The world was covered in a heavy grey fog, masking everything including the small hunting group that were stalking across unknown lands. Silent and deadly, they carefully stalked the surroundings of a rather large boat that stood upright in the middle of a giant plain. They surveyed their location, guided only by the thin light of the sun that managed to shine through. Weapons ready in the hands and capes blowing out gently behind them, surprise would be their ultimate –
A loud crash resounded from the shadowed group when a single man tripped over a hidden root, landing heavily on the ground, all of his weapons and equipment rattling around him.
"Merlin!" The leader of the group growled in annoyance.
"Sorry, sorry. I tripped over something." Merlin apologized, trying to see through the fog at what made him fall.
Arthur glared at his manservant, ignoring his fellow knights who began sniggering. "Really Merlin. I think that was obvious."
"Prat." Merlin muttered but it was purposefully loud enough that his King could hear.
"I heard that." Arthur replied and Gwaine burst out laughing, clapping Merlin on the back.
"Thank you Gwaine. If anything dangerous if around, it'll know exactly where we are." Arthur congratulated him sarcastically.
"I think Merlin was the one who did that." Gwaine grinned and Merlin rolled his eyes. He bent down to pick up the equipment he had dropped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Stopping, he looked up curiously to see Arthur standing near him with a finger on his lips.
"What's going –" Merlin began, standing up, now on alert, when he stopped again. This time though, it wasn't because of any human.
A low angry growl echoed from behind Merlin and he turned slowly, heart beating out of his chest. A wolf, bigger than he had ever seen before, stood a short distance away, bowed low and teeth bared. It's eyes were narrowed and angry, drool slowly dripping from its sharp and dangerous mouth. This was no ordinary enemy.
In a moment faster than Merlin could blink, several pairs of hands grabbed his shirt and threw him backwards towards safety and the wolf lunged. Snarling and ripping through the air, the wolf loped over to the knights and the King who raised their swords quickly in defence. Merlin scrambled to his feet as the wolf slashed at the knights, razor sharp claws appearing as it reared on its hind legs. It was a short and vicious battle.
"Great work Merlin. Thanks for bringing that beast to us." Arthur said, wiping his sword on the grass to try and clear it of the monster's blood.
"I didn't do it on purpose." Merlin defended himself.
"No of course not. You're just a clumsy fool all of the time." Arthur retorted back.
Suddenly, out of the blue, a chorus of howls rang through the fog, voiced by a lot more than just one wolf. Merlin's eyes widened as he grabbed a sword in one hand and kept the other hand free so that he would be able to subtly use his magic.
"What was that?" Merlin asked to no one in particular.
"I'm guessing something not entirely too friendly." Arthur replied. "Run! Back to the ship!"
Arthur and the knights began to run, forgetting the weapons equipment behind. Merlin lagged for a moment, although he was fully aware of the dangerous threat was currently approaching. A few mumbled words and a flash of golden eyes later left Merlin running after his friends, quickly leaving an area that was magically turning the air deadly poisonous. He figured that would slow them down a little.
Bilbo grinned in undisguised happiness and relief when he and Gandalf finally passed through the Misty Mountains. The stable ground and fresh air were a welcome change from the dark, rocky paths in the mountain that still smelled heavily of goblin. Gandalf was also in a lighter mood, extinguishing the light on his staff and even pulling his pipe out for a few smoke rings.
It had taken less time than before, with them making it so that instead of it taking days, they made it in during the night and most of the morning. The sun was shining brightly above them, nearing almost midday yet below them in the valleys lay a thick fog so that Bilbo was given no chance to even guess at what was happening down there. He doubted that even the Lord of the Eagles would even have much luck on a day like this.
Bilbo figured they had probably gone through so quickly due to the facts that they were a small party, rode on horses and met no challenges or dangers. It also probably had something to do with the fact that he had a wizard in his company.
"Gandalf? Where do we go now?" Bilbo asked his friend.
"I suppose that we head down into the valleys. It will –" Gandalf began, however the roar of a warg ripped through the silence of the day, reaching the pair even at their altitude.
"Gandalf?" Bilbo said, shifting unconsciously closer to the much more powerful man.
"The warg is no where near us. You need not fear Bilbo. However, I fear that this attack has something to do with our magical object. Time is running out. We must get down there as soon as we can." Gandalf replied, galloping forward on his tall horse.
Bilbo swallowed thickly, his hand moving towards Sting at his side before he nudged his pony in the side and followed after, their pack pony keeping up as best as it could.
"What are we going to do, Gandalf?" Bilbo asked.
"We keep whatever it is safe. At least for long enough to see if it is a weapon that could be used for good. " Gandalf informed him.
"Do you think there are going to be more wargs around? They are always in league with the orcs. I do not wish to fight such a terrible enemy with such little help." Bilbo told him, confessing his fears.
"I hope not, Bilbo." Gandalf replied.
They galloped forward in silence, racing down the side of the mountains towards the area where the noise had come from. Bilbo's heart beat rapidly in his chest but almost skipped a beat when more sounds rose up. Shouts of human's crying in pain, the warg roaring and the slash of swords reached their ears. In alarm, Bilbo looked up at Gandalf for some kind of information or comfort from the wise man but none came. The wizard was too busy focusing on riding and listening to find out what was going on.
Just as the wizard and the hobbit reached the edges of a great plain, the warg from before roared out in pain and then suddenly all of the sounds were silent. Someone else had also found the source of the powerful magic that Gandalf had felt. Were they good? Or evil? Maybe they were dwarves or men? Or even Beorn?
"Bilbo, you were right. There are more wargs. I think I was wrong. The source of this magic belongs to a human sorcerer. We must get there and protect them. Be brave Bilbo. May Sting be guided by your side." Gandalf told him as a strong chorus of howls filled the morning air.
"May your magic be strong and everlasting." Bilbo replied, drawing out his little elf sword. He hadn't counted on a battle so soon but it was impossible to plan an adventure.