EDIT! 1/6/13
So... somewhere along the way I had deleted or forgotten to post a chapter? So I added what was supposed to be chapter 4 of TTTs onto this one.
Please read! Now no more confusion!
DC: I own anything you DON'T recognize.
Chapter 3
Gollum was always running off, and Sam and I were getting pissed. Frodo? He honestly didn't care, because half the time he was staring off into space. Now we were being led into a swamp, marsh thing. The place stretched for miles on end, it probably didn't even have an end for all we knew. Gollum and Frodo had already made their way into the swamp. I was about to make my way down when I slipped and fell onto a slimy patch of who knows what!
"Frodo this will be the death of us!" I screamed as him and Sam made their way over to me. I took Sam's hand instead of Frodo's.
"Careful! Careful stupid hobbit girl!" Gollum spat at me as he watched with pity.
"It's a bog! He's led us into a trap!" Sam said accusingly pointing a finger at Gollum. Frodo looked at us then to Gollum. I think he felt sorry for Gollum because he knew the pain that Gollum had with the ring. Sometimes, I still hear that damn ring talking to me. In my sleep, when I'm near Frodo, or just standing around.
"He could be yours... all middle earth... you could go home!" it whispers to me. I've had to stop myself twice now from taking it from Frodo in the night. We continued to walk for awhile. It was green and brown all over, reeds stuck out everywhere and patches of bushes stood alone. As we slugged along, Sam was beginning to get antsy.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I slowed down to ask.
"There are dead things! Dead faces in the water!" he screamed as he pointed. I let out a gasp and clung to Sam's arm as tight as I could. Frodo's eyes grew wide and Gollum nodded his head.
"All dead, all rotten... Elves and men and orcses! A great battle long ago... Dead Marshes. Yes, yes, that is their name. This way, don't follow the lights." Gollum warned as he pressed on. I looked helplessly at Sam and he had the same look of fear on his face. We continued to walk, I still holding on to Sam's arm. He slipped and I almost went down with him.
"Careful now! Or hobbits go down to join the dead ones, and light little candles of their own!" Gollum stated with warning. I let out a small sob as a tear rolled down my cheek.
"Stop it you! Your scarin' her!" Sam yelled at him as I buried my face in his arm. Gollum turned around and said nothing, he had a look of victory on his face. Frodo looked at me with sadness. But I was not going to let him comfort me. We continued to walk, I was scared out of my mind!
"MR. FRODO!" Sam suddenly shrieked. We all whirled around as we saw Frodo fall face first into the water. I screamed and Gollum flipped out. We all ran to him and Gollum reached into the water and pulled him out. Frodo gasped for air and choked up water. I began to cry hysterically.
"Why did we follow him into here? Were going to die Frodo!" I said shaking my head.
"Karolyn, we have-" Frodo began as he sat up, only to be interrupted by Gollum.
"Don't follow the lights!" he yelled as he scampered off.
"Are you alright?" I said wiping my eyes.
"I'm fine... are you?" Frodo asked with hesitation.
I paused, "I guess." then I got up and walked away. We camped for the night and all slept close together. I had this fear of rolling over in my sleep and drowning in the water. So that entire night I stayed awake. Gollum mumbled to himself once in awhile, Sam snored, and Frodo made no sound. Looking up at the stars, I realized I couldn't find the Big Dipper.
"Oh yeah, that's right. I'm not at home anymore..." I mumble to myself as I turned over. Everything began to go quiet, I began to fall asleep. Then, we heard the shriek. It was a black rider! I sat up and covered my ears and let out a scream. Frodo was already up and moving while Sam and Gollum scurried underneath a bush nearby. I stood up and ran over.
"Quickly!" Gollum repeated. I barely jumped in right before the black rider saw me. Only, this time it wasn't on a horse... It was on a flying creature! It's wings were huge and had the head of a snake and lizard (combined), it was gray with scales, and the rider upon it was clad in metal. It let out another shriek and we all covered our ears, Frodo let out a scream of pain. His hands went from his ears to his shoulder where he had been stabbed.
"Mr. Frodo!" Sam exclaimed as he leaned over him, "I thought they were dead!" Sam said turning to Gollum. Gollum's eyes went wide and he shook his head.
"Dead? No, you cannot kill them! No! Wraiths! Wraiths with wings! They are calling for it, they are calling for the precious!" Gollum screamed as he pointed to the ring, which Frodo was now grasping. I reached over and pulled his hand away from it. Tears tolled down my cheeks as I watched him. It was almost unbearable to see his pain sometimes. The wraith let out another shriek and he screamed so loud he could have woke all Mordor up. I covered my ears and hid my face.
"It's alright, I'm here!" Sam said to Frodo as he to grabbed his hand. Frodo closed his eyes as the wraith away and let out a sigh of relief.
"Hurry now hobbitses, the Black Gate is near..." Gollum whispered as he began to walk off. I gulped loudly.
"The, black gate?" I whimpered as Sam pulled me up.
"I don't like the sound of it either Miss Hadley." he immediately went back to Frodo's side.
We travelled, again. Now I realized I was losing weight. But I guess that was because I was on a diet of just Lembas and I walked the entire day. We were beginning to enter a more rocky terrain as we exited the Dead Marshes, and I was glad.
"The Black Gate of Mordor..." Gollum showed us as we approached it. It was huge, guarded by orcs and trolls. As we looked down, an entire army was marching towards it. A cry was heard and the blow of a horn, the gates began to open.
