A/N: To start, I apologize for the delay in getting the second chapter out to you all, life happened. I will try to get chapters up quicker in the future. Also, thank you so much to all who read and reviewed, your comments are greatly appreciated! I want you all to know that I am basing the events in the story on the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy films. I hope that is okay with everyone. Of course, I do not own Lord of the Rings or Maleficent. Enjoy!
Chapter 2
The next morning they set off early after Strider bought a few supplies and loaded them on a pony he bought. The owner said its name was Bill. Those who were awake and out gave the group wary side glances. Only a company of four hobbits, two humans, and a creature no one had ever seen before could attract such strange events as those last night. The inhuman screeching, ruined bedroom, and dead door guard had the citizens spooked. Maleficent even saw a few men going for pitchforks. Her staring contest with a particularly burly man was interrupted by Diaval stepping between her and the man, and she gave him an annoyed glare. However, she couldn't hold back a smirk.
"Really, Diaval?" After giving the man a glare he turned and smiled slightly with a shrug.
"Last night wasn't your fault. They shouldn't get any ideas that they may be able to take it out on you." She raised her eyebrow in disbelief and let a short laugh.
"What, Diaval? My glare wasn't enough to dissuade them?"
"Your glare doesn't dissuade people, it makes them more agitated." The chuckles from the hobbits turned into coughs at her raised eyebrows. She lifted her chin and ignored Diaval's triumphant look.
Once they were a ways away from the town Maleficent stretched cramped muscles in her arms and wings while walking. There was enough room to stretch her wings to their full sixteen foot span and she closed her eyes and sighed in relief. When she opened her eyes again she froze as she found all six men staring. She folded her wings quickly and put her arms down.
"What?" Diaval already missed the tranquil expression he'd just seen for the first time.
Strider remembered his short conversation with Diaval. She must not have always been so serious. I wonder what she was like before someone wronged her. He chuckled, but stopped short at her offended glare.
"Forgive me, I think we were just surprised to see you stretch like that… I hadn't realized your wings were so large." he marveled. They were over twice his height and dragged on the ground! She stared at him in shock, but then smiled slightly. He's trying to be more kind. When did Diaval talk to him? As they started walking again she gave Diaval a pointed smile and a raised eyebrow to which he looked away guiltily.
A little while later they left the road and started hiking through the woods. Frodo called from behind.
"Where are you taking us?"
"Into the wild." Strider answered.
The hobbits were unhappy with the pace set by the ranger, and Merry voiced his thoughts about the man to Frodo. What he did not know was that Strider, Maleficent, and Diaval could hear him easily. "How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?"
Frodo, not taking his eyes off the human, answered him. "I think a servant of the Enemy would look fairer and feel fouler."
Merry continued to glare at the man's back. "He's foul enough!" Maleficent threw an amused smirk at Diaval, but he gave her a deadpanned look. I need to work on what he finds humorous. She also caught Strider's hesitation at Merry's indication of his lack of cleanliness and smiled at that too. So he can hear them as well. Rather good hearing for a human. He did seem taller than most of the humans at the town. Maybe he is somehow different. Frodo apparently thought the ranger strange too, but decided the man needed to be trusted and said as much to Merry.
"We have no choice but to trust him."
Sam, leading the pony, spoke up from the back. "But where is he leading us?" Strider, tired of being talked about as if he couldn't hear answered him.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee." All the hobbits paused in embarrassed shock while Strider continued. "To the House of Elrond." Maleficent did not know what that even meant, but Sam became very excited.
"Did you hear that? Rivendell! We're going to see the Elves!"
Maleficent believed going off the road was good idea, but they would never know if the Nazgul were close unless they were making noise. Waving her hand nonchalantly at Diaval, he turned into a crow and hopped onto a branch.
"Keep watch around us. Alert me if you see anything coming our way. Stay close to the tree tops." He nodded and flew off. She turned and caught Strider staring again. The hobbits, having seen this before, kept walking. "I figure him flying around is less conspicuous than me." She said to him with a smirk and chin held high as she walked past. He stared after her. Not even Gandalf and Lady Galadriel can do that sort of magic, but this creature does it with ease. He caught up to her and they passed the hobbits.
"What else are you capable of milady?" She gave a sly smile at the title.
"I can do many things." At his unrelenting stare she continued with a sigh. "I can do whatever I put my mind to as long as I do not tire myself."
"Any weaknesses?" She gave a suspicious glance out of the corner of her eye.
"Why?"
"I like to know how I can help my allies survive." At her incredulous looked he quickly continued. "We may not know, or like, each other much, but I have figured out you are not a threat to us. I think I should know if you have a problem with anything." He gestured to the hobbits behind them. "I know the hobbits have no fighting experience and I will need to avoid fights with any enemies if possible. I know you can defend yourself, but…"
"Iron." She interrupted.
"What?"
"Iron burns faeries." She said it with such haunted eyes that Strider knew better than to ask why. It must have to do with the betrayal Diaval spoke of last night. However, he asked for more about the iron.
"So if you were sliced by a sword or knife, you would also be burned." She nodded and decided to demonstrate it to him.
"Here. Bring out something with iron. Something small." He gave her a curious look, but brought out a small knife. "Just hold it up without moving it much." Strider watched as the woman slowly brought her hand close to the blade and it started to glow as if getting very hot. She quickly pulled her hand away as if she'd gotten it too close to a flame. Maleficent held up her hand. "See?" He did. She was not burned, but he could see pink skin quickly turning back to normal. He huffed thoughtfully.
"That's both interesting and problematic." She just waited for him to continue with glittering eyes. "Interesting because I've never seen that before, and problematic because many things in this world are made from iron, or have iron in them." He saw her look ahead and nod.
"Yes, it is the same where I am from. I just have to be careful." Strider glanced at her hand again.
"The irritation faded rather quickly." He had the pleasure to see her smile ironically.
"I can heal myself with magic, but it takes concentration. If I am very injured or cannot concentrate on it, I have a harder time healing quickly." He nodded his understanding. Hearing a raven's cry, Maleficent and Strider glanced up as Diaval flew down and perched on a branch.
"Anything?" The raven shook his head. "Very well. Keep circling, but if you need to rest at all come back and land on the pony." Maleficent turned her head to Strider as an afterthought. "If that's alright with you." He shrugged and glanced at the hobbits who'd stopped when they did. However, they were unpacking supplies. What do they think they're doing?
"Gentlemen," they all looked up at the man and faerie watching them, "we do not stop till nightfall." Pippin stared at him in confusion.
"What about breakfast?" Maleficent and Strider had identical looks of confusion on their faces, but Strider answered him.
"You've already had it." Pippin halfway rolled his eyes and looked at the two as if they were slow.
"We've had one, yes, but what about second breakfast?" Maleficent continued to stare in confusion, but Strider simply turned and walked off with a rather disgusted look. Frodo and Sam quickly packed up the supplies as Merry answered Pippin and started walking.
"I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip."
Pippin stumbled after him. "What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?" Merry sighed and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I wouldn't count on it." He looked up in time to catch the apple flying at his head. Maleficent turned to see where Strider threw that from, but looked back in time to see Merry hand it to Pippin, pat his shoulder, and walk past her. Pippin looked disappointedly at the apple before getting hit in the head with another one. He stumbled back a little and looked around, shocked, and Maleficent couldn't hold back the snicker. Pippin halfway glared at the woman as she put her hand in front of her mouth, but he couldn't deny the merriment in her eyes and decided to not complain too much.
"It's not that funny." He rubbed his forehead as he walked up to her. She turned with him as they continued on. She finished laughing, but the smile remained as she reached up to a branch of the apple tree. Two apples started growing in front of their eyes. Strider had stopped to watch again.
