Fan Fiction ❯ Forget Me Not ❯ Rivendell and the Fellowship ( Chapter 5 )

Ok, I know it's been a while. Two weeks, actually. But don't kill me!! I wrote a lot during the weeks that I was gone and the whole chapter is 17 pages, ok!? That's the most I've ever written for a whole chapter! And all five chapters total 47 pages, which is the longest thing I've ever written that wasn't Interruptions. So please don't kill me, because I happen to think this chapter's really good. And if you do, I won't be able to write anything else…

 

Ceylon- the story's basically just another take on LOTR, but it's better than the original because I wrote this one. ;) J/k. I'll write more, I promise.

 

Lady Knight19- yah! I love returning reviewers almost as much as I love Tamora Pierce's books. Have you read the newest on she's published? I need to get that…oh, and don't worry about being overly dramatic. If I didn't have that character trait, than I probably wouldn't have written this story.

 

Sara- *ahem* I'm not sure, but I'll try to look that up as soon as I can…;) glad you liked it, after all the guilt it took for me to get you to finally read it. And thanks for reading my thing on fictionpress; I was getting tired of having zero reviews.

 

Emma-Lee14- sorry to tell you, but I think that `Maiden Emily' is only in your dreams. lol. I think I burst your bubble there! But, I can set you up with Merry or Bilbo, if you insist…b/c Legolas is something to bribe and/or bait you with!

 

Frodo's sister- I love your name. And I agree that FrodoSam fics just aren't right. After all, if that weren't the case, then I wouldn't have written this!! Enjoy the other chapters!

 

I'm amazed that so many people like this! When I put this up I thought that it would become a side-story, but because I've gotten so many reviews, I can't work on anything else but this. (Of course, compared to other fics, this really isn't that much, but it's the most I've ever had.) I didn't realize how many other people didn't like FrodoSam fics like me. Ok, I've said that too many times, so you can just ignore me in the future. It just shows how stupid I really am.

 

Yeah, just skip over that b/c I was just trying to get my story longer. J/k. I'm just attention deprived. ;) Enjoy!

 

*=*=*=*=*

 

Strider led us out into a forest and because we were so short, every branch on any tree kept hitting us in the face. It was enough to make a hobbit wish he were just a few feet taller. Plus, we weren't all that sure that Strider was that trustworthy. “Where are you taking us?” Frodo finally had enough courage to ask.

 

Unfortunately, Strider wasn't one for talk. “Into the wild,” He said simply, without turning around. Almost immediately Merry turned to Frodo.

 

“How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?” He asked not very quietly. I was sure that Strider could hear every word that was said between us.

 

“We have no choice but to trust him.” Frodo said, his face not complying with his words. Merry looked at him and sighed loudly.

 

Sam joined in with the questioning. “But where is he taking us?”

 

Strider apparently was listening in on us. “To Rivendell, Master Gamgee.” Sam's eyes widened at those words. I mouthed, `huh?', but he didn't answer me. “To the house of Elrond.”

 

Sam turned to me, but talked loud enough for people still in the Shire to hear him. “Did you hear that?” I raised my eyebrows expectantly. “Rivendell,” Sam exalted, his face glowing with anticipation. “We're going to see the elves.”

 

*=*=*

 

By the time we took a rest, it had started snowing. Suddenly it got very cold and we didn't want to walk anymore without our next breakfast. As Sam and Frodo helped with the horse, Pippin, Merry and I started to get something else to eat; Strider got very impatient with us.

 

“Gentlemen,” He said. I cleared my throat noisily and he smiled lightly. “And lady,” I smiled brightly. “We do not stop till nightfall.”

 

Pip looked at him as though he was crazy. “What about breakfast?” I could hear his stomach rumbling from where I was standing and I knew my stomach was aching, too.

 

“You've already had it.” Strider said as if one breakfast were normal.

 

Pippin didn't let go once he started. “We've had one, yes.” He questioned him again. “What about second breakfast?” Strider gave him a look and didn't answer. He turned around and started to walk again.

 

Merry and I looked at Pippin, both thinking the same thing. “I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.” I said before Merry could.

 

Pippin looked as if his dreams were shattered. His head went back and forth between the two of us, flashing faster and faster. “What about elevenses?” He asked. Merry and I shook our heads. “Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper?” Our head kept shaking no. “He knows about them, doesn't he?”

 

Merry smiled half-heartedly. “I wouldn't count on it.” He said as Pip looked distraught. Suddenly, as if in reponse to Pip's words, an apple came flying from over the trees in front of us. Merry caught it and handed it to Pippin, clapping him on the back at the same time and walked on. A few seconds later, a second apple flew over and hit Pippin on the head, making him stagger like a chicken with its head cut off. He looked up at the sky curiously.

