Chapter Two: Evidence of the Approaching Shadow

They left for Rivendell just as the sun was rising. In just a few short hours, Cutter was beginning to see each of his new companions' personalities. Strider was grim and direct, but fiercely determined to protect Frodo from harm. Samwise was loyal, sensible, and very protective of his friend. Pippin and Merry were a constant source of entertainment since one would always 'bicker' with the other. And Skywise found, to his complete and utter amazement, that he could trust Strider, since he was so unlike any other human he had met. The whole day was spent walking (and sometimes running) almost nonstop. Finally, in the evening, Strider paused to point out a distant stand of rocks to his weary companions.

"That was once the great Watchtower of Amon Sul. We'll stop there for the night." Strider said, as he headed towards the crumbling, ruin-topped hill. When they had reached the sheltering rocks, the hobbits collapsed in a heap, too tired to take another step.

"Cutter, Skywise, can you guard them for me? I need to take a look around." Strider said, as he started to leave. Cutter and Skywise nodded.

"Then I leave them to you. I won't be long." Strider said, before disappearing into the growing gloom.

"That 'Strider' is unlike any human I have ever seen. He does things that seem almost……elfin. He even knows our language." Skywise commented, as dusk began to settle over the land.

"Yes. Perhaps there is more to Strider than he lets on. And there might be more to him than even he realizes." Cutter murmured, turning his head when he heard the hobbits begin to snore.

"I wonder if those Nazgul things are still out there. And if they will try to come after Frodo again." Skywise mused. Cutter shrugged.

"If what Strider had said was true, then they probably still will. We can only hope we can reach Rivendell before they catch up." Cutter said, quietly. Silently, Skywise agreed, but part of him wondered why Cutter was putting himself in harm's way. After a few hours, three of the hobbits had awakened and were setting about starting a fire.

"What are you three up to now?" Cutter asked, as he looked at the three.

"Getting a fire started so we can cook something. Do you want something to eat?" Sam asked.

"No, thank you. Just be sure to keep that fire small. We can't afford to be spotted by unfriendly eyes." Cutter said, getting nods from the three in understanding. Not even an hour later, Frodo sat bolt upright from where he'd fallen asleep and looked at the small fire his companions had built.

"What are you doing?!" Frodo yelped, in alarm.

"Cookin' some supper. Do you want…………?!" Pippin started, but was stopped when Frodo dashed over and started stamping on the fire in an effort to put it out.

"Put it out you fools! Put it out!" Frodo shouted, as dirt was thrown onto the flames as well. Then a dreaded sound came to their ears; a sound they had been hoping they wouldn't hear. It was the soul-rending screech of the Nazgul. Quickly, Frodo and the others went to the edge of the rocky precipice and looked down. To their horror, they saw the Nazgul moving through the mists towards them.

"The Nazgul! Why didn't we scent them?!" Skywise asked, fear starting anew in his voice.

"I don't know! To the top, everyone! They must not catch us here!" Cutter shouted, as he whipped New Moon out of its sheath and started running. Up and up they ran, till they had reached the top of the ruined watchtower. When they got there, they stood huddled together, watching with wild, fear-filled eyes as the Nazgul emerged from the gloom, their swords bared and ready to kill.

"Back you devils!" Sam suddenly shouted, as he leaped at the Nazgul with a sword Strider had given him earlier in hand. He was batted away effortlessly by the undead.

"Close it up!" Cutter shouted, growling as one Nazgul took a swing at him. He, along with Skywise, Merry, and Pippin, were also knocked aside by the RingWraiths, who were clearing a path for the lead Nazgul to get to Frodo. They could only watch as Frodo backed away, dropping his own sword as he went. In his fear he failed to look backwards and stumbled, falling to the ground with a look of terror on his face. Cutter snarled and rushed forward before Skywise could restrain him, and he stood in front of Frodo with New Moon gripped in both hands.

"Cutter! Frodo!" Samwise shouted, as he watched the stalwart elf stare down the dreaded Witch King. Frodo stared in wonder at the small elf; an elf who was no bigger than a hobbit, was standing his ground in front of the very Black Breath that could fell an elf twice his size.

