Chapter Text
Isabela POV
The middays began to come. Neighbours were chatting, air slowly becoming intoxicated and water drained by the hours. Ground was muddy and rain began to drip slowly to rapidly and was a signal to go inside. We were only visiting because my father was a ranger and seek out for danger occurring.
“Isabela!” My father called.
“Coming.” I arrived to see him practicing sword fighting. Like he taught me, must keep sharp and strike carefully. Must always have a sharp, not blunt, sword. Guard up as your stance will give out the weak point.
“You keep remembering that, you might surpass your own father one day.” I snapped behind me to see him smiling and laughing. How can he read my thoughts? Then I realised that my stance gave me out.
“Sorry father.” He rubbed my hair and kissed my forehead.
“It’s quite alright. Anything new you see in town?”
“No.” Silence began to fill the room. We then went on to our own business and did nothing. Raining sounds was soothing in its own and the weather was such a peaceful weather to sleep on.
THUD! What was that? I checked on the ground where the noise came from. It was something from mother, the necklace before she… died. Tears began to swelled up and thoughts surrounded the traumatic memories. But I decided to hide it by going to sleep.
“Isa? Isabela.” My father gently shook me to wake me from my nap.
“Father? What is it?” Nothing came out of his mouth, instead he used a gesture for me to follow him. I yawned and silently followed him downstairs to the door.
“Wanna go for a few rounds in the bar?” Weird. He never asked me to go drinking with him, let alone go somewhere with him. I shrugged and followed along to the bar downstairs. Music from the pianos, smell of drinks from outside and many disgusting men in there.
“Well hello there, young lady.” Some disgusting, mid-40’s man greeted and kissed my hand. His sloppy, slimy saliva slipped throughout my hands. I gagged and groaned in disgust but kept my smile. My father didn’t take this lightly and glared at this man. The man trembled in fear and politely stepped out of the way.
“Who is he, father?” He merely shrugged and sat in a dark corner with nothing but a candle inside the lamp. I sat down next to him and watched as those men roared with shouting and laughter. A hooded clothe has been thrown into my lap.
“What’s this for?” He covered himself and grabbed a drink for a sip.
“Put it on, I’ll explain it to you later.” I obliged and dressed as I waited for 28 minutes of what father is talking about. Gasps and whisper can be heard among the bar for as 4 hobbits enter the building and sat amongst the table.
“Father, are those hobbits?” He puts out a pipe, lights it up and smokes it. His eyes is too concentrated on the hobbits as I began to look his way. Two blonde and brunette looking fella. The brunette is shifting uncomfortably and fidgeting with his feet.
“Baggins? Sure, I know a Baggins. He’s over there.” Another hobbit pointed at the brunette whose expression was shocked and tried to stop him. He also said other things but was overlapped by the many chit chatters from the men. He squish and squeezed trough the crowds to stop that chattering man. The man, however, shrugged him off, causing the man to trip and fall to the ground. And with that, a ring slipped through his grasp, to the air and then to his finger. But that’s when he… disappeared from the very floor. On our own very eyes, he disappeared like that!
“Hmm…” My father was very concerned and I was very confused. This hobbit just disappeared in front of my very eyes! How did that happened?
“Father, what just happened? How did he do that?” No answer. He seemed very distracted by the current event that occurred. His expression tells me that he saw this coming. He stiffened up and immediately got up before telling me something.
“Go upstairs, I’ll see you there.” I didn’t think much and somehow made it to the room. I silently waited before not long ago, my father appeared with the hobbit. He throws him into the room as I waved at the hobbit.
“What do you want?” My father stepped closer to observe this hobbit. Must say, they have huge feet for something small.
“A little more caution from you… that is no trinklet you carry.” My father said sternly. Hobbit was still quivering in fear.
“I carry nothing.” He defended, however my father did not bought that lie.
“Indeed.”
“Hello.” The hobbit was hesitant but gave a smile.
“Is this your kin?” My father spun around quickly like a whip and nodded. He then spun back around to put out the candles in our room for safety reasons, I suppose.
