Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.
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As readers can notice, I hope, this story is mostly book-verse and movie-verse. Just a blending of the two. And because there are only five chapters in this half of the story that focus on the quest, it makes sense for me since I didn't want to go through the whole journey by a huge amount of chapters because I'm already doing that with the Item-Insertion Parody Anthology series. This way, and if I can get the structure right, we're getting snapshots of the quest. So, I hope that clears things up for readers.
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The stairs of Cirith Ungol were so narrow. I was lucky to not have fallen off them to my death. I was in the middle of Frodo and Sam, but the odds of me catching Frodo were rather slim, but then I didn't know if I would survive this at all. Just a few more steps and Frodo made it. I was next, my gaze meeting Frodo's as he pulled me up. Sam was next and, in a way, I was grateful he helped him up. Maybe we did need Sam.
Of course, I was too worried about falling off the edge again, enough that I missed Frodo's arm wrapping around me and pulling me up against the wall. It was comforting, but he looked exhausted. I too was exhausted, grateful to lean in and sleep on his shoulder. My senses were alert as I heard Frodo and Sam talking.
"Do you think she's all right?" Sam asked Frodo.
Frodo grinned. "She'll be fine. She needs the rest."
"What about you?" Sam asked, as his best friend kissed the top of my oily head.
"Sam, I'll be fine."
"You don't look fine, but then we do need our sleep," Sam said, taking a seat next to us.
"So, you trust her now?" Frodo asked, curtly.
"It depends. I just hoped for better for you."
"Sam, I can make my own decision on this. Why don't you trust her?"
"I do trust her, Mr. Frodo. We've both come this far. How far are you willing to bet she'll stay with us. She's can't go back."
"That's up to her, but," he sighed, "at this point, there's no turning back. Not for any of us."
"Just as well. We'd best get some sleep."
Sleep fell on me much faster than I thought. Soon Frodo joined me, his head placed on top of mine. It was welcoming, comforting. I lost track of the time, almost falling into a dream, at least until Sam and Frodo woke me. It was time to move on.
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I would have gotten myself lost in Shelob's lair if it weren't for the Phial of Galadriel. That was a lifesaver, but it didn't help my creeped out fear of spiders and their lairs. I was there with Frodo and Sam, but already this place wasn't very welcoming. I knew we had to get out of there.
All around I could hear creepy crawlies. Something was following us. I screeched in alarm, only to have a hand over my mouth. This was too much for me.
"Shouldn't we head back?" I asked, terrified.
"We can't," Frodo said, holding my clammy hand. "Come on. It's this way. I'm sure of it."
For the first time, since accompanying Sam and Frodo, I felt relieved. Maybe we could do this. Maybe there was a chance of destroying the Ring.
Who knew that the moment we left Shelob's lair, I would be forced to hang back with Sam, due to Gollum and witness Frodo being stung by Shelob, Sam beating the spider and watching helplessly as orcs took Frodo's limp form all the way to the tower of Cirith Ungol.
"Come on. We have to follow them," Sam said, not giving up.
"I don't have a ring that turns me invisible," I admitted, following after Sam closer to the tower. I didn't have a choice. I was forced to stay put while Sam grabbed Frodo. As I waited, the silence took me. How was I to complete this quest? I had to stay put or else the Watchers would find me. Minutes passed and it became incredibly lonely. I didn't know… oh! There was some orc armor, just waiting for me.
"Put it on," said Sam's voice underneath a helmet.
"Sam I…" my voice faltered, especially when seeing Frodo wearing orc armor.
"Just put it on," Frodo said, helping me fit into the armor. I had to admit the armor was either a little big for me, but somehow we made it fit. Even the helmet fit as well, almost matching Frodo's helmet. It felt strange having armor on, almost like I was heading into battle. Only then did I feel ready to do this, to finish off the quest. "There. Now you're one of us."
"Thank you," I said behind the helmet.
"Let's go," Sam said, leading the way.
The spell seemed to be broken on the tower of Cirith Ungol. I felt allowed to pass, and in truth, I did because the next thing I knew I slid down a slope with Frodo and Sam. One thing was clear: we made it to Mordor, as Sam put it. Only now did I feel closer to completing the journey with him and Frodo.
It was no fun being confronted by Orcs either, especially when one had a whip. The fierce smacks wounded me. All that pain I had experienced growing up seemed to be rushing back, right through me. I felt I couldn't move on, but Frodo's hand briefly touching my own hand brought me back to reality as best I could. I witnessed Sam and Frodo pretending to fight, before the two dragged me away from the sight. Well, that was one part of the quest done. Now for the trek across the plains of Gorgoroth.
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I just wanted this nightmare to end. I threw the helmet off when we were a good distance away from the orcs. This quest was going to fail. I just knew it was. But taking one good look at Sam and Frodo… I mean, could I really do this. We neared the mountain, but even that trek was tough. There was hardly any water in me and I felt weak without food. Surely, I would die from this quest. Still, some part of me had to keep going.
And yet, a fight broke out between Sam, Frodo and Gollum. I was pulled into the fray, nearly breaking a few bones with Frodo and Gollum's collapse and roll down the hill. I had to get up. I had to keep going. But it wasn't me carrying the Ring. I managed to get help, pulled up on my feet by Sam who in turn led me into the mountain, right where Frodo stood. He had the Ring. He could easily destroy it, but he didn't. He looked at me and Sam in a villainous manner, and then disappeared.
Then there was nothing except a throbbing headache. I woke up in time to find Frodo writhing in pain on the floor. Gollum tripped and fell into the lava. The Ring was gone, but the lava surged. I got out of there, running towards the first ledge I saw and leapt onto it, moving moments into Frodo and Sam joining me. The Ring was destroyed. We were all safe.
And yet, in some ways, I couldn't wait for the eagle to collect me, as well as the other two eagles collecting Frodo and Sam. The darkness took me, leaving me in a shadow of thought and memory. The darkness was welcoming. I was happy and glad to find peace at last.
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Thanks for reading. :)