[alaklondewen]

Ferd looked up when Ama cried out just to see the water crash against the boat. The next few seconds were chaotic and Ferd was thrown into the freezing water. His body went numb for a moment and then he began to kick wildly, but the undercurrent was too fast for him to return to the surface immediately.

Forcing himself to calm down, Ferd consciously stopped moving. The water gave him a moment of grace, and he was able to get his head above the surface. Gasping for air, he searched for the others and the boat, but the water was too violent and prevented his seeing anything.

The current took him closer to the shore and he noticed something sticking up out of the water. Before he knew what happened, Ferd took hold of the object that turned out to be a large branch. His body swung around the limb and stopped. Holding on to that branch with every ounce of energy and wit he had left, Ferd fought the current and pulled himself up and partly onto the wood.

Something dark was in the water coming toward him, and Ferd reached out and grabbed what appeared to be one of his fellow adventurers. Using all of his strength, Ferd pulled Falco out of the water. Falco was struggling for breath, and Ferd could see fear in his eyes. “It’s okay! I’ve got you!” Ferd shouted over the deafening noise of the river. “Here, hold on to this!” Ferd helped Falco take hold of the branch, and the two bewildered hobbits slowly pulled their way along the limb to the shore.

When Ferd reached the dry land, he fell on his face and lay for several minutes. His chest heaved and his body was numb. His eyes opened to see Falco lying next to him with his eyes closed. “Falco! Are you okay? Can you hear me, buddy?” Ferd shook Falco until he opened his eyes and smiled up at Ferd. The chubby hobbit felled backward and sighed. Falco breathed, “I’m okay, I’m okay.”

Ferd stood up and looked around anxiously for the others. Mirabella was up shore from them, and she seemed to be conscious at least. Turning around, he saw Penny lying on the ground. “Falco! I think Penny’s hurt. Come on, I need your help!” Ferd shouted wildly.