“I can avoid being seen if I wish. But to disappear entirely…” He then took off his hoodie to reveal his identity as did I. “That is a rare gift.”
“Who are you?” The hobbit looked back and forth at me and my father. He looked more shock at me more than he is to my father.
“Do I frightened you?”
“Yes.” The hobbit answered with honesty. I started to inspect this hobbit. He looked innocent and doesn’t have the knowledge of this adventure he’s seeking.
“Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you.” A hobbit being hunted for its trick? Who is hunting for this hobbit? He began to step closer for interrogation or as a threat. But then his three hobbit friends burst through the door with house tools to protect their friend.
“Let him go. Or I’ll have you, Longshank!” The one with no tools threatens. They seem eager to attack if any means necessary. My father withdrew his sword and gave a few pointers.
“You have a stout heart, little hobbit, but that alone will not save you.” I noticed that he suspects a danger coming towards this bar.
“We no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They’re coming.” So that is his name, Mr. Frodo. How does he know that?
“Hello, Frodo’s friends.” I greeted as they did with a smile.
“Ahh yes, this is my daughter Isabela.” They nod in acknowledgment but remained stiff. They didn’t just come with no danger following. A world filled with violence, chances are impossible if you step outside the village.
“Quickly, set up the pillows under the blankets.” We all grabbed the pillows we can possibly gather and set them in four separate beds.
“Where shall we sleep if we can’t rest?”
“We’ll bunk with the neighbours next door. They’ll never suspect us there.” So we headed off from the bar and set place in the house across the bar. My father picked it to see if they had fall for our trap. The hobbits immediately snores and dozed off to sleep as walking from the Shire would be breathtaking. Five horses can be heard, trampling around the village to the bar for its quest of something Frodo possesses.
“Now can you explain?” He looked at me and sighed. He stood up and sat on the floor.
“Isabela, remember the stories of the nineteen rings, destined to rule each kingdom…” I rewind my memories to its childhood days and true to remember the nighttime stories. Ah yes, how the kings great and small, gathered and collected the nineteen rings given to them. I nodded as he chuckled.
“There’s another ring. But it doesn’t crave good in its name, instead evil possesses it. Giving the title ‘The One Ring To Rule Them All’ to the ring itself. It’s treacherous trickery will manipulate ones mind if possessed.” I ran and hugged him in fear. Why must there be cruelty? It does not occur to me why this treacherous man would create such a thing.
“Do not fear, little one. For as I will protect you from it. Even if it mean sacrificing my own life.”
“No!” I shouted with denial. “Why must you speak nonsense, father?!”
“I am not. But we must prepared for this journey we are about to venture.” We? Father is bringing me along in this journey? If it is, then so be it.
“Am I coming with you, father?” He nodded and looked at the view of this town. The weather is still drenched with rain and it’s dripping brings music to my ear. He stood up and embraced me for comfort.
“Although this journey may be dangerous, I am willing to take you if you l-.” He didn’t have to finish his sentence as I interrupted him. “I would like to come, father.”
He chuckled in disbelief and pats my head. Am I prepared for this path I will walk? Would it be effective? Yes it would. Will I be with my father? Yes. Would death awaits me? Silence in my head. The question itself scares me and is pretty depressing. I decided to shove it in the back of my mind and dozed off to sleep.
Third Person POV
Sam then sat up of the noise of swords slicing their supposed bed. Then up came Merry, then Pippin and then the foreseeable saviour, Frodo. They quiver with fear after hearing the slaughter.
“What are they?” Frodo questioned with caution. Who are they? And why is the Ring I grasp in my own very hand, important to them?
“They were once men.” Aragorn watched as they stride through the bedrooms for the hobbits. He quickly glance at Frodo then back at the once called ‘men.’
“Great kings of Men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to them Nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will.” Aragorn watched on as the Ringwraiths galloped on and down the street. Frodo couldn’t believe how far they would go just for a single jewellery. Frodo discovered this wouldn’t be safe for his lads, should the lads continue on this journey. But they looked determined to fight alongside each other and would die for Frodo if they must. So he accepts it and would pay them back if he lives.
