Twenty Six - Knife in the Dark

We continued through the woodland, rain, openclearings, and other terrains with very few setbacks and no signs of the wraiths, only travelling during the day. After a few days of travel, we stopped at an old temple ruins on a hill.

“The great watchtower of Amon Sul,” I said. “It is getting dark,” Aragorn commented. “We shall rest here tonight,” I said. We made our way up the temple and the Hobbits laid down under the rock.

Aragorn got out a bundle of short swords and handed one to each of the Hobbits. “These are for you. Keep them close, I'm going to have a look round,” Aragorn told them. “I’m going with you,” I said and he nodded. “Stay here,” He said, looking at the Hobbits. 

We walked back down the hills and around the rest of the temple. “The women you sang of last night,” I said. “What about her?” He asked. “Who was she?” I asked. “A Luthien woman who loved a mortal,” He repeated. “I know, but who is she to you? Who do you think of?” I asked. 

“If you are speaking of what I have with Arwen-” “I am,” I said. “There is nothing between us,” He said. “How long have you told yourself that?” I asked. 

He stopped and turned to me. “And what of you and Legolas?” He asked, turning it onto me. “That is very different,” I defended. 

“How so?” He asked. “Legolas has been my dearest friend since we were children thousands of years ago,” I said. “Did you know, you’re the only one who can call him Greenie without getting a scowl?” He asked. 

“He still scowls at me,” I protested. “But the look in his eye is different,” He said. “Arwen has already fallen in love with you,” I went back to him. “The sooner you realise that she loves you, the sooner you can be happy together,” I said. 

“And how long have you told yourself the same about Legolas?” He asked. “I travelled with you and him for ten years and him so much longer before that. Even if I did not know what I saw between the two of you at first, I most definitely know what it is now, and it is much more than friendship,” He said 

Nazguls screeched from afar. I looked at Aragorn, who looked at me.

We ran toward the screeches at the top of the old watchtower. “Light this,” Aragorn whispered. I lit a branch he extended to me. “I’ll go around, wait for me to make myself known before you do,” I whispered and walked around the stairs to the top veering down another corridor. 

There was a scream that stopped me in my tracks. One of them were hurt. I ran faster, going up the stairs and finally making it to them. 

I ran out of the brush, swords drawn and ignited. The wraiths turned their attention to me. Five of them. 

The closest one comes at me, raising his sword. I blocked his blade with one of mine and stabbed him, lighting him on fire. Aragorn charged out with his sword raised and the burning branch. 

The two of us fought the wraiths as Frodo reappeared behind us, screaming in pain. I dropped my swords and started throwing balls of fire at them. “Help Frodo!” I shouted and Aragorn went back to him. 

One after another, they caught fire and ran off the side of the tower. “Ver!” Sam shouted and I turned back to the Hobbits and Aragorn. 

I picked up the broken sword beside them, and it instantly turned to dust. “A Morgul blade,” Aragorn said. “He needs elvish medicine,” I said and Aragorn picked him up, carrying him away.

~~~

“We’ll stop here, only for a bit,” Aragorn put Frodo down. “Oh my,” I said and looked at the statues. “Sam, did Bilbo ever tell you his stories?” I asked. “Of course,” he answered. 

“These are the trolls that tried to eat us,” I said and pointed at them. “Really?” Pippin asked, worried. “They aren’t going to break out anytime soon,” I assured him. 

“Look, Frodo, it's Mr. Bilbo's trolls,” Sam said. “He's going cold!” Sam said. “Is he going to die?” Pippin asked. “He's passing into the Shadow world. He'll soon become a wraith like them,” Aragorn answered. 

 Screeches sounded around us and we looked around. “They're close!” Merry said. I walked over to Frodo and looked at his cut as he gasped. 

“I need Athelas,” I said and looked at the cut. “Can you not burn it out?” He asked. “Not without drawing them to us. It’ll be too painful for him, and I can’t exactly keep him from screaming,” I said and put my hand on his cheek.

“Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?” Aragorn asked. “Athelas?” Sam asked. “Kingsfoil,” Aragorn said. “Aye, it's a weed,” He nodded. “It will slow the poison. Hurry!” They ran into the woods.

I shushed Frodo’s gasps “Little children, the world has changed and night is falling, the war has come now to an end. Sleep now, you must come to me and let me hold you safe in my arms,” I sang in Elvish, lulling him to a quiet state but still awake. 

“What are you singing?” Merry asked. “A lullaby my mother sang to my brothers and I,” I answered. 

“For now, let your dreams take wind and remember my little song,” Someone continued the lullaby in the forest behind us and I drew my sword and turned.

“Would you harm your own cousin?” Arwen asked. I let my sword down, sighing in relief. “Of course not, little one,” I said. 

“Aragorn is in the woods looking for Athelas. The wraiths have been chasing us for days and stabbed him,” I said and showed her the injured hobbit. 

“I will find him,” She said. “Arwen,” I called. “We have the One Ring,”

In only a few moments, Aragorn, Sam and Arwen rushed back and Aragorn gave me the Athelas. 

“Frodo,” She said softly as I tore out a piece and created water in my hands, mixing it with the weed. 

“He's fading,” She said and pulled his shirt back to reveal the wound. I put the Athelas on the cut and he gasped as I shushed him.

 “He's not going to last. We must get him to my father,” She whispered and Aragorn lifted him again.

“I've been looking for you for two days,” Arwen told him as he carried Frodo to her horse. “There are five wraiths behind you, where the other four are I do not know,” She said as he sat the Hobbit on the horse. 

“Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses back for you,” Aragorn said. “I am the fastest rider. I will take him,” She fired back.

“The road is too dangerous,” He reasoned, “Frodo is dying. If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect him,” She told him.

“I do not fear them,”

“As you wish,” He helped her on the horse behind Frodo. 

“Ride fast, little one,” I told her and she nodded.

“Ride fast, Asfaloth, ride fast,” She told the horse and they rode out.

“What're you doing!? Those wraiths are still out there!” Sam shouted.