"Oh, it is actually." Amusement laced her quiet voice, and just as her hand reached the apples' height they finished growing and were a deep red. She handed one to Pippin and offered the other to the remaining hobbits. They shook their heads and she shrugged and took a bite as they all continued walking. The silence that followed left everyone in their own thoughts.
Frodo thoughts turned to the night before. He tried not to think about the eye wreathed in flame and Sauron's voice, or the shrieks of the Ring Wraiths. He also failed to not dwell on the power of the ring. He didn't just know about its danger now, he felt it. He could feel it now. Its insistence to put it on. It just seemed like the right thing to do, but he knew it wasn't. Being around the others helped. They distracted him. From Merry and Pippin's antics and making sure not to step on Maleficent's wings to looking around the woods for any signs of movement.
Maleficent could feel the ring too, although, no one knew. The closer she was to Frodo, the more she could feel its tug on her mind. It felt her power and yearned for her to take it. She could also sense how powerful she'd become if she did put it on. As if I am not already powerful enough. But if I do put it on, I will become more evil than I am now... She decided to stay away from Frodo and the ring as much as possible and walked a little quicker so she was just behind Strider. Even a few paces ahead she felt the call lessen and she sighed quietly.
Diaval saw this as he passed above. He noticed her quickened pace and relaxation of the shoulders as she let the breath out. Is it the ring? Is it that powerful? Frodo said it was, but it seems like such a small thing. Although, her reaction was bad enough last night that I cannot let myself be fooled.
Strider thought to the road ahead. It was already starting to get rougher, and around late afternoon they would enter the marshland. We will have to camp in the marsh. At least nothing will be able to sneak up on us while in there. We would hear them splashing through the water. He also wondered at Maleficent's magical abilities. 'Anything she puts her mind to' is right. From flinging drunkards away, transformations, healing, and growing plants; her power gives Gandalf a run for his money. She'd better not be an ally of Sauron.
As Strider predicted, they reached the marshes late in the afternoon, almost evening. The water was knee deep on Maleficent and Strider and up to the hobbits' hips. Strider slogged through water and stumbled every once in a while over the uneven marsh bottom, while the hobbits were soaked to their chests in minutes. Maleficent nimbly hopped between dry areas, instinctually being able to sense the nature around her which included the drier areas of land. Every once in a while she used her wings to jump farther and for balance. One time she jumped slightly ahead of Strider and caught him glaring jealously. She smirked smugly and leaped again.
To make matters worse they weren't in the marshland more than ten minutes before they were attacked by what seemed like every bug within a ten mile radius. Even Maleficent was annoyed, and she subtly used some magic to keep them away.
SLAP!
"What do they eat – when they can't get Hobbit?" yelled Merry incredulously. At a loud splash Maleficent turned to see Pippin lying in the water after having tripped. She shook her head and flicked her wrist. The water underneath Pippin rose and he regained his footing.
He looked up in time to see Maleficent smirking back at him and yellow flames quickly disappearing. He shook his water off his arms and spit some water out of his mouth. He called up to her from his position. "Thank you. I think the smirk is unnecessary though." She raised an eyebrow at him, turned, and used her wings for a particularly long jump. The wind almost knocked Strider down and he frowned at her.
An hour later Strider called for them to stop for the night. It was almost dark and there was just enough light left to start a fire and set up camp while Strider went hunting. Maleficent watched as the hobbits practically collapsed at Strider's call to stop. She was slightly tired, but sixteen years of walking had built up muscles she had neglected for most of her childhood. Sam started the fire and all the hobbits huddled around it as Diaval landed. Maleficent transformed him when he was close enough to the ground.
"Any sign of them?"
"No, Mistress." Maleficent put up a hand to silence him and glanced in the hobbits' direction.
"No titles here, Diaval. I released you from your debt a long time ago anyway." At his blank stare she rolled her eyes. "Just call me by my name." A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, but Diaval controlled himself.
"Maleficent…" Maleficent felt her stomach flip as he said her name, but couldn't figure out what why. He'd said her name before. Nevertheless, her shoulders relaxed and her wings ruffled a little, but before she could ponder on it more Strider walked out of the reeds with a deer over his shoulder. He had already gutted it and the hobbits looked his way as he put it down and started cutting it up for the stew Sam had started. Maleficent and Diaval joined the others around the fire as Sam added the meat.
If the food had smelled good before, now it made Diaval's mouth water. As a raven, he'd eaten meat raw, but while in his human form he found he preferred the meat cooked like normal humans. The hobbits were all already munching on pieces of cheese and bread while waiting. He turned to Frodo, curious.
"Do hobbits really eat that much in one day?" He was referring to the second breakfast debacle that he'd overheard earlier. Frodo smiled sheepishly.
"We are known to love our food and drink. It's a wonder we are not all bigger, but hobbits work in fields and tend to our houses often. So, most stay in shape pretty well." Diaval nodded in thought, but everyone turned to Pippin at his question to Strider.
"How many meals do you humans live on?" Maleficent watched Strider smirk, but Pippin and the other hobbits didn't see it.
"Three," he answered. Even in the firelight, they saw the four hobbits' faces pale in shock.
"How do you even survive?" Pippin practically screamed.
"Do try to keep you voice down." Pippin quieted himself at Maleficent's request, and Merry turned to her and Diaval.
"Do you two only eat three times a day?" At the affirmative nods Pippin fell backwards in despair and groaned.
"I am going to starve out here!" The three non-hobbits smirked or chuckled and all were silent for a while until the food was ready. After Sam dished everyone equal shares and started eating, Pippin piped up again.
"Hey, Maleficent could grow things whenever we get hungry! Couldn't you?" She had already started shaking her head halfway through his sentence.
"If I make too much fruit grow ahead of its time, the plant's reproductive cycle will be thrown off and it will die in the next winter." At Pippin's mournful sigh Maleficent smiled as tenderly as she could and cocked her head so he could see her. "Sorry." She didn't sound very apologetic…
After a while it was decided that they should all get some sleep. Strider volunteered to stay up for the first watch while Maleficent would take the second. It was uncomfortable, but she laid down on the wet ground and cocooned herself in her wings. She saw Diaval walk in front of her and she raised her hand to transform him, but he motioned for her to stop. She watched as he walked around her and laid down at her back facing the opposite direction. He sighed in exhaustion and seemed to fall asleep almost instantly. Although she had a problem with most people being so close to her back, having Diaval there made her feel safe… a vulnerability that she did not care for. Thinking about those feelings and returning bad memories, Maleficent had no such luck in falling asleep quickly.
About an hour later Strider started singing to himself. The language was not one she knew, but the words rolled off his tongue beautifully like water sliding over a waterfall. Maleficent started to ask him what language it was, but Frodo beat her with his own question.
"Who is she? This woman you sing of?" Slowly Maleficent lifted her wing so she could see the two men. Strider looked down sadly.
"'Tis the Lay of Luthien. The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal." The hobbit couldn't contain his curiosity for he had always been interested in the world outside the Shire.
"What happened to her?" Maleficent saw Strider sigh and hold back tears.
"She died." Frodo looked down, sorry he'd asked, but Strider turned around and smiled gently at him. "Get some sleep, Frodo." Maleficent watched as Frodo lay back down and Strider returned to watching the darkness. The lost look on his face told Maleficent that he wanted silence. I will ask about that language later. She relaxed back down and fell asleep rather quickly after that.
In what seemed like no time at all she felt her shoulder being shaken. Groggily, she lifted her wing to see Strider peering down at her. She quietly lifted herself to her feet and followed him to where he'd been sitting earlier. He was staring into the night as if contemplating something. She left him to his thoughts and looked around the camp.
