The Light in the Darkness

Chapter 12: The Heart Thaws

I AM BACK! DID YOU MISS ME? I MISSED YOU!

Let's return to the great love story of our two favorites, Frodo and Neera.

DISCLAIMER: I sadly do not own any aspect of Lord of the Rings. I only own the story, Lin and Neera who tells the story.

As soon as Dawn touched the horizon, the party that was once five became the party of six. We left early to avoid any witnesses. While this place was never a safe haven for us, it was even more unsafe now that the Wraiths had passed through it. It turns out that the man who had let us into the town had been murdered last night. As I expected, he opened the gate for the Wraiths and they broke it down and killed him. Whether he was a good man or not, I couldn't say. But nevertheless, he didn't deserve to die such a painful death. There was no sense of thinking about it now. The man was sadly another victim of Sauron's treachery. As cruel as it sounded, I would rather it was him that died rather than Frodo or any of the others.

There was no sense thinking about it anymore. We hopefully would never have to return to Bree. As Frodo and I had caused such a scene, I very much doubt that Bree would miss us either.

The only way to look to now is forward.

Despite my worrying about my sister and my grandfather, I knew as well as my companions did that the only course of action that was left to us was to move forward. There was no other option. Strider said it himself: the Wraiths feel the power of the ring at all times and because of that, they will never stop hunting us down. Speaking upon that note, I only wish that my only hope wasn't relying upon a man who we knew absolutely nothing about. He claimed that he knew Grandfather, and yet there is absolutely no reason for me to believe that. Even if he did manage to rescue us when the Wraiths came, his unknown rationale upon performing such an act is causing tension between our party and him.

How on earth were we supposed to trust him?

"Where are you taking us?" Frodo demanded.

"Into the wild," Strider responded.

Especially when he says such vague and short statements like this? He barely said anything and when he did, it was in short phrases that offered no further information. He clearly knew so much more than he was letting on.

The more we traveled, the less Strider spoke and the less the five of us trusted him. I kept a close hand on my knife in case he tried anything. With so many enemies and so many creatures coming after the ring now, I had no reason to trust anyone. Even though he saved our lives, his motives for doing so are still very unclear.

Something that was not left unnoticed by my four companions.

I stayed as close to them as I could during our travels. In case anything happened, I needed to find a way to protect them. No matter how skilled a fighter he clearly was given the equipment he carried with him, I was faster than him. My father taught me well in that respect. If he tried anything, I meant what I said back in the Prancing Pony.

I would pluck his eyes out.

Father always told me during my training to never hesitate with fighting anyone. Why would this stranger be any different?

"Neera, how do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?" Merry asked doubtfully.

Even I don't know if he's a friend of Grandfather or not. I have no way of proving it. I have no way of asking him myself with a guarantee he will answer me truthfully. All I know is that he knew far too much and yet was saying the complete opposite of that. It irritated me to no end.

If he wanted me to trust him, he is not making a very strong case of himself at all.

"We don't, Merry and there's no way to prove that he's not," I replied.

"I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler," Frodo said in an attempt to be optimistic.

"He's foul enough," Merry muttered angrily, causing me to snicker slightly in amusement.

I could tell that Strider overheard that comment and I hoped he did.

"Merry, as much as you and I are of the same mindset, I don't see us having many other options at our disposal at the moment," I said, staring at Strider's back.

"We have no choice but to trust him," Frodo agreed.

We really didn't have any choice but to trust him. We had no idea where Grandfather and Lin were or if they would be coming to find us. My only priority is to keep Frodo safe. If the only way to do that is by putting my faith in this person, then so be it.

"But where is he leading us, Lady Neera?" Sam whispered worriedly to me.

"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee," Strider said matter of factly. "To the House of Elrond."

So he was listening to our conversation. It wasn't my imagination. Who was this man and why was he so invested in protecting us? And more importantly, what kind of man was he to know of Lord Elrond of Rivendell? He was a distant relative of my mother, so I have only met him a handful of times. In fact, Lin and I played with his daughter when we were children. She was by that point a grown woman, but she still spent a considerable amount of time with us. If we were, in fact, going to Rivendell, it would be wonderful to see her and her father again after so many centuries later.

