Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
Aragorn gazed upon a large mountain. "This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul." He turned to the hobbits. "We shall rest here tonight. They climbed the steep tower. Rocks moved beneath their feet. There were neither foothold nor handholds, though Aragorn climbed without trouble. Once upon the top they practically threw their packs down. Sweat dripped from Frodo's, Sam's, Merry's, and Pippin's faces. Aragorn was not even breathing heavily, though. He untied a bag.

"These are for you." They stared at the swords. Not ever has one of them used a sword. "Keep them close." He said as he threw each of the Halflings a sheathed sword. Aragorn took out his own sword. "I'm going to have a look around. Stay here." He left his companions to marvel at their new protection.

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Frodo woke up from his spot in the cave to the sound of laughing and the smell of smoke and bacon. He got up. This will draw any unwanted attention to them. "What are you doing?" he yelled. Merry shrugged. "Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon." Frodo untangled himself from the blanket. Sam held out a bowl

"Put it out, you fools! Put it out!" he yelled, stamping his furry foot on the fire, ignoring the pain. He could not let the wraiths see this. That would lead them here.

"That's nice! Ash on my Tomatoes!" Pippin scoffed dusting off his food. A screech filled the air. Sam, Frodo, Pippin, and Merry looked over the ledge. The wraiths galloped toward them through the fog.

Frodo pulled out his sword, as did everyone else, and ushered them up the winding stairs. They ran to the top level and went back to back, waiting for the Ringwraiths. More screeching filled the air, but this time, closer. Frodo turned around. One of them was already there with its long, jagged sword. The wraith approached him slowly. Eight more came. The hobbits back up, until Sam made the first move. But who they really needed was not here.

"Get back, you devils!" he yelled striking one. His sword was blocked by a much longer one. The wraith knocked him to the right carelessly. Pippin and Merry blocked Frodo only to thrown away like trash.

The wraith set their eyes on Frodo. Frodo dropped his sword and stumbled backwards. The ring called to him. Baggins. Baggins. He took the Ring out and the wraith saw it. The Ring also called to him. Frodo dragged himself back and the wraith followed him. It raised its sword preparing to strike. Without hesitation Frodo slid the Ring onto his small finger, disappearing but not from the wraiths view.

Frodo saw men, the hollowed out skulls of men. They were dressed in all white and glowed white. They wore white crowns. Their robes blew in imaginary wind. The wraiths still saw him. The leader brought down his sword on Frodo's shoulder. His scream pierced through all over sound.

Droning out the wraiths' scream as Aragorn slashed at them with fire and his sword. Pain spread through Frodo. Pain was everywhere. His eyes saw things, things he never thought he could see. He could hear everything. He could smell everything. His stomach with turning, his head was pounding. It hurt more than anything and everything he had ever felt. He saw Sam rush over to him.

He saw Aragorn finish off the wraiths but that didn't matter to him. He distinctly heard Aragorn say he needed Elvish medicine. But where? It was days to Rivendell he wouldn't make it. He felt himself fading. Fading. Fading away. Fading into nothingness.

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Frodo could see now. Frodo could hear now. And Frodo could smell now. The light was almost too much for his eyes. It was bright, too bright. He could hear voices, familiar voices. He could smell wonder flowers, flowers he hadn't seen since the Shire. He could feel again. His shoulder hurt and so did his head, but that was understandable. He had just been stabbed.

Sunlight streamed through the windows of the open room he was in. he was lying on white sheets. Beside him was Gandalf. Gandalf! Gandalf was all right! Gandalf was here! Frodo thought. He tried to sit up, but the wizard gently pushed him back down.

Gandalf was smoking his pipe with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He looked the same as the last time he was him.  His grey robes, this time, were not ruffled.

"You are in the house of Elrond. It is 10:00 in the morning on October 24th, if you want to know."

"Gandalf!" the words finally came to him.

"Gandalf chuckled, "Yes, I am here. And you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours and you would've been beyond our aid. You have some strength in you, my dear hobbit." This time he let Frodo sit up. Frodo touched his sore shoulder. "What happened, Gandalf? Why didn't you meet us?"

"I'm sorry, Frodo. I was delayed." Gandalf said remembering his time with Saruman.

"Frodo!"

"Sam!"

Sam sighed in relief, "Bless you, you're awake!" Gandalf chuckled, "Sam hasn't hardly left your side."

"We were that worried about you. Weren't we, Mr. Gandalf?" Sam asked. Gandalf grew serious ad nodded. "By the skills of Lord Elrond and Lady Elysium you're beginning to mend." Lord Elrond came to the foot of Frodo's bed.

"Welcome to Rivendell, Frodo Baggins."