The Two Worlds

††Chapter Twenty-One††

Chapter Twenty-One

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

"This way halflings." a Ranger said to them as he led them through the tunnel.

"Where is Boromis, Faramir and the others?" Cody asked the strange man.

"Boromis is staying behind in case an errand rider or any news happens to appear at the fort." the Ranger looked back at Cody and saw the disappointment that glistened in her emerald eyes. Cody and Boromis had grown close during their short trip and Cody would truly miss him. "Don't worry Mistress Hobbit, you may see him once again when all of this is over. Now, as for Faramir and the others, they are already outside waiting."

"And what of Sméagol?" Frodo asked. He sped up until he was next to the Ranger and looked up at him.

"He is with Faramir, Master Hobbit," he replied and looked down at him. He laughed lightly when he saw the concern in Frodo's eyes and laid a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry young halfling, your friend is safe, no harm has come upon him."

"And how do you know this?"

"Because I saw him only this morning. He may be angry right now but I promise you, there is not a single wound to be found on him that was caused by us."

"What do you mean 'wounds caused by us'?" Sam asked and gave the man a strange look; his head was cocked to the side which caused his curly blond hair to fall away from his face on one side and his brow was furrowed.

"We have not laid a foul hand nor a foul blade on the creature. He thrashes around and scrapes himself on rocks and other things. He cut one of his fingers trying to climb a thorny tree and several other things."

"Is he alright?" Cody asked, for once she felt bad for the creature.

"I'm sure he is, he is just scared is all. Like a cornered animal who has no where to run."

After this was said the hobbits walked in silence and asked no more questions about the creature Sméagol. Frodo slowly dropped back in the line until he stood next to Cody. He looked over at her and gave her a weak, but comforting, smile. She mirrored his smile and grasped his hand. His palms were sweaty from nervousness and he squeezed her hand tight.

"What is the matter Frodo?" she asked him gently.

"Nothing my love." he replied in an unconvincing tone. His eyes, that were once as clear as the afternoon sky, were now dull and full of pain. 'The Ring has taken a toll on both of us," she thought to herself, 'He shouldn't have to bear something like this. His doesn't show it but the Ring is slowly taking his life away.'

"Frodo please, I can tell something is troubling you."

"Nothing is wrong." he said forcefully and let go of her hand.

"Fine." she whispered and sped up until she was next to the Ranger.

"Cody-" he called but he knew he had messed up. He sighed and ran his fingers through his thick, curly hair.

"Hello." Cody said quietly to the Ranger.

"Well hello to you too." he laughed lightly.

"I don't believe I know your name Ranger."

"I am Razgar son of Rashack," he said proudly and placed his right fist over his heart, "And you are?"

"I am Cody daughter of-" her voice trailed of when she realized that her parents were gone, "None." she said, almost to herself.

"Oh, I'm sorry for your loss. How did they-" he did not need to finish in order for Cody to answer his question.

"I don't even know the cause of my parent's own deaths. I was gone, I suppose, when it happened."