I had a feeling Sam would be more than excited to hear that we were heading to Rivendell. Sam had always shyly asked me questions constantly about my life in Mirkwood and of the Elves. As I said before, even though most of my time in the Shire was spent with Frodo, there were several times when Sam, Merry, and Pippin would join us at Bag End. We had several happy nights there. All of them always asked questions about the Elves and life in Mirkwood, especially Samwise.

"Did you hear that? Rivendell!" Sam exclaimed breathlessly. Obviously very thrilled. "We're going to see the Elves!"

I had only seen Rivendell twice in my lifetime. As Elrond was a distant relative of my mother, Father thought it would be beneficial for Lin and me to travel outside of Mirkwood. These were the days before Lin and I knew about our tragic fate. The days when Lin had absolutely no qualms about going into the outside world. The days when she used to smile.

As much as I love my sister, I miss that side of her.

Now I just miss her so much.

God, I hope she's alright wherever she is.

I looked at Frodo behind me, obviously keeping his feelings to himself. I was more distrustful of Strider for Frodo's sake rather than my own. Even if Strider did try to betray us, he would never be able to hurt me. He could, however, if he wanted to take Frodo apart limb by limb.

I would not allow Strider or his secret actions cause any harm to the person I care so much about.

I would never be able to forgive myself if I allowed anything to happen to him.

We kept traveling for a long time. Strider told me that it would take at least a week to reach Rivendell on foot. I was very worried about the four walking behind me. Hobbits were not known for their physical fitness or their ability to travel far over long distances. As such, I was concerned that by the point we reached Rivendell, all four of them would enter the gates by being carried on my back or on the back of the pony traveling with us.

I always kept a close hand on my knife. Always. I wouldn't hesitate. Who knows if anyone is following us? Who knows if Strider is leading us into a trap? We couldn't take any chances anymore. Not after what happened in Bree.

All I knew is not only did I not trust Strider, but I also didn't like him either.

However, the moment that comes here was one of the rarer parts of the trip that we weren't butting heads.

"Gentlemen," Strider said with urgently to the four who had stopped next to Bill. "We do not stop until nightfall."

"What about breakfast?" Pippin stupidly asked.

I should have known how easily Pippin would have forgotten my stern talking to last night. I suppose it was wrong of me to have some sort of hope that he had listened to me. You would have to be that kind of foolish to have faced my wrath last night and still not understand.

"Were you asleep this morning before we left Bree, Pippin?" I asked, stating the obvious. "Or did you simply forget?"

"You've already had it," Strider agreed.

"We've had one, yes," Pippin said. "What about second breakfast?"

Strider and I both looked at each other, finally agreeing on something for once. There was no need for words for such an idiotic statement like that. We walked away through the trees hoping that someone could explain to Pippin why his statement was problematic.

Nevertheless, Strider and I knew that Pippin was not going to stop talking about it. I was not prepared to endure this childish behavior for the next seven days to Rivendell. There were some apples growing on these trees. It wasn't much, but I knew it would at least shut him up for a couple of hours. I gathered a couple and Strider followed suit, waiting for the right moment to launch them.

As Strider and I had not gone too far, I could hear the interchange between Merry and Pippin over what he had just said.

"I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip," Merry said matter of factly.

Something that Pippin STILL didn't seem to comprehend.

"What about elevensies? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? They about that, don't they?" Pippin asked in desperation.

"I wouldn't count on it," Merry said sadly.

I would continue to reprimand him until it gets into his thick head. This is not a pleasure trip and this is not a game. We are running away from creatures that want to kill us.

Strider then threw an apple in their direction. Merry caught it with ease and began eating it before following us.

I then launched a number of apples at Pippin's head. Maybe the impact of the apples would knock some sense into him.

"Pippin!" Merry scolded.

"Satisfied?" I shouted at him.

"Um..." he said idiotically. "Yes...Thank you."

"That's what I thought," I said.

Pippin sunk his head in embarrassment before hurriedly picking up all of the apples I had launched at his head. But in a very Pippin way of being, picked up one of the many apples and sunk his teeth into it as if nothing had happened.

How typical.

We kept walking and walking through various sites. From marshes to hills, to rocky areas.

We eventually stopped to make camp. Our dinner included a deer that Strider had killed.

My four companions eventually fell asleep. It would be decided we would take shifts in keeping watch. But for the first few hours, we decided to take the watch as a pair. I didn't sense any Wraiths, but I was relieved to have this position. I could go a few days without sleep. I could rest when we were in Rivendell and safe from the Wraiths. But not now.