 

I heard Merry sigh from up ahead. “Pippin!” Pip looked at the apple as if it were a new concept. I took it from him.

 

“If you won't eat it, I will.” I explained and I bit into it. We caught up with Merry by Pip chasing after me, claiming that I had bitten into his apple.

 

*=*=*

 

We had hardly enough time to get some sleep that night before we were on the road again. Actually it wasn't a road, more like a marsh. Marshes to be exact. The water was all the way up to our thighs, although it was only to Strider's knees. For the first time in my life I wished I were taller.

 

Mosquitoes the size of several large pastries were everywhere. Every time I took another step, I had to smack my face or arms to get the slimy bugs off me. Everyone else was having the same problem; even Strider had a couple of red welts on his face.

 

Merry and Pippin were falling behind again, too lazy to catch up. From behind me, I could hear Merry sigh. “What do they eat when they can't get hobbit?” I asked to no one in particular. I stifled a laugh as Pippin fell face first into the water, spitting some out as he did. It felt good to laugh; it seemed as if we hadn't done that in forever. Maybe Frodo's bad attitude was rubbing off on me.

 

*=*=*

 

The marshes were large and we ended up having to spend the night in them. Thankfully, the mosquitoes had stopped biting me and had moved on to Sam. Strider grabbed us some dinner- a huge deer from somewhere that I couldn't fathom. We tried to lie down and sleep, but it was almost as impossible as sleeping out in the forest, except that the ground was too squishy and wet instead of dry and hard.

 

The silence was stifling until I heard a soft tune not far from where I was. I sat up slightly and strained to hear the song coming from Strider. The words seemed blurred to my mind until I noticed that it wasn't in English. It was Elvish. How did Strider know Elvish?

 

“Who is she?” Frodo's voice startled me out of the stupor that I had fallen into. “This woman you sing of.” He too was sitting up and had been listening. Strider's eyes floated between the two of us, as if making sure we were worthy of hearing the story. Frodo looked over at me, just now realizing that I was there.

 

“Tis the lady of Luthien. The elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal.” He answered after a minute or so. Frodo and I looked at him in wonder. Something was wrong with his story. I could feel it.

 

Frodo pressed on for more information. “What happened to her?”

 

Strider's face didn't change in the moonlight, but it seemed to get harder, as if he were thinking about something hard. Or someone. “She died.” He said shortly, not exaggerating on anything. It was almost as if he didn't want to talk about it. “Get some sleep, Frodo. And you…” He searched around for my name and I realized that I had never given it to him.

 

“Miriam.” I told him. “My name is Miriam.” He nodded shortly and raised his eyebrows at me, telling me mentally to go to sleep. “Oh, right. Sleep…I know.” I turned away and laid back down, but as soon as I closed my eyes I heard another noise not too far away from me. Sam, who was near my right foot, was laughing at me. Swiftly I kicked him as hard as I could and was satisfied when I heard him whimper in pain. “Sorry,” I whispered. “But you deserved it.”

 

*=*=*

 

We walked even farther the next day, if that was even possible. It was nearing nightfall when we got to where Strider was leading us. It was a hilltop that looked like an ancient watchtower made of stone. “This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul.” Strider explained to all five of us behind him. He turned around. “We shall rest here tonight.”

 

We struggled up to the top of the watchtower and fell down as soon as we got there. Even with our tough feet, we weren't used to walking so far in a whole day without a lot of food. The wind was terrible and, combined with the dark clouds; my hopes of a warm spot to sleep were dashed.

 

As we sat, Strider pulled out a leather case and unraveled it, reveling five long swords, almost too big for us. “These are for you. Keep them close.” He said as way of explanation, throwing them toward us, knocking the wind out of Sam and Merry. “I'm going to have a look around,” He continued, “Stay here.”

 

He was gone for hours. Frodo had fallen asleep and, not to wake him up, the rest of us made a fire to cook our dinner and midnight snack. “My tomato's burst.” Pip announced quietly as Sam finished up making the bacon.

 

“Could I have some bacon?” Merry asked. I could hear his stomach growling from across the fire. Sam complied and handed him some bacon, mumbling something about how it should shut his tummy up.

 

“Can I have some bacon, please?” I directed at Sam. He ignored me and ate some himself.

 

“Want a tomato, Sam?” Pippin asked him, handing him a stick with a burnt tomato on it. Sam made a face.

 

“Hello?” I asked again, “Bacon? Miriam? I think she would like some.” Suddenly I heard stirring from over where Frodo was sleeping. No, not stirring, jumping.

 

“What are you doing?!” He yelled, obviously no longer asleep.

 

“Bacon!” I yelled at Sam, who threw some at my face.

 

“We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo.” Sam held out his uneaten burnt tomato.

