Her eyes glowed and made her pupils disappear. Then, as soon as it came, it went. Her eyes dimmed and her pupils appeared. Every shade of blue in her eyes whirred around and black came into it like fan blades.
Morantwen shook her head and looked at Gandalf with the fear in the dark shafts of her eyes, "What's out there?"
"Whatever it is," said Gandalf, striding toward the window, "It must be more powerful than any of us can imagine now. If it could cause what it did to your eyes from that distance, then it must be extremely deadly." Frodo and Sam looked at one another apprehensively. Morantwen was staring at the floor, submerged with unanswerable questions. Gandalf was still staring out the window. It was early morning and still dark out. Finally, Gandalf spoke up, "We should head out."
Sam, Frodo, and Morantwen looked up simultaneously, "Now?"
"Yes," sighed Gandalf, still looking out the window. He turned around and walked into the foyer to grab his hat and staff. Sam let out a sigh. Morantwen lifted up her head to look at him. Sam suddenly had an expression on his face that made it sure he was trying to find a reason for his sigh.
"Uh...didn't get any sleep last night." Frodo glanced at him. Morantwen smiled. Sam quickly stood up in his nervousness and followed Gandalf. Morantwen and Frodo looked at one another and laughed. They too followed Gandalf. They walked outside to face Astalder. Sam let out a yelp. Everyone looked toward him questionably. He looked at all the faces and started studdering.
"I...uh...we..." he pointed toward the horse, "I don't have to go on that, do I?" He was trembling. Morantwen tilted her head to the left slightly. She had never seen someone so frightened of riding a horse.
"No," she replied, "we will just use him to carry our packs and in case of emergency." Sam let out a long sigh of relief, "Good." Morantwen held out her hand.
"May I take your pack?"
Sam hesitated for a moment, "That's all right, M' lady. I can carry it." Morantwen smiled understandingly. She offered her hand to Frodo. He hesitated as well. She knew why. She put her hand down and took off all her equipment and buckled it onto the horse. Morantwen then held out her hand again. He smiled and shrugged off his pack. Morantwen took it gently and saddled it onto Astalder. Frodo then turned to Sam.
"Sam, why don't you give her your pack? There's no need to carry it. Besides I don't want to feel too lazy."
"I know, Mr. Frodo. The last thing I want to do is make you feel bad. I just want to help."
"Sam," Frodo said, barely raising his voice, "You're leaving the Shire to follow me to Bree. One of the last places you'd want to go, according to your Gaffer. You're helping enough."
"It is no large matter," said Morantwen, "if Sam wants to keep on his pack, let him do so. It does not pose a problem. Let him be a proud helper."
"Yes," grumbled Gandalf, "You all are facing a journey. No need to argue now." They finished their conversation and walked down the road. Gandalf lead the small line on his horse, followed by Frodo and Sam, with his pack. Bring up the rear, came Morantwen leading Astalder.
In time, they walked in light forest surroundings. All of the crew started to become extremely wary. Any time a bird called, Morantwen noticed Sam could not help but jump in surprise. Gandalf, startling everyone, stopped abruptly. He leaped off and walked toward them. He kneeled down in front of Frodo and Sam.
"Be careful, all of you. The enemy has many spies in his service. Birds, beasts." He directed his head toward Frodo.
"Is it safe?" Frodo placed his hand upon his breast, over his vest pocket. "Never put it on," whispered Gandalf, "for the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Frodo, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found." Frodo looked down at the ground. Gandalf stood up and walked toward Morantwen.
"Watch over them. Do not let them out of your sight. I know I can trust you." Morantwen was more serious than ever before.
"Do not worry, Mithrandir. I will protect them with my life. I feel that they are my key priority now," she whispered.
Gandalf nodded and put a hand on her shoulder, "Just remember what I said." Gandalf walked back to his horse and jumped on. All of a sudden, his mount bolted straight away. For a moment there was complete silence. Morantwen started to sense that Frodo was panicking. She was just about to say something when Sam just caught her eye, shrugged and started walking. Frodo then came into Sam's eye. He just made an expression that simply said, 'It looks like we've got nothing to lose, let's just go.' Frodo followed with a blank, somewhat tired look on his face. Morantwen followed silently, walking with light feet.