He began singing a song that I know was meant to provoke me. I kept my eyes hard on the sky as to not lose my composure. I knew what he was trying to say. He was bringing up what he had said to me back in Bree after Frodo and the others had fallen asleep.

Tinúviel elvanui

Elleth alfirin edhelhael

O hon ring finnil fuinui

A renc gelebrin thiliol

The song was the story of the elf maiden Lúthien who fell in love with a mortal man.

The song awoke Frodo from his slumber. I looked away from him so he wouldn't see my face and the reaction I had been experiencing with the song.

"Who is she? This woman you sing of?" Frodo asked in curiosity.

Strider stopped smoking his horrid pipe to answer Frodo's question. I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw a very restrained sorrow within his gaze.

"Tis the Lady of Lúthien. The Elf Maiden who gave her love to Beren ... a mortal."

"What happened to her?" Frodo asked again.

Strider paused before answering.

She died after becoming mortal. As a price for staying with her beloved, she had to give up her immortality. Lin always said she hated the story because it was just a bad example of how unrealistic love is. She always hated the fact that Lúthien and her beloved were granted a second chance to be together in spite of everything.

"She died," Strider said somberly.

It was truly just cruel of Strider to sing this song.

"Get some sleep, Frodo," he said.

After Frodo fell asleep, I spoke to Strider. Not bothering to make eye contact with him. There was no purpose in doing so. He barely looked at me.

"Is there a particular reason you've chosen to sing about Lúthien tonight of all nights?"

He remained silent again. We both knew why. There was no need for him to say anything.

"You're truly cruel," I said to him, before falling as silent as him.

It was my turn for the next watch. Strider had left to go check the perimeter for any Wraiths that might be following us. I knew they would be back for us. The only question is when?

I doubt it would be tonight. I didn't sense them around at all. Even if they were right behind us, they were nowhere near where the campsite was. I wished I could say I was relieved, but sadly, this is not a time for any form of celebration. This was a matter of life and death. One wrong move and someone could get hurt or die.

I watched over my four friends. I felt tremendously worried about all of them. How were we going to manage to make it to Rivendell in seven days? And more importantly, how were we going to get there with four inexperienced adventurers? None of these men had to do anything like this in their lives. They lived their lives in a completely different way than mine. Even though Lin and I were isolated from the outside world, we still learned how to survive and fight and hunt and do everything. We live in a very dangerous wood so we had to learn these things in case any creatures came and tried to harm our people.

But these men never had to do that. As such, I have to protect them.

I looked at Frodo.

Him most of all.

The man in question began tossing and turning in his sleep like he was trying to escape something. Like he was drowning. He began breathing uncontrollably, getting faster and faster and faster until he woke up with a terrible scream.

I waited for a moment, pondering what to do.

"Frodo?" I asked him, placing a hand on his heaving shoulders. It must have been a very bad dream for him to have a reaction like this. Based on the words he was uttering, it had to have been a dream related to the incident at Buckleberry Ferry. It couldn't have been anything else. I sympathized with him greatly. That was just as traumatic for me. But as he was the one that almost died, he had it far worse than I did.

At the slight touch of my hand, he threw himself into my arms as his heavy breathing amplified. It was like he couldn't breathe like he was drowning yet again. I had to find a way to soothe him. I needed to remind him that he was in the real world now and not the dream world.

"Shhhhh," I said, holding him in my arms, trying to soothe him. I could feel him shaking. It was just like the time when I rescued him from drowning. It had to have been a terrible nightmare to warrant such a reaction. He was breathing very heavily, shaken from whatever it was he saw, but eventually, his arms found their way around me. I didn't know what the protocol was in a situation like this for us.

"It was just a dream, Frodo. Just a dream. You're here now. You're safe."

I knew the last statement was a lie, but I didn't know what else to say that would have made anything better. Eventually, I just said:

"I've got you. I'm here."

His grip tightened around me, his face hidden on my arm, but he wasn't fooling me at all. I could feel the wetness coming from his eyes on my clothes. I just pretended not to notice. Typically whenever Frodo woke up when we fell asleep in his spot in the woods, it was never this violent or terrifying.

"Do you wish to talk about it?"

There was no answer.

"Is there anything I can do?"

He shook his head, still not saying a word.

