Hello! Here is Chapter 7. Please review and let me know if you like it!


Chapter 7 Trouble at the Front

That night I was woken up by Legolas. I was surprised when my hands were not bound, but I still had to double up with o of the elves. This time I was going to ride with Haldir. I was surprised when we mounted that Legolas and Tauriel were not far, as well as the twins. My "guards" were also near. On closer inspection, they had light armor that looked like it had been forged in Lorien.

By daybreak, we were at the edge of Mirkwood. This Woodland Realm was not the evil forest of old when Bilbo and Thorin's company travelled through its depths. However, it was still a dangerous place if you didn't know what you were doing. We continued into its depth, apparently following a path that was not visible to outsiders. I made sure to pay attention in case I decided to escape.

Sometime in the midafternoon we were deep within the forest. We had stopped for a break on the premise to rest the horses. I think in reality, though, it was to appear to Stonn and his elves that my elves were in no hurry and that their guard was down. The tension, however, was thick in the air.

"Here, Storm," said Haldir as we dismounted, "have a drink from my wineskin."

I was so thirsty, I did not argue and took a swig or two before handing it back. I said my thanks as he led me farther into the small clearing, where Tauriel waited with some bread and cheese. I sat down next to her as she handed me some.

I decided to eat it, as I was hungry. This had nothing to do with trust, mind you, I just happened to trust Stonn and his lackeys a lot less than the other group.

"We will arrive early tomorrow morning, Storm," she said as we ate.

"Arrive where and to what purpose?" I asked.

She smiled and said, "We are headed to Thranduil's House. As to the purpose, you will find out soon enough."

I figured she wasn't going to tell me much, but at least I could say I tried.

Suddenly something caught my eye. One of the elves from Stonn's group, ugly by elvish standards, was approaching where we sat. I was on high alert, as he pulled out a wicked looking dagger and held it Tauriel's throat. Had he been a man or a dwarf, he would not have been quick enough to do it.


Tauriel stood slowly when she felt the dagger on her throat. She had not expected this, and from the angry look on Storm's face she had not either.

Storm began to shimmer, and quicker than her eye could see, a tiger was in front of her. The white beast reached out and grabbed her assailant's arm and she heard a sickening snap as Storm broke his arm and a growl escaped her lips. He screamed and dropped the dagger. It was over in less than a few seconds.


Stonn saw the whole thing unfold. Ardo, who had never been patient, had acted on his own and decided to get a rise out of Storm. If he did not act quickly, the plan would fall to ruins and they would be found out. With one easy movement he removed an arrow from his quiver and his bow sang when he released the arrow. Ardo was dead before his knees touched the ground. In order to keep up the façade, he ran forward with concern on his face. Hopefully with a quick explanation, he could keep the plan from falling apart. He could even use this to their advantage.


I cursed under my breath as I saw the life leave Ardo's eyes. I looked up and saw Stonn running toward us with mock concern plastered on his face. I crouched to all fours and took a defensive stance in front of Tauriel and let loose a growl that would have made most wet their pants.

The fake armed himself with another arrow as he came to a stop right in front of me. He pointed the arrow right at my face, hatred evident in in his eyes.

"Are you okay, Tauriel? Has this monster hurt you?" he asked, never taking his eyes off of me.

"I am fine Stonn, it was not her who attacked me, but one of your company. You shot him, why are you pointing an arrow at my hero?" she asked, anger evident in her voice.

By now everyone had seen the whole event unfold and now came forward. Not a good situation, so much for keeping my true identity "secret".

"I shot him because he was in the way; I was trying to shoot him. She used him as a shield. An animal such as this belongs in chains and a cage! I am surprised, Elrond, that you would allow her to walk free."

Elrond walked forward and said, "Lower your weapon Stonn. She is no animal. Your man attacked Tauriel, she was protecting her."

While lowering his weapon he replied, "She is responsible for his death, I will seek out justice. She belongs in a zoo or circus. Diablo, bring forward some rope!"

"Rope?!" Elrond exclaimed, "You will not bind her. She is our responsibility, our charge. You have no say. She will not be bound!"

"I insist, but if you will not I will request an audience and see to it that she is thrown into a dark pit somewhere!" he said walking away.

Two of his company, picked up the dead elf's body. I turned toward Tauriel and asked if she was alright. She replied that she was and I was surprised to feel relief that she was indeed okay. I shifted back to my human form before anyone could ask me. All thoughts of escape had left me, at this point. At least for now, anyway.

"Storm, perhaps you should call Thunder. It may be best if you rode your own horse. We may travel faster this way. Please call some wolves up too. We will do all we can to keep you safe, but extra guards never hurt," ordered Elrond.

I agreed. As he was talking Haldir, Legolas, Glorfindel, and Tauriel had taken up defensive positions around me. I found this very bizarre, because I did not see myself as the one who needed protecting. To me, they needed protecting, but I wasn't about to argue. Stonn, I reasoned, would not try anything. He wanted to get into Thranduil's domain badly, and with blaming the death of Ardo on me and requesting an audience among witnesses, he had all but assured it. I further deduced that he wanted to know what these elves wanted with me, if anything at all. I was starting to think that they did, in fact, want nothing from me other than to help, whatever they thought the help was that I needed. I got the feeling that they weren't going to use me in any way like Sauron had intended. To know for sure though, I needed to get to our destination.

I called Thunder to me and mounted, while the others did. Ping, my little mink, also showed up and curled up around my neck, with a watchful eye on our surroundings. Before I could ask Red, Blue, and Bear, the largest wolves in the pack, silently appeared from the forest around us and took positions around us. They were in their battle forms, and were three fourths the size of my warhorse Thunder. In their normal forms, they are way larger than your average wolf. They defiantly made an impression.


Stonn smiled to himself. Ardo had been a fool, but a loyal one. His mistake had cost him his life, but had assured Stonn entrance to the heart of Mirkwood and had shown the others in his party to follow orders, or they too might meet the same fate. He was surprised when Storm had shifted and at how strong she looked. He was also shocked when three very large wolves, a huge black horse, and a mink had appeared out of nowhere. His was surprised further when four elves, presumably guards, too positions around her on their own horses.

He had no idea who these animals were that seemed to serve Storm, all he could observe was that they all bore the same mark he had first seen on Storm when they killed her parents and brought her back to Mordor all those years ago. He would have to look into it. For now, he would content himself with the knowledge that his plan had worked so far, and he was very close to seeing it succeed.


Well, there you have it! The plot thickens. I wonder what will happen next? Please review and let me know what you think. Any advice, comments, ect. . . are welcome!