Toward Orodruin

Sam hurried back to Frodo as quick as he could with Orc gear to wear through Mordor; he felt it best they look as much like Orcs as possible though it was not pleasant to wear. To make matters more complicated he had to sift through the dead bodies and find a smaller Orc somewhat comparable to a hobbit with the markings of the Red Eye on the gear. Morgul insignia's would only arouse suspicion. Sam found an Orc helm and cloak to put over his gear; his supplies were to precious to simply discard and seeing how they couldn't be destroyed it would give their enemies clues if left behind. While Sam had been gone Frodo found his pack rummaged through by the Orcs but they left his lembas bread alone; so this gave them a bit more food. After Sam had a bit to eat (for the Orcs had fed Frodo) they began their trek deeper into Mordor. Sam was anxious to move since he knew it was only a matter of time before something was amiss at Cirith Ungol; plus he felt the presence of a Black Rider when he had gone into the courtyard.

Almost immediately there was a snag. As they came closer to the main gate the power of the Watchers stopped them cold. Frodo thought he was too weary to go on but Sam knew exactly what to do. He withdrew the phial of Galadriel, the Light of Earendil, and it immediately responded to his touch. "'Gilthoniel, A Elbereth!' Sam cried. For, why he did not know, his thought sprang back suddenly to the Elves in the Shire, and the song that drove away the Black Rider in the trees" (p. 191, The Return of the King). The malice of the Watchers was broken and as the hobbits ran through the Gate cracked and crumbled. A single bell was sounded and the Watchers let out a wail. This time it was answered by a Black Rider in the sky that began to swoop immediately down toward Cirith Ungol. Sam quickly led the way and they just turned a corner blocking the Tower from view when the Nazgul landed on the wall and began to shriek. "At any moment now the hunt would begin" (p. 193, The Return of the King).

Frodo was worried they'd be betrayed immediately being the only "orcs" running away from the Tower. But onward they had to go. They found themselves at a bridge spanning a deadly height. They hurried across but near the end they heard an answer to the Black Rider's call. Horns and the sound of feet and clanging metal and hooves. Being nearly over the bridge the fall would not be deadly but without quite knowing what they would fall into the hobbits jumped over the edge. They heard their pursuers hit the bridge even as they fell into something most unexpected: thick and sharp thorn bushes. Neither thought of any living thing growing in Mordor, and while painful, it was much better than landing on rocks. Even though nothing could be heard upon the bridge the hobbits climbed down into the valley. As day broke they reached the bottom and rested. They were exhausted and parched. They had no water and this was a chief danger for the hobbits.

Frodo led a path Northwards, as best he could figure until he could no longer move. The Ring was weighing him down. He stripped out of most of his orc-gear, save his helm and leather jerkin. Sam was worried that a stray arrow or blade or even Gollum, who was not dead, may find him without a mail shirt on and harm Frodo. But it had to be done. Sam wrapped Frodo in his Lothlorien cloak in hopes that it would keep his master hidden. Once again Sam was reminded of Galadriel and said allowed that if she could hear he would ask for water and light. Perhaps he remembered his last wish to the Lady, to find Frodo once again, had come true. They travelled a bit further until Frodo called for another halt; this time because he felt the presence of a Black Rider above. As they began to move again they noticed light, actual light, was growing behind them. "'Look at it, Mr. Frodo,' said Sam. 'Look at it! The wind's changed. Something's happening. He's not having it all his own way. His darkness is breaking up out in the world there. I wish I could see what is going on!'" (p. 196, The Return of the King).

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 15th

Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 189-196