Ten Walkers

1

I sat in a room with my sister. She was braiding my hair back into the traditional over-the-ear warrior braids as we oversaw a secret council meeting. Our Father knew we were there.

"—very well, eight companions. Together you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring," Father told the council.

I looked over the nine members. Legolas, the blonde Prince who I had half-raised from a baby after his mother had passed, and Aragorn, my human foster brother. Gandalf they Grey, who had come to Middle Earth when I was barely 100. Another man, Boromir, captain of Gondor, and a Dwarf, Gimli, Gloin's son. Then the four precious hobbits. Stout Samwise, brave Frodo, loyal Meriadoc, and foolish but devoted Peregrin.

I turned to Arwen, "I'm going," I said, "You may be bound to Rivendell, Arwen, but I am not."

"I never could sway you, Myraneth. Go. Protect Aragorn and Frodo."

"I will, streth nin." I told her, and jumped out the window.

I landed in the midst of the council. Father and Aragorn stared, and Legolas looked only slightly amused.

"Not eight companions, but nine. I am accompanying the fellowship."

"Myraneth!" Aragorn hissed.

"Don't even try to talk me out of it, Estel." I told him, stroking the arrow I held between my thumb and forefinger, "Arwen may have her magic bound here, but I do not, Ada," I turned and knelt to Frodo, "As long as you carry this evil, I will help you. I pledge my dagger and my bow to you, little one."

"Myraneth, stop this instance!'

I turned to my Father, "Ada, I will see this quest over. It is my life to give to whom I wish. I will die before I see the Ring in the hands of the enemy."

"Myraneth—"Gandalf started.

"My pledge is made, Mithrandir," I drew my dagger and placed it against my forearm. Before anyone could stop me, I made a small incision in my skin. My blood—a strange blue colour that I shared with no other on earth—dripped onto the metal. It turned blue, too, "I bind myself to thee," I said in Elfish, "You have my word, till the end of all things." My magic reverberated around the council. The men winced, the dwarves more so. The Elves, especially Legolas and my father, looked on in awe.

"I hope you know what you are doing, Myraneth." Ada whispered.

"Have I been wrong before? And anyway, the myraneth will guide us. They know this Middle Earth better than anyone. The wolves respond to me, and me alone. Ada, the myraneth will guide us."

"Very well, myraneth Accolte."

"What's myraneth?" The youngest hobbit asked. Pippin, they all called him.

I told him, "Watch," and I whistled.

A black and silver wolf bounded into the circle. He was giant. Six feet tall at his shoulders, his head was enormous. He was easily bigger than the average horse. He bounded up to me and promptly licked Aragorn from waist to hairline. Silverfang had always loved Aragorn.

"His name is Silverfang. He, along with all of his kind and his smaller cousins, are the myraneth."

"Wolves?" Frodo asked.

"Do not show him fear, and he will not hurt you. He is wild at heart, but he will not harm friends. Let him memorize your scent. You know they are mellon, don't you, boy?" It was then Pippin's turn to be licked. He came out of it drenched and laughing.

"The Fellowship of the Ring. Ten walkers. Very well."

Later on that night, Ada felt he had made the wrong decision, for I suffered another one of my seizures. My cries, usually silent, awoke Arwen, Ada, Aragorn, Gandalf, and half the beings in Rivendell.

"You cannot allow her on this quest, Ada!" Arwen cried as she pinned my arms to my sides. I was held paralyzed in my agony.

"Her vow has been made," This was Gandalf, "Had it not been, I wouldn't have let her near this quest."

"These have not ailed her in years. I fear the exposure to so much evil has renewed them. Estel, watch over her. Ask Legolas to do the same."