Chapter 2

The Fellowship still chased after the Uruk-hai. Dawn had broken on the desolate plains of Rohan. They drew to a halt on a ridge and looked over the land. The wolves gathered with them, all senses alert.

Legolas frowned, looking at the sky, "A red sun rises. Blood has been spilt this night." They stood for a moment, contemplating the fate of their friends. The silence was broken by a mute thunder. Horses. Aragorn quickly got them to hide behind a cluster of boulders. A large group of horse-men appeared, galloping quickly with their banners flying. Aragorn came out of hiding as they passed, followed by Legolas, Gimli and Boromir.

"Riders of Rohan!" he called, "What news from the Mark?" At a signal from the Captain at the lead, the riders made a quick turn and headed towards them, surrounding them in an ever-tightening circle. As the Riders stopped, the Fellowship found themselves at spear-point.

The Captain rode up to them, and eyed them warily, "What business do you have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!"

"Give me your name, horsemaster, and I shall give you mine." Gimli said stoutly, gripping his axe.

The Captain dismounted and drew his sword, "I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground."

Legolas notched an arrow to his bow in the time it would have taken to blink, "You would die before your stroke fell if you lay a hand to him, Éomer!" Aragorn stepped between them, hoping Elendûr and her wolves would stay out of the way.

"We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your King." He bowed his head, "I'm Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, and Boromir, Captain of Gondor."

"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. Not even his own kin." The spears were withdrawn. Éomer looked at them sadly, "Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over this land. My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished." His gaze grew hard, "The White Wizard is cunning. He walks here and there they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked. And everywhere his spies slip past our nets."

"Oi! Leave my friends alone!" Sam's voice reached them, "Move! Out of my way, already!" the Hobbit charged into view, waving his sword, "Don't you touch them!"

"We are not spies." Aragorn said, mentally counting until Elendûr made an appearance, "We track a band of Uruk-Hai westward across the plain. They have taken three of our friends captive."

"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night." Éomer said solemnly. Gimli looked at Sam, "But there were three Hobbits, did you see three Hobbits with them?"

"They would be small, only children to your eyes. Sam is one of them." Aragorn provided.

"We left none alive." Éomer shook his head, "We piled the carcasses and burned them." He pointed off in the distance, where they could see the Uruk-hai pile, still smoking. Sam grew broodingly silent as Gimli looked at Éomer, "Dead?"

"I am sorry." Éomer said, truly apologetic for not paying more attention during the ambush, "Hasufel! Arod! Genulf!" Three horses paced forward and he took the reins of the white one, "May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." He mounted, donning his helmet, "Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands." There was a stir near the boulders and the Riders parted nervously, their horses shying. Aragorn turned to see that many of Elendûr's wolves had come into view, standing on the rocks. Elendûr and the old gray padded forward, flanked by the twins and the white female. Weapons were drawn, but Aragorn shook his head.

"These wolves do not serve Saruman nor Mordor. They have guided us this far and found signs of our friends."

"You are a most unusual man, Aragorn. You travel with two men I count my friends, Boromir of Gondor and Legolas of Mirkwood. You are guided by wolves. Perchance they will bring change to the fortunes of Rohan."

"If the Little Ones lived through the ambush, Elendûr and her wolves will surely find them." Boromir said, stroking Elendûr's head.

Éomer nodded, "I hope that we may meet again, Aragorn." The riders turned aside and rode out of sight. Aragorn looked at his companions.

"Let us search for Frodo and the cousins. I doubt they were slaughtered last night."

"That's optimistic of you." Boromir mused as he lifted a tearful Sam onto Genulf's back. Legolas and Gimli rode together on Arod, and Aragorn mounted Hasufel.

They reached the burning carcasses at about noon, and Gimli started to shift through the smouldering pile, seeking some proof of the Hobbits. Elendûr and her wolves fanned out, noses to the ground. There was no sign of them, and Sam fell to his knees in tears. Legolas whispered a prayer for them, "Hiro hyn hîdh." Aragorn kicked a charred helmet in frustration, watched it sail a good three feet or more before it hit the ground with a dull clatter

"We failed them." Sam whimpered. Aragorn fell to his knees and bowed his head. Something in the grass caught his eye and he straightened, tracing an imprint in the trampled grass.