"What kind of elf is this, that could stand such a dreadful thing standing in front of him?" Frodo wondered, then let out a yell when the Witch King backhanded the elf chieftain and the standstill was broken. As fear started to take over again, Frodo reached into his breast pocket and felt the One Ring. Seconds later, he vanished from sight again. For a moment, Cutter, though dazed by the blow from the Nazgul leader, thought that the gentle hobbit was safe, but then he heard a scream that told him otherwise. It was a scream he'd heard many times before, and it was one that made his blood boil; it was a scream of agony. With a howl of equal fury, Cutter launched himself at Frodo's assailant, landing on the Nazgul's back with the grace of a wildcat. But, before he could dig New Moon into the grooves between armor plates, Cutter was dislodged from the undead being's back and thrown to the ground. Skywise watched from where the other three hobbits were in horror as one of the other Nazgul removed a knife from his belt and stabbed Cutter in the shoulder with it. This got an identical outcry of pain from Cutter, and there was a mental scream as well.

/*/ Tam! /*/ Skywise sent, when he felt Cutter's agonized cry.

/*/ Fahr………./*/ Cutter replied, his Send voice almost a sob of pain. Before either of them could react, Strider appeared from nowhere, with a torch in one hand and his sword in the other. At first Skywise instinctively growled and guarded his wounded chief, but then realized something that threw all his previous beliefs on humans out the window; Strider was protecting them! As fiercely as a she-wolf defended her cubs, Strider lashed out against the Nazgul…….and was winning against them! Skywise watched in awe as the Ranger drove the dark beings off.

/*/ Tam, do you see? Those Nazgul are being driven off! Strider's chasing them off with fire! /*/ Skywise Sent, as Cutter looked blearily up at him.

/*/ Strider is a good person, Fahr. There is much we can learn from him. Much we can learn…………./*/ Cutter sent, then trailed off when a violent shudder shook him.

"Let me see their wounds." Strider said, quietly, as he looked at Frodo, then Cutter's shoulders. The three hobbits and Wolfrider watched as all the color drained from Strider's face.

"What's wrong with them? Why do they feel so cold?" Skywise asked, afraid for his chief and the gentle Baggins.

"They've both been stabbed by a Morgul blade. We must get to Rivendell quickly. We don't have any time to lose." Strider said, as he picked both of the wounded up and started carrying them away from the ruins. As they rushed through the night, Skywise was ever on the alert, eyes peering keenly into the shadows.

"This reminds me too much of the night when the Father Tree Holt was destroyed." Skywise thought, his mind almost bringing into being the threatening heat and light of flames. Despite his dark musings about flames and fire, he, the hobbits, and Strider could hear the Nazgul behind them, their screams bone-chilling and ever too close for comfort.

"Strider, you're a Ranger! Surely you must know some kind of healer's craft!" Samwise shouted.

"This is beyond my skill to heal. They both need Elvish medicine." Strider replied, as Frodo groaned in pain. Cutter, on the other hand, was already unconscious. Then Strider paused and looked around.

"Sam, Skywise, do you know of the athelas plant?" Strider asked, as he gently set the two members of their group down.

"Athelas?" Samwise asked.

"Kingsfoil." Strider said, translating the Elvish word.

"Aye, that's a weed." Sam said, recognizing the name.

"It might help to slow the poison." Strider said, as he and Sam took off. Skywise stood where he was, frozen in shock. Cutter was lying on the ground, deathly pale and still, beside an equally pale Frodo.

/*/ Tam? /*/ Skywise sent.

/*/ Fahr?………………It's cold……………..It's so cold…………..worse than any white cold I have ever felt…………….help me, Fahr. Please help me. /*/ Cutter's send voice pleaded, sounding so afraid in that moment, that Skywise could barely recognize the voice as belonging to his chief.

/*/ I'll help you, Tam. Just hold on. /*/ Skywise replied, as he started searching for athelas as well. He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder, but was relieved when he saw the concerned faces of Merry and Pippin gazing back at him.

