Chapter Five (Introductions & Speculations)

Thandir kept the tip of his sword near the base of the boy's skull encouraging him not to so much as twitch as his captain looked over Amras' arm to see if it could be salvaged at all. It was treated with what they had on hand then bound to the best of their ability, but it would take an actual healer to inform them if the man would keep his arm or if it would have to be cut off. If that happened, there was no telling how the man would respond to the loss of his arm. There had been some that would continue on as Rangers, fighting even one handed as one did when injured in battle; or he could become despondent and either waste away until he was empty or put himself to use some other way.

The only one they would trust with diagnosing, curing, or even amputating, would be Lord Elrond and the elves of Imladris. Speed would be of the essence as was the case in all injuries when it came to treatment and infection. Which was why they had talked amongst themselves and knew from their current location both Bree and Rivendell were about the same distance. In Bree, where they were looked down upon and with little to no love, it was likely their comrade would lose his arm receiving subpar treatment.

It was decided that they would split up despite the risks that would entail leaving the two that weren't making haste towards Imladris in the company of the warg. Thandir and Nathor would keep heading back towards Tharbad as planned. It was more defensible even with its ruinous state than the wild. With luck and all four of their horses they should be able to make good time. Without the scent of the predator, the Rangers shouldn't have to worry about the horses trying to run off. It actually was happenstance that had their small party with traveling mounts rather than just a supply pony. They had tied the beasts up a ways back in order to try and get the drop on the warg and its rider.

The boy had tried to use their distraction when the sword dropped a little as his captor's attention was taken by his fellows to make his way to the warg. Thandir recovered quickly and had his sword tip pricking the skin between his captive's shoulders in warning. "Do not move."

"He's hurt too!"

"He'll live," came the dismissive answer more concerned with the health of his friend than the beast. "Do not move," the Ranger warned once again but this time it was directed towards the warg whom had growled and inched closer when the blade had pricked the boy's back. In response the child after giving a command to the beast, turned and scowled at him, uncaring that the blade was now at his breast. His anger very clearly writ upon his face and in his eyes. Coupled with the anger, frustration was laced in the boy's voice when he retorted, "We're not your enemy."

"You be not our friends either," Nathor stated from where he saw off his subordinates.

It seemed as if the boy was about to retort but thought better about it as if debating with himself about something before an almost cunning expression crossed his face. "He'll slow you down limping."

"Shant I remedy that by killing it then?"

"I'll find a way to kill you if you do."

"You're not proving a case to keeping you alive." Despite what he said, Nathor would wait to see what their chief would rule. It was just too strange for a warg and a child to be out this far. They were an enigma that needed to be answered.

"If you let me heal him, he could help keep us safe." Thandir scoffed as did his captain. The boy undeterred continued. "You can't watch us and the enemy if or when they attack."

"And how do we know that you won't have him attack us the moment our backs our turned? As yet, we haven't established that you're not our enemy."

Huffing, the boy muttered something unintelligible under his breath before repeating what he'd stated before, "We're not your enemy!"

"And I'm to take your word for it?"

"I took you at yours."

This was true. The boy had allowed himself to be bound once he'd had their word that they wouldn't harm his warg further. "What is your name?"

Dark brows furrowed over green eyes in puzzlement as the boy seemed to try and figure out why he wanted to know. "It's only polite isn't it? I'm Nathor and the one holding the sword to you is, Thandir."

There was a moment where the boy stared at him intently before he finally stated, "Harry."

Both Rangers weren't sure what name they were expecting but it wasn't one that would be found in Bree. If anything he'd have thought the boy came from Dunland; his appearance was dirty and wild enough for it. Nathor had to admit though, he'd never seen anyone or race have eyes the specific shade of green as the boy's did. The shape of them though and a bit of the skin tone hinted at Easterling blood, but they never came this far west. They were still content to lay siege to Gondor and their lands. Just as the only beings he'd ever heard tell of wargs allying with were goblins. The boy's bone structure ruled out having either Dwarf or Hobbit in him despite his barefooted nature.

"All right, Harry. Give me your word that you'll not run away, attack, or hinder us, and I shall let you tend to your warg."

"Padfoot," came the muttered response as if he'd had this conversation before.

"What?"

Sighing, Harry repeated. "Padfoot. His name is Padfoot, not warg."

