Chapter 11: Bring on the Wolves
Erestor gazed at the sky thoughtfully, the day's events playing in his mind. It was evening, and the mountains loomed dark behind the Company. Gandalf rose to address the Company.
"Now, I am sure you are all wondering why we attempted Redhorn Gate when we shall have to pass through Moria," Gandalf began. "Erestor told Aragorn that in the future we had attempted Redhorn Gate with the same results. After much discussion, Aragorn and I decided to follow what should have happened."
"But why?" Boromir interrupted. "It would have saved much of our time and strength."
"Yes, that is true," Gandalf answered. "But how do we know that this day's disasterous misadventure would prove important in the future? The risk of altering what is supposed to happen was far to great."
The others sat silently staring at the ground.
"Now, tomorrow we will start for Mo-" Gandalf began, but a blood chilling howl interrupted him.
"Wolves!" Aragorn cried, jumping to his feet. "The Wargs are west of the mountains!"
The hobbits looked at each other fearfully and Bill walked closer to Sam. Erestor and Galareal sat still, trying not to show their fear. The other men sat with grim, straight faces. A steep contrast to the others, Elwing sat with a smile playing about her lips. Her eyes shone fiercely, the thought of a battle rekindling the adventerous spirit in her.
While the others planned the Company's next move, Elwing gazed across the lands behind them. 'I walked across all that?' she thought in awe. 'No wonder my legs hurt!'
"Lady Elwing!"
Elwing jumped. Turning around she found Galareal behind her.
"Sorry, were you calling me?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes," Galareal answered. "We are going to take shelter on top of this hill tonight."
"Okay," Elwing sighed. "I'm coming."
She reached for her pack, but Galareal got it before her. Galareal grinned.
"I will take this for you Lady," he said.
"Thank you Galareal," Elwing smiled.
The top of the hill was covered with old, twisted trees. In a broken circle of boulder-stones the Company made their camp. Knowing darkness and silence would not hide them from the wolves, they lit a fire.
Elwing sat with her back to a stone and dozed contentedly. She seemed to be the only one in the Company who could sleep. Those not on guard dozed fitfully, if they could doze at all.
Erestor watched as Galareal fidgeted with his bow nervously. Erestor fingered the hilt of his sword thoughtfully. Shining eyes could now be seen watching them outside the stone ring, and the howls were getting closer. Elwing opened her eyes and stretched.
"Oh good, I haven't missed the fun," she whispered to Erestor with a wink.
Erestor smiled nervously and glanced at Galareal sitting next to him. Galareal saw his glance and returned it. Erestor could tell he was scared as well, and it made him feel a little better.
"I hope we don't get turned into wolf chow," Erestor said to Galareal.
"I am with you," Galareal replied nervously.
Suddenly, a large wolf appeared in a gap in the rocks. He let out a fearful howl, as if summoning an attack.
Gandalf stood up and faced the wolf. "Listen, Hound of Sauron!" he cried menacingly. "Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, it you come within this ring."
The wolf snarled and sprang at the Comapany. There were two sharp twangs and the wolf fell with two elven arrows it its throat. Legolas looked at Galareal.
"Your aim has improved, cousin," he said with an approving grin.
Gandalf and Aragorn walked around the ring, but the packs had gone. Elwing walked up to the dead wolf. Even in death, it still looked evil. Elwing shook her head sadly.
'How can Sauron corrupt things this much?' she wondered sadly.
The sun was few hours from rising when Elwing was suddenly started into wakefullness. Howls pierced the air as a large group of Wargs attacked the Company.
"Fling fuel on the fire!" Gandalf yelled to the hobbits. "Draw your blades and stand back to back!"
The fire blazed back to life and by its light Elwing could see the wolves clearly. Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Erestor were fighting back bravely. Legolas and Galareal stood back to back making the air thick with arrows.
Elwing drew her knife and crouched in the shadows. A wolf ran past her and went for Erestor who had his back to the wolf. Breaking into a sprint, Elwing caught up to the wolf and drove her knife to its hilt inbetween the beast's shoulders.
Hearing the wolf cry behind him, Erestor turned around quickly. His mouth opened in surprise when he saw Elwing pulling her knife out of the dead wolf. Elwing grinned at him.
"You better watch out," she warned.
Erestor turned around and saw another wolf racing towards him. Elwing saw Gandalf walk towards the fire and knew the battle would soon end.
Elwing heard a snarl behind her and jumped instinctively to the side. The wolf's teeth closed on air, and he turned on Elwing angrily. Gripping her knife fiercly, Elwing braced herself for the attack. Dodging Elwing's knife, the wolf knocked Elwing onto her back. She gasped in pain as the wolf's claws pierced her shoulder.
"You're lucky that's my left arm," Elwing snarled.
Undaunted, the wolf went for the kill. Elwing shoved her knife up as hard as she could. The wolf leapt away with a yip, it's mouth full of blood. Above them, the trees burst into flame. Bewildered, the wolf tried to run, but Elwing made sure it would never run again.
Clutching her shoulder, Elwing watched as the wolf packs fled. Erestor walked over to her.
"What's wrong with your shoulder?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," Elwing lied.
