Birthday Special.
Since my Birthday was last week, I decided to do a special ep. of this, using my Loud of the Rings characters. For purposes, to Luna and Linc (unusual survival) let's say the hobbits look 15, but Lincoln and Clyde are in their late thirties, Rusty is 36 and Zach is 29. Luna looks 20 , but she's older then she looks. This is sort of and alternate story in my Loud of the Rings, where Luna comes up with a unusual way to keep the hobbits safe and hidden as she leads them to Rivendell.
Chapter 10: A Rangers Protection part 1
Lincoln bounced on Luna's shoulder, as she crashed through the brush in front of them
Lincoln: (weak) Oof.
Luna: (quick) Sorry, little hobbit dude. Gotta cover some ground before dawn, put as much distance between us and those Ringwraiths.
After that she went silent once more, focusing on the woods ahead of them.
Lincoln never should've put the Ring on…back at Weathertop. He had panicked, the sight of the black cloaked figure approaching , sword and dagger drawn and poised to strike. He had dropped his own sword in fright, backing away as fast as he could until he reached a collapsed wall…then he had taken out the Ring, and though everything else in him told him not to…he put it on.
The whole world went blurry. And the black riders changed, instead of black cloaks they now appeared as shimmering, pale white figures, with ghostly flowing robes and crowns on their heads. The one at the head of all five had the look of a nurse. If he hadn't been so frightened , he might've mused how in their cloaks they were tall and lanky, but without, one was quite short and fat, not to mention elderly, one was still lanky and the other three were either fat or stocky. The Nurse looking one advanced on him, and reached for the ring on his finger, even more so the Ring moved as if on it's own accord to be taken, wanting the wraiths to seize it. Lincoln couldn't allow that, with great strength of will, he had jerked his hand away.
The next thing he know was a piercing pain in his left shoulder. The dagger was somehow burning and yet icy cold at the same time. Lincoln screamed, as the nurse reached for the Ring again. At that moment another noise sounded , a voice, "Rock and Roll"!
That was when Luna showed up again after going for a look around, sword in one hand, a lite torch in the other. The ranger had fearlessly met the Ringwraiths head on, sword on sword. They had the had the advantage of numbers, but were caught off guard by her ferocious assault and unexpected arrival. They were driven off with surprising ease, Luna even hurled the torch into the hooded face of the rider that was the nurse. Then she after hearing Clyde's call had come running, the be-speckled hobbit begging her to help Lincoln. But there wasn't much she could do…according to Luna, the dagger was something called a Morgul blade, even as she held it , the blade had disintegrated in her hand. Lincoln needed elvish medicine. That's when she had scooped up the hobbit in her arms, thrown him over her shoulder and with the other three, and Bill the pony had quickly left Weathertop as fast as they could in the direction of Rivendell.
They had gone on all night like this. Luna barely slowed down once, holding Lincoln like a knapsack. Lincoln , and the other hobbits were actually very impressed. Sure, Lincoln was tall and skinny for a hobbit, they all were…but he was still a hobbit, ate the six meals a day and snacks in between and they had been going for hours …yet Luna carried him like he weighted next to nothing. To carry a hobbit this long, and not show any signs of slowing, their was clearly more to this Ranger then met the eye.
Luna knew that they couldn't keep this up… She had promised Me. Grouse she'd protect these hobbits all the way to Rivendell and she was gonna do just that. But how? Had she been alone , she could possibly maybe give the Riders the slip, but with four hobbits, one injured by a Morgul blade to boot, no chance. She couldn't blame them…in all truth they were surprisingly hardy..and courageous. As Luna had raced up towards Weathertop and caught Clyde shouting something to the Nazgûl, followed be the clashing of meeting blades. More so she recalled when she had forcibly dragged Lincoln to her quarters in the Prancing Pony, maybe not even five minutes later, Clyde, Rusty and Zach had come bursting into the room with a candelabra, a stool and Clyde, his own two fists, not showing any fear, even with Luna having drawn her sword. She still found it amusing and admirable, especially with what Clyde had said to her.
Clyde: Let him go!…or I'll have you, Pixie cut!