"There are no creatures such as yourself in this world." She froze, but turned her head in his direction. He had not turned around to attack and his voice held no dangerous edge, so she relaxed slightly. Slowly, he turned around with his hands on his hips so as not to alarm her. "You resemble an elf, but they neither have wings nor horns. Also, I have never seen magic like yours. Who are you, and where are you from?" Her eyes narrowed as she tried to decide if he would become hostile. He didn't seem to be…
"Diaval and I are not from this world, no. I felt a magical disturbance in my world and went to investigate it. We were pulled through a portal and ended up here, in Middle Earth." The story was so outlandish and Maleficent had said it with such surety that he believed her. Stranger things have happened anyway.
"And who are you?" She cocked her head at his question like she didn't understand it. Now that she wasn't scrutinizing him with dangerously narrowed eyes he thought the motion made her look charming. "I heard you are a 'faerie,' but who are you personally?" She realized what he wanted. He needs to know what I did in my land. If I can be useful or not… if I am a threat…
"I am the protector of my homeland, the Moors. I command its armies and keep watch on the borders." She lifted her chin proudly and lightly tapped her staff on the ground for effect. He stared at her in shock and the silence between them prevailed for a good minute. Not once did Maleficent drop her gaze. I wonder if this human is as misogynistic as King Henry. She smirked inwardly. He learned not to anger me the hard way. Suddenly Strider grinned and chuckled softly. Is he laughing at me?! She raised her wings slightly in warning, but Strider waved his hands quickly and stopped laughing. The grin remained.
"Oh, sorry! I am not laughing at you, Maleficent. I am simply in shock." She continued to glare at him. "There are very few women who can say that of themselves here. It is very impressive." He dropped his grin to show how serious he was. "The only species that have ever had women in places of any power are the elves." She threw a calculating look at him and sensed that he was being truthful.
"What are the elves like? Was that Elvish you were singing earlier?" Strider took her questions as a sign that she forgave his indiscretion.
"They are the fairest of the beings on Middle Earth. They look like humans only slightly taller and are generally described as extraordinarily beautiful. Their reflexes and skills in battle are much better than humans, and they are immortal." He got a dreamy expression on his face at the description. He has great affection for the elves, she realized.
"I see. And the song?" she asked again. He nodded affirmative. An awkward silence descended and both looked away from each other and the unexpected bonding moment. Maleficent broke the silence first.
"Was there any movement?" Strider smirked. And straight to business.
"No." He gestured to the rock next to him. "This was a rather comfortable spot." Maleficent smirked at him as he moved towards the fire to lay down. She sat on top of the rock and scanned the area. Most humans and other creatures would worry about the gloom surrounding the camp and what may lurk in the shadows, but Maleficent reveled in the solitude and darkness. Her eyes attuned to the dim light and she could faintly see the outline of mountains in the distance. It was so dark that they almost seemed to meld with the sky. However, nothing moved that she could see. There were also no alarming sounds, just the noises found in a marsh in the middle of the night. Insects buzzed and other marsh creatures let out their calls, while reeds and bushes shifted in the breeze. Sensing no danger, Maleficent gazed upwards to the inky-black sky. It was full of stars, but she did not recognize the constellations. So it really is a different world. I was hoping we'd gone forward or back in time. Time travel is likely easier than inter-world travel. She sighed and resumed scanning the surrounding area until Strider woke in the early morning.
He looked around and his eyes found her sitting, watching the horizon. She was just as intimidating in profile as when facing him. However, in a relaxed state she exuded calm. A quality Strider believed was important. A fighter could be as aggressive as he wanted in battle, but being able to be still and calm when not fighting was just as important. When he got up and stretched she looked over and watched as he stoked the fire. When he started cooking breakfast, which was left over venison and stew, she continued to keep watch.
Diaval was the first to wake to the smell of food. Noticing Maleficent was not where she was last night he looked around frantically, but calmed down when he saw her sitting on a rock facing away from him. Right, she kept watch for part of the night. Standing up, he made his way to the fire where Strider handed him a steaming bowl of stew. Diaval picked up a second and gestured towards the faerie.
"I will take some over to her." Strider nodded and ladled the food into the bowl. Diaval grabbed a utensil and walked up to her.
"Are you hungry?" Maleficent looked the bowl in his hand, and then took it. He stood next to her and ate his own breakfast. He knew her well enough that she preferred silence over useless conversation, but he spoke anyway, knowing he'd be fine. The worst she'd do was turn him into some animal.
"Did you see anything last night?"
"Do you think you would have slept through the whole night if I had?" He chuckled a little at the attitude. She was tired even though she refused to show it.
"No I guess not. But I got a very good sleep knowing the camp had a lookout all night." Maleficent finished her bowl and handed it back to him.
"Good, now you can fly all day and watch for our pursuers." Diaval's shoulders slumped. He had been hoping to walk with all of them today. Surely we lost them by now.
"Why can't you do it?"
"You are less conspicuous." She spoke like she was explaining it to a small child.
"I thought getting your wings back meant you didn't need me to be a watchdog." She glanced at him and he saw her eyes glittering gold and a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"Watchdog… now there is an idea…" She raised her hand as if to transform him and he backed away quickly.
"NO! No!" Strider and the hobbits, who had gotten up and were eating around the fire, looked in their direction at Diaval's quiet shout. They watched as he turned and bolted back to the fire, while Maleficent laughed and returned to watching the area a smile gracing her lips. Diaval got to the fire and sat down muttering angrily.
"Bloody, evil faerie!" He sent a glare in her direction and ladled more stew into his bowl. He then glared at the snickering hobbits. Frodo got himself under control first.
"What happened?"
"She threatened to turn me into a dog! I hate dogs!" His outraged voice combined with this opinion only made the others laugh more, and he shoved a spoon of stew into his mouth. Pippin gestured to Maleficent's bowl.
"Does she want more?" Diaval gave the bowl a disdainful sneer.
"If she does someone else is taking it to her." Unbeknownst to them, Maleficent could hear them and she smiled at everyone's reactions. She heard footsteps and turned to see Pippin walking over with a full bowl of stew.
"More for you?" No, the first bowl had down its job, but Pippin did walk all the way over to her.
"I will only have half. Will you or someone else want what I cannot finish?" He smiled brightly at the thought of more food and Maleficent wondered how he was so skinny.
"Oh there won't be a problem." She smiled slightly and took the bowl from him. He grinned and returned to the fire. After she finished the half, Maleficent walked back to the group of men.
"Who wants it?" She suddenly found herself rushed by Merry and Pippin and she realized she should have thought this through a little better as she felt herself losing her balance on the uneven ground. She spread her wings and lifted herself off the ground and landed on the other side of the fire. Her wings caused the fire to blow a bit, but it was fine after she landed. At the sound of laughter she turned to see Diaval practically falling over. Glaring playfully, she snapped her fingers and his body disappeared. Handing the bowl to Strider she made a smug sound and walked to where Diaval used to be. The others watched as she bent and picked up a worm, and their eyes grew wider.
"I wonder. If I were to put you on a hook and stick you in the water, would I catch a fish? Do you think you'd come back from that?" She watched as Diaval the worm wrapped himself around her finger as if to hold on tight. She pulled him off her finger, careful to not rip the fragile body, and put him down on the log. She snapped her fingers again and he turned into a man again. He got up from the laying position and dusted himself off while glaring at her.
"Which to you prefer now? A worm or a dog?" He sighed and she smiled smugly at him. "Right, that is what I thought. At least a dog can defend itself." She turned and strode back to the rock she'd been sitting on. Diaval watched her go and sat back down.
"Are you alright?" Frodo seemed very concerned and Diaval looked at the others in confusion. They all had varying degrees of pale grey gracing their faces, even Strider. During their little spat, they'd forgotten that there were others around. Obviously they were more than a little disturbed by Maleficent's actions. He laughed them off.