“They are the Nazgûls, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring… drawn to the power of the One…” The hobbits listened closely about this information and would be very precarious about these… Ringwraiths. They must be swift and silent, should they encounter one. “They will never stop hunting you.”
Cut to Chetwood Forest - Day
Isabela, Aragorn and the hobbits strolled along the forests as they need to find something Aragorn needs to warn someone about. The hobbits also brought along a horse they seemed to bring along through their journey to the bar.
“So Isabela, how old are you? You don’t look young to be a teen.” She looked at Merry who seemed eager to learn of this girl. Make friends while possible.
“My age is 22, sir.” She called them sir out of respect. They earned it because she thought ‘Travelling this far to meet a wizard, I overheard, for his safety while walking through the forest harmless takes guts.’
“May I ask, what is your name?”
“Merry Brandinbuck, at your service.” He gave a quick peck at Isabela’s hand as she giggled. The others chuckled and the three started to formally introduce themselves.
“Samwise Gamgee.”
“Pippin Took.”
“Frodo Baggins.” They all had a good laugh and great chat. They were slowly bonding throughout the journey. Aragorn was stiff and awaited danger, if being attacked.
“Where are you takin’ us?” The group quieted down one by one. Each of them (except for Aragorn) has no idea where the Strider was taking them. (Only say Strider because the movie doesn’t say his name for the hobbits.)
“Into the wild.” Aragorn answered, not keeping his eyes off the path towards his destined location. Frodo looked uneasy as Aragorn moves the vines or branches along the path.
“How do we know this Strider is friend of Gandalf?” Merry whispered aside Frodo.
“I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler.” Now Merry looked uneasy as he also does not trust this Strider.
“He’s foul enough.”
“We have no choice but to trust him.”
“But where is he leading us?” Sam appeared in the conversation and was also questioning of the demanding of Aragorn. Aragorn overheard and whipped around to Sam, casting a glance at him.
“To Rivendell, Master Gamgee… to the house of Elrond.” Sam lit up with excitement and is filled with joy to meet the Elves. As did Isabela, exploring the world was all she wanted and meeting the Elves checks one off the list.
“Did you hear that Bill? Rivendell! We’re going to see the Elves!” Isabela cheered in joy as the group stop to look at her.
“What? We’re meeting Elves! Never have I thought that I would meet them.” The hobbits then look at Aragorn with a disbelief look.
“What? She’s a girl. If that was your daughter, would you let her explore the world by herself..?” The hobbits shifted nervously then shook their heads. Aragorn smirked like a proud winner. “That’s what I thought.”
The journey continues on with food to finish, tales to tell and and secrets to share. They seem to have an enjoyable time for the journey. Then Aragorn takes them to the gloom of the forest and the hobbits with Isabela, became exhausted of this journey. However, Aragorn wasn’t having it and wanted to keep moving. They just arrive at Midgewater Moors.
“Gentlemen and Isabela, we do not stop til nightfall.” They all groaned in distress and Aragorn clicks his tongue.
“What about breakfast?” Pippin complained.
“You’ve already had it.”
“We’ve had one, yes…” Isabela raised her eyebrows at him. “What about second breakfast?”
Aragorn cast a look at him, shakes his head in disbelief and turned. Meanwhile, Isabela giggled at his stupidity.
“I don’t think he and she knows about second breakfast.” Merry chimed in. Pippin’s stomach grouched and was loud.
“What about Elevenses, Luncheon, Afternoon teas, dinner… he knows about them, doesn’t he?” Merry shrugged.
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
“He does…” Merry and Pippin shot a glance at Isabela who stares at them. “He’s just ensuring that your safety comes first.”
They both glanced at each other and grunt carelessly. Then an apple would be chucked through Merry’s way, who deftly caught it. Then another aimed at his forehead and catches it.
“Pippin!” Merry exasperated as Pippin snatched it off him and took a chew off it. Rain poured down and started to affects everyone’s mood. Isabela and the hobbits grew hungry, tired and weary of this journey.
