Chapter One In Search of Hobbits

Gimli leaned against an outcropping to catch his breath. His chest was getting tight and his throat seeming to close, as sometimes happened when he overexerted himself.

Aragorn, �fty yards ahead, knelt to examine the ground. We're still on the right track! Come on! He raced on down the hillside, with Legolas following close behind.

Gimli panted. Bloody Hell! Dwarves are built for sprinting, not long-distance cross-country runs! We've been going at this pace for days on end now! He took a few deep breaths, and took off after his two companions, only to lose his footing in the unstable scree. He slid and rolled several feet down the hillside before fetching up against—someone's legs?

Gimli looked up. There was a woman standing before him, taller than a Dwarf but shorter than a Man or Elf, with long pointed ears. Three violet jewels rested on her forehead, supported by a strand of leather worn about the crown of her head, and her long dark hair was pulled back in a braid. Her style of dress was completely unfamiliar to Gimli, as was the design of the faintly-glowing amulet hanging from her neck.

She �xed large, greenish-gold eyes on him. Need some help? Her accent was very strange, like nothing Gimli had heard before. She turned away, crouched slightly, and extended her arms to either side. Get on my back. Gimli spluttered. Dwarves do not ride pick-a-back!

The strange woman glanced over her shoulder at him. Hey, I'm not tossing you, am I? Something below the hem of her tunic twitched, and Gimli looked down and was shocked to see a tufted tail swishing between her legs.

She raised her head and peered down the slope. Crap. They just don't slow down, do they? Gimli made a noise that was part exasperation, part growl, and part embarrassment. Oh, for crying out loud! the woman muttered, whirling back to face the Dwarven warrior. Before he could react, he had been slung over the stranger's shoulders like a sack of ore, and she was bounding down the hillside, rapidly closing with Aragorn and Legolas.

P—P—PUT ME DOWN! he bellowed, shaking his feet and �sts but being careful not to strike her. YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS INSULT TO MY DIGNITY!I gave you a choice, Gimli, and you refused it, she replied nonchalantly, as Aragorn and Legolas glanced back up the slope to see what the noise was.

W—what are you doing with our companion! Aragorn demanded. Legolas instinctively began to reach for an arrow, but something stayed his hand. Perhaps it was his convulsive laughter at the sight of Gimli �ailing about and being carried on the shoulders of a woman who, by the look of her, could not have weighed more than half of what her burden's weight would be if he were stark naked and carrying no armour or weapons.

Damn you, Elf! Gimli roared, shaking his �st. I was this close to starting to not dislike you! Legolas fell to his knees and wiped tears from his eyes. Based on Aragorn's sputters, he was �ghting a losing battle to keep from also collapsing in mirth.

Who—who are you the Ranger �nally managed to squeeze out.

The newcomer let out a puff. My name is Kali. Now let's get moving! The Orcs are �ve miles in that direction. She balanced Gimli on her shoulder with one hand and used the other one to point roughly south. We'd best hurry. Kali shifted the Dwarf onto her back, leaned forward, and took off running down the remainder of the hillside and onto the rocky �atland below it.

WAIT! Stop! Put me down! Gimli shouted, from his position hanging upside-down with his head a few feet above the ground. I changed my mind! I'll ride pick-a-back!

Without breaking stride, Kali took hold of one of Gimli's arms and one of his legs and rotated him so that he was now clinging to her in piggyback fashion. Legolas and Aragorn watched, astonished, mouths hanging open in shocked silence.

How can she move that fast carrying a Dwarf! Aragorn cried.

I don't know, but we'd best try to catch up! Legolas responded, launching himself down the slope at top speed.

After a few moments of chase, with Kali continuing to outstrip the Elf and Ranger, Gimli glanced back and noticed them. He must have said something to Kali, because she slowed down and came to a stop, waiting for the other two to catch up. They �nally did so, panting and wheezing, and Gimli chuckled. He actually chuckled! Now you two know how I've felt for the last week!Please, Kalinot so fast Aragorn panted. We cannot keep up with you.