Luna had fought the urge to laugh on the spot. It was just so amusing that this 3'7 dude was actually gonna attack a 5'11 Ranger with a sword and over half his height, with his fists! And she approved! Hobbits may not know much of the world outside their Shire…but a race with a stouter heart…there was none. Surprisingly brave , these hobbits dudes.
Allowing herself a small smile, Luna pressed on through the woodland.
Luna set Lincoln gently down on a mossy patch of ground, in a small clearing in the woodland. The sun had risen past dawn. The rest of the hobbits, collapsed, close by, breathing heavily but not daring to complain. knowing without Luna, they would've undoubtedly more than likely been killed and the Ring would be in the hands of the Black riders now. Luna herself sat down on a nearby rock, watching the other three shuffle closer to Lincoln.
He didn't look well, but he didn't show signs of passing. As she examined the Morgul blade, she noticed the top had been broken, and the only place it could've done so was breaking off in the hobbits wound. Luna shook her head, she heard tales of Morgul weapons, read about them in her younger days growing up in Rivendell. The blades almost had a sentience of sorts. The shard in his shoulder would burrow inward, working it's way to his heart, and if it reached It…
No! She couldn't let that happen, she hadn't fail Mr. Grouse yet, not when she to track and catch that freaky can hermit creature, Tattler, the one who held the ring before Lincoln's grandfather, Albert Loudins. She still had the bite marks on her left arm from where that freaky thing had bitten her while she was being stuffed in a sack. Carried the annoying, irritating thing all the way to Mirkwood…she wasn't about to start failing Grouse now.
And in all honesty, Lincoln was showing surprisingly strength, both from the Ring…and the Morgûl blade. Her own ancestor, Isildur had almost instantly succumbed to the power of the Ring, yet the little white haired hobbit had carried it all the way from the Shire to Bree. And Luna had read tales of people almost immediately being taken by a Morgûl blade wound, passing into the shadow world….and Lincoln had been wounded hours ago.
Luna allowed another small smile to turn the corners of her lips upwards. Yeah, hobbits were sturdier and stouter then most would believe.
But they were still at least five days from Rivendell…and Luna wondered if Lincoln would last that long. She felt his whole left side was freezing cold, the left arm limp and practically almost dead. Still, they had covered enough ground for a few hours reprieve. Maybe she could think of something.
Luna: (to the hobbits) We'll stay here a while , my dudes.
The hobbits looked up at her words.
Clyde: But..those wraiths…
Luna: We've given them the slip for the time being. They'll need time to resituate themselves after Amon Sol. And while they can travel in daylight, its not something they're wild about. We earned a hour or two of rest…make yourselves comfortable..I gotta think.
With that, Luna went silent. The other three hobbits stuck close by Lincoln. The sun steadily climbed higher. The hobbits talked quietly among themselves, the whole time Luna sat grim, musing their current situation. She had four hobbits, one grievously wounded. Like she thought before, if it had just been her, she quite possibly have been able to give the Nazgûl the slip, but not with four hobbits. Sure they were hardier then other races might give them credit for…but they were exhausted from running all night. Lincoln couldn't walk on his own, and Luna, Dunedin, though she was, couldn't carry him slung across her back all the way to Rivendell. She needed another way. Keep them safe, while at the same time, covering long stretches without rests. She had heard the hobbits muttering about the long marches and lack of stops for meals, though they hadn't questioned her guidance or argued.
Luna didn't remember starting to listen to the hobbits conversation. Guess it just kinda happened. They had been whispering quietly among themselves. Luna caught a fragment of the conversation.
Lincoln: Shouldn't have done it.
Zach: Not you fault.
Rusty: How long before those Riders pick up our trail again?
Zach: What's Luna doing.
Lincoln: Thinking up a plan, probably.
Clyde: Wish Mr. Grouse was here.
Luna: You and me both, hobbit guy.
The hobbits jerked up at the sudden sound of Luna's voice. As they had talked among themselves, the Ranger had sat quietly on a rock a short distance away, making no sound or giving any indication she could hear them. Staring into the surrounding forest, an intense, thoughtful look on her face. But now those grey eyes were fixed on the hobbits. The hobbits were almost rendered immobile by those sharp eyes.
Zach: How long were you listening?
Luna: Just a few minutes.
Rusty: What were you thinking about?
