Colours

They had One Job

As we stumble over the rocks on the rugged countryside, the hobbits sigh in relief as Aragorn points to the ruins of Amon Sul telling them that we were going to be resting there that night.

We make camp about half way up the ruins. When we finally stopped the hobbits had all collapsed on the ground out of exhaustion. I reach into my bag to pull out to of my spare small swords as Aragorn does the same. We drop them at the hobbits feet.

After making eye contact with Aragorn that we are thinking the same thing, he turns to the hobbits and tells them, "These are for you. Keep them close. We're going to have a look around. Stay here."

Before leaving to follow Aragorn, I turn around and make eye contact with Sam, and warn him, "No fires, the light will attract attention."

As Aragorn travels down the watchtower to check the surroundings, I head up to the top to make sure it is secure.

~~

The cries of the Nazgul draw me from checking the top for a good place to hide the hobbits if something happens. Turning to the stairs I see the hobbits come up in a rush and gesture them to get in a circle. Let's hope they know at least something about swords.

As the ringwraiths reach the top of the tower I give a battle cry and launch myself, running towards the first one. I slash and stab. Desperately trying to fend off the attacks of these creatures. None of my hits seem to do much. They only cause a second of peace before the wraith attacks again.

I raise my sword to fend off a close call by a wraith and twist their sword to de-arm them. Turning I see Pippin cornered by another wraith. I rush over there and scream to get the wraith's attention. The wraith aims their sword for a low blow. I drop to one knee. Bringing my sword done to fend the hit off.

Squinting my eyes at the sudden light thrown at one of the wraiths, I turn to see Aragorn arrive. Renewed with reassurance of aid, I double my attacks.

A cry from Sam catches my attention as he calls out for Frodo. Two wraiths notice Sam caught of guard and go to attack him. Running to intercept their blades, I swipe at their legs as I roll in between them.

Dodge. Slash. Hit. Stab. Duck. Repeat.

I can feel myself tiring as the battle continues. Aragorn comes and dispatches one of the wraiths with his torch. Grabbing the torch from Aragorn I turn to the last wraith in front of me. Tossing the torch at it, I add in a kick and send it toppling over the edge.

"Mr. Frodo!" the call from Sam causes Aragorn and I to turn and rush toward the hobbit lying on the ground. "Help him Strider!"

Aragorn snatches up the blade from the ground, and turns to look at me. With a grave look on his face, he declares Frodo's death sentence, "He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade." With a disgusted look he throws the hilt on the ground as the blade disintegrates.

"Do something!" Sam cries.

"He needs Elvish medicine," I state as calmly as I could, "I don't have the herbs here I need. We must make for Rivendell with great speed."

Standing, Aragorn throws Frodo over his shoulder and beckons to other hobbits before taking off down the tower.

~~

Aragorn leads the way through a forest as the other hobbits run to keep up. I take up the rear, constantly scouting to make sure we aren't being followed.

"Hurry!" Aragorn calls out.

What do you think we are doing? I roll my eyes at him, the hobbits are all on their last legs from running for so long.

"We are six days from Rivendell," Sam calls out.

Frodo groans in his semi-consciousness, shifting on Aragorn's shoulder. He calls out for Gandalf in his feverish state.

~~

We had finally stopped for a short break in the clearing of Trollshaw.

Feeling Frodo's forehead, I turn to start looking in bag. This is bad. He's not going to make it if I don't give him something. Athelas! I can give him Athelas, it should stem off the poisoning. Where did I put it?"

Feeling Aragorn's hand on my shoulder I look up at him, a poorly disguised panicked look on my face. He looks at me using his eyes to ask me what to do as he speaks, "He is passing into the Shadow World. He'll soon become a Wraith like them."

I nod my head, looking briefly at Frodo as he gasps in pain before finally reaching into my bag to pull out a small box.

Merry nervously warns us, "They're close."

"Here, Athelas should help," I tell Aragorn opening the box. I huff in frustration when I see it empty. This is why Aran always told me to restock immediately.

I turn to Sam and grab his shoulders roughly, "Do you know Athelas?"

He looks at me blankly, so I try again, "Kingsfoil? It will help to slow the poisoning."

His face shows a glimmer of recognition as he replys, "Kingsfoil. Aye, it's a weed."

"Find it!"

"You too Aragorn!"

Taking off my cloak I move over to wrap Frodo in it trying to keep him warm as I speak to him in elvish.

"Im Karonya. Telin let thaed. Lesto beth nin. Tolo dan na ngalad."

Desperately I keep repeating this until another voice joins me, Arwen!

Aragorn's hand reaches over to pass me the Athelas as I chew it and place it on his wound, tuning out to the words around me. Aragorn's arm pulls me back from Frodo as he moves to lift him onto Arwen's horse.

"Arwen will take Frodo to Rivendell, it will work out," he tells me in an attempt to calm me.

Reaching into my bag, I take some supplies to scrawl a quick note to Elrond with my knowledge on it. I pass the note to Arwen before placing a gentle hand on her leg and nodding to her, "Noro lim, Arwen."

Stepping back I can see my hands shaking with the end of the adrenaline rush, as the full realization of my anxiety for Frodo hits me. I turn to Aragorn and hide my face in his shoulder as he wraps his arms around me.

"Arwen, ride hard. Don't look back," he calls out to her as she rides away.

Panicked, Sam cries out, "What are you doing? Those Wraiths are still out there!"