I sighed. Just continuing to hold him and waited until he was ready to either speak or go back to sleep. As much as I desired to help Frodo, he really needed to get back to sleep as soon as possible. No doubt it would be the same journey from today and he needed to sleep. I asked myself what I could do to get Frodo to sleep again. I couldn't afford for us to stay together like this all night. I could survive out in the wild because of so many years living in Mirkwood and learning how to defend myself. Frodo had never done anything like that before and as such, needed help and support and rest whenever necessary. They all did.

After a significant amount of time, Frodo refused to let go of me. At this rate, Frodo would never go to sleep and it would make traveling to Rivendell a lot more difficult.

"Frodo, you must rest. Please at least try to go back to sleep."

As I tried to persuade him to let go of me, he made it clear without any words that he had no intention of doing so.

"Frodo," I said, sighing. "Tell me what I can do. You have to sleep."

Frodo then looked up into my eyes while maintaining his grip on me. I had never seen such an expression of longing and fear in his eyes before.

I knew all too well what he was asking me.

"You want me to hold you?" I asked shakily.

I was not a foolish woman, and yet I was asking a foolish question that had already been answered upon looking into his eyes.

We had been near each other sleeping before. When we lived together in the Shire for those few months, sometimes we would stay in his secret place in the wood and watch the stars and fall asleep there. That to us was a normal part of the day. What he was asking of me now was completely different than anything we had done before. The closest I had ever held him was after I had pulled him from the water and afterward. We had never done this before. We both knew that this was beyond what our relationship had been.

But it didn't look like I had any other choice.

I sighed. I looked over to hope Strider wouldn't come back before I got Frodo to go back to sleep. He already made too many untrue assumptions about our relationship and I truly didn't want to engage in that conversation again. It was like he was taunting me.

I sighed again. I lay down on the ground and encouraged him to lay down next to me. I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks at this. I gathered him up in my arms. He was so much shorter than me, so I was the one that had to hold him fully. Our arms around each other, Frodo's head resting on my heart and tucked under my chin. I rested my hand on the back of his head, running my fingers through his dark curls.

"It's alright. I'm here."

I knew it wasn't enough but at these words and at the feeling of my hand, he began to relax.

I could never understand why it seems like he just calmed down so much whenever he was touched by me. He did it in Strider's room when I was trying to get him to sleep. The tense muscles of his face immediately relaxed upon me touching him. Now in my arms, he became so still and calm.

I wondered if he could hear my heart and how fast it was racing.

Eventually, after soothing him for a while, his breathing got gentler and gentler until he fell asleep. He seemed to be sleeping a lot better than he did before. I smiled down at the young man in my arms. I felt such an intense warmth spread throughout my entire body. The fondness I had for him was truly unique. I was quite fond of all of the other Hobbits and would do everything in my power to protect them. But when it came to Frodo, it was an entirely different feeling. I felt so protective of him and so vulnerable and weak around him. I would move heaven and earth if it meant keeping him safe. I had never felt such care and protectiveness for anyone.

Not even my family.

Why was it only him that made me feel this way?

In this moment, I could feel our relationship completely change. This was unlike anything we had done before. We had never held each other like this before. We held hands in a friendly manner before and had embraced, but this...this felt intimate somehow.

Strider was right. I hated to admit it, but he was right. As deep as our bond was, I didn't know Frodo that long. It had almost been three months since we met.

I never thought that upon falling out of my grandfather's cart that day would change my life this drastically. I never imagined I could care for another person this much in my life.

This was far different than anything I ever experienced with anyone before. I felt the barriers I had long placed around my heart begin to crumble and break down. I began to realize that I had changed so much upon meeting this young man. I have spent my entire life worried about myself and my sister succumbing to our tragic fate that I barely thought about anything else. That was my life. That was my reason for living: not to suffer the same fate as my mother because if I did, what would become of my father? That was my entire life.

But now? Now everything had changed. Now the only thing I find myself caring about more than my fate, my sister, my grandfather, or even my father was the person sleeping in my arms without a care in the world.

And yet, I had never felt this way about anyone in my entire life. If I had listened to Lin, I might not be here right now. I might not have ever met him.

I dreaded to consider what life would have been like if I had never met him.