"Then why are you holding it?" he persisted.
Elwing shrugged and winced. "No reason."
Aragorn walked over and patted Erestor on the back. "You did very well Erestor," he said with a smile.
"Not really, a wolf almost got me from behind, but Elwing killed it," Erestor said.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "She did?" he said, looking at Elwing.
Elwing blushed. "It was nothing," she shrugged, biting her lip as she did so.
Aragorn looked at her closer. "What's wrong?" he asked, worried.
"Nothing," she lied again.
"Let me see your shoulder," Aragorn said.
Elwing backed away. "I'm fine," she growled.
"If you're fine then why is your shoulder bleeding?" Erestor asked.
Elwing shot an angry glance at him. "It's just a scratch, nothing to worry about," she persisted.
"Then let me see," Aragorn said.
With a sigh, Elwing took her hand off the wound. Erestor grew pale and Aragorn drew his breath sharply.
"How did this happen?" Aragorn asked.
"A wolf snuck up on me," she said uneasily. "I tried to avoide him, but he pinned me. I guess his claw scratched me."
"If that's a scratch then I'm a midget," Erestor said.
"Erestor, go get my pack," Aragorn said.
As he waited for Erestor to come back, Aragorn looked at Elwing with new admiration. 'There is more to this little Lady then I thought,' he mused. 'Perhaps bringing her along was not such a bad idea.'
"Here you go," Erestor said, handing Aragorn his pack.
"Thank you Erestor," Aragorn said. "Elwing, sit down right over there and I will dress your wound."
Elwing sat down with a sigh. Aragorn bandaged her wound, then told her to stay there and rest. Erestor walked over and sat next to her.
"I thought you'd like this back," he said, handing her her now-clean knife.
"Thanks," Elwing said, taking it gratefully.
After a few quiet minutes, Erestor spoke again. "How's your shoulder?"
"It's fine," Elwing said. "It doesn't really hurt now."
Another few minutes of silence, then Erestor spoke again. "Thank you," he said quietly, seemingly fascinated with the dirt at his feet.
Elwing looked at him quizzically. "For what?" she asked.
"For saving my life," he replied, still looking down.
Elwing smiled. "Anytime."
Erestor looked at her, and smiled back. Elwing perked up when she heard Boromir speaking.
"I do not know which to hope," he said grimly: 'that Gandalf will find what he seeks, or that coming to the cliff we shall find the gates list forever. All choices seem ill, and to be caught between wolves and the wall the likeliest chance. Lead on!"
Elwing sighed. "Off we go again! At least we will get to see Aria soon."
End Chapter 11
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Erestor gazed at the sky thoughtfully, the day's events playing in his mind. It was evening, and the mountains loomed dark behind the Company. Gandalf rose to address the Company.
"Now, I am sure you are all wondering why we attempted Redhorn Gate when we shall have to pass through Moria," Gandalf began. "Erestor told Aragorn that in the future we had attempted Redhorn Gate with the same results. After much discussion, Aragorn and I decided to follow what should have happened."
"But why?" Boromir interrupted. "It would have saved much of our time and strength."
"Yes, that is true," Gandalf answered. "But how do we know that this day's disasterous misadventure would prove important in the future? The risk of altering what is supposed to happen was far to great."
The others sat silently staring at the ground.
"Now, tomorrow we will start for Mo-" Gandalf began, but a blood chilling howl interrupted him.
"Wolves!" Aragorn cried, jumping to his feet. "The Wargs are west of the mountains!"
The hobbits looked at each other fearfully and Bill walked closer to Sam. Erestor and Galareal sat still, trying not to show their fear. The other men sat with grim, straight faces. A steep contrast to the others, Elwing sat with a smile playing about her lips. Her eyes shone fiercely, the thought of a battle rekindling the adventerous spirit in her.
While the others planned the Company's next move, Elwing gazed across the lands behind them. 'I walked across all that?' she thought in awe. 'No wonder my legs hurt!'
"Lady Elwing!"
Elwing jumped. Turning around she found Galareal behind her.
"Sorry, were you calling me?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes," Galareal answered. "We are going to take shelter on top of this hill tonight."
"Okay," Elwing sighed. "I'm coming."
She reached for her pack, but Galareal got it before her. Galareal grinned.
"I will take this for you Lady," he said.
"Thank you Galareal," Elwing smiled.
The top of the hill was covered with old, twisted trees. In a broken circle of boulder-stones the Company made their camp. Knowing darkness and silence would not hide them from the wolves, they lit a fire.
Elwing sat with her back to a stone and dozed contentedly. She seemed to be the only one in the Company who could sleep. Those not on guard dozed fitfully, if they could doze at all.
Erestor watched as Galareal fidgeted with his bow nervously. Erestor fingered the hilt of his sword thoughtfully. Shining eyes could now be seen watching them outside the stone ring, and the howls were getting closer. Elwing opened her eyes and stretched.
"Oh good, I haven't missed the fun," she whispered to Erestor with a wink.
Erestor smiled nervously and glanced at Galareal sitting next to him. Galareal saw his glance and returned it. Erestor could tell he was scared as well, and it made him feel a little better.