"Are you all right, Skywise?" Pippin asked, worriedly. Skywise shook his head, he could feel his resolve slipping.

"Cutter…………I can feel his pain…………….as keenly as though it were my own………" Skywise said, as tears welled in his eyes. With gentleness only hobbits seemed to have, Merry draped his traveling cloak over Skywise's shoulders and they both guided him over to a seat next to their fallen comrades. Then, just as hopelessness was settling over them, they heard voices. Soft, gentle voices that woke both hobbit and Wolfrider from the call of the shadow.

"Frodo, Cutter, im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad." A female elf said, as she and her male companion walked gracefully into the glade, appearing almost from nowhere before the stunned eyes of Skywise and the hobbits. To Cutter and Frodo, it seemed almost as though both of the elves were bathed in golden light. As soft murmurs were exchanged between the two elves and Strider, Skywise learned that the two elves were named Arwen and Glorfindel. He also learned that they had been searching for them for two days, and that five RingWraiths were behind them.

"Stay here with them. I'll send horses after you." Strider said, as he placed Frodo into the saddle of Arwen's horse.

"No. I am the faster rider. I'll get him there sooner." Arwen replied.

"The road is too dangerous." Strider objected, sounding very worried about her.

"If I can cross the river, then the power of my people will protect them." Arwen argued, as Skywise gazed curiously at them, then at the tall elf that had Cutter in his arms.

"Do not fear, little cousin. The light of the stars will shine upon your friend for many years to come, have no worry of that." Glorfindel assured, when he saw the frightened look in Skywise's wide blue eyes.

"Cutter survived many evils before this, and he will live to see many more before his days are through." Skywise said, but with little hope in his voice. Glorfindel nodded quietly, and watched as Strider and Arwen exchanged a few more words, then she mounted.

"Do not worry, we'll make it." Glorfindel said, reassuringly, as he carefully placed Cutter on his horse, then mounted as well.

"Take care of him. I'll hunt you down if you don't." Skywise threatened, his gaze strangely very stern.

"Don't worry. I will make certain that no more harm comes to your friend. I promise." Glorfindel said, calmly.

"Ride hard, you two. Don't look back." Strider said, as both elves nodded, spurred their horses into action, and galloped into the night.

"What're you doing?! They're six days from Rivendell! They'll never make it!" Samwise shouted, in alarm.

"They must. They must make it to Rivendell……….they must!" Skywise thought, hoping against hope that the two elves would reach Rivendell in time.

For several days, Arwen and Glorfindel raced against time. Through woods and hilly plain they raced, all the while with the Nazgul closing in. Cutter gasped as each impact of the horse's hooves to the earth sent shockwaves of pain through him. Faintly, Cutter could hear the Nazgul riding close behind them, closing in for the kill, and hoped that the tall elves knew what they were doing. He wasn't aware of time passing; all he was aware of was the pain and the growing cold. Then he heard a voice, a gentler voice than the one that had been calling to him had been.

"Cutter, lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad." The voice commanded, as warm light entered Cutter, driving back the darkness and healing him both inside and out.

/*/ Who are you? Where am I? /*/ Cutter sent, now feeling new strength flow into him as well.

/*/ I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, and you are in my domain. Sleep now, young chieftain. We'll speak later. /*/ the voice replied, in kind, as Cutter relaxed and drifted into normal slumber.

Skywise watched as Elrond did what he could to help Cutter.

"Will he be all right?" Skywise asked, worriedly.

"He will be, but he's got to remain still for awhile. Glorfindel got him here just in time. Any later and the poison would have spread to his heart. This one has got a strong will. Any other elf would have succumbed to the poison long before." Elrond said, as he ungracefully wiped some sweat from his brow with his tunic sleeve.

"Do you use your own strength to heal?" Skywise asked, noticing the tired look in the elf lord's eyes.

"In some ways I do. Most of the time I rely on herbal lore and more direct approaches." Elrond replied, as he led a reluctant Skywise out of the room and down the hall.

"Cutter's mate, Leetah, is a healer. She uses only her own strength to heal. Her first positive contact with my tribe was when she healed a tribesman of ours." Skywise said, as he walked along, trying to get his mind off of what had happened to Cutter.

