Nianna's Journey

PS. I know, I know. I said the next chapter would be awhile since I was supposed to be studying. I tried really really hard to ignore the plot bunnies but they were biting at the ankles and wouldn’t leave me alone so…here is Chapter 11.

Chapter 11: Flight To Rivendell II

Nianna could no longer afford to stop. The small supply of Athelas that Sam and Strider had found had run out trevirevious evening. The poison that had previously been slowed by the herb now raced through the small hobbit’s form. Frodo’s body convulsed non-stop and the little food that Nianna was able to get into him had been rejected. The disgorged contents now streaked across his face, adding to the dirt and sweat accuted ted during the last four days. Gasping for every breath and trembling violently in Nianna’s arms, Frodo had very little time left before he succumbed to the shadow world.

The sun had risen over two hours ago and the forest, that had been thick around the travelers, began to thin. FirGael picked up speed now that the path had cleared a little. Holding Frodo close, Nianna leaned forward, urging FirGael to go faster. In Nianna’s peripheral vision, she saw a shadow move. Staring intently at the path in front of her, she ignored it even when several other shadows joined the one. The shadows drew closer and their images began to clear and form into distinct shapes of the Nazgul.

One wraith moved close and with a black glohandhand lined with armor, reached toward the hobbit. Nianna quickly pulled FirGael’s reins to the left, moving away from the Black Rider and its grasping hand.

Two other riders moved in on FirGael and his passengers, attempting to flank both sides and cut them off. Using the trees in an attempt to block their endeavors, Nianna guided FirGael while trying to protect Frodo from the grasping hands and the branches that whipped by them. The riders drew back slightly in order to avoid crashing into the trees and looked ahead for different routes that would fall in line with the she-elf’s path, cutting off her escape.

Nianna looked behind her, gauging the positions of the nine that pursued them. After she chanced a quick glance backward, she barely had time to avoid a tree branch that was directly in her path. She leaned slightly to the side, but she was unable to avoid its sharp edge and it left a crimson line on her cheek.

The trees cleared and a great expanse of open fields stretched before them. Nianna urged FirGael to a full gallop and whispered to him, [“Ride faster, FirGael.”] FirGael, hearing his mistress’s words, found additional strength and speed, which enabled him to increase his stride.

Time seemed to slow as FirGael raced through the fields. The line of nine dark horses and their riders followed relentlessly close behind them. Nianna could feel the sweat pouring from her horse’s body, as well as the heaving effort that it took him to gasp every breath. Nianna knew that FirGael would not be able to withstand this pace for very much longer. If the rapid heaving of his sides were any indication, FirGael was quickly tiring. Four days of little rest and added weight began taking its toil on the horse. Nianna looked back at the riders once again. Unlike them, the nine showed no signs of tiring and continued at a steady pace gradually gaining ground.

Despite FirGael’s best efforts, his stride lessened slightly. As the distance between them and the Nazgul shortened, a few of the dark riders let out sounds of anticipation. Ignoring the numbing pain that began throbbing through her arm, Nianna kept her gaze forward watching for the landmarks that would signal their salvation.

Nianna’s hopes rose as she spotted the small forest of Evergreens ahead of her. The Nazgul would have no choice but to slow their stride as they passed through the thin veil of trees. As Nianna entered the forest, she began changing FirGael’s direction, once again using the trees in order to deflect and confuse the Black Riders. There were a few moments where one of them would be close enough to reach out, but Nianna would quickly pull the reins in the other direction to avoid them.

Amid the shrieks of anticipation and frustration, Nianna was able to hear the sound of moving water close by. Avoiding another grasping hand, she turned FirGael toward the sound. Nianna hoped that despite the many changes in their route, they would be at the ford where the river was easiest to cross over.

As the carpet of pine needles changed to rocky sand, Nianna finally saw the Bruinen River. Without further thought, she directed FirGael across its cooling waters. The clear water splashed up over FirGael’s and Nianna’s legs and touched the feet of the feverish hobbit. Midway through the ford, Nianna realized that the Nazgul had ceased their pursuit. She slowed FirGael as he climbed up the bank of the river to the other side.

Turning FirGael around, she saw the nine lined up perfectly along the opposite bank. She watched them intently, waiting for their next move.

The Nazgul in the middle reached out his hand and harshly said, “Give up the Halfling, she-elf!”

Niannve ave a little smirk, pulled Frodo close to her body and drew her sword, “If you want him, come and claim him!” she said calmly.

As one, the Black Riders drew their swords and cautiously began wading through the shallow waters.

Nianna waited until the riders were several feet from their bank and then began chanting.

Closing her eyes, she whispered, [“Waters of the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word. Flow waters of Bruinen against the Ringwraiths!”]

Opening her eyes, she saw that the Nazgul were midway across the ford. Staring intently at the wraith that had previously spoken, she repeated the chant, [“Waters of the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word. Flow waters of Loudwater against the Ringwraiths!”]

The presumed leader signaled the others to stop. As Nianna watched, the flowing river dwindled down to a slight trickle. Stones, polished by eons of running water, glistened as rays of light hit their smooth surfaces for the first time.

Nianna and the Nazgul turned as a loud roar become audible upriver. Before the Nazgul could react, a great wall of water crashed through the rocky bend of the river. As the water came rushing towards them, the crests began to take up the form of a stampeding herd of stallions.

In confusion, the Nazgul turned their horses. Some headed for the bank that they previously stood, while others charged downriver in an attempt to outrun the rushing waters.

Nianna watched as one by one the Nazgul were swept off their horses and washed away down the river. The shrieks of the Black Riders and screams from their drowning steeds echoed loudly through the strands of trees that lined the river.

Moments later the river calmed and returned to its natural soothing influence. Nianna listened to the sounds of the river and forest around her for any riders that may have escaped. She breathed a sigh of relief as she realized that none of the Nazgul would be returning any time soon.

Suddenly, Frodo jerked and began to convulse violently. Almost slipping from her grasp, Nianna tightened her hold on the hobbit and turned FirGael towards Imladris.

Pushing FirGael to a canter and relying on him to find his way through the familiar forest, Nianna chanced a glance down at the creature in her arms.

Tears began to form, when she took notice of the hobbit’s features. Divulged of all color except for the dirt, sweat and expunged food, Frodo gasped sharply attempting to draw in air through his tightening esophagus. His eyes gazed blindly through Nianna and the forest around him. Nianna’s tears began to fall as she embraced the little hobbit.

[“No! Frodo…No! Frodo, don’t give in! Not now!”], she cried.

In the next breath, she began to pray feverishly to the Valar, [“What grace is given me, let it pass to him. Let him be spared. Save him.”]

Nia Nianna continued her prayer as they traveled through the Evergreen forest until they reached the archway of Imladris. She only hoped that she wasn’t too late as she called out to the residents of Rivendell.

AN: I know, I know, I said that Arwen and Glorfindel would be in this chapter. Would it help if I swore that at least Arwen will be in the next one????? Again, I thought this chapter would hold a lot more than just the rest of the trip to Rivendell but after four pages I thought it would be best to end it here and continue the rest in the next chapter. What does this mean exactly, well…the BIG reunion I promised for Chapter 12 will actually be taking place in Chapter 13. Sorry, lol, but anticipation is good…Right?