The sunlight shone through the trees like droplets of golden rain, falling down upon the deep green of grass and other forestry at the feet of a black horse. Water splashed around my feet as I rode through a small brook, my hand gripping tightly to my horse's mane. The black steed shivered in the cold of the water, late autumn as it were.
"Do not worry Niethen." I said, laying my hand on his neck gently, "We will stop soon." Niethen, my horse, as black as night, a single white star on his forehead, tossed his head impatiently, looking at me with reproachful eyes as if to say, "We have been riding all night! When will this end?" I smiled. "I am sorry Niethen..." I said whispered, "But we could not stay there... orcs roam freely across these forests. It was much too dangerous." Niethen looked at me again. "I do not fear orcs." I replied to the question I knew was burning in his eyes, "I only wish to be cautious towards their numbers. We will rest when we reach Bree. Do not look at me like that. It is less than a league away."
The trees were my home as I rode through them, swiftly but carefully, keeping my eyes sweeping about me. "Alright," I finally said, "you win." Niethen stopped at my command at the side of a calm river, the water seeming to be unmoving. Jumping down I raised my arms above my head in a stretch, listening to my back crack in at least three different places from the lack of movement.
Tilting my head up into the setting sun, still an hour away from Bree I rolled my neck and set my bow on the ground beside the river, making my hands into a cup and splashing the cool liquid onto my face. Niethen stood beside me, drinking and I patted his neck again. "We will leave soon, Niethen." I said and stood up, staring at my reflection in the river.
I looked young for the near one thousand years I had walked this earth, Elven as I was with long brown hair and deep green eyes, a fair complexion and a thin, yet generously muscular, body. As it usually did a green, hooded cloak hung over my attire consisting of a brown vest and deep green tunic. Brown legging pants and boots adorned my bottom half. I wore no jewelry but the vine bracelet that hung on my wrist, having been there since before I could remember. My weapons were varied. A small ax hung on my belt beside a long sword, Anhuin it was called. A bow and arrows were hung around my shoulder, my primarily used weapon. I pulled back my hair as I watched myself in the river and tied it back with a green piece of cloth sighing heavily. I stood, looking into my reflection blankly, seeing the emptiness in the reflection's eyes...
Suddenly, with a gasp I saw an arm in the reflection below and turned around, pulling out my sword to parry the oncoming sword... it was an orc.
I skillfully twisted my arm, making the wide sword fall from the orc's hand and onto the grass behind... and my sword went through his chest, making him fall to the ground. He was dead. The creature that lay at my feet was one of the ugliest I had ever seen. Its skin frightfully deformed and its teeth razor sharp and disgusting. In every way this creature was intimidating, from its looks to its obvious muscle and thick sword. More would be coming, I knew, and, after wiping the small trickle of blood that ran down my face from the hilt of the orc's sword, I called Niethen, who came out from behind a tree and approached me. I leapt upon my horse, my breath slightly heavy and my eyes wary as I took off at a full gallop towards Bree.
"I told you!" I said to Niethen, riding with all haste, the sound of the raged roars of orcs nearly lost, even to my Elf ears, behind me. When, in an hours time, I saw the gate to Bree I breathed a sigh of relief, glancing behind me into the rainy night only briefly, my hair sopping wet, even through my cloak. I leapt off of Niethen and onto the wet, muddy ground, my boots splashing though no water hitting my feet. I knocked on the gate loudly, fearful that no one would hear.
My fears were not answered though for the wrinkly, cross face of an old man peeped out of the door. "A woman?" his voice was cross and high pitched as if belonged to a woman witch. I said nothing as he opened the door of the gate, "A she-elf!" I nodded and wrapped my cloak around myself closer. "What business do you have here in Bree?" he asked me suspiciously. I smiled at him.
"I only wish to seek hospitality at the Inn. I am a Ranger, therefore have no home to find it elsewhere. Please, the road has been long." The man seemed to contemplate for a moment before nodding.
"Very well Miss." He said, "But steer clear of the residents here. They trust not Elves." I raised my eyebrows thoughtfully and thanked him, walking in through the door, Niethen behind me. I walked through Bree quietly, my head bent, avoiding all manner of talk with the people who did not trust my kind.