 

Frodo ignored him and yelled more. “Put it out, you fools! Put it out!” he flew over to the fire and stomped it out quickly, spreading ash everywhere.

 

Pippin became very upset. “That's nice! Ash on my tomatoes!”

 

“They were burnt anyway!” I protested. But, before Pippin had a chance to reply, a scream that sounded nothing like a person of any kind, screeched through the air and interrupted everything.

 

Each of us nearly jumped a foot in the air. In mere seconds, all five of us were looking over the edge of the cliff and watching in fear as nine Ringwraiths sped through the thick mist surrounding us.

 

“Go!” Frodo yelled at us. In panic we backed up and tried to pull out our swords at the same time, resulting in us shaking, terrified beyond our wits and not looking very menacing at all. We stood in a circle, trying to protect the ring. Well, I was trying to protect Frodo.

 

They encircled us sooner than expected. “Back you devils!” Sam shouted, trying to brandish his sword and failing dismally. Not even two seconds later, he was flung to the ground by the closest wraith and Merry and Pippin soon followed. It was just me now, alone against nine specters in flowing robes of black. Not for long, though, as I was tossed aside to the hard ground as if I weighed nothing at all.

 

As I recovered, I watched in horror as Frodo dropped his sword and fell. The rest of us looked at each other, wide-eyed. Frodo kept backing up; eventually landing himself in a corner as the leader Ringwraith raised its sword. Then I saw Frodo reach into his pocket and I knew what was going to happen. A few moments later, when he disappeared, I flinched and closed my eyes.

 

Mere seconds later, there was a blood-curdling scream that made my eyes flash open. The Ringwraith had plunged its sword into thin air, or what looked like thin air. The four of us stared, confused, until Frodo reappeared underneath the blade.

 

Then everything happened very quickly. There was a huge commotion from behind us as Strider emerged with a torch and began to fight off the wraiths. Not that I cared. “Frodo!” Sam and I called out at the same time. As Strider fought, we dodged the wraiths and ran over to him to see what damage had been done.

 

“Miriam…” Frodo stumbled out through his obvious pain. “…Sam…” He looked into each of the four pairs of eyes surrounding him, but couldn't bear to say anything else. My mind wondered why and then everything cleared when I saw the gash in his left shoulder, bleeding profusely. Suddenly my eyes were brimming with tears as I hurriedly tried to wipe away some of the blood to avoid infection. I could have sworn that he looked up at me, his eyes grateful.

 

“Strider!” Sam yelled at Strider while he finished fighting off the wraiths. “Help him, Strider!”

 

The last of them gone in a blaze of fire, Strider rushed over to Frodo's side where the rest of us already were. “He's been stabbed by a Morgul bade.” He explained, picking up the blade that the lead wraith had dropped after piercing Frodo. Instantly, when his had touched it, the blade collapsed, flowing into the wind like dust. Strider looked at us, face of stone. “This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine.”

 

Quickly he led us down from the hilltop and into the thick trees in the other side, running silently with a new torch in hand and with Frodo in his arms. “Hurry!” he half-yelled, half-whispered to us, as we were lagging behind, not used to running so fast and far at the same time.

 

“We're six days from Rivendell!” Sam shouted at him in a typical Sam way. “He'll never make it!”

 

“No, you're wrong!” I cried out, ticked off and refusing to believe that anything more horrible than this would happen to Frodo. “Hold on, Frodo.” I whispered, a silent prayer, letting the tears boil over onto my face.

 

Frodo's scream pierced through the air like a knife and startled all of us. “Gandalf!” Quietly I wiped away my tears and vowed not to cry again until we made it to Rivendell and this was all some terrible dream.

 

*=*=*

 

Hours later it was still dark and we were still moving. We stopped to rest, partly to check out how bad Frodo was and partly to rest our aching feet. It was then that we came upon the most unlikely sight. “Look Mr. Frodo, its Mr. Bilbo's trolls.” Sam said excitedly, trying desperately to get Frodo to answer to something. He pointed up to the chunks of stone that we had heard about in stories told by Bilbo an infinite number of times.

 

Frodo didn't respond; he chocked on his breath. He was looking awful, with a pale, sweaty face and his eyes glazed over. “Frodo?” I whispered worriedly. “He's going cold.” I ran one hand over his forehead and face, trying to make him warm again, and held his hand with my other.

 

Pippin glanced over at Strider and spoke quietly, “Is he going to die?” I looked over at him in disbelief that he would actually ask that.

 

“He's passing into the Shadow World.” Strider told him, turning around to look at Frodo. “He'll soon become a wraith like them.” As if complying with these words, Frodo's breath caught inside his throat again and he stopped breathing for a few minutes.