"Oh shit how do we get past that?" I mumbled as I scanned the gate.
"Oh, save us, my old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say if he could see us now..." Sam muttered as he stared in disbelief.
"Master says show him the way into Mordor! So good Smeagol does! Master says so." Gollum grinned at Frodo nodding his head.
"I did." Frodo said looking at me. I tried to smile, but it was a fail. So I switched my gaze to the orcs on guard and pointed to them.
"That's it then... We can't get past that!" Sam exclaimed as he shook his head.
"He's right. Were screwed, dead, dead meat, goners, losers, doomed!" I listed out as I sat back.
"No don't say that Karolyn!" Frodo said sitting next to me.
"Well it's true." I said shaking my head.
"How do you know?" he asked sympathetically.
"How do you know were not?" I asked looking into his eyes. They were filled with desperation and sadness, loneliness.
"I can't say either, but we can hope." he said rubbing my arm. I nodded my head and looked over to Sam who was still watching the army.
"The gate is almost open!" I exclaimed suddenly.
"I think I can see a way down..." Sam mumbled as he leaned forward on a rock. Frodo and I's eyes went wide as it began to tip forward. It fell forward.
"SAM!" I shrieked trying to grab him as I ran to follow him. Frodo pulled me back though and looked at me.
"Were not taking any risks!" he said as he ran down the hill to Sam.
"No! Master!" Gollum wailed as we watched Frodo run down to Sam. He dropped to Sam's side and tried to pull him out, but he was stuck! I began to panic myself, Frodo looked around and saw two soldiers walking over. He quick threw his cloak over him and Sam. To you and me, it would have only been a rock. The guards stood there for a moment, staring at this "rock", as me and Gollum watched with fear. The guards shrugged their shoulders and walked back to their places in line. I let out a sigh of relief and Frodo pulled Sam out of the rocks.
"I do not ask you to come with me Sam," Frodo said as they climbed back up, I pulled them both into a hug.
"You either Karolyn." he said as we pulled away.
"I know Mr. Frodo, I doubt these elvish cloaks will hide us in there." Sam said as he stared at the gate. Frodo still looked at me.
"I'm going. And you can't stop me. I'm way to involved now." I replied as I made my way next to Sam. Frodo came in-between us and nodded.
"NOW!" Frodo exclaimed. We all lunged forward to run into the gates, but Gollum pulled Frodo back.
"No! No! No, master! They catch you! THEY CATCH YOU! Don't take it to him, he wants the precious! Always he is looking for it, and the precious is wanted to go back to him! But we mustn't let him have it!" Gollum spat as Frodo stared at him. He ignored him and urged us to try again, but of course Gollum stopped Frodo again.
"No! There is another way! More secret, a dark way..." Gollum suggested for the first time. We all turned to him slowly. Sam eyed him suspiciously.
"Why haven't you spoken of this before?" he demanded fiercely.
Gollum looked up at him, "Because master did not ask."
"Because master did not ask," I mimicked in a high pitched voice, "Bullshit! How was he supposed to know to ask! You chose right now to tell us this?" I exclaimed madly. Frodo grabbed my wrist and looked me in the eyes.
"Just calm down, please." he said as I backed away and kicked a rock. "Your saying theres another way into Mordor?" Frodo asked Gollum quietly.
"He's up to something..." Sam warned quietly.
"Yes. There's a path, and some stairs. And then... a tunnel." Gollum finished off loudly. I shook my head as I listened to his words.
"He's led us this far, Sam and Karolyn." Frodo began, looking at us.
"Mr. Frodo, no." Sam whispered slowly looking up at him.
"You actually trust him?" I asked with disbelief.
"He's been true to his word!" Frodo replied quickly.
"No..." Sam whispered with defeat.
"Listen to him! He's lying!" I said pointing to Gollum.
"Lead the way Smeagol!" Frodo exclaimed before me or Sam could speak.
"Good Smeagol, always helps..." Gollum whispered as he walked away, smiling at us.
"Your calling him Smeagol now?" I asked as Frodo passed me.
He turned on his heel slowly, "Yes."
"Why?"
"That was his name once."
"You've already fallen into his tricks." I replied coldly as I walked past him.
For days we followed Gollum, er, Smeagol, as Frodo liked to call him now. We came to a stream and Smeagol jumped in happily as he tried to catch a fish.
"Ew." I replied as it slipped from his hands.
"Hey stinker! Don't go getting to far ahead now!" Sam called after him as he swam downstream.
"Why do you two do that?" Frodo asked suddenly.
"What?" we asked simultaneously.
"Call him names, run him down all the time." Frodo said as we continued to walk.
"Because he deserves it." I said quietly to myself.
"Because, because that's what he is Mr. Frodo! There's naught left in him but lies and deceit! It's the ring he want, its all he cares about!" Sam said trying to convince him.
"You have no idea what it did to him! What it's STILL doing to him! I want to help him Sam... And Karolyn, no one deserves anything!" he exclaimed looking at me.
"Now you sound like my mother Frodo!" I replied as I glared at him.
"Maybe I need to sound like your mother Karolyn, your acting like a child." he said to me.
"I'm being childish?" I scoffed as I gave a loud fake laugh. Then, my face became serious and I walked off. Shoving Frodo with my shoulder as I did...
"Why? Why help him?" Sam asked sadly and confused.
