The recognizably Sentinel things belong to Pet Fly, and the recognizable things from Lord of the Rings belong to Mr. Tolkein. Anything you don't recognize probably also belongs to one of the two people mentioned above, and may just be a screw-up on my part.
I would apologize that this chapter is really late, but as I never promised a fixed schedule in the first place, I don't have to! Hooray for me!
Also I would like to thank the 2 (two) of you who favorited/story alerted this story. Pudeln, YastorRisa, you made my days. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Long tiring hours piled up into long tiring days as we continued walking. I had given up stretching my senses continuously – I nearly zoned on a bird singing before Pippin realized I'd fallen behind and had come to get me – instead opting to do hourly sweeps. Pippin had run out of steam the second day, but would still pester me quietly to tell him what I saw, heard, and smelled whenever we both had enough breath. We had passed out of the evergreen forest a couple days ago, and were now trudging across plains carpeted in a pretty much uniform yellow grass heading for a place Strider called "Amon Sul." Apparently it was a big landmark that we were going in the right direction, and would also provide a degree of safety when we got there - so much so that Strider had decided we'd stay the night no matter when we actually got there. I still had no idea, so I still brought up the rear, even when Strider said we could probably see it from where we were.I looked, but all I saw was a huge pile of rocks.
The closer we got, though, the more I started to realize that the arrangement of the rock's wasn't totally random. Here and there, there were pieces that could pass for architecture – old, broken architecture. When I asked Strider about it, he said something along the lines of "There used to be something there, but there isn't any more." I spent several minutes trying to wrap my head around it before deciding that it wasn't really all that important. I had a vague notion that my Guide would have loved to see the place, but the thought left quickly as soon as I tried concentrating on it, and I growled in frustration. Why could I remember some things but not people? I gave up as Pippin started asking me what was bothering me. No point in bothering these people with it – they couldn't understand anyway.
We ended up arriving at Amon Sul early in the evening and began setting up camp. "Jim, go see if you can find some firewood," Strider ordered. I raised an eyebrow – we'd had nothing but cold camps since we set out, and I didn't like the way he'd ordered me to do it – but I settled for a shrug and a nod. "I'll help," Pippin declared as he dropped his packs next to the others. It was Strider's turn to shrug and nod, effectively giving up on understanding why Pippin stuck close to me and just accepting that he did. I was grateful, but slightly worried – what would Pippin do when I found my real Guide? I couldn't think that far ahead. If I found my Guide everything would be okay...
Pippin's hand on my leg brought me out of my reverie, and I saw Strider had gone off to talk to Sam while I had been thinking. I shook my head, then motioned for Pip to follow me as I walked away from the group. Pippin bounced after me, seemingly relieved. I couldn't fathom how he still had energy enough to do that – we'd been walking all day, and even Strider looked tired. Still, Pip was invaluable when it came to collecting firewood, picking up the stuff I sniffed out but couldn't reach.
Going back to the campsite, we were greeted by a small fire that Sam and the others had managed to start while we were off gathering additional fuel. They looked suitably impressed by the amount of wood we had managed to scrounge up, but any congratulations were cut short by Sam taking charge to direct dinner. Frodo was – to my great amusement – plopped on a blanket and told to stay put while the rest of us went about our appointed tasks. Pippin and I were assigned to watch the soup Sam had put on the fire to make sure that it didn't burn or disappear while Sam went searching for herbs and the dynamic duo – Strider and Merry – went scouting. I decided to take the opportunity to try and get some more information. Our stops for the night on previous days managed to seem more like prolonged rest stops rather than actual camping.
"Pippin," I said, partially turning towards him, but keeping the soup within my line of vision "Where the hell are we going?" Behind Pip Frodo come to attention warily. I couldn't figure out why he was nervous; it was a perfectly legitimate question. Okay, maybe my voice was a bit harsher than I had intended, but that seemed to be something in the air. My voice had been getting harsher for days, though I doubted anyone but another Sentinel would have noticed. I attributed to Pippin's near endless questions – I hadn't talked so much in years. Still, Pippin didn't seem to share his cousin's misgivings and answered readily. "We're going to Rivendell; weren't you listening to Strider when we went over this?" I waved a hand dismissively "Yeah, I heard him – but where's Rivendell geographically? I may not remember as much as I'd like to, but I'm pretty damn sure I've never heard of any place called Rivendell – or Amon Sul, for that matter," I added under my breath. Pippin looked confused "What's 'gee-oh-graf-i-cal-ly'"? he asked in confusion. I sighed "I meant, if you pointed to it on a map, where would it be?" his face cleared somewhat, but he still wasn't exactly cheery.
