Anduin, the Great River, flowed swiftly and the small boat sped merrily
along its way, the wolf curled in the bows and the rowers chattering in the
elven-tongue.
At nights, they landed the boat and rested by the river, Shadow keeping
watch over the sleepers. Occasionally, wild animals were spotted but a
fire usually kept the animals away. The days were spent on the boat,
speeding swiftly towards Minas Tirith.
It was a peaceful time and Connor felt more relaxed as the days went by, knowing that each day meant he was closer to home. Often when they were tired, they would let the boat drift with the water, to conserve their energy.
However, the pleasant time had to end and soon Connor and Haldir were dragging the boat to land, the sound of the nearby waterfall roaring in their ears.
Shadow leapt out of the boat joyfully and waited impatiently for the boy and Elf to leave their leave of one another. Connor swung his pack, quiver and bow onto his back and exchanged farewells with the tall, fair Elf.
* * *
Connor recalled the time he and his companions had searched by the Entwash for the captured hobbits, Merry and Pippin. As he walked, he told Shadow of the past. Shadow listened attentively, his ears pricked. They strode through the grass and past the hills of Sarn Gebir. It was a long, hard day of walking and their leg muscles ached as the sun set. Connor had no wish to sleep in the open, though his body was weary.
He and Shadow lay in the darkness cast by the hills and slept in a disturbed fashion, despite their fatigue. Halfway through the moonlit night, a pack of wild boar approached the sleepers. Shadow snuffled at Connor until the boy woke. He fixed an arrow to his bowstring and waited to see if the hogs would come nearer. They stared at the wolf and boy and the largest took a step towards them. At once, Connor's arrow left its string and flew over the animal's head as a warning.
Grunting their disapproval of such travellers, the pack backed away and left. "Good work, Shadow." Connor patted the wolf and replaced his bow by his side, curling up to sleep once more.
* * *
The next day, Connor woke at sunrise and ate lembas. Shadow fed on a wild rabbit and soon the travellers were on their way again.
It was some days later when they reached the immense river. Bounding lightly from rock to rock, Connor moved over the river. Less certain of his jumping ability was Shadow who followed cautiously, but bravely.
Once over the river, they walked beside it for a day and then camped by Mering Stream for the night. The day after, they waded through the stream and passing Firien Wood, they walked through Anórien along the Great West Road.
It was a peaceful time and Connor felt more relaxed as the days went by, knowing that each day meant he was closer to home. Often when they were tired, they would let the boat drift with the water, to conserve their energy.
However, the pleasant time had to end and soon Connor and Haldir were dragging the boat to land, the sound of the nearby waterfall roaring in their ears.
Shadow leapt out of the boat joyfully and waited impatiently for the boy and Elf to leave their leave of one another. Connor swung his pack, quiver and bow onto his back and exchanged farewells with the tall, fair Elf.
* * *
Connor recalled the time he and his companions had searched by the Entwash for the captured hobbits, Merry and Pippin. As he walked, he told Shadow of the past. Shadow listened attentively, his ears pricked. They strode through the grass and past the hills of Sarn Gebir. It was a long, hard day of walking and their leg muscles ached as the sun set. Connor had no wish to sleep in the open, though his body was weary.
He and Shadow lay in the darkness cast by the hills and slept in a disturbed fashion, despite their fatigue. Halfway through the moonlit night, a pack of wild boar approached the sleepers. Shadow snuffled at Connor until the boy woke. He fixed an arrow to his bowstring and waited to see if the hogs would come nearer. They stared at the wolf and boy and the largest took a step towards them. At once, Connor's arrow left its string and flew over the animal's head as a warning.
Grunting their disapproval of such travellers, the pack backed away and left. "Good work, Shadow." Connor patted the wolf and replaced his bow by his side, curling up to sleep once more.
* * *
The next day, Connor woke at sunrise and ate lembas. Shadow fed on a wild rabbit and soon the travellers were on their way again.
It was some days later when they reached the immense river. Bounding lightly from rock to rock, Connor moved over the river. Less certain of his jumping ability was Shadow who followed cautiously, but bravely.
Once over the river, they walked beside it for a day and then camped by Mering Stream for the night. The day after, they waded through the stream and passing Firien Wood, they walked through Anórien along the Great West Road.