“Sir.” Sam couldn’t have it, being called sir. “Isabela, call me Sam. Calling me sir makes me feel old.”
Sam chuckled as Isabela grin.
“Sam, are you interested in love?” The question itself could leave a mark. A powerful question, a lot has said.
“How do I explain this? Eh, your a young lady so you should learn. Yes. Love is something people use in many terms. ‘Fight for your love, die for your love, learn what you love.’ They’ll probably say love can be chaotic.” Sam and Isabela laugh as Isabela payed close attention of his advice. This question was uneasy but worth it while seeking advice.
“Love can fill half of your heart. But you must choose carefully as life can sometimes have trick up its sleeve. Or even the woman itself! You see, finding someone you love gives you a boost in your many moods. Sharing stories, cooking together and cuddling each other while sleeping, that’s love for ya!” So choose carefully of who you love. I want a husband who would enjoy my company and probably even my cooking! A husband that knows how to lead well and is disciplined very well.
“You sound like you have a lover at home yourself, Mr. Gamgee.” I teased. He sigh dreamily, stared in the distance and put his hands on his elbows.
“I do. Rosie Cotton. Her dance with the rhythm when the music fills the air and the smile that could brighten a town three thousands miles away from the Shire. If there was anyone I would marry, it would be her.” Samwise was indeed in love, head over heels in love with this Rosie Cotton.
Cut to Midgewaters - Day
The insects began to fill the area as the air was consumed with bad hygiene. Isabela groan in disgust as Merry stomps on the swarming insect.
“What do they eat when they can’t get Hobbit?” Pippin then lost his balance and falls face-first onto the mud. He gets up with a smile and ignores Isabela’s groan in disgust.
Cut to Midgewaters - Night
The moon stays high overhead in the sky. As Aragorn watches through the flickering fire, slowly dying down because of the breeze.
He sings in Elvish:
Tinúviel elvanui,
Elleth alfirin ethelhael
O hon ring finnil fuinui
A renc gelebrin thiliol.
Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her night-dark hair,
And arms like silver glimmering.
Aragorn’s singing caused Frodo to awaken from his sleep. The hobbit looked on at Aragorn who stares on at the glooming moon.
“Who is she? This woman you sing of?” Aragorn turns to look at him. Momentarily startled, he reflexed quickly. Speaking as if the tale was personal to him.
“’Tis the lady of Lúthien. The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal.” Frodo asked for more but more carefully. As he doesn’t want to upset him.
“What happened to her?”
“She died.” Frodo stared in disbelief and in sadness of this news. Aragorn remained remorse as he turned to the one he must protect.
“Get some sleep, Frodo.” Frodo nodded before he went to go get some shut eyes. Aragorn then looked to the moon while his eyes was brimming with tears.
Ext. Weatherhills - Day
Aragorn, Isabela and the hobbits continued through the journey on the countryside. Aragorn stops before a distant hill, top by an ancient ruins.
“This was once the great Watchtower of Amon Sûl. We shall here tonight.” They all muttered in agreement as Isabela was eager.
Ext. Weather - Dusk
“Merry, Pippin, is it alright if I ask a question?” They shared a look before nodding.
“Sure.”
“Go ahead.”
“Okay…” She breathed in and out as this question might be too personal. Just in case, they had a traumatic childhood. “What was it like in the Shire?”
Merry and Pippin gleamed at the mention of the Shire. Memorable flashbacks hits them like a bullet.
“Aye, where do we start?”
“It’s peaceful, large for resources to grow out or be given. Many equipment we can use to be mischief about.” Pippin giggled as Isabela tried to rephrase what he said.
“Aye, always stealing from the farm for our hunger.” Pippin and Merry sigh in relief to let it all out. Isabela always wonder what it’s like in the Shire, she made a mental note to visit there.
“Must say the hospitality there can be quite effective for life.” Pippin grunts in agreement. Isabela yawned as the travel really taken its toll.
“Well if you don’t mind, I would like to get some sleep.” CLANG! Five swords dropped on the hobbits and Isabela’s feet. Aragorn squats down to talk.