"Oh of course! I shouldn't have laughed quite so hard. Besides, you couldn't see it, but after she changed me back she checked to make sure I wasn't actually hurt." He smiled at them. "She would never willingly harm me. We are too close for that." Then, however, he put a serious look on his face. "But now you do see, don't you? Just now she was playing a prank that involved an inside joke. If she were actually angry with someone, there is no stopping her." At their dismal faces he smiled again. "Look on the bright side. She is on yours." They all smiled hesitantly and he stood. "I should make sure she's not actually angry. When are we leaving Strider?" Strider shook himself out of his thoughts on her dark behavior.
"We are going to pack up now." Diaval nodded and walked over to Maleficent. Strider looked at the woman as the hobbits started packing up. She looked at Diaval beside her and Strider saw her smile at him. Something was nagging at him in the back of his mind. It was about her behavior and what he just witnessed. He couldn't quite figure it out though.
"Strider?" He shifted his focus to Sam. "What are we going to do with the rest of the venison?" Strider looked back at Maleficent who was speaking to Diaval, but returned his focus to Sam.
"I salted a good portion of it and we are taking that with us. The rest is staying here." Sam nodded and finished packing, and Strider took one last wary glance at the faerie before packing his belongings. Once they were done gathering everything, Maleficent and Diaval walked over and Strider caught the last of their conversation.
"…besides, Diaval, you do not want to walk in this place." He saw her smirk slyly at him. "With your reflexes, you will fall and get soaked." Strider called out to them.
"Ready?" Diaval and Maleficent nodded at him, and Diaval turned to her.
"I am choosing to not be offended." As he walked towards the group Maleficent waved her hand and he turned into a raven. The bird cawed and landed on top of her staff as she joined the group. Strider addressed them all.
"We will be traveling fast today so try to pace yourselves." He started off and the rest followed. Diaval took to the sky and started his rounds. They made it out of the marshland within two hours and Strider let the hobbits take a five minute break to rest and get the water out of their supplies as much as possible. The pace Strider set after that forced the hobbits to jog every once in a while. Maleficent and Strider had to stop some times to let them catch up, and other times she had to stop Strider herself. At one point they stopped at the top of a steep hill. The hobbits were still working their way up, and even Maleficent was slightly winded. They stood watching the hobbits.
"Why did we just climb straight up that?" she asked rather annoyed. Strider glanced at her and answered.
"We are being tracked. The best way to avoid getting caught is to make it hard to follow us."
"Do they know where we are going? To Rivendell?"
"Most likely, but it is a hard place to find if you've never been there. The Nazgul have never even come to its borders."
"I see." Maleficent went back to watching the hobbits. Frodo and Pippin were close to them now. After they got to the top both collapsed at Maleficent's feet and Pippin tugged at her skirts.
"Can you… tell him… to slow… down?" Feeling crowded, she stepped away and smiled at him.
"I do not think so. Would you rather be exhausted after a day of walking or get caught by the Nazgul." Both hobbits' heads dropped to the ground and they groaned. Maleficent snickered quietly and she saw Strider smirking. Sam and Merry made it up with the pony and Strider let them rest a couple of minutes.
"Let's go…" he started, but stopped when he saw Diaval racing towards them. Maleficent saw him too. He wasn't squawking like mad, so something was definitely wrong. She let him land on the ground before transforming him. She was going to turn him as he was close to the ground, but suddenly got the image of him rolling down the hill they all just climbed up.
"What is it?" she asked as he caught his breath for a second.
"There is one just up on that ridge over there." He pointed to the southeast. They were traveling east. Maleficent turned to Diaval.
"Only one?"
"That's all I saw." She looked at the exhausted and frightened hobbits, and stood close to Strider.
"I thought they were behind us." Her tone suggested she was angry, but she was more concerned than anything.
"We are technically taking a longer route. We are traveling in the wild, while they ride on the roads."
"Then what are they doing off the roads?"
"They've probably searched the roads from Bree to the Misty Mountains, so they know we are not on them." His voice was calm, but she watched him looking southeast where Diaval had pointed. Maleficent took a deep, agitated breath. If they could all fly this wouldn't be a problem. I do not want to use my magic too much near the ring, so turning them all into birds will not do.
"Then we will have to be stealthier," she suggested. "Do we stay here and wait for him to move on, or try to go around while Diaval watches him?"
Strider pondered for a moment. "We cannot stay here. There is a place we can stay and hide, but we will not get there until dusk." Maleficent looked at the sun. It was just before midday.
"Then we better hurry. Up hobbits." Yellow magic lifted the hobbits to their feet. Strider turned to them.
"We are going to need to be quiet from here on out." The hobbits nodded at him. Maleficent transformed Diaval.
"Do your rounds, but be careful. Do not let him or any others see or get near you. If you see any more or this one starts coming our way, come and let me know." He nodded and took off. As he flew off Diaval looked down at them. Strider was already walking and Maleficent was urging the hobbits on.
He flew high enough to see for at least a mile in every direction. The Ring Wraith was in the same place as before. Since he was on a high spot he could look out over the valley for movement. Diaval looked back to where Maleficent and the others were walking. Strider was smart. Diaval watched as he led the group in a way that they'd stay out of the wraith's vision. Starting to fly in circles, he kept an eye out for other riders while still watching the one on the ridge.
After an hour of flying Diaval saw the one rider move back towards the south and away from the group. He flew back down to Maleficent. She transformed him when he got close.
"The wraith has started moving south, and I didn't see any more riders." The hobbits sighed in relief. Maleficent and Strider exchanged a glance. They both knew they were not safe yet, not until they reached Rivendell. Strider addressed Diaval.
"We are stopping for a quick lunch. You have done much for a morning. Rest." He looked at Maleficent and she nodded. Diaval sat down with the hobbits and ate, while Strider and Maleficent stood. They faced in opposite directions, watching the perimeter. After ten minutes Strider had everyone start walking again. Maleficent was slightly behind Strider and Diaval was behind her trying not to step on her wings. Seriously, they are beautiful, but couldn't she lift them or something?!
Maleficent spoke to Strider. "Will we make it to your hiding place by dusk?" Strider balked at the idea of the watchtower being a hiding place, but he reminded himself that she did not know any better.
"Yes if we can keep this pace." Frodo heard his answer and turned to his friends.
"If we can keep up we can get there before dark. I don't know about you guys, I'd rather not travel at night." They nodded and quickened their pace.
Just before dusk the group reached the edge of the forest and all set their sights on a lone hill with ruins setting atop it. Strider stepped forward with reverent expression.
"This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul." He turned to the group staring at the ruined fortress. "We shall rest here tonight." He started moving forward again. Maleficent gazed at it in awe. This structure must have been amazing when still in use!
"I cannot believe I am getting to see this place!" She glanced back at a grinning Frodo.
"What is this place?" Diaval was never interested much in human structures, but even he had to admit this place looked like it had been impressive. Frodo smiled at Diaval, happy to share the history he knew.
"As you heard this is an old and important watchtower. It was a major fortress in the old kingdom of Arthedain, a home to one of the seven palantiri, a magical item, and a place of many battles."
"What is a palantiri?" Frodo glanced at Maleficent, not really surprised she'd ask about a magical artifact.
"Well they are magical stone spheres that allow one to see and speak to others who are looking into sister-spheres. Very powerful beings could use them to see anywhere in the world." Maleficent nodded in understanding. That would have been useful while watching Aurora grow up, she thought ironically.
After half an hour of walking and climbing, they reached a place on the fortress that Strider deemed acceptable to set up camp. The hobbits, once again, collapsed in exhaustion. Maleficent looked to the horizon. From this spot she could see for miles. The sunset made the sky a light peach color, but dark clouds were gathering above them, looking ready to spill rain. She looked back at her companions when she heard Strider unpacking something. A bundle he bought at Bree before they left. When he unrolled it she saw four short swords. Just the size for the hobbits.
