A/N: Chapter for you guys! Thanks for the reviews! Maybe after this chapter we can make it past 113 reviews?

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. I do own Ammy however and any plot deviation she decides to make... Don't believe I'm writing this it's all her...

Revision 30/03/12: Parts of this chapter have been edited but shouldn't effect the overall story!

Chapter 10
Changing

By the time Ammy woke, dawn had long passed and she was a tiger in human clothes. The Hobbits had curled closer into the warmth and comfort her feline body exuded.

Amaterasu raised her head after blinking sleepily. Once her vision cleared she could make out the sleeping forms of Boromir, Gimli and Gandalf in the growing light of the rising sun. Aragorn and Legolas were stood facing the sunrise, talking quietly in Elvish. The light was casting a glow over the land and bathing everything in gold and orange light.

Not wishing to disturb them Ammy gently eased the slumbering Hobbits off her. Frodo had snuggled even deeper under her paw, Merry's head was on her ribs, Sam was using her flank as a pillow and Pippin had one arm thrown possessively around her neck.

After much jostling, squirming and much voiceless cursing the white tigress stood in the centre of a Hobbit pile. Carefully raising her paws over the sleeping Hobbits and moved from the heap. Once stood away from them she raised one large paw over her head, claws retracted, and hooked her borrowed shirt round it and pulled it over her head.
After wriggling a little the shirt slipped over her head and she walked out of the sleeves.
The trousers were easier to remove as her tail had pushed them down, so it was simply a matter of shaking them off her legs. By the time she had finished the sun had risen almost fully and she spent a few minutes sitting in its warmth and washing her fur.

"Lady Ama is awake. Do you think we should begin Aragorn?" Legolas spoke softly to the Ranger and Ammy looked curiously over in their direction. The man beckoned her over and both males exchanged a grin as she cautiously paced over.

"Do you think she realises when she's agitated or suspicious her tail twitches?" Aragorn whispered in Legolas' ear and both smothered chuckles.

Warily picking her way around the edge of the camp Ammy made her way to the two males and on reaching them she stretched out fully; her front legs straight out in front of her, her hind quarters in the air and she gave a massive yawn showing off her deadly teeth. Then she stood and proceeded to stretch each back leg.

"What do you want?" She asked quietly. The sunlight was sparkling in her fur and each strand glistened individually. The cleaned fur was dust free and as Ammy admired her glowing pelt she could sense the tension between the two friends.

"Legolas and I believe that we should attempt to give you lessons in defence and weaponry. You are strong and fast in this form. But as you admitted last night you have little knowledge of sword fighting and you know even less about the orcs and other foe we may face." Aragorn stared down at her unblinkingly and Ammy fought back the desire to snarl at him. His unwavering stare was triggering her animal instincts and causing her to perceive him as a threat.

Legolas thankfully spoke up causing Ammy's attention to shift although she was still irked about Aragorn's staring.

"We will train you in the mornings in this form and for at least an hour after your transformation at dusk. This way you will have some defence against our enemies in at least one form or another. Also you should gain some idea of how to evade particular enemies or shepherd them to us. So now, we spar!"
The elf picked up a conveniently placed branch that was about 5 feet long and swung it at Amaterasu's head.

"Waah!" she exclaimed as she dropped to the ground. "I've just woken up! And I could kill you! 370 pounds of muscle, fang and claw that would tear a boar apart let alone a squishy human and a skinny elf." The tigress darted away from the branch as Legolas jabbed and prodded at her.

"You must learn to control that power." Aragorn said as he pulled on his leather coat with long sleeves. He had learnt his lessons the other day when Ammy had been possessed. The scratches from her claws had just healed over, save for one and it looked like he would gain a new white scar. The Ranger then drew his sword and began to come towards Ammy.
"If you don't control it you can't use it. If you can't use it then no matter how good are you are at dodging, which you are demonstrating...wonderfully, then your attacker has the upper hand. Lady Ama you must fight back or will you be weak and defenceless all your life?"

'How dare he?' Ammy thought indignantly as curled her lips back and showed her sharp, white teeth in a silent snarl. 'I am not helpless, not in this form. But I fear she will escape if I anger.'

Gandalf had helped seal Izanami into the deepest recesses of Ammy's mind but continually the old shapeshifter beat at the walls of her prison, trying to overpower Amaterasu and control her body. She worried that if Izanami saw too much, felt too much or heard too much of what Ammy was experiencing then the spirit of the ruler would react and gain strength against her.

As she was thinking she dodged Aragorn's blade swings and Legolas' thrusts. So deep in thought she failed to hear Gimli sneaking up behind her. The Dwarf was unarmed but when Amaterasu was a mere two feet from him, he let out a loud war cry and leapt on her back. The force of his jump knocked the tigress and the dwarf over and they rolled across the ground. Gimli clung firmly onto Ammy's back as came to her feet and contorted her body, trying to throw the dwarf off.

Once again her instincts came into play and she tried to reach back and bite him.