 

“They're close.” Merry said absentmindedly, staring out into the distance. Unwillingly, he made everyone's nerves skyrocket.

 

Strider suddenly called Sam over, an idea striking him. “Sam,” he said, “Do you know the Athelas plant?”

 

“Athelas?” Sam asked, confused.

 

“Kingsfoil.” Strider replied, explaining in simpler terms.

 

“Kingsfoil; aye,” He nodded, his gardening skills finally coming in handy. “It's a weed.”

 

“It may help to slow the poisoning.” Sam's eyes widened, but he stood rooted to the spot. “Hurry!” Strider told him and he ran through the trees, looking for the plant. Strider went looking, too, in the other direction to cover more ground.

 

We were left alone with no light, each attending to their own business. Merry and Pip were too quiet, but I wasn't very concerned with that. I was on the verge of tears again, having such a hard time hiding them that I didn't hear Pippin come from behind me.

 

“Everything's going to be al-” he started, putting his arm around me, but he couldn't finish his sentence as I let go of Frodo's hand and held onto him for comfort, not really caring who it was that gave it to me. “He's not going to die.” Pip said, trying to pinpoint what was really bothering me, but I barley heard him.

 

Unexpectedly, there came the beating of a horse coming from the direction that Strider had gone. I looked up from Pip's grasp and saw the woman riding on the horse quickly getting off. Frodo suddenly stopped choking and turned his head, his eyes widening a little more. It was then that I noticed how truly terrible he looked- veins popping and green mixed in with a pasty white color were not good colors for him.

 

Merry, who had finally snapped out of the ravine he was in, whispered to us. “Who is she?”

 

The woman seemed to come floating on the ground to Frodo. She didn't seem quite human, yet not quite anything else. I was having trouble placing her accent, too. “Frodo?” she said worriedly, getting down onto her knees and reaching for him.

 

I moved out of Pippin's arms to help her, and then suddenly shrank back, realizing who she was. “She's an elf.” I said, amazed, looking around at the others.

 

Instantly the elf was down to business. “He's fading. He's not going to last.” She turned to Strider. “We must get him to my father. I've been looking for you for two days.” Strider carried Frodo over to her horse and she following, neither thinking to explain anything to the rest of us.

 

“Where are you taking him?” I said loudly, so that they could hear me. They didn't listen and kept right on walking.

 

“There are five wraiths behind you.” The elf continued, “Where the other four are, I do not know.” My spine tingled; I had forgotten that the Ringwraiths were still after us.

 

Then the speech turned. It was no longer English, but I was never good at recognizing speech. “It's Elvish,” Sam explained in my ear, because he knows how long it may take for me to get something. The talk continued, leaving us behind in the dust.

 

“What are they saying?” Pippin asked, probably still not getting anything in a typical Took way.

 

The she-elf looked at Strider confidently. “I do not fear them.” As if they knew something we didn't, Strider covered her hand with his, either in affection or in comfort.

 

“Arwen…” he said. “Ride hard, don't look back.” She nodded and got on her horse, riding off with Frodo in front of her.

 

“What are you doing?!” Sam yelled at them. “Those wraiths are still out there!” Strider neither glanced at him nor tried to stop the elf from riding on.

 

He just turned around silently and said, “We'll have to hurry to catch up with them.” He looked at our blank faces and tried to motivate us. “The sooner we get there, the sooner we find out if Frodo is alright.” That got us to move a whole lot faster.

 

*=*=*

 

So we were moving again, but this time it wasn't as fun (if it ever was fun.) as the last. The constant thought that something terrible had probably happened to Frodo was looming in my mind and most likely in everyone else's.

 

I hardly paid any attention to where I was stepping, but just kept a constant gaze on the feet of whoever was in front of me, leading me toward wherever we were going. Sam even had a hard time trying to get me to eat something.

 

“C'mon, Mira,” He said, calling me by my old nickname. I was squatting down in the dirt, ignoring everyone who crossed my path. Sam was trying to tempt me with more food. “You've got to eat something. After all, we've missed elevensies.” I gave him a look and he backed away, taking the last piece of sausage with him. I sighed and traced my finger in the dirt, wondering where we even were.

 

I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. My muscles tensed, but then I realized that the something was Pippin. He squatted down in front of me and turned his head sideways in confusion. “What do you want?” I asked harshly, trying to get him to go away. I was in no mood to talk.

 

“You can't spend all your time brooding.” He told me, smiling a little. I didn't look into his eyes, but flicked a rock into a nearby bush. “It's not healthy.” He went on, desperately trying to get me to talk.

 

“What do I care?” I said rhetorically. Pip moved his head to the other side and said nothing. A long silence went by, making my nerves act up with frustration. “Will you just say something already?!” I roared, making the others turn their heads towards us. Pippin fell backwards from the force of my words, laughing the entire time. “What!?” I said quieter.

