A/N: Hey guys... I am so sorry. That is all I have to say. I now I say it every single time but this time I am truly sorry. Life just got so busy and for awhile, I thought that I would never finish this.

A chapter in my life is coming to a close, a dark chapter that lasted an extremely long time. Amidst this chapter though, there was some light. Yes, writing this story. It has literally become attached to me in a way I cannot explain. I helped me through the roughest time in my life. But I can tell you that these past five months are the best months I have ever had in my life. I feel free, light, and new. Things have changed for the better with God helping me, my parents, and counseling. Nothing to worry about though guys. I am here and better than ever :3

So I also lost readers. Last chapter got ONE review. And thank you to that lone reviewer :)

Along the lines of a chapter in my life closing, this story is also included in that chapter. I let go of my dark past, and I think it's time for me to let go of this as well. Don't get me wrong, this story has brought me joy when I had none and it was a good part of the chapter. But, all chapters must end, and it is almost time.

THIS IS THE SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER. I am almost done with this and we have come so far along! Spread the word that I am BACK. Back from the dead of horrible writer's block! I love you all, thank you. Sorry this chapter is kind of choppy, but I have big plans for the last chapter!

Read, spread the word, review. I need to know y'all are still with me.

Score today: "For Frodo"

Aragorn watched the army gather and mount their horses individually. He was prepared, this was for Frodo, for Middle Earth. Yes, many would die, including him if that was what it came to. All would be lost if they hadn't done this. Gandalf rode up next to him, Pippin upon his horse with him. Nodding to each other, they turned and waited for everyone else to do so.

Filing in behind him were Legolas with Merry, Gimli, Laura with Diamond, and Ginger with Genevieve. He looked to them, and they lightly smiled at him with encouragement.

Of course, they were afraid as well. The girls had no clue what would happen after they died. If they died today. Go back home? Heaven? Where else was there to go?

Soon the army was making their way out of the city and toward the Black Gate. Aragorn had a sense of foreboding, and it saddened him as they trotted onward. The girls exchanged looks of hope that Karolyn was okay, they really missed their friend.

Pulling out my water bottle, I squeezed it as hard as I could to get the rest of the water out. We didn't have that much farther left, but I immediately regretted downing the water after I swallowed, what if we made it back?

Looking over I saw Frodo struggling to get the last few drops of water from his bottle. The gasps coming from his mouth made me want to hug him, he sounded terrible. Sam immediately jumped to his side and he offered him his own water bottle.

"Take mine," he said, "There's a few drops left."

Frodo wearily eyed him, but soon gulped down the last drops. Even that tiny amount seemed enough to restore him. A twinkle in his eyes made me smile, it was back and he seemed at ease for once.

"There will be none left for the return journey," Frodo's hoarse voice said as he closed his eyes.

Sam looked away with a sadness in his eyes, "I don't think there will be a return journey, Mister Frodo."

Frodo and I looked at Sam, who nodded. We had to face it, it was true. Sam stuck his hand out to Frodo, who took it and stood. Sam helped me up and I joined hands with Frodo, then Sam.

We had made it.

The Black Gate.

Pulling to the front of the army, Genevieve clung to my arm tightly, scared. All I could do was squeeze her arm in return. There was no comfort here, no hope.

Frodo had gotten ahead of us, and something was terribly wrong. He was swiping his hands in front of him, as if swatting a fly away. It was The Eye, Sauron he was trying to ward off.

The depression was weighing down on all of us. There was just no hope left! Nothing to look forward to except destroying the Ring.

I was seriously beginning to doubt that would happen.

I froze as suddenly a light passed right in front of me. Sauron! Looking up I pulled Sam down to the ground with me, just falling in a heap.

"Frodo!" I screamed as he stopped dead.

"Get down!" Sam yelled as we watched from our position, heads lowered and eyes almost covered, "Hide!"

Frodo did THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

Turning slowly, he looked straight into the Eye, gasping for breath and his eyes growing wider.

"Frodo!" I yelled, pounding my still raw and healing fist into the ground.

He suddenly seemed to go limp, and he fell to the ground in a heap. All he could do was lay there as we watched, hoping it would be gone soon.

It passed over us.

We were safe.

"Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!" Aragorn cried out as they stood before the Black Gate. Laura and Diamond's horse shifted in it's stance nervously, as did every other horse.

"I'm not ready for this," Diamond mumbled shaking her head back and forth.

"We're doing this for Frodo, Sam, and Karolyn. We need to draw Sauron's forces away from them. They need time." Laura explained placing a comforting arm on Diamond's shoulder. Diamond gulped and nodded her head.

She knew what they were doing, but it felt comforting having her friend explain.

"Like a distraction?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, exactly." Laura replied glancing at Legolas. Diamond turned to Pippin and they reached for each other's hands, only to be interrupted by the gate opening. Someone rode out. An Orc to be exact.

The Mouth of Sauron.

He approached them with an evil grin, his teeth long and crooked, black and aging. Everyone winced as he came closer, his looks giving them only a small taste of Sauron's soldiers and his evilness.

"My master Sauron the Great bids thee welcome." the disgusting looking creature told them. Aragorn and Legolas looked at him like he was the most horrific thing to look at.

"Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?" the Orc asked throwing a nasty, yellow toothed grin at the group.

"We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed! He is to depart these lands, never to return!" Gandalf shot back glaring daggers at the Orc. He snarled at them and put on another wicked grin.

"Aha! Old Greybeard! I have a token I was bidden to show thee!" Everyone drew in sharp breaths as he reached into his cloak, and suddenly, he revealed the mithril shirt that had been given to Frodo from Bilbo. Everyone let out horrified gasps as he threw it harshly to Gandalf.

His hands trembled as he caught the mail shirt, Pippin had a sick look on his face. His cousin, dead?

"Frodo!" Diamond called out as tears streamed down the girl's faces, if Frodo was gone...

What about Sam? Or Karolyn?

"Frodo!" Pippin exclaimed as well as he took the mithril shirt from Gandalf.

"Silence-"

"No!" Merry interrupted loudly.

"Silence!" Gandalf replied harshly as tears formed in his eyes.

"The halfling was dear to thee I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hand of his host! Who would have thought one so small could endure such pain? And he did Gandalf, he did!" the Orc sneered as he saw Gandalf's eyes overflow with tears. The creature flicked his hidden gaze to Aragorn, who was trying not to cry.

"And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a king than broken Elvish blade!" the Orc began to laugh as Aragorn's face grew hostile and sad. With a cry he unsheathed his sword and beheaded the mouth of Sauron n one swift move. Diamond let out more sobs as she was handed Karolyn's Bible. Laura shook her head as she pulled her into a hug.

"I guess that concludes negotiations." Gimli depressingly stated as he looked to the ground.

"I do not believe it. I will not." Aragorn replied shaking his head.

"Frodo, it's gone!" I called out as I sat up, Frodo was glued to the ground, as if Sauron was still watching us.

The gate let out a groan, and everyone jumped on their seats a little. The big, black, old gates began to slowly creak open.

Aragorn went wide eyed, "Pull back! Pull back!" He exclaimed as he began to ride back towards the army, Laura couldn't help but stare at the scene unfolding before her. It took her a moment, but when she felt the harsh tug of a desperate and frightened Diamond, she retreated as well.

"It's gone, Mister Frodo, the light's passed on away towards the North! Something's drawn its gaze," Sam said as we helped Frodo up. His arm was quickly around my shoulder, his legs seeming to tremble and shake. His head dropped to one side and I really didn't think he would make it.

"Just a little bit more, then we'll be there!" I said as his eyes slowly looked to me. He nodded and stood on his own.

The army coming from behind the gates was loud, and frightening. Laura wrapped her arm around Diamond's front, who was clinging to her friend desperately. Aragorn rode to the front of the army, distracting them.

"Hold your ground! Hold your ground!" Aragorn repeated as the Black Gate opened and the entire army of Sauron marched towards them. Men shuffled with fright and doubt as they began to approach them. Diamond was beginning to cry a little as she clung to Laura.

"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, sisters, my brothers! I see it in your eyes, the same fear that would take the heart of me!" Everyone looked up at him, "A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day! An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight!" Aragorn cried as he encouraged the men his best. Diamond perked up and watched as he seemed to look at her with a "it will be alright" look.