'This isn't working!' Ammy thought 'If I'm not careful I could seriously hurt Gimli or the others. Use your head!'

She leapt into the air and as she fell, Ammy turned over so her back and side slammed into the ground. The Dwarf clinging onto her back had no chance to escape and as they landed her weight went straight into his stomach. He let out a blast of air, unprotected by his armour which was sat by his axe, the weight of the tigress caused all his breath to escape and he lay winded on the ground.

"She's...She's a clev...clever one!" Gimli gasped out as he drew large breaths into his lungs.

Snickering Ammy turned her attention back to Aragorn and Legolas just in time to duck a swing of sword and staff. Both males had used Ammy's preoccupation with Gimli to sneak up on her and she was hard pressed for several minutes to dodge both attackers. As she feinted and dodged she watched both men.

They moved in perfect tandem. Where one attacked the other fell back and defended. The two never got in each other's way; they seemed to instinctively know what the other would do. Beginning to get tired of dodging Ammy managed to duck under Aragorn's blade whilst Legolas had fallen back. As she ducked under the sword she lunged forward and bowled the man over.

His blade flew from his grasp and as he fell back and landed on the ground, he could see Ammy standing over him looking smug. She lifted one paw and placed it at his throat. The claws that were normally hidden sprang forth and tickled the soft skin.

"Defenceless huh? I think it's the other way around Aragorn. After all what are swords against natural weapons?" She cockily boasted and then sprang off the Ranger. Legolas laughed and reached down a hand to the fallen man.

"I believe Lady Ama is more formidable than we first thought. The natural instincts with the brain of a woman? I think we must strategise before tomorrow Aragorn. And maybe employ more attackers to see how she deals with more numbers."

"Never poke a sleeping tiger!" Ammy laughed and trotted off back to the camp, a slight skip in her steps.

Later that day as they rested and had a meal Merry and Pippin received sword lessons from Boromir with Aragorn giving advice. Frodo and Sam watched with unconcealed amusement as they ate. Legolas stared off into the distance. Gimli was grumbling to Gandalf and Ammy lay on a rock enjoying a nap and the warmth of the sun on her fur.
As she catnapped she kept one ear alert for any danger and was roused from her slumber when Merry and Pippin attacked Boromir and Aragorn.

"Ammy! Come save us!" Pippin yelped as they tumbled over the ground. Ammy rose to her feet and loped down. Merry was wrestling with Aragorn and didn't seem to be doing too badly. Pippin on the other hand was struggling wildly against the man of Gondor and getting nowhere. Gently grasping the back of Pippin's clothes she pulled him from under Boromir.
At her appearance Boromir stiffened and then bowed mockingly.

"Perhaps, the lady wishes to spar instead?" There was a jeering tone to his voice which Ammy bristled at. Determined to ignore the man she set Pippin on his feet and nuzzled encouraging the Hobbit to stroke her fur. As he began to stroke her fur she purred and felt the tension begin to seep from her body.

"Or is the lady just a pet for Hobbits, dancing and playing when they command?" Again the Gondorian prompted her to take action. She whirled round tucking Pippin into the curve of her body. As she opened her mouth to reply to Boromir she was interrupted by Legolas calling out to the Fellowship.

"Crebain from Dunland! Everyone hide!"

The Fellowship could see black shapes moving speedily towards them in the sky and leapt into action. The fire was doused and they hid under rocks and outcrops covered in sparse bush and grasses.
Searching desperately Amaterasu looked for a place to hide but all were too small.

'If only I was smaller!' She thought desperately.

All of a sudden pain engulfed her and she felt as if her entire body was engulfed in flames. Her bones and muscles popped and just as the pain grew to a climax and she thought she might scream it stopped.

Blinking furiously as her vision sharpened everything had grown larger. The bushes seemed enormous and everything on the ground from rock to ant seemed magnified. Still dazed Ammy crept into a hollow her heart pounding in terror. Crows wheeled and circled over head and she cowered further into the rocky hollow.
After several tense seconds the crow left and her unprecedented terror faded. She could hear the Fellowship clambering from their hiding places as if they were right next to her. As they discussed their next plan of action Ammy crept from her hiding place and hopped slowly towards the discussing males.

"Ammy! Ammy where are you?" Frodo called out as they gathered their belongings and made ready to continue. "Aragorn! I cannot find Amaterasu!"

"Lady Ama, where have you disappeared too?" Legolas whispered as he surveyed their resting spot. The Fellowship began to climb over the rocks they had been resting on, peering behind large ones
and calling for her.

Just as she was about to reply a pair of booted feet appeared in front of her and a large hand grasped her around the scruff of her neck.

"I haven't found a tigress, but I have found dinner." Boromir's voiced drawled from above her and as she hung limply in his grasp the man raised her to eye level. As he looked her over appraisingly and prodded her tummy with a finger Ammy squeaked and then cried out.

"You can't eat me! Frodo! Help! Boromir wants to eat me!" Her voice was shrill and she felt her eyes widen in shock.