I could never go back the life I knew before. The one where I was constantly isolated and safe from the curse, but where I was always alone and sad. I realize that now. I thought I would be satisfied with that lonely and mundane life because Lin convinced me that Mirkwood was all I would ever need. She always told me that Mother did not give her life to bring us into this world only for us to leave it. If we ever thought otherwise, we would be betraying her memory and the legacy of our father. For a long time, that rationale made sense to me, which is why I followed it to the syllable. I thought to live that life was what made me happy and fulfilled. But looking back on it now, I don't think I knew what it meant to be really happy with another person until I met this man. I never wanted to live another day without him. I can no longer remember what that life was like. All I know is that I can't even begin to remember it, nor do I want to.

At this moment, all I could think about was how warm he was, how perfectly he fit in my arms, and how I never wanted to let him go. I had never had these thoughts or feelings towards anyone in my life. Strider was right. Despite how strong our bond was and how close we were, I still hadn't known him for very long.

Oh Mother, what does all of this mean? It's been bothering me for months. What is this feeling?

I could feel his heartbeat. I didn't think it was possible for a heartbeat to be as soothing as he was. But more than that, I recognized the beat of his heart as matching mine whenever I was around him. How is that remotely possible? It felt mine in so many ways. It felt like my heart whenever he held my hand.

Does he know the answer?

Why was he so warm in my arms?

How is it possible that a heart that was as so cold as mine could be thawed by someone this small?

How did this person become so precious to me in this short amount of time?

How could someone as small as him hold such an astronomical place in my heart?

I don't understand any of this! I don't even know him that well and yet he has become more important to me than my own life. I don't know him that well and yet I threatened to kill a man when I thought he hurt him. I don't know him that well and yet I threw myself into potential danger to save him. When I thought I lost him, I felt like my heart was breaking inside my chest. It was like I could feel every single emotion he was feeling in my own heart. It was like my heart was dying inside my body. The pain from the Ring taunting me was painful, but the pain caused upon almost losing Frodo was far worse than anything the Ring could ever put me through.

Thinking all of those things made me ask myself a question.

What am I going to do when I have to part from him?

A life without Frodo.

I've tried hard to picture what that life would be like.

But whenever I try, all I see is nothing but darkness and beyond.

The thought of being apart from him filled me with neverending despair.

I could hear Strider coming back to the camp and I was thankful that I had my back turned to whatever direction he was coming from. No doubt he would come across this site and begin judging me for doing something like this.

A life without Frodo by my side?

I clutched him tighter to me, the hand in his hair pulling him closer, feeling a stray tear fall down my face.

Unimaginable.

If any power is out there, I pray to you that you stop time here and make sure that morning never comes.

Please don't let me leave him.

But of course, my prayers were unanswered. Morning did come and thankfully it began with me being the first to wake up. Strider had wandered off again, but I knew that he knew what had transpired. No doubt that Strider had witnessed what Frodo and I did last night and had several thoughts about it. What Strider didn't say in words he made up with his expressions. I refused to look him in the eyes. I already knew what he would say and I didn't have the time nor capacity to listen to him.

Regardless, the entire group had woken up and like before, the five of us stayed close together while we followed behind Strider. Frodo didn't look at me, nor I at him. What happened last night between us was different than anything we had done together before and we both knew it. Something about our relationship was changing as a result of being on this journey with him and I have no idea what it is. I had been so content with how things were between us and now that feels like it's gone away. All I know is that I'm terrified because I don't know. Everything I felt and thought last night was true. I could no longer imagine a life without this man, but to what end? How am I supposed to let go of him? I had a difficult time doing it this morning.

And by Earth, what happened last night in the first place that changed our relationship so much? It felt so much deeper than what it was before. We had always been close, but what happened last night feels so different than anything we had done together before.

What does it all mean?

Eventually, we came across a very large watchtower in the distance. It looked very old and very weathered in its material. It appeared as though it had been abandoned long ago.

With the cold and dark appearing clouds, it looked like an evil omen of bad things to come.

Why would Strider bring us here?

"This was the great watchtower of Amon Sûl."

There was this immense distance Strider had with us that I feared would never get any less substantial.

"We shall rest here tonight," he said upon looking back at us.

I had my doubts about stopping for the night here. I understood that it would be beneficial to stop so that the others could get a rest, but there was this feeling of dread that sunk its claws into me. No matter how high this watchtower was, no amount of height, distance, or obstacle is going to derail the Wraiths in trying to find us.

