Bound (A Lord of the Rings Fanfic)

Chapter 5

Jessie POV

I wake up to feel a wet towel dabbing my forehead lightly. Cass casts her eyes down at me, first relief crosses her face then exasperation. "Jess, do you know how reckless you were? What if instead of passing out, which still could have killed you because of the cold, you died from the excessive effort? Don't you ever dare do that again!" I give her my simple, are you done yet look. "This isn't something you can brush off, Jess." She sits next to me, "What if you did died? I would be so alone without you." I feel horrible instantly. Tears form at the corner of her eyes. I hate it when she cries. She has the kind of tears that make you want to cry too.

"You know I didn't do it with the intention of killing myself," I place my hand on hers and offer her a smile, "I would never leave you here by yourself. I did it to protect all of us."

Her tears dry up and she hugs me tightly. "I know." She whispers and lets me go.

"Where are we?" I look around and see Gandalf leaning in front of a stone wall. Frodo watches everyone from his seat atop a rock. Sam is taking his things off of Bill, the pony, as Aragorn unsaddles him. Bill has to be one of the world's most awesome ponies to ever exist, I don't want him to go.

"We are trying to get into the Mines of Moria." I see something in Cass's eyes flicker as she looks at me. She's acting a little too happy. "So," she beams in exaggeration. "Is there anything going on between you and Boromir?"

I cast my eyes toward Boromir who is talking to Legolas and in a second both of them turn in our direction. "Not that I know of." I make my voice flat, but it isn't the truth. I have no idea what is happening. Granted, I know of Boromir's growing attention, but I have no idea why he is suddenly paying attention. What did I say in the woods that would cause him to start to, I don't know, being attracted to me?

Cass stares unbelievingly, but doesn't press for more.

Remembering something I grin."Cass, Happy Birthday."

Tears brim her eyes, "Always the only one to remember."

Smiling I squeeze her hand. "Seventeen is when young girls come into age. Now if there is a man who is willing to take you, I will have to meet him first. He will have to convince me that he is worthy of you. . . Why are you laughing?"

Her black and orange dotted eyes are alight with laughter, "You are too funny! Jess, coming of age is when you're *fifteen! And I don't remember ever asking you to give any guy I like the third degree." Her light chestnut hair rustles at the nape of her neck as she tries to suppress her laughter.

I feign exasperation, "You didn't have to ask. I'm your friend all guys must pass a screening before they can get to you."

We break into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. "Maybe that's why we never had any boyfriends."

"Your birthday is coming up soon, too." Cass smiles. She's right of course, our birthdays are exactly five days apart.

After settling down I look to find that Gandalf still trying to figure out the answer to the riddle on the door. The splashing of water catches my attention and I turn to see Merry and Pippin tossing stones on the lake. I stand up about to stop them but Aragorn beats me to it. He grabs a hold of Pippin's wrist, "Do not disturb the water" his warning ominous.

When I study the lake I find that the ripples created by Merry and Pippin don't stop. As I edge closer to the lake, new ripples crease the waters. I exchange looks with Boromir and Aragorn; something is in the lake. My thoughts are interrupted when Gandalf succeeds in getting the mine door open with the assistance of Frodo.