"These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around." He stood up. "Stay here." He turned to Maleficent. "You don't mind watching them, do you?" She sighed and returned her gaze to the horizon.
"Reduced to a babysitter again. Lovely." Strider was confused by the babysitter comment, but figured she'd watch them anyway, so he left. Diaval walked up to her. He stayed behind her, giving her space to think, and was surprised when she broke the silence.
"When it gets dark I am going to fly above and scan the area for our pursuers." He didn't particularly see the logic in this plan.
"Are you sure that is wise, Mistr… Maleficent?" Her eyes had gleamed warningly at his fumble, but smirked when he'd finished.
"It will be dark, so they will not see me. Also, I have not flown in three days. It will do me good." Diaval examined the dark clouds forming above.
"Just don't get struck by lightning." He smiled when she let out a short laugh at his concern. Although she usually only laughed when pranking someone, it did get her to smile and enjoy herself.
He remembered when he saw her enjoying herself for the first time. She had caused a thunderstorm inside the cottage at which the faeries watching Aurora were staying. She smiled throughout the entire event and actually giggled, albeit evilly. She'd turned to him with an amused and satisfied smile only to find him staring at her, unamused. 'Oh, come on, that's funny!' She'd snickered slightly again and looked back at the house of screaming faeries turned women. He'd hadn't understood her form of humor, but quickly learned it involved being rather nasty at times. However, if it made her smile every once in a while, he'd live with it. That was why he never really took her laughter that sounded ill-intentioned to heart.
They returned to the group of hobbits. Frodo was lying down for some shut eye, Merry was examining his sword, and Pippin and Sam were preparing some food. Five minutes later it was dark and Maleficent took off to take a look around. She knew she could use her magic to sense Diaval and the others, so there was no worry that she would not find them again. Since it was cloudy there was no light from the moon or stars tonight, and so she could hardly see her hand in front of her face let alone Ring Wraiths sneaking around.
Meanwhile, Diaval had stepped to the ledge to watch the horizon in what little light there was. He did not hear Sam, Merry, and Pippin start a fire, and he didn't know they were cooking until the smell came to his nose. Quickly he turned around at about the same time Frodo woke up, heard them, and yelled.
"What are you doing?" Diaval and Frodo exchanged horrified glances as Merry answered him.
"Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon." Frodo scrambled towards them as Diaval ran for the fire. Sam offered Frodo a plate.
"We saved some for you Mister Frodo." Frodo got the fire before Diaval did.
"Put it out, you fools! Put it out!" He and Diaval stamped on the flames, but it was too late.
SCCRREEEEEE!
They all ran to the edge of the ledge and look down to see five Nazgul closing in on the ruins through the fog. Frodo pulled out his sword and the other three dropped their food and did the same.
"Go!" They and Diaval ran to the top of the ruins. Diaval had no weapon, but stood in a circle with them anyway. All of them were terrified. The only two that could defend themselves in any way were Strider and Maleficent, and neither of them were there! Looking around frantically, the five of them jumped as random sounds and drifting shadows. The statues of hooded men startled Diaval into thinking they were the Ring Wraiths, but his eyes quickly moved to the openings in the ruins.
Suddenly Frodo looked to the shadows of one of the openings. There he saw it. One emerged from the shadows and stopped. They stared at each other, but then the wraith pulled out its long sword. Frodo began to hyperventilate as the hooded creature tightened its armored grip on the sword and stepped forward. He backed up and the others, hearing the steps, turned around to see five of them walking slowly towards them. All of them looked dangerously competent with their swords and Diaval realized they were doomed.
The swords were leveled at them and Diaval pushed Frodo back further behind him. Sam, having more courage right now than the others engaged one first.
"Back you Devils!" He and a wraith exchanged a few blows, but the larger, more experienced creature disarmed him and threw him aside. He hit his head and was knocked unconscious. Merry and Pippin stepped up but were thrown aside instantly. Two wraiths were standing over Sam, Merry, and Pippin when Diaval took a breath and moved forward.
Maleficent did not know anything was wrong until she heard the high pitched screech. Whipping around in midair, she dived towards the camp site. Even in the darkness she could see the smoke coming from a doused fire; the flames of a fire would have been a beacon. She halted her dive and hovered, looking around frantically for the group. They were not at the camp, but then she spotted movement on top of the ruins. She rushed to the spot. As she came closer she watched as Diaval, with no weapon, stepped forward to defend Frodo. No! No! You idiotic bird! She forced her wings faster and watched in desperation.
One swung his sword diagonally at him and Diaval rolled out of the way. Standing up he found himself faced by two of them. The second lunged and he stepped aside only to be forced to drop as the first swung for his head. On the ground he saw Frodo fall backwards and take out the ring. The last of the five watched this and strode to him, taking out a shorter blade. Diaval could watch no longer as he rolled sideways to avoid a downward strike. He jumped to his feet, but was pushed backward into a pillar by the other, its hand wrapped around his neck. He stared into his pitch black hood and imagined he could see the outline of a skeletal head. It tightened its grip and raised its sword to plunge it into his face. The sword started forward and he squeezed his eyes shut. The blow never came though and he was suddenly thrown to the side. He hit the ground and his eyes shot open at a feral shout.
In front of him was Maleficent facing sideways to him, baring her teeth, and eyes flashing in a fierce glare at the wraith into which she just flew. The wraith was getting up from the blow and the other was advancing towards her, and she let out a growl as she gripped her staff. It and her arms were enveloped in ominous green magic. The one charging her swung his sword in a downward strike, but she knocked it aside with her staff and brought the other side of the staff to its head with all her unnatural and magical strength! He flew to the side and crashed into its companion standing guard over Sam. The one standing over Merry and Pippin whipped around and rushed Maleficent with a shriek as the one she tackled pounced at her. She spread her wings and knocked that one away with a wing and then used them to leap above and behind the rushing one.
Just then Diaval looked at Frodo in time to see him put the ring on and disappear. Maleficent and the three wraiths surrounding her froze and looked in Frodo's direction. The one above him seemed to be searching for something. Maleficent struggled against the ring's call and brought herself back to the fight. She sprang up and used her wings to do a high back flip which put her behind a Wraith. Using her telekinetic abilities she lifted the three of them, but something, some magic fought against her own. She was forced to simply drop them on their heads rather than fling them over the watchtower's edge. One sprang from the ground and tackled her, and her staff bounced away. His armored hands went for her throat and she grabbed his wrists before they got there. The stench of burning flesh filled the air around them as the iron in the metal burned her hands and she felt the heat of it on her neck, its hands were so close. Her wings flapped against the ground in protest, and she yelled out in pain at the same time Frodo did as he was stabbed by the short blade Diaval saw earlier.
Frodo felt the stinging pain of being stabbed, but also the shock of poison spreading from the wound. Then, he heard a man shout and the blade was ripped out. Painfully, he ripped the ring off his finger and suddenly he was visible and screaming in pain. Sam saw him.
"Frodo!" He rushed over and kneeled over him. Frodo focused on his friend.
"Oh, Sam…" Sam felt helpless against this wound. Scratches and bruises he could handle, but not stab wounds. To make it worse, this one was turning the surrounding veins black!
Strider fought off the leader and two others that attacked him with his sword and a lit torch. Diaval ran at the wraith attempting to strangle Maleficent and tackled it. He effectively got the thing off of her, but now it moved to strike him down. Maleficent forced herself to her knees, trying to ignore the stinging in her hands and neck. In her dizzy state she saw Strider successfully fighting three of them off with fire. Getting an idea, she cast a spell that shot fireballs at the one advancing at her and attacking Diaval. Both were hit with such force that they flew off the edge of the ruins, shrieking as they fell. At the same time Strider finished his three off and saw that Maleficent took care of the remaining two. Sam, hovering over a groaning Frodo with Merry and Pippin, whipped his head around.