The sign for the Prancing Pony swayed in the wind and I smiled, letting go of Niethen's mane and turning to him. "Go find a stable to stay in, Niethen." I told him, "I will call you when we leave tomorrow." Niethen bowed his head and I rubbed it... one of my very few friends... my horse... watching him trot away I smiled and pushed open the door to the Inn, pulling off my hood and shaking out my wet hair.
The cut on my face had begun to bleed again and I frowned, wiping it off with my sleeve. All around me was the smell of alcohol, and humans, the sights of drunken and heartily partying men all around me. My all observing eyes noticed four Hobbits sitting at a table. I smiled as I grabbed the mug of ale as it was handed to me. Rolling my neck I turned to watch the Hobbits, two of which seemed to be very nervous, which I found peculiar for a Hobbit. I watched as the Hobbit with blue eyes and black hair tapped the man handing out bread on the leg, pointing over to the corner... where a hooded figure sat, smoking a pipe. He stared intently at the Hobbit as I scrutinized him...
could he be?... no.
I ran my hand through my wet hair and finished off my ale, readying myself to ask the tender where my room was. As I stood up, my legs aching from the use only about a half hour before, a strange sound wafted through the air... "Baggins... Baggins... Baggins!" I wrinkled my brow, I smell trouble.
"Baggins? Sure I know a Baggins." I turned to see a young Hobbit, his voice of what would be called by you Irish, and his face cheery. "He's over there. Frodo Baggins." I turned to where the Hobbit was pointing and saw the black haired Hobbit. I frowned as he quickly closed his hand over something shiny in his hand... it looked like a Ring. "He's my second cousin, once removed on his mother's side and my third cousin, twice removed..."
The said Hobbit named Frodo began to run through the Men, trying to get to the talkative Hobbit. I looked upon the scene with curious yet troubled eyes... the Man in the corner pulled his pipe from his mouth. I would recognize him anywhere... but it couldnt be...
"Pippin!" Frodo exclaimed and pulled the said Pippin down from the table that he was sitting on. "Steady on, Frodo!" Pippin said, his drink spilling and his face wrinkled in a frown. Frodo tripped on a Man's foot, tumbling back onto the ground... something flew from his hand and the Man in the corner rose to his feet, keeping one eye on him as I was. Turning back to the Hobbit, Frodo Baggins, on the ground I saw the Ring fall through the air and land on his finger... it slipped over it and... the Hobbit disappeared!
All the Hobbits around him gasped and I widened my eyes in horror, backing away... the Ring of Power!
My Elven ears, which picked up even the littlest sounds in this bar heard the quick but loud and frightening scream... of a Nazgul. "No." I whispered and looked down for the Hobbit, who in the events of the few moments that I had turned around had yanked the Ring off of his finger, breathing heavily. The image of the Eye of Sauron flashed in my mind and I blinked furiously, trying to rid myself of it. The Man that had been sitting in the corner reached down, quicker than sight and grabbed the Hobbit off the ground.
"You draw far too much attention to yourself, 'Mr. Underhill'." He said mockingly and began to drag Frodo up the stairs. I gaped at him a moment before smiling... Aragorn. Slipping outside of the door and out into the rain I went to the back of the Inn, quickly climbing a slippery tree in the rain and to the open window, hiding in the shadows. I peeked inside of the window just in time to see the Hobbit Frodo being pushed inside the door and back up to the corner of the room.
"What do you want?" he asked. The Man that I knew turned, licking his fingers and putting out candles, a small hissing sound being made each time.
"A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry." I smiled... yes, that was the fellow Ranger I knew.
"I carry nothing."
"Indeed. I can avoid being seen if I wish but to disappear entirely..." He pulled off his hood and my smile widened. His slight growth of hair on his face, his gentle brown eyes, his brown hair that fell to his shoulders, and kind face, "that is a rare gift."
"Who are you?" Frodo asked suspiciously.
"Are you frightened?" Aragorn asked, almost mockingly.
"Yes."
"Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you."
The rain was beginning to fall lighter, but my booted feet still threatened to slip on the branch. Aragorn began to walk towards the Hobbit, before suddenly the door burst open. Quickly, Aragorn turned, his sword whipping out with the speed that I had seen on our many adventures together before we split two years before, swearing to meet again someday.
