"What do you know about the connection?" Bingo asked the woman in red. It had been five minutes since he looked into the basin, and already he couldn't stand it. If he fell, if he was slain by the man in shadows, would that mean Frodo would befall the same fate? No! Bingo wouldn't have it!
"Tell me," Bingo said, kindly.
"It's not something for the faint-hearted." The woman in red answered, cautious. She shook her head. "You wouldn't understand."
"I understand enough!" Bingo said, bewildered. "Tell me what I need to know. Please? I'll do anything!"
"You're not ready. Even if you were, do you think you could handle it?" The woman in red scolded. She paused, calming down. "I'm sorry. There is nothing I can do!"
"It's alright." The hobbit said, softly. "You can tell me about this connection I have with my brother. That's all I ask. What do you know?"
"You're not ready." She repeated.
"Maybe I'm not, but I'm prepared to shoulder this burden." He said, bravely. "I'm not afraid. I just want to keep Frodo safe."
"Frodo?" She asked, confused.
"My brother. My twin. I need to be sure that if I don't make it, then he will." Bingo said, calmly. He gulped. "As soon as I became flesh and blood, I swore that I would protect him. I intend to do so until my last breath. Maybe beyond that point." He pleaded with her. "Please? All I want to know is information and, if possible, how to break this connection."
The woman gave a small grin. "You can't break a connection. It'll kill you both." She added, softly, "There are ways of making sure you two will be fine."
"Then tell me: what is this connection? Why does it continue to haunt me?" Bingo asked, gently.
"Let me remind you: this is no ordinary connection." The woman in red explained. "The connection you share with your brother occurred when you were a doppelganger. It has grown since that time. Its very existence is something you will need to work out when you reach the Blue Mountains."
"The Blue Mountains?" Bingo understood. "Frodo's heading that way."
"Then it seems you're destined to be there with him." The woman in red continued, "This connection is like that shared between a master and his apprentice, only you're the master, given you are the eldest. The longer you're away from each other, the more it will hurt. These visions you have will only get stronger." She concluded, "That is the connection you both share. It is dangerous unless you can find a way to break it. Once that's done, you will be free to lead separate lives. That way, your brother won't suffer the same fate."
"All doppelgangers have their time. Yours is coming." The woman in red nodded. "Remember Bingo: not all connections are meant to be broken. If this is where your path leads, know and understand the consequences. You may find yourself in greater danger if you don't heed my warnings." She looked at him last, before vanishing in a brilliant flash of light.
.
Bingo walked out of the cave a changed hobbit. He could hardly believe what he just heard, but it was there. He turned his gaze towards the horizon, surprised to see day change to night so quickly.
Perhaps it was due to him once being a doppelganger. Maybe it was something more. Either way, he knew he couldn't stay in Eregion much longer.
He looked down at his hands. Blue sparks emitted from his fingertips, jetting blue fireworks into the air. He closed his fists, watching the magic seep out from the pores, jetting out until it created a fiery portal. He shrugged, realizing what he must do.
"Here goes nothing." He said, closing his eyes. He opened them again, before walking through the portal, disappearing from sight.
*.*.*
Thanks for reading. :)