Chapter 4: Forty Days….I wish!

Twang…sssssssssssss….THUMP

"I did it….I DID IT!" Naomi's grin spread rapidly across her face, and her joy could not be contained as the arrow stuck out from the bottom of the target. Legolas and Aragorn stood near-by, slight smiles on their faces, but those smiles turned into chuckles as Naomi started bouncing, holding the bow above her head in triumph. The shot was crude and the bow string had slapped painfully across Naomi's arm, but it had hit the target (however close it was to missing).

"I see you have made progress," An old voice called out across the clearing, (Aragorn still didn't trust Naomi in the shooting range) and Naomi turned to smile at Gandalf.

"I hope it shall be of no consequence to you, but I must borrow Miss Naomi for a while," Gandalf said with a small smile. Aragorn nodded his head before turning to Naomi.

"This will be your last lesson before we head out tomorrow morning," Naomi nodded solemnly before bowing to Aragorn and Legolas.

"Thank you for your teachings," Slinging her bow over her shoulder she walked to Gandalf.

"Shall we?" He asked holding out his elbow, to which Naomi took with a smile.

"We shall,"

Gandalf had led her to one of the many gardens, this one being near the edge of the river way down below. A beautiful gazebo stood right next to the edge, with a table and a set of chairs.

"I hope you don't mind if we have a light morning tea?" Gandalf asked leading her up the steps to one of the two chairs.

"Nah, it's cool," She mused waving her hand absently whilst she set down her bow and undid the belt that held her quiver in place around her hips. Before sitting down she smoothed out her rose dress. She did like the dresses, for they were beautiful to wear and look at, but she found it was starting to get on her nerves having to smooth them out constantly and pick the skirt up when she went upstairs (she had fallen flat on her face more than once).

"Sitting down she observed what was laid out on the cream stone table. Several little cakes, some soft cheese, some lembas bread and some dried meats sat on separate plates. A tea pot with steam rising out the funnel and two tea cups sat nicely in the center.

"Tea?" Gandalf asked pouring some of the hot liquid into his own cup.

"Yes thank you," Gandalf poured some into the other cup before placing down the tea pot.

"Sugar?"

"Three please,"

"Good gracious, a bit of a sweet tooth are we?" Gandalf grinned, dropping three cubes into her cup before handing it over to her.

"Cheers," Naomi sat forward and grabbed a little spoon to stir the sugar through the sweet smelling tea. She took a little sip and let the warm liquid move down through her chest to pool in her stomach.

"Do you remember the black speech that I had to utter at the Council the other day?" Naomi's eyes flashed up to look into his blue ones. She remembered clearly the pain that had risen in her head last week at the Council, when Gandalf had spoken those horrible words that she couldn't understand.

"Yes…," Naomi wasn't sure where this was going.

"I am sure you would like to know why it affected you so?" Gandalf asked before taking a sip from his tea. Naomi nodded, she had wanted to ask about it before, but Arwen, Legolas and Aragorn had completely taken up her time with archery starting early in the morning and sword work in the afternoon. She was sure she had lost weight from missing out on dinner every night from being too exhausted to drag herself over to the dining hall.

But on the plus side she had improved, her arrow shots were getting closer and she could block and parry now, and because she had done martial arts in her own world (she'd reached her black belt successfully) her stances were strong.

"As you have realized this is not your own world, and as such you have never witnessed such evil before, no one has ever tried to take over your world," Naomi nodded silently, feeling a pang in her stomach at the mentioning of her old home.

"But many here have had to deal with such horrid creatures and words of the shadow, your being was simply incapable of handling so much darkness at one time," Naomi nodded yet again, it made sense. It was like when one dove under water, at first you can't hold your breath for long because your lungs aren't used to it, but after a few dives you can bear it.

"Yeah, it makes sense….will I ever be able to handle it?" Naomi asked innocently as she picked up a small cake with a strawberry on top.

"I think you will find that there are very few in this world that can,"

"Then again, I am not of this world," Naomi said with a wink as she sunk her teeth into the soft delicacy.