The ranger waited and watched as the boy's expression changed from irritation to contemplation, then finally it morphed into seeming as if he'd bitten into something sour as he reluctantly nodded. Then sighed when the man hadn't budged awaiting a verbal response.

"Fine! I promise."

Thandir sheathed his sword but didn't unbind the boy's wrists just yet. This caused Harry to roll his eyes before he asked, "Where's my bag?"

Glancing over to his captain, he saw him nod his assent to give the boy his bag. It had been checked, the blow darts and pipe taken. The child looked irritated when he found them missing but didn't say anything as he got out the pouch he'd need. It was awkward and difficult, but Harry did it. He'd made a salve he applied to the warg's injured flanks. It took both Rangers by surprise when the warg growled at the boy when it was applied causing Nathor to knock an arrow while Thandir's hand rested on the pommel of his dagger, but then the boy growled back! There was something in that language that the Rangers didn't know and the warg moved its gaze from its master to the Rangers. Both quickly took their hands from their weapons, relaxing their stance which had the beast's growl quieted down.

After the boy had tended to the warg, it limped ahead of them while it's master walked at its side, the two Rangers following. They had wanted to travel at least a few leagues before they had to make camp for the night. Not trusting the boy or the warg, neither ranger had cut their captive's bonds as it wouldn't hinder either him nor them while they walked. During their travel the boy and the warg made no move against the Rangers nor had they when they made camp. When they were sitting around the fire, the boy was glaring at Nathor because he had kept him from going and sitting by the warg. He didn't put it past the boy to have the beast use it's teeth to gnaw the binds. It was too bad that they hadn't thought to have it muzzled as part of the agreement. If they were attacked having the warg on their side and able to use it's powerful jaws outweighed the cons.

The Rangers hadn't know what to make of their small companion. Harry shared the sentiment not knowing what to make of the very tall men who were vastly different from his experience with the Drughu. Their gray eyes were always watching their surroundings. And from his perspective they were so tall! If he hadn't been used to jogging and chasing after Padfoot then he would have had a hard time trying to keep up with their strides even if they had shortened them for him. He was very happy when they had decided to take a break but was still put out when they left his hands bound. At least they had allowed him to sit with Padfoot. The boy couldn't help the smug satisfaction he felt though at their looks when he'd suggested that they allow the wolf to hunt for his dinner. They hadn't liked that and had finally consented to tossing the bag of jerky to Harry to dole out to the creature. He was sure that they thought that if they didn't watch Padfoot that the canine would attack them at the slightest notice.

Taking a piece for himself, Harry's teeth bit a chunk off, as he eyed his captors who were talking near the low fire. That had surprised the boy when they had dug a hole before they made a fire. They caught him watching them curiously but didn't tell him why they were doing but gave no explanation for their behavior. "What do you think, Padfoot? Think they'll let us go anytime soon? We didn't mean to trespass."

While he eyed the men and spoke with Padfoot, the two Rangers were discussing the boy. "I think he might be a stray Dunlending," Thandir commented. "With a bit of Easterling blood in him."

"The biggest mystery and concern is the warg," Nathor stated his gaze never leaving the pair in question. It was known that the creatures were intelligent and that they preferred to ally themselves with the vile orcs. The only wolf that he knew that hadn't aligned itself to evil had been Huan which had fought Sauron in wolf form in the first age. There was no saying that this boy's warg wasn't any different than Carcharoth the wolf of Angmar.

The younger man gazed at the boy and animal both of whom were staring back at them just as intently which didn't set well with him. Quickly, he looked back towards his captain wondering, "We haven't seen anyone else and the boy hasn't met with anyone."

"That we know of. He could have already met and either collected or passed along a message." Rifling through his pack he called out, "Harry!" to which said person glared but still caught the apple that was thrown at him.

Harry stared at the fruit with a mixture of confusion and suspicion. His frown didn't lighten any when he was informed that he needed to eat something other than jerked meat. The men had already gone through his satchel so knew that his provisions had been low and that there had been no fruits since he'd eaten the last of the dried ones a few days ago. Sniffing the apple, he ignored the man's huff and promptly held it to Padfoot asking, "Is it safe?" He didn't think it was poisoned but it didn't hurt to prove to his captors that he would believe everything they said or take anything they did as trustworthy. They had shot at he and Padfoot for no reason after all and then captured them all because they couldn't be bothered to put up a property sign.

