Chapter 1

"Oriana!" Oriana Wolfspell clapped both hands over her ears as her stepmother's shriek echoed through their house, "Get down here now!"

"I'm coming! I heard you the first time." She left her room and went onto the landing, "What, Angelina?" Angelina Deshir was flanked by her two children, Issac and Jessica. They were twins and Oriana was convinced they were the children of Satan.

"Don't use that tone of voice with me, young lady! If not for me, you would be out on the streets!" She had to bite her tongue so she didn't say

"If not for you, my father would still be alive!" out loud. She should have known Angelina would likely hear it anyway. "Why you ungrateful little slut!" Angelina hissed. Oriana braced herself, knowing she had just sealed her own doom. Angelina cursed Oriana out of Earth-bound existence by way of a spell very rarely used by anyone in the Magic Communities. The spell she used on Oriana had sub-spells, making it dangerous to attempt breaking the spell at the risk of the Spellbound. In Oriana's case, transfiguration from her human form was part of the spell. Now, there wasn't much Oriana could do as she was ripped out of existence to be dumped Gods knew where, but what she could do, she did quickly. Angelina hadn't quite cast correctly, so Oriana chose her new form and where she wanted to end up just before the spell took full effect and she lost consciousness. She didn't know how long it was before the spell dumped her back into consciousness, but as soon as she hit the ground, Oriana knew that she definitely wasn't in Coral Banner Court anymore. And she wasn't human either. Oriana had four powerful legs, sharp fangs, and a thick pelt of black fur. She had transformed herself into a black she-wolf.

Sitting up, Oriana looked around, "Hmm. This is interesting. Don't think Angelina could find me here." With a chuckle, she got up, shook herself, and set off at a lazy trot, putting her nose to the ground every so often. She hadn't gone far when she felt a jolt of magic. Oriana ground to a halt and sniffed the air. Suddenly, something stirred, scattering leaves. Whatever it was, Oriana was right in its way. She did not move. A moment later, something solid collided with her and she tumbled backwards. There was a muffled yelp of alarm and a moment later, she was nose-to-nose with a rumpled and frightened Halfling. If he was scared, she was more than surprised.

Frodo didn't know what he'd run into until, crawling to his knees, he found himself staring into a pair of emerald hued eyes surrounded by black fur. A wolf! The wolf remained absolutely still, watching him. Behind him, Frodo could hear Boromir crashing around, shouting his name, trying to find him. If Boromir found him, he'd try to take the Ring again! He clutched the small piece of gold tightly in his hand, looking over his shoulder. The wolf whined, as though trying to speak. Frodo looked back and gulped, "Where…where did you come from?"

Somewhere far away from here, Frodo. I will not hurt you. He gave a jump at the sound of a voice in his head, before he realized that it was her voice.

"You can talk?"

If I need to, I can. Yes.

"You're not…one of his wolves, are you?" he wondered why he was talking to a wolf, who could easily finish him off if she desired. But the wolf shook her head.

No, Frodo. I do not serve Mordor nor Isengard. I will not use my power to further their dark causes. Suddenly, she rose to her feet, hackles bristling, teeth bared. She growled low, dangerously, and lowered her head. Frodo heard harsh breathing and curses behind him and flipped over as Boromir came charging into view. The wolf stood over him as a mother protecting her child, eyes pinning Boromir on the spot. The warrior of Gondor stumbled to a halt as he saw her and drew his sword. Frodo saw something in Boromir's green-gray eyes.

"Boromir, stop. Please."

"Frodo?"

"Yes, Boromir. What happened down by the statues?"

"Madness, Frodo. A passing thing. I wanted to beg your forgiveness, even if you will not give it to me." The young Steward fell to his knees, the sword falling from his hand. Frodo saw that Boromir was crying now.

"Do you mean that, Boromir? You nearly took the Ring from me, you would have killed me, had you been able."

"Please, Frodo, please. Forgive me and let me swear again. To protect you, to protect the others, and see the Ring destroyed." Boromir was pleading in earnest now, but Frodo still didn't trust the Man to keep his word. The wild gleam in Boromir's eyes still haunted him. He looked up at the wolf, "Is he telling me the truth?"

I sense no evil in him anymore. He is only frightened of the evil that would have claimed him and that he has lost forever what little trust you had in him. She relaxed, And I sense a deeper sadness for so many wrongs. Frodo nodded.

"I will forgive you, Boromir."

"Thank you, Frodo!" Boromir sobbed.

"I will forgive you, and keep your oath of loyalty. But I cannot trust you yet, and I cannot go to Mordor in any way but alone."

"You can't go alone, Frodo! It's madness!" Boromir cried, "Take one of us, any one of us! If it seduced me, it will do the same to you, the closer to come to the Gates."

