The Darkness Bearer

++Chapter Six++

Chapter Six

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"Come on hobbitses!" Sméagol urged them as he nimbly climbed the stairs. The hobbits were forced to climb the stairs like a latter since it was so steep and their backs and thighs hurt from the long climb.

"Can't we camp here for the night?" Sam huffed when they had reached a shelf in the stairs. "There is plenty of room and the sun is already disappearing."

"Sam, the sun has disappeared for several days now." Cody told him referring to the hazy cloud that had blotted out the sky, "I don't think it will ever rise or set again until the Ring is destroyed. But I agree, we should camp here while we have the chance."

Frodo didn't say anything while Sméagol grumbled something inaudible. Tiny lights passed under the stairs and had been marching since they had started up the stairs. Saroun was marching his armies to Gondor for the last battle.

"It's settled then," Frodo finally said after a long moment of thinking, "We'll rest here for the night."

Cody greatfully set her pack down and rested her sore and tired muscles. Sam pulled out one of the lembas wafers and broke small pieces of it off. When Frodo and Cody received the meager rations he explained, "There's not much left of this elven stuff. If we are to eat on the return journey we're gonna have to eat less."

"I don't think there will be a return journey." Frodo said as if to himself. He stared out into Mordor and, unconsciously, fingered the golden ring that was strung across his neck. Cody lightly stroked the top of his hand with her finger tips and then grasped it when he did not stop his constant fingering. His hand tensed up at her touch and she was about to let go when his other hand took hers.

"Don't stop." he breathed and let go of her hand. Cody moved closer to him so that they were touching and began to rhythmically stroke the palm of his dirty hand. She rested her head on his shoulder and he, in turn, rested his head gently upon hers. When she stopped he began to do the same to her and she flinched at his sudden touch. "I'm sorry." he mumbled and stopped.

"Please, don't stop." she whispered and nudged his hand. With only one side of his face drawn up in a smile he continued to stroke her hand until sleep began to seep into her tired muscles. She willed herself to stay awake for she knew what was to happen the very next day.

When her head nodded forward and she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer Frodo gently laid her down on the damp, stone ground and placed their old frayed blanket around her. She was about to force herself up when Frodo laid himself down next to her and placed his arm around her in his usual position. This time, instead of her staying there motionless she rolled on her side so she was facing him. She placed her hand on his chest and her head just under his chin and fell into an unwanted sleep.

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"He eats it Precious! He eats it!" Sméagol squealed in horror. All of the hobbits bolted up right at the creature's wails and looked around wildly.

"What's going on?" Frodo demanded.

"He eats it! He eats it all gone!" was all he said as he hopped around and pointed at Sam, "See?"

Sam looked down at his shirt just as a handful of crumbs tumbled down his shirt and onto the stone floor. Frodo's face was full of shock, as was Sam's, as they looked at the precious crumbs.

"Sam, what have you done?" Frodo asked with betrayal in his voice.

"I didn't eat none of it Sir, honest!" Sam cried. Cody stared at her feet for she knew what had happened, "Ask Cody, maybe she knows what happened."