"Because I have to believe he can come back." Frodo replied as he watched me throw sticks into the water.
"You can't save him Mr. Frodo..." Sam told him quietly. Now I turned my head to watch. Frodo's eyes grew wide with rage as he lunged toward Sam.
"What do you know about it? NOTHING!" he spat in his face. Then he turned to face me.
"And you! He doesn't deserve all that you two are doing to him! You are both acting childish!" he screamed. I backed away in fear, as tears streamed down my face. Sam blushed in embarrassment and made his way to me.
"I'm sorry Sam, Karolyn, I don't know why I said that." Frodo said sympathetically as he watched us hug.
"I do, it's the ring! You can't take your eyes off it! I've seen you, you're not eating. You barely sleep! It's taken hold of you Mr. Frodo! You have to fight it!" Sam screamed as we looked at him.
"I know what I have to do Sam! The ring was entrusted to me! It's my task, mine! My own!" Frodo flailed his arms in the air and I flinched with a whimper, afraid he was going to hit me for some reason.
"Can't you hear yourself? Don't you know what you sound like? What happened to the Frodo that was happy, in love?" he said nodding his head to me. I looked at Frodo with fear and shook my head and hid my face in Sam's chest.
"Karolyn-" he began as he made his way to me.
"DON'T, come, near me." I warned as he took a step forward.
"Why?"
"You scare me!" I said as I looked at him seriously. It was the truth, he did scare me.
Genevieve woke up in someone's arms. They were snoring, which was her biggest pet peeve. She sat up at looked around. Her head didn't hurt anymore! Last thing she remembered was running through the forest, a tree picking them up, and then black. Well they were obviously still in the forest. She rubbed her head and then touched her eye, a scar had formed over it. She sighed and stood up.
"Good morning sunshine!" she heard a high pitched voice from behind.
"Oh Pip, it's you." she said as she yawned. He was eating some Lembas bread as Diamond lay cuddled next to him.
"She sure is adorable when she sleeps, beautiful." Pippin said as he stroked some hair from her face. Gen chuckled to herself and sat down next to him.
"You really love her, don't you?" she asked smiling. Pippin slowly turned to her and blushed.
"Yes." he said smiling, "Very much." he added looking back to Diamond.
"I can tell." Gen said looking out at the hills.
"Merry loves you, a lot. And you love him!" Pippin said stuffing his face.
"A lot!" Gen added as they both laughed. Merry stirred behind them as he sat up. His eyes grew wide as he saw Gen staring at him.
"Your awake!" he exclaimed running over to her. He picked her up in a hug and twirled her. She giggled and he set her down.
"I was so worried. Gen I thought you would never wake up!" he said taking her face in his hands.
"Did you really think I was gonna leave you hangin' like that?" she said chuckling.
"No, never doubted it for a second." Merry pulled her in for a kiss. There lips met as they held it for a steady five seconds. Pippin was laughing and smiling, it truly made him happy to see his cousin in love like this.
"I have some questions though..." Gen said as they parted. Merry nodded and they sat down together. Pippin leaned forward to listen.
"How did I get here and why am I all better now?" she asked quickly and seriously. The two boys looked at each other and nodded.
"Gandalf." was all Pippin said.
It was impossible... Gen's eyes grew wide as she looked to Merry for confirmation, "It's true." he said as he nodded.
"Gandalf? He's, alive?" Gen whispered as she let out a small laugh. Merry and Pippin smiled.
"Yep! He made you all better, and now look at us! Treebeard is off somewhere with a gathering of the Ents." Pippin said as Diamond stirred.
"Ent?" Gen asked them.
"Oi, forgot to tell you that... that tree that was carrying us?" Merry began.
"The tree that squeezed us because he thought we were orcs?" Gen said reminding him harshly.
"Yes, that one... Anyways, he's a friend of Gandalf's! And now, something is about to happen that hasn't happened in an age!" Merry said with high excitement.
"Entmoot..." Pippin finished off as he pulled Diamond's head into his lap.
"Entmoot?" Gen asked totally confused.
"Entmoot." Merry finished off.
"A gathering of the Ents! The trees! Fangorn is stronger, they are deciding on whether or not they should fight against Saruman or not." Pippin finished off with excitement. Diamond mumbled and sat up, her eyes went wide when she saw Gen.
"Your awake!" she said running to her and embracing her.
"Yes, and I'm okay." she said as they began to laugh. Suddenly, Diamond gasped and pulled away.
"Did I hurt your collarbone?" she asked with deep concern.
"Hurt, my collarbone?" Gen looked down and saw a small pink bruise, but it didn't hurt.
"That must've healed too." Merry said resting his head on Gen's shoulder. Pippin stood up and hugged Diamond.
"I want to see the Ents." Gen said breaking the silence. Everyone turned to look at her.
"Alright, we'll take you." Merry said helping her up. They all walked out of the forest and into a clearing. Gen gasped as she saw at least eight trees, moving. They were making low humming noises, yet it was beautiful. They swayed back and forth in a circle together. Gen nearly screamed, but Merry covered her mouth tightly.
"They're deciding." Pippin reminded her with his hands in his pockets as he watched. Diamond turned to her and shook her head laughing, as did Merry.
Evening eventually came and the hobbits were all sitting under a tree waiting. The humming stopped, and Treebeard walked over to them.
"Have you decided?" Merry asked, taking Genevieve's hand and standing up.
