Chapter Three

It was cold. Andie felt cold through her entire being. Goosebumps laid on her arms underneath her sweaters' sleeves and she shivered. She clenched her jaw and tried her best to stay still. It was no use. It was too cold. She didn't notice the mist that had encased both her and this nightmare. Her body was tense and her feet frozen in place. She was shivering uncontrollably and her chest hurt from the cold. Her wheezing had gotten worse and breathing through her nose proved to be to difficult and not sufficient. She struggled to take in a deep breath through her mouth. Her airways were closing and there was no possible way for her to reach her pump. But, that wasn't on her mind. It was those eyes, those luminous icy eyes.

She breathe out a shallow breath and it left her mouth as a pale wisp of air visible before her and it. Was she hyperventilating? No. She was holding her breath. This thing was too close for comfort. Too close and she couldn't think.

"Tu autem alienus refert qui salvet te." The monster speaks while pointing a bony finger at her, gesturing harshly. It wore golden rings that rattled with the movement. It's voice horrible and hypnotic. Andie would agree, the creature's voice was horrible. But, hypnotic? No. It had the opposite effect. That voice, raspy and sinister, woke her from her paralyzed state and she released the breath she held in. She took a small step back, slowly and tentatively, and finally beheld the being before her.

A pale skeletal face watched her. Despite it being shrouded in tattered cloth Andie could see it was a skeleton. Mist and a dim eerie green light emits from it's form, and it's bones shake ever so slightly as if it's parts were not connected at all. It moved like a puppet obeying it's puppeteer. It reminded her of the Grim Reaper and somehow it was worse.

"Non est qui effugiat eum!" It bellowed.

What did it say? She couldn't understand. Was it smirking at her?! It was and it sicken her. She felt nauseous and lightheaded. Her blood ran cold and her mind clicked with one command, scream for help. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She was silent. Her fear held her back. A gargled sound fills the air and the skeleton shakes mimicking laughter. Was it laughing? It was enjoying this?! Andie somehow found her courage, a small ounce of it, and confronted the monster. She stood her ground and looked straight at it. She couldn't run from it and had reasoned the only thing left to do was to face it head on. If it would get her it wouldn't be because she gave up. It wouldn't be because she allowed it.

"LEAVE ME!" She yelled, her voice now found.

"GO AWAY!"

It growled at her and tried to advance on her. It's arms moving and bony hands trying to claw its way to her light. It still couldn't touch her. Her light was a shield, like an invisible wall that would not break.

"HELP!" She scream as loud as her lungs would allow. Her chest burned and ache with the exertion.

"HELP ME PLEASE!"

The monster hissed when another attempt to grab her failed. Andie was still shaking. She couldn't help it. It was cold and she was terrified. Despite her shivering and despite her fear Andie could feel something inside her burning. Was is strength? Or maybe just her courage igniting once more? Whatever the flame was it burned intensely in her and made her bold, just for a moment. She quickly and steadily turned her phone in the monster's direction enveloping it in the light. It shrieked and howled in pain as it recoiled back into the darkness and mist far behind it. It looked like she had burned it. Did she? Was she able to hurt it? She couldn't see it anymore. Where was it? Would it return? She hoped and prayed that it wouldn't. Then she heard a sound.

WHOOOOSH!

Andie turned behind her holding her phone in the direction the sound seem to come from. Her light shaking in her trembling hand. This time Andie didn't hesitate. Someone should hear her right? She couldn't possibly be alone wherever she was. 'Please hear me' she pleaded in her mind and she painfully forced all the air that she could through her tight and wheezing airway and shouted with all her might, "HELP ME!"

HIIISSSSS

Andie turn to her right and then left. She moved her light back and forth in both directions unsure of where the sound had originated from. The sounds echoed and it was difficult to discern where the monster was. She yelled again, "PLEASE HELP ME!"

GROOOWWWLLLL

It was low and rumbled in her ear. The monster was behind her and she had no time to react. It was too late. It grab her wrist angrily in a icy iron tight grip and to Andie's dismay it was now in control of the hand that held her phone and weapon, her light. It's hand was like ice and the prolong exposure to it's grasp was beginning to hurt. It didn't help that it forcefully pulled her arm to make her face it again. This time it was just a hair's breath away and there was nothing left for her to do…but scream.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Her scream was loud and high pitch. It was full of fear and it was her only hope left. If no one had heard that then she was doomed. She pull and pull with all her might but it's grip on her wrist did not falter. She tried to kick it but, it was quick and grabbed her leg. Stupid move Andie! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! This was it. She was done for. With her right wrist and left leg in it's iron grip the skeleton laughed with a horrible gargling sound. It then tighten it's grip while smirking at her and Andie winced in pain.