"Let him go! Or I'll have you, Longshanks!" the stoutest of the three Hobbits cried, his hands into fists, the other two holding candleholders and chairs. I smiled in amusement. Aragorn let out his breath and smile, much like mine, sheathing his sword.
I chose now to appear, jumping in through the window, pulling my hood off. Aragorn turned before his eyes widened in a smile of surprise. "You have a stout heart little Hobbit." I said, looking at him, "But that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo." I said to the Hobbit. "They're coming."
Aragorn looked at me and I nodded. "Rhasslairiel." He said I smiled.
"Aragorn, son of Arathorn," he frowned slightly before crossing the room, leaving the Hobbits to stare as he embraced me into a hug. I smiled and put my arms tightly around his neck, as was our fashion, giving him the slightest of kisses on the side of the mouth.
"Long have been the two years since I last saw you." I turned to the Hobbits.
"You will reside with us, Hobbits." I said, "They will know where to find you."
Aragorn looked at me. "I'll be back." He said and went out the door, leaving me to bend down and put out the fire that burned in the hearth. The four Hobbits stood in the corner and I looked out of the window to see Aragorn in the room that they would be residing in, making the beds look like they were sleeping in them. I nodded to him when he looked up and grimaced as another one of their screams reached my sensitive ears.
"Now," I said turning to the Halflings before me, "What are your names... your real names, Mr. Underhill." I added, turning to Frodo. He spoke after a moments hesitation as Aragorn came back in.
"I am Frodo Baggins..." I nodded encouragingly and kindly, "This is Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, who prefers to be called Merry, and Peregrin Took or Pippin." I smiled at them all, giving each of them a short shake of the hand.
"You should all go to sleep." I said, "They will be here soon and we have a substantial day tomorrow of traveling." I looked at Aragorn, exchanging a fond glance with him. The Hobbits nodded and all climbed into the large bed in the corner of the chamber, all but Frodo falling into sleep. Aragorn came up to me.
"Where have you been? You disappeared off the face of Middle Earth it seems." I smiled and gave him a hug.
"I missed you too, Strider. Where have you been?"
"I asked first."
"Fair enough. I have been wandering here and there, killing all the orcs that come in my way, trying to rid the world of its filth. I've been by Lorien a few times, though was never greeted by any of my kind. Im gelir ceni ad lin." (I am happy to see you again.) I said, speaking in my native tongue of Elvish. "And you?"
"Much the same, though I spent a good portion of my time in Rivendell."
I laughed. "I bet you did." My laugh was choked off though as the sound of horses reached my ears, black horses... black riders upon them... I exchanged glances with Aragorn and we went to the window, I standing and Strider on a chair, his pipe in his hand, in the other his sword. Occasionally I would take it from his hands and take a drag of my own, only to end in having it grabbed back from me. The Riders dismounted their horses below, entering the Inn as they broke open the door and going up the stairs I could see in my minds eye. Aragorn looked at me with a grim face...
Their screams erupted into the air as they found our charade, tumbling the beds over that they had formerly stabbed. I put my hand to my ear, my face wrinkled and the three Hobbits that were asleep sat up quite suddenly, their eyes wide with fear. Frodo leaned back on the side of the bed that he had been on, his face still full of emotionless worry.
"What are they?" He asked.
Aragorn turned to them as another scream rang out. "They were once Men." Aragorn told him, "Great Kings of Men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave them nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question... one by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will."
"They are the Nazgul, Ring Wraiths, neither living nor dead." I said, putting my hand on Aragorn's shoulder. "At all times they feel the presence of the Ring drawn to the power of the One."
"They will never stop hunting you."
"Sleep now, Hobbits, for we have long to go before we reach our destination..." all, even Frodo fell back onto the bed and fell asleep, leaving Aragorn and I to remember old times and discuss what we had done while apart. I was not surprised to hear that he had seen much of Arwen Undomiel, Elf of Rivendell, for deeply in love they were. We talked until, tired as I was after my encounter with the orcs, which I described to him, letting him wipe the blood from my face, I fell asleep, my cloak wrapped around me on the floor, Aragorn in the chair beside me...
