Chapter 6

Arwen

Alena's POV

The woods looked precarious. I guess panic was taking its toll on me.

So far we've killed five Ringwraiths, but I knew there were more. We had to be cautious with our surrounding. At any time they could attack on us while our guard was down. It didn't help that the night was whipping cold lashes on our faces as we ran along.

I didn't feel any better knowing Frodo's condition. We needed Elvish medicine to stop the poison from going through his system, but Rivendell was a six days hike.

I ran next to Strider trying to will Frodo awake while he carries him; the poison will settle faster if he goes unconscious. However, his health was worsening by the minute that I fear we will lose him in a day's time.

The thought of losing him made me shudder from fear and cold. I couldn't help, but predict how deep his loss would be in our life. From that thought, memories of us fooling around wandered in my mind. How carefree we were back then; true enough, I was rarely in the company of my four favourite hobbits, usually only when Gandalf asks for her to come with, but they were memories that could fill me for a lifetime.

"Frodo, remember how we used to get in trouble with Farmer Maggot?" I asked, trying to distract him from the pain. It worked even for a little bit; he lifted his head with a small pained smile. It's better than having him crying with pain. "I remember when we placed a cat in his hen house." I giggled lightly at the memory as I thought of how ridiculous we were back then.

"Then... then we opened the door." Said Frodo, each word filled with pain. Clearly his energy is almost at its limit, but still he spared his breathe to the memory of happiness and mischief he once felt. I had to wince at his voice though. I tried to keep a calm demeanour for his sake.

"Yes. Then the chickens came running out. Feathers were everywhere." I smiled when I thought of how we looked. "We looked like chickens ourselves."

I heard Frodo chuckle as he thought of that day. Our whole body was covered with feathers; it didn't help that our body was slick with sweat beforehand.

Amusing as the story was for us both, Frodo couldn't help but grunt from the wave of pain. I felt sorry for him, but I couldn't do anything more. I felt so helpless.

Sparing my worry to my other companions, I stared back at the three hobbits trailing behind us. We were slow.

I turned my head back to Strider's direction, "You have to go on ahead. The other Wraiths will eventually catch us at this rate."

"No, we have to stay together. We can make it." He grasped my hand tightly, trying to give point on his statement. He sounded desperate as if to reassure himself more than me. I stared at him and true enough, determination was on his eyes. I have to admire that about him, but clearly this wasn't the time.

I knew it was hopeless trying to persuade Strider otherwise- I myself was scared to part from him- so I released my hand from his, giving him a smile to reassure him I would stand alright, and slowed down my pace so the other three hobbits can catch up on me. They all looked worriedly at Frodo's direction, but I couldn't blame them. I know they knew of the chances of Frodo surviving was slim, but we have to have hope.

Out of all the three, Sam looked more distressed. I felt sorry for the man, I knew he was blaming himself for not defending his friend better, but eating himself up with sorrow would do no good to either Frodo or himself. With a squeeze of his shoulder, I let a small smile graze myself for reassurance as I gently pushed him forward. My smile though only lived for a short while when we all heard the screech from the Ringwraiths. They were closing in.

"Hurry!" hollered Strider.

The hobbits quickened their pace out of fear. From the sound of the echoes in the woods, they were definitely close by.

I placed myself on the back of the group, ready for battle if needed. With my hand on the hilt of my sword, I dashed my way through the prickly branches, taking possibly a day off from our six days to Rivendell.

It was early morning, around three judging from the skies. Though we felt the need to carry on and make straight our way to Rivendell, our bodies says otherwise. We were tired, hardly any time for rest. But we were about to collapse out of exhaustion.

I was somewhat amused from the place we've found ourselves in. This was the exact place where Bilbo's trolls were placed. As amazed as I should be, my worry was too much for me to think.

I paced around our little area; the screeches of the Wraiths were a little far gone, possibly giving us a few hours of rest. Unfortunately, the case wasn't as generous for Frodo's health. Time was not on our side considering Frodo's excessive breathing and sweating. His suffering is too much for audiences' eyes; the pain visibly displayed.

I can see Sam trying to comfort his friend, but that won't do anything. Though his efforts are much appreciated, we needed to think of something that could help.

"Is he going to die?" asked Pippin as he stared at both Strider and I with misery on his eyes.

"No. He is passing into the shadow world; he will soon become a Wraith like them." Said Strider.

We all went silent, trying to digest the thought of Frodo possibly becoming one of those vile creatures. Suddenly, as if on cue, the cry of the Ringwraiths floated around the air, breaking our reverie of silence.

"They're close." Said Merry nervously, fidgeting in place.

We have to move on; sooner or later they could corner us to our deaths. Having enough of standing around like some sitting ducks, I turned myself towards Strider's direction, ready to leave, but found him making his way to Sam.

"Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?" asked Strider once he was in front of Sam.

Sam looked confused, "Athelas?" he asked.

Athelas. Strider was a genius. Though the plant may not help all the way, it could buy us some time. "Kingsfoil." I tried to offer another name, its common name among hobbits.

"Kingsfoil. Aye. It's a weed." Recognition finally dawning in him.

"It may help to slow the poison. Hurry!"

With that, both men ran away to the forest in search of the weed. I wanted to help, but I knew I needed to protect my remaining companion.

I turned back to the direction of Frodo's painful gasping. Kneeling beside him, I can see he has not much time. However, he is one strong hobbit for going as long as he has. I turned my head away from Frodo's form when I heard Pippin silently sobbing a few feet away. I tried to offer my arm to both hobbits as if to direct them to me, and eventually both approached.

After giving them an embrace for comfort, stationed them next to Frodo, "Stay here. I'll stand guard."