 

“You're ugly when you're angry!” He sputtered, laughing so hard that he was clutching his side. I looked at him in horror, mouth open in the injustice of it all.

 

“How dar…” I started, but Pip gave me these huge puppy dog eyes and I stopped. We fell into the quiet once more. After a minute or two, I said, “Thank you.”

 

He looked up at me questionably. “What do you mean?”

 

I sighed and sat down on the ground, giving my legs a rest. “What I mean is that…well…Thank you for helping me the other night.” He still looked confused, so I went on. “I needed some comfort and you help me.” He nodded and smiled proudly, finally getting it.

 

“It was nothing.”

 

“No, it really showed how good a friend you are to me, and I just wanted to-” He stopped me.

 

“Friend?” He said. Now I was the one who was confused.

 

“Of course `friend.' What else would you be?” He swallowed and nodded curtly, mumbling something about needing to eat some more before it was all gone. He stood up, walking away silently, leaving me all alone. I was confused, thinking, `Was it something I said?' I rubbed my forehead in frustration, trying to get rid of the terrible headache that had just cropped up.

 

And, as we left the next morning, I spent the rest of the trip not talking, too deep into my own thoughts.

 

*=*=*

 

Rivendell was and still is, beautiful. That's the only word there is to describe it. In an instant, my version of what beautiful was changed and it never has again. The sight was breathtaking and the five of us stood there, gaping, for at least a full three minutes. Sam, who has wanted to see the elves more than anything, couldn't believe his eyes. The only thing I was concerned about was if Frodo was alright.

 

Strider led us to our rooms first, not telling us where Frodo was, or if he was even alive. Apparently, he had something of his own to do.

 

The inside was as radiant as the outside. The furniture was made out of the smoothest woodwork and shaped into intricate designs. I couldn't help but stare at the beauty all around me. I felt like a princess in a palace.

 

I stood there for a few seconds and then suddenly remembered how filthy and smelly I was. I hadn't had a bath for about a week. I carefully sniffed my clothes and pulled away very quickly. How could I even think of finding Frodo with this garbage on? I even had some sort of manure on my back, most likely from when Sam and I were underneath the window in the Shire. I decided to take a nice warm bath before I looked around. I saw a wardrobe in the corner and opened it, finding at least twenty different dresses made of the finest silk, each the perfect size for a hobbit. Thinking it was a miracle; I grabbed a shining red one and headed toward the bathroom.

 

*=*=*

 

After a thoroughly relaxing bath, I wandered around for a bit. The whole place was magnificent. I simply couldn't catch every little thing there was to see. I tried to check behind every door for Frodo's room, but most of them were locked or magically sealed. Then, just as I was about to give up hope and turn around, there was someone that caught my eye.

 

Sitting on a bench, wrapped up in his book, was Bilbo Baggins. It was amazing. I had thought for sure that he had either died or was still in the Shire somewhere, but there he was, lounging quietly without a care in the world. Just as I was about to go up to him, there came a din of noises from behind me.

 

I whipped around and my heart skipped a beat. Frodo was out of bed and he had been right behind me. I was fairly certain that he was going to sneak up on me, but he caught sight of my brother, Merry, and Pippin. They were having a fabulous reunion, hugging and laughing as if they hadn't seen each other in a year. I didn't want to interrupt, but then Frodo saw me and his eyes widened.

 

“Miriam…” he said, sliding out of the bear hug the other three had him in and coming to me. He reached me, touched my hand, and then saw who was behind me. “Bilbo!” He cried and pulled me along with him to see his uncle. He let go of my hand to hug his favorite relative. I smiled, but was cursing inside at the missed chance to be semi-alone with Frodo.

 

“Hello, Frodo, my lad,” Bilbo beckoned both of us over to look at the book he had been reading. We each sat under the covering near us as Frodo pulled me next to him and put his arm around my shoulder, making me shiver inside involuntarily.

 

Bilbo hadn't been reading; he had been writing. He put the thick book in between Frodo and me so that we both could see. “ `There and Back Again; A Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins.' ” Frodo read aloud, laughing in surprise. “This is wonderful!” I nodded enthusiastically, forgetting my own selfish reasons to come to Rivendell. Bilbo smiled and stood up, looking out into the distance, thinking hard.

 

“I meant to go back…” Suddenly the mood changed. With a few simple words, Bilbo had managed to turn our feelings into a complete turn-around. “Wonder at the powers of Mirkwood…Visit Lake-Town…See the Lonely Mountain again,” He turned around and faced us. We were hanging on his every word, wondering where this was leading. “But age, it seems, has finally caught up with me.” Immediately after he had said this, his outward appearance changed to me. He looked older, not as young as he had back in the Shire. His hair looked bleached white by the sun and his face seemed to have shriveled.