He is right, Frodo. You will not last long on your own. The Ring has already taxed your strength and your will severely. The wolf soothed, whining softly now. Suddenly, they heard shouting not far away. The Orcs were nearer now.

"Frodo! Run!" Boromir grabbed his sword and lunged to his feet, eyes hunting for Orc. The first Orcs came into sight and Frodo did just what Boromir had told him and ran. Behind him, he heard Boromir and the wolf hold them off. How long could they fight them? How long before they caught him?

Suddenly, Oriana felt something behind her. She wheeled around and saw the archer behind her. He wasn't an Uruk archer, he was far too fair of face. His hair was as sunlight on water, his eyes a piercing blue. Oriana realized, as an arrow whistled past her, that he couldn't see her. Instinct drove her towards him as he fought alongside Boromir. Another Man joined them, and a Dwarf. Merry and Pippin were gone, Oriana noticed. Captured. Frodo! Where was he? Frantic, Oriana took off in the direction she had last seen him go. Suddenly, Uruk-hai stormed towards her, carrying a burden. Oriana couldn't attack these, for fear of killing the Ringbearer. Frodo was slung over one's shoulder, half-conscious. The Ring hung freely, swinging like a pendulum.

Frodo! Frodo, no! Oriana cried in her mind. She chased the Uruk-hai back to the clearing, and heard a shout. Then something crashed in the forest. Stones. Oriana put on more speed and when she came back, Oriana saw Boromir standing alone, fighting off the few Uruk-hail left. The hillside had collapsed but he hadn't fallen. The others were nowhere in sight. Had they been captured? She skidded to a halt, panting. Furious, she threw her head back and howled. Boromir fell to his knees, exhausted and wounded, his foes dead at his feet. Oriana wanted to cry, but as a wolf, she could only howl. So, she did.

When the sound of battle above them had died down, Aragorn was desperate to call out for Boromir. He raised his head a little, "Boromir?" There was no answer, not from the man of Gondor. Aragorn's heart nearly stopped and he crawled to his knees, "Boromir!" Suddenly, a long howl filled the clearing and Aragorn cursed, "Wolves!"

"Aragorn! Don't draw them!" Gimli cried from further down the slide. The echoes hadn't died before the cry was repeated. That's when Aragorn realized something. There was only one wolf in the clearing, and it wasn't hunting prey. The repeated cry was one of fury and despair. A moment later, the howling died.

"Boromir!"

"Aragorn! You're alive!" Boromir cried, appearing above him.

"Help us out!"Aragorn automatically reached for him. Boromir stretched down and grabbed him by the arms, pulling him out of the crevice. Together, they pulled Legolas and Gimli out. Legolas pushed Gimli up first, and began his own climb. Suddenly, a furry black form slid between Aragorn and Boromir and grabbed hold of Legolas, who looked to be the worst of them on account of the fall, by the straps of his quiver. Aragorn was startled to realize that the wolf he'd heard earlier was pulling his friend to safety. Boromir released his hold, and Aragorn did the same. Groaning, Legolas pulled himself up, aided by the wolf, who dragged him away from the edge when he was out. Aragorn looked at Boromir, "Where is Frodo?"

"I don't know. I fear those creatures captured him as they did Merry and Pippin." Boromir shook his head. The wolf whined, nuzzling Legolas's still form.

"The wolf?"

"Found her with Frodo. Don't know where she came from, but she's not a creature of Mordor or Saruman." Boromir said roughly. The wolf's fur was matted with blood, Orc blood. There was a crashing in the trees and they spun around just as a terrified Sam tumbled into the clearing. Aragorn was so relieved, "Sam!"

"Frodo! Where's Frodo?!" he gasped, trembling. Aragorn looked at the gardener, "I'm so sorry, Sam."

"No! We've gotta find him!" Sam cried, trying to break out of his arms.

"Sam, no." Aragorn held fast, "No." Legolas stirred and pushed himself to his knees, aided by the black wolf as she pushed her head under his arm.

The Elven prince looked at the wolf and smiled, stroking her head, "Hannad, meldis." She wagged her tail slowly and tugged on his sleeve. He laughed and got to his feet slowly, "Alright, Elendûr." He looked at them, "She says we have no time to waste. Three of our friends are in danger."

"Did you hit your head on a rock when you fell, Legolas?" Gimli looked at his friend warily, "Wolves don't talk."

"Of course they do! All animals can speak if they so desire, sir Dwarf." Legolas smiled so broadly Aragorn wondered the same as Gimli. But he'd known Legolas long enough not to really let it bother him. They returned to the river to regroup and gather whatever gear they might need. As he was sorting his own gear, he was alarmed to hear a loud splash. Legolas looked up and laughed, "Look." Turning to look over his shoulder, Aragorn could see that the wolf had taken a running leap into the water and was paddling around.