"A Hobbit lay here... and the other." He found traces, scuff-marks, "They crawled. Their hands were bound." He picked up a frayed rope, "Their bonds were cut and they ran over here... they were followed." Aragorn got to his feet, "The tracks lead away from the battle, into... Fangorn Forest." The wolves had gathered under the trees, hackles raised, their teeth bared.

Gimli blanched, "Fangorn! What madness drew them there?" Elendûr put her nose to the ground for a moment and pawed at the grass. She caught a scent and raised her head, howling. The wolves vanished into the trees, and Aragorn looked at the others, "They found something. Come on." They followed the wolves, wary of the trees in Fangorn.

Having fled into Fangorn, Frodo had quickly realized that they were not as safe as he would have liked them to be. He and his cousins had been forced to climb the nearest trees to escape from Grishnákh, who had come after them and pulled Merry out of his tree. Frodo clung to the tree for dear life, glancing over his shoulder, "Merry! Get up!"

"Aaaagh!" Merry scrambled away from Grishnákh, who slashed at him. Suddenly, the forest echoed with an eerie howl. Grishnákh froze, as they all did.

Frodo smiled, "The wolves!" Sure enough, Grishnákh was bowled off his feet by a sleek black wolf. An old gray wolf trotted over to Merry as the wolves tore Grishnákh to pieces, and nosed him up.

Frodo climbed down, "Come on, Pip! They came! Garaf, melis!" The black wolf he'd met on Parth Galen bowled him off his feet, licking him furiously. He giggled, "Stop! That tickles!"

Frodo, you're safe! Aragorn will be so relieved! She cried happily. He looked at her as she held him, "You've seen Aragorn?"

Yes. He's in Fangorn. Ooh, Frodo, I'm so glad you're alright! she let him sit up and he threw his arms around her, "He must have given you a name?"

Legolas liked Elendûr. So did I. she laughed

"Black Star! He named you Black Star!" Frodo buried his face in her fur, inhaling the tangy forest scent.

"Frodo?" Pippin asked timidly. Frodo looked at his cousin, "Pippin, this is Elendûr. She's the one who helped Boromir."

Taunis is the one who is with Merry. Korin and Klath are the gray twins. Whitestar is the white one there with Taunis. Elendûr said, naming the wolves. Zeray is in the shadows. The others stayed with your companions. They will not find us, though. Frodo knew they had to keep moving. Who knew what else lurked in Fangorn. He nodded and got to his feet, gripping Elendûr's fur. His fingers slid around the chain she wore and he smiled. So she had found the Ring. White Mathet, a magnificent creature the color of new snow with eyes Elvish blue, scratched at the roots of the tree he and Pippin had climbed into to escape Grishnákh. Frodo watched as the tree trembled, swayed, and then moved! It lifted a great rooted foot and moved! Merry and Pippin yelped and clung to each other. Taunis and the twins surrounded them, and Taunis "spoke". A pair of great yellow eyes peered down at him and at the wolves.

"Hoo-room! Who are you, mmm?" the tree spoke very slowly in the strangest voice Frodo had ever heard. Elendûr bowed to the tree, "I am Elendûr, Alpha Minor of the Fangorn Wolves. This is Frodo, he is a Hobbit from the Shire far north of Fangorn. He and his companions, cousins, mean the Ents no harm. They are not Orcs, however small they appear. We are looking for the White Wizard."

"The White Wizard?"

"Yes. Have you seen him? It is he that is called The Wanderer." Taunis spoke then, startling Frodo and his cousins. Of course he would talk! Hadn't Elendûr just spoken to the Ent? The Ent made a strange sound and reached down, picking Frodo up in one long, branchy hand. "And what would you have to do with the Great White Wizard?"

"He's our friend, if you speak of the one I think you do! We called him Gandalf once!" Merry shouted.

Frodo gulped, "It's true. But he died in Moria."

"It would take more than a Balrog to kill Mithrandir, dear little Hobbit! Your friend is alive and well!" Taunis called up, "Treebeard, will you carry the Hobbits? It is too far for them to walk!"

"I trust you…Wise Taunis of the Wolves. I will do as you ask of me." Treebeard mused. Frodo felt the tight grasp loosen and found himself lifted onto a perch atop Treeberd's branches. Merry and Pippin climbed up and they got as comfortable as they could. Frodo looked down to see Elendûr and her wolves, "What about you, Elendûr? Aren't you coming with us?"

