The Dawnless Day: Frodo and Sam

Gollum awoke a little after midnight and urged Frodo and Sam forward. They were steadily climbing through thick night as a darkness from the East seemed to eat up the stars. As day approached Gollum grew wary and urged even greater haste. Sam and Frodo were utterly exhausted but obliged. Once they found a suitable stopping place Frodo asked where they were and Gollum revealed they were near the Cross-roads coming nearer to very dangerous places. Frodo and Sam ate but Gollum was restless, muttering to himself, and ultimately disappearing. It was Sam's turn to sleep and he found himself in a dream back in the overgrown garden of Bag End looking for something. Upon waking he realized he was searching for his pipe, which was in his bag, although he was missing pipe-weed and he was nowhere near Bag End.

It was still dark and Sam was upset that he had slept the day away for he knew Frodo needed rest. He asked Frodo if it was late. "'No it isn't,' said Frodo. 'But the day is getting darker instead of lighter: darker and darker. As far as I can tell, it isn't midday yet, and you've only slept for about three hours'" (p. 309, The Two Towers). Sam wondered if it was perhaps some storm brewing. Noise could be heard in the distance but whether it was thunder or drums they did not know. Sam realized Gollum was still missing but he did not hold out hope he was lost for good. Frodo hoped nothing happened to Gollum while Sam hoped he didn't cause trouble for them by getting caught by the enemy. "At that moment a rolling and rumbling noise was heard again, louder now and deeper. The ground seemed to quiver under their feet. 'I think we are in for trouble now anyhow,' said Frodo. 'I'm afraid our journey is drawing to an end'" (p. 309, The Two Towers).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 10th
Today's reading comes from: The Two Towers, pages 307-309