The next morning I found that another cloak and blanket had been drawn over me and I sat up, my brown hair tangled and messy. I looked up to still see Aragorn sleeping in the chair and the four Hobbits in a deep slumber. I stood and put the blanket and cloak on Aragorn, who stirred but a little and turned his head before sleeping on. I stood at the window, not moving, looking out into the town as the sun began to rise into the sky. My head was filled with thoughts that I could not understand... maybe that I didnt want to.
"Rhasslairiel?" I turned quickly to see Aragorn, standing, the blanket and cloak that I had returned to him on his arm. I smiled at him and bowed my head. "You should have woken me."
"I had not the heart." I said, running my hand through my hair. "We should take the Hobbits to Rivendell." I said bluntly. Aragorn nodded.
"It is true." He said, "Besides it was where I was headed anyhow."
"As was I." I said and Aragorn smiled in surprise, "Seeking counsel from Lord Elrond." Aragorn knew not to press me any further, dark though my past was...
The Hobbits were roused and we began to make our way out of the Inn, passing by a very frightened looking tender, who looked at us suspiciously before we left the door swiftly. I raised my eyebrows for no particular reason and pulled a long silver flute from the inside of my vest. Aragorn frowned at the three notes that floated through the air but his face relaxed into a remembering smile as Niethen came riding through the town, his hooves splashing lightly in the small puddles on the ground. Aragorn reached over, taking his brown horse off the bar in which he was tied outside of the Prancing Pony, and patted Niethen on the side. "Mae govannen, Niethen." (Well met, Niethen.) he said in Elvish and I smiled before we took off walking through the streets of Bree.
We passed by the fallen gate of Bree quickly, and a pang of pain hit me as I saw a few humans huddled around it, making our way out into the woods that surrounded it, the Hobbits following behind Aragorn and I as was our command. The morning was chilly and refreshing, the air clean and the early morning dew on the leaves glittering in the sunlight, such as only I would notice.
"Where are you taking us?" Frodo demanded. Aragorn did not look back.
"Into the Wild." Aragorn and I led them, me bending nearly low onto the ground, inspecting the trees around us and keeping my Elven ears and eyes sharp for any sign of orcs or Ring Wraiths.
"How do we know this Strider and Rhasslairiel are friends of Gandalf?" Merry asked the others in a hushed voice.
"We have no choice but to trust them." Frodo replied...
"The Elf I trust more though." I smiled to Aragorn, who rolled his eyes at me, childish I was being. "But where are they leading us?" Sam asked.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee." Aragorn cut into their conversation. "To the House of Elrond." I looked down at the name, keeping my composure cool though. Aragorn looked at me for a moment.
"Are you alright, Rhasslairiel?" he asked. I looked back up at him, smiling.
"Sorry, Aragorn." I said, "Drifting into thoughts." I could hear the Hobbits behind us.
"We're going to see the Elves." The third day came and we trudged through the light layer of snow on the ground, coming in the early winter that plagued all around us. I wrapped my cloak closer as we finished breakfast, mine consisting only of an apple, and walked through the snow. We paused a moment to look around at our surroundings, me leaning my head back on my neck, and shivering slightly. The cold had always bothered me and I was constantly getting sick in the cold. I sniffled a little and Aragorn looked at me.
"Keep wrapped up." He said, putting a blanket around my shoulders. I smiled, for he knew my condition with the cold, having helped me through life threatening illnesses.
"Hannon le." I said, thanking him in Elvish and he smiled, winking slightly. I could hear the clanking of pots and turned to see the Hobbits stopped, pulling out provisions.
"Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall." Aragorn said.
"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked.
"You've already had it." Aragorn said, wrinkling his brow in confusion.
"We've had one, yes." Pippin shot back, "What about second breakfast?" Aragorn only looked at them before taking my arm gently and leading me on. I followed without retort, focusing too much on keeping warm. Obviously Aragorn knew little about Hobbits' eating habits. Smiling lightly, I reached down into the pack that hung from my shoulder to my thigh and took out two apples, throwing them both backwards.
