Aleana and Aragorn

Chapter 6

***Aleana POV***

"Confound it all," father exclaims angrily, "Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?"

"I ain't been dropping no eaves, sir," Sam cowers, "honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me..."

"At this hour Sam," I ask.

"I heard raised voices..."

"What did you hear? Speak," father booms and poor Sam cowers even more. I place a hand on father's arm, hoping to calm him down.

"Nothing important," Sam panics, "that is, I heard a good deal about a ring...and a Dark Lord. And something about the end of the world, but...please, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me! Don't turn me into anything unnatural!"

"No," father asks and I smile as Sam looks like he is about to faint in fear. 

"Father, do not scare him anymore, he is of no danger to us," I say, pulling Sam to his feet.

"Perhaps not. I've thought of a better use for you," he pulls Sam aside as Frodo and I go to stand outside, waiting for them, looking out at the now rising sun. 

"Are you afraid Aleana," I look down at Frodo standing beside me, his eyes large in fear as he looked up at me.

"I think it would be unwise to not be so. Sauron is no small threat, he threatens the existence of all that is good and that Frodo is something everyone should be afraid of," Frodo looks even more afraid and I smile down at him, "but know this Frodo, as long as one light remains lit in this world, it can always keep the darkness at bay, and with that there is always hope."

Frodo visibly relaxes as he smiles back just as father comes out with Sam. 

"Come along, we must get going," father gets on his horse and we start making our way away from Hobbiton, hurrying across a ploughed field, heading towards the cover of woods. He stops his horse just outside the woods and dismounts, walking up to us.

"Be careful, all of you. The Enemy has many spies in his service, many ways of hearing...birds, beasts," he pulls Frodo away, speaking to him in a whisper. I see Frodo nod, patting his pocket before pulling away and coming to stand beside Sam and I. Father walks up to me, taking my hands in his and looking down at me.

"Frodo told me earlier that at the party you were hurt?"

"It was nothing father, just a headache," father looks at me suspiciously, not entirely convinced, but lets it slide, sighing. 

"My child, I entrust Frodo and Sam to you. Keep not only them, but yourself safe as well. I will meet you soon."

"Be careful father, we are not the only ones in danger," he nods before leaning down and placing a kiss on the top of my head before pulling away. With one last glance at us, he mounts his horse once more and gallops off. I turn to Frodo and Sam.

"Come now you two, we must not linger, for each second the danger draws closer," I begin walking into the woods and they follow, "stay close."

We hike over the gentle Shire Countryside, stopping every so often to eat. Afternoon had fallen and we had walked quite a distance. Sam suddenly stops short, taking stock of his surrounding. I look back at him worriedly.

"Everything alright Sam?"

"This is it," he replies.

"This is what," Frodo asks. 

"If I take one more step it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been." 

I smile at Sam though my heart aches. Were we doing the right thing, pulling Frodo and Sam into the midst of such darkness? This was their home, and it seemed we were taking it away from them. Frodo gives Sam a pat on the shoulder. 

"Come on, Sam."

Sam takes a deep breath and steps forward. Frodo and I smile at each other as we continue our journey. We walk along a country lane bordering one of the farmer's fields. Frodo and I are ahead when suddenly we hear Sam's panicked voice.

"Mr. Frodo! Mr. Frodo!" 

Frodo and I turn surprised as Sam comes running towards us looking quite worried.

"I thought I lost you," Sam exclaims and Frodo looks at Sam suspiciously. Sam glances down embarrassed. 

"What are you talking about," Frodo teases.

"It's just something Gandalf said," Sam mumbles and I can't help my laugh. Of course father said something!

"What did he say," Frodo asks, curious.

"He said...'Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee," he looks at Frodo intently, "and I don't mean to."

I smile at their friendship, finding it truly one of the most beautiful things in all of this world. 

"Sam, we're still in the Shire," Frodo laughs, "what could possibly happen?"

Before any of us can say anything, a figure comes crashing out of a hedgerow, sending Frodo flying. Frodo picks himself up, only to be knocked back down again by Pippin who looks down at Frodo.

"Frodo," Pippin exclaims with a smile, "Merry, it's Frodo Baggins."

"Hello Frodo," Merry steps out and they pick themselves up, along with a variety of vegetable that had scattered everywhere. 

Angry shouts ring through the Hedgerow, Pippin and Merry had stole the farmer's crops. I shake my head before turning to all four hobbits in front of me.

"Come now! Don't just stand there, run!" 

We run through the hedgerow, drawing farther away from the shouts of the farmer and the baying of his dogs, when we tumble head over heels down a bank, onto a dark, wooded road. I pick myself up and whirl to face Pippin and Merry. 

"Pippin! Merry! What were you thinking?!"

"Aleana," Pippin exclaims with a goofy smile and I can't help but smile back, the anger fading. 

"I cannot even stay angry at the two of you," I laugh, tousling Pippin's hair. 

"Ow, I think I've broken something," Merry groans and I turn to him.

"Let me see," I look behind him and pull out a large carrot, almost broken through in the middle, out from his back pocket. 

"Definitely broke something dear Merry," I laugh and he smiles, taking the carrot from me. Then without warning Merry, Pippin and Sam jump up, rushing to some mushrooms they had spotted on the side of the road. I stand and turn to see Frodo is tense and watchful, looking down the wooded road. I move to stand beside him when scattered leaves rise into the air whirling down the road as if blown by an invisible wind. There are sound of horses hooves, and I suddenly fear a strange darkness.

"I think we should get off the road," Frodo looks to me and I nod just as a long drawn wail comes down the wind and I clutch my head as it is suddenly gripped by pain. 

A/n: Hope you liked this chapter! They have finally set out and are getting closer to Aragorn! I can't wait! 

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