I apologize for not posting this chapter right away. The fact is I had a major writer's block and had to rewrite the first sequence, involving Mumble, at least three to five times. This has been a tricky chapter to write, and with any story involving original plotlines as good as this one, the ideas I receive take time and patience.

The track "Gator-Aid" – from the first "Swan Princess" animated film – can be heard when the penguin Mumble, and three animals, are being chased by five wicked foes. When Frodo and his companions continue their long journey through the Silent Forest, the song "Send Me (On My Way)", composed by Rusted Root, plays during that time. You, the readers, will know why I selected that particular song when you reach that section in this chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Two:

Shadows by Nature

The last hours of nightfall drew nearer.

As Kovu watched the camp, Mumble wandered off in search of water. Minutes passed before he heard a soft rustle. Pushing past bushes and shrubs, Mumble found a spring with crystal-blue water. The moonlight shone the brightest from this spot. Standing along the opposite bank were a puffin bird, a turtle, and a green frog, speaking in semi-loud voices.

Mumble called to the three animals. "Hello! He–"

The green frog interrupted. "Watch out!"

Mumble jumped back as five all raven colored Emperor Penguins leapt from the crystal-blue water. The irises around their black pupils were in different shades of blood red. In seconds, the five raven penguins dived back beneath the spring.

The puffin bird called back to Mumble, "You're lucky! When Speed–"

"That would be me," said the turtle, in a slow, wise response.

The puffin bird continued, "–tried to swim across this spring, those five penguins chased after him. They seemed desperate to attack him."

"Hm. They seemed desperate to eat me," said the frog, smugly.

"Is there any way to get across the spring?" asked Mumble, aloud.

The puffin bird thought for a moment. "I've got an idea!"

"What now, Puffin? I don't have time for any more ideas or your plans," asked the frog, moments before he and Speed gathered in a tight circle with Puffin. When the three finished their muttered discussion, the green frog snapped, "Are you crazy? I won't do this! I've had enough trouble with those alligators. Now we have to face five penguins…"

"No fear, Jean-Bob," said Puffin, seconds before he flew across the spring.

The second Puffin joined Mumble, Jean-Bob complained, "You crazy bird! Why didn't you tell us you could fly across the spring?"

"Relax Jean-Bob. I wasn't about to leave you and Speed alone with the Elusive Five. Remember to stick with the plan," called Puffin in return, moments before he whispered his plan to Mumble. He watched once as, while Jean-Bob continued to complain and protest, Speed led the frog to their positions.

Once Mumble understood the plan, Puffin flew back to the opposite bank to help Jean-Bob prepare for his dive. The second Speed hit the water's surface, distracting the Elusive Five penguins, Mumble dived into the spring. He had a few moments before three of the five all raven Emperor penguins spotted him and gave chase. The three penguins nearly had the fluffy Emperor penguin, when Speed charged towards them. The two all raven colored penguins, failing to stop on time, crashed into their three fellow penguins, knocking them senseless for several passing seconds. The confusion bought Speed some time to give the signal to Puffin, who then let Jean-Bob loose.

After Jean-Bob hit the crystal-blue water, Puffin took flight towards the early morning sky. Although he flew high enough away from the scene below, Puffin caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a child, with long curly hair and wearing an English country dress. When he turned his head fully towards the trees on the opposite bank, the childlike shape vanished. Where was this child? Why did she flee? Was it possible he was losing his mind? He knew what he saw was real. Yet he doubted Jean-Bob, Speed, and possibly Mumble would not believe him or his word.

While Puffin continued to scan the area, from the air, Speed and Mumble helped Jean-Bob reach the other bank. The three narrowly managed to escape the Elusive Five penguins. Speed and Jean-Bob climbed up on the first bank, as Puffin glided down towards them. As Puffin recounted to Jean-Bob and Speed what he saw, he and his friends stopped as Mumble dived back under the watery surface.