"Of course we are! We'll find Gandalf much faster than Treebeard!" one of the twins called up. So, they went off into Fangorn. Frodo talked with Treebeard, telling him the stories of the Old Forest, and wondered if perhaps the Entwives didn't live in the Old Forest. It would make sense.

"If you ever decide to leave Fangorn, Treebeard, come to the Old Forest. I think you might find your Entwives." He said, "Some of the people say that the trees there can talk and move like you. They think it's the water."

"Hmm. You…may be right, young…Master Frodo." Treebeard nodded, "I will…go to your Old Forest…someday. Perhaps."

"Oh wouldn't that be a sight? A real walking tree in the Old Forest!" Pippin cheered, "Then the stories would all be true!" Frodo looked at Merry and laughed.

Aragorn paced the clearing where he and the others had made camp for the night, glancing towards the trees. Elendûr and five of her wolves had been missing since they had caught Frodo's scent and he was worried that something had happened to them. The white and red pup left off playing with her siblings and cousins and bounded over to him, prancing at his feet, "What's wrong, Strider? What's wrong?" Aragorn looked at her and crouched, "I'm worried, Little One."

"About Elendûr? Don't worry about her, she'll take care of them." The pup, her name was Ghost he remembered, climbed into his arms and licked him. He smiled, "I suppose you're right. Wolves are cautious creatures by nature."

"And we're more than that!" Ghost's red cousin Rocco yipped as his sister Mysti pounced on him. Legolas arched an eyebrow but remained silent. Dom, Ghost's brother, just watched his siblings and cousins with a somewhat disgusted look from where he lay sprawled on Legolas's feet. Suddenly, black Duoro raised his head and growled, "Quiet! All of you!" Aragorn looked at the older male, "What is it, Duoro?"

"Someone comes near. Tek, stay alert." Ardeth snarled. Red Tek padded over to Duoro as Naran and Azama rounded up Luor. The pups must have spotted the intruder, for they huddled together, whining. Ghost pressed against Aragorn, hiding her face as the horses whinnied in agitation. A moment later, a cloaked figure emerged from the trees. Duoro and the adults flattened themselves, growling. Azama bared her teeth, "Who are you? Show yourself!" The figure remained silent as he reached out one hand. Azama writhed, whimpering. Legolas sprang to his feet, an arrow notched to his bowstring, "Speak! Or die standing!" Aragorn caught a flicker of blue under the gray hood and frowned, getting up slowly, "Legolas, no. Duoro, come away." The wolves backed off, still snarling. Azama fled, tail between her legs, behind the protection Legolas offered her. The pups were closest to the stranger and tried to make themselves as small as possible. But as the man approached their campfire, he raised his head, "I mean no harm to your company, young King." Aragorn frowned, "Who are you?"

"My name is Sirus." The man said softly, pushing his hood back, "I have heard the cries of the Fangorn Wolves among these trees. Why are they here?"

"Companions of ours were captured. The wolves have gone to track them and their pursuers." Aragorn sat down again, "Sit down, friend. Perhaps you can give us news. Have you seen them?"

"I have not seen them, but my pride has seen them." Sirus sat down gingerly. Legolas and Boromir kept their weapons close while Duoro spread out the wolves to keep guard. Aragorn looked at Sirus, "You have a very unusual name, my friend. More befitting one of Elendûr's wolves."

"Indeed." the old man mused, "Though I feel this to be good fortune that I have happened upon your company, Aragorn. There may be ways you and I can aid each other."

"We don't help the servants of Darkness, Sirus! You know that well!" Duoro snarled, "Go back to your Pridelands and leave us in peace!"

"Why do you believe that I have fallen so low as to serve the Darkness, Duoro? I have never served it and I will die before I allow any of my pack to serve it." Sirus said sadly. Aragorn looked at Duoro, "You know each other?"

"Yes. Sirus, for all his human appearances, is the leader of the Avati Clan. I have never known them to come to us for anything save trouble." Duoro snarled. Boromir, who now guarded the pups, frowned, "You speak of the Avati Pride? They roam these plains protecting the people from danger!"

