Chapter Six
The next morning, Gandalf woke alone. It was expected, but he could not help but feel slightly disappointed. He had hoped that this time, she would not have left as she had every time before. Sighing, Gandalf got up and went to the entrance of Imladris.
He was not the last to arrive, but neither was she the first. Frodo and Sam were waiting there already, sticking together as always. Legolas and Aragorn stood nearby, speaking together quietly. Only seconds after, Gimli arrived, walking over to stand alone amongst the Fellowship. Only Boromir, Merry, and Pippin had yet to arrive.
The wizard looked over to the elven lord, who stood waiting for the rest for the Fellowship to arrive. A familiar, purple-enshrouded figure stood beside him. Almost instantly, he was walking to her. He stopped in front of her and bowed his head. Seconds later, a slender, white hand reached out from under her cloak. A loose, white silk sleeve hung from her arm. That same hand came up to rest lightly on his shoulder. Briefly, she bowed her head in return before retracting her hand. At that, Gandalf raised his head and walked over to the Fellowship, unaware that several people had been watching their exchange.
The second he was standing with the others, Elrond said, "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves, and Men, and all free folk go with you."
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer," Gandalf said, turning to Frodo.
The Halfling turned to the gate and walked out to the trail beyond. Soon, it forked into two different directions. A second later, he whispered, "Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?"
"Left," Gandalf replied quietly.
As he turned at the fork, he turned back, looking for Anariel. She stood beside Elrond, watching him. He nodded to her before walking out of sight.
Elrond waited until they were all out of sight before he turned to the purple-cloaked figure. "When are you leaving?" he asked.
Anariel smiled beneath her hood and said, "Dusk." A second later, she turned and walked back to her room.
oooooooooooooo
Gandalf sat on a rock near the top of the hill, looking out at the country they had traversed. They were being followed. No one else seemed to suspect, but he could feel it in his very bones.
Quite suddenly, Gimli walked over to Gandalf and said to him, "If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome."
The wizard took his pipe from his mouth and looked over at the dwarf in surprise. "No, Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."
The dwarf shrugged and walked back over to the rest of the Fellowship. Gandalf remained where he was, watching the land. He did not even notice when Merry and Pippin began to fight hand to hand with Boromir and Aragorn. The wizard only began to listen again when he heard Sam ask, "What is that?"
"Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud," Gimli said, obviously not worried in the slightest.
Boromir got up to look as well. "It's moving fast...against the wind."
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas called.
"Hide!" Aragorn called hurriedly. Instantly, the Fellowship grabbed their packs and cloaks, put out the fire, and hid either in little hollows under rocks or in the brush. They were not quick enough. They had been spotted.
These same crows flew south quickly, soon reaching Orthanc. The flock swooped down into a hole, a mine. They flew through a maze before coming to a large cavern. There they circled around, cawing. Saruman stood in that cavern on a wood scaffolding structure.
"So, Gandalf, you try to lead them over Caradhras. And if that, fails, where then will you go? If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more dangerous road? And what of your Ilmare, who follows you? Would you risk her by venturing into the deep darkness?" he asked.