"Non Potuit aliter" it whispered in her ear.

Andie shuddered. She struggled to keep her balance and clenched her free hand in a tight fist. Should she try? Would it make a difference? Could she even hit it? The monster seemed to have read her thoughts and scoffed at her. Andie raised her fist and summoned the last of her remaining strength. The monster shrieked at her angrily. It's grip was tightening and her bones felt as if they would snap at any moment. It began to pull her away with it, leading her into mound of dirt. Was that a grave? A green light gleaming out from inside the grave. This was it wasn't it? No….It couldn't be…no…no….

"NO!" She screamed.

Before Andie could land a punch a orange light was pushed near her and the skeleton. Light covered them both and her enemy had finally released her. She fell to the ground and watched as the monster slowly recovered from the shock and pain of the unexpected attack. The light, a flame, was thrown onto it just as the skeletal monster looked to confront it's new challenger. It wailed. The sound was unbearable to Andie. Too loud and too terrible. She sat on the ground paralyzed and shocked. She watched it twist and turn while it continue to cry out in pain. It burned before her eyes into dust and she watched it suffered until it was gone. Her eyes never left it's form. Was it truly dead? She just stared at where it once was. What happened? Why was she questioning that? All that mattered was it was gone. She was alive.

'I'm alive.'

This thought reverberated in her mind. The words only barely making sense. In her peripherals she could see the unnatural green light slowly fade away from the grave. She didn't dare look. She didn't have a exact reason as to why did not wish to look. She only knew that she was still afraid. Andie's whole body was in pain. It was a pain that was overwhelming and her mind couldn't comprehend it. Not right now. Then a thought entered her mind, one that filled her with dread.

'What if there is another?'

"Sunt tibi bene mea domina?"

Andie's heart dropped deep into her stomach. That language was familiar. It sounded the same as what the monster had spoke to her. She tensed up only to resign. Her shoulders slumped and she held her face in her hands. Tears fell freely and she cried. She had no more strength. There was another and she wouldn't look at it. Seeing one was enough.

"Mea Domina?"

It spoke again with a deep voice. It was closer now. Andie didn't want to give up but, what was there left to do? It was still dark outside. She was alone. She screamed, she fought and to what end? It was stronger than her. She had her light but, it was quicker than her. What would change with this second one? She was alone…alone.

Her head was pounding and she could only take in short breaths. Crying was only making her ability to breathe worst and worst. There was no calming down for her. She was overtaken by her fear, pain, fatigue and her ailment. Her mind raced and filled with negativity as she waited for her fate. She couldn't hear the footsteps. She couldn't hear or make sense of anything beyond the storm that raged in her. She clenched both hands in tight fists with one still holding her phone. The orange flame that laid a few paces before her alongside the monster's ashes still burned. The light it provided allowed her to see the shadow of the being standing behind her. It moved, bending towards her and she watched the shadow's arm reach for her. She did not know where this strength or bravery came from and she did not think of it. It simply happened, her body responding, overriding her mind. It was automatic, a reflex. One she did not know she had or ever believed she was capable of. Adrenaline coursed through her entire being and when she felt the touch of a heavy hand on her shoulder she turn her body and swung with all her might.

TWHACK!

She had aimed for a face but, her opponent was too quick. A calloused firm hand swiftly grabbed her wrist just before her fist made contact and held it securely in the space between them. The touch was different than the monster she faced a few minutes before. Flesh met flesh not bone. Warm touch met cold skin. Unfortunately, this hand held her injured wrist and the confinement she felt under such a gesture had decided her next move.

SLAP!

The sound was loud in her ears. Her palm stung from the impact as it made contact with a face. She hit her target and quite hard too. She was met with a painful grunt and she felt the grip on her wrist tighten. The movement it took to throw a punch and follow it with a slap was strenuous.

Head pounding…Heart racing…lungs burning…chest aching..

Andie's eyes finally looked straight onto her captor. She couldn't clearly see with her eyes clouded with tears but, their eyes met and locked nonetheless. Fearful teary brown eyes stared into angry steel grey ones. There was silence for what seemed like forever to Andie but it was merely seconds. Then there was anger that manifested into shouting.

"FEMINA! ME AUXILLIUM!"

Silence again. Her gaze never left the one that intensely stared back. Her head continued to pound and she could hear her blood matching the beat. She was at her absolute limit. Adrenaline or not, her body was exhausted and the psychological shock proved to be too much. Her asthma did no favors either. Her body went limp and she fell into darkness' embrace as her eyes closed. She had passed out. Even in her unconscious state her breathing was far to short and labored. She was drenched in sweat and the sound of wheezing was clear for anyone to hear. She was done.