Luna: That we need a plan. We have until nightfall at most, before the Nazgûl recuperate enough to pick up our trail again. Unfortunately a torch in the face don't do much. Then I heard you mention Grouse.
Clyde: Sorry, I know your doing your best.
Luna inwardly chuckled, at how so much had changed since they had left Bree, between her and Clyde. He was obviously wary of her, but after she saved them from being slaughtered, by the Black riders, in the Prancing Pony the night they met. After Luna defended them from the Nazgûl, she seemed to have really stepped up in his eyes, since in Bree, he was ready to start throwing punches.
Luna: (shakes her head) Nah, Clydesdale, your good. I wouldn't mind having Grouse here, myself. To shed some light on our situation. I've known him for years, and even though he rarely gives you a straight answer, he always seems to have a calming presence, like every little thing is gonna be alright.
Lincoln: (sudden) Do you know any magic?
Everyone is surprised, both at his comment and his mustering enough strength to speak that loud.
Luna: (off guard) Why do you ask?
Lincoln: (shrugs) Like you said, you've known Mr. Grouse for years and he clearly holds you in high regard, since he trusted you to look after us…not that I doubted, so I just thought he might have taught you a few things.
Luna's confusion fades. Then to the hobbits surprise, she smiled a little.
Luna: Yes, to answer your question. He did teach me a little magic, learned a bit in Rivendell too. I mean, I can't shoot white lightning and flames like Grouse can, mind you. Mostly I just know a few tricks.
Zach: Like what?
Luna: (shrugs) Tricks, like to hide…conceal.
Clyde: Like being invisible?
Luna: No, not like that. Just….
Luna puttered off, the hobbits watched her eyes light up briefly as she seemed to suddenly think of something.
How could she not have thought of that? She had remembered it talking about tricks she learned to the hobbits. She had learned one particular bit of magic years ago. Mostly as an idle curiosity, not to mention what it meant, if she could find all she needed and for Lincoln to agree, protection. And it was so odd, that no Black riders, orc , troll or what have you would never think of it. A strange bit of old elvish magic, created long ago. It was perfect! Sure it might take some convincing on her part to make Lincoln see this was the best solution. That he'd be safe. No harm would befall him. Not only would he be safe, but also warm, concealed and he wouldn't even have to lift a finger! Luna would do all the heavy lifting. All he had to do was not fight and struggle. Then he could take it easy until they reached Rivendell. In truth she felt she'd only need to convince Linc. He was the most in danger, defenseless practically. He'd lost his Barrow blade on Weathertop, he was injured, unable to move on his own. And he had The Ring! The others tired, though they were, could probably keep up with her. But Linc, she was certain he needed this, if she could convince him this was best, he'd go along with it, even if he didn't agree with the second part, he'd would at least see how the first part would help. In truth the first part would be enough. But if he agreed to the second part, even better.
Lincoln: (confused) Luna? Everything ok?
Luna was too busy thinking of her plan, that she didn't hear him at first.
Luna: Hmmm, oh. Yeah, everything's fine, I just thought of something that could help. You all stay here. I'm going to look around a bit.
Luna got up off the rock, and started heading into the forest.
Lincoln: Can we help?
Luna: Not wondering off. That'd be a big help. Other then that, just sit here and be patient. I'll be right back.
Luna vanished into the trees, leaving the hobbits alone I the clearing, wondering what she had planned.
…...
Luck was on Luna's side, she had managed to find almost everything she needed for her idea. Didn't even have to go very far from where she had left the hobbits She was certain this would work. The Wraiths would pick up their trail quickly, once they recuperated, they should head off soon. Hopefully Lincoln would be convinced this was the best course of action. Aforementioned, what she had in mind was a very old piece of magic, kinda odd too, but useful in the right circumstances. She learned it years ago from Grouse, cause when she first discovered it while reading, growing up in Rivendell. She had found it strange, yet also highly fascinating. She had went to MickSwagger to ask if he could teach her , but he had only called it a piece of trivial nonsense and she would be better off forgetting it. But it had stuck with her, gnawing at her consciousness, so that the next time Grouse popped by the Last Homely House, she had gone to him. Like MickSwagger he was taken aback by what she was asking to learn, yet also saw that what she was talking about could be highly useful, if the situation was right and so agreed to teach her. Now once again, it looked like it would come in handy.