The Fellowship fell silent and slowly turned to look at the stunned Gondorian and the quivering rabbit hanging in his grasp. The rabbit got over her panic and began to wriggle in Boromir's grasp squeaking and shrieking. As the Fellowship moved closer to the pair she ceased her struggles and sighed.

"Lady Ama, is that you?" Legolas asked as he came closer and peered almost disbelievingly at the rabbit. Pure white fur, gold eyes and at twitching black nose with wiry black whiskers peered up at him.

"Yes it's me! Don't let Boromir eat me Legolas! And please get me down, rabbits aren't supposed to be this high or they would be this tall." Her voice pierced the shell-shocked silence.

Mere seconds later Pippin, Merry and Gimli burst into laughter as the rabbit glared indignantly at them. Gandalf turned away but his shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. Taking pity on the embarrassed and distressed rabbit Legolas took her from Boromir's hold and cradled her in his arms.

"Is this better Lady Ama?" The elf asked his face serious and composed.

"Much better, thank you. Now what's the plan?" Ammy wriggled slightly as he curled into the comfort of the elf's arms. Once safely situated and comfortable she could see Frodo peering up at her wide-eyed and pale.

"I'm sorry Frodo. Doesn't look like I'll be able to give you lifts anymore. Not until I learn how to change back into a tigress. Look at it this way; I'm soft, cuddly, and warm and travel size for your convenience." Her nose twitched cutely and Frodo could see her eyes were sparkling with laughter.

"Just make sure none of the Hobbits or Boromir eats me!"

As the Fellowship struggled up the snowy plains of the mountain side Ammy tried to carry her own weight. Unfortunately her even more diminutive size meant that she fell behind quite easily. After falling through snow drifts several times each member of the group took it in turns to carry the rabbit.
There weren't any complaints about carrying her however, rather the mortals argued about who would carry her. Ammy's fluffy pelt was very warm and her little body was perfect to hold in their hands.

Once they had sorted out height problems, it made Amaterasu very dizzy if she was too high, Ammy was quite content to enjoy the scenery. The views from on the mountain side were spectacular. She could see the hills and land they had covered from Rivendell. Plains of barren wilderness as far as the eye could see.

'Don't see anything like that in England.' She thought.

After being passed back to Frodo who cradled her against his chest they talked quietly about the Shire and about Ammy's life as he struggled up a steep snowy slope. Their conversation was a welcome distraction for the Hobbit who was tired and cold, his feet numb in the snow despite the hairy layer.

Although he had spent much of the prior days riding on Ammy's back each day he felt tired, as if he had walked for many miles when in fact he had walked less than any of the others. Frodo didn't want to say anything however; the Fellowship was only here because of his volunteering. It would be selfish and unkind to moan when he had done less than they.

Up ahead the Fellowship could see the slope levelling out and a winding path began round the mountain face of Caradhas Galadon.

All of a sudden Frodo slipped on the snow and began to hurl back down the slope. Luckily Aragorn was behind them and managed to put Frodo's tumble to a stop, Ammy however was not so lucky.

During his fall Frodo had relinquished his hold on Ammy and in her fright at the unexpected movement she had grabbed onto the nearest thing in order to hold herself to the Hobbit. Unfortunately that thing happened to be the chain on which the Ring was fastened. Landing in the snow a few feet from Frodo and Aragorn, Amaterasu sat up and shook snow vigorously from her long ears and twitched her nose at the cold snow melting into her fur.

"Frodo! Are you alright Frodo? I have the..." Ammy began to shout down the hill to Frodo but was interrupted when a familiar hand picked her up by the scruff of her neck once again. The Ring and chain were hooked around one of her front paws and as Boromir lifted her it began to slip from her grasp. Ammy squeaked and clutched at Ring and chain pulling them tightly to her chest in both paws.

The cold metal of the chain soaked into her fur, but even worse was the Ring. It seemed to be emitting cold air that seeped into her very being. And her sensitive ears could hear strange noises emanating from it; as if it was whispering.

"Such a small thing..." Boromir said as he stared at the Ring. Amaterasu squeaked and tried to shift the Ring out of sight. "Yet it controls all our fates."

As Ammy glanced up at Boromir's face she flinched at the obsessed look he wore. It was as if he were possessed and as she watched a gleam appeared in his eye. She did not think it coincidence that the gleam occurred almost simultaneously to the whispering noise from the Ring growing louder.

"Boromir!" Aragorn called out, both hands on the hilt of his sword. He stood tall, Frodo braced against his legs. The rest of the party had turned around to see what the commotion was and Gandalf's grip on his staff tightened, Legolas drew and arrow and Gimli shifted his axe in his hand.

"Boromir, return Amaterasu and the Ring to Frodo." Aragorn's words seemed to have no affect on the Gondorian and beginning to feel panicked Ammy swung her hind legs at Boromir's face. Her powerful back legs hit his cheek and the contact seemed to snap him out of the trance-like state he had been in.

"Boromir I think you should put her down or give her to Frodo. You're scaring her."

Keep your eyes open for next week's chapter!

Love
Ryua