He chuckled and shook his head, "I suppose a layer of Orc blood didn't suit our friend."

"Elendûr, tula!" Legolas whistled. Obediently, the wolf trotted to his side after shaking herself off. Shaking his head, Aragorn led them on the hunt for Merry, Pippin, and Frodo.

Aragorn sat before the fire, listening to the others sleep. Sam and Boromir lay dead to the world, who lay near each other for warmth. Legolas sat by him, reclining against the wolf, who lay with her head on Aragorn's lap. He smiled and ruffled her fur affectionately. She had hunted for them tonight, bringing in two fat rabbits. For her troubles, they had eaten well. Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he looked up sharply. Something was out there. He reached for his knife, skin atingle, "Legolas. Wake up." As he spoke, he saw several pinpoints of glittering light beyond the light of the flames. Eyes. A faint howl reached him, and the wolf raised her head, ears pricked.

Legolas opened his eyes slowly, "It's her pack." As she woofed softly, he loosened his grip. Sam and Boromir hadn't even stirred. A moment later, several wolves entered light. They greeted the black wolf as they would have a pack leader before settling around the fire. An old grayed wolf settled beside Aragorn on his other side, his head resting on Aragorn's foot. A white female snuggled in between Sam and Boromir. Three or four pups tumbled together, yelping. The old male growled softly and they calmed. The others curled together, soon asleep. Two identical gray wolves sat up, eyes and ears alert. Content that they were in no danger and their guards would alert them if anything came too near the camp, Aragorn laid down cautiously. The gray male nuzzled his shoulder, forcing him to brace himself up for a moment. When the old one crawled under his shoulders and head, Aragorn smiled. Well, at least he had a pillow. They all slept well that night and were undisturbed. With the dawn, Aragorn found that one of the pups, a little bundle of black fur with a white band around the neck and white on the face and muzzle, had crawled onto his chest during the night. There were also more wolves than there had been. He counted and came up with nearly twenty wolves. Ten wolves made one pack. There were five more this morning. When Sam woke up to find himself covered by the white wolf in the first pack, he panicked. The wolf looked at him, sniffing curiously.

Sam looked at Aragorn, "Wh…where did they come from, Strider?"

"I don't know. At least nine of them belong to our black guide. The other five must be part of a second pack." Aragorn yawned and sat up, displacing his small companion. He patted the old one's flank appreciatively and stretched. Legolas slept still, his hair a stark contrast to the young female's black fur. The white wolf sniffed Sam's feet and licked the tough soles, causing the Hobbit to yelp.
As the skilled tongue slid between his toes, Sam giggled, "Hey now! No need for that!" Obviously, the white one thought otherwise and continued her ministrations. It wasn't long before Sam was rolling with laughter. It was good to hear him laugh again, Aragorn decided as he made a small meal of lembas and miruvor. The white female must have found him quite fascinating, or in desperate need of attention, because she moved from feet to face. Finally, rather damp, and very happy, Sam pushed her away and sat up. The pups barked excitedly and mobbed him, vying for his attention. When they were all awake and refreshed, Aragorn got them on the move again. Most of the wolves vanished about midmorning, but the majority stayed. Around noon, the black female returned with the hunters. She carried something in her jaws.

Aragorn knelt, "What do you have, melis?" She dropped two objects into his hand, a chain and a cloakpin. He lifted the chain and swallowed hard as the Ring slid before his eyes.

Legolas knelt beside him and stroked her fur, "She says they found those about three miles to the west of here and the Uruk-hai move north. There were footprints moving away from the main tracks, so the Hobbits were alive when they dropped these." Aragorn nodded and looked at her.

"Thank you, melis. I wish I knew your name." Legolas smiled at him, "She likes her Elvish name."

"Elendûr? It means Black Star."

"Exactly." Legolas got up and scanned the horizon, "If we followed the trail, we should gain them in a day." Aragorn nodded and looked over his shoulder, "Boromir, Sam, we have them!" Sam stumbled to his knees, shaking his head, "I can't go no further…not this way." Boromir paused beside the Hobbit and looked at him, "What if someone carried you, Sam?"

"Huh?" Sam looked up at him. Aragorn grinned, "That's an idea, Boromir." The Man of Gondor shrugged off his shield and lifted Sam to his feet, "Put your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist, Sam."

"You don't have to carry me, sir." Sam murmured even as he climbed onto Boromir's back. Boromir chuckled, "I used to carry my little brother all around the White City. You will not be a hindrance." Aragorn took up Boromir's pack and shield, "Let's keep moving." The black wolf pawed his hand, whining. He looked at her, "What is it, Elendûr?" She nosed his pocket where he had put the Ring and looked at him. He frowned, "You want to carry it?"