A few minutes passed before Mumble splashed out of the crystal-blue water, trembling from head to grey webbed feet. Puffin, Speed, and Jean-Bob thanked Mumble for his aide against the Elusive Five Emperor Penguins. However, Mumble could hear the all five Elusive penguins taunting him to re-enter the spring. He gladly followed Puffin and his friends away from the water. As Puffin, Jean-Bob, and Speed spoke for a long time about the Evenshire Camp, including how they hoped to meet the Great Lion called Aslan, Mumble remembered the other heroes he left at the camp in the opening.

Puffin noticed, at the same time as Speed and Jean-Bob, Mumble leaving. He cried, "Hey Mumble, where might you be headed?"

Mumble stopped and called back to the three animals, "I'm sorry! I have to go back to the camp! The others… they might need me!"

Mumble heard Puffin, Jean-Bob, and Speed tell him 'goodbye', but not without Jean-Bob warning him in advance about any troublesome dangers that lay in the Silent Forest. After the final farewell was said, Mumble waddled and slid his way through the forest.

A burst of purples, pinks, and oranges filled the early morning sky. Daylight breached the horizon, yet the Silent Forest remained still as ever. The darkness stayed in the forest for another few hours.

Mumble returned to the campsite, wet and covered in dirt, grass stains, bruises, and small cuts. Even though Kovu believed Mumble's story about the Elusive Five penguins, he told the Emperor Penguin to get some sleep. Mumble passed out in less than a minute. Kovu returned to his post, trying his hardest not to rouse the others.

During the last half-hour of his watch, Kovu heard a series of twigs snap from one direction, a nearby distance away. As the sound drew closer, Kovu could hear Anakin awaken first, holding his lightsaber in one hand. Harry and Jack woke up soon after. When they pulled out their swords and other weapons, Harry approached Edmund and roused him. Automatically, Edmund pulled out his long sword as he followed Harry towards the edge of the opening, where the others were gathered.

The twigs continued to snap from the forest floor. They were followed fast by a low rustle, coming from the bushes.

Gurgi, wide awake and acting like a coward, climbed up a tree and perched on a low branch. Mumble groggily stirred, wondering what had happened that he missed. Kovu watched the bushes, a few feet away from the three humans and wizard, as they moved, swayed, and pushed off to the side.

Eventually, the rustling stopped altogether.

Alarmed, Kovu moved in front of Harry, Anakin, Jack Sparrow, and Edmund. The dark furred lion's teeth bared and he growled deeply. To Harry, it seemed as if Kovu was taunting the hidden figures to come out and fight. Before any of these heroes sounded a charge, Kovu heard soft footsteps, followed by a soft rustling as the branches on the bushes were pushed off to the side.

Revealed from the shadows of the forest, and towards the camp's firelight, was Frodo. In spite of the hobbit's return, Mumble and Gurgi saw the others hadn't lowered their weapons. Kovu became further alert and cautious of what else lurked in the brush, behind the hobbit. Approaching the others, Frodo tripped over a loose root, forcing him to crash towards the dirt ground on his left side. At that moment, Mumble glanced over at Frodo's right hand, where all that remained of the third finger was a stump.

Kovu had seconds to tell the others to protect Frodo. Then the events seemed to blur together in Frodo's eyes: all at once, the scarred lioness Coral leapt from the bushes and roared at Kovu, who roared back in a testy response. Anakin was the first to put away his lightsaber, but was soon followed by Harry and Edmund, who also sheathed their swords and other weapons. Jack Sparrow, on the other hand, was reluctant to lower his pistol, and continued to point the weapon at either the lion or the scarred lioness. Kovu and Coral did not seem to notice the pirate captain as they circled each other in a territorial move.

Frodo cried to the two cats, "No! Stop, she's harmless! Stop–" His voice was cut off as he let out an agonizing yelp. Right then, his right ankle screamed sharply in pain.

As the other heroes crowded around Frodo, Kovu turned to Coral and asked, suspicious, "You brought him here?"

Coral nodded. Her gaze stayed firm and as suspicious as Kovu's look. "I did. Your name is Kovu."

"Why do you ask?" asked Kovu, tensely.