"Were only just finished saying, good morning!" Treebeard exclaimed.
"What!" Diamond yelled in disbelief.
"Just, finished?" Gen asked with frustration.
"But it's nighttime already! You can't take forever!" Merry growled furiously.
"Don't be hasty..." Treebeard warned as he turned around.
"Were running out of time!" Merry screamed back at him.
"Merry, just sit down..." Gen moaned as she patted a seat next to her. Merry groaned and sat next to her, they fell asleep in each others arms. Pippin pulled Diamond away quietly.
"You know, the trees sorta scare me!" Diamond said smiling.
"Me too..." Pippin said laughing in agreement.
Diamond stopped them as she pointed up to the moon, "Think we'll ever get back home? To the Shire I mean?" she asked turning to him. Pippin closed his eyes as memories flooded him. He slowly reached for her hands as their fingers intertwined. He pulled them together so their foreheads met.
"I don't know, but I hope so Diamond." he said as tears fell down his face. Diamond wiped then away with her thumb as she shushed him. He opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"Have I ever told you, how pretty you are?" he asked with a child-like tone in him.
Diamond paused to think, "I don't think so." she said looking to the ground.
"Well, you are very pretty." he said placing a finger under her chin to pull her face up.
"Pip, your so funny." Diamond said chuckling.
Pippin leaned down and pushed his lips onto Diamond's. Diamond gasped at first, but soon closed her eyes and placed her hands on his chest as he placed his on her waist. Their kiss lingered on as their lips moved in rhythm with each other. As they parted, neither looked each other in the eye.
"We should get back..." Diamond said as she grabbed his wrist.
"Yeah, we should..." Pippin responded as they began to walk back.
It was morning and Gen woke up to the sound of Treebeard stumbling over towards them. She woke Merry up and Pippin woke Diamond up. Treebeard stopped before them as they stood up.
"We, have just agreed..." Treebeard started out, but soon paused as his eyes closed.
"Hello?" Diamond shouted out.
"Yes?" Merry asked impatiently.
Treebeard snapped back awake and cotinued, "I have just told your names to the Entmoot and we have agreed," he paused as the hobbits leaned in, "You are not orcs!" he declared with a smile.
Gen's jaw dropped, did she really just hear what she thought she did? Merry stared at the ground in confusion and Diamond and Pippin smiled.
"Well, that's good news!" Pippin exclaimed jumping a little.
"And what about Saruman?" Merry demanded with sudden frustration.
"Have you come to a decision about him?" Gen finished off.
"Do not be hasty Master Meriadoc, Miss Genevieve." Treebeard said looking down on them.
"Hasty?" Gen exclaimed with anger. Now, Merry stepped forward.
"Our friends are out there! They need our help! They cannot fight this war on their own!" he said yelling at Treebeard. Treebeard ignored him and the trees went back to talking, or humming, whatever they did...
"Oh, my, GOD." Diamond said after another four hours.
"This is like waiting in line for the best rollercoaster in the world." Gen said facepalming.
"Rollercoaster?" Merry and Pippin asked simultaneously.
"I'm not explainin'..." Gen mumbled. Diamond waved them off and leaned back on the tree. Suddenly, the humming stop and the hobbits all stood bolt upright. Treebeard walked over to them slowly.
"The Ents cannot hold back this storm, we must weather such things as we have always done." Treebeard told them.
"Weather such things?" Gen screamed.
"So your going to wait longer!?" Diamond shrieked.
"How can that be your decision?" Merry asked with furry.
"This is not our war." Treebeard said quietly.
"But your apart of this world!" Merry exclaimed madly.
"Aren't you?" Gen asked after a long pause. The Ents looked to each other, as if considering it...
"You must help!" Merry said looking at Treebrard with hope.
"Please!" Diamond begged with tears while Pippin held her.
"You must do something." Gen muttered looking at the confused tree.
"You hobbits are young and brave, but your part in this tale is over. Go back, to your home." Treebeard said. And with that, he turned around and walked away. Gen let out an angered scream and cried. Diamond and Pippin looked at each other with desperation. Merry glared at the trees and picked up his jacket to put it on. Diamond hugged Gen as they rocked back and forth.
"Maybe Treebeard is right, we don't belong here Merry. It's too big for us! What can we do in the end?" Pippin asked as if trying to prove a point, "We've got the Shire, maybe we should go home." he said looking to Diamond. Merry huffed and violently jerked his jacket on.
"The fires of Isengard will spread, and the woods of Tuckborough and Buckland will burn! And all that was once green, and good in this world, will be gone! There won't be a Shire Pippin!" Merry said through clenched teeth as he stormed off to Gen.
"So that's it then?" Diamond suddenly said to her friends.
"What's it?" Gen asked as Merry held her.
"Your just going, going to give up?" she exclaimed as she looked to all of them. They all opened their mouths to speak, but quickly shut their mouths.
"What can we do Diamond? Treebeard is right, let's just go home." Gen said putting a hand on Diamond's shoulder.
"What home? Back home, were dead! What home?" she repeated as she stormed off into the woods.
The next day Treebeard carried them on his shoulders.
"I will leave you at the western borders of the forest, you can make your way north to your homeland from there." Treebeard told the hobbits.
Pippin suddenly formed a grin; Diamond eyed him suspiciously. "Wait! Stop, stop!" he yelled as Treebeard came to a halt.
