Chapter 3
Aragorn looked around as he led his troop further into Fangorn. Ever since they had come upon the battle site, he had been alert for any danger. Suddenly, the wolves began snarling. Storm and the pups fled to safety behind his legs and those of Boromir. He looked down at Ghost, who poked her head out between his boots and laid her ears flat, growling. It was funny to see such a small creature being so fierce, he thought with a smile. Legolas had an arrow notched on his bow, and Boromir had his shield and sword in hand. Gimli hefted his axe and muttered in Dwarvish. He saw movement in the trees around them, "Be on your guard. Whatever happened to Elendûr could easily happen to us."
"No telling me twice." Ardeth growled, "Come out, cowards! Come out where we can see you!"
"Cowards? What makes us cowards?" a familiar voice filtered from the shadows behind them. Aragorn saw Sirus' eyes widen and the older man looked at him. He frowned, what was it? Sirus tipped his head to the side, "Elendûr. She's not alone. The White Wizard accompanies her." Aragorn gripped his sword, "We must not let him cast us Spellbound. Turn now! Turn!" he shouted, spinning around. The wolves sprang at attackers Aragorn couldn't see for the flare of light that filled the clearing. He heard them howling, cries that died to whimpers. His sword grew too hot to hold and he dropped it. Legolas cried out in Elvish and misfired his bow as Gimli threw his axe. Boromir yelped in pain and cursed as he dropped his sword.
"Why have you drawn weapons? We did not come to fight." A voice that didn't belong to Elendûr sounded from the light that had half-blinded Aragorn and his companions. He shielded his eyes, "How do we know that?"
"Had we come to fight, my wolves would already have killed you all where you stand. Alas, I have not done so." The man continued, "I have someone with me who much desires to see his friends."
"Frodo! Let him go!" Sam cried. The man laughed, "I haven't hurt him, Samwise. Fear not of that."
"Before you ask, this is not Saruman, as you believe him to be." Elendûr spoke, and the light faded, "But rather a very old and long missed friend." Aragorn blinked as his eyes adjusted to the lack of light, and made out a white figure standing atop the nearby rocks. Two figures flanked him on either side and one stood before him. On his right, a black wolf, on his left, a white wolf. And before him, a Hobbit. But it wasn't any of those three that Aragorn watched. As Elendûr's Clans greeted her, he approached the stranger, who was in fact no stranger at all. He shook his head, chuckling, "What happened? Did hell spit you out?"
"Not quite so extreme, Aragorn. I climbed out, if you must know. The Balrog is dead, and will trouble no more." Gandalf looked extremely smug and Aragorn closed his eyes for a moment, "Oh why did I ask?"
"Because you wanted to know." Elendûr quipped cheerfully. Aragorn looked at the black wolf, "I wasn't talking to you."
"So?" she wagged her tail. He shook his head and looked at his amused companions. Gandalf chuckled, "We still have business to settle. Merry and Pippin are with Treebeard, but what of Frodo and Sam?"
"Let them go." Taunis spoke up, looking at the two Hobbits. Aragorn nodded, knowing it was best if they did not travel together. Elendûr looked at her clans, "Those who were chosen to guide and guard the Ringbearer, come forward now." One of the wolves and Whitestar padded forward hesitantly and sat on either side of Sam. Whitestar looked at the she-wolf darkly, "Why do I have to travel with her?"
"Because, you great white idiot," Elendûr snapped, "you were the ones who started the fights. This is your punishment, Whitestar. And Darshia. Both of you will guard Frodo and Sam, you will guide them by the safest roads into Mordor, and you will protect them from Gollum." She look at the two reluctant guardians, "If either of you fail at any of this, then you may not return to the Clans. At all. You will be cast out and exiled to roam the Wilds alone until the day of your passing." Whitestar and Darshia sank onto their bellies, ears laid back in submission. Elendûr was displeased, and in no lenient mood. Aragorn knew now why he and the others had found blood and fur among the trees. He shook his head and looked at Gandalf, who said nothing. This was Elendûr's judgement. And she had passed her word of law to the responsible parties.
Oriana looked at Frodo, Whitestar and Darshia will go with you to Mordor."
"I wish you could go, Elendûr." He whispered as he hugged her. She licked his face, tasting salt, "Don't cry, Frodo. You know that I would go with you if it was possible." She looked over her shoulder at the Fellowship, "Besides, someone has to keep an eye on Boromir and Aragorn." Frodo smiled sadly, "That's true. Be careful, Elendûr."
"You, too, Frodo. Stay close to Sam, and let Whitestar and Darshia keep watch." She whispered as he hugged her tightly. He let her go and went to Sam, who stood between Darshia and Whitestar. With goodbyes said, it was time to part ways. Frodo went eastward, and Oriana looked at her troops, "There would be too much trouble if all of us went to Edoras with Gandalf. Who comes with us?" Klath, Luor, Korin, and Duoro came from the Clan, trailed by Ghost and Mysti. Iara, Tabu, and Rajah came from the pride with Ihati, Yundi, and Taid. She arched an eyebrow, "Four Kaludar and four Avati. Two pups, two cubs? War is no place for the young. Naran," she turned to Taunis' sister, "what do you and Iara say?" The young Clan creatures waited hopefully, tails twitching. Naran and Zeera turned to Ameus, who stood with Aragorn and Legolas. Sirus looked at the four hopefuls and smiled, "Bring them, they are old enough now." Oriana smiled, "It's settled then."
