[Boromir88]

Despite the cold, and the contant beating of rain, Rory was in relatively high spirits compared to the other hobbits. His nose began to turn red, and his stomach began to grumble, as the apple he had in the morning hadn't been nearly enough to fill him. He was starting to think the waters were getting unsafe to travel down. Whatever Sondo had in mind for today, it's better to be safe then sorry, as my gaffer said, and we can always continue once the rain has stopped, he thought to himself.

That's when Bingo let out a shout making his thoughts heard, "Excuse me please, do you think we might stop for lunch and take some shelter from this rain. Anyways, if we don't stop soon, I think I am going to be sick......"

"There's no sense in going forward, these rapids are getting too rough." Rory chimed in. He noticed Falco began to study Sondo, as if waiting to see what he would do.

Sondo first acted like he didn't hear Bingo, nor Rory, but the grumbles began to grow and decided he had to try to convince the boys they must continue. Amongst the conversation, they lost track of the raft, and heard a bump. Sassy was trying to steer the boat towards the shore and land, the hobbits began to shout "Stop!"

"We're in treacherous rapids now. It's better to let the water carry you then fight it, as my pa used to say." Rory shouted above the growing noise of the storm. The skies began to light up with flashes, and boomed with thunder.

"What do you suppose we do then?" said Sondo. "Let the waters and rocks rip this raft apart? Or have the raft fling us into unknown territories?"

"No!" screamed Rory, "But often when trying to fight the river you could only make things worse....and with this raft already tipping in calm waters, we don't know what will happen."

Another yell was heard, but it was a girl's voice, and a cry of help. Sassy slipped and began sliding...off the raft! "Help!" Sondo knocked Rory aside and dove for his little sister. "I got you" he said in a sigh of relief, and pulled her back on board. "Are you ok?" Sassy said yes, as she stood up and brushed herself off. The rapids were only getting worse, Sondo needed to do something. "If we work together we can get this raft, and us, to the shore safely." He then looked at Rory suspicously, wondering what he was thinking. Rory didn't say anything, and he wasn't about to do anything, unless everyone was against him.