Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[peony_foxburr]

The Black Riders had finally caught up with them again, and Frodo was dreadfully injured by one of them. The rest of the night was spent keeping the fire going and bathing his wound with the athelas Strider found.

Peony whispered to Sam, "I wanted to do something, but the Riders made me so--afraid."

Sam whispered back, "At least you kept your mouth shut and stood your ground when they came."

Peony grinned in spite of herself. "That's because I was even more afraid of screaming like a girl!"

At first light they set out to the south, where they would find concealment--and firewood--in the woodlands. Frodo rode Bill the Pony, and Sam walked alongside. Though they all moved as quickly as they could, Peony could hear Sam's voice now and then, speaking words of encouragement to his master. She wondered how he could find the breath to do so.