"Pippin!" Merry cried impatiently and I smiled, walking alongside my old friend. Another day passed of endless walking and wrapping myself in blankets until we left the region where snow littered the ground, coming to a less wet but nonetheless warmer country. Twilight was falling, putting all colors into terribly bleak light and the sky grey as we trekked through plains, far from the mountains only a day before. Aragorn had shed himself of his cloak and hung it over the brown horse. I patted Niethen again, who had been traveling with me, keeping close in the cold. We descended a hill until we came to a ruin.
"This was once the great watchtower of Amon Sul." Aragorn said.
"Or Weathertop." I added. I turned back to the Hobbits. "We shall rest here for the night." I said. The setting sun shone through the clouds, a peeking eavesdropper looking down upon our journey with curious interest as I looked out upon it. Aragorn looked out at the landscape all around us, his face wary before leaning down, unwrapping a blanket, filled with short blades. I looked at him.
"What will you bring now, conjuror?" I asked, leaning up against the wall of the side of Amun Sul, my arms crossed. Aragorn looked up at me without tilting his head, giving me a tolerating look. I pulled my hood over my head, wiggling my eyebrows at him playfully. I smiled.
"These are for you." Aragorn told them, throwing the Hobbits each a sword, each of them catching one, "Keep them close. Rhasslairiel and I are going to have a look around." I looked at him and stood up fully, resting my hand leisurely on my belt on the hilt of my sword and following him down the side of Weathertop.
"Stay here." I said to the Hobbits, my eyes on Frodo.
"What ails you, Rhasslairiel?" Aragorn asked lowly, putting his hand on my shoulder after many minutes of quiet. Niethen followed behind us.
"If Gandalf told the Hobbits that he would meet them at the Inn... he should have." I looked at my friend with worried eyes, "I can't think of anything not life threatening that Gandalf wouldnt keep a promise for."
Aragorn looked down. "I do not know what could have kept Gandalf." Aragorn said, "But whatever it is I am sure it was important. He is not dead."
"Dead..." I whispered, "No not dead..."
It was the dead of night now, the stars invisible to us and the moon peeking through the clouds every once in a while... yet another peeking eavesdropper. "The return of Sauron has finally come." Aragorn said slowly and quietly, stopping for a moment to lean against a rock, looking about.
"I never thought that in this lifetime I would see it." I nodded. "I never thought it would happen." I said, "Evil is spreading, growing, yes, as it has for thousands of years... but nothing as vast as this." The two friends that were us fell into silence again, disrupted only by the quiet rustle of a lizard in the grass or the flutter of one lonely bird or the whinny of Niethen.
Suddenly, "Put it out you fools! Put it out!" rang out through the air and I turned, perhaps Aragorn had heard perhaps he hadnt. I looked at him in alarm.
"Frodo!" I exclaimed and looked up to Weathertop, my Elven eyes catching the slight view of a fire. The scream of a Nazgul echoed out into the air. Aragorn looked at me and I jumped onto Niethen, pulling Aragorn up behind me, the latter being slippery without a saddle to keep him on.
"Noro, Niethen, noro." (Ride, Niethen, ride!) I cried and Niethen took off at a full gallop towards Amun Sul, Aragorn pulling out his sword as we rode through the fog. I could see the Ring Wraiths climbing up the side of the tower, their black cloaks billowing around them. I widened my eyes and let Aragorn jump off Niethen, climbing up behind them. My horse quickly tried to climb the side as well. I was there, surprisingly, before Aragorn, jumping off my horse and brandishing my bow and arrows just in time to see Frodo fall to the ground.
"Frodo!" I called and three of the five Ring Wraiths turned to me, brandishing their swords and advancing on me. I pulled on the string of my bow, sending an arrow into one of the Ring Wraiths. It sizzled and disappeared like smoke in the wind, floating off into the air. "No." I whispered, fear seizing my heart and pulled out my sword, parrying when a blow was brought down at me. Out of the corner of my eye, for reader I will not lie to you, skilled as I was, I could see Frodo disappear. Fool! I thought. They are drawn to the Ring's power... they can see you! I was forced to turn my attention back to my battle though, only half aware of the scream that protruded from Frodo's mouth as he was stabbed no doubt. I twirled around in a circle before bringing my sword down toward one of the Ring Wraiths, watching as it parried it. I was being pushed back towards the side of the Weathertop, my energy running low compared to the untirable Nazgul. Suddenly, there was a yell and the Wraith that had his sword stuck in thin air it looked like, though I knew it was Frodo, pulled it out and turned. Aragorn came onto the top, swinging his sword and torch in front of the invisible Frodo protectively, the three that I had been fighting turned, as did I.