"Turn around, take us south!" Pippin said smiling.
"South?" Diamond asked, Pippin winked at her.
"South? But that would lead you past... Isengard." Treebeard said with hesitation. Pippin smiled and shook his head.
"Yes, exactly! If we go south, we can slip past Saruman unnoticed! The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm. It's the last thing he'll expect!" Pippin explained with a look of triumph. His friends looked at him like he were crazy.
"That doesn't make sense to me... but then, you are very small. Perhaps your right!" Treebeard said as he looked around.
"Pip?" Diamond asked holding his arm.
He leaned over and kissed her lips, "Trust me." he whispered as she grinned.
"South it is then! Hold on little Shirelings!" Treebeard said as he took a step forward.
"Are you mad?!" Merry growled at him.
"We'll get caught!" Gen finished off.
"No we won't, not this time." Pippin said looking towards Isengard with a smile. Treebeard began to talk about the wonderful things in the forest, and the little family of field mice that tickled him awfully when they scurried about him. The hobbits drained in and out as their bodies rocked back and forth on Treebeard. He suddenly came to a halt which jolted the four awake. They had stopped at a clearing of burned trees, nothing seemed alive. Treebeard stood in disbelief.
"Saruman... a wizard should know better! There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of men for this treachery!" Treebeard growled as his voice grew louder and angrier. Diamond smiled as she finally caught on to what Pippin was doing. There was a deep rumbling behind them as they turned around.
"Look! The trees! Their moving!" Pippin said as he pointed. Gen and Diamond gasped and smiled as they saw many trees indeed moving.
"Where are they going?" Merry asked.
"They have business with the orcs, my business is with Isengard tonight, with rock and stone!" Treebeard yelled ferociously, Diamond began to laugh with happiness.
"Yes!" Gen and Merry whispered.
"Come my friends, the Ents are going to war! It is likely we go to our doom..." Treebeard sighed sadly as they began to move forward.
Diamond hugged Pippin tightly, "Way to go!" she whispered as they smiled into each other's eyes.
"The last march of the Ents!" Treebeard declared. More trees emerged from the woods and the air grew cold. The four hobbits smiled as they realized what was happening.
I still held the sword to this elf's stomach, a threat. This girl, she looked so damn familiar...
"Ginger! It's me Laura!" she said slowly pushing the sword away. I stood straighter and looked her in the eye.
"How do you know my name?" I asked quietly.
"Were friends! Oh Genevieve will be so happy to see you!" she said throwing her arms around me. I quickly pushed her away as I looked down to the locket. Genevieve...
"Genevieve?" I asked looking back to her.
"Your twin sister!" she said hopelessly. I looked behind her and saw everyone staring at us.
"I have no sister..." I said looking back to the girl.
"You, don't remember a thing do you?" she said with tears.
"No, I'm afraid not. Saruman would have told me if I had a sister or not..." I said quietly. Suddenly, the company pulled out their weapons at the mention of Saruman. I pulled out my bow and arrow as I stared then down. The old man stepped forward and met my gaze.
"My dear... You have fallen into his trap?" he asked reaching a hand forward. I moved my arrow tip to it quickly.
"Let go of that arrow, I let go of mine and you die!" the elf man warned with wide eyes. The girl stepped in front of him to stop him. The man stepped forward with his sword.
"You are a friend of Saruman?" he asked with disappointment.
"Yes." I replied backing away.
"But he is the enemy!" he yelled. I pointed my bow at him and my eyes darted everywhere, an image of someone who looked like me flashed into my mind constantly. I shook my head and let out a frustrated cry.
"Ginger, please..." the elf girl pleaded as she looked at me.
I took off. I ran out of the forest as fast as possible, jumped onto Mysteri and rode back to Isengard with haste. Jumping off Mysteri and running into the tower, I ran straight into Saruman.
"My lord, forgive me. But I ran into the Fellowship in Fangorn. There was-"
"GO!" Saruman said with fear in his eyes. I froze. Go?
"Go?" I asked taking a step forward.
"Flee! Flee from here, an evil is coming. Save yourself!" Saruman said turning away.
"But what about you? I will stay here and protect you!" I suggested grabbing his shoulder.
"I can defend myself. Don't worry about me Sigrid. You have made me proud. Now, go." he said quietly. I gasped and took a step back. Why? Why now?
"GO!" he yelled back at me. I quickly obeyed and ran to my room, gathering everything I could. Jumping onto Mysteri we rode off into Fangorn again. This time, a different direction from the Fellowship. I could hear deep grumbling noises, the trees. I knew they could talk.
Where was I even headed? Why?
We had traveled another day or two, I had lost count after two hours though. Frodo hardly talking the entire time. So, we stopped to rest. I fell asleep, Frodo sat next to me awake (barely), and Sam was thinking. Freddie was in my dream again. Gah, why!? Sometimes, I woke up crying from that dream. But of course my dream was interrupted by Gollum. He came bounding over happily with three rabbits in his mouth and dropped them in Frodo's lap.
"What the hell are you doing? Oh, dear god..." I said as I looked at the limp bunnies.
"Look! Look! See what Smeagol finds!" Smeagol pointed to the rabbits as Frodo smiled at him nervously. I wretched, just a little as I contained the bile. Until...
Gollum picked up a rabbit and snapped the spine, you could hear the crack. I wretched loudly and leaned behind me to throw up in the bush.