 

“I miss the Shire.” Frodo said, startling me. “I spent all my childhood pretending I was off somewhere else.” He smiled up at Bilbo as if he were cracking a joke. “Off with you, on one of your adventures. But my own adventure turned out to be quite different.” He turned serious. “I'm not like you, Bilbo.”

 

Bilbo came closer and touched his cheek. “My dear boy.” I sat there, half torn to walk away to give them a moment and to sit there and soak in what I was seeing, because, things being as they were, Frodo probably wouldn't be able to spend much more time with Bilbo.

 

*=*=*

 

The night was dark and you could see the stars for miles around. It was the perfect night, in my opinion. And, after I chased Sam around screaming bloody murder for about an hour, he finally gave me directions to where Frodo's room was, which just made the night more perfect.

 

Still slightly tired from chasing Sam around, I walked slowly toward Frodo's door, trying to make my breath less labored. I made my knock quieter than I anticipated and I cringed outwardly, thinking no one, unless they were listening for it, would hear it. Then, as I began to walk away dejectedly, I heard the door creak open and froze.

 

“Miriam?” I heard his disembodied voice ask into the darkness of the hall. “Is that you?” I turned around and smiled awkwardly, realizing that I hadn't thought this all the way through.

 

“Sorry…” I muttered, searching through my mind and trying to find the words to make it sound like I wasn't stalking him. “I just thought that we really didn't have a chance to talk to each other today and…” I trailed off and tried to smile again. He grinned at me and opened to door wider.

 

I stood there for a minute, my mind not contemplating what was happening. When Frodo started to laugh, I snapped out of my thoughts and wondered, dazed, if this was really what I thought it was. “C'mon,” He said and finally came out from behind the door and pulled me into the room.

 

“So you wanted me in here that much?” I teased him, making him blush. Instantly I regretted that I even thought about saying that. I looked around the room for comfort as he let go of my arm rather quickly. “Wow,” I commented, “They definitely gave you the better deal.” He laughed again and my self esteem lifted. “I mean,” I went on, unable to stop myself, “Look at this!” I twirled around the room, demonstrating how huge it was. “The ceiling is the tallest thing I've ever seen in my life!” I turned around, finding a large balcony behind me. “Wow…” I breathed, finding that the sight from where I was standing took my breath away.

 

I felt Frodo's presence as he stood about four feet away from me, not any more or any less. I was getting the feeling that he didn't want me to be here. My thoughts were confirmed when he squirmed uncomfortably as he noticed me watching him. “I can leave, you know.” I said, my words biting into the air like frostbite. He said nothing. I sighed quietly and slowly turned around, embarrassed at myself for being so stupid. My feet only got two steps before Frodo spoke silently.

 

“Don't go.” It was so quiet I almost didn't hear it at first. Even though I wanted to twirl around and leap into his arms, I steadied my composure and went back to my place at the balcony, this time only two feet away from him. He seemed nervous and looked hesitant.

 

I nearly laughed at the silence between us. “You can move closer, if you want to. We're friends, right?” I looked at him and smiled the best I could without my heart breaking from waiting for his rejection.

 

It took a while for him to speak. “I dare not to.” He answered with difficulty. I looked questionably at him.

 

“Why not?” My heart couldn't stop beating and I wanted to pinch myself to check if this all was a dream or not.

 

“…B-” He started, not quite able to get the words out, “…Because I don't trust my heart when I am near you.” He choked, trying his hardest not to look at me.

 

My mind thought I was playing a trick on myself. How could this be happening to me? It was the best thing I had heard in my entire life, but I had no idea what he meant by it. “W-What do you m-mean?” I stammered, my hope at being nonchalant gone out the window.

 

He finally looked up at me, after staring at the sights below us. My mind is still blurry about whether there were tears in his eyes or I was just imagining things. He was inching closer and my mind was playing scenes from my life as if I were about to die. But, as he took his hand in mine, our fingers lacing together of their own accord, everything that was going on in my mind and heart stopped as if time had frozen itself. He touched my check, his eyes never leaving mine, as if they were locked together and were piercing through one another.

 

Frodo leaned forward through the last several inches of space between us and whispered, “I'm going to kiss you now…” And closing his eyes, our lips finally met, as if they were pulled together magnetically.

 

I still cry when I think about that first kiss that we shared. If hasn't left my mind, not even for a second. There was something about it- the passion, the joy, or maybe just the fact that we were both feeling that we were meant for each other at the same time- that gave it extra meaning. Whenever I'm scared and frightened, just knowing that the kiss actually was meant to be is enough.