The others collapsed in exhaustion on the ground of the tower. Even though stopping would be beneficial for them, staying here for longer than we had to could be very problematic. I looked out at the horizon of the setting sun. I couldn't feel the Wraiths, but I had a bad feeling that once the sun set, we would be in danger again.

Strider tossed all four of my companions four swords.

"These are for you. Keep them close."

It was almost comical that Strider thought that the four of them would be able to even use weapons like this. Frodo had barely started learning how to use a bow and while he had improved immensely, it wouldn't do him any good out here.

I was the only one who could hurt them. That's why I fully intended to stay as the sun began to set.

"Stay here. We're going to have a look around," Strider said.

No.

He did not just suggest what I think he suggested.

Had he gone completely mad?

"We? I hardly think so," I said seriously. "You can manage just fine on your own."

"Is there a reason you're voicing so much opposition to this?" he asked in the same tone as he spoke to Pippin two days ago.

The fact that he was speaking to me like I was a child angered me. To be talked to as if I had the intelligence of Pippin! I clenched my fists. He may have protected Frodo and the others once, but that doesn't mean he knows better. Those Hobbits had never even considered battle before, never held a weapon before and now this man expects them to defend themselves against five Wraiths? If he thinks I'm leaving them alone with the danger that is currently hunting us...

"If you think I'm leaving them alone, you're out of your mind," I said. "They've never held a weapon before and now you're asking them to fend for themselves? You can't be that naive!"

"The Wraiths will cross and I need you to help me gather supplies and ward them off if they get too close," he said.

"I can do that from here. I'm not leaving them alone. What if the Wraiths come from a different path and we're too late to come and save them? I'm not leaving them by themselves, Strider."

"It is six days to Rivendell, my lady and we're going to need supplies in order to get us through the journey," he said. "Or do you think your friends will be able to survive in the wild without food and drink for the next six days?"

There was no doubt in my mind how much I hated this individual. I don't care if he was close friends with my father or my grandfather. Leaving Frodo and the others alone was a terrible idea. Regardless of how high Weathertop was, nothing was going to stop the Wraiths from finding the Ring and bringing it back to Sauron.

But I knew that Strider would not be swayed otherwise. Something he knew as well.

"I'll be waiting for you at the bottom of the tower, my lady," he said, walking away and throwing his bag and weapons over his shoulder, clearly mildly smug that he had won the argument.

If looks had the ability to kill, Strider would have died upon the look I shot at his back as he walked down.

I see that I have no choice but to go with him. I sighed. I did not want to leave. Once I left, I would have no control over what may happen to them.

Once I left, Frodo would be in more danger.

"Neera?" Frodo said, coming up behind me as I glared off at Strider's back.

The reason for why I was angry at being forced to do this was now standing next to me. This was what I was most worried about. I was terrified at what might happen to him if I left him alone. Frodo had never held a sword before and due to his size, he would be a much easier target. Even though I had taught Frodo how to use a bow, it wouldn't do anything to the Wraiths. I was the only one in Middle Earth who could use light arrows. His choice of weapon wouldn't have mattered. The Wraiths would take him apart in one blow if they got too close. Our first encounter with them clearly proved that.

I knelt down in front of him so we could be equal in level. I placed my hands on his shoulders so that he would listen to what I had to say.

"Listen to me," I said. "I clearly can't get out of this, so I need you to listen to me very carefully. If you don't, you could cause the Wraiths to find you. Do you understand?"

He nodded. His eyes always on me.

"No large fires, no smoke, no loud noises, and no drawing attention to yourselves. One wrong move and it could alert the Wraiths to your location. Despite how high this place is, that won't stop them from trying to find and kill you. You have to promise me that you and the others won't engage in reckless behavior while I'm gone. Promise me."

He nodded.

"I promise."

"One more thing and this is the most important. No matter what happens, you must not put the ring on. You cannot be tempted by it. If you put it on, you will alert the Wraiths. It may be able to hide you from ordinary eyes, but these creatures are far from ordinary. Putting on the ring will not save you from them. It will only put you in harm's way. You must promise me above all else that you will not put on that ring. Promise me."

He was stunned by my intensity, but I had no choice but to do this. If Strider insisted on me leaving him behind, then Frodo would have to do this on his own.

He nodded.

I then gathered him up in my arms, which seemed to surprise him. It even surprised me, but I couldn't help it. I was terrified at what might happen if I leave him alone. He then wrapped his arms around me in return. I increased my grip on the embrace to further emphasize my demands of him. We had no luxury in this situation.