She sighed and smiled. Yes, I suppose I should be nice to you since you're old.O—old! What—You're eighty-seven years old, aren't you? she asked with a wry smile.

That's older than I am. Thus, you're old. But then, you've aged exceptionally well. She turned and began walking at a brisk pace. The Elf and Man had to jog to keep pace with her, much to Gimli's delight.

So how, exactly, do you know about these Uruk-Hai we're headed for? Legolas asked.

I have ways of �nding things out, she replied breezily. You guys want to �nd Merry and Pippin before the Uruk-Hai get them to Isengard, right? Aragorn answered, surprised.

Damned Saruman Kali muttered. He needs a good ass-kicking. I'll have to go do that when I get the chanceEh? How's that? the Ranger inquired, confused.

Oh, nothing she said, grinning. Then she turned serious again and murmured, Frodo and Sam should be getting to Firefall's place pretty soonCalm down, Aragorn-sama. You'll �nd out soon enough. Aragorn was confused. Sama' meant parchment' in the ancient tongue of Númenór.

Not that sama! Kali interjected. Suddenly, he knew that -sama was a title in a language called Eastern Common, indicating someone of higher rank than the speaker or greatly respected by them. How he knew, he had no idea.

Kali glanced over her other shoulder at Legolas. Probably not nearly as nice as yours would. He yelped, and bright red lines spread across his face.

The Elf shot a slightly fearful look at Aragorn. She can read thoughts! he whispered.

Aragorn blinked in surprise. That must be how she knows our names He took a deep breath and wiped a sweatdrop from his forehead. So, Kali he began, trying to sound innocent, where do you come from? I've never heard an accent like yours before. What do you do? Are you a hunter? a warrior?I don't like to talk about where I originally came from—where I was born, that is, she answered. It wasn't a very nice place. Of course I �xed it up a little before I left, but it still isn't as cool as other places I've lived since then.

What do I do, you ask? To make it brief, I'm a psionic holy-warrior-mage. Legolas said. So you originally came from somewhere hot? Was it far to the south?Uh—no. Not that kind of cool. Cool, in this context, means that something is very good, pleasant, or particularly impressive. For example, I might say I think it's cool' that you're a skilled archer. In that case, it would mean I like archery and the fact that you're good at it.I see

Kali sighed and laughed softly. It might take you a while to get used to my manner of speech. I use a lot of words and terms that you've probably never heard or wouldn't expect to hear in the contexts I use them in.

But you're smart. I'm sure you'll be able to �gure it out.What does psionic' mean? Aragorn inquired.

You know how Gandalf is a wizard and uses magic?Psionic powers are sort of like magic, but come from the mind rather than from outside.all rightOh, you'll get to see some demonstrated soon enough, Aragorn-sama.

Such chatter continued for a few more hours, until they stopped after dusk to camp in a small hollow. They slept peacefully; Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas had the nicest rest they had had for days. The sleeping music from Final Fantasy VII played. Legolas was the �rst to rise, and noticed the red-tinted sky in the east.

Red sky he murmured. Blood was shed last nightbut whose? I dearly hope not that of our Hal�ing quarry. Kali said, partially muf�ed by the pillow she had conjured from thin air the night before, along with others for her new companions. A party of Rohirrim attacked the Uruk-Hai that stole Merry and Pippin. Legolas whispered. How do you know these things?Well, one of my psionic powers is that I can sense things that happen far away by using clairvoyance.Then—can you sense where Merry and Pippin are?

She closed her eyes brie�y. Yes. They're about a mile to the south of us.Do you Legolas hesitated, still a bit reluctant to completely trust this person whom he had met less than a day ago. Do youknow whereFrodo and Sam areHold on Kali closed her eyes again and concentrated. Yes. They've just reached the edge of Hildorien. They should reach Firefall's residence quite soon. Legolas squeezed his eyes shut and racked his brain. It was still rather early. Isn't thateast of Mordor?Yes. Don't worry. The Ring will get destroyed eventually. the Elven prince cried. It is the Dark Lord's last link to existence! If he gets hold of it, he will be again able to take physical form!

Gimli lifted his head long enough to growl Shut up, Elf! and promptly dropped it onto his pillow again.