'Troublesome women!' The stranger thought angrily. She laid on the ground before him with her wrist still in his grip. A sigh escapes him and he gently releases his hold. He crouches beside her and removes the strange bag she wore on her back. He turns her body to lay flat on the ground while ignoring the throbbing sting that pestered his cheek. His fingers move aside the hair that covered her face and he feels heat radiating from her cheeks. He noticed the sweat that caused few stubborn hairs to stick to her face and heard the wheezing that accompanied each labored breath.

'She's not well' he deduced.

He checked for wounds and found none. Only a bruise, in the form of a large skeletal handprint, on her right wrist. There was no doubt that there was another on her leg by the way the wight had held her but, he would not undress her to check. It was but a bruise and it would not kill her. The wheezing on the other hand troubled him. It was one of the many symptoms she displayed.

'She cannot breathe'

He placed two fingers on her neck and felt a racing pulse. Her skin was slightly cold most likely due to exposure to the wight. He observed her short breaths and moved his hand to rest on her forehead. She did not have a fever. Her cheeks were warm but, her forehead was not. It was strange. What was ailing her? He thought and thought, trying to make sense of her what afflicted her. She did not seem to be under any spell from the wight. That had puzzled him greatly. She did not seem affected by the wight at all other than the bruises, fatigue, and fear. Strange it was also the clothing she wore.

'Who is this woman? Does she travel alone? Or was she the only survivor of this attack?'

Questions and more questions filled his mind of her but, she had no time for his inquisition. He had to focus now on her illness. She needed treatment, healing. He was no healer but, he had to make due. He saw a light shining from her hand and picked up the small box like object. It was cold to the touch and seemed to be made of some kind of metal. 'Strange' he thought once again. He looked to the fire and then back to the strange lantern in his hand. He could not carry the fire and her at the same time. He could burn her accidentally. His fingers explored the lantern and moved over the point of origin of the light. He marveled as it did not burn him. Now was not the time to further inspect such magic he reminded himself. Looking at the strange bag once more he pulls on the straps onto his shoulders. He gently scooped her up in his arms and carefully carried her bridal style. He held the magic box in his hand, that peaked out from under her legs, pointed outwards in front of him. It was a tad strenuous on his wrist to do so but he could manage. He snuffed out the fire that still burned the Wight's remains and made way to his camp.

The light lit his path and he began to walk with purpose and haste. Her head rested on his shoulder and he could hear her strained breathing and wheezing. He needed to hurry, she may not have much time. He reached his campsite within a few minutes. He was not that far from where the wight had intended to take her. Moving near the campfire he placed her gently on the ground. She was still cold but, no longer shivering. He covered her with a blanket and quickly grabbed his sack after removing her bag. Pulling out a small pot he poured water from a pouch and placed it over the fire. He reached into the sack again, rummaging until he found a smaller pouch. He unwrapped it open and picked out small amounts of 2 herbs before adding them in to the pot above the fire. His eyes looked to the strange woman and he checked her pulse again.

'She's fading!'

This realization made him rush in his actions but, even so his hands were steady. He did not panic. He did not waver. He simply moved faster because time was not on her side. He stirred the liquid in the pot with a wooden spoon from his sack. Before he would give her this drink he would test it first to make sure the temperature wouldn't burn her. After pouring the liquid into a bowl he blew on it a few times before sipping and found it well enough to drink.

Crouching beside her once more he propped her head up with one arm and held the drink to her lips with his free hand. Slowly her poured small amounts into her mouth, pausing only to allow her to swallow. He made her drink every last drop. When he was done he laid her back down. Now all that was left to do was to wait. He had done all he could and only time would tell if it was enough. He wasn't sure why she was ill or what it was. All he could do was treat the symptoms. He gave her a tea of Peppermint and Athelas, it was all he could think of. A healer he was not but, he knew peppermint to help with clogged airways and Athelas had strong healing powers. It would have to be enough for her. It was all he had and they were a day's journey away from the nearest village. She would have to fight. It was on her now…so he waited patiently.

'Who is this strange woman' he thought while rubbing the short dark beard on his face. His cheek had recovered from the slap she gifted him. He knew she had been afraid when she done so and his anger had subsided since then. A small laugh emitted from him as he couldn't remember the last time a woman had slapped him. In fact, he had never been slapped by a woman before. It was a reflex, a good one too. It caught him by surprised and that was no easy feat. He was a trained warrior. A descendent of the Great People of the West. A small smile remained on his lips as he thought of this. He then picked up the strange magic lantern and observed it more in depth. It was dark blue and thin, rectangular in shape. One side was was reflective.