It was painful to let go of him, but I knew I couldn't keep Strider waiting very long. He held onto the end of my sleeve as he did back in Bree. Frodo gave me a look that was begging me to stay back and no matter how much I wanted to, I know that I would never hear the end of it from Strider.

"Neera," Strider said sternly.

I ignored the feeling of dread boiling in my stomach. I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay with him so badly.

"Neera," Frodo said, almost as if begging me not to go.

I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay with him so badly.

But I couldn't stay.

"I won't be long," was the only thing I could manage to say. I then gathered my weapons and ran off after Strider, Frodo's pleading look the only thing on my mind.

I would later regret this decision of leaving him alone for the rest of my days.

No matter how much I tried, I couldn't focus on the task that Strider asked me to do. I kept looking back at where we left my four companions were. Even though I couldn't sense the Wraiths, I could feel their toxic and dark aura. They were angry and determined this time. Needless to say our run-in with them in Bree did not make them very happy.

The sun had set long ago. It had gotten very dark very quickly and we had been gone for far too long.

I knew I couldn't ask Strider for us to go back. He wouldn't listen to me. He was being too careless. We had to go back and protect them. I just hoped that whatever meaningless task this was wouldn't last forever.

"Looking back at the watchtower will not solve your problems, my lady," he said without any emotion. "Please focus on your task so we can return sooner."

I said nothing response to that. I don't care what he says. This was being incredibly careless and reckless. I understand what he was saying about supplies and surveying the area. But that didn't mean that their safety didn't matter. Frodo and the others had never picked up a sword in their entire lives. They needed proper instruction in order to learn how to use them. They were Hobbits after all. Their way of thinking was bound to be slower than the average man.

I didn't say anything or look in his direction. I just picked the mushrooms nearby violently, wishing it was his head.

I changed the subject. If we continued talking about it, I was bound to go into another rage.

"How did you know that I was Legolas' daughter upon looking at me?" I asked, nervous as to what he might say. "Is it that obvious as to who I am?"

"Only to myself."

"How?" I asked suspiciously.

"Your father and I fought alongside one another," he explained, still facing the other way and not looking at me directly. "And when he did, he used the knife that you used to threaten me that night."

The knife I kept on my right side did indeed belong to my father long ago. Only a few years ago did he pass it onto me. He said to me that it was time that I took it. He had had it forged for my mother, but as she was not a skilled swordswoman, she rejected the gift. She said it would be better suited to one of his children. This was back before my mother had decided to take my father's desire to court her seriously.

"The instant you pulled out that knife, I immediately knew whose daughter you were. He taught you well."

He looked back at me.

"I've never seen someone Legolas' equal until meeting his own child."

I gave him a small smile after a few moments of processing what he just said.

"I will never be his equal." I walked towards him. "But I also never want to be. Father should remain the finest warrior of the Woodland Realm. He will take the throne of Mirkwood one day, and when he does, he must have a legacy to follow him. I only asked him to train me until I reached his level, and no further than that."

"Your father must be very proud of you."

Then came the first comfortable silence between us since we had come out here. In fact, since we met.

But then I heard the familiar screeching across the horizon. I could feel their presence. They weren't close to where Strider and I was, but...

I looked up at Weathertop.

Oh no.

OH NO.

No, I shouldn't have ever left him alone.

Why didn't I stay with him? Why didn't I listen to my first instinct?

I dropped the supplies in my hands and armed myself with my bow and arrows of light. I ignored Strider's words and anything else he did to try to stop me. I didn't care how many there were and I didn't care what would happen if I acted rashly. I didn't care about any of that. Frodo and the others were in danger and the Wraiths had no qualms or anything about killing him to get the ring. They had never seen combat before. They would be easily overpowered by the Wraiths if they hadn't been already.

I ran as fast as I could, wincing at the pain of the presence of the Wraiths, but I ignored that and continued to run.

I felt this overwhelming pain in my heart. I could somehow feel his terror, his hesitation, but more than that, his longing to see me. His heart seemed to be calling out to mine, begging me to come back to him.

I'm coming to you, Frodo.

Please be alive. Please don't let me be too late. Please, Frodo.

Little did I know, I was already too late.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed it!

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Kagomehater4ever