"Strider!" After seeing Diaval go to help Maleficent up, he rushed to Frodo's side. Diaval bent down to take Maleficent's elbow, but she pulled away intent on standing herself.
"Maleficent, either let me help you get over there, or stay here. You won't get to him alone in your state." Grudgingly, she allowed him to take her elbow and he looked at her hands as they made their way over. They had severe burns on them, but were healing quickly. Her neck had healed to the point of only being red marks, and those were rapidly fading. As they settled next to Frodo and the others Merry and Pippin looked at her hands in concern, but she shook her head so they wouldn't ask. Sam was pleading with Strider.
"Help him, Strider!" Diaval went to pick up Maleficent's staff as Strider ripped open the shoulder of Frodo's shirt. He examined the wound and looked to the knife the Nazgul leader had dropped. He picked it up and a disgusted expression crossed his face.
"He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." The blade dissolved in thin air, leaving only the hilt behind and Strider threw it to the ground. "A deadly poison is traveling through his blood now. It is beyond my skill to heal."
Maleficent, who'd been listening silently, stopped him from picking Frodo up. "Let me try."
Strider glanced at her hands. "Are you well enough?"
She glared at him. "I am willing to give it a try."
She slid next to Frodo and the others took a step back, fully aware this could be dangerous. They watched closely as she leaned over Frodo and hovered her now blistered hands, palms down, over his torso. She closed her eyes and concentrated on pulling the darkness she could sense from his body. The rest of the group stared in awe as she was completely surrounded by yellow magic and then it concentrated around her hands and seemed to be pulled upwards. She opened her glowing yellow eyes and her brow furrowed in concern. Gray and black matter seemed to pull out of his body, but it would not come free. Frodo gritted his teeth in pain and his back arched as if she were trying to pull his ribcage out of his body.
She curled her lip in disgust at the dark magic coursing through his body. It was similar to the feeling she got from the Nazgul whenever they were too close. It is not working. I will not be able to heal him. Although, I can slow the poison. She concentrated a moment and mumbled a spell under her breath. Whatever energy she had left drained out of her with this spell and her magic faded and the dark magic sank back into Frodo's body. She leaned back, breathing hard.
"I cannot heal him, but I was able to slow the poison." Strider nodded and moved to pick Frodo up. Diaval helped her up and she took her staff back.
"He needs Elvish medicine then." They all rushed down to the camp and gathered the supplies. Five minutes later, they were all jogging/running through the forest. Strider had Frodo over his shoulder, Diaval was assisting Maleficent until her faerie abilities restored her strength, and the other hobbits focused on keeping up and leading Bill. Strider paused and looked back as he heard a Nazgul screech in the distance.
"Hurry!" He sped up his pace.
Sam called breathlessly from the back. "We're six days from Rivendell. He'll never make it!" Strider continued to jog, but he heard Frodo moan.
"Gandalf…"
"Hold on, Frodo." He too was worried they wouldn't make it. Maleficent had been able to slow the poison, but would it be enough to save him?
"Gandalf!" Frodo moaned louder.
Frodo drifted in and out of consciousness for the next few days. He was never lucid when conscious, and his condition did not improve. Maleficent started to wonder if there was even any hope for him. That poison is strong. I doubt Frodo will make it another three days. She had regained her strength within a day, but they had been traveling almost nonstop. Yes, they were all worried, especially the hobbits, but eventually someone was going to drop from exhaustion.
They had camped in a clearing with three stone statues of what the hobbits called trolls, although they bore no resemblance to the trolls residing in the Moors. It seemed to Maleficent that there was a story behind the statues, but the hobbits were too preoccupied to tell it. She and Diaval watched the surrounding area with Strider as Sam kneeled above Frodo's unfocused eyes.
"Look, Mister Frodo! It's Mister Bilbo's trolls!" Frodo didn't respond and Sam felt his head. "Mister Frodo?" He then turned to where Strider was standing, "He's going cold!" Strider acknowledged Sam's statement, but continued to search the darkened forest.
"Is he going to die?" Pippin seemed close to tears and Maleficent felt the annoying urge to go hug him, like she'd wanted to hug Aurora the day before her sixteenth birthday. Strider finally turned around with a sorrowful look.
"He's passing into the shadow world. He will soon become a wraith like them." Frodo gasped in pain and the Nazgul cried in the distance. Almost in answer, Frodo cried out in more pain. Maleficent listened and tried to see how far off they were and possibly how many were there. She knew there were nine, but only five attacked at Weathertop.
Merry stood and looked around as if listening as well. "They're close."
Strider looked to Sam and got an idea. "Sam," the hobbit rushed over to him, "do you know the Athelas plant?"
"Athelas?" He did not recognized the name, and Strider realized Sam wouldn't know the Elvish name for it. He gave the Common name.
"Kingsfoil."
Sam face cleared with recognition. "Kingsfoil – aye, it's a weed."
Strider glanced a Frodo. "It may help to slow the poison." He looked back at the hobbit. "Hurry!" He handed Sam the torch and they both set out to find the plant.
Maleficent had heard their conversation and started trying to remember any poison curing spells she might have forgotten. Her parents and other fae creatures had taught her so much in her youth, and she'd been unable to write them all down. Now, she wished she could have. Technically, I am lucky to have remembered the majority of what I was taught.
Sam searched frantically, but could not spot any Kingsfoil. He returned empty handed and in despair. Strider had better luck. He found a patch and started to cut it when he felt the cold metal of a sword press against his neck. He froze and waited for his attacker to kill him, but it never came. What did come was a pleasant surprise.
"What's this? A ranger caught off his guard?" At the musical voice of a woman he turned to her in relief.
"Arwen, you have no idea how happy I am to see you." She smiled at him.
"Oh, I have an idea. Father was concerned that you were taking too long and sent me out to find you. What has delayed you?" Strider sighed and finished cutting the weed.
"Frodo has been stabbed by a Morgul blade. The poison is spreading fast." They started walking quickly back to camp and Arwen led her horse, Asfaloth, behind. "A traveling companion has tried to slow it, but she is unable." Arwen glanced curiously at him as she knew he rarely had traveling companions, but let it go as they had to deal with Frodo.
Frodo was in darkness. He could see shapes shifting in front of him, but he was entirely consumed by the darkness and the pain extending from his shoulder. But then he saw a light out of the corner of his eye. He looked to his right and saw a female elf riding towards him on a white horse. She dismounted and came strode to him.
"Frodo… I'm Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nîn. Tolo dan na ngalad." (I am Arwen. I have come to help you. Hear my voice. Come back to the light.) Frodo tried, he really did, but the darkness overtook his sight again and he looked away.
Maleficent did not know what Frodo saw, but she saw a beautiful young woman, an elf by her features, come out of the woods with Strider and start speaking to Frodo in the same language as Strider's song. The woman had a pointed face, dark eyes, and dark brown hair. She was in riding clothes and must have come a long way, but she had not a hair out of place. She saw now why Strider said she resembled an elf. She too had pointed features, was slender, and was rather tall for a woman. She watched from the side as she and Strider kneeled over Frodo.
"Frodo!" Arwen examined his face as Strider chewed the plant he'd found. "He's fading!"
Strider applied the paste to Frodo's wound and the hobbit gasped.
Arwen looked up at Strider. "He's not going to last. We must get him to my father."
Strider nodded and picked Frodo up. Arwen followed Strider to Asfaloth. "I've been looking for you for two days."
Merry stepped forward. "Where are you taking him?"
Maleficent grabbed his shoulder and held him back. "Calm yourself child. She is trying to help." Arwen finally looked at the two strangers and suppressed a gasp. One was human, but the woman was not of this world. Strider saw this and looked between the two women staring each other down. One curious and somewhat fearful, and the other impassive, but slightly challenging.
