Chapter 4: The Ring Goes South
After the Council, every member of the Fellowship began to prepare for their long and fateful journey. The food that was gathered was put on a horse, whom Sam called Bill while the Fellowship themselves carried weapons and other such items. Frodo received a sword known as Sting from his uncle, Bilbo. It is said that the sword would glow when Orcs would come near.
The Jedi only brought their cloaks, lightsabers, and a few rations they had from the Clone Wars. Rex, on the other hand, had his blasters, armor, and four thermal detonators for good measure. Considering what had happened with his blaster, he dared not leave them anywhere near Pippin since he most likely would blow up the group in their sleep.
The Fellowship gathered on a path just outside the city where Elrond, several Elves, and Arwen awaited.
"The Ring-bearer is setting on the Quest of Mount Doom," Elrond said. "On you who travel with him, neither oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer!" Gandalf announced.
Nervously, Frodo turned to face his comrades, but encouraging smiles from most of them gave him courage to lead the way down the path.
"Mordor, Gandalf," Frodo whispered. "Is it left or right?"
"Left," he whispered back.
In a single file line, the Fellowship walked out of the city on their way to Mount Doom, but Aragorn stopped for a moment. He turned to see Arwen, who had a mixture of longing, encouragement, and worry on her face.
Anakin, who stayed behind with Aragorn, put a hand on his shoulder. "You will see her again."
"Anakin, Aragorn!" Obi-Wan called. "We were hoping that you would last more than five seconds on this journey."
Anakin scoffed. "Right, and miss my chance of saving you at least three times on this journey? Not a chance!"
Aragorn looked at Anakin confused. "Does your friend lack the ability to get out of trouble?"
"No, he lacks the ability to get me out of trouble. However, I have been making notes of how many times I have saved his life throughout the war. The score right now is 8 to 2, with me in the lead."
Obi-Wan, after the two had caught up, retorted with, "Should I enlighten our comrades on how many times you crashed our Republic ships?"
"How about the time you jumped out of a window 30,000 feet above the ground?"
"It can't possibly top the time you had us land on the wrong side of a fortified wall!" Ahsoka added.
"May I remind you of a certain Padawan that was tricked into getting herself locked up in a cell meant for someone else?"
"Is this what these 'great warriors' do in their down time?" Boromir asked.
"Affirmative, Captain," Rex responded. "I believe that Jedi do this in order to keep themselves sane during the war."
"You can call me Boromir, Rex," he assured. "Formalities are not necessary in this Fellowship."
"Apologies, Cap-Boromir! It's hard to break tradition when you have been bred to fight and follow orders."
Boromir raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean 'bred?'"
"I am one clone out of over two million clones. In layman's terms, you would find two million people that look almost exactly alike fighting in a war."
"You mean to tell that this Republic that you speak of does not fight the war themselves, but breed people to fight the wars for them!?" He was becoming outraged.
"Our enemies were doing the same thing, except with machines instead of people. If the clones didn't exist, the Republic would be wiped out."
The anger began to fade from his face. "While I understand the logic of that statement, you are still a living, breathing person, clone or not. Have you any family?"
"I have over two million brothers, but that number dwindles by the hour."
"I'm talking about an actual family. Have you a memorable childhood?"
Rex paused for a while. "I remember orders, commanders, extensive training, but not the childhood that you are referring to."
The Gondorian shook his head. "To know everything about war and death and know nothing of joy is the saddest thing in the world."
Ahsoka was bonding with the Hobbits easily. Their enthusiasm and go-lucky attitudes were something that she had been missing for a long time.
"You must come to the Shire on day, Lady Ahsoka!" Merry professed. "Green hills as far as the eye can see, the freshest food grown in our own fields, and the Green Dragon serves the best ale, if you care for that sort of thing."
"Master Obi-Wan could use some of those drinks," she chuckled.
"Jedi don't drink, Ahsoka," he retorted. "Although, I could use some when working with Anakin."
"See what I mean?" she asked.
"By the time this adventure is over," Pippin said, "we will be the envy of the whole Shire. I don't think anyone can top defeating the most evil person to have ever existed."
"I only hope it's as simple as throwing the Ring into the fire," Frodo hoped.
"How's your shoulder, Frodo?" Ahsoka asked, concerned.
"Better, but it will never fully heal. I wish I could have been as brave as Sam was."
"To be honest, Mr. Frodo, I was terrified of those things," Sam admitted.
"Everyone has a moment of fear, Frodo," she said, "but don't let it get you down. You volunteered to take the Ring to Mordor. That shows true courage!"
"Just how old are you?" Pippin asked.
Merry elbowed him. "You never ask a lady that."
"She looks young, but she says wise things like Gandalf," he argued.