"If all is decided, then we must go with haste to Edoras. I fear great evil has befallen the people." Gandalf said, mounting Shadowfax. Oriana looked at her Clans as the Fellowship mounted their horses, "Come, we run for Rohan." With a cheer of howls, they set off.
It took them three days to reach Edoras, where they met with suspicion and fear. Elendûr and the Clans proved themselves, though, by revealing Grima Wormtongue as the traitor he was and "escorting" him to the gates. Oriana was surprised the following morning to enter the Hall and find a golden wolf curled up on the throne, asleep. No one seemed to notice him, even when he stirred and woke. Oriana approached the throne as the golden wolf yawned and sat up, noting how he held himself. A prince of wolves, she thought. And a handsome one at that. He hopped off the throne and stretched out any kinks he might have gotten from sleeping there and made his way to the floor slowly. Oriana bowed her head as he passed her, noticing how his stride was uneven and hesitant. He paused for a moment and looked at her, nodding his acknowledgement of her presence. Ghost and Mysti stopped wrestling when he paused by them and sat very still. Mysti looked at Oriana for permission. She nodded and approached slowly as Mysti touched noses with the young golden male, then Ghost greeted him as her superior. Oriana touched noses with him and then pressed her nose into the fur behind his ear. She felt pulses of magic within him and sighed. He was Spellbound, too! He turned his head and a cold nose touched her ear, "Walk with me, Black Alpha." She bowed her head and followed him out of the hall. The people were getting ready to leave quickly.
Oriana spotted Aragorn in the crowd with Sirus and looked at the golden, "The people are leaving. I think Aragorn knows why."
"I desire to speak with Sirus. Come." He trotted slowly down the steps and led her through the crowd until they reached the two men.
Sirus looked at them and smiled, "Ah, Elendûr. I see you've met Prince Theodred already." Oriana would have fainted had she been human. Theodred! Hadn't he died? She noticed belatedly that they were gone and ran to the stables. She skidded as she heard Sirus reciting an incantation, trying to stop. It was too late as she collided with Theodred just as Sirus cast the spell. Light flashed, spooking the horses, and a wind swirled through the barn. Voices and distant howls filled her ears as the spell took effect. She cried out as the pain threatened to shatter her into oblivion. Her body was changing. Rapidly. Someone screamed and then the world went blissfully dark and silent.
Oriana…Oriana?
"No, no." she murmured, shying away from the hand on her shoulder. There was soft laughter and her eyes flew open. She had fallen ontop of Theodred, who was just stirring. Oriana looked down and gasped. Her hand splayed across an evenly-tanned chest only mark with scars. She raised her head and found herself gazing into Theodred's green eyes. Realizing just then that neither one of them wore any clothes, Oriana gasped and squeezed her eyes shut, "Oh no!"
"You're the one who got in the way, Ori." Sirus said too cheerfully. She pressed her face into Theodred's neck, trembling. He'd planned it! Theodred sat up, wrapping his arms around her.
"Are you crying, my lady, or laughing?"
"Well, I'm sitting in your lap wearing absolutely nothing at all in the King's stables. Just a moment ago, I was a black wolf!" she raised her head, "I think I'm laughing and crying all at once."
"And before you ask, if you wish to keep your secrets, you may do so without worry." Sirus said as he put a cloak about them. Oriana looked at Theodred.
"Considering only a few people actually know you're alive, that may not be such a bad idea."
"What about you?" Theodred flicked his gaze to Aragorn, who stood completely still.
"Your secret is safe with me, Prince."The Ranger shook his head. Oriana smirked.
"Don't worry about Aragorn. I doubt he's entirely sure of what just happened, what he just saw."
"What do you propose we do, Oriana?"
"Well, for the sake of the Fellowship and your father's heart, I'd propose we go as we were before Sirus banned my curse." She pulled the cloak around her more tightly and knew she was blushing like mad. Theodred laughed and hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair. She closed her eyes, "Don't let go of me, or this might not work." She took a deep breath and whispered the words to change. She could only imagine what Aragorn was seeing. When the transfiguration was complete, she was laying on the floor of the barn with her head in her paws and Theodred draped across her body. She cracked an eye open and looked up at Aragorn, whose jaw had dropped open. She turned her head and looked at Theodred, "I do believe our dear Ranger is speechless."
Theodred chuckled and nuzzled her ear, "I do believe you are correct. That is something quite rare indeed." There was a scuffle outside and shouting. Oriana just put her head on her paws. A moment later, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Theoden, and Éomer charged in, followed by the Clan creatures that had come to Edoras with them.