Coral shrugged. "Scar and Zira have mentioned you, and Simba, on many different occasions." She smoothly changed the subject. "Besides, they weren't much help to me, but neither is my elder sister, Lara-Belle." She faced Kovu now, as she said, "You see, my sister brought me here, to this forest. I think she wanted me dead–"

"Where is my flask? The silver flask Aslan gave to me." asked Frodo, as Edmund brought over the hobbit's pack and quiver, still filled with the arrows, bow, and knives that Legolas handcrafted, especially for him. Immediately, Frodo rummaged through his pack until he found the silver flask. He uncorked the flask in seconds and drank the crystal liquid inside.

Coral faced Kovu again, as she told him, "Look, let's not speak about past issues. Your friend is hurt and this is not my fault." She introduced herself fast, "My name is Coral, by the way."

"I know who you are and your reputation," snapped Kovu.

Coral paused. "Maybe, but you do not know who I really am. You've probably heard rumors from the scarred lions and lionesses. All of them were wild and untrue."

"Except one," answered Kovu. "Your sister mentioned once that you were about to rebel against her, as well as other scarred lionesses and lions. Is that rumor true?"

Coral nodded. Stunned a little, but still suspicious, she addressed him, "My mother led the rebellion. My younger sister fled the scene when she was young cub. I haven't seen her since, but I wish she is still alive. I dearly miss her–"

"How did you escape? We thought you might have been killed or worse," asked Harry to Frodo, distracting Coral and Kovu from their tense conversation.

Frodo pointed out the scarred lioness to the others. "Coral saved me. She helped me escape. I thought she was on their side, the villains." He shook his head. "Turns out she's rebelling against them." Then, with help from Edmund, he stood up, "She told me this as we rode back to this camp."

"It's true," said Coral, admitting honestly. She saw the stunned looks on the heroes' faces, even Frodo who was still a little stunned from their flight. She continued. "I set a diversion with this monstrous-looking book. It was grey, furry, and had these white, sharp teeth–"

Harry interrupted, shocked, "That's the Monster Book of Monsters!" He paused, only momentarily. Noticing the confused looks on his companions' faces, Harry asked, "What? Come on. Haven't you ever seen a book that would attack anyone without warning?"

"No," said Edmund, more confused than he was almost a minute ago.

Changing the subject, Coral asked Frodo, "You said Aslan gave you that flask?" She saw Frodo nod in reply. "What is the liquid supposed to do?"

Frodo ignored Anakin's gloating, as he asked the scarred lioness, "You are serious?" He watched Coral nod before his eyes. Then he said in reply, "The water came from Aslan's country. It's meant to heal heroes and weaken villains."

"And how do you feel now? You said you were wounded on your first quest," asked Kovu, concerned.

Stunned to hear the lion's voice, Frodo soon replied, "A little better than I was. My ankle no longer pains me."

Confused, Jack took Frodo's flask and read some words on the silver bottle. Surprised, Jack said, "Fancy that." Before Jack had a chance to read some more, Anakin snatched the flask from Jack's hands, passing the silver flask back to Frodo.

Anakin told the group, "We had better move out. Daylight is approaching swiftly. We need to douse the fire."

"I have camped outside many times on my quest, Anakin," said Frodo. Eventually, he faced the Jedi Knight. "I know when the campfire should be doused."

"So do I," said Edmund, a little shocked and still agreeing with the hobbit.

"I'll get to it! Now, where can I find a spring, or a body of water?" asked Jack, aloud, as he charged off and out of the camp. He took with him a half-filled pail of water. He did not get far, as Edmund charged towards him with Kovu at his side. The dark furred lion ambushed the pirate captain, forcing Jack Sparrow to return to the camp to dump the rest of the water on the small firelight.

At random, Mumble asked his companions, which included his new companion Coral, "Hey! Does anyone want to hear how I escaped from the spring, not too many hours ago?" The idea was rejected by most of his companions, except Gurgi and Frodo, who now seemed interested to hear the Emperor Penguin's tale. Moments before Kovu and Coral set out, Mumble stopped them and asked, nervously, "You know, I'm surprised you two haven't decided to uh… eat me. I don't want to give you any ideas, but…"

"I don't eat fluff balls," said Coral, flat out as she journeyed ahead. Eventually, she walked behind Frodo, in a way of keeping up with him.