Luna: Hopefully, Linc agrees with it. He probably won't be too keen with what it will be asking of him, but if it will keep him safe, and speed up our progress, he'll probably see the sense of it.
Luna checked the pouch she had put the various plants, fungi and herbs she needed for the plan. Niphredil, Azuradan, Remmenthond, Alfirin, Elgaran, Gwînuial, Carandôl, and Mallos, that one she found by it's stench, just like with the Alfirin. Only instead of pleasant, it was a strong , musky odor. She just needed one more…Blue Milk. She just needed to find this last piece of fungi. Then she could prepare for the next part. Hopefully she had enough time. She had said that the Nazgûl weren't to wild about riding in daylight…she didn't say they wouldn't.
It wasn't much longer before she found a small cluster of the blue hued fungus growing at the roots of some trees. She bent down and took the small knife from her belt. Cutting one of the stalks released the milky blue substance that gave the fungi it's name. That was all she needed to gather. There was three more ingredients she need, but she already had two of them and the third one would be provided by Lincoln himself.
Luna added the Blue Milk to the pouch with the other ingredients. Then she started back towards where she had left the four hobbits.
All was just how she left it. The hobbits were still sitting around Lincoln. They weren't speaking this time and Zach had even dozed off. They just sat close together. The three awake jerked up at Luna trudging back into the clearing. Without waiting or speaking, Luna went over to where Bill and their packs were at, from her own pack she took out a small wooden bowl with a elvish g rune on the bottom, as well as golden colored segmented fungus, Lothrond. She had found it in a small cave while on her way to Bree to keep in eye out for the hobbits. At first she didn't know why she took it, but now she wondered if intuition told her she'd need it for something like this. It was dry, no longer fresh, but should still work. Hobbits didn't required it fresh, unlike say an Elf or Dunedin. They had certain properties about them that would require stronger , fresher ingredients.
Luna poured a small amount of water from their supplies into the bowl. And while Rusty was rousing Zach, Lincoln and Clyde watched her get a small fire going. Luna set to work on what she had planned, she started by squeezing the sap from the Remmenthond into the water filled bowl, turning the water thick and rust colored.
Lincoln: (weak) Luna, what are you doing?
Luna: (without looking up) I remembered something I learned a long time ago, when you guys were asking if I knew any magic.
Luna set the bowl close by the fire, enough to be heated by the flames without being directly in them.
Luna: I had to search a bit to find everything that what I have in mind required, but fortunately they were all in the forest. (holds the ingredients for them to see) These are mostly used in medicine and healing, but combined together and with what I know...and learned from the elves, they have another use.
To the hobbits surprise, Luna then shoved the entire handful of herbs, plants and fungi into her mouth and started chewing. Grinding them into a gritty paste with her teeth. The hobbits then looked more then a little disgusted when Luna leaned over and released the chewed up paste into the bowl before sitting back.
Luna: See, long ago, the elves came up with a , I'll admit, odd bit of magic. (to Lincoln) Its purpose is to hide whoever it's cast on, in an… unusual way. But I'm not gonna do that bit unless you fully agree with it, Lincoln.
Lincoln: (surpised) Your gonna use the magic on me?
Luna nods.
Lincoln: Why?
Luna: Cause your in the most danger, Linc. You got a Morgûl wound, you can't move on your own, , and it's you the Black riders want. Not to mention your defenseless.
Clyde: (sudden and firm) No he's not, those Riders will have to go through me first!
Rusty/Zach: Us too!
Luna shook her head, mostly to hide her smile. Grouse was right about these little dudes. When he first asked her and her rangers to watch over the Shire, he said hobbits truly were amazing creatures, you could learn all there is to know about them in a week…and yet even after a hundred years they can still surprise you. These four clearly cared about one another, even to the point of sacrificing themselves. But that wasn't enough.
Luna: Like I said back in Bree, Clyde, you got a rightious heart, but it's not enough. Those riders will never stop hunting you. (indicates the substance in the bowl) But this will work, when it's ready.
Clyde: What's it supposed to do?
Luna: This is actually only part of it, the rest I'll explain when I'm ready to use what I got in mind on Lincoln.
Clyde: (resolved) On us, you mean.
Luna and Lincoln both seemed surprised by this.