Aragorn sighed and stirred. No, Gimli, it's about time we should get up anyway.Curse it all! the Dwarf swore, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. I was in the middle of a dream.Legolas, you don't need to worry yourself about the Ring being destroyed; it will happen soon enough, Kali assured. Of course, I can't expect you to trust me like you trust Gandalf, can I? Aragorn corrected.

Yes, whatever she said, with a small, secretive smile.

After breaking their fasts on unusual but tasty foods conjured by Kali, the four trackers continued on their way. After a few minutes of travelling, the wind shifted, carrying towards them the smell of smoke and burning matter. Kali choked and covered her face with a hand.

Someone is burning dead bodies! came her voice into the three males' heads.

Aragorn sniffed the air and nearly gagged. Yes, that does smell like burning �esh.

Look—over there! Kali's voice said, and she pointed southeast. The three others looked in that direction, but only Legolas' sharp Elven eyesight picked up the group of horse-riders.

I see a large group of men on horseback, he relayed. Some of them are wearing helms with long plumes of hair attached to the top as decoration.That sounds like Rohirrim, Aragorn said quietly. How far away are they? Are they moving?They are headed in our direction at a good pace, Legolas replied. But I do not think they have noticed us. He gave a start and turned to Kali. Are they the band that attacked the Uruk-Hai we have been following?

Kali nodded silently, her hand still clamped over the lower half of her face. Forgive me for not speaking, she said mentally, in the fashion of Galadriel, but I am part feline, and my olfactory organs are very sensitive.

Feline, eh? That explains the tail, Gimli muttered.

Legolas cried. Upon taking a good look at Kali, he saw that she did, indeed, have a tail.

So what race are you, if you don't mind my asking? the Dwarf queried. I don't think I've ever seen anyone like you.

That's because I'm rather unique, she sent to them. I self-shaped myself into a cross of Sekhtali, Rayaluan, Tefati, and Kender.

Gimli blinked. I don't know of those races either.

The Sekhtali are a branch of the Maiar. They—

Perhaps now is not the time, Kali, Aragorn interrupted. I, for one, would like to speak to these Rohirrim and �nd out what they know of Merry and Pippin.

Kali huffed. There's plenty of time, if it's at the speed of thought she sent to them, and began jogging towards the approaching riders. Before she had gone three steps, the three men knew of what she had spoken: The Sekhtali were a branch of the Maiar that were all of good alignment (and though they didn't know what that was supposed to mean, they somehow understood it), the Rayaluan were the spacefaring race from which Elves had descended (a great surprise to all three of them, especially Legolas), the Tefati were a race of catlike humanoids (descended from cats in the same way humans were descended from apes? That made no sense!), and Kender were diminutive, childlike, eternally-curious wanderers who were skilled at taunting and larceny.

So this is psionic power?' Aragorn wondered to himself as he and his comrades followed behind Kali.

Yes, her voice said in his mind. Isn't it great?

Before long, the foursome had come within hailing distance of the horse-riders. The one at the head, his helmet and armour especially ornate, pointed his spear at Kali and cried, Halt! Who are you? What is your business on the Riddermark? Kali said brightly, coming to a stop. You're Éomer, right? I'm Kali. Pleased to meet you. We've been tracking a couple of Hobbits that were abducted by a group of Uruk-Hai, and from what I understand, you engaged said Uruk-Hai in battle last night, slaughtered them all, and burned the corpses.

Éomer's mouth and eyes gradually opened wider and wider as she went on, and when she had �nished speaking, he sat his horse in silence for several moments, then gave himself a shake. He took off his helmet and ran a hand over his long blonde hair. H-Hobbits? I'm afraid I don't know—Perhaps you know them by the name of Hal�ings, Aragorn put in, and when Éomer shook his head, the Ranger continued. There were two of them. They are much smaller than Men—probably resembling children to your eyes. They were wearing green cloaks of Elvish make You did not

Éomer took a deep breath. I am sorry, he said gravely. My band slew every member of that party and burned the remains. Aragorn whispered, feeling his throat tighten. Legolas bit his lip and turned away, and Gimli lowered his head forlornly.

Kali turned to face the three men behind her. Wha—? Stop that! They're not— She was cut off suddenly as one of the riders, towards the back, moaned and slid off his horse.

one of the men near him cried, leaping off his mount. Kali whirled around and dashed to the fallen man's side so quickly it almost seemed that she �ew.

Eómer rapidly dismounted and rushed over. Réldan! Are you—? What happened!

Kali carefully rolled Réldan onto his back and lightly touched his cuirass. It disappeared from his body and appeared on the grass a few feet away. Dark stains were clearly visible along the inner lining on the left side, and the rider's tunic was stiff with dried blood.

He was wounded during the battle, Kali explained, examining him. It initially wasn't that bad, but my guess is that he tried to take it like a man and didn't do anything to treat it. He's lost quite a lot of blood.! He was one of my best archers Éomer whispered hoarsely. First Théodred, now himOh, for crying out loud! Kali exclaimed, glaring at the Rohaner captain over her shoulder. He's not dead yet, and I can heal him! Taking a deep breath, she extended her hands over the motionless body and intoned, A sphere of light seemed to appear within Réldan's chest, rapidly expanding and dissipating into a ring of sparkles. He opened his eyes and inhaled sharply.

he moaned. Thank the Valar! Éomer cried, kneeling next to Kali. You are all right, Réldan? the newly-healed Rohaner sat up, putting one hand to the left side of his abdomen and with a puzzled expression on his face. I—I thought I had been injured, but it didn't seem to hinder me in any way, so I continued to �ght

Kali rolled her eyes. You men and your machismo. You're lucky I was here to keep you from becoming eligible for a Darwin Award. Réldan stared at her in disbelief. You healed me? She nodded, and he made as if to scramble away from her.

Oh, now what? she demanded. You think I'm an Aes Sedai or something? You're scared of me!Uh—no—not exactly, he said nervously. It's just—I've never been so close to anyone who couldwho could use magicWhat, you didn't meet Gandalf when he went to Rohan and borrowed Shadowfax? she asked incredulously. With a sigh, she rose to her feet and dusted her hands off on her trousers. Ah well, it doesn't matter now. I'm glad you're all right; you don't have to give me any payment for healing you. As much as I would like to spend a little more time with you— she cast an appraising glance at Éomer, and he spooked slightly and spots of pink appeared in his cheeks—I'm afraid we really must be going. But don't worry; we'll meet up again soon enough. She turned to face Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Let's go. Aragorn cried, spreading his arms. The Rohirrim said—To where the Uruk-Hai were slaughtered, silly! she answered. I'm sure that there will be some clue there that will reveal the whereabouts of Merry and Pippin even to those without clairsentient abilities.I don't think I've ever heard anyone speak Common that quickly Éomer muttered.

That was Common? Réldan asked, confused.

Kali rolled her eyes and took off towards the south. Aragorn shook his head, seeming almost amused, and followed her. Legolas sighed and began running after them; Gimli turned towards the Rohirrim, shrugged brie�y, and followed the other three.

Aragorn studied the ground, desperately searching for any sign of Hobbits' presence. Kali stood off to one side, idly picking at her �ngernails. Gimli and Legolas caught up, panting, and asked if he had found anything.

Not yet, the Ranger responded. But I haven't been here very long.What's that? his Elven companion asked, pointing. He strode over to what looked like a clump of brown grass and knelt, examining it. It looks It's a piece of rope.

Aragorn went over to see. A frayed piece of rope, and a broken blade He examined the surrounding area. From the indentations in the soil, it looked like the two Hobbits had been seated or lying there, at least brie�y. One of them had used a jagged blade, likely dropped by some Orc during the melee, to saw through the rope binding his hands together, then probably helped the other to get free. Amid the Orc footprints and spatters of black blood, Aragorn found tracks indicating that Merry and Pippin had escaped the slaughterby entering Fangorn Forest.

Oh, no he murmured. Why would they go in there?Because it was safer than dodging Orc swords and Rohirrim spears? Kali called.

He whirled around to face her, about to say something, then changed his mind and shook his head. With ears like that, it's not surprising to think she can hear so well' he thought.

That, and the fact that I'm psychic, she Sent. Walking towards the three, she suggested, So why don't we go in there and look for them?Perhaps I should just let you do all the searching, Kali, since you seem to be so skilled at it, Aragorn said quietly, after they had entered the eerily silent forest.

What? No, she responded. You're the PCs. I'm an NPC. You shouldn't have NPCs doing everything for you, especially when they're as insanely powerful as I am.

Kali huffed. How about I put it like this You three are destined to be heroes. I'm just destined to tag along.Don't question the Great Pattern, dammit!Not so loud! Legolas hissed. This forest feels Gimli looked around warily and gripped the handle of his axe. Kali glanced at him and shook her head, motioning for him to lower his weapon, just as the trees around them began creaking ominously.

Gimli's pulse quickened and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. Clearing his throat, he addressed the forest. I—I didn't come here to chop down trees with my axe! I use it only for cleaving Orcs and Uruk-Hai.Besides, if he were to cut down a tree, I could just grow it back, Kali called.

Grow it Legolas asked.

She looked askance at him. You're a Wood-Elf, and you don't—! Then she seemed to remember something, and nodded. Oh, that's right. For some reason, the Elves on this world didn't keep their psionic powers.? W-what are you talking about

Kali turned to face him, and took a step in his direction. The Firstcomers who became your ancestors stopped using their psionic powers after a while, because they didn't need them. As far as I know, Galadriel is the only Elf left in Middle-Earth who ever Sends. She took another step towards the prince of Mirkwood. Does that meanno Recognition? No soul-names? she asked quietly, half to herself, and moved very close to Legolas, gazing into his eyes all the while. He felt almost mesmerised, locked in the grip of those goldenno, they were greenno, brown He blinked. The colour of her eyes seemed to shift constantly.

Suddenly, he felt her, not just very warm and softly curved in front of his body, but in his mindlooking for something. He was lost in her eyes, drowning in a sea of gold and greenhe knew her. She was Kiliq. All of her, body and soul, was encompassed by that single word. She was in his mind and he in hers. Only—there was something besides her, something else within her mind, someone else—dormant—

Eniv. Everything but Kali seemed to shatter and explode in a �ash of blazing heat and bone-chilling cold. Legolas' head spun, and he reeled with a rush of euphoria so sweet it hurt. That word—that name—it was him! How could he not have known before? All of him, all that he was, ever had been, and ever would be, wasEniv, just as Kali was Kiliq. And he understood, now, what a soul-name was—heard a faint echo of ages past—Soul meets soul when eyes meet eyesLamps of the Valar he whispered in Elvish, suddenly feeling unsteady. Kali put a hand on his shoulder to help support him, and his pulse raced at her touch. Heneeded her. It was almost as if she was a piece of him that he hadn't known was missing. Her skin was hot, and her breathing was becoming faster. She drew close to himher scent �lled his nostrils, a delicate fragrance that was unrecognisable yet thrillingly familiarshe stopped, and turned away.

Well, I guess that answers that, she said quietly, a small smile curving her lips. Her soft, pink lips that he wanted to touch so muchheck, he wanted to touch ALL of her. In ways he had never touched anyone, nor ever even considered Legolas laughed to himself. He had thought he was in love with Elsawé, the daughter of one of his father's closest advisors and whom he had known since childhood, but that was not love. THIS was love. This was he whispered pleadingly.

Yes, Legolas. I know. However, now is not the time. We must �nd Merry and Pippin. She turned on her heel and marched on into the forest. The three men had no choice but to follow.

Sometime later, the hairs on the back of Aragorn's neck rose, and he felt as if he were being watched. He peered around the forest warily, seeking any sign of his stalker, but saw nothing. Of a sudden, Kali stopped, extended an arm in front of them, and hissed for them to be quiet.

Tell me, Legolasdo you see anything? she Sent.

The Elf glanced furtively at their surroundings. Someone is coming, he whispered. I thinkit's the White Wizard. Gimli hissed, hefting his axe.

Don't let him speak! Aragorn ordered quietly, slowly drawing his sword. He'll cast a spell on us! Legolas nodded, stealthily nocking an arrow to his bow.

Not if we win initiative Kali observed. Come on. Carefully, now. She crept forward, looking around from time to time.

Suddenly, there was a �ash of white light to one side. Aragorn whirled around, brandishing his sword; Gimli leapt towards it with a hearty war-cry; and Legolas �red his arrow. The wizard's staff whirled, de�ecting their weapons with no apparent effort, and the arrow vanished in a puff of bright �ame.

Legolas shouted.

Aragorn cried.

Oh, right! It is Gandalf, Kali proclaimed.

—! H—how can that be! Aragorn cried, stepping closer to the wizard on his boulder pedestal.

Oh, the Balrog didn't actually kill him, Kali said with a laugh. They actually enjoyed tea and crumpets together. They just had to make it look like a real �ght for the Valaraukar Public Relations of�ce.

The light had slowly faded, and the three male travellers saw that it was, indeed, Gandalf. He was wearing a white robe that seemed to glow in and of itself, and his hair was straight and white instead of �uffy and gray, but it was de�nitely the wizardly companion they had lost in Moria.

Gandalf looked down at Kali. now why would something like that be the case he queried.

I was sure we'd lost you, Gandalf, Gimli said. How did you manage to survive?

The wizard peered down at the Dwarf standing below him. He looked up, seeming to stare into the distance, apparently deep in thought. Yes, that's rightI was called Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey. The three men nodded. But now I'm Gandalf the White.Which is better overall, because there aren't two different ways to spell Kali stated.

Gandalf turned to look at her and stepped off the stone, �oating down as slowly as a feather. I remember Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, he said, but I don't believe I've met you. she said. I'm so sorry! I must have left my manners in my other pants. Bowing gracefully, she said, Tsah ko Kali hureintelri. Gutairis ko en lehraj, Gandalf shon Diol.

Gandalf paused, surprised. Rakan mandetiru Minfo?

Kali grinned. Tsah mandetiru peltakas siit-ut.Sorry, what was that? Gimli asked. I don't speak Wizard.

Gandalf looked Kali over, from head to foot, and turned to Aragorn. Just where did you meet this remarkable young woman?

Aragorn rubbed the back of his neck, slightly self-conscious for some reason. she, ahis very strong! Gimli cut in. Don't let the size of her fool you!That's true, Legolas agreed. She can carry Gimli as if he weighed nothing at all.

The Dwarf shot a dirty look at his Elven companion. There's a reason I didn't mention that! he grumbled.

Gandalf chuckled. Ah, it is good to be with old friends again. Then he sighed, and became serious. I'm afraid, though, that we cannot stand here chatting to our hearts' content. We must get to Rohan in order to prevent a terrible war from breaking out.Oh, that's right, Kali said. Saruman's been dinking around there, messing with people's heads. He's just asking for a thorough ass-whooping. Legolas laughed, because he understood somehow that ass-whooping' meant she intended to defeat Saruman in the most effective and humiliating way possible (maybe involving repeatedly kicking him in the bottom? Odd, but amusing), but the others just looked confused.

Kali glanced at the four males in turn, then spread her hands. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go! She dashed back towards the edge of the forest.

By the time her companions had caught up, the young catlike woman was happily stroking the silver mane of a beautiful white horse. Gandalf sputtered and nearly tripped.

Wh—what are you doing with Shadowfax! he cried, running towards the pair.

Huh? This isn't Shadowfax, Kali huffed, as if it should be completely obvious to even a blind man. This is Sephiroth. She's my horse. Sephiroth shook her head and stamped a silvery hoof on the ground. Her mane and tail were both of a silver colour, and her eyes seemed almost to be dark green rather than liquid black.

Gandalf sighed, regained his composure, and summoned Shadowfax. Aragorn and Legolas were happy to see that their steeds were following not too far behind the magni�cent white horse.

When everyone had mounted and saddled up (except for Kali, who rode barebackcrazy woman!), Gandalf took Shadowfax's reins and turned him towards Rohan. To Edoras.