Chapter 11: Finding Aragorn
It had been seven days since Gandalf had left and Arwen and I had started to get really worried. They should have gotten to Rivendell two days ago, Ada had told us to just relax and give them a bit of time. We had looked at him like he was crazy. I mean seriously 1 day I can accept but 4 are not negotiable. They could have been attacked of let alone killed.
But no we had to wait for them. Arwen and I had decided last night if they didn't appear by midnight we would set out and go search for them.
We were busy saddling our horses and making sure we had enough lembas to keep us going for at least 2 weeks. We had both left a letter in Ada's chamber this morning explaining our disappearances though we both knew he would have known of our decision days ago.
We mounted our horses and set off to seek out Aragorn.
It had been 2 days since we had left Rivendell and I could see it in Arwens eyes she was beginning to get really desperate. Sundown was almost upon us and we still hadn't found a suitable spot to make camp. I heard a twig snap somewhere in the forest and Arwen dismounts her horse as do I.
I saw a torch heading deeper into the woods and followed Arwen towards it.
"What's this, a ranger caught off his guard?" she asked placing her sward at Aragorn's' chin and tilting it up just slightly.
I noticed he was holding Athelas in his left hand and a dagger in the other. Which was strange to me, because Athelas was a healing plant, therefore meant someone had gotten hurt.
He noticed me looking and gestured for us to follow him but to his camp. We grab our horses and he led the way. When we got there I noticed 3 Halflings surrounding one who looked like he was in grave pain.
I saw his eyes open and look at Arwen with inspiration before closing again. Aragorn rushed to his side as did Arwen and I.
"What happened to him?" I asked inspecting to wound it looked like none I had ever seen before.
"He was stabbed by a morgal blade," Aragorn replied whiles applying the Athelas.
"He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get him to our father." She said to me then to Aragorn "We've been looking for you for two days." She said getting up. Aragorn grabbed Frodo and placed him on her horse.
"You have five wraiths on your tail where the other four are we do not know," I said to Aragorn.
"Dartho guin Beriain. Rych le ad tolthathon. (Stay with the hobbits. I'll send horses for you.)" Aragorn said to Arwen.
"Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im. (I'm the faster rider, I'll take him.)" Arwen said.
"Andelu i ven. (The road is too dangerous.)" aragorn said his features hardening.
"listen to her Aragorn" I said in elvish "we know what we're doing." I said placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hîr, tûr gwaith nîn beriatha hon. (Frodo is dying. If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect him.) I do not fear them" Arwen urged.
" nor do I. stay with the hobbits," I said mounting my mare.
"Be safe," he says to both of us.
"Noro lim melonim noro lim.( run fast my friend run fast)" I say as does Arwen to her horse as we gallop off at brisk speed.
"what are you doing," I hear a Halfling shout, "thoughts wraiths are still out there".
"Noro lim melonim." I say urging my horse to gallop faster and she does.
We ride through the dawn as the plain flies by. I see black come out of the forest. We're being chased.
"noro lim," I say as they get closer and we take a turn towards the river bed through the trees. Branches cut our faces as we make our way out of the trees and across the river and turn to face them.
"give us the Halfling she elves," A wraith says standing at the opposite bank and wading into the water.
"If you want him" I say, "come and claim him" Arwen finishes with hatred in her tone. They start to make their way across the river, towards us.
"Nîn o Chithaeglir lasto beth daer; Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer!, Nîn o Chithaeglir lasto beth daer; Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer!" we chant as the river rushes towards the wraiths sending them downstream.
I see Frodo start to give in.
"No, no! Frodo, no! Frodo don't give in! Not now! What grace is given me, let it pass to him. Let him be spared. Save him. "I here Arwen say and I see the tears roll down her cheeks.
I lift Frodo from the ground and place him on my horse as Arwen mounts hers and we ride into Rivendell as fast as our horses could carry us, with tears running down our cheeks.
I hand Frodo over to Ada and head to my room slowly as Ada heads to the house of healing.