I would really love to hear what you guys want from this story. Would you like more... Humour? Conversations? Description? Legolas? Pippin? Sam? Romance? Action? It is really up to you. Tell me what you want and i'll try my best to include it in future chapters.

Thankyou...
Alenor Peredhel – Dasha damned her because Galadriel had said or predicted something to upset Tom… but of course it wasn't Galadriel's fault Dasha got defensive over it. I'm appreciating your thoughtful comments :)
Spiritofachild - Haha! Thanks for your review.
Stelmaria – I am very very glad this story is refreshing! Thanks a lot :)
Thanks also to – Lord Arandur, Wandering Hitokiri, Hermonine and all those that alerted this story.

Chapter Seven

The same human guide Dasha had met the previous day announced his presence early the next morning by a polite knock and a nervous clearing of the throat.

She had been up most of the night thinking about Tom and his frightening behavior. Yes – a traumatized Dasha decided after hours of analysis – it had been Galadriel who had caused the radical mood swing. She had the impression that Galadriel was the type of person who would spend 85 percent of the conversation talking about doom and gloom and probably leave the 15 percent of sunshine to the one-liner 'Oh, but there is still hope.'

Dasha opened her eyes and lifted her head off the pillows at the noise. She had only fallen asleep a few hours ago and was feeling a great need to get this nervous guide back for depriving her of sleep. The curtains were drawn and she could see his boots from where she was laying.

One…

She hauled herself to her feet (lifting such a heavy bulk off the ground without making a noise took a lot of self-control) and walked very softly towards the curtains.

Two…

He knocked again and called her name.

Three!

Dasha shot her head through the curtains, flattened her ears aggressively and released an explosive squeal.

She was instantly taken back because at his side were two very shocked, frightened looking… Dasha racked her brain. What were they called again? Ah. That's right – hobbits.

Merry and Pippin were on either side of the human. Both Merry and no-name jumped back and still seemed surprised and unsure how to react after a moment of awkward silence until Pippin stepped forward.

"You really got us there! For a moment I was convinced you wanted to stomp me into the ground. Take no notice of these two," he said in his adorable accent, "they take everything so seriously… especially Telgeiras over here." He jerked a thumb over his shoulder to the human. So that was his name! "We came to see if you would like to spend the day with us - Merry and I. I'm pretty sure the rest of us, as in the fellowship, would like meet you also – Galadriel told us how you were a human in a body of an animal, but she didn't say how you got there in the first place. That's the part we all want to hear!"

Although Dasha wasn't feeling overly enthusiastic about meeting a whole lot of important people she couldn't communicate with she agreed because Pippin was staring into her face so eagerly she knew it would be cruel to decline.

"Shall we go then?" Merry chirped, who seemed to have recovered. Dasha didn't move, but instead shook her head in Tom's general direction. She wasn't going to meet the fellowship until she had someone whom she could communicate through. She also wasn't going to stand here and wait for them to guess where she was going and what she was doing, so she trotted away regardless of if they were following. Only Tom was on her mind.

She didn't have to go far. Tom had found her first. His yellow eyes met hers and he picked up his pace and trotted toward them – still looking massive and fierce but not longer dangerously unpredictable. Within a few moments they were nose to nose.

I'm sorry Dasha.

That was all. But he said it with such conviction that the anger that had been boiling up in her all night was immediately forgotten. What wasn't forgotten was her curiosity into what had put him in a foul temper in the first place; because before yesterday she had never seen him in such an aggressive mood. And besides – she always had found it hard to stay angry at anyone for long.

Don't worry about it.

She saw Tom's eyes wonder to the three standing behind her. She had almost forgotten they were there.

Tom - this is Merry, Pippin and Telgeiras. Pippin is taking us to meet the fellowship – you know – Aragorn and Frodo and all them. Tom, I need to talk to you about all this… Lord of the Rings business. It scares me. After we meet these guys, can we talk? I feel like I'm about to explode.

God, I'm sorry Dash. We can talk afterwards, I had forgotten how hard it must be for you.

She breathed a sigh of relief and then added quickly, Can you say sorry about this morning for me?

This morning?

Pleeeease?

"Hi guys." He said casually, just to see thier reaction.

Both Merry and Pippin raised their eyebrows and looked at each other incredulously. Frodo had said this would be a strange and dangerous quest. Strange indeed! They had never thought they would cross paths with a talking wolf!

"Dasha here says sorry about this morning. She's human... or rather was, like me, except she's unable to communicate. My names Tom, Dasha has already introduced me to you all."

"She has?" started Pippin, "Ohhhh, right." There was an awkward silence.

"Shall we leave then?" That was Pippin again.

Merry assumed leadership of the group and led them through the forest. When Dasha wasn't concentrating on her feet and the obstacles that wanted to trip her, she was watching Telgeiras. Dasha wasn't the one to miss an attractive male when she saw one. He seemed to be a nice character also – the strong silent type maybe? She tore her eyes away from him, telling herself to stop being so constantly judgmental.

It occurred to Dasha that there was no lack of the 'strong silent type' in the fellowship; Boromir, Sam, Legolas and especially Frodo and Aragorn fit the criteria quite nicely. They all had very little to say for themselves and instead listened intently as the wolf, Tom, told his story.

Aragorn was the first to think how much this creature could help them with their quest. The sheer size of the wolf was incredibly intimidating and aside from the grey which touched his chest and stomach, he was almost completely black. Aragorn had no doubt that in battle he would be their mighty surprise, something which could change their fortune as traveled through lands riddled with danger. A wolf had an amazing sense of smell – Tom would be able to alert the fellowship of orcs and uri-kai when they drew near. What an amazing sentry he would make with his eyes best suited to the black of night! Aragorn's mind was overloaded with the possibilities. With Gandalf gone he knew it had already become an unspoken agreement that he was the new leader, the wise councilor and mighty warrior… and it was his duty to protect Frodo above everything else. And he had no doubt in his mind that Tom could help him do this.

Aragorn's grey eyes flickered over the mare who stood so loyally by Tom's side. He had no doubt she could help with their plight, but after watching her for a few minutes he had mind up his mind up.

It would be best if she remained in Lothlorien…

"Aragorn?" The rich voice of the wolf sounded from infront of him, "Dasha and I have not seen any sign of Rachel yet. She has been alone for so long out there. Where we should begin our search for her?"

"The fellowship will search for Rachel as we continue our journey to Mordor." He replied, noticing a moment later that this answer did not please the wolf.

"And when will this be?" Tom questioned almost impatiently.

"Tomorrow... and you will accompany us."

I would really love to hear what you guys want from this story. Would you like more... Humour? Conversations? Description? Legolas? Pippin? Sam? Romance? Action? It is really up to you. Tell me what you want and i'll try my best to include it in future chapters. Review!