Legolas skidded to a most ungraceful stop, startling the horses, "What happened here? We saw lights. Gimli could have sworn he heard someone cry out."
"There was no harm done, Prince Legolas. I simply gave Oriana her freedom back, and I freed Day." Sirus said calmly. Oriana looked at Theodred, Day?
To keep my secret safe. He reassured her as he licked her ear.
She twitched, shivering, "Ick! That was completely uncalled for!" The tension was broken and everyone laughed as she twisted around and batted Theodred on the nose with her paw. He nipped at her paw and she yelped, flipping herself over and bolting from the barn. He went after her and they ran beyond the gate before he tackled her and they tumbled. They rolled down a hill and landed right in a stream. She scrambled onto dry land, "That was mean."
"I thought it was rather entertaining, really." He said as he sat down next to her. She looked at him darkly.
"Not very."
"I'm sorry, Oriana." After shaking themselves dry, they rolled in the grass to get off the last of the water. Then they waited. They didn't have to wait long before Theoden and the others arrived.
Ghost rode proudly in the saddle before Aragorn and Oriana chuckled, "You're going to spoil her, Aragorn." The Ranger just shrugged and ruffled Ghost's fur.
The ride to Helm's Deep was easy, too easy. Oriana put the Clan Creatures on constant guard, sending the adults ahead to scout. They scouted in pairs, going out one at a time, leaving the three remaining pairs to guard the people. The Younglings quickly became favorites of the refugees and it was common to find them either padding alongside someone or being carried in a cart, astride a horse, or in the available pair of arms. Oriana walked with Theodred and the vanguard, so that they could take their own turn at scouting when they were called on it. Her rotations came to fruition when, during Duoro and Iara's patrol on the third day, Duoro came running back, bearing signs of conflict. An eerie wail reached them, as did the frightened screams of horses and Iara's howl. An ambush had been launched. As Duoro gave his report to Theoden, Theodred, and Aragorn, Oriana wheeled and loped back along the ranks of people.
"Clans! All forward to the vanguard! Everyone else, make for lower ground and stay together!" Panic ensued, but eventually, Oriana and the three remaining patrol pairs joined the Riders. The Clan Creatures reached the hilltop first and there they saw just what had taken the life of two horses and nearly two of Theoden's Riders. Isengard Wolves ridden by Orcs. She bared her teeth, "Clans! Prepare for battle! No mercy!" She crouched until her belly touched the ground and felt the surge as the White Magic swirled around her and the others. When the first Riders arrived, she and the others stood nearly as tall as the horses themselves. There would be a lot of explaining to do later, but later it would have to be. As the vanguard made it's charge, she led her Clans forward. As soon as she locked with the first Warg, a Wizard's Bloodlust seized Oriana and she knew it touched the others. Howling, she charged into battle.
Aragorn saw only blurs of color where the Clans did their work and he was shocked to see how many they slew. Once, Elendûr swung past him, cutting off a Warg that might have taken him out, and he saw her eyes glowing blood-red. There was no sign here of the gentle creature who had guided them so faithfully so fearlessly. Sparing a glance around, he saw that the rest of the Clans were just the same. Red eyes and lightening-quick movements. What was that called? He knew there was a word for it. Shaking himself, he wheeled away and cut down an Orc who had lost his mount and bore obvious signs of loosing a fight against one of the Clan Creatures. Suddenly, he heard someone shout his name, "ARAGORN!!" His head whipped around and he saw the Warg just as it was ontop of him. He managed to fall clear of Hasufel. Rolling to his feet, Aragorn grabbed the harness and pulled himself up behind the rider. There was a brief struggle and he was knocked off sideways. The Orc went flying as he kicked up, trying to get upright again. His hand had gotten caught in the harness, and looking up briefly, he saw the cliffs growing near. Panic hit him like a wave, just as something else slammed into the Warg. He saw a flash of gray just as solid ground vanished.
Luor saw the Warg attack the Ranger's horse and wheeled aside, making a beeline for the pair. As she launched herself at the Warg, they slid off the cliff and plummeted into the river far below. The Warg was dislodged on the rocks, leaving her to tumble into the rapids. Fighting to the surface, she located the Ranger and caught his sleeve in her teeth. Getting a firm grip, she swam hard. Once, the water ripped him away. She paddled back to him and managed to roll him over her shoulders. In this way, still fighting to keep her head above water, Luor swam until the water calmed. Reaching the shore, she let him slip from her shoulders and collapsed beside him. The gray Kaludar closed her eyes and hoped the others were alright. Once Elendûr discovered that she and the Ranger were both missing, it would be hard to convince her not to launch a search. It was only a few minutes before she was rested enough to go on. But the Ranger was in need of aid. She lay beside him, offering him her warmth. She nuzzled his neck, "Come back, Ranger, your part isn't played out yet." She took stock of his wounds and licked a nasty wound on his arm. Her saliva healed the wound until it was clean. She sighed and rest her head beside his, watching him for any sign of movement. He wasn't dead, but his prolonged stillness worried Luor greatly. There was little she could do but wait, so wait she did.