Chapter Five: The Old Forest

“It feels like monsters are gonna leap out at us at any moment.” I said. The Old Forest was definitely creepy enough.

“Don’t worry.” Merry said, “Monsters don’t live in this area. I would know, I’ve been here millions of times.”

Seeing all the trees made me feel very small. Not to mention I was practically screaming on the inside to climb them. It felt like the forest had no end. Eventually my eyelids began to droop.

“Let’s crash here for a while.” I said yawning, “I’m exhausted…-Uh...that means ‘rest’ Sam-san.”

I plopped down in front of a large tree and found a comfortable position. I nodded off to sleep.

…HELP..!

I snapped awake to find myself alone. I ran forwards following the cries for help. It sounded like Pippin-san…

“Uh…hello..?” I said, “Is anyone there?”

A cold voice rose from beneath my feet. Suddenly the air became thin and I could hardly breathe!

Cold be hand and heart and bone,

And cold be sleep under stone:

Never more to wake on stony bed,

Never, till Sun fails and Moon is dead.

In the black wind the stars shall die,

And still on gold here let them lie,

Till the dark lord lifts his hand

Over dead sea and withered land.

A horrible creaking noise followed I walked forward and found a cave below the ledge I was standing on. It was pitch black in the cave but…I had a bad feeling that what-ever-it-was that was in there was a Demon of some sort. The Miasma from the cave caused the air around me to thin. I was getting dizzy…How could I forget…Humans are extremely vulnerable to Miasma and it takes strict training-which wasn’t on Earth-to become used to it.

Ho! Tom Bombadillo!

By water, wood and hill, by reed and willow,

By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!

Come, Tom Bombadillo, for our need is near us!

“Frodo-san! Sam-san! Pippin-san! Merry-san!” I shouted. I didn’t know what to do! I could hardly breathe and I was starting to lose consciousness. Slowly dark patches formed at the corners of my vision. I was going to pass out I knew it. The last thing I heard before passing out was Tom-san. But I never heard it. I had passed out.

“Torishio…Torishio…Wake up!”

Someone slapped me across the face. I let out a cry of pain and I snapped back to conciseness.

“You gave us a right scare!” Sam-san said irritably, “I nearly tripped over you!”

“I…don’t know what happened.” I said defensively, “The Miasma got to me and…”

“Oh…” Merry-san said as if he just remembered, “I forgot…about that…”

At least we were all in one piece. Tom-san came out of the cave holding an armful of treasure. Then suddenly I noticed.

“What happened to your clothes?” I demanded, “What are the white rags for?”

“Now that you mention it…” Frodo-san said, “What happened to our clothes?”

“They are gone.” Tom-san said, “Be grateful that you are all unharmed.” Then he said something which made me yell in shock.

“PLEASE!! THERE’S AN ELEVEN YEAR OLD HERE! ME!!!”

Tom-san chuckled, “Please take these weapons. They were made of the Westernese and will serve you well.” He gave Frodo-san, Sam-san, Pippin-san, and Merry-san leaf shaped daggers. He gave me a short sword with runes engraved into its scabbard and pommel.

“Weird…” I said half drawing it out, “Somehow…I can sense a soul contained in it…It’s like it has a heartbeat…”

Runes were also engraved into the blade. If only I could read them…Merry looked like he had some slight experience with a sword. I would be no help. I made a mental note to take Kendo lessons as soon I got back to Earth. If I ever got back…to home. To Tokyo.

“Don’t think like that!” I suddenly blurted out, “I’m gonna get back to Earth-eventually.”

I could feel everyone stare at me.

“Farewell my good fellows.” Tom-san said, “May good fortune follow you.”

“Don’t worry Torishio.” Sam said a little later patting my shoulder, “You’ll be back in your world soon enough.”

“Define “soon”.” I said.

“Um…” Frodo-san said, “Maybe we should get off the road…”

“Why?” Pippin-san asked.

“I don’t know…” Frodo-san said, “It’s like…there’s some kind of evil presence…”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and my lungs tightened.

“Get off the road! Quick!” Frodo-san shouted. We dashed off and retreated into a hollow.

Horse hooves plodded by our hiding spot and stopped. A heavy boot thudded onto the dirt. A loud sniffing sound as if-whatever it was-was trying to smell us out. My heart nearly stopped.

What are we gonna do? Thought breaking out into a sweat What if that thing finds us? Oh…I wish I could evaporate right here and now…

Frodo-san shifted, I could sense it. The Ring was going loopy! Luckily, Sam-san stopped him before Frodo-san put the Ring on. Merry-san threw a heavy sack and the black rider rode off in that direction.

“What was that?” I gasped, “One of those guys looking for us?”

“Frodo?” Merry-san said.

“We have to leave the Shire.” Frodo-san said, “Now.”

Merry-san nodded, “Ok, Bukleberry ferry, follow me.”

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SANGOCHAN: And that’s chapter five folks!

Lloyd: keep checking for Chapter Six: Strider