 

My mind had gone blank, my head was whirling, my heart was beating a thousand times faster than normal, but I ignored it all. It couldn't have lasted for more than a few seconds, but for us it was pure bliss that seemed to have lasted forever.

 

When we finally pulled away, everything seemed to snap back on again and I seemed to have registered what had just happened. But I didn't care. I fell into his arms and he held me tight, not letting go for anything in the world.

 

Then a thought came across my brain. Suddenly I gasped and pulled out from his warm arms a little. He gazed at me with a `what's-the-matter?' look on his face. “What are we going to do about Sam?” I asked, still slightly holding onto him, but now more frightened about the thought of my brother finding out than comforted by his embrace.

 

Frodo laughed and leaned forward to whisper to me. “Should I give you two some time alone?” I was confused for a few seconds, but then I heard a noise from the plants behind where we were on the balcony. I ran out of Frodo's arms and was there in an instant.

 

“SAMWISE GAMGEE!” I screamed, picking and practically throwing Sam out of the bushes that were conveniently placed on the balcony. “WHAT THE BLOODY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!” I could see Frodo trying to stop laughing in the corner of my eye. Sam was standing up and dusting himself off, thinking of something to say to me that wouldn't incur my wrath upon him.

 

“It wasn't my fault!” He said in his defense. “I was just visiting Frodo to see if he was alright; how was I supposed to know you would come in and you two would start snogging?” Immediately Frodo stopped laughing and started to yell at Sam with me, our voices rising louder and louder.

 

“We were not-” I started, my voice mixing with Frodo's.

 

“Nothing was going to happ-” Frodo said. We stopped and looked at each other, hearing was the other was about to say and we each blushed furiously. Sam looked hopeful that this would distract me and I wouldn't beat him up later. He never was good at hoping for the right things.

 

After a moment of silence, I was the first to slice through the quiet. “Just you wait, Samwise Gamgee. Just. You. Wait.” Sam's face paled and he looked between the two of us, decided the best thing to do would to be to run, and screeched into the hallway.

 

We waited a full three seconds before bursting out into laughing. “Did you see the look on his face?!” I asked, my side hurting from the laughter.

 

Frodo managed to say, “So you really aren't going to hurt him, then?” in between laughing and I stopped to look at him. His laughter died away.

 

“Of course not.” I said gently. “If I killed him, who would I have to save me from you?” He raised his eyebrows, not sure if I was joking or not. I smiled mysteriously and gave him a sweet peck on the cheek before walking halfway out the door.

 

“You're not serious, are you?” He asked fearfully. I turned around and smiled the same taunting smile. He waited for my answer, but I just blew him a kiss and walked back to my room, leaving him wondering.

 

*=*=*

 

The next morning I awoke bright and early, enjoying my new-found news about the love of my life. (I know that sounds corny. Well, I was happy and when you're happy, you're not thinking straight, right?) Instantly I was out of bed and dressed, not worrying about breakfast for the first time in my life. I quickly ran down to Frodo's room and knocked quietly.

 

When I didn't get an answer, I opened the door slowly, wondering what was going on. Inside, it looked like no one was even living there. The bed was made and there was no evidence that anyone had even used the bathroom that morning. Thinking for an instant that something had happened and they chose to leave me, I felt scared and alone. Banishing the thought, I ran outside and looked for signs of anyone, finding nothing.

 

Then I came upon the right place to be. Partly hidden behind some trees and bushes, there was what seemed to be a council. And right in between those bushes, getting a close-up look of what was gong on, was Sam.

 

I sneaked up on him whispering, “What's all this about?” He jumped a little, but I could see that his eyes were on something in the middle of the huge circle that included Strider, Frodo, Gandalf, The Lord Elrond, and others I didn't recognize. There was a pedestal and on it sat the Ring. The sight sent shivers up and down my spine. I had no idea how such a small and innocent looking thing could be so evil.

 

A man with red hair was talking, saying something about a dream. It was rather hard to hear. I ignored him until Gandalf called out, “Boromir!” and the sky went dark as he uttered unknown words. I clung to Sam and, thankfully, it was over quickly. “What's going on?” I asked again and this time Sam spoke.

 

“They're deciding what's to be done about the Ring.” He said simply. I must have looked confused, so he went on. “Something big is about to happen. And we must band together.” Still confused, I started to listen in on what was just said.

 

“And what would a Ranger know of this matter?” The red-haired man named Boromir had asked Strider. Quickly a blond elf stood up to defend Strider. (A/N: AND ALL THE FANGIRLS IN THE STUDIO AUDIENCE GO WILD!!)

 

“This is no mere Ranger.” He said harshly, “He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him you're allegiance.”

 

Boromir seemed stunned. By what I didn't know; the words the elf had spoken had no meaning to me. “Aragorn. This is Isildur's heir?”