“These are for you. Keep them close. I’m gonna have a look around…” Aragorn gets up from his position and turned. “Stay here.”
The group nodded in silence as Aragorn began to walk around. It shifted into nighttime and everyone was gathered by the fire. Except for Frodo, whose eyes keeps flickering like a fire burning. Suddenly, he sits up, sniffing this delicious(?) smell. Indeed it was delicious as Merry, Pippin, Sam and Isabela were cooking in a sizzling frying pan.
“What are you doing?” The group turned to Frodo then back to the food.
“We’re cooking.” Isabela answered.
“We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo.” Isabela sensed that Frodo looked uneasy. His expression tells her that someone might be following us, and it’s not Aragorn.
“Put it out. Put it out!” The group turned to Isabela and was about to argue. But Frodo rephrase her words.
“Put it out.” A sudden shriek echoed throughout the forest. Five Ringwraiths running on foot, rapidly approaching them unnaturally fast.
“Go!” They picked up there swords and tried to find a safe place to hold them out. Isabela was panicking because this is the first time she would have to fight.
Ext. Weathertop Summit - Night
The hobbits raced into a rings of broken stones on the summit of Weathertop… the ruined base of an ancient tower. Isabela stood in front of the hobbits who were back to back.
“No matter what, we mustn’t let these Ringwraiths touch the Ring.” Then they appear one by one. Each brandishing their gleaming swords, slowly approaching the hobbits and Isabela. Five became six as one moved into the centre… the Witch King!
“Back, you devils.” They need to be careful now, one singular misstep and their lives will be deceased. They all shot a glance at each other and nodded. Sam was the first to attack as he went straight to the King and drew his sword towards him. The King blocks it with his own sword, shattering Sam’s own one. THWACK! He slashed his fist to Sam, causing the hobbit to fly backwards.
“No!” Isabela yelled. Merry and Pippin, overflowing with terror, throw themselves on the ground. Isabela charges at them and tries to hit him with a blow. The Kings encounters it again and hits her, sending her towards Merry and Pippin. Then, they started to approach Frodo, who was helpless as he sought his friends being defeated. He looked at his pockets and then decided to use the Ring to disappear. Left with no choice, he uses it as he gets on his knees, put out his hand and slipped on the ring through his fingers.
“No!” Isabela’s voice was the last Frodo heard before he arrived at the Twilight World.
Frodo arrives at the Twilight World… he looks upon the Ghouls to see their true appearances. Five Ghouls clothed with Grey Robes, with white hair and Pallid ruthless faces.
The Witch King extends its haggard hands towards Frodo. As did Frodo, who extends his trembling hands to its other hand, almost as if the Ring itself was getting pulled towards them… he slides towards the ground, unable to move his hands.
The King lets out a gnarly snarl and charges towards Frodo. He stabs at Frodo with a wicked dagger! Frodo winces at the feeling of the tip of the knife on the flesh of his shoulder.
In the real world, Aragorn strikes towards the Ringwraiths, wielding a sword in one, and a flaming torch in the other. The shadow of him became visible as he runs through the smokey mist. Frodo then found his strength to slip the ring off his fingers. He was back! Sam rushes towards Frodo and checks on him.
“Frodo!” He was horrified as Aragorn fought off the Ringwraiths with the flame. It stabbed one as it snarls in fear. The others screech in terror and flee from the hills of Weathertop.
“Help him, Strider!” Aragorn looks back as Isabela helps the other up. Aragorn then looks at the blade and immediately notices it.
“He’s been stabbed by the Morgul blade.” The Morgul blade suddenly vanished… vanishing to thin air like a smoke. Aragorn throws the hilt down in disgust.
“Do something!”
“Healing him is beyond our skills!” Isabela yelled, reassuring Sam that he needs some kind of miracle to live.
“He needs Elvish medicine!” Aragorn was urgent with his new mission: Bring Frodo to Safety. He picks up the hobbits and throws it over his shoulders. They ran down the hills and jogged with Aragorn leading the way. Obviously, the hobbits was sprinting and the humans were jogging.