"I take it that things didn't go well between them on their first meeting?" Elrond asked, sounding slightly amused. Skywise grinned slightly and shook his head.

"Nope. And then there was Rayek to deal with, and he was a pain in the wolf's rear end, have no doubt about that!" Skywise said, with a short laugh.

"I'm sure. I had trouble courting my own wife in the beginning. But let's leave that between you and me, okay?" Elrond said, thoroughly enjoying talking to the smaller elf.

"Okay." Skywise agreed, then jumped out of the way when someone approached to talk to Elrond.

"Mithrandir. On your way to see the elf chieftain?" Elrond asked.

"Yes. And I take it that this is his companion?" an elderly looking human asked, as he looked down upon Skywise. Elrond nodded.

"This is Skywise. He is the close friend and confidant to Cutter." Elrond said, as he introduced Skywise to the old man.

"Pleased to meet you, Skywise. I have heard that your chief was brave enough to stand up to the Witch King. Is that true?" Mithrandir asked, not unkindly.

"It is true. Cutter stood up to that undead creature just as surely as he'd killed Madcoil, several turns of the seasons back. He's as stubborn and hot-blooded as his father, sometimes." Skywise said, feeling that he could trust this strange old human. Mithrandir smiled a strange, sad, yet knowing smile, almost as though he knew what had happened to Cutter's father.

"Yet your chief must have inherited some of his courage as well, or he would never have done that. So, what are you and Cutter doing here, so far from home?" Mithrandir asked, with some curiosity in his dark eyes.

"Cutter and I left home to find our scattered kin. We ran into the hobbits and Strider by accident. I have the feeling that our original quest is going to be put on hold for awhile. Am I right when I say that?" Skywise asked, as he looked up at the old man.

"You could be. As it is now, you and your friend will be hunted down, since you now know what it is that Frodo is carrying. But all will be decided at the Council. Right, Elrond?" Mithrandir asked, as he turned his attention to the pensive Lord of Rivendell.

"Indeed it will, Gandalf. Some way or another, the fate of the Ring……and Ringbearer, will be decided at the Council." Elrond said, looking and sounding tired again, as his thoughts turned again to the Ring.

"Sir, now I'm confused. What is your name? First he's calling you Mithrandir, then he's calling you Gandalf. Is Mithrandir your soul name?" Skywise asked, surprising both wizard and elf lord. Then Mithrandir chuckled, amused by the young elf's confusion.

"Mithrandir is what the elves usually call me, Master Skywise. My true name is Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey. The name Mithrandir, or 'Grey Wanderer' is more of a nickname than anything else." Gandalf explained. Skywise nodded slowly in understanding. Then he turned and gave Elrond a questioning look.

"Lord Elrond, there is something I would like to know about Strider; is he part elf or something? He thinks and acts so much like the elves I have seen here." Skywise said, earning a surprised look from the elf lord. Then Elrond composed himself and gave the younger elf a warm smile.

"This young one is going to prove to be a handful! If only we had enough time to teach him the things those of Imladris have been able to learn. But these are dark times, and the time we elves had thought to be limitless is running out. And our only hope lies in the two small hands of one halfling from the Shire." Elrond thought, grimly.

"Well, there is some elf blood in Strider somewhere, since some of his background is linked to that of my own bloodline." Elrond replied, then added, "And to add to it, he lived most of his life here, before leaving to become a Ranger."

"Oh………..That explains a lot. So, when's the council?" Skywise asked, curiously.

"When Master Baggins and Master Cutter are awake and about. That is when the Council will be held. Until then, rest up. There won't be much time to, when you leave from here." Gandalf advised. Skywise's expression sobered and he nodded in understanding, remembering all too well the danger he and the others had faced on Weathertop.

Author's Note!

Sorry if this chapter didn't make any sense! It's just that I am trying to remember all that had happened during the movie, Fellowship of the Ring, and also think of ways to make this crossover work. I hope it wasn't too confusing! ^ ^;;

Gemini