"Introductions later, Arwen. Frodo needs help." Arwen tore her gaze away from the strange woman and nodded at Strider.
"Y-yes, of course. There are five wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know."
Strider got Frodo secure and turned to Arwen. "Dartho guin perian. Rych le ad tolthathon." (Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses back for you.)
She refused to accept this and raised her voice slightly. "Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im." (I'm the faster rider. I'll take him.)
"Andelu i ven." (The road is too dangerous.) Strider tried to dissuade her, but she'd have none of it. Pippin curiously asked what they were saying, but to Maleficent and Diaval it was rather clear. To Maleficent it was obvious that the two had feelings for each other, and Diaval thought it looked like an argument he and Maleficent would have, only with more compassion and fewer insults thrown around.
Arwen continued her argument. "Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon." (Frodo's dying. If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect him.) Then she spoke in Common.
"I do not fear them." Maleficent watched as Strider's hand gripped Arwen's.
"Be iest lîn." (As you wish.) Strider's tone was one of acceptance, and Arwen smiled at him, thankful he understood. She mounted her horse and turned back to Strider when he said her name.
"Arwen, ride hard. Don't look back!"
She nodded quickly and leaned down to speak to her horse which Diaval and Maleficent found surprising. "Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim!" (Ride fast, Asfaloth, ride fast!) The horse acknowledged Arwen's voice and galloped off.
Sam suddenly yelled angrily at Strider. "What are you doing?! Those wraiths are still out there!" Strider did not acknowledge him and Maleficent also watched the riding elf and hobbit fade into the night's darkness. Yes, the wraiths are still out there. If she is caught even by two she will be killed. She looked to Strider staring worriedly into the forest in the direction the woman rode. I may not be very experienced in the area, but that was love. Not faked like Stephen, or even love between mother and daughter like myself and Aurora. That was true love between two lovers. She thought about Frodo and what Arwen was trying to accomplish. Even skilled fighters such as elves get overwhelmed if there are too many enemies. She made her decision and strode to the middle of the clearing were there was the most room to spread her wings. She glanced back a Diaval staring at her in confusion.
"Stay with them." Realizing what she was doing, Strider and Diaval leapt at her, but she'd already launched herself into the air. The force of the wind knocked the hobbits off their feet and Strider yelled over the noise of the wind and the flapping of her wings.
"If you cross their borders without an escort, you'll be shot down!"
"They will not harm me." With a sly smirk she flew straight up into the air and followed Arwen from above. I will only get involved if she needs me. Hopefully, she will not and I can enter the Elvish kingdom by her side and in peace.
Diaval kicked a rock in frustration. Why does she feel the need to get involved?! She'll get hurt again! He paced while Strider sighed in aggravation.
He looked at the frightened hobbits. "We've rested long enough. Let's go." The hobbits jumped up quickly and had everything packed in record time. It helped that Diaval assisted. He was just as eager to get to Rivendell as they. Strider frowned. There must be better qualities in her than I have seen if he is that upset. He looked to the sky and silently sent a prayer for all three of them.
In the darkness Maleficent was able to fly rather close to Arwen without the elf or the Nazgul seeing her, so it was easy to keep track of the two. However, dawn was near and she knew she'd have to figure something else out. She sent a small amount of her will into a plant the horse was fast approaching and a magically grown cocklebur seed caught on the horse's tail. Using it she could fly high enough to appear only to be a soaring bird, and still follow Arwen and Frodo. She smiled triumphantly and soared higher.
As the day went on, there were no Nazgul in sight. They were either very far away, or they were hiding themselves extremely well. If the case of the latter, then Maleficent would have to watch carefully and Arwen would have to be watchful. Maleficent found that if they rode in a clear area she could see them easily even from this height. Trees made following them more difficult, but that was what the cocklebur was for. Using her free time to her advantage, Maleficent took the time to admire the scenery from the skies. The direction they were going, east by the sun, had huge mountains growing in the distance. Not even the Moors has mountains so large. In every other direction was rolling hills and plains covered in forest. Something else was similar to the Moors, but also very different.
Magic. Magic ran through this land and its living creatures like water. Yes, the Moors had magic everywhere and was engrained into its inhabitants, but it was somehow different here. For Faeries magic was part of them as much as the earth. It was life to them, and they lived to heal and take care of earth's living things. That is what she'd been doing when Aurora came to her as a toddler. On Middle Earth, so far it seemed as if magic was simply a tool to the beings. The only beings that came close to being like faeries and others from her home were the elves, but she hadn't seen enough of them to be sure. It was why she felt comfortable here, but also unsure.
She glanced down at Arwen and found no change. She did note that they'd not stopped for a rest at all. She returned to observing the surrounding land and her thoughts. There was also different magic here in general. Her magic was unable to truly fight against the dark magic of the Nazgul and therefore, Sauron, and it disturbed her. In her world, she was the most evil creature anyone had seen for thousands of years, and really she wasn't that bad. She had been motivated by hatred and revenge, but made the right decision in the end. Yes, she liked to pull pranks and was never the kindest person, but she had no incentive to rule the world with her powers like Sauron. If there was ever a black and white moral scenario, Maleficent figured Sauron and the ring would be the villains. The fact that he may be more powerful than she frightened her slightly, and being the most powerful faerie in the Moors it was not a feeling she was accustomed to. She glanced down again. I will just have to find a way to fight him. I have a great deal of knowledge about magic; I must come up with something.
At mid-morning the next day, Maleficent spotted movement within the trees behind Arwen. She flew a little lower and saw that the elf noticed them too. Their horses were matching the speed of Arwen and suddenly all nine of them burst out of the trees behind and beside Arwen and Frodo. Curses! Maleficent dived towards them, hoping to be able to stop any attacks that might come. One came close enough to reach for Frodo, and he was so out of it that he barely responded to being so close to the wraith. Maleficent pumped her wings faster. She saw Arwen lean over and shout to the horse. It ran faster and put a little distance between them and the wraiths. They were quickly coming upon a forested area and Maleficent could see a river flowing through it. She watched as Arwen expertly ran her horse through and around trees to confuse the Nazgul. The elf reached the river and crossed it, but Maleficent saw the Nazgul rear back from the running water as if afraid. Arwen waited on the other side, seeing if they dared to follow.
The leader shouted to her and even Maleficent could hear the evil in his voice. It was inhuman and grated on her ears. "Give up the Halfling, she-Elf!"
Maleficent saw Arwen pull out her sword. "If you want him, come and claim him!" No, no. Stupid, courageous girl! Maleficent had not stopped her dive, but knew she would not get to Arwen before the Nazgul.
She watched as Arwen looked at the water below her and started chanting something in her own language.
"Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer,
Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!
Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer,
Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!"
(Waters of the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word,
flow waters of Loudwater, against the Ringwraiths!)
Maleficent slowed her descent and listened as she heard the musical syllables, but she also felt the sheer power coming from them and magic seemed to start flowing in torrents down the river. She felt the power strumming in her ribcage and watched as the current rose quickly. A loud crash and Maleficent gasped as a huge wave of water flooded down the ravine. Its white crests where in the shape of running horses and the wraiths shrieked as they started fleeing downstream. However, they were too slow and the flood overwhelmed them. Maleficent hovered in the air for a second. That had been the closest thing to what she could do that she had seen so far. She watched as the wraiths and their steeds disappeared beneath the water's surface, but then rushed downward as she saw Frodo slip from the horse and Arwen brought him to the ground.
She kneeled over him, trying to get him to come back. "No! Frodo… No! Don't' give in! Not now!" They were so close, but he'd never make it. Tears started to fall, but she gasped and turned around, pulling her sword out again at a noise behind her. She froze when she saw the winged woman land ten feet from her and held out her hands and staff.