"They are young, they are tender, they are nice! Yes they are, eat them, eat them!" Smeagol squealed as he danced around. I groaned and clutched my stomach as I turned back around. Frodo pushed the rabbits off his lap slowly and patted my back.
"Are you okay?" he asked with worry.
"Not... at... all..." I said as Smeagol set down the broken rabbit, I wretched again.
Sam shook his head in frustration and disgust as he stood up and took the rabbits in his hand. "You'll make 'em sick you will! Behavin' like that! There's only one way to ear a brace of coneys!" Sam declared as he glared at Gollum. Soon we had a fire going, and the rabbits cooking in a stew over top of it. I laughed at Gollum who looked like he was being tortured.
"What's it doing! Stupid fat hobbit! IT RUINS IT!" Gollum cried grabbing his head.
"What's to ruin?" Sam asked stirring the stew.
"There's NOTHING on them, no meat." I said sutting next to Sam as he poured a bowl and handed it to me.
"What we need is a few good taters." Sam said smiling.
"And root beer..." I muttered remembering it's taste.
"What's, taters precious? What's taters?" Gollum asked crawling next to us. The stew wasn't half bad!
"Po-ta-toes! Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew!" Sam said rolling his eyes, I laughed. "Lovely, BIG, golden chips with a nice piece of friend fish!" Sam continued sighing heavenly.
"That could be a song! Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew!" I repeated laughing to myself. Gollum wretched and spat at us.
"Even you couldn't say no to that!" I accused as he walked away.
"Oh yes we could! Spoil a nice fish... give it to us, raw and wriggling," Gollum crawled to me and got in my face. Frodo stiffened as he watched and Sam got in front of me as I hid behind him. "You keep nasty chips..." Gollum growled as he glared at me then left.
"Your hopeless!" Sam yelled after him. I agreed and began to take another sip of stew.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam yelled in a panic. I groaned, not again! We ran over to Frodo's figure looking over a cliff. As we approached, I saw tons of men, maybe even an army, they were dirty and looked like they had war paint smothered all over them. I took a rather large and loud gulp.
"Who are they?" Sam asked staring in fear.
"Wicked men. Servants of Sauron, they are called to Mordor. The Dark One is gathering all armies to him, it won't be long now... He will soon be ready." Gollum said scanning the army. Oh yeah, that's right. I was on a mission to basically kill myself. I had totally forgotten about the point of the mission. Well, not "forgot", just didn't think about it as much anymore.
"Ready for what?" Frodo squeaked with horror.
"To make his war... the last world that will cover all the world in shadow." Gollum darkly replied. Frodo shook his head and began to move away, as did I when Sam grabbed his arm.
"Mr. Frodo, look! It's an oliphant!" Sam said pointing. I followed his fingers to see a HUGE elephant! But, did Sam just call it an, oliphant?
"Do you mean elephant?" I asked Sam. He merely just raised an eyebrow at me and turned to look back.
"No one at home will believe this..." he muttered in amazement.
"Smeagol?" Frodo asked in a sudden panic as he spun around. I heard a twig snap.
"Guys, we need-" but a arrow suddenly whizzed past my face and out into the army. A man fell dead, which caused an uproar. I screamed as hundreds of arrows now were being shot everywhere.
"We've lingered to long! Come on let's go!" Frodo shouted as we got up and ran. I lost track of them when I was suddenly grabbed from my waist and thrown to the grown. The wind was knocked out and I let out a yelp. Soon, Frodo and Sam were tossed next to me as well.
"Wait! Were innocent travelers!" Sam yelled as swords were held to our throats. A man stepped forward, he looked oddly familiar. He had curly blonde hair that stopped at his chin, and his face was so damn familiar! Agh!
"There are no travelers in this land, only servants of the Dark Tower." he said eyeing us.
"I swear we don't work for Sauron!" I screamed as the sword was pressed tighter to my throat.
"We are blind to an errand of secrecy, those that claim to oppose the enemy would do well not to hinder us." Frodo said as he looked over to me.
"The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from, and if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home? If he would rather not have stayed there, in peace. War will make corpses of us all." the man stated kicking a man he shot with his foot.
"So your saying you think were enemies, great." I mumbled, the sword was pushed deeper and I winced as I felt a small bit of blood trickle down my neck and onto my chest.
"Don't hurt her!" Frodo yelled as I looked over at him, his eyes were bulging and he looked MAD.
He looked at him then me, "Bind their hands!" he yelled at the people pressing swords against our throats.
Laura stood with her mouth gaping, why had Ginger just ran away like that? Why couldn't she remember her? Tears trickled down her cheeks as she let out small cries. Legolas grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"Alas, she has dug her own grave." Gandalf muttered shaking his head.
"She, didn't even remember me! She didn't even remember Genevieve..." Laura said wiping her tears away quickly.
"One stage of your journey has ended, another begins. We must make for Edoras with all speed!" Gandalf exclaimed as he made his was to Laura.
"Do not worry my dear, she can take care of herself. In time her memory will return." he comforted her with a twinkle in his eye. Laura smiled weakly and pulled him into a hug.
"We hear of trouble in Rohan, it goes ill with the king." Aragorn said as Gandalf led them out of the forest.
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured..." Gandalf replied, as if he were not looking forward to traveling to Rohan.
"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree infested-" Gimli began, but the trees began to rumble.
"BEAUTIFUL! Forest..." Laura said rolling her eyes and glaring at Gimli.