It was today, the big day, the day where The Fellowship of the Ring set out on their perilous journey to Mordor, and when Arwen walked into Naomi's room with an undershirt, a tunic and a pair of pants Naomi almost jumped for joy. The black breaches tucked into boots that had been made specially for her, a long-sleeved pale, baby blue undershirt was over her head next, the sleeves only slightly floaty so that they didn't get in the way. A dark navy blue tunic was pulled on after that. The tunic came down to her mid-thighs, concealing a dagger that was strapped to her left hip over her undershirt, the sleeves came to her elbows and collar stuck up around her neck. She had also been supplied with a cloak, the exterior being black and the interior being a light navy blue. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a plait that would have trailed down to her waist, but instead was woven around the base of her head until it formed a sort of bun, to keep it out the way. Next was to find a comfortable way for her weapons. After many unsuccessful goes, Naomi and Arwen managed to find a decent position for them all. Her swords were her main defense and attack, so she attached them to her hips, the right on her left hip, and the left on her right hip so that she could grab them with ease. Her quiver and bow, which were her second form of attack, were attached to her back within easy reach and one last dagger was strapped to her lower right leg. As Naomi looked at herself in the mirror she felt tears well up.

"You look wonderful," Arwen said placing her hands gently on her friend's shoulders.

"I feel like I could take on the world," Naomi said through the lump in her throat.

"I just wish Tess was here to see how bad ass I look," Naomi said grinning as a stray tear escaped her eye.

Naomi was, of course, the last one to arrive, and as her booted feet hit the pavement and crunched the dried leaves under them she smiled.

'Totally bad ass,'

Taking her place beside Sam she nodded to him, and he nodded with a small grin back.

"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," Elrond announced from where her stood in a line of elves.

"Farewell, hold to your promises, may the blessing of Elves and Men and all free fold go with you," He called, spreading his arms wide to indicate his blessing upon them all. Naomi glanced over at Arwen, but her eyes were fixed elsewhere.

And elsewhere's name was Aragorn.

'I'll have to remember to inquire about that,' Naomi thought with a smirk.

"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," Gandalf proclaimed, stepping aside slightly so that Frodo may lead them out of the stone gateway. One by one the Fellowship stepped out of the safety of Rivendell, a strange silence over them all as they walked single file away from the Elven city.

"We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days, if our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us, from there our road turns east to Mordor," Gandalf explained as they walked on the mountainside away from Rivendell, which was far behind them. Naomi however wasn't paying much attention to Gandalf and was looking everywhere with wide eyes. She had never been so far from Rivendell and knowing that she was going to see new sights made her heart pound with excitement.

And although it was still pounding thirty days later, it was with exhaustion and sadness. She missed cars and bike and would have given anything to throw herself up onto their pack-horse Bill (who was actually more like a pony), but every time she looked over to him with the intention of hitching a ride she turned away, he was already carrying so much and she had a soft spot for horses (even if they were more like a pony).

On one occasion Naomi had tripped and just about burst into to tears, missing her car and her soft bed and her fridge and just about everything from her old world. The lump in her throat constricted her breath and she was sure she was about to cry when a small hand was held out to her face. It was Frodo. He was leaning down with a sympathetic look in his eyes, as if he knew what she was feeling. Naomi swallowed painfully before grabbing his hand and pulling herself up, even once she was standing she still held onto his hand, and Frodo hardly minded.

"I think we shall take a break for breakfast here," Gandalf said abruptly one morning, they were standing in a rocky outcropping, with cover available should it be needed. Pippin cried with joy at the thought of food whilst Naomi cried with relief at the thought of a few minutes sleep, they were roused before dawn to start trekking up over the large hill next to snow capped mountains. Gandalf had barely finished speaking when Naomi dropped to the floor, not caring that her sword hilts were digging into her hips or that Sam had yelled in surprise and concern for her. Naomi had raised a hand to him to signal she was in fact happy face down in the dirt before dropping it and closing her eyes. She was rudely awoken, however, by Aragorn a few minutes later.

"Come, you must eat to regain your strength," He said rolling her and sitting her up before walking off again, Naomi grumbled at him before rising to her feet and sitting on a rock next to Frodo, both promptly served a plate of food by Sam.

"Thank you," Naomi grinned and Sam nodded before looking down to Merry and Pippin whom were practicing their sword skills with Boromir. Naomi chuckled gleefully as the two brought down Boromir, and soon Aragorn when he tried to break the friendly wrestling up.

"What is that?" Sam asked watching the horizon where a large black cloud moved over the land, this drew everyone's attention.

"Nothing, it's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli stated dismissing the matter.

"It's moving fast, and against the wind…," Boromir said standing, concern edging into his tone.

"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas cried, his elf eyes seeing what everyone else's could not.

"HIDE!" Aragorn cried out, it was a mad scramble then to grab packs, swords, shields, hats, and put out the fire before ducking out of view. Naomi was helping Sam with his packs as he poured water on the fire when Boromir called out to them to hurry up. She turned around with the intension of telling him she was not just going to leave Sam, when Legolas wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down under a rock. Naomi was about to protest when the black creatures reached their area, the screeching was so high pitched that she saw Legolas flinch and cover his ears, the pained look on her comrade's face made he reach out and wrap her arms around his head, trying to help block out the sounds. Just as quickly as it had came, it left and slowly everyone emerged from their hiding spots. Naomi unwrapped her arms and looked into Legolas' blue eyes, her heart skipping a beat, before smiling and rising herself.