"Sixteen," she answered, grinning. "And you don't have to be old and wrinkled to have some form of wisdom."
Gandalf snorted. "I may be old and wrinkled, Lady Ahsoka, but I can see your future. I see…a ditch in the near future."
At the moment, Ahsoka tripped into a ditch and crashed to the ground. The Fellowship tried to stifle their smiles unsuccessfully as she rose to her, spitting out dirt.
"Very funny, wizard," she said.
"I did try to warn you," he replied with a twinkle in his eye.
After an hour or so of traveling, the Fellowship made camp on some rocks in front of the Misty Mountains. Legolas kept an eye out for trouble, Sam began to cook some food, Gandalf was mapping out their course with Gimli, Boromir was training Merry and Pippin to fight, and the rest of the group watched.
The two Hobbits weren't bad for beginners, as long as they didn't run into any Nazgûl along the way.
"Very good!" Boromir complemented as Pippin successfully blocked three strikes.
"Move your feet," Aragorn advised as the captain struck again.
"You look good, Pippin," Merry said.
"Thanks."
"Faster!" Boromir exclaimed, striking at Merry who blocked the blows.
"If you think that's impressive," Ahsoka interrupted, "you should watch Skyguy and Master Kenobi duel."
Anakin's eyes brightened. "Now, that would be fun."
Obi-Wan sighed. "The usual bet?"
"Whoever wins gets gloating privileges!"
"Very well! And try to remember to set your lightsaber to sting this time. I prefer to keep my limbs."
"This should be interesting," Legolas noted as the two Jedi took to the center of the campsite. They ignited their blue lightsabers and took their stances.
"Shall we begin?" Obi-Wan asked.
Now, everyone was paying attention.
Anakin lunged at Obi-Wan with several quick and concise slashes. His former master, being a master in Soresu, blocked all the blows. He let Anakin back him up towards the rocky wall while blocking more blows. Anakin aimed his foot at him, but Obi-Wan caught it and prepared to deliver a slash to his leg. Anakin was quicker and Force Pushed him against the wall. Needless to say, Anakin lost his balance and fell unceremoniously to the ground, which earned him laughs.
"Graceful as usual, Anakin," Obi-Wan taunted.
Flushed with embarrassment, Anakin lunged at him, but Obi-Wan back flipped on top of the wall. Anakin jumped after him, somersaulting over a slash.
"Amazing," Legolas breathed. "They would be the envy of every Elf."
Using the Force to keep their balance, the two dueled on with Anakin on the offensive again. Obi-Wan tried to counterattack, but Anakin blocked each blow effortlessly. The two reached a saber lock with Obi-Wan's blade vertical and Anakin's horizontal. Changing the rules of combat, Anakin deactivated his lightsaber, making Obi-Wan stumble forward, but the split second was all Anakin needed. He bashed the hilt of the lightsaber on the back of his head, the force of which sent Obi-Wan tumbling to the ground.
"How's that dirt taste, Master?" Anakin teased.
"You tell me!" Obi-Wan retorted, Force Pulling him off the ledge.
Anakin crashed face first into the ground, groaning as the wind was knocked out of him.
Aragon ran to their aide. "Are you two all right?"
"Don't worry," Obi-Wan coughed, brushing the dirt off of him. "Nothing we can't handle."
When his breathing returned to normal, Anakin asked, "Shall we continue?"
They were about to when Sam asked, "What is that?"
The Fellowship looked to see a black shadow in the sky coming towards them.
"Nothing," Gimli answered. "It's just a wisp of cloud."
"It's moving fast," Boromir observed. "Against the wind."
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas exclaimed.
"Hide!" Aragorn yelled. "Take cover!"
Quickly, the Fellowship gathered their belongings and hid in the crevices of the rocks just in time. The Crebain, which turned out to be demented crows with a purpose, circled around the abandoned campsite, looking for any sign of the Fellowship. When they found none, they returned to wherever they hailed from.
"Spies of Saruman!" Gandalf spat. "The passage south is being watched."
"Do you think they saw our duel?" Anakin asked.
"Whether they did or not, we have to move," the wizard replied. "We must take the Pass of Caradhras!"
"Where's Caradhras?" Ahsoka asked.
Aragorn pointed to the mountains that were covered in snow.
"Please tell me you're joking!" she begged.
"Oh, come on, Snips," Anakin said. "What's a little snow?"
"A little snow" turned out to be thick sheets of snow that covered the mountain like a blanket. The only person that wasn't having a miserable time was Legolas, since he could stand on top of snow and not feel the cold.
However, what kept the others going and distracted was discussing the short-lived duel.
"I can see why you are called great warriors, Master Jedi," Boromir said. "No Orc would be able to withstand your might."