"Let her, Aragorn. She's less likely to fall prey to it's call than any of us are." Legolas said. Aragorn sighed and knelt again, slipping the chain over her head, "Keep it safe for us." Elendûr licked his hand reassuringly and they set off. That night, they did not rest. With their quarry so near, they had no desire to stop.

Frodo wondered often, as they were carried across the plains, if he had been right to drop the Ring. Perchance Aragorn and the others would find it and know what it was meant to tell them. He wondered, too, if his wolf friend from Amon Hen was still with Boromir or if she had moved on. As they had carried him away, he thought he had seen her watching them from beneath the undergrowth. He had told Merry and Pip about her, and they both wanted to see her. Then, he noticed that they were being followed. He made out a familiar shape behind them, flanked by others. He had to smile, "Pippin! Merry! They followed us! The whole lot of them!"

"Huh?" Pippin craned his head, "Wolves?"

"Behind us!" Frodo whispered excitedly. The Uruk-hai had been double-timing it since they had picked up Aragorn's scent, but his friends had not fallen behind. That night, they camped under the trees of Fangorn Forest. Frodo was reminded of the Old Forest in Buckland.

The Uruk-hai dumped their captives and left them. The one, Baglor, shook himself, "We ain't goin' no further till we've 'ad a breather."

Uglúk, who had taken over after Lurtz had been killed, straightened, "Get a fire going!" The Uruk-hai and orcs began to hack away at the trees with their axes. Frodo winced, ducking his head.

Pippin crawled towards Merry, who lay a little way away, "Merry! Merry!"

"I think we might have made a mistake leaving the Shire, Pippin." Merry groaned as Frodo crept closer. A rumbling sound was heard in the trees, a groaning. Pippin's head shot up, "What's making that noise?"

"It's the trees." Frodo whispered.

"What?"

"You remember the Old Forest? On the borders of Buckland?" Merry pitched in. Pippin nodded eagerly.

Frodo looked at the trees, "Folk used to say that there was something in the water that made the trees grow tall, and come alive."

His cousin's eyes grew wide, "Alive?"

"Trees that could whisper, talk to each other, even move." Frodo added.

"I'm starving." Baglor growled, tossing aside a lump of bread. "We ain't 'ad nothin' but maggoty bread for three stinkin' days!" Frodo looked at his cousins . Hungry Uruk-hai was not good.

"Yeah!" a scrawny Orc whined, "Why can't we have some meat?" almost instantly, Frodo and his cousins were the focus of attention, "What about them? They're freshshsh!"

Uglúk backhanded him, "They are not for eating, Roc!" The cousins were hauled off their feet and held fast.

"What about their legs? They don't need those." Roc's comrade Grishnákh snapped his teeth, "Ooh! They look tasty!"

"Get back!" Uglúk snarled, shoving him away.

I'm going to die! Frodo thought frantically as Roc eyed him up.

"Just a mouthful?" Uglúk beheaded him for his troubles.

"Looks like meat's back on the menu boys!" he roared. The Uruk-hai and Orcs cheered and started tearing into Roc, intestines flying, taking their eyes off the hobbits for a while. They were knocked off their feet, but no one noticed.

"Pippin, Frodo, let's go!" Merry hissed. Their hands still bound, the hobbits crawled away. Suddenly a foot came down onto Merry, pinning him to the ground. Pippin and Frodo flipped over.

Grishnákh chortled, "Go? Call for help. Squeal! No-one's gonna save you now!" Suddenly, a spear hit Grishnákh. Mayhem ensued as riders burst out from their hiding places and ambushed the Orcs.

Frodo looked at his cousins, an idea forming, "Pippin! Merry! Come on!" The hobbits tried to escape from the pandemonium to the forest, dodging bodies and stomping feet, falling and stumbling. Suddenly, Frodo hit the ground, tripped by a body. He rolled over and looked up at a pair of thrashing hooves bearing down on him, "Aah!"

"Frodo!" Pippin yelled as he rolled out of the way just in time. His cousins dragged him to his feet. They cut their bonds on a fallen axe-blade and shook off the ropes. Their hands freed, the hobbits ran away from the battle scene, dodging under a horse and trying to stay out of harm's way. As they fled, Grishnákh grabbed Pippin by his belt and clung on. Frodo drew Sting and struck the Orc. He let go, howling, and they bolted.

"The trees!" Merry cried, "Make for the trees!" Frodo looked over his shoulder as they dove into the cover of the forest and hoped they would be safe. He didn't want Grishnákh or Baglor coming after them.