Travelers

Chapter 6 - The Recalling

Now, they had travelled almost to Isengard where they would rest for a day or two. Strider and Defréndel told stories as they travelled, and Mal and Cat chatted gleefully when they could. Jacob had barely said a word since they had left Minas Tirith, and barely ate anything at meals. He seemed to always be thinking, focusing, or processing. Then one moment they all just stopped. Jacob knew what was about to happen, so he slid to the ground, rolling as the world around him stopped. He had to roll to his friends, because he knew what might happen after it. He felt his vision rising again, just like last time. This time he only flew a mile or so, which meant they were close to the object of the vision.

Again, the voice came, saying in its melodic tone, "A friend awaits you at the citadel. Before your quest continues, you must seek out this ally, or the elf star will never will never join you on this quest. You will know them, for they will know your companion, who you wisely accepted the aid of. Go now, find the greatest friend of the old ring-bearer." They flew back to themselves, though it was odd that this time he felt as though there was only three of them in the vision. Maybe the vision only went to the heroes this time, or maybe there was no Vince to receive it. That thought scared him more than anything. Vince had been his friend, and this world had turned him evil, so he chose to hope it was the former of the two options. Then, he noticed he could see clearly. He pushed through the dizziness, and looked at the others, Mal managed to stay on the horse, but Cat was slipping sideways. She must have been hit the hardest again, so Jacob ran to catch her. But he too wasn't the steadiest, so he tripped over his own feet. Of course, in his haste, he hadn't notice one fact. Cat was wearing all her gear. As she fell into him, his arms burned from the strain, but she hadn't been hurt. He would have a bruise or two, but she might have had a broken bone.

He decided to say something intelligent sounding at that moment, so he got out one word,"Ow." The other three looked at them, as they had simply stopped. Jacob explained what had happened to them after helping Cat back on her horse. They knew now where they had to go, and Strider said he might know who they needed to find. They all figured Strider was the companion that was mentioned, as he was the only one who might be recognized by someone of importance. Jacob asked Strider what the vision meant by ring-bearer, wondering why wearing a ring made anyone important.

Strider just laughed and told him, "I forgot to tell you the greatest story I know. The adventures of Frodo of the nine fingers." He told the story of the one ring and the courageous hobbits who carried the greatest strength and weakness of the dark lord right under his nose, only to destroy it. Jacob's mind was racked with connections, and the story seemed so familiar to him, but he couldn't put his finger on why. Now they neared the fortress of Isengard, and Strider finished his tale. They passed through the gates, and almost immediately a higher, older voice called out to them from their right.

"Well if it isn't the crown of all, Strider!" The voice said aloud. They turned to face the speaker, and Jacob saw he was a short man with silvery hair, and a round stomach. He was a hobbit. He found it odd that the hobbit knew his fake name, rather than his real one.

Strider replied to the hobbit in a tone only used when speaking to an old friend, "Ah, it is good to see you. Tell me, what brings you so far from the shire?"

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Cat felt like she recognized this little man, but she couldn't put her finger on why. She knew that Vince hadn't seen this message, though how she knew that, she wasn't sure. They followed the hobbit into a nearby building, and he began to talk to Strider.

"You know, I could ask you the same question? What brings you so far from Gondor? You are the king." The stranger asked. It would seem this was the one who they were meant to find, because he knew that Strider was the king. But, she still wondered who he was. It was clear that this hobbit had to have been significant in the story of Frodo, but which was he? Was he Sam, Merry, or Pippin? She decided that the first was the most likely, but there was one way to know for sure. Clearly Mal had made this connection as well, because she just came out and asked it.