I stood from where I was and grabbed the hilt of my sword. I walked a few feet away from them, facing the direction where I thought I heard the cries of the Wraiths. The thought of them coming to kill us all brought fear, along with anger. I have to stay strong for my friends even if it meant that I had to use my curse.

Just then, I heard the gallops of a horse coming toward us. Panic struck within me when I thought of fighting of the horrid creatures, but I had to. For my friends.

I unsheathed my sword from my belt and took a defensive stance in front of the three hobbits. Glaring at the figure quickly approaching, I noticed the horse to be white.

White?

I stared more intently on the figure on the horse's back and noticed flowing dark brown hair. Once under the lick of moonlight, I quickly noticed the familiar face approaching our little group. Relief quickly strung upon my heart when I saw Arwen offering with what I can hope as aid.

I gave a small smile when Elrond's daughter mounted off her steed and received just as much warmth from her. I ran to her as she met me half way, giving each other a squeeze. It has been months since I've last seen her or have been in Rivendell. Our embrace was brief, but understandable. Now was not the time to reminisce our days in the past or bask on our reunion, especially with Frodo's burden present.

I lead her to the groaning hobbit quickly. Once within sight of Merry and Pippin, they stood in awe at the sight of the beautiful maiden. I couldn't have blamed them for their brief distraction from beauty; even I, myself, was distracted from her ethereality when I first met her, and admittedly was jealous.

"Who is she?" asked Pippin as he stared in awe at the approaching young elf maiden.

I opened my mouth to give answer to the curious hobbit's question, but stopped immediately when I noticed just now Strider and Sam was with us. As much awe as Pippin, I heard Sam breath out an answer, "She's an elf."

I would've smiled at the hobbits' ridiculous reactions, but the matter at hand was to grave to insert a sense of humor in.

Arwen cupped Frodo's deathly pale cheek, "He's fading...he's not going to last." she stroked Frodo's face, trying to ease the contortion of pain on his face while Strider placed the Athelas paste on the infected-looking wound on Frodo's shoulder.

"We must get him to my father." said Arwen with unmistakable urgency in her voice.

Strider, wasting no moment, lifted the young man over Arwen's horse. Unfortunately, with Frodo's condition, he can hardly lift his own body's weight. Before Frodo can fall off the horse head first, I quickly placed my hands on his waist to steady him.

"I have been looking for you for two days. There are five Wraiths behind you, where the other four are, I do not know." Arwen said as she spoke to Strider; no doubt it was a surprise for her to see me.

"Do not worry of the others. We dealt with them before they could cause more damage." I said quickly, dismissing submissively the relief that passed on Arwen's face. Once Frodo was stable on the horse, I took the reins from Strider's hands as I placed my boot on the stirrup, ready to haul myself up on the beast. However, the reins were pulled away from me rather rudely just as I was pulling my body up. I trailed the culprit's hand from the nozzle of the horse and found the reins in the hand of Strider.

I gave him a stern glare, placed myself down once again, and tried to pry his hands away from the reins. Though I'd like to think that I'm giving a fight, it was clear his strength was too superior against mine. My temper was on its limit with Strider's play.

"What do you think you're doing?" I hollered as I stared at his face; he didn't even flinch at the tone of my voice. "Frodo's losing time and with the Wraiths on our back, we have to hurry." I yanked the reins again from his hand, but his grip grew firm with my outburst.

"I am not letting you go on your own." He stared me down as he towered over me. I would've cowered if I hadn't seen a tinge of worry on his eyes. I softened my eyes when I saw the true purpose of his rash conduct.

"I won't let you go on your own either." I whispered for only him to hear. My temper gone by now as my vigour softens at the sign of his care.

His entire stature changed at the change of my voice, his eyes gradually leaving his stern demeanour. "I rather them hurt me before I let them get to you." Strider whispered back, the intensity of his stare growing on me. I had to cut away our gaze before things got out of hand as I stared on the ground, releasing my hold on the rein that I so stubbornly fought for as I gave in on his silent plead.

Strider faced Arwen as both exchanged conversation in elvish.

I may have gone through my share of travel around middle-earth, but I was always rough on my elvish... or any other type of language. Gandalf would always try to teach me when we both can spare time from our travels, but Gandalf finally discovered it as a hopeless cause.

No less than a minute, the exchange between the two came to a stop as an agreement was arranged. Strider, to my surprise, gave the reins to Arwen. I was about to fight for my right to help Frodo, but I knew it was futile. Besides, with the power of the elves on Arwen's side, she would have a good chance of fighting off the Wraiths on her journey.

"Arwen," I call for her while she readies herself atop her horse. She glances down on me, waiting for my words, "Be careful... Please." I pleaded with my eyes as I stared at her intently. "I am not ready to tell Choriandus any bad news if there were anything to happen to you. Besides, I don't want him to make him madder of me after what I did with him last time." I saw a twinkle of amusement in her eyes as the fond memory of me cutting her betrothed's hair by accident replayed in her mind. I couldn't help but chuckle at Arwen's amusement.

After the short distraction I gave her which, hopefully, brought away the thoughts of danger from her mind. Arwen rested Frodo more comfortably against her. But before she went, Strider patted the mare's neck for a minute to spare.

"Ride hard, don't look back." Said Strider as he spoke the last words Arwen heard before her departure.

Up ahead, we saw the noble stead with its master on top of a hill galloping fast away, straight to Rivendell. I pray to Valar that they may be safe. I pray to see them once again in Rivendell, alive.

Because I had a lot of reviews (so far at least...), I decided to update early (and because I have nothing else better to do) XD

sooooo you know what that means, a lot of reviews means early update.

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PS: Measles suck :p