"I don't know much about elves, but I guess they're a bit like dogs or something with their ears being better than humans o-or something…like that," Naomi said awkwardly as she held out a hand for him to grab. The blonde elf took it gladly and pulled himself to his feet.

"Yes, something like that," He said before smiling a little at her before quickly moving on to resume his watch to make sure nothing was going to come back.

'In too deep, in too deep you're getting in too deep!' Naomi thought whilst she whacked herself on the forehead and ground her teeth, trying desperately to slow her heart and stop the blush spreading across her face. Gandalf addressed everyone once they were all accounted for.

"Spies of Saruman! The passage south is being watched! We must take the Path of Caradhras," He said looking up to the snow capped mountain, Naomi looked up as well, tilting her head back to take in the whole mountain range.

"Holy shit, you want us to go up THERE!?" She cried, her eyes scanning the colossal mountain.

"Yes indeed, for it may be one on the only roads left open for us," Gandalf said as he adjusted his hat and robes before moving around the small group to make sure they were all prepared to move out again.

"Oh yes indeed, for it may be one of the only roads left open to us, bullshit! I KNOW there is an easier road than this," Naomi mumbled lowly to herself as she trudged through snow behind Boromir and in front of Aragorn.

"Come now, this is good training for you," The ranger behind her said pushing her forward when she slowed down. Naomi shrugged, too out of breath to rebut him. A groan and a thump drew everyone's attention to Frodo who tumbled down past Boromir and tripped Naomi before Aragorn helped him stop.

"Frodo, are you alright?" Aragorn asked helping him brush of the snow as he reached around his neck for something that wasn't there. Naomi noticed this and looked around for the gold ring on a chain, but was too late to reach for it and someone else picked it up first.

"Boromir," Aragorn called watching the other man carefully as he raised the chain up to his face.

"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt, over so small a thing," He slowly reach up his other hand, completely mesmerized by the gold band hanging on the end of the chain.

"Such a little thing…,"

"Boromir! Give the ring to Frodo," Aragorn called out, making said man halt in his endeavor to touch the ring. Boromir looked confused for a moment, before he walked down the slope passed Naomi, holding the chain out for Frodo, who snatched it away from him the second it was within his reach. This amused Boromir slightly and he smiled.

"As you wish, I care not," He said chucking a little whilst ruffling Frodo's hair, before turning back around and continuing the trek up the slope. Naomi watched him carefully before glancing down to Frodo and Aragorn, the latter of which only just releasing his grip on his sword. Naomi looked up to Boromir again before she too walked onwards, an uneasy feeling residing in the pit of her stomach.

Naomi was at the back of the single file line pressing herself into Bill, trying to gain some more warmth(And trying to keep him close to the rock wall as possible to prevent him from slipping over the edge). Even with her hood pulled up and her cloak wrapped tightly around her she was still freezing, her entire body shaking and her teeth chattering. When she looked down to her fingers she felt sick, they were going very white and were becoming harder to move. She shook her head and stuffed her hands back under her armpits. The snow was up to her waist (up to poor Gimli's shoulders) and was slowly seeping through her pants and boots. Aragorn was in front of Gimli carrying Sam and Frodo, Boromir in front of her carrying Sam and Merry with Gandalf at the front breaking up the snow to make a path for them with his staff. Legolas was so light that he walked across the top of the snow, observing the surrounding area.

"There is a fell voice on the air!" He called out when the blizzard became even worse.

"IT'S SARUMAN!" Gandalf called out just before a crack of lightening struck above them, causing chunks of ice to be hurtled down at them.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!" She heard Aragorn call out, Gandalf replying with no before he stood out to the edge of the path.

"Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'ruith!" (Sleep, Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold your wrath!). Naomi didn't know what Gandalf was saying, but she guessed it was some sort of counter to 'Saruman'.

Whatever it was didn't work as another crack of lightning saw snow and ice falling heavily upon them, everyone's yells drowned out as they threw themselves against the rock to try and prevent the chance of being pulled over the side of the mountain. Naomi however couldn't move due to Bill and watched tonnes of snow careen down towards her, before ducking her head at the last minute and praying that she wouldn't be swept off the mountainside.

Rate/Review or whatever you like XD (Makes me feel good)