"Peace, Arwen, I do not come to harm you or Frodo. What's going on? Why have you stopped?" She tried to peer around the elf, but Arwen stepped closer, not lowering her blade. Maleficent watched her warily. "I've come to help…" She'd let the woman make her own decision to let her help or not. Although, she would admit that it would be a shame to see Frodo die while they were so close to their destination. Arwen took a breath and sheathed her sword.
"He is fading too quickly. I can get to Rivendell in half an hour, but he won't be able to be revived within fifteen minutes!" Maleficent watched hopeless tears leak out of her eyelashes and stepped closer carefully.
"Let me take him." Arwen glanced at her curiously. "Flying is much faster than a galloping horse. Just point me in the direction I need to be going." Arwen shook her head.
"My people will shoot you down."
"Even if I have Frodo in my arms? Besides, I can stop the arrows." Arwen still didn't look persuaded, but she also knew Frodo would never make it if she took him. Maleficent pushed a little more. "If it would take you half an hour, I can get there in ten minutes, maybe less." At this Arwen shot a hopeful look at her and nodded. Together they approached Frodo gasping on the ground. Maleficent hesitated only a second at the ring's pull on her mind, but quickly ignored it. Arwen did not notice.
"You have to fly that way." She pointed east. "You cannot miss it. Look for the mists from the waterfalls. There are many of them. Just tell whoever comes to you that Frodo was stabbed by a Morgul blade and that Lady Arwen sent you." Maleficent nodded but then looked at her staff and at Frodo. I could bring it, but it would be easier if I just had to focus on carrying him. She did not want to just leave the thing, she'd become rather attached. Then, she looked at Arwen.
"Could you carry my staff?" Arwen nodded and took it from her. Arwen noted that it was not a magical item, but a normal piece of wood. There goes the theory that she is dependent on the staff. She'd known that Maleficent had magical abilities. Being someone with those abilities herself, she was able to sense it on the winged woman. Then she suddenly realized something as Maleficent was backing up with Frodo in her arms.
"Wait!" Maleficent stopped and looked at her. "What is your name?"
"Maleficent." When Arwen nodded at her she spread her wings and took off in the direction Arwen had pointed. Arwen stood and watched her fly over the tops of the trees in less time than it would have taken her to reach the trees galloping on Asfaloth. She gaped at the size of the woman's wings and hoped she'd get the chance to speak to her later. On that thought, she mounted Asfaloth and started racing towards Rivendell.
Maleficent heard nothing but the wind racing against her wings and Frodo's moans as she flew east. Flapping her wings to go faster, she spotted the tell-tale mist rising from the waterfalls Arwen mentioned. In three minutes she could hear the crashing waters and see peaks of rooftops. Suddenly, she sensed danger and threw up a magical shield just as an arrow bounced off it in front of her chest. She looked down and saw movement in the treetops and seven more arrows flew at her. She halted all of them and raced to the Elven city. Figuring she'd be attacked where ever she landed, Maleficent decided to drop down at the gates. The elves heard her coming long before they realized they needed to look up and jumped back in surprise as she landed directly in front of them. The whistle of multiple arrows came and she raised a shield that cocooned her entire body.
"Peace! This hobbit has been stabbed by a Morgul blade and Lady Arwen sent me here!" The elves leveling their weapons at her hesitated slightly, but gained determined looks again, not believing her. They stepped back a little when her eyes glowed yellow and the yellow magic surrounding her tinted green. With their elven abilities they could sense her anger rising.
"Stand down, all of you!" A booming voice startled all of them, and Maleficent looked behind the elves to see an old man dressed in gray robes hurrying towards them. He was out of breath as if having run down here and looked short tempered. He did, however, have power flowing inside of him, and Maleficent pulled Frodo a little tighter to her as the man got closer.
Gandalf couldn't believe his eyes, much like all the elves just now getting a good look at this woman. Beautiful, yes, but she radiated danger at the moment. It was unnerving to look at her with her wings raised in threat, sharp horns, and sharper eyes. If she wasn't holding a wounded Frodo, he would have let the elves continue their onslaught thinking she was in league with Sauron.
"You said Lady Arwen sent you? Where is she? And Frodo's companions?" Maleficent figured she would not get anywhere if she was rude, so she gave him a semi-polite condensed version.
"Frodo was stabbed at Weathertop. Strider, my companion and I, and the other three hobbits met up with Arwen a day and a half ago. She took Frodo on her horse hoping to get here, but Frodo wasn't going to make it by horse. I decided to fly him the rest of the way. It is quicker and Arwen told me which way to go." She let it sink in while not letting the shield down. Gandalf sensed no lie in her story, although he knew there was more to tell. Frodo gasped in pain again.
"Very well. I trust we will get the whole tale once Frodo is seen to." He stepped forward to take him, but she did not let down the shield. He looking into her glowing eyes cautiously.
"I am not dropping the shield until the elves put their weapons away. I am not a threat." She said it with such authority that Gandalf knew she was used to being listened to. He gave the captain of the guard a pointed look and the guard ordered everyone to stand down. They all did, reluctantly. Still watching all of them, she lowered the shield and stepped forward to hand Frodo to the wizard. He took Frodo carefully and muttered an incantation and Frodo instantly lost some of the pale grey color his face had acquired the last few days. He turned to go, but stopped when she attempted to follow.
"I am sorry, but we need to collaborate your story with someone and no one is here to do that." Maleficent sent him a chilling glare and Gandalf gulped a little. He may be powerful, but she also had great power in addition to already looking intimidating. "Lady Arwen should be here soon. I am sure she will be your escort." With that he hurried away and attempted not to feel the rage flowing out of the winged woman.
Maleficent eyes burned with yellow magic and green flames lanced out of her clenched fingers as she glared at the old man's retreating form. Then, she took a deep breath, trying to calm down. They have a right to be wary. Do not give them an excuse to shoot you! She turned her glare on the captain standing where Gandalf left him.
"Am I supposed to just stand here?" The elf nervously looked at her twitching wings and level glare, but gathered his courage.
"If it makes you feel any better, milady. We all have to 'just stand here' too." He tried to joke, but he was met with a stony glare. However, she took another breath, crossed her arms, and looked through the open gates as if studying the buildings. He felt it would be best to not talk to her anymore. There was an awkward silence for ten minutes until the sounds of a galloping horse crashed across the bridge.
Arwen pulled Asfaloth to a halt just before she got to Maleficent.
"What's going on? Where's Frodo?" She was out of breath, but came to Maleficent's side and handed her staff back. Maleficent took it as the captain answered her.
"Mithrandir took the hobbit to Lord Elrond." Arwen gestured to Maleficent.
"And why is Maleficent here standing at the gates with weapons aimed at her?" The elf fidgeted under her glare.
"Because I am scary…" Arwen had to try terribly hard not to laugh at Maleficent's sarcastic answer. She turned and smiled at her, showing just how amusing she thought it was.
"Well, yes, you are rather intimidating," she returned to glaring at the captain, "but it is not how we treat our guests! Even guests we feel might be a threat!" Maleficent sighed and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Do not blame him. He was doing as the wizard asked. I am used to this type of reaction anyway." Arwen frowned, but did not question the woman. She turned to the captain again.
"I will vouch for Maleficent. She is to be an honored guest." The captain bowed to Arwen and stepped aside.
"Of course, Lady Arwen." Arwen smiled a little too sweetly at him and gestured for Maleficent to follow her. As they passed the gates the guards closed them and Arwen swept her hand across the area calmly as if she didn't just yell at the captain of the guard.
"Welcome to Rivendell!"
A.N. – Well that is it for this installment. Again, sorry it took me so long to update. Please R&R. Constructive criticism is welcome as this is my first fanfiction. If anyone is curious, I got the information that Maleficent's wings are 16 feet from an author named Gamma Cavy. She did the math and told a fellow author on a review.