Lincoln: Clyde…
Clyde: I made a promise, Lincoln. Remember what I said in Farmer Maggots fields? " Don't you lose him, Clyde Mcbridgee…and I don't mean to.
Lincoln: I agree with Luna, that whatever she has planned is probably for the best of us all, I won't be able to keep up. I can't feel anything on my left side, I can't walk. I'm pretty much dead weight right now, and I don't think she can carry me on her back all the way to Rivendell? (to Luna) Can you?
Luna shakes her head.
Luna: No, plus even if you were to ride on Bill. We'd still be in danger. The Nazgûl can smell the Ring, while what I got in mind won't throw them off the scent forever, it'll buy us time.
Luna stopped and checked on the bowl full of water and chewed up paste, before looking back at the hobbits.
Luna: (to Clyde, Rusty and Zach) Now, while I will have enough for all four of you. There's no backing out if you go through it with Linc. And I warn you, you'll be very frightened, but absolutely safe. Now, knowing this…are you certain that you'll still go through with it.
Both Lincoln and Luna were pleasantly surprised when all three of us the other hobbits nodded their heads with no hesitation from any of them. Lincoln flashed his friends a weak, but warm smile. Luna feel the corners of her mouth twitch upwards again in a small smile. Mr. Grouse was right, Hobbits really were amazing creatures.
Luna: In that case, Clyde, Rusty, Zach take off your swords and packs, and stash them by Bill, while I finish with this.
Though they were surprised by what she had instructed them to do, the three hobbits never the less obeyed. They came back over as Luna focus turned to bowl, the ingredients had mixed together in a thickish, chunky mess. It looked just as unappetizing now as it always was. Luna checked the temperature, just right. Now for the next part.
Luna: This parts ready, now I just need something from you four.
Rusty: Like what?
Zach: And why?
Luna: See, the drink requires something from both the caster and who it's being cast on. (indicates the drink again) That's why I chewed the ingredients, so my saliva would be added. Now I need something from you, anything will do, a lock of hair would work best.
Zach: Head or feet hair?
Rusty laughed as Zach's little joke, Clyde shot them both a look as Luna sighed a little.
Luna: Head.
Lincoln: Do what you have to, Luna.
Luna stepped forward and took out her small knife again. She cut a small bit of hair from each hobbit and added it to the mass in the bowl. After waiting another few minutes for it to cook into the lumpy mass, she picked it up and smelled of it. Smelled like she remembered. She whispered something over it that Lincoln was able to identify as elvish. Then she looked up
Luna: It's ready.
Luna held out the bowl for the hobbits to examine , each one made a face, at the lumpy, watery mixture.
Lincoln: Are…are we, supposed to drink that?
Luna shook her head.
Luna: No, this is for me. The magic I'm about to cast on you requires a great deal more then I possess, plus it'll help us tune into each other, since it's got something from all of us. It'll help focus my magic and senses, so I can pull it off. All you have to do is sit still and not break eye contact when I say. I'll explain further when it's done and everything is situated.
The hobbits nodded again. Luna, took a deep breath and quickly tilted the bowl towards her mouth, swallowing as quickly as the thick paste would allow. Tasted just as bad as she remembered. The chunky plant paste, saliva and hair was slowly drained. It worked best when drank hot, and the bitter sap, combined with the plant pulp as well as the hair tickled and scratched her throat as it went down, making her cough a bit. The hobbits watched as Luna swallowed strongly several times to get it down. Then to their surprise, she actually made a disgusted face of her own. It was amazing how most of the fungi at least tasted good but mixed with the other ingredients made one vile mouthful.
Luna: (slightly hoarse) Gnarly.
Zach: How's it taste?
Luna: (gags) Like a pot of sour herbal tea mixed with dirty dishwasher and rotted fruit.
But the feeling passed swiftly, Luna could already feel the effects of the mixture working , sharping her senses. Strengthening the small traces of magic she felt in her veins. Now on to the hobbits.
Luna: Now its your turn, remember…do not break eye contact, and also you will be completely and absolutely safe.
