From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 13 - Crebain and Caradhas Pass

We walked for days and days. We walked for so long that I lost count of how many days it has been since we left Rivendell.

My feet were sore, and somedays I had to help carry hobbits. As we walked, I befriended Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Gandalf. Ever since I had found out about Aragorn's real name it has been quite awkward talking him. We have grown distant.

Sometimes I wished I could look at my locket and look at my family again. I missed home the tiniest bit.

We set up camp in rocky hills. Dry grass whistled in the winds as we walked. I sat down on a rock, and rested my legs and feet.

Aragorn started a campfire, Sam started to cook food. I watched Boromir start training Merry and Pippin with their sword-fighting skills, while Frodo sat with Gandalf.

Aragorn sat down on a rock, and watched Boromir train the hobbits. I stood up. I slowly approached him. My sword hit my leg with every step I took. I put my hand on his shoulder.

When he looked up at me, I froze. Why did I do this? What am I going to say?

"I.. I need to talk with you," I said quietly. He nodded and stood up, and followed me as I walked behind a tall rock. I turned around, and stood up straight. He stopped and gazed into my eyes.

"Yes?" he asked softly.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "I just wanted to say that.. I'm.. I am sorry. It was a stupid thing; a simple thing to get so angry about. We have grown distant; something that I do not wish to be apart from. Can- can you forgive me?"

He did not respond right away. My heart pounded while I awaited his response.

"I forgive you. I do not wish to be distant either," Aragorn said.

I smiled, "I never accepted your apology either when we were in Rivendell. I felt bad about that."

A smile crept onto his face, "I do not wish we that we grow distant again."

I shook my head no, and his arms enveloped me into a warm embrace.

With smiles on our faces, we walked back to the Fellowship. Sam came running towards us with plates of food, "Strider! Ms. Alex! I saved some for you!"

I took the plate from him, "Thank you Sam!"

Sam smiled, and handed a plate to Aragorn and went back to Frodo.

I gratefully ate the sausages that he he prepared and looked out at the valley. I put my plate on a rock, and sat down. Aragorn sat down next to me, and I leaned me head onto his shoulder.

San was looking up at the sky, "What is that?"

Gimli looked up, "It's nothing. Just a wisp of cloud."

"It's moving fast against the wind!" Boromir said, and stood up. I squinted up into the sky. Something black moved fast; just like Boromir said. Were they birds?

Legolas peered into the sky, "Crebain! From Dunland!"

"Hide!" Aragorn yelled, and put out the fire. "Quickly! Grab your belongings!"

I grabbed my bag, and my plate. Aragorn pulled me underneath a bush, and quickly grabbed Frodo. He pulled me close, and we laid still.

A huge swarm of black birds flew above us, making a lot of racket. They passed, and returned the way they had come.

I peered at Aragorn's face, who looked at me. He climbed out of the bush, and helped me and Frodo out.

"Are you all right?" he asked, making sure I did not injure myself.

I nodded, "Yes, I am fine."

"Spies of Saruman! The passage of the south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhas," Gandalf said, and looked at a snowy mountain range.

I looked at it, and shivered. It looked pretty cold. We started to trudge up a small path up the mountains. We reached the snowy area, and the cold snow melted and started to seep into my boots.

My feet were cold, and my nose was pink and running. As we were walking, I started up a friendly conversation with Boromir. All he talked about was Gondor.

"I will show you the great city. Minas Tirith is where my father, the Steward of Gondor, rules over the lands," Boromir proudly said to me.

I smiled, "I'd be honored if you showed me."

I looked behind me, and Aragorn was staring at Boromir with a glare. I quickly smiled at him, and he directed his attention at me. He smiled back, and his eyes suddenly widened, "Frodo!"

Frodo had slipped and fallen. Aragorn caught him, and helped him up to his feet. Frodo checked to make sure the ring was there, and panicked. I looked besides me, and Boromir was holding the ring which was hanging on a chain.

"Boromir," Aragorn said, and gripped his sword's hilt.

Boromir reached up to touch the ring, "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing."

"Boromir!" I said, and reached for my bow.

"Give the ring back to Frodo," Aragorn ordered.

Boromir walked towards Frodo, and gave him the ring, "As you wish! I care not!"

Frodo snatched the ring from him, and Boromir ruffled Frodo's hair with a laugh. He started to walk away from us, and I ran through the snow down to Frodo, "Frodo, are you alright?"

Frodo looked up at me, "I'm.. I'm fine."

I lightly smiled, and we started to walk again. Aragorn pulled me aside, "Be careful around Boromir."

"All right," I said, and pulled away from his grasp. After awhile, we were greeted with a blizzard. I trudged through the deep snow, carrying a shivering Pippin on my shoulders. The wind was quite strong, and snow was being blown into my eyes. My legs grew numb, and I became tired. I heard a voice. Someone chanting?

Legolas yelled, "There's a fell voice on the air!"

"It's Saruman!" Gandalf yelled, and rocks fell from the mountain top, and barely missed us.

"He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn yelled.

"No!" Gandalf yelled back, and yelled words out to the storm. A lightning bolt struck the mountain and snow rained down upon us. I was completely covered, and I could not breathe very well.

I dug myself out as fast as I could. Snow was still blowing. I took off my hood, for it was filled with snow.

I could not see anyone else. I panicked, and yelled, "Aragorn!"

In the snow behind me, the Fellowship was digging themselves out. Aragorn came into view, and I sighed with relief. He looked at me and yelled over the wind, "Are you alright?!"

I nodded, and looked at Boromir. I helped the hobbits up and out of the snow.

"We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of Rohan and take the west road to my city!" Boromir yelled.

"The Gap of Rohan takes us to close to Isengard!" Aragorn yelled back.

Gimli yelled to everyone, "If we cannot pass over the mountain, let us go under it! Let us go through the Mines of Moria!"

Gandalf ponders Gimli's statement, and suddenly says, "Let the ringbearer decide!"

I shivered, and looked at the hobbits. My cloak was wet and cold. Wisps of my hair had froze against my face.

"We cannot stay here! This will be the death of the hobbits!" Boromir yelled.

Frodo looked around, and slowly said, "We will go through the mines!"

Gandalf takes in a breath, "So be it."

I turned back the way we had come, and started our decent.

Woop woop :D