"We haven't met Orcs yet," Obi-Wan replied. "What are they like?"
"Filthy, repulsive," he described with disdain. "Their smell is horrible, but they are not warriors. The beasts rather find strength in numbers than skill."
Pippin decided to change the subject. "So, what's your secret with that magic?"
"It wasn't magic, Pippin," Ahsoka explained. "It was the Force, the living entity that binds us all together. The Force gives many, but not all, the ability to into the
Living Force. From there, it lends us its power to be used wisely or foolishly."
"What about your lightsabers?" Sam asked. "I have never seen a sword crafted like that in all my life!"
"It's a plasma-based weapon," Obi-Wan answered. "It is the weapon of a Jedi, for a more civilized age. Unless you have special crystals and people to tap into the Force, you are out of luck if you want to build one."
"I do not recall anyone being able to tap into this Force," Gandalf said, "but then again, my memory is not as good as it once was."
Suddenly, Frodo slipped and went tumbling down the hill. Ahsoka and Aragorn chased after him as he came to a stop.
"Are you all right?" Ahsoka asked.
Frodo nodded, but then panicked when he felt his neck. "The Ring!"
They saw it glistening in the snow not too far ahead, but Boromir picked it up by the chain.
The Fellowship watched him cautiously as he stared at the Ring in a trance.
"Boromir!" Aragorn called.
The captain did not listen. "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing."
"BOROMIR!" Aragorn yelled. "Give the Ring to Frodo!"
Slowly, Boromir held out the Ring to the Hobbit. "As you wish."
Frodo snatched it from his hand.
"I care not," he lied, brushing some snow off of Frodo's head.
Aragorn and Ahsoka withdrew their hold of their weapons.
"He wants the Ring," Ahsoka whispered when the Gondorian turned his back.
"We must be cautious," Aragorn warned. "He believes he can conquer the Ring, when it has begun to conquer him."
"He frightens me," Frodo admitted.
"If he tries to take the Ring again, I will personally cut off his hands," Ahsoka threatened.
"Let us pray that day will never come," Aragorn said sadly.
Within a few more days, a wicked snowstorm began to blow across the mountain, making the path ever more freezing, miserable, and dangerous. Of course, everyone except Legolas was affected by the terrible change in weather. Boromir carried Pippin and Merry while Aragorn carried Frodo and Sam.
Suddenly, a voice began to chant over the harsh wind.
"There's a fell voice on the air!" Legolas observed.
The Jedi strained their ears and heard the chanting voice, but to them, it sounded very familiar. They couldn't put a face to the voice, though.
"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yelled as rocks plummeted towards them.
Rex pulled out his blaster and fired several shots and them. The rocks crumbled into smaller rocks, falling over the edge of the mountain.
"Good shooting!" Ahsoka said.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain!" Aragorn shouted. "Gandalf, we must turn back!"
"No!" Gandalf refused, taking a stance on the ledge.
He began to chant against Saruman's chanting, but it was to no avail. Lightning struck the top of the mountain causing an avalanche to crash onto the Fellowship. The Jedi attempted to use the Force, but they were too cold for the effort. Within a second, entire group was buried under a thick sheet of snow.
Miraculously, four lightsabers penetrated the ice and melted some of it, making it easier to get out.
"Don't touch the blades!" Obi-Wan warned as he began to melt more of the snow.
"We must get off the mountain!" Boromir exclaimed. "Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!"
"The Gap of Rohan takes us to close to Isengard!" Aragorn argued.
"If we cannot pass over a mountain, let us go under it," Gimli suggested. "Let us go through the Mines of Moria!"
For the first time since he got here, Anakin saw fear etched all over Gandalf's face. Something was in Moria that he did not want to see, but he did not want to say.
After a few seconds of silence, Gandalf finally said, "Let the Ring-bearer decide."
"We cannot stay here!" Boromir protested. "This will be the death of the Hobbits!"
Obi-Wan agreed. The Hobbits were shivering uncontrollably in the horrific weather. A few more days and they will freeze to death.
"We will go through the mines," Frodo decided.
"So be it," Gandalf replied, resigned to his fate.
Yes, I know the duel was short, but there were Crebain from Dunland! I hope I provided good explanations of the Force and the lightsaber. Many thanks to my reviewers, followers, and viewers. Keep reviewing and keep smiling.
The move where Anakin retracts his lightsaber and hits Obi-Wan with the hilt of it actually came from a lightsaber video called Ryan vs. Brandon. When I saw that move, I could not resist putting it in my story. After all, lightsabers are retractable!
And thanks to whoever voted. Fret not. A rematch between Obi-Wan and Anakin is inevitable, but it won't be for a while. And there will be a winner! Vote on who you want to win the duel the next time. Peace all around. Until next time. Review and critique please.