The next morning, Han was wrested physically away from his hip flask, and given news that he, and Gandalf, were only to have access to it in the evenings, after the group had made camp. During the day, it was to be kept with Leia, and with the sheer amount of scowling that woman was throwing around, the idea of stealing it from her was none too popular.
Around mid-afternoon the group reached a plateau in the hilly plains. It overlooked much they had traveled, and gave a good place to sit and rest for a few minutes, or at least enough time to allow Aragorn and Gandalf they're customary hill-top argument. Jaina also took this time to have Boromir apologize to every plant he shot, in another attempt at stopping the Gondorian's forest-arson. This time, however, the yelling was cut short with a shout from Legolas.
"Crebain! From Dunlands! Hide!" The elf dragged Leia and Gimli under a bush, and even though most of them had no idea what he was talking about, they also hid.
Soon, the flapping of many wings was heard overhead as the black birds of Sauruman washed over them like a wave. Jacen, from his space crammed under a bush with Tenel Ka, started to concentrate. As the mighty flock wheeled off into the clouds, a single black point returned and lit on a branch overlooking the Jedi.
"Whew. Didn't think he'd listen!" Jacen said, as he crawled off Tenel Ka's lap and stroked the bird. "The evil mind controlling these animals was strong, and it was tough getting one to veer away." The remainder of the 'hidden' came over to see. Gandalf made a scoffing noise.
"Our passage south is being watched. We must take the path of Caradrahas!" He pointed quite vigorously at the overlooking mountain. "You may take the bird. But if it tries to return to its master, I'll have the elf shoot it." The wizard turned and started up the steep path towards the snowy peak.
Artoo whistled and made a raspberry noise. Threepio patted the domed head.
"Yes, I do think he's abrasive, but we did take his alcohol..."
-------------------------------------------------
The group trudged on. Talon, as Jacen and Anakin had opted to name him, turned out to be quite useful. When they lost Gandalf, (They thought he fell off a cliff, unfortunately, he was only hat-deep in a snowdrift) the bird flew from Jacen's shoulder and returned with the location of the irksome wizard.
With the deep snow underfoot, the going was tougher as they climbed higher. The hobbits were levitated by their Jedi friends, and Boromir was cajoled into carrying Gimli. Chewbacca and Lowie walked up front with Gandalf, helping to forge a pathway for the rest, but the malignant snow only filled the trail as fast as they could plow it. At last, Gandalf collapsed, and the group huddled together, too cold to move much. Bill stood over the frozen hobbits, trying to stave off the cold, but the group must decide: To continue and risk freezing the ring bearer and his fellow hobbits? Or go back, provoking Sauruman? Or worst... the mine...