Paths That Lead Home (LotR F.F.)

Chapter 10: Farewell Rivendell

Abby's POV:

I met up with Cathy a couple hours after she left with Gandalf. She told me about her little magic session, but she seemed bitter about it. I guess using magic drains her physically and mentally. I really hope that she is careful. Who knows what would happen if she goes too far and strains herself to the point of death. Dark circles began to form under Cathy's eyes, and I figured it would be best to get as much sleep as we can get; it was going to be a long day tomorrow. Before we departed, Cathy called for me.

"Hey Abby?"

"Yeah?"

Cathy began fidgeting with her door nob. "You know that you're my best friend, right?"

"Yeah, and you're mine."

Cathy nodded as if agreeing. "And that I will do anything to make sure that-that we make it home?"

"Yeah. Why are you saying this? Did you make a deal with the devil of something?" I snorted.

Cathy laughed dryly, "yeah, something." I was about to ask what she meant by that but she bid me a goodnight and went into her room.

I frown at her weirdness of questions, but decided to ask in the morning. I was tired and wanted to get as much sleep as I can.

*****

I stood on a staircase looking down at a narrow bridge in what looked like a huge cavern. Red light glowed all around me and heat licked my skin. The other end of the bridge led off into a huge corridor.

Where am I?

Suddenly, the corridor lit up in flames and little shapes rounded from a side corridor and a dark shadow loomed over them. They ran towards the bridge and crossed it without falter. I then recognized them as the Fellowship. Aragorn led the way and had Cathy's hand gripped in his own, behind them was Boromir then the four hobbits, Gimli, then Legolas. Gandalf reached the middle of the bridge before turning to the massive shadow.

"You shall not pass!" Cried Gandalf. He raised his staff and brought it down to the bridge. It began to crumble and half the bridge and the creature fell into the chasm below. Then a fiery whip came up and wrapped around Gandalf's leg dragging him to the edge.

"Gandalf!" I heard Frodo cry.

"No!" I heard Cathy scream.

Gandalf met the Fellowship's gazes. "Fly you fools!" He then fell into the chasm.

*****

I jerked awake and fund myself covered in sweat. What in the world was that? Did I just have a dream about Gandalf dying? Impossible, he can't die. He's a powerful wizard just like Dumbledore! Well... then again... I shook the thought away.

It was still dark out, and as much as I tried, I couldn't go back to sleep. Maybe a midnight walk will help. I pulled a cloak over my shoulders and walked aimlessly through Rivendell. I didn't keep track of where I was going, but I soon found myself in the room where the shards of Narsil laid.

I hovered over the shards as the moonlight shone down on them, creating an eerie glow. I've already seen this sword a few times since arriving. Whenever I'm around the broken sword, however, I feel a darkness clashing with light. It's a weird sensation, and I asked Cathy at one point if she could sense it as well, but she gave me a weird look and I dropped it.

"Couldn't sleep?" Came a voice.

I jumped and turned to see Aragorn standing in the doorway. I wrapped my cloak a little tighter around me. "I think it's from the anxiety of tomorrow."