"You are wrong, Son of Gondor. I know Sirus and his kind too well! If there is trouble in Rohan, they are the cause of it!"

"Duoro! Stop!" Aragorn snapped, "Boromir, what do you know?"

"It's not what, it's who I know, Aragorn. Tabu gave me safe passage to the Gap of Rohan during my journey to Rivendell." Boromir shook his head, "Because of her, I was not set upon by Isengard's creatures." Sirus nodded, smiling wisely, "She wished you had not left us so soon, Boromir. She enjoyed your company a great deal."

"Who is…Tabu?" Legolas ventured curiously. Boromir looked over his shoulder and smiled, "Why not see for yourself?" A moment later, a beautiful white she-wolf melted from the shadows and padded over to Boromir. Aragorn arched an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"Tabu, these are my friends and companions." Boromir smiled as the wolf rubbed her head on his chest. She looked at Aragorn and bowed her head, "You travel in honorable company, Boromir. But what of the Hill of Seeing?"

"A grievous mischance I will never fall prey to again, Tabu." Boromir shook his head, "Ever." Aragorn smiled, "Wasn't it Elendûr who helped you?"

"And Frodo. That is why I came so far. Because I wasn't watching him, he was captured."

"Elendûr? The black Alpha of the Kaludar Wolves?" Tabu raised her head from where it lay in Boromir's lap. She looked at Sirus, "She's here, Father. Yundi saw them with three Halflings. Treebeard has taken them to find the Wanderer."

"Yundi should not have been stalking them."

"Tell him that." Tabu growled. Aragorn laughed at the tone of her voice, "A trouble-maker?"

"As much trouble as Rocco and Mysti."

"Hey!" Mysti poked her head out, "I'm not like Yundi!"

"More than you'd think."

Mysti pounced, "No I'm not!" Aragorn laughed as Tabu pinned Mysti with one paw.

"It looks to me like the Kaludar and the Avati know each other well." he chuckled, feeling more at ease than he had before.

Oriana looked around as she drew to a halt. Taunis and the others were a short way behind her, just out of sight. She wasn't alone, though. Her hackles prickled, and she turned her head sharply as something moved to her left. Flattening herself, she laid her ears back and waited.

Come on. I know you're here. Come out already. She muttered to herself. Suddenly, there was a flash of white just to her left and she wheeled around, springing into action. She collided head on with something several times her size, but she had enough momentum in her leap to get the upper hand. She rolled with her contender, fighting him. She rolled away under a swipe of his paw and crouched, coiled to spring. Her face stung and she felt the blood in her fur. Oriana flattened her ears against her skull and sprang at him, howling. They went flying again, wrestling and striking like mad things. She was flipped over his shoulder, but she spun around and sprang onto his back, digging her claws and teeth into his shoulders. He roared with pain, and collapsed. She went flying and landed near a tree. Oriana lay gasping for breath, groaning. Her opponent wasn't much better. She looked at him, "Who are you?"

"My name is Ihati."

"What are you doing in Fangorn Forest? This isn't your territory."

"The Avati Clans protects all of Rohan. It is you who trespasses here, Wolf." He snarled, getting to his feet slowly.

Oriana shook herself, "I am not trespassing. I'm trying to get my friends to safety before they fall into the hands of Saruman."

"And who are you to say so?"

"I am Elendûr Meldis, Alpha of the Kaludar Wolves. Wise Taunis and his pack are mine."

"Elendûr? The Black Alpha?" Ihati shook his mane, "Taunis and Sirus will destroy us both!" Oriana bowed her head. Ihati nuzzled her shoulder with his head, "I am sorry we fought, Elendûr. We will have quite a lot of explaining to do." Oriana looked at him and sighed. She had scratched him above the eye during their fight, a mark that would scar. Ihati lowered his head, "Hold still, Elendûr." She winced as he licked the wound on her face. When he pulled away, she collapsed. Their fight had drawn attention, and not just from Oriana's company. As her five wolves appeared, so too did eight Avati Wolves. There were too many to fight, and four of the wolves were pups. She wouldn't let her Clan slay the young of another, no matter what the cost in the future. Ihati stood over her, guarding her from his Clanmates.

The oldest of the wolves looked at her, then at Taunis, "Have we not moved beyond this hostility between our clans, Taunis? Or are we doomed to forever hate?"