Confused, Mumble turned to Kovu and asked, "What is her problem?"

"I don't know. I still don't trust her. Besides, I have to remember…"

"Remember what?"

Kovu told the air, "I'm married to Kiara. I'm married to Kiara." As he let Mumble ride on his back, Kovu continued to repeat the same sentence until he fell silent. The two left the opening, which no longer appeared as a campsite, and regrouped with their companions.

The day passed quickly with very few events. With Coral now accompanying the eight heroes, Frodo felt, in a strange way, nervous yet safe around her. Some hours she seemed all right. However, due to Coral having no other lioness companions, Coral felt out-of-place amongst her eight male companions. Before dusk, she grew sick and tired of Kovu, who would constantly repeat, in low mutters, that he was "married to Kiara".

During the daylight hours, Gurgi very much became bored and tired of walking. To pass the time, he decided to pull pranks on his eight companions. Whether it was sending a spider or two towards Kovu and Coral, to throwing mud pies at Frodo, Edmund, and Harry, Gurgi seemed to be on a destructive prank rampage. In spite of his eager behavior, Gurgi was soon told to stop pulling his pranks on his companions by, none other than, Anakin Skywalker. Jack Sparrow right away fell into agreement with the Jedi, but not before Gurgi pulled a last prank on the pirate captain, that involved throwing a fast mud pie directly at the back of Jack's neck. Gurgi then stopped altogether for that day.

o-o-o

By nightfall, Frodo finally gave Mumble a chance to speak to him, with Gurgi joining in on their first long discussion. Due to the grey-and-white creature's eagerness, Mumble decided then to tell his story on how he eluded the Elusive Five Emperor Penguins at the spring. This escape also aided three animals, who Mumble hoped were now at Aslan's camp, safe from harm and pain.

Once Gurgi wandered back to Anakin, who he made sure Frodo kept watch of in case of any suspicious activity, Mumble stopped Frodo with his words. He asked, promptly, "Frodo, I saw your middle finger, on your right hand, was missing… is a stump. Can you tell me what happened?"

Frodo paused, long and deep in thought. He eventually said, painfully, "That's one story that can wait. The story involves my quest, and is rather long. It'll take more than one sitting to complete…"

"I don't mind," said Mumble, all too fast. He paused, reworking the words inside his head. Then he said, "I mean we did talk a lot tonight. Besides, I think Edmund and Harry are missing your company." Saddened, he walked towards Kovu and Coral, who were already in an argument. "On second thought, I'm not sure I should get involved in Kovu's argument with Coral."

"You can join us, if you want, Mumble," said Frodo, courteously. He watched the fluffy Emperor Penguin face him. He then said, "Maybe you could visit Gurgi for a while. I'm sure he needs more company. He hasn't had much, since he first decided to accompany us."

Mumble nodded. "All right, I'll join Gurgi until Kovu's calmed down. I hope Kovu is in a good mood, when I come back to him."

"Maybe," said Frodo, softly to himself. As the penguin slid towards Gurgi, Frodo noticed Kovu and Coral's stern gazes were on him. He looked away as he stood up, approaching Edmund and Harry almost too quickly.

o-o-o

The sun finally set across the evening sky. The crickets chirped loudly throughout the Silent Forest, which pleased Gurgi, Mumble, and even Frodo. The other heroes, including Coral, found the cricket chirps almost unbearable. Jack Sparrow even felt like shooting a few crickets and lightning bugs with his pistol. As he pulled out his pistol, Jack was forced to put it back inside its leather sheathe by Anakin, who ended up in another quarrel with the pirate captain.

Minutes passed before sleep, once again, fell across Frodo's eyes. The second he was asleep, he did not wake up for several hours. Dreams blurred and flowed through his thoughts, casting images here and there that he hardly recognized. A few images showed the girl with the brown hair and the hazel green-blue eyes, as well as those of what appeared to be Sauron and the witch wearing the purple-and-black robes. The last image that came across his mind, before he was roused by Edmund, was him running across a vast, barren reddish-brown landscape with wide, vast cliffs of tan stone and rock.