He glanced at Frodo uncertainly "I don't know much myself. All I know about the place I learned from stories Bilbo used to tell. Frodo would know more – Bilbo is his uncle." It was my turn to look at Frodo uncertainly. I had tried to stay as far away as I could inconspicuously be from him on the way here. Something about him was...off, and though I couldn't tell what or why, he set off most of my instincts. Pippin didn't seem to notice my hesitation, however. "Frodo, where's Rivendell?" he asked in a reasonable tone of voice. Frodo frowned, and pondered the question for a few seconds. "Bilbo always said it was in a huge forest," he started slowly as I stirred the soup "And that it was over a river and behind a steep cliff," he paused and thought some more. "And just before he got there he was captured by some trolls who got turned to stone by the dawn," he finished. It was my turn to frown."So we'll know we're getting close to Rivendell when we find some ugly statuary?" I asked, disbelief colouring my tone. Frodo nodded "If we're taking the same route that Bilbo did, yes."
"Rest assured we are," said Strider as he came up behind us with Merry right behind him. I rolled my eyes. "Good to know," I said sarcastically. "I'll sleep that much better knowing we're going to go through territory known to be in range for trolls." I turned and stirred the soup again, my sudden irritation with this trip making me grumpy. I heard more than saw Strider and Merry go and talk to Frodo, and I assumed Pippin had joined them until I felt a hand on my elbow. "Is something the matter?" Pippin inquired, real worry in his eyes. "I'm fine," I snapped, then winced internally as he flinched and went over to join Merry, Frodo, Sam and Strider. Guiltily, I turned my attention back to the soup. Why had I snapped at Pippin, I wondered. He'd been doing his best to help every step of the way and hadn't been too terribly annoying. I didn't have any more excuse for being irritable than the rest of the group, either. So what had set my teeth on edge?
My thoughts were interrupted by the reappearance of Sam bearing several small, fragrant bundles of plants. I relinquished my spot readily and stalked to the edge of the circle of firelight to try and think through my foul mood. I still hadn't figured it out by the time dinner was ready, which only added to my grumpiness. I ate in silence, stoically ignoring all attempts to involve me in the conversation. I watched with only half my attention as after dinner Strider laid down a bundle that sounded suspiciously metallic to my ears.
My guess was confirmed when he unrolled to reveal four short swords, all of them a good length for a hobbit. "I had hoped that you would not need these until later," he said seriously "But I feel you should have them now." Fitting action to word, he handed each hobbit a sword. Pippin and Merry immediately engaged in a mock-fight, shouting nonsense and waving their swords erratically at each other. I nearly smiled, but I was still on edge. Strider turned to me, looking apologetic. "I'm afraid I do not have a weapon for you," he said. I snorted. "Not your fault. Don't worry, I'll be fine," I said as I sifted through the firewood we had until I found a stick with an acceptable heft. He merely nodded in approval at my actions, and turned back to the hobbits to instruct them a bit in how to use, not abuse, their new swords.
I was tired, but I didn't feel like sleeping so I took the first watch. Strider looked like he wanted to argue, but merely contented himself with telling me to keep the fire alive. I just nodded – it was easier to agree. As they settled into their blankets I moved so that my back was to the fire and settled in to wait. I had a bad feeling I wouldn't be waiting long.
I couldn't sleep. I was really worried about Jim – something had been preying on him all evening, and now he was taking a watch by himself. He'd asked me to sit up with him whenever it was his turn before, and being on watch alone was the sort of thing that seemed likely to make him zone. Sam and Merry had gone to sleep as soon as they had gotten comfortable, and Frodo hadn't been far behind them. I wasn't sure if Strider was asleep or not; with Rangers, it was hard to tell.
My mind kept going to Jim's behaviour earlier. He'd snapped at me and hadn't talked hardly at all during supper. Was it something I'd done, or – sudden noises from Frodo interrupted my thoughts. Further over, beside the fire, I saw Jim stiffen and straighten even as Strider abandoned all pretense of sleep. "Frodo, what is troubling you?" he asked urgently as he approached Frodo carefully. I was wondering that myself, but Frodo had Strider looking after him. Jim was my responsibility. I got up and hurried over to him.