"As long as you accuse us of trespassing on our own lands, there can be no treaty between us, Iara!" Taunis snarled, "We have told you that Fangorn is well-protected by the Eldar Wolves. There is no need of your kind."

"Then let us finish it!" a younger wolf growled, "You saw what the black one did to Ihati! Let us finish this once and for all!"

Oriana moaned and looked up at Ihati, "I can't…let them do this."

"Taunis, look at Elendûr! She cannot defend herself!" Korin snapped, "This creature will destroy her!"

"Ihati, please." Oriana trembled. If the Eldar Wolves and the Avati Wolves fell to blows, it would only end in bloodshed. Sensing the disturbances, the trees began groaning. Suddenly, the young wolves sprang across the distance separating the two clans and knocked Whitestar into a tree. Zeray howled and charged. The others fell into a frenzy, and Oriana wept. Ihati crouched and nuzzled her, "Roll over, Elendûr, come towards me." She rolled onto her belly and crawled onto Ihati's shoulders. He got up slowly and made his way into the trees. Treebeard would end the battle soon, when he arrived. When the sounds of fighting were far behind them, Ihati put her down in the shallows of the stream that ran through Fangorn. She whimpered, "It's so cold!"

"I know, I know. But the waters of the Entstream are known for healing properties." Ihati murmured, holding her in the water with one paw, "If you do not relax, you will go into shock and then a coma. You have hunted many days, and the first battle you fought still haunts you." The water ran red around her for quite some time, and she felt dizzy. Finally, the water became clear again. Ihati told her to drink, and she did. When she had drunk her fill and the dizziness was gone, he carried her to higher ground and laid her atop a rock that faced the sunlight. As he turned to leave, she raised her head slowly, "Ihati, where are you going?"

"To take my own advice and see what became of the battle. Sleep here, you'll be safe until I return." Ihati said reassuringly before vanishing into the trees. Oriana closed her eyes and soon drifted into unconsciousness.

Frodo sat between Taunis and the queen of the Avati. The fighting had stopped some time ago, and wounds were being tended now. Everything had ended when they realized that Elendûr had gone missing, as had one of the Avati. Suddenly, there was a stir in the trees and Frodo looked up to see a white wolf emerge from the shadows. He looked around the clearing, eyes flashing dangerously. Whitestar blocked him, "Where is she, Ihati? What did you do with Elendûr? Did you leave her body to rot in the forest?"

"Move, Whitestar. I have no desire to harm you, but if you accuse me falsely again, I know Taunis would not forgive me." The wolf, Ihati, sidestepped Whitestar, only to be blocked by the twins. Frodo got up, "Stop it! Korin, Klath! Leave him alone!"

"You trust an enemy, Little One? You are more a fool than I thought!" Whitestar spat, slinking away from Ihati. Frodo drew Sting and shoved between the twins and Ihati, forcing them back, "I said leave…Ihati…alone! I mean it! What would Gandalf say if he saw this?"

"I would say that I have never been more disappointed in my wolves in all the time they have guarded these lands against Darkness." The familiar booming voice startled all of them and Frodo spun around as the man himself stepped from the trees. He had seen Gandalf angry before, but never like this. Frodo noticed that he wore all white now and carried a new staff. Gandalf looked around the gathering, eyes flashing. He looked at Taunis and Iara, "Why did you do nothing to stop them? You are their leaders! It is your job to watch them!"

"There was no stopping them, Gandalf. Once they tasted blood, there was nothing to do but stand aside." Iara said coolly.

Taunis snorted, "Nothing! Hah! You struck first, Iara."

"Did we?"

"Darshia attacked Whitestar! What would you call that?" Korin snarled, glaring at the young she-wolf. Frodo wanted to cry he was so angry. He picked up a small rock and threw it at Korin, "Stop it! Stop it!" Startled, Korin barely ducked the small missile. It struck Darshia between the eyes and knocked her over backwards. He certainly had their attention now. He looked at them, "I have heard too many people arguing over the stupidest things! Kingships and ascendance rights, feuds that are ages old and absolutely ridiculous! Have I forgotten anything, Gandalf?"

"No, you haven't. We haven't come to blows among our own, have we?"