“Hurry!” Aragorn urged.
“We are six days away from Rivendell!” Frodo groans in pain as it has gotten worse.
“Hold on, Frodo!” Isabela tried her best to comfort Frodo.
“We’ll never make it!” Frodo’s eyes must be deceiving him. He was barely conscious.
“Gandalf… Gandalf?” Frodo fever wailed. They pass the forest onto Trollshaw Forest Clearing, where it’s currently nighttime.
“Look, Mr. Frodo. It’s Mr. Bilbo’s trolls.” Sam gets a good feel of Frodo’s skin. It’s chilling cold.
“Mr. Frodo? He’s getting cold!”
“Is he going to die?” Frodo’s breathing shallows. Aragorn looks out into the darkness.
“He is passing into the shadow world. He’ll soon turn into a Wraith like them.” A distant cry of the Wraith can be heard.
“They’re close.” Merry, who was terrified, warned. Frodo gasps in sudden pain. Aragorn tried to think of what to do.
“Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?” Sam looked blankly at what Aragorn said.
“Athelas?”
“Kingsfoil?” Sam never heard such a plant called Athelas. But Kingsfoil, he’s familiar with it.
“Kingsfoil? Aye, it’s a weed.”
“It may help slow the poisoning. Isabela, go with him to find it. Hurry!” Isabela and Sam scrambled to find this weed. It was too dark to find this weed.
They desperately needed to find it, so they continue searching. Aragorn looked to the floor then saw a small, white flowered plants. He drops down to snatched it carefully off the ground. But then he felt a blade touch the edge off his neck.
“What is this? A ranger caught off-guard?” Aragorn turned at the familiar voice he heard.
Frodo, Merry and Pippin were chilling until an Elf appeared. An ethereal vision of Arwen, as she appears on the other side. Frodo was shock of this, who is that?
“Frodo, I’m Arwen… Telin let thaed. Lasto beth nîn. Tolo dan na ngalad.” Arwen urged. In translation (Frodo, I am Arwen. I have come to help you. Hear my voice, return to the light.)
“Who is she?” Pippin also question the presence of this lady. She’s no human because of the ear.
“Frodo.” Arwen ignored the chatters as Isabela answered Pippin’s question.
“She’s an elf.” She gasped at the presence of her. But she must remained focus of her friend, who is currently fighting for his life.
“He’s fading… he’s not going to last.” She ripped his clothes open for more observation of his body. “We must get him to my father.”
“Where are you taking him?” Aragorn quickly picks Frodo up on his arms. He walks to the horse Arwen owns and gently puts him there.
“I've been looking for you for two days. There are five Wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know.”
“Dartho guin Berian ... rych le ad tolthathon.” Aragorn spoke in Elvish. (Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses for you.)
“Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im.” Arwen argued as she grabbed the reins of the horse. (I am the faster rider. I will take him.) Aragorn was uneasy about this however.
“Andelu i ven.” Aragorn clasped his worrying hands over Arwen’s. (The road is too dangerous.)
“Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon.” Isabela watched on as she suspects her father’s love for this girl. It looks too obvious or she’s reading too much in it. (If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect him.)
“I do not fear them. Plus, your kin is here, so your duty is to protect her.” Aragorn takes a good look at Isabela who is smiling at him. He sighs because she’s right. His daughter is still his number one priority.
“Be iest lîn. My daughter must always come first.” He smiles as he lets go and lets her continue the journey for Frodo’s journey. (As you wish.)
“Arwen, ride hard. Don’t look back.” She nodded. She bids the group goodbye and whistle for the horse to go.
“Why didn’t you go?” Isabela asked her father.
“Because of you.” Isabela was about to argue but that’s entirely true. That’s a point of a father, to protect the daughter.
“How do we get there?” That was a good question and that sent the hobbits worrying. But Aragorn knew that they’ll get there soon.
“Be patient, hobbits. We’ll be there.” He smiled off the distance. Isabela still was eager to meet these people. Learning their history with human, how they keep their place a secret.