"Jim?" I asked softly, carefully noting his cocked head and distant look. "What is it? What do you hear?" I asked as I placed my hand on his elbow, hoping to keep him balanced. "Hoofbeats, Chief," said Jim, still distracted. "The same ones I heard outside the Prancing Pony. They're coming. Fast."I shuddered at the bleak news, remembering those terrible Riders. My motion seemed to bring him back to himself, and he grabbed my hand even as he motioned for the others to follow him. I was dragged along as he hurried through the ruins, eventually coming to a wide open area with a wall backing half of it. "Get your backs to the wall and stay there," he growled. My eyes widened – he had sounded nothing like himself. It almost sounded like an animal growling. Mutely, I nodded, and he looked slightly relieved. "I'm going back and getting the fire. Strider, stay and protect them," he ordered. His voice was still a growl, and Strider seemed to realize that arguing would probably be bad for his health as well. "How long have we got?" he asked softly. Jim cocked his head. "Five minutes. Maybe less," he answered finally. Turning on his heel he ran back towards the campsite with surprising fluidity.
I looked around at Frodo, Sam, and Merry nervously, and I could see they shared my feelings. I gulped and drew my blade, and steely hisses around me told me the others had mimicked my actions. It seemed a long time, but was really no time at all before I felt cold creeping up on me, and the clank of metal boots on stone echoed around the ruins. The Nine were here, and I could see them standing between the pillars on the far side of the space. Where's Jim? I thought frantically. Strider was here, menacing them with his sword, but Jim still hadn't made it back. What if he had zoned? What if he wasn't coming back? My heart constricted with fear, even as I heard Sam cry out behind me. I turned just in time to see Frodo vanish. Just as he did, the Nine attacked. I whipped around to face front just in time to duck a slash meant for my neck. I dodged another blow, and blocked a third. Cold crept up my arm as my sword rang with the strike. I heard Frodo scream in pain, and suddenly Jim was there. Two fiery brands, one in each hand, lent a yellow glow that bolstered my courage even as it lit the scene. He roared and charged the Nine, and my plucked-up courage vanished. That roar sounded like nothing that should come from a Man's throat, and the grace with which he moved seemed uncanny.
No doubts about his effectiveness, though – each time he swung his brands, another Rider fled burning into the night. It wasn't long before they were all gone. Strider ran over to Frodo, who was lying on the ground gasping even as the injury to his shoulder bled sluggishly. One of those horrible blades the Riders had been using was sitting on the ground next to him with the tip broken off, and Strider picked it up to examine it more closely. As soon as his hand touched the hilt, however, the blade crumbled away to dust. Strider blinked, then examined Frodo closely. "He has been poisoned by a Morgul blade, and he needs elven medicine, quickly, if he is to survive. Sam, help me unload the pony. Riding instead of walking will help slow the poison." Suiting action to word, he started pulling packs off of Bill, with Sam joining him shortly thereafter.
Jim still hadn't moved, though, so I cautiously sheathed my sword and walked closer. "Jim?" I said softly "Are you alright?" He didn't answer, but I could see him breathing heavily and trembling. "Jim?" I repeated, walking slowly around him to get a better look at his face. Once I had done so, I wished I hadn't. I gasped loudly at his eyes – they weren't blue anymore, they were yellow. And his teeth looked longer and sharper than they ought to, though I only saw those for an instant. My gasp drew the others attentions over, but also seemed to get through to Jim. He closed his eyes and took a deep shuddering breath. When he opened his eyes, they were back to their usual icy blue.
"Are you both well?" Strider said from where he was messing with the packs. "Fine. We're both fine," Jim cut in before I could answer. Strider looked at me closely, but I just nodded. Jim looked at me carefully. "What did you see?" he asked softly. I gulped. "Y-your eyes – they were yellow. And your teeth were long and sharp," I said in a small voice. He frowned. "What happened to you?" It was my turn to be soft and urgent. Jim looked at me for a few moments with an unreadable expression before he closed his eyes. "I don't really remember much," he said, still softly "I went back to the campsite, and saw my spirit animal pacing near the fire. It looked up when I got closer, then sprang at me. I don't remember anything else until you gasped." I looked at him in confusion. What were spirit animals? And what did they have to do with what happened to Jim? Any questions I had had to be stored away for later asking, though, because just at that moment Strider stood up and announced it was time to get moving. So we went, picked up our packs, and started off.
Questions? Check. Answers? ...maybe later
Be sure and review if you enjoyed it
New info: I'm slowing down in putting up chapters not because I don't know what I'm doing, but because I find it actually very difficult to type. I type slowly, and my hands start hurting pretty quickly. So my apologies about the speed