"Is he going to die?"
The question stumbles past my frightened lips before I have a chance to really think about it. A blazing torch hangs precariously in my hands, I've half-forgotten I'm holding it, I'm so scared. I suppose it's meant to give us some light in this pitch black, but all it's really doing is throwing everything into awful shadows.
Now that my question is floating in the air, I desperately wish I could take it back. I wish I could take it all back, everything. The Black Riders, Bree, even the jaunt into Farmer Maggots crops. Everything. I'll take it all back, and more, just forget I even asked.
Strider turns slowly, looking even more grim and menacing than usual. He scares me, which is rather impressive seeing as how I'm pretty much terrified at this point. His own torch casts his stern face into hard shadows, making his eyes burn like the dying embers from a blazing fire.
"He's passing into the Shadow world, soon he'll become a wraith like them."
Why does he speak in riddles? Was that a yes or a no? He's just as bad as Gandalf. I'm sure that the answer to my question is in there somewhere, but I'm too frightened to try and figure it out. Why can't he just tell me yes or no, not that I want to know.
This whole entire adventure has been one big awful riddle, and I've never been any good at riddles. That was always your favorite game, Frodo.
Frodo.
I glance down to where you're lying and my blood turns to ice in my veins. You're gasping and shuddering as if the air has suddenly become like honey and stuck in your throat. Sam is kneeling beside you, he's cradling you in his arms, whispering to you softly the way he knows you like him too. He doesn't really know what else to do.
I think he's crying, I know I am.
You try to scream, but the sound lodges in your throat. I look over at Merry, Merry will know what to do, Merry always has the answers. But Merry's just standing there, looking just as frightened as I feel.
Is he going to die?
The question runs through my head again, but this time I stay quiet. I wasn't kidding before when I said I didn't really want to know.
Strider suddenly calls Sam away and you're left in our care. I kneel down beside you and put my shaking hand on your shoulder. Your eyes open wide as you gasp and moan, all I can do is watch you and it scares me. I'm not used to seeing you this way, Frodo. So helpless and so sick.
I remember how bright your eyes were, how I loved to lose myself in those dazzling, depthless pools of blue. I remember how warm and delicious your lips were when we stole kisses in your garden when no one was around, before you found Sam. I remember how soft and rosy your cheeks were, how your laughter was so contagious, but now ... now your beautiful eyes are cloudy, your lips are pale and cold like your face and there are choking screams instead of laughter.
Is he going to die?
Sam and Strider have run off into the woods, I hope they come back soon because I don't know what to do and Merry is just standing there. You turn those cloudy eyes to me, but I don't think you see me. It feels like you're looking right through me. I want to say something, but my throat doesn't want to work. It doesn't matter anyway because you twist your face in pain and turn away with a gasp and another choked scream. I look up at Merry, my eyes burning with only a single thought.
Is he going to die?
I'm glad it's dark, I don't want to see the answer in his eyes.
Thre is a sudden noise and a strange woman suddenly appears; her gown is long and flowing, trailing behind her as if heralding her arrival. Her dark hair cascades around her like a raven waterfall. She is an Elf, beautiful and frightening, and she takes you away without even so much as a glance or a word at us.
"Where are you taking him?"
Merry finally speaks, but no one answers him. Perhaps they have forgotten we even exist. Sam returns, his eyes wide as he watches Strider and the Elf woman carry you away. He is rigid and I know he is torn between trusting Strider to help you and pulling you away from them. This whole situation has gotten completely out of hand.
Is he going to die?
I want to scream with the frustration of it all. Will I ever see you again? Why is Strider letting you go into the hands of this Elf woman? We're the ones who are supposed to protect you, Frodo. We are your friends and came with you to keep you safe on your adventure. I suppose we really messed that up because now they're taking you away.
You look so helpless as Strider places you atop a great white horse, so tiny and out-of-place on such a large animal. I hope you don't fall off and hurt yourself, Sam would never forgive Strider if that happened. That's why hobbits ride ponies, don't they know that? You sit motionless and I find myself wondering again as I stare at you ...
Is he going to die?
Strider and the Elf woman are discussing something, but it's in a language we don't understand. I think it's Elvish. You speak Elvish, Frodo, your Uncle Bilbo taught it to you. I wish you could translate it for us.
Suddenly, the Elf woman mounts the great white horse right behind you and rides off swiftly into the awful night. Strider just stands there and watches you go. It's all Merry and I can do to hold Sam back. He charges forward, insane with rage and grief that you have been taken from us.
From him.
"What're you doing? Those wraiths are still out there!"
Again, Strider does not answer. He just stands there and watches you disappear into the swallowing gloom. I honestly believe that he's forgotten we're even here.
Is he going to die?
I want to to ask again, but I don't. I'm afraid that this time the answer won't be a riddle.
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