The hobbits nod as Luna gathered them closer together in front of her, so she could make direct eye contact with all four. Then those intense grey eyes bore into their own. Going completely serious and focused. While she stared , she lips worked on muttering the spell Grouse had taught her at her insistence all those years ago. Lincoln was dimly aware at whatever she was saying was again being spoken in elvish. Luna's eyes seemed to dilate as she spoke. For a moment, nothing was happening. The hobbits eyes never left Luna's
Lincoln: Luna…nothing's….Happ..happen…
That's as far as he got before his whole body went weak, even weaker then he already felt, not cold, just weak, like his limbs turned to jelly, and he felt like his eyes were dilated too as he then felt very sleepy. Unable to keep his eyes open, they closed before he even knew what was happening.
Luna let a little sigh escape her lips and closed her eyes as the hobbits slumped over , leaning heavily on each other, practically in a pile. Luna's eyes opened again, it was all going smoothly so far, course once they woke up, it'd be different. Frightened, confused. But for now all there was to do was wait.
Luna went over to Bill, the pony hadn't seemed to find anything odd about all that was happening. Luna stroked his head as she set about packing everything up in the pony's saddle bags. The remaining three Barrow blades, their packs, Clyde's cooking equipment.
Once that was taken care off, Luna turned back and looked around, seeing no sign of the hobbits. It was as if they had vanished into thin air. Course Luna knew better, she started walking in the direction she left them. Going slow and steady, looking along the ground. Before long she stopped as she saw exactly what she was expecting, the ground was disturbed from where they had been sitting, and piled against each other, with the grass and rocks and flowers towering over them were four very small hobbits. Looking very much the same as when they were normal, only downsized, barely as big as one of her fingers, roughly around three to three and a half inches tall.
Knowing that the last thing these dudes would want was to wake up and see on top of everything else being bigger then them was a gargantuan Ranger looming above them like a mountain, Luna moved down until she was lying flat on her stomach, with her arms under her, supporting her chin. Waiting for them to awaken.
Luna watched Lincoln squirm a bit, wriggling closer to Clyde, and smiled. She couldn't help it, despite all that happened since she met them in Bree. She couldn't help but think they were…cute. So tiny, fragile…not that she had any intention of hurting them. Well, strikes that, they weren't as cute as who she had first tested this spell out on when she learned it all those years ago. Luna's cheeks went faintly pink as she recalled her shock and how touched she had felt at seeing who had volunteered for her to test this out on. They had been bigger then the hobbits too, when all was said and done, around six inches or so. With what she planned on doing, Luna recalled needing a glass of water, and a good deal of coughing the first time to completely test it out, but her volunteer hadn't complained in the slightest. Surprisingly, she expected it would be easier with the hobbits, sure there were four of them, but they were smaller.
Luna's remembrance was cut off at the hobbits beginning to stir. They were coming too.
Lincoln awoke slowly, feeling dizzy…and disoriented. What happened? Had the Morgûl blade wound made him pass out or something? The last thing he remembered was staring into Luna's eyes as she whispered something in elvish, with his whole body feeling even weirder then it did already…then blackness.
But now he woke feeling, like he had earlier, his whole left side cold, his arm limp, Lincoln briefly wondered if he'd ever have feeling in his left side again, it was so cold…like a poisoned icicle.
Lincoln looked up as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Clyde stared down at him , looking slightly more better off then him. Behind him, Rusty and Zach sitting up and blinking owlishly around them.
Clyde: You alright, Linc?
Lincoln: Yeah, just dizzy…you?
Clyde: Same dizzy, and is it just me or is everything cloudier then it was before we blacked out? And I can't see Night Club anywhere.
Lincoln looked up, his vision still blurry, there was in fact, what appeared to be a strange looking cloud blocking the sunlight, casting a shadow over the four confused hobbits. Along the sides of his vision were green fuzziness that had to be the trees. And just like Clyde said, Lincoln didn't see Luna.
Lincoln: Yeah, I do think it's cloudier then before we passed out.
Rusty and Zach appeared to finally notice them and came over. As they walked over, a deep rumbling raspy noise, came from above , freezing them in their tracks. It sounded like far off thunder, deep and foreboding.
Noise: Don't wanna alarm you, dudes…but that's not clouds you're lookin' at.
Startled the hobbits looked up, their vision still fuzzy, the voice seemed to be coming from the odd looking cloud.
That's when their vision fully cleared, and what they saw nearly stopped their hearts.