"By all that you hold dear on the earth, I bid you stand! Men of the West!" he cried as the men unsheathed their shields with sudden bravery. Diamond looked to all her friends, and Pippin. She decided these were the things she held dear to her, these were the things she didn't want to lose. She needed to do this for her friend that she hoped was still alive; Karolyn.

It was all she was thinking about.

Everyone hopped off their horses and stood. Diamond drew her sword as one by one her friends followed.

"Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with two elves." Gimli said as Legolas stood to his right, and Laura to his left.

"What about fighting side by side with a friend?" Legolas replied looking down and smiling at Gimli, then to Laura. Gimli chuckled an node his head.

"Aye! I could do that." he said smiling.

"Side by side with friends," Laura said turning to face the small Diamond next to her.

"With loved ones," she said to Pippin.

"Sisters." Ginger and Genevieve simultaneously finished off as they grasped hands.

And they watched as their small army was soon surrounded by the great, swallowing, black, evil army of Sauron as they stood against them.

We had gotten so far! I was out of breath, and the land over here was so hot. First Sam collapsed, then me, but as I closed my eyes and listened, I could hear someone scooting past me. I opened my eyes to see Frodo clawing his way up slowly, grunting and panting. He was putting every bit of last strength he had to climb this mountain. But soon, he let out a breath and collapsed as well, his breath pushing away the dust and dirt from his mouth.

"Do you remember the Shire Mister Frodo? It'll be spring soon and the orchards will be in blossom, and the birds will be nesting in the hazel thickets. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields, and eating the first of strawberries and cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?" Sam stated as Frodo opened his eyes. I sat up in a short daze. This must be the end of me, because it went quiet, and a sort of heavenly glow surrounded me and clouded my vision.

"Karolyn," I heard a familiar voice call out.

"Diamond?" I asked looking up. All of my friends stood in front of me, with encouraging smiles.

"You can do it." Laura said nodding her head.

"We'll be with you," Ginger said smiling.

"Every step of the way." Genevieve finished off as she and Diamond stepped forward.

"We'll always be with you." Diamond whispered as they pulled me up. Somehow, I could lightly feel their grasp as they lifted me up. A boost of energy, comfort, and encouragement swept through my body as the set me upright.

"I love you guys," I said turning around.

"We know." Laura said as they all faded into the smoke.

"No Sam, I can't recall the taste of food," I was brought back into reality as I spun around and ran to Frodo's side, "Nor the sound of water or the touch of grass. I'm naked in the dark, there's, there's nothing. No veil between me and the wheel of fire!" Frodo began to panic as his eyes grew frantically wide and he pulled my face closer.

"I can see him with my waking eyes!" he screamed with fear.

I shuttered and began to quietly cry, "Frodo don't!" I squeaked as I brushed away the hair from his face. His breathing slowed and he calmed down again, nestling closer to me.

Sam was crying too, and his face slowly changed. Anger was seeping through him and determination. Something I hadn't seen in Sam yet, "Then let us be rid of it once and for all! Come on Mister Frodo, I can't carry it for you! But I can carry you! Come on!" Sam shouted as he picked Frodo up and placed him on his back. He stuck his hand out to me.

"Come on Miss Karolyn, you can do it." Sam said as I took his hand and he firmly pulled me up. Leaning against him, we began our climb.

The entire Gondorian army was surrounded, greatly outnumbered, and frightened to death. Suddenly, Aragorn stepped forward in a daze as you could faintly hear his name being called by the Eye. Everyone watched with uncertainty as he stepped forward.

"Aragorn..." a whisper filled the air. His arm dropped to his side as his sword hung limply at his side.

"Elessar!" It's whisper was harsher.

Turning around, Gandalf showed him the Mirthil shirt. Looking to the army and the girls, he saw their desperate faces and hopeful twinkles. He couldn't give up now.

Smiling, he chuckled and looked at everyone, tears falling down his cheeks.

(Start "For Frodo" here, please! I have been waiting for you guys to read this part with that score FOREVER. Keep it playing!)

It went quiet, eerily quiet.

"For Frodo," he suddenly whispered as everyone stared at him. The he turned, sword at the ready, and charged forward.

Pippin was the first to let out a cry, then Merry, and the two ran forward. Soon, Laura took Legolas' hand and the two charged forward, many began to follow.

