as if just noticing they were there. She caught her breath, and said the one word that had been screaming in her head.

"Nazgûl!"

One cue, they heard the faint footsteps of a galloping horse.

Everyone eyes widened, and then they took out their weapons.

"Gandalf, Abigail, stay close to the hobbits!" Aragorn said.

"You've got to be joking!" she replied, angry at being shoved in the back again.

"Abigail, this is no time to argue," he yelled.

Now the wraiths came into view, coming from the side.

She gave up, and retreated close to the hobbits.

"Keep your swords up, boys. They move like shadows on those horses," she warned.

Legolas was shooting arrows like mad, but they didn't seem to have an effect. She thought about getting her bow, but then decided it was too far away.

The men were managing to keep them away from Frodo, but there were having trouble reaching the wraiths because of their horses.

"How can we get them on the ground?" she asked Gandalf.

"I might have a way," he took a step closer and whispered some words to his staff. A bright glow emitted from it, and the horses reared, but the riders held on tight.

'Wait, Abby, duh! The horses are alive, you can control them,' she thought.

She made the horses fall completely over, and then forced them to run away.

'I'll have to make sure they don't come back.'

The Nazgûl's screamed in rage, which made everyone wince. The fight was better now that they were on the ground, but it was hard to touch them.

One came up close to Legolas, and knocked the bow out of his hand. Thankfully, the elf jumped back, away from the sword. Gandalf rushed to help him leaving Abigail alone.

The other three were occupied with the other two Nazgûl, but one slipped past and came towards Abigail and the hobbits.

'Keep attacks high, block your weaker side more, be patient for the right opportunity,' she thought over Haldir's tips.

She moved to block with her left and strike with her right, but as soon as she touched the wraith, a horrible pain seared through her side and made her drop back. She half noticed Frodo's stare of recognition. She also vaguely remembered that the pain of wraiths mark never leaves.

She heard the Nazgûl say,

"There is only one female I have marked in the side," he hissed.

"I-it was you, seven years ago," she stuttered.

"I must say I am surprises you lived through it, though I expect your life to still end shortly," he taunted.

"It will be your downfall that I lived." She began to strike with her daggers again and again, trying to ignore the pain. Then something dawned on her.

"How come you and I can talk?"

"Still a stupid girl," he rasped. "Unfortunately, your powers allow you enough access to our minds to hear our thoughts."

"It's amazing you have any mind left at all," she said. She unknowingly was mind speaking back to him, for her mouth never moved.

This made for a strange sight for the others, for she held such a fixation to the wraiths face, even though it didn't exist. They didn't understand what she was doing.

"You have improved your skill, but you can't use your magic along them for long," the black mouth said.

"And why is that?" She couldn't help but be curious.

"We are attracted to great things of power. Every time you use yours, it's like a beacon, making it that much easier to find you."

"You are bluffing."

"How do you think we found you so suddenly?"

'It could be right. Frodo didn't use the ring, but I used my power,' she thought to herself.

"Do not worry. Soon you will be able to use your powers all you want."

They both struck high, and their swords (well daggers too) were caught together, and they were just pushing down on them as hard as possible, hoping someone would give up.

All this time, the others were trying to jump in and help, but they couldn't seem to get close. Somehow, Abigail and the Nazgûl seemed to get farther away from the others.

Aragorn noticed, that the other wraiths weren't focused on the hobbits; they were trying to follow Abigail.

"Why do they not try to take the ring?" he discreetly asked Legolas.

The elf couldn't think of an answer, and merely shrugged.

"You have made your choice, and there is no escaping it," he hissed.

Abigail pushed the side of its sword and made it swing around.

"What choice?" she asked out loud.

Gandalf was the first to see she was being backed up into a tree, and she didn't see it.

"Aragorn!" he cried.

The ranger saw what he was worried about, and attempted to make his way to the girl.

"Abigail move!" he yelled, hoping to get her attention.

It was too late; she was pushed into the tree, and momentarily lost control of her daggers.

Instead of stabbing her with the sword, the Nazgûl reached forward and only grabbed her side.

This time, Abigail couldn't ignore the pain. It felt like her was stabbing her, a hundred times over. She gasped, and fell on her knees, clutching her scar tightly.

Now this Nazgûl really was going to strike, but before it came down, a thick sword blocked it with a clang. Abigail looked up and was surprised to see…Boromir. He had just saved her life.

Boromir held his own, and was actually able to make the wraith retreat a little.

Legolas saw his chance. He grabbed an arrow, and shot the Nazgûl that was fighting Boromir in the back. It screamed with pain. Two similar screams were hears, seconds later. It seems the other two wraiths were hit as well. Abigail regained her focus, and made/allowed the horses to come back.

Surprisingly enough, the riders jumped back on their steeds, and retreated.

"That's right! Run if yeh know what's good for yeh!" shouted Gimli.

The Nazgul gave a final screech. Well, for the others it was a screech, but what Abigail heard was,

"This is only the beginning. There is more to come…"

Then, they were back to the silence of the trees.

Abigail, breathed a sigh of relief, and stood up shakily. She picked up her blades and sheathed them.

'I never made a choice, certainly not one agreeing with their kind,' she thought.

She sighed again, and then started to walk slowly away from the camp.

"Where do you think you are going?" Aragorn said.

"To get the damn firewood," she yelled over her shoulder.

Again, Gandalf was the only one who seemed amused. The rest were just bewildered.

"It's alright Aragorn," the wizard said. "She'll be back in a moment."

"What about them black riders?" Sam asked.

Gandalf shook his head. "They won't be back, at least not tonight."

"How can you be so sure of that?" voiced Legolas.

"They never return after an attack, especially if they have been hurt at all. We saw that at Weather top," Frodo spoke.

"I think we are fine, for the night." Aragorn agreed. "But we should have watches all night, and leave quickly in the morning."

All mumbled some sort of 'yes' and cleaned up the camp, still wondering what had really just happened.

I said all of my main thoughts at the top of my page. I hope you found this little section of action interesting. I'm not very good at writing fight scenes, and all in all there are kind of hard to put on paper for any writer. It's weird to describe all the specific moves and such.

Man, I really need to stop making excuses for myself. And maybe I shouldn't have Abigail swear so much, not quite proper for the time I'm sure.

Thanks to coolio reviewers:

ArwenEvenstar83: Still many thanks for the proper translation. I really do plan on fixing that.

Narnian Sprite: I'm very glad to see a new reviewer! Trust me, I am digging my own grave with these typos. Such tiny annoyances, but I know they need to be fixed.

Samantha-Girl Scout: Yay, you're happy!

LOTR Lover 24 and 7: Of course I gotta keep up the girl power! Thanks!

LadyEruaphadriel-orderofthe...: I'm not going to spoil the surprise, but like I said before, it will happen! I'm glad you like the story thus far, and I hope you keep reviewing. Thanks!

CelticRoseOfTheLake: Always lovely to see a review from you. Thanks for the happy thoughts!

I am so excited: 51 reviews! (does happy dance)

Enjoy life and keep an open mind.

-MysticNight9