Every thing seemed to tower above them. The flowers looked as tall as trees. The small rocks looked like boulders, the trees themselves seemed to go up for miles. And right in front them, looking at them with the faintest traces of a smile, not showing her teeth, was Luna.
To say the hobbits were surprised was an understatement of monumental proportions. How was she so big? She seemed that if she were standing she'd be as tall as a mountain to them. Idly, Lincoln recalled hearing about his Pop-Pop's adventure to the Lonely Mountain with the thirteen dwarves, crossing the Misty Mountains with the Stone giants battling with each other.
What had she done too them. What was she planning?
All four hobbits feel the instinctual, primal fear of seeing something far, far larger then themselves. Each one thinking back to the old stories about all the giants and ogres devouring elves and men for breakfast. Though Linc, despite his fear was quick to note that though they too were obviously afraid, Clyde, Rusty and Zach placed themselves between him and the now giant Night Club. Her face alone at least three times their size.
Luna watch the hobbits start at their new size. Looking here and there and at her specifically. Smiling again at them huddled together, They really were kinda cute, and even confused she too noticed their first instinct was to try to protect their injured companion.
Luna smiled again, once more not showing her teeth.
Luna: (comforting) Chillax little hobbits, I'm not gonna hurt you.
After a second, Lincoln seemed to get his bearings a bit faster then the others. He sat up as best he could. After all if Night Club had meant them harm, then like she said when they first met in Bree,she could've done so. But even many, many times their size, she managed to give out a surprising aura of calm gentleness. Besides Grouse trusted her, that definitely had to count for something.
Lincoln: Night Club? What happened? Why are you so big?
Luna: (chuckles a bit) Not quite, try again.
Luna watches the hobbits look around, for a second.
Rusty: We're small?
Luna nods. Then to her surprise, Zach actually laughed a bit.
Zach: (jokingly) Great, as if we weren't small enough already.
Lincoln: So is this what your were planning? Make us small enough for the Ringwraiths not to smell us?
Luna shook her head.
Luna: Unfortunately, its not that easy, little dude. The Nazgûl can still smell you, it'll be harder, but they can. Practically impossible to fool their noses.
Clyde: Then why? What's the point.
Luna could hear the suspicion in his voice, he was obviously on edge, but at the very least. Luna was actually amazed at how well they were taking this. They didn't run, or demanded to be put back. Hobbits really were braver then even they themselves gave them credit for.
Luna: Well, Clyde, at the very least they'll be confused at why the Ring smell is weaker, and I'll be able to cover ground faster. (pointedly) Don't think I haven't been hearing the mumbling behind me. About the long walks, not enough stopping for meals.
The four hobbits mumbled sheepishly under their breathes. Luna smiled inwardly.
Luna: With you at this size, I'll be able to cover more ground. Clyde, Rusty and Zach will be able to ride in my pocket. (to Lincoln) However, since Lincoln is in the most danger, the Ring and that wicked wound in him, I have a second part to this spell, but like I said I will only do that if he's completely willing to. If not, he can ride in my pocket with the rest of you. That'll be enough, the second is just an added precaution. Somewhere he will definitely be safe
Lincoln was starting to understand, he knew with the Morgûl wound, he was slowing everyone done, though no one said so, it was obvious. At this size, Luna could for sure go at a much faster speed. Yet he felt both curious and slightly on edge, wondering what Luna was suggesting for second part. But mostly curious.
Lincoln: Let's hear the second part.
Luna: (easy) I warn you, this will be very frightening, but I assure you that it's one absolutely safe. You see, the spell I cast on you works for two things. Downsizing you obviously, but there's another effect, as long as you are small, you can shelter somewhere that under normal circumstances you would be unable too. But again, I will only do this if you agree willingly to go through with it, Linc.
Clyde was beginning to grow impatient, if it would keep his friend safe, then she should do it. Why was she beating around the bush.
Clyde: (suspicious) Well, where is this place that he can be completely safe from the Riders?
In answer, Luna rolled over a bit to be on her side, still in front of the hobbits. The hobbits start to get confused, but before they could as what she was doing, Luna's hand came up and…to their shock, settled on her stomach.
Luna: Right here.
End of part 1 . The plants used are from Middle Earth Shadow of Mordor.