"What? If they want to be this way, I can play up the mistrustful brat," Harry pouted when Padfoot had snorted and given the teen a look. Taking a bite out of the apple, he slowly chewed as he returned his gaze to the men, particularly the younger one since it seemed to irritate and disturb him the most. After eating his apple core and all, the teen began to think and decide to start questioning the men if they weren't going to say anything. As he was about to ask his first set of questions, he was surprised when the men took the initiative. Maybe they had just waited until after he was done eating to start their own questions?

"What are you doing out here?" Nathor wanted to know the question that had been pressing on him since they had first caught sight of him and the warg near the Shire.

Confused, the teen blinked at him. "You brought us here?"

"Before that. Where were you and what happened to your parents?"

As when he was speaking with the Drughu, Harry frowned as he tried to recall and found that there was nothing there. It frustrated him as well as caused him a bit of anxiety but it wasn't for not being able to call up any parents. Padfoot nudged him causing him to smile thankfully at him. He didn't need anyone else since he had the wolf and it had been him that he'd been searching for when he'd been in the woods. Upset that his hands were tied, he still was able to reach out and press his head against Padfoot's. "Thanks," he whispered before turning to the Rangers and shrugging. He and the canine were happy living in the present not dwelling on anything that Harry couldn't remember. "Don't know."

The men exchanged glances before the question of where the strange duo were going was raised again. "Where were you headed?"

"Didn't we already cover this?" Harry muttered before he sighed. "That ways direction," he gestured vaguely in the direction they'd been heading before their misfortune with the men and the horrid mountain creatures.

"You must have had a place in mind?" Thandir stated disbelievingly.

Shaking his head, Harry wondered why they didn't believe that he and Padfoot had just been wandering? While they didn't have a set destination they had a feeling where they should go and so they did. From his interactions with these men so far, he didn't think it would be in either his or Padfoot's best interest to say that. "We were told not to go across the Baranduin because there were elves there. And we didn't want to go directly east because of the horse people."

Thandir wore a satisfied expression as if Harry had just confirmed something for them while the man's captain just stared pensively. When the man spoke it was as if he was expecting something from Harry when asked, "And why were you told that?"

Harry stayed silent sure that the others knew about why the Drughu disliked getting involved with others. He was sure that if he had been a child of one of their enemies they would have allowed him to eat those poisoned berries. Instead of answering their question he wanted to know one of his own. "What are you going to do with us?"

"That is for our chieftain to decide."

"Why? If you let us go, I promise we'll stay away from that Shire place and the west." If there were more people like his captors Harry wanted to stay well away from them. He didn't really want to interact with anyone except for Padfoot and explore. They had been having a grad time until the mountain mishap.

"It's not as simple as that," Nathor began.

"Why not?" Harry hotly demanded. It was simple to him!

"Your warg-"

"Padfoot!"

"Injured one of my men."

"You attacked us. Twice!" Harry was getting angry because this was unfair. Both times they had been minding their own business and these men had to go and attack them! Padfoot had been protecting him. They had already made it clear that the wolf's life didn't concern them and they would rather Padfoot die.

"Do you know what lays to the north?" Nathor asked thinking once again about Carcharoth and the Angmar Mountains.

Movement from Padfoot had the men tensing and Harry trying to find what had caused the canine to begin growling as he moved to stand protectively over the boy. Seeing as his attention wasn't on the Rangers but focused beyond them, the men grabbed their weapons, alert for any sign or sound of movement. Harry felt himself tense as well, eyes desperately searching while he hoped that it wasn't more of those creatures. Looking around he tried to find a way to free his hands so he could help or at least grab ahold of Padfoot and escape that way. He was hoping for the latter wanting to put as much distance between himself and the men as possible.

AN – Before you get on me about my portrayal of Harry's lineage it was stated in the books that Harry had his mother's green almond shaped eyes hinting at possibly an ancestor that was Romani or Asian descent. Lily could have been a throw back and ended up with some traits from that particular relative. With the Potters (coming from humble beginnings themselves) being non-bigoted I could see them marrying anyone they want including anyone of Romani descent. And with it coming down from both parents could present in Harry very strongly. It's my head canon and adds something more to why the Dursleys might dislike Harry. Plus, it makes for (hopefully) interesting bits in the story?