Paths That Lead Home (LotR F.F.)

Chapter 14: So Elrond Might Have Been Wrong About Me...

Abby's POV:

This is my fault. I should have stopped Gandalf and told him my dream. Then maybe, just maybe he would have lived. I sat against a rock, my head buried in my arms because I couldn't look at any of the Fellowship's faces. Maybe this was supposed to happen, but that doesn't mean that I wanted it to happen. I've know for a while now, since we left Rivendell, so I would think I would be prepared for what just happened. I wasn't

I could hear Cathy yelling at Aragorn, but I didn't listen in on it. My mind kept playing through Gandalf's fall and how useless I was when it happened. I should have punched that elf in the face and went to save Gandalf.

It felt like forever when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Abby, we need to go," came Cathy's quiet voice.

I look up, wiping my tears away. "I don't know if I can do this, Cathy."

She knelt in front of me, a small smile on her face. "Yes you can. You are Abby Lough, one of the most bad-ass women I know."

I couldn't help but smile. "I just can't look at them."

Cathy nodded. "I know. But if it will make you feel better, we can tell them."

I shook my head. "Not now." I fear that telling them too soon will probably result in the Fellowship killing us.

"Of course." She held her hand out to me. I grabbed it and she helped me to my feet, but she stumbled. I then note the dark circles under her eyes like she hasn't slept in days and her pale skin. Healing me must definitely be taking a toll on her. I tried to remember what happened when the troll hit me. I remember seeing the troll's hand, and everything going black. But then I felt this warmth spread through me, it was a mix of love, happiness, sunshine, and home. When I opened my eyes, I saw Cathy's face go really pale before she feinted.

"How are you holding up," I asked her.

She smiled. "I'll be fine. Just tired, but we can't afford that, yet. I've gone through worse in college. Besides, Aragorn told me Lothlórien isn't that far. We should reach it by nightfall."

Aragorn, who I was used to taking up the back of the group, took head and led us forward. We all trudged forward, our heads hung and shoulders hunched. Gandalf's fall was hitting all of us badly. Cathy left my side and went up to walk next to Aragorn. Every once in a while, they would talk, but it was brief. Although, despite Cathy's tiredness, she stood straighter, and kept searching around us as if expecting danger. I wondered what

I soon found myself beside Frodo, whose head was hung as he walked. It still amazed me that he lived being impaled by the troll. I didn't see it happen, but I got the gist when I saw everyone kneeling over him and exclaiming when they realized he lived. They rejoiced only momentarily, until I called for help when Cathy collapsed. I placed a hand on Frodo's shoulder for comfort, making him jump.

"Sorry," I said.

"It's alright," he returned to his sulking. I wanted to tell him everything is going to be alright, but how can I tell him that when I don't know if everything will be alright. I didn't let myself dwell on it and let myself focus on what was in front of me.

We walked for hours, sometimes sprinting, until Aragorn notices Cathy lagging then returns to walking. We walked over a hill and saw, about at least seven miles away, a forest.

It took about an hour to reach it. As soon as we entered the forest, I felt like I was safe. That this place was the safest place in the world. I could only guess that this was Lothlórien's forest. We remained silent as we made our way through the forest.