"I hope we don't get turned into wolf chow," Erestor said to Galareal.
"I am with you," Galareal replied nervously.
Suddenly, a large wolf appeared in a gap in the rocks. He let out a fearful howl, as if summoning an attack.
Gandalf stood up and faced the wolf. "Listen, Hound of Sauron!" he cried menacingly. "Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, it you come within this ring."
The wolf snarled and sprang at the Comapany. There were two sharp twangs and the wolf fell with two elven arrows it its throat. Legolas looked at Galareal.
"Your aim has improved, cousin," he said with an approving grin.
Gandalf and Aragorn walked around the ring, but the packs had gone. Elwing walked up to the dead wolf. Even in death, it still looked evil. Elwing shook her head sadly.
'How can Sauron corrupt things this much?' she wondered sadly.
The sun was few hours from rising when Elwing was suddenly started into wakefullness. Howls pierced the air as a large group of Wargs attacked the Company.
"Fling fuel on the fire!" Gandalf yelled to the hobbits. "Draw your blades and stand back to back!"
The fire blazed back to life and by its light Elwing could see the wolves clearly. Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Erestor were fighting back bravely. Legolas and Galareal stood back to back making the air thick with arrows.
Elwing drew her knife and crouched in the shadows. A wolf ran past her and went for Erestor who had his back to the wolf. Breaking into a sprint, Elwing caught up to the wolf and drove her knife to its hilt inbetween the beast's shoulders.
Hearing the wolf cry behind him, Erestor turned around quickly. His mouth opened in surprise when he saw Elwing pulling her knife out of the dead wolf. Elwing grinned at him.
"You better watch out," she warned.
Erestor turned around and saw another wolf racing towards him. Elwing saw Gandalf walk towards the fire and knew the battle would soon end.
Elwing heard a snarl behind her and jumped instinctively to the side. The wolf's teeth closed on air, and he turned on Elwing angrily. Gripping her knife fiercly, Elwing braced herself for the attack. Dodging Elwing's knife, the wolf knocked Elwing onto her back. She gasped in pain as the wolf's claws pierced her shoulder.
"You're lucky that's my left arm," Elwing snarled.
Undaunted, the wolf went for the kill. Elwing shoved her knife up as hard as she could. The wolf leapt away with a yip, it's mouth full of blood. Above them, the trees burst into flame. Bewildered, the wolf tried to run, but Elwing made sure it would never run again.
Clutching her shoulder, Elwing watched as the wolf packs fled. Erestor walked over to her.
"What's wrong with your shoulder?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," Elwing lied.
"Then why are you holding it?" he persisted.
Elwing shrugged and winced. "No reason."
Aragorn walked over and patted Erestor on the back. "You did very well Erestor," he said with a smile.
"Not really, a wolf almost got me from behind, but Elwing killed it," Erestor said.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "She did?" he said, looking at Elwing.
Elwing blushed. "It was nothing," she shrugged, biting her lip as she did so.
Aragorn looked at her closer. "What's wrong?" he asked, worried.
"Nothing," she lied again.
"Let me see your shoulder," Aragorn said.
Elwing backed away. "I'm fine," she growled.
"If you're fine then why is your shoulder bleeding?" Erestor asked.
Elwing shot an angry glance at him. "It's just a scratch, nothing to worry about," she persisted.
"Then let me see," Aragorn said.
With a sigh, Elwing took her hand off the wound. Erestor grew pale and Aragorn drew his breath sharply.
"How did this happen?" Aragorn asked.
"A wolf snuck up on me," she said uneasily. "I tried to avoide him, but he pinned me. I guess his claw scratched me."
"If that's a scratch then I'm a midget," Erestor said.
"Erestor, go get my pack," Aragorn said.
As he waited for Erestor to come back, Aragorn looked at Elwing with new admiration. 'There is more to this little Lady then I thought,' he mused. 'Perhaps bringing her along was not such a bad idea.'
"Here you go," Erestor said, handing Aragorn his pack.
"Thank you Erestor," Aragorn said. "Elwing, sit down right over there and I will dress your wound."
Elwing sat down with a sigh. Aragorn bandaged her wound, then told her to stay there and rest. Erestor walked over and sat next to her.
"I thought you'd like this back," he said, handing her her now-clean knife.
"Thanks," Elwing said, taking it gratefully.
After a few quiet minutes, Erestor spoke again. "How's your shoulder?"
"It's fine," Elwing said. "It doesn't really hurt now."
Another few minutes of silence, then Erestor spoke again. "Thank you," he said quietly, seemingly fascinated with the dirt at his feet.
Elwing looked at him quizzically. "For what?" she asked.
"For saving my life," he replied, still looking down.
Elwing smiled. "Anytime."
Erestor looked at her, and smiled back. Elwing perked up when she heard Boromir speaking.
"I do not know which to hope," he said grimly: 'that Gandalf will find what he seeks, or that coming to the cliff we shall find the gates list forever. All choices seem ill, and to be caught between wolves and the wall the likeliest chance. Lead on!"
Elwing sighed. "Off we go again! At least we will get to see Aria soon."
End Chapter 11
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