"It was more than mere chance that brought Merry, Pippin, Genevieve, and Diamond to Fangorn! A great power has been sleeping here for many long years... The coming of Merry, Pippin, Genevieve and Diamond will be like the falling of small stones, that starts an avalanche in the mountains." Gandalf said as the trees cleared and sunlight fell upon them.
"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend; you still speak in riddles." Aragorn said placing a hand on Gandalf's shoulder. Gandalf turned to him with a smile pulling at his lips. Legolas smiled also and turned to see Laura smiling as well.
"It is good to see you happy." he said running his hand down her arm. She laughed and pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you." she whispered looking up to him. He nodded his head and looked to Gandalf. Gandalf let out a loud, long, beautiful whistle that echoed through the valley. Suddenly, the neigh of a horse was heard and a stunningly white horse galloped into their view. Laura gasped.
"He, or she, is beautiful Gandalf." she said standing next to him. He nodded his head in agreement.
"That is one of the Mearas! Unless my eyes are cheated by some spell..." Legolas whispered in wonder as he stared at the horse.
"Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers." Gandalf said as the horse bowed his head to let Gandalf stroke it.
"Shadowfax..." Laura said as she smiled. The horse looked at her and neighed. Laura let out a laugh as Gandalf nodded approvingly.
"You elves and your ways with animals." he mumbled laughing. Aragorn told Gimli to ride the horse Arod with him, while Legolas helped Laura up onto Hausfel with him. Laura agreed and wrapped her arms around his torso. Why had she never noticed Legolas like this before? He was nice, smart, brave, strong, and handsome... With his blonde hair in braids and his sparkling blue eyes, full of wisdom. They rode to Edoras as fast as the horses could gallop. When they approached, Gimli and Laura grimaced.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard!" Gimli whispered as they rode into the village.
"No kidding..." Laura uttered to herself as people stopped what they were doing to stare. She guessed people were more amazed at the sight of two elves than anything else. They made their way up the stairs to the palace, but were stopped by guards. They asked them to give them their weapons. Gimli hesitated and glared at the guards, but eventually gave them his axe. The guard asked Gandalf to give him his staff.
"You would not part an old man from his walking stick," Gandalf said as he backed away. The guard winced and watched as Gandalf took Laura and Legolas' arms. He allowed him to take it. They opened the doors and Gandalf "limped" into the hall, with Aragorn and Gimli closely behind. The place was so gloomy! No one spoke, or moved. Laura directed her eyes to a very old man, sitting hunched over in his throne.
"Theoden?" she whispered under her breath. Gandalf shushed her and they stopped. A man was crouched next to the king, whispering in his ear. He was a sickly pale green, and had clouded grey eyes and grimy black hair. Wormtongue...
"You are not welcome here, Gandalf Stormcrow." the king said with a scratchy voice.
Gandalf opened his mouth, but was cut off by Wormtongue, "A just question, my liege! Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear! Lathspell I name him... Ill news is an ill guest!" he stood up and made his way to Gandalf. His eyes roamed to Laura, he smiled and Legolas glared at him.
"Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth! I have not passed through fire and shadow to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" Gandalf exclaimed as he seemed to grow stronger. A group of guards lunged forward towards Gandalf. Gimli and Aragorn stood infront of them, sword (and axe) ready, while Legolas and Laura drew arrows.
"His staff! I told you to take his staff!" Wormtongue cried in fear as he backed away.
"Theoden, son of Thengel, too long have you lived in the shadows!" Gandalf boomed as he stepped closer to the king. Laura and Aragorn had already knocked out three guards and Legolas and Gimli still threatened to kill.
Gimli caught Wormtongue by the chest as he tried to slip away unnoticed, "I would stay if I were you..."
"I release you from the spell!" Gandalf cried as he held his hand to Theoden.
Laura expected a huge bang to sound, or explosion, but all that she heard was the sound of the king's mocking laugh. Gandalf opened his eyes and stared at him.
"You have no power here! Gandalf, the Grey..." he hissed. Gandalf threw off his cloak and blinded the king with his white cloak, well, really white everything.
"I will draw you Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound!" Gandalf yelled at the terrified king.
"If I go, Theoden DIES!" the voice of Saruman slipped through. Laura looked over to see a woman, terrified she ran over to the king. Aragorn pulled her back.
"You did not kill me... you will not kill him!" Gandalf said with such harshness, she thought Gandalf would explode!
"ROHAN IS MINE!" Saruman exclaimed with demand.
"BE GONE!" Gandalf cried as he thrust his staff forward, and with one jerk the king flew back into his throne. Laura let out a scream as she heard Gandalf. The king slumped down, and the woman ran over to him. She cradled his face in her hands with tears. Theoden looked up, and his face began to age back. His wrinkles were not so intense, and his eyes were no longer clouded over. His hair and beard gained their reddish color back, and he breathed a deep sigh. He looked over to the woman with curiosity.
"I know your face..." he began as he studied her. She nodded her head with a laugh, "Eowyn... Eowyn!" Theoden whispered as he smiled at her. He now turned to Gandalf, who was smiling.
"Gandalf?" he asked trying to stand. Laura sighed a sigh of relief as Gandalf smiled with contempt at him.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf clasped him on the shoulders. Legolas made his way to Laura and offered her his arm. she gladly took it.
