Chapter XIV: Dol-Guldur
THE full moon shone behind a cloud. Gandalf, Merry and Pippin were making a fire. "We have arrived in Dol-Guldur. We will stay here for two days, and then go to Minas Tirith," said Gandalf.
"How long until Minas Tirith?" Merry asked.
"Five days."
"I'm going to stretch my legs for a bit," said Merry. He got up and walked away from the fire.
Just then, the clouds parted, revealing a full moon. Its light shone on Merry, and a growl escaped his throat.
"Merry, what are you growling at?" asked Pippin. "Merry?"
Gandalf turned his head. He saw Merry. "Oh, no. I was afraid of this."
"Of what, Gandalf?"
Merry kept growling. Fur sprouted over his body, his face lengthened into a snout; his fingernails and toenails lengthened into claws. His teeth grew long, pointed, and sharp. The color of his eyes went from blue to yellow, and he dropped onto all fours. The transformation was complete; he was a werewolf. The werewolf raised its fur-covered face to the moon, howled, and ran off into the forest.
"Of that," said Gandalf.
The werewolf ran through the forest, looking for prey. It saw a deer grazing in the field, crouched low in the grass and pounced. The deer was dead in an instant. The werewolf continued to hunt until sunrise, where it reverted to its human form.
Gandalf and Pippin were sitting by the fire having breakfast when Merry emerged out of the forest. His clothes were torn, ragged, and were covered in blood. The color of his eyes had changed back to blue.
"So, how was your 'walk'?" Pippin asked Merry.
"What? I don't know. What happened last night?"
"You turned into a werewolf, that's what," Gandalf told Merry.
"WHAT? HOW!"
"You were bitten by Draugluin, remember? Come, have some breakfast."
The breakfast was eggs, bacon, and toast. After breakfast, Gandalf said, "I just got a message from Legolas last night. He has Sam at Minas Tirith, and we are to go to him immediately."
"LEGOLAS HAS SAM?" Pippin and Merry both yelled. "HOW?"
"He told the wood-elves to give this letter to me," he replied, holding up a piece of parchment. "This is what the letter states:"
Dear Gandalf and Company,
If you are wondering where Sam is, do not fear. I have him, and we are heading to Minas Tirith.
I was hunting on the borders of Mirkwood when I saw Sam on a Nazgul's horse tied up. I shot the horses down and untied Sam. As for the Nazgul, they fled. Sam told me everything about Frodo, Sauron, and your quest.
Please come at once! I wish to talk to you, since this is very urgent!
Legolas
Gandalf folded up the letter. "Well, that's that! Legolas wants us to come to Minas Tirith, so that is what we shall do. We must go at once, and Minas Tirith is a five day journey!"