action.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo arrives rolling and tumbling across the floor.

There was a great shadow over him then, something with a terrible stench and legs too numerous to count. And now, light. He shields himself from the brightness and scoots back until he bumps against the wall, then scrambles to find shelter behind a couch. It hurts his eyes. The air is suddenly too clear, everything too clean. He fears it is a trick.

He speaks in a hush, afraid to alert the enemies but more afraid of being alone. ]

Sam? Where are you, Sam?

Comments

[silvertree]

[Quite the spectacle there.

Celeborn almost didn't know what to think once he saw the hobbit stumble by. Stranger happenings have befallen upon other wayfarers here in the past, but Frodo looked absolutely petrified.

Uncertain whether or not he should make his presence known, the Lord of Lothlórien approached.]

...You are the ringbearer.

[bronwe]

[ Petrified yes, finally someone who understands. The sight of the bright elf approaching makes him more afraid but in a different way, more pleasant. He remembers him, of course. ]

No. Stay away.

[silvertree]

[A curious look crossed Celeborn's stern features as he inched closer to the halfling. The poor creature was scared out of his wits. Terrified, even. Simple words alone won't be enough to pull the frightened hobbit out from his trance, so Celeborn chose not to bother with them.

Instead, he outstretched his hand towards Frodo and did his best to smile.]

Come, I mean you no harm.

[bronwe]

[ The ring corrupts everyone and he knows he would not be able to escape him were the Lord of Lothlórien decide he wants it for himself. But there is another cause to his fear.

He takes that hand with some hesitation. ]

I cannot leave. Sam must be searching for me.

[silvertree]

[ Once Frodo offered his hand to him, Celeborn gently lead the halfling towards the nearest chair he could find. It was a fatherly gesture on his part, a role he's becoming increasingly more comfortable with.

Whatever fear that gripped this young hobbit's heart must be purged first before he tells the youth anymore about his plight.]

Sam?

[The name seemed quite familiar to him.]

Frodo, listen to me well. [He began softly.] This is not Middle-earth.

[bronwe]

[ Frodo follows, looking about for any sign of his friend, though he doesn't take the chair. It seems disrespectful to sit while the Lord stands.

He listens, and waits for his mind to digest it. But he doesn't understand. ]

My companion. He is a hobbit like me. We were pursued by a great shadow--

[silvertree]

[ He gestured his hand towards the chair again in hopes that Frodo would sit.]

I know of whom you speak.

[Celeborn has his suspicions as of who this great shadow might be, but he doesn't want to alarm Frodo further.]

A Nazgûl?

[bronwe]

[ Now it seems rude not to obey. Frodo looks to the chair then to Celeborn, then climbs onto it, furry feet hovering in the air. ]

No. It had many feet and the most terrible stench.

[ If you can believe anything smells worse than this hobbit does now. ]

[silvertree]

[The odor was indeed a tad fierce, but Celeborn did his best to ignore it. He's more interested in hearing more about this beast that chased the poor hobbit here. ]

Many feet and a terrible stench?

[A moment of thought passed the elf by until a noticeable look of alarm appeared within his gaze.]

You speak of a beast more dangerous than any foe, Frodo.

[bronwe]

[ Maybe it was good that he didn't know more than that it might be some friend of the orcs or a wild creature grown dark and unnatural in that vile land. Frodo shrinks a little, unsure if he's describing this beast right. ]

It was dark. I could see little.

[silvertree]

[Celeborn's hand comes to rest upon the halfling's shoulder as a sign of comfort.]

Worry not, you are safe now.

[No harm shall come to Frodo as long as the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien had a say in it.]

[bronwe]

[ It takes him time to feel comfortable with elves such as Celeborn, mighty as he is. But he attempts a meek smile the same as he would give Elrond, the one he knows better. ]

Is this castle under your protection too?