Ginger looked around her, tears in her eyes and breathing picking up pace. She took in a deep breath and notched an arrow, and released it straight into the air. The arrow sung through the air, high and fast, slowly forming a rainbow and into the army of the enemy. Smiling, she unsheathed her sword and pointed forward.

"For Karolyn!" Ginger cried out as she now charged.

"Sam!" Gen cried out as she charged, Diamond following her with tears.

"Frodo!" Diamond and many others screamed as she ran into the charge.

The girls were sprinting, screaming. Now, everyone followed, the entire army let out an alarming cry, everyone screaming. It was a glorious moment, and all hope seemed to dawn on them. The enemy began to charge as well. It was all coming together. Some arrows were shot, and swords were drawn.

This was it.

With a horrible, seemingly pause, the two finally clashed. Sword against sword and shield, the fighting grew.

Sam was struggling somewhat with carrying Frodo, and we were getting so close! So god damn close!

"Look!" I called out, pointing to the entrance. Lava lighted from below, giving the doorway a glow.

"Mister Frodo, a doorway, we're almost there!" Sam encouraged as I smiled. Then, there it was.

That voice, that I hated and dreaded.

Gollum.

"Clever hobbits, to climb so high!"

"KAROLYN!" Sam shouted as I turned to late, Gollum jumped on me and we tumbled back down, Sam tripped over me, and Frodo went flying forward. Gollum let out a squeal as Sam and I began to fight him off with all of our might. Then, Gollum pushed me down again, and I tumbled, my leg slammed into a rock, and I felt a small singe of pain. Hissing, I ignored it and charged for the other two. Gollum was on Frodo, choking him. Sam and I screamed and jumped on him, trying to pull him off.

"Mustn't go that way! Mustn't hurt the precious!" Gilliam sneered, his chokehold on Frodo getting tighter and tighter.

"You swore!" Frodo squeaked, "You swore on the precious!"

Gollum began to mock him and jeer at him. Sam and I had been pushed off harshly long ago.

"Smeagol promised!" Frodo exclaimed.

Gollum grinned, "Smeagol lied!" And soon, Frodo's desperate gasps for air sent us running towards them. Sam threw a rock at Gollum, who wailed when it made contact with his head. Soon, Sam and Gollum began to fight and I sprinted to Frodo.

"Are you okay?" I asked over and over again as he sat up, choking and holding his neck. I began to worry as Sam and Gollum's fighting grew worse.

"Get up!" I exclaimed as I helped Frodo up, still recovering from the choking. I heard another grunt from behind us and I watched as Sam interjected a pounce from Gollum, the two tumbled down the hill. My arm steadied Frodo and I began to pull him faster and faster.

"Wraiths!" Someone shouted as the Gondorian army looked up, the ringwraiths had found them!

Frodo collapsed and I tried to pull him up, but he wouldn't budge! I began to panic as I heard the struggling from Sam and Gollum getting worse.

"Get up, Frodo Baggins! Get up!" If he didn't get up, I would take it. I didn't care, we were too close to stop now.

Sam was pushed down by Gollum harshly, his head colliding against a rock. A scream escaped his lips and he suddenly pushed Gollum up. My gaze flicked down to Frodo, who was shaking me. I helped him sit up, and turned back to watch Sam. He unsheathed his sword and swiped it clean across Gollum's torso, sending him to the ground wailing with his hands over the wound.

"Frodo!" He suddenly exclaimed, pointing behind me. I gasped as I saw Frodo wasn't there anymore, and looked up just in time to see Frodo's figure disappearing, running into the entrance of Mount Doom. It was then I heard the cry of a bird from above, but it was no ordinary bird.

An eagle! It was HUGE! It flew over us and was soon followed by many others, I smiled to myself as I figured out where they were going.

"The eagles! The eagles are coming!" Pippin shouted as the ringwraiths let out frightened cries. Suddenly and eagle swooped down and intercepted a ringwraith headed right toward Gandalf. The girls smiled and continued to fight feeling stronger now.

Sorry this chappy kidna sucked, but I hope the score worked out well!

One more guys, one more. It will be good. I promise. I am tearing up thinking about it.

I love you guys. Truly.

-Mrs. Frodo Baggins

Kendall

Mirabella Millstone of Bywater