'A dark mirror perhaps?' he wondered.

He turned it over to look at the back where the light shined brightly. The light came from a tiny square near a rectangle that was the size of a button.

'Curious. How could this be?' he thought.

His fingers could feel a slight bump on the edges of the "magic lantern" and he pressed lightly on it. He heard a faint 'click' and the "dark mirror" lit up. He could see the faint light shine on his hand and he turned it over again. This time the mirror wasn't dark anymore, a image replaced it.

"A painting?! How could a painting be this small and in a lantern no less?!" He exclaimed.

He saw a image of what resembled a fortress. It was near the shore an it looked worn and abandoned. It was a pale off white color with splotches of brown and rusty orange. It looked huge but, he could see that it was a shadow of what once was. It looked to be a relic of the past. Was this where she was from? He did not recognize the fortress. It wasn't the work Elves or Dwarves. He was sure of that. It looked similar to man's make but, he never seen the likes it of before. It sat on the shore and of all the settlements of men that he knew of, none were like this. The painting disappeared and his eyes were met with the dark mirror again. Where did the painting go?

'It vanished!' He thought shocked.

White symbols flash across the mirror's surface followed by pink symbols that disappear just as quick. He pressed the on the bump again but no image appeared. The magic lantern's light had gone out as well. He couldn't make sense of it. Maybe the magic had ran it's course? He looked to the strange woman again. Who is she? Was she traveling alone? Why was she here in the Barrow-downs? Did she not know of perils that awaited here? He stared at her for a moment and observed her appearance once more.

Her strange otherworldly clothes were covered by the blanket he had draped over her. The peculiar black cloak…or was it a tunic? He was not sure. It had had a hood but was worn as a tunic and there was a odd clasp, that held it close, made of metal. He had inspected it earlier and it was nothing he had ever seen before. He then looked up to her face. She was pale-skinned and with dark brown hair that reached just pass her shoulders. It seemed to him that she was wearing powder and paint on her face and he came to an assumption that she was a Lady. But what would a lady of nobility be doing out in these parts in the late hours of the night? He also noticed the spectacles that sat upon her nose. It was rare to see a women wearing spectacles. In fact, he had never seen a women wear spectacles at all. He has seen an elderly scribe wear spectacles once during his travels but, his did not look as the ones she wore. The frames were not so thick or bold and the scribe's spectacles did not have this "over the ear" component either. This further solidified his assumption of this woman being of nobility.

He now observed her breathing once more. He had been checking on her for the past some 30 to 40 minutes. Her breathing was steady now he noted as he watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. The wheezing had gone as well. Her state was improving and he believed she would be well soon. He placed a hand on her forehead and checked for a fever. She still had none.

'Good' he thought.

She should be well enough for travel in the morning. He looked to her bag and without hesitation grabbed it. He would no doubt ask her all he wished to know in the morning but, for now he would learn as much as he could on his own. She was a lady and she was in distress but, he was no fool. Only a fool would trust a stranger wholeheartedly and he would be double a fool if he were to be convinced of innocence solely on gender. He knew too well the dangers of this world. And he would have answers. Rummaging through her belongings the warrior found more strange things. He carefully and cautiously inspected each object. She was in possession of a "magic lantern mirror painting" and he wasn't quite sure if that made her harmless. Who knows what other magic items she had. As this Man of the West continued to brood there was one thing his mind was verily sure of. It was just as her belongings and Magic Lantern, this woman was…strange.

A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you to Undertheink16, Shylowdeath, Eeemkaaayy, ThatOtherWriterGirl, and Leona2016 for your reviews and feedback. It has helped me greatly. Thank you ShadowDancerUrami and everyone for favorites and follows as well :)

If you are looking for an amazing read with Fili/Oc I recommend "Little Son of Durin" by ThatOtherWriterGirl. Also, if you havent checked out "Over the Threshold and into the Wild" by Undertheink16 and "My Undecided Title" by Shylowdeath, you should totally give them a read! They are all excellent writers.

See you all in the next chapter :D

-DreamingGalaxies

Translations

Tu autem alienus refert qui salvet te: You're a strange one. Matters not, no one can save you

Non est qui effugiat eum!: There is no escape

Non potuit aliter: No one can save you

Sunt tibi bene mea domina?: Are you well my lady?

Mea Domina?: My Lady?

FEMINA! ME AUXILLIUM!: WOMAN! I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU!

Disclaimer:

Everything belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien except my OCs and the unrecognizable parts of the plot.