Author Note: I do not own any of the characters, except for Lance. For those LotR fans who have not read Chronicles of Narnia, so far the only Narnian in the story is Aslan. BTW: Lance, Megilenelen, Estelnarnia are my original ideas/characters. They do not like to be used without permission. Lance may transform and bite any unsuspecting character thief. :-) I do not mind if my OC is used in another story, just let me know and e-mail the story title. There will be more OCs coming but I get ahead of myself. Please R/R
Chapter 1: Roar in the Night
Not much is known of the history of the mysterious lion-man. Some said he was a cursed being, others that he had been born as he was. None would trust him but his appearance was destined to change the course of both history and one Man's fate.
The Lion paced back and forth, eying Weathertop. The Nazgul were close, he could sense it. With a low growl, the lion strode up the path toward Weathertop. Once he had reached the top, the lion settled and waited. He had waited an hour when he heard the shrieks of the Nazgul and the cries from the four hobbits. He rose as the hobbits appeared, running from the Ringwraiths. He spotted the Ringbearer and his eyes narrowed. The Nazgul would be able to see Frodo if Frodo put on the Ring. The other hobbits were in front of him but the Nazgul were forcing the brave hobbits away from the Bearer. Lance growled as Frodo backed away from the Nazgul.
Frodo struggled against the Ring's terrible power. Ring and finger trembled a moment longer and then the Ring slipped onto his finger. Frodo gasped, seeing that the Nazgul approached. Terrified Frodo tried to slip backward. The Nazgul began to reach for him and something landed in its path, letting loose a roar of fury.
Get on my back.
"What?"
Make haste! Jump to my back and take off the Ring.
Frodo leapt to the lion's back, managing to take off the Ring. The Nazgul let out a screech but even as the sound ripped through Frodo, the lion was moving.
Hold tight!
Frodo clung to the great beast as it leapt downward. He wanted to scream but it wouldn't come as they sailed into darkness. The lion shoved off a small cliff, beginning a series of leaps between the rocks. Their descent slowed and, the next Frodo knew, the lion was racing along the road. The lion ran, making no sound as the road curved before them.
"Where are you taking me?"
Rivendell. That is where you are bound, are you not?
"How did you know?"
My king sent me to you.
"Who is that?"
For now, I hold silence. You may find out in time.
"You can't keep running forever."
True. When dawn breaks, I will seek shelter.
"My friends?"
They will be fine. Strider will bring them to Rivendell. He knows of me.
The two were silent as the miles fell away beneath the lion's paws. Frodo clung to the lion's mane, knowing the great cat had saved him. The road gleamed in the moonlight, guiding them through the night. As dawn approached, the lion left the road and began to scout through the forest, ever continuing toward Rivendell. Just as the sun rose, the lion ducked into a small cave and settled with a satisfied growl. Frodo slipped off and lay next to the lion, asleep before his head touched the lion's side. The lion looked at him a moment, then curled closer to the hobbit and slept.
"And then this lion landed right in front of the Nazgul and roared. I saw Frodo on its back when it jumped off the cliff. The Nazgul left and…and…" Merry fell silent, unable to continue. Strider gave a nod and looked up at the sky.
"The lion challenged the Nazgul?"
The three hobbits nodded.
"Do not fear for Frodo." The hobbits started as Strider continued, "I have heard tales of this lion. It despises evil and many have been saved by its timely appearance. Villains have begun to fear the lion more than the Rangers, which is no small praise. We must move on, to Rivendell. There, I believe you will meet Frodo and his feline protector."
Frodo clung to the lion, Lance, he reminded himself. Lance had carried him for four nights, allowing them both to rest during the day. The lion had said little of himself, except his name. Frodo had found out that Lance knew why the Nazgul had attacked him and that Lance had been waiting just in case the Ringbearer might need his aid.
The ford is near. This will be the hardest part.
"Jumping down Weathertop wasn't?"
Lance chuckled. True. The tone hardened. This time, the Nine will be upon us as we run. I will not deceive you. I cannot outrun their mounts for long. If I turn and face them, you must jump from my back and run. Run for Rivendell, it will not fail you. I will hold them as long as may be. Do not look back.
"But that would be abandoning you. I can't do that."
You must. They cannot have the Ring. If it costs my life to stop them, so be it. I have lived long and I do not regret any sacrifice for this world. Lance looked back at Frodo. Promise me that you will run.
Frodo sighed. "I promise."
Then we run, one last time.
Lance surged forward, muscles bunching under Frodo as the lion carried them across the ford. The Nazgul were immediately upon them but Lance dodged their reaching hands. He ran, leaping up the bank and racing for Rivendell. The Nazgul gave chase, determined that their prey should not escape them. Lance kept ahead for a time but the black horses were gaining. Not yet, Frodo cried in his head. We're so close. Rivendell's gates creaked open, Elvish archers ready to force the Nine back. Frodo felt the muscles surge again and Lance gained a small lead on the Nazgul. Then the black horses had reached them and Frodo dodged a mail covered hand. Lance sprang forward, turning in mid-air to land facing the Nine.
Run!!!
Frodo leapt from Lance's back and ran for the gates as a roar shattered the air behind him. Please don't die. Frodo reached the gates and looked back as one of the black horses kicked the lion back. The lion rose, roaring again. An arrow struck the offending horse and the beast panicked. The panic spread to its fellows and the Nazgul were borne away by their terrified steeds. Frodo cheered, then saw that Lance had collapsed and lay still in the road.