 

“Who's Isildur?” I whispered to Sam, but he kept listening, ignoring me.

 

I listened to the rest of what they were saying. And I finally got the picture that I had been missing for so long. The Ring would destroy us all by a power that we thought had been long gone for hundreds of years. But, then again, the Shire didn't fully rely on news of the outside world. The Ring had to be destroyed. I was snapped out of my thoughts as there came an uproar from the crowd, everyone but Frodo out of their seat and screaming for their race to take on this task simply because they didn't trust the other races.

 

Then everything changed. Suddenly Frodo stood up. “I will take it.” He said quietly. “I will take it. I will take the ring to Mordor.” Everyone went deathly quiet. They stared at the small hobbit who had so much courage. “Though…” He said. “I do not know the way.”

 

Gandalf was the first to react. “I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins.” He went and stood behind him. “As long as it is yours to bear.”

 

Strider, now Aragorn to me, stood up; ready to do what he thought was right. “If by my life or death I can protect you…” He said, “I will.” He knelt before Frodo, showing him his sword. “You have my sword.” Aragorn stood beside Gandalf behind Frodo.

 

The blond elf stepped forward also. “And you have my bow.” He said, referring to the fact that all elves were the best in bow and arrow. He took his place next to Aragorn.

 

“And my ax.” A dwarf who had spoken earlier added, hurrying to stand behind him, too.

 

Boromir stood up and looked Frodo directly in the eye. “You carry the fate of us all, little one.” He pursed his lips. “If this is the will of the council…then Gondor will see it done.” He too went next to the others.

 

Without warning, Sam jumped up, making a small noise, from beside me and yelled, “Hey! Frodo's not going anywhere without me.” I sighed quietly and rolled my eyes at my overprotective brother.

 

Lord Elrond had much of the same attitude. “Indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you…” He smiled slightly. “Even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.”

 

I was about to step out from the bushes when there came another cry from over inside the building. I saw two light-haired creatures run quickly to them and I suddenly realized it was Merry and Pippin.

 

“We're coming, too! You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us.” Merry said defiantly at Lord Elrond.

 

Pippin spoke up. “Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of…” he searched around for the word. “Mission…Quest…Thing.” He concluded.

 

Before anyone could object otherwise, I climbed out from the bushes. “Well, that rules you out, Pip.” I said, hurrying over right next to Frodo, grabbing his hand as Pip tried to figure out what I had meant by that. Frodo smiled gratefully at me, as though he was scared I wasn't coming.

 

“Ten companions.” Elrond concluded, looking around at all of us. “So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.” There was a silence that followed his words that gave me goosebumps. Trust Pippin to ruin it.

 

“Great!” He said rather loudly. “Where are we going?”

 

*=*=*

 

The rest of our time spent at Rivendell was spent packing for the journey. Sam figured that I really wasn't going to flog him and he set about helping me pack lightly. He really is good at packing for some unknown reason.

 

Again, I could feel a vibe that told me things were different with Frodo and me once more. I hadn't even had a chance to talk to him since the other night. I could feel my heart being weighted down because of it and I secretly hoped he was feeling the same.

 

As we queued up in front of Elrond, I could see that everyone who wasn't showing their fear was hiding it. I had a sinking feeling that none of us were really strong enough to take this on, even with each other to lean on. Lord Elrond was talking, but I wasn't listening until he said, “The Fellowship awaits the Ring-Bearer.”

 

Frodo looked scared, but determined. I tried to stay as close as I could to him; right behind Gandalf. And, as we walked slowly out of Rivendell, I heard Frodo whisper to Gandalf, “Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?”

 

Gandalf swallowed and said just as quietly, “Left.”

 

We followed Frodo out of the city and across the bridge into the unknown. I was serenely hoped that my trust in him would stand up against the odds that we were about to face.

 

*=*=*=*=*

Was that better? I wrote while I was in Galveston and it ended up being 17 pages!!! I feel like singing `Joy to the World!' but I won't. No, I have a very lovely singing voice, thank you. I'M NOT LYING!! Sigh. People just don't believe anyone anymore…lol. I had too much caffeine… ;) I wrote a whole lot of pages today…maybe I should just stop typing because I'm really rambling. ;)

 

Well, send in a review so I can finally get to the 20 mark. And by the way, that is actually NOT the most reviews I've ever had. I have a total of 70 reviews on both chapters of Interruptions, but I counted them all up because Interruptions is on three different sites. Hey! People on www.astronomytower.org are better at reviewing than you people are! SHOW THEM UP AND REVIEW MY STUFF!! Unless you happen to review on both, because then you're just one of those nice people who review a lot.

 

Lol…man…I really need some sleep…

 

Emmablk1