"Not unless you count what happened to Legolas and Boromir in the Brown Lands." Frodo grinned, recalling the night of one of the worst storms he'd seen in years. Boromir and Legolas had been banished from camp by Aragorn and told not to come back until they had made peace. The two must have had a terrific tumble, because Boromir had sported a nasty bruise under his left eye and Legolas had bruised his temple. Not to mention a collection of scratches and bitemarks. Gandalf shook his head, "Indeed, but that was to be expected. I suppose I should be grateful it didn't fall to Gimli." He looked at the two clans, "As for you, my most trusted guardians, this is unacceptable. Fangorn Forest belongs to all of you, not just to the Avati. Nor does it belong just to the Kaludar. It is the same for all of Rohan." The clan animals seemed to know what Gandalf meant and several uneasy looks passed between them.

"What are you going to do, Gandalf?" Taunis asked, shifting his weight. Gandalf smirked, an all-too-familiar expression the three Hobbits knew well. He looked at Frodo, eyes alight, "Tell me, Frodo, what did Aragorn do with Legolas and Boromir?"

"He banished them from camp and told them not to return until they had reached an agreement of some kind."

"Did they?"

"Not without a few marks to tell it, but they did." Pippin chimed. Gandalf looked at the clan creatures, "Who struck the first blows?"

"Darshia and Whitestar went first. Sith came after her and it just went on from there. It kept going until we realized that Ihati and Elendûr were missing." Frodo mused, frowning. Gandalf arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Well then, that makes my decision easier. Where is the Ring, Frodo?"

"With Elendûr. She picked it up, and I never thought to take it back." Frodo didn't know how Gandalf would take that news. Gandalf just smiled, "Very well. We will find Elendûr and you may take the Ring back. Then we will send you on your way to Mordor."

"You're not sending him alone, are you?" Merry shoved forward. Gandalf shook his head, "Oh no, Merry. Not at all. Frodo will have company enough on his journey. As for you two, Treebeard will take care of you until we need you again." The Ent scooped the cousins up and looked at Gandalf, "The young wolf sleeps by the stream. Quickbeam is with her." Gandalf nodded, "Keep them out of danger, Treebeard. And don't let them talk you to boredom." Frodo had to clamp both hands over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud at the pained expressions on his cousins' faces.

As Treebeard went off, he waved, "Be careful, Merry! Take care of Pippin!" When Treebeard was gone, Gandalf smiled.

"Now it time for us to be on our way. Ihati, do you know where Elendûr sleeps?"

"I took her to the stream, Gandalf, and told her to rest." Ihati bowed his head, and Frodo saw the wounds on his shoulders. He went closer and touched the ragged wound on his shoulderblade, "Did Elendûr do this to you?"

"We both look worse than we are, Little One. She is nearly healed." Ihati smiled. Frodo looked at him, "How?"

"The waters of the Entstreams are known to possess healing qualities as well as other benefits." Gandalf winked, "They say the water makes the trees grow tall."

Frodo laughed, "I'm glad Merry and Pippin weren't here to hear you say that! They'd drink it dry!" With a lighter heart, Frodo followed Gandalf into the trees. The wolves followed them in silence. It was nearly sunset when they found Elendûr. She was indeed asleep, and soundly. Frodo went to her and slipped the chain over her head.

She stirred and her eyes flickered open, "Frodo?"

"Don't get up, Elendûr." He stroked her thick fur, "You're not well."

"Fighting a wolf twice my size and weight can do that." She quipped. Frodo slipped the chain over his head and tucked the ring into his shirt. It felt heavier than he remembered, and he sighed sadly.

"I'm going to miss you, Elendûr. But Gandalf will take care of you."

"You aren't leaving yet, Frodo." She smiled. Frodo got up and looked at Gandalf.

"Now what?"

"Now we sleep. Tomorrow, we will find the rest of the Fellowship and hopefully the rest of Elendûr's Clan." Gandalf's eyes sparkled, "And we will send you on your way."

"Oh. Well, at least I'll sleep tonight." Frodo looked around, wondering where it would be most comfortable to sleep. Finally, he decided to sleep with Elendûr. She provided a rather nice pillow and much needed warmth. Sometime in the night, Ihati joined them and Frodo slept much better than he had since leaving Lothlorien. Even the Ring didn't bother him.