Chapter 45 ~ Missing a Hobbit

Chapter 45

Missing a Hobbit

We were all lined up in a row I was standing next to Legolas. The elves in front of us stepped forward and presented us with cloaks.

“Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people.” The elves stepped back. “May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes.” Celeborn said, he bowed and left us. The lady of light then came and presented us each with gifts. I was second to receive my gift.

“My gift to you Alana, is a healing salve far more powerful than anything Elrond might have made for you. It can save lives. Use it carefully.” I nodded and thanked her. The bottle could just fit into my hand, and I could only just wrap my fingers around it. The glass was blue and on top of the glass was shining silver metallic swirls.

We were dismissed and we packed the boats. I sat in a boat with Merry and Pippin. Suddenly Legolas came up to us. As he dropped more packages into the boat he opened one.

“Lembas. Elfish way-bread. One small bight is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.” He placed the bag in the boat and walked off to get more.

“Mmmhmm.” I said skeptically. 

“How many did you eat?” Merry asked Pippin.

“Four.” He said. She burped and we all heard his stomach growl. Finally Aragorn came into our boat and we set off. The lady of light raised her hand in farewell as we set off. 

A few times I thought I heard stomping or roaring but then I assumed I had imagined it. 

~ ~ ~ 

We set up camp in the night and continued down stream in the morning. Merry and Pippin switched to Boromir’s boat and I switched into Legolas’s boat. 

We passed tow giant statues, which I knew to be Argonath, the kings of old. We continued for a bit until we came to a waterfall. We docked on the land before it and we all got out.

“We cross the lake at nightfall, we hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North.

“Oh yes? Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impossible labyrinth of razor sharp rocks. And after that it gets even better, festering stinking marshlands as far as the eye can see.” Gimli said.

“That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength Master Dwarf.” Aragorn said. I raised my eyebrows as Gimli muttered threats under his breath. I watched as Legolas walked over to Aragorn and quickly followed him.

“We should leave now.” Legolas said looking very uncomfortable. I looked around and noticed he was right. Everything looked off and not right. The water looked too eerie, the trees looked ominous and the shadows looked leeringly creepy. 

“No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for darkness.” He said.

“It is not the eastern shore that worries me. The shadow under threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it.” He said. I realized again that he was right; I had felt quite a bit of unease since we landed, most likely coming from the looming threat. I was about to put in my opinion when Merry cut me off-

“Where’s Frodo?” He asked.

I looked around and noticed Boromir was missing as well.

“Frodo!!” I called. I started to sprint into the forest. 

“Alana! Wait!” Legolas cried. I kept going. I heard muffled voices in the distance and pushed myself to go further. In the distance I saw Frodo and Boromir. I tread lightly so as not to alert them to my presence. 

Frodo started to walk away from Boromir and he seemed not to like that very much. Boromir ran after him and started to shout, “Fool! It is not your say by our happy chance! IT COULD’VE BEEN MINE! IT COULD BE MINE!” He said. He lunged at Frodo. I started to run again towards them. “GIVE IT TO ME!” He shouted. 

“NO!” Frodo shouted. I was still really far but slightly closer.

“GIVE IT TO ME!” He said.

~ ~ ~ ONE MORE CHAPTER BEFORE THE EPILOGUE!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thanks for reading! ~ ~ ~