"Dark have been my dreams of late..." Theoden muttered as he looked down the hall.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword." Gandalf said as a guard brought a sword to him. Theoden's eyes grew wide as he looked at it. Slowly, he placed his hands on the sword's hilt. He swung it up and seemed to gain new strength and hope. Laura smiled and turned around, Wormtongue was still on the ground, staring at her and Eowyn. Theoden noticed him as well and his smile faded. Grima Wormtongue soon found himself being thrown down the stairs of the palace. He wallowed on the ground.
"I have only ever served you my lord!" he cried for mercy as Theoden advanced towards him.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden exclaimed in rage as he swung his sword at Grima.
"Send me not from your sight!" he begged again. Thermal let out a cry and ran towards him as Grima prepared for his death.
"NO MY LORD!" Aragorn cried rushing forward, "No, my lord. Enough blood has been spilled on his account." Theoden looked from him to the crowd, as he saw Grima pushing his way through. It became silent and Laura looked at Theoden.
"Hail Thedoen King!" she announces bowing low. Legolas smiled at her and everyone followed her. Theoden didn't even smile, he just kept looking around.
"Where is Theodred?" he asked in a sudden panic, "Where is my son!" he demanded as he spun around to Gandalf. Laura looked to Legolas with confusion, a sad feeling creeping over him.
"I'm sorry, Thedoen..." Gandalf said. Theoden looked around with tears, slowly realizing his son was gone. Eowyn had come out to, crying as Theoden came up to her. Aragorn gave her a sympathetic look.
"I'm tired of death." Laura whispered to Legolas with sudden tears, "It just seems to keep following me!" she turned and buried her face into his chest, he in turn wrapped his arms around her, even though he did not understand death like humans did.
It was a sad day for Thedoen. "Waking up" from his "possession" to find his son dead, who could blame him? Laura was given a room to herself and clean clothes. She cleaned up and looked herself over. She was really taking a liking to her elf self, she was beautiful. And her pointed ears and sharpened senses made it all better! Walking back out into the hall, she saw Eowyn standing over a small little girl and boy eating some soup. Aragorn looked a little frustrated as he stared at the king, Legolas immediately turned to Laura as he heard her walk in.
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on! Draw him away from your women and children, you must fight!" Laura stood next to Gimli as she joined in on the conversation.
"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you, his men will return and fight for their king!" Aragorn chimed in as he stared at Theoden.
Theoden glared at him and shot up, "They will be 300 leagues from here by now! Eomer cannot help us! I know what is is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war!" he screamed. Laura frowned and stood up.
"But that's why you fight! To protect! If you don't risk open war, your people will die! Risking doesn't always mean it will happen." she said looking to Aragorn and Legolas, then to Theoden.
"What would an elf woman know of war?" he muttered with a glare.
"She knows more than any other woman in Middle Earth I assure you. Open war is upon you! Whether you risk it or not! She is right." Aragorn said making his way next to Laura and clasping a friendly hand on her shoulder for support. Theoden eyed her suspiciously and Legolas clenched his teeth together.
"When last I looked, Theoden, NOT, Aragorn, is king of Rohan." Theoden hissed glaring at Aragorn. Aragorn grumbled and looked to the floor, Laura knew Aragorn was much wiser.
"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asked before anyone else could argue.
Theoden paused, then made his way towards the doors, "We make for Helms Deep." he said as the slam of doors was heard. Legolas and Laura looked at each other with worry, and Aragorn let out an angered cry.
"Aragorn, it's okay." Laura tried to reassure him.
"His people will die." he said as he turned to walk away. Legolas stood behind her as they watched him walk to his room.
The next day, the entire village was packed and ready for Helms Deep. None of the villagers entirely knew what was happening. Laura was given a brown and black horse, named Zeta. Legolas walked and Aragorn did as well. Legolas however walked beside Laura.
"Do you know how to ride? Well I mean..." Legolas asked looking up to her.
"Yes! I was a barrel racer back at home. Basically, you maneuvered the horse around barrels and you were timed. Whoever competed the course the fastest without knocking any barrels over won!" Laura explained as they continued to travel. Legolas nodded as he imagined Laura competing.
"And?" he asked turning back to her.
"I was national champion in the country." Laura finished off smiling, she missed her horse from back home...
"You must be excellent then." Legolas complimented her. Laura felt herself blush a bright red as she looked ahead. Gimli was laughing and talking to Eowyn, who seemed to
enjoy looking back at Aragorn more than listening to Gimli's story.
"That of course, is ridiculous!" Gimli exclaimed throwing his hands in the air. His horse neighed and took off galloping. Gimli let out a cry and fell off horse. Legolas and Laura tried to contain there laughter as Eowyn began to laugh hysterically.
"I'm alright! It was deliberate! It was deliberate!" Gimli cried as he sat up and Eowyn helped him. She once again looked up to Aragorn and smiled at him, he in turn stifled a laugh and nodded.
"Stop flirting Gimli!" Laura cried as he turned around and glared at her.
"Aye! Flirting? Dwarves do no such thing!" he exclaimed trying not to smile. Legolas turned to her and laughed.
"What?" she asked laughing as well.
"You always seem to find joy in a troubled time." Legolas said looking up to the sky.
"This isn't a troubled time! Well, actually, forget I said that..." she finished off as she laughed. Legolas was starting to grow on her, he was rather handsome and nice.
I added on!
-Mrs. Frodo Baggins
Kendall
Mirabella Millstone of Bywater