All of a sudden, there was a great pain in my right leg and I screamed, looking down to see that one of the Ring Wraiths had dug the tip of their metal boot, which was topped with a needle like tip, into it. Clenching my teeth as blood ran down my leg I swung my sword at them, making the three of them back up in surprise. Aragorn swung the torch, making the two Wraiths that had been attacking Frodo catch on fire and begin to run around, flailing their arms and screaming the screams that made my blood chill, before turning to the three that had attacked and injured me. I continued to spar with one of them, moving closer to my Ranger friend, who fought with a furious passion.
"Where have you been?" I yelled, my teeth still clenched. Aragorn didnt answer as he chased one of the Wraiths off the side of the top. There were two left. Turning around I lit an arrow on fire and shot it at one Wraith, making him erupt into fire as Aragorn threw a torch at the other, it landing on his face... the Wraith screamed and turned, running off the side of the top... they were gone. I dropped to my knee, examining the other one painfully, tearing a strip off of my blanket that hung on Niethen and wrapping it around it, only resulting in making it hurt more.
"Rhaich!" (Curses!) I whispered as I stood slowly.
"Strider! Rhasslairiel!" Sam cried turning around and Frodo came back to my mind. I walked over to Frodo and kneeled by him, painfully leaning on Aragorn by him. "Help him Strider!" Aragorn picked up the blade that Frodo was stabbed with and looked at it sardonically. "He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." Aragorn said. The blade turned into smoke and flew into the air, causing Aragorn to drop it. I reached down and lifted the Hobbit before stumbling. Aragorn took Frodo and put him over his shoulder. "This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine."
Sam looked at me and I shook my head helplessly. "I am sorry, Sam." I said, "It beyond me as well."
We ran through the forest, the screams of the Nazgul not far behind. "Hurry!" Aragorn called.
I limped even behind the Hobbits, using Niethen as my main support. "We're six days from Rivendell!" Sam yelled, "He'll never make it!"
"Hold on, Frodo." I could hear Aragorn whisper reassuringly.
"Rhasslairiel!" he cried and turned around, pausing only a moment for me to grit my teeth and force myself to catch up to him. "That leg should be rested." I nearly laughed. "You always say that." I told him, my teeth gritted until they crunched, "But I never listen."
"At least ride Niethen." Said Aragorn, "You are slowing us down."
I rolled my eyes at him, leaping onto my horse with a hiss of pain, grabbing onto the horse's mane. We stopped but a moment to catch our breath as Aragorn repositioned Frodo on his back. "Aragorn." I said, helping him put Frodo on the ground. "Let me take Frodo to Rivendell on Niethen. He will get there faster." Aragorn shook his head.
"You will not make the journey." He said.
My eyes were filled with fire. "I have had much worse than this before, Strider." I argued. Aragorn shook his head at me.
"Is he going to die?" Pippin asked. I looked at him.
"He's passing into the Shadow World. He'll soon become a Wraith like them." The scream like moans of the Ring Wraiths filled the air.
"They're close." Aragorn turned to Samwise Gamgee. "Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?" he asked.
"Athelas?" Aragorn moved his head. I butted in.
"Kingsfoil." I said from my horse. I had still not jumped down.
"Kingsfoil, aye, its a weed."
"It may help to slow the poisoning." Aragorn said, moving to go into the woods, "Hurry!" I sat on Niethen, looking down upon Frodo and his friends, their faces worrisome and his pained. I wrinkled my brow at them, trying to think of something I could do... the only thing I could was told by Aragorn not to do. Damn! I thought. Hooves from horses made their way to my ears as I looked up, watching as a white horse came riding through the woods, my bow was taught, an arrow affixed to it pointed at them. I smiled at he she-elf that jumped down from her horse, her hair as dark as night, much the same as mine, her eyes blue and her skin a beautiful white. She was thin and graceful as was our kind. Her eyes lingered on me fondly only for a moment before kneeling down before Frodo.
"Frodo." She said, "Im Arwen. Telin le thaed." (I am Arwen I've come to help you.) I frowned, "Lasto beth nin, tolo dan na ngalad" (Hear my voice... come back to the light.)
"Please Frodo." I whispered.
"Who is she?" Merry asked. I looked down at him.
"Her name is Arwen, daughter of Elrond himself." My voice held a certain bitterness that I knew they couldnt understand.
"She's an elf, like you Rhasslairiel." Sam said.
"Yes," I replied, "But Arwen, unlike myself follows the grace of Elvish women..." Arwen looked up at me only for a moment, a smile on her lips before looking back down at the Hobbit.
"Frodo." Arwen whispered, laying a gloved hand on his head. "He's fading." She whispered. "He's not going to last." Aragorn put some of the Athelas into Frodo's wound, making him writhe in pain, "We must get him to my father." I swallowed as they lifted Frodo up onto Arwen's horse quickly. I rode up beside them. "I've been looking for you for two days." Arwen said. "There are five Wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know."
"Dartho guin Berian. Rhych le ad tolthathon." (Stay with the Hobbits I'll send horses for you.)
"Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im." (I'm the faster rider I'll take him.)
"Andelu i ven." (The Road is too dangerous) I sat there on Niethen, following their conversation with growing irritation.
"Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon." (If I can get across the river the power of my people will protect him.)
"She is right." I said. Arwen looked at me.
"I do not fear them." She said.
"I will accompany you." Aragorn made to protest. "I am no use to you old friend. But I may help Arwen get Frodo to safety."
"Thank you, sister." Arwen said to me as Aragorn took her hand.
"Be iest lin" (According to your wish.) He said and watched as Arwen boarded her horse. I rode up beside her.
"Arwen," the she-elf turned to Aragorn, "ride hard. Dont look back."
"Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim." (Ride fast Asfaloth, ride fast.) Arwen turned to her horse and whispered it into his ear. I patted Niethen on the shoulder.
"Hurry, Niethen." Arwen and I rode through the forest and out into the plains and through forests again, all the while I could feel blood running down my leg heavily, dripping onto the ground, sending spasms of pain through my body... but I had told Aragorn that I would go with her... and follow Arwen I did.
I could see through the trees the Ring Wraiths gaining on us, now right beside us. I began to breath harder. I was leaving a trail of blood... like a bread crumb trail... like a trail of death.
Arwen's brow began to wrinkle in worry as I saw that all of the Nine were following us, gaining with every second, at some times only inches away from Frodo. I drew myself between them, blocking off the Ring Wraiths, my sword out and slashing. The braid that I had had my hair in was coming apart, hair whipping in my face.
"Noro lim, Asfaloth!" Arwen begged her horse. We rode faster. We were nearing Rivendell by the moment now, already the sound of the River was reaching my ears. My breath came in short gasps as pain increased in my leg. Never before now had I realized how hard riding was. All too suddenly as my mind wandered we rode out of the forest and onto a rocky bank, where our two horses rode across the River without fear, water splashing over my clothes. We reached the other side, turning around, her face brave and mine tired. The Ring Wraiths stopped at the bank of the River. I could feel their confidence waning.
"Give up the Halfling, She-Elves." Arwen pulled out her sword.
"If you want him, come and claim him!" All nine of the Wraiths pulled out their swords and began to cross the River. We looked at each other.
"Nin Potter Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulaer!" (Waters of the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word, flow waters of Loudwater again against the Ring Wraiths.)
We chanted, our voices echoing out through the air until I could see the water come to life like horses and run over the Wraiths, sending them tumbling into the water and washed away. I was still watching the Wraiths being washed away as Arwen put down her arm.
"No. No!" she cried, laying him down on the ground. "Frodo, no!" I stumbled down off of my horse, kneeling by Arwen. "Frodo, dont give in! Not now!" Arwen cried and hugged him tight to her. I fell onto the ground, leaning up against a tree, trying to keep my leg from hurting any more... and my eyes closed... I've lost too much blood... I thought... Too much blood... and I fell asleep.