A/N: * = my dearest.
A damp heavy cloud hung over the Wilderland, shrouding the whole place in a gauzy veil of mist. Moisture clung to every surface, causing tendrils of fog to creep mysteriously over the huge boulders that scattered the land. Jagged fingers of rock jutted upwards from the stony earth, reaching towards the overcast sky. The clammy rocks slipped dangerously underneath Hzrathgur's heavy paws, and even his colossal paws could gain a purchase on the damp rocks. His paws slid treacherously over the dampened stones, and he growled in frustration. Accalia head him clench his jaws together, and she stroked the tips of his ears gently.
These accursed Hobbits. Hzrathgur snarled. Why can't they follow the path like any normal creature?
Accalia continued rubbing the edges of his soft ears, feeling the velvet tips between her forefinger and thumb. She felt his sinewy muscles relax marginally, but his jaws remained locked. Because they were running for their lives, Accalia soothed him tenderly. And they thought they were being pursued by Uruk-hai.
She heard Hzrathgur snort loudly, huffing a cloud of fine white mist into the chilly autumn air. His jaws loosened in his mirth. Reason, from your lips, Accalia? It is like finding a pearl in a swine trough - most unusual.
Are you saying I'm not reasonable? Accalia demanded playfully, ruffling the fur on his head.
No, little Rider. I am saying you are an impulsive hothead who cannot control her temper. It is common at your age. Hzrathgur teased. Accalia bit back a laugh.
At my age? Hzrathgur, I'm almost four thousand years old. I'm hardly a teenager anymore, am I? Accalia asked.
Oh, but it's such a nice excuse. Everyone sympathizes with the rebellious puppy. Hzrathgur laughed. Accalia dug her fingers lightly into the nape of his neck.
Just remember, I'm the one in charge. Accalia said mirthfully, egging him onwards with her heels. Hzrathgur picked his way around another slick boulder.
How can I forget? You are no pixie, dearest Rider. Hzrathgur teased. Accalia smiled and stroked his chest and she felt him relax some more.
I have been losing weight, Accalia insisted. This infuriating journey with it's irregular mealtimes is robbing me of my hips. I feel like a skeleton.
Legolas doesn't seem to think so. Hzrathgur said, his eyes focused on the ground ahead of him, his muzzle perfectly straight. Accalia rolled her eyes.
We've been through this - he's a friend. Accalia said.
Ah, and you go on moonlight swims with all of your friends, do you? Hzrathgur inquired pleasantly. Accalia scowled.
I'll have you know he was a perfect gentleman, Accalia said snobbishly. He barely even touched me.
Good, because if I even suspect otherwise… Hzrathgur growled. Accalia soothed him once more by massaging his ears.
You'll tear his legs off, I know, I know. Accalia said, then she tensed. What was that?
Hzrathgur's muscles went taut, and his ears lay flat on his head. A snarl rippled his muzzle, and his soulless black eyes were scanning the damp boulders. They had both heard it at the same time - the patter of bare feet skidding over wet rocks. There was a guttural wheeze, and Hzrathgur began creeping forward, his gleaming white teeth bared in the moonlight. He let out a bark and pounced, pinning a miserable little bundle to the ground, his teeth inches from the little creature's face.
Accalia unsheathed her swords with the metallic noise that all blades make when they are rasping against leather. She crossed them at his neck, and studied the pathetic little man intently. His skin was chalky gray, and looked paper thin; his huge yellow eyes were bulbous and bugging out of his small skull, and the few wisps of black hair that straggled from his scalp were greasy and matted. Black nubs in his mouth must have been teeth at some point, and the only piece of clothing that he wore was a filthy loincloth. When he spoke, it was in a gasping pant that squeaked on the high notes.
"We no hurt the nice human!" he squealed, trying to get away. Hzrathgur growled, a rumbling snarl that started in his chest.
Shall I crunch his face off? Hzrathgur inquired dubiously. He sounded apprehensive to put this disgusting creature in his mouth.
No, Hzrathgur, you might catch a disease. Accalia said, wrinkling her nose involuntarily. She jabbed her blades at his neck, making the dirty little demon whine again.
"Who are you, and where do you come from?" Accalia asked, a vague memory twitching in the back of her mind. This awful little beast looked so familiar, but this mass of grime and sweat that was cringing in front of her was too ugly for words.
"We means no harm!" he whimpered, struggling with Hzrathgur's massive paws. "We liveses heres, all our lifes!"
"Then you know your way around these mountains?" Accalia asked. He nodded vigorously.
"We can lead you out of the mountains, nice human!" he sniveled. Accalia snorted.
"We're not lost, you miserable little wretch. I need to know if you've seen two Halflings pass this way - they would be no taller then you, with curly hair and packs on their backs. Have you seen them? Speak up!" Accalia thundered.
Something flickered in the little demon's eyes, but Accalia didn't catch it. "We sees no Hobbitses!" the demon squeaked. "No Hobbitses pass this way, not that we sees!"
Let him up, Hzrathgur. Accalia said, sighing. We'll have to press on - I'm not abandoning Frodo and Sam out here with demons like these traipsing about.
Reluctantly, Hzrathgur got off of the gray demon. He spared him a glance. Tell him if he doesn't run as fast as he can away from us, I'll fill my belly with his miserable carcass. Hzrathgur growled.
"Be gone, creature, otherwise I'll release Hzrathgur on your bones." Accalia warned obediently. The gray creature scuttled off quickly, nimbly maneuvering the slick rocks like a mountain goat.
I don't like it, Hzrathgur. Accalia murmured finally. We should find Frodo and Sam before something else does.
That is what worries me, jamien*. Hzrathgur said. We cannot track anything in this fog and mist - it would be like tracking a fish in a stream. Nothing leaves prints on bare rock, unless we speak to the mountain itself - and I don't want you calling up the rock gods again. Your father nearly tore my head off when I allowed that to happen.
We won't call up any gods. Accalia said softly. But I despise abandoning them here in the dark, alone. They are only children in my eyes, even though Frodo's courage is great. I worry for him, Hzrathgur.
Worry not, Rider. Hzrathgur purred. He will survive; the stars speak of his success.
The stars speak of the ring being destroyed. Accalia said irritably. It has no mention of Frodo. Sauron could rise to power a hundred times over before what the stars say comes true.
You could ride hard and meet up with Legolas and the others. Hzrathgur said temptingly. If we race, we can reach them by sunset.
Accalia tore her eyes away from the horizon and tousled Hzrathgur's golden fur. You're trying to get me off of these mountains, aren't you? She asked laughingly.
I really hate this place. Hzrathgur admitted. The dampness makes my bones ache.
Accalia smiled, and inwardly her heart soared at the thought of being reunited with Legolas. Doubtless he was feeling betrayed by not seeing her at the ford - she would have to rectify that. Hopefully his Elvish pride would be dampened for a moment, and she could make an apology whilst retaining some scrap of dignity. Riders, as a rule, hated to apologize, and Accalia was no exception.
Slowly, Hzrathgur and Accalia pointed themselves towards the plains of Aragoneth. Hzrathgur leaped forward, jumping cleanly over two wet boulders and they began their traitorous descent.
OoooOoooO
Aragorn closed his eyes and pressed his ear against a rock, listening closely. Hardly detectable vibrations thrummed in his ears, and his breath caught in his throat. "Their pace has quickened." he whispered to himself. "They must have caught our scent."
Ahead of him, Legolas scanned the horizon, hoping for some sign of Uruks or Accalia. A battle would take his mind off of the blonde rider, and if Accalia joined up with them, she would help fight off the Uruks. Either way, he needed something to take his mind off of things. He turned around and saw the ruddy-faced dwarf staggering up the hill, his breath coming in wheezes.
"Hurry up, Gimli!" Legolas snapped. Gimli used his battle axe as a walking stick and stumbled up the hill.
"Three days and three nights…" he panted. "No food, no rest. No sign of our quarry except what bare rock can tell!" after that, he left out a stream of Dwarfish curses, and tumbled down the hill.
They continued on, loping over the grassy hills, until Aragorn dropped to his knees. Legolas, fearing his friend was truly exhausted, quickened his pace to catch up with him and watched him pick up a crushed metal leaf clip. It was a cloak clasp, one of the many Lady Galadriel had given to the Fellowship. "Not idly do the leaves of Lothlorien fall." Aragorn breathed.
"They may yet be alive." Legolas said, daring to allow hope to prick at his heart. He turned and bellowed for Gimli